PYQ Astra UPSC CSE

UPSC Mains 2016 GS 1 Question Paper (General Studies I)

All 20 questions from the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2016 General Studies I paper, transcribed from the official question paper and tagged by syllabus topic. Format: 200 words each · 12.5 marks each. Download the original question paper PDF.

Want to write answers to these? Open the Mains answer-writing view

Q1 Indian Culture & Heritage · 12.5 marks

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

Q2 Indian Culture & Heritage · 12.5 marks

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

Q3 Modern Indian History · 12.5 marks

Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.

Q4 Freedom Struggle · 12.5 marks

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

Q5 Freedom Struggle · 12.5 marks

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

Q6 Post-Independence Consolidation · 12.5 marks

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

Q7 World History · 12.5 marks

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

Q8 Globalization · 12.5 marks

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

Q9 Indian Society · 12.5 marks

'An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.' Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

Q10 Indian Society · 12.5 marks

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

Q11 Indian Society · 12.5 marks

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

Q12 Communalism, Secularism & Regionalism · 12.5 marks

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

Q13 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

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

Q14 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

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

Q15 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

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

Q16 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

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

Q17 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

Major cities of India are becoming more unsafe from flood conditions. Discuss.

Q18 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

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

Q19 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

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

Q20 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 12.5 marks

In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?

GS 1 other years