2016 UPSC MAINS GS PAPER 1 – ANALYSIS

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Anu Francis

“Winter is coming”;or rather winter has already come and gone for all those aspirants who attempted Mains this year. Now, its
time for analysis of UPSC Mains GS Paper 1-the SELFLEARN way. Analysis of the question paper is often underrated, but it
undoubtedly serves as guide to your preparation strategy for the future .As you all know General Studies paper 1 consist of
History ( Ancient , Medieval, Modern and World History), Geography ( Indian and World Geography), Salient features of Indian
Society, Diversity of India ( sociology) and Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues,
poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Let’s unravel the surprises for the year.

The anxiety and eagerness primarily revolves around two questions

1. Whether there is any change in the pattern of the exam?

2. What is new this year ?

There is a popular thought among aspirants that GS Paper-1 is more of a static paper as there cannot be much “happenings” in
History and Geography. Let us check whether this notion of staticism remains or is there anything new to paper-1.

Question Paper of Mains GS Paper 1

There were 20 questions in the paper carrying 12.5 marks each( that’s usual), but, there is a change this year.

The difference is in the division of marks in some questions. For example : [8+4.5=12.5 marks] The first part of question carries
8 marks and second part is given 4.5. This is a new feature added this year, dividing the marks based on the weightage given
to each part of the question.

This change in marking system is more challenging for candidates as time management skill becomes crucial. You cannot go
on writing about one part as there is now clear cut division of marks entitled to each part in the question.

Moving onto the questions :

The first two questions were asked from the same portion of the UPSC syllabus for GS1:

“Indian culture :- the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.”

Q 1:“Early Buddhist Stupa-Art while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals.
Elucidate.”

While last year(2015) the question was on Rock cut Architecture , in 2014 the question was on Gandhara school of art. Here
you can predict that UPSC never misses out a question from Art and Architecture and the best book to start your studies is
“Introduction to Indian Art”- Class 11, NCERT.

Q 2 : “ Krishnadevaraya the King of Vijayanagara, was not only an accomplished scholar himself, but was also a great
patron of learning and literature. Discuss.”

If you look at the above question, it is a personality based question, where you should know about the King, his empire and his
contributions in Indian Culture and Literature.

Both Vijayanagara Kingdom and Krishnadevaraya were in news towards the later half of 2015 and early 2016. The Hindu, The
Hindu

For the above two questions UPSC followed a similar pattern, as was the case in 2015 .

2 questions from Indian Culture , one, in particular, from Art and Architecture.

The next 3 questions were from Modern India Section of the syllabus
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UPSC Syllabus:- “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 /contributions from different parts
of the country.”

Q 3: Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards
Colonial India. (CSE Mains 2016)

As there was transition in power after the revolt of 1857 ( the first war of independence as it was called by Savarkar), this
spontaneous uprising was of great importance in making Indian polity( British Policies) to take paradigm shift in the direction of
responsible government. Since, freedom struggle is ‘specifically’ mentioned as an area of study,you can always expect question
in connection to revolt or from areas after the revolt. This is what, I reckon, the trend from the previous year explains.

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 its experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935 .Discuss. (CSE Mains 2015)

In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India? ( CSE Mains 2014)

Q4: Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during gandhian Phase. (CSE Mains 2016)

Over the years, Women/ Gender Equality/ Women Empowerment, seems to be a favorite area for UPSC.

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

Women does play a vital role in freeing India from the foreign rule. The legacy extends from the Great Rani Laxmibhai of Jhansi
to Rani Gaidinliu of Nagaland who passed away in 1993. The years of freedom saw the leadership of many iron ladies who kept
the struggle alive without fizzling out at crucial movement. When India is moving in a path of development, the country also calls
for gender equality and women empowerment. For this reason a question on Women and their participation in the freedom
struggle can always be anticipated.

Q5: Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhas Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for
freedom.

Even in 2015, UPSC had asked a question of comparison of approaches between Gandhiji and Ambedkar.

