Browse previous-year questions

Discuss the role of aeolian processes in desertification and land degradation.

How do you understand disability? Substantiate the need for inclusive policy framework in India in this regard.

Discuss the impact of Macaulay's Minute on colonial administration and education in India.

Do you think digital technology promotes social empowerment? Explain with examples.

Analyze the importance of Ashokan inscriptions for reconstructing Mauryan history.

What is the Fujiwhara effect? Explain its impact on the movement and intensity of tropical cyclones.

Unity in diversity remains the defining feature of Indian society despite the challenges from communalism and regionalism. Comment.

"Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia." Examine this statement giving examples.

The significance of the Gandhian movements lay in the masses they mobilized. Elucidate.

"Tundra regions are ecologically fragile but economically important." Examine this statement critically.

Compare the Loo, Chinook and Foehn winds with respect to their regions of prevalence, their nature and climatic impacts.

Linguistic reorganization of Indian States was driven by popular pressure from below. Comment.

Critically examine the challenges of demographic transition in contemporary India.

Evaluate the impact of globalization on Indian youths with reference to social, political, economic and cultural spheres.

The model of planned economy was adopted in India to address the regional imbalances left behind by colonial rule. Comment.

Is caste disappearing in urban India? Illustrate your answer with examples.

Analyze the role of satellite-based technologies in achieving climate-smart agriculture and food security in India.

Vijayanagara architecture exemplifies the amalgamation of past traditions with contemporary practices. Elucidate with examples.

Analyze the major drivers of human-induced land-use changes in India and their geographical consequences.

"The centre of global trade is gradually shifting from the Atlantic region to the Indo-Pacific region." Examine this statement.

Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.

Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture?

The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.

Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.

What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.

How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.

Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.

What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.

‘The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.’ Elucidate.

How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?

How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.

Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.

Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people's needs in a country like India – Comment.

Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses.

Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.

How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?

The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.

Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on- shore occurrences of oil reserves?

Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

Trace India's consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.

What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of tropical cyclones?

What is the concept of a 'demographic winter'? Is the world moving towards such a situation? Elaborate.

In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector would be most productive?

What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results.

Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries.

Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women's empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation?

Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio- economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss.

Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India.

What is the phenomenon of 'cloudbursts'? Explain.

Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period.

“Though the great Cholas are no more yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture.” Comment.

Despite comprehensive policies for equity and social justice, underprivileged sections are not yet getting the full benefits of affirmative action envisaged by the Constitution. Comment.

How far was the Industrial Revolution in England responsible for the decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India?

What is a twister? Why are the majority of twisters observed in areas around the Gulf of Mexico?

How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power?

Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India's cultural diversities and socio- economic marginalities.

The groundwater potential of the gangetic valley is on a serious decline. How may it affect the food security of India?

Globalization has increased urban migration by skilled, young, unmarried women from various classes. How has this trend impacted upon their personal freedom and relationship with family?

What is regional disparity? How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India?

What are aurora australis and aurora borealis? How are these triggered?

Do you think marriage as a sacrament is losing its value in Modern India?

What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism?

Discuss the consequences of climate change on the food security in tropical countries.

Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world.

Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian Society.

Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children.

Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to fresh water resources?

Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why?

Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India.

How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world?

What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society?

Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises?

How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression?

Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forests regions of India.

Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India?

Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism.

Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?

What were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence the Indian society?

From being net food importer in 1960s, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons.

Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.

Discuss the natural resource potentials of 'Deccan Trap'.

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 the then Indian rulers? Give reasons.

Explore and evaluate the impact of 'Work From Home' on family relationships.

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?

Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.

Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category?

How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days?

Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.

Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks.

Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.

Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.

Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.

Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.

Analyse the salience of 'sect' in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.

The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.

Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? Justify your answer.

Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India.

Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How?

Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.

What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.

Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer.

Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture.

Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge system when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems.

Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj.

Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.

What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples.

Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.

Examine the role of 'Gig Economy' in the process of empowerment of women in India.

Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States.

Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment.

"There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars." Evaluate the statement.

What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also?

Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples.

Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world.

How does the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain.

Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail.

To what extent did the role of the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment.

What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India?

Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.

How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it.

The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples.

Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movement.

Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue.

How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India?

Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone.

The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss.

Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate.

Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations.

COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment.

Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation? Justify your answer.

India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate.

Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples.

How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the educational system in the country? Elaborate your answer.

Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss.

Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change.

Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures.

The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine.

Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment.

Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree?

Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art.

Discuss the factors for localisation of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India.

"Empowering women is the key to control population growth". Discuss.

The 1857 Uprising was the culmination the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate.

Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology.

What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss.

Examine the linkages between 19th centuries 'Indian Renaissance' and the emergence of national identity.

What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism.

Can the strategy of regional-resource based manufacturing help in promoting employment in India?

How is efficient and affordable urban mass transport key to the rapid economic development of India?

How can the mountain ecosystem be restored from the negative impact of development initiatives and tourism?

What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India?

Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French revolution.

Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elucidate.

Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples.

Are we losing our local identity for the global identity? Discuss.

What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space?

How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and the coastal environment? Give suitable examples?

Assess the impact of global warming on coral life system with examples.

Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s.

Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.

Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.

Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics.

What are the consequences of spreading of 'Dead Zones' on marine ecosystem?

How the Indian concept of secularism is different from the western model of secularism? Discuss.

Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing. Explain by giving reasons.

Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region?

Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss.

Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation?

Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India. Comment.

Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation. Argue by giving suitable illustrations.

The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss.

Globalization is generally said to promote cultural homogenization but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian Society. Elucidate.

Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success.

Define blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India.

Women's movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata. Substantiate your view.

Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there?

The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system. How can it be made effective in urban areas?

What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identify industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics.

Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India.

Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulse because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.

Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times?

What problems were germane to the decolonization process of Malay Peninsula.

In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development. Discuss.

In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint.

How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth?

What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence, addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)?

Why did the 'Moderates' fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?

Why is the South-West monsoon called 'Purvaiya' (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultural ethos of the region?

How does the cryosphere affect global climate?

Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since twenties of the last century.

Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.

The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues employment but has also created new problems. Substantiate this statement with examples.

The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?

Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi- dimensional effects.

Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy.

In what way can flood be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India?

Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications.

The spirit tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.

In what way micro-watershed Development projects help in water conservation in drought prone and semi-arid regions of India.

Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.

Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.

Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.

Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine.

The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides. Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.

To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.

Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.

Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro- climatic changes.

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.

An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from deprivation. Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

Why are the tribals in India referred to as the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the 'Smart City Programme'.

The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.

What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences?

How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?

The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.

Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the main cause of population increase in India.

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.

Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically evaluate this comment.

Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India.

It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste.

How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.

Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in the backdrop of rural urban integration.

Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?

India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.

Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades.

To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically.

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity.

Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation?

Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present?

What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia?

What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India?

What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place?

Account for the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world.

Critically evaluate the various resources of the oceans which can be harnessed to meet the resource crisis in the world.

Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments.

Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.

How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa?

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?

Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of agriculture in India.

How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the West?

Why are the world's fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of Fold Mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes.

Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense. Discuss.

Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub- continent.

The New Economic Policy - 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate.

The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than social values. Discuss.

Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water?

Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos.

What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain's self-image as a world power?

To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.

Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Hindu/Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment.