Transcribed from the Official UPSC Papers

IFoS Mains 2017 — General English & GK Question Paper

The complete 2017 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.

General English 2017 (Paper I)

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

Q1 — Essay (100 marks)

Write an essay of not more than 800 to 1000 words on any one of the following topics :

(a)Alternative sources of energy — The future of the world
1000 words
(b)Globalization and the environment
1000 words
(c)Education or Economics — The more valuable asset ?
1000 words
(d)India @ 70 : Technology for social justice
1000 words

Q2 — Letter and Report Writing (50 marks)

(a)Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper on the role of the youth in shaping the nation's future.
25 marks
(b)Write a report on your visit to an NGO which is working against drug abuse, describing the efforts to battle the problem.
25 marks

Q3 — Précis (50 marks)

Write a précis of the passage given below in about one-third of the length. Please do not give any title to it. (Note : The précis should be written in your own words.)

[Passage of ~412 words on the speaker's three visions for India — freedom (never having invaded or conquered others, the 1857 war of Independence), development (top 5 in GDP, falling poverty, need for self-confidence as a developed nation) and India standing up to the world as a military and economic power, with a call to recognize India's achievements and shed the obsession with foreign goods — see official PDF]
50 marks

Q4 — Comprehension (10x5=50 marks)

Read the passage and answer the questions given below : [Passage of ~300 words on the art of academic writing — a formal skill requiring precision, research and practice; the questions a writer must ask before writing; and the Introduction–Body–Conclusion structure of an argumentative essay — see official PDF]

(a)How does the passage define academic writing ?
10 marks
(b)How does reading become an important part of academic writing ?
10 marks
(c)What, according to the passage, are the key issues to be kept in mind before starting writing ?
10 marks
(d)What does the introduction do in the essay ?
10 marks
(e)What is the role of the conclusion in an argumentative essay ?
10 marks

Q5 — Grammar and Usage (50 marks)

(a)Rewrite the following sentences after correcting the grammatical errors in each : (1x10=10) (i) I can't bear with stress of modern life. (ii) Yesterday I reach home very late. (iii) I studied in history because I like it. (iv) Because of the rain, I would have been stuck in the traffic jam. (v) Newton is one of the esteem scientist in the world. (vi) She gone out for a walk barely an hour ago. (vii) The boxes of chocolates is very expensive. (viii) If you have reached the station on time you not miss the train. (ix) The number of people going for a English movie is drastically in increase. (x) We should always work to keep pollution over control.
10 marks
(b)Make sentences using the following words in such a way that the meaning of each word is clear from the context : (2x5=10) (i) Capital; Capitol (ii) Wait; Weight (iii) Sail; Sale (iv) Dairy; Diary (v) Dessert; Desert
10 marks
(c)Use the following idiomatic expressions in sentences in order to bring out their meaning : (2x5=10) (i) A hot potato (ii) The ball is in your court (iii) Best of both worlds (iv) Curiosity killed the cat (v) Don't put all your eggs in one basket
10 marks
(d)Make adjectives from the following words : (1x5=5) (i) Death (ii) Need (iii) Capability (iv) Obscurity (v) Renown
5 marks
(e)Make nouns from the following words : (1x5=5) (i) Beautiful (ii) Collect (iii) Gather (iv) Swift (v) Accumulate
5 marks
(f)Rewrite the following sentences as directed : (2x5=10) (i) I have made this painting. (Change to passive voice) (ii) Is he the musician for the evening ? (Change to passive voice) (iii) I told him, "Don't be late or you'll miss the flight." (Change to indirect speech) (iv) He is a portrait painter. He is very popular among people. (Combine the two sentences using 'and') (v) He was searching for the bat. It was under the bed so he couldn't find it. (Combine the two sentences using 'therefore')
10 marks

General Knowledge 2017 (Paper II)

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

Q1 — History (50 marks)

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

(a)Trace the growth of Bhakti movement in South India. (100 words)
10 marks100 words
(b)How did the 'mansabdari' system develop as the 'steel frame' of the Mughal empire ? (100 words)
10 marks100 words
(c)Describe how in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century people of 'depressed classes' became more assertive under leaders like Jyotiba Phule and Periyar. (200 words)
15 marks200 words
(d)How can one explain Gandhi's 'rise to power' ? (200 words)
15 marks200 words

Q2 — Economy (50 marks)

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

(a)Examine the view that the idea of replacing Planning Commission by National Institution for Transforming India (or 'NITI Aayog') has given a completely new dimension to the process of development planning in the country.
10 marks100 words
(b)What are the challenges related to provision of Universal Health Care in India ?
10 marks100 words
(c)Examine the policy of 'demonetisation' that the Government of India adopted in November 2016.
10 marks100 words
(d)Write a note on recent policies regarding Balance of Payments (BOP) management in India.
10 marks100 words
(e)Briefly discuss the major elements of World Trade Organization's (WTO's) 10th Ministerial Conference, 2015, held in Nairobi with particular reference to India.
10 marks100 words

Q3 — Polity (50 marks)

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

(a)What are the significant features of Directive Principles of State Policy ?
10 marks100 words
(b)What is rule of law ? Explain.
10 marks100 words
(c)Do you think National Commission for Scheduled Castes succeeded in protecting Scheduled Caste communities ? Give reasons for your answer.
10 marks100 words
(d)Do you perceive development discourse in contemporary India ensures economic democracy ? Elaborate.
10 marks100 words
(e)Why is that Media is characterised as the Fourth Pillar of Indian Democracy ?
10 marks100 words

Q4 — Geography (50 marks)

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

(a)Write the mechanism of landslides. What are the causes of the occurrence of landslides ? (150 words) [Marks printed as 5+10=15]
15 marks150 words
(b)Distinguish between soil erosion and land degradation. How can you control soil erosion ? (150 words) [Marks printed as 5+10=15]
15 marks150 words
(c)"Most of the important hot deserts of the world are located in the tropical region" — Justify this fact. (150 words)
10 marks150 words
(d)What are 'geomorphological resources' ? How are geomorphological resources linked with geomorphological hazards ? (150 words) [Marks printed as 5+5=10]
10 marks150 words

Q5 — Agriculture & Environment (60 marks)

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

(a)What are the advantages of organic farming ?
10 marks100 words
(b)Describe the uses of 'Neem Coated Urea'.
10 marks100 words
(c)What are biogradable plastics ?
10 marks100 words
(d)Explain dryland farming.
10 marks100 words
(e)What are biogeographic zones of India ?
10 marks100 words
(f)What is 'Mridaparikshak' developed by ICAR ?
10 marks100 words

Q6 — Science & Technology (40 marks)

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

(a)What are the significant uses of drones ?
10 marks100 words
(b)What is meant by digital signature ?
10 marks100 words
(c)What are gravitational waves ?
10 marks100 words
(d)Explain the meaning of 'Robotarium'.
10 marks100 words

Turn the 2017 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 2016 IFoS Mains 2018 →

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 2017 — General English & GK Question Paper

General English 2017 (Paper I)

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

Q1 — Essay (100 marks)

Write an essay of not more than 800 to 1000 words on any one of the following topics :

(a)Alternative sources of energy — The future of the world
1000 words
(b)Globalization and the environment
1000 words
(c)Education or Economics — The more valuable asset ?
1000 words
(d)India @ 70 : Technology for social justice
1000 words

Q2 — Letter and Report Writing (50 marks)

(a)Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper on the role of the youth in shaping the nation's future.
25 marks
(b)Write a report on your visit to an NGO which is working against drug abuse, describing the efforts to battle the problem.
25 marks

Q3 — Précis (50 marks)

Write a précis of the passage given below in about one-third of the length. Please do not give any title to it. (Note : The précis should be written in your own words.)

[Passage of ~412 words on the speaker's three visions for India — freedom (never having invaded or conquered others, the 1857 war of Independence), development (top 5 in GDP, falling poverty, need for self-confidence as a developed nation) and India standing up to the world as a military and economic power, with a call to recognize India's achievements and shed the obsession with foreign goods — see official PDF]
50 marks

Q4 — Comprehension (10x5=50 marks)

(a)How does the passage define academic writing ?
10 marks
(b)How does reading become an important part of academic writing ?
10 marks
(c)What, according to the passage, are the key issues to be kept in mind before starting writing ?
10 marks
(d)What does the introduction do in the essay ?
10 marks
(e)What is the role of the conclusion in an argumentative essay ?
10 marks

Q5 — Grammar and Usage (50 marks)

(a)Rewrite the following sentences after correcting the grammatical errors in each : (1x10=10) (i) I can't bear with stress of modern life. (ii) Yesterday I reach home very late. (iii) I studied in history because I like it. (iv) Because of the rain, I would have been stuck in the traffic jam. (v) Newton is one of the esteem scientist in the world. (vi) She gone out for a walk barely an hour ago. (vii) The boxes of chocolates is very expensive. (viii) If you have reached the station on time you not miss the train. (ix) The number of people going for a English movie is drastically in increase. (x) We should always work to keep pollution over control.
10 marks
(b)Make sentences using the following words in such a way that the meaning of each word is clear from the context : (2x5=10) (i) Capital; Capitol (ii) Wait; Weight (iii) Sail; Sale (iv) Dairy; Diary (v) Dessert; Desert
10 marks
(c)Use the following idiomatic expressions in sentences in order to bring out their meaning : (2x5=10) (i) A hot potato (ii) The ball is in your court (iii) Best of both worlds (iv) Curiosity killed the cat (v) Don't put all your eggs in one basket
10 marks
(d)Make adjectives from the following words : (1x5=5) (i) Death (ii) Need (iii) Capability (iv) Obscurity (v) Renown
5 marks
(e)Make nouns from the following words : (1x5=5) (i) Beautiful (ii) Collect (iii) Gather (iv) Swift (v) Accumulate
5 marks
(f)Rewrite the following sentences as directed : (2x5=10) (i) I have made this painting. (Change to passive voice) (ii) Is he the musician for the evening ? (Change to passive voice) (iii) I told him, "Don't be late or you'll miss the flight." (Change to indirect speech) (iv) He is a portrait painter. He is very popular among people. (Combine the two sentences using 'and') (v) He was searching for the bat. It was under the bed so he couldn't find it. (Combine the two sentences using 'therefore')
10 marks

General Knowledge 2017 (Paper II)

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

Q1 — History (50 marks)

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

(a)Trace the growth of Bhakti movement in South India. (100 words)
10 marks100 words
(b)How did the 'mansabdari' system develop as the 'steel frame' of the Mughal empire ? (100 words)
10 marks100 words
(c)Describe how in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century people of 'depressed classes' became more assertive under leaders like Jyotiba Phule and Periyar. (200 words)
15 marks200 words
(d)How can one explain Gandhi's 'rise to power' ? (200 words)
15 marks200 words

Q2 — Economy (50 marks)

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

(a)Examine the view that the idea of replacing Planning Commission by National Institution for Transforming India (or 'NITI Aayog') has given a completely new dimension to the process of development planning in the country.
10 marks100 words
(b)What are the challenges related to provision of Universal Health Care in India ?
10 marks100 words
(c)Examine the policy of 'demonetisation' that the Government of India adopted in November 2016.
10 marks100 words
(d)Write a note on recent policies regarding Balance of Payments (BOP) management in India.
10 marks100 words
(e)Briefly discuss the major elements of World Trade Organization's (WTO's) 10th Ministerial Conference, 2015, held in Nairobi with particular reference to India.
10 marks100 words

Q3 — Polity (50 marks)

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

(a)What are the significant features of Directive Principles of State Policy ?
10 marks100 words
(b)What is rule of law ? Explain.
10 marks100 words
(c)Do you think National Commission for Scheduled Castes succeeded in protecting Scheduled Caste communities ? Give reasons for your answer.
10 marks100 words
(d)Do you perceive development discourse in contemporary India ensures economic democracy ? Elaborate.
10 marks100 words
(e)Why is that Media is characterised as the Fourth Pillar of Indian Democracy ?
10 marks100 words

Q4 — Geography (50 marks)

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

(a)Write the mechanism of landslides. What are the causes of the occurrence of landslides ? (150 words) [Marks printed as 5+10=15]
15 marks150 words
(b)Distinguish between soil erosion and land degradation. How can you control soil erosion ? (150 words) [Marks printed as 5+10=15]
15 marks150 words
(c)"Most of the important hot deserts of the world are located in the tropical region" — Justify this fact. (150 words)
10 marks150 words
(d)What are 'geomorphological resources' ? How are geomorphological resources linked with geomorphological hazards ? (150 words) [Marks printed as 5+5=10]
10 marks150 words

Q5 — Agriculture & Environment (60 marks)

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

(a)What are the advantages of organic farming ?
10 marks100 words
(b)Describe the uses of 'Neem Coated Urea'.
10 marks100 words
(c)What are biogradable plastics ?
10 marks100 words
(d)Explain dryland farming.
10 marks100 words
(e)What are biogeographic zones of India ?
10 marks100 words
(f)What is 'Mridaparikshak' developed by ICAR ?
10 marks100 words

Q6 — Science & Technology (40 marks)

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

(a)What are the significant uses of drones ?
10 marks100 words
(b)What is meant by digital signature ?
10 marks100 words
(c)What are gravitational waves ?
10 marks100 words
(d)Explain the meaning of 'Robotarium'.
10 marks100 words

Turn the 2017 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 2016 IFoS Mains 2018 →

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