General Studies Paper I (GS I)

20 questions, 250 marks, 3 hours. Open a question for its Hindi text, a topper’s answer to it, and to write it and get it marked.

1. Q1Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.12.5 marks · 200 words
2. Q2Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.12.5 marks · 200 words
3. Q3Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.12.5 marks · 200 words
4. Q4Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.12.5 marks · 200 words
5. Q5Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.12.5 marks · 200 words
6. Q6Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?12.5 marks · 200 words
7. Q7The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine.12.5 marks · 200 words
8. Q8To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.12.5 marks · 200 words
9. Q9“An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.12.5 marks · 200 words
10. Q10Why are the tribals in India referred to as ‘the Scheduled Tribes’? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.12.5 marks · 200 words
11. Q11With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme’.12.5 marks · 200 words
12. Q12What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.12.5 marks · 200 words
13. Q13Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.12.5 marks · 200 words
14. Q14“The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.12.5 marks · 200 words
15. Q15The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.12.5 marks · 200 words
16. Q16South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.12.5 marks · 200 words
17. Q17Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.12.5 marks · 200 words
18. Q18Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.12.5 marks · 200 words
19. Q19Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.12.5 marks · 200 words
20. Q20In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?12.5 marks · 200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I. The paper on upsc.gov.in.