[Download] UPSC Mains-2018 GSM1 Topicwise All Papers (2013-2018)

Notebook: GS3
Created: 05-Oct-18 11:37 PM Updated: 06-Oct-18 1:24 PM
URL: http://mrunal.org/2018/09/dl-upsc-csm18-gsm1.html

[Download] UPSC Mains-2018 GSM1

Topicwise All Papers (2013-2018).
GS1-2018 is crossing syllabus-
boundary for the sake of
unpredictability

SubscribeQuestion-Papers14 Comments6 days Ago

Instructions for UPSC Mains-2018 GS

Paper1
On 29th September, 2018, Union Public Service Commission conducted the
GS Paper1 of civil services (Mains) exam for the recruitment of IAS, IPS and
other officers.
Maximum Marks: 250 | Time Allowed : Three Hours (9AM to 12 Noon)
There are TWENTY questions printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.
All questions are compulsory.
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 (QUA) Booklet in the space provided.
No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the
authorized one.
Answers to questions no. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to
questions no. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.
Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
Any page or portion of the page left be blank in the Question-cum-Answer
Booklet mast clearly struck off.

Questions (Linear Format)

Answer following Question no. 1 to 10 in 150 words and 10 marks each
1. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss.
भारतीय कला िवरासत का संर ण वतमान समय की आव कता है । चचा कीिजये।
 2. Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in
the reconstruction of the history of India. भारत के इितहास की पुनरचना म चीनी
और अरबी याि यों के वृता ों के मह का आकलन कीिजये।
3. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the
present times. वतमान समय म महा ा गाँ धी के िवचारों के मह पर काश डािलए।
4. Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How
does it help in navigation? भारतीय ादे िशक नौप रवहन उप ह णाली (आई. आर.
एन. एस. एस.) की आवश ता ों है ? यह नौप रवहन म िकस कार सहायक है ?
5. Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region? भारत आकिटक
दे श के संसाधनों म िकस कारन गहन िच ले रहा है ?
6. Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. ‘मेटल ूम’ को
पा रभािषत कीिजये और ेट िववतिनकी म इसकी भूिमका को कीिजये।
7. What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine
ecosystem? समु ी प र थितकी पर ‘मृत े ों’ (डे ड जो ) के िव ार के ा– ा
प रणाम होते है ?
8. “Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence,
caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. ”जाती व था नई -नई
पहचानो और सहचरी पों को धारण कर रही है । अतः भारत म जाती व था का उ ूलन
नहीं िकया जा सकता है । ” िटप ी कीिजये।
9. ‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by
the government in India, poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons.
”भारत की सरकार ारा िनधनता उ ूलन के िविभ काय मो के ि यां वयन के बावजूद ,
िनधनता अभी भी िव मान है ।” कारण ुत करते ऐ  कीिजये।
10. How the Indian concept of secularism is different from the western model of
secularism? Discuss. धमिनरपे तावाद की भारतीय संक ना, धमिनरपे तावाद के
पा ात  मोडल से िकन िकन  बातों म िभ है ? चचा कीिजये।

Answer following Question no. 11 to 20 in 250 words and 15 marks each:

