UPPSC MAINS 2026 GS 1 PAPER

SECTION – A

1. Comment briefly on the development of art and technology during the Maurya period.
2. “Women’s issue was a major concern in the socio-religious reform movements of 19th century India”. Explain.
3. ‘Extremism was a reaction against the ideas and modus operandi of the moderates’. Critically explain this statement.
4. Does globalization leads to both cultural integration and cultural conflict? Elucidate.
5. What is the relationship between illiteracy and poverty in the context of developmental issues in rural India? Critically evaluate.
6. Regionalism in modern India is both a challenge and an opportunity. Clarify.
7. Examine the variations in nature of glaciers in India.
8. How do India’s mangroves and corals reefs contribute to marine resource management?
9. Examine the origin, dimensions and implications of Sino-Indian border dispute.
10. Examine critically the recent theories of the origin of monsoon and discuss the effects of El-nino on monsoon.

SECTION – B

11. Critically analyse the role of Sardar Patel in the Unification of India after Independence.
12. “The period from 1857 to 1947 was a time of immense change of Indian history”. Analyse this statement.
13. The Unification of Germany is considered as a symbol of the contradiction between the ‘ideal of nationalism’ and the ‘realities of power politics’. In this context, critically examine the paths of unification and its international implications.
14. Discuss the socio-economic problems associated with urbanization. What structural measures are necessary for sustainable urban development?
15. Critically evaluate the impact of modernisation and westernisation on the traditional Indian values.
16. What are the visible effects of globalization on family, marriage and kinship system? Analyse with reference to the Indian society.
17. Examine the forest resources of India and explain the principles of conservation which could be applied to improve the forest wealth of India.
18. Differentiate between refugees and infiltrators. What steps have been taken by the Government of India for the security and assistance of refugees?
19. “India’s continental shelf is a store house of mineral and energy resources”. Critically examine this statement with suitable examples.
20. Differentiate between frontiers and boundaries and present a detailed account on the types of boundaries giving suitable examples from Indian subcontinent.