Attitude and Persuasion — PYQ Trend Intelligence

What the data shows

In the mapped 2013–2026 GS 4 dataset, 9 questions connect to attitude and persuasion across 8 exam years. The highest observed count is 2 in 2016. These counts describe historical coverage, not the probability of a future exam question.

Method: topic hierarchy adapted from the supplied GS1–GS4 topic-map PDFs (2013–2025); questions are linked using MainsBuddy metadata term matching, restricted to GS4. Overlapping themes may include the same question. 2026 questions are mapped as a separate extension beyond the PDFs. Cross-topic matches may occur; these are provisional classifications, not verified question-level PDF mappings.

Questions by year

Answer-writing intelligence

Directives recorded for mapped questions include Explain the quote, Discuss, Explain how, Explain, Suggest. Compare how the demand changes across years: identify the directive, split the question into its components, and practise within the stated mark allocation.

Mapped previous year questions

1. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marks"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." – William James
2. 2022 · GS4 · 10 marksThe Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations.
3. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksAttitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human being. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant?
4. 2020 · GS4 · 10 marksA positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive attitude in a person?
5. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksYoung people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward.
6. 2016 · GS4 · 10 marksHow could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
7. 2016 · GS4 · 10 marksOur attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are often shaped unconsciously by family and social surroundings; some acquired attitudes and values are undesirable in a modern democratic and egalitarian society. (a) Discuss such undesirable attitudes and values prevalent among today's educated Indians. (b) How can they be changed and socio-ethical values cultivated in aspiring and serving civil servants?
8. 2015 · GS4 · 10 marksTwo attitudes exhibited by public servants towards work are the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude. Distinguish between them with merits and demerits, and examine whether they can be balanced for better and faster administration.
9. 2014 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat factors affect the formation of a person's attitude towards social problems? Contrasting attitudes are prevalent about many social problems. What contrasting attitudes do you notice about the caste system in our society, and how do you explain their existence?