UPSC CSE Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) – 2002

Practising UPSC CSE Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) is one of the most effective ways to understand the evolving pattern, difficulty level, and demand of the Civil Services Examination.

The UPSC CSE Prelims 2002 PYQs provided by PMF IAS help aspirants analyse the exam trend with a clear answer key and detailed explanations. Whether you are preparing for UPSC CSE 2027, 2028, or beyond, solving the UPSC Prelims 2002 question paper with answers and explanations will help you build accuracy, improve elimination skills, and develop a better understanding of UPSC’s question-framing approach.

The last opportunity to avoid the partition of India was lost with the rejection of:

1. Cripps Mission
2. Rajagopalachari Formula
3. Cabinet Mission
4. Wavell Plan

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Cabinet Mission Plan was the last major attempt to preserve a united India through a federal arrangement in which the Union would control only defence, foreign affairs, and communications, while provinces retained wide autonomy. Its failure and rejection by the major political parties ended the possibility of a negotiated united India and made partition increasingly inevitable.

Answer: (c) Cabinet Mission

The historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because:

1. the majority of the population did not follow Islam
2. the Muslims theologists were often disregarded
3. the Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations
4. religious freedom was accorded to non‑Muslims

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Ziauddin Barani criticised the Delhi Sultans for not ruling strictly according to shariʿa and for introducing state laws called zawabit, which often supplemented or overrode religious law.

Answer: (c) the Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations

With reference to the latest developments in stem cell research, consider the following statements:

1. The only source of human stem cells are the embryos at blastocyst stage
2. The stem cells can be derived without causing destruction to blastocysts
3. The stem cells can regenerate themselves in vitro virtually forever
4. Indian research centres also created a few cell lines which can be developed into many types of tissues

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 1, 2 and 4
4. 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect because human stem cells are not obtained only from blastocyst-stage embryos; they can also be derived from adult tissues, umbilical cord blood, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Further, embryonic stem cell extraction traditionally involves destruction of the blastocyst. Statement 3 is correct as stem cells possess self-renewal capacity and can regenerate themselves in vitro for very long periods. Statement 4 is also correct because Indian research centres have developed stem cell lines capable of differentiating into various types of tissues.

Answer: (d) 3 and 4

Consider the following climatic and geographical phenomena:

1. Condensation
2. High temperature and humidity
3. Orography
4. Vertical wind

Thunder Cloud development is due to which of these phenomena?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1, 3 and 4
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Thunderclouds (cumulonimbus clouds) develop under conditions of high temperature and humidity, which promote rapid uplift of warm moist air. Orographic uplift caused by mountains and strong vertical air currents also aid cloud formation. As the rising moist air cools, condensation occurs, leading to the development of thunderclouds accompanied by heavy rain, lightning, and thunder.

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Among living organisms, which one of the following is the most responsible factor for bringing about the origin of a new species?

1. Isolation
2. Mutation
3. Natural Selection
4. Sexual Reproduction

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Mutation is the ultimate source of all genetic variation, and is essential for evolution by natural selection; indeed, most of our genome has been shaped primarily by mutation and random drift.

Answer: (b) Mutation

For short-term climate prediction, which one of the following events, detected in the last decade, is associated with occasional weak monsoon rains in the India subcontinent?

1. La Nina
2. Movement of Jet Streams
3. El Nino and Southern Oscillations
4. Greenhouse effects on global level

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a climatic phenomenon involving periodic warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean along with atmospheric pressure changes. El Niño events are often associated with weak southwest monsoon rainfall and drought-like conditions in the Indian subcontinent.

Answer: (c) El Nino and Southern Oscillations

Match List I (Ancient site) with List II (Archaeological finding) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Ancient site)

1. Lothal
2. Kalibangan
3. Dholavira
4. Banawali

List II (Archaeological finding)

1. Ploughed field
2. Dockyard
3. Terracotta replica of a plough
4. An inscription comprising ten large sized signs of the Harappan script

Codes:

1. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
2. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
3. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
4. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Lothal is famous for its dockyard, Kalibangan is known for the discovery of a ploughed field, Dholavira yielded an inscription with ten large-sized signs of the Harappan script, and Banawali is associated with a terracotta replica of a plough

Answer: (b) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

1. The statue of Gomateshwara at Sravanabelagola represents the last Tirthankara of Jains
2. India’s largest Buddhist monastery is in Arunachal Pradesh
3. The Khajuraho temples were built under Chandela Kings
4. The Hoysalesvara temple is dedicated to Siva

Explanation

Option (a) is the correct answer

• The colossal Gomateshwara Statue at Shravanabelagola depicts Lord Bahubali, who was the son of the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha (Adinath), and not the last Tirthankara. Tawang Monastery is a magnificent example of Mahayana Buddhism and is the largest monastery in India. The other statements are also correct and are consistent with well-established facts.

Answer: (a) The statue of Gomateshwara at Sravanabelagola represents the last Tirthankara of Jains

Open stunted forests with bushes and small trees having long roots and sharp thorns or spines are commonly found in:

1. Eastern Orissa
2. North‑eastern Tamil Nadu
3. Siwaliks and Terai region
4. Western Andhra Pradesh

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Rayalaseema region of western Andhra Pradesh has a semi-arid climate with low rainfall and is therefore characterized by thorn scrub forests. These forests are adapted to dry conditions, and their features help plants conserve water and protect them from grazing animals.

Answer: (d) Western Andhra Pradesh

Match List I (Article of Indian Constitution) with List II (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Article of Indian Constitution)

1. Article 16(2)
2. Article 29(2)
3. Article 30(1)
4. Article 31(1)

List II (Provisions)

1. No person shall be deprived of his property save by the authority of law
2. No person can be discriminated against in the matter of public appointment on the ground of race, religion or caste
3. All minorities whether based on religion or language shall have the fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice
4. No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State, or receiving State aid, on grounds of religion, race, caste, language or any of them

Codes:

1. A‑2, B‑4, C‑3, D‑1
2. A‑3, B‑1, C‑2, D‑4
3. A‑2, B‑1, C‑3, D‑4
4. A‑3, B‑4, C‑2, D‑1

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Article 16(2) of the Constitution of India prohibits discrimination in public employment on grounds such as religion, race, caste, sex, descent, or place of birth. Article 29(2) ensures that no citizen is denied admission to State-maintained or State-aided educational institutions on grounds of religion, race, caste, or language. Article 30(1) grants minorities based on religion or language the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Article 31(1), before its repeal as a Fundamental Right, provided that no person shall be deprived of property except by authority of law. Hence, the correct matching is A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1.

Answer: (a) A‑2, B‑4, C‑3, D‑1

In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the:

1. occasion to elect the Sanghaparinayaka and two speakers, one on Dhamma and the other on Vinaya
2. confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season
3. ceremony of initiation of new person into the Buddhist Sangha in which the head is shaved and yellow robes are offered
4. gathering of Buddhist monks on the next day to the full moon day of Ashadha when they take up a fixed abode for the next four months or rainy season

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Pavarana ceremony is a major Buddhist holy day that marks the end of Vassa (the three-month monastic rainy season retreat). Meaning “to invite” or “inviting admonition,” it is a time when monks formally invite their peers to point out any faults or wrongdoings they may have committed during the retreat, fostering communal harmony, accountability, and moral discipline.

Answer: (b) confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season

Consider the following statements:

1. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is a specialised agency of United Nations System of Organisations
2. WIPO has its headquarters at Rome
3. The Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement is binding on all WTO members
4. Least developed country members of WTO are not required to apply the provisions of TRIPS Agreements for a period of 20 years from the general date of application of the Agreement

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 2 and 4 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Statement 1 is correct because the World Intellectual Property Organisation is a specialised agency of the UN. Statement 2 is incorrect because WIPO is headquartered in Geneva, not Rome. Statement 3 is correct since the TRIPS Agreement is binding on all WTO members. Statement 4 is incorrect because the transition period granted to least developed countries under TRIPS was not universally fixed at 20 years.

Answer: (d) 1 and 3

Which one of the following is not a lagoon?

1. Ashtamudi lake
2. Chilka lake
3. Preiyar lake
4. Pulicat lake

Explanation

Option (c) is the correct answer

• Ashtamudi Lake, Chilika Lake, and Pulicat Lake are coastal lagoons. However, Periyar Lake is an artificial freshwater lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam and is not a lagoon.

