UPSC (IAS/IPS/IFS) Essay Questions

Here we share thought-provoking essay and analysis questions for UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) and state civil services such as OPSC (OAS/OPS/OFS), BPSC and others. The aim is to make you think from different angles and write a balanced answer without bias. New questions are added from current events.

About the UPSC Essay paper

• The Essay paper in UPSC Mains carries 250 marks and is 3 hours long.
• You write two essays – one from each section, with four topics in each section.
• Most successful candidates write about 1,000–1,200 words per essay.
• OPSC and other state commissions also have an essay paper in their Mains exam.

Question of the month – US tariffs on Indian goods (August 2025)

Hint for your answer: start with the facts, then look at both sides – India’s exporters and workers, and the US view on trade deficits. Use examples from affected sectors, and end with practical steps India can take, such as market diversification and trade agreements with other partners.

100 practice questions on India and the world

These questions follow the same pattern as the question of the month: each one asks you to analyse causes, effects on India and possible outcomes. Pick one question a day, spend 20 minutes planning and 40 minutes writing, and compare your answer with news and expert opinion. They are useful for the UPSC Essay paper, GS Paper II (International Relations) and GS Paper III (Economy, Environment, Science and Technology), and for OPSC and other state civil services.

A. Global trade, tariffs and protectionism

1. Is the world moving from free trade to “managed trade”? Analyse the causes of rising tariffs and what this shift means for a developing economy like India.
2. Tariffs are often called a tax on one’s own consumers. Examine this statement with examples of recent tariff wars between major economies.
3. Is the World Trade Organization still relevant? Discuss the crisis in its dispute settlement system and suggest reforms that India should push for.
4. “Friend-shoring” and “China plus one” are reshaping global supply chains. Evaluate how far India has benefited and what is still holding it back.
5. Analyse the impact of higher US tariffs on India’s labour-intensive exports such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather and marine products. How should India protect the workers in these sectors?
6. Should India join large regional trade agreements such as RCEP or CPTPP? Weigh the benefits of market access against the risks to domestic industry and agriculture.
7. Critically examine the use of export controls and sanctions as instruments of foreign policy, and their effect on countries that are not party to the dispute.
8. “Trade deals are no longer only about tariffs.” Discuss the growing role of labour standards, environment, data flows and intellectual property in modern trade agreements, and India’s position on each.

B. India–United States relations

9. India and the US describe each other as strategic partners, yet trade disputes keep recurring. Analyse the areas of convergence and friction in the relationship.
10. What should India’s red lines be in a trade agreement with the United States, especially on agriculture, dairy, medicines and digital trade?
11. Evaluate the importance of the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) for India’s security, and whether it can survive changes in US policy.
12. Examine the role of the Indian diaspora and H-1B visa policy in shaping India–US relations.
13. How can India buy discounted Russian oil and still maintain good relations with the United States? Discuss India’s policy of strategic autonomy with examples.
14. Assess India–US cooperation in critical and emerging technologies such as semiconductors, AI, defence manufacturing and clean energy.

C. Iran, West Asia and the Gulf

15. Analyse the impact of the recent conflict involving Iran on West Asia’s security, and on India’s energy supply, shipping routes and diaspora.
16. The Strait of Hormuz carries a large share of the world’s oil trade. Discuss what a disruption there would mean for India and how India should prepare.
17. Examine the future of the Chabahar port project and the International North–South Transport Corridor in the light of sanctions and conflict involving Iran.
18. Around nine million Indians live and work in the Gulf countries. Discuss the economic importance of their remittances and India’s responsibility for their safety during crises.
19. Look back at the Gulf War of 1990–91. What were its effects on India’s economy, and what lessons did India learn about energy security and evacuating its citizens?
20. Evaluate the prospects of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) amid continuing conflict in West Asia.
21. Discuss how India balances its relations with Israel, Iran and the Arab countries at the same time. Is this balance becoming harder to maintain?

D. Oil prices and energy security

22. India imports more than 85% of its crude oil. Analyse how a sharp rise in oil prices affects India’s inflation, current account deficit, rupee and government budget.
23. Should the government cut excise duty on petrol and diesel whenever global oil prices rise? Discuss the fiscal and environmental trade-offs.
24. Evaluate the role of India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves and suggest how India can make its energy supply more secure.
25. Can ethanol blending, electric vehicles and green hydrogen reduce India’s dependence on imported oil? Examine the progress so far and the challenges ahead.
26. Analyse how OPEC+ decisions influence world oil prices, and whether India should work with other large buyers to gain more bargaining power.
27. “The energy transition will create new dependencies on critical minerals.” Discuss this statement with reference to lithium, cobalt and rare earths, and India’s strategy to secure them.

E. Russia–Ukraine war

28. Analyse the global impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on food, fertiliser and energy prices, and how it affected developing countries.
29. Evaluate India’s position on the Russia–Ukraine war. Has strategic autonomy served India’s national interest?
30. Has the Russia–Ukraine war strengthened or weakened NATO and the European Union? Discuss with reasons.
31. Examine the effectiveness of Western sanctions against Russia. What does the experience teach about the limits of economic warfare?
32. Discuss what the Russia–Ukraine war has taught the world about modern warfare, especially drones, cyber attacks and information warfare.
33. If a peace settlement is reached, what role could India play in reconstruction and in building trust between the two sides?

F. China’s rise and India–China relations

34. Is China’s rise peaceful? Analyse its economic, military and technological growth and its effect on the regional order in Asia.
35. Examine the Belt and Road Initiative. Is it a development partnership or a debt trap for smaller countries? Use examples from India’s neighbourhood.
36. India has a large trade deficit with China. Analyse its causes and suggest ways to reduce dependence on Chinese imports without harming Indian industry.
37. Discuss the state of the India–China border after the 2020 Galwan clash, and the steps needed to build lasting peace along the Line of Actual Control.
38. “Cooperation where possible, competition where necessary.” Evaluate whether this is the right approach for India towards China.
39. Analyse China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean and its implications for India’s maritime security.
40. Examine China’s dominance in rare earths, solar panels and batteries. How can India build its own supply chains in these sectors?
41. Can India and China cooperate within BRICS and the SCO while competing in South Asia? Discuss.

G. India–Russia relations

42. Russia has been a time-tested partner of India. Is the relationship still as relevant in a changing world order? Analyse.
43. India buys a large share of its defence equipment from Russia. Discuss the risks of this dependence and the path to self-reliance in defence.
44. Evaluate the growth of India–Russia trade after 2022. Is it sustainable, given the trade imbalance and payment problems?
45. How does the closeness between Russia and China affect India’s interests? Suggest how India should respond.

H. India–Japan relations

46. India and Japan share a “Special Strategic and Global Partnership”. Analyse the pillars of this relationship and its importance for the Indo-Pacific.
47. Evaluate Japan’s contribution to India’s infrastructure, from the Delhi Metro to the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail project.
48. Discuss the potential of India–Japan cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy.
49. Examine India–Japan cooperation in the development of North-East India and the Bay of Bengal region.

I. Europe, the UK and India

50. Analyse the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Which Indian sectors stand to gain the most, and what concerns remain?
51. Evaluate the importance of a free trade agreement between India and the European Union. How should India respond to EU measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?
52. What role will Europe play in the future of world trade and security? Can it act independently of the United States and China?
53. Discuss the rise in defence spending in Europe after the Russia–Ukraine war, and the opportunities it creates for India’s defence exports.
54. Examine the effect of Europe’s energy crisis on its industry and its relations with Russia, the US and the Gulf countries.
55. Is Brexit a lesson for other regional groupings? Analyse the costs and benefits of leaving the European Union for the United Kingdom.
56. Discuss how migration has become a major political issue in Europe, and what this means for Indian students and workers.

J. The rise of Africa and India–Africa relations

57. “The 21st century will belong to Africa.” Examine this statement in the light of Africa’s young population, natural resources and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
58. Analyse the competition among China, India, the US, Europe, Russia and the Gulf countries for influence in Africa.
59. Evaluate India’s development partnership with Africa, including lines of credit, capacity building and the pan-African e-network.
60. The African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency. Discuss the significance of this step for the Global South.
61. Examine the potential of India–Africa cooperation in agriculture, health, digital public infrastructure and critical minerals.
62. Discuss the challenges to peace and stability in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, and their effect on global security and trade.

