UPSC CSE Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) – 2006

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 2006 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 2006 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.

Consider the following statements:

1. Caffeine, a constituent of tea and coffee is a diuretic.
2. Citric acid is used in soft drinks.
3. Ascorbic acid is essential for the formation of bones and teeth.
4. Citric acid is a good substitution for ascorbic acid in our nutrition.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Caffeine is scientifically classified as a mild diuretic. A diuretic is a substance that promotes diuresis, meaning it increases urine production and causes the body to get rid of excess salt and water.

Statement 2 is correct

• Citric acid is widely used in soft drinks as:
  • A flavouring agent (gives a sour taste)
  • A preservative
  • A pH regulator

Statemetn 3 is correct

• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is critical for synthesizing collagen, the foundational protein providing structural strength to bones, teeth, skin, and cartilage

Statemetn 4 is incorrect

• Citric acid and ascorbic acid are chemically and nutritionally different:
  • Ascorbic acid is Vitamin C and an essential nutrient
  • Citric acid has no vitamin function and cannot prevent Vitamin C deficiency.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only

Which one of the following subjects is included in the Union List under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India?

1. Regulation of labour and safety in mines and oilfields
2. Agriculture
3. Fisheries
4. Public health

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The Union List contains subjects of national importance. Regulation of labour and safety in mines and oilfields is listed under Entry 55 of the Union List.
• Agriculture, fisheries, and public health are primarily State List subjects.

Answer: (a) Regulation of labour and safety in mines and oilfields

Consider the following statements:

1. There is no provision in the Constitution of India to encourage equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
2. The Constitution of India does not define the term ‘backward classes’.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Article 39(d) of the Constitution (DPSP) explicitly encourages equal pay for equal work for men and women.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Constitution does not define ‘backward classes and their identification is left to the State.

Answer: (b) 2 only

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

1. Vikramsila Monastery – Uttar Pradesh
2. Hemkund Gurudwara – Himachal Pradesh
3. Udayagiri Caves – Maharashtra
4. Amaravati Buddhist Stupa – Andhra Pradesh

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Amaravati Buddhist Stupa is located in Andhra Pradesh. Vikramsila Monastery was in Bihar, Hemkund Sahib is in Uttarakhand, and the Udayagiri Caves are located in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.

Answer: (d) Amaravati Buddhist Stupa – Andhra Pradesh

Consider the following statements:

1. The Rajya Sabha alone has the power to declare that it is necessary in the national interest for Parliament to legislate on a subject in the State List.
2. Resolutions approving the Proclamation of Emergency are passed only by the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Under Article 249 of the Indian Constitution, the Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution, supported by at least two-thirds of its members present and voting, to empower Parliament to legislate on subjects in the State List. This must be deemed necessary in the national interest.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The proclamation of Emergency must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within one month.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Which one of the following statements is correct regarding the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM Act)?

1. It concerns fiscal deficit only
2. It concerns revenue deficit only
3. It concerns both fiscal and revenue deficit
4. It concerns neither fiscal deficit nor revenue deficit

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 is a landmark Indian legislation aimed at institutionalizing financial discipline, reducing the fiscal deficit, eliminating the revenue deficit, and managing public debt. It compels the government to adopt transparent budgetary practices to ensure long-term macroeconomic stability and inter-generational equity.

Answer: (c) It concerns both fiscal and revenue deficit

In which one of the following oceans is the Diamantina Trench located?

1. Pacific Ocean
2. Atlantic Ocean
3. Indian Ocean
4. Arctic Ocean

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Diamantina Trench (or Fracture Zone) is a deep, 520 km long rift zone in the southeast Indian Ocean, located approximately 1,500 km west of Perth, Australia.

Answer: (c) Indian Ocean

Who among the following is a Hindustani classical singer?

1. Geeta Chandran
2. Leela Samson
3. Gangubai Hangal
4. Swapnasundari

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect

• Geeta Chandran is an Indian Bharatanatyam dancer and vocalist.

Option (b) is incorrect

• Leela Samson is a renowned Indian classical Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and actress.

Option (c) is correct

• Gangubai Hangal was an Indian singer of the khayal genre of Hindustani classical music from Karnataka.

Option (d) is incorrect

• Swapnasundari is an Indian dancer, an exponent of Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam.

Answer: (c) Gangubai Hangal

Other than India and China, which of the following groups of countries share a land border with Myanmar?

1. Bangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam
2. Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia
3. Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia
4. Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Myanmar is bordered by India and Bangladesh to the northwest, China to the northeast, Laos and Thailand to the east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to the south and southwest.

Answer: (d) Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh

Through which one of the following groups of countries does the Equator pass?

1. Brazil, Zambia and Malaysia
2. Colombia, Kenya and Indonesia
3. Brazil, Sudan and Malaysia
4. Venezuela, Ethiopia and Indonesia

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The equator passes through 13 sovereign nations across South America, Africa, and Asia/Oceania. These countries are Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Sao Tome and Principe, Maldives, Indonesia, and Kiribati.

Answer: (b) Colombia, Kenya and Indonesia

Which of the following events occurred in the correct chronological order?

1. SLV-3 Launch
2. Formation of Bangladesh
3. Sikkim becomes the 22nd State of the Indian Union
4. Pokhran-I Nuclear Test

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. II, IV, III, I
2. III, I, II, IV
3. II, I, III, IV
4. III, IV, II, I

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Bangladesh was formed in 1971 following the Indo-Pakistan War. This was followed by Pokhran-I, India’s first nuclear test, conducted in 1974 under the code name Smiling Buddha. In 1975, Sikkim officially became the 22nd State of the Indian Union. Finally, SLV-3, was successfully launched in 1980.

Answer: (a) II, IV, III, I

From north to south, which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given rivers in India?

1. Shyok – Spiti – Zaskar – Satluj
2. Shyok – Zaskar – Spiti – Satluj
3. Zaskar – Shyok – Satluj – Spiti
4. Zaskar – Satluj – Shyok – Spiti

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Shyok River originates in Tibet. Nubra River joins it in Ladakh. The Zaskar River originates in the Zanskar Range in Jammu and Kashmir and joins the Indus River downstream of Leh. Spiti River originates near Chandra Tal and joins the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh.

Answer: (b) Shyok – Zaskar – Spiti – Satluj

Which one among the following commissions was set up in pursuance of a definite provision under an Article of the Constitution of India?

1. University Grants Commission
2. National Human Rights Commission
3. Election Commission
4. Central Vigilance Commission

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body established under Article 324. The UGC, NHRC, and CVC are statutory bodies created by Acts of Parliament.

Answer: (c) Election Commission

Who among the following wrote The Communist Manifesto along with Karl Marx?

1. Emile Durkheim
2. Friedrich Engels
3. Robert Owen
4. Max Weber

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Communist Manifesto (1848) was jointly authored by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, laying the intellectual foundation of scientific socialism.

Answer: (c) Friedrich Engels

Which portfolio was held by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Interim Government formed in 1946?

1. Defence
2. External Affairs and Commonwealth
3. Food and Agriculture
4. None

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was entrusted with the Food and Agriculture portfolio in the Interim Government.

Answer: (c) Food and Agriculture

Consider the following statements:

1. A person who has held office as a permanent Judge of a High Court cannot plead or act in any court or before any authority in India except the Supreme Court.
2. A person is not qualified for appointment as a Judge of a High Court unless he has for at least five years held a judicial office in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Article 220 of the Indian Constitution restricts retired permanent High Court judges from practicing law in any court or authority in India, excluding the Supreme Court and other High Courts. This provision aims to maintain judicial integrity and prevent conflicts of interest. It applies only to permanent judges, not additional or acting judges.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• According to Article 217(2) of the Indian Constitution, a person is qualified for appointment as a High Court judge if they are a citizen of India and have at least 10 years of experience as a judicial officer or an advocate in a High Court.

