Topic Poverty
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 27 years (1999–2026), peaking in 1999.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 1999
- Recurs across 3 years (1999–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1999 → CDS 2014 → GEO 2026
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (2 of 3) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2026
According to the World Bank Poverty and Equity Brief (October 2025), 46% of India's poor lived in which of the following States?
- A Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
- B Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
- C Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
- D Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Economy › Poverty/Employment/Inclusion
CDS2014
V M Dandekar and Neel Kanth Rath were well-known for their
- A study on the spread of the Green Revolution
- B advocacy of nuclear power
- C advocacy of liberalization
- D study on poverty in India ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Economy › Poverty/Employment/Inclusion
CSE1999
Among which of the following sets of social/religious groups is the extent of poverty highest as per Government statistics for the 90s.
- A Muslims in Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh
- B Tribals in Bihar, MP and Maharashtra ✓
- C SCs in Punjab, Western UP, North Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
- D Christians in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Assam
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Population & Settlement
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