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UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS ANSWERS
Question 1 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
In the figure shown above, what is the maximum number of different ways in which 8 identical balls can be placed in the small triangles 1,2,3 and 4 such that each triangle contains at least one ball ? 

32 | |
35 | |
44 | |
56 |
Question 2 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumors, a tool called cyber knife has been making the news. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct?
It is a robotic image guided system. | |
It delivers an extremely precise dose of radiation. | |
It has the capability of achieving sub - millimeter accuracy. | |
It can map the spread of tumour in the body. |
Question 3 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
The International Development Association, a lending agency, is administered by the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. | |
International Fund for Agricultural Development. | |
United Nations Development Programme. | |
United Nations Industrialized Development Organization. |
Question 4 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken?
Cauvery and Tungabhadra | |
Godavari and Krishna | |
Mahanadi and Sone | |
Narmada and Tapti |
Question 5 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
'Global Financial Stability Report' is prepared by the
European Central Bank | |
International Monetary Fund | |
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development | |
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development |
Question 6 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Consider the following statements :
- In the year 2006, India successfully tested a full-fledged cryogenic stage in rocketry.
- After USA, Russia and china, India is the only country to have acquired the capability for use of cryogenic stage in rocketry.
1 only | |
2 only | |
Both 1 and 2 | |
Neither 1 nor 2 |
Question 7 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Which one of the following pairs of metals constitutes the lightest metal and the heaviest metal, respectively?
Lithium and mercury | |
Lithium and osmium | |
Aluminium and osmium | |
Aluminium and mercury |
Question 8 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report?
- Complete independence for India.
- Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
- Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the constitution.
1 only. | |
2 and 3 only. | |
1 and 3 only. | |
1, 2 and 3. |
Question 9 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern?
- The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected.
- The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.
- The survival that have larvae will affected.
- The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected.
1, 2 and 3 only | |
2 only | |
1 and 3 only | |
1, 2, 3 and 4 |
Question 10 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education?
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Rural and Urban Local Bodies
- Fifth Schedule
- Sixth Schedule
- Seventh Schedule
1 and 2 only | |
3, 4 and 5 only | |
1, 2 and 5 only | |
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
Question 11 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Annie Besant was
- responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement
- the founder of the Theosophical Society
- once the President of the Indian National Congress
1 only | |
2 and 3 only | |
1 and 3 only | |
1, 2 and 3 |
Question 12 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
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?
- Painted Stork
- Common Myna
- Blacknecked Crane
1 and 2 | |
2 only | |
2 and 3 | |
3 only |
Question 13 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the
Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership | |
Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its total membership | |
Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership | |
Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting |
Question 14 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Which one of the following countries is not a member of the Nordic Council?
Norway | |
Denmark | |
Iceland | |
United Kingdom |
Question 15 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Which of the following substances are found in the beach sands of many parts of Kerala?
- Ilmenite
- Zircon
- Silimanite
- Tungsten
1, 2, 3 and 4 | |
1, 2 and 3 | |
3 and 4 only | |
1 and 2 only |
Question 16 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
In a tournament each of the participants was to play one match against each of the other participants. 3 players fell ill after each of them had played three matches and had to leave the tournament. What was the total number of participants at the beginning, if the total number of matches played was 75 ?
8 | |
10 | |
12 | |
15 |
Question 17 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
What was the main reason for which Niger was in the news in recent times?
Many deaths due to AIDS | |
Fierce civil war | |
Intense fighting with Algeria | |
Famine and starvation |
Question 18 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists :
A B C D "
List I (Person) | List II (Area) | ||
A. | Sabyasachi Mukherjee | 1. | Microfinance loans |
B. | Aniruddha Bahal | 2. | Pharmaceuticals |
C. | Vikram Akula | 3. | Fashion designing |
D. | Yusuf Hamied | 4. | Investigative journalism |
1 2 3 4 | |
3 4 1 2 | |
1 4 3 2 | |
3 2 1 4 |
Question 19 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Half of the villagers of a certain village have their own houses. One - fifth of the villagers cultivate paddy. One - third of the villagers are literate. Four - fifth of the villagers are below twenty five. Then, which one of the following is certainly true?
All the villagers who have their own houses are literate. | |
Some villagers under twenty five are literate. | |
A quarter of the villagers who have their own houses cultivate paddy. | |
Half of the villagers who cultivate paddy are literate. |
Question 20 [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER] |
Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to
the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species | |
a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle | |
Scarcity of food available to them | |
a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them |
There are 20 questions to complete.