Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography & Society. 25 questions in this collection, each linked to its theme.
GS12013GS1-CUL-02-M2013-S01
(a) Discuss the ‘Tandava’ dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (b) Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss.
Theme: T5 Temple architecture & regional dynasties: Pallava, Chola, Chandela, Vijayanagara, Gupta
GS12013GS1-CUL-06-M2013-S01
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.
Theme: T3 Sources of history: inscriptions, rock-cut caves, travellers, Sangam & Persian texts
GS12013GS1-GEO-01-M2013-S01
(a) What do you understand by the theory of ‘continental drift’? Discuss t he prominent evidences in its support. (b) The recent cyclone on east coast of India was called ‘Phailin’. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate.
Theme: T26 Earth's interior, plate tectonics, mountains, islands & landforms
GS12013GS1-GEO-01-M2013-S02
(a) Bring out the causes for more frequent occurrence of landslides in the Himalayas than in the Western Ghats. (b) There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why?
Theme: T27 Landslides in the Himalayas & Western Ghats
GS12013GS1-GEO-02-M2013-S01
(a) Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (b) What do you understand by the phenomenon of ‘temperature inversion’ in meteorology? How does it affect weather and the habitants of the place?
Theme: T29 Atmosphere, air masses, winds, inversion, deserts & auroras
GS12013GS1-GEO-02-M2013-S02
Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 deg N latitudes and on the western side of the continents. Why?
Theme: T29 Atmosphere, air masses, winds, inversion, deserts & auroras
GS12013GS1-GEO-05-M2013-S01
With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world.
Theme: T151 Nuclear & fusion energy: FBR, ITER, raw materials
GS12013GS1-GEO-05-M2013-S02
It is said that India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of the country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resource does not appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved.
Theme: T36 Oil & gas: global distribution, shale, refineries
GS12013GS1-GEO-06-M2013-S01
(a) Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in southern States of India? Discuss with justification. (b) Analyze the factors for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India.
Theme: T39 Location of industries: steel, refineries, sugar, textiles, tea, rubber, corridors
GS12013GS1-HIS-01-M2013-S01
“In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India.” Elaborate.
Theme: T9 British expansion: fragmented polity, Panipat, why the Company won, Dalhousie
GS12013GS1-HIS-05-M2013-S01
Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
Theme: T14 Early nationalism: Moderates & foreign contributors
GS12013GS1-HIS-06-M2013-S01
Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch-bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.
Theme: T64 Women's question in history: 19th-century reform & freedom struggle
GS12013GS1-HIS-07-M2013-S01
Discuss the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre- and post-independent India.
Theme: T17 Final phase: Quit India, Naval mutiny, Maulana Azad
GS12013GS1-HIS-08-M2013-S01
Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan Movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.
Theme: T144 Land reforms, tenancy & land acquisition: from Bhoodan to the 2013 Act
GS12013GS1-HIS-08-M2013-S02
Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan, ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’.
Theme: T20 Post-independence consolidation: polity, economy, Jai Jawan Jai Kisan
GS12013GS1-HIS-08-M2013-S03
Analyze the circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the Agreement.
Theme: T21 Early foreign policy & wars: Tashkent, Bangladesh 1971, Gujral doctrine
GS12013GS1-HIS-08-M2013-S04
Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh.
Theme: T21 Early foreign policy & wars: Tashkent, Bangladesh 1971, Gujral doctrine
GS12013GS1-SOC-02-M2013-S01
“Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias.” Comment.
Theme: T65 Gender concepts, patriarchy & women's social status
GS12013GS1-SOC-05-M2013-S01
Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India.
Theme: T55 Urbanisation: social problems, segregation & urban poverty
GS12013GS1-SOC-06-M2013-S01
Critically examine the effect of globalization on the aged population in India.
Theme: T53 Ageing population & elderly care
GS12013GS1-SOC-07-M2013-S01
Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in generation of demand for a separate State. Discuss.
Theme: T63 Regionalism & regional disparity
GS12013GS1-WH-01-M2013-S01
“‘Latecomer’ Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what West had experienced.” Analyze.
Theme: T23 Industrial Revolution and its spread: England, Japan, railways
GS12013GS1-WH-01-M2013-S02
“American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism.” Substantiate.
Theme: T22 American & French Revolutions and their legacy
GS12013GS1-WH-02-M2013-S01
“Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European competition.” Analyze.
Theme: T25 Colonisation & decolonisation: Africa, Malaya, Suez
GS12013GS1-WH-03-M2013-S01
What policy instruments were deployed to contain the Great Economic Depression?
Theme: T24 World Wars, interwar crisis, Great Depression & ideologies