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[Download] UPSC Mains-2015: General Studies Paper-1(GS1), incl. all papers topicwise sortedPosted ByMrunal On 19/12/2015 @ 9:41 pm In Question-Papers | 47 Comments

Instructions

GSM1-2015: Question Paper in Linear Format

Observations: 2015 compared to previous years

Relevance of Mrunal.org aka Bogus Marketing Propaganda

GSM1-Topicwise since Pattern change

Art & Culture

History: India before Independence

History: India After independenceHistory: world

Social Science: Caste, Religion, Region

Social Science: Poverty, Population, Globalization

Social Science: Women

Geography: Physical

Geography: Climate, Disaster related

Geography: Resources Distribution

Geography: factors affecting industrial locations

Geography: Urbanization

InstructionsUPSC conducted general studies paper 1 of civil services mains examination on 19th December

2015

Duration: 3 hours; Maximum Marks: 250

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions:

There are TWENTY questions printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH. Each Question carries 12.5

marks.

All the questions too compulsory.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be

stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QC4) Booklet in the space provided.

No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified should be adhered to.

Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly

struck off.

GSM1-2015: Question Paper in Linear Format

al Download UPSC Mains GS1 Paper, incl. all previous papers topi... http://mrunal.org/2015/12/download-upsc-mains-2015-gs1.h

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Each Question is worth 12.5 marks and maximum word limit is 200. But content of the answer is

more important than its length.

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and

Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present

day. Comment.

Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a

fine aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this comment.

How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma

Gandhi? Discuss.

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies,

had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting

the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the

Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people

there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present?

To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss

critically

Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in

building a national identity.

Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the main

cause of population increase in India.

How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable

to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?

Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four

decades.

Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India.

Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity

work towards annihilation of caste.

Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional

climates, fishing and navigation?

Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is muchmore serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?

India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water

scarcity.

The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of

their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.

How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to

humanizing landscapes? Discuss.


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Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in the backdrop

of rural urban integration.

What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible

environmental consequences?

Observations: 2015 compared to previous years


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Both in GS1 and GS2, we see an emergence of questions from topics that were *hot* 3 to 5

years back e.g. ST sex ratio > SC (2013, TheHindu); Khap Panchayat (2011, TheHindu); Satyam

Scam and corporate reforms (2009-13); Of course these topics sporadically re-emerge every

once in a while, but as such quite stale in terms of origin.

No. of questions vs word limit:

2014 had 25 questions with 150 words each = 250 marks.

2015 had 20 questions with 200-word limit each = 250 marks.

Gradual shift from factual freedom struggle (e.g. 2013: foreigner freedom fighters in India;

Lord Dalhousie’s contribution) to analytical freedom struggle (e.g. 2015-independence

without Gandhi).

Unlike 2013 and 2014, nothing from pre-1857 mutiny topics such as Lord Dalhousie or Panipat

battle.

World History: gradual dilution of difficultly level- from Japan’s industrialization (2013) to Suez

crisis (2014) to England’s industrial revolution (2015)- relatively easier to find through old NCERT

and other books and web-resources.Questions where history is linked to present: (1) ancient culture to present day (2) England’s

industrial revolution to present industrialization of India- quality of life in both places.

Gradual decline in weight and difficultly level of art and culture section. Ancient civilization to

present day-quote from A.L.Basham’s book “Wonder that was India”, although one can attempt

to invent the answers from assembling points from here and there.

No question from post-independence India in both 2014 and 2015 papers.

Continued emphasis on Women related questions in GS1 in both 2014 and 2015. (perhaps that’s


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why no essay on women).

Population: asking statistical trend-analysis type questions (1) sex ratio ST>SC (2) labour

migration trend in 40 years.

Geography: shift from physical and industrial location related question towards environment –

climate change related questions. Gradual dilution of difficulty as well- in the sense that even a

non-geography optional candidate can hope to write a few points.

Just like in Essay-2015 paper, we can see same question can be classified under multiple syllabus

topics here. E.g. Gandhi-Ambedkar and downtrodden is both a question from syllabus topic (1)

India before independence and (2) Social empowerment.

Similarly, why Delhi more bogus than Mumbai in air-pollution- is both (1) climatology (2)

urbanization topic.

More analysis points can be made, the more time and brain we apply in analyzing this paper,

you’re most welcome to put yours in the comments section below.

Relevance of Mrunal.org aka Bogus Marketing

PropagandaGood number of questions could be solved directly from the Mains-revision series; verbatim

answers and points were available.

Question Source on Mrunal.org Credit claimed

Globalization impact on Indian women.Pratik Nayak’s IR2-P3 slide

number 19 onwards.

12.5/12.5. verbatim

points available.

Origin of Ocean currents, their impact on

climate, fishing etc.

Rajtanil: G5/P3 onwards

Oceanography lecture series12.5/12.5

Water scarcity in India, despite fresh

water resources

Rajtanil: G7/P7– water resources

Sunep: MRG1/P4 (Himalayan

Glacier); G2/P1 (dying rivers)

12.5/12.5

Arctic sea oil and environment

implications

Rajtanil: G5/P1-Ocean resources

Sunep: MRG1/P2: slide number

22 onwards.

