UPPSC MAINS 2020 Paper-1

Points to Remember: Frontier: A zone of contact and interaction, often undefined and contested. Characterized by fluidity and gradual transition. Boundary: A clearly defined and demarcated line separating two territories. Legally recognized and often fortified. India’s Context: India’s frontiers and boundaries are shaped by its diverse geography and complex history, leading to unique challenges in … Read more Explain the difference between the frontier and the boundary with special reference to India.

Points to Remember: Western influence on Indian education – both positive and negative aspects. Macaulay’s Minute and its legacy. Impact on curriculum, pedagogy, and institutional structures. Role of missionary education. Rise of indigenous responses and reform movements. Contemporary challenges and future directions. Introduction: The impact of the West on Indian education is a multifaceted and … Read more Critically examine the impacts of West on the field of Indian education.

Points to Remember: The relationship between population growth and poverty in India is complex and bidirectional. Both factors influence each other in a cyclical manner. Addressing poverty requires a multi-pronged approach beyond just population control. Sustainable development goals are crucial for breaking this cycle. Introduction: India’s population is a significant factor in its socio-economic landscape. … Read more Critically examine whether ‘growing population is the main cause of poverty or poverty is the main cause of population increase in India’.

Points to Remember: Uttar Pradesh’s diverse topography. Bhabar’s porous nature and Terai’s swampy characteristics. The impact of geographical features on human settlement and economic activities. Introduction: Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, exhibits significant geographical diversity. Its landscape is broadly divided into several physical regions based on variations in relief, drainage, and soil. These regions … Read more Divide Uttar Pradesh into major physical regions and describe the geographical features of Bhabar and Terai regions.

Points to Remember: Smart City Mission’s goals and objectives. Selection criteria for cities under the scheme. Characteristics of Eastern UP cities selected under the Smart City Mission. Challenges faced and successes achieved. Future prospects and recommendations. Introduction: The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched by the Government of India in 2015, is a flagship initiative aimed … Read more What is ‘Smart City Mission’? Discuss the main characteristics of cities of Eastern Uttar Pradesh selected under this scheme.

Points to Remember: Mussolini’s aggressive expansionist aims. The impact of Italian nationalism and irredentism. The failures of Mussolini’s foreign policy. The role of the League of Nations. The ultimate consequences of Mussolini’s foreign policy choices. Introduction: Benito Mussolini’s foreign policy, deeply intertwined with his Fascist ideology, was characterized by aggressive expansionism, a fervent pursuit of … Read more Write a critical note on the Foreign Policy of Musolini, the leader of Fascism in Italy.

Points to Remember: Diversity as a strength Cultural exchange and enrichment Economic benefits of diversity Challenges of managing diversity Promoting inclusivity and harmony Introduction: India is renowned for its remarkable cultural diversity, often described as a “composite culture” – a tapestry woven from the threads of numerous religions, languages, ethnicities, and traditions. This composite nature … Read more Describe the advantages of India being a composite culture society.

Points to Remember: Major Women’s Organizations in India Their contributions to women’s empowerment Challenges faced by these organizations Future directions and recommendations Introduction: Contemporary India has witnessed a significant rise in the number and influence of women’s organizations. These organizations play a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights, empowering women, and bringing about social … Read more Critically examine the contributions of major women’s organisations in contemporary India.

Points to Remember: Planned cities with grid patterns. Advanced sanitation systems. Standardized brick sizes. Citadel and lower town divisions. Evidence of sophisticated water management. Introduction: The Harappan Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE), also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, is renowned for its remarkably advanced urban planning. Unlike many contemporary civilizations, Harappan cities weren’t haphazardly developed. … Read more Write a note on the town planning of Harappan Civilization period.

Points to Remember: Gandhi’s complex and evolving views on the Varna system. His rejection of caste-based discrimination and untouchability. His emphasis on Varna as a division of labor, not social hierarchy. His advocacy for social reform and equality. The limitations and criticisms of his approach. Introduction: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s views on the Varna system, the … Read more Evaluate the views of Gandhi on the Varna system.