The Civil Services Main examination is designed to know the aspirants personality and also his/her ability to present his/her knowledge in a comprehensible, consistent and descriptive manner. The IAS Mains Exam evaluates the overall intellectual quality of the candidates’ and his insights on different issues.

General Studies paper 1 is of  250 Marks and contains Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society in syllabus.  Click here for UPSC MAINS SYLLABUS 2021


2016 UPSC MAINS GS PAPER 1

  1. Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  2. 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 (200 words)

  3. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  4. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.  12.5 marks (200 words)

  5. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  6. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? 12.5 marks (200 words)

  7. The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  8. To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  9. "An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of  deprivation." Substantiate this statement with suitable examples. 7+5.5=12.5 marks (200 words)

  10. Why are the tribals in India referred to as 'the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major 1 in the Constitution of India for their upliftment. 4.5+8=12.5 marks (200 words)

  11. With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the 'Smart City Programme'. 4+8.5=12.5 marks (200 words)

  12. What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. 3.5+9=12.5 marks (200 words)

  13. Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  14. "The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides." Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  15. The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  16. South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  17. Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  18. 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 (200 words)

  19. Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India. 12.5 marks (200 words)

  20. In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India? 12.5 marks (200 words)


The nature of questions in General Studies in civil services mains exam need answers that are relevant, consequential and synoptic . These questions are to test the candidate’s skill on assessing and taking a view on the diverging socio-economic goals and objectives.To get more tips on studies of UPSC mains  click here 


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