Model Answers for UPSC CSE 2021 GS 1 Paper

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• This year’s UPSC Mains GS 1 has been easy to moderate in difficulty as many questions were straightforward and directly related to the syllabus but tested the ability to analytically think in a time-constrained environment.
• Geography was the most important topic in GS Paper 1 UPSC 2021 (Mains). Landslides, mining, water bodies, and urban land usage were among the themes covered in the geography portion, as were volcanic eruptions in 2021, the subcontinent, mountain ranges, melting of Arctic ice and Antarctic glaciers, mineral oil distribution, and IT businesses.
• Indian society questions were intertwined with areas like economics. The Gig Economy, Cryptocurrency, Population Education, and the Preservation of Traditional Social Values were among the questions asked.
• Culture’s questions ranged from Bhakti to the Tribal Knowledge System.
• Questions on socio-religious reform movements, the role of moderates in the liberation fight, and Mahatma Gandhi’s constructive projects during NCM and CDM emphasised the modern India section of the UPSC syllabus.
• The question of princely state integration was raised in the post-Independence era.
• World Wars were mentioned in the World History question. The time between the two world wars, however, was the emphasis.

Most of the topics were directly covered from the Samajho’s Corner:

 STATIC TOPICS REPOSITORY FOR MAINS

• In comparison to the prior year’s patterns, history questions were simpler.
• There are no bouncers, such as those from the Pala Empire or Greco-Bactrian components.
• The questions were easy and simple.
• Culture experienced key issues from Medieval India, such as the Bhakti movement, and Modern India, such as socio-economic changes.
• There is no mention of ancient India on paper.
• Questions on modern India were taken directly from textbooks.
• Areas that had been lacking, such as global history and post-independence, are now available.

Qn1.)

Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti Literature and its contribution to  Indian culture. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature & Architecture from ancient to modern times

Moderate level.

Straightforward and factual question about the Bhakti movement. Covered in History SMP NOTES.

https://samajho.com/upsc/pdf-notes-medieval-history-ch-16-bhakti-movement-sufism/

Qn2. )

Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Freedom Struggle: its various stages & important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.Mid-18th century to present: significant events, personalities, issues

Easy level.

Straightforward and factual question about the Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj. Covered in History SMP NOTES and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/socio-religious-reform-movements-3-young-bengal-movement/

https://samajho.com/upsc/socio-religious-reform-movements-2-brahmo-samaj/

Qn3.)

Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Post-Independence consolidation & reorganisation within the country

Moderate level.

Straightforward and factual question about the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States. Covered in Samajho Corner.

https://samajho.com/upsc/post-independence-consolidation-and-reorganisation/

Qn11.)

To what extent did the role of the moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Freedom Struggle: its various stages & important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country

Easy level.

Straightforward and factual questions about the moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement. Covered in History SMP NOTES and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/moderate-phase-early-congress-1885-1905/

Qn12.)

Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Freedom Struggle: its various stages & important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country

Moderate level.Needs understanding and concept integration

Conceptual question about the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. Covered in History SMP NOTES and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/emergence-of-gandhi-in-indian-struggle-for-independence-champaran-ahmedabad-mill-kheda-satyagraha-rowatt-satyagraha/

https://samajho.com/upsc/lahore-congress-civil-disobedience-movement-1930/

https://samajho.com/upsc/jallianwala-bagh-massacre-khilafat-and-non-cooperation-movement/

Qn13.)

” There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: 18th-century events such as Industrial Revolution, World wars, redrawn national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation

Moderate level.Needs understanding and concept integration

Covered in Samajho corner in bits and pieces.

https://samajho.com/upsc/aftermaths-of-world-war-1-leading-to-developments-of-world-war-2-and-related-events/

• Major geography problems range in difficulty from simple to moderate.
• In both physical and economic geography parts, Indian and global geography is discussed in the paper.
• NCERTs will provide answers to some topics, such as landslides and India’s status as a subcontinent.
• Others, such as volcanic eruptions and Gondwanaland, need a grasp of contemporary events.
• Some topics from prior years’ questions resurfaced in this area, such as the Arctic, mountain ranges, and the IT sector.

Qn4.)

Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and the Western Ghats. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Important geophysical phenomena: Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclones etc.

Moderate level.Needs understanding and concept integration

Conceptual question about the Landslides. Covered in Geography SMP NOTES and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/ndma-guidelines-on-landslides-and-avalanches/

Qn5.)

Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product(GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia & the Indian subcontinent) Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary & tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)

Moderate to hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration

Covered in Geography SMP NOTES, Samajho corner and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/mining-sector-in-india/

Qn6.)

What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of the water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Important geographical features & location: changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies & ice caps) & in flora & fauna & the effects of such changes

Moderate to hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Application-based)

Qn7.)

Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on the regional environment. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Important geophysical phenomena: Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclones etc.

Moderate to Easy level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Covered in Geography SMP NOTES, Samajho corner and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/volcanoes-and-volcanic-landforms/

https://samajho.com/upsc/monthly-current-affairs-for-prelims-december-2021/#mcetoc_1fp65i0b6g

Qn8.)

Why is India considered a subcontinent? Elaborate on your answer. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of world physical geography.

Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary & tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)

Moderate to Hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Qn14.)

Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of world physical geography.Important geographical features & location: changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies & ice caps) & in flora & fauna & the effects of such changes

Moderate to Easy level.Needs understanding and concept integration.

Covered in Geography SMP NOTES, Samajho corner and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/why-are-most-of-the-mountains-volcanoes-earthquakes-found-together/

Qn15.)

How does the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Important geographical features & location: changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies & ice caps) & in flora & fauna & the effects of such changes

Moderate to Easy level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Covered in Geography SMP NOTES, Samajho corner and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.

https://samajho.com/upsc/warming-of-arctic-explained/

https://samajho.com/upsc/warming-of-arctic-explained/

https://samajho.com/upsc/ipcc-special-report-on-the-ocean-and-cryosphere-in-a-changing-climate/

Qn16.)

Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of the uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia & the Indian subcontinent)

Moderate to Easy level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

• There were several difficult concepts and connections in this section. In this part, we can put questions ranging from easy to difficult.
• Topics like the gig economy, bitcoin, and knowledge systems are traditionally addressed under economics and science, and they seemed like stumbling blocks since one had to write from the standpoint of society.
• Even the question of conventional societal standards needed some thought.

Qn9.)

Examine the uniqueness of the tribal knowledge system when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of Indian society.Diversity of India

Moderate to Hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Covered in Samajho corner in bits & pieces.

https://samajho.com/upsc/understanding-the-tribal-rights-in-india/

https://samajho.com/upsc/ministry-wise-initiatives-2019-ministry-of-tribal-affairs/

Qn10.)

Examine the role of the ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Topic in the syllabus: Role of women & women’s organisation

Moderate to Hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Covered in Samajho corner in bits & pieces.

https://samajho.com/upsc/gig-economy/

Qn17.)

What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India? (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Effects of globalisation on Indian society

Moderate to Hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Covered in Samajho corner in bits & pieces.

Qn18.)

Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Population & associated issues

Moderate to Hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Covered in Samajho corner in Detail.

Population and Associated Issues- Click here

Qn19.)

What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also? (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Effects of globalisation on Indian society

Moderate to Hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Covered in Samajho corner in Detail.

https://samajho.com/upsc/cryptocurrency-and-its-future-prospects-in-india/

Effects of Globalization on Indian Society- Click here

Qn20.)

How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of Indian society.Diversity of India

Moderate to Hard level.Needs understanding and concept integration(Current affairs based)

Salient Features of Indian Society- Click here

Diversity of India- Click here