1. Prologue
  2. Topicwise Breakup
  3. General Studies Paper1- Topic wise
    1. Culture (20m)
    2. World History (40 marks)
    3. Freedom Struggle (30 marks)
    4. Post-Independence (50marks)
    5. Sociology block related (40marks)
    6. Geography (70 marks)
  4. General Studies Paper1: Linear format
  5. General studies Paper 1: Original Scan/Hindi Medium
  6. Bogus marketing propaganda

Prologue

  1. For UPSC Civil services Mains exam, the answer sheet had blank papers (no ruled lines)
  2. Take-home question paper given.
  3. All questions compulsory, no options/alternates were given.
  4. For Essay paper, UPSC continued the old principle: “1 mark =10 words.” i.e.250 marks’ essay, the wordlimit was 2500.
  5. But for General studies mains, UPSC sets new principle: “1 mark=20 words.” =>5 marks = 100 words; 10 marks=200 words; and 250 marks=5000 words.
  6. And that too for small-time topics like Tandav dance, one is supposed to recall and write ~100 words to fetch 5 marks. Although question paper did specifically mentioned “Content of the answer is more important than its length.”
  7. 5000 words in 3 hours. As a result almost everyone had to leave a few question and/or compromise with answer quality.
  8. My Detailed analysis/Ph.D on mains exam, later.

Topicwise Breakup

UPSC-Mains-General-Studies-GS-Paper1

CSM-2013-G1 Marks
Culture 20
World History 40
Freedom Struggle 30
Post-Independence 50
Sociology 40
Geography 70
Total 250

Instruction

  1. 250 marks, 3 hours
  2. Content of the answer is more important than its length.
  3. Answer questions in not more than the word limit specified for each in the parenthesis.

General Studies Paper1- Topic wise

Culture (20m)

  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.
 10
  1. Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions.
 5
  1. Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss.
 5

World History (40 marks)

10 marks=200 words

  1. “Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experience.
 10
  1. Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse.
 10
  1. American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate.
 10
  1. What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression?
 10

Freedom Struggle (30 marks)

  1. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.
 10
  1. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
 10
  1. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.
 10

Post-Independence (50marks)

  1. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.
 10
  1. Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”.
 10
  1. Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India.

(**actually 5 mark should be counted under freedom struggle portion)

 10
  1. Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the agreement.
 10
  1. Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh.
 10

Sociology block related (40marks)

10 marks=200 words

syllabus topic question marks
urbanization
  1. Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India.
 10
Role of women and women’s organization
  1. Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment.
 10
Effects of globalization on Indian society
  1. Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India.
 10
regionalism
  1. Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss.
 10
total 40

Geography (70 marks)

5 marks=100 words; 10 marks=200 words.

Physical (20m)

  1. What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support.
 5
  1. There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why?
 5
  1. Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why?
 10
physical total 20

Resource distribution (20m)

  1. With 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 India and in the world.
 10
  1. It is said the India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesn’t appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved.
 10
resource distribution total 20

Industrial location (10m)

  1. Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the Southern states of India? Discuss with justification
 5
  1. Analyze the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India
 5
Industrial total 10

Natural Phenomenon / Climate related (20m)

  1. The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin”. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world?
 5
  1. Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.
 5
  1. What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place?
 5
  1. Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats
 5
climate total 20

General Studies Paper1: Linear format

  • Q1. 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. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q2a. Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions. 5 marks, 100 words.
  • Q2b. Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. 5 marks, 100 words.
  • Q3. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q4. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q5. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q6. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q7. Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q8. Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post independent India. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q9. Analyse the circumstances t hat led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the agreement. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q10. Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q11. “Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experience. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q12. Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q13. American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q14. What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? 10 marks-200 words
  • Q15. Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q16. Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q17. Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q18. Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q19(a). What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support. 5 marks 100 words
  • Q19(b) The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin”. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate. 5 marks-100 words.
  • Q20(a) Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. 5 marks 100 words
  • Q20(b) What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place? 5 marks 100 words
  • Q21. Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why? 10 marks-200 words.
  • Q22(a) Bringout the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats. 5 marks 100 words
  • Q22(b) There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why? 5 marks 100 words
  • Q23(a) Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the Southern states of India ? Discuss with justification. 5 marks 100 words
  • Q23(b) Analyse the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India . 5 marks 100 words
  • Q24. With 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 India and in the world. 10 marks-200 words
  • Q25. It is said the India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of country for quarter century. However, tapping of the resources doesn’t appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved. 10 marks-200 words

General studies Paper 1: Original Scan/Hindi Medium

Google docs (To view online)

(GS1): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0DPgaYAtDgmX0RiR2hyejluNmc/edit?usp=sharing
(GS2): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0DPgaYAtDgmbHphMGg4VkZGb1k/edit?usp=sharing

My server (to download the PDF scan)

(GS1) https://files.secureserver.net/0shnFYey5ULW37
(GS2) https://files.secureserver.net/0sW5WJGHQnPW5S

Courtesy: Mahitosh and Shivaram for sending their papers.

