General Studies Paper - I
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APSC Previous Years Questions
1. Discuss the salient features of Harappan Culture. Write the causes of its decline. (APSC Mains 2016)
2. Bring out the salient features of IVC and focus on its trade relations with West Asia. (APSC 2011)
2. Bring out the salient features of IVC and focus on its trade relations with West Asia. (APSC 2011)
3. Discuss the political organizations during the Rig Vedic period. What were the changes that occurred in the later Vedic Period? (APSC Mains 2014 and 2016)
4. What are the four Vedas? (APSC Mains 2014)
5. Write the chief teachings of Lord Buddha. How far
Buddhism was a reform movement within
Hinduism? (APSC 2015)
6. Analyze critically that Buddha’s teachings to a large
extent could be helpful in understanding and
resolving the problems of today’s society. (APSC
2016)
7. Account for the decline and disintegration of
Mauryan Empire. (APSC 2014)
8. What are the main causes for the downfall of the
Mauryan Empire? How far was Ashoka responsible
for it? (APSC 2015)
9. How did external invasions influence the art and
culture of India in the Post-Mauryan Period?
(APSC 2016) 10. Discuss about the civilization of ‘Gupta Era’.
Why the ‘Gupta Era’ is called the Golden Era of
India? (APSC 2015)
11. Write a short note on Fa-Hien’s account. (APSC
2015)
12. Name the author of Harshacharita. ( APSC
2016)
13. Who was the ruler of Kamarupa during Hiuen
Tsang’s visit? (APSC 2016)
14. What is the role of the Sepoy Mutiny in shaping India’s struggle for independence?
(APSC 2017)
15. Distinguish between the Subsidiary alliance and
the Doctrine of Lapse. (APSC 2011)
16. Write on the introduction and the impact of Western education under British rule in India
(APSC 2011)
17. What was the character of the Social Religious
Reforms in the nineteenth century and how did they
contribute to the national awakening in India? (APSC
2006)
18. Trace the genesis of the Brahmo Samaj. Assess its
role in the socio-religious changes in nineteenth-century India? (APSC 2016)
19. Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905? (APSC 2016)
20. What are the salient features of the Government of
India Acts of 1958 and 1909? (APSC 2006)
UPSC Previous Years Questions (Indian History)
1. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts
of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (UPSC
2018)
2. Clarify how mid – eighteenth century India was
beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.
(UPSC 2017)
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? (UPSC 2017)
4. Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal
industry in colonial India crippled the rural
economy? (UPSC 2017)
5. 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? (UPSC 2017)
6. Highlight the importance of the new objectives that
got added to the vision of Indian independence
since twenties of the last century. (UPSC 2017)
7. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an
important watershed in the evolution of British
policies towards colonial India. (UPSC 2016)
8. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle
especially during the Gandhian phase. (UPSC 2016)
9. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash
Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle
for freedom. (UPSC 2016)
10. How different would have been the achievement
of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi?
Discuss (UPSC 2015)
11. It would have been difficult for the Constitutional
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 (UPSC 2015)
12. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761.
Why were so many empire – shaking battles
fought at Panipat? (UPSC 2014)
13. Examine critically the various facets of
economic policies of the British in India from mid
– eighteenth century till independence. (UPSC
2014)
14. In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be
the last nail in the coffin of British colonial
aspirations in India? (UPSC 2014)
15. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion,
the Indian women became the torch bearer
during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss
(UPSC 2013)
16. Several foreigners made India their homeland
and participated in various movements. Analyze
their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
(UPSC 2013)
17. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder
of modern India. Elaborate (UPSC 2013)
UPSC Previous Years Questions History: Art and Culture
1. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of
the moment. Discuss (UPSC 2018)
2. Assess the importance of the accounts of the
Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of
the history of India (UPSC 2018)
3. The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re –
orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu. Discuss (UPSC 2018)
4. How do you justify the view that the level of
excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not at all
noticeable in later times? (UPSC 2017)
5. Early Buddhist Stupa – art, while depicting folk
motifs and narratives successfully expounds
Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (UPSC 2016)
6. Krishnadeva Raya, the king of Vijayanagar, was
not only an accomplished scholar himself but
was also a great patron of learning and literature.
Discuss. (UPSC 2016)
7. 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. (UPSC 2015)
8. Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only
reflects the cultural life of the times but also a
tine aesthetic sense comparable to modern
painting. Critically evaluate this comment. (UPSC
2015)
9. To what extent has the urban planning and
culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided
inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.