K. Venezuela and Latin America

63. Venezuela has among the largest proven oil reserves in the world, yet its economy has collapsed. Analyse the causes of this crisis and the country’s prospects.
64. Discuss how political change and the easing or tightening of sanctions on Venezuela could affect world oil markets and Indian refiners.
65. Evaluate the role of the United States in Latin America today and the growing presence of China in the region.
66. Examine the opportunities for India in Latin America in lithium, oil, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

L. BRICS, G7, G20 and global governance

67. Analyse the future of BRICS after its expansion. Is it becoming a real alternative to Western-led institutions, or a loose group with differing interests?
68. India holds the BRICS chair in 2026. What priorities should India set, and how can it keep the group from becoming an anti-Western bloc?
69. Discuss the idea of de-dollarisation and a common BRICS currency. Is it practical, and what is India’s position?
70. Is the G7 still the most important economic club in the world? Examine its relevance given the rise of emerging economies.
71. Evaluate the achievements of India’s G20 presidency and its role as a voice of the Global South.
72. Examine India’s claim to a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. What are the main obstacles, and how can India overcome them?
73. “The UN Security Council reflects the world of 1945, not today.” Discuss the need for Security Council reform and the proposals put forward.
74. Analyse the role of the IMF and the World Bank in helping developing countries through debt crises. Do they need reform?
75. Evaluate the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for India’s interests in Central Asia and in fighting terrorism.

M. The future of the Indian economy

76. Can India become a developed country by 2047? Analyse the growth rate required and the main reforms needed to achieve Viksit Bharat.
77. India is among the fastest-growing major economies, yet unemployment among educated youth remains high. Discuss the reasons and possible solutions.
78. Evaluate the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. Have they succeeded in making India a manufacturing hub?
79. Examine how India’s digital public infrastructure, such as UPI, Aadhaar and ONDC, has changed the economy, and whether it can be a model for other countries.
80. Discuss the demographic dividend. Is India using its young population well, or could it turn into a demographic burden?
81. Analyse the growth of the services sector and India’s Global Capability Centres. Can services-led growth create enough jobs?
82. Examine the state of Indian agriculture and suggest reforms to raise farmers’ incomes in a sustainable way.
83. Discuss the role of states like Odisha in India’s growth story, with reference to mining, ports, steel, tourism and industrial investment.

N. Pollution, climate change and sustainable development

84. Air pollution in Indian cities is a public health emergency. Analyse its causes and evaluate the effectiveness of the National Clean Air Programme.
85. Examine India’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Which goals is India close to achieving and where is it lagging behind?
86. Discuss the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” in climate negotiations. Is it still fair and workable?
87. Evaluate India’s target of net-zero emissions by 2070 and its renewable energy goals. What are the main challenges in achieving them?
88. Climate finance promised by developed countries has fallen short. Analyse the reasons and suggest how developing countries can raise funds for climate action.
89. Coastal states like Odisha face frequent cyclones. Discuss what the world can learn from Odisha’s disaster management model.
90. Examine the problem of plastic pollution and the steps needed to move towards a circular economy.
91. Discuss India’s water crisis – falling groundwater, polluted rivers and uneven rainfall – and suggest long-term solutions.
92. Mission LiFE asks people to adopt sustainable lifestyles. Can individual behaviour change make a real difference to climate change? Discuss.

O. The future of ISRO and India’s space programme

93. Evaluate ISRO’s journey from launching rockets from Thumba to landing near the Moon’s south pole. What made India’s space programme cost-effective and successful?
94. Discuss the plans for Gaganyaan, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and future Moon missions. What will they mean for India’s science and global standing?
95. Analyse the opening of the space sector to private companies and the role of IN-SPACe. Can India become a major player in the global space economy?
96. Examine the growing problem of space debris and the need for international rules on the use of outer space.

P. The future of war

97. Drones, artificial intelligence and cyber attacks are changing warfare. Discuss how India should prepare its armed forces for future wars.
98. Should there be an international agreement to regulate autonomous weapons that can select targets without human control? Discuss the ethical and security questions involved.
99. Analyse the idea of “grey zone” and hybrid warfare, where countries use economic pressure, cyber attacks and disinformation instead of open war.
100. “In a nuclear world, the only winning move is not to fight.” Examine the relevance of nuclear deterrence and arms control agreements today.

How to write a good civil services essay

1. Spend 20–30 minutes planning before you write. Note down points under headings such as social, economic, political, environmental and ethical.
2. Introduction: begin with a short story, a fact or a quotation that leads to the topic.
3. Body: cover several dimensions, use examples from India and Odisha, and present both sides.
4. Conclusion: end on a balanced, forward-looking note with realistic solutions.
5. Language: simple, clear sentences are better than difficult words.

Want to know about each civil service – the work, promotions and salary? Read our career counselling guide and UPSC Civil Services page.