Answer: (c) Neither 1 nor 2

Consider the following statements:

1. The length of a terrestrial mile is less than that of a nautical mile.
2. Harmattan is a dusty land wind of the East African Coast.
3. Greece and Albania form part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• A statute (terrestrial) mile measures about 1.6 km, whereas a nautical mile is defined as approximately 1.852 km, making the terrestrial mile shorter.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Harmattan is a dry, dusty wind originating from the Sahara that mainly affects West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea region; therefore, describing it as a wind of the East African coast is incorrec

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Greece and Albania are located on the Balkan Peninsula, not the Iberian Peninsula, which consists primarily of Spain and Portugal.

Answer: (d) 1 only

Huangpu River flows through which one of the following cities?

1. Beijing
2. Ho Chi Minh City
3. Shanghai
4. Manila

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Huangpu River flows through Shanghai and is a major tributary of the Yangtze River. In contrast, Beijing is mainly situated along the Yongding River, Ho Chi Minh City lies on the Saigon River, and Manila is located on the Pasig River.

Answer: (c) Shanghai

Consider the following statements:

1. Assam shares a border with Bhutan and Bangladesh.
2. West Bengal shares a border with Bhutan and Nepal.
3. Mizoram shares a border with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

All statements are correct

• Assam shares international borders with both Bhutan and Bangladesh.
• West Bengal also borders Bhutan and is one of the Indian states that shares a boundary with Nepal.
• Mizoram, located in the southern part of the Northeast, has international boundaries with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements:

1. The Richter scale is logarithmic and an increase of one unit represents a tenfold increase in amplitude.
2. Each successive integer on the Richter scale represents about 100 times more energy release.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Richter (local) magnitude scale is logarithmic, and each increase of one whole number represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of seismic waves recorded on a seismogram.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The energy released does not increase by 100 times for each unit increase in magnitude. Instead, a one-unit rise corresponds to roughly a 32-fold increase in seismic energy. The common misconception arises from confusing amplitude, which increases tenfold, with energy, which increases by about thirty-two times per magnitude step.

Answer: (a) 1 only

The initial design and construction of which massive temple took place during the reign of Suryavarman II?

1. Sri Mariamman Temple
2. Angkor Vat
3. Batu Caves Temple
4. Kamakhya Temple

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Angkor Wat was constructed by the Khmer king Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century (c. 1110–1150 CE), making the monument nearly 900 years old. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, Angkor Wat later transitioned into a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century. In recognition of its outstanding cultural and historical significance, the temple complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Answer: (b) Angkor Vat

Where is Davos – the venue of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), located?

1. France
2. Germany
3. Switzerland
4. Luxembourg

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Davos is a town in Switzerland and is globally known for hosting the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The event brings together heads of state, business leaders, economists, academics and representatives of civil society to discuss major global economic and developmental issues.

Answer: (c) Switzerland

What does the term ‘Dolby B’ or ‘Dolby C’ printed on tape recorders and other sound systems refer to?

1. Frequency modulated system
2. Amplitude modulated system
3. Noise reduction circuit
4. Both DC and AC power can be used

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Dolby B and Dolby C are audio noise-reduction systems developed by Dolby Laboratories for analog tape recording and playback. These systems reduce background hiss and unwanted noise commonly associated with magnetic tape recordings, thereby improving sound quality and clarity. Dolby C provides a higher level of noise reduction than Dolby B. Therefore, the terms “Dolby B” and “Dolby C” refer to noise reduction circuits used in audio equipment.

Answer: (c) Noise reduction circuit

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

1. States Reorganisation Act: Andhra Pradesh
2. Treaty of Yandabu: Assam
3. State of Bilaspur: Himachal Pradesh
4. Year 1996: Gujarat becomes a State

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Gujarat did not become a state in 1996. It was formed on 1 May 1960 when the bilingual Bombay State was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra

Answer: (d) Year 1996: Gujarat becomes a State

Consider the following statements about Madam Bhikaji Cama:

1. She unfurled the Indian National Flag at the International Socialist Conference in Paris in 1907.
2. She served as private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji.
3. She was born into a Parsi family.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Madam Bhikaji Cama hoisted an Indian flag on 22nd August 1907 at the International Socialist Congress Summit in Stuttgart, Germany. This was the first time an Indian flag had been hoisted in a foreign land.

