Thursday, October 29, 2009

IAS Mains 2009: History Paper 2

Candidates should attempt Question No. 1 and 5 which are
compulsory and any three of the remaining questions selecting
at least one question from each Section.

SECTION – A
( Modern India )

1. Comment on any three of the following statements in about
200 words each : 20×3=60

a). “ Though the Permanent Settlement had serious defects , it
gave tranquility to the countryside and stability to the
government”.
b). “ The Arya Samaj may quite logically be pronounced as
the outcomes of conditions imported into India by the
west.” ( Lala Lajpat Rai)
c). “Please remember, in granting separate electorates we are
sowing the dragons’s teeth and harvest will be bitter.”
( Morley)
d). “ The annexation of Awadh shook the loyalty of the
Sepoy’s , as it was for them an ultimate proof of
untrustworthiness of the British.”

2.a). Why was Mysore considered a threat by the British to
their possessions and mercantile interests in the south ? Do
You think that Tipu Sultan’s posturing became his undoing?

b). How did the East India Company became the dejure power in
India? 30

3. a). How did social legislation in the nineteenth century
improve the condition of women in India? 30
b). Analyze the social composition of the early Congress
leadership. 30

4. a). Discuss as to why the congress accepted the partition
of India in 1947. 30
b). Do you think that Quit India movement was
a Spontaneous Revolution ? 30

SECTION B : ( World History )

5. Comment on any three of the following statements in about
200 words each : 20×3=60

a). “ The capitalism which gave the European empires their
apparent solidarity and permanence also hastened their
downfall.”
b). “ In all the long annals of Imperialism , the partition of
Africa is a remarkable freak.”
c). “ Hitler did not really want a world War. His intention was
only a short war with Poland.” ( A. J. P. Taylar )
d). “Arab nationalism and oil – these were the principal
Factors in complicating the relations of middle eastern
countries with the outside world.”

6. a) Discuss the emergence of neo-imperialism in the late
nineteenth century. 30
b). What was the extent of industrilisation in western Europe
by the end of the nineteenth century? 30

7. a). How did Nepoleon Bonapart fuse the old France with
the new ? 30
b). Why did Vietnam go through thirty years of war after
the second world war? 30

8. a). Account for the overthrow of the Tsarist regime in
Russia 30
b). Examine the peace keeping efforts of the United
Nations Organization. 30

IAS Mains 2009: History Paper 1

Candidates should attempt Question No. 1 and 5 which are
compulsory and any three of the remaining questions selecting
at least one question from each Section.

SECTION – A
1. Marks any fifteen of the following places on the map
supplied to you and write short descriptive notes on these
places marked by you. 4×15=60
i. Koldihwa
ii. Kuchai
iii. Utnar
iv. Patne
v. Semthan
vi. Bagasra
vii. Balatha
viii. Hallur
ix. Kandahar
x. Ter
xi. Uchh
xii. Gyaraspur
xiii. Uttaramerur
xiv. Lalkot
xv. Sittanavasal
xvi. Mansura
xvii. Jaunpur
xviii. Daojali Hading
xix. Machilipatnam
xx. Mahisadal

2. In what ways are the accounts of the Graeco Romans and
the Chinese helpful in reconstructing the social history of
India ? How far is their information corroborated by other
Contemporary sources. 60

3. a). Evaluate the various approaches to the understanding of
vedic religion. 30
b). Give an account of the use of gold coins by commoners
in the Gupta Period. 30

4. Bring out the regional variations in the early South Indian
Temple’s architectural styles. 60

SECTION B

5. Write short essays in not more than 200 words each on any
three of the following: 20×3=60

a). Applicability of the term ‘ Indian Feudalism’ to early
Medieval Society.
b). Muhammad Tughluq as an agrarian innovator.
c). Implications of Akbar’s notion of Sulh-i-kul.
d). Estimates of population of Mughal India.

