UPSC Prelims 2020 GS Paper — 99 Questions with Answers

GS Paper I of the 2020 Preliminary examination, held on 4 October 2020. 100 questions · 200 marks · one-third negative marking. The questions broke down as Economy 28, History 19, Polity & Governance 17, Environment & Ecology 16, General Science 11, Geography 5, Current Events 3.

  1. Q1 Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months. 2. State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data. 3. Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products. 4…
    Polity & Governance· hard
  2. Q2 Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in
    Polity & Governance· medium
  3. Q3 With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct ? 1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc. 2. A…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  4. Q4 Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination ?
    Polity & Governance· easy
  5. Q5 In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by
    Polity & Governance· easy
  6. Q6 Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include 'The Macro Economic Framework Statement'. The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by
    Economy· medium
  7. Q7 A constitutional government by definition is a
    Polity & Governance· easy
  8. Q8 Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) ? 1. Preamble 2. Directive Principles of State Policy 3…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  9. Q9 In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens ? 1. Person with an annual income of less than ₹ 1,00,000 2. Transgender with an annual income of less than ₹ 2,00,000 3. Member of Other Backward…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  10. Q10 Consider the following pairs : International agreement / set-up — Subject 1. Alma-Ata Declaration — Healthcare of the people 2. Hague Convention — Biological and chemical weapons 3. Talanoa Dialogue — Global climate change 4. Under2 Coalition — Child rights…
    Current Events· medium
  11. Q11 A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which
    Polity & Governance· easy
  12. Q12 Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare State ?
    Polity & Governance· easy
  13. Q13 Consider the following statements : 1. The Constitution of India defines its 'basic structure' in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy. 2. The Constitution of India provides for 'judicial review' to safeguard the citizens'…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  14. Q14 One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is
    Polity & Governance· medium
  15. Q15 In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy ?
    Polity & Governance· easy
  16. Q16 The Preamble to the Constitution of India is
    Polity & Governance· medium
  17. Q17 "Gold Tranche" (Reserve Tranche) refers to
    Economy· easy
  18. Q18 With reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. They shall be enforceable by courts. 2. They shall not be enforceable by any court. 3. The principles laid down in this…
    Polity & Governance· easy
  19. Q19 Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State. 2. According to the…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  20. Q20 Consider the following statements : 1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such place as he/she thinks fit. 2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct…
    Polity & Governance· medium
  21. Q21 With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs : 1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the State 2. Banian — Indian agent of the East India Company 3. Mirasidar — Designated revenue payer to the State Which of the pairs given above is/are…
    History· hard
  22. Q22 With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas…
    History· hard
  23. Q23 Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century ?
    History· medium
  24. Q24 Consider the following events in the history of India : 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I 3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I 4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala What is the correct…
    History· medium
  25. Q25 Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period ?
    History· medium
  26. Q26 With reference to the book “Desher Katha” written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements : 1. It warned against the Colonial State’s hypnotic conquest of the mind. 2. It inspired the performance of swadeshi…
    History· hard
  27. Q27 The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following ? 1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference 2. Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement 3. Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion…
    History· medium
  28. Q28 The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by
    History· hard
  29. Q29 With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote
    History· hard
  30. Q30 Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription ? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very…
    History· easy
  31. Q31 With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas'?
    History· medium
  32. Q32 In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around 1. women's right to gain education 2. age of consent 3. restitution of conjugal rights Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    History· medium
  33. Q33 Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of
    History· medium
  34. Q34 Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because
    History· medium
  35. Q35 With reference to the history of India, "Ulgulan" or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?
    History· medium
  36. Q36 With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements : 1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga. 2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana. 3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta – II. Which of the…
    History· medium
  37. Q37 In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, "Pronuclear Transfer" is used for
    General Science· medium
  38. Q38 With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following ? 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 3. Disease diagnosis 4. Text-to-Speech Conversion…
    General Science· medium
  39. Q39 With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct ? 1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm. 2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication. 3. VLC can transmit…
    General Science· medium
  40. Q40 With reference to "Blockchain Technology", consider the following statements : 1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls. 2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about…
    General Science· medium
  41. Q41 With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements : 1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body. 2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body. 3. They can be used in…
    General Science· medium
  42. Q42 Consider the following activities : 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can…
    General Science· medium
  43. Q43 "The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft." The experiment in question refers to
    General Science· medium
  44. Q44 Consider the following statements : 1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent. 2. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage. 3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells…
    General Science· medium
  45. Q45 What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India ? 1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis. 2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced…
    General Science· medium
  46. Q46 In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" is used in the context of
    General Science· easy
  47. Q47 Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells ? 1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not. 2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do. 3…
    General Science· easy
  48. Q48 Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution ? 1. Automobile exhaust 2. Tobacco smoke 3. Wood burning 4. Using varnished wooden furniture 5. Using products made of polyurethane Select the correct answer using the code given…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  49. Q49 If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give some immunity to India ? 1. Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings 2. Opening up to more foreign banks 3. Maintaining full…
    Economy· medium
  50. Q50 If you withdraw ₹ 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be
    Economy· medium
  51. Q51 With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic ?
    Economy· easy
  52. Q52 With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. India's merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports. 2. India's imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery…
    Economy· medium
