State-Specific Questions for the Personality Test of UPSC 2023

The UPSC interview delves deeper than mere facts on the Detailed Application Form. The home state holds
immense weight, revealing local awareness and potential to assess the candidate's interest in the surroundings.

State-Specific questions mentioned below are divided into two major segments:
o Static-based parameters – State Society, Polity, Economy, Geography, and Culture, etc.
o Current and applied – Current topics that are in the news related to the State, and prevalent issues.

Considering this, the following are the state-specific questions being asked in the Personality Test by the UPSC
Board.

State: Uttar Pradesh

Static-Based Parameters
Social • Describe the extent of the problem of malnutrition in Uttar Pradesh.
o Give figures? What has the government done?
• Should Uttar Pradesh be divided Geographically?
• What is your view on Uttar Pradesh’s population control policy?
• Which is the district with the lowest female literacy in Uttar Pradesh?
• Which district has the highest Infant Mortality Rate in Uttar Pradesh?
Urbanization/Sanitation • Describe the status of Urbanization in Uttar Pradesh.
etc. o Discussion on Smart cities and new infra development.
• What is the Safe City Project?
• District-wise comparison of sanitation in Uttar Pradesh?
Law & Order • What is the Uttar Pradesh Police model?
• Where do you see the highest crime in Uttar Pradesh?
• Western UP is developed but still filled with criminal activities. State
the reasons.
• Do you think there is a culture of impunity in Uttar Pradesh?
o What is the role of the judiciary in this?
• Even though UP has 350000 police personnel, which is a huge
number, why it is happening that they are overburdened?
Tourism/ Personality • Tell 5 things to improve tourism in Mathura.
/Others • Tell the board about the background of Kathak dance.
• Why is Varanasi famous?
• Differences between JNU and the University of Allahabad?
• In which year BHU got established?
• Who is GB Pant, contributions to the Indian Independence
movement?
Current and applied questions
Social • Did you notice any change in the ethos of your city after its name was
changed? (Allahabad’s name was changed to Prayagraj).
• As Ghaziabad SDM, what will be your priorities regarding changing
family systems? Explain the issues as well as solutions.

Infrastructure • A lot of MSMEs in UP are stressed.

o Is there a policy gap?
o What are the challenges?
• UP is organizing the Defence Expo – why? What is the use?
• Despite being the largest state why does it still not have the largest
GDP in India?
• What is the Status of Defence corridor in UP?
• UP has given 5 Prime ministers, why is it still backward?
• What are the potential sectors for investment in UP?
• Why there is a sharp increase in investment in Uttar Pradesh this
year (2021-22)?
 • What is the Annapurna Model that is in news?
• What is Shakti Didi’s campaign?
• Status of Electricity supply in Uttar Pradesh?

Administrative • There are demands within UP for the bi/trifurcation of the state. Do
you think it should be done?
• What is the process for splitting up or renaming the states?
• In 1956, States were reorganized based on language.
o Why didn't the government choose to make the entire Hindi-
speaking belt as one state, Give your Opinion.

Sanitation • How successful is Namami ganga?

• How will you make Ganga pollution free, if you become DM of
Kanpur?
• What is Kanpur’s tannery pollution?
o What are its challenges and its status?

Opinion • Do you think we have taken sufficient measures to protect Taj

Mahal?
• Migration from U.P, has it declined after the economic
developments?
• Is it right to Ban the Sale of Halal Marketed Products in the State?

State: Bihar
Static-Based Parameters
Social • Is there Feudalism still prevalent in Bihar?
• There are lot of scale small land-holding farmers? How to resolve this issue.
• Presence of Ranvir Sena? What is the impact on the state?
• Tell something about the issue of spurious liquor. Should we legalize it?
• Why there is such uproar for the caste-based census in Bihar?
o What impact has it caused?
o What is your opinion?
• How successful is the Prohibition of liquor in Bihar?
• Demand for special category status (SCS) to Bihar based on caste survey.
• List out Five problems of Bihar.
• What is the Status of communal violence in Bihar?
• Why does Bihar have a much higher migration rate?
• What do you think of the efficacy of caste subcategorization and sub-
caste census in Bihar?
• What is a BIMARU State?
• Do a comparative assessment of Bihar with other states?

Historical/Cultural • What is the unique name given to the Bihar – Nepal relationship (Roti –
Beti) Explain this unique relationship.
• There is a famous Sikh Gurudwara in Patna. What do you know about it?
• What are the important features of Maithili?
• Role of Bihar and Purnia in the Independence Movement.
• What do you know about Purulia?
• Why Nalanda, Vikramshila is important? When was it active? status of
restoration?
• What are Madhubani Paintings?
• What is Khari Boli?
Law and order • What is the status of uprooting mafia raj in Bihar?
• Your opinion on the Recent remission of a murder convict in the Bihar case.
 • Do you think Bihar’s image is tarnished because of Cinema than it is in
reality?
Infrastructure • Why development schemes are not working in Bihar?
• Who benefitted from Bihar and Jharkhand separation?
• Why Bihar-Jharkhand region is backward in terms of development?
• How Nepal can be convinced to solve the problem of flood in Bihar.

Environmental/Factual • Issue of Floods in Bihar? What steps can you take to tackle it?
o Long-term steps?
• Which are the left bank tributaries of the river Ganges?
o What is the impact of these rivers on Bihar?
• Bihar people use local materials for earthquake resistance.
o What can they be?
Current and Applied

Issue Based • What is the status of women in Bihar? Do you think women have been
empowered in your state?
• Why do laborers from Bihar work in Punjab?

Tourism • If you are made tourism secretary in Bihar, what challenges will you
identify and how will you improve them?

Situation-Based • If you are posted in Bihar, mention 3 steps that you will take to control
population growth.
• Is population an asset or a liability?
• If you are appointed as a collector in Bihar:
o How would NGOs help you as a collector,
o How you would change the Agri situation in Bihar,
o Why industries could not flourish in India, and what industries
one would set up in Bihar?

State: Rajasthan
Static-Based Parameters
Social • Are child marriages still prevalent in Rajasthan? What measures are taken?
o What can you do to stop child marriage while posted as a DM?
• Why are social evils still prevalent in Rajasthan?
o what are the major social evils in Rajasthan? What steps are taken?
• Reason for low female literacy in Rajasthan?
• Reasons for Rising female feticide cases in Rajasthan?
• Increasing crimes as certain community persons killing other community leaders
affect the social environment.
o How to tackle it?
• Child sex ratio of Rajasthan?
o How to improve further?
• Difference between Sati and Johar?
• What are the major tribes of Rajasthan?
• Reasons behind the aridity of the native district?
• What is the specialty of Rajasthan?
• What do you know about Chipko Andolan?
• What is special about the Bishnoi Community?
o How do you see the environment conservation model of the Bishnoi
Community? Can we implement it in pan India?
Administrative • Recently Rajasthan has created some more districts.
o what is the significance of the creation of a new district?
• Is there a need for a state to have many smaller districts rather than larger
districts?
• Percentage of princely states area in colony?
 • What is the difference between Mewar and Marwad?
Development • There are so many industrialists from the state, so why is Rajasthan lagging in
terms of industrial development?
• In which district of Rajasthan, one district one product can be promoted?
• Do you think Rajasthan’s economy is thriving in history, what have been new
initiatives to boost the economy in Rajasthan?
• The Indira Gandhi Canal has benefitted people, but what is its strategic and
security-related importance?
• Why AMUL-like model not developed in Rajasthan despite having a large cattle
population?
• Rajasthan is called a BIMARU state, what are reasons for poor development?
Energy • What was the Pokhran test?
o Did it affect India’s peace-loving image?
• How is the state of Rajasthan contributing to helping India address climate change
challenges?
• Percentage in wind and solar energy contribution? Renewable energy potential of
Rajasthan?
Minerals • What is the status of recent lithium reserves found in Rajasthan?
o In what quantity has it (lithium) been found?
• Why so late have lithium reserves been found in Rajasthan?
• Type of Minerals found in Rajasthan?
o Replacement of Uranium?
• Difference between Rajasthani Marble and other marbles?
Water Conservation • Desertification? What do you know about the Green Wall?
o What is the Current status?
• What irrigation methods are used in western Rajasthan cultivation?
• Who is Waterman of India?
• Which are the traditional water harvesting techniques used in Rajasthan?
• We are seeing floods in Rajasthan these days.
o Why is a dry state seeing floods?
Education • What is the reason for high suicide rates in Kota?
• Why is Rajasthan emerging as a coaching hub?
• What is the state government doing to deal with the challenges arising from its
emergence as a coaching hub?
Tourism • How to improve the tourism potential of Rajasthan?
• What are the challenges of Rajasthan’s tourism sector?
• What is the status of Tourism in Rajasthan?
Current and applied
Situation Reaction • What is Rajasthan's right to health bill and prolonged discussion on it?
• What was the Karni Sena issue all about? Do you support such pressure Groups?
• While being SP of the concerned district, how would you have handled the Karni
Sena protest?
• What is your view on the recent Right to Health Bill in Rajasthan?
Factual • Name a few National Parks of Rajasthan and the Tiger reserve of Rajasthan
• Name of products exported from Rajasthan?
• Which districts will be benefitted by Delhi Mumbai Expressway?
• Tell the board about Maharana Pratap.
• What is the famous festival of Jaipur?
• GI tags of Rajasthan?
• What is the area of Thar Desert?
o What kind of industries are there in the Thar desert?
• Why there are so many color cities in Rajasthan?

