SOME THOUGHTS ON CIVIL SERVICES EXAMS

- ARTICLE 72 (GS MAINS QUESTION PAPER

ANALYSIS)
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Winning is an attitude with fire, passion and faith, A winner is not someone who
always wins. It's someone who tries and isn't afraid to lose!

We have decided to analyze the pattern of GS question papers as this is the

first time after the change, the main exams are over. In depth we tried to get the
best analysis after getting expert opinions/ suggestions from many successful
candidates of 2012 exams who have taken the exams again. A quick reveals that
The Main examination questions reveal that standard text books, class room
coaching, syllabus oriented studies alone will not do. It needs reading of extra
books on India, Hindu, other newspapers, journals on current issues. They test the
analytical skills, application of mind, most of the answers should suit pertinent to
the questions, interpreting the question needs lot of skills as all questions ate
lengthy.

We give below the question paper of GS (History and Geography) Paper 2,

the syllabus plus our detailed analysis of resources needed. We thought we will
cover one paper daily.

The questions were divided as among

Culture 20
World History 40
Freedom Struggle 30
Post-Independence 50
Sociology 40
Geography 70
Total 250

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 GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER-I)
Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting

questions)

There are TWENTY-FIVE questions printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

All questions are compulsory.

The number of marks carried by a question/ part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate

which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA)
Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in
medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, if specified, should be adhered to.

Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet
must be clearly struck off.

Answer questions in NOT MORE than the word limit specified for each in the
parenthesis. Content of the answer is more important than its length.

1. Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political
history of South India, the Sangam literature portrays the social and
economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment.
(200 words) 10 Marks

2. a) Discuss the 'Tandava' dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions.

(100 words) 5 Marks
b) Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple
architecture. Discuss. (100 words) 5 Marks

3. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became
the torchbearer during the struggle for freedom in India.

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 Discuss. (200 words) 10 Marks

4. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various

movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
(200 words) 10
Marks

5. "In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India."
Elaborate. (200 words) 10
Marks

6. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan Movements

initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success. (200 words) 10
Marks .

7. Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan, 'Jai
Jawan Jai Kisan'. (200 words) 10

8. Discuss the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre- and post
independent India. (200 words) 10

9. Analyze the circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966.

Discuss the highlights of the Agreement. (200 words) 10

10.Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive

role in the emergence of Bangladesh. (200 words) 10

11.Latecomer Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that

were markedly different from what West had experienced."
Analyze. (200 words) 10

12."Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European

competition." Analyze. (200 words) 10

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13."American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism."
Substantiate. (200 words) 10

14.What policy instruments were deployed to contain the Great Economic

Depression? (200 words) 10

15.Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy
process of urbanization in India. (200 words) 10

16."Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women's

organization free from gender bias." Comment. (200 words) 10

17.Critically examine the effect of globalization on the aged population in

India. (200 words) 10

18.Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in generation of

demand for a separate State. Discuss. (200 words) 10

19. a)What do you understand by the theory of 'continental drift'? Discuss the
prominent evidences in its support. (100 words) 5

b) The recent cyclone on east coast of India was called 'Phailin'. How are the
tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate. (100 words) 5

20. a) Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat
of the world. (100 words) 5

b) What do you understand by the phenomenon of 'temperature inversion' in

meteorology? How does it affect weather and the habitants of the place?
(100 words) 5

21.Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 deg N
latitudes and on the western side of the continents. Why? (200 words) 10

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 22. a) Bring out the causes for more frequent occurrence of landslides in the
Himalayas than in the Western Ghats. (100 words) 5

b) There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why?

(100 words) 5
23. a) Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in
southern States of India? Discuss with justification. (100 words) 5

b) Analyze the factors for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in
India. (100 words) 5

24.With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and
more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required
for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world. (200 words) 10

25.It is said that India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can
feed the needs of the country for quarter century. However, tapping of the
resource does not appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the
availability and issues involved. (200 words) 10

We give below the syllabus indicating the various books and resources needed for
the Paper 2.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

1. Reading of the Hindu, yojana, Economic and political weekly selective articles
are a must.

2. In Geography most of the questions are current related. There is one journal
which is very useful- http://www.geographyandyou.com/

3. Command over the language is a must, one needs trained writing skills, as the
questions are 25 numbers , the answers should be precise , penetrating, crisp and
concise pertinent to the question.

4. UPSC more moving to the current related topics relevant to the future
governance of the country. The problems which afflict the common citizens of the

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country and how the government is grappling with all the issues with the various
programs and policies, and as a future civil servant what all an aspirant should
know.

