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[Download] UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-1 (2013-2022) History, Geography, Social Science
since new syllabus
Home » [Download] UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-1 (2013-2022) History, Geography, Social
Science since new syllabus

1. Prologue
2. [Block-1] History
o History: Art & Culture
o History: India before Independence
o History: India After independence
o History: world
3. [Block-2] Social Science
o Social Science: Caste, Religion, Region, Globalization
o Social Science: Poverty, Population, Globalization
o Social Science: Globalization
o Social Science: Women
4. [Block-3] Geography
o Geography: Physical
o Geography: Climate, Disaster related
o Geography: Resources Distribution
o Geography: factors affecting industrial locations
o Geography: Urbanization / Society: Urbanization
5. Appendix: Linear paper of 2022-GSM1
6. Appendix: Model Answer pe Free Lecture & Powerpoint
7. Appendix: Syllabus of UPSC Mains-GSM1 General Studies Paper1

Prologue

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies
papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-I deals with History, Culture, Society
and Geography. Overall breakup looks like this

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Category GS Mains Paper-1 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

History Culture 20 40 25 25 10 35 10 50 10 40

History Freedom struggle 30 30 25 37.5 65 10 50 25 40 20

History World History 40 30 25 12.5 10 15 15 0 15 0

History Post independence 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 15

Society Religion, Region, 10 10 37.5 37.5 50 35 35 35 0 40

empowerment

Society Poverty, Population, 0 10 25 12.5 0 40 0 25 15 0

Development

Society Globalization Impact 10 0 12.5 12.5 0 15 15 15 40 10

Society Women 10 30 12.5 0 0 15 35 0 10 0

Society Urbanization 10 0 25 25 15 15 15 15 15 10

Geography Climate 10 20 37.5 12.5 60 10 55 10 15 0

Geography Disaster 10 10 0 12.5 15 0 0 0 0 10

Geography Physical 20 20 0 0 10 20 0 20 45 55

Geography Resources 20 20 25 62.5 0 10 10 45 35 50

Geography Industrial Location 10 30 0 0 15 30 10 10 0 0

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[Block-1] History

History: Art & Culture

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient aspects of Art, Architecture, literature from Ancient to Modern Times

How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days ? (�� 2022
कर� िक म�कालीन भारतीय मंिदरों की मूित�कला उस दौर के सामािजक जीवन का प्रितिनिध� करती है । )

Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture. (भारतीय 2022
िमथक कला और वा�ुकला म� िसंह एवं वृषभ की आकृितयों के मह� पर िवचार कर� ।)

Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture. (भारतीय 2022
पर�रा और सं�ृित म� गु�-काल और चोल काल के योगदान पर चचा� कर� ।)

Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (150 words) भ�� सािह� 2021
की प्रकृित का मू�ां कन करते �ए भारतीय सं�ृित म� इसके योगदान िनधा� रण कीिजए।

The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian 2020
art and history. Discuss. (शैलकृत �ाप� प्रारं िभक भारीतय कला एवं ऐतहास के �ान के अित मह�पूण� �ोतों म�
से एक का प्रितिनिध� करता है l िववेचना कीिजए l)

Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (भारत म� बौ� धम� 2020
के इितहास म� पाल काल अित मह�पूण� चरण है l िव�ेषण कीिजए l)

Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and 2020
their art in India. Discuss. (भारतीय दश�न एवं परं परा ने भारीतय �ारकों की क�ना और आकर दे ने एवं उनकी
कला म� मह�पूण� भूिमका िनभाई है l िववेचना कीिजए l)

Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. (म�कालीन भारत के 2020
फ़ारसी सािह��क �ोत उस काल के युगबोध का प्रितिबंब है l िटप�ी कीिजए l)

Highlight the Central Asian and Greco -Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (गांधाराई कला म� म� एिशयाई 2019
एवं यूनानी-बै��� याई त�ों को उजागर कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

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Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. 2018

Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the 2018
history of India.

The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 2018
Discuss.

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in 2017
later times?

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist 2016
ideals. Elucidate.

Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a 2016
great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in 2015
that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.

Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a tine 2015
aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this comment.

To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the 2014
present day urbanization? Discuss.

Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. 2014

Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number of 2014
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.

Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward 2014
structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment.

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Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India, the Sangam 2013
literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment.

Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions. 2013

Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. 2013

History: India before Independence

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues); Freedom
Struggle (various stages, important contributors from different parts of the country)

Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century ? Give 2022
reasons. (औपिनवेिशक भारत की अठारहवीं शता�ी के म� से �ों अकाल पड़ने म� अचानक वृ�� दे खने को
िमलती है ? कारण बताएं ।)

Why did the armies of the British East India Company – mostly comprising of Indian soldiers – win 2022
consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers ? Give
reasons. (अिधकां श भारतीय िसपािहयों वाली ई� इं िडया की सेना �ों त�ालीन भारतीय शासकों की सं�ाबल म�
अिधक और बेहतर सुस��त सेना से लगातार जीतती रही ? कारण बताएँ ।)

Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal 2021
and Brahmo Samaj. (150 words) यंग बंगाल एवं ब्र�ो समाज के िवशेष संदभ� म� सामािजक-धािम�क सुधार
आ�ोलनों के उ�ान तथा िवकास को रे खां िकत कीिजए।

To what extent did the role of the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment. 2021
(250 words) नरमपंिथयों की भूिमका ने िकस सीमा तक �ापक �तंत्रता आं दोलन का आधार तैयार िकया? िटप�ी
कीिजए।

Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil 2021
Disobedience Movement. (250 words) असहयोग आ�ोलन एवं सिवनय अव�ा आ�ोलन के दौरान महा�ा गाँ धी
के रचना�क काय�क्रमों को �� कीिजए।

Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movement. (लाड� 2020
कज�न की नीितयों एवं रा��ीय आं दोलन पर उनके दू रगामी प्रभावों का मू�ां कन कीिजए l)

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Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby 2020
expanded its social base. Discuss. (1920 के दशक से रा��ीय आं दोलन ने कई वैचा�रक धाराओं को ग्रहण िकया
और अपना सामािजक आधार बढ़ाया l िववेचना कीिजए l)

The 1857 Uprising was the culmination the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the 2019
preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. (1857 का िव�व िब्रिटश शासन के पुव�वत� सौ वष� म� बार-
बार घिटत छोटे एवं बड़े �ानीय िवद्रोहों का चरमो�ष� था | सु�� कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

Examine the linkages between 19th centuries ‘Indian Renaissance’ and the emergence of national identity. 2019
(उ�ीसवीं शता�ी के ‘भारतीय पुनजा� गरण’ और रा��ीय पहचान के म� सहल�ताओं का प�र�ण कीिजए | )
(10m,150 words)

Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. 2019
Elaborate. (गां धीवादी प्राव�ा के दौरान िविभ� �रों ने रा�� वादी आं दोलन को सु�ढ़ एवं समृ� बनाया था |
िव�ारपूव�क �� कीिजए | ) (15m,250 words)

Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 2019
1940s. (1940 के दशक के दौरान स�ा ह�ा�रण की प्रिक्रया को जिटल बनाने म� िब्रिटश साम्रा��क स�ा की
भूिमका का आकलन कीिजए | ) (15m,250 words)

Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. 2018

Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity. 2017

Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and 2017
political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?

Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy. 2017

The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What 2017
were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?

Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since 2017
twenties of the last century.

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Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies 2016
towards colonial India.

Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. 2016

Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle 2016
for freedom.

How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? 2015
Discuss.

It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the 2015
Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government
of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at 2014
Panipat?

Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth 2014
century till independence.

In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in 2014
India?

Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the 2013
struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.

Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in 2013
the Indian struggle for freedom.