Statement 2 is correct

• During her stay in London, Madam Cama worked as a private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji.

Statement 3 is correct

• Madam Bhikaiji Cama was born on September 24, 1861, into a large, affluent Parsi Zoroastrian family in Bombay.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857?

1. Lord Canning
2. Lord Dalhousie
3. Lord Hardinge
4. Lord Lytton

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Lord Canning (Charles John Canning) was the Governor-General of India during the 1857 Revolt (often termed the Sepoy Mutiny). He served as Governor-General from 1856 to 1858 and became the first Viceroy of India in 1858 following the transition of power from the East India Company to the British Crown.

Answer: (a) Lord Canning

In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?

1. Military commander during Akbar’s reign
2. Official historian of Shah Jahan
3. Noble under Aurangzeb
4. Chronicler under Muhammad Shah

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• ʿAbd-al-Ḥamīd Lāhūrī was a 17th-century traveller and historian during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahān who later became a court historian for the emperor. He wrote the Pādshāh-nāma, the official chronicle of the Shah Jahān’s reign.

Answer: (b) Official historian of Shah Jahan

Which one of the following countries is not a member of the Nordic Council?

1. Norway
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. United Kingdom

Explanation

Option (d) is the correct answer

• The Nordic Council is an inter-parliamentary cooperation forum made up of the five Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden — with participation also from the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland.

Answer: (d) United Kingdom

Bermuda Triangle extends up to which of the following places?

1. Southern Florida
2. Puerto Rico
3. Hawaii Islands

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the western North Atlantic Ocean. It is generally considered to extend between: Southern Florida Bermuda Puerto Rico. Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean
• Thus, it includes Southern Florida and Puerto Rico, but not the Hawaii Islands, which are located in the central Pacific Ocean and are geographically far removed from the Atlantic region.

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?

1. Mahapadma Nanda
2. Chandragupta Maurya
3. Ashoka
4. Samudragupta

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Allahabad Pillar Inscription – A 33-line eulogy detailing the personality and achievements of Samudragupta, composed by Harisena and inscribed in Sanskrit in the Nagari script.

Answer: (d) Samudragupta

Consider the following statements:

1. The Nobel Prize awarding ceremony takes place on December 10 every year.
2. The Nobel Prize for Literature was added later to the other five areas – Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Peace and Economics.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is incorrect

• The Nobel Prize award ceremony is held annually on 10 December, the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel. Statement II is incorrect. The original Nobel Prizes established by Alfred Nobel’s will included Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. The Prize in Economic Sciences was added much later in 1968 by the Sveriges Riksbank in memory of Alfred Nobel. Therefore, Literature was not added later; Economics was.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Under whose presidency was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress held in the year 1929 wherein a resolution was adopted to gain complete independence from the British?

1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
2. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
3. Jawaharlal Nehru
4. Motilal Nehru

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The 1929 Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress was chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru. It holds special significance as it marked the adoption of the historic resolution demanding “Purna Swaraj,” or complete independence from British rule.

Answer: (c) Jawaharlal Nehru

Which one of the following revolts was made famous by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel Anand Math?

1. Bhil uprising
2. Rangpur and Dinapur uprising
3. Bishnupur and Birbhum rebellion
4. Sanyasi rebellion

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel Anand Math (1882) is set against the backdrop of the Sanyasi Rebellion (also called the Sannyasi-Fakir Rebellion) of the late 18th century in Bengal.

Answer: (d) Sanyasi Rebellion

In the year 1613, where was the English East India Company given permission to set up a factory (trading post)?

1. Bangalore
2. Madras
3. Masulipattam
4. Surat

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• In 1613, the English East India Company obtained permission from the Mughal authorities to establish its factory in India at Surat, on the western coast.

Answer: (d) Surat

With reference to the revolt of the year1857, who of the following was betrayed by a friend; captured and put to death by the British?

1. Nana Sahib
2. Kunwar Singh
3. Khan Bahadur Khan
4. Tantia Tope

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The rebel leader who was betrayed by a friend, captured, and executed by the British was Tantia (Tatya) Tope. After the fall of Gwalior, he continued guerrilla warfare but was eventually betrayed by Man Singh, the Raja of Narwar. He was captured while asleep in his camp, handed over to the British, tried by a military court, and hanged at Shivpuri in April 1859.

