UPSC Mains PYQs on External State and Non-State Actors (GS Paper 3)
Every UPSC Mains question on External State and Non-State Actors 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 5 questions on External State and Non-State Actors (syllabus item 20 of GS Paper 3) between 2013 and 2025, worth 62.5 marks in all, about 1.3 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Threat from External state and Non-state actors (5). The busiest year was 2014 (2 questions, 25 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 3, item 20: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
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.
External State and Non-State Actors: questions year-wise with marks
2021 1 question · 15 marks
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Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to take to be taken to combat the threats.
2018 1 question · 10 marks
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The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China's larger 'One Belt One Road' initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.
2016 1 question · 12.5 marks
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Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major concern. How have these have misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.
2014 2 questions · 25 marks
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The diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighbourhood. Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment.
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China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India's security? Critically examine.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
External State and Non-State Actors at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 3, item 20 (Internal Security) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 5 (2013-2025), about 1.3 a year |
| Total marks | 62.5 marks |
| Last five years | 1 questions, 15 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 12.5 marks (3 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (2), Enumerate (1), Suggest (1), Examine (1) |
| Busiest year | 2014 (2 questions, 25 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2018 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2016 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2014 | 2 | 25 marks |
| Total | 5 | 62.5 marks |
Microthemes in External State and Non-State Actors
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Threat from External state and Non-state actors 5 · 62.5 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
- 19. Development and Extremism 8 · 97.5 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 External State and Non-State Actors?
5 questions on External State and Non-State Actors appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 between 2013 and 2025, worth 62.5 marks in all. That is about 1.3 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which External State and Non-State Actors microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in External State and Non-State Actors are Threat from External state and Non-state actors (5). 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 External State and Non-State Actors asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for External State and Non-State Actors was 2014 (2 questions, 25 marks). The lightest was 2021 (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 External State and Non-State Actors questions carry?
Of the 5 questions on External State and Non-State Actors, 1 of 15 marks, 3 of 12.5 marks, 1 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 External State and Non-State Actors?
The directive words in the 5 questions on External State and Non-State Actors are Discuss (2), Enumerate (1), Suggest (1), Examine (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 External State and Non-State Actors important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 1 questions on External State and Non-State Actors, worth 15 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 3, worth 37.5 marks.
Which GS paper does External State and Non-State Actors belong to?
External State and Non-State Actors 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 External State and Non-State Actors 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