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UPSC Mains 2017 GS 1 Question Paper (General Studies I)

All 20 questions from the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2017 General Studies I paper, transcribed from the official question paper and tagged by syllabus topic. Format: 150 words (Q1–10, 10 marks) · 250 words (Q11–20, 15 marks). Download the original question paper PDF.

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Q1 Indian Culture & Heritage · 10 marks

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

Q2 Modern Indian History · 10 marks

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

Q3 Freedom Struggle · 10 marks

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?

Q4 World History · 10 marks

What problems were germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula?

Q5 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

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

Q6 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

'In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development.' Discuss.

Q7 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

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

Q8 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

How does the cryosphere affect global climate?

Q9 Indian Society · 10 marks

In the context of the diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.

Q10 Post-Independence Consolidation · 10 marks

What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence, addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

Q11 Indian Society · 15 marks

The spirit of 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.

Q12 Modern Indian History · 15 marks

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

Q13 Freedom Struggle · 15 marks

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

Q14 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

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

Q15 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

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

Q16 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

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

Q17 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 15 marks

What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia?

Q18 Women, Population & Urbanization · 15 marks

The women's 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?

Q19 Communalism, Secularism & Regionalism · 15 marks

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

Q20 Indian Society · 15 marks

'The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems.' Substantiate this statement with examples.

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