Civil Services Prep

20 questions

General Studies Paper I

UPSC Civil Services Mains 2026

  1. Analyze the importance of Ashokan inscriptions for reconstructing Mauryan history. Analyze10 marks
  2. What is the Fujiwhara effect? Explain its impact on the movement and intensity of tropical cyclones. Explain10 marks
  3. The significance of the Gandhian movements lay in the masses they mobilized. Elucidate. Elucidate10 marks
  4. Discuss the role of aeolian processes in desertification and land degradation. Discuss10 marks
  5. "Tundra regions are ecologically fragile but economically important." Examine this statement critically. Examine10 marks
  6. Do you think digital technology promotes social empowerment? Explain with examples. Explain10 marks
  7. "Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia." Examine this statement giving examples. Examine10 marks
  8. Discuss the impact of Macaulay's Minute on colonial administration and education in India. Discuss10 marks
  9. Unity in diversity remains the defining feature of Indian society despite the challenges from communalism and regionalism. Comment. Comment10 marks
  10. How do you understand disability? Substantiate the need for inclusive policy framework in India in this regard. How10 marks
  11. Linguistic reorganization of Indian States was driven by popular pressure from below. Comment. Comment15 marks
  12. Vijayanagara architecture exemplifies the amalgamation of past traditions with contemporary practices. Elucidate with examples. Elucidate15 marks
  13. Evaluate the impact of globalization on Indian youths with reference to social, political, economic and cultural spheres. Evaluate15 marks
  14. Analyze the major drivers of human-induced land-use changes in India and their geographical consequences. Analyze15 marks
  15. Is caste disappearing in urban India? Illustrate your answer with examples. Illustrate15 marks
  16. The model of planned economy was adopted in India to address the regional imbalances left behind by colonial rule. Comment. Comment15 marks
  17. Analyze the role of satellite-based technologies in achieving climate-smart agriculture and food security in India. Analyze15 marks
  18. "The centre of global trade is gradually shifting from the Atlantic region to the Indo-Pacific region." Examine this statement. Examine15 marks
  19. Compare the Loo, Chinook and Foehn winds with respect to their regions of prevalence, their nature and climatic impacts. Answer15 marks
  20. Critically examine the challenges of demographic transition in contemporary India. Critically examine15 marks