UPSC Mains 2016 GS1

GS1 — Geography · History · Society · Culture — 20 questions. Click any question for full text, examiner-intent decoding, source citations, cross-year examiner pattern, and a structured answer skeleton.

  1. Q1 Buddhist Art
    Free

    Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  2. Q2 Vijayanagar Empire
    Free

    Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  3. Q3 1857 Revolt
    Free

    Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  4. Q4 Women in Freedom Struggle
    Pro

    Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  5. Q5 Bose vs Gandhi
    Pro

    Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  6. Q6 Post-Independence Consolidation
    Pro

    Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  7. Q7 World History
    Pro

    The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  8. Q8 Globalization and Society
    Pro

    To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  9. Q9 Poverty and Deprivation
    Pro

    "An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation." Substantiate this statement with suitable examples. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  10. Q10 Scheduled Tribes
    Pro

    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. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  11. Q11 Urbanization
    Pro

    With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the 'Smart City Programme'. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  12. Q12 Regionalism
    Pro

    What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  13. Q13 Climatology
    Pro

    Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  14. Q14 Geophysical Phenomena
    Pro

    "The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides." Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  15. Q15 Resource Management
    Pro

    The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  16. Q16 Geopolitics
    Pro

    South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  17. Q17 Urban Flooding
    Pro

    Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  18. Q18 Indus Water Treaty
    Pro

    Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  19. Q19 Inland Waterways
    Pro

    Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India. (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words
  20. Q20 Water Conservation
    Pro

    In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India? (Answer in 200 words)

    12 marks · 200 words