(UPSC 2014)
10. Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the
Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. (UPSC 2014)
11. 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 flourished, but unlike
Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in
the modern sense. Discuss. (UPSC 2014)
12. 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. (UPSC
2014)
13. 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. (UPSC 2013)
14. Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the
early Indian inscriptions. (UPSC 2013)
15. Chola architecture represents a high watermark
in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss.
(UPSC 2013)
UPSC Previous Years Questions History : Miscellaneous
1. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and
Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba
Bhave and their success. (UPSC 2013)
2. Write a critical note on the evolution and
significance of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan ”.
(UPSC 2013)
3. Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam
Azad to pre – and post – independent India. (UPSC
2013)
4. Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent
Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the
agreement. (UPSC 2013)
5. Critically examine the compulsions which prompted
India to play a decisive roles in the emergence of
Bangladesh. (UPSC 2013)
6. Why indentured labour was taken by the British from
India to other colonies? Have they been able to
preserve their cultural identity over there? (UPSC
2018)
7. What problems were germane to the decolonization
process of Malay Peninsula. (UPSC 2017)
8. The anti – colonial struggles in West Africa were led
by the new elite of Western – educated Africans.
Examine. (UPSC 2016)
9. 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? (UPSC 2015)
10. To what extent can Germany be held responsible for
causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically. (UPSC
2015)
11. What were the major political, economic and social
developments in the world which motivated the anti
– colonial struggle in India? (UPSC 2014)
12. 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? (UPSC 2014)
13. The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had
influenced the policies adopted by India soon after
independence. Evaluate. (UPSC 2014)
14. “Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved
certain factors that were markedly different from
what west had experienced. (UPSC 2013)
15. Africa was chopped into states artificially created by
accident of European competition. Analyze. (UPSC
2013)
16. American Revolution was an economic revolt
against mercantilism. Substantiate. (UPSC 2013)
17. What policy instruments were deployed to contain
the great economic depression? (UPSC 2013)
APSC Previous Years Questions
1. While Assessing the population problem of India,
make an attempt to revolve adequate strategy for
population planning and human resource
development in the country. (APSC 2016)
2. Summarize the causes of rapid population growth
in India. Examine its impact on the economy of the
country. (APSC 2015)
3. What is meant by demographic dividend? Suggest
the measures through which India can realise the
benefit of demographic dividend. (APSC 2014)
4. What is regionalism? In what way, regionalism has
affected the Indian policy. (APSC 2015)
5. Distinguish between in – immigration and out –
immigration. Explain the causes of rural – urban
migration of population in India and analyse the
various problems that may arise on account of rural
– urban migration. (APSC 2014)
6. Explain the main factors determining the sex ratio in
India. (APSC 2014)
7. Explain the nature and causes of growing slum
problems in the metropolitan cities of India. (APSC
2006)
8. What is the main cause of Urbanisation? Critically
examine the major issues and challenges that India
faces as her urbanisation proceeds. (APSC 2016,
2017)
UPSC Previous Years Questions
1. “Caste system is assuming new identities and
associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be
eradicated in India.” Comment. (UPSC 2018)
2. How the Indian concept of Secularism is different
from the western model of secularism? Discuss.
(UPSC 2018)
3. ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle
or relative deprivation.‘ Argue by giving suitable
illustrations. (UPSC 2018)
4. The spirit 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. (UPSC 2017)
5. Distinguish between religiousness/ religiosity and
communalism giving one example of how the former
has got transformed into the latter in independent
India. (UPSC 2017)
6. In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that
the regions form cultural units rather than the
States? Give reasons with examples for your
viewpoint. (UPSC 2017)
7. What are the two major legal initiatives by the State
since Independence, addressing discrimination
against Scheduled Tribes (STs)? (UPSC 2017)
8. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened
the cause of Indian Unity? (UPSC 2016)
9. Why are the tribals in India referred to as the
Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major provisions
enshrined in the Constitution of India for their
upliftment. (UPSC 2016)
10. What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal
distribution of benefits of development on regional
basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate
your answer. (UPSC 2016)
11. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite
having divergent approaches and strategies, had a
common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden.
Elucidate. (UPSC2015)
12. Describe any four cultural elements of diversity
in India and rate their relative significance in
building a national identity. (UPSC 2015)
13. Debate the issue of whether and how
contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit
identity work towards annihilation of caste. (UPSC
2015)
14. How do the Indian debates on secularism differ
from the debates in the West? (UPSC 2014)
15. Growing feeling of regionalism is an important
factor in the generation of demand for a separate
state. Discuss. (UPSC 2013)
16. ‘Globalization is generally said to promote cultural
homogenization but due to this cultural specificities
appear to be strengthened in the Indian Society.’
