The General Studies Paper 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Mains 2021 is a crucial component that assesses candidates on a wide range of subjects, aiming to evaluate their analytical and conceptual understanding of various issues. This paper encompasses diverse topics such as Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography, and Society. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the social, economic, and political dynamics of the country. The questions are designed to test not only factual knowledge but also the ability to critically analyze and interpret information. The examination demands a holistic approach, encouraging candidates to connect historical events with contemporary issues. Additionally, candidates are evaluated on their awareness of global events and their impact on India. The General Studies Paper 1 serves as a platform for candidates to exhibit their intellectual prowess and a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges facing the nation. Success in this paper requires a balanced blend of factual knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to articulate one’s thoughts coherently within the given time constraints.
General Studies Paper I of UPSC CSE Mains 2021 was conducted on 8th January 2022. Below is the question paper. The time Allowed was 3 Hrs and the Paper was 250 Marks.
GS Paper 1
- Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contributions to Indian Culture. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Bramho Samaj. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and the Western Ghats. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- 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. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on the regional environment. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- Why is India considered a subcontinent? Elaborate on your answer. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- Examine the uniqueness of the tribal knowledge systems when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- Examine the role of the ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 Words / 10 Marks)
- To what extent did the role of Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- Bring about the constructive programs of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- “There arose a serious challenge to the Domestic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- How does the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distributions of mineral oil in the world. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India? (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- Discuss the main objective of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect the global society? Has it been affecting India Society also? (250 Words / 15 Marks)
- How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it. (250 Words / 15 Marks)
FAQs
Q1: What is General Studies Paper 1 in UPSC CSE Mains?
A1: General Studies Paper 1 is one of the nine papers in the UPSC CSE Mains examination. It is aimed at assessing the candidates’ understanding of diverse subjects such as Indian heritage and culture, history, geography, and society.
Q2: What are the major topics covered in General Studies Paper 1?
A2: The paper broadly covers topics like Indian culture and heritage, history of India, world history, geography of the world and India, and society. It also includes questions related to the Indian Society, role of women and women’s organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues.
Q3: How is the General Studies Paper 1 structured?
A3: The paper is divided into two parts. Part A focuses on Indian Culture, History, and Geography of the World and India, while Part B is dedicated to Indian Society, Role of Women, Social Issues, and Poverty.
Q4: What is the weightage of General Studies Paper 1 in the UPSC CSE Mains examination?
A4: General Studies Paper 1 carries 250 marks, and it is one of the four General Studies papers in the Mains examination. The total marks for all General Studies papers amount to 1000, making it an essential component of the overall examination.
Q5: How should I prepare for General Studies Paper 1?
A5: Preparation should involve a thorough understanding of historical events, cultural aspects, geographical features, and societal issues. Candidates should focus on both static and current aspects of the topics mentioned in the syllabus. Regular reading of newspapers, NCERT books, standard reference books, and practicing previous years’ question papers is crucial.
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