UPSC Mains GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-I 2013

30 Questions • 250 Marks • With Detailed Model Answers

1
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
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. (200 words)
HistoryCulture
2
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
Discuss the 'Tandava' dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (100 words)
HistoryCulture
3
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (100 words)
HistoryCulture
4
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch-bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (200 words)
HistoryPolity
5
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. (200 words)
HistoryPolity
6
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India." Elaborate. (200 words)
HistoryPolity
7
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan Movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success. (200 words)
HistoryPolitySocial Issues
8
10 Marks200 Wordseasy
Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan, 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'. (200 words)
HistoryPolity
9
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Discuss the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre- and post-independent India. (200 words)
HistoryPolity
10
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Analyze the circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the Agreement. (200 words)
HistoryPolityInternational Relations
11
10 Marks200 Wordshard
Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh. (200 words)
HistoryPolityInternational Relations
12
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Latecomer' Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what West had experienced." Analyze. (200 words)
HistoryEconomy
13
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European competition." Analyze. (200 words)
HistoryPolityInternational Relations
14
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism." Substantiate. (200 words)
HistoryEconomy
15
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
What policy instruments were deployed to contain the Great Economic Depression? (200 words)
HistoryEconomy
16
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. (200 words)
Social IssuesUrban Development
17
10 Marks200 Wordseasy
Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women's organization free from gender bias." Comment. (200 words)
Social IssuesGender Studies
18
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Critically examine the effect of globalization on the aged population in India. (200 words)
Social IssuesEconomy
19
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in generation of demand for a separate State. Discuss. (200 words)
PolitySocial Issues
20
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
What do you understand by the theory of 'continental drift'? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support. (100 words)
GeographyScience
21
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
The recent cyclone on east coast of India was called 'Phailin'. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate. (100 words)
GeographyScience
22
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (100 words)
GeographyEnvironment
23
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
What do you understand by the phenomenon of 'temperature inversion' in meteorology? How does it affect weather and the habitants of the place? (100 words)
GeographyScience
24
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 deg N latitudes and on the western side of the continents. Why? (200 words)
Geography
25
5 Marks100 Wordsmedium
Bring out the causes for more frequent occurrence of landslides in the Himalayas than in the Western Ghats. (100 words)
GeographyEnvironment
26
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why? (100 words)
Geography
27
5 Marks100 Wordseasy
Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in southern States of India? Discuss with justification. (100 words)
EconomyAgriculture
28
5 Marks100 Wordsmedium
Analyze the factors for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India. (100 words)
EconomyIndustry
29
10 Marks200 Wordsmedium
With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world. (200 words)
EconomyScience
30
10 Marks200 Wordshard
It is said that India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of the country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resource does not appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved. (200 words)
EconomyEnvironment