Importance of PYQs in UPSC
“Grab your pen and paper, tackle the questions, and then dive into the answers—test your skills and measure your success!”
26. Which one of the following best describes the concept of ‘Small Farmer Large Field’?
(a) Resettlement of a large number of people, uprooted from their countries due to war, by giving them a large cultivable land which they cultivate collectively and share the produce
(b) Many marginal farmers in an area organize themselves into groups and synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations
(c) Many marginal farmers in an area together make a contract with a corporate body and surrender their land to the corporate body for a fixed term for which the corporate body makes a payment of an agreed amount to the farmers
(d) A company extends loans, technical knowledge, and material inputs to a number of small farmers in an area so that they produce the agricultural commodity required by the company for its manufacturing process and commercial production
27. Consider the following statements:
- The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia aoyssinica) seeds.
- Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
- Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
28. Consider the investments in the following assets:
- Brand recognition
- Inventory
- Intellectual property
- Mailing list of clients
How many of the above are considered intangible investments?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
29. Consider the following:
- Demographic performance
- Forest and ecology
- Governance reforms
- Stable government
- Tax and fiscal efforts
For the horizontal tax devolution, the Fifteenth Finance Commission used how many of the above as criteria other than population area and income distance?
(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All five
30. Consider the following infrastructure sectors:
- Affordable housing
- Mass rapid transport
- Health care
- Renewable energy
On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
31. In essence, what does ‘Due Process of Law’ mean?
(a) The principle of natural justice
(b) The procedure established by law
(c) Fair application of law
(d) Equality before law
32. Consider the following statements:
Statement-1: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons.
Statement-2: In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct, and Statement-2 is the correct explanation for Statement-1
(b) Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct, and Statement-2 is not the correct explanation for Statement-1
(c) Statement-1 is correct but Statement-2 is incorrect
(d) Statement-1 is incorrect but Statement-2 is correct
33. Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the ‘Constitution’ of a country?
(a) It determines the objective for the making of necessary laws.
(b) It enables the creation of political offices and a government.
(c) It defines and limits the powers of government.
(d) It secures social justice, social equality, and social security.
34. In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights?
(a) 1st Amendment
(b) 42nd Amendment
(c) 44th Amendment
(d) 86th Amendment
35. Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:
- The National Commission for Backward Classes
- The National Human Rights Commission
- The National Law Commission
- The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
How many of the above are constitutional bodies?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
36. Consider the following statements:
- If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in the performance of duties of his/her office of President before the date of decision become invalid.
- Election for the post of the President of India can be postponed on the ground that some Legislative Assemblies have been dissolved and elections are yet to take place.
- When a Bill is presented to the President of India, the Constitution prescribes time limits within which he/she has to declare his/her assent.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
37. With reference to Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:
- When the Lok Sabha transmits Finance Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it can amend or reject the Bill.
- When the Lok Sabha transmits Money Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it cannot amend or reject the Bill, it can only make recommendations.
- In the case of disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no joint sitting for Money Bill, but a joint sitting becomes necessary for Finance Bill.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
38. Consider the following statements:
Once the Central Government notifies an area as a ‘Community Reserve’:
- The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest.
- Hunting is not allowed in such area.
- People of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce.
- People of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
39. With reference to ‘Scheduled Areas’ in India, consider the following statements:
- Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President.
- The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block.
- The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
40. Consider the following statements:
Statement-1: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgments that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration.
Statement-2: Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct, and Statement-2 is the correct explanation for Statement-1
(b) Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct, and Statement-2 is not the correct explanation for Statement-1
(c) Statement-1 is correct but Statement-2 is incorrect
(d) Statement-1 is incorrect but Statement-2 is correct
41. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
(a) Andhra
(b) Gandhara
(c) Kalinga
(d) Magadha
42. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
- The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
- Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
- Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
43. With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were well known as
(a) capital cities
(b) ports
(c) centres of iron-and-steel making
(d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras
44. Which one of the following explains the practice of ‘Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?
(a) Kings employing women bodyguards
(b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
45. Consider the following dynasties:
- Hoysala
- Gahadavala
- Kakatiya
- Yadava
How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None
46. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Literary work | Author
- Deuchandragupta : Bilhana
- Hammira-Mahakauya : Nayachandra Suri
- Milinda-panha : Nagatjuna
- Nitiukyamrita : Somadeva Suri
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
47. “Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water, and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects.”
The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Shaivism
(d) Vaishnavism
48. Who among the following rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
(a) Devaraya I
(b) Mallikatjuna
(c) Vira Vijaya
(d) Virupaksha
49. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to the Portuguese?
(a) Ahmad Shah
(b) Mahmud Begarha
(c) Bahadur Shah
(d) Muhammad Shah
50. By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
(a) The Regulating Act
(b) The Pitt’s India Act
(c) The Charter Act of 1793
(d) The Charter Act of 1833
UPSC Official Answer Key
2023
26. b
27. c
28. c
29. b
30. c
31. a
32. a
33. c
34. x
35. a
36. d
37. b
38. b
39. b
40. c
41. a
42. b
43. b
44. d
45. d
46. b
47. b
48. a
49.c
50. d
The Importance of PYQs in UPSC Preparation
Importance of PYQs in UPSC
For every UPSC aspirant, understanding the importance of PYQs (Previous Year Questions) cannot be overstated. PYQs serve as a guiding light in your preparation journey, offering insights into the pattern, difficulty level, and frequently asked topics in the UPSC exam.
Why PYQs are Crucial for UPSC Success
The importance of PYQs in UPSC lies in their ability to reveal trends in question framing. By analyzing these questions, aspirants can identify high-priority topics, such as History, Polity, Geography, and Current Affairs, which are frequently tested.
PYQs also help you understand the depth of knowledge required for topics like Stupa architecture, Governor General Acts, or Vijayanagara Empire developments.
How to Use PYQs Effectively
- Understand the Pattern: The importance of PYQs in UPSC lies in recognizing the recurring patterns of direct and analytical questions.
- Focus on Frequently Asked Topics: Topics like Buddhism, Charter Acts, or ancient ports appear repeatedly in UPSC exams.
- Practice Mock Tests: Combine PYQs with mock exams to assess your preparation.
Boost Your Confidence
The importance of PYQs in UPSC extends beyond strategy; they build confidence. Solving past questions familiarizes aspirants with the exam environment and improves time management skills.
Incorporating PYQs into your preparation plan ensures a strategic approach and enhances your chances of success in the UPSC exam. Make the importance of PYQs in UPSC the cornerstone of your strategy!
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