Answer: (c) Preiyar lake

Ticks and mites are actually:

1. Arachnids
2. Crustaceans
3. Insects
4. Myriapods

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Ticks and mites belong to the class Arachnid under the phylum Arthropoda. Like spiders and scorpions, they generally possess four pairs of legs in the adult stage and lack antennae. Hence, they are not insects, crustaceans, or myriapods.

Answer: (a) Arachnids

Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to our solar system?

1. The Earth is the densest of all the planets in our solar system
2. The predominant element in the composition of Earth is silicon
3. The Sun contains 75 per cent of the mass of the solar system
4. The diameter of the Sun is 190 times that of the Earth

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Earth is the densest planet in the solar system due to its metallic core and overall composition. Statement (b) is incorrect because iron is the most abundant element by mass in Earth as a whole. Statement (c) is incorrect because the Sun contains about 99.8% of the total mass of the solar system. Statement (d) is incorrect because the Sun’s diameter is about 109 times that of Earth, not 190 times.

Answer: (a) The Earth is the densest of all the planets in our solar system

With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements:

1. Shaikh Ahmad Sarhandi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi
2. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chirag‑i‑Dehlavi was a disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
3. Aurangzeb was contemporary of Shaikh Salim Chisti
4. The Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Shaikh Niamtullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 and 2
2. 1 and 3
3. 2 and 3
4. 2 and 4

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Statement 1 is incorrect because Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi belonged to the Mughal period and was a contemporary of Jahangir, not Ibrahim Lodi. Statement 2 is correct as Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi was a disciple and successor of Nizamuddin Auliya. Statement 3 is incorrect because Salim Chishti lived during the reign of Akbar and was not a contemporary of Aurangzeb. Statement 4 is correct because the Qadiri Order was introduced into India by Shaikh Niamatullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani. It became particularly influential in Punjab and Sindh. Like the Naqshbandis, they generally stressed adherence to the orthodox Shari’ah.

Answer: (d) 2 and 4

The salaries and allowances of the Judges of the High Court are charged to the:

1. Consolidated Fund of India
2. Consolidated Fund of the State
3. Contingency Fund of India
4. Contingency Fund of the State

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The salaries and allowances of the High Court judges are charged on the consolidated fund of the state. But the pension of a high court judge is charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and not the state.

Answer: (b) Consolidated Fund of the State

Consider the following plants:

1. Bougainvillea
2. Carnations
3. Cocoa
4. Grapes

Which of these plants are propagated by stem cuttings?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1, 3 and 4
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Plants such as bougainvillea, carnations, cocoa, and grapes can all be propagated through stem cuttings. In this method, a portion of the stem is planted in soil or another suitable medium, where it develops roots and grows into a new plant. This is a common method of vegetative propagation used in horticulture and agriculture.

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

The members of the Constituent Assembly which drafted the Constitution of India were:

1. nominated by the British Parliament
2. nominated by the Governor General
3. elected by the Legislative Assemblies of various provinces
4. elected by the Indian National Congress and Muslim League

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The members of the Constituent Assembly of India were elected indirectly by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies established under the Government of India Act 1935, with

Answer: (c) elected by the Legislative Assemblies of various provinces

The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on:

1. a conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore
2. a romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
3. the story of the power struggle between two Aryan tribes
4. the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Mudrarakshasa is a political drama centered on the rise of Chandragupta Maurya and the diplomatic and political strategies employed by Chanakya to secure the Mauryan throne. The play mainly deals with court politics, conspiracies, and the conflict with Rakshasa, the minister of the Nanda dynasty.

Answer: (d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya

The purpose of the inclusion of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution is to establish:

1. political democracy
2. social democracy
3. Gandhian democracy
4. social and economic democracy

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Directive Principles of State Policy aim to establish a welfare state based on social and economic justice. They guide the State in formulating policies to reduce inequalities, secure adequate livelihood, promote welfare, and achieve the ideals of social and economic democracy envisioned in the Constitution.

Answer: (d) social and economic democracy

With reference to medieval Indian rulers, which one of the following statements is correct?

