UPSC CSE · Prelims GS Paper I
2020 Previous Year Questions
100 questions available. Choose a question to open it and submit an answer.
- Question 1
Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)? Preamble Directive…
Attempt question - Question 2
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture? Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphate fertilizers is possible. Increased…
Attempt question - Question 3
With reference to the history of India, ‘Ulgulan’ or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?
Attempt question - Question 4
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas'?
Attempt question - Question 5
‘Gold Tranche’ (Reserve Tranche) refers to:
Attempt question - Question 6
With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: The leader of an elephant group is a female. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age…
Attempt question - Question 7
Which of the following statements correctly explain the impact of the Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?
Attempt question - Question 8
With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were known as:
Attempt question - Question 9
Consider the following minerals: Bentonite Chromite Kyanite Sillimanite In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?
Attempt question - Question 10
Consider the following statements: The Constitution of India defines its 'basic structure' in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy. The Constitution of India provides for 'judicial…
Attempt question - Question 11
Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include ‘The Macro Economic Framework Statement’. The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by:
Attempt question - Question 12
In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture? Crop diversification Legume intensification Tensiometer use Vertical farming Which of the statements…
Attempt question - Question 13
Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin? Nagarhole National Park Papikonda National Park Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Select the correct answer using the…
Attempt question - Question 14
If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give some immunity to India? Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings Opening up to more…
Attempt question - Question 15
Consider the following statements: The president of India can summon a session of Parliament at such place as he/she thinks fit. The Constitution of. India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but…
Attempt question - Question 16
In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy?
Attempt question - Question 17
With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 'Commercial Paper' is a short-term unsecured promissory note. 'Certificate of Deposit' is a long-term instrument issued by the Reserve Bank of…
Attempt question - Question 18
Consider the following events in the history of India: Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I Pala dynasty founded by…
Attempt question - Question 19
Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
Attempt question - Question 20
Consider the following statements: According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a state for six months even if he/she is not a member of that state. According to…
Attempt question - Question 21
What is the use of biochar in farming? Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.…
Attempt question - Question 22
In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around: women's right to gain education Age of consent Restitution of conjugal rights Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Attempt question - Question 23
Consider the following pairs: 1. Ahna-Ata Declaration Healthcare of the people 2. Hague Convention Biological and chemical weapons 3. Talanoa Dialogue Global climate change 4. Under 2 Coalition Child rights Which of…
Attempt question - Question 24
Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well in hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?
Attempt question - Question 25
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. The deification…
Attempt question - Question 26
With reference to the book ‘Desher Katha’ written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements: It warned against the Colonial State's hypnotic conquest of the mind. It…
Attempt question - Question 27
In India, the term ‘Public Key Infrastructure’ is used in the context of
Attempt question - Question 28
In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? Copper slag Cold mix asphalt technology Geotextiles Hot mix asphalt…
Attempt question - Question 29
Which one of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon'? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the —
Attempt question - Question 30
Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because:
Attempt question - Question 31
Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?
Attempt question - Question 32
Consider the following statements: 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical" by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. India…
Attempt question - Question 33
Steel slag can be the material for which of the following? Construction of base road Improvement of agricultural soil Production of cement Select the correct answer using the code given below
Attempt question - Question 34
Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? Automobile exhaust Tobacco smoke Wood burning Using varnished wooden furniture Using products made of polyurethane Select the correct…
Attempt question - Question 35
The Preamble to the Constitution of India is:
Attempt question - Question 36
Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past? Minimum Support Price Government's trading Government's stockpiling Consumer subsidies Select the correct answer…
Attempt question - Question 37
In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following? Housing loans owed by households Amounts outstanding on credit cards Treasury bills Select the correct answer using the code…
Attempt question - Question 38
Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes? Working capital for maintenance of farm assets Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini…
Attempt question - Question 39
With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? OMT is measured up to a depth of 26 °C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during…
Attempt question - Question 40
If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do? Cut and optimize the Statutory Liquidity Ratio Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate Cut the Bank Rate and…
Attempt question - Question 41
Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Gangotri National Park Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary Manas National Park Select the correct…
Attempt question - Question 42
Consider the following statements: Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage. Human…
Attempt question - Question 43
With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: Worker productivity per worker (at 2004–05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural…
Attempt question - Question 44
A parliamentary system of government is one in which:
Attempt question - Question 45
In India separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by:
Attempt question - Question 46
With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? It is spread over two districts. There is no human habitation inside the Park. It is one of the natural habitats of the…
Attempt question - Question 47
Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in:
Attempt question - Question 48
Consider the following statements: In the case of all cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is…
Attempt question - Question 49
Consider the following statements: The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade. ‘Textile and textile articles’ constitute an important item of the trade between India and…
Attempt question - Question 50
With reference to the carbon nanotubes, consider the following statement: They can be used as the carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body. They can be made. into artificial blood capillaries for an injured…
Attempt question - Question 51
With reference to the history of India, the terms ‘kulyavapa’ and ‘dronavapa’ denote:
Attempt question - Question 52
With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements: Black gram (Urad) can be cultivated as both Kharif and Rabi crop. Green gram (Moong) alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.…
Attempt question - Question 53
According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? Cassava Damaged wheat grains Groundnut seeds Horse gram Rotten potatoes Sugar beet…
Attempt question - Question 54
The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.’ The experiment in…
Attempt question - Question 55
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Aurang ―In-charge of treasury of the State 2. Banian ―Indian agent of the East India Company 3. Mirasidar ―Designated revenue payer to the…
Attempt question - Question 56
With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government. Ammonia, which is an…
Attempt question - Question 57
Consider the following activities: Spraying pesticides on a crop field Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis At the present level of technology,…
Attempt question - Question 58
Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of:
Attempt question - Question 59
The term ‘West Texas Intermediate’, Sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of
Attempt question - Question 60
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? Fixing Minimum Support Price for agriculture produce of all crops Computerization of Primary Agriculture Credit Societies Social…
Attempt question - Question 61
Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare state?
