Union Public Service Commission Civil Services (Prelims) General Studies Paper-I

UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I Solved Papers

Master official previous years' questions for Indian Polity & Governance, Ancient, Medieval & Modern Indian History, Indian & World Geography, Economic & Social Development, Environment & Ecology, and General Science.

0%
Score Tracker
Live accuracy rate
0
Correct
0
Wrong
0
Attempted
Filter UPSC Prelims GS Questions

All UPSC Prelims GS PYQs / All GS Subjects / All Topics

Marking pattern: +2.00 positive, -0.66 negative (UPSC GS Paper-I Pattern).

2800 Questions Page 91 of 112
2251

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)?

  1. CAG exercises exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of India declares national emergency/financial emergency.
  2. CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are discussed by the Public Accounts Committee.
  3. Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to press charges against those who have violated the law while managing public finances.
  4. While dealing with the audit and accounting of government companies, CAG has certain judicial powers for prosecuting those who violate the law.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Constitutional Law
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2252

The endeavour of 'Janani Suraksha Yojana' Programme is

  1. to promote institutional deliveries
  2. to provide monetary assistance to the mother to meet the cost of delivery
  3. to provide for wage loss due to pregnancy and confinement

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Public Health Governance
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2253

The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Constitutional Law
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2254

With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements:

  1. The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law.
  2. When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are laid before the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modifications in the orders.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Electoral System
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2255

Consider the following:

  1. Hotels and restaurants
  2. Motor transport undertakings
  3. Newspaper establishments
  4. Private medical institutions

The employees of which of the above can have the 'Social Security' coverage under Employees' State Insurance Scheme?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Social Security Law
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2256

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?

  1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission
  2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee
  3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
  4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Constitutional Law
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2257

A deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls for a joint sitting of the Parliament during the passage of

  1. Ordinary Legislation
  2. Money Bill
  3. Constitution Amendment Bill

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Parliamentary System
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2258

How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India?

  1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country.
  2. DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.
  3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes.
  4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Rural Development Administration
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2259

Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution?

  1. To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture
  2. To protect the weaker sections from social injustice
  3. To develop the scientific temper and spirit of inquiry
  4. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Constitutional Law
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2260

What is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India?

  1. While appointing the Supreme Court Judges, the President of India has to consult the Chief Justice of India.
  2. The Supreme Court Judges can be removed by the Chief Justice of India only.
  3. The salaries of the Judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India to which the legislature does not have to vote.
  4. All appointments of officers and staffs of the Supreme Court of India are made by the Government only after consulting the Chief Justice of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Judicial System
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2261

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?

  1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
  2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium.
  3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Nuclear Energy Technology
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2262

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Climatology Atmospheric Physics
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2263

Which one of the following sets of elements was primarily responsible for the origin of life on the Earth?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Evolutionary Biochemistry Science
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2264

What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India?

  1. Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome.
  2. The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies.
  3. There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health.
  4. There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Agricultural Biotechnology Policy
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2265

Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created?

  1. To enable them to withstand drought
  2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce
  3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations
  4. To increase their shelf life

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Applied Plant Biotechnology
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2266

Consider the following statements:

The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he

  1. exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British
  2. interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians
  3. stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Modern Indian History
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2267

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?

  1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
  2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
  3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Classical Music
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2268

How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?

  1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
  2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Classical Dance
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2269

With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?

  1. Meditation and control of breath
  2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place
  3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Medieval Indian History
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2270

The Rowlatt Act aimed at

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Modern Indian History
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2271

The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because

  1. the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence
  2. the rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session
  3. a resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Modern Indian History
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2272

Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Ancient Buddhist Art
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2273

The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Ancient Indian History
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2274

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj?

  1. It opposed idolatry.
  2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts.
  3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation
2275

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a bankers' bank. This would imply which of the following?

  1. Other banks retain their deposits with the RBI.
  2. The RBI lends funds to the commercial banks in times of need.
  3. The RBI advises the commercial banks on monetary matters.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper - 1 Indian Central Banking
Answer & Detailed Key
Click an option to evaluate
Select an option on the left to reveal the detailed answer and reference context.
Detailed Explanation & Source Citation