Civil-Services-IAS-UPSC General-Studies |   411

Civil-Services-IAS-UPSC General-Studies

                      IPS Exam Previous Year Question Paper - General Studies

1. Microfinance is the provision of financial services to people of low-income groups. This includes both the consumers and the self-employed. The service/ services rendered under micro-finance is/are
1. Credit facilities
2.. Savings facilities
3. Insurance facilities
4. Fund Transfer facilities

Select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists :
(a) I only
(b)I and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1,3 and 4

2. Southeast Asia has captivated the attention of global community over space and time as a geostrategically significant region. Which among the following is the most convincing explanation for this global perspective ?
(a) It was the hot theatre during the Second World War
(b) Its location between the Asian powers of China and India
(c) It was the arena of superpower confrontation during the Cold War period
(d) Its location between the Pacific and Indian oceans and its pre-eminent maritime character

3. A company marketing food products advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers?
1. The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils.
2. The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils.
3. The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c)I and 3 only
(d) 1, 2and 3

4. Among the following who are eligible to benefit from the "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act" ?
(a) Adult members of only the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households
(b) Adult members of below poverty line (BPL) households
(c) Adult members of households of all backward communities
(d) Adult members of any household

5. With reference to "Look East Policy"of India, consider the following statements
1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in the East Asian affairs. 
2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of Cold War.
3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbours in Southeast and East Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) I only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) I, 2and.3

6. When the annual Union Budget is not passed by the Lok Sabha,
(a) the Budget is modified and presented again
(b) the Budget is referred to the RajyaSabha for suggestions
(c) the Union Finance Minister is asked to resign
(d) the Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers

7. Under the Constitution of India, which one of the following is not a fundamental duty ?
(a) To vote in public elections
(b) To develop the scientific temper
(c) To safeguard public property
(d) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals

8. With reference to the Finance Commision of India, which of the following statements is correct ?
(a) It encourages the inflow of foreign capital for infrastructure development
(b) It facilitates the proper distribution of finances among the Public Sector Undertakings
(c) It ensures transparency in financial administration
(d) None of the statements (a),(b) and (c) given above as correct in this context

9. Consider the following
1. Right to education.
2. Right to equal access to public service.
3. Right to food.

Which of the above is/are Human Right/Human Rights under -Universal Declaration of Human Rights"'?
(a)1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 

10. There is a concern over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the seawaters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon ?
1. Discharge of nutrients from the estuaries.
2. Run-off from the land during the monsoon.
3. 1pwelling in the seas.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below
(a) I only
(b) I and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

11. Consider the following :
1. Photosynthesis
2. Respiration
3. Decay of organic matter
4 Volcanic action
Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth ?
(a) I and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1,2, 3 and 4

12. Recently, the USA decided to support India's membership in multi-lateral export control regimes called the "Australia Group" and the "Wassenaar Arrangement". What is the difference between them ?
1. The Australia Group is an informalarrangement which aims to allow exporting countries to minimize the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapons proliferation, whereas the Wassenaar Arrangement is a formal group under the OECD holding identical objectives.
2. The Australia Group comprises predominantly of Asian, African and North American countries, whereas the member countries of Wassenaar Arrangement are predominantly from the European Union and American continents.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

13. The surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but the water at its bottom is still liquid. What is the reason ?
(a) Ice is a bad conductor of heat
(b)Since the surface of the lake is at the same temperature as the air, no heat is lost
(c) The density of water is maximum at 4°C
(d) None of the statements (a),(b) and
(c) given above is correct 

14. La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino ?
1. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct '?
(ii)I only
(b) 2 onxy
(c) Both I And
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

15. The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord C'ornwal.lis in 1 793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions'?
(a) Making Zamindar position stronger vis--a-via the ryot
(b) Making East India Company anoverlord of Zamindars
(c) Making judicial system more efficient
(d) None of the (a). (b) and (c) above

16. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942 ?
(a) It was a non-violent movement
(b) It was led by Mahatma Gandhi
(c) It was a spontaneous movement
(d) It did not attract the labour class in general

17. Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century ?
(a) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation of tribal products
(b) Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas
(c) Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas
(d) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities

18. With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct ?
1. Fertilizer/ nutrient loss can be reduced.
2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.
3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) I only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) I and 3 only
(d) 1, 2and 3

19. With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, "Home Charges" formed an important part of drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted "Home Charges" ?
1. Funds used to support the India Office in London.
2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India.
3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) I only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

20. What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda ?
1. The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought.
2. The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both l and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

21.Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways :
1. Soil formation
2. Prevention of soil erosion
3. Pollination of crops

22. Select the correct answer using theAspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the market. It consists of amino acids and provides calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a low-caloriesweetening agent in food items. What is the basis of this use ?
(a) Aspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike table sugar, it is not readily oxidized in human body due to lack of requisite enzymes
(b) When aspartame is used in food processing, the sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to oxidation
(c)Aspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion into the body, it is converted into metabolites that yield no calories
(d) Aspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar. hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation

23. What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893 ?
(a) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons
(b) To campaign for the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary
(c)To facilitate a discussion on Indias Independence in the British Parliament
(d)To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament 

24. MahatmaGandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled, "Unto this Last" and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed Mahatma Gandhi ?
(a) Uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man
(b) The good of individual is contained in the good of all
(c). The life of celibacy and spiritual pursuit are essential For a noble life
(d) All the statements (a),(b) and (c) are correct in this context

25. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Lsha Mehta is well-known for
(a) Running the secret (.ongress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
(b) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
(c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru 

26. A new optical disc format known as the Blu-.ray Disc ? BD) is becoming popular. In what way is it different from the traditional. DV'D '' 
1. DVD supports Standard Definitionvideo while BD supports High Definition video.
2. Compared to a UVD, the BD format has several timesmore storage capacity.
3. Thickness of BD is 2.4 mm while that of DVD is 1.2 mm.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a)I only
(b)I and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2and3

27. With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was /were recommended by the Nehru report 
I. Complete Independence for India.
2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a)1 only
(b) 2and3only
(c)I and 3 only
(d)1. 2and3

28. Among the following States, which one has the most suitable climatic conditions for the cultivation of a large variety of orchids with minimum cost of production, and can develop an export oriented industry in this field?
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Madhya Pradesh

29. Consider the following statements :In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee
1. is constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
2. prepares the draft development plans for metropolitan area.
3. has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c)l and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3 

30. The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge ? 
(a) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out
(b) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster
(c) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunami 
(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots 

31. The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by
(a) Universal Law
(b) Universal Truth
(c) Universal Faith
(d) Universal Soul

32. Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land ?
(a) It greatly increases the crop production
(b) It makes some soils impermeable
(c) It raises the water table
(d) It fills the air spaces in the soil with water 

33. The "Red Data Books" published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1tt'N ) contawn Lists of 
I. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots. 
2. Threatened plant and animal species.
3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) l and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only

34. Why is the offering of "teaser loans" by commercial banks a cause of economic concern ?
1. The teaser loans are considered to be an aspect of sub-prime lending and banks may he exposed to the risk of defaulters in future. 
2. In India, the teaser loans are mostly given to inexperienced entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing or export units.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both I and 2
(d) Neither ; nor 2

35. An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. Tht.s IS so because the attraction of Earth
(a) does not exist at such distance
(b)is neutralized by the attraction of the moon
(c) provides the necessary speed for its steady motion
(d) provides the necessary acceleration for its motion

codes given below,
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3and4only
(c)I and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3and 4

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