UPSC Mains PYQs on Inclusive Growth (GS Paper 3)
Every UPSC Mains question on Inclusive Growth 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 12 questions on Inclusive Growth (syllabus item 2 of GS Paper 3) between 2013 and 2025, worth 145 marks in all, about 1.2 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Inclusive Growth (3), Inclusive Growth × Infrastructure (2), Inclusive Growth × Sustainable Development (2), Financial Inclusion (2). The busiest year was 2016 (3 questions, 37.5 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 3, item 2: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
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.
Inclusive Growth: questions year-wise with marks
2025 1 question · 10 marks
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Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why is the IHDI considered a better indicator of inclusive growth?
2024 1 question · 10 marks
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Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth?
2022 1 question · 10 marks
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Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India.
2021 1 question · 15 marks
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Investment in infrastructure is essential for a more rapid and inclusive economic growth. Discuss in the light of India's experience.
2020 1 question · 10 marks
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Explain intra-generational and inter-generational issues of equity from the perspective of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
2019 1 question · 15 marks
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It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement.
2017 1 question · 15 marks
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What are the salient features of 'inclusive growth'? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth.
2016 3 questions · 37.5 marks
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Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.
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Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges.
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What are 'Smart Cities? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for Smart Villages' in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.
2014 1 question · 12.5 marks
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Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages shortsightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism driving inclusive growth in India? Discuss.
2013 1 question · 10 marks
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With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new Companies Bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also discuss other provisions in the Bill and their implications
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Inclusive Growth at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 3, item 2 (Economic Development) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 12 (2013-2025), about 1.2 a year |
| Total marks | 145 marks |
| Last five years | 4 questions, 45 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (5 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (3), Examine (2), Suggest (2), Explain (1) |
| Busiest year | 2016 (3 questions, 37.5 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2017 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2016 | 3 | 37.5 marks |
| 2014 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 marks |
| Total | 12 | 145 marks |
Microthemes in Inclusive Growth
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Inclusive Growth 3 · 37.5 marks
- Inclusive Growth × Infrastructure 2 · 27.5 marks
- Inclusive Growth × Sustainable Development 2 · 25 marks
- Financial Inclusion 2 · 22.5 marks
- Inclusive Growth × Capitalism 1 · 12.5 marks
- Inclusive Growth × Public Expenditure 1 · 10 marks
- Corporate Social Responsibility 1 · 10 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 3
- 01. Indian Economy: Growth and Development 22 · 272.5 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
- 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 Inclusive Growth?
12 questions on Inclusive Growth appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 between 2013 and 2025, worth 145 marks in all. That is about 1.2 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Inclusive Growth microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Inclusive Growth are Inclusive Growth (3), Inclusive Growth × Infrastructure (2), Inclusive Growth × Sustainable Development (2), Financial Inclusion (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 Inclusive Growth asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Inclusive Growth was 2016 (3 questions, 37.5 marks). The lightest was 2025 (1 questions, 10 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Inclusive Growth questions carry?
Of the 12 questions on Inclusive Growth, 3 of 15 marks, 4 of 12.5 marks, 5 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 Inclusive Growth?
The directive words in the 12 questions on Inclusive Growth are Discuss (3), Examine (2), Suggest (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 Inclusive Growth important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 4 questions on Inclusive Growth, worth 45 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 6, worth 75 marks.
Which GS paper does Inclusive Growth belong to?
Inclusive Growth 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 Inclusive Growth 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