1. The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. ी चैत महा भु के आगमन से भ आं दोलन
को एक असाधारण नै िदशा िमली थी।  चचा कर।
2. Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not
for the economy of India. चचा करे िक  ा हल के समय म नए रा ों का िनमाण,
भारत की अथ व था के िलए लाभ द है या नहीं  है ।
3. Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies?
Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? अं ेज िकसी
कारन भारत से करारब िमक अ उपिनवेशो म ले गए थे ? ा वे वह पर अपनी
सां ृ ितक पहचान को प ररि त रखने म सफल रहे है ?
4. “The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water
harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? ”भारत म
अव यी ( िड िटं ग ) भौम जल संसाधनों का आदश समाधान जल संर ण णाली है । शहरी
े ो म उसको िकस कार भावी बनाया जा सकता है ?
5. Define blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture
development in India. ‘नीली ां ित ‘ को प रभािषत करते ए भारत म म पालन की
सम ाओ और रणनीितयों को समझाइये।
6. What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identify industrial
corridors, explain their main characteristics. भारत म औ ोिगक गिलयारों का ा
मह है ? औ ोिगक गिलयारों को िच त करते वे उनके मुख अिभल णो को समझाइये।
7. Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India
and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its
success. भारत म ‘मह कां ी िजलों के कायाक ‘ के िलये मूल रणनीितयों का उ ेख
कीिजए  और उसकी सफलता के िलए , अिभसरण, सहयोग व प ित धा की कृित को
कीिजए।
8. ‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower
social strata. Substantiate your view. ‘भारत म मिहलाओ के आं दोलन ने , िनम र
सामािजक र की मिहलाओ के मु ो को स ोिधत नहीं िकया है ।  अपने िवचार को मािणत
िस कीिजए।
 9. ‘Globalization is generally said to promote cultural homogenization but due
to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian Society.
Elucidate. ‘आम  तौर पे कहा जाता है िक वैशवीकरण सां ृ ितक समां गीकरण को बढ़ावा
दे ता है , पर ु ऐसा तीत होता है की भारतीय समाज म उसके कारण  सां ृ ितक िविस ताए
सृदढ़ हो गई है । ‘ कीिजये।
10. 20. ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.
Argue by giving suitable illustrations.’  ‘सा दाियकता या तो श संघष के कारन
उभर कर आती है या तो आपेि क वचन के कारण  उभरती  है ।  उपयु उदाहरणों को
ुत करते ए तक दीिजए।

Answer Sources for UPSC Mains GS1-

2018

Following table doesn’t aim to suggest in any manner that paper was easy
because verbatim answer for xyz question was given in xyz book. I only aim to
demonstrate that expensive coaching material is unnecessary.

Question Answer Source

1. Safeguarding the Indian art Essay-ish, multiple sources from

heritage is the need of the moment. NCERT, newspapers and magazines.
Discuss.

2. Assess the importance of the (NEW) NCERT Class12 Ch.5:

accounts of the Chinese and Arab
travellers in the reconstruction of the
history of India.
Travellers perceptions of Indian
society- for Arab travelers. Free
PDF in English | िह ी मे भी
उपल
Tamilnadu Board Class11
Textbook, mainly for Chinese
travellers. Free PDF

3. Throw light on the significance of Essay-ish, multiple sources from

the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in books to newspapers.
the present times.

4. Why is Indian Regional Ch. 8 of Science and Technology by

Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) Ravi Agrahari (Mcgraw-hill)
needed? How does it help in Available in English | िहं दी म भी
navigation? उपल .

5. Why is India taking keen interest in theHindu science-tech updates on

resources of Arctic Region? climate studies. So, by extension it’d

6. Define mantle plume and explain
its role in plate tectonics.
7. What are the consequences of
spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine
ecosystem?
8. “Caste system is assuming new
identities and associational forms.
Hence, caste system cannot be
eradicated in India.” Comment.
9. ‘Despite implementation of various
programmes for eradication of
poverty by the government in India,
poverty is still existing.’ Explain by
giving reasons.
10. How the Indian concept of
secularism is different from the
western model of secularism? Discuss.
11. The Bhakti movement received a
remarkable re-orientation with the
advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Discuss.
12. Discuss whether formation of new
states in recent times is beneficial or
not for the economy of India.
13. Why indentured labour was taken
by the British from India to other
colonies? Have they been able to
preserve their cultural identity over
there?
14. “The ideal solution of depleting
ground water resources in India is
water harvesting system.” How can it
be made effective in urban areas?
have been somewhere in visionIAS’s
monthly PDF updates within last 2
years.
Geography optional subject books.
Was in news because of Gulf of Oman.
TheHindu-2018-May.
NCERT Sociology Class11-12,
combined with newspaper columns.
Essay-ish, multiple sources from
Economic Survey to NITI Reports and
Newspaper columns.
Verbatim Answer in NCERT Sociology
Class12 Indian Society- page 135. “In
the western context the main sense of
these terms has to do with the
separation of church and state.
The Indian meanings of secular and
secularism include the western sense
but also involve others…e.g. the secular
Indian state declares public holidays to
mark the festivals of all religions.”
While NIOS Culture PDF, Tamilnadu
Class11 History and Art & Culture by
Nitin Singhania (McGraw-Hill)
Available in English | िह ी मे भी
उपल ! and has barely one
paragraph worth material on this
Saint. You’ve to compare and contrast
it with other Saints / Philosophers to
fill up 250 words.
Economic Survey 2016-17 chapter.13
had talked about aid curse, resource
curse, governance deficit in certain
states. Same covered in my lecture as
well.
Ch.8 of International Relations by
Pavneet Singh (McGraw-Hill).
Available in English at Amazon.
Yojana, Newspaper columns. But
difficult to articulate in real exam for
250 words.
15. Define blue revolution, explain the Verbatim Answer in Kurukshetra
problems and strategies for Magazine January 2017 Page 45
pisciculture development in India. onwards.