In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. 2013

History: India After independence

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Post-Independence (consolidation and reorganisation within country)

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The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing 2022
process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples. (रा�ों एवं प्रदे शों का राजनीितक और
प्रशासिनक पुनग�ठन उ�ीसवीं शता�ी के म� म� िनरं तर चल रही एक प्रिक्रया है । उदाहरण सिहत िवचार कर� ।)

Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian 2021
Princely States. (150 words) भारतीय �रयासतों के एकीकरण की प्रिक्रया म� मु� प्रशासिनक मु�ों एवं सामािजक-
सां �ृितक सम�ाओं का आकलन कीिजए।

Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave 2013
and their success.

Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”. 2013

Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India. 2013

Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the 2013
agreement.

Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the emergence of 2013
Bangladesh.

History: world

GS1 Syllabus Topic: 18th century events (e.g. Industrial revolution, WWs, redrawn boundaries,
colonisation, decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g. communism, capitalism, socialism) and their
effect on society

“There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate 2021
the statement. (250 words) “दोनों िव� यु�ों के िबच लोकतंत्रीय रा� प्रणाली के िलए एक गंभीर चुनौती उ��
�ई।” इस कथन का मू�ां कन कीिजए।

Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French revolution. (�� 2019
कीिजए की अमरीकी एवं फ्रां सीसी क्रां ितयों ने आधुिनक िव� की आधारिशलाएं िकस प्रकार िनिम�त की थीं |)
(15m,250 words)

Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to 2018
preserve their cultural identity over there?

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What problems were germane to the decolonization process of Malay Peninsula. 2017

The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. 2016
Examine.

Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there 2015
during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present?

To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically 2015

What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti- 2014
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- 2014
image as a world power?

The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after 2014
independence. Evaluate.

“Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what 2013
west had experience.

Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse. 2013

American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. 2013

What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? 2013

[Block-2] Social Science

Social Science: Caste, Religion, Region, Globalization

GS1 Syllabus Topic:

• Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism; Social Empowerment

• Salient features of Indian Society; Diversity of India;

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Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be 2022
considered as a single category ? (भारत के जनजातीय समुदायों की िविवधताओं को दे खते �ए िकस िविश� स�भ�
के अ�ग�त उ�� िकसी एकल श्रेणी म� माना जाना चािहए ?)

Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism ? 2022
Justify your answer. (�ा सिह�ुता, स��लन एवं ब�लता मु� त� ह� जो धम�िनरपे�ता के भारतीय �प का
िनमा� ण करते ह� ? तक�संगत उ�र द� ।)

Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion. (भारतीय समाज म� जाित, 2022
�ेत्र तथा धम� के समानां तर ‘पंथ’ की िवशेषता की िववेचना कीिजए ।)

Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge system when compared with mainstream knowledge and 2021
cultural systems. (150 words) मु�धारा के �ान और सां �ृितक प्रणािलयों की तुलना म� आिदवासी �ान प्रणाली
की िविश�ता की जां च कीिजए।

How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking 2021
place in it. (250 words) भारत समाज पार��रक सामािजक मू�ों म� िनरं तरता कैसे बनाए रखता है ? इनम� होने
वाले प�रवत�नों का िववरण दीिजए।

Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with 2020
illustrations. (ब�-सां �ृितक भारतीय समाज को समझने म� �ा जाती की प्रासंिगकता समा� हो गई है ? उदाहरों
सिहत िव�ृत उ�र दीिजए l)

Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation? Justify your answer. (�ा भारत म� 2020
िविवधता एवं ब�लवाद वै�ीकरण के कारण संकट म� है ? औिच�पूण� उ�र दीिजए l)

Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. 2020
(�ा आप सहमत है की भारत म� �ेत्रीयता बढ़ती �ई सां �ृितक मुखरता का प�रणाम परतीत होती है ? तक� कीिजए l
)

Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree? (रीती-�रवाजों एवं पर�राओं 2020
�ारा तक� को दबाने से प्रगितिवरोध उ�� �आ है l �ा आप इससे सहमत ह� ?)

“Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be 2018
eradicated in India.” Comment.

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How the Indian concept of secularism is different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. 2018

‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation. Argue by giving suitable 2018
illustrations.

