UPSC Mains 2021 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 Bhakti Movement Literature
    Free

    Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  2. Q2 Socio-Religious Reforms
    Free

    Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  3. Q3 Post-Independence Integration
    Free

    Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  4. Q4 Geophysical Phenomena Landslides
    Pro

    Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  5. Q5 Natural Resources Mining
    Pro

    Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  6. Q6 Urbanization and Environment
    Pro

    What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of water bodies into urban land use ? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  7. Q7 Volcanism and Environment
    Pro

    Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  8. Q8 Indian Geography Subcontinent
    Pro

    Why is India considered as a subcontinent ? Elaborate your answer. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  9. Q9 Tribal Knowledge Systems
    Pro

    Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge system when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  10. Q10 Women Empowerment Economy
    Pro

    Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  11. Q11 Freedom Struggle Moderates
    Pro

    To what extent did the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement ? Comment. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  12. Q12 Gandhian Movements
    Pro

    Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  13. Q13 World History Democracy
    Pro

    “There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  14. Q14 Physical Geography Mountains
    Pro

    Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  15. Q15 Climate Change Cryosphere
    Pro

    How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth ? Explain. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  16. Q16 Resource Distribution Oil
    Pro

    Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  17. Q17 Urbanization IT Industry
    Pro

    What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India ? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  18. Q18 Population and Education
    Pro

    Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  19. Q19 Technology and Society
    Pro

    What is Cryptocurrency ? How does it affect global society ? Has it been affecting Indian society also ? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  20. Q20 Indian Social Values
    Pro

    How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values ? Enumerate the changes taking place in it. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words