16. What is the significance of Verbatim Answer in Ch.11 Industries

Industrial Corridors in India? Identify of Indian Geography by Majid
industrial corridors, explain their main Hussain (McGraw-Hill)- Available in
characteristics. English | िह ी मे भी उपल !

17. Mention core strategies for the
transformation of aspirational districts
in India and explain the nature of
 convergence, collaboration and
competition for its success.
Have to dig NITI Ayog reports
because they are the ones who
compiled list of ‘aspirational districts.
Anyways this is more relevant to
GSM3 than GSM1.

18. ‘Women’s movement in India has Essay-ish question. IGNOU BA

not addressed the issues of women of Sociology ESO-12 Ch. 30 Women’s
lower social strata. Substantiate your movements in India. click me for
view. Free PDF

19. ‘Globalization is generally said to Essay-ish question. NCERT Sociology

promote cultural homogenization but Class12- Social Change ch.6 combined
due to this cultural specificities with newspaper columns. Social
appear to be strengthened in the Change and Development in India |
Indian Society. Elucidate. िह ी मे भी उपल

20. ‘Communalism arises either due to Essay-ish question. NCERT Sociology

power struggle or relative deprivation. Class12- Indian Society: Ch.6
Argue by giving suitable illustrations. combined with newspaper columns.
Free PDF English | िह ी मे भी उपल

Analysis: UPSC Examiner’s Intellectual

Bankruptcy continues
In 2013, in all its wisdom and foresight, UPSC changed syllabus of Mains GS
Exam. Total 113 topics spread across four papers. However, you can see that it
was prepared in haste:
Geography, climate and disaster: half split and recurring between GSM1 and
3.
Poverty, population and welfare recurring in the syllabus of GSM1 and GSM2.
This problem, compounded with the ability to generate unique questions in
each topic, had begun to show chink in the UPSC’s armor, evident in following
ways:

Asking same question again and GSM1-2014: Indian secularism

again debates are different from West?
GSM1-2018: How the Indian
concept of secularism is different
from West?

Not respecting the syllabus Space technology questions are part

boundaries of Science – Tech. of GSM3. Yet, asking about it in GSM1
GSM1-2017: JUNO Mission
GSM1-2018: IRNSS India’s DESHI
GPS
 Not respecting the syllabus
boundaries of Environment.
Climate change induced damage is
relevant to syllabus of GSM1, whereas
Climate change adaptation-mitigation
are more relevant to GSM3. Yet asking
about Rain-water harvesting in GSM1-
2018.

Pingponging between GSM1 and GSM3-2014: Pink revolution

GSM3 GSM3-2017: All types of
agriculture revolutions
GSM1-2018: Blue revolution.

Pingponging between GSM2 and GSM2-2017: Evaluate how far

GSM1 successive governments have
progressed in dealing with hunger
and poverty issues.
GSM1-2018: Why poverty still
existing despite government
schemes.

Additionally,
Nothing from Post-independent India’s history.
Only one question from freedom struggle.
Women issues, impact of Globalization – both make re-appearance after
being absent in 2016 and 2017’s paper.
Anyways, not much point in analyzing paper when the examiner himself is
going to digress outside the syllabus in framing questions- जो परी क िसलेबस
का ही िलहाज न करे , उसके भिव के पेपस का कोई पूवानुमान कैसे लगा सकता है ! Still, if
you have any further thoughts / analysis to share, do post it in the
comment section below!

Was the GSM1 Paper lengthier than

past?
Mains Exam Essay# (3 hrs, 250 GSM1*: (3 hrs, 250
marks) marks)
word length

2013 2500 words 5000 words: 5 markers =

100 words, 10 marks =
200 words.

2014 2400 words 3750 words: all

questions worth 10
marks and 150 words
each

2015 2400 words 3000 words: all

questions worth 12.5
marks and 150 words
each.

