Philosophy Optional · Paper II · Socio-Political Philosophy
Development and Social Progress Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Development and Social Progress, Unit 08 of Paper II, Section A: the official syllabus, 6 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 15 questions from 2000 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
6
Free notes
15
Questions listed
12
Asked since 2013
2000–2026
Years covered
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units
Official UPSC syllabus
Development and Social Progress: syllabus
The syllabus text for this unit in Paper II, Section A (Socio-Political Philosophy) of Philosophy Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to it.
Development and Social Progress.
Paper II · Section A · Unit 08
Development and Social Progress notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order, written for UPSC Mains in plain language, with diagrams and the previous year questions on each topic.
Free notes
Free practice
Previous year questions: Development and Social Progress
All 15 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 2000 and 2026, grouped by sub-topic with the most-asked first, newest first within each. Questions from 2013 onwards are shown; earlier ones open on a tap.
How often UPSC asks each sub-topic
| Sub-topic | Questions | Since 2013 | Last asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic vs Social Progress | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ethical Basis of Progress | 3 | 2 | 2017 |
| Technology and Skills | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Concept of Progress | 2 | 0 | 2005 |
| Democracy and Development | 1 | 1 | 2026 |
| Tribal Values | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Gandhian Development | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Alienation | 1 | 1 | 2014 |
Economic vs Social Progress
4 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 4
2024Is economic development a necessary condition, sufficient condition, both or neither, in order to achieve social progress? Give reasons and justifications for your answer. (15 marks)2022Do you agree that economic development does not on its own lead to human development and social progress? Give reasons and justifications for your answer. (20 marks)2016Is it possible to measure social progress independent of economic development ? Discuss. (15 marks)2015“Inequitable development leads to social conflicts rather than social progress.” Explain. (10 marks)
Ethical Basis of Progress
3 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2017
Asked since 2013 · 2
2017Critically evaluate whether the ideal of social progress gives a secondary significance to an individual’s freedom over his duties. (15 marks)2017Evaluate the concept of social development as rooted in ethical principles against the concept of social progress being based on economic and political ideals. (20 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2010 · 1 question
2010Is social progress possible without humanism? Examine (15 marks)
Technology and Skills
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2023
Asked since 2013 · 2
2023In the present scenario, will the emphasis on skill education enhance development? Evaluate. (15 marks)2019Does technological development lead to progress in the ethical standards of the society? Explain. (15 marks)
Concept of Progress
2 questions · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2005
2000–2005 · 2 questions
2005What do you understand by progress? Have human beings made progress in all fields of their activity? Discuss (60 marks)2000Concept of social progress and human development. (20 marks)
Democracy and Development
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 1
2026Examine the relationship between democracy and development. Does democracy promote or hinder development? (15 marks)
Tribal Values
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 1
2025Is it possible to reconcile the concept of development with tribal values to bring social and economic progress? Discuss. (15 marks)
Gandhian Development
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2020
Asked since 2013 · 1
2020State and examine the Gandhian concept of social development. (20 marks)
Alienation
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2014
Asked since 2013 · 1
2014By eliminating alienation can we bring social progress? Critically analyse. (15 marks)
Year-wise question papers
All question papers Topic-wise PYQ bank (both papers) 2026 paper 2025 paper 2024 paper 2023 paper
Next · Paper II · Unit 09
Gender Discrimination
Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land and Property Rights; Empowerment.
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