General Studies- I (for UPSC): Previous Years Questions

UPSC IAS GENERAL STUDIES: PAPER I

2013

There are 25 questions. All questions are compulsory. Word limit in questions wherever specified, should be adhered to. Content of the answer is more important than its length.

Q1. Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India , the Sangam literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment. (10 marks-200 words.)

Q2a. Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions. (5 marks- 100 words.)

Q2b. Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (5 marks- 100 words.)

Q3. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (10 marks-200 words)

Q4. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. 10 marks-200 words

Q5. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. 10 marks-200 words

Q6. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success. 10 marks-200 words

Q7. Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”. 10 marks-200 words

Q8. Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post independent India. 10 marks-200 words

Q9. Analyse the circumstances t hat led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the agreement. 10 marks-200 words

Q10. Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh. 10 marks-200 words

Q11. “Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experience. 10 marks-200 words

Q12. Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse. 10 marks-200 words

Q13. American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. 10 marks-200 words

Q14. What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? 10 marks-200 words

Q15. Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. 10 marks-200 words

Q16. Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment. 10 marks-200 words

Q17. Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India. 10 marks-200 words

Q18. Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss. 10 marks-200 words

Q19(a). What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support. 5 marks 100 words

Q19(b) The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin”. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate. 5 marks-100 words.

Q20(a) Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. 5 marks 100 words

Q20(b) What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place? 5 marks 100 words

Q21. Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why? 10 marks-200 words.

Q22(a) Bringout the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats. 5 marks 100 words

Q22(b) There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why? 5 marks 100 words

Q23(a) Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the Southern states of India ? Discuss with justification. 5 marks 100 words

Q23(b) Analyse the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India . 5 marks 100 words

Q24. With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world. 10 marks-200 words

Q25. It is said the India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesn’t appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved. 10 marks-200 words

2014

All the questions were compulsory. Each question was of 10 marks. UPSC wanted to answer the questions in NOT MORE THAN 150 words each. It was also mentioned that contents of the answer is more important than its length. 2 pages were left blank to answer each question.

To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.
Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.
Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense. Discuss.
The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?
Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment.
Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence.
In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India?
What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India?
What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self-image as a world power?
The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate.
How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India?
Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments.
The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than social values. Discuss.
Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of agriculture in India.
How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West?
Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree?
Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes.
Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos.
Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why?
Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent.
Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain.
Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water?
Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world.
Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world.
How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa?

2015

Answer the following questions in not more than 200 words each. Contents of the answers are more important than their length. All questions carry equal marks.

Note: Each question carries 12.5 Marks (12.5×20 = 200 Marks )

The ancient civilization in Indian sub continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without breakdown to the present day. Comment.
Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically evaluate this comment.
How difficult would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.
Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B R Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.
It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years, but its experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935 .Discuss.
Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present times?
To what extend can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically.
Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity.
Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India.
How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?
Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades.
Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India?
Debate the issue whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste.
Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation?
Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three Mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?
India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.
The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.
How far do you agree that the behaviour of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscape? Discuss.
Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in the backdrop of rural urban integration.
What are the economic significance of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences?

2016

Each Question is worth 12.5 marks and maximum word limit is 200. Content of the answer is more important than its length.

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives, successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.
Krishnadeva Raya, the king of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was a also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.
Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.
Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.
Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian unity?
The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western -educated Africans. Examine.
To what extent globalisation has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.
“An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.
Why are the tribals in India referred to as ‘the Scheduled Tribes’? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.
With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.”
What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.
Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.
“The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.”Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.
The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.
South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.
Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.
Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.
Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.
In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?

2017

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times? (150 words, 10 marks)
Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity. (150 words, 10 marks)
Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century? (150 words, 10 marks)
What problems are germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula? (150 words, 10 marks)
How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (150 words, 10 marks)
“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss (150 words, 10 marks)
Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by United Nations. (150 words, 10 marks)
How does the cryosphere affect global climate? (150 words, 10 marks)
In the context of the diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint. (150 words, 10 marks)
What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes(STs)? (150 words, 10 marks)
The spirit of tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate. (250 words, 15 marks)
Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy. (250 words, 15 marks)
Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian Independence since the twenties of the last century. (250 words, 15 marks)
Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects. (250 words, 15 marks)
Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications. (250 words, 15 marks)
In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India? (250 words, 15 marks)
What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia? (250 words, 15 marks)
The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th-century social reform movement. What are the major issues and debates concerning women in that period? (250 words, 15 marks)
Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India. (250 words, 15 marks)
“The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems”. Substantiate this statement with examples (250 words, 15 marks)

2018

Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Why is India taking keen interest in the Arctic region? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
“Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
“The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
‘Globalisation is generally said to promote cultural homogenisation but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.’ Elucidate. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

2019

Highlight the Central Asian and Greco Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
The 1857 uprising was the culmination of the recurrent, big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s ‘Indian Renaissance’ and the emergence of national identity.(Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Can the strategy of regional resource-based manufacturing help in promoting employment in India? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Discuss the factors for localisation of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
What makes the Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
“Empowering women is the key to control population growth.” Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15
How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
How is efficient and affordable urban mass transport key to the rapid economic development in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and coastal environment? Give suitable examples. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
Are we losing our local identity for the global identity? Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

2020

Q1. The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q2. Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q3. Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movements. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q4. Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum- Pacific Zone. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q5. The process of desertification does not have climate boundaries. Justify with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q6. How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far- reaching impact on the water resources of India? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q7. Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q8. Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi- cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q9. COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q10. Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

Q11. Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q12. Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q.13 Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q14. The interlinking of revivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q15. Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q16. India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q17. Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q18. Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation? Justify your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q19. Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

Q20. How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks