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Prelim
Answerkey- In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies
Coaching
Classes vs papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-I deals with History, Culture, Society and
UPSC O!cial &
Geography. UO-54==.K5-4>0(.=''>,.=)>-.16),
Devilal MCQ
got cancelled

Priti Verma on )*+,"-./

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[Download] 0"1$'23
Topicwise
UPSC Mains History Culture 20 40 25 25 10 35 10 50
General
Studies Paper-
Freedom
1 (GSM1): History 30 30 25 37.5 65 10 50 25
History, struggle
Geography,
Social Science History World History 40 30 25 12.5 10 15 15 0

Santhosh Gorla Post

History 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
on [Strategy & independence
Inspiration]
How Visually Religion,
Challenged
Society Region, 10 10 37.5 37.5 50 35 35 35
Candidates
prepare for empowerment
UPSC Civil
Service Exam Poverty,
Society Population, 0 10 25 12.5 0 40 0 25
Mohammad Development
Nahid on
[Download] Globalization
Countdown to Society 10 0 12.5 12.5 0 15 15 15
Impact
Prelims 2022
students ko
DISHA ka Society Women 10 30 12.5 0 0 15 35 0
amazing GIFT –
Prelims 2022 Geography Climate 10 20 37.5 12.5 60 10 55 10
RESOURCE
BOOK – Geography Disaster 10 10 0 12.5 15 0 0 0
covering 620
pages of Geography Urbanization 10 0 25 25 15 15 15 15
Current A"airs
& Mock Tests + Geography Physical 20 20 0 0 10 20 0 20
FREE Strategy
Video &
Geography Resources 20 20 25 62.5 0 10 10 45
Sample
Chapters from
Disha UPSC Industrial
Geography 10 30 0 0 15 30 10 10
Books Location

Hanuman
Kamble on ;<='*>%$?.@),1'5A.34,1./,.B."&CD&E!F
[AnswerKey]
UPSC Prelims-
2021:
Environment,
Biodiversity,
Flora Fauna
MCQs Solved
with
Explanation for
All Sets &
Strategy for
2022

Watch my FREE Lecture video, I’ve given detailed analysis, model answers & common mistakes of the
History-Culture section of GSM1-2019 Paper, & roadmap/strategy for Mains-2020. Please go through it.
Overall scene is:
Keep a habit of solving the previous papers (since 2013) because ,'Q-1)Q-,.16-.,4Q-.V0-,1)'2
16-Q-,.7-1.5-(-41-JW e.g. “foreign in#uence on Gandhara art: asked in 2014 and again asked 2019.”
H0=105-G.Traditional prep sources (like Nitin Singhania, NCERT) are giving mixed utility. But if you go for
higher end books (A.L. Bhasham etc.) = poor Cost:Bene$t.
X5--J'Q."15077=-G.Plassey to Partition book (also available in Hindi) MUST be read. Because, since the
last 3 years, verbatim themes have been lifted from there (e.g Fragmented polity in the later Mughal
Era, Women Issues that gained prominence in 19th century freedom struggle etc). So if you use any
other book like Bipan or Spectrum you’ll not be able to assemble the answer in the tone/way in which
UPSC examiner has framed the question. For Mains Freedom struggle, You may even ignore Bipan
Chandra’s book, as long as doing Plassey to partition the book is done thoroughly.
P'5=J.@),1'5A: Hardly one question from this part in recent years. Recommended sources
Tamilnadu’s board Class-12 History Vol2 book (Free download)
Pratik Nayak’s FREE Youtube lecture series on World History should su!ce.
Some toppers also recommend (old) NCERT by Arjun Dev on World History (िहन्दी मे भी उपलब्ध), but i
$nd Tamilnadu board textbook Class12 Vol2 much better and lucid and full of colorful images! And
it’s available for free download.
Sometimes they ask very Obscure questions about decolonization in the Malaysian Peninsula or
Japanese dynasties.
But if you chase thick world history books like Jain and Mathur or Norman Lowe= poor cost bene$t.
Aisi 400-500 rupees ki books not required.
3',1.)2J-(-2J-21.I2J)4G.No questions in recent years, including 2019’s paper. But at least land
reform, economic angles, and individual Prime Minister’s foreign policy should be prepared due to
their relevance in GSM2 and GSM3 as well. Source: Bipan Chandra’s India since independence. But
read only selected chapters. Not the entire book.