6. a). How far can the village assemblies or communities
under the Cholas be really called democratic. 30
b). Assess Kalhana’s views on History. 30

7. a). Identify the main factors that sustained the expansion of
urban economy in the Delhi Sultanate. 30
b). Give an estimate of Akbar as a promoter of technology.30

8. a). Give a critical assessment of the contributions of Amir
Khusarau and Barani to Indo – Persian Literature. 30
b). The major cause of revolts against the Mughal Empire
during the latter half of the 17th century were economic ,
rather than religious.” Discuss. 30

IAS Mains 2009: Public Administration Paper 2

Candidates should attempt Question No. 1 and 5 which are
compulsory and any three of the remaining questions
selecting at least one question from each Section..

SECTION – A
1. Attempt any THREE of the following in not more than 200
words each: 20×3=60
a) “Bureaucracy developed by the British stifled the village
self rule.” Comment.
b) “Comment on the view that despite different contexts,
administrative maxims of Kautilya’s Arthashatra bear
considerable similarity with features of Weber’s ideal
bureaucratic model.
c) “The weakest aspect of Indian Administration is
grievance redressal machinery.” Discuss.
d) “ There is no basic contradiction between Civil Service
neutrality and Civil Service activism.” Comment.
2. a) . “Law and order problems of the twenty first century can
not be tackled through legislations and structures of the
nineteenth century.” Give suggestions for transforming the
law and order machinery at the State level. 30

b). “ The Recommendations of the second Administrative
Reform Commission on reforming the Civil Service are
radical yet implementable.” Do you agree? 30
3. a). Briefly discuss the main recommendations of any two
of the followings : 30
i). Paul Appleby ( 1953 and 1956 )
ii). Santhanam Committee
iii). Hota Committee
iv). Sixth Pay Commission
b). Examine the role of Finance Ministry of the Union
Government in designing and implementing monetary and
Fiscal policies. 30
4. a). Discuss the relationship between governance and
development in any one Indian state , giving illustrations.
30
b). Do state Services suffer in comparison with All India
and Central Services ? Suggest measures for enhancing
the role , competence and impact of state services. 30

Section B

Comment on any THREE of the following statements in
not more than 200 words each: 20×3=60

a) “ India has failed to devise a long term strategy for
drought management.”
b) “ A fix tenure in Civil Service postings can increase
productivity , accountability and probity in
Government.”
c) “ Sound municipal governance requires a cadre of
specilised municipal services executives equal in status
to state services.”
d) “Administrative talent of a minister determines his
success.”

6. a). “ The respective roles of the cabinet Secretary of the
Government of India and of the chief Secretary of a state
are similar in certain respects, and dissimilar in others.”
Explain. 30

b). Do you agree with the view that citizen’s Charters in India
have not succeeded in their objective of making of
administrative system citizen –centric ? Analyze and give
your suggestions in this regard. 30

7. a). “ The National Human Rights Commissions has done a
commendable job in developing job in developing a sense
responsibility among organization towards the protection
of human rights.” Comment on this assessment. 30

b). In your view , which have been the five most important
administrative reforms implemented after Independence?
What has been their impact? 30

8.“a). “ Value of Indian administration must be rooted in
the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.” Discuss. 30

b). “Many of the programmes of development being
implemented at the state and the local level have been
initiated or financed by the Union Government. This has
transformed the nature of Indian federalism.” Critically
examine this assessment. 30

IAS Mains 2009: Public Administration Paper 1

Candidates should attempt Question No. 1 and 5 which are
compulsory and any three of the remaining questions
selecting at least one question from each Section.

SECTION – A
1. Comments on any THREE of the following statements in not
more than 200 words each: 20×3=60

a) “ The Field of Public Administration is a field of
business.” ( Woodrow Wilson )

b) “ New Public Administration is …… a revolution or
radicalism in words , and ( at best ) status –quo in skills
or technologies.”

c) “ Taylor’s contribution was not a set of general principles
for organizing work efficiency , nut a set of operating
procedures that could be employed in each concrete
situation to secure their application.”

d) “ The Barnard – Simon Theory of organization is
essentially a theory of motivation.”

2. Answer the following in about 300 words each: 30×2=60

a) Consider the statement below :
i). “Technically, the bureaucracy represents the purest
type of legal rational authority”
ii). “Bureaucracy does not represent the only type of
legal authority”
Identify the theoretical context and analyze the above
Statements.

b) Which of the model(s) in development administration
is / are characterised by ‘ Selectivism’ , ‘ Attainment’
and ‘ Poly-functionalism’ ? Describe the corresponding
theoretical roots and attributes.

3. It is said that “ the perspective of public administration ,
developed over a century , with a tradition of management
of Public institution and services has received a jolt from
the novelty of New Public Management”.
Bring out the core values , approaches and assumptions of
traditional public administration and show how the new
new Public Management has attempted to change or retain
them , and to what extent. 60

4. From Woodrow Wilson to Herbert Simon most writers
on public administration have taken the achievement of
efficiency as the central objective. Justify the
statement with reference to the work of major writers.
60

SECTION – B

5. Answer any THREE of the following questions in not more
than 200 words each: 20×3=60
a) “ There is no doubts that departmentalization is fraught
with complexities. These are in part technical , in part
political .” Discuss.

b) “ Technical like PERT and CPM help in effective
office management.” Elaborate.

c) “ ….. non –western states often , If not always , have
unbalance politics , but these may not necessarily be
bureaucratic politics.” Discuss.

d) “ Yehezkel Dror’s normative models of policy making
tend to be academic in perspective with poor
operational utility.” Comment.

6. Consider the statement below:
a). Self-Help Groups ( SHGs ) enables women to realize their
full potential in some spheres of life.
b). Self-Help Groups ( SHGs ) are providing avenues of
political mobilization.
Examine the implication of these two statements and assess
the potential of SHGs for development. 60

7. It is said that ‘ position classification’, as originally
conceived is sound in terms of its operational
characterics , but complicated and unresponsive in
practice. Why is it still considered better than other models
of civil service classification ? 60

8.“ …….. even if policies are well organized , efficiently
operated , widely utilized , adequately financed and
supported , we may still ask , so what ? Do they work?
…. What about their costs , outputs and impact ?”
Discuss. 60

IAS Mains 2009: General Studies Paper 1

1. Critically analyze any two of the following statements with
reference to the context in which they were made (in about 150
words each) 15×2=30
a) “Many Englishmen honesty consider themselves the
trustees for India and yet to what a condition they have
reduced our country”.
b) “The Foreign power will be withdrawn but for me real
freedom will come only when we free ourselves of the
dominance of western education , western culture and
western way of living which have been ingrained in us”.
c) “Satan cannot enter till he finds a flaw ……. A great
ocean separate us educated few from the millions in our
country”.
2. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each)
a) King Nongbah 2×10=20
b) Maski
c) Govind Guru
d) ‘ Brahmadeya ’
e) ‘ Egmore Faction’
f) ‘ Haileybury College
g) Ijara System
h) Taji Mideren
i) Gurudwara Reform Movement
j) ‘ Marumakkathayam’

3. Answer any four of the following questions (in about 150
words each) 15×4=60
a) Assess the significance of coastal regions in the economic
development of India.
b) Discuss the wetlands and their role in the ecological
conservation in India.
c) Elaborate the steps taken by the Government for
regionally differentiated approach to increase crop
production and diversification in the country.
d) Bring out the Significance of the various activities of the
Indian Metrological Department.
e) Examine the status of urbanization among the states in
India and bring out spatial inequalities.
4. Write about the following (not exceeding 30 words each)
3×10=30
a) ‘ Bhuvan Website ‘
b) National Waterways
c) Ultra Mega Power Projects
d) NNRMS
e) BSUP Scheme
f) Gagan Project
g) Fruit Production in India

h) Section 377 of IPC
i) ‘ Wherebouts clause of WADA”
j) Barren Island
5. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 100
words each) 10×2=20
a) Analyse India’s achievements in the sports sectors during
2008-2009.
b) List the salient features of the important folk dances of
either Central India or Northern Eastern India.
c) What are the important similarities and difference
between the Hindustani and the Carnatic Styles of Classic
music?
6. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150
words each) 15×2=30
a) What are your views on the features and impact of
Domestic Violence Act, 2005?
b) Are the traditional determinants of voting behavior in
India changing? Examine in the context of last General
Elections.
c) Examine corruption as a serious development challenge
in Indian Polity.

7. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150
words each) 15×2=30
a) Mushrooming of Higher Educational Institutions was a
matter of grave concern for Yashpal Committte. With
reference to the relevant portion of that report give your
views how to harmonise private investment and quality of
education.
b) In the changing context of governance in the country,
what should be the role of the UPSC?
c) In the Context of recent incidents , suggest measures on
how security of passengers and property can be improved
over indian railways.
8. Answer any one of the following questions (in about 250
words each) 30
a) Comment on the salient features of the Integrated Energy
Policy recently approved by the government and its
implication on the energy security needs of the country.
b) How far has impact of the global meltdown been
reflected in the Economic Survey 2008-09? Identify some
of the core areas given priority to neutralize the adverse
effects of the global downturn.

9. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150
words each) 15×2=30
a) Trace the significance steps in the evolution of Television
in the country.
b) The Last National Family Health Survey (NFHS)
displayed a very dismal picture of nutrition as regards
several indicators for average Indians. Highlights the
salient aspects of this problem.
c) ‘ As we live in a plural society we need the greatest
freedom to expresss our opinions even if others find it
offensive’ – Do you agree ? Discuss with reference to
some recent incidents in the Indian context.
10. Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each)
a)Desert National Park 2×10=20
b) Significance of 26th November in the Country’s Polity
c) Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra
d) Girni Kamgar Union
e) Ayush-64
f) Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi ( GGVN)
g) Deep Joshi’s recent Achievement
h) Satya Vrat Shastri’s recent achievement
i) Pocket Veto
j) PESA , 1996

IAS Mains 2009: General Studies Paper 2

1. Write notes on any three of the following (in about 150 words
each) 3×15=45
a) India’s strategic interests in South Asia
b) China’s ‘peaceful rise’ doctrine
c) India Russia Defence Ties
d) India’s ‘soft’ and ‘Hard’ power strategy in foreign policy

2. Write brief notes on any four of the following in about 50
words each 4×5=20
a) Nuclear Supply Group ( NSG ) and India
b) Your view on the recent ‘ Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment
and Self Governance Order 2009’
c) Wakhan Corridor
d) Nuclear Submarine ‘ Arihant’
e) National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)

3. Comment on any two of the following in about 100 words
2×10=20
a) India – USA as strategic partners
b) Ethnic conflict in South Asia
c) ‘ NEPAD’ and its objectives

4. Write on any two of the following in about 50 words each.
2×5=10
a) Indo-Bhutan trade relations
b) Sino Myanmar relations
c) Geopolitics and Geostrategy

5. Comment critically on any one of the following statements in
not more than 200 words: 20
a) “ Foreign investment is far from being critical to India’s
economic growth”
b) “ The Lesson of current global financial crisis is that
India should halt and may be even reverse financial
liberalization”.

6. Answer any one of the following in about 200 words : 20
a). “ In the WTO negotiations over the years of the DOHA
Rounds , India appears to be diluting its stand on agriculture
issues to pursue perceived gains in services”. Critically
examine this statements.
b). Discuss the Indo – US Knowledge initiative in
Agriculture.

7. Answer any two of the following questions (in about 150
words each) 15×2=30
a) Evaluate the prospects for greater economic cooperation
between India & China.
b) Does India need the world Bank ?
c) Critically assesses the recent Free Trade Agreement
entered into by India with ASEAN.