Attempt question - Question 62
In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? Person with an annual income of less than Rs .1,00,000 Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs.…
Attempt question - Question 63
With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana Kalidasa is associated with Chandra…
Attempt question - Question 64
With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct? MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical…
Attempt question - Question 65
With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are:
Attempt question - Question 66
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells? Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane…
Attempt question - Question 67
In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, 'Pronuclear Transfer’ is used for
Attempt question - Question 68
With reference to ‘Blockchain Technology,’ consider the following statements: It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls. The structure and design of blockchain is such that…
Attempt question - Question 69
Consider the following statements: Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. Only some cyclones develop an eye. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10 °C lesser than that of the surroundings.
Attempt question - Question 70
One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is:
Attempt question - Question 71
With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units. Create meaningful short stories and songs Disease…
Attempt question - Question 72
In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits? Cost of restoration of the computer system in…
Attempt question - Question 73
Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat"?
Attempt question - Question 74
Consider the following statements: Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months. State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data. Aadhaar is mandatory for…
Attempt question - Question 75
Consider the following pairs: River Flows into 1. Mekong Andaman Sea 2. Thames Irish Sea 3. Volga Caspian Sea 4. Zambezi Indian Ocean Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Attempt question - Question 76
The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people s its target audience was published by:
Attempt question - Question 77
‘The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimetres of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining…
Attempt question - Question 78
In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20?
Attempt question - Question 79
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following? Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement…
Attempt question - Question 80
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps, Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not…
Attempt question - Question 81
With reference to visible light communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct? VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780nm VLC is known as long-range optical wireless…
Attempt question - Question 82
In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under ‘IAEA Safeguards’ while others are not?
Attempt question - Question 83
Consider the following statements: The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does.…
Attempt question - Question 84
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Famous Place Present State 1. Bhilsa Madhya Pradesh 2. Dwarasamudra Maharashtra 3. Girinagar Gujarat 4. Sthanesvara Uttar Pradesh Which of the…
Attempt question - Question 85
What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India? These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against…
Attempt question - Question 86
What is the importance of the term "Interest Coverage Ratio" of a firm in India? It helps in understanding the present risk of a firm that a bank is going to give a loan to. It helps in evaluating the emerging risk…
Attempt question - Question 87
With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements: A substantial saving in seed material is when ‘bud chip setts’ are raised in a nursery and…
Attempt question - Question 88
If you withdraw ₹1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be:
Attempt question - Question 89
Consider the following statements: Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment. High ash content is observed in Indian…
Attempt question - Question 90
Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?‘Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own…
Attempt question - Question 91
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
Attempt question - Question 92
With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?
Attempt question - Question 93
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of…
Attempt question - Question 94
With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct? Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited. They apply to investment…
Attempt question - Question 95
Consider the following statements: In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and…
Attempt question - Question 96
With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct? India's merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports. India's imports of iron and steel,…
Attempt question - Question 97
With reference to the provisions contained in part IV of the constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct? They shall be enforceable by courts They shall not be enforceable by any court The…
Attempt question - Question 98
A constitutional government by definition is a:
Attempt question - Question 99
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs : 1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana - Priest with a high status 3. Upasaka - Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the…
Attempt question - Question 100
Siachen Glacier is situated to the
Attempt question