Time Allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 300
Candidates should attempt Questions 1 and 5 which are compulsory and any three of the remaining questions selecting at ieast one question from each Section.
SECTION A
1. Mark any fifteen of the following places on the map supplied to you and write short descriptive notes on the places plotted by you on the map:       4 x 15 = 60
(i)      Achichhatra                             (xi) Mehrgarh
(ii)     Amaravati                               (xii) Paithan
(iii) Bhimbaitka                                 (xiii) Pataliputra
(iv) Champa                                      (xiv) Samath
(v)      Kalibangan                              (xv) Siddapura
(vi) Kanauj                                      (xvi) Somnath
(vii) Kapilvastu                                 (xvii) Tamralipti
(viii) Karle                                     (xviii) Taxila
(ix) Mahabalipuram                               (xix) Tripuri
(x)      Mathura                                 (xx) Udaigit
2. Describe the social life of the later Vedic people. How was it different from the Rig-Vedic life?                                                                  60
3. Explain the social aspects of Buddhism and account for its decline in India.      60
4. Give an account of the rise of the Chalukyas of Vatapi and their struggle with other rulers. Write a note on their patronage of arts.                           60
SECTION B
5. Write short essays in not more than 200 words each on any three of the following topics:                                                                20 x 3 = 60
(a) The ‘Corps of Forty’ and its relations with the Sultans.                    60
(b) The Token Currency System introduced by Muhammad Tughlaq.
(c) Was Din-i-Ilahi ‘a monument of Akbar’s folly’ ?
(d) The system of the collection of Chauth and Sardesh-mukhi by the Maratha rulers.
6. The Cholas are said to have established a strong and well organised administration with an element of self-government at the local level. Do you agree? Give reasons.                                                                         60
7. Discuss the growth of the Niguna School of Bhakti Movement emphasising the contribution of Kabir and Nanak to it.                                           60
8. In what ways were Aurangzeb’s Rajput and religious policies different from those of his predecessors? What were the consequences of the changes made by him?
60

PAPER – II
Time Allowed: Three Hours

Maximum Marks: 300
Candidates should attempt Questions 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 x 3 = 60
(a) ‘The Treaty of Salbai (1782) was neither honourable to the English nor
advantageous to their interests.’
(b) ‘The object of the Act (Regulating) was good, butsystem that it established was imperfect.’
(c) ‘Permanent Settlement disappointed manyexpectations and introduced there results that were not anticipated.’
(d) ‘We are therefore unable to advise the British Government that the power which at present resides in British hands should be handed over to two entirely separate sovereign States.’
2. Discuss the causes that led to the ‘economic drain’ in Bengal following the Battle of Plassey.                                                                      60
3. Examine the impact of British rule on Indian Society in the 19th Century.         60
4. Analyse Indian foreign policy of Non-alignment between 1947 and 1964.             60
SECTION B       (WORLD HISTORY)
5. Comment on any THREE of the following statements in about 200 words each:
20 x 3 = 60
(a) ‘Rousseau’s political philosophy contains the seedsof Socialism, Absolutism and Democracy.’
(b) ‘Napoleon was the child of the Revolution, but inmany ways he reversed the aims and principles of the movement from which he sprang’
(c) ‘To Bismarck the conclusion of the Treaty of May 20, 1882, was the
culmination of this system.’
(d) ‘The most important single factor ……. in the yearsfollowing 1919 was the French demand for security.
6. Review the background of the Chartist Movement. Despite its failure how had their demands been met in the succeeding years?                                  60
7. What were the weaknesses and difficulties of the Weimer Republic? How did Hitler succeed in establishing his dictatorship?                                 60
8. Analyse the factors for the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union during 1985-1991.                                                                60

Time Management

1. While preparing for a set of subjects in IAS syllabus, ensure that you would be appearing for a multiple choice question papers, where subjects such as History, maths and geography may prove to be highly scoring. Choose subjects whose preparation material like IAS Exam Material books, IAS Comprehension Test, reading material and guidance books are easily available in the market.

2. Your General Knowledge will definitely pay in your IAS prelims examination which can be improved through keeping a tab on day to day happenings by reading newspaper, watching television news, etc.

3. For all those who are lucky enough to clear IAS mains and reach interview stage, then bookish knowledge itself won’t do. Mind alertness counts when somebody asks tricky questions on “how many steps you walked to reach the office?”

4. Improving the personality is quite important as this will definitely be one of the criteria for selection. Physical and mental wellbeing is quite important for IPS.

5. Try to enhance your communication skills as the civil servants must be proficient in at least one foreign language.

Tips on IAS Preparation

1. Be very particular about the subject you choose for prelims, as you will be appearing for an objective type of paper. History, maths, geography may prove to be very scoring. Choose subjects which have availability of books, reading material and guidance. In recent years engineering subjects like civil and electrical can be chosen, giving BEs and IITians an edge (yes! even here they are giving the BAs and BScs a tough fight!)

2. G.K. will definitely pay in your prelims. Reading newspapers, watching TV news and of course quiz shows like KBC is a must.

3. If you have been lucky enough to reach the interview stage book knowledge may not be the only thing you need. Your mental alertness will count as they ask you questions like “How many steps did you walk up to reach here?” or “ What is the colour of the wall behind you ?” – So be prepared.

4. Enhance your personality because it will definitely be one of the criteria for selection. For IPS physical wellbeing is of great importance, you should be medically fit.

5. Improve your communication skills. IFS aspirants must be proficient in at least one foreign language. So go ahead, have your say in this political mess of our country and try to make it a better place.