UPSC Mains 2013 GS1 Previous Year Questions

Question list

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1. N01 · Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions.
2. N02 · Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss.
3. N03 · 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 remarkable vividness. Comment.
4. N04 · In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.
5. N05 · Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
6. N06 · Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.
7. N07 · Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India.
8. N08 · Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’.
9. N09 · Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the agreement.
10. N10 · Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh.
11. N11 · American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate.
12. N12 · Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse.
13. N13 · What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression?
14. N14 · Latecomer Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experienced.
15. N15 · Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment.
16. N16 · Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.
17. N17 · Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India.
18. N18 · Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India.
19. N19 · Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss.
20. N20 · What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place?
21. N21 · Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why?
22. N22 · There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why?
23. N23 · What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support.
24. N24 · It is said that India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesn’t appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved.
25. N25 · With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for generation of atomic energy in India and in the world.
26. N26 · Analyze the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India.
27. N27 · Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the Southern states of India? Discuss with justification.
28. N28 · The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called ‘Phailin’. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world?
29. N29 · Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats.
30. N30 · Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torchbearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.