The spirit tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but 2017
it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.

Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has 2017
got transformed into the latter in independent India.

In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? 2017
Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.

What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence, addressing discrimination against 2017
Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? 2016

Why are the tribals in India referred to as the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in 2016
the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional 2016
basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a 2015
common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a 2015
national identity.

Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work 2015
towards annihilation of caste.

How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West? 2014

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Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. 2013
Discuss.

Social Science: Poverty, Population, Globalization

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues

Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India 2021
in detail. (250 words) जनसं�ा िश�ा के प्रमुख उ�े �ों की िववेचना करते �ए भारत म� इ�� प्रा� करने के उपायों
पर िव�ृत प्रकाश डािलए।

COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (कोिवद-19 महामारी ने 2020
भारत म� वग� असमानताओं एवं गरीबी को गित दे दी है l िटप�ी कीिजए l)

How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the educational system in the 2020
country? Elaborate your answer. (भारत म� िडिजटल पहल ने िकस प्रकार से दे श की िश�ा �व�ा के संचालन म�
योगदान िकया है ? िव�ृत उ�र दीिजए l)

What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss. (�ा बात है जो भारतीय समाज को 2019
अपनी सं�ृित को जीिवत रखने म� अि�तीय बना दे ती है ? चचा� कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism. (धम�िनरपे�ता के नाम पर हमारी 2019
सां �ृितक प्रथाओं के सामने �ा-�ा चुनौितयां ह� ?) (10m,150 words)

Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples. (�ा हमारे रा�� म� 2019
सव�त्र लघु भारत के सां �ृितक �ेत्र ह� ? उदाहरणों के साथ सिव�ार �� कीिजए | ) (15m,250 words)

‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, 2018
poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons.

Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. 2018

Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of 2018
convergence, collaboration and competition for its success.

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“An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from deprivation.” Substantiate this 2016
statement with suitable examples

Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the main cause of 2015
population increase in India.

Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades. 2015

The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than social values. Discuss. 2014

Social Science: Globalization

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Globalisation (effects on Indian society)

Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships. (पा�रवा�रक स��ों पर 2022
‘वक� फ्रॉम होम’ के असर की छानबीन तथा मू�ां कन कर� ।)

What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also? (250 2021
words) िक्र�ोकर� सी �ा है ? वैि�क समाज को यह कैसे प्रभािवत करती है ? �ा यह भारतीय समाज को भी प्रभािवत
कर रही है ?

Are we losing our local identity for the global identity? Discuss. (�ा हम वैि�क पहचान के िलए अपनी 2019
�ानीय पहचान को खोते जा रहे ह� ? चचा� कीिजए | ) (15m,250 words)

‘Globalization is generally said to promote cultural homogenization but due to this cultural specificities 2018
appear to be strengthened in the Indian Society. Elucidate.

Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India. (2013, Asked about 2015
Globalization effect on Elderly)

To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain. 2016

Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India. 2013

Social Science: Women

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• GS1 Syllabus Topic: Role of women and women’s organisation;

• Although some of the following questions fall under population and globalization categories,
but if a person cultivates habit of noting down women related topics under one head, it’ll
benefit in both GS1, GS2 and Essay.

Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 words) भारत 2021
म� मिहलाओं के सश��करण की प्रिक्रया म� ‘िगग इकोनॉमी’ की भूिमका का प�र�ण कीिजए।

“Empowering women is the key to control population growth”. Discuss (“मिहला सश��करण जनसं�ा 2019
संवृ�� को िनयंित्रत करने की कुंजी है |” चचा� कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space? (भारत म� मिहलाओं के सम� 2019
समय और �ान संबंिधत िनरं तर चुनोितयाँ �ा-�ा है ?) (15m,250 words)

‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata. Substantiate 2018
your view.

How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to 2015
women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?

How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India? 2014

Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of 2014
agriculture in India.

Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your 2014
arguments.

Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. 2013
Comment.

