Transcribed from the Official UPSC Papers

IFoS Mains 2016 — General English & GK Question Paper

The complete 2016 compulsory papers of the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, readable online. Long reading passages are summarised with a pointer to the official PDF; every question is verbatim. New to these papers? Start with the English & GK strategy hub and the verified paper structure.

Taught in the IFoS Combined Module

₹12,009₹15,009 · 1 Year validity

This paper is discussed question by question inside the module, alongside every other English and GK paper from 2013 to 2025.

Complete English module — essay, precis, letter, report writing
GK module with syllabus-based coverage + Science & Tech handouts
PYQ discussion and mapping (2013–2025)

35 videos · 46 files · online, self-paced

Enrol in the IFoS Combined Module See what’s inside

Want just one paper? IFoS English Module ₹7,510 · IFoS GK Module ₹7,510

General English 2016 (Paper I)

Maximum marks: 300 · Time allowed: three hours · Official PDF

Q1 — Essay (100 marks)

Write an essay in about 800 words on any one of the following topics :

(a)The factors that have influenced industrialisation in India
100 marks800 words
(b)Forests as they used to be
100 marks800 words
(c)Educating the masses—a challenge and an opportunity
100 marks800 words
(d)Is coalition politics the sign of a mature democracy?
100 marks800 words

Q2 — Letter and Report Writing (25 + 25 = 50 marks)

(a)Write a letter to the Editor of 'The Times of India' expressing your concern about the impact of the use of plastic bags on the environment.
25 marks
(b)You have recently visited a night shelter in your town. Write a report describing the miserable plight of the poor and the homeless who live there, also making a few suggestions about how this night shelter could be improved.
25 marks

Q3 — Précis (50 marks)

Write a précis of the passage given below in one-third of its length. Do not suggest a title. The précis should be written in your own words. State the number of words at the end of the answer :

[Passage of ~464 words (word count stated in the paper) on harnessing the power of the sun — uses of solar energy for melting metals, home heating and cooking with solar stoves/cookers, steam power plants, telephone communication, space travel, farming and irrigation pumps, and the practical problems of making the solar supply continuous — see official PDF]
50 marks

Q4 — Reading Comprehension (10×5=50 marks)

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

[Passage of ~370 words on how the last hundred years offered marvellous but missed opportunities for building good towns — speed of building used as an excuse for low standards, corrupted values, squandering sordid suburbs, and the present generation's responsibility to rebuild slums and dreary streets into towns of beauty and order — see official PDF]
(a)Why does the writer feel that the last hundred years have given good opportunities for building good towns?
10 marks
(b)What is the difference between 'areas of slums' and 'areas of sad and dreary though sanitary streets'?
10 marks
(c)What does the writer see as being a threat to the building of good towns now?
10 marks
(d)Why does the writer feel that the opportunities of building finer towns have not yet entirely gone?
10 marks
(e)What, in the opinion of the writer, should a good town offer?
10 marks

Q5 — Grammar and Usage (50 marks)

(a)Rewrite the following sentences after correcting the grammatical errors in each : (1×10=10) (i) The Indian coral reefs are world famous but less explored, studied and utilised. (ii) Like Himalayas, the Western Ghats play an important role in controlling and directing the monsoon. (iii) I am sitting here for hours. (iv) Because of the storm, I would have been home before eight. (v) He both stole my camera and cell phone. (vi) Among long rows of beans and peas, the gardener planted radishes and cabbages. (vii) He prefers listening to music than reading books. (viii) The higher the hill, wider the view. (ix) Before they are ripe, you should not eat mangoes. (x) You were ill yesterday?
10 marks
(b)Make sentences using the following words in such a way that the meaning of each word is clear in the context : (2×5=10) (i) Same; Similar (ii) Good; Goods (iii) Cease; Seize (iv) There; Theirs (v) Paint (v); Pant (v)
10 marks
(c)Use the following idiomatic expressions in sentences in order to bring out their meaning : (2×5=10) (i) To play to the gallery (ii) A feather in one's cap (iii) The writing on the wall (iv) To get on someone's nerves (v) To take the bull by the horns
10 marks
(d)Rewrite the following sentences as directed : (2×5=10) (i) Are you listening to the story? (Change to passive voice) (ii) The captain said to the boys, "Let us play a match." (Change to indirect speech) (iii) I _____ (not smoke) since I _____ (leave) school. (Use the correct form of the verbs) (iv) He tried every plan. (Change to negative) (v) He is very sensible. He will understand it. (Combine the two sentences using 'too')
10 marks
(e)Make adjectives from the following words : (5) (i) Sun (ii) Violence (iii) Ability (iv) Fame (v) Poverty
5 marks
(f)Make nouns from the following words : (5) (i) Quick (ii) Learn (iii) Amass (iv) Grand (v) Hot
5 marks

General Knowledge 2016 (Paper II)

Maximum marks: 300 · Time allowed: three hours · Official PDF

Q1 — History

Answer all the following questions in not more than the word limits indicated in the brackets at the end of the questions :

(a)What is the importance of the Mauryan Empire in Indian History ?
15 marks150 words
(b)Discuss the various aspects of social legislation introduced by the East India Company in the first half of the 19th century.
15 marks150 words
(c)Assess the growth and development of Technical Education during the British rule.
10 marks100 words
(d)Write short notes within 20 words each :
10 marks
(d)(i)Nil Darpan
2 marks20 words
(d)(ii)Kanaklata Barua
2 marks20 words
(d)(iii)Sabarmati Ashram
2 marks20 words
(d)(iv)Sharda Sadan
2 marks20 words
(d)(v)Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
2 marks20 words

Q2 — Economy / Society

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)What are the extent and causes of the occurrence of non-performing assets in the Indian financial sector ?
10 marks100 words
(b)Give an outline of the concept of and the government initiatives for gender-budgeting in India.
10 marks100 words
(c)What are the envisaged benefits of Goods and Services Tax ?
10 marks100 words
(d)Briefly sketch the effectiveness of school education in rural India.
10 marks100 words
(e)Assess the performance of social forestry programmes.
10 marks100 words

Q3 — Polity

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)Why is the Preamble to the Indian Constitution considered as a unique feature ? What are its main objectives ?
10 marks100 words
(b)What are the special provisions for the State of Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Constitution ?
10 marks100 words
(c)How did the Right to Information Act, 2005 originate ? How does it strengthen the democracy in India ?
10 marks100 words
(d)What does the term 'Judicial Democracy' signify ?
10 marks100 words
(e)What are the special features of the new system of Panchayats and Municipalities ?
10 marks100 words

Q4 — Geography

Answer all the following questions within the word limits indicated in the brackets at the end of the questions :

(a)What is zoogeography ? Describe the zoogeographic realms of the world.
15 marks150 words
(b)Describe the characteristics of Monsoon forests.
15 marks150 words
(c)Define ecumene and discuss the development of the present status of the world ecumene.
10 marks100 words
(d)Account for the environmental problems of lagoon ecosystem for tourism development.
10 marks100 words

Q5 — Science & Technology (Biology)

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)Describe 'gene therapy' and its significance.
10 marks100 words
(b)What is 'green revolution' and what is its impact ?
10 marks100 words
(c)Describe 'global warming' and its significance.
10 marks100 words
(d)What is 'biofortification' and how is it done ?
10 marks100 words
(e)Describe vitamin deficiency diseases, their causes and natural sources.
10 marks100 words
(f)Describe 'genetic engineering'.
10 marks100 words

Q6 — Science & Technology (Physics)

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)What is heliocentric orbit ?
10 marks100 words
(b)Describe the major features of satellite communication.
10 marks100 words
(c)Enumerate the advantages of friction.
10 marks100 words
(d)Differentiate between White spaces and Wi-Fi.
10 marks100 words

Turn the 2016 paper into practice

The Sherlocking IFoS Combined Module discusses every English & GK PYQ from 2013 to 2025, with model answers for the 2019–2023 GK papers and one evaluated GK mock FLT.

Get the IFoS Combined Module All IFoS previous year papers

IFoS Mains 2017 →

Source: Transcribed from the official UPSC question paper PDFs (General English · General Knowledge ). Spellings and punctuation are preserved as printed. Last updated: July 2026.

