UPSC Mains 2025 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 Harappan Architecture
    Free

    Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  2. Q2 Mughal History
    Free

    Examine the main aspects of Akbar's religious syncretism. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  3. Q3 Chandella Art
    Free

    'The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.' Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  4. Q4 Climate Change
    Pro

    How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  5. Q5 Economic Geography
    Pro

    What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  6. Q6 Renewable Energy
    Pro

    Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  7. Q7 Natural Disasters
    Pro

    What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  8. Q8 Urbanization
    Pro

    How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice? (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  9. Q9 Civil Services
    Pro

    The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness - Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  10. Q10 Globalization
    Pro

    Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  11. Q11 Social Reformers
    Pro

    Mahatma Jotirao Phule's writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  12. Q12 Post-Independence India
    Pro

    Trace India's consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  13. Q13 World History
    Pro

    The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  14. Q14 Resource Geography
    Pro

    Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  15. Q15 Modern Technology
    Pro

    How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  16. Q16 Plate Tectonics
    Pro

    Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  17. Q17 Population Geography
    Pro

    Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  18. Q18 Social Issues
    Pro

    How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  19. Q19 Sustainable Development
    Pro

    Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people's needs in a country like India Comment. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  20. Q20 Tribal Development
    Pro

    Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words