No. |
Question |
Why UPSC Asked this question? |
01 |
The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Explain rock-cut architecture
- examples how it is a source of knowledge of ancient indian art and history
- Eg. Ajanta & Ellora Caves etc
Did you Notice
- Question based on rock-cut architecture has been asked in 2015.
|
02 |
Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Direct and question
- Pala being less important in syllabus
- its achievements in terms of art, architecture, literature, and paintings, etc.
Did you Notice
- Question on Buddhism has been asked in 2016.
|
03 |
Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movements. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Easy and straightforward
- Can be answered from any conventional source.
Did you Notice
- Question on Dalhousie was asked in 2013.
|
04 |
Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum- Pacific Zone. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Direct question based on a concept that can be found in the basic texts for the subject
- Like NCERTs and GC Leong.
- Also known as the Pacific ring of fire.
Did you Notice
- In line with questions asked in 2013 & 2014.
|
05 |
The process of desertification does not have climate boundaries. Justify with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Difficult and conceptual
- This required conceptual understanding of desertification and also Examples
- Can include Diagrams/Maps
- Hint: Topic was in news due to India holding COP-14 of UNCCD (Sep 14, 2019)
|
06 |
How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far- reaching impact on the water resources of India? (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Direct question.
- It asks about the effects of Himalayan ice melting on the water resources of India.
- Hint: Recent release of The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report 2019 (Oct 11, 2019)
Did you Notice
- Question on Himalayas also asked in 2013, 2016 and 2019.
|
07 |
Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Direct question
- locational factors for industries part
- Answered from Geography NCERT.
- Hint: Global steel body worldsteel report (Oct 29, 2018)
Did you Notice
- Question regarding Sugar industries asked in 2013 and
- cotton textile industry again in 2013
- Iron and Steel industry Globally in 2014
- and resource-based manufacturing asked in 2019
|
08 |
Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi- cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
Did you Notice
- Similar context as asked in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
|
09 |
COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Direct Question on Current affairs based
- Mention the issues faced by many population groups (women, old, orphans, homeless etc.)
- Govt. initiatives, etc.
- Hint: report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Impact of COVID-19 (Dec 23, 2020)
|
10 |
Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. (Answer in 150 words) 10 |
- Direct question on regionalism
- Direct from syllabus Concepts
Did you Notice
- Questions on regional identity and regionalism has been asked in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
|
11 |
Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- The question has two key terms to focus upon,
- first is to address ‘Indian philosophy and tradition’, such as
- Jainism,
- Buddhism,
- Ajivikas,
- Shaivism,
- aishnavism, etc
- second key term ‘monuments and art’, such as
- rock-cut caves,
- temples
- different art forms of music, paintings,etc.
Did you Notice
- A similar question relating philosophy or tradition or influence has been asked in 2014 and 2019.
|
12 |
Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- Write about the various Persian literary sources of medieval India and
- how this literature reflects the spirit of the age.
- This will include thought, social structure, culture, political institutions, etc.
|
13 |
Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- The decade of 1920,
- Ideological strand in the national movement and
- Expanded the social base.
Did you Notice
- Similar question was asked in 2015 and 2019.
|
14 |
The interlinking of revivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- Write how interlinking of rivers can provide solutions to problems of India that is drought, floods and navigation
- Hint: recent announcement of National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA). and various inter-linking projects. (Mar 04, 2020)
Did you Notice
- repeated theme of interlinking of rivers asked in past year also
|
15 |
Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- direct question
- Hint: Recent flooding in these cities.
Did you Notice
- Similar question on Flood in cities was asked in 2016.
|
16 |
India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- One, the potential of India’s solar energy;
- Two, regional variations.
- India’s target on solar energy and schemes like the
- Renewable Purchase obligations,
- National solar Mission,
- International Solar Alliance, etc.
|
17 |
Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- One to bring out the state of forest resources in India.
- Two, demand the impact of current status of Indian forests on Indian climate change.
- Hint: Release of State of Forest Report, 2019 (Dec 31, 2019)
|
18 |
Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation? Justify your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- 3 keywords Viz, diversity, pluralism, globalization.
Did you Notice
- Globalisation has been frequently asked in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
|
19 |
Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree? (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- some of the latest examples of Indian Science Congress –
- papers presented on invention of flights by Indian,
- thesis on medicinal power of GO-MOOTHRA, Seminar in IIT on Astrology can be quoted.
|
20 |
How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15 |
- Analytical question
- Ex: SMART Board initiative, E-Pathshala, National Digital Library, SWAYAM, SWAYAM Prabha
- Hint: Digital Education In India, was in news due to Covid-19 (March 31, 2020)
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