UPSC Mains 2021 GS Paper 1 questions

20 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All GS Paper 1 PYQs

1. 1

   Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture.

   Art & Culture · 150 words · 10 marks

2. 2

   Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj.

   Modern History · 150 words · 10 marks

3. 3

   Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States.

   Modern History · 150 words · 10 marks

4. 4

   Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

5. 5

   Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

6. 6

   What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

7. 7

   Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

8. 8

   Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer.

   Geography · 150 words · 10 marks

9. 9

   Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge system when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems.

   Indian Society · 150 words · 10 marks

10. 10

    Examine the role of 'Gig Economy' in the process of empowerment of women in India.

    Indian Society · 150 words · 10 marks

11. 11

    To what extent did the role of the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment.

    Modern History · 250 words · 15 marks

12. 12

    Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.

    Modern History · 250 words · 15 marks

13. 13

    "There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars." Evaluate the statement.

    World History · 250 words · 15 marks

14. 14

    Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples.

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

15. 15

    How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain.

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

16. 16

    Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world.

    Geography · 250 words · 15 marks

17. 17

    What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India?

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks

18. 18

    Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks

19. 19

    What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also?

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks

20. 20

    How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it.

    Indian Society · 250 words · 15 marks