[Block-3] Geography

Geography: Physical

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient Features of World Physical Geography; Important Geophysical phenomena
(earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones); Geographical features and location;

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Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (प्राथिमक च�ानों की िवशेषताओं एवं प्रकारों का वण�न 2022
कीिजए।)

Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How? ( �ोभमंडल 2022
वायुमंडल का एक मह�पूण� परत है जो मौसम प्रिक्रयाओं को िनधा� �रत करता है । कैसे ?)

Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade. (अंतरा� ��ीय �ापार म� जलसंिध व 2022
�लसंिध के मह� का उ�ेख कीिजए ।.)

What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world. 2022
(समुद्री धाराओं को प्रभािवत करने वाली श��याँ कौन सी है ? िव� के म� उ�ोग म� इनके योगदान का वण�न कर� )

Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (150 words) िहमालय �ेत्र 2021
तथा पि�मी घाटों म� भू-�लनों के िविभ� कारणों का अंतर �� कीिजए।

Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment. 2021
(150 words) 2021 म� घिटत �ालामुखी िव�ोटों की वैि�क घटनाओं का उ�ेख करते �ए �ेत्रीय पया� वरण पर
उनके �ारा पड़े प्रभाव को बताइए।

Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer. (150 words) भारत को एक उपमहा�ीप 2021
�ों माना जाता है ? िव�ारपूव�क उ�र दीिजए।

Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local 2021
weather conditions, with examples. (250 words) िव� की प्रमुख पव�त �ंख्लाओं के संरेखण का संि�� उ�ेख
कीिजए तथा उनके �ानीय मौसम पर पड़� प्रभावों का सोदाहरण वण�न कीिजए।

Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone. (परी-प्रशां त �ेत्र के भू-भौितकीय अिभल�णों 2020
का िववेचन कीिजए l)

The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples. (म�शलीकरण के 2020
प्रक्रम की जलवायिवक सीमाएँ नहीं होती है l उदाहरणों सिहत औिच� िस� कीिजए l)

Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? 2018

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Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. 2018

How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? 2017

“The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of 2016
mitigation.

Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos. 2014

Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the 2014
association between the global distribution of Fold Mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes.

What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support. 2013

There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why? 2013

Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side 2013
of the continents. Why?

Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats 2013

Geography: Climate, Disaster related

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and effects thereof)

Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India 2022
Meteorological Department. (भारतीय मौसम िव�ान िवभाग �ारा चक्रवात प्रवण �ेत्रों के िलए मौसम स��ी
चेताविनयों के िलए िनधा� �रत रं ग-संकेत के अथ� की चचा� कर� ।)

How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns 2021
and human activities on the Earth? Explain. (250 words) आक�िटक की बफ़� और अंटािट� क के �ेिशयरों का
िपघलना िकस तरह अलग-अलग ढं ग से पृ�ी पर मौसम के ��प और मनु� की गितिविधयों पर प्रभाव डालते ह�?
�� कीिजए।

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How will the meeting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? 2020
(िहमालय के िहमनदों के िपघलने का भारत के जल-संसाधनों पर िकस प्रकार दू रगामी प्रभाव होगा ?)

Assess the impact of global warming on coral life system with examples. (वैि�क तापन का प्रवाल जीवन तंत्र 2019
पर प्रभाव का, उदाहरणों के साथ, आकलन कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and the coastal 2019
environment? Give suitable examples? (महासागर धाराएँ और जल रािशयाँ समुद्री जीवन और तटीय पया� वरण पर
अपने प्रभावों म� िकस-िकस प्रकार पर�र िभ� ह� ? उपयु� उदहारण दीिजए | ) (15m,250 words)

Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. 2019
(म�ग्रोवों के �र�ीकरण के कारणों पर चचा� कीिजए और तटीय पा�र��ितकी का अनुर�ण करने म� इनके मह� को
�� कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and 2019
tourism? (पव�त पा�र��ितकी तंत्र को िवकास पहलों और पय�टन के ऋणा�क प्रभाव से िकस प्रकार पूण:�ािपत
िकया जा सकता है ? ) (15m,250 words)

What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (जल प्रितबल (वाटर �� ै स) का �ा 2019
मतलब है ? भारत म� यह िकस प्रकार और िकस कारन प्रादे िशकत: िभ�-िभ� है ?) (15m,250 words)

What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? 2018

In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.” Discuss. 2017

Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulse because of which the year 2016 was declared as the 2017
International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.

How does the cryosphere affect global climate? 2017

Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects. 2017

In what way can flood be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland 2017
navigation in India?

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In what way can flood be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all weather inland 2017
navigation in India?

What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of 2017
the won population residing in Monsoon Asia?

Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. 2016

Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, 2015
fishing and navigation?

How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing 2015
landscapes? Discuss.

Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why? 2014

Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree? 2014

Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change 2014
in the Indian sub-continent.

The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin”. How are the tropical cyclones named 2013
across the world?

Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. 2013

What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect 2013
the weather and the habitants of the place?

Geography: Resources Distribution

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Distribution of key Natural Resources (world, S. Asia, Indian subcontinent)

Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. 2022
(भारत म� पवन ऊजा� की संभावना का परी�ण कीिजए एवं उनके सीिमत �ेत्रीय िव�ार के कारणों को समझाइए|)

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Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’. ( ‘द�न ट� ै प’ की प्राकृितक संसाधन स�ावनाओं की 2022
चचा� कीिजए।)

Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with 2022
special reference to India. (अपया� � संसाधनों की दु िनया म� भूमंडलीकरण एवं नए तकनीक के �र�े को भारत के
िवशेष स�भ� म� �� कर� । )

Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced 2022
by them. (रबर उ�ादक दे शों के िवतरण का वण�न करते �ए उनके �ारा सामना िकए जाने वाले प्रमुख पया� वरणीय
मु�ों को इं िगत कीिजए।)

Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to 2021
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (150 words) गोंडवानाल�ड के दे शों म� से एक होने के
बावजूद भारत के खनन उ�ोग अपने सकल घरे लु उ�ाद (जी. डी. पी.) म� ब�त कम प्रितशत का योगदान दे ते ह�।
िववेचना कीिजए।

What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of water bodies into urban land use? Explain 2021
with examples. (150 words) शहरी भूिम उपयोग के िलए जल िनकायों से भूिम-उ�ार के पया� वण�य प्रभाव �ा है ?
उदाहरणों सिहत समझाइए।

Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world. (250 words) 2021
िव� म� खिनज तेल के असमान िवतरण के ब�आयामी प्रभावों की िववेचना कीिजए।

The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of 2020
droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (निदयों को आपस म� जोड़ना सूखा, बाढ़ और
बािधत जल-प�रवहन जैसी ब�-आयामी अ�स����त सम�ाओं का �वहाय� समाधान दे सकता है l आलोचना�क
प�र�ण कीिजए l)

India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. 2020
Elaborate. (भारत म� सौर ऊजा� की प्रचुर संभावनाएँ ह� हालाँ िक इसके िवकास म� �ेितया िभ�ताएँ ह� l िव�ृत वण�न
कीिजए l)

Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (भारत संसाधनों 2020
की ��िथ एवं जलवायु प�रवत�न पर उसके प�रणामी प्रभावों का प�र�ण कीिजए l)

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Can the strategy of regional-resource based manufacturing help in promoting employment in India? (�ा 2019
प्रादे िशक संसाधन-आधा�रत िविनमा� ण की रणनीित भारत म� रोज़गार की प्रो�ित करने म� सहायक हो सकती है ?)
(10m,150 words)

Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region? 2018

The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain 2016

South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment. 2016

Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political 2016
implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.

Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India. 2016

In what way micro-watershed Development projects help in water conservation in drought prone and semi- 2016
arid regions of India.

What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental 2015
consequences?

India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water 2015
scarcity.

The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand reaching the limits of their 2015
ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.

Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis 2014
in the world.

How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa? 2014

With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. 2013
Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the
world.

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It is said the India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of country for 2013
quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesn’t appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss
critically the availability and issues involved.

Geography: factors affecting industrial locations

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Factors responsible for location of Industries (primary, secondary, tertiary;
India, world)

Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by 2020
giving examples. (वत�मान म� लोह एवं इ�ात उ�ोगों की क�े माल के �ोत से दू र ��िथ का उदाहरणों सिहत
कारन बताइए l)

Discuss the factors for localization of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India. (उ�र- 2019
पि�मी भारत के कृिष-आधा�रत खा� प्रक्रमण उ�ोगों के �ाणुयकरण के कारकों पर चचा� कीिजए | ) (10m,150
words)

Define blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. 2018

What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identify industrial corridors, explain their main 2018
characteristics.

Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of 2017
the developing countries. Explain its implications.

Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser Himalayas from 2014
Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain.

Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world. 2014

Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good 2014
availability of water?

Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the Southern states of India? 2013
Discuss with justification

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Analyze the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India 2013

Geography: Urbanization / Society: Urbanization

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Urbanization: problems and remedies

How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture 2022
of consumption ? (उपभो�ा सं�ृित के िवशेष प�रप्रे� म� नव म�वग� के उभार से टीयर 2 शहरों का िवकास
िकस तरह स���त है ?)

What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major 2021
cities of India? (250 words) भारत के प्रमुख शहरों म� आई. टी. उ�ोगों के िवकास से उ�प� होने वाले मु�ा
सामािजक-आिथ� क प्रभाव �ा ह� ?

Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. 2020
Suggest lasting remedial measures. (भारत म� दशल�ीय नगरों िजनमे है दराबाद एवं पुणे जैसे �ाट� िसटीज भी
स��िलत ह� , म� �ापक बाढ़ के कारन बताइए l �ायी िनराकरण के उपाय भी सुजाइए l)

How is efficient and affordable urban mass transport key to the rapid economic development of India? (द� 2019
और िकफायती (अफोड� बल) शहरी साव�जिनक प�रवहन िकस प्रकार भारत के द्रु त आिथ�क िवकास की कुंजी है ?)
(15m,250 words)

“The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it 2018
be made effective in urban areas?

The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues employment but has also created new 2017
problems. Substantiate this statement with examples. Urbanization

With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the 2016
‘Smart City Programme’.

Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. 2016

Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more 2015
serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?

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Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in the backdrop of rural 2015
urban integration.

Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. 2013

Appendix: Linear paper of 2022-GSM1

• How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of
those days ? (�� कर� िक म�कालीन भारतीय मं िदरों की मू ित� कला उस दौर के सामािजक जीवन का
प्रितिनिध� करती है । ) 10m 150w
• Why did the armies of the British East India Company – mostly comprising of Indian
soldiers – win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the
then Indian rulers ? Give reasons. (अिधकां श भारतीय िसपािहयों वाली ई� इं िडया की से ना �ों
त�ालीन भारतीय शासकों की सं �ाबल म� अिधक और बे हतर सु स��त से ना से लगातार जीतती रही ?
कारण बताएँ ।) 10m 150w
• Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth
century ? Give reasons. (औपिनवे िशक भारत की अठारहवी ं शता�ी के म� से �ों अकाल पड़ने म�
अचानक वृ �� दे खने को िमलती है s? कारण बताएं ।) 10m 150w
• Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (प्राथिमक च�ानों की िवशे षताओं एवं
प्रकारों का वण� न कीिजए।) 10m 150w
• Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by
India Meteorological Department. (भारतीय मौसम िव�ान िवभाग �ारा चक्रवात प्रवण �े त्रों के िलए
मौसम स��ी चे ताविनयों के िलए िनधा� �रत रं ग-सं केत के अथ� की चचा� कर� ।) 10m 150w
• Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’. ( ‘द�न ट� ै प’ की प्राकृ ितक सं साधन
स�ावनाओं की चचा� कीिजए।) 10m 150w
• Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited
spatial spread. (भारत म� पवन ऊजा� की सं भावना का परी�ण कीिजए एवं उनके सीिमत �े त्रीय िव�ार के
कारणों को समझाइए|) 10m 150w
• Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships. (पा�रवा�रक
स��ों पर ‘वक� फ्रॉम होम’ के असर की छानबीन तथा मू �ां कन कर� ।) 10m 150w
• How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an
emphasis on the culture of consumption ? (उपभो�ा सं �ृ ित के िवशे ष प�रप्रे � म� नव म�वग� के
उभार से टीयर 2 शहरों का िवकास िकस तरह स���त है ?) 10m 150w
• Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should
they be considered as a single category ? (भारत के जनजातीय समु दायों की िविवधताओं को दे खते
�ए िकस िविश� स�भ� के अ�ग� त उ�� िकसी एकल श्रे णी म� माना जाना चािहए ?) 10m 150w
• The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a
continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.
(रा�ों एवं प्रदे शों का राजनीितक और प्रशासिनक पु नग� ठन उ�ीसवी ं शता�ी के म� म� िनरं तर चल रही एक
प्रिक्रया है । उदाहरण सिहत िवचार कर� ।) 15m 250w
• Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and
culture. (भारतीय पर�रा और सं �ृ ित म� गु �-काल और चोल काल के योगदान पर चचा� कर� ।) 15m
250w