Transcribed from the Official UPSC Papers

IFoS Mains 2016 — General English & GK Question Paper

Taught in the IFoS Combined Module

₹12,009₹15,009 · 1 Year validity

This paper is discussed question by question inside the module, alongside every other English and GK paper from 2013 to 2025.

Complete English module — essay, precis, letter, report writing
GK module with syllabus-based coverage + Science & Tech handouts
PYQ discussion and mapping (2013–2025)

35 videos · 46 files · online, self-paced

Enrol in the IFoS Combined Module See what’s inside

Want just one paper? IFoS English Module ₹7,510 · IFoS GK Module ₹7,510

General English 2016 (Paper I)

Maximum marks: 300 · Time allowed: three hours · Official PDF

Q1 — Essay (100 marks)

Write an essay in about 800 words on any one of the following topics :

(a)The factors that have influenced industrialisation in India
100 marks800 words
(b)Forests as they used to be
100 marks800 words
(c)Educating the masses—a challenge and an opportunity
100 marks800 words
(d)Is coalition politics the sign of a mature democracy?
100 marks800 words

Q2 — Letter and Report Writing (25 + 25 = 50 marks)

(a)Write a letter to the Editor of 'The Times of India' expressing your concern about the impact of the use of plastic bags on the environment.
25 marks
(b)You have recently visited a night shelter in your town. Write a report describing the miserable plight of the poor and the homeless who live there, also making a few suggestions about how this night shelter could be improved.
25 marks

Q3 — Précis (50 marks)

Write a précis of the passage given below in one-third of its length. Do not suggest a title. The précis should be written in your own words. State the number of words at the end of the answer :

[Passage of ~464 words (word count stated in the paper) on harnessing the power of the sun — uses of solar energy for melting metals, home heating and cooking with solar stoves/cookers, steam power plants, telephone communication, space travel, farming and irrigation pumps, and the practical problems of making the solar supply continuous — see official PDF]
50 marks

Q4 — Reading Comprehension (10×5=50 marks)

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

[Passage of ~370 words on how the last hundred years offered marvellous but missed opportunities for building good towns — speed of building used as an excuse for low standards, corrupted values, squandering sordid suburbs, and the present generation's responsibility to rebuild slums and dreary streets into towns of beauty and order — see official PDF]
(a)Why does the writer feel that the last hundred years have given good opportunities for building good towns?
10 marks
(b)What is the difference between 'areas of slums' and 'areas of sad and dreary though sanitary streets'?
10 marks
(c)What does the writer see as being a threat to the building of good towns now?
10 marks
(d)Why does the writer feel that the opportunities of building finer towns have not yet entirely gone?
10 marks
(e)What, in the opinion of the writer, should a good town offer?
10 marks

Q5 — Grammar and Usage (50 marks)

(a)Rewrite the following sentences after correcting the grammatical errors in each : (1×10=10) (i) The Indian coral reefs are world famous but less explored, studied and utilised. (ii) Like Himalayas, the Western Ghats play an important role in controlling and directing the monsoon. (iii) I am sitting here for hours. (iv) Because of the storm, I would have been home before eight. (v) He both stole my camera and cell phone. (vi) Among long rows of beans and peas, the gardener planted radishes and cabbages. (vii) He prefers listening to music than reading books. (viii) The higher the hill, wider the view. (ix) Before they are ripe, you should not eat mangoes. (x) You were ill yesterday?
10 marks
(b)Make sentences using the following words in such a way that the meaning of each word is clear in the context : (2×5=10) (i) Same; Similar (ii) Good; Goods (iii) Cease; Seize (iv) There; Theirs (v) Paint (v); Pant (v)
10 marks
(c)Use the following idiomatic expressions in sentences in order to bring out their meaning : (2×5=10) (i) To play to the gallery (ii) A feather in one's cap (iii) The writing on the wall (iv) To get on someone's nerves (v) To take the bull by the horns
10 marks
(d)Rewrite the following sentences as directed : (2×5=10) (i) Are you listening to the story? (Change to passive voice) (ii) The captain said to the boys, "Let us play a match." (Change to indirect speech) (iii) I _____ (not smoke) since I _____ (leave) school. (Use the correct form of the verbs) (iv) He tried every plan. (Change to negative) (v) He is very sensible. He will understand it. (Combine the two sentences using 'too')
10 marks
(e)Make adjectives from the following words : (5) (i) Sun (ii) Violence (iii) Ability (iv) Fame (v) Poverty
5 marks
(f)Make nouns from the following words : (5) (i) Quick (ii) Learn (iii) Amass (iv) Grand (v) Hot
5 marks

