General Studies Paper 1 - 2017

Answer following questions each in 150 words. 10 Marks Each.

(1) How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not at all
noticeable in later times?
(2) Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.
(3) Why did the Moderates fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed
ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?
(4) What problems were germane to the decolonization process of Malay Peninsula.
(5) How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the
Earth?
(6) In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.
Discuss.
(7) Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulse because of which the year 2016 was
declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.
(8) How does the cryosphere affect global climate?
(9) In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather
than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.
(10) What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence, addressing
discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

Answer following questions each in 250 words x 15 marks each.

(11) The spirit tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very
early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.
(12) Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural
economy.
(13) Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian
independence since twenties of the last century.
(14) Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects.
(15) Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas,
particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications.
(16) In what way can flood be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather
inland navigation in India?
(17) What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than
50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia?
(18) The womens questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform
movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?
(19) Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how
the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.
(20) The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues employment but has also
created new problems. Substantiate this statement with examples.
 Question Paper Analysis
2 out of 20 question are unavailable in routine sources.
Otherwise, 18 out of 20 question that is 90% of the paper is from routine preparation sources-
at least ragtag () answers can be assembled.
Yes, Paper is unnecessarily lengthy to provide sufficient time to articulate your points, even
for the relatively easy questions (such as women related social reforms before independence
or rural artisans in colonial economy). Therefore, Solvable paper doesnt mean easy paper,
because you cant recall all those topics in actual exam.
2013: 5 markers = 100 words, 10 marks = 200 words. That means 1 mark is worth 20 words.
Total length of paper is 250 marks = 5000 words.
2014: all questions worth 10 marks and 150 words each. That means 1 mark is worth 15
words. Total length of the 250 marks paper = 3750
2015: all questions worth 12.5 marks and 150 words each. So, 1 mark = 12 words, total
length of paper = 3000
2016: all questions worth 12.5 marks and 200 words each. So, total length of paper = 3000
2017: 10 questions worth 150 words and 10 questions worth 250 words. Total length of 250
marks paper is = 4000
But, Some candidates presumed that continuing with the trend of 2016, each question was
worth 200 words only, so those who did not read the opening instructions, attempted the
paper in linear fashion- they ran out of time or could not do proper justice questions towards
the end. (Because Q. 11 to 20 were longer).
While one could glorify and appreciate this Backbreaking move as as anti-coaching,
anti-senior move, but overall it degrades the description examination into a CAT like race
to finish rather than race to articulate your knowledge and reasoning. Hence, the success is
not for the best answer, but writing less bad answer than others.
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
Transparency, accountability recurring @GSM2 and GSM4.
This problem, compounded with the ability to generate unique questions in each topic, had
begun to show chink in the UPSCs armor, evident in following ways:
No Respect for Syllabus:-
GSM1 syllabus doesnt mention Indian geography or Indian agriculture specifically.
GSM3 syllabus specifically mentions Indian Major Crops in various parts of country
(cropping patterns, types of irrigation, irrigation systems.)
Then, which is the suitable paper to ask this question: Mention the advantages of the cultivation
of pulse because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the
United Nations. (2017)
GSM3? Nope. It was asked in GSM1-2017.
Lets try one more:
GSM1 syllabus has distribution of key natural resources.
GSM3 syllabus also has
Environmental conservation; Environmental pollution and degradation;
Environmental Impact Assessment.
Energy infrastructure. Indian economy: mobilization of resources for development.
So where should this question be asked: In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining
is still inevitable for development. Discuss.
GSM3 seems the appropriate better choice but no, it was asked in GSM1-2017.
Syllabus GSM1: Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and effects thereof).
So, a question about impact of Climate change on Himalayan and Coastal India is more
suitable for GSM1 than GSM3, but its asked in GSM3-2017. (interesting same topic asked in
GSM1 in 2014)

Repeating themes within a given GS Paper:-

Tribal
Asked Constitutional provisions @GSM1-2016
welfare
Asked legal provisions @GSM1-2017.

Religion 2014: Indian secularism debates are different from West

2017: Religiousness transformed into communalism after independence.

2017: 3 questions asked 1) love and tolerance 2) communalism 3)

cultural regions of India. Collectively, theyre just one essay on unity in
Diversity diversity.
And, they are continuation of the common themes of past @2015:
cultural elements build national identity. @2014: Indian secularism
debate different than west.
 Asked in GSM1 and GSM3 @2016 as a disaster
Floods
Again asked in GSM1 @2017, as a productive thing that can be
potentially used for navigation.

2013: social problem in cities

2015: air pollution in cities
2016: floods in cities.
Urbanization
2017: problems in IT cities. (only difference is that now its general
cities to specific IT cities. Although given the paucity of time in the
actual paper, I wonder how many unique points a candidate could come
up with.

Repeating Themes among GS Papers

Climate GSM1-2014: Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan
glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent.
change
GSM3-2017: How are Himalaya and coastal states affected by climate
change?

