UPSC Mains PYQs on Development and Extremism (GS Paper 3)
Every UPSC Mains question on Development and Extremism between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 8 questions on Development and Extremism (syllabus item 19 of GS Paper 3) between 2013 and 2025, worth 97.5 marks in all, about 1.1 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Left-Wing Extremism (6), N-E Insurgency (2). The busiest year was 2025 (2 questions, 25 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 3, item 19: Linkages between Development & spread of Extremism
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
Development and Extremism: questions year-wise with marks
2025 2 questions · 25 marks
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The Government of India recently stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be eliminated by 2026. What do you understand by LWE and how are the people affected by it? What measures have been taken by the government to eliminate LWE?
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What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade.
2022 1 question · 15 marks
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Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues gest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.
2020 1 question · 15 marks
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What are the sound determinants of left-wing extremism in Eastern part of India? What strategy should Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas?
2018 1 question · 10 marks
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Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India's approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.
2017 1 question · 10 marks
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The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.
2015 1 question · 12.5 marks
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The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements with Malkangiri and naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the left wing extremism (LWE) doctrine affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth.
2013 1 question · 10 marks
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Article 244 of Indian Constitution relates to Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Development and Extremism at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 3, item 19 (Internal Security) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 8 (2013-2025), about 1.1 a year |
| Total marks | 97.5 marks |
| Last five years | 3 questions, 40 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (4 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (2), Analyse (2), Explain (1) |
| Busiest year | 2025 (2 questions, 25 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2018 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2017 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2015 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 marks |
| Total | 8 | 97.5 marks |
Microthemes in Development and Extremism
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Left-Wing Extremism 6 · 72.5 marks
- N-E Insurgency 2 · 25 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 3
- 01. Indian Economy: Growth and Development 22 · 272.5 marks
- 02. Inclusive Growth 12 · 145 marks
- 03. Government Budgeting 8 · 97.5 marks
- 04. Major Crops and Cropping Patterns 12 · 157.5 marks
- 05. Irrigation 6 · 72.5 marks
- 06. Agricultural Storage, Transport and Marketing 5 · 57.5 marks
- 07. E-Technology for Farmers 4 · 50 marks
- 08. Farm Subsidies, MSP and PDS 12 · 150 marks
- 09. Animal Rearing 1 · 12.5 marks
- 10. Food Processing Industries 7 · 82.5 marks
- 11. Land Reforms 7 · 77.5 marks
- 12. Liberalisation and Industrial Policy 14 · 160 marks
- 13. Infrastructure and Investment Models 15 · 177.5 marks
- 14. Science and Technology in Everyday Life 14 · 147.5 marks
- 15. Indian Achievements and Indigenisation in S&T 5 · 57.5 marks
- 16. IT, Space, Robotics, Nano and Biotechnology, IPR 23 · 282.5 marks
- 17. Conservation, Pollution and EIA 32 · 395 marks
- 18. Disaster Management 16 · 205 marks
- 20. External State and Non-State Actors 5 · 62.5 marks
- 21. Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering 16 · 190 marks
- 22. Border Areas and Organised Crime 20 · 242.5 marks
- 23. Security Forces and Agencies 4 · 57.5 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on Development and Extremism?
8 questions on Development and Extremism appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 between 2013 and 2025, worth 97.5 marks in all. That is about 1.1 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Development and Extremism microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Development and Extremism are Left-Wing Extremism (6), N-E Insurgency (2). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was Development and Extremism asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Development and Extremism was 2025 (2 questions, 25 marks). The lightest was 2022 (1 questions, 15 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Development and Extremism questions carry?
Of the 8 questions on Development and Extremism, 3 of 15 marks, 1 of 12.5 marks, 4 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on Development and Extremism?
The directive words in the 8 questions on Development and Extremism are Discuss (2), Analyse (2), Explain (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is Development and Extremism important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 3 questions on Development and Extremism, worth 40 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 3, worth 32.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Development and Extremism belong to?
Development and Extremism belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 3, titled Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Development and Extremism PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules