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UPSC IAS Mains General Studies (Paper – I) Exam Question Paper – 2013

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains Exam

Year: 2013

Subject: Paper-II: General Studies – I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

Instructions: Answer the following questions in not more than 200 words each. Contents of the answers are more important than their length. All questions carry equal marks.

Q1. 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.

Q2.

1. Discuss the ‘Tandava’ dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions.
2. Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss.

Q3. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torchbearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.

Q4. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.

Q5. “In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India.” Elaborate.

Q6. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan Movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.

Q7. Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan, ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’. (200 words)

Q8. Discuss the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre and post independent India.

Q9. Analyze the circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the Agreements.

Q10. Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh.

Q11. ‘Latecomer’ Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what West had experienced.” Analyze.

Q12. “Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accidents of European competition.” Analyze.

Q13. “American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism.” Substantiate.

Q14. What policy instruments were deployed to contain the Great Economic Depression?

Q15. Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India.

Q16. “Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias.” Comment.

Q17. Critically examine the effect of globalization on the aged population in India.

Q18. Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in generation of demand for a separate State, Discuss.

Q19.

1. What do you understand by the theory of ‘continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support.
2. The recent cyclone on east coast of India was called ‘Phailin’. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate.

Q20.

1. Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.
2. What do you understand by the phenomenon of ‘temperature inversion’ in meteorology? How does it affect weather and the habitants of the place?

Q21. Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 deg N latitudes and on the western side of the continents. Why?

Q22.

1. Bring out the causes for more frequent occurrence of landslides in the Himalayas than in the Western Ghats.
2. There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why?

Q23.

1. Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in southern States of India? Discuss with justification.
2. Analyze the factors for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India.

Q24. 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.

Q25. 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.

Courtesy: UPSC