2016 2400 words 4000 words: all

questions worth 12.5
marks and 150 words
each
 2017 2400 words 4000 words: 10
questions worth 150
words and 10 questions
worth 250 words.

2018 2400 words 4000 words: same as

2018.

Thus, it was no lengthier than previous year’s paper. But definitely more vague,
skewed towards social science than ever before since 2013’s syllabus change.

GSM1-Topicwise Questions since Pattern

change in 2013
In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the
number of general studies papers were increased from two to four. Out of them,
GS Paper-I deals with History, Culture, Society and Geography. Overall breakup
looks like this

Category GS Mains 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Paper-1

History Culture 20 40 25 25 10 35

History Freedom 30 30 25 37.5 65 10

struggle

History World History 40 30 25 12.5 10 15

History Post 50 0 0 0 0 0
independence

Society Religion, 10 10 37.5 37.5 50 35

Region,
empowerment

Society Poverty, 0 10 25 12.5 0 40

Population,
Development

Society Globalization 10 0 12.5 12.5 0 15

Impact

Society Women 10 30 12.5 0 0 15

Geography Climate 10 20 37.5 12.5 60 10

Geography Disaster 10 10 0 12.5 15 0

Geography Urbanization 10 0 25 25 15 15

Geography Physical 20 20 0 0 10 20

Geography Resources 20 20 25 62.5 0 10

Geography Industrial 10 30 0 0 15 30
Location

Total 250 250 250 250 250 250

[Block-1] History

History: Art & Culture

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient aspects of Art, Architecture, literature from Ancient
to Modern Times

Safeguarding the Indian art heritage 2018

is the need of the moment. Discuss.

Assess the importance of the 2018

accounts of the Chinese and Arab
travellers in the reconstruction of the
history of India.

The Bhakti movement received a 2018

remarkable re-orientation with the
advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Discuss.

How do you justify the view that the 2017

level of excellence of Gupta
numismatic art is not at all noticeable
in later times?

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while 2016

depicting folk motifs and narratives
successfully expounds Buddhist
ideals. Elucidate.

Krishnadeva Raya, the King of 2016

Vijayanagar, was not only an
accomplished scholar himself but was
also a great patron of learning and
literature. Discuss.

The ancient civilization in Indian sub- 2015

continent differed from those of
Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in
that its culture and traditions have
been preserved without a breakdown
to the present day. Comment.

Mesolithic rock cut architecture of 2015

India not only reflects the cultural life
of the times but also a tine aesthetic
sense comparable to modem
 painting. Critically evaluate this
comment.

To what extent has the urban 2014

planning and culture of the Indus
Valley Civilization provided inputs to
the present day urbanization? Discuss.

Gandhara sculpture owed as much to 2014

the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.

Taxila university was one of the oldest 2014

universities of the world with which
were associated a number of
renowned learned personalities of
different disciplines. Its strategic
location caused its fame to flourish,
but unlike Nalanda, it is not
considered as a university in the
modern sense. Discuss.

Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed 2014

to modify either the religious ideas
and practices or the outward structure
of Hindu / Muslim societies to any
appreciable extent. Comment.

Though not very useful from the point 2013

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.

Discuss the Tandava dance as 2013

recorded in the early Indian
inscriptions.

Chola architecture represents a high 2013

watermark in the evolution of temple
architecture. Discuss.

History: India before Independence

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities,
issues); Freedom Struggle (various stages, important contributors from different
parts of the country)

Throw light on the significance of the 2018

thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the
present times.

Clarify how mid-eighteenth century 2017

India was beset with the spectre of a
fragmented polity.

Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry 2017

conviction with the nation about their
proclaimed ideology and political
goals by the end of the nineteenth
century?

Examine how the decline of 2017

traditional artisanal industry in
colonial India crippled the rural
economy.

The women’s questions arose in 2017

modern India as a part of the 19th
century social reform movement.
What were the major issues and
debates concerning women in that
period?

Highlight the importance of the new 2017

objectives that got added to the
vision of Indian independence since
twenties of the last century.

Explain how the Uprising of 1857 2016

constitutes an important watershed in
the evolution of British policies
towards colonial India.

Discuss the role of women in the 2016

freedom struggle especially during
the Gandhian phase.

