IFoS Mains 2020 — General English & GK Question Paper

Q1 — Essay (100 marks)

Write an essay, in say 800–1000 words, on any one of the following topics :

• (a)Depletion of Natural Resources : A Threat to Humanity
  100 marks1000 words
• (b)Impact of Agricultural Reforms on India's Economic Future
  100 marks1000 words
• (c)Virtual Teaching and the Crisis of Primary Education
  100 marks1000 words
• (d)New Education Policy and the Future of India's Youth
  100 marks1000 words

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

• (a)Write a letter to the Editor of an English daily, reporting the growing incidence of rowdyism in your locality. (Kindly do not write your name or address anywhere in your answer. Use ABC or XYZ for your name or that of the newspaper.)
  25 marks
• (b)Write a report on Covid awareness camp organized by your NGO for the benefit of citizens in general. (Please do not write your name or address anywhere in your answer. Use ABC or XYZ for your name or that of the NGO.)
  25 marks

Q3 — Précis (50 marks)

Write a précis of the following passage in about one-third of its original length. Do not assign any title to it :

• [Passage of ~581 words (word count printed on paper as '(581 words)') on the importance of quality seeds for agriculture, progress of India's seed sector and agricultural research (NARS), the role of biotechnology/gene pyramiding, and the objectives of the National Seeds Policy — see official PDF]
  50 marks

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

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below in your own words : [Passage of ~570 words on Western scholars' prejudices about modern India — the claim that Western borrowings mean loss of identity, the Gandhi–Nehru opposition and Nehruvian policies as extensions of Gandhian ideas, Macaulay's 'brown Englishmen' and the 'reversal process' of Westernization leading to Indianization, and the need for a synthesis of tradition and modernity — see official PDF] Questions :

• (a)What, according to the writer, are the main prejudices Western scholars nurture about India?
  10 marks
• (b)In what different ways did Nehru incorporate Gandhian ideas in his vision of India?
  10 marks
• (c)What is known as the 'reversal process'? Explain with the help of examples the writer has given.
  10 marks
• (d)Discuss the implications of the paradox between Western elite and Indianization, as outlined by the writer.
  10 marks
• (e)Why is it important for the developing countries to find the synthesis of tradition and modernity?
  10 marks

Q5 — Grammar and Usage (50 marks)

• (a)Rewrite the following sentences after correcting the grammatical errors in each : (1×10=10) (i) What is the time in your watch? (ii) I am understanding the lesson. (iii) The man standing in a corner was trembling from cold. (iv) It is a much interesting film. (v) Although it was past mid-night, yet the shops were still open. (vi) The coolie refused to carry her heavy luggages to the station. (vii) More simple the business, the better off you are. (viii) The librarian asked which book did I want? (ix) I saw your friend before two weeks. (x) He hanged the picture on the wall.
  10 marks
• (b)Make sentences using the following words in such a way that the meaning of each word is clear from the context : (2×5=10) (i) Profit, Prophet (ii) Addition, Edition (iii) Insight, Incite (iv) Censor, Sensor (v) Heel, Heal
  10 marks
• (c)Use the following idiomatic expressions in sentences in order to bring out their meaning : (2×5=10) (i) Fish out of water (ii) To kick the bucket (iii) A blessing in disguise (iv) To smell a rat (v) To miss the bus
  10 marks
• (d)Make adjectives from the following words : (1×5=5) (i) Fool (ii) Venture (iii) Sense (iv) Industry (v) Virtue
  5 marks
• (e)Make nouns using the following words : (1×5=5) (i) Recommend (ii) Decay (iii) Imply (iv) Fly (v) Disclose
  5 marks
• (f)Rewrite the following sentences as directed : (2×5=10) (i) He will be late. It is certain. (Combine the sentences using 'that') (ii) He was doubtful if he could walk so far. (Change it into a 'negative sentence') (iii) The speaker said, "We tried to control the prices last year." (Change it into 'indirect speech') (iv) He remarked on the boy's impudence. (Change it into a 'complex sentence') (v) The people will make him the President. (Change into a 'passive sentence')
  10 marks

Q1 — History

All the questions are to be attempted. The number of marks carried by a question / part is indicated against it. Attempt of a part / question shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a part / question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off. Answers must be written in ENGLISH only.

• (a)Enumerate the multiple aspects of the Mauryan Period that make it a time of great historical interest. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)Describe the administrative and cultural features of the Chola Empire. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)To what extent can Aurangzeb be held responsible for the decline of the Mughal Empire ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)Analyse the Popular Revolt of 1857 as India's First War of Independence. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q2 — Economy & Environment

• (a)Examine the view that economic growth of India remains subdued and uncertain due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Explain the need for supportive monetary policy and strong public investment for a swift economic revival. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)Elucidate the implications of climate change for fresh water resources in India. Does demand side management through appropriate behavioural nudges increase end-use efficiency of water ? Discuss. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)'Financial inclusion is emerging as the new paradigm of economic growth.' In the light of the given statement, discuss the importance of digital technology in furthering the cause of financial inclusion. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)What are the different types of non-timber forest products ? Describe the importance of non-timber forest products in ensuring livelihood and food security. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q3 — Polity

• (a)Can Directive Principles be best understood as providing the framework of values that structure and constrain the interpretation and construction of Fundamental Rights as enshrined in the Constitution of India ? Explain. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)'The Indian federal model emerged out of, and has been sustained by, an understanding that only a strong union can keep the country together and is necessary in the conditions in which our Constitution is operating.' Comment. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)What are the grounds for disqualification of Members of Parliament, State Legislative Assembly or State Legislative Council under the Constitution (Fifty-second) Amendment Act ? On what basis is the anti-defection provision critiqued ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)Presidents and Governors enjoy discretionary powers in some situations. What are these situations ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q4 — Geography

• (a)Explain the shrinkage of the Greenland Ice-sheet due to the impact of global warming and atmospheric circulation patterns. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)Explain the causes and impact of the bushfires in Australia which occurred in 2019 – 2020. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)"Cultivation and the way of life are intimately linked with the concept of cultural and natural landscapes." Elaborate with examples. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)Briefly explain the physiological, agricultural and population densities of India. How are they different from each other ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q5 — Environment & Biology

• (a)Describe Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ's) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFA's). What is the statutory backing for them ? What were the controversies encircling ESZ's/EFA's ? In what ways do community reserves differ from ESZ's/EFA's ? (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)Explain organellar genome. Can this be connected to endosymbiotic theory ? Why are organellar genomes proposed as candidates for transgene containment, a concern in GM crops ? (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)What are the different uses of nanotechnology in agriculture ? Name some prominent nanoparticles used for specific purposes in agriculture and mention their advantages. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)Describe three model organisms, out of which one is a plant. What are the advantages of using model organisms in research ? What are the specialities of their genomes ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q6 — Science & Technology

• (a)What is GPS ? How does it work ? What are the minimum number of satellites required for a GPS and why ? (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)What does MRI stand for ? What is the physics behind this technique ? What are the advantages of MRI over other radio-diagnostic techniques such as X-ray and CT scan ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (c)What do you understand by Hydrogen Energy ? Why is it called as 'green' energy ? Explain fuel cell technology for using hydrogen as a fuel. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (d)Recently the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) was in the news. Write briefly about it. Why are Higgs bosons so important for science ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words