UPSC Mains PYQs on Security Forces and Agencies (GS Paper 3)
Every UPSC Mains question on Security Forces and Agencies 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 4 questions on Security Forces and Agencies (syllabus item 23 of GS Paper 3) between 2013 and 2025, worth 57.5 marks in all, about 1 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Mandates of Security forces (2), Act based (2). The busiest year was 2023 (1 questions, 15 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 3, item 23: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
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.
Security Forces and Agencies: questions year-wise with marks
2023 1 question · 15 marks
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What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.
2020 1 question · 15 marks
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Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.
2019 1 question · 15 marks
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The Indian government has recently strengthened the anti-terrorism laws by amending the Unlawful activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyze the changes in the context of prevailing security environment while discussing the scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations.
2015 1 question · 12.5 marks
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Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by the security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held bythe Apex Court.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Security Forces and Agencies at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 3, item 23 (Internal Security) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 4 (2013-2025), about 1 a year |
| Total marks | 57.5 marks |
| Last five years | 1 questions, 15 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 15 marks (3 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (2), Evaluate (1) |
| Busiest year | 2023 (1 questions, 15 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2015 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| Total | 4 | 57.5 marks |
Microthemes in Security Forces and Agencies
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Mandates of Security forces 2 · 30 marks
- Act based 2 · 27.5 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
- 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
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 Security Forces and Agencies?
4 questions on Security Forces and Agencies appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 between 2013 and 2025, worth 57.5 marks in all. That is about 1 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Security Forces and Agencies microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Security Forces and Agencies are Mandates of Security forces (2), Act based (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 Security Forces and Agencies asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Security Forces and Agencies was 2023 (1 questions, 15 marks). The lightest was 2023 (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 Security Forces and Agencies questions carry?
Of the 4 questions on Security Forces and Agencies, 3 of 15 marks, 1 of 12.5 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 Security Forces and Agencies?
The directive words in the 4 questions on Security Forces and Agencies are Discuss (2), Evaluate (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 Security Forces and Agencies important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 1 questions on Security Forces and Agencies, worth 15 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 1, worth 12.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Security Forces and Agencies belong to?
Security Forces and Agencies 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 Security Forces and Agencies 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