UPSC Mains 2016 GS-1 Question Paper

All 20 questions from this paper, with real topper answers where available.

• Q2. To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.12.5 marks · Globalization & Cultural Diversity
• Q4. “An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples12.5 marks · Poverty Eradication
• Q4. Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.12.5 marks · Urban Flooding
• Q5. With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the Smart City objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme’.12.5 marks · Programme
• Q6. What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits Regionalism & of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.12.5 marks · Unequal Development
• Q7. Why are the tribals in India referred to as the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate Scheduled the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.12.5 marks · Tribes & Upliftment
• Q8. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?12.5 marks · Linguistic States & Unity
• Q8. In what way micro-watershed Development projects help in water conservation in drought prone and semi-arid regions of India.12.5 marks · Micro-Waters hed Development
• Q9. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.12.5 marks · Bose vs Gandhi
• Q9. “The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.12.5 marks · Landslides Mitigation (Himalayas)
• Q9. Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.12.5 marks · Air Mass Concept Monsoon
• Q9. Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.12.5 marks · Inland Water Transport
• Q10. Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.12.5 marks · Medieval Patronage( Krishnadeva Raya)
• Q10. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.12.5 marks · Women in Gandhian Phase
• Q10. The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine.12.5 marks · Decolonisatio n of West Africa
• Q10. Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.12.5 marks · Indus Water Treaty
• Q11. Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate12.5 marks · Buddhist Stupa Art
• Q11. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.12.5 marks · Revolt of 1857
• Q11. South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.12.5 marks · South China Sea Geopolitics
• Q12. The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain12.5 marks · Land & Water Resource Management