UPSC Prelims 2021 — Every Question with Answer and Explanation

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in public interest. 3. The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act. Which of the above statements are correct?

The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? 1. Burrowing animals and termites 2. Fire 3. Grazing herbivores 4. Seasonal rainfall 5. Soil properties Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Consider the following: 1. Foreign currency convertible bonds 2. Foreign institutional investment with certain conditions 3. Global depository receipts 4. Non-resident external deposits Which of the above can be included in Foreign Direct Investments?

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into the environment. 2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into the environment. 3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Consider the following statements: 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. 2. In the 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. 3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/ her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/ her winning in all the constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

What is the position of the Right to Property in India?

Constitutional government means:

According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were experts in which of the following areas? 1. Wrestling 2. Astrology 3. Accounting 4. Soothsaying Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Consider the following rivers: 1. Brahmani 2. Nagavali 3. Subarnarekha 4. Vamsadhara Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?

Which one of the following is likely to be the most inflationary in its effects?

Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recomm- ended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21. 2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following pairs: Historical place Well - known for 1. Burzahom: Rock-cut shrines 2. Chandra - ketugarh: Terracotta art 3. Ganeshwar: Copper artefacts Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as:

Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

Consider the following statements: 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince. 2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus. 3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State?

Consider the following statements: The effect of the devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily: 1. Improves the competitiveness of domestic exports in the foreign markets. 2. Increases the foreign value of the domestic currency 3. Improves the trade balance Which of the above statements is/are correct?

In nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil? 1. Fern 2. Lichen 3. Moss 4. Mushroom Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics?

Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

With reference to the Indus River system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus directly?

A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law violates one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?

Consider the following kinds of organisms: 1. Copepods 2. Cyanobacteria 3. Diatoms 4. Foraminifera Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

With reference to ‘Water Credit’, consider the following statements: 1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. 2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. 3. It aims to enable poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited. 2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Consider the following statements 1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds. 2. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to Indian judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with prior permission of the President of India. 2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the Indian economy, demand-pull inflation can be caused/increased by which of the following? 1. Expansionary policies 2. Fiscal stimulus 3. Inflation-indexing wages 4. Higher purchasing power 5. Rising interest rates Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Which one of the following effects of the creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Consider the following: 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Virus Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?

With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged from Hyderabad State. 2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged from the Vijayanagara Empire. 3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following? 1. Area of the hole in the lid 2. Temperature of the flame 3. Weight of the lid Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because

Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

Who among the following is associated with ‘Song from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?

Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of

With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of

What is blue carbon?

With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccine’, consider the following statements: 1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. 2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile. 2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. 3. A foreigner once granted citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?

With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements: 1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater. 2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

In India, the central bank’s function as the ‘lender of last resort’ usually refers to which of the following? 1. Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources 2. Providing liquidity to the banks having a temporary crisis 3. Lending to governments to finance budgetary deficits Select the correct answer using the code given below.

“Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees.” This is the most likely description of

With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: 1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. 2. It is the only circular temple built in India. 3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region. 4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? 1. Brakes of motor vehicles 2. Engines of motor vehicles 3. Microwave stoves within homes 4. Power plants 5. Telephone lines Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to:

Which one of the following statements is correct?

With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?

In which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrients to enter the cycle?

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? 1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant. 2. Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such a phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming. 3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions. 4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Consider the following statements: Other things remaining unchanged, market demand for a good might increase if 1. price of its substitute increases 2. price of its complement increases 3. the good is an inferior good and the income of the consumer increases 4. its price falls Which of the above statements are correct?

‘Triclosan’, considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?

Which of the following are detritivores? 1. Earthworms 2. Jellyfish 3. Millipedes 4. Seahorses 5. Woodlice Select the correct answer using the code given below

The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of:

With reference to street - lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? 1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps. 2. As street -lights, sodium lamps have a longer lifespan than LED lamps. 3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street lighting. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? 1. The Guptas of Magadha 2. The Paramaras of Malwa 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar 4. The Maukharis of Kanauj 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri 6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Which of the following have species that can establish a symbiotic relationship with other organisms? 1. Cnidarians 2. Fungi 3. Protozoa Select the correct answer using the code given below

Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?

Which of the following steps is most likely to be taken at the time of an economic recession?

Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates

In the first quarter of the seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located? 1. Broach 2. Chicacole 3. Trichinopoly Select the correct answer using the code given below.

What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Retail investors through Demat account can invest in ‘Treasury Bills’ and ‘Government of India Debt Bonds’ in the primary market. 2. The ‘Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching’ is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India. 3. ‘Central Depository Services Ltd’ is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of:

In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements: 1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of the egg. 2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from mother and not from father. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi- Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres. Which of the statements given above are correct?

With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous:

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.

The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative banks’ in India consider the following statements: 1. They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments. 2. They can issue equity shares and preference shares. 3. They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: 1. It is a product of oil refineries. 2. Some industries use it to generate power. 3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into the environment. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Consider the following statements: 1. Adenoviruses have single stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes. 2. Common cold is sometimes caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?