IFoS Mains 2023 — General English & GK Question Paper

Q1 — Essay (100 marks)

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

• (a)Biodiversity and Human Existence
  100 marks
• (b)Data Privacy in the Digital Age
  100 marks
• (c)Today's Demographic Dividend is Tomorrow's Crisis of Elderly Population
  100 marks
• (d)Life Skills Education should be an Essential Part of School Curriculum
  100 marks

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

• (a)Write a letter to the Member of the Parliament of your constituency requesting him/her to set up a Sports Centre with coaching facilities for different sports in your area. (Do not write your name or address or any other information revealing your identity. Use only ABC/XYZ for your name and that of the MP and the constituency.)
  25 marks
• (b)Write a report on the Health Awareness Camp organized by the Primary Health Care Centre of your locality. (Do not write your name or address or any other information revealing your identity. Use only ABC/XYZ for your name and the name of your locality.)
  25 marks

Q3 — Précis Writing (50 marks)

Write a précis of the following passage in about 152 words, one-third of the original length. Do not give it any title :

• 3.[Passage of ~456 words on art styles as products of a social milieu — how designs become fashions and established styles through social acceptance, and artistic genius as a function of social opportunity and cultural climate, citing the anthropologist Kroeber's study of the flowering and decline of cultural creativity — see official PDF]
  50 marks152 words

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

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below in your own words : [Passage of ~600 words on the declining share of agriculture in India's economy, non-farm rural occupations, mass media spreading urban consumption patterns, decline of common property resources, rural-to-urban migration, urban anonymity for oppressed groups, and rapid urbanization concentrated in million-plus cities while rural areas remain politically decisive — see official PDF] Questions :

• (a)Why is agriculture not the only viable economic activity of the rural population anymore?
  10 marks
• (b)How is the pattern of consumption changing among the rural population?
  10 marks
• (c)What are common property resources? Why are these important?
  10 marks
• (d)How does urban anonymity affect migration from rural areas to the cities?
  10 marks
• (e)What contradictions are pointed out in the last part of the passage?
  10 marks

Q5 — Grammar and Usage (50 marks)

• (a)Rewrite the following sentences after making necessary corrections : (1×10=10) (i) I couldn't help not laughing at the joke. (ii) This novel is too interesting. (iii) I replied to him in negative. (iv) I have many works to do. (v) He takes pain over his work. (vi) His hat was blown off by the strong air. (vii) Each of the two sisters were hardworking. (viii) Choose the least of the two evils. (ix) It is nothing else than pride. (x) They only work when they have no money.
  10 marks
• (b)Write the adjective form of the following words : (1×5=5) (i) Circumstance (ii) Precaution (iii) Competence (iv) Prosperity (v) Second
  5 marks
• (c)Write the noun form of the following words : (1×5=5) (i) Know (ii) Rely (iii) Fail (iv) Inscribe (v) Sure
  5 marks
• (d)Make one sentence with each of the following words so that the meaning of each word is clear : (2×5=10) (i) adverse, averse (ii) amiable, amicable (iii) artist, artisan (iv) credible, creditable (v) decease, disease
  10 marks
• (e)Make one sentence with each of the following idiomatic expressions bringing out their meaning clearly : (2×5=10) (i) to cry over spilt milk (ii) to read between the lines (iii) black sheep (iv) bird's eye view (v) a far cry
  10 marks
• (f)Rewrite the following as directed : (2×5=10) (i) He said, "I did not go to school yesterday". ( Change into Indirect Speech ) (ii) Very few Indian cities are as big as Delhi. ( Rewrite using the Superlative Degree of Comparison ) (iii) He is taller than his brother. ( Change into a Negative sentence without changing the meaning ) (iv) He is very intelligent. He can understand the problem. ( Combine the sentences using 'enough' ) (v) One may accomplish many things by a little effort. ( Change into Passive Voice )
  10 marks

Q1 — History (50 marks)

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. Time Allowed : Three Hours. Maximum Marks : 300. Question Paper Specific Instructions — Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions : 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)Discuss the concept of Dhamma as practised by Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)Explain the political and cultural significance of the reign of Harshavardhana (606 – 647 A.D.). (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)Analyse how Bal Gangadhar Tilak introduced the method of 'Passive Resistance' in the freedom struggle of India. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)What were the circumstances which led to the emergence of socialist ideology which became the new and potent force in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Colonial India ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q2 — Economy (50 marks)

• (a)How does investment in people contribute to economic growth ? Explain why investment in human development is crucial for India. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)Identify the causes of price volatility in agricultural markets. Suggest ways to tackle price and income fluctuations in agriculture. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)Why is India called the global agricultural powerhouse ? What are the key priorities in supporting agricultural growth ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)Describe the economic, social and environmental gains of an increasingly digitalised society. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q3 — Polity (50 marks)

• (a)Indian Constitution can be viewed as oriented towards four intertwined goals : 'Rights, Justice, Development and Governance'. Elucidate. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)"India has a multiplicity of major institutions which provide a series of checks and balances, ensuring that the infirmities of one institution can be compensated for by the actions of another." Explain. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)Explain how local government institutions have led to the considerable deepening of India's constitutional democracy. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)"As one of the world's most powerful courts, the Supreme Court of India has evolved in its role as guardian of the Rights provisions, as enshrined in the Constitution." Explain. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q4 — Geography & Environment (50 marks)

• (a)Differentiate between Cyclone and Anti-cyclone. How are tropical cyclones being affected globally by climate change ? (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)"Development of National Industrial Corridors has the potential to infuse equitable and sustainable urbanisation by creating economic nodes across the country." Discuss. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)"Promoting tourism without assessment of the carrying capacity of hill stations of India is a disaster." Justify. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)Explain the potential of lithium reserves in India and discuss the social and environmental problems associated with mining. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q5 — General Science (50 marks)

• (a)What are millet crops ? Describe the major millets of India and their health benefits. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)What is DNA fingerprinting ? Write its applications in forensics. (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)What are communicable diseases ? Discuss the control efforts made by the Government of India in this regard. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)Discuss the clean and green energy sources in India. In what way are they helping us to reduce carbon emissions and carbon footprint ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words

Q6 — Science & Technology (50 marks)

• (a)What is a hologram ? How are holograms made ? In which ways is holography superior to photography ? (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (b)The Union Government launched the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in 2023. (i) What are the total cost and tenure of this mission ? (ii) Discuss the deliverables of this mission. (iii) How will this mission help 'Digital India' ? (200 words)
  15 marks200 words
• (c)What are the concerns over the fifth generation of mobile communication (5G) that enables significantly faster data transfer ? Do you think 5G will increase cyber security risk ? Justify your answer. (125 words)
  10 marks125 words
• (d)What is nuclear energy ? What possibilities can be explored to produce toxic waste-free nuclear energy ? (125 words)
  10 marks125 words