Highlight the differences in the 2016

approach of Subhash Chandra Bose
and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle
for freedom.

How different would have been the 2015

achievement of Indian independence
without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.

It would have been difficult for the 2015

Constituent Assembly to complete its
historic task of drafting the
Constitution for Independent India in
just three years but for the experience
gained with the Government of India
Act, 1935. Discuss.

The third battle of Panipat was fought 2014

in 1761. Why were so many empire-
shaking battles fought at Panipat?

Examine critically the various facets of 2014

economic policies of the British in
India from mid-eighteenth century till
independence.

In what ways did the naval mutiny 2014

prove to be the last nail in the coffin
of British colonial aspirations in India?

Defying the barriers of age, gender 2013

and religion, the Indian women
 became the torch bearer during the
struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.

Several foreigners made India their 2013

homeland and participated in various
movements. Analyze their role in the
Indian struggle for freedom.

In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the 2013

founder of modern India. Elaborate.

History: India After independence

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Post-Independence (consolidation and reorganisation
within country)

Critically discuss the objectives of 2013

Bhoodan and Gramdan movements
initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave
and their success.

Write a critical note on the evolution 2013

and significance of the slogan “Jai
Jawana Jai Kisan”.

Discuss the contribution of Maulana 2013

Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-
independent India.

Analyze the circumstances that led to 2013

Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss
the highlights of the agreement.

Critically examine the compulsions 2013

which prompted India to play a
decisive roles in the emergence of
Bangladesh.

History: world
GS1 Syllabus Topic: 18th century events (e.g. Industrial revolution, WWs,
redrawn boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g.
communism, capitalism, socialism) and their effect on society

Why indentured labour was taken by 2018

the British from India to other
colonies? Have they been able to
preserve their cultural identity over
there?

What problems were germane to the 2017

decolonization process of Malay
Peninsula.

The anti-colonial struggles in West 2016

Africa were led by the new elite of
Western-educated Africans. Examine.
 Why did the industrial revolution first 2015
occur in England? Discuss the quality
of life of the people there during the
industrialization. How does it
compare with that in India at present?

To what extent can Germany be held 2015

responsible for causing the two World
Wars? Discuss critically

What were the major political, 2014

economic and social developments in
the world which motivated the anti-
colonial struggle in India?

What were the events that led to the 2014

Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a
final blow to Britain’s self-image as a
world power?

The New Economic Policy – 1921 of 2014

Lenin had influenced the policies
adopted by India soon after
independence. Evaluate.

“Latecomer” Industrial revolution in 2013

Japan involved certain factors that
were markedly different from what
west had experience.

Africa was chopped into states 2013

artificially created by accident of
European competition. Analyse.

American Revolution was an 2013

economic revolt against mercantilism.
Substantiate.

What policy instruments were 2013

deployed to contain the great
economic depression?

[Block-2] Social Science

Social Science: Caste, Religion, Region,

Globalization
GS1 Syllabus Topic:
 Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism; Social Empowerment
Salient features of Indian Society; Diversity of India;

“Caste system is assuming new identities 2018

and associational forms. Hence, caste
system cannot be eradicated in India.”
Comment.

How the Indian concept of secularism is 2018

different from the western model of
secularism? Discuss.

‘Communalism arises either due to power 2018

struggle or relative deprivation. Argue by
giving suitable illustrations.

The spirit tolerance and love is not only an 2017

interesting feature of Indian society from
very early times, but it is also playing an
important part at the present. Elaborate.

Distinguish between 2017

religiousness/religiosity and communalism
giving one example of how the former has
got transformed into the latter in
independent India.

In the context of diversity of India, can it 2017

be said that the regions form cultural units
rather than the States? Give reasons with
examples for your viewpoint.

What are the two major legal initiatives by 2017

the State since Independence, addressing
discrimination against Scheduled Tribes
(STs)?

Has the formation of linguistic States 2016

strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

Why are the tribals in India referred to as 2016

the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major
provisions enshrined in the Constitution of
India for their upliftment.

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that 2016

unequal distribution of benefits of
development on regional basis eventually
promotes regionalism? Substantiate your
answer.

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, 2015

despite having divergent approaches and
strategies, had a common goal of
amelioration of the downtrodden.
Elucidate.

