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. Q1Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.10 marks · 150 words
2. Q2Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.10 marks · 150 words
3. Q3‘The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.’ Elucidate.10 marks · 150 words
4. Q4How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations ? Discuss with examples.10 marks · 150 words
5. Q5What are non-farm primary activities ? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India ? Discuss with suitable examples.10 marks · 150 words
6. Q6Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.10 marks · 150 words
7. Q7What are Tsunamis ? How and where are they formed ? What are their consequences ? Explain with examples.10 marks · 150 words
8. Q8How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice ?10 marks · 150 words
9. Q9The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.10 marks · 150 words
10. Q10Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture ? Justify your answer.10 marks · 150 words
11. Q11Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.15 marks · 250 words
12. Q12Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.15 marks · 250 words
13. Q13The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.15 marks · 250 words
14. Q14Give 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 ?15 marks · 250 words
15. Q15How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning ?15 marks · 250 words
16. Q16Discuss 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.15 marks · 250 words
17. Q17Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.15 marks · 250 words
18. Q18How 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.15 marks · 250 words
19. Q19Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.15 marks · 250 words
20. Q20Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation ? Give your opinion.15 marks · 250 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I. The paper on upsc.gov.in.