The General Studies (GS) 4 Paper of UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Examination comprises major subjects/topics like Ethics, Attitude, Aptitude, Emotional Intelligence, Moral Thinkers, Public Organisations and Probity in Governance. This article will provide you with the set of GS-IV Questions asked in UPSC Mains from the year 2013-2019 in the IAS Exam.
Aspirants can get a similar set of topic-wise GS 1, 2, and 3 questions of UPSC Mains from the links provided in the table below:
| Topic-Wise GS 1 Questions of UPSC Mains |
| Topic-Wise GS 2 Questions of UPSC Mains |
| Topic-Wise GS 3 Questions of UPSC Mains |
How to Prepare for GS 4 Ethics in UPSC
The broad topics in the IAS Mains General Studies paper 4 are:
- Ethics
- Attitude
- Aptitude
- Emotional Intelligence
- Moral Thinkers
- Public Organisations and
- Probity in Governance
In mains General Studies paper 4, questions revolve around the above-mentioned topics and the sub-topics entailed by these. The only difference is in the number of questions from these. To understand in detail how to prepare for the Ethics paper and to get the trend analysis of the GS 4 along with the strategy and syllabus, candidates can check GS 4 Structure, Strategy and Syllabus page.
GS 4 Questions Topic Wise Analysis
The table below mentions the number of questions asked from each topic in UPSC Mains GS-IV from 2013-2019:
#Topic 1 – Ethics
The topic ‘Ethics’ has the following sub-topics:
- Essence, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in – Human Actions
- Dimensions of Ethics
- Ethics – in Private and Public Relationships
- Human Values – Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great Leaders, Reformers and Administrators
- Role of Family Society and Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values
| GS 4 Questions – Ethics | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 6 (4 from theory and 2 from case study) |
| 2014 | 9 (7 from theory and 2 from case study) |
| 2015 | 5 (4 from theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2016 | 7 (4 from theory and 3 from case study) |
| 2017 | 5 (3 from theory and 2 from case study) |
| 2018 | 4 (2 from theory and 2 from case study) |
| 2019 | 2 (1 from theory and 1 from case study) |
Candidates can get the Ethics Questions for UPSC Mains GS 4 in the linked article.
#Topic 2 – Attitude
The topic ‘Attitude’ has the following subtopics:
- Content, Structure, Function
- Its Influence and Relation with Thought and Behaviour
- Moral and Political Attitudes
- Social Influence and Persuasion
| GS 4 Questions – Attitude | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 (1 from theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2015 | 2 (1 from theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2016 | 2 (Theory) |
| 2017 | 2 (Theory) |
| 2018 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2019 | 1 (Theory) |
Candidates can get the Attitude Questions for UPSC Mains GS 4 in the linked article.
#Topic 3 – Aptitude
The topic ‘Aptitude’ has the following subtopics:
- Foundational Values for Civil Service
- Integrity
- Impartiality and Nonpartisanship
- Objectivity
- Dedication to Public Service
- Empathy
- Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker-sections
| GS 4 Questions – Aptitude | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2014 | 5 (4 from theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2015 | 4 (1 from theory and 3 from case study) |
| 2016 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2017 | 3 (1 from Theory and 2 from case study) |
| 2018 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2019 | 1 (Case Study) |
Candidates can get the Aptitude Questions for UPSC Mains GS 4 in the linked article.
#Topic 4 Moral Thinkers and Philosophers
The topic ‘Moral Thinkers and Philosophers’ entails contributions of the thinkers from India and the World.
| GS 4 Questions – Moral Thinkers | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2015 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 (Theory) |
| 2018 | 2 (Theory) |
| 2019 | 3 (Theory) |
Candidates can get the Thinkers and Reformers Questions for UPSC Mains GS 4 in the linked article.
#Topic 5 Emotional Intelligence
The topic ‘Emotional Intelligence’ has the following subtopics:
- Concepts, and their Utilities and
- Application in Administration and Governance
| GS 4 Questions – Emotional Intelligence | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 (Theory) |
| 2018 | 2 (Case Study) |
| 2019 | 1 (Theory) |
Candidates can get the Emotional Intelligence Questions for UPSC Mains GS 4 in the linked article.
#Topic 6 Public Organisations
The topic ‘Public Organisations’ has the following subtopics:
- Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
- Status and Problems
- Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government and Private Institutions
- Laws, Rules, Regulations and Conscience as Sources of Ethical Guidance
- Accountability and Ethical Governance
- Strengthening of Ethical and Moral Values in Governance
- Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding
- Corporate Governance
| GS 4 Questions – Public Organisations | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 3 (2 from theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2014 | 2 (1 from Theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2015 | 2 (Theory) |
| 2016 | 2 (Theory) |
| 2017 | 3 (Theory) |
| 2018 | 3 (3 from theory and 2 from case study) |
| 2019 | 7 (4 from theory and 3 from case study) |
Candidates can get the Public Organisations Questions for UPSC Mains GS 4 in the linked article.
#Topic 7 – Probity in Governance
The topic ‘Probity in Governance’ has the following subtopics:
- Concept of Public Service
- Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity
- Information Sharing and Transparency in Government
- Right to Information
- Codes of Ethics
- Codes of Conduct
- Citizen’s Charters
- Work Culture
- Quality of Service Delivery
- Utilization of Public Funds
- Challenges of Corruption
| GS 4 Questions – Probity in Governance | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 3 (Case Study) |
| 2014 | 1 (Case Study) |
| 2015 | 3 (2 from theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2016 | 3 (2 from theory and 1 from case study) |
| 2017 | 4 (2 from theory and 2 from case study) |
| 2018 | 2 (Theory) |
| 2019 | 4 (3 from theory and 1 from case study) |
Candidates can get the Probity in Governance Questions for UPSC Mains GS 4 in the linked article.
Check all UPSC Previous Question Papers in one place, in the linked article.
UPSC Preparation:
| UPSC Mains | UPSC Exam Pattern |
| Current Affairs | Daily News Analysis |
| Gist of Yojana | Best of PIB |
Comments