UPSC Prelims 2014 GS Paper — 100 Questions with Answers

GS Paper I of the 2014 Preliminary examination, held on 24 August 2014. 100 questions · 200 marks · one-third negative marking. The questions broke down as Environment & Ecology 23, History 21, General Science 16, Economy 15, Geography 11, Polity & Governance 10, Current Events 4.

  1. Q1 What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as 'Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative'? 1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation. 2. Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively…
    Economy· hard
  2. Q2 If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  3. Q3 Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the 'Ten Degree Channel'?
    Geography· easy
  4. Q4 Consider the following pairs : Programme/Project : Ministry 1. Drought-Prone Area Programme : Ministry of Agriculture 2. Desert Development Programme : Ministry of Environment and Forests 3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas : Ministry…
    Economy· hard
  5. Q5 With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements : 1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. 2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  6. Q6 With reference to 'Global Environment Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct?
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  7. Q7 With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements : 1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilizes…
    General Science· medium
  8. Q8 Consider the following languages : 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu Which of the above has/have been declared as 'Classical Language/Languages' by the Government?
    History· easy
  9. Q9 Consider the following pairs : 1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram 2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim 3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  10. Q10 With reference to a conservation organization called 'Wetlands International', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention. 2. It works at the…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  11. Q11 With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements : 1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009. 2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping. Which of the statements given above is/are…
    Current Events· medium
  12. Q12 Consider the following diseases : 1. Diphtheria 2. Chickenpox 3. Smallpox Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
    General Science· easy
  13. Q13 Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms? 1. Continental drift 2. Glacial cycles Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    General Science· medium
  14. Q14 Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins? 1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers 2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers 3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  15. Q15 The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
    History· easy
  16. Q16 Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use? 1. They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment. 2. They are able to accumulate in humans and animals…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  17. Q17 Consider the following : 1. Bats 2. Bears 3. Rodents The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?
    General Science· easy
  18. Q18 Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
    Polity & Governance· easy
  19. Q19 Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth? 1. Volcanic action 2. Respiration 3. Photosynthesis 4. Decay of organic matter Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  20. Q20 If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds? 1. Painted Stork 2. Common Myna 3. Black-necked…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  21. Q21 In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for
    History· hard
  22. Q22 Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  23. Q23 If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there? 1. Oak 2. Rhododendron 3. Sandalwood Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  24. Q24 Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India? 1. Oxides of sulphur 2. Oxides of nitrogen 3. Carbon monoxide 4. Carbon dioxide Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  25. Q25 Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    History· easy
  26. Q26 Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
    Environment & Ecology· hard
  27. Q27 The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a
    Economy· easy
  28. Q28 What does venture capital mean?
    Economy· easy
  29. Q29 The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is
    Economy· easy
  30. Q30 With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account? 1. Balance of trade 2. Foreign assets 3. Balance of invisibles 4. Special Drawing Rights Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Economy· easy
  31. Q31 The terms 'Marginal Standing Facility Rate' and 'Net Demand and Time Liabilities', sometimes appearing in news, are used in relation to
    Economy· easy
  32. Q32 What is/are the facility/facilities the beneficiaries can get from the services of Business Correspondent (Bank Saathi) in branchless areas? 1. It enables the beneficiaries to draw their subsidies and social security benefits in their villages. 2. It enables…
    Economy· easy
  33. Q33 In the context of Indian economy, which of the following is/are the purpose/purposes of 'Statutory Reserve Requirements'? 1. To enable the Central Bank to control the amount of advances the banks can create 2. To make the people's deposits with banks safe and…
    Economy· medium
  34. Q34 Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as 'Arab Spring' originally started from
    Current Events· easy
  35. Q35 Consider the following countries : 1. Denmark 2. Japan 3. Russian Federation 4. United Kingdom 5. United States of America Which of the above are the members of the 'Arctic Council'?
    Current Events· medium
  36. Q36 Consider the following pairs : Region often in news : Country 1. Chechnya : Russian Federation 2. Darfur : Mali 3. Swat Valley : Iraq Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
    Current Events· easy
  37. Q37 With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a surface-to-surface missile. 2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only. 3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away. Select the correct answer…
    General Science· medium
  38. Q38 With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas', consider the following statements : 1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only…
    General Science· medium
  39. Q39 With reference to 'Changpa' community of India, consider the following statements : 1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand. 2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool. 3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes. Which of the…
    Geography· medium
  40. Q40 In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?
    Economy· hard
  41. Q41 Which of the following have coral reefs? 1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2. Gulf of Kachchh 3. Gulf of Mannar 4. Sunderbans Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  42. Q42 In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? 1. Terrace cultivation 2. Deforestation 3. Tropical climate Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Geography· easy
  43. Q43 The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of
    Geography· easy
  44. Q44 With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchayatan' refers to
    History· easy
  45. Q45 Consider the following rivers : 1. Barak 2. Lohit 3. Subansiri Which of the above flows/flow through Arunachal Pradesh?
    Geography· medium
  46. Q46 Consider the following pairs : Wetlands Confluence of rivers 1. Harike Wetlands : Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej 2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park : Confluence of Banas and Chambal 3. Kolleru Lake : Confluence of Musi and Krishna Which of the above pairs…
    Geography· medium
  47. Q47 Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
    History· easy
  48. Q48 Consider the following pairs : Hills : Region 1. Cardamom Hills : Coromandel Coast 2. Kaimur Hills : Konkan Coast 3. Mahadeo Hills : Central India 4. Mikir Hills : North-East India Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
    Geography· medium
  49. Q49 Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?
    Polity & Governance· easy