!"#$%&'()*&$)+),-.$-&/

!"#$"%&&'()*$+,-./0 Salient aspects of Art, Architecture, literature from Ancient to

Modern Times

The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of
early Indian art and history. Discuss. (शैलकृत स्थापत्य प्रारंिभक भारीतय कला एवं ऐतहास के ज्ञान के अित महत्वपूणर् 2020
स्त्रोतों में से एक का प्रितिनिधत्व करता है l िववेचना कीिजए l)

Pala period is the most signi$cant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (भारत में
2020
बौद्ध धमर् के इितहास में पाल काल अित महत्वपूणर् चरण है l िवश्लेषण कीिजए l)

Indian philosophy and tradition played a signi$cant role in conceiving and shaping the
monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (भारतीय दशर्न एवं परंपरा ने भारीतय स्मारकों की कल्पना और आकर देने 2020
एवं उनकी कला मैं महत्वपूणर् भूिमका िनभाई है l िववेचना कीिजए l)

Persian literary sources of medieval India re#ect the spirit of the age. Comment. (मध्यकालीन भारत के
2020
फ़ारसी सािहित्यक स्त्रोत उस काल के युगबोध का प्रितिबं ब है l िटपण्णी कीिजए l)

Highlight the Central Asian and Greco -Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (गांधाराई कला में मध्य
2019
एिशयाई एवं यूनानी-बैिक्ट्रयाई तत्वों को उजागर कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. 2018

Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of
2018
the history of India.

The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya
2018
Mahaprabhu. Discuss.

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not at all
2017
noticeable in later times?

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds
2016
Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.

Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was
2016
also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent di"ered from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and
Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the 2015
present day. Comment.

Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only re#ects the cultural life of the times but also a
2015
tine aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this comment.

To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided
2014
inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.

Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. 2014

Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a
number of renowned learned personalities of di"erent disciplines. Its strategic location caused
2014
its fame to #ourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense.
Discuss.

Su$s and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the
2014
outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment.

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 2013
vividness. Comment.

Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions. 2013

Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. 2013

!"#$%&'()012"3)4/5%&/)012/6/12/17/

!"#$"%&&'()*$+,-./0 Mid-18th century – Present (signi$cant events, personalities,

issues); Freedom Struggle (various stages, important contributors from di"erent parts of
the country)

Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movement.
2020
(लाडर् कजर्न की नीितयों एवं राष्ट्रीय आं दोलन पर उनके दू रगामी प्रभावों का मूल्यांकन कीिजए l)

Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and
thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (1920 के दशक से राष्ट्रीय आं दोलन ने कई वैचािरक धाराओं को ग्रहण 2020
िकया और अपना सामािजक आधार बढ़ाया l िववेचना कीिजए l)

The 1857 Uprising was the culmination the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had
occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. (1857 का िवप्लव िब्रिटश शासन के 2019
पुवर्वतीर् सौ वषोर्ं में बार-बार घिटत छोटे एवं बड़े स्थानीय िवद्रोहों का चरमोत्कषर् था | सुस्पष्ट कीिजए | ) (10m,150 words)

Examine the linkages between 19th centuries ‘Indian Renaissance’ and the emergence of national
identity. (उन्नीसवीं शताब्दी के ‘भारतीय पुनजार्गरण’ और राष्ट्रीय पहचान के मध्य सहलग्नताओं का पिरक्षण कीिजए | ) 2019
(10m,150 words)

Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian
phase. Elaborate. (गांधीवादी प्रावस्था के दौरान िविभन्न स्वरों ने रास्ट्रवादी आं दोलन को सुदृढ़ एवं समृद्ध बनाया था | 2019
िवस्तारपूवर्क स्पष्ट कीिजए | ) (15m,250 words)

Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during
the 1940s. (1940 के दशक के दौरान सत्ता हस्तान्तरण की प्रिक्रया को जिटल बनाने में िब्रिटश साम्रािज्यक सत्ता की भूिमका का 2019
आकलन कीिजए | ) (15m,250 words)

Throw light on the signi$cance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. 2018

Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity. 2017

Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology
2017
and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?

Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural
2017
economy.

The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform
2017
movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?

Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian
2017
independence since twenties of the last century.

Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British
2016
policies towards colonial India.

Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. 2016

Highlight the di"erences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the
2016
struggle for freedom.

How di"erent would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma
2015
Gandhi? Discuss.

It would have been di!cult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting
the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the 2015
Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought
2014
at Panipat?

Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-
2014
eighteenth century till independence.

In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the co!n of British colonial
2014
aspirations in India?

Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer
2013
during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.

Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze
2013
their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.

In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. 2013

!"#$%&'()012"3)*5$/&)"12/6/12/17/

!"#$"%&&'()*$+,-./0 Post-Independence (consolidation and reorganisation within

country)

Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya
2013
Vinoba Bhave and their success.

Write a critical note on the evolution and signi$cance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”. 2013

Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India. 2013

Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the
2013
agreement.

Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the
2013
emergence of Bangladesh.

!"#$%&'()8%&.2

!"#$"%&&'()*$+,-./0 18th century events (e.g. Industrial revolution, WWs, redrawn

boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g. communism,
capitalism, socialism) and their e"ect on society

Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French
revolution. (स्पष्ट कीिजए की अमरीकी एवं फ्रांसीसी क्रांितयों ने आधुिनक िवश्व की आधारिशलाएं िकस प्रकार िनिमर् त की थीं 2019
|) (15m,250 words)

Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been
2018
able to preserve their cultural identity over there?

What problems were germane to the decolonization process of Malay Peninsula. 2017

The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans.
2016
Examine.

Why did the industrial revolution $rst occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people
2015
there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present?

To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss
2015
critically

What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated
2014
the anti-colonial struggle in India?

What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a $nal blow to Britain’s
2014
self-image as a world power?

The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had in#uenced the policies adopted by India soon after
2014
independence. Evaluate.

“Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly di"erent
2013
from what west had experience.

Africa was chopped into states arti$cially created by accident of European competition. Analyse. 2013

American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. 2013

What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? 2013

;<='*>%8?."'*)4=."*)-2*-

[Download] Topicwise UPSC Mains General Studies Paper with Mrunal's Analysis

Watch my FREE Lecture video, I’ve given detailed analysis, model answers & common mistakes of the
Social-Science section of GSM1-2019 Paper, & roadmap/strategy for Mains-2020. Please go through it.
Overall scene is:
As such direct answers were not available for most of the social science questions asked in GSM-2019.
But you could use following resources for preparing fodder material:
(?X5--.J'+2='4J) NCERT 11-12 Sociology and Political Science textbooks. Do not worry about its
complex theories and thinkers just read it as story book,
(?Free download) IGNOU MPS-003 material book1 and 2.
Majid Hussain’s book on Indian Geography (िहन्दी मे भी उपलब्ध): Ch13- Cultural settings Census and data
about religious, linguistic, ethnic groups
Past Economic Surveys (e.g. Son-meta preference, demographic dividend, etc You can quote in the
answer as and when required.)
Yojana-Kurukshetra magazine issues related to women and health (population)
Newspaper Columns.
Here also, solve previous papers from 2013 onwards. questions / themes get repeated.
Book Companies have published titles on this subject of “Poverty and communalism and women
issues” (just to milk cash on the new syllabus of UPSC) but they’re just copypasted stu" from wikipedia
& census, o"ering very little value addition to above (mostly free) material. So, I am not recommending
a separate book for the subject.

9%7"3.)97"/17/(),3#$/:);/."<"%1:);/<"%1:)=.%43.">3$"%1

!"#$"%&&'()*$+,-./0

Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism; Social Empowerment

Salient features of Indian Society; Diversity of India;

Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your
answer with illustrations. (बहु-सांस्कृितक भारतीय समाज को समझने में क्या जाती की प्रासंिगकता समाप्त हो गई है? 2020
उदाहरों सिहत िवस्तृत उत्तर दीिजए l)

Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation? Justify your answer. (क्या भारत
2020
में िविवधता एवं बहुलवाद वैश्वीकरण के कारण संकट में है? औिचत्यपूणर् उत्तर दीिजए l)

Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural

assertiveness? Argue. (क्या आप सहमत है की भारत में क्षेत्रीयता बढ़ती हुई सांस्कृितक मुखरता का पिरणाम परतीत होती है? 2020
तकर् कीिजए l )

Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree? (रीती-िरवाजों एवं
2020
परम्पराओं द्वारा तकर् को दबाने से प्रगितिवरोध उत्पन्न हुआ है l क्या आप इससे सहमत हैं ?)

“Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be
2018
eradicated in India.” Comment.

How the Indian concept of secularism is di"erent from the western model of secularism?
2018
Discuss.

‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation. Argue by giving
2018
suitable illustrations.

The spirit tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early
2017
times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.

Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the
2017
former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.

In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than
2017
the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.

What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence, addressing
2017
discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? 2016

Why are the tribals in India referred to as the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major provisions
2016
enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of bene$ts of development on

2016
regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies,
2015
had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative signi$cance in
2015
building a national identity.

Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity
2015
work towards annihilation of caste.

How do the Indian debates on secularism di"er from the debates in the West? 2014

Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate
2013
state. Discuss.

9%7"3.)97"/17/()?%@/&$':)?%6-.3$"%1:)=.%43.">3$"%1

!"#$"%&&'()*$+,-./0 Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues

COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (कोिवद-19
2020
महामारी ने भारत में वगर् असमानताओं एवं गरीबी को गित दे दी है l िटपण्णी कीिजए l)

How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the educational system in