UPSC Mains 2017 GS Paper 1 questions

20 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2017. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All GS Paper 1 PYQs

1. 1

   How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times?

   Art & Culture · 150 words · 10 marks

2. 2

   Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.

   Modern History · 150 words · 10 marks

3. 3

   Why did the 'Moderates' fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?

   Modern History · 150 words · 10 marks

4. 4

   What problems were germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula?

   World History · 150 words · 10 marks

5. 5

   How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth?

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

6. 6

   "In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development." Discuss.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

7. 7

   Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

8. 8

   How does the cryosphere affect global climate?

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

9. 9

   In the context of the diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.

   Indian Society · 150 words · 10 marks

10. 10

    What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence, addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

    Indian Society · 150 words · 10 marks

11. 11

    The spirit of tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks

12. 12

    Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy.

    Modern History · 250 words · 15 marks

13. 13

    Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since the twenties of the last century.

    Modern History · 250 words · 15 marks

14. 14

    Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects.

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

15. 15

    Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications.

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

16. 16

    In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India?

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

17. 17

    What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia?

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

18. 18

    The women's questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?

    Modern History · 250 words · 15 marks

19. 19

    Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks

20. 20

    "The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems." Substantiate this statement with examples.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks