Economy
UPSC PYQs on Growth, employment & jobless growth (2016–2026): every question, with answers
By Shivam Singh, Founder & Mentor, Minimalist IAS
· 3 min read
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UPSC has asked about Growth, employment & jobless growth in 9 of the exam years from 2016 to 2026: 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026. This page lists all 17 of those questions in one place (2 Prelims questions, 15 Mains questions), newest first, each linked to its page in the free PYQ vault, where the answer, the explanation and the sources sit. Read the questions first, without the answers, and mark the ones you cannot settle in a minute: that is your reading list for this sub-topic. The pattern across years shows how UPSC frames it, which facts recur and which pairings it tests. Nothing is explained here; the explanations are on the question pages, checked against official sources.
The questions, 2016–2026
2026 · Mains GS III Q2 — Examine the view that financial inclusion is an integral part of social and economic inclusion in a country like India. Also throw light on the…
2026 · Mains GS III Q11 — Explain the key challenges for India’s energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and…
2026 · Mains GS III Q12 — How are startups in India promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and employment ? Discuss the global and domestic challenges in their working and…
2025 · Mains GS III Q1 — Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why…
2023 · Mains GS III Q11 — Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest…
2022 · Mains GS III Q2 — Is inclusive growth possible under market economy ? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India.
2022 · Mains GS III Q11 — “Economic growth in the recent past has been led by increase in labour productivity.” Explain this statement. Suggest the growth pattern that will…
2021 · Mains GS III Q1 — Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015.
2021 · Mains GS III Q11 — Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V-shaped recovery ? Give reasons in support of your answer.
2020 · Prelims Q58 — With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements:
2020 · Mains GS III Q1 — Explain intra-generational and inter-generational issues of equity from the perspective of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
2020 · Mains GS III Q2 — Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP?
2019 · Mains GS III Q2 — Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your…
2019 · Mains GS III Q11 — It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this…
2018 · Prelims Q50 — Despite being a high saving economy, capital formation may not result in significant increase in output due to
2016 · Mains GS III Q1 — How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the…
2016 · Mains GS III Q6 — Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for…
Where to go next
Every question above belongs to one sub-topic of the UPSC syllabus. For the full set, with the years and the questions not listed here, open Economy: planning, growth & employment: all Mains questions. To see where this sub-topic sits in UPSC's own words, with its neighbours and the NCERT chapters that answered these questions, open the Mains GS III syllabus. To test yourself under time, take the Economy & social development timed Prelims sets, with UPSC's marking and negative marks.
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About the author
Shivam Singh
Founder & Mentor, Minimalist IAS
Shivam has been through every stage of the exam himself — Prelims, repeated Mains attempts across UPSC and state civil services, and the interview board. For 7 years he has mentored aspirants one-to-one, helping 100+ clear various stages of the exam, including final selections.
More about Shivam →