Bogus marketing propaganda after mains exam

Here are the three sacred rules of Bogus marketing propaganda, set by the temple of dooms in Delhi:

  1. Size doesn’t matter: If a person writes/teaches merely two marks worth content and UPSC asks 20 marks worth question, then also he shall get ‘full credit’ that question came from his source.
  2. “Spray and pray” material counts: if a person simply assembles material by verbatim copy paste of entire year’s Hindu newspapers, NCERT, economic survey or xyz report and a random question comes, then also he shall get ‘full credit’ for that question.
  3. Paan-walla gossip also counts: If a person merely gossips or hints that xyz topic should be prepared and it comes in Mains, then also he shall get ‘full credit’ for that question.

‘Genuine’ claim

Has only one rule: Person must have served at least 100-200 words worth content that was directly relevant to the UPSC question (Depending on 5 or 10 marks).
So let’s audit how Mrunal.org fared from both angles:

QUESTION TOPIC ANSWER SOURCE BOGUS MARKETING GENUINE CLAIM
Sangam Literature https://mrunal.org/2013/10/oldncert-ancient-india-sources-of-history-paleography-epigraphy-numismatics-archeology.html#465 merely copy pasted old NCERT chapter 10 0
Bhoodan Gramdan https://mrunal.org/2013/11/land-reforms-bhodan-gramdan-jan-satyagraha-2012-other-non-governmental-movements-achievements-obstacles-limitations.html#99 sufficient points to write 200 words 10 10
Tashkent agreement https://mrunal.org/2013/12/download-november-writing-competition-zip-file-of-all-good-entries.html Aditya’s prize winning article in November competition. Sufficient points to handle this one. 10 10
Japan Imperialism
  1. under world history article series: https://mrunal.org/2013/06/world-history-imperialism-colonization-china-japan-asia-boxer-rebellion-open-door-policy-sphere-of-influence.html#257
  2. Additional points in Arun Chettiyar’s article in October 2013 competition
 10 10
Africa scramble https://mrunal.org/2013/07/world-history-imperialism-colonization-africa-scramble-for-colonies-paper-partitions-slave-trade-boer-war.html gave more than sufficient points. 10 10
American Revolution – mercantilism #1: Mercantilism: https://mrunal.org/2013/06/world-history-imperialism-and-colonialism-meaning-factors-responsible.html#196#2: American revolution (old NCERT): https://mrunal.org/2013/07/old-ncert-world-history-ch8-american-revolution-causes-boston-tea-party-declaration-of-independence-part-1-of-4.htmlSecond part was mere copy paste from old NCERT chapter. Fodder points available but one has to link them two and frame the answer. 10 2
Great Depression https://mrunal.org/2013/07/old-ncert-world-history-ch12-part-1-of-2-between-two-world-wars-nazism-fascism-the-great-depression.html#depressionCopied old NCERT chapter. Even there, not enough fodder points for 200 words. 10 0
Globalization vs Aged population https://mrunal.org/2013/10/result-september-writing-competition-revision-notes-for-everyone-representation-of-peoples-act-internal-security-infrastructure-and-more.htmlEntries received in writing competition. But even combined, not 200 words worth content for this specific aged population. 10 4
landslides more frequent in Himalayas https://mrunal.org/2013/09/science-tech-thehindu-june-july-aug-part-1-of-3-agriculture-environment-biodiversity-enb-economics-of-animal-rearing-uttarakhand-tragedy-runaway-greenhouse-bio-refinary.html#1005lot of points in Uttarakhand tragedy article under Sci-tech. although did not deal specifically with ‘physical geography’ angle of western ghat vs Himalayas landslides. 5 2
Sugar Mills South India location factor https://mrunal.org/2013/07/geography-location-factors-sugar-tea-coffee-rubber-and-cocoa-for-upsc-general-studies-mains-paper-1.html#145you’ve to ‘make up’ an answer showing bad factors of northern region. As such not enough content was given for sugar mills in South Indian states. 5 2
cotton industry https://mrunal.org/2013/07/geography-location-factors-cotton-textile-wool-silk-jute-why-china-1-in-silk-why-textile-industry-in-osaka-manchester-lancashire-mumbai.html#3Sufficient points available. 5 5
Shale Oil, India
  1. basics: https://mrunal.org/2012/07/enb-shalegas.html
  2. India specific (in Pradyumn Gaurav’s entry): https://mrunal.org/2013/11/result-october-writing-competition-revision-notes-for-everyone-border-security-bilateral-relation-constitution-comparision-culture-and-more.html

sufficient fodder points given

 10 10
Cyclone naming https://mrunal.org/2013/12/download-november-writing-competition-zip-file-of-all-good-entries.html In his Nov. entry, Arun Chettiyar did explain how cyclones are named. But only 30-40 words. 5 2
Maulana Azad In various article, I keep saying that if anyone’s birth/death anniversary is in the multiple of 5 or 10, then it is automatically important for UPSC. And 2013 was Azad’s 125th Birth Anniversary. 10 0
women freedom fight https://mrunal.org/2013/11/sci-techthehindu-sep-oct-novpart3of4-computeritmobile-tech-gecko-street-view-trekker-param-yuva-emf-radiation.html#737In the recent science tech compilation, had given mock question: Write a brief note about any five women freedom fighters of India- except Rani Laxmibai, Annie Besant, Meeraben, Kasturba and Sarojini Naidu. 10 0
total total out of 250 marks 130 67
  • If you think I missed any question, especially for bogus marketing claim- do post in comments!
  • Detailed analysis of the paper later on. And yes paper 2 coming soon.