Civil Services Prep

UPSC Prelims 2021

UPSC Prelims 2021 question paper with answers

100 questions, each with its answer.

General Studies Paper I

  1. Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the…Economy
  2. With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers…Economy
  3. Which among the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?Economy
  4. Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase…Economy
  5. With reference to 'Urban Cooperative Banks' in India, consider the following statements: 1. They are…Economy
  6. Indian Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following? 1. Actions of the United States…Economy
  7. Consider the following: 1. Foreign currency convertible bonds 2. Foreign institutional investment with certain…Economy
  8. Consider the following statements: The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily 1. improves…Economy
  9. Which one of the following effects of creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the…Economy
  10. Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effects?Economy
  11. The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?Economy
  12. With reference to Indian economy, demand-pull inflation can be caused/increased by which of the following? 1.…Economy
  13. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Retail investors through demat account can…Economy
  14. With reference to 'Water Credit', consider the following statements: 1. It puts microfinance tools to work in…Current Affairs
  15. In India, the central bank's function as the 'lender of last resort' usually refers to which of the following?…Economy
  16. 'R2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption ofEnvironment
  17. Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide…Environment
  18. With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: 1. It is a product of oil refineries. 2.…Environment
  19. What is blue carbon?Environment
  20. In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil? 1.…Environment
  21. Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?Science and Technology
  22. Consider the following kinds of organisms: 1. Copepods 2. Cyanobacteria 3. Diatoms 4. Foraminifera Which of…Environment
  23. Consider the following animals: 1. Hedgehog 2. Marmot 3. Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by…Environment
  24. With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct? 1. It…Environment
  25. Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants…Environment
  26. Which one of the following is a filter feeder?Environment
  27. In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of…Environment
  28. Which of the following are detritivores? 1. Earthworms 2. Jellyfish 3. Millipedes 4. Seahorses 5. Woodlice…Environment
  29. The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed forEnvironment
  30. Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms? 1.…Environment
  31. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: 1. It is a…Art and Culture
  32. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and…Ancient History
  33. In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the…Medieval History
  34. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the…Ancient History
  35. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following…Medieval History
  36. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  37. Consider the following pairs: Historical place : Well-known for 1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines 2.…Ancient History
  38. Consider the following statements: 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus…Medieval History
  39. Consider the following statements: 1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.…Medieval History
  40. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1.…Ancient History
  41. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famousAncient History
  42. Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  43. With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  44. Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  45. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in…Medieval History
  46. Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  47. In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  48. With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Nizamat of Arcot…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  49. Which one of the following statements is correct?Art and Culture
  50. Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by…Modern History and the Freedom Struggle
  51. How is the permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? 1. Permaculture farming…Agriculture
  52. With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: 1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast…Economy
  53. With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them…Geography
  54. With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names ofGeography
  55. Consider the following rivers: 1. Brahmani 2. Nagavali 3. Subarnarekha 4. Vamsadhara Which of the above rise…Geography
  56. Consider the following statements: 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and…Environment
  57. Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?Geography
  58. Consider the following statements: 1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than…Geography
  59. In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The…Environment
  60. "Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare.…Geography
  61. The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no…Geography
  62. With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements: 1. The amount of water in…Geography
  63. Consider the following statements: 1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. 2. Tamarind…Environment
  64. The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering ofGeography
  65. With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccine', consider the following…Science and Technology
  66. In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements: 1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases…Science and Technology
  67. Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context ofScience and Technology
  68. In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following?…Science and Technology
  69. Consider the following: 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Virus Which of the above can be cultured in…Science and Technology
  70. Consider the following statements: 1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have…Science and Technology
  71. Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid becauseScience and Technology
  72. With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? 1. Sodium lamps produce light in…Science and Technology
  73. The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context ofScience and Technology
  74. Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the…Science and Technology
  75. 'Triclosan', considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which…Science and Technology
  76. Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?Science and Technology
  77. We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model?…Polity and Constitution
  78. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyenger Committee…Polity and Constitution
  79. 'Right to Privacy' is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?Polity and Constitution
  80. Consider the following statements: 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in…Polity and Constitution
  81. Consider the following statements: 1. 'Right to the City' is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors…Polity and Constitution
  82. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the…Polity and Constitution
  83. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case,…Polity and Constitution
  84. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled…Polity and Constitution
  85. A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled…Polity and Constitution
  86. Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in…Polity and Constitution
  87. Which one of the following best defines the term 'State'?Polity and Constitution
  88. With reference to Indian judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme…Polity and Constitution
  89. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile.…Polity and Constitution
  90. Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?Polity and Constitution
  91. Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violatesPolity and Constitution
  92. What is the position of the Right to Property in India?Polity and Constitution
  93. What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?Polity and Constitution
  94. Constitutional government meansPolity and Constitution
  95. With reference to India, the terms 'Halbi, Ho and Kui' pertain toArt and Culture
  96. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: 1. Bharat Ratna and Padma…Polity and Constitution
  97. Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: Statement 1: The United Nations…Current Affairs
  98. Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the…Current Affairs
  99. Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: 1. The official motto for this…Current Affairs
  100. Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship: 1. The finalists were decided…Current Affairs