State: Madhya Pradesh

Static-Based Parameters
Social • Why is Madhya Pradesh called the heart of India?
• Why is malnutrition still high in Madhya Pradesh?
• How would you improve anemia in MP?
• What are specific steps for women empowerment in MP?
• Tell the board about the tribal heritage of MP?
• What are the major tribes of MP? And what is their status?
o What are the major schemes for tribal welfare?
• Why Alirajpur still is the most malnourished district of India?
• Narsinghpur- 3 things that are special about it?
o Discussion about Arhar dal?
Development • What is the term “BIMARU”?
• Which districts will benefit from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway? Social
significance?
• Has Namami Narmada been successful?
• What is the status of irrigation in Madhya Pradesh?
o What are linking projects?
Administrative • What Madhya Pradesh got after bifurcation?
• Significance of Madhya Pradesh as being geographically centered in India?
• Are there any demands for a separate state in Madhya Pradesh?
• Do you think today we need to separate Vindhya Pradesh from MP?
o Why there is regional disparity?
• How do you perceive CM Ladli Behna Yojana of MP? Is giving freebies a good
idea?

Cultural/Tourism • What is the potential of tourism in MP?

• In Madhya Pradesh there is a place called Sanchi. What is its importance? What is
the place? Who built it?
• How and why did such a great culture of music develop in Gwalior?
o Name some of the great musicians of Gwalior.
• Who was Devi Ahilya, why was she famous, and what are her contributions?
• What purpose would the Mahakal corridor serve?
• Tell me about Advaita Vedanta related to the Statue of Oneness of Adi
Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar.

Current and applied

Law and Order • What do you think about the increasing crime rates in urban settlements of MP?
o (NCRB Report was in the news and MP ranked top in one of the highest
crime state tallies)
• Status of Naxalism in MP? How to deal with it?
Environment/Energy • Is Cheetah relocation- Kuno Palpur a successful Project? What was the need to
make such critical project?
• Why Chambal dacoits are famous? which popular film is based on them?
o How do Chambal ravines form?
• Does MP have the largest forest area?
o Name a few Tigers reserves of Madhya Pradesh.
• Do you know about the Bhopal gas tragedy?
• What are the initiatives taken by MP for climate change?
• What is the extent of Solar Power in MP and tell us some state-specific steps by
the MP govt?
• What is more important mineral exploration or forest conservation?

Factual/applied • Tell me about Bhuri Bai. (The Millet Women of India)

• How does only MP in India have a white marble-based and
o Why only MP has diamond production?
• What do you know about Lametaghat Geological Park of MP?
• What do you know about Narmada Man?
• Have you heard about the Solar Man of India who belongs to MP?
 State: Maharashtra
Static-Based Parameters
Social • What steps did Maharashtra take for Nomadic Tribes?
• Why privileged castes like Marathas demand reservation?
o What is your opinion on giving them a reservation in OBC?
• Caste violence and rivalry are more visible in Maharashtra. What do you think are
the reasons?
Cultural • Tell the board about the history of the Marathwada region. Present prevalent
issues?
• What is the historical significance of Ahmednagar?
• Tell the board about the Vidharbha region of MH.
o Why it is backward?
• What is the History of Marathas?
• Tell us the board about Jorwe culture.
Development • What part of Maharashtra is still underdeveloped?
• How to promote tourism in Maharashtra?
• Why is Mumbai called the financial hub of India?
• A significant portion of the country's revenue comes from Mumbai.
o Why do you think such a high proportion come from Mumbai?
• Many districts in Rajasthan receive less rainfall than Marathwada so why drought
conditions are severe in Marathwada?
Administrative • Do you support the bifurcation of Maharashtra? Please justify your stand.
• Isn't Maharashtra a big state? Don't you think it hampers governance?
• What are the transportation problems of Mumbai?
• What are the major crimes in Maharashtra?
• What is the MH – Karnataka boundary issue?