12.5/12.5

Smart cities and smart villagesMrunal: ML1/P2 and even in

Prelims L7/P612.5/12.5

Why Industrial revolution started in

England and compare it with India at

present.

Old NCERT Chapter7 ; half of the

answer available

0 because I did not

write old NCERT.

Germany’s hand in WW2 Old NCERT Chapter 120 because I did not

write old NCERT.

Total62.5/250 = 25% =

1/4th of the Paper.

GSM1-Topicwise since Pattern change


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In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general

studies papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-I deals with History,

Culture, Society and Geography.

GS Mains Paper-1 2013 2014 2015

Culture 20 40 25

Freedom struggle 30 30 25

World History 40 30 25

Post independence 50 0 0

Religion, Region etc. 10 10 37.5

Poverty, Population, Development 10 20 25

Women related Qs. 10 20 25

Physical Geography 20 20 0

Geo-Climate, Disasters 20 30 50

Natural

Resources20 20 12.5

Urbanization 10 0 25

Industrial Location 10 30 0

Total 250 250 250

Art & Culture

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient aspects of Art, Architecture, literature from Ancient to Modern

Times

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia

and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to

the present day. Comment.

2015

Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but

also a tine aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this

comment.

2015

To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided

inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.

2014

Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. 2014

Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were

associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its

strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a

university in the modern sense. Discuss.

2014

Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices

or the outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment.2014


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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.

2013

Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions. 2013

Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture.

Discuss.2013

History: India before Independence

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues);

Freedom Struggle (various stages, important contributors from different parts of the country)

How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma

Gandhi? Discuss.2015

It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of

drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience

gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

2015

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles

fought at Panipat?2014

Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from

mid-eighteenth century till independence.2014

In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial

aspirations in India?2014

Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch

bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.2013

Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements.

Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.2013

In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. 2013

History: India After independence

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Post-Independence (consolidation and reorganisation within country)

Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya

Vinoba Bhave and their success.2013

Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”. 2013

Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India. 2013

Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights

of the agreement.2013

Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the

emergence of Bangladesh.2013

History: world

GS1 Syllabus Topic: 18th century events (e.g. Industrial revolution, WWs, redrawn boundaries,

colonisation, decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g. communism, capitalism, socialism) and


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their effect on society

Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the

people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at

present?

2015

To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss

critically

2015

What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which

motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India?2014

What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to

Britain’s self-image as a world power?2014

The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India

soon after independence. Evaluate.2014

“Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly

different from what west had experience.2013

Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition.

Analyse.2013

American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. 2013

What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? 2013

Social Science: Caste, Religion, Region

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism; Social Empowerment

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and

strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

2015

Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance

in building a national identity.2015

Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit

identity work towards annihilation of caste.2015

How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West? 2014

Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a

separate state. Discuss.2013

Social Science: Poverty, Population, Globalization

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient features of Indian Society; Diversity of India; Globalisation (effects

on Indian society)

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues

Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the

main cause of population increase in India.2015

Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last

four decades.2015


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The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than social values.

Discuss.2014

Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India. 2013

Social Science: Women

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Role of women and women’s organisation;

Although some of the following questions fall under population-globalization categories, but if a

person cultivates habit of noting down women related topics under one head, it’ll benefit in both

GS1, GS2 and Essay.

Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India. (2013, Asked

about Globalization effect on Elderly)2015

How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more

favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?2015

How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India? 2014

Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing

feminization of agriculture in India.2014

Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for

women? Give your arguments.2014

Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free

from gender bias. Comment.2013

Geography: Physical


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GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient Features of World Physical Geography; Important Geophysical

phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones); Geographical features and location;

Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos. 2014

Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring

out the association between the global distribution of Fold Mountains and the earthquakes

and volcanoes.

2014

What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent

evidences in its support.2013

There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why? 2013

Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on

the western side of the continents. Why?2013

Geography: Climate, Disaster related

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and effects thereof)


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Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence

regional climates, fishing and navigation?2015

India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers

from water scarcity.2015

The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand arc reaching the

limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.2015

How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to

humanizing landscapes? Discuss.2015

Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of

Mexico. Why?2014

Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino

effect. Do you agree?2014

Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of

climate change in the Indian sub-continent. 2014

The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin”. How are the tropical

cyclones named across the world?2013

Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. 2013

What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology?

How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place?2013

Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats 2013

Geography: Resources Distribution


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GS1 Syllabus Topic: Distribution of key Natural Resources (world, S. Asia, Indian subcontinent)

What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible

environmental consequences?2015

Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet

the resource crisis in the world.2014

How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa? 2014With 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.

2013

It is said the 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.

2013

Geography: factors affecting industrial locations

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Factors responsible for location of Industries (primary, secondary, tertiary;

India, world)

Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser

Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the

Darjeeling area. Explain.

2014

Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world. 2014

Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile

soil and good availability of water?2014


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Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the Southern

states of India? Discuss with justification2013

Analyze the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India 2013

Geography: Urbanization

So that means All my sins are washed for the current year.

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Urbanization: problems and remedies.

Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is

much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?2015

Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in the

backdrop of rural urban integration.2015

Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of

urbanization in India.2013

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