UPSC Microthemes - Previous Year Questions

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

Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 breakdown to the present day. Comment.

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

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

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

Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss.

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

How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not as attained in later times?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

How do you justify that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days?

Megalithic culture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also the socio-economic dimensions. Critically evaluate this.

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

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

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.

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

Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence.

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

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

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 Indian rulers? Give reasons.

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

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

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

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

Examine the significance of thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.

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

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

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

What ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India?

Why did the 1857 Uprising fail the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate.

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

Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century's 'Indian Renaissance' and the emergence of national identity.

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

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

In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.

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

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.

Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyse their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.

Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India.

Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”.

Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States. (150 words)

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

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

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

Analyse the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the agreement.

Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh.

American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate.

Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French revolution. (15m,250 words)

Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse.

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

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

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

What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression?

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

Latecomer industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experience.

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (250 words)

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also? (250 words)

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

“Empowering women is the key to control population growth”. Discuss (10m,150 words)

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

Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 words)

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

How does patriarchy impact the position of a middle class working woman in India?

Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment.

What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space? (15m,250 words)

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

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

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

Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.

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

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

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

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

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?

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.

What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of india? (250 words)

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

Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India.

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

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

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

Are we losing our local identity for the global identity? Discuss. (15m,250 words)

Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India.

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Growing feeling of regionalism is an important factor in the generation of demand for a separate state. Discuss.

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

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

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

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

What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism. (10m,150 words)

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

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

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.

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.

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

Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree?

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

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

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

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

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

How does the cryosphere affect global climate?

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.

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

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

Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics.

Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks.

Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone.

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

What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support.

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

How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss.

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

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

What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystems?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and Lesser Himalayas from Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain.

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

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

Analyze the factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India

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

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

Do you agree that there is a growing trend of opening new sugar mills in the Southern states of India? Discuss with justification

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

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

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

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

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

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

The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin”. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world?

Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why?

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

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

Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats

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

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

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

What is the phenomenon of ‘cloudbursts’? Explain.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Explain the formation of thousands of islands in indonesian and Philippines archipelagoes.

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

Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.

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?

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

There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why?

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.

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

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