General Knowledge 2016 (Paper II)

Maximum marks: 300 · Time allowed: three hours · Official PDF

Q1 — History

Answer all the following questions in not more than the word limits indicated in the brackets at the end of the questions :

(a)What is the importance of the Mauryan Empire in Indian History ?
15 marks150 words
(b)Discuss the various aspects of social legislation introduced by the East India Company in the first half of the 19th century.
15 marks150 words
(c)Assess the growth and development of Technical Education during the British rule.
10 marks100 words
(d)Write short notes within 20 words each :
10 marks
(d)(i)Nil Darpan
2 marks20 words
(d)(ii)Kanaklata Barua
2 marks20 words
(d)(iii)Sabarmati Ashram
2 marks20 words
(d)(iv)Sharda Sadan
2 marks20 words
(d)(v)Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
2 marks20 words

Q2 — Economy / Society

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)What are the extent and causes of the occurrence of non-performing assets in the Indian financial sector ?
10 marks100 words
(b)Give an outline of the concept of and the government initiatives for gender-budgeting in India.
10 marks100 words
(c)What are the envisaged benefits of Goods and Services Tax ?
10 marks100 words
(d)Briefly sketch the effectiveness of school education in rural India.
10 marks100 words
(e)Assess the performance of social forestry programmes.
10 marks100 words

Q3 — Polity

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)Why is the Preamble to the Indian Constitution considered as a unique feature ? What are its main objectives ?
10 marks100 words
(b)What are the special provisions for the State of Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Constitution ?
10 marks100 words
(c)How did the Right to Information Act, 2005 originate ? How does it strengthen the democracy in India ?
10 marks100 words
(d)What does the term 'Judicial Democracy' signify ?
10 marks100 words
(e)What are the special features of the new system of Panchayats and Municipalities ?
10 marks100 words

Q4 — Geography

Answer all the following questions within the word limits indicated in the brackets at the end of the questions :

(a)What is zoogeography ? Describe the zoogeographic realms of the world.
15 marks150 words
(b)Describe the characteristics of Monsoon forests.
15 marks150 words
(c)Define ecumene and discuss the development of the present status of the world ecumene.
10 marks100 words
(d)Account for the environmental problems of lagoon ecosystem for tourism development.
10 marks100 words

Q5 — Science & Technology (Biology)

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)Describe 'gene therapy' and its significance.
10 marks100 words
(b)What is 'green revolution' and what is its impact ?
10 marks100 words
(c)Describe 'global warming' and its significance.
10 marks100 words
(d)What is 'biofortification' and how is it done ?
10 marks100 words
(e)Describe vitamin deficiency diseases, their causes and natural sources.
10 marks100 words
(f)Describe 'genetic engineering'.
10 marks100 words

Q6 — Science & Technology (Physics)

Answer all the following questions in not more than 100 words each :

(a)What is heliocentric orbit ?
10 marks100 words
(b)Describe the major features of satellite communication.
10 marks100 words
(c)Enumerate the advantages of friction.
10 marks100 words
(d)Differentiate between White spaces and Wi-Fi.
10 marks100 words

Turn the 2016 paper into practice

The Sherlocking IFoS Combined Module discusses every English & GK PYQ from 2013 to 2025, with model answers for the 2019–2023 GK papers and one evaluated GK mock FLT.

Get the IFoS Combined Module All IFoS previous year papers

IFoS Mains 2017 →

Source: Transcribed from the official UPSC question paper PDFs (General English · General Knowledge ). Spellings and punctuation are preserved as printed. Last updated: July 2026.