  50. Q50 The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  51. Q51 Turkey is located between
    Geography· easy
  52. Q52 What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north? 1. Bangkok 2. Hanoi 3. Jakarta 4. Singapore Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Geography· easy
  53. Q53 The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3 °C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world? 1…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  54. Q54 The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
    History· easy
  55. Q55 In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the
    Polity & Governance· easy
  56. Q56 What are the benefits of implementing the 'Integrated Watershed Development Programme'? 1. Prevention of soil runoff 2. Linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers 3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table 4. Regeneration of…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  57. Q57 Which of the following are associated with 'Planning' in India? 1. The Finance Commission 2. The National Development Council 3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development 4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development 5. The Parliament Select the correct answer…
    Economy· medium
  58. Q58 Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat? 1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings 2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees 3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries Select the correct answer…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  59. Q59 Consider the following statements : A Constitutional Government is one which 1. places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority 2. places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual…
    Polity & Governance· easy
  60. Q60 Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? 1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President's rule 2. Appointing the Ministers 3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  61. Q61 If the interest rate is decreased in an economy, it will
    Economy· easy
  62. Q62 Consider the following statements : 1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business. 2. All executive actions of the Government of…
    Polity & Governance· easy
  63. Q63 Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India : 1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India. 2. A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only. Which of the statements given…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  64. Q64 With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements : 1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites. 2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents. 3. Neem…
    General Science· medium
  65. Q65 Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?
    General Science· easy
  66. Q66 In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of the following can be used in the biometric identification of a person? 1. Iris scanning 2. Retinal scanning 3. Voice recognition Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    General Science· easy
  67. Q67 Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the…
    General Science· medium
  68. Q68 Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Spacecraft Purpose 1. Cassini-Huygens : Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth 2. Messenger : Mapping and investigating the Mercury 3. Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system…
    General Science· medium
  69. Q69 Consider the following pairs : Region Well-known for the production of 1. Kinnaur : Areca nut 2. Mewat : Mango 3. Coromandel : Soya bean Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
    Geography· medium
  70. Q70 Which of the following is/are the example/examples of chemical change? 1. Crystallization of sodium chloride 2. Melting of ice 3. Souring of milk Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    General Science· easy
  71. Q71 The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its
    Polity & Governance· easy
  72. Q72 Consider the following techniques/phenomena : 1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants 2. Cytoplasmic male sterility 3. Gene silencing Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?
    General Science· medium
  73. Q73 Consider the following statements : 1. Maize can be used for the production of starch. 2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel. 3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    General Science· easy
  74. Q74 Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?
    General Science· easy
  75. Q75 The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
    Polity & Governance· easy
  76. Q76 Consider the following towns of India : 1. Bhadrachalam 2. Chanderi 3. Kancheepuram 4. Karnal Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees/fabric?
    History· medium
  77. Q77 Consider the following pairs : National Highway : Cities connected 1. NH 4 : Chennai and Hyderabad 2. NH 6 : Mumbai and Kolkata 3. NH 15 : Ahmedabad and Jodhpur Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
    Geography· hard
  78. Q78 Consider the following international agreements : 1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 3. The World Heritage Convention Which of the above has/have a bearing…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  79. Q79 Consider the following statements regarding 'Earth Hour' : 1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO. 2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year. 3. It is a movement to raise the awareness…
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  80. Q80 Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  81. Q81 The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until
    History· easy
  82. Q82 The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the
    History· easy
  83. Q83 With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements : 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of…
    History· medium
  84. Q84 Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?
    History· easy
  85. Q85 With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs : Famous work of sculpture : Site 1. A grand image of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below…
    History· medium
  86. Q86 The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a
    History· easy
  87. Q87 With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu'?
    History· easy
  88. Q88 Consider the following pairs : 1. Garba : Gujarat 2. Mohiniattam : Odisha 3. Yakshagana : Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
    History· easy
  89. Q89 With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs : Famous shrine Location 1. Tabo monastery and temple complex : Spiti Valley 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako : Zanskar Valley 3. Alchi temple complex : Ladakh…
    History· hard
  90. Q90 Consider the following statements : 1. 'Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal. 2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    History· medium
  91. Q91 A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
    History· easy
  92. Q92 What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown 3. To regulate East India Company's trade with India Select the correct…
    History· medium
  93. Q93 Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
    History· easy
  94. Q94 In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation? 1…
    Economy· medium
  95. Q95 With reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  96. Q96 Consider the following statements : 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body. 3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  97. Q97 Consider the following pairs : Vitamin Deficiency disease 1. Vitamin C : Scurvy 2. Vitamin D : Rickets 3. Vitamin E : Night blindness Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
    General Science· easy
  98. Q98 There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? 1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil. 2. They can enter the food…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  99. Q99 Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as 'World Economic Outlook'?
    Economy· easy
  100. Q100 With reference to Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure? 1. Defence expenditure 2. Interest payments 3. Salaries and pensions 4. Subsidies Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    Economy· easy

Question paper and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanations: UPSC Answer Check. Practise this paper with a timer →