# UPSC Mains GS 3 practice: climate change, AI in payments 2026-09-24T01:27:06+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Indian Express has released Week 173 of its UPSC Mains answer practice, focusing on GS 3 topics: the impact of climate change on India's economy and the role of Agentic AI in digital payments. This week's practice set includes two questions, one on each subject. Candidates are expected to analyze how climate change affects economic growth, agriculture, and infrastructure, and to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using Agentic AI in digital payment systems. The practice aims to help aspirants structure answers with relevant data and examples. The exercise is part of a weekly series designed to aid UPSC preparation. Aspirants can use the questions to assess their understanding and improve answer-writing skills ahead of the Mains examination. ## Indian Opinion Analysis This practice set targets two high-yield GS 3 areas that often appear in the UPSC Mains. Climate change questions typically require candidates to link scientific reports, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments, to specific Indian economic sectors. Agentic AI, a newer topic, reflects the examination's growing focus on emerging technologies in governance and finance. Candidates should prepare concrete examples, such as the Reserve Bank of India's 2024 digital payments index or recent UPI innovations, to substantiate their answers. The actual Mains exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, will test similar analytical depth in September 2025. Practice sets like this are crucial for building the structured, data-backed responses expected by examiners. ## Coverage - indianexpress.com Tags: Agentic AI, climate change, Indian Express, Union Public Service Commission, UPSC Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/upsc-mains-gs-3-practice-climate-change-ai-in-payments/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/upsc-mains-gs-3-practice-climate-change-ai-in-payments/#story-in-brief