UPSC Civil Services Main 2023 Philosophy Paper I Question Paper PDF

Central Government Jobs Administrative / Civil Services 2023

  • Year 2023
  • Conducted By UPSC
  • Questions 8
  • Maximum Marks 250
  • Duration Three Hours
  • Languages Hindi & English

Exam Details

Detail Information
Examination Civil Services Main Examination
Year 2023
Conducting Body UPSC
Paper Philosophy (Paper I)
Subject Philosophy
Duration Three Hours
Maximum Marks 250
Number of Questions 8
Question Type Descriptive / Subjective

This is the Philosophy Paper I question paper for the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination held in 2023. The paper is divided into two sections, with a total of eight descriptive questions. Candidates were required to answer five questions in total, including compulsory questions 1 and 5, and choose at least one from each section. The paper tests in-depth knowledge of philosophical concepts, thinkers like Kant, Hegel, Spinoza, and Kierkegaard, and their theories on epistemology, history, freedom, and determinism. The total marks for the paper were 250, with a time limit of three hours. This paper is crucial for aspirants preparing for the Philosophy optional subject in the UPSC Mains.

Major Topics Covered

  • Epistemology
  • Rationalism
  • Empiricism
  • Kant's Philosophy
  • Hegel's Philosophy
  • Spinoza's Philosophy
  • Kierkegaard's Philosophy
  • Determinism
  • Freedom
  • History of Philosophy
  • Dialectics

Why This Paper is Important

  • Useful for CIVIL SERVICES (MAIN) EXAMINATION preparation
  • Helps understand the latest exam pattern
  • Useful for practice and self-assessment
  • Covers frequently asked General Studies topics
  • Helpful for analysing question trends

Related Resources

  • Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023 Philosophy Paper II
  • Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022 Philosophy Paper I
  • Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023 General Studies Paper I
  • Civil Services Main 2023 Philosophy Paper I Answer Key
  • UPSC Civil Services Main Philosophy Syllabus
  • Philosophy Optional Subject Guide
  • UPSC Civil Services Main Exam Pattern
  • Civil Services Main Examination Structure

Instructions

  • पुस्तिका के मुखपृष्ठ पर निर्दिष्ट स्थान पर किया जाना चाहिए ।
  • प्राधिकृत माध्यम के अतिरिक्त अन्य किसी माध्यम में लिखे गए उत्तर पर कोई अंक नहीं मिलेंगे ।
  • प्रश्नों की शब्द-सीमा, जहाँ उल्लिखित है, को माना जाना चाहिए ।
  • प्रश्नों के उत्तरों की गणना क्रमानुसार की जाएगी।
  • आंशिक रूप से दिए गए प्रश्नों के उत्तर को भी मान्यता दी जाएगी यदि उसे काटा न गया हो।
  • प्रश्न-सह-उत्तर पुस्तिका में खाली छोड़े गए कोई पृष्ठ अथवा पृष्ठ के भाग को पूर्णतः काट दीजिए ।

  • There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.
  • Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
  • Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.
  • The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
  • Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided.
  • No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
  • Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
  • Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order.
  • Unless struck off, attempt of a 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.

Questions (page 2)

Section A

Q1. निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में संक्षिप्त उत्तर दीजिये:
Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each :

(a) “संप्रत्ययों के बिना इन्द्रिय-बोध दृष्टिहीन हैं तथा इन्द्रिय-बोध से रहित सम्प्रत्यय रिक्त हैं।” उपरोक्त कथन के आलोक में विवेचना कीजिए कि किस प्रकार कान्ट बुद्धिवाद तथा अनुभववाद का समन्वय करते हैं।

"Precepts without concepts are blind and concepts without precepts are empty." In the light of this statement discuss how Kant reconciles rationalism with empiricism.

(b) “इतिहास द्वंद्वात्मक बदलाव की प्रक्रिया है ।” इस कथन के आलोक में इतिहास को समझने के लिए हेगल के दृष्टिकोण की विवेचना कीजिए ।

"History is a process of dialectical change." In the light of this statement discuss Hegel's approach in understanding history.

(c) “उस वस्तु को स्वतन्त्र कहा जा सकता है जो केवल अपने स्वरूपवश अनिवार्यतः अस्तित्ववान हो, और जो स्वयमेव कृत्यप्रति नियतिबद्ध हो ।” इस कथन के आलोक में स्पिनोजा के नियतत्ववाद तथा स्वातन्त्र्य संबंधी विचारों की विवेचना कीजिए ।

"That thing is said to be free which exists solely from the necessity of its own nature, and is determined to action by itself alone." Discuss Spinoza's views on freedom and determinism in the light of the above statement.

(d) व्यक्ति को आत्मा का मूलतत्त्व मानते हुए कीर्केगार्द किस प्रकार हेगल की सार्वभौम आत्मा की अवधारणा के विरुद्ध युक्ति प्रस्तुत करते हैं ? आलोचनात्मक विवेचना कीजिए ।

How does Kierkegaard argue against Hegel's idea of universal spirit in favour of the individual as the essence of spirit? Critically discuss.

(e) यह सिद्ध करने के लिए कि संश्लेषणात्मक प्रागनुभविक निर्णय संभव हैं कांट क्या युक्तियाँ प्रस्तुत करते हैं ? सोदाहरण विवेचना कीजिए ।

What are the main arguments offered by Kant to prove that apriori synthetic judgements are possible ? Discuss with examples.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the name of the exam for which this paper was conducted?

This question paper is from the Civil Services (Main) Examination.

What is the subject and paper code for this question paper?

The subject is Philosophy, and this is Paper I. The paper code is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

What is the conducting body for the Civil Services Main Examination?

The examination is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission).

In which year was this Philosophy Paper I conducted?

This paper was conducted in the year 2023.

What is the maximum marks for Philosophy Paper I?

The maximum marks for Philosophy Paper I is 250.

What is the time allowed to complete Philosophy Paper I?

The time allowed to complete Philosophy Paper I is three hours.

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