Q.1 Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives, successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Q.2 Krishnadeva Raya, the king of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Q.3 Explain how the uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Q.4 Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Q.5 Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Q.6 Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian unity? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Q.7 The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Q.8 To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain. (150 words, 10 Marks)

Q.9 “An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples. (150 words, 10 Marks)

Q.10 Why are the tribals in India referred to as ‘the Scheduled Tribes’? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment. (150 words, 10 Marks)

Q.11 With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.”

Q.12 What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on a regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. (250 words, 15 Marks)

Q.13 Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro – climatic changes. [200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Q.14 “The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.[200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Q.15 The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.[200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Q.16 The South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment. [200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Q.17 Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.[200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Q.18 Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and bilateral relation. [200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Q.19 Enumerate the problem and prospects of inland water transport in India. [200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

Q.20 In what way micro- watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought – prone and semi- arid regions of India?[200 Words, 12.5 Marks]