1. Alauddin Khalji first set up a separate Ariz’s department
2. Balban introduced the branding system of horses of military
3. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his uncle to the Delhi throne
4. Firuz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Firoz Shah Tughlaq established several separate departments during his reign, including the Diwan-i-Bandagan, which was specifically created to manage slaves.

Answer: (d) Firuz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves

Which one of the following submitted in 1875 a petition to the House of Commons demanding India’s direct representation in the British Parliament?

1. The Deccan Association
2. The Indian Association
3. The Madras Mahajan Sabha
4. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Poona Sarvajanik Sabha in 1875, it submitted a petition to the British House of Commons demanding Indian representation in Parliament. It was founded in 1870 by Mahadev Govind Ranade, Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi, and S. H. Chiplunkar as a socio-political organisation in British India. Originally started in 1867 by Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi as a small body, it was later reorganised and renamed in 1870. The Sabha acted as a link between the colonial government and the Indian people by presenting public grievances and promoting patriotic feelings among the masses.
• It represented various sections of society, including sardars, landowners, businessmen, government servants, lawyers, and teachers. During the Deccan riots, the Sabha supported peasants and later organised famine relief in 1876. It also established nyaya sabhas (arbitration courts) for the private settlement of disputes to reduce litigation costs. The organisation gradually expanded beyond Pune, opening branches in Satara district at Satara, Wai, and Karad.

Answer: (d) The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to:

1. exercise more and direct political and administrative control over the princely states
2. involve the princes actively in the administration of the colony
3. finally effect the complete political and administrative take‑over of all the princely states by the British
4. use the princes to counter‑balance the anti‑imperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Under the Government of India Act 1935, the British proposed an All-India Federation including both British Indian provinces and princely states. The princely rulers were generally loyal to the British, and their inclusion was intended to weaken and counterbalance the growing influence of nationalist leaders and anti-imperialist movements led by the Indian National Congress.

Answer: (d) use the princes to counter‑balance the anti‑imperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders

Sun’s halo is produced by the refraction of light in:

1. Water vapour, in Stratus clouds
2. Ice crystals in Cirrocumulus clouds
3. Ice crystals in Cirrus clouds
4. Dust particles in Stratus clouds

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• A solar halo is an optical phenomenon formed due to the refraction and reflection of sunlight through hexagonal ice crystals present in high-altitude Cirrus clouds. These clouds occur in the upper troposphere and produce ring-like halos around the Sun or Moon.

Answer: (c) Ice crystals in Cirrus clouds

Which one of the following Articles of the Directive Principles of State Policy deals with the promotion of international peace and security?

1. 51
2. 48 A
3. 43 A
4. 41

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Article 51 of the Constitution of India directs the State to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes through arbitration.

Answer: (a) 51

Which one of the following rights was described by B. R. Ambedkar as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution of India?

1. Right to freedom of religion
2. Right to property
3. Right to equality
4. Right to Constitutional remedies

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• B. R. Ambedkar described the Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32 as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution because it guarantees the enforcement of Fundamental Rights through the courts. Citizens can directly approach the Supreme Court of India for protection of their Fundamental Rights.

Answer: (d) Right to Constitutional remedies

Match List I (Acts of Colonial Government of India) with List II (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Acts of Colonial Government of India)

1. Charter Act, 1813
2. Regulating Act
3. Act of 1858
4. Pitt’s India Act

List II (Provisions)

1. Set up a Board of Control in Britain to fully regulate the East India Company’s affairs in India
2. Company’s trade monopoly in India was ended
3. The power to govern was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown
4. The Company’s directors were asked to present to the British government all correspondence and documents pertaining to the administration of the company

Codes:

1. A‑2, B‑4, C‑3, D‑1
2. A‑1, B‑3, C‑4, D‑2
3. A‑2, B‑3, C‑4, D‑1
4. A‑1, B‑4, C‑3, D‑2

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The Charter Act 1813 ended the East India Company’s trade monopoly in India, except for trade with China and tea. The Regulating Act 1773 required the Company’s directors to submit all important correspondence and documents related to Indian administration to the British government. The Government of India Act 1858 transferred the power of governing India from the East India Company to the British Crown. The Pitt’s India Act 1784 established a Board of Control in Britain to supervise and regulate the Company’s affairs in India.

Answer: (a) A‑2, B‑4, C‑3, D‑1

Match List I (Mangrove) with List II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Mangrove)

1. Achra Ratnagiri
2. Coondapur
3. Pichavaram
4. Vembanad

List II (State)

1. Karnataka
2. Kerala
3. Andhra Pradesh
4. Maharashtra
5. Tamil Nadu

Codes:

1. A‑2, B‑1, C‑5, D‑4
2. A‑4, B‑5, C‑3, D‑2
3. A‑2, B‑5, C‑3, D‑4
4. A‑4, B‑1, C‑5, D‑2

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Achra Ratnagiri mangroves are located in Maharashtra, Coondapur mangroves are found in Karnataka, Pichavaram mangroves are situated in Tamil Nadu, and Vembanad is associated with Kerala.

Answer: (d) A‑4, B‑1, C‑5, D‑2

Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his executive council by substituting the “portfolio” or departmental system for corporate functioning?

1. Indian Council Act, 1861
2. Government of India Act, 1858
3. Indian Councils Act, 1892
4. Indian Councils Act, 1909

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Under the Indian Council Act, 1861, the Viceroy was empowered to assign business portfolios to members of his council, introduced by Lord Canning.

Answer: (a) Indian Council Act, 1861

The President of Indian National Congress at the time of partition of India was:

1. C. Rajagopalachari
2. J. B. Kripalani
3. Jawaharlal Nehru
4. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Kripalani was the president of the INC when India gained independence. He resigned from the presidency soon after Independence

Answer: (b) J. B. Kripalani

Which one of the following authorities recommends the principles governing the grants‑in‑aid of the revenues to the states out of the Consolidated Fund of India?

1. Finance Commission
2. Interstate Council
3. Union Ministry of Finance
4. Public Accounts Committee

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Under Article 280 of the Constitution of India, the Finance Commission of India is responsible for recommending the principles governing the distribution of taxes between the Union and the States, as well as grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India to the States.

Answer: (a) Finance Commission

With reference to colonial period of Indian history, match List I (Person) with List II (Event) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Person)

1. MacDonald
2. Linlithgow
3. Dalhousie
4. Chelmsford

List II (Event)

1. Doctrine of Lapse
2. Communal Award
3. August Offer
4. Dyarchy

Codes:

1. A‑3, B‑2, C‑1, D‑4
2. A‑3, B‑2, C‑4, D‑1
3. A‑2, B‑3, C‑1, D‑4
4. A‑2, B‑3, C‑4, D‑1

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Ramsay MacDonald is associated with the Communal Award, Linlithgow with the August Offer, Lord Dalhousie with the Doctrine of Lapse, and Lord Chelmsford with the system of Dyarchy introduced under the Government of India Act, 1919.

Answer: (c) A‑2, B‑3, C‑1, D‑4

The correct sequence of the eastward flowing rivers of the peninsular India from north to south is:

1. Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery and Vagai
2. Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery, Vagai, Pennar
3. Mahanadi, Subarnarekha, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Pennar and Vagai
4. Mahanadi, Subarnarekha, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Vagai and Pennar

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The correct north-to-south sequence of the major east-flowing Peninsular rivers is Subarnarekha River, Mahanadi River, Godavari River, Krishna River, Pennar River, Kaveri River, and finally Vaigai River in the far south.

Answer: (a) Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery and Vagai

Which one of the following amendments to the Indian Constitution empowers the President to send back any matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers?

1. 39^th
2. 40^th
3. 42^nd
4. 44^th

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The power of the President to return a matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers was introduced through the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act. Earlier, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act had bound the President to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The 44th Amendment added a proviso to Article 74(1), enabling the President to ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice once, after which the President is required to act on the reconsidered advice.

Answer: (d) 44^th

Chapchar Kut is a festival celebrated in the state of:

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Assam
3. Mizoram
4. Sikkim

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram. It is celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning).

Answer: (c) Mizoram

Match List I (Ethnic Community) with List II (Country) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Ethnic Community)

1. Apatani
2. Dayak
3. Dinka
4. Uighur

List II (Country)

1. China
2. India
3. Indonesia
4. Sudan

Codes:

1. A‑2, B‑3, C‑4, D‑1
2. A‑3, B‑2, C‑4, D‑1
3. A‑2, B‑3, C‑1, D‑4
4. A‑3, B‑2, C‑1, D‑4

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Apatani are an indigenous tribal community of India, mainly inhabiting Arunachal Pradesh. Dayak are associated with Indonesia, especially the island of Borneo (Kalimantan). Dinka are a major ethnic group of Sudan/South Sudan region, while Uyghurs are a Turkic Muslim ethnic community mainly found in the Xinjiang region of China

Answer: (a) A‑2, B‑3, C‑4, D‑1

The term of the Lok Sabha

1. cannot be extended under any circumstances
2. can be extended by six months at a time
3. can be extended by one year at a time during the proclamation of emergency
4. can be extended for two years at a time during the proclamation of emergency

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The normal term of the Lok Sabha is five years. However, during a proclaimed National Emergency, Parliament can extend its tenure by law for one year at a time. Such extensions may continue as long as the Emergency remains in force, but the Lok Sabha cannot continue beyond six months after the Emergency ends.

Answer: (c) can be extended by one year at a time during the proclamation of emergency

Consider the following countries:

1. Albania
2. Bosnia Herzegovina
3. Croatia
4. Macedonia

Which of these countries has/have Adriatic Sea as a boundary?

1. 1 and 2
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 4 only
4. 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia all have coastlines along the Adriatic Sea. North Macedonia is a landlocked country and does not border the Adriatic Sea.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3

A country is said to be in a debt trap if

1. It has to abide by the conditionalities imposed by the International Monetary Fund
2. it has to borrow to make interest payments on outstanding loans
3. it has been refused loans or aid by creditors abroad
4. The World Bank charges a very high rate of interest on outstanding as well as new loans

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• A debt trap occurs when a country is unable to repay its existing debt and therefore has to take new loans merely to service old loans and interest payments. This creates a cycle of increasing indebtedness and financial dependence.

Answer: (b) it has to borrow to make interest payments on outstanding loans

Consider the following statements:

1. Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi, and, for two years lived in a camp called Swargadwari.
2. Reason (R): At that time, Delhi was ravaged by a form of plague, and many people died.

Options:

1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Right at the beginning of Muhammad Tughlaq’s reign, there was a serious peasant rebellion in the Gangetic doab. Peasants fled the villages, and Muhammad Tughlaq took harsh measures to capture and punish them. Historians believe the trouble started due to over-assessment. Although the share of the state remained half as in the time of Alauddin, it was fixed arbitrarily, not on the basis of actual production. Prices were also fixed artificially to convert the produce into money. A severe famine that ravaged the area for half a dozen years made the situation worse. Efforts at relief, such as advances for cattle and seeds and for digging wells, came too late. So many people died in Delhi that the air became pestilential. The sultan left Delhi and, for two and a half years, lived in a camp called Swargadwari, 100 miles from Delhi on the banks of the Ganges near Kanauj.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

Consider the following statements:

1. Assertion (A): The effect of labour participation in the Indian nationalist upsurge of the early 1930s was weak.
2. Reason (R): The labour leaders considered the ideology of Indian National Congress as bourgeois and reactionary.

Options:

1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Labour participation in the nationalist movement during the early 1930s remained limited and weak. One important reason was that many labour and communist leaders viewed the Indian National Congress as representing bourgeois interests and therefore did not fully align with its methods and leadership

Answer: (a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

The motive behind Shahjahan’s Balkh campaign was to:

1. secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakhshan which bordered Kabul
2. conquer Samarqand and Farghana, the Mughal homelands
3. fix the Mughal frontier on the ‘scientific line’, the Amu Daria
4. expand the Mughal Empire beyond the sub‑continent

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Shah Jahan’s primary objective in sending his army to Balkh (1646–1647) was to reclaim the ancestral territories of his dynasty in Central Asia and secure the vulnerable northwestern frontier of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: (b) conquer Samarqand and Farghana, the Mughal homelands

The sea coast of which one of the following states has become famous as a nesting place for the giant Olive ridley sea turtle from South America?

1. Goa
2. Gujarat
3. Orissa
4. Tamil Nadu

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The coast of Odisha (formerly Orissa), particularly Gahirmatha Beach, is one of the world’s most important nesting grounds for the Olive ridley sea turtle. These turtles are known for their mass nesting behaviour called arribada.

Answer: (c) Orissa

Consider the following statements with reference to India:

1. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners enjoy equal powers but receive unequal salaries
2. The Chief Election Commissioner is entitled to the same salary as is provided to a judge of the Supreme Court
3. The Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court
4. The term of office of the Election Commissioner is five years from the date he assumes his office or till the day he attains the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 4
4. 2 and 4

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners enjoy equal powers and also receive equal salaries and allowances. Statement 2 is correct as the Chief Election Commissioner receives the same salary and status as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. Statement 3 is also correct because the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge. Statement 4 is incorrect because the tenure is six years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3

Match List I (Organisation) with List II (Headquarters) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Organisation)

1. International Atomic Energy Agency
2. International Telecommunication Union
3. Council of the European Union
4. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

List II (Headquarters)

1. Brussels
2. Geneva
3. Paris
4. Vienna

Codes:

1. A‑1, B‑2, C‑4, D‑3
2. A‑4, B‑3, C‑1, D‑2
3. A‑1, B‑3, C‑4, D‑2
4. A‑4, B‑2, C‑1, D‑3

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The International Atomic Energy Agency is headquartered in Vienna, the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, the Council of the European Union in Brussels, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris.

Answer: (d) A‑4, B‑2, C‑1, D‑3

Consider the following statements regarding ocean currents:

1. Ocean currents are the slow-surface movement of water in the ocean.
2. Ocean currents assist in maintaining the Earth’s heat balance.
3. Ocean currents are set in motion primarily by prevailing winds.
4. Ocean currents are affected by the configuration of the ocean.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1, 3 and 4
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Statement 1 is incorrect because ocean currents are not confined only to surface movements; deep ocean currents also exist. Statements 2, 3 and 4 are correct as ocean currents help redistribute heat, are mainly driven by prevailing winds, and are influenced by the shape and configuration of ocean basins and continents.

Answer: (b) 2, 3 and 4

With which one of the following mountain tribes did the British first come into contact with after the grant of Diwani in the year 1765?

Top of Form

1. Garo
2. Khasis
3. Kukis
4. Tipperahs

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The British first came into contact with the Khasis in the late eighteenth century, when the East India Company secured the Dewani of Bengal in 1765. The interest of the British then was merely in the promotion of trade and commerce, especially in the limestone trade.

Answer: (b) Khasis

Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message? Top of Form

1. Dadu
2. Kabir
3. Ramananda
4. Tulsidas

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Ramananda is regarded as the first Bhakti saint to preach in Hindi and other vernacular languages instead of Sanskrit, making religious teachings accessible to the common people.

Answer: (c) Ramananda

With reference to the period of extremist nationalist movement in India with its spirit of Swadeshi, which one of the following statements is not correct?

1. Liaquat Hussain led the Muslim peasants of Barisal in their agitations
2. In 1898, the scheme of national education was formulated by Satish Chandra Mukherjee
3. The Bengal National College was founded in 1906 with Aurobindo as the Principal
4. Tagore preached the cult of Atmasakti, the main plank of which was social and economic regeneration of the villages

Explanation

Option (a) is the correct answer

• The peasant agitations in Barisal were led by Ashwini Kumar Dutt, who exercised considerable influence in the region through the Swadesh Bandhab Samiti. Liaquat Hussain was a prominent nationalist leader in early 20th-century India, known for promoting Hindu-Muslim harmony and unity within the Muslim community. A key figure during the Swadeshi movement, Hussain led processions of youths chanting “Vande mataram,” often placing himself at the forefront against the police.was crucial in fostering national unity, patriotism, and political awareness in Undivided Bengal.

Answer: (a) Laikat Hossain led the Muslim peasants of Barisal in their agitations

In the Indian Constitution, the Right to Equality is granted by five Articles. They are:

1. Article 16 to Article 20
2. Article 15 to Article 19
3. Article 14 to Article 18
4. Article 13 to Article 17

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Right to Equality in the Constitution of India is guaranteed through Articles 14 to 18.

Answer: (c) Article 14 to Article 18

With reference to the Indian freedom struggle, which one of the following statements is not correct?

1. Hakim Ajmal Khan was one of the leaders to start a nationalist and militant Ahrar movement
2. When the Indian National Congress was formed, Sayyid Ahmad Khan opposed it
3. The All‑India Muslim League which was formed in 1906 vehemently opposed the partition of Bengal and separate electorates
4. Maulana Barkatullah and Maulana Obeidullah Sindhi were among those who formed a Provisional Government of India in Kabul

Explanation

Option (c) is the correct answer

• Muslim League supported the partition of Bengal and demanded special safeguards for the Muslims in government services.

All other statements are factually correct

• The Ahrar Movement was a militant nationalist movement started by Muslims who opposed the pro-British and loyalist politics of the Aligarh school. It was led by figures such as Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Hasan Imam, Zafar Ali Khan, and Mazharul Haque. The movement drew support from young Muslims who were dissatisfied with the conservative outlook of the Aligarh leadership, the nawabs, and the zamindars. Influenced by modern ideas of self-government and nationalism, they favoured active participation in the militant nationalist movement against British rule.
• Sir Syed opposed the formation of Congress in 1885.
• Abdul Hafiz Mohammad Barkatullah, the first Prime Minister of the first Provisional Government of India at Kabul in Afghanistan, during the First World War. Obeidullah Sindhi joined the Provisional Government of India established in Kabul in December 1915 and stayed in Afghanistan until the end of World War I, and afterwards left for Russia.

Answer: (c) The All‑India Muslim League which was formed in 1906 vehemently opposed the partition of Bengal and separate electorates

Consider the following:

1. Currency with the public
2. Demand deposits with banks
3. Time deposits with banks

Which of these are included in Broad Money (M3) in India? Top of Form

1. 1 and 2
2. 1 and 3
3. 2 and 3
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Broad Money (M3) in India includes currency with the public, demand deposits with the banking system, and time deposits with banks. It is the most commonly used measure of money supply in India and reflects the total liquidity available in the economy.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements:

1. In equatorial regions, the year is divided into four main seasons
2. In Mediterranean region, summer receives more rain
3. In China type climate, rainfall occurs throughout the year
4. Tropical highlands exhibit vertical zonation of different climates

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 1, 2 and 4
4. 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. Equatorial regions generally experience uniformly high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year and do not have four distinct seasons. In the Mediterranean climate, rainfall occurs mainly during winter, while summers are dry. Statement 3 is correct because the China-type climate receives rainfall throughout the year, though it is concentrated more in summer due to monsoonal influence. Statement 4 is also correct as tropical highlands show vertical climatic zonation, where climate changes with altitude.

Answer: (d) 3 and 4

During the Indian freedom struggle, the Khudai Khidmatgars, also known as Red Shirts, called for

1. The Union of Pashtun tribal areas in north-west with the Afghanistan
2. The adoption of terrorist tactics and methods for terrorising and finally ousting the colonial rulers
3. The adoption of communist revolutionary ideology for political and social reform
4. The Pathan regional nationalist unity and a struggle against colonialismBottom of Form

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Khudai Khidmatgar movement, popularly known as the Red Shirt movement, was founded by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in the North-West Frontier Province. The movement aimed at uniting the Pathans and mobilising them against British colonial rule through non-violent methods inspired by Gandhian principles. It did not advocate terrorism, communist revolution, or merger with Afghanistan.

Answer: (d) the Pathan regional nationalist unity and a struggle against colonialismBottom of Form

Consider the following ecosystems:

1. Taiga
2. Tropical evergreen
3. Tropical deciduous
4. Tundra

The correct sequence in decreasing order of the albedo values of these ecosystems is Top of Form

1. 1, 4, 3, 2
2. 4, 1, 2, 3
3. 4, 1, 3, 2
4. 1, 4, 2, 3

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• From the table above, we can conclude that the albedo of Tundra (snow & frost) > Taiga (mostly snow and sparse forest) > Tropical Deciduous (sparse forest and soil) > Tropical Evergreen (thick canopy).

Answer: (c) 4, 1, 3, 2 Bottom of Form