UPSC Civil Services Prelims — 2020

Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because:

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 street plays and folk songs. 3. The use of ‘desh’ by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by:

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Aurang – In-charge of treasury of the State Banian – Indian agent of the East India Company Mirasidar – Designated revenue payer to the State Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around: women’s right to gain education age of consent restitution of conjugal rights Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 Gandhi’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses. 4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

With reference to the book “Desher Katha” written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statement: It warned against the Colonial States hypnotic conquest of the mind. It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs. The use of ‘desh’ by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Which of the following statements correctly explain the impact of the Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of

With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?

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:

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 Gandhi’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses 4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 correctly matched?

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 capital account convertibility Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (Rs. per worker at 2004-05 prices) increased in the industrial sector. 2. The industrial employment (as a proportion of total employment) increased. 3. The share of industrial sector in GDP increased. 4. Worker productivity in agriculture sector increased. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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:

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

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 and services. 3. They are part of the WTO framework. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

If the RBI decides to adopt an expansionist monetary policy, which of the following would it not do?

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 Money’ is short-term finance used for interbank transactions. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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 one’s computer 2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so 3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion 4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Indian Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following? 1. Actions of the United States Federal Reserve 2. Actions of the Reserve Bank of India 3. Inflation and short-term interest rates Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Which one of the following schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which

Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare State?

The mind of the makers of the Constitution of India is reflected in which of the following?

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. Liberty and civil rights Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 Part are to influence the making of laws by the State. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Which one of the following reflects the supreme authority of the Legislature?

Who among the following has the power to regulate the right of citizenship in India?

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

Which of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporate protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?

In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by

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

A constitutional government by definition is a

With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing administrative reforms and promoting it on an all India basis. 2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister’s charge. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost free days and a bright sun-shine for its growth. It requires 50 to 100 cm of rainfall for its growth. Which one of the following is that crop?

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 of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture? 1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible. 2. Efficient application of fertilizers is possible. 3. Pressure variation in the pump system does not affect fertigation normality. 4. Reduction in the leaching of chemicals is possible. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 metres in the south-west Indian Ocean during January-March. 2. OMT measured during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in India during the ensuing monsoon season will be less than that of long-term mean. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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.

Siachen Glacier is situated to the

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 Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?

With reference to the institution of ‘Gollas’ and ‘Dolas’, consider the following statements: 1. Golas were members of a non-elite class of Rajasthan. 2. Dolas were meant for the bride’s family and not for the bridegroom’s side. 3. Rajput clans had to accept these marriages as a mark of respect to the ruling clans. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which one of the following statements best describes the term ‘Social Cost of Carbon’?

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 can be injected into the embryo of a pig. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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. 3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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. 3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth. 4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 is about cryptocurrency only. 3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 the human body. 3. They can be used in biochemical sensors. 4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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 plants is possible. 4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.

What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop. 2. Without the need for a nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible. 3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.

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

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 growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for longer time.

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

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

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 above is/are correct?

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

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

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

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 groundwater irrigation in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 the Great Indian Bustard.

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

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?

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

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 States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are