UPSC CSE · Prelims GS Paper I
2021 Previous Year Questions
100 questions available. Choose a question to open it and submit an answer.
- Question 1
Indian Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following? Actions of the United States Federal Reserve Actions of the Reserve Bank of India Inflation and short-term interest rates Select the correct…
Attempt question - Question 2
Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?
Attempt question - Question 3
Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000: American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award. The award was received mostly by…
Attempt question - Question 4
Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship: The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than…
Attempt question - Question 5
Consider the following statements: St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order. St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is…
Attempt question - Question 6
Consider the following kinds of organisms: Copepods Cyanobacteria Diatoms Foraminifera Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?
Attempt question - Question 7
With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements: The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater. The amount of water in polar ice caps and…
Attempt question - Question 8
With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?
Attempt question - Question 9
With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes. The palm oil can be…
Attempt question - Question 10
Which one of the following is a filter feeder?
Attempt question - Question 11
With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
Attempt question - Question 12
Triclosan', considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?
Attempt question - Question 13
Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
Attempt question - Question 14
Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates
Attempt question - Question 15
In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrient to enter the cycle?
Attempt question - Question 16
Which one of the following best defines the term 'State'?
Attempt question - Question 17
Consider the following statements: Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes. Common cold is sometime caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a…
Attempt question - Question 18
The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed for
Attempt question - Question 19
According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas? Wrestling Astrology Accounting Soothsaying Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Attempt question - Question 20
Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?
Attempt question - Question 21
With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours…
Attempt question - Question 22
From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? The Guptas of Magadha The Paramaras of Malwa The…
Attempt question - Question 23
Consider the following animals: Hedgehog Marmot Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/fold up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?
Attempt question - Question 24
Consider the following rivers: Brahmani Nagavali Subarnarekha Vamsadhara Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
Attempt question - Question 25
Consider the following statements: Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2:…
Attempt question - Question 26
Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of
Attempt question - Question 27
At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
Attempt question - Question 28
With reference to India, consider the following statements: There is only one citizenship and one domicile. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be…
Attempt question - Question 29
With reference to India, consider the following statements: When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right. State Governments have…
Attempt question - Question 30
Consider the following statements: Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. India exports…
Attempt question - Question 31
The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of
Attempt question - Question 32
Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because
Attempt question - Question 33
With reference to India, consider the following statements: Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked up in police station, not in jail. During…
Attempt question - Question 34
What is the position of the Right to Property in India?
Attempt question - Question 35
Consider the following statements: In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from…
Attempt question - Question 36
Consider the following pairs: Historical place Well-known for 1. Burzahom Rock-cut shrines 2. Chandraketugarh Terracotta art 3. Ganeshwar Copper artefacts Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Attempt question - Question 37
Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? Brakes of motor vehicles Engines of motor vehicles Microwave stoves within…
Attempt question - Question 38
Consider the following statements: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in…
Attempt question - Question 39
Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?
Attempt question - Question 40
With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements: Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. Bacteria and viruses are used as…
Attempt question - Question 41
A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the…
Attempt question - Question 42
In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil? Fern Lichen Moss Mushroom Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Attempt question - Question 43
Consider the following statements: In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the…
Attempt question - Question 44
R2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of
Attempt question - Question 45
With reference to Indian judiciary, consider the following statements: Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with…
Attempt question - Question 46
With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct? It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. It endorses a global timeline to end the…
Attempt question - Question 47
Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms? Cnidarians Fungi Protozoa Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Attempt question - Question 48
With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of
Attempt question - Question 49
Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase if price of its substitute increases price of its complement increases the good is an inferior good and…
Attempt question - Question 50
With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire. Rohilkhand kingdom was…
Attempt question - Question 51
Consider the following statements: 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent…
Attempt question - Question 52
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative…
Attempt question - Question 53
Consider the following statements: The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to…
Attempt question - Question 54
Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the…
Attempt question - Question 55
Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?
Attempt question - Question 56
Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
Attempt question - Question 57
Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?
Attempt question - Question 58
Consider the following statements: 'Right to the City' is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard. 'Right to the City' gives every occupant of the city…
Attempt question - Question 59
Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?
Attempt question - Question 60
How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monocultural practices are pre-dominant.…
Attempt question - Question 61
The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?
Attempt question - Question 62
Which one of the following statements is correct?
Attempt question - Question 63
We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? As regards legislation, the British Parliament is either supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of…
Attempt question - Question 64
Consider the following: Foreign currency convertible bonds Foreign institutional investment with certain conditions Global depository receipts Non-resident external deposits Which of the above can be included in…
Attempt question - Question 65
Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy…
Attempt question - Question 66
In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located? Broach Chicacole Trichinopoly Select the correct answer using the code…
Attempt question - Question 67
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct? Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes. In the Mitakshara…
Attempt question - Question 68
Constitutional government means
Attempt question - Question 69
In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as
Attempt question - Question 70
Which among the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?
Attempt question - Question 71
With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
Attempt question - Question 72
In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements: Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro…
Attempt question - Question 73
With reference to India, the terms 'Halbi, Ho and Kui' pertain to
Attempt question - Question 74
In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following? Area of the hole in the lid Temperature of the flame Weight of the lid Select the correct answer using the…
Attempt question - Question 75
Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics?
Attempt question - Question 76
Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into environment. They may…
Attempt question - Question 77
Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effects?
Attempt question - Question 78
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some…
Attempt question - Question 79
Consider the following statements: The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets increases the foreign value of domestic…
Attempt question - Question 80
Which one of the following effects of creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?
Attempt question - Question 81
Right to Privacy' is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?
Attempt question - Question 82
What is blue carbon?
Attempt question - Question 83
With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
Attempt question - Question 84
With reference to Indian economy, demand-pull inflation can be caused/increased by which of the following? Expansionary policies Fiscal stimulus Inflation-indexing wages Higher purchasing power Rising interest rates…
Attempt question - Question 85
In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: The 'Climate-Smart Village' approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and…
Attempt question - Question 86
With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. It is the only circular temple built in…
Attempt question - Question 87
What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?
Attempt question - Question 88
With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps. As street-lights, sodium lamps have longer life span…
Attempt question - Question 89
Consider the following: Bacteria Fungi Virus Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?
Attempt question - Question 90
Consider the following statements: The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international…
Attempt question - Question 91
Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: The official motto for this Olympics is 'A New World'. Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball are included in this…
Attempt question - Question 92
The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of
Attempt question - Question 93
Consider the following statements: It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur…
Attempt question - Question 94
With reference to 'WaterCredit', consider the following statements: It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health…
Attempt question - Question 95
With reference to 'Urban Cooperative Banks' in India, consider the following statements: They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments. They can issue equity shares and preference…
Attempt question - Question 96
Which of the following are detritivores? Earthworms Jellyfish Millipedes Seahorses Woodlice Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Attempt question - Question 97
With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: It is a product of oil refineries. Some industries use it to generate power. Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment. Which of the…
Attempt question - Question 98
In India, the central bank's function as the ‘lender of last resort’ usually refers to which of the following? Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources Providing liquidity to…
Attempt question - Question 99
With reference to India, consider the following statements: Retail investors through demat account can invest in 'Treasury Bills' and 'Government of India Debt Bonds' in primary market. The 'Negotiated Dealing…
Attempt question - Question 100
With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?
Attempt question