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UPSC Mains 2022 GS 1 Question Paper (General Studies I)

All 20 questions from the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2022 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 will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days?

Q2 Modern Indian History · 10 marks

Why did the armies of the British East India Company — mostly comprising of Indian soldiers — win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers? Give reasons.

Q3 Modern Indian History · 10 marks

Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.

Q4 Geography (Physical, Resources & Phenomena) · 10 marks

Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks.

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

Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.

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

Discuss the natural resource potentials of 'Deccan Trap'.

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

Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.

Q8 Indian Society · 10 marks

Explore and evaluate the impact of 'Work From Home' on family relationships.

Q9 Women, Population & Urbanization · 10 marks

How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture of consumption?

Q10 Indian Society · 10 marks

Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category?

Q11 Post-Independence Consolidation · 15 marks

The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.

Q12 Indian Culture & Heritage · 15 marks

Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.

Q13 Indian Culture & Heritage · 15 marks

Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.

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

What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.

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

Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.

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

Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.

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

Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How?

Q18 Indian Society · 15 marks

Analyse the salience of 'sect' in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.

Q19 Communalism, Secularism & Regionalism · 15 marks

Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? Justify your answer.

Q20 Globalization · 15 marks

Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India.

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