What the 2022 paper asked
The 2022 GS Paper 1 had 20 questions for 250 marks: 10 of 10 marks (150 words), 10 of 15 marks (250 words). The directives UPSC used most: discuss (5), why (2), describe (2), how (2).
GS Paper 1 covers Indian heritage and culture, history, and the geography of the world and society. For how long a scoring answer runs at each mark, see how long toppers actually write.
All 20 questions
How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days?
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.
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.
Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’.
Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.
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?
Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category?
The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.
Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.
Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.
What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.
Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.
Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.
Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How?
Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.
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.
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Other 2022 papers: GS2 · GS3 · GS4 Ethics · Essay.
Questions
How many questions were in UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 1?
20 questions, 250 marks in all: 10 of 10 marks (150 words), 10 of 15 marks (250 words). All are compulsory.
Where can I practise the 2022 GS1 questions?
In the practice bank, with a timer set to exam pace. Writing is free with no sign-in; checking an answer against topper answers uses an evaluation (1 free).
Write one, then get it checked.
Write by hand against the clock in the practice bank, then photograph the page: writeupsc puts it beside real topper answers. 1 free evaluation.