UPSC Civil Services Mains GS Paper 1: Important Solved Questions: The general studies paper 1 of the UPSC Civil Services Mains comprises History (Modern India & World); Art & Culture (Indian Heritage and Culture); Geography (Physical & Human); and Indian Society. In this article, you will get a set of subject-wise questions asked in Mains GS 1 of the UPSC IAS Exam.
UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Questions: Topic Wise Analysis
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The table below mentions the number of questions asked from each topic in UPSC Mains GS 1:
History
The topic ‘History’ has the following sub-topics:
- History of the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues
- The Freedom Struggle
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- World History
| UPSC Mains GS 1 Questions – History | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | Freedom Struggle – 3 Post Independence – 5 World History – 4 |
| 2014 | Freedom Struggle – 3 World History – 3 |
| 2015 | Freedom Struggle – 2 World History – 2 |
| 2016 | Freedom Struggle – 3 World History – 1 |
| 2017 | Freedom Struggle – 1 Post Independence – 3 World History – 1 |
| 2018 | Freedom Struggle – 1 Post Independence – 2 |
| 2019 | Freedom Struggle – 2 Post-Independence – 1 World History – 1 |
Art & Culture
Indian culture comprises sub-topics like the salient aspects of:
- Art Forms
- Literature and
- Architecture, from ancient to modern times
| UPSC Mains GS 1 Questions – Art & Culture | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
Geography
The topic ‘Geography’ has the following subtopics:
- Physical geography
- Key natural resources across the world
- Industrial Sectors
- Indian & World Geography
- Geophysical phenomena
- Climate
- Urbanization
- Industrial Location
| UPSC Mains GS 1 Questions – Geography | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 8 |
Indian Society
The topic Indian Society comprises:
- Indian Society salient features
- Diversity in Indian Society
- Women Role, Issues
- Poverty, Hunger Issues
- Urbanization, Issues
- Globalization, Issues
- Social Empowerment
- Regionalism, Communalism, Secularism
| UPSC Mains GS 1 Questions – Indian Society | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 10 |
UPSC Civil Services Mains GS Paper 1: Important Solved Questions
The Main examination of UPSC is designed to test a candidate’s academic expertise and the ability to present his/her knowledge in a consistent manner. The second phase of the Civil Services Examination – the Main exam tests candidates of their in-depth knowledge. The Main exam is descriptive in nature and has 9 papers. Out of these 9 papers, 7 are considered for final ranking. These 7 papers are of 250 marks each.
- Examine the role of Bismarck in state-building in Germany.
- What are the contributions of Raja Ravi Varma to Indian art? Elaborate.
- Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
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- What are the major legal initiatives by India since Independence addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?
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- Discuss how art and literature influenced India’s freedom struggle?
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- Discuss various land reforms in India before and after independence.
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- Elaborate on the role of Subhash Chandra Bose in India’s struggle for independence.
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- Buddhism played an important role in spreading Indian culture across the globe in ancient times. Elaborate.
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- Write about the major teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Discuss its relevance in the present time.
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- Analyse the elements of urban civilization in the Harappan Culture. What factors were responsible for their decline?
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- Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India.
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- Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?
- The recent rise in communal disharmony and intolerance is a threat to Indian plural democracy. Comment.
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- The power-sharing under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution which was expected to be the panacea of the ethnic-nationalist identity issues in the Northeastern States has failed to do so. Examine.
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- Discuss various opportunities and challenges of demographic dividend in India.
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- What is secularism? Discuss various features of the Indian concept of secularism.
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- Discuss various reasons for the high incidence of domestic violence in India. Suggest some measures to prevent it.
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- Discuss various challenges in the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in India.
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- Discuss India’s policy on refugees. How do you think India should react to the Rohingya crisis?
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- What do you understand by Stereotyping? Critically examine why stereotyping is so common in society today.
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- What is de-globalization? Discuss its consequences and impact on India.
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- What is mob-lynching? What are the various reasons for the rise in mob-lynching incidents in India? Suggest some measures to prevent mob-lynching.
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- How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalisation detrimental to the development of the country?
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- The spread of dengue in India has been related to unplanned urbanization, changes in environmental factors, and a host of other factors. Elaborate.
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- What do you understand by the term radicalization? What are the various reasons for growing radicalization in society? Discuss the consequences and measures needed.
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- The recent Citizenship Amendment Act has a significant impact on India’s secular image with deeper foreign policy implications. Do you agree?
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- Discuss the need and importance of preserving India’s linguistic diversity. What measures are needed for the same?
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- What is the Demographic dividend? Argue whether the Indian demographic dividend is turning into a demographic disaster or not?
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- Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizen a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
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- What is Polar Vortex and why is the ozone depletion in the Arctic different from that of the Antarctic?
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- What factors are responsible for the origin and modification of ocean currents? Explain how ocean current currents affect the climate of surrounding regions.
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- What is red snow? What causes red snow? Discuss various concerns over red snow in Antarctica.
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- A new study reveals that climate change leads to more violence against women. In light of this, discuss the impact of climate change on women’s rights.
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- What are the favorable conditions for the formation of corals? Analyse the impact of global warming on corals.
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- Despite several measures to reduce the vulnerability of climate-induced disasters, the farm sector and farmers continue to suffer losses. Discuss various reasons for this and suggest some measures.
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- Give an account of the coral reef In India. Why are coral reefs so important? Discuss various methods of coral restoration.
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- What is the Indian Ocean Dipole? What are its characteristic features? Discuss its impact on the Indian monsoon.
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- With a coastline expanding around 7500 Km India needs to replicate the successes in space exploration to the oceans as well. Discuss the need and importance of ocean exploration for India.
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- Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.
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- Give an account of the looming water crisis situation in India. Discuss how Atal Bhujal Yojana would help in preventing water crisis situation.
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