Rehabilitation Psychology – Psychology Optional PYQs (1995–2026)

Here are all 50 Rehabilitation Psychology questions asked in UPSC Psychology Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 5 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.

Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.

7.1] Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programmes: role of psychologists

7 questions

1. Examine the essential qualities of a rehabilitation psychologist and discuss the best practices in primary prevention of substance abuse. [2026/20m/3c]

2. What is primary prevention? Chalk out a primary prevention programme for substance use disorder in a slum community. [2025/20m/3c]

3. Explain situation focussed and competency focussed preventive mental health approaches. Discuss in the context of mentally challenged persons. [2024/20m/3c]

4. Discuss the role of psychologists in organizing tertiary level rehabilitation programmes. [2016/10m/150w/5d]

5. What role can psychologists play in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programmes in relation to terminal illness such as coronary heart disease and cancer? [2015/10m/150w/1d]

6. Discuss how the major role of rehabilitation psychologists is primarily as a ‘facilitator of adjustive behavior’ rather than as a ‘symptom eradicator’. [2012/12m/150w/1d]

7. Explain the need of prevention in mental health system. Describe Caplan’s three-fold model of prevention. [2001/60m/4]

7.2] Rehabilitation of physically, mentally and socially challenged persons including old persons

12 questions

1. Provide a community-based model for organizing services for rehabilitation of mentally challenged people. [2025/15m/4a]

2. Explain situation focussed and competency focussed preventive mental health approaches. Discuss in the context of mentally challenged persons. [2024/20m/3c]

3. Explain the strategies for rehabilitation of intellectually challenged person. [2023/15m/3b]

4. Discuss the major limitations of the aged having cognitive problems. Mention strategies used to improve their psycho-social health. [2022/15m/4b]

5. What role do cultural factors play in rehabilitation of senior citizens with possible memory and cognitive decline? Comment on the significance of family and social support in such rehabilitation in India. [2018/10m/150w/1d]

6. Discuss the role of social and environmental intervention in rehabilitation of the mentally challenged. Why are such interventions crucial in Indian settings? [2018/15m/4b]

7. Evaluate the role of social agencies in rehabilitation of mentally and socially challenged persons. [2016/15m/3a]

8. Discuss the relative efficacy of psycho-social and community-based rehabilitation models in case of the physically challenged. [2013/15m/200w/3a]

9. What, in your view, are the psychological problems that physically challenged people are more prone to? [2009/30m/3b]

10. Highlight the role of psychologists in rehabilitation of physically, mentally and socially challenged persons. [2005/60m/3]

11. How would you identify the mentally and socially challenged individuals? Can they be brought back to the main-stream of life? [2003/20m/200w/1d]

12. Do you agree with the view that urbanisation creates greater problems for the aged? Give reasons. Suggest measures to handle their psycho-social problems. [1995/20m/200w/5c]

7.3] Rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, criminal behaviours

18 questions

1. What role can social agencies play in supporting the re-integration of ex-offenders? [2026/10m/150w/1d]

2. Examine the essential qualities of a rehabilitation psychologist and discuss the best practices in primary prevention of substance abuse. [2026/20m/3c]

3. What is primary prevention? Chalk out a primary prevention programme for substance use disorder in a slum community. [2025/20m/3c]

4. Discuss rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents in Indian context. [2024/15m/3a]

5. Explain Bandura’s theory for understanding criminal behaviour. [2023/15m/4b]

6. Bring out the role of social agencies in the rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse. [2020/10m/150w/1b]

7. Who are juvenile delinquents? Discuss the steps involved in the rehabilitation and prevention of juvenile delinquency. [2020/15m/4b]

8. How can substance abuse be explained through different psychological approaches? How can rehabilitation process help the people indulging in substance abuse? [2019/20m/4c]

9. Discuss the importance and requirements of orthogenic schools in the context of pre-delinquent adolescents. [2017/15m/2b]

10. Examine the role of situational factors in criminal behaviour. [2016/15m/2a]

11. Substance abuse is a growing phenomenon among Indian youths. Discuss the psychological causes of and intervention measures for substance abuse. [2015/10m/150w/5d]

12. State the challenges the psychologists are likely to face in the rehabilitation of criminals. [2014/15m/6b]

13. What are substance abuse disorders? Explain etiological factors underlying them. Indicate the strategies for rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse disorders. [2007/60m/3]

14. Write a short note on: Rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse. [2006/20m/200w/1a]

15. Highlight the problems of alcoholism and drug addiction. Suggest measures to fight them. [2000/60m/6]

16. Distinguish between juvenile delinquency and crime. [1998/20m/200w/5a]

17. Juvenile delinquency is the outcome of broken homes. Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. [1997/20m/200w/5d]

18. Discuss how alcoholism, drug addiction and various kinds of crime are the symptoms of basic social disorganisation. Suggest ameliorative and rehabilitation measures. [1996/60m/8]

7.4] Rehabilitation of victims of violence

7 questions

1. Discuss the role of a psychologist in rehabilitation of victims of domestic violence with special reference to India. [2023/20m/3c]

2. A large number of people all over the world are forced to leave their homeland because of violence. What are the psychological problems faced by such victims of violence? Discuss a plan for their rehabilitation. [2017/10m/150w/5e]

3. Which rehabilitative strategies can be employed by the organisations to handle the workplace violence? [2014/10m/150w/1c]

4. Identify the physical and psychosocial consequences of being a victim of violence. Explain the nature of counseling and rehabilitation services a psychologist can render to the victims of violence. [2012/20m/250w/3b]

5. What are the causes of domestic violence? How is ‘belief in a just world’ used to rationalize this violence? [2012/12m/150w/5c]

6. Describe various psychological factors contributing to violence. Suggest strategies to be used for rehabilitation of the victims. [2008/20m/200w/5a]

7. What psychological disorders take place due to war? Discuss the importance of Counseling in dealing with War victims. [2005/60m/8]

7.5] Rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS victims; the role of social agencies

6 questions

1. What roles do the social agencies play in the rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS patients? [2021/10m/150w/1d]

2. What specific role can psychologists play in the management and rehabilitation of persons suffering from HIV/AIDS? [2015/15m/4b]

3. Discuss the role of social agencies in rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS victims. [2010/20m/200w/1d]

4. Discuss the psychological and cognitive problems of AIDS patients. Explain the facilities essential for their rehabilitation. [2008/60m/4]

5. Write a short note on: Rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS victims. [2007/20m/200w/1d]

6. Write a short note on: Rehabilitation of HIV/AIDS victims. [2004/20m/200w/1b]

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Last updated: 30 October 2026