5. General reading of extra books helps a lot( for students who have time , who
have Civil services as career option when they are in college ). For example the
following books,

a. India after Gandhi, India before Gandhi and Makers of Modern India by
R.C. Guha.
b. Reimagining India by Mckinsey Group (superb articles).
c. Vision 2020 by AJP Kalam.
d. Gazetteer of India vol 1 covers well on History and culture.
e. History and culture in NIOS (http://www.nios.ac.in/)
f. When I met Dr Shah Fazl the topper told me that after reading the
Glimpses of world History, he developed a passion for the English language
and his command over the language and communication helped him a lot to
get his first rank.
h. Aspirants should know more about Gandhi, it will help in History, Essay
and all GS papers. In this regards Gandhi by Louis Fischer is a standard
good book.
i. In the case of History books by AL Basham enhances our communication
skills.
j. .Indias tryst with destiny- Jagdish Bhagwati.- It gives many insights into
Indian economy.
k. Uncertain glory India and contradictions by Amartya Sen and Jean
Dereze.

l. UPSC always ask questions on current topics like S& T impact, Impact of
Globalization, Social networking sites , Crime against women, civil society,
lobbying , pressure groups, Union state relations, IT act, communalism, problems
of old age , wide knowledge of major freedom fighters , ideology, revolutionaries
abroad, urbanization, interstate water disputes and lots of post independence
history.
2. UPSC wants analysis pertaining to the questions and not facts.

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3. One should attempt all 25 questions.

4. 2nd ARC recommendations and NOLAN committee reports ( UK Govt

http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MPS-25-
Summary-of-the-Nolan-Committees-first-report-on-Standards-on-Public-Life.pdf)
and The world Bank report on the role of civil services will help a lot for Ethics
and attitude paper.

5. The questions are very simple from The Hindu, Yojana and EPW, but the
answers should carry clarity.

6. In the case of answers to ethics paper one should know exactly the concepts of
philosophers .Basic concepts will do.

What experts say-

a. Speaking tree in TOI is good for knowing about many philosophers.

b. IDSA website is very good for national security.- http://www.idsa.in/(
written by scholars)
c. Role of coaching centers with readymade answersare very minimal in the
present pattern.
d. There is a constraint in time as there are 25 questions, so writing skills
have to be practiced well for a year.
e. Sumit Ganguly book is very good for International relations .
f. NDC journals are very good - http://ndc.nic.in/pages/journal_list
h. http://www.tifr.res.in/~outreach/outreach/scientists.pdf is good.
i. Science reporter
http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/Popularization%20of%20S
cience/scirep0.asp

SYLLABUS OF MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER - II

(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and
Society)

TOPICS BOOKS & JOURNALS

1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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 References:
Indian Culture and Heritage NIOS: www.nios.ac.in
Indian Freedom Struggle of Independence Bipin Chandra
Facets of Indian Culture - Spectrum Pub.
Indian Culture Chapter of Indian Year Book

2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present significant events, personalities, issues.
References:
Indian Freedom Struggle of Independence Bipin Chandra
A Brief History of Modern India Spectrum Pub.
Indian Culture Chapter of Indian Year Book
Modern India History B. L. Grover

3. The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors or

contributions from different parts of the country.
References:
12th NCERT Politics in Indian after Independence.

4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

References:
India since Independence Bipin Chandra
India After Gandhi Ramchandra Guha
5. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial
revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization,
decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism
etc. - their forms and effect on the society.
References:
9th & 10th NCERT India and the contemporary world
Mastering Modern World History Normal Lowe

6. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

References:
12th NCERT: Indian Society, Social change and Development in India
Indian Social System Ram Ahuja
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7. Role of women and womens organization, population and associated issues,
poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their
remedies.
References:
IGNOU-ESO-12: Society in India
Indian Social Structure & Change K L Sharma

8. Effects of globalization on Indian society.

References: IGNOU ESO-16: Social Problems in India

9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

References:
Indian society & Culture Nadeem Hasnain
Social Problems in India Ram Ahuja

10.Salient features of worlds physical geography.

References:
11th NCERT: Physical Geography, World Geography by Majid Husain
Journals/Websites:
The Hindu, www.pib.nic.in, Yojana, Down to Earth (www.downtoearth.org.in),
The Indian Express, Economic Political Weekly, Frontline, Kurukshetra

11.Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia
and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary,
secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including
India).
References:
Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong,
Around the World (Geography): ICSE Board Class (6, 7 & 8) or
OLD NCERT Books Class (6, 7 & 8)

12.Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic

activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location - changes in

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 critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora
and fauna and the effects of such changes.
References:
Orient Longman Atlas

For all the GS papers we are preparing our notes from the resources above.

Excell Online course Details

The Chapter wise what we put all are available in our online notes GS in
www.excellcareeronline.com One can access all the current affairs, test series, GS
full notes Preliminary as well as Mains for a nominal payment from 1st October,
interested aspirants can mail us or give mail ID, we will mail you the details.
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proudly assert that almost we cover everything there is no necessity to read
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Hold your dream

Don't ever let it go.
Be yourself
And let the world take over.
You'll find strength
When people bring you down.
They will see
If you will only, only
Believe

Tomorrow we will see in depth about GS paper 3.

In civil services preparations the journey is the reward. Persist on the journey
and greatness is yours! All the best!!!

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