UPSC Mains 2020 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.
-
Q1 Ancient Indian ArchitectureFree
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)
-
Q2 Medieval Indian HistoryFree
Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q3 Modern Indian HistoryFree
Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movement. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q4 Physical GeographyPro
Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q5 Environmental GeographyPro
The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q6 Climate Change ImpactPro
How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India ? (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q7 Industrial Location FactorsPro
Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q8 Indian Social StructurePro
Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian Society ? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q9 Social IssuesPro
COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q10 Regionalism and CulturePro
Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness ? Argue. (Answer in 150 words)
-
Q11 Art and CulturePro
Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q12 Medieval Indian LiteraturePro
Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q13 Freedom StrugglePro
Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q14 Water Resource ManagementPro
The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q15 Urban FloodingPro
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)
-
Q16 Renewable Energy ResourcesPro
India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate. (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q17 Forestry and ClimatePro
Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q18 Globalisation and SocietyPro
Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation ? Justify your answer. (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q19 Social PhilosophyPro
Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree ? (Answer in 250 words)
-
Q20 Digital EducationPro
How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country ? Elaborate your answer. (Answer in 250 words)