UPSC Mains PYQs on Human Values (GS Paper 4)
Every UPSC Mains question on Human Values 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 13 questions on Human Values (syllabus item 2 of GS Paper 4) between 2013 and 2025, worth 130 marks in all, about 1.9 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Teachings of Great Leaders (7), Crisis of Ethical Values (3), Value Based Questions (2), Role of Educational institutions (1). The busiest year was 2020 (3 questions, 30 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 4, item 2: Human Values: Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great Leaders, Reformers and Administrators; Role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
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.
Human Values: questions year-wise with marks
2025 1 question · 10 marks
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What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.
2023 2 questions · 20 marks
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"Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society." In your opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society?
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What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.
2020 3 questions · 30 marks
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"Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round development of an individual and social transformation".Examine the New Education Policy,2020 (NEP,2020) in light of the above statement.
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What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard.
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What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss.
2017 2 questions · 20 marks
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The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss.
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"Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them." – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.
2016 1 question · 10 marks
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Discuss Mahatma Gandhi's concept of seven sins.
2015 1 question · 10 marks
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Social values are more important than economic values. Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation.
2014 3 questions · 30 marks
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We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace.
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Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical conduct in life? Give the gist of his/her teachings giving specific examples, describe how you have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development.
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All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness mean to you? Explain with examples.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Human Values at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 4, item 2 (Ethics) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 13 (2013-2025), about 1.9 a year |
| Total marks | 130 marks |
| Last five years | 3 questions, 30 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (13 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (5), Explain (3), Examine (1), Suggest (1) |
| Busiest year | 2020 (3 questions, 30 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2023 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2020 | 3 | 30 marks |
| 2017 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2016 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2015 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2014 | 3 | 30 marks |
| Total | 13 | 130 marks |
Microthemes in Human Values
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Teachings of Great Leaders 7 · 70 marks
- Crisis of Ethical Values 3 · 30 marks
- Value Based Questions 2 · 20 marks
- Role of Educational institutions 1 · 10 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 4
- 01. Ethics and Human Interface 31 · 315 marks
- 03. Attitude 15 · 150 marks
- 04. Emotional Intelligence 6 · 60 marks
- 05. Moral Thinkers and Philosophers 32 · 320 marks
- 06. Aptitude and Foundational Values 14 · 140 marks
- 07. Public Service Values and Ethics in Administration 35 · 350 marks
- 08. Probity in Governance 20 · 200 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 Human Values?
13 questions on Human Values appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 between 2013 and 2025, worth 130 marks in all. That is about 1.9 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Human Values microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Human Values are Teachings of Great Leaders (7), Crisis of Ethical Values (3), Value Based Questions (2), Role of Educational institutions (1). 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 Human Values asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Human Values was 2020 (3 questions, 30 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 Human Values questions carry?
Of the 13 questions on Human Values, 13 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 Human Values?
The directive words in the 13 questions on Human Values are Discuss (5), Explain (3), Examine (1), Suggest (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 Human Values important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 3 questions on Human Values, worth 30 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 7, worth 70 marks.
Which GS paper does Human Values belong to?
Human Values belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 4, titled Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Human Values 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