• This year UPSC had combined the prelims for Civil Service Exam (CSE) and Indian Forest service exam (IFoS). But their mains were kept separate.
  • IFoS has a combined question paper cum answer sheet (like UPSC plans to do for CSE-Mains2013).
  • But a separate “take home” Questionpaper was also attached with this answer sheet. (so we can hope similar for Civil Service Mains 2013: a ‘takehome’ question paper!)
  • The question paper didnot mention word limit for the 8 markers or 6 markers.
  • They gave one page space for writing each 6/8 marker.

IFoS GK paper 2013 (compared to earlier years)

  1. In earlier years, for IFoS GK, they used to ask ‘big’ questions 10 marks, 15 marks, 20 marks per question. But this time, maximum mark for a question =only 8 marks.
  2. No options (i.e. write any 3 out of 4). All question were compulsory.
  3. Only one question on abbreviation (HTML). Earlier they used to ask plenty of abbreviations.
  4. No question on Maps.

anyways, without much ado, here is the IFoS GK Mains paper is given below. @CSE Mains 2013 aspirants also try to solve these questions.

Q1: Answer all five (8×5=40)

  1. Briefly highlight the contribution of Mauryas in the spread of Buddhism.
  2. Write a short note on the administration of Sher Shah Suri.
  3. Discuss ancient India’s trade with China.
  4. Write about the efforts of Congress party to solve the problems of Peasants during pre-independence period.
  5. Describe the achievement of Indian national army during British period.

Q2: Answer all five (8×5=40)

  1. What is a ‘cloudburst’? Explain the impact of cloudburst.
  2. Where are the major coal mines located in India? Discuss the current issues concerning the mining of coal.
  3. What is ‘spot-fixing’ in cricket? Briefly discuss the impact the spot-fixing had on the IPL Tournament.
  4. Why do the petrol and diesel prices increase in India frequently? What impact these price rises have on the economy?
  5. Discuss the reasons as to why ‘outsourcing’ has become an economic beneficial mechanism for both ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ countries.

Q3: Answer all five (8×5=40)

  1. Define the role of the Governor of an Indian State during emergency.
  2. What are the main functions and responsibilities of the Gram Sabha under Article 243(A) of the Constitution?
  3. What is the impact of coalition politics in India’s decision-making process?
  4. Explain the implication of the Supreme Court ruling in 2013 in the context of electoral reforms in India.
  5. Give an account of the State reorganization process in modern India.

Q4. Answer all five (8×5=40)

  1. What is Television Rating Point (TRP)? Briefly point out the utilization of TRP in management of media channels.
  2. What is Breaking News? What purpose does Breaking new serve? Point out the misuses of the same.
  3. Advantages of remote sensing in forest management
  4. Explain: Carbon footprint, Carbon credit and Carbon sink
  5. Difference between Computer hacker and cracker? Discuss importance of firewall

Q5. Answer all five (8×5=40)

  1. What are the objectives of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission?
  2. Discuss the main provisions of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREG) Act, 2005.
  3. Explain the Food Security Bill. What are its implications?
  4. What is acid attack? What direction the Supreme Court has given to the Government of India to curb these attacks?
  5. What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of FDI in multibrand retail sales.

Q6. Answer all five (8×5=40)

  1. Discuss the impact of opencast mining on environmental degradation.
  2. What is Jhum? How does it affect the environment?
  3. Explain the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Programme 2013-2016 on biodiversity
  4. Explain the causes of forest fires and describe the methods of controlling it.
  5. What is an ecosystem? Classify them on the basis of risk or threat they are facing at present.

Q7. Answer all FIVE questions (6×5=30)

  1. What is dark matter? Discuss how it has opened a new area of research in Physics?
  2. What is wilting in plants? What effect does it have on food production? What
  3. measures can be taken against wilting in plants?6
  4. What is fibre-optic cable? How does it work?6
  5. Differentiate between ‘broadsheet’ and ‘tabloid’ newspaper. Discuss the content of ‘page-3’ and ‘op-ed’ page of a newspaper.
  6. What is HTML? What for it is usually used and how?

Q8. Explain the following in about 20 words each:

  1. Oriental Despotism
  2. Diaspora
  3. Digital Slavery
  4. Politicides
  5. Nirankari Movement

Q9. Who/What are the following and why were they/these in the news recently?

  1. Razia Sultana
  2. Chris Gayle
  3. Ravuri Bharadwaj
  4. Adli Mansour
  5. Keonjhar
  6. Rituparna Ghosh
  7. Bodh Gaya
  8. Edward Snowden
  9. Miguel Trevino Morales
  10. Amar G. Bose