Describe any four cultural elements of 2015

diversity in India and rate their relative
significance in building a national identity.
 Debate the issue of whether and how 2015
contemporary movements for assertion of
Dalit identity work towards annihilation of
caste.

How do the Indian debates on secularism 2014

differ from the debates in the West?

Growing feeling of regionalism is an 2013

important factor in the generation of
demand for a separate state. Discuss.

Social Science: Poverty, Population,

Globalization
GS1 Syllabus Topic: Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues

‘Despite implementation of various 2018

programmes for eradication of
poverty by the government in India,
poverty is still existing.’ Explain by
giving reasons.

Discuss whether formation of new 2018

states in recent times is beneficial or
not for the economy of India.

Mention core strategies for the 2018

transformation of aspirational districts
in India and explain the nature of
convergence, collaboration and
competition for its success.

“An essential condition to eradicate 2016

poverty is to liberate the poor from
deprivation.” Substantiate this
statement with suitable examples

Critically examine whether growing 2015

population is the cause of poverty OR
poverty is the main cause of
population increase in India.

Discuss the changes in the trends of 2015

labour migration within and outside
India in the last four decades.

The life cycle of a joint family depends 2014

on economic factors rather than social
values. Discuss.

Social Science: Globalization

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Globalisation (effects on Indian society)

‘Globalization is generally said to 2018

promote cultural homogenization but
due to this cultural specificities
appear to be strengthened in the
Indian Society. Elucidate.

Discuss the positive and negative 2015

effects of globalization on women in
India. (2013, Asked about
Globalization effect on Elderly)

To what extent globalization has 2016

influenced the core of cultural
diversity in India? Explain.

Critically examine the effects of 2013

globalization on the aged population
in India.

Social Science: Women

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Role of women and women’s organisation;
Although some of the following questions fall under populationglobalization
categories, but if a person cultivates habit of noting down women related
topics under one head, it’ll benefit in both GS1, GS2 and Essay.

‘Women’s movement in India has not 2018

addressed the issues of women of
lower social strata. Substantiate your
view.

How do you explain the statistics that 2015

show that the sex ratio in Tribes in
India is more favourable to women
than the sex ratio among Scheduled
Castes?

How does patriarchy impact the 2014

position of a middle class working
woman in India?

Discuss the various economic and 2014

socio-cultural forces that are driving
increasing feminization of agriculture
in India.

Why do some of the most prosperous 2014

regions of India have an adverse sex
ratio for women? Give your
arguments.

Male membership needs to be 2013

encouraged in order to make
women’s organization free from
gender bias. Comment.

[Block-3] Geography
Geography: Physical
GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient Features of World Physical Geography; Important
Geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones);
Geographical features and location;

Why is Indian Regional Navigational 2018

Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How
does it help in navigation?

Define mantle plume and explain its 2018

role in plate tectonics.

How does the Juno Mission of NASA 2017

help to understand the origin and
evolution of the Earth?

“The Himalayas are highly prone to 2016

landslides.” Discuss the causes and
suggest suitable measures of
mitigation.

Explain the formation of thousands of 2014

islands in Indonesian and Philippines
archipelagos.

Why are the world’s fold mountain 2014

systems located along the margins of
continents? Bring out the association
between the global distribution of
Fold Mountains and the
earthquakes and volcanoes.

What do you understand by the 2013

theory of continental drift? Discuss
the prominent evidences in its
support.

There is no formation of deltas by 2013

rivers of the Western Ghat. Why?

Major hot deserts in northern 2013

hemisphere are located between 20-
30 degree north and on the western
side of the continents. Why?

Bring out the causes for more 2013

frequent landslides in the Himalayas
 than in Western Ghats

Geography: Climate, Disaster related

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and
effects thereof)

What are the consequences of 2018

spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine
ecosystem?

In spite of adverse environmental 2017

impact, coal mining is still inevitable
for development.” Discuss.

Mention the advantages of the 2017

cultivation of pulse because of which
the year 2016 was declared as the
International Year of Pulses by the
United Nations.

How does the cryosphere affect 2017

global climate?

Account for variations in oceanic 2017

salinity and discuss its multi-
dimensional effects.

In what way can flood be converted 2017

into a sustainable source of irrigation
and all-weather inland navigation in
India?

What characteristics can be assigned 2017

to monsoon climate that succeeds in
feeding more than 50 percent of the
won population residing in Monsoon
Asia?

