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Recurrent themes in GS Paper 1(History,Culture,Society,Geography)

1.How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi?
Discuss.2015

2. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a
common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. 2015

Related Questions asked in Previous year General Studies paper

Explain briefly the main contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru
to the making of modern India (About 250 words). 30 (1979)

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Mahatma Gandhi wrote in 1928 to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: the differences between you and me
appear to be so vast and radical that there seems to be no meeting ground between us. State briefly
the difference in approach of Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru to the following two issues and indicate the
impact of their views on our Constitution and Government policy (1980)

What was the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the eradication of untouchability and to what extent did he
influence the constitution and Government policy in this regard? What further steps should be taken to
wipe out untouchability (Not more than 200 words)? 25 (1981)

Point out clearly the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in the social and
cultural life of India (150 words)25

(15 more questions on Mahatma Gandhi.)

2. It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of d rafting the
Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the
Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss. (2015)

Realated question asked in Previous Years

What were the main feature of the Act of 1935? What was Jawaharlal Nehru's reaction to the Act? Why
did he contest the elections of 1937 and with what effect? (1990)

How did the Government of India Act, 1935 mark a point of no return in the history of constitutional
development in India? (2006)

3.Women issues

Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch- bearer during the
struggle for freedom in India. Discuss (200 words)(2013)

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Evaluate the influence of the three important womens organizations of the early twentieth century i n
India on the Countrys society and politics. To what extent do you think were the social objectives of
these organizations constrained by their political objectives? (2011)

How did the movement for the liberation of women receive a great stimulus from the rise and growth of
the nationalist movement in India? (2001)

Trace the progress of the women's education from the early days of the British rule to the year 1947.
(1990)

Give an account of the legislative measures passed during 1856 1956 for the uplift of women (About
150 words)? (1988)

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What efforts have been made for the upliftment of women in Nineteenth Century till the present day
(1985)

4.British Economic policies

Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth
century till independence. 10 (2014)

The economic policies followed by the British led to the transformation of Indias economy into a
colonial economy. They disrupted the traditional structure of Indian economy. Explain how this
happened with special reference to agriculture, rural employment and development of our industries.
(1981)

What do you understand about Drain of wealth during British rule? Examine its effects on Indian
economy. (1997)

5.Industrial revolution

Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there
during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present? 2015

Latecomer Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that we re markedly different from
what West had experienced. Analyze. (200 words) (2013)

6.Monsoon

How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to
humanizing landscape? Discuss (2015)

Explain the causes of the Indian Monsoon (2001)

Monsoon is known to be the energy released by the sea .Explain how does this energy helps the
entire economic system of the country. In what ways the country can be prepared to fight the
vagaries of the monsoon. (150 words) (1982)

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Discuss the distribution of winds and rainfall over India in the summer monsoon season. (2002)

Explain how the Himalayan and the Tibetan highlands play an important role in the development of
the South - West monsoon. (2007)

(In this document we have segregated questions that would come under GS paper! according to the new
syllabus. However, few topics such as agriculture and environment overlap with the geography section
which although comes under GS paper 3 but have been put with geography section for the purpose of
ease.)

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SYLLABUS OF GS PAPER 1

(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present
significant events, personalities, issues.
The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors or contributions from
different parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world
wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like
communism, capitalism, socialism etc. - their forms and effect on the society.
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Role of women and womens organization, population and associated issues, poverty
and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Salient features of worlds physical geography.
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indi an
subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector
industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone
etc., geographical features and their location - changes in critical geographical features
(including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

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1979

1. Describe briefly the contribution of any seven of the following to the xxx and thought of modern India
(About 40 words each) 28

Vivekananda

Sri Aurobindo

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

Dayanand Saraswati

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Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Mirza Ghalib

Saroji Naidu

CV Raman

Lala Lajpat Rai

2. Explain the cultural importance of any six of the following places (About 50 words each) 30

Amritsar

Ajmer

Ajanta

Aligarh
Patna

Pune

Pondicherry

Goa

Santiniketan

Tanjore

3.Describe briefly the impact of any seven of the following on India (about 40 words each) 28

The Great War of 1914 18

The Green Revolution

The founding of the United Nations

The World Bank UNESCO

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Mans Landing on the moon

Non-alignment

Leo Tolstoy

Karl Marx

4. Assess the success and failure of India education and indicate the desirable changes needed in the
present system (About 200 words).

5. Explain briefly the main contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal
Nehru to the making of modern India (About 250 words). 30

6. Describe the main contributions of Jai Prakash Narayan to Indian society and politics (About 200

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words). 30

7.Answer any two of the following in not more than 150 words each:

Why is there a concentration of jute mills along the Hoogly and chemical industries in Gujarat?
Explain briefly the important of the Beas Sutlej Link Project.

What is the economic importance of the Kandla and Paradeep ports?

What are the current problems facing the Tarapur Atomic Power Project and what steps are being
considered to overcome them?

Where Bourgaigaon and why is it important?

1980

1. The second half of the nineteenth century witnessed in India a strong wave of reformation in the
spheres of religion and society. What part was played in this directly or indirectly by Raja Ram Mohan
Roy, Keshab Chandra Sen and Just M. G. Rande (Not more than 200 words)? 25

2.Mahatma Gandhi wrote in 1928 to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: the differences between you and me
appear to be so vast and radical that there seems to be no meeting ground between us. State briefly
the difference in approach of Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru to the following two issues and indicate the
impact of their views on our Constitution and Government policy

a. Socialism as a goal of National Policy

b. Place of Industries in Indian Economy. (Not more than 150 words)

3.What were the main reasons for the decision of the British Government to leave India after
transferring power the British India and the Rulers of Indian states (Not more than 150 words)?25

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4. Which are the classical dances of India? Where did they originate? Name one distinguished dance of
each school of classical dance. Are the measures adequate for promotion for such dances in India? What
further measures would you suggest for the promotion of classical dances (Not more than 150 words).
25

5.The most striking change in our social life today is the improved statures of women. Who and what
organisations helped their cause enabling them to attain that present status? What important
safeguards have been provided in the Constitution and the laws of the land for protection of women's
interests? In what directions are further legal measures for their protection called for (Not more than
200 words)?

6.Name the major international rivers flowing through India. What Countries/States are covered by the

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Ganga and the Godavari rivers on their course from their source to the sea?

7.What is Geothermal? Mention a few areas where we have located geothermal resources in India.

8.What is Bombay High?

9.What is SAGAR SAMRT's connection with Bombay High?

10.Name two major ports xxx in India's eastern and western sea coasts and the major exports/imports
through each of these ports.

1981

1.The Caste system and the practice of untouchability were major targets of attack from the social
reform movement, which grew in strength after the revolt of 1857. Indicate the main factors which
gradually undermined the caste system and brought into sharp focus the evils of untouchability.

2.What was the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the eradication of untouchability and to what extent did he
influence the constitution and Government policy in this regard? What further steps should be taken to
wipe out untouchability (Not more than 200 words)? 25

3.One of the outstanding achievements of the Government of independent India is the integration of
the former Princely States with the Indian Union. How was this achieved? What important
forces/factors helped the Unification of India (Not more than 150 words)? 25

4.When was the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of India and the
Union of xxx Republic signed? What are the important xxx of the treaty and what is its duration? How
has the Treaty served Indias interests? Does it affect Indias position as a prominent members of the
Non-aligned Group of Nations (Not more than 150 words)? 25

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5.Answer the questions in which State/States of India are the following festivals celebrated by a large
number of people? 5

Baisakhi

Ratha Yatra

Bihu

Pongal

Onam

5.In which regions of India did the following dances originate? 5

Bhangra

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Mohini Attam

Kathak

Bamboo dance

6.Indicate the states in which majority of people belonging to the following tribes beside: 5

Bhils

Gonds

Khasis

Santhals

7.Name a raga in Hindustani or Karnatik music which is xxx appropriate in the early hours of morning?

8.The most striking change in our social life today is the improved statures of women. Who and what
organisations helped their cause enabling them to attain that present status? What important
safeguards have been provided in the Constitution and the laws of the land for protection of women's
interests? In what directions are further legal measures for their protection called for (Not more than
200 words)? 2

9.Mention the distribution of steel plants in India, with foreign collaboration or assistance, if any. What
are the locational advantages enjoyed by each of these plant?

10.Bring out the findings of the 1981 Census in regard to the growth and variations in rates of growth of
population in different parts of the country. How do you account for population explosion during the
last three decades? What measures should be adopted for population control?

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11.What is shifting cultivation? Where in India has this been localized to? Consider its consequences and
examine the steps taken by Government of prevent this practice.

12.As the resources of land are getting depleted man his turning to sea the for the supply of his needs.
What are the prospects of sea exploration for obtaining our requirements of food, minerals and
chemicals, oil and gas?

13.Unlike most other parts of the country, why is the Tamil Nadu coast wettest in November-December
and not in July-August?

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1982

1.Explain briefly Mahatma. Gandhi's views on religion and its relation to politics. Were these
views shared by Shri Jawaharlal Nehru ?

2.What are the main factors which led to the partition of India in 1947? To what extent
Jawaharlal Nehru justified in writing as follows It ( Communalism) was our fault, of course and
we must suffer for our failing. But I cannot excuse or forgive British authorities for the
deliberate part they have played in creating disruptions in India

3.Who are following and what have been their contributions to the life and thought of India
a. Tyagraj

b. Vallabh bhai Patel

c. Nand lal Bose

d. Purshottam das Tandon

e. Sir Syed Ahmed

f.Who wrote the Play Ghasiram kotwal

5.Possessing a tremendous. diversity of climate and physical conditions, India has a great variation of
fauna. What are main categories/species of Indian fauna? Name any three, which are unique in the
world. What steps are being taken to preserve them? Have those efforts been successful?
(Not more than 1 50 words)

6.Monsoon is known to be the energy released by the sea .Explain how does this energy helps the
entire economic system of the country. In what ways the country can be prepared to fight the vagari es
of the monsoon.(150 words)

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1983

1.Explain briefly how the ideas and experiments of Soviet Government in USSR influenced Poet
Rabindranath Nath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru. (

2.The economic policies followed by the British led to the transformation of Indias economy into a
colonial economy. They disrupted the traditional structure of Indian economy. Explain how this
happened with special reference to agriculture, rural employment and development of our industries.

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3.To which dynasty did the kings who built the temples at Khajuraho belong?To whom were the temples
dedicated.Name the temples that occupy pride of place there

b) Where did the following dances/songs originate?what are their usual themes?(Not more than two
references)

i. Katha Kaalakshepa or harikatha

ii.Gidda

iii. chau

iv.baul

v. yakshgaan

c) Who are the following and why are they well known?

Mahadevi Verma

David Niven

Ranjala Gopal Shenoy

M.F Hussain

Pandit Ravi Shankar

(Question was not readable but the issue can be understood)

4.In recent times bride burning has increased. Women are tortured for not bringing sufficient dowry.
Why such cases are rare amongst Muslims? What measures are being taken by the government to end
this pernicious system of dowry and bride burning? What further steps can be taken in your opinion.

5.Asian and Common wealth games have revealed that standard of sports and games are far below the
international standard .India did not get a single medal inninth Asiad in eight sports discipline including

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gymnastics.What steps have been taken or are being taken to encourage ssports and improve the
standard in the country ?

6.Describe the various types of soil and their distribution inindia

7.Why has Bombay longer sunshine afte office hours tha Kolkata

8.Why is the coromandel coast wider than Malabar coast

1984

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1.The nineteenth century is generally called a period of Indian Renaissance. Which were the
major social reform movements of this period and what changes did they bring about?

2.what was Cripps Mission? Why did its failure result in Quit India Movement? Mention briefly
he major development after this movement leading to Independence in 1947.

3.Point out clearly the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in the social
and cultural life of India (150 words)25

4.Which regions of India the following dances belong to

Oddisi

Kucchipudi

Kathakali

Manipuri
Kathak

5.Explain briefly the importance of the following

INA

Asiatic Society of Bengal

Indian Council for Cultural relations (Not more than 100 words)15

6.Who are the following and why are theyso well known? (Not more than two sentences each

Dr.Priti Patel

Dr. S. Chandrashekhar

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George Yule

Raja Ramanna
Om Puri

7.Identify and give reasons for the importance of the following

Sabarmati

Konark
Chari Chaura

Kanyakumari

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8.Name the main physiographic divisions of India and give the salient features of each division.

9.Which is the largest expanse of tidal forest in India? Where it is located?

10.Soil erosion is one of the most crucial problems in India and offers the most frightening for
the xxx years. Describe the various kinds of soil erosion and steps which may be taken for the
protection of land and soil.

1985

1.Discuss briefly the basic aims with which the Indian National Congress was founded. when and under
what circumstances did it decide to have complete independence (Purna Swaraj) from the British as its
goal?(200 words)

2.Both Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were interested in Indias economic development,but
there were some basic differences in their approaches to this proble m.Point out clearly those basic
differences.

3.(a) When and where was the LAlit Kala academy was founded? What are its main functions ?(100
words)

b.Where are the following places and why are they so well known

Nalanda

Ellora

Ajmer

Mahabalipuram

Wardha

4.What are the differences between Mughal style of painting and Rajput style of painting (50 words)

5.Point out the the chief characteristics of the structures of any of the following

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Temples of Khajuraho

Victoria memorial

Taj Mahal

6.What efforts have been made to develop the theatre in India. Name any two person associated with
the development of this art.

7.What do you understand with New Wave of Cinema. Name three films and three directors of this
type of films

8.What are the main contributions of the following in the enrichment of Indian Music (not more than
two sentences each)

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Amir Khusro

Tansen

Mohammad Shah Rangeele

Thyagraja

Ravi Shankar

With which state are the following folk dances associated

Dandi Ras

Surisini

Bhangra

Mauni

Karaga

9.What efforts have been made for the upliftment of women in Ninetenth Century till the present day

10.Where do we find large dessert areas in India?What steps have been taken by the Government for
their development?
11.What measures have been taken by the Government of India to develop our own sources for the
supply petroleum crude ? Discuss the measure of success achieved in this regard.
12.Why are floods such a recurrent feature in lndia ?Discuss the measures taken by the Government for
flood prone area?

13.What are the important wheat growing region in India, and why are we now growing enough wheat
in India to meet our own demand for it?

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1986

1.What were the attitudes of the moderates and Extremists towards the freedom movement of India?
What led to their show down in Surat(1907)( 100 words)

2.Whta were the effects of non violent non cooperation Movement in India ?When was the movement
recalled and why? (200 words)35

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3.aWhat were the basic differences between Nehrus Internationalism and Tagores Internationalism?
Why was Tagore called 'a spiritual ambassador' ?(150 words)25

b) Who were the following and why were they so well known

Henry Vivian Derozi

Bhulabhai Desai

Jyotiba Phule

V.D.Savarkar

Rasbehari Ghose

Explain the significance of the following

Suddhi movement

Self Respect Movement

SNDP Yogna

The Deoband Movement

The Bhakti Movement

Where are the following located and why are they so well known

Amravati

Halebid

Kalakshetra

Rakabganj

Namchi Bajar

4.Write a note on origin and development of Oriental art

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5.Explain briefly the nature and activities of either Theosophical Society of India or Servants of India
Society(50 words each)

5..List major areas of wasteland in India. Discuss on the prospects of Wsateland development ,briefly
explaining it impact on the food, fodder and fuel supply.

6..What is white revolution? Discuss the different aspects which have helped to bring green revolution
in India

7..What are laterite soils?Where do we find these types of soil?Explain their problem and most suitable
use ?

8.How would you measure the industries related to climate in a country?Out of last three years when
did we have the best climate?

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9.Where do Todas and Santhals live in India

10.Where is the largest Railway marshalling yard located in India

11.What are underwater nodules

1987

1. Discuss the major social reform movements of the second half of the 19th century. In what way did
they contribute to the rise and growth of Indian National Movement (Not more than 200 words)(35)

2. Despite the fact that Muslims and Hindus fought together against the British in the Revolt of 1857, a
separatist movement started soon after, resulting into the partition of India. In the light of this
statement, review briefly the origin and development of Muslim Separatist Movement culminating into
the creation of Pakistan in 1947 (Not more than 200 words). (35)

3. Answer the following questions Explain briefly the importance of the following: (About 30 words for
each) (10 3 = 30)

Chadar Party

The Deccan Education Society

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National Archives of India.

4. Who were the following and why are they so well-known (Not more than two sentences for each)?
(10)

Sir William Jones

M R Jaykar

Pandita Rama Bai

K Kamraj

M N Roy

5. Where are the following and why are they so well-known (Not more than two sentences for each)?

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(10)

Pushkar

Kushinagar

Tirupati

Somnath
Madurai

7. What were the new elements introduced by the Muslim rulers in the development of Indian
architecture (About 50 words)? (10)

8. Who made the first feature film in India? What was its name, and when was it made (5)?

9. Where did the following traditional Folk Theatres originate (5)?

Yatra

Tamasha

Kuttiyatam

Bhavai

Nautanki

10. What is the significance of Kumbh fair? Where are they held (5)?

11. What is the contribution of the following to the cultural life of India (One sentence for each)? (10)

Ramanuj

Shaikh Moihuddin Chishti

Shyagaraja Vishnu Digambarpaluskar

Raja Ravi Verma

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Amrita Shergill

Ram KinkerVaij

Sonal Man Singh

Sanyukta Panigrahi

Prithvi Raj Kapoor

12. Relation between Religion and Politics has been a subject of controversy since long. What are the
views of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru of this issue (Not more than 130 words)? (25)

13. Who wrote our National Anthem? When, where and on what occasion was it sung for the first time?
When was it accepted as our National Anthem (10)?

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14.Identify and explain the significance of the following: (Two sentences for each) (15) Dakshin Gangotri

Kahuta

Sahara Wall

15.Where is the strait of Hormuz? What is its importance? Why has it been in the flews (5)?

16.What is under-water archaeology? What important findings have been made in Indian coastal waters
recently?
17.Recently oil and gas have been discovered at a number of pl aces in the 6odavari-Krishna delta region.
Name three locations where these deposits are found.

1988

1. What were the motives which led to the partition of Bengal? What were its consequences? Why was
it annulled (About 250 words)? (35)

2. Analyse Mahatma Gandhis main demands presented to Irwin. How did Salt emerge as the central
issue for launching the Satyagraha (About 100 words)? (15)

3. What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact? Why was it signed and what were its consequences (About 150
words)? (20)

4. Discuss Mahatma Gandhis concept of Basic Education. How did Tagore differ from it (About 150
words)? (20)

5. Explain Nehrus main theme in his Discovery of India (About 100 words). (10)

6. Describe Nehrus attitude towards Russia in the pre-1947 period (About 50 words). (5).

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7. Give an account of the legislative measures passed during 1856 1956 for the uplift of women (About
150 words)? (15)

8. What are the main forms of classical dance in India? Indicate two features of each (About 50 words).
(10)

9. Explain the contributions of the following to the social life of India: (One sentence for each) (10) Ela
Bhatt

M. G. Ranade

Acharya Narendra Dev

Madan Mohan Malaviya

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Narayana Guru

Birsa Munda

Baba Amte

Malati Devi

Chowdhury

Dr. ZakirHussain

C. N. Annadurai

10. Where are the following located and why are they well-known (Two sentences on each)? (10)
Dakshinesvara

Bharukachchha

Pragjyotish

Deorala J

Jehanabad

11.Explain the significance of the following in the socio-religious context: (About 50 words for each) (15)
The Alavar Saints

Faraizi Movement

Kuka Movement

Evaluate the chief characteristics of any two of the following: (About 50 words for each) (10)

Gandhara School of Art

Rock-cut temple architecture

Chola architecture

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12. What are black soils? Give their distribution in India and explain their uses and problems.

13.Mention any three tribal areas in India. What are the main components of the Government's tribal
development programme?

14. What is El Nino? How is it relevant to India?

1989

1. Why did Gandhiji launch the Non-violent Non-cooperation Movement on the Khilafat question? How
were other issues Joined to it later on? Discuss the constructive programme of the Noncooperation
Movement.

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OR

What was the Cabinet Mission Plan? How was the grouping clause fundamental to it? What was its
impact on the attitude of the Congress and the League (About 250 words)? (30)

2. Answer any two of the following: (About 150 words each) (15 2 = 30)

a. The recruitment of Indians to Civil Services was the most important question in the last quarter of the
nineteenth century. Explain.

b. How was Jawaharlal Nehru influenced by socialist ideas?

c. How did the Socialist thinking of Nehru and other leaders influence the Congress before 1942?

d. How did Patel succeed in avoiding the evil consequences of the doctrine of lapse of paramountcy and
in integrating Indian States?

3.Answer any three of the following: (About 50 words each) (10 3 = 30)

a. Analyse briefly the contribution of religious reform movements to the growth of extremist nationalist
movement.

b. The trial of the INA officers did more harm than good to the British Rule in India. Explain.

c. Tagores humanism is a blending of his faith in god and man: Comment.

4. Answer the following questions Write about the chief characteristics of the following: (Two sentences
on each) (2 15 = 30)

Carnatic music

Kishangarh style of painting

Nagara style of architecture

Neo-art movement of Rabindranath Tagore

5. What do you know about the following movements?

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Rahnumai Mazda Yasnam

The Bhagat Movement

The Wahabi Movement

6. Why have the following become famous?

Subraharnania Sharati

M A Ansari

Chapekar Brothers

Panna Lal Patel

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Khudiram Bose

What is Sugar Sampada? What has been its contribution?

What is Sardar Sarovar Project? What is the nature of the controversy surrounding it?

7.Water-conservation has assumed an urgency particularly in drought prone areas. What are the
methods available for controlling water evaporation from large surfaces (e. g. Ponds and tanks) an d
improving the water-holding capacity of the soil?
8.What is meant by population explosion? Has it occurred in India.

9.Which part of India has developed comparatively more marine-based industries and why?

10.Name the minerals used in generating nuclear energy and the places where they are found in

India.

11.What geopolitical and economic advantages are enjoyed by India due to its location in the southern
part of the Continent of Asia?

1990

1.Trace the origin of the Swaraj Party. What was the manifesto or the Swaraj Party? What were the
Swarajists demands and the reactions of the British (35)?

OR

What was the attitude of the Indian National Congress towards the Second World War?

2.What was the August Offer? What were the factors that led the British to change its negative policy
and send Cripps to India (About 250 words)?

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3. Answer any two of the following: (About 150 words each) (15 2 = 30)

a.What was Mahatama Gandhi's concepts of Socialism? How did it differ from Mandan socialism.

b.What were the main feature of the Act of 1935? What was Jawaharlal Nehru's reaction to the Act?
Why did he contest the elections of 1937 and with what effect?

c.Trace the progress of the women's education from the early days of the British rule to the year 1947.

4. Answer any three of the following: (About 50 words each) (10 3 = 30)

a.How did Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak champion the cause of militant nationalism in India?

b.If Aurobindo was the high priest, Rabindranath, was the great poet of the Swade sh Movement.
Elucidate.

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c.Give a critical account of the Ramakrishna Mission with special reference to the role played by Swami
Vivekananda.

d. When and why did the revolt of the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy take place? Why did they
suspend the movement? What were the attitudes of Gandhi and Patel towards the movement?

5.Answer the following questions

i.Write about the chief characteristics of the following: (About 20 words on each) (2 15 = 30)

a.Classical Music

b.Bharat Natyam

c.Shab-i-Barat

d.Kangra School of Painting

ii.What do you know about the following movements?

a.Farazi Movement

b.Suddhi Movement

c.The Young Bengal Movement

iii.Where are the following located and why have they been in the news?

a.Gajraula

b.Tin Bigha

c.Zambia

iv.Why have the following become famous?

a.Kunwar Singh

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 Page 21

b.S H Slocum

c.P Ananda Charu

d.K M Munshi

e.MuzaffarAhmed

6.What are the major recommendations of the National Perspective Plan for women, 1988 and what are
the relevant recommendations as envisaged in the Constitutional Amendment Bill (64th Amendment)?

7.What is the need for soil conservation. What are the major measures taken by the Government

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towards conserving soil in India?

1991

1. Narrate the last phase of the Indias freedom movement especially from the beginning of 1947 till the
attainment of Independence (35).

OR

Discuss the growth of revolutionary terrorism with special reference to its ramifications in Maharashtra,
Bengal and Punjab till the first decade of the twentieth century (About 250 words).

2. Answer any two of the following (15 2 = 30)

a. What was Harijan Movement? Why and with what effect did Gandhi launch individual Satyagraha?

b. I am convinced that the only key to the solution of the worlds problems and of Indias problems lies
in socialism. I see no way of ending the poverty, the vast unemployment, the degradation and the
subjection of the Indian people except through socialism. In what way did Nehru succeed in achiev ing
the objectives through national planning?

c. Trace the growth and development of University education till 1919 (About 150 words each).

3. Answer any three of the following: (About 50 words each) (10 3 = 30)

a. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkars versatile career went through various phases. State briefly the various
facets of his life.

b. How far was Rabindranath Tagore a poet of Mankind?

c. Discuss the role of the Theosophical Society in the history of religious movement in India.

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 Page 22

d. State the various regulations imposed by the British Government to curtail the freedom of the press.

4. Answer any three of the following: (About 20 words on each) (10 3 = 30)

a. Write about the chief characteristics of the following:

Chandella school of architecture

Manipur dance

Baisakhi

Janmashtami

5. What do you know about the following movements?

xaam.in
Swadeshi Movement

Khilafat Movement

Namdhari Movement

6. Why have the following become famous?

S A Dange

C. Sankaran Nair

Titu Mir

Theodore Beck

Edwin Lutyens

7.Where is Antarctica and what is there so special about It? What do you know of any ban on
exploration in Antarctica?

8.Explain the factors affecting the distribution of population in India, bringing out the variation in
density over space. Account for the varied environmental problems resulting from wide spread
deforestation in both Aravallis and Himalayan regions.

9.What is the basis of monsoon forecasts now prepared by the Indian Meteorological Department,
which have been reasonably correct for the last three successive years?

10.Name the main offshore oil field of India and the agency which operates it.

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1992

1. The Viceroyalties of Lord Lytton and Lord Ripon formed an important landmark in the history of the
Indian National Movement. Examine the truth of the statement (35).

OR

How far was the Swadeshi Movement inked with Boycott? Analyse the nature of mass participation in
the Movement (About 250 words).

2. Answer any two of the following: (About 150 words) (15 2 = 30)

xaam.in
a. Analyse Jawaharlal Nehrus views on Independence and Dominion Status. How far were these
reflected in the policy enunciated by the Lahore Congress?

b. Why did Mahatma Gandhi launch Civil Disobedience Movement? Analyse the intensity of the
movement in different parts of India.

c. The railways did in India what they did elsewhere, they hastened the transition from handicraft to
mechanical industry by transforming the transport situation. Discuss.

3. Answer any three of the following: (About 50 words each) (10 3 = 30)

a. Write a short history of the Local Self-Government till the Reforms of 1919.

b. How far the labour legislations of the British Government were meant to ameliorate the condition of
the working class.

c. What were the contributions of the Arya Samaj to social and religious movements of India?

d. Discuss Tagores concept on education. How far was it a departure from conventional system of
education?
4. Write about the chief features of the following (2 15 = 30)

Sunga art

Kathakali

Ram Navami

5. What do you know about the following movements (About 20 words on each)?

Wahabi Movement

Indigo Movement

Quit India Movement

6. Why have the following become famous?

M A Ansari

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R C Joshi

Indulal Yagnik

Lord Pethwick Lawrence

Sree Narayan Guru

Nandlal Bose

(Question from geography in this year will come under GS paper 3 and will put under that)

1993

1. Mahatma Gandhis succession, during 1916 20, in getting the technique of non-violent satyagraha

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accepted by the nation as a weapon of struggle against the British was phenomenal Elucidate (35).

OR

Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905? How did ft lead to the growth of extremist and terrorist schools of
nationahsm? Why was it annulled and with what consequences (About 250 words)?

2. Answer any two of the following (15 2 = 30)

a. From August Offer of Mountabatten Plan was a logical Revolution. Discuss

b. What was the Macdonald Award? How was it modified and with what results?

c. Analyse the main differences between the approaches of Tilak and Gokhale on social and political
issues (About 150 words each).

3. Answer any three of the following (10 3 = 30)

a. What were the basic differences between the conservative and the liberal schools of administrators in
the latter half of the 19th century?
b. The Minto-Morley Reforms did not and could not provide an answer to Indian problems. Explain.

c. The Lucknow Pack of 1916 was signed without regard for its consequences. Elucidate.

d. Explain Rabindranath Tagores Plan of village reconstruction (About 50 words each). A

4. Write about the chief feature of the following: (About 20 words on each) (2 15 = 30)

Mathura School of Art

Bundi School of Painting

Mughal Architecture at Fatehpur Sikri

5. What do you know about the following?

Home Rule Movement

Temple Entry Programme

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 Page 25

Mass Contact Programme of Nehru

Sikander-Jinnah Pact

6. Why did the following places become famous during the freedom struggle?

Dandi

Haripura

Surat

Bardoli

7. Why have the following become famous?

xaam.in
C Ilbert

John Simon

Ramsay Macdonald

Wavell

Which parts of India are described as arid zones Comment on the characteristics and economic
activities prevalent in these regions?

1994

1. How did the outbreak of the Second World War affect Indias political scene? Did the Cripps Mission
resolve the political crisis in India (about 250 words)? (35)

OR

Trace the emergence of Gandhiji in Indian political scene till the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917. What
was the basic philosophy of Satyagraha enunciated by him (About 250 words)?

2. Answer any two of the following (15 2 = 30)

a. Discuss the outstanding Tribal uprisings against the British rule during the nineteenth century. What is
meant by un-British rule in India? How did the Indian nationalists react agai nst it?

b. Evaluate the role of Dadabhai Naoroji in exposing the evils of British rule in India.

c. Discuss the British policy towards Tibet from the end of the nineteenth century to the Viceroyalty of
Lord Curzon (About 150 words each).

3. Answer any three of the following: (10 3 = 30)

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 Page 26

a. What were the contributions of the Moderates in the formative stage of the Indian National
Congress?

b. Explain the part played by Annie Besant in the Home Rule Movement.

c. In what way did the international events in the late twenties of the present century influence
Jawaharlal Nehrus radical views?

d. Why did Tagore emphasize on the primacy of the social over the political order (About 75 words
each)?

4. Write about the chief features of the following: (About 20 words on each) (2 15 = 30)

Dev Devali

xaam.in
Gandhara School of Art

Indian Ballet

5. What do you know about the following?

Tana Bhagat Movement

Satyashodak Movement

Khilafat Movement

6. Where are the following located and what are they famous for?

Lothal

Lumbini

Vailanlenni

7. Why have the following become famous?

N G Ranga

C Y Chintamani

Sir William Wedderburn

Narendra Dev

M R Jayakar

Madan Lal Dhingra

8.What are the major recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee's Draft National Population
Policy, relating to gender issues?