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• Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and
architecture. (भारतीय िमथक कला और वा�ु कला म� िसं ह एवं वृ षभ की आकृ ितयों के मह� पर िवचार
कर� ।) 15m 250w
• What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry
of the world. (समु द्री धाराओं को प्रभािवत करने वाली श��याँ कौन सी है ? िव� के म� उ�ोग म� इनके
योगदान का वण� न कर� ) 15m 250w
• Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major
environmental issues faced by them. (रबर उ�ादक दे शों के िवतरण का वण� न करते �ए उनके �ारा
सामना िकए जाने वाले प्रमु ख पया� वरणीय मु �ों को इं िगत कीिजए।) 15m 250w
• Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade. (अं तरा� �� ीय �ापार म�
जलसं िध व �लसं िध के मह� का उ�े ख कीिजए ।.) 15m 250w
• Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes.
How? ( �ोभमं डल वायु मंडल का एक मह�पू ण� परत है जो मौसम प्रिक्रयाओं को िनधा� �रत करता है । कै से ?)
15m 250w
• Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion. (भारतीय
समाज म� जाित, �े त्र तथा धम� के समानां तर ‘पं थ’ की िवशे षता की िववे चना कीिजए ।) 15m 250w
• Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form
of secularism ? Justify your answer. (�ा सिह�ु ता, स��लन एवं ब�लता मु � त� ह� जो
धम� िनरपे �ता के भारतीय �प का िनमा� ण करते ह� ? तक�सं गत उ�र द� ।) 15m 250w
• Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce
resources, with special reference to India. (अपया� � सं साधनों की दु िनया म� भू मंडलीकरण एवं नए
तकनीक के �र�े को भारत के िवशे ष स�भ� म� �� कर� । ) 15m 250w

Appendix: Syllabus of UPSC Mains-GSM1 General Studies Paper1

1. 1) Salient aspects of Art, Architecture,

2. 2) literature from Ancient to Modern Times
3. Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues); Freedom Struggle
(various stages, important contributors from different parts of the country)
4. Post-Independence (consolidation and reorganisation within country)
5. 18th century events (e.g. Ind’l revo, WWs, redrawn boundaries, colonisation,
decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g. communism, capitalism, socialism) and their
effect on society
6. Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism; Social Empowerment
7. Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues
8. Salient features of Indian Society; Diversity of India; Globalisation (effects on Indian
society)
9. Role of women and women’s organisation;
10. Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and effects therof)
11. Factors responsible for location of Industries (primary, secondary, tertiary; India, world)
12. Salient Features of World Physical Geography; Important Geophysical phenomena
(earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones); Geographical features and location;
13. Distribution of key Natural Resources (world, S. Asia, Indian subcontinent)
14. Urbanisation: problems and remedies

1. 19/07/2022

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