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UPSC Prelims 2018 question paper

UPSC held the 2018 Preliminary examination on 3 June 2018 — GS Paper I from 9:30 to 11:30 am and CSAT from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. 160 questions from that day are below, each with the Commission's official answer and our explanation of why the other three options fail.

General Studies Paper I

100 questions

Economy 26 · History 22 · Polity & Governance 14 · General Science 13 · Environment & Ecology 13 · Current Events 7 · Geography 5

  1. Q1 Consider the following statements : 1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party. 2. In the Lok Sabha, a "Leader of the…
  2. Q2 Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhibit water loss ? 1. Hard and waxy leaves 2. Tiny leaves 3. Thorns instead of leaves Select the…
  3. Q3 As per the NSSO 70ᵗʰ Round "Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households", consider the following statements : 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of…
  4. Q4 How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by…
  5. Q5 Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validity of a law placed in…
  6. Q6 Which one of the following best describes the term “Merchant Discount Rate” sometimes seen in news ?
  7. Q7 What is/are the consequence/consequences of a country becoming the member of the ‘Nuclear Suppliers Group’ ? 1. It will have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear…
  8. Q8 With reference to India’s decision to levy an equalization tax of 6% on online advertisement services offered by non-resident entities, which of the following statements is/are…
  9. Q9 Consider the following statements : 1. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee Report has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general…
  10. Q10 Consider the following statements : 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The Government does not…
  11. Q11 He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America for some time; and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was
  12. Q12 Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the…
  13. Q13 Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/dried up in the recent past due to human activities ? 1. Aral Sea 2. Black Sea 3. Lake Baikal Select the correct answer using the…
  14. Q14 “Rule of Law Index” is released by which of the following ?
  15. Q15 Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India ?
  16. Q16 Consider the following statements : 1. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is the amount that banks have to maintain in the form of their own funds to offset any loss that banks incur if…
  17. Q17 The identity platform ‘Aadhaar’ provides open “Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)”. What does it imply ? 1. It can be integrated into any electronic device. 2. Online…
  18. Q18 Very recently, in which of the following countries have lakhs of people either suffered from severe famine/acute malnutrition or died due to starvation caused by war/ethnic…
  19. Q19 Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true ? 1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced. 2. Establishment of universities was recommended. 3. English as a…
  20. Q20 With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules…
  21. Q21 Consider the following statements : 1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the…
  22. Q22 Consider the following pairs : Tradition — State 1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram 2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur 3. Thang-Ta dance — Sikkim Which of the pairs given above…
  23. Q23 Consider the following statements : 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority…
  24. Q24 The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of
  25. Q25 With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements : 1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty…
  26. Q26 India enacted The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to
  27. Q27 Consider the following statements : 1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines. 2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines. 3…
  28. Q28 With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements : 1. BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account. 2. While a…
  29. Q29 Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi ?
  30. Q30 International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to
  31. Q31 Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct ?
  32. Q32 With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements : 1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State. 2. The value of the…
  33. Q33 In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the 'International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)' ?
  34. Q34 Consider the following countries : 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. China 4. India 5. Japan 6. USA Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ASEAN ?
  35. Q35 With reference to the 'Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)', which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. GACSA is an outcome of the Climate Summit held…
  36. Q36 Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India ? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did. 2. Establish a…
  37. Q37 Consider the following pairs : Towns sometimes mentioned in news — Country 1. Aleppo — Syria 2. Kirkuk — Yemen 3. Mosul — Palestine 4. Mazar-i-sharif — Afghanistan Which of the…
  38. Q38 In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the
  39. Q39 Consider the following statements : 1. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall vacate his/her office if he/she ceases to be a member of the Assembly. 2. Whenever the…
  40. Q40 Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty ?
  41. Q41 Consider the following statements : 1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office. 2. The emoluments and…
  42. Q42 The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the
  43. Q43 What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news ?
  44. Q44 With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna. 2. Tyagaraja…
  45. Q45 Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the "Rule of Law" ? 1. Limitation of powers 2. Equality before law 3. People's responsibility to the Government 4…
  46. Q46 Which one of the following statements correctly describes the meaning of legal tender money ?
  47. Q47 If a commodity is provided free to the public by the Government, then
  48. Q48 Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if
  49. Q49 Consider the following statements : Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a process which enables 1. individuals of a country to accumulate more…
  50. Q50 Despite being a high saving economy, capital formation may not result in significant increase in output due to
  51. Q51 After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government ? 1. The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created. 2. It became…
  52. Q52 Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19ᵗʰ century was the
  53. Q53 If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then
  54. Q54 Consider the following pairs : Craft — Heritage of 1. Puthukkuli shawls — Tamil Nadu 2. Sujni embroidery — Maharashtra 3. Uppada Jamdani saris — Karnataka Which of the pairs given…
  55. Q55 In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used ? 1. Mobile phone operations 2. Banking operations 3. Controlling the power grids Select the correct answer using the…
  56. Q56 Consider the following statements : 1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities. 2. Treasury bills are…
  57. Q57 Consider the following statements : 1. The Earth's magnetic field has reversed every few hundred thousand years. 2. When the Earth was created more than 4000 million years ago…
  58. Q58 The terms 'WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue' sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to
  59. Q59 With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation…
  60. Q60 The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of
  61. Q61 With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements : 1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites…
  62. Q62 Consider the following phenomena : 1. Light is affected by gravity. 2. The Universe is constantly expanding. 3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time. Which of the above is/are…
  63. Q63 With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements : 1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give…
  64. Q64 Consider the following pairs : Terms sometimes seen in news — Context/Topic 1. Belle II experiment — Artificial Intelligence 2. Blockchain technology — Digital/Cryptocurrency 3…
  65. Q65 Which of the following statements best describes "carbon fertilization" ?
  66. Q66 When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your…
  67. Q67 With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements : 1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in…
  68. Q68 The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18ᵗʰ century were
  69. Q69 Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha ?
  70. Q70 Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948 ?
  71. Q71 With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to
  72. Q72 With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements : 1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri. 2. Red…
  73. Q73 Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India ?
  74. Q74 With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?
  75. Q75 Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley ?
  76. Q76 Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India ? 1. Charter Act of 1813 2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823 3. Orientalist and Anglicist…
  77. Q77 Which one of the following is an artificial lake ?
  78. Q78 With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements : 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 2. It, among…
  79. Q79 In 1920, which of the following changed its name to "Swarajya Sabha" ?
  80. Q80 Which among the following events happened earliest ?
  81. Q81 Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds ? 1. Decreased salinity in the river 2. Pollution of groundwater 3. Lowering of the…
  82. Q82 With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements : 1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. 2. Soil does…
  83. Q83 The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at
  84. Q84 "3D printing" has applications in which of the following ? 1. Preparation of confectionery items 2. Manufacture of bionic ears 3. Automotive industry 4. Reconstructive surgeries…
  85. Q85 Consider the following statements : 1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory. 2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar. 3…
  86. Q86 Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?
  87. Q87 Consider the following statements : 1. Most of the world's coral reefs are in tropical waters. 2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in the territories of…
  88. Q88 “Momentum for Change : Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by
  89. Q89 With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs : Institution — Founder 1. Sanskrit College at Benaras — William Jones 2…
  90. Q90 Consider the following pairs : Regions sometimes mentioned in news — Country 1. Catalonia — Spain 2. Crimea — Hungary 3. Mindanao — Philippines 4. Oromia — Nigeria Which of the…
  91. Q91 Consider the following events : 1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India. 2. India's then largest bank, 'Imperial Bank of India'…
  92. Q92 Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the…
  93. Q93 Consider the following : 1. Areca nut 2. Barley 3. Coffee 4. Finger millet 5. Groundnut 6. Sesamum 7. Turmeric The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum…
  94. Q94 In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located ?
  95. Q95 With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements : 1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are…
  96. Q96 With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements : 1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Government of India has…
  97. Q97 Consider the following items : 1. Cereal grains hulled 2. Chicken eggs cooked 3. Fish processed and canned 4. Newspapers containing advertising material Which of the above items…
  98. Q98 Consider the following statements : 1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006. 2. For the first time in India, Baigas have…
  99. Q99 Consider the following : 1. Birds 2. Dust blowing 3. Rain 4. Wind blowing Which of the above spread plant diseases ?
  100. Q100 With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements : 1. 'The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and…