GSM1-2014: How does India see its place in the economic space of rising
Africa natural resource rich Africa?
GSM2-2015: Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons.
Critically examine.

GSM1-2016: An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the

poor from deprivation. Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.
Poverty GSM2-2017: Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show
pieces until and unless they are backed by political will. Discuss with
reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in
India.

Internal Variety is less than earlier years:-

Society: ~25% (blue); History: ~30% (grey); Geography: ~45% (red). This trend has been
more or less the same since 2013.
In GSM1-2017, Overall, size wise there is not much change i.e. max. questions from
geography >> history >> society.
But internal breakup has changed. Internal Variety is less than those of previous years. e.g.
within history- too much focus on freedom struggle era events at the neglect of world history
and post-independence history.
 Similarly, within society: nothing from women issues or impact of globalization or poverty
vs population. Section almost entirely focused on communalism.

Cultural Portion Declined:-

Earlier This time

Fascination with Southern

Culture Nothing from this side.
2013: chola, sangam
2016: Vijayanagar

Fascination with Buddhism,

Jainism Nothing from this side, either.
2016: Buddhist stupa
2014: Taxila university

Only 10 marks. And that too, relatively less random than

Random Lunatic questions earlier years. Because Gupta coinage answer could be
worth minimum 25 marks. assembled from reading NIOS culture book and TN Class 11
history textbook.

From General to Specific sub-topics:-

2014: economic policies of British till independence.
2017: how decline of artisan industry led to collapse of rural economy.
Its a trap question actually. Many candidates would simply beat around the bush by
criticizing British factory goods and tariff policies for ruining Indian artisan, whereas the
question is Specific about linking artisans fall to rural economys fall.
Similarly: earlier years, asked about general problems of cities, this time specifically asked
about IT cities.
World History Portion Declining consistently:-
World History is facing constant and gradual fall like Congress ruled states. In 2013: 40
marks worth world history, then each year continuous and secular decline: 30m, 25m,
12.5m and this time only 10 marks worth world history asked,
 And that too from an obscure topic of decolonization in Malay peninsula. It might have
come in some random journal, magazine or TV debates two three years back. And then some
people having post-exam-epiphany that everyone must have prepared it! But saala itna
detail mein kaun prepare krta hai.
Or maybe its a trick. UPSC did not expect candidates to answer it, hence the question paper
it not lengthy from their examiners point of view, because he wanted candidates to skip
smartly as in CAT exam.
2016 also had a similar random question: role of western educated Africans in liberating
W.Africa. (who can remember such things!)
Misc. Observations:-

2016 2017

This famine continues.

No question from Post independent India Although asked about social reforms in pre-
or women issues (after independence). independent India in GSM1.
And asked about agriculture revolutions in
post-independent India in GSM3.
 GS1 Mains - Topic wise Questions since Syllabus change

Category GS Mains Paper-1 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

History Culture 20 40 25 25 10

History Freedom struggle 30 30 25 37.5 65

History World History 40 30 25 12.5 10

History Post independence 50 0 0 0 0

Religion, Region,
Society 10 10 37.5 37.5 50
empowerment

Poverty, Population,
Society 0 10 25 12.5 0
Development

Society Globalization Impact 10 0 12.5 12.5 0

Society Women 10 30 12.5 0 0

Geography Climate 10 20 37.5 12.5 60

Geography Disaster 10 10 0 12.5 15

Geography Urbanization 10 0 25 25 15

Geography Physical 20 20 0 0 10
Geography Resources 20 20 25 62.5 0

Geography Industrial Location 10 30 0 0 15

250
Total 250 250 250 250

History

GS1 Topic :- History: Art and Culture - Salient aspects of Art, Architecture, literature
from Ancient to Modern Times

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not
2017
at all noticeable in later times?

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully
2016
expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.

Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar
2016
himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt,

Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a 2015
breakdown to the present day. Comment.

Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times
but also a tine aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this 2015
comment.

To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization
2014
provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.

Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. 2014
Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were
associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its
2014
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 to modify either the religious ideas and practices
or the outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. 2014
Comment.

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 2013
remarkable vividness. Comment.

Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions. 2013

Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture.

2013
Discuss.

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

Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented
2017
polity.

Why did the Moderates fail to carry conviction with the nation about their
2017
proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?

Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled
2017
the rural economy.

The womens questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social
reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that 2017
period?

Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian
2017
independence since twenties of the last century.
Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution
2016
of British policies towards colonial India.

Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian
2016
phase.

Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma
2016
Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without
2015
Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.

It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task
of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the 2015
experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking
2014
battles fought at Panipat?

Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from
2014
mid-eighteenth century till independence.

In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British
2014
colonial aspirations in India?

Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the
2013
torchbearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.

Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements.
2013
Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.

In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. 2013
GS1 Topic :- History: India After Independence - Post-Independence (consolidation and
reorganisation within country)

Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by

2013
Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.

Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan Jai Jawan Jai
2013
Kisan.

Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent

2013
India.

Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the
2013
highlights of the agreement.

Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in
2013
the emergence of Bangladesh.

GS1 Topic :- History: World History - 18th century events (e.g. Industrial revolution,
WW1 and 2, redrawn boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g.
communism, capitalism, socialism) and their effect on society

What problems were germane to the decolonization process of Malay Peninsula? 2017

The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-
2016
educated Africans. Examine.

Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of
the people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India 2015
at present?

To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars?
2015
Discuss critically

What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which
2014
motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India?
What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow
2014
to Britains self-image as a world power?

The New Economic Policy 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by
2014
India soon after independence. Evaluate.

Latecomer Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were

2013
markedly different from what west had experience.

Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European

2013
competition. Analyse.

American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. 2013

What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? 2013

Social Science

GS1 Topic :- Social Science: Caste, Religion, Region, Globalization - Communalism,

Regionalism, Secularism; Social Empowerment; Salient features of Indian Society;
Diversity of India

The spirit tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from
2017
very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.

Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example

2017
of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.

In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units
2017
rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.
What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence, addressing
2017
discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? 2016

Why are the tribals in India referred to as the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major
2016
provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of

development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your 2016
answer.

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and
2015
strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative
2015
significance in building a national identity.

Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit
2015
identity work towards annihilation of caste.

How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West? 2014

Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for

2013
a separate state. Discuss.

GS1 Topic :- Social Science: Poverty, Population, Globalization - Poverty, Population;

Development and associated issues

An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from deprivation.

2016
Substantiate this statement with suitable examples
Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is
2015
the main cause of population increase in India.

Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the
2015
last four decades.

The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than social
2014
values. Discuss.

GS1 Topic :- Social Science: Globalization - Globalisation (effects on Indian society)

Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India. (2013,
2015
Asked about Globalization effect on Elderly)

To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India?
2016
Explain.

Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India. 2013

GS1 Topic :- Social Science: Women - Role of women and womens organisation

How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is
2015
more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?

How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India? 2014

Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing
2014
feminization of agriculture in India.

Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for
2014
women? Give your arguments.

Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make womens organization

2013
free from gender bias. Comment.
Geography:-

GS1 Topic :- Geography: Physical - Salient Features of World Physical Geography;

Important Geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones);
Geographical features and location

How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of
2017
the Earth?

The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides. Discuss the causes and suggest
2016
suitable measures of mitigation.

Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines

2014
archipelagos.

Why are the worlds fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents?
Bring out the association between the global distribution of Fold Mountains and the 2014
earthquakes and volcanoes.

What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent
2013
evidences in its support.

There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why? 2013

Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north
2013
and on the western side of the continents. Why?

Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western
2013
Ghats

GS1 Topic :- Geography: Physical: Climate and Disaster Related - Critical geographical
features, flora, fauna (changes and effects thereof)

In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for

2017
development. Discuss.

Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulse because of which the year 2016
2017
was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.
How does the cryosphere affect global climate? 2017

Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects. 2017

In what way can flood be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-
2017
weather inland navigation in India?

What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding

2017
more than 50 percent of the won population residing in Monsoon Asia?

Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. 2016

Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they
2015
influence regional climates, fishing and navigation?

How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due
2015
to humanizing landscapes? Discuss.

Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf
2014
of Mexico. Why?

Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino
2014
effect. Do you agree?

Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the
2014
symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent.

The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called Phailin. How are the
2013
tropical cyclones named across the world?

Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the
2013
world.

What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in

2013
meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the inhabitants of the place?
GS1 Topic :- Geography: Resource Distribution:- Distribution of key Natural Resources
(world, S. Asia, Indian subcontinent)

The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the
2016
human miseries. Explain

South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context.
2016
Comment.

Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic
2016
and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.

Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India. 2016

In what way micro-watershed Development projects help in water conservation in

2016
drought prone and semi-arid regions of India.

What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible
2015
environmental consequences?

India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still
2015
suffers from water scarcity.

The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand reaching the
2015
limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.

Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to
2014
meet the resource crisis in the world.

How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich
2014
Africa?

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 2013
generation of atomic energy in India and in the world.
It is said the India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the
needs of country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesnt
2013
appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues
involved.

GS1 Topic :- Geography: Factors Affecting Industrial Location - Factors responsible for
location of Industries (primary, secondary, tertiary; India, world)

Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas,
2017
particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications.

Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and
Lesser Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed 2014
beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain.

Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the
2014
world.

Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually bypass the eastern region despite
2014
fertile soil and good availability of water?

Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the
2013
Southern states of India? Discuss with justification

Analyze the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India 2013

GS1 Topic :- Geography: Urbanisation - Urbanization: problems and remedies

The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues employment but has
2017
also created new problems. Substantiate this statement with examples. Urbanization

With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives
2016
and strategy of the Smart City Programme.

Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. 2016
Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air
pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why 2015
is this so?

Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in
2015
the backdrop of rural urban integration.

Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process
2013
of urbanization in India.