8. Answer any three of the following questions (in about 150
words each) 3 ×15=45
a) What do you understand by ‘Biosignatures’? Discuss
briefly.
b) Write about Green Florescence Protein ( GFP ) and its
application.
c) Define ‘ Bioinformatics’ . How does it work ? What is
the major branches and applications ?
d) What is the ‘ Hubble Space Telescope’ ? How many
Service Mission ( SMs) have been conducted for it ?

9. Explain any four of the following (100 words each) 4 ×10=40
a) DNA Finger Printing and its utility.
b) What is ‘Nanotech’. Give a brief account of its basic
concepts, material used and applications.
c) What is ‘ Graphene’? Mention at least three of its
applications.
d) Define ‘ optical frequency comb’ . Suggest at least three
applications.
e) Why is Tele-medicine important for country like India?

10. Write brief notes on any five of the following ( in about 30
words each): 5 ×13=15
a) Artificial Sun
b) ‘ Vegetable Gold’
c) PFCs and ‘ liquid breathing’
d) The ‘ P- 8 A Poseidon’
e) Biometric ATMs
f) Extra Vehicle Activity ( EVA)

11. a). The total areas of cultivation of high, medium and low
sugar content, sugarcanes in four regions of a state are given
below :
Sugar Region
Content North South East West
High 100 100 200 50
Medium 300 300 400 250
Low 800 400 1000 700
Total 1200 800 1600 1000
Draw suitable diagram that facilitates the comparison of areas of
cultivation of different sugar content varieties among the four
regions 6

b). The following table gives the production of soda ash ( in tons
) by three companies ( A , B and C ) over seven years period :
Company 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
A 20 25 28 31 34 36 41
B 15 18 23 35 40 46 50
C 45 43 40 37 30 26 20
Draw a suitable diagram so as to compare the performance of
these companies. 6

c). The following date relate to the sales and net profit ( in
Rupees Crores) of a company : 4
Years 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
Sales 100 250 300 290 680
Net Profits 2.5 4.5 6 8.5 12
i). In which year the percentage of growth in sales, relative to the
previous year is higher?
ii). In which year the percentage of growth in net profit , relative
to the previous year , is higher?
iii). Let the probability be defined as the ratio of Net Profit to
sales. In which Year the profitability is higher ?
d). The Total sales ( in ‘000 rupees ) of a particular item in shop ,
on 10 consecutive days , is reported by a clerk as follows : 5
35.00 29.60 38.00 30.00 40.00
41.00 42.00 45.00 3.60 3.80
Later it was found that reports of the 4th and 8th days were 10.00
more than the true values and that in the last two days the clerk
put a decimal wrongly one place to the left ( for example , 3.60
was really 36.0 ). Calculate the true mean value of sale

12.a). In a factory , 1500 women are working . Eight hundred of
them come from rural areas and 450 of the married women are
skill labourers. The number of skilled , rural and married
labourers is 300. of the 400 unmarried and skilled women
labourers , 250 are from urban areas. The number of married ,
semi skill women labouers from urban areas is 200. One hundred
married rural women are semi skilled labourers.
Tabulate the above information. 4
b). The mean score of a class in an examination is 70. If the
mean score of boys is 60 and that of girls is 75, obtain the
percentage of girls in the class. 4
c). In a city 20% people read newspaper A , 25% people read B
and 10% read both A and B . What is the percentage of people
who read at least one of the two newspapers ? 2
d). In order to study the effect of inoculation on TB , It was
found that the number of inoculated and unaffected from TB is
28. and not inoculated and affected from TB is 13. If inoculation
was performed over 40 persons out of 60 persons, complete the
table and obtain the missing numbers.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Wish You All a very happy Diwali

May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity for you ALL. Best wishes on Diwali n All the Best for exams to all those who are appearing for Mains this year.