Civil Services Prep

UPSC Prelims 2020

UPSC Prelims 2020 question paper with answers

100 questions, each with its answer.

General Studies Paper I

  1. With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements: 1. They can be used as carriers of…Science and Technology
  2. Consider the following activities: 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active…Science and Technology
  3. "The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle…Science and Technology
  4. Consider the following statements: 1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or…Science and Technology
  5. What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India? 1. These vaccines are effective…Science and Technology
  6. In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" is used in the context ofScience and Technology
  7. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells?…Science and Technology
  8. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? 1. Automobile exhaust 2.…Environment
  9. If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are…Economy
  10. If you withdraw Rs. 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on…Economy
  11. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the…Ancient History
  12. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around 1. women's right to gain…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  13. Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because ofModern History and the Freedom Struggle
  14. Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta becauseModern History and the Freedom Struggle
  15. With reference to the history of India, "Ulgulan" or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  16. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. Panini is…Ancient History
  17. In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, "Pronuclear Transfer" is used forScience and Technology
  18. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 1.…Science and Technology
  19. With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct?…Science and Technology
  20. With reference to "Blockchain Technology", consider the following statements: 1. It is a public ledger that…Science and Technology
  21. A Parliamentary System of Government is one in whichPolity and Constitution
  22. Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare State?Polity and Constitution
  23. Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India defines its 'basic structure' in terms of…Polity and Constitution
  24. One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism isPolity and Constitution
  25. In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy?Polity and Constitution
  26. The Preamble to the Constitution of India isPolity and Constitution
  27. "Gold Tranche" (Reserve Tranche) refers toEconomy
  28. With reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following…Polity and Constitution
  29. Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote…Polity and Constitution
  30. Consider the following statements: 1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such…Polity and Constitution
  31. Consider the following statements: 1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months. 2. State…Polity and Constitution
  32. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha inPolity and Constitution
  33. With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the…Polity and Constitution
  34. Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as…Polity and Constitution
  35. In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined byPolity and Constitution
  36. Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include…Economy
  37. A constitutional government by definition is aPolity and Constitution
  38. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects…Polity and Constitution
  39. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?…Polity and Constitution
  40. Consider the following pairs: International agreement/set-up - Subject 1. Alma-Ata Declaration - Healthcare of…International Relations and Organisations
  41. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Aurang - In-charge of treasury of the…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  42. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Sthaviravadins belong…Ancient History
  43. Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  44. Consider the following events in the history of India: 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment…Medieval History
  45. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the…Medieval History
  46. With reference to the book "Desher Katha" written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle,…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  47. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following? 1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  48. The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience, was…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  49. With reference to the history of India, the terms "kulyavapa" and "dronavapa" denoteAncient History
  50. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? "Whosoever praises his religious…Ancient History
  51. What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture? 1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is…Agriculture
  52. Consider the following minerals: 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite. In India, which of the…Geography
  53. With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. OMT is…Geography
  54. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements: 1. At present, the retail…Agriculture
  55. With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread…Environment
  56. Siachen Glacier is situated to theGeography
  57. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Famous Place - Present State 1. Bhilsa -…Ancient History
  58. Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical"…Environment
  59. Consider the following statements: 1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones…Geography
  60. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat"?Environment
  61. If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the…Environment
  62. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were…Ancient History
  63. What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without…Agriculture
  64. According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the…Environment
  65. Which one of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon'? It is a measure, in…Environment
  66. With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements: 1. Black gram can be…Agriculture
  67. "The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days…Geography
  68. With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: 1. Solar power can be used for running…Science and Technology
  69. With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following…Agriculture
  70. In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly…Environment
  71. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? 1. Fixing Minimum…Agriculture
  72. What is the importance of the term "Interest Coverage Ratio" of a firm in India? 1. It helps in understanding…Economy
  73. Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past? 1.…Agriculture
  74. Consider the following statements: 1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last…Economy
  75. In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20?Current Affairs
  76. Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following…Agriculture
  77. Consider the following statements: 1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that…Economy
  78. Consider the following pairs: River - Flows into 1. Mekong - Andaman Sea 2. Thames - Irish Sea 3. Volga -…Geography
  79. Consider the following statements: 1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at…Agriculture
  80. With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. 'Commercial Paper' is a short-term…Economy
  81. With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major…Economy
  82. With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are…Economy
  83. The term 'West Texas Intermediate', sometimes found in news, refers to a grade ofEconomy
  84. In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following? 1. Housing loans…Economy
  85. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under "IAEA Safeguards" while others are not?Science and Technology
  86. With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct?…Economy
  87. If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do? 1. Cut…Economy
  88. With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following…Economy
  89. Consider the following statements: 1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector,…Agriculture
  90. In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in…Science and Technology
  91. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and…Ancient History
  92. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a…Environment
  93. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda…Geography
  94. With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and…Environment
  95. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian…Environment
  96. Steel slag can be the material for which of the following? 1. Construction of base road 2. Improvement of…Environment
  97. Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot…Environment
  98. In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental…Environment
  99. Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants…Environment
  100. What is the use of biochar in farming? 1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical…Environment