Real questions from past papers, with the official answer key. Tap a question to reveal the answer and explanation.
↗ Official UPSC question-paper archive (all years)Prelims · General Studies Paper I
2024-06-16 · 100 questions · 200 marks — 16 selected solved questions; full 100-question paper on the official UPSC archive.
- Q1Polity
How many Delimitation Commissions have been constituted by the Government of India till December 2023?
- a)One
- b)Two
- c)Three
- d)Four
▸ Show answer
Answer: d) Four
Delimitation Commissions were set up in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 — four in all.
- Q2Polity
The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amended the Eighth Schedule to include which of the following languages? 1. Konkani 2. Manipuri 3. Nepali 4. Maithili. Select the correct answer:
- a)1, 2 and 3
- b)1, 2 and 4
- c)1, 3 and 4
- d)2, 3 and 4
▸ Show answer
Answer: a) 1, 2 and 3
The 71st Amendment (1992) added Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali. Maithili came later, via the 92nd Amendment (2004).
- Q3Polity
Under which Article of the Constitution of India has the Supreme Court placed the Right to Privacy?
- a)Article 15
- b)Article 16
- c)Article 19
- d)Article 21
▸ Show answer
Answer: d) Article 21
The K.S. Puttaswamy judgment (2017) held privacy to be intrinsic to the right to life and liberty under Article 21.
- Q4Polity
As per Article 368, Parliament may amend the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal. Select the correct answer:
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
▸ Show answer
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Article 368 permits amendment by addition, variation and repeal of any provision.
- Q5History & Culture
Consider the following pairs (Party — Its Leader): 1. Bharatiya Jana Sangh — Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee 2. Socialist Party — C. Rajagopalachari 3. Congress for Democracy — Jagjivan Ram 4. Swatantra Party — Acharya Narendra Dev. How many pairs are correctly matched?
- a)Only one
- b)Only two
- c)Only three
- d)All four
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) Only two
Only pairs 1 and 3 match. The Swatantra Party was founded by C. Rajagopalachari, not Narendra Dev.
- Q6History & Culture
Which one of the following is a work attributed to the playwright Bhasa?
- a)Kavyalankara
- b)Natyashastra
- c)Madhyama-vyayoga
- d)Mahabhashya
▸ Show answer
Answer: c) Madhyama-vyayoga
Madhyama-vyayoga, a one-act Sanskrit play of the vyayoga type, is attributed to Bhasa.
- Q7History & Culture
With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets? 1. Nayaputta 2. Shakyamuni 3. Tathagata. Select the correct answer:
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1, 2 and 3
- d)None
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) 2 and 3 only
Buddha was known as Shakyamuni and Tathagata. 'Nayaputta' was an epithet of Mahavira, the Jain Tirthankara.
- Q8History & Culture
Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO?
- a)Chhau dance
- b)Durga Puja
- c)Garba dance
- d)Kumbh Mela
▸ Show answer
Answer: c) Garba dance
Gujarat's Garba was the most recent Indian entry inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
- Q9Economy
Statement-I: If the United States of America were to default on its debt, holders of US Treasury Bonds would not be able to exercise their claims to receive payment. Statement-II: The USA's government debt is not backed by any hard assets but only by the faith of the government. Choose the correct option:
- a)Both correct; II is the correct explanation of I
- b)Both correct; II is NOT the correct explanation of I
- c)I correct, II incorrect
- d)I incorrect, II correct
▸ Show answer
Answer: a) Both correct; II is the correct explanation of I
Both statements are correct, and the absence of hard-asset backing explains why a default would frustrate bondholders' claims.
- Q10Economy
With reference to the Digital Rupee (CBDC), consider: 1. It is a sovereign currency issued by the RBI in line with its monetary policy. 2. It appears as a liability on the RBI's balance sheet. 3. It is insured against inflation by design. 4. It is freely convertible against commercial bank money and cash. Which are correct?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)1 and 3 only
- c)2 and 4 only
- d)1, 2 and 4
▸ Show answer
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 4
The digital rupee is a sovereign RBI liability, freely convertible to deposits/cash — but it offers no inflation insurance.
- Q11Environment
The organisms 'Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater' belong to which one of the following?
- a)Birds
- b)Fish
- c)Insects
- d)Reptiles
▸ Show answer
Answer: c) Insects
All three are hemipteran insects.
- Q12Environment
Statement-I: Many chewing gums are a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as a gum base. Choose the correct option:
- a)Both correct; II is the correct explanation of I
- b)Both correct; II is NOT the correct explanation of I
- c)I correct, II incorrect
- d)I incorrect, II correct
▸ Show answer
Answer: a) Both correct; II is the correct explanation of I
Gum bases often contain non-biodegradable polymers (e.g., polyvinyl acetate), so the plastic content explains the pollution.
- Q13Geography
Which one of the following pairs of countries are the two largest producers of cocoa in the world?
- a)Algeria and Morocco
- b)Botswana and Namibia
- c)Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana
- d)Madagascar and Mozambique
▸ Show answer
Answer: c) Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana
Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana together account for over half of global cocoa output.
- Q14Geography
Consider the Himalayan rivers that join the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj. Arrange them from west to east in the order in which they join:
- a)Ghaghara - Gomati - Gandak - Kosi
- b)Gomati - Ghaghara - Gandak - Kosi
- c)Ghaghara - Gomati - Kosi - Gandak
- d)Gomati - Ghaghara - Kosi - Gandak
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) Gomati - Ghaghara - Gandak - Kosi
From west to east: Gomati (near Varanasi), Ghaghara (near Chhapra), Gandak (at Hajipur/Sonepur), Kosi (in Katihar district).