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 Page 27

9.Why are the soils of Malwa in Madhya Pradesh black while those of Karnataka red? Discuss the
relative fertility of these soils.

10.Which part of India receives more rainfall from the northeast monsoon than from the southwest
monsoon? Explain why it is so?

11.What is dryland agriculture? Discuss its importance to India.

1995

xaam.in
1. Do you think that the Partition of India was inevitable? Discuss the attitudes of Mahatma Gandhi,
Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad towards the crucial question of Partition (35).

OR

In what way did the Civil Disobedience Movement affect the different provinces of India? How did it
foster peasant movement in India (About 250 words)?

2. Answer any two of the following (About 150 words each) (15 2 = 30)

a. When was the system of open competitive examination in the Indian Civil Service introduced. Analyse
the growth of the Indian Civil Service till the passing of the Government of India Act, 1919.

b. Discuss the various aspects of social legislation introduced by the East India Company in the first half
of the nineteenth century.

c. Trace the emergence of Indian nationalism till the foundation of the Indian National Congress.

3. Answer any three of the following (About 75 words each): (10 3 = 30)

a. How did the British illustrate Lord Cannings policy in treating the Indian Princes as Breakwaters in the
storm

b. Assess the growth and development of Technical Education during the British rule.

c. Swami Vivekanande might well be called the father of Indian nationalism. Elucidate.

d. How far was Gurudev Rabindranath Tagores concept of religion wedded to his love of nature?

4. Write about the chief feature of the following:

Shab-i-Barat

Ganesh Chaturthi

Dravidian architecture

5. What do you know about the following?

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 Page 28

Aligarh Movement

Shuddhi Movement

Brahmo Movement

6. WWhy have the following become famous (About 20 words each)?

Bhai Parmanand

Dr. Satyapal

Vasudeo Balwant Phadke

George Yule

xaam.in
N C Kelkar

C F Andrews (2 15 = 30)

7.What have been the recent recommendations of the World Bank on India's Family Welfare
programme? How do these recommendations compare with those which emerged from the Cairo
Conference on Population and Development in 1994?

8.Answer any two of the following (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words) (20 + 20)

9.What do you understand by Deccan Trap? Describe its characteristics.

10.Why have the rivers of the peninsular India well-defined rigid channels in sharp contrast to the
Himalayan rivers?

11.What is intensity of rainfall Discuss its importance to Indian farmers.

12.What is drip irrigation? Why is it considered the most efficient method of irrigation?

1996

1. What were the reasons that changed Gandhijis attitude of responsive cooperation to non -
cooperation in 1920? What were its consequences (35)?

OR

The policies of the British Indian Government during 1858 1905 were aimed at preventing another
revolt of the masses. Elucidate (About 250 words).

2. Answer any two of the following: (15 2 = 30)

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 Page 29

a. Bengal was partitioned in 1905 not for administrative reasons but for political purposes. Elucidate.

b. What was the Masterly Inactivity Policy? Why was it abandoned?

c. What was the Macdonald Award? How was it modified (About 150 words each)?

3. Answer any three of the following: (10 3 = 30)

a. What was Tilaks contribution towards shaping the course of the nationalist movement in India?

b. Why has Nehru in his Autobiography been so critical of the liberals?

c. What was the role of the states peoples movement in the integration of Indian states?

d. Tagores emphasis on internationalism and humanism was ahead of his times. Explain (About 75
words each).

xaam.in
4. Write about the chief features of the following (2 15 = 30)

Town Planning in Indus Valley Civilization

Rock cut Cave Architecture

Ahmadiya Movement

Mahayan Buddhism

5. What do you know about the following:

Butler Committee Report

August Offer, 1940

Theosophical Society of India

6. With which events are the following places associated?

Haripura

Chauri chaura

Bardoli

Dandi

7. Why have the following been famous?

Bhartendu Harish Chandra

C Rajagopalachari

A O Hume

Birsa Munda

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 Page 30

8.Answer any two of the following (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words) (15 + 15)

Mention the advantages which India enjoys being at the head of the Indian Ocean.

What is shifting cultivation? Describe its salient characteristics with reference to India?

Where do mangrove forests occur in India? Describe their main characteristics

What is ozone hole? How is it formed and what effect does it have on the earth?

1997

xaam.in
1. How did Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeed in avoiding the evil consequences of the doctrine of lapse
of paramountcy and in integrating Indian States?

OR

Examine the causes and nature of extremism in Indian politics in the early part of the present century
(About 250 words).

2. Answer any two of the following:

a. What were the salient features of Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

b. Discuss Mahatama Gandhis concept of Basic Education How far was it a departure from
conventional system of education?

c. What were the circumstances that led to the partition of India in 1947 (About 250 words on each)?

3. Answer any three of the following: (About 75 words on each)

a. What do you understand about Drain of wealth during British rule? Examine its effects on Indian
economy.

b. The name of Raja Ram Mohan Roy stands foremost in the field of religious and social reform s.
Elucidate.

c. The Preamble to the Constitution is aimed to embody the fundamental values and the philosophy on
which the Constitution is based Elucidate.

d. What are the provisions regarding the protection of Linguistic minorities in the Constitution? A nswer
the following questions

4. Write about the chief features of the following:

Chaitya

Vijayanagara

Yaksha Gana

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 Page 31

Khayal

5. What do you know about the following?

Lalit Kala Academy

Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

Rowlatt Act

August Declaration, 1917

6. Where are the following located and with which event are they associated?

Surat

xaam.in
Vaikom

Midnapur

7. Where are the following become famous (About 20 words on each)?

Shymji Krishnavarma

Rani Gaidinliu

Saifuddin Kitchlew

Dr. Nivedita Bhasin

8.Answer any two of the following: (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words)

Discuss the origin of Monsoon in India.

What measures has the Government of India taken for the development of Tribal areas in India?

Why is there a demand for making Uttarakhand a Separate Hill State in India?

Why has the Narmada River Valley Project attracted the attention of the common people?

1998

1. Did Jawaharlal Nehru really speak the language of Gandhi? Locate the points of their agreements
and departures.

Or

How did economic nationalism mirror the work of the early nationalist leadership in India (About 250
words)? 35

2. Answer any two of the following: 15 2 = 30 (About 150 words on each)

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 Page 32

a. Why did the moderates lose appeal with the Indians and failed to elicit desired response from the
British?

b. How did the Policy of free trade hurt Indian textile industry and crafts in the latter half of the 19th
century?

c. Trace the origins of the R. N. I. Mutiny and evaluate its impact on the political situation in India.

3. Answer any three of the following: 10 3 = 30 (About 75 words on each)

a. Examine the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore on democracy.

b. How did the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal influence the nationalist politics?

c. What was the significance of the Prajamandal movements in the Indian States in the decade

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preceding Indias independence?

d. Assess the role of C Rajagopalachari during the pre-partition years of Indian public life.

4. Answer the following questions (About 20 words on each)

a. What do you know about the following: 2 15 = 30

Nil Darpan

Sarda Sadan

Sabarmati Ashram

Hunter Commission

Bandi Jiwan

b. Why have the following become famous?

Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan

Seth Jamanlal Bajaj

S Satyamurti

Udham Singh

Sarojini Naidu

Kulu School

Gopuram

Wahabi Movement B

harat Dharma Mahamandal

Communal Award

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 Page 33

5.What are the geo-economic causes of underdevelopment of various regions in India?

6.How do the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep differ in the geological ecvolution and
topographical conditions?

7.What constitutes a Minor Irrigation Project?

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1999

1. How did Communalism manifest in Indian political scene? Explain the background of the passing of
the momentous Pakistan Resolution.

OR

What were the proposals of the Cabinet Mission? Analyse there actions of the Congress and the League
to the proposals (About 250 words). 35

2. Answer any two of the following: (About 150 words on each)

a. Trace the formation of the Swaraj Party. What were its demands.

b. What began as a flight for religion ended as a war of independence, for there is not the slightest
doubt that the rebels wanted to get rid of the alien government and restore the old order of which the
king of Delhi was the rightful representative. Do you support this viewpoint?

c. How far Curzons policy towards Tibet was influenced by strategic consideration. 15 2 = 30

3. Answer any three of the following: (About 75 words on each)

a. Assess the contributions of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar to the making of modern India.

b. In what way did Ramakrishna infuse a new vigour and dynamism into Hinduism?

c. Tagores poetry is a written record of his religious experience. Elucidate.

d. How did Nehrus plan for modernization make rapid stride during the decade 1951 61? 10 3 = 30

4. Write about the chief features of the following: (About 20 words on each)

Chola architecture

Baisakhi

Neo-art movement

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 Page 34

5. What do you know about the following?

Munda Movement

Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science

Ilbert Bill

Sarda Act

Education Despatch of 1854

6. Why have the following become famous?

Rammanohar Lohia

xaam.in
C. Y. Chintamani

Henry Cotton

Tej Bahadur Sapru

Veeresalingam P. K.

Bhulabhai Desai

Kamladevi Chattopadhyay 2 15 = 30

6.What is Deep-water Oil Exploration? What are its prospects in India?

7.Answer any TWO of the following: 15 + 15 = 30 (Answer to each question should be in about 150
words):

a.How is deforestation of Himalayas disturbing the ecological balance of north India?

b.What is dry farming? Discuss its relevance in augmenting the food supply in India.

c.Name the mega cities of India and mention their specific problems.

d.What is the importance of Indian Ocean for India?

2000
1. Answer any ONE of the following (About 250 words): 30

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 Page 35

a. Trace the origin of the Swadeshi Movement. How did it involve the masses

b. What was Mountbatten Plan? Discuss the reactions of Gandhi and Azad to the Plan.

3. Answer any TWO of the following (About 150 words each): 15 2 = 30

a. Who established the Arya Samaj? What was its goal?

b. How did the terrorist movement gather strength in countries other than India?

c. Was Jawaharlal Nehru justified in adopting the principle of non-alignment as the corner-stone of
Indias foreign policy?

4. Answer the following (About 20 words each): 2 15 = 30

Brahmagupta

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Amir Khusro

William Jones

C F Andrews

Narayan Guru

Tantia Tope

Sayyid Ahmad

Margaret Noble

Sangam Literature

Gandhara School of art

Granth Sahib

Fort William

College Epsom

5.Answer any TWO of the following (About 125 words each): 2 10 = 20

Mention the agro-climatic regions of India stating the basis of classification.

Explain the major racial groups of India.

What is waste land? Write a note on prospects of waste land development in India.

6. Write notes on the following (About 20 words each): 5 2 = 10

Linguistic regions of India

Nagarjunasagar Project

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 Page 36

Mango Showers

Multi-level planning in India

India's Laterite soils.

2001

1. Answer any one of the following (about 250 words): (30)

a. Discuss the main objectives of the Indian national movement up to 1905.What were its basic
weaknesses during this period?

xaam.in
b. What administrative changes were introduced in India after 1858? What were the obje ctives of these
changes?

2. Answer any two of the following (About 150 words each): (2 15 = 30)

a. How did the movement for the liberation of women receive a great stimulus from the rise and growth
of the nationalist movement in India?

b. Discuss the aims and objects of the Khilafat Movement. To what extent was it successful?

c. Why did Gandhi launch the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and with what results?

3. Write about the following (About 20 words each): (15 2 = 30)

Aryabhatta

D K Karve
J Krishnamurthy

Prarthana Samaj
Ghadar Party

Satyashodhak Samaj

Jamnalal Bajaj

Banabhatta

Gopi Kishna

Pupul Jaykar

Mohammad Iqbal

Jaydeva

T Prakasam

Champaran Satyagraha

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 Page 37

All Brothers

Geography
Answer any two of the following (About 125 words each) 2 10 = 20
(a) What are mangroves and in what way are they useful to us ?
(b) Explain the causes of the Indian Monsoon.
(c) Had there been no Himalayas, what would have been the winter climate in north India?

Write short notes on the following (About 20 words each): 5 2 = 10

(i) El Nino
(ii) Hirakud Project

xaam.in
(iii) Glacier
(iv) Two prominent left bank tributaries of river Ganges
(v) Equinox

(a) Review the population policy of the Govt. of India giving the distinguishing features.
(b)

2002

1. Answer any one of the following (250 words): 30

a. What was the Butler Committee Report? Discuss the reactions on the report in India

b. Why did Jinnah reject C R Formula?

2. Answer any two of the following (about 150 words): 2 15 = 30

a. Trace the growth of the Indian Home Rule Movement in Britain.

b. Evaluate the attitudes of different political parties towards Quit India Movement.

c. Review the Dickie Bird Plan

3. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each): 15 2 = 30

Anandmath

Bismillah Khan

Chris Evert

Chamber of Princes

Dharma Sabha

Divide et impera

Dandi March

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 Page 38

Keshab Chandra Sen

Nivedita

Raidasa

Satyagraha

Steffi Graf

Theodore Beck

Geography

Answer any two of the following (about 125 words each): 2 10 = 20

xaam.in
(a) Give an account of the tea plantations of Assam and West Bengal and state the economic
significance of these plantations.
(b) Discuss the distribution of winds and rainfall over India in the summer monsoon season.
(c) Define the concept of growth centres and evaluate its relevance in regional planning in
India.
Write short notes on the following (about 20 words each): 5 2 = 10
(i) Name of main petroleum producing areas in India
(ii) Jhum cultivation - process and consequences
(iii) Kaziranga National Park
(iv) Census definition of urban places
(v) Khetri Copper Project

Outline the main targets fixed in the National Population Policy 2000. What have been the follow up
measures to this policy ? 30

2003
1. Answer any one of the following: (about 250 words) 30 Marks

a. The reforms of 1909 introduced a cardinal problem and ground of controversy at every revision of the
Indian electoral system. Comment.

b. Discuss the problem that impeded the integration of the princely states into the Indian Union. How
were these problems tackled?

2, Answer any two of the following: (about 150 words) 2 X 15 = 30 Marks

a. The mainstay of Mahatma Gandhis movements was the rural India. Elucidate.

b. Discuss the character of major tribal uprisings in British India in the nineteenth Century.

c. Bring out the ideological basis of the Moderate-Extermist divide in the Indian National Congress.

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 Page 39

3. Answer the following: (about 20 words) 15X 2 = 30 Marks

Arthasastra

Saranath Pillar

The Jatiya Sarkar of Tamluk

Punnapra-Vayalar

Sajjad Zahir

Al-Hilal

Har Dayal

xaam.in
Khudai Khidmatgar

Mahayana Cult

W W Hunter

Indu Lal Yajnik

Achhut Patwardhan

Sir William Jones

James Wilson

Ghulam-giri.

Geography

4. Answer any TWO of the following (about 125 words each): 2 10 = 20

(a) Describe the major characteristics of the rivers of Peninsular India.
(b) Account for the very high concentration of salt extraction industries in the Saurashtra and South
Tamilnadu Coast.
(c) State the four distinctive stages of Indian Demographic history.
5. Write short notes on the following (about 20 words each): 5 2 = 10
(i) Define Terai Region.
(ii) Mention the area of Shola forests in India.
(iii) Who are Todas and where do they live?
(iv) Name any four principal languages of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
(v) What is MRTS ? Where it is in operation?

2004
1.Answer anyone of the following (in about 250 words): 30

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 Page 40

a. Discuss the major regulations enacted by the British rulers to curb the freedom of Press in India.

b. Form a critical assessment of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

2. Answer any two of the following (in about 150 words each): 2 15 = 30

a. What led to the partition of Bengal in 1905?

b. Write a note on the Theosophical Society.

c. Discuss the main findings of the Hartog Committee (1929).

3. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each): 15 2 = 30

Upanishads

xaam.in
Vajrayana

Kumarsambhav

Razmnama

Mirza Haidar

Muhammad Barkatullah

Sohan Singh Bhakna

Alluri Sitaramaraju

Canjeevaram Natrajan Annadurai

Jadong

Jadunath Sarkar

Nazir Hasan

Subhash Gupte

Acharya Nirmalya

Jyotirao Phule

4. Answer any two of the following (in about 125 words each): 2 10 = 20
(a) Examine the distribution of oil refineries in India.
(b) Why are the Aravallis called a divide between Mewar and Marwar ?
(c) What is Golden Quadrilateral ? How will it help in the economic development of the country ?
5. Write short notes on the following (in about 20 words each): 5 2 = 10
(a) El Nino, La Nina and monsoon rains
(b) The Sambhar lake
(c) The Sundarbans

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 Page 41

(d) Bombay High

(e) Sabarkantha & Banaskantha

2005
1. Answer anyone of the following questions (in about 250 words): 30

a. What in your opinion were the positive steps taken by the British to modernise India?

b. Examine the policy of Subordinate Union towards Princely States. Account for the shift from the policy
of Subordinate Isolation.

2, Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150 words each): 15 2 = 30

xaam.in
a. In the Montagu-Chelmsford Report communal representation and reservations were not only
retained but considerably extended. Comment.

b. Evaluate Subhas Chandra Boses contribution to Indias freedom.

c. Why and how did the Congress come to accept the partition of the country?

3. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each): 2 15 = 30

Yajnavalkya

Smriti

Sutta Pitaka

Bhagawati Sutra

Gangaikonda-ChoJapuram

Nizamuddin Auliya

Raidas

Calcutta tvladrasa

Jagat Seth

Bhawani Mandir

Baba Ram Chandra

Pandita Ramabai

Sir Thomas Roe

Moplah Rebellion

Tavernier

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Darul-Uloom

Answer any two of the following (in about 125 words each): 10 2 = 20
(a) What are the resource bases available for the economic development of the newly created
States of Jharkhand and Uttaranchal?
(b) Elucidate the factors contributing to the growing need for water harvesting in India, both rural and
urban.
(c) Political boundaries and regional boundaries need to be co-terminus.: Do you agree ?
Write notes on the following (in about 20 words each): 2 5 = 10
(a) Regurs
(b) Karewas
(c) Negative impacts of shifting cultivation

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(d) Causes of droughts in India
(e) Significance of Lake Chilka

2006
1. Answer anyone of the following (in about 250 words): 30

a. Regardless of distance in time, there were lots of similarities between Lord Curzon and Jawahar Lal
Nehru. Discuss.

b. How did the Government of India Act, 1935 mark a point of no return in the history of constitu tional
development in India?

2. Answer any two of the following (in about 150 words each): 2 15 = 30

a. What was the attitude of Indian industrialists towards the Indian National Congress in the pre -
independent era?

b. Critically assess Sir Tej Bahadur Saprus views on Indian Nationalism.

c. Characterise the main features of Indian Renaissance.

3. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each): 15 2 = 30

Kalhana

Panini

Yakshagana

Natyasastra

Tabaqat-i-Nasiri

Madhura

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 Page 43

Vijayam

Pandurang

Mahatmya

Prithviraj Raso

The Insider

Ali Sardar Jafri

Aruna Roy

Dr. JC Daniel

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Balwant Gargi

Dr. Jayant Narlikar

Geography

Answer any two of the following (in about 125 words): 2 10 = 20

(a) Bring out the prospects of development of alternative energy sources of India.
(b) Blue Revolution has definite advantages in India but it is not free from environmental impacts.
Discuss.
(c) Why do the rivers of west coast not form a delta ?
Write notes on the following (in about 20 words each): 5 2 = 10
(a) Mixed economy
(b) Winter rains in India
(c) New Moore Island
(d) National Water Grid
(e) Hussain Sagar

2007
1. Answer anyone of the following questions (in about 250 words): 30

a. What was the character of social religious reforms in the 19th Century and how did they contribute to
the national awakening in India?

b. The crisis of the colonial order during 1919 and 1939 was directly linked to the constitutional reforms,
disillusionment and militant anti-colonial struggles. Elucidate.

2. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150 words each): 15 2 = 30

a. What are the salient features of the Government of India Acts of 1858 and 1909?

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b. Do you think Mahatma Gandhis support to Khilafat Movement had diluted his secular credentials?
Give your argument based on the assessment of events.

c. Evaluate the contribution of revolutionary terrorism represented by Bhagat Singh to the cause of
Indias Struggle of independence.

3. Write about the following (not 20 words each): 2 15 = 30

Age of Sangam Literature

Bhakti

Ashtadhyayi of Panini

Charvakas

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Ajivikas

Gandhara Art

Mlechchas

Lingayats

Megasthenes
R C Dutt

Nagarjunakonda

Pastoralism

Rudramadevi

Sati

Ramanuja

Answer any two of the following questions (in about 125 words each) : 10 2 = 20

(a) Explain how the Himalayan and the Tibetan highlands play an important role in the development of
the South - West monsoon.
(b) Technological changes have brought in a major shift in the use of roads as transport corridors in
India. How far do you agree with this view ?
(c) Explain the nature and causes of growing slum problems in the metropolitan cities of India.

5. Write notes on the following (in about 20 words each):

(a) Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

(b) Inceptisol (c) Jarawas
(d) Indira Point
(e) Causes of Chambal Ravines 2 5 = 10

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2008
1. Answer any two of the following ( in about 150 words each) : 152=30

(a) The emergence of new social Classes in British India was the direct consequence of the
establishment of new social economy, new state system, administrative machinery and Western
education. Discuss.

(b) British vision of India had no single coherent set of ideas. On the contrary, the ideas were shot
through with contradictions and inconsistencies. Discuss.

(c) Non-Cooperation Movement gave new direction and energy to the National Movement. Explain.

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2. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each): 215=30

(a) Lakshmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi

(b) Ilbert Bill

(c) Lala Hara Dayal

(d) Vaikam Satyagraha

(e) Indian States Commission

(f) Bodhisattva

(g) Megasthenes

(h) Brihadeshwara Temple, Tanjore

(i) Perini Shivatandavam

(j) Allasani Peddana

(k) Golkonda Fort

(l) Chishti Silsila

(m) Chouth and Sardeshmukhi

(n) Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

(o) Rama Sethu

Answer any two of the following (in about 150 words each) : 15 2 = 30

(a) The winter rains in North India are largely related to Jet Streams and Western Disturbances. Bring out
the relationship.
(b) Agricultural Productivity in India remain low. Explain the reasons for this situation.
(c) Bring out the pros and cons of Special Economic Zones.

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4. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each): 2 5 = 10

(a) Buckingham Canal

(b) Terai Region
(c) Organic Farming
(d) Demographic Dividend
(e) Nor westers

2009

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1. Critically analyze any two of the following statements with reference to the context in which they
were made (in about 150 words each) 15 2 = 30

a. Many Englishmen honesty consider themselves the trustees for India and yet to what a condition they
have reduced our country.

b. The Foreign power will be withdrawn but for me real freedom will come only when we free ourselves
of the dominance of western education, western culture and western way of living which have been
ingrained in us.

c. Satan cannot enter till he finds a flaw. A great ocean separate us educated few from the millions in
our country.
2. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each)

King Nongbah

Maski

Govind Guru

Brahmadeya

Egmore Faction

Haileybury College

Ijara System

Taji Mideren

Gurudwara Reform Movement

Marumakkathayam

Answer any four of the following (in about 150 words each): 15 4 = 60

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 Page 47

(a) Assess the significance of coastal regions in the economic development in India.
(b) Discuss the wetlands and their role in ecological conservation in India.
(c) Elaborate the steps taken by the Government for regionally differentiated approach to increase crop
production and diversification in the country.
(d) Bring out the significance of the various activities of the Indian Meteorological Department.
(e) Examine the status of urbanization among the states in India and bring out spatial inequalities.

Write about the following (not exceeding 30 words each): 3 10 = 30

(a) bhuvan website

(b) National Waterways
(c) Ultra Mega Power Projects
(d) NNRMS

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(e) BSUP Scheme
(f) GAGAN Project
(g) Fruit Production in India
(h) Section 377 of IPC
(i) Whereabouts clause of WADA
(j) Barren Island

2010

1.Dalhousies predecessors had acted on the general principles of avoiding annexations, if these could
be avoided.Dalhousie acted on the principles of annexation, if he could do so legitimately. His
annexations were both of war and peace. Analyse.

2. While bringing but their salient features,distinguish between either Madhubani Art and TVTanjusha
Art or Rajasthani schools of painting
and the Pahari school of painting.

3. Write brief notes on each of the following, in about 20 words each :

(a) Contributions of Latika Ghosh to the freedom struggle
(b) Bhai Maharaj Singh as a freedom fighter

4. Answer any THREE of the following in about 150 words each: 12 3 = 36

(a) While bringing out their salient features, distinguish between either Madhubani Art and Manjusha
Art or Rajasthani schools of painting and the Pahari school of Painting.
(b) Bring out the powers and responsibilities attached to the office of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
(c) Distinguish between the following four literary awards:

(i) Jnanpith Award

(ii) Sahitya Akademi Award

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 Page 48

(iii) Vyas Samman

(iv) Saraswati Summan

List the significant local storms of the hot-weather season .F in the country and bring out their socio-
economic impact.

Write brief but precise notes on any SIX of the following. Your answer should not exceed 50 words in
each case. 5 6 = 30

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(a) Transhumance in India
(b) Frontogenesis and Frontolysis
(c) Golden Revolution
(d) Sea-floor spreading
(e) Legislative powers assigned to the Rajya Sabha under Art. 249 and Art. 312 of the Constitution (polity)
(f) Causes for dominant dendritic pattern of drainage in the Gangetic plains
(g) Break-of-bulk towns

2011
1. Answer one of the following in about 250 words: 20

a. Trace the salient sequence of events in the popular revolt that took place in February 1946 in the
then, Royal Indian Navy and bring out its significance in the freedom struggle. Do you agree with the
view that the sailors who took part in this revolt were some of the unsung heroes of the freedom
struggle?

b. Evaluate the influence of the three important womens organizations of the early twentieth century in
India on the Countrys society and politics. To what extent do you think were the social objectives of
these organizations constrained by their political objectives?

2. In the context of the freedom struggle, write short notes (not exceeding 50 words each) on the
following: 5 3 = 15

Benoy-Badal-Dinesh martyrdom

Bharat Naujawan Sabha

Babbar Akali movement.

3. Attempt the following in not more than 50 words each: 5X 4 = 20

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 Page 49

a. Distinguish either between the Moatsu and Yemshe festivals of Nagaland or the Losar and Khan
festivals of Arunachal Pradesh.

b. Write a sentence each on any five of the following traditional theatre forms:

Bhand Pather

Swang

Maach

Bhaona

Mudiyettu

Dashavatar

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c. What are the major different styles of unglazed pottery making in India?

d. List the classical dance forms of India as per the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Examine any three of the following in about 150 words each: 123=36

(a) The impact of climate change on water resources in India.

(b) Measures taken by the Indian government to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean.
(c) The significance of counter urbanisation in the improvement of metropolitan cities in India.
(d) Problems specific to the denitrified and nomadic tribes in India.

2012

1.The Indian independence movement was a mass-based movement that encompassed various
sections of society. It also underwent the process of constant ideological evolution. Critically examine

2.The flute-playing Krishna theme is very popular in Indian art. Discuss.

3.Comment on the significance of Rasarnava in studying the history ofIndian Chemistry.

4.What are the groups into which musical instruments in India have traditionally been
classified ?

5.Comment on the significance of fire in Zoroastrianism.

6. Why is Laurie Baker called the conscience keeper of Indian architecture ?

7.The significance of

(a) Patharughat in the Indian freedom struggle 2x5=10

(b) Bagurumba folk dance

Examine the cause and the extent of desertification in India and suggest remedial measures.

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 Page 50

2013

1. 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. (200 words)

2. (a) Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (100 words)

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(b) Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (100
words)

3. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch- bearer during
the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss (200 words)

4. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their
role in the Indian struggle for freedom. (200 words)

5. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. (200 words)

6. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan Movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba
Bhave and their success. (200 words)
7. Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan, Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. (200 words)

8. Discuss the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre - and post- independent India (200
words)

9. Analyze the circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the
Agreement. (200 words)

10. Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of
Bangladesh. (200 words)

11. Latecomer Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different
from what West had experienced. Analyze. (200 words)

12. Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European competition. Analyze.
(200 words)

13. American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. (200 words)

14. What policy instruments were deployed to contain the Great Economic Depression? (200 words)

15. Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in
India. (200 words) (10 marks)

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 Page 51

16. Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make womens organization free from
gender bias. Comment. (200 words) (10 marks)

17. Critically examine the effect of globalization on the aged population in India. (200 words) (10 marks)

18. Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in generation of demand for a separate state.
Discuss. (200 words) (10 marks)

19. a What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its
support. (100 words) (5 marks)

19.b The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called Phailin. How are the tropical cyclones
named across the world? Elaborate. (100 words) (5 marks)

20. a Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (100

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words) (5 marks)

20. b What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How
does it affect weather and the habitants of the place? (100 words) (5 marks)

21. Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 deg N latitudes and on the
western sides of the continents. Why? (200 words) (10 marks)

22. a Bring out the causes for more frequent occurrence of landslides in the Himalayas than in the
Western Ghats. (100 words) (5 marks)

22. b There is no formation of deltas by rivers on the Western Ghats. Why? (100 words) (5 marks)

23. a Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in southern states of India?
Discuss with justification. (100 words) (5 marks)

23. b Analyze the factors for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India. (100 words) (5
marks)

24. W ith 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 I ndia and in
the world. (200 words) (10 marks)

25. 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. (200 words) (10 marks)

2014

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 Page 52

1. To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to
the present day urbanization? Discuss. 10

2. Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. 10

3. Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number
of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to
flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense. Discuss. 10

4. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire -shaking battles fought at
Panipat? 10

5. Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the
outward structure of Hindu/Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment. 10

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6.Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid -eighteenth
century till independence. 10

7. In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations
in India? 10

8. What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the
anti-colonial struggle in India? 10

9. What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britains self -
image as a world power? 10

10. The New Economic Policy-1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after
independence. Evaluate. 10

11. How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India?
12. Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women?
Give your arguments.
13. The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than social values. Discuss.
14. Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of
agriculture in India.
15. How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West?
16. Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El -Nino effect. Do
you agree?
17. Why are the worlds fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out
the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and
volcanoes.
18. Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philipines archipelagos.
19. Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico.
Why?

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 Page 53

20. Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate
change in the Indian sub-continent.
21. Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser
Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling
area. Explain.
22. Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and
good availability of water?
23. Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world.
24. Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the
resource crisis in the world.

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25. How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resources rich Africa?

2015

1.The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece
in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day.
Comment.

2.Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a tine
aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this comment.

3.How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi?
Discuss.2015

4.It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the
Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the
Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

5.Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there
during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present? 2015

6.To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically

7.Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a
common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. 2015

8.Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a
national identity.

9.Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work
towards annihilation of caste.

Q10. How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more
favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?

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 Page 54

Q11. Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four
decades.
Q12. Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India?
Q13. Debate the issue whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity
work towards annihilation of caste.
Q14. Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional
climates, fishing and navigation?
Q15. Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three Mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much
more serious probelm in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?
Q16. India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from
water scarcity.

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Q17. The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits
of econological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.
Q18. How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to
humanizing landscape? Discuss.
Q19. Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart vilages. Discuss this statement in the
backdrop of rural urban integration.
Q20. What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible
environemental consequences?

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