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GS 1 | UPSC Mains 2023 | Model Answers, Analysis, and Takeaways for 2024 |
Initial Thoughts:
- 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.
- The static syllabus and current events were properly balanced.
- As usual, Geography dominated the paper with the maximum number of questions. Society and History had an equal number of questions. From the History section, Ancient & Medieval India (given as Art and Culture in the official syllabus by the UPSC) saw the highest number of questions, followed by modern Indian history and a single question from World History. There was no question from Post Independence History of India.
| Topic | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| 1. History | 6 (10×3 & 15×3) | 75 |
| 2. Society | 6 (10×3 & 15×3) | 75 |
| 3. Geography | 8 (10×4 & 15×4) | 100 |
| Total | 20 |
250 |
Section-wise Analysis |
Most of the topics were directly covered from the Samajho's Corner: Static Topics Repository for Mains
SMAP Initiative and Most Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2023
History |
| Sub-Topic | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| 1. Art and Culture (Ancient & Medieval India) | 3 (10×1 & 15×2) | 40 |
| 2. Modern Indian History & World History | 2 (10×1 & 15×1) | 2 |
| 3. Post-independence | 0 | 0 |
| 4. World History | 1 (10×1) | 10 |
| Total | 6 | 75 |
- The overall History section was medium on the difficulty level.
- Modern Indian questions were straightforward and simple. Even though the questions were simple to score, the topics were unusual. There was no 15-marker in Modern India, which is a notable fact.
- Ancient and Medieval Indian History questions ranged from moderate to challenging.
- There was a single challenging question from the World History.
- There was no question on the Post-independence.
Questions:
Art and Culture (Ancient and Medieval Indian History) :
1. Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Ancient India
Covered in History SMP NOTES.
11. What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society? (Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Ancient India
Covered in History SMP NOTES.
12.What were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence the Indian society?(Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Medieval India
Covered in History SMP NOTES.
Modern Indian History:
2. What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? (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
Covered in History SMP NOTES.
13. How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression?(Answer in 250 words) 15
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
Covered in History SMP NOTES.
World History:
3. Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Society |
| Sub-Topic | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| 1. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. | 4 (10×3 & 15×1) | 45 |
| 2. Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. | 1 (15×1) | 15 |
| 3. Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism. | 0 | 0 |
| 4. Effects of Globalization on Indian society. | 1 (15×1) | 15 |
| Total | 6 | 75 |
- The questions from society ranged from moderate to easy. The static syllabus and current events were properly balanced.
- Questions like “suicide among young women” and “cuddle replaced by mobile” reflected contemporary events in Indian society. These questions were straightforward and easy to answer.
- Two questions about the features of Indian society were challenging but straightforward. Answering a question on secularism demanded critical thinking.
- Like every year, there was one question about globalization and its impact on Indian society, but was challenging.
Questions:
8. Do you think marriage as a sacrament in loosing its value in Modern India? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Covered in Samajho's Corner: Diversity of India
9. Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian Society. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Covered in Samajho's Corner: Diversity of India
10. Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Covered in Samajho's Corner: Diversity of India
18. Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Covered in Samajho's Corner in various articles.
19. Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static? (Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Covered in Samajho's Corner: Diversity of India
20. Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Effects of Globalization on Indian society.
Covered in Samajho's Corner in various articles. Effects of Globalization on Indian Society
Geography |
| Sub-Topic | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| 1.Salient features of World’s Physical Geography. | 1 (10×1) | 10 |
| 2. Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., | 2 (10×2) | 20 |
| 3. Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India). | 5 (10×1 & 15×4) | 70 |
| Total | 8 | 100 |
- The geography questions were medium-to-easy. All the questions were straightforward and easily answered from the NCERTs.
- There was equal focus on the Physical geography and economic geography.
4. Discuss the consequences of climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES, Samajho's Corner and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR
5. Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES.
6. How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Salient features of World’s Physical Geography.
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR.
7. Why is the South-West monsoon called ‘Purvaiya’ (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultural ethos of the region? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Topic in the syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES, Samajho's Corner and Video by ROHIT DAGAR SIR
14. Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.(Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES.
15. Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forests regions of India.(Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES.
16. Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES.
17. From being net food importer in 1960s, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Topic in the syllabus: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Covered in Geography SMP NOTES.