  53. Q53 The term 'West Texas Intermediate', sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of
    Economy· easy
  54. Q54 In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following ? 1. Housing loans owed by households 2. Amounts outstanding on credit cards 3. Treasury bills Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    Economy· medium
  55. Q55 In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under "IAEA Safeguards" while others are not ?
    Current Events· medium
  56. Q56 With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited. 2. They apply to investment measures related to trade in both goods…
    Economy· medium
  57. Q57 If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do ? 1. Cut and optimize the Statutory Liquidity Ratio 2. Increase the Marginal Standing Facility Rate 3. Cut the Bank Rate and Repo Rate Select the correct…
    Economy· easy
  58. Q58 With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements : 1. Worker productivity (₹ per worker at 2004-05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas. 2. The percentage share of…
    Economy· hard
  59. Q59 Consider the following statements : 1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks. 2. One of the most…
    Economy· medium
  60. Q60 In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits ? 1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to…
    Economy· hard
  61. Q61 In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture ? 1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops 2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies 3. Social Capital development 4. Free…
    Economy· medium
  62. Q62 What is the importance of the term "Interest Coverage Ratio" of a firm in India ? 1. It helps in understanding the present risk of a firm that a bank is going to give loan to. 2. It helps in evaluating the emerging risk of a firm that a bank is going to give…
    Economy· medium
  63. Q63 Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past ? 1. Minimum Support Price 2. Government's trading 3. Government's stockpiling 4. Consumer subsidies Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    Economy· medium
  64. Q64 Consider the following statements : 1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade. 2. "Textile and textile articles" constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh. 3. In the last five years, Nepal has…
    Economy· medium
  65. Q65 In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20 ?
    Current Events· easy
  66. Q66 Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes ? 1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets 2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks 3. Consumption requirements…
    Economy· medium
  67. Q67 Consider the following statements : 1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). 2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does. 3. Reserve Bank of India has now…
    Economy· medium
  68. Q68 Consider the following pairs : River — Flows into 1. Mekong — Andaman Sea 2. Thames — Irish Sea 3. Volga — Caspian Sea 4. Zambezi — Indian Ocean Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
    Geography· medium
  69. Q69 Consider the following statements : 1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India. 2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to…
    Economy· medium
  70. Q70 With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements : 1. 'Commercial Paper' is a short-term unsecured promissory note. 2. 'Certificate of Deposit' is a long-term instrument issued by the Reserve Bank of India to a corporation. 3. 'Call…
    Economy· medium
  71. Q71 With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs : 1. Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana — Priest with a high status 3. Upasaka — Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?
    History· medium
  72. Q72 With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements : 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 4. Among the…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  73. Q73 Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin ? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  74. Q74 With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  75. Q75 Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous ?
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  76. Q76 Steel slag can be the material for which of the following ? 1. Construction of base road 2. Improvement of agricultural soil 3. Production of cement Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  77. Q77 Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat ? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary 4. Manas National Park Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  78. Q78 In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint ? 1. Copper slag 2. Cold mix asphalt technology 3. Geotextiles 4. Hot mix asphalt technology 5. Portland cement…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  79. Q79 Consider the following statements : 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment. 3. High ash content is observed in Indian coal. Which of the statements given…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  80. Q80 What is the use of biochar in farming ? 1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. 2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. 3. When biochar is a part of the…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  81. Q81 If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication ?
    Environment & Ecology· easy
  82. Q82 With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as
    History· medium
  83. Q83 What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture ? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop. 2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible. 3…
    Economy· medium
  84. Q84 According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels ? 1. Cassava 2. Damaged wheat grains 3. Groundnut seeds 4. Horse gram 5. Rotten potatoes 6. Sugar beet Select the correct…
    Economy· medium
  85. Q85 Which one of the following statements best describes the term ‘Social Cost of Carbon’ ? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  86. Q86 With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements : 1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop. 2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production. 3. In the last three decades, while the production…
    Economy· medium
  87. Q87 “The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation…
    Geography· medium
  88. Q88 With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements : 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps. 2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston. Which of the…
    Economy· medium
  89. Q89 With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements : 1. A substantial saving in seed material is made when 'bud chip settlings' are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main field. 2. When…
    Economy· hard
  90. Q90 In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture ? 1. Crop diversification 2. Legume intensification 3. Tensiometer use 4. Vertical farming Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  91. Q91 What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture ? 1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible. 2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible. 3. Increased availability of nutrients to…
    Economy· medium
  92. Q92 Consider the following minerals : 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals ?
    Geography· hard
  93. Q94 With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements : 1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government. 2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from…
    Economy· medium
  94. Q95 With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct ? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habitation inside the Park. 3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard. Select the…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  95. Q96 Siachen Glacier is situated to the
    Geography· easy
  96. Q97 With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs : Famous Place Present State 1. Bhilsa — Madhya Pradesh 2. Dwarasamudra — Maharashtra 3. Girinagar — Gujarat 4. Sthanesvara — Uttar Pradesh Which of the pairs given above are correctly…
    History· medium
  97. Q98 Consider the following statements : 1. 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical" by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). 2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. 3. India has the largest area under…
    Environment & Ecology· medium
  98. Q99 Consider the following statements : 1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones develop an eye. 3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C lesser than that of the surroundings. Which of the statements given…
    Geography· medium
  99. Q100 Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat" ?
    Environment & Ecology· hard

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