UPSC CSE · Prelims GS Paper I
2012 Previous Year Questions
100 questions available. Choose a question to open it and submit an answer.
- Question 1
Consider the following protected areas: Bandipur Bhitarkanika Manas Sunderbans Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?
Attempt question - Question 2
Under which of the following circumstances may 'capital gains' arise? When there is an increase in the sales of a product When there is a natural increase in the value of the property owned When you purchase a…
Attempt question - Question 3
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India? Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under Article 21…
Attempt question - Question 4
Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region?
Attempt question - Question 5
Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces Introduction of separate communal electorates for…
Attempt question - Question 6
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a bankers' bank. This would imply which of the following? Other banks retain their deposits with the RBI. The RBI lends funds to the commercial banks in times of need. The RBI…
Attempt question - Question 7
How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances? Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its…
Attempt question - Question 8
Consider the following crops of India: Cowpea Green gram Pigeon pea Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?
Attempt question - Question 9
Consider the following kinds of organisms: Bacteria Fungi Flowering plants Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?
Attempt question - Question 10
Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code Organizing village Panchayats Promoting…
Attempt question - Question 11
Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court? A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States A dispute regarding elections to either House of the Parliament…
Attempt question - Question 12
Which of the following is the chief characteristic of 'mixed farming'?
Attempt question - Question 13
The basic aim of Lead Bank Scheme is that
Attempt question - Question 14
What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?
Attempt question - Question 15
With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during…
Attempt question - Question 16
Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called 'rare earth metals'. Why? China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.…
Attempt question - Question 17
Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education? Directive Principles of State Policy Rural and Urban Local Bodies Fifth Schedule Sixth Schedule Seventh Schedule Select the…
Attempt question - Question 18
Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of 'Inclusive Governance'? Permitting the Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the…
Attempt question - Question 19
When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following: Deep gorges U-turn river courses Parallel mountain ranges Steep gradients causing landsliding Which of the above can be said to be the evidences for Himalayas…
Attempt question - Question 20
Which of the following are the methods of Parliamentary control over public finance in India? Placing Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament Withdrawal of moneys from Consolidated Fund of India only after…
Attempt question - Question 21
Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic development: Low birthrate with low death rate High birthrate with high death rate High birthrate with low death rate Select…
Attempt question - Question 22
The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative with UNDP support covers which of the following? Deprivation of education, health, assets and services at household…
Attempt question - Question 23
In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha? Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas. Gram Sabha…
Attempt question - Question 24
Which of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India?
Attempt question - Question 25
Biomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in India. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? Coconut shells, groundnut shells and rice…
Attempt question - Question 26
What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems? It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water. It quickens the…
Attempt question - Question 27
Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because
Attempt question - Question 28
With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct? Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD. Transplant of…
Attempt question - Question 29
Graphene is frequently in news recently. What is its importance? It is a two-dimensional material and has good electrical conductivity. It is one of the thinnest but strongest materials tested so far. It is entirely…
Attempt question - Question 30
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj? It opposed idolatry. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas…
Attempt question - Question 31
In India, in the overall Index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core Industries have a combined weight of 37.90%. Which of the following are among those Eight Core Industries? Cement Fertilizers Natural…
Attempt question - Question 32
If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country? Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of waste-water. The water requirements of coastal…
Attempt question - Question 33
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment Indifference to the authority of the Vedas Denial…
Attempt question - Question 34
Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? To enable them to withstand drought To increase the nutritive value of the produce To enable them to…
Attempt question - Question 35
The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because
Attempt question - Question 36
With reference to consumers' rights/privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing. When a consumer files a…
Attempt question - Question 37
With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices? Meditation and control of breath Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place…
Attempt question - Question 38
With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country's economy, which of the following statements is/are correct? Every guild was registered with the central…
Attempt question - Question 39
With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements: The country's total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States. In India, the…
Attempt question - Question 40
In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)? CAG exercises exchequer control on…
Attempt question - Question 41
Consider the following crops of India: Groundnut Sesamum Pearl millet Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?
Attempt question - Question 42
The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs
Attempt question - Question 43
Consider the following statements: The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west. Which of the…
Attempt question - Question 44
Consider the following statements: The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of the Indian National Movement was that heexposed the economic exploitation of India by the Britishinterpreted…
Attempt question - Question 45
A deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls for a joint sitting of the Parliament during the passage of Ordinary Legislation Money Bill Constitution Amendment Bill Select the correct answer using the…
Attempt question - Question 46
Which of the following measures would result in an increase in the money supply in the economy? Purchase of government securities from the public by the Central Bank Deposit of currency in commercial banks by the…
Attempt question - Question 47
Consider the following statements: Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate the election disputes. According to the…
Attempt question - Question 48
In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?
Attempt question - Question 49
The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
Attempt question - Question 50
Consider the following: Black-necked crane Cheetah Flying squirrel Snow leopard Which of the above are naturally found in India?
Attempt question - Question 51
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services-provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which one of the following is supporting service?
