IAS General Studies Questions papers - 2000 (Main) (Paper - I)

Time Allowed : Three Hours
Maximum Marks : 300
Instructions Each Question is printed both in Hindi and in English.
Answers must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No mark will be given for answers written in a medium other than that specified in the Admission Certificate. Candidates should attempt ALL questions strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each question. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.
Candidate should attempt All questions strictly in accordance with instructions given under each question.

1. Answer any one of the following: (about 250 words)(30 marks)
   • Trace the origin of the Swadeshi Movement. How did it involve the masses
   • What was Mountbatten Plan ? Discuss the reactions of Gandhi and Azad to the Plan.
2. Answer any two of the following: (about 150 words) (2 X 15 = 30 marks)
   • Who established the Arya Samaj ? What was its goal ?
   • How did the terrorist movement gather strength in countries other than India?
   • Was Jawaharlal Nehru justified in adopting the principle of non-alignment as the corner-stone of India's foreign policy ?
3. Write notes on the following: (about 20 words ) (15 X 2 = 30 marks)
   • Brahmagupta
   • 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
   • Lala Amarnath
   • Tiger Woods.
4. Answer any two of the following: (about 125 words) (2 X 10 = 20 marks)
   • 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.
5. write short notes on the following: (about 20 words) (5 X 2 = 10 marks)
   • Linguistic regions of India
   • Nagarjunasagar Project
   • Mango Showers
   • Multi-level planning in India
   • India's Laterite soils.
6. Answer any one of the following: (about 250 words) (30 marks)
   • Examine the need for the review of the Indian Constitution.
   • Examine the demand for greater State-antonomy and also its impact on the smooth functioning of the Indian polity.
7. Answer any one of the following: (about 150 words) (30 marks)
   • How does Parliament control the Union Executive ? How effective is its control ?
   • What constitutes the doctrine of 'basic features' as introduced into the Constitution of India by the Judiciary ?
8. Answer any TWO of the following (About 150 words each) (15 x 2 = 30 marks)
   • Identify, the major electoral reforms which are necessary in the Indian Political System.
   • Examine the role of Estimates Committee.
   • Discuss the major extra-constitutional factors influencing the working of federal polity in India.
9. Answer the following: (about 20 words) (2 X 5 = 10 marks)
   • What is vote on account ?
   • What is a Caretaker Government ?
   • Do you justify the Prime Minister's entry into Parliament through the Rajya Sabha ?
   • What is a Privilege Motion ?
   • What is Contempt of Parliament ?
10. Answer any one of the following: (about 250 words) (30 marks)
    • Discuss the provisions of the Human Rights Protection ACt (1993) relating to the following :-
      1. Definition of human rights.
      2. Composition of the National Human Rights Commission.
      3. Functions of the Commission.
      4. What suggestions have been made for amending the Act for making the role of the NHRC more effective ?
    • Discuss the propositions laid down by the Supreme Court of India in the context of Torture in Prisons and Human Dignity.
11. Answer any two of the following: (about 125 words) (2 X 10 = 20 marks)
    • Explain Public Interest Litigation. Who can file it and on what basis can it be rejected by the Court of Law ?
    • Discuss Human Genome.
    • What are the features of the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Public Religious Buildings and Places Bill, 2000, that have caused widespread protests from minorities ?
12. Write short notes on any two of the following: (about 125 words) (2 X 10 = 20 marks)
    • Universal Postal Union
    • Economic and Social Council
    • Florence Nightingale.
13. Write about the following (about 20 words) (5 X 2 = 10 marks)
    • CRY
    • Baba Amte
    • Ali Sardar Jafri
    • 'Water'
    • Aruna Roy