GS Paper 1 UPSC 2022 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

Most of the questions in GS Paper 1 of UPSC CSE 2022 Mains were on expected lines except for a few exceptions. Please find the questions in the General Studies Paper 1 (GS1) of UPSC 2022 Civil Services Mains Examination (written).

UPSC conducted the General Studies Paper 1, as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2022 on 17-09-2022.

There were 20 questions. 10 questions were 10 marks each, while the remaining 10 questions were 15 marks each.

GS Paper 1 UPSC 2022: Instructions

• Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
• There are 20 questions printed both in ENGLISH and HINDI.
• All questions are compulsory.
• The number of marks carried by a question/part is printed against it.
• Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
• No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
• Answers to questions no. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to questions no. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.
• Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.
• The content of the answer is more important than its length.

General Studies Paper 1 Question Paper – UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2022

Qn1. How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn2. Why did the armies of the British East India company – mostly comprising of Indian soldiers – win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of then Indian rulers? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn3. Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-18th century? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn4. Describe the characteristics and type of primary rocks. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn5. Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn6. Discuss the natural resource potential of ‘Deccan trap’. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn7. Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn8. Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn9. How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture of consumption? (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn10. Given the diversities among tribal communities in India in which specific context should they be considered as a single category? (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn11. The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn12. Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian Heritage and Culture. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn13. Discuss the significance of the lion and Bull figures in Indian Mythology art and architecture. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn14. What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in the fishing industry of the world. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn15. Describing the distribution of rubber-producing countries indicate the major environmental issues faced by them. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn16. Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn17. Troposphere is a very significant atmosphere layer that determines weather processes. How? (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn18. Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn19. Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? Justify your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn20. Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources with special reference to India. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Question Topics in General Studies Paper 1(2022 Mains )

1. Medieval Indian temple sculptures

2. Indian soldiers in armies of the British East India Company

3. Famines in Colonial India since the mid-18th century

4. Types and characteristics of primary rocks

5. Colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone-prone areas by IMD

6. The natural resource potential of Deccan Trap

7. Potential of Wind energy in India

8. Impact of Work From Home on family relationships

9. Growth of Tier-2 cities in the rising of a new middle class

10. Tribal communities and diversities , should they be considered as a single category

11. Political and administrative reorganisation of states and territories

12. Contributions of Gupta and Chola Period

13. Significance of Lion and Bull figures in Indian mythology

14. Ocean currents and the fishing industry

15. Major Rubber producing countries and environmental issues

16. Significance of the strait and Isthmus in international trade

17. Significance of Troposhere in weather process

18. Salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.

19. Role of Tolerance, assimilation and Pluralism in Indian secularism

20. Relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources

Analysis of GS Paper 1 Questions in UPSC Mains 2022

The GS Paper 1 UPSC 2022 (Mains) questions were of good quality – testing the ability to analytically think in a time-constrained environment.

UPSC followed the time-tested pattern of 20 questions in 3 hours this year too. The pattern of 20 questions in GS Paper 1 of UPSC CSE 2022 was familiar to most aspirants (10*10 marks + 10*15 marks = 250 marks). The Commission didn’t create any major surprises there.

UPSC touched almost all topics mentioned in the UPSC syllabus GS paper 1– however with varied priorities.

Questions from Culture were from topics like Mediaeval Indian temple sculptures, Contributions of the Gupta and Chola periods and the Significance of Lion and Bull figures in Indian mythology.

Modern India part of the UPSC syllabus was given stress through questions on Indian soldiers in armies of the British East India Company and Famines in Colonial India since the mid-18th century.

The post-Independence era was touched –on with a question on the Political and Administrative Reorganisation of States and Territories after the mid-19th century,

World History There was no direct question asked from the World History part.

The highest priority area in GS Paper 1 UPSC 2022 (Mains) was Geography. The questions from the geography section were on the following topics: primary rocks, Colour coded weather warnings and IMD, Natural resource potential of the Deccan Trap, Potential of Wind energy in India, Ocean currents and their role in the fishing industry, Rubber producing countries and environmental issues,  Significance of Strait and Isthmus in international trade, Significance of Troposhere in weather process.

From Human Geography a question was asked about the relationship between Globalisation and new Technologies in a world of scarce resources with special reference to India.

Questions from Indian Society were interconnected with subjects like the Impact of Work From Home on family relationships, Growth of Tier-2 cities in rising of a new middle class, Tribal communities and diversities, Salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion and the Role of Tolerance, assimilation and Pluralism in Indian secularism.

Important Take-Aways from the GS Paper 1 UPSC 2022 (Mains) – Question Paper

No loaded questions as in 2019. In 2019, the UPSC question paper had a loaded question with wordings placing culture above the constitutional value of secularism. This resulted in a lot of controversies. However, in 2021 and 2022 UPSC was cautious to set questions befitting its constitutional role of selecting impartial civil servants.

All subjects mentioned in the UPSC syllabus were covered except World History.

Most of the questions were from expected areas.

Only 1 question was directly connected with current affairs – The impact of ‘Work From Home on family relationships. The questions on Rubber producing countries and environmental issues and colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone-prone areas given by India Meteorological Department have contemporary significance.

The theme of landslides was asked in 2021. This year it was about cyclone-prone areas and warning systems.

Questions from geography were mainly from expected areas. Last year mining industries, IT industries, and Antarctic glaciers were asked about. This year UPSC asked basic questions like primary rocks, Wind energy in India, strait and Isthmus, Troposphere and  Ocean currents and their role in the fishing industry.

Last year there was a question on Bhakti Literature. This year, the question was more on the art and architecture part, asking about Gupta and Chola’s contribution to culture and heritage, the significance of the lion and Bull figures in Indian Mythology art and architecture and Mediaeval Indian temple sculptures.

Altogether, the GS paper 1 question paper was balanced. However, most questions required good analytical skills.

Questions which surprised candidates were fewer in number. The questions that troubled aspirants most were the ones on the Role of Tolerance, assimilation and Pluralism in Indian secularism, and the Salience of sects in Indian society.

Total Mark Distribution

• Modern History:   35 marks
• Geography:           100 marks
• Society:                   75 marks
• Art and Culture:    40 marks

 

Section	2021 Question Topic	2022 Question Topic
Art & Culture	Bhakti Literature	Medieval Indian temple sculptures Contributions of Gupta and Chola Period Significance of Lion and Bull figures in Indian mythology
Geography	Landslides Gondwanaland – mining industry Water bodies in urban land use Volcanic eruptions Major mountain ranges-local weather conditions Melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic Uneven distribution of mineral oil	Types and characteristics of primary rocks Colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone-prone areas by IMD The natural resource potential of Deccan Trap Potential of Wind energy in India Ocean currents Major Rubber producing countries and environmental issues Significance of strait and Isthmus Significance of Troposhere in weather process Globalisation and new technology
Modern history	Role of the moderates Mahatma Gandhi- NCM and CDM Young Bengal andBrahmo Samaj	Indian soldiers in armies of the British East India Company Famines in Colonial India since mid-18th century
Post-independence	Princely states	Political and administrative reorganisation of states and territories
World History	Democratic State System – World Wars	No related topics
Indian society	Tribal knowledge system Gig Economy – Women Development of IT industries in major cities of India Population Education Cryptocurrency Traditional social values	Impact of Work From Home on family relationship Growth of Tier-2 cities in rising of a new middle class Tribal communities and diversities Sect in Indian society Role of Tolerance, assimilation and Pluralism in Indian secularism

We feel that what ultimately matters in this exam would be quick comprehension, the ability to inter-connect, and proper analytical skills.

What do you think? What are your comments about this paper?