UPSC Mains Disaster Management PYQs, 2016-2026

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2026

1. 7

   Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 18

   "Community participation is the cornerstone of effective disaster management". Analyse this statement with suitable examples from India. Also discuss the challenges to community participation and measures to strengthen it.

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2024

1. 17

   What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also mention the global targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).

   250 words · 15 marks

2. 18

   Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods.

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2023

1. 7

   Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.

   150 words · 10 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2022

1. 8

   Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 18

   Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard?

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2021

1. 8

   Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 18

   Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy.

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2020

1. 18

   Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach.

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2019

1. 8

   Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 18

   Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides.

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2018

1. 18

   Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing 'Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)'. How is this framework different from 'Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005'?

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2017

1. 18

   On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.

   250 words · 15 marks

Disaster Management questions in GS Paper 3 2016

1. 15

   The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. ie Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.

   200 words · 12½ marks

2. 16

   With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.

   200 words · 12½ marks

Other GS Paper 3 topics

Indian Economy · Agriculture · Science & Technology · Environment · Internal Security