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

Since Subhas Chandra Bose was the one who was in news last year on “ declassifying official documents” about him, it was an
obvious pick. The Hindu, The Hindu(These are some of the Articles that appeared in The Hindu on the issue.)

The next question was asked from the post independence period referred in the syllabus

UPSC Syllabus :- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

Q.6 Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

Another area that is specifically mentioned in the syllabus . The issue of linguistic separation of States was one of difficult tasks
done after independence. Every year there is at least one question asked from this syllabi area, thus compelling you to read, to
the least, the main events happening Since Independence.

With these 6 questions mentioned above UPSC had covered the Indian History from its beginning to the period after
independence . To sum it up, there were

1 question from Ancient India

1 question from Medieval India
3 questions from Modern India, and,
1 question from Post Independence period

Moving on the next topic in the UPSC Syllabus :- History of the World.

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This year the question was about African History.

Q.7 The anti-colonial struggles in west Africa were led by the new elite of Western Educated Africans. Examine.

It is rather a competing argument that UPSC would stick on general areas and conveniently omit specifics.Here is the lastest
proof. Why ! Why West Africa? One can only draw a broad relation with the Presidential Visit to these countries earlier this year;
if not, it should be the colonial legacy we share with the African Nations. In any case, it was indeed a question on a specific
niche in the world history. “God save the Aspirants”.

The only remedy is to read and may be read again and again.

Last year, there were two questions from world history, which has been reduced to one this year.

The next topic in the UPSC Syllabus for GS 1 is :- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

Q.8 To what extent globalisation has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India. Explain. [12 marks]

Last year, the question was “Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in
building a national identity.(CSE Mains 2015)

Here, in this question, the trend of being specific is reversed.

25 years have passed since the Liberalisation the economy had taken place. India had,since been, in a path of development
and today, the country is regarded as the fastest growing economy in the world.But,since liberalisation,there was a wave of
reform measure which placed India at the center stage of Globalisation.We started exporting our soft power to other countries
and vice versa.

It seems like, UPSC have seen it as an opportunity to analyse this span of 25 years of India into globalisation and how much of
our culture have changed or rather influenced by the new world order and Globality

The next three questions were from the topic – Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues,
poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Q.9 “ An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation”. Substantiate
the statement with suitable examples. [7 +5.5=12.5 marks]

One can readily connect the objective of the question with the JAM trinity, DBT in LPG, schemes like PM jan Dhan Yojana,
Ujjwala Yojana etc.

When asked for an example, it is important to highlight how far government could improve the present conditions of poor and
how far they acted as a facilitator of essentials required by the poor through relevant case studies. This is where reading outside
the prescribed syllabus would come handy. Magazines like EPW, Down to Earth , Yojana etc will help an aspirant enrich their
answers with real life case studies.

Q.10 Why are tribals in India referred to as “Scheduled Tribe”? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in Constitution
of India for their upliftment. [4+8.5=12.5 marks]

Where do I keep this particular question in GS paper 1 syllabus? It looks like somebody had misplaced as GS-2 question in GS-
1 paper.Luckily, I say ‘Luckily’, it is more or less a direct question though misplaced. Well,“The king can do no wrong ”, so let
us try to answer it rather than analysing the rationale behind asking such a question in General Studies 1.

Since the question focusses on Constitutional Provisions and a direct question without any Critical Analysissssss, Elucidatesss
or Elaboratesss, a basic and clear understanding of Schedule 5 and 6 , fundamental rights protections and provisions of
national commissions would be enough to write the answer.

Q.11 With a brief background of quality of urban life in India introduce the objectives and strategy of the Smart City
Programme. [4+8.5=12.5 marks]

Hah!, Another direct question from a well known scheme, bravo, bravo.

Look there is a division of marks in this question too, so the core is to answer the second part of the question which carries more
marks but one cannot write a complete answer without the first part which is an analysis of the ground realities of life in urban

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India and compare it with projected objectives of Smart City Programme.

The next question is based on the following UPSC Syllabus topic of GS paper 1 :- Social empowerment, communalism,
regionalism & secularism.

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

Another question with specific division marks,but UPSC have compromised in their grammar this time. Is it ‘that’ unequal…..no
,no that

A generalist question for a generalist candidate.Almost a direct one that could easily be answered with a broad and general
reading of the topic in the syllabus. It would add to your marks, if you can quote some examples or recent case studies on the
issue that is highlighted in the question.

The rest of the questions are from the Geography portions of GS Paper 1.

Salient features of world’s physical geography;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);Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone
etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps)
and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Q.13 Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.

This is a question directly lifted from NCERT Class XI- Fundamentals of Physical Geography – Chapter 10.

Q.14“The Himalayas are prone to landslides”. Discuss the cause and suggest the suitable measures of mitigation.

Again the first part of the question which asks about the cause is a question directly lifted from NCERT Class IX, XI – Chapters
on Indian Physiography. The second part of the question is actually a disaster management mitigation question. UPSC expects
the candidate to suggest measures for disaster mitigation in the event of a landslide.

Q.15 The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.

This question is of current relevance with increasing water deficit, desertification, drought and climate change effects on
agriculture. The question being broad, one can think of many possible aspects of effective management of resources. Five or
six points on effective land and water management along with examples will do the job.

Also Read : Water crisis in India-Infographics

Q.16 South-China sea has assumed great political significance in the present context. Comment.

This question would have been better placed in GS Paper 2. But world geography being a part of GS paper 1 syllabus the above
question fits in the section too.

South-China sea dispute was very prominent in news for last 2 years. Earlier this year, Philippines got a decision of Permanent
Court of Arbitration, in their favour thereby increasing its world support in the issue.

To answer the above question, you are expected to know the background of the issue, why the area is geographically significant
and the present status of the issue along with a balanced personal view about the topic in question.

Q.17 Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.

This was another obvious question based on Current Affairs . Recent Chennai and Kashmir floods are the best examples which
might have prompted UPSC to ask this question.

A thorough reading of newspapers; Hindu or Indian Express, would have saved the candidate. Natural catastrophe is the on the
rise in the sub-continent and we are no exception for Climate change disasters.

Q.18 Present an account of Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the
context of changing bilateral relations.

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This question is one that should have appeared in GS paper 2 – International Relations. Being a very recent issue,this is rather
an obvious pick. In the question, UPSC wants you to analyse the treaty from three aspects: Ecological, Economic and Political
keeping in mind the worsening Indo-Pak relations.

Q.19 Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.

Again another question from Current Affairs. Government had recently passed The National Inland Waterways Act to develop
106 national waterways aiming at cheaper and more cleaner freight transport and reducing traffic. While giving the answer to
the question, citing international examples like Chinese and US inland water transport systems will add flavours to your answer.

Q.20 In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought prone and semi-arid
regions in India?

Yet another water based question. The issue of water crisis was in news for past one year. The question particularly focusses
on micro-watershed development projects for water conservation that is a need of the time. An example that can be quoted in
the answer would be the contributions of Mr. Rajendra Singh[ The Waterman of India] who successfully set an example in water
conservation in semi-arid region of Rajasthan in India

If you generally analyse the questions that appeared in the Geography section, surprisingly , one would see a more responsible
eco-friendly UPSC. UPSC is all geared up to conserve water and protect the nature. It is indeed a great effort which I
wholeheartedly support and happy about. Water is our life and we cannot be so careless about this vital necessity of our
life.Look around you,we are killing ourselves by killing our water bodies. Let us, at the least sympathise in our answers.

To sum it up, the analysis points towards a satisfactory paper, except for a few misplaced question and possible controversies
that figured. UPSC always takes you by surprise at every turn,be it the division of marks or the misplaced questions, UPSC has
its own of way of doing things. Let’s admit it and fare well to fare forward.

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