Discuss the concept of air mass and 2016

explain its role in macro-climatic
changes.

Explain the factors responsible for the 2015

origin of ocean currents. How do they
influence regional climates, fishing
and navigation?

How far do you agree that the 2015

behavior of the Indian monsoon has
been changing due to humanizing
landscapes? Discuss.

Tropical cyclones are largely confined 2014

to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and
Gulf of Mexico. Why?

Most of the unusual climatic 2014

happenings are explained as an
 outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you
agree?

Bring out the relationship between 2014

the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and
the symptoms of climate change in
the Indian sub-continent.

The recent cyclone on the east coast 2013

of India was called “Phailin”. How are
the tropical cyclones named across
the world?

Bring out the causes for the formation 2013

of heat islands in the urban habitat of
the world.

What do you understand by the 2013

phenomenon of temperature
inversion in meteorology? How does
it affect the weather and the habitants
of the place?

Geography: Resources Distribution

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Distribution of key Natural Resources (world, S. Asia, Indian
subcontinent)

Why is India taking keen interest in 2018

resources of Arctic Region?

The effective management of land 2016

and water resources will drastically
reduce the human miseries. Explain

South China Sea has assumed great 2016

geopolitical significance in the
present context. Comment.

Present an account of the Indus 2016

Water Treaty and examine its
ecological, economic and political
implications in the context of
changing bilateral relations.

Enumerate the problems and 2016

prospects of inland water transport in
India.

In what way micro-watershed 2016

Development projects help in water
conservation in drought prone and
semi-arid regions of India.

What are the economic significances 2015

of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and
its possible environmental
consequences?
 India is well endowed with fresh water 2015
resources. Critically examine why it
still suffers from water scarcity.

The states of Jammu and Kashmir, 2015

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
reaching the limits of their ecological
carrying capacity due to tourism.
Critically evaluate.

Critically evaluate the various 2014

resources of the oceans which can be
harnessed to meet the resource crisis
in the world.

How does India see its place in the 2014

economic space of rising natural
resource rich Africa?

With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, 2013

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.

It is said the India has substantial 2013

reserves of shale oil and gas, which
can feed the needs of country for
quarter century. However, tapping of
the resources doesn’t appear to be
high on the agenda. Discuss critically
the availability and issues involved.

Geography: factors affecting industrial

locations
GS1 Syllabus Topic: Factors responsible for location of Industries (primary,
secondary, tertiary; India, world)

Define blue revolution, explain the 2018

problems and strategies for
pisciculture development in India.

What is the significance of Industrial 2018

Corridors in India? Identify industrial
corridors, explain their main
characteristics.

Petroleum refineries are not 2017

necessarily located nearer to crude oil
producing areas, particularly in many
of the developing countries. Explain
its implications.

Whereas the British planters had 2014

developed tea gardens all along the
Shivaliks and Lesser Himalayas from
 Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect
they did not succeed beyond the
Darjeeling area. Explain.

Account for the change in the spatial 2014

pattern of the Iron and Steel industry
in the world.

Why did the Green Revolution in India 2014

virtually by-pass the eastern region
despite fertile soil and good
availability of water?

Do you agree that there is a growing 2013

trend of opening new sugar mills in
the Southern states of India? Discuss
with justification

Analyze the factors for highly 2013

decentralized cotton textile industry
in India

Geography: Urbanization
GS1 Syllabus Topic: Urbanization: problems and remedies

“The ideal solution of depleting 2018

ground water resources in India is
water harvesting system.” How can it
be made effective in urban areas?

The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has 2017

opened up new avenues employment
but has also created new problems.
Substantiate this statement with
examples. Urbanization

With a brief background of quality of 2016

urban life in India, introduce the
objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart
City Programme’.

Major cities of India are becoming 2016

more vulnerable to flood conditions.
Discuss.

Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the 2015

three mega cities of the country but
the air pollution is much more serious
problem in Delhi as compared to the
other two. Why is this so?

Smart cities in India cannot sustain 2015

without smart villages. Discuss this
statement in the backdrop of rural
urban integration.

Discussion the various social 2013

problems which originated out of the
 speedy process of urbanization in
India.

Visit Mrunal.org/Mains for more on UPSC Mains Answer-writing for General

Studies Paper.