- Q15Environment
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, which is the largest source of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions?
- a)Locomotives
- b)Ships
- c)Extraction of metals from ores
- d)Burning of fossil fuels in power plants
▸ Show answer
Answer: d) Burning of fossil fuels in power plants
The burning of fossil fuels by power plants and industry is the largest source of SO2 emissions.
- Q16Geography
Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by the outgoing terrestrial radiation. Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are good absorbers of long-wave radiation. Choose the correct option:
- a)Both correct; II is the correct explanation of I
- b)Both correct; II is NOT the correct explanation of I
- c)I correct, II incorrect
- d)I incorrect, II correct
▸ Show answer
Answer: d) I incorrect, II correct
Statement-I is incorrect — the atmosphere is heated chiefly by outgoing long-wave terrestrial radiation; Statement-II is correct.
Prelims · General Studies Paper I
2023-05-28 · 100 questions · 200 marks — Selected solved questions (more being added); full paper on the official UPSC archive.
- Q1Economy
About three-fourths of the world's cobalt — a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles — is produced by which one of the following countries?
- a)Australia
- b)Russia
- c)Democratic Republic of the Congo
- d)China
▸ Show answer
Answer: c) Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for roughly three-quarters of global cobalt production.
Prelims · General Studies Paper I
2022-06-05 · 100 questions · 200 marks — 10 selected solved questions; full 100-question paper on the official UPSC archive.
- Q1Economy
'Rapid Financing Instrument' and 'Rapid Credit Facility' are related to the lending provisions of which one of the following?
- a)Asian Development Bank
- b)International Monetary Fund
- c)United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative
- d)World Bank
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) International Monetary Fund
Both are emergency lending instruments of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- Q2Economy
With reference to the Indian economy, an increase in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) of the rupee indicates:
- a)Appreciation of the rupee that aids exports
- b)A loss of trade competitiveness
- c)An improvement in export performance
- d)A reduction in domestic inflation
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) A loss of trade competitiveness
A rise in REER makes Indian goods relatively costlier abroad — i.e., a loss of trade competitiveness.
- Q3Polity
A Constitution Amendment Bill under Article 368 requires:
- a)Prior recommendation of the President
- b)A simple majority in both Houses
- c)A special majority in both Houses, with no joint-sitting provision for a disagreement
- d)Cabinet approval before introduction
▸ Show answer
Answer: c) A special majority in both Houses, with no joint-sitting provision for a disagreement
Article 368 needs a special majority in each House; there is no joint sitting to resolve a disagreement.
- Q4Polity
The total number of ministers in the Union Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed:
- a)10% of the strength of the Lok Sabha
- b)15% of the strength of the Lok Sabha
- c)20% of the strength of the Lok Sabha
- d)25% of the strength of the Lok Sabha
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) 15% of the strength of the Lok Sabha
The 91st Amendment (2003) capped the Council of Ministers at 15% of the Lok Sabha's strength.
- Q5Environment
The 'System of Rice Intensification' with alternate wetting and drying results in: 1. Reduced seed requirement 2. Reduced methane production 3. Reduced electricity consumption. Which are correct?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
▸ Show answer
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
SRI lowers seed use, cuts methane (less flooding), and reduces irrigation-related electricity — all three.
- Q6Geography
Which one of the following peaks is correctly matched with its mountain range?
- a)Namcha Barwa — Garhwal Himalaya
- b)Nanda Devi — Kumaon Himalaya
- c)Nokrek — Sikkim Himalaya
- d)All are correctly matched
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) Nanda Devi — Kumaon Himalaya
Nanda Devi lies in the Kumaon Himalaya (Uttarakhand).
- Q7Geography
The term 'Levant' refers to:
- a)The region along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea
- b)The North African coast from Egypt to Morocco
- c)The Persian Gulf and the Horn of Africa
- d)All the Mediterranean coastal areas
▸ Show answer
Answer: a) The region along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea
The Levant denotes the lands along the eastern Mediterranean (Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, etc.).
- Q8Science & Tech
The term 'qubit' is most likely to be used in the context of which one of the following?
- a)Cloud services
- b)Quantum computing
- c)Visible light communication
- d)Wireless communication
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) Quantum computing
A qubit (quantum bit) is the basic unit of information in quantum computing.
- Q9Science & Tech
Which of the following effects can result from a major solar storm reaching the Earth? 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail 2. Power grids could be damaged 3. Intense auroras could occur 4. Forest fires could occur globally. Select the correct answer:
- a)1, 2 and 3 only
- b)2, 3 and 4 only
- c)1, 3 and 4 only
- d)All four
▸ Show answer
Answer: a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Solar storms disrupt satellites/GPS, damage power grids and intensify auroras — but do not cause global forest fires.
- Q10Environment
According to the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (2021), the recommended PM2.5 levels should not exceed:
- a)24-hour mean 10 µg/m³, annual 5 µg/m³
- b)24-hour mean 15 µg/m³, annual 5 µg/m³
- c)24-hour mean 25 µg/m³, annual 10 µg/m³
- d)24-hour mean 35 µg/m³, annual 15 µg/m³
▸ Show answer
Answer: b) 24-hour mean 15 µg/m³, annual 5 µg/m³
WHO's 2021 guidelines recommend a PM2.5 24-hour mean ≤15 µg/m³ and an annual mean ≤5 µg/m³.
UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination — General Studies Paper-I, 2024 / 2023 / 2022. Questions are real; correct options per the official UPSC answer keys, cross-checked against published answer-key analyses (ForumIAS, Rau's IAS, Dalvoy) 2026-06-19 (S18). No fabricated questions or answers.