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Psychology and Economic Development – Psychology Optional PYQs (1995–2026)

Here are all 53 Psychology and Economic Development 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.

11.1] Achievement motivation and economic development

17 questions

  1. Critically explain the relationship between achievement motivation and economic development. [2026/15m/7b]

  2. Explain the interrelation between achievement motivation and entrepreneurial behaviour? Discuss the role of child rearing practices in the development of achievement motivation and entrepreneurial behaviour. [2024/20m/8c]

  3. What is achievement motivation? Discuss how family and cultural factors contribute to enhance achievement motivation. [2023/20m/6c]

  4. Explain the psychological conceptualization that helps in understanding the economic development. [2020/10m/150w/5a]

  5. Discuss the relationship of achievement motivation to entrepreneurial behaviour, citing relevant research. [2019/10m/150w/5c]

  6. Explain the interrelationship among achievement motivation, entrepreneurial behaviour and economic development. Discuss critically as to whether achievement motivation can be enhanced through training. Cite relevant Indian studies. [2018/20m/8c]

  7. Does need for affiliation come in the way of economic development of the tribal people? Discuss. [2016/15m/6a]

  8. What is the relationship that has been found between need for achievement, need for affiliation and need for power with economic development? Discuss the relevance of these findings in the context of Indian society. [2015/20m/2c]

  9. What psychological motives have retarded economic development in India, according to some psychologists? Discuss. [2014/20m/3c]

  10. Can achievement motivation be included as a base of training for economic growth and development of a country? Discuss the contribution of McClelland and his team in this context. [2012/12m/150w/5a]

  11. Discuss the contribution of David McClelland in the field of motivation. Discuss the salient feature of conducive environment for enhancement of achievement motivation. [2008/60m/8]

  12. Critically evaluate McClelland’s achievement motivation theory with reference to Indian women entrepreneurs. [2001/60m/6]

  13. How can you motivate people to achieve? [2000/20m/200w/5c]

  14. Critically evaluate McClelland’s ‘achievement motivation theory’ and discuss its relevance in the Indian context. [1999/60m/7]

  15. What is achievement motivation? What are the characteristics of an Indian with high achievement motivation? [1998/20m/200w/5d]

  16. Define achievement motivation. Discuss the basic factors on which the success of a programme of increasing individual motivation depends. [1997/20m/200w/1d]

  17. Discuss how achievement motivation is an essential component of entrepreneur syndrome. Draw up a programme of creating achievement motivation in rural people. [1995/20m/200w/5b]

11.2] Characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour

12 questions

  1. What motivates entrepreneurs to start and grow their business, and how do they maintain motivation in the face of challenges and setbacks? [2025/15m/8a]

  2. Explain the interrelation between achievement motivation and entrepreneurial behaviour? Discuss the role of child rearing practices in the development of achievement motivation and entrepreneurial behaviour. [2024/20m/8c]

  3. Discuss the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. [2022/10m/150w/5c]

  4. Illustrate the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. How can it be promoted among the youth? [2021/15m/7b]

  5. Discuss the relationship of achievement motivation to entrepreneurial behaviour, citing relevant research. [2019/10m/150w/5c]

  6. Explain the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. Discuss critically as to how entrepreneurial behaviour can be cultivated through training. Cite evidence in the Indian context. [2017/20m/7c]

  7. Explain psychological characteristics of a successful entrepreneur. [2014/20m/2c]

  8. Discuss how cognitive and motivational factors influence entrepreneurial behaviour. [2013/10m/150w/5c]

  9. Explain the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. How can people be motivated and trained for entrepreneurship and economic development? Comment on the utility of such programmes. [2007/60m/6]

  10. What do you mean by women entrepreneurs? What are the important characteristics of an entrepreneurial behaviour? [2005/60m/7]

  11. Identify the true characteristics of an entrepreneur. Discuss with reference to McClelland’s assumptions. [2003/20m/200w/5b]

  12. Enumerate the important characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. Describe the test you would use to identify the entrepreneurial qualities in a person. [2002/20m/200w/5c]

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11.3] Motivating and training people for entrepreneurship and economic development

13 questions

  1. How can people be motivated and trained for entrepreneurship? What specific issues would you consider while motivating and training women for entrepreneurship? Elaborate. [2024/15m/7b]

  2. Illustrate the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. How can it be promoted among the youth? [2021/15m/7b]

  3. On the basis of psychology of motivation write a programme-sketch for entrepreneurship development. [2020/15m/6b]

  4. What psychological factors act as barriers in the context of women’s entrepreneurship? How can they be overcome? [2018/10m/150w/5b]

  5. Explain the interrelationship among achievement motivation, entrepreneurial behaviour and economic development. Discuss critically as to whether achievement motivation can be enhanced through training. Cite relevant Indian studies. [2018/20m/8c]

  6. Explain the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. Discuss critically as to how entrepreneurial behaviour can be cultivated through training. Cite evidence in the Indian context. [2017/20m/7c]

  7. What role can psychologists play in the development and implementation of the ‘Skill India’ scheme of the Government of India? [2016/20m/6c]

  8. Can achievement motivation be included as a base of training for economic growth and development of a country? Discuss the contribution of McClelland and his team in this context. [2012/12m/150w/5a]

  9. Comment on the effectiveness of training programs for developing entrepreneurship and achievement motivation. [2010/20m/200w/5d]

  10. Explain the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour. How can people be motivated and trained for entrepreneurship and economic development? Comment on the utility of such programmes. [2007/60m/6]

  11. Identify the effective measures for motivating and training people for entrepreneurship and economic development. [2006/20m/200w/5c]

  12. Define achievement motivation. Discuss the basic factors on which the success of a programme of increasing individual motivation depends. [1997/20m/200w/1d]

  13. Discuss how achievement motivation is an essential component of entrepreneur syndrome. Draw up a programme of creating achievement motivation in rural people. [1995/20m/200w/5b]

11.4] Consumer rights and consumer awareness

5 questions

  1. How can consumer rights and consumer awareness impact consumer behaviour? [2026/15m/8b]

  2. Discuss the importance of consumer awareness in protecting consumer rights. How can consumers be empowered to make informed decisions? [2025/15m/6b]

  3. What do you understand by psychology of advertising? How can consumer awareness be enhanced through advertising? [2021/20m/6c]

  4. Discuss various rights of consumers. Critically evaluate the effect of consumer awareness on consumer behaviour. [2008/20m/200w/5c]

  5. Write a short note on: Consumer rights and Consumer courts – psychological perspective. [2004/20m/200w/5c]

11.5] Government policies for promotion of entrepreneurship among youth including women entrepreneurs

6 questions

  1. What are the key aspects of women entrepreneurship? What are the initiatives taken by the Government for promoting women entrepreneurship? [2026/10m/150w/5e]

  2. How can people be motivated and trained for entrepreneurship? What specific issues would you consider while motivating and training women for entrepreneurship? Elaborate. [2024/15m/7b]

  3. What psychological factors act as barriers in the context of women’s entrepreneurship? How can they be overcome? [2018/10m/150w/5b]

  4. What psychological knowledge can be used to develop a programme for women entrepreneurs? [2014/20m/6c]

  5. What do you mean by women entrepreneurs? What are the important characteristics of an entrepreneurial behaviour? [2005/60m/7]

  6. Critically evaluate McClelland’s achievement motivation theory with reference to Indian women entrepreneurs. [2001/60m/6]

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Last updated: 30 October 2026