CSAT Paper II

60 questions

Comprehension 35 · Basic Numeracy 14 · Mental Ability 7 · Logical Reasoning 3 · Data Interpretation 1

  1. Q2 Consider the following sum : • + 1• + 2• + • 3 + • 1 = 21• In the above sum, • stands for
  2. Q3 Consider the following pattern of numbers : 8 | 10 | 15 | 13 6 | 5 | 7 | 4 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 —————— 6 | 11 | 16 | ? What is the number at ? in the above pattern?
  3. Q4 How many diagonals can be drawn by joining the vertices of an octagon?
  4. Q6 A train 200 metres long is moving at the rate of 40 kmph. In how many seconds will it cross a man standing near the railway line?
  5. Q7 Which of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
  6. Q8 Which of the following is the most logical corollary to the above passage?
  7. Q9 Which of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
  8. Q10 The author wants India to rid herself of certain past bonds because
  9. Q17 According to the passage, which of the following is/are of paramount importance under the Right to Education? 1. Sending of children to school by all parents 2. Provision of…
  10. Q18 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. The Right to Education guarantees teachers' accountability for the learning process of children…
  11. Q19 According to the passage, which one of the following is critical in bringing quality in education?
  12. Q20 What is the essential message in this passage?
  13. Q21 If LSJXVC is the code for MUMBAI, the code for DELHI is
  14. Q22 If RAMON is written as 12345 and DINESH as 675849, then HAMAM will be written as
  15. Q23 If X is between –3 and –1, and Y is between –1 and 1, then X² – Y² is in between which of the following?
  16. Q24 X and Y are natural numbers other than 1, and Y is greater than X. Which of the following represents the largest number?
  17. Q25 If E sits in his office and faces the corridor, whose office is to his left?
  18. Q26 Who is/are F's immediate neighbour/neighbours?
  19. Q27 According to the passage, which of the following are the consequences of decline in forest cover? 1. Loss of topsoil 2. Loss of smaller rivers 3. Adverse effect on agricultural…
  20. Q28 Which of the following is/are the correct inference/ inferences that can be made from the passage? 1. Deforestation can cause changes in the course of rivers. 2. Salinization of…
  21. Q29 With reference to 'desertification', as described in the passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Desertification is a phenomenon in tropical areas only. 2…
  22. Q30 With reference to the above passage, which of the following would assist us in coping with the climate change? 1. Conservation of natural water sources 2. Conservation of wider…
  23. Q31 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Diversification of livelihoods acts as a coping strategy for climate change. 2. Adoption of…
  24. Q32 Which of the following is the most crucial and logical inference that can be made from the above passage?
  25. Q33 The author of the passage holds the view that
  26. Q34 A number consists of three digits of which the middle one is zero and their sum is 4. If the number formed by interchanging the first and last digits is greater than the number…
  27. Q35 A solid cube of 3 cm side, painted on all its faces, is cut up into small cubes of 1 cm side. How many of the small cubes will have exactly two painted faces?
  28. Q36 While writing all the numbers from 700 to 1000, how many numbers occur in which the digit at hundred's place is greater than the digit at ten's place, and the digit at ten's place…
  29. Q37 If Pen < Pencil, Pencil < Book and Book > Cap, then which one of the following is always true?
  30. Q38 A bookseller sold 'a' number of Geography textbooks at the rate of ₹ x per book, 'a + 2' number of History textbooks at the rate of ₹ (x + 2) per book and 'a – 2' number of…
  31. Q39 A bag contains 15 red balls and 20 black balls. Each ball is numbered either 1 or 2 or 3. 20% of the red balls are numbered 1 and 40% of them are numbered 3. Similarly, among the…
  32. Q40 Two persons, A and B are running on a circular track. At the start, B is ahead of A and their positions make an angle of 30° at the centre of the circle. When A reaches the point…
  33. Q41 A student has to get 40% marks to pass in an examination. Suppose he gets 30 marks and fails by 30 marks, then what are the maximum marks in the examination?
  34. Q42 19 boys turn out for playing hockey. Of these, 11 are wearing hockey shirts and 14 are wearing hockey pants. There are no boys without shirts and/or pants. What is the number of…
  35. Q43 A is studying in
  36. Q44 Science college is located in
  37. Q45 C is studying in
  38. Q46 Which one of the following statements is correct?
  39. Q47 Which one of the following statements is correct regarding Engineering college?
  40. Q48 Which one of the following statements is correct?
  41. Q49 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Climate change is not a challenge for developed countries. 2. Climate change is a complex policy…
  42. Q50 Which of the following is the most crucial and logical inference that can be made from the above passage?
  43. Q51 Which one of the following is the most important implication of the passage?
  44. Q52 Which one of the following is the most important implication of the passage?
  45. Q53 What is the crucial message conveyed by the above passage?
  46. Q54 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. India continues to be a developing country essentially due to its faulty education system. 2…
  47. Q55 What is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
  48. Q56 Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?
  49. Q57 A shopkeeper sells an article at ₹ 40 and gets X% profit. However, when he sells it at ₹ 20, he faces same percentage of loss. What is the original cost of the article?
  50. Q58 There are 24 equally spaced points lying on the circumference of a circle. What is the maximum number of equilateral triangles that can be drawn by taking sets of three points as…
  51. Q59 Consider the sequence given below : 4/12/95, 1/1/96, 29/1/96, 26/2/96, .... What is the next term of the series?
  52. Q60 Twelve equal squares are placed to fit in a rectangle of diagonal 5 cm. There are three rows containing four squares each. No gaps are left between adjacent squares. What is the…
  53. Q68 A lift has the capacity of 18 adults or 30 children. How many children can board the lift with 12 adults?
  54. Q69 A person bought a refrigerator worth ₹ 22,800 with 12·5% interest compounded yearly. At the end of first year he paid ₹ 8,650 and at the end of second year ₹ 9,125. How much will…
  55. Q74 With reference to the above table, which of the following is/are the most logical and rational inference/inferences that can be made? 1. Higher per capita income is generally…
  56. Q75 With reference to the above table, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Nowadays, prosperity of an already high performing State cannot be sustained without making…
  57. Q77 If x – y = 8, then which of the following must be true? 1. Both x and y must be positive for any value of x and y. 2. If x is positive, y must be negative for any value of x and…
  58. Q78 What is the most rational and crucial message given by the passage?
  59. Q79 Which of the following is the most rational and crucial message given by the passage?
  60. Q80 With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. The strategy of conservation of wildlife by relocating them from one protected area to another…

Question papers and answer keys: Union Public Service Commission. Explanations: UPSC Answer Check.

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