Agriculture • Why are so many farmer suicides in Maharashtra?

o Current stats on farmers’ suicide?
• Status of agriculture in MH?
o Status of crop diversity in MH?
• Is sugarcane suitable in MH?
• What are onion farmers demanding?
o Onion price issue in Maharashtra?
o Why its Export banned?
Current and applied
Law and Order • How to tackle illegal Drug manufacturing racket?
• Status of Western Ghats Conservation and Ecozone?
• What is the issue with the Jaitapur factory protest?
• How has the perception been in recent times about crime in Mumbai?
• Naxal problem in gadchiroli? What is the specific number of locals joining the
Naxal ranks in gadchiroli?
Urbanization • What are the problems of Mumbai?
o challenges of expanding Mumbai City since it is sandwiched between the
sea and western ghats?
o Elaborate Coastal Road?
• Do you promote slum tourism?
• Should Mumbai be given union territory status as Gujarat and Maharashtra are
fighting over it?
• If we go by the reports, by 2100 half of Mumbai will submerge. What is the
solution?
Situation Reaction • Suppose you are an officer in charge in one of the districts of MH, how will you
oppose strong sugar lobbies, and liquor barons?
o Any steps taken on this?
• Tell us about the problems your district i.e. Ahmednagar is facing?
o As a DM how will you handle these problems?
• How will you develop backward regions of Maharashtra as a governor?
Other issues • What is the Anti-defection in two big parties?
o What is the SC verdict?
o What is the Assembly speaker's role?
• Political instability in Maharashtra causing development deficit.

State: Andhra Pradesh

Static-Based Parameters
Social • What is the history of Andhra Pradesh?
o Do you think linguistic formation was the right decision?
• Where famous Balaji temple is located?
o Is it in AP or Telangana?
Administration • What is the process of bifurcation followed in Andhra Pradesh?
o What articles were involved in the process?
• Your opinion on 3 capital proposals of Andhra Pradesh?
o Any example in the world?
• Andhra Pradesh benefits, losses, pending issues after bifurcation?
• Amaravati farmers’ agitation completes four years amidst policy turmoil?
• what is your opinion on Andhra Pradesh-Telangana bifurcation?
• Is Andhra Pradesh's economy doing well after Bifurcation?
• Special status issue for Andhra Pradesh could not be fulfilled?
o why? what is your opinion?
• Which are the newly added 13 new districts? What was the need?
• How many states do you think India should have?
Agriculture • East Godavari district is called the Rice Bowl of Southern India,
o Why is it so?
o Is there cane cultivation present?
Current and Applied
Development • Difference between urbanization in Vizag and in Chennai cities?
• How to improve Pochampalli to expand the market?
• How Can Andhra Pradesh use its coastal area for revenue generation?
• What is the Machilipatnam Port Project?
o What is the historical importance of it?
• What is Andhra’s SALT program?
• What are the measures of Cyclone preparedness in the Andhra coast?
Law and Order • Why did Naxalism start in Andhra Pradesh?
o Genesis of Naxalism in AP and Telangana
• What are the measures taken by the government?

State: Telangana
Static-Based Parameters
Social • Mention the Tribes in Telangana.
• Describe the historical and cultural developments of Telangana in short.
• Human trafficking in Hyderabad?
o Why it's high? And how to tackle it?
• Why there is Migration from Telangana to Gulf nations at a large scale?
o How does it impact Telangana socially, and economically?
• Why are more workers and laborers working in Hyderabad from coastal
Andhra?
• What is jyotirlinga?
o Does Telangana have any?
• Historical significance of Warangal?
Administration • Telangana and Vidarbha are almost similar, but Telangana was carved out of
AP, why not Vidarbha?
• Why was Telangana created when we opted for one language one state
policy?
o Just because culture changes every 100 km, should we have new
state for every 100 km?
• Tell the board about the genesis of the Telangana movement?
• Compare TS-AP bifurcation with Bihar-chattisgarh-Jharkhand?
• Telangana Liberation Day Sept 17 celebration issue?
Development • What are the urban services which can be improved in Hyderabad?
• What is C4IR Telangana?
• What is different water distribution, and storage project in Telangana?
• How successful is Rythu Bandhu scheme?
• Telangana is planning to grow oil palm.
o Can we replace Tobacco cultivation with Oil palm? Isn't it the same
agro-climatic zone?
• Are you aware of the Telangana model?
Current and applied
Law and Order • Status of Naxalism in Telangana?
• Status of cyber development in Telangana?
Others • Difference between Hyderabadi and Awadhi Biryani.
• Forest cover in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
• Forest types in Telangana?