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Topic: How to cover full history optional syllabus through questions and answers?

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History Questions in GS1 2024 CS (Main) Exam

Q1. Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. (Answer in 150 words) (10 marks)

Q2. Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India. (Answer in 150 words) (10 marks)

Q3. What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results. (Answer in 150 words) (10 marks)

Q11. "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 (Answer in 250 words) (15 marks)

Q12. How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power? (Answer in 250 words) (15 marks)

Q13. How far was the Industrial Revolution in England responsible for the decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India? (Answer in 250 words) (15 marks)

First Observations on History Questions in GS1 2024:

1. Total Six questions as usual, with 75 marks weightage (3 AMAC, 2 Modern, 1 World, 0 Post- Independence)

2. AMAC questions this year are from main topic and also very direct. Modern India Questions are also quite mainstream. Students would not struggle here in both AMAC and Modern India. Even the prelims level preparation along with some decent answer writing practice is more than enough.

3. All the six questions have been earlier asked in History Optional, including the World History question that was asked in the 2015 Paper II History Optional.

4. In AMAC even though the questions are easy, there are two unusual things. So far UPSC has stuck to the Mains syllabus of asking questions specifically from culture and religion. Now they have asked economy of Vedic era. It could be justified by saying that it is based on the study of Vedic literature that is a part of Culture. But there is a scope for disagreement whether this topic is from Culture and religion. Thankfully it is from such a mainstream prelims preparation that students won't face any problem here.

Secondly, they have asked two questions from South, both Pallava and Chola in the same year. Both are pretty standard questions but it is also unusual that Both Pallava and Cholas to be asked in the same year.

5. In Modern, the question on deindustrialization is a very debatable topic among historians. And upsc has asked it for 15 marks and also of 'how far' type. Here we have a huge scope of going into the debate. But GS students are advised to keep the historians names out. Focus on arguments.

6. Balance of Power and World War 1 is a very core topic. It is also a debate among historians. There is also a huge scope of debate here, becuse it is again a 15 marker with 'How Far' type question.

7. Does it mean that UPSC now wants you to go into some more depth of analysis than reading history only factually? Both Q12 and Q13 are openly historiographical. Earlier such analytical questions were asked in AMAC but now they are opening debates in Modern and World too.

Questions asked by UPSC in General Studies on Colonial Economy so far.

There are total 10 questions in 41 years, of which 5 questions are asked in last 10 years. Since 2022, there is one question every year. Clearly, the aspects of Colonial economy is a major topic in the history of Modern India in General studies now.

All the questions on events leading upto Quit India Movement.

If you see closely, the same issues - Second World War, Resignation of Congress ministries, August Offer, Attitude of different parties towards WW2, Cripps Mission rationale and failure - all leading upto the QIM. These questions are asked everytime in the past. The same question was asked in 2024 too (with the addition of Results part)

However, interestingly, the topic was given go-by in last 20 years in Main paper. The topic of QIM was asked after 22 years.

Still it was an easy topic since we study it regularly for Prelims everytime anyway.

UPSC asked following three questions in GS1 today. I think these three are more into the domain of GS2 (Social Justice and Governance). Anyway, because both the papers are on the same day, UPSC must have thought ki bachcha padhke to dono papers ke liye aya hoga, kya fark padta hai...😂🤣

Q8. 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? (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]

Q10. In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector would be most productive? (Answer in 150 words) [10 marks]

Q18. 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. (Answer in 250 words) [15 marks]

Nikhil

Students, here is the schedule for Week 13 of History Optional Foundation 2025

We'll be starting with Early Medieval History as well in this week.

Watch lectures here - https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryOptio...

Note: Full History Optional program is available for FREE with classes uploaded daily at 9 am on Youtube channel given above.

https://scroll.in/article/1072450/for-children-how-junagadh-and-other-princely-states-were-convinced-to-join-india-after-independence

An interesting excerpt. Full of drama unfolding during the independence.

🚨Attention History Optional aspirants!

Attend FREE History Optional workshop by Nikhil sir and Vishal sir

26th Sept | 5 pm

Register here: https://bit.ly/History_LevelUp

This FREE workshop is a part of HOT 500 program in which we will cover full History Optional syllabus through 500 questions.

Topic of Workshop: How to cover History Optional syllabus through questions and answers? Detailed Strategy

Online | Offline (at LevelUp IAS center)

Question: Should I take help of ChatGPT for Answer Writing in History?

Answer: ChatGPT can provide good answers to that extent. My belief is, after seeing ChatGPT, Gemini and other half a dozen such tools (including paid versions), that they don't know much about India. India-specific content is not as much presnet online in English. So, I would not use them for Ancient Medieval and Modern. They tend to hallucinate and create new facts and give random/wrong arguments in such areas.

For World History, there is relatively better scope of using them. But that is only relative. It needs to be verified, question by question, ki wo jo kah raha hai kitna sahi hai kitna kharab/galat/jhhoonth. Students cannot do that, a well-read teacher can.

Moreover in many questions there are hidden questions behind, which are not easily visible on surface. Waha bhi such tools fail. Here again you need wide reading to get into the essence and judge the automated response.

So, if you want to use these tools, use them for gathering Factual data of mainstream issues in World History. It will save your time. But that data will be of average quality. But don't use them for writing answer. That would be a disaster.

At least so far, they can't replace books, reading and teacher. But they can definitely make our life little easier.

- Nikhil