Previous year questions 2011
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APPSC Mains · 773 questions

APPSC Mains 2011: previous year questions

Every question as the commission asked it, paper by paper. Where a question matches a syllabus topic, it links there, with notes for the topic.

History and Indian Constitution

  1. Compare Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. Why did Buddhism become popular and decline subsequently?Write your answer →
  2. What are the important features of major schools of art that flourished during the post-Mauryan period?Write your answer →
  3. Describe major contributions of the Great Mughals to Indian Architecture.Write your answer →
  4. What is the cultural contribution of the Vijayanagar Empire?Write your answer →
  5. “The period between 1885-1905 is the period of moderates in the Indian freedom struggle.” In light of the above statement, describe the contribution of early nationalists (moderates) in organizing the national movement.Syllabus: Rise of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856- Land Revenue…Write your answer →
  6. Describe the nature and significance of the revolt of 1857. Explain whether it can be termed as “First War of Independence.”Write your answer →
  7. Comment on the effectiveness of the methods employed by Mahatma Gandhi to mobilize the masses.Write your answer →
  8. “We must hold fast to constitutional methods for achieving our social and economic objectives.” Briefly explain the significance of this statement by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar with reference to his achievements. Also, explain its relevance in the present to protect democracy.Write your answer →
  9. Comment on the contribution of peasant movements in the freedom struggle.Syllabus: Indian Nationalism in three phasesWrite your answer →
  10. Analyze the role of communalism in the partition of the country.Write your answer →
  11. Briefly describe the political fortunes and cultural contribution of Ikshvakus.Write your answer →
  12. Describe the contribution of Eastern Chalukyas to literature, art, and architecture.Syllabus: The Pallavas, the Badami Chalukyas, the Eastern Chalukyas, the…Write your answer →
  13. Comment on the contribution of Qutubshahis to the Telugu language and literature.Syllabus: AncientWrite your answer →
  14. Write about poet Molla, her work, and style.Write your answer →
  15. Comment on the contribution of literary works of Gurram Jashuva in social reform.Write your answer →
  16. Illustrate the salient features of literary works of Dr. Boyi Bhimanna.Write your answer →
  17. Describe the contribution of Andhra Mahasabha in socio-cultural development.Syllabus: AncientWrite your answer →
  18. Describe the Vandemataram movement and its impact on the freedom struggle in Andhra Pradesh.Syllabus: Rise of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856- Land Revenue…Write your answer →
  19. Trace the reasons for the success and subsequent failure of Telangana people’s armed struggle.Write your answer →
  20. Who were the Razakars, and what was their role in resisting the integration of Hyderabad State into the Indian Union?Syllabus: Indian Constitution and its salient featuresWrite your answer →
  21. “The Indian constitution is federal in form but unitary in spirit.” Discuss.Write your answer →
  22. Analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of the Directive Principles of State Policy and suggest ways to improve it.Syllabus: Constitution of IndiaWrite your answer →
  23. What is the concept of cooperative federalism? Does it exist in Indian polity?Write your answer →
  24. Comment briefly on the financial relations between the Union and the States in India. What are the irritants generally encountered?Syllabus: Issues and challenges pertaining to the Federal structureWrite your answer →
  25. What is meant by "judicial activism"? What is its impact on Indian polity?Write your answer →
  26. What is the relative position of the Rajya Sabha as compared to the Lok Sabha in our political system?Write your answer →
  27. Describe the procedure for amending the constitution. What is the criticism against it?Write your answer →
  28. What, according to the Supreme Court, constitutes “the basic structure" of our constitution? Name a couple of important judgments of the Supreme Court on this issue.Write your answer →
  29. Describe the various special provisions in the constitution relating to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes, and Anglo-Indians.Write your answer →
  30. Explain the concept of minorities with reference to the Indian constitution and the safeguards available for the protection of their rights.Write your answer →

Indian Economy and AP Economy

  1. Discuss the difficulties faced in measuring the developmental level of the economy and justify whether the current method of measurement in India overcomes these difficulties.Syllabus: Major Challenges of Indian EconomyWrite your answer →
  2. Discuss briefly the major changes involved in the recent revision in the base year and method of national income accounting.Write your answer →
  3. The Eleventh Five Year Plan identified weaknesses on the employment front during the period of reforms. Describe them.Write your answer →
  4. Discuss briefly the guiding principles in setting up the NITI Aayog.Write your answer →
  5. Explain the possible limitations in the strategy for poverty alleviation adopted by the Government of India.Syllabus: Inclusive GrowthWrite your answer →
  6. Discuss the possible consequences of rural unemployment on society and suggest two effective remedial measures.Write your answer →
  7. Discuss briefly the recommendations of the expert committee constituted "To revise and strengthen the monetary policy framework."Write your answer →
  8. Explain the need for the emergence of Regional Rural Banks, discuss the problems faced by them, and the corresponding revisions made.Write your answer →
  9. Describe the highlights of the Fiscal Reforms and Budget Management Act, 2003.Syllabus: Government BudgetingWrite your answer →
  10. Discuss the concept of revenue deficit and effective revenue deficit. Justify the reasons for introducing an effective revenue deficit. Give the details of the expected revenue deficit & the effective revenue deficit by the fiscal year 2016-17, as per the Union Budget 2013-14.Write your answer →
  11. Analyze the possible reasons for placing ceilings on agricultural holdings. Give two possible disadvantages to the economy due to such ceilings.Write your answer →
  12. Explain the need to enact the Andhra Pradesh Land Licensed Cultivators Act, 2011, and discuss the problems faced in meeting the objective of enacting the Act.Write your answer →
  13. Describe the strategies being adopted by Andhra Pradesh to achieve the mission on the agriculture extension program.Syllabus: Inclusive GrowthWrite your answer →
  14. Detail the key four pillars, the project components, beneficiaries, and key result indicators of the Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth Project.Syllabus: Inclusive GrowthWrite your answer →
  15. Discuss the trends in literacy rates in Andhra Pradesh.Write your answer →
  16. Employment opportunities through Jawahar Knowledge Centres – Explain how the Andhra Pradesh Government expects to meet its objective through this program.Syllabus: Andhra PradeshWrite your answer →
  17. Explain the distinct aspects of the Annual Budget for 2016-17 of Andhra Pradesh. Discuss the reasons for revenue deficit and fiscal deficit in residual AP.Syllabus: Government budgeting in Andhra PradeshWrite your answer →
  18. The proportion of revenue receipts and total budgetary receipts as a percentage of GSDP increased during the period 2002-2007 and declined during 2008-14. Explain the factors that contributed to such a trend.Write your answer →
  19. Discuss the performance of the agriculture sector during the 11th plan period and reasons for such performance.Write your answer →
  20. List all the flagship programs of the Central Government implemented by the State during the 11th plan period and state the objective of the programs in one sentence.Syllabus: Government budgeting in Andhra PradeshWrite your answer →
  21. Discuss the salient features of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Investment Promotion Policy - 2015-20.Syllabus: Industrial Policy of the AP GovernmentWrite your answer →
  22. Explain the need for the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Bill, 2014, and describe its salient features.Syllabus: Andhra PradeshWrite your answer →
  23. Discuss the recent initiatives taken to help farmers increase productivity levels in agriculture.Write your answer →
  24. Fair Price Shop Automation and portability within a District – discuss the possible advantages of these changes in the public distribution system.Syllabus: Inclusive GrowthWrite your answer →
  25. Describe the salient features of the Polavaram irrigation project and explain its benefits.Write your answer →
  26. Explain the salient features and benefits of the PPP model of health services provided under the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva programme.Write your answer →
  27. Discuss the highlights of the farmers’ debt redemption scheme implemented in Andhra Pradesh and its benefits.Syllabus: Government budgeting in Andhra PradeshWrite your answer →
  28. “An Indian peasant is born in debt, lives in debt, and dies in debt.” In this context, explain the problems faced by the rural population in getting loans from institutional and non-institutional sources in Andhra Pradesh and how they get into a debt trap and poverty.Syllabus: Social GeographyWrite your answer →
  29. Explain the e-Pragati initiative of Andhra Pradesh and its benefits.Write your answer →
  30. “Smart Village - Smart Ward towards Smart Andhra Pradesh” – Explain.Write your answer →

Science and Technology

  1. Briefly state the salient features of the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), 2012 and its benefits.Syllabus: Constitution of IndiaWrite your answer →
  2. Write a brief note on:Write your answer →
  3. (i) Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA)Write your answer →
  4. (ii) Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)Write your answer →
  5. Mention the main objectives of the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy, 2013 of India.Syllabus: Integration of Science, Technology and Innovation for better human lifeWrite your answer →
  6. Write a short note on:Write your answer →
  7. (i) Post Harvest Technology (PHT)Write your answer →
  8. (ii) Oilseeds Production Programme (OPP)Write your answer →
  9. (e) Describe the MOM (Mars Orbiter Mission – Mangalyaan) programme of India. What are its distinguishing features?Write your answer →
  10. (f) Write a short note on:Write your answer →
  11. (i) Broadband digital communicationWrite your answer →
  12. (ii) Fixed-Satellite Services (FSS)Write your answer →
  13. Explain the applications of Remote Sensing technology in agriculture.Write your answer →
  14. (i) Mobile Satellite Services (MSS)Write your answer →
  15. (ii) Environmental monitoringWrite your answer →
  16. What is cloud computing? Explain briefly about the AP Cloud Initiative.Write your answer →
  17. Describe the Fiber Grid Project of Andhra Pradesh.Write your answer →
  18. What is ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)? Discuss the critical issues in the execution of ERP projects.Syllabus: Resource mobilization in Andhra PradeshWrite your answer →
  19. Write a note on Local Area Network (LAN).Write your answer →
  20. Write a short note on Shale Gas Revolution.Write your answer →
  21. Narrate the Nuclear Power growth in India and add a note on Nuclear Fuel reserves in the country.Write your answer →
  22. Discuss the scope of renewable energy in the scenario of the energy crisis.Write your answer →
  23. Give a detailed list of barriers to renewable energy.Write your answer →
  24. Distinguish between a Hazard and a Disaster. Narrate various types of natural disasters that coastal seashore areas are prone to.Syllabus: Development Vs. Nature / EnvironmentWrite your answer →
  25. Explain the details of the Tsunami Warning System of India.Write your answer →
  26. Discuss the common challenges in any disaster management plan.Write your answer →
  27. Write the main points of the agreement reached at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) held in Paris in December 2015. What was India’s stand at the conference?Syllabus: Environmental pollution and Solid waste managementWrite your answer →
  28. What are Vitamins? Give a detailed classification of vitamins mentioning their functions and sources of availability.Write your answer →
  29. What is yeast fermentation? Explain the industrial use of yeast in making different products.Write your answer →
  30. What is a phytohormone? Mention different groups of phytohormones with examples. Discuss the present scenario on the commercial use of hormones in artificial fruit ripening.Write your answer →
  31. What is Lactic acid fermentation? Explain how different products can be made by the fermentation of milk.Write your answer →
  32. What are essential oils? Enumerate their important uses.Write your answer →
  33. Give an account of:Write your answer →
  34. (i) Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic plantsWrite your answer →
  35. What are Lichens? Write their economic importance.Write your answer →
  36. Explain how insects are useful to human beings.Write your answer →
  37. What is plant tissue culture? Write applications of tissue culture in agriculture.Syllabus: Human diseases-microbial infectionsWrite your answer →
  38. What is ‘Golden Rice’? Describe its advantages.Write your answer →
  39. What are Biofertilizers? Explain different types of biofertilizers. Write the advantages of biofertilizers.Write your answer →
  40. What is DNA Finger Printing? Explain how it is done. Write its forensic applications.Write your answer →
  41. Explain different patterns of disease outbreaks with examples. Differentiate between epidemic and endemic diseases.Write your answer →
  42. What is the cause of Chikungunya? What are its preventive measures and treatment? Give a comparative note on symptomology of Chikungunya and Dengue.Syllabus: Human diseases-microbial infectionsWrite your answer →
  43. Write a brief note on aetiology, mode of spread, symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures of malarial parasites.Write your answer →
  44. Explain the preventive measures to be taken to avoid common infections.Syllabus: Human diseases-microbial infectionsWrite your answer →
  45. What is immunisation? Briefly write the history of the development of vaccines.Write your answer →
  46. (i) Edible vaccinesWrite your answer →
  47. (ii) ELISA testWrite your answer →
  48. (iii) Autoimmune diseasesWrite your answer →
  49. Give a detailed note on ‘Triple Vaccination’.Write your answer →
  50. Biotechnological intervention has transformed the vaccination technology – Discuss.Write your answer →
  51. Narrate the functions of the State Pollution Control Board.Write your answer →
  52. Describe the procedure for obtaining Environmental Clearance under Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.Syllabus: Development Vs. Nature / EnvironmentWrite your answer →
  53. What is Environmentalism? Briefly state the problems our planet faces and suggest solutions.Write your answer →
  54. List out the projects/activities for which public consultation is not required for the issue of prior Environmental Clearance.Syllabus: Infrastructure in IndiaWrite your answer →
  55. Classify dams based on structure and design.Write your answer →
  56. Write a note on Andhra Pradesh Sand Mining Policy, 2016.Syllabus: Economic GeographyWrite your answer →
  57. Discuss the basis and justification required for the suitability of a crop and cropping pattern.Write your answer →
  58. What is meant by mineral resources? How are they formed? Write about different types of mineral resources.Syllabus: Physical Features and ResourcesWrite your answer →
  59. What is an ecosystem? Explain the food chain system in ecosystems.Write your answer →
  60. Narrate the impact of urbanisation on biodiversity.Write your answer →
  61. Describe the major threats to biodiversity. Explain different types of biodiversity.Write your answer →
  62. Explain the following:Write your answer →
  63. (i) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR)Write your answer →
  64. (ii) Wildlife sanctuaries.Write your answer →
  65. Narrate various types and characteristics of solid waste.Syllabus: Environmental pollution and Solid waste managementWrite your answer →
  66. (ii) IncinerationWrite your answer →
  67. What is Soil Pollution and how is it caused?Write your answer →
  68. Describe noise pollution and explain the various control and preventive measures to be taken to control noise pollution.Syllabus: Environmental pollution and Solid waste managementWrite your answer →
  69. What is El Nino? What are its causes? Discuss the impact of El Nino on global agriculture.Write your answer →
  70. Describe the impact of ozone layer depletion on different living organisms.Syllabus: Environmental pollution and Solid waste managementWrite your answer →
  71. Describe the impact of human beings on water resources.Syllabus: Andhra PradeshWrite your answer →
  72. Give a brief note on:Write your answer →
  73. (i) Sustainable agricultureWrite your answer →