Elucidate. (UPSC 2018)
17. ‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the
issues of women of lower social strata.’ substantiate
your view. (UPSC 2018)
18. ‘Despite implementation of various programmes for
eradication of poverty by the government in India,
poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons.
(UPSC 2018)
19. Discuss whether formation of new states in recent
times is beneficial or not for the economy of India.
(UPSC 2018)
20. Mention core strategies for the transformation of
aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of
convergence, collaboration and competition for its
success. (UPSC 2018)
21. “An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to
liberate the poor from deprivation.” Substantiate this
statement with suitable examples. (UPSC 2016)
22. To what extent globalization has influenced the core
of cultural diversity in India? Explain. (UPSC 2016)
23. Discuss the positive and negative effects of
globalization on women in India. (UPSC 2015)
24. 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 the Scheduled
Castes? (UPSC 2015)
25. Critically examine whether growing population is
the cause of poverty Or poverty is the main cause of
population increase in India. (UPSC 2015)
26. Discuss the changes in the trends of labour
migration within and outside India in the last four
decades. (UPSC 2015)
27. The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic
factors rather than social values. Discuss. (UPSC 2014)
28. How does patriarchy impact the position of a
middle class working woman in India? (UPSC 2014)
29. Discuss the various economic and socio – cultural
forces that are driving increasing feminization of
agriculture in India. (UPSC 2014)
30. Why do some of the most prosperous regions of
India have an adverse sex ratio for Women? Give your
arguments. (UPSC 2014)
31. Male membership needs to be encouraged in order
to make women’s organization free from gender bias.
Comment. (UPSC 2013)
32. Critically examine the effects of globalization on the
aged population in India. (UPSC 2013)
APSC Previous Years Questions
1. Write a note on Shillong Plateau. (APSC 2014)
2. Write a note on two active volcanoes of India. (APSC
2014)
3. Write a note on black soil zone of India. (APSC 2015)
4. Write a note on Coromandel Coast. (APSC 2015)
5. The Sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh
as compared to Gujarat in the west, but the watches
show the same time. Explain the fact. (APSC 2015)
6. Explain what do you mean by Coramandal Coast.
(APSC 2015)
7. Explain the problem of river pollution in India with a
focus on Ganga river pollution. Suggest some
measures to control river pollution in the country?
(APSC 2015)
8. Explain the main causes responsible for Ganga river
pollution and suggest measures for cleaning the river
Ganga. Comment on the recent move of the
Government of India to raise the Ganga Volunteer
corps to be involved in the Clean Ganga Mission.
(APSC 2016)
9. How do the Indian monsoon originate? Describe the
impacts of monsoons on Indian culture and economy
with relevant examples. (APSC 2015)
10. Explain how the Himalayas and the Tibetan
highlands play an important role in the development
of south west monsoon. (APSC 2006)
11. What do you mean by Black soil zone in India?
(APSC 2015)
12. Mention two geographical requirements for the
growth of wheat in India. (APSC 2016, 2017)
13. Which is the largest mineral – based industry in
India? Why is it a key or basic industry? (APSC 2016,
2017)
14. What is an industrial corridor? (APSC 2015)
15. What are the alternative fuels available for the
transport sector? Discuss their characteristics,
advantages and disadvantages in their utilization.
(APSC 2006)
16. What is a seismograph? (APSC 2015)
UPSC Previous Years Questions
1. Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite
System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in
navigation? (UPSC 2018)
2. Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate
tectonics. (UPSC 2018)
3. What are the consequences of spreading of
‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (UPSC 2018)
4. Why is India taking keen interest in resources of
Arctic Region? (UPSC 2018)
5. Define blue revolution, explain the problems and
strategies for pisciculture development in India.
(UPSC 2018)
6. What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in
India? Identify industrial corridors, explain their main
characteristics. (UPSC 2018)
7. “The ideal solution of depleting ground water
resources in India is water harvesting system.” How
can it be made effective in urban areas? (UPSC 2018)
8. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to
understand the origin and evolution of the Earth?
(UPSC 2017)
9. “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal
mining is still inevitable for development.” Discuss.
(UPSC 2017)
10. Mention the advantages of the cultivation of
pulse because of which the year 2016 was
declared as the International Year of Pulses by the
United Nations. (UPSC 2017)
11. How does the cryosphere affect global climate?
(UPSC 2017)
12. Account for variations in oceanic salinity and
discuss its multi – dimensional effects. (UPSC
2017)
13. In what way can flood be converted into a
sustainable source of irrigation and all – weather
inland navigation in India. (UPSC 2017)
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