Attempt question - Question 52
Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
Attempt question - Question 53
Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? Global warming Fragmentation of habitat Invasion of alien species Promotion of vegetarianism Select the correct answer using the codes…
Attempt question - Question 54
Consider the following statements: If there were no phenomenon of capillarity it would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp one would not be able to use a straw to consume a soft drink the blotting paper would fail to…
Attempt question - Question 55
How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India? DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country. DRDAs undertake…
Attempt question - Question 56
With reference to 'stem cells', frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? Stem cells can be derived from mammals only. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs. Stem cells can be…
Attempt question - Question 57
Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements: He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election…
Attempt question - Question 58
In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is
Attempt question - Question 59
Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar? The Peasants and Workers Party of India All India Scheduled Castes Federation The Independent Labour Party Select the correct answer using the…
Attempt question - Question 60
The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence the rift between the extremists and moderates was…
Attempt question - Question 61
The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the
Attempt question - Question 62
The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the
Attempt question - Question 63
Consider the following statements: Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used in the production of plastic foams in the production of tubeless tyres in cleaning certain electronic components…
Attempt question - Question 64
With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements: The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government. The Government gave Pattas to the Ryots. The lands were surveyed and assessed…
Attempt question - Question 65
Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to
Attempt question - Question 66
Lead, ingested or inhaled, is a health hazard. After the addition of lead to petrol has been banned, what still are the sources of lead poisoning? Smelting units Pens and pencils Paints Hair oils and cosmetics Select…
Attempt question - Question 67
The endeavour of 'Janani Suraksha Yojana' Programme is to promote institutional deliveries to provide monetary assistance to the mother to meet the cost of delivery to provide for wage loss due to pregnancy and…
Attempt question - Question 68
The Rowlatt Act aimed at
Attempt question - Question 69
Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?
Attempt question - Question 70
Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth's surface, because the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth's surface there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere the…
Attempt question - Question 71
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory including those from India created the heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus). What is/are the implication/implications of the creation of anti-matter? It…
Attempt question - Question 72
Government of India encourages the cultivation of 'sea buckthorn'. What is the importance of this plant? It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. It is a rich source of biodiesel. It…
Attempt question - Question 73
Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes
Attempt question - Question 74
Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence/evidences for the continued expansion of universe? Detection of microwaves in space Observation of redshift phenomenon in space Movement of asteroids…
Attempt question - Question 75
With reference to National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of 'ASHA', a trained community health worker? Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care checkup Using pregnancy…
Attempt question - Question 76
Consider the following agricultural practices: Contour bunding Relay cropping Zero tillage In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?
Attempt question - Question 77
Which of the following would include Foreign Direct Investment in India? Subsidiaries of foreign companies in India Majority foreign equity holding in Indian companies Companies exclusively financed by foreign…
Attempt question - Question 78
Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution? To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture To protect the weaker sections from social injustice…
Attempt question - Question 79
Consider the following: Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops Use of mobile cannons in warfare Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies Which of the above was/were…
Attempt question - Question 80
How does the National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor? By setting up a large number of new manufacturing industries and agribusiness centres in rural areas By strengthening…
Attempt question - Question 81
What is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India? While appointing the Supreme Court Judges, the President of India has to consult the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court Judges can…
Attempt question - Question 82
Consider the following factors: Rotation of the Earth Air pressure and wind Density of ocean water Revolution of the Earth Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?
Attempt question - Question 83
Consider the following: Hotels and restaurants Motor transport undertakings Newspaper establishments Private medical institutions The employees of which of the above can have the 'Social Security' coverage under…
Attempt question - Question 84
Consider the following kinds of organisms: Bat Bee Bird Which of the above is/are pollinating agent/agents?
Attempt question - Question 85
What is/are the recent policy initiative(s) of Government of India to promote the growth of manufacturing sector? Setting up of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones Providing the benefit of 'single window…
Attempt question - Question 86
To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?…
Attempt question - Question 87
Which of the following is/are among the noticeable features of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission? A design for the Goods and Services Tax, and a compensation package linked to adherence to the…
Attempt question - Question 88
What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason? The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected. The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected. The density of…
Attempt question - Question 89
Which one of the following sets of elements was primarily responsible for the origin of life on the Earth?
Attempt question - Question 90
A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction but he located the…
Attempt question - Question 91
The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment
Attempt question - Question 92
The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be…
Attempt question - Question 93
According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid before the Parliament which of the following? The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission The Report of the…
Attempt question - Question 94
How does National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting the Indian agriculture? NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources. NBA directly monitors and supervises…
Attempt question - Question 95
During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?
Attempt question - Question 96
With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements: The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law. When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are…
Attempt question - Question 97
What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India? Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome. The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator…
Attempt question - Question 98
Consider the following statements: The price of any currency in international market is decided by the World Bank demand for goods/services provided by the country concerned stability of the government of the…
Attempt question - Question 99
A particular State in India has the following characteristics: It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover. Over 12% of forest cover…
Attempt question - Question 100
Despite having large reserves of coal, why does India import millions of tonnes of coal? It is the policy of India to save its own coal reserves for future, and import it from other countries for the present use.…
Attempt question