UPSC Question-Paper

                          UPSC Civil Service Prelims Solved Question Paper

General Studies: 

1. Priority Sector Lending by banks in India constitutes the lending to
(a) agriculture
(b) micro and small enterprises
(c) weaker sections
(d) All of the above

2. Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?
(a) Engineering
(b) Paper and pulp
(c) Textiles
(d) Thermal power

3. To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?
(a) Promoting skill development
(b) Introducing more social security schemes
(c) Reducing infant mortality rate
(d) Privatization of higher education

4. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?
(a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck 
(b) Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters 
(c) Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story 
(d) A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism. 

5. Annie Besant was
1. Responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement 
2. The founder of the Theosophical Society 
3. Once the President of the Indian National Congress Select the correct statement / statements using the codes given below

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3 

6. The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the 
(a) imposition of certain restrictions to carry arms by the Indians 
(b) imposition of restrictions on newspapers and magazines published in Indian languages
(c) removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans 
(d) removal of a duty on imported cotton cloth.

7. A rise in general level of prices may be caused by
1. an increase in the money supply
2. a decrease in the aggregate level of output
3. an increase in the effective demand

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

8. Which one of the following groups of items is included in India’s foreign – exchange reserves? 
(a) Foreign-currency assets, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and loans from foreign countries
(b) Foreign – currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and SDRs 
(c) Foreign – currency assets, loans from the World Bank and SDRs 
(d) Foreign – currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and loans from the World Bank

9. Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effect? 
(a) Repayment of public debt 
(b) Borrowing from the public to finance a budget deficit 
(c) Borrowing from banks to finance a budget deficit
(d) Creating new money to finance a budget deficit

10. Supply of money remaining the same when there is an increase in demand for money, there will be 
(a) a fall in the level of prices
(b) an increase in the rate of interest 
(c) a decrease in the rate of interest 
(d) an increase in the level of income and employment 

11. Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because 
(a) Exposure to sunlight is prevented 
(b) Concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment is increased
(c) Rate of respiration is decreased 
(d) There is an increase in humidity

12. Consider the following fauna of India:
1. Gharial
2. Leatherback turtle
3. Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered? 
(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 3 only 
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None

13. Ball bearings are used in bicycles, cars, etc., because 
(a) the actual area of contact between the wheel and axle is increased 
(b) the effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is increased
(c) the effective area of contact between the wheel and axle is reduced 
(d) None of the above statements is correct

14. Consider the following phenomena:
1. Size of the sun at dusk
2. Colour of the sun at dawn
3. Moon being visible at dawn
4. Twinkle of stars in the sky
5. Polestar being visible in the sky

Which of the above are optical illusions? 
(a) 1, 2 and 3 
(b) 3, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 2 and 4 
(d) 2, 3 and 5

15. Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this?
1. Dispersion
2. Refraction
3. Internal reflection

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

16. Many transplanted seedling do not grow because 
(a) the new soil does not contain favourable minerals 
(b) most of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard
(c) most of the root hair are lost during transplantation 
(d) leaves get damaged during transplantation

17. Economic growth in country X will necessarily have to occur if 
(a) there is technical progress in the world economy 
(b) there is population growth in X
(c) there is capital formation in X 
(d) the volume of trade grows in the world economy

18. Which of the following statements is/are correct
1. Viruses lack enzymes necessary for the generation of energy
2. Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic medium
3. Viruses are transmitted from one organism to another by biological vectors only.

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

19. Which of the following leaf modification occurs/occur in desert areas to inhibit water loss?
1. Hard and waxy leaves
2. Tiny leaves or no leaves
3. Thorns instead of leaves

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

20. The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz., gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) Gravity is the strongest of the four 
(b) Electromagnetism acts only on particles with an eclectic charge 
(c) Weak nuclear force causes radioactivity 
(d) Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nucleus of an atom

21. The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance /importances of discovering this particle?
1. It will enable us to understand as to why elementary particles have mass.
2. It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of transferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them.
3. It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission.

Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

22. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to
1. Resist drought and increase absorptive area
2. Tolerate extremes of pH
3. Resist disease infestation

Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

23. Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States

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

24. The national income of a country for a given period is equal to the
(a) Total value of goods and services produced by the nationals.
(b) Sum of total consumption and investment expenditure.
(c) Sum of personal income of all individuals.
(d) Money value of final goods and services produced.

25. Which of the following grants/grant direct credit assistance to rural households?
1. Regional Rural Banks
2. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
3. Land Development Banks.

Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

26. Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts
1. consists of not more than 25 Members of the Lok Sabha.
2. scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of the Government.
3. examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

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

27. Consider the following Bhakti Saints:
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2

28. With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of organism is/are known as decomposer organism/organisms?
1. Virus
2. Fungi
3. Bacteria

Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

29. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where
(a) warm and cold atmospheric currents meet
(b) rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea
(c) warm and cold oceanic currents meet
(d) continental shelf is undulating

30. Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/ characteristics of equatorial forests?
1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy.
2. Coexistence of a large number of species.
3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes.

Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

31. Which of the following constitute Capital Account
1. Foreign Loans
2. Foreign Direct Investment
3. Private Remittances
4. Portfolio Investment

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

32. Consider the following historical places:
1. Ajanta Caves
2. Lepakshi Temple
3. Sanchi Stupa

Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None

33. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:
1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. 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

34. In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament.
2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
3. Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.

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

35. The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?
1. Thermal difference between land and water.
2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans.
3. Presence of strong winds in the interior.
4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

36. Which of the following is/are the characteristic/ characteristics of Indian coal?
1. High ash content
2. Low sulphur content
3. Low ash fusion temperature

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

37. Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?
1. They are generally red in colour.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.

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

38. Consider the following statements:
1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds
2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma
3. Charwars are famous for petroleum

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None

39. Consider the following crops:
1. Cotton
2. Groundnut
3. Rice
4. wheat

Which of these are Kharif crops?
(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 2, and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4

40. “Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders”. The above statement best describes which of the following regions?
(a) African Savannah
(b) Central Asian Steppe
(c) North American Prairie
(d) Siberian Tundra

41. Consider the following statements:
1. Inflation benefits the debtors.
2. Inflation benefits the bond-holders.

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

42. Disguised unemployment generally means
(a) large number of people remain unemployed
(b) alternative employment is not available
(c) marginal productivity of labour is zero
(d) productivity of workers is low

43. Consider the following statements:
1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.

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

44. Consider the following statements:
1. National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission.
2. The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India.
3. The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.

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

45. Consider the following statements:
1. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
2. While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.

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

46. With reference to National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements:
1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity.
2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programmes and schemes throughout the country.

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

47. During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the
1. meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky.
2. lightning that separates the nimbus clouds.
3. violent upward movement of air and water particles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above produces the thunder

48. Consider the following pairs:
Tribe State
1. Limboo (Limbu): Sikkim
2. Karbi: Himachal Pradesh
3. Dongaria Kondh: Odisha
4. Bonda: Tamil Nadu

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

49. Consider the following liquid assets:
1. Demand deposits with the banks
2. Time deposits with the banks
3. Savings deposits with the banks
4. Currency

The correct sequence of these assets in the decreasing order of liquidity is
(a) 1-4-3-2
(b) 4-3-2-1
(c) 2-3-1-4
(d) 4-1-3-2

50. In the context of Indian economy, ‘Open Market Operations’ refers to
(a) borrowing by scheduled banks from the RBI
(b) lending by commercial banks to industry and trade
(c) purchase and sale of government securities by the RBI
(d) None of the above