Answer: (d) Tantia Tope

Who among the following laid the foundation of the Rashtrakuta Empire?

1. Amoghavarsha
2. Dantidurga
3. Dhruva
4. Krishna

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Rashtrakuta dynasty (c. 753–982 CE) emerged as a powerful force in the Deccan and ruled extensive parts of the Indian subcontinent between the 8th and 10th centuries CE. It was founded in the mid-8th century by Dantidurga, a former feudatory of the Chalukya rulers. Dantidurga consolidated his position and eventually defeated Kirtivarman II, thereby ending the rule of the main Chalukya line. This victory laid the foundation for the establishment of the Rashtrakuta Empire in the Deccan.

Answer: (d) Dantidurga

Which of the following substances are found in the beach sands of many parts of Kerala?

1. Ilmenite
2. Zircon
3. Sillimanite
4. Tungsten

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Kerala State is endowed with a number of occurrences/deposits of minerals such as Heavy Mineral Sands (Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon, Monazite, Sillimanite) ,Gold, Iron ore, Bauxite, Graphite, China Clay, Fire Clay, Tile and Brick Clay, Silica Sand, Lignite, Limestone, Limeshell, Dimension Stone (Granite), Gemstones, Magnesite, Steatite etc.Tungsten does not occur in Kerala’s beach sands. India heavily relies on imports to meet its entire domestic requirement of tungsten ore and concentrates, as there is currently no active commercial tungsten mining in the country. Primary domestic reserves are located in Rajasthan (Degana), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3

Who was the Chief Justice of India when public interest litigation (PIL) was introduced to the Indian Judicial System?

1. M. Hidaatullah
2. A.M. Ahmadi
3. A.S. Anand
4. P.N. Bhagwati

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Public Interest Litigation (PIL) emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a tool to make justice accessible to the poor and marginalized. Justice P.N. Bhagwati, along with Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, played a pioneering role in liberalising the concept of locus standi. During his tenure as Chief Justice of India (1985–1986), PIL became firmly institutionalised in the Indian judicial system.

Answer: (d) P.N.Bhagwati

When Raja Wodeyar founded the kingdom of Mysore, who was the ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire?

1. Sadashiv
2. Tirumala
3. Ranga II
4. Venkata II

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Venkata II was the ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire during the period when Raja Wodeyar established the kingdom of Mysore.

Answer: (d) Venkata II

Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located?

1. Indus and Jhelum
2. Jhelum and Chenab
3. Chenab and Ravi
4. Ravi and Beas

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Takshashila (Taxila) was a renowned ancient center of higher learning and a UNESCO World Heritage site located in present-day Rawalpindi, Pakistan, between the Indus and Jhelum rivers.

Answer: (a) Indus and Jhelum

With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which one of the following is the correct chronological order?

1. Greeks, Sakas, Kushans
2. Greeks, Kushans, Sakas
3. Sakas, Greeks, Kushans
4. Sakas, Kushans, Greeks

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The correct chronological sequence is Greeks → Sakas → Kushans. After Alexander’s campaigns, Indo-Greek kingdoms were established in north-western India and continued into the 2nd–1st centuries BCE. They were followed by the Sakas (Indo-Scythians), who entered India from Central Asia in the later 2nd century BCE. Subsequently, the Kushans (Yuezhī) rose to power, replacing earlier groups and establishing a major empire in the early centuries CE.

Answer: (a) Greeks, Sakas, Kushans

Bhakta Tukaram was a contemporary of which Mughal Emperor?

1. Babur
2. Akbar
3. Jahangir
4. Aurangzeb

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Sant Tukaram lived in the 17th century, primarily from 1608 to 1649 or 1650, in the region of modern-day Maharashtra, India, making him a key figure in the Bhakti movement during the Mughal era, a contemporary of Emperor Jahangir and Shivaji Maharaj, known for his devotional poetry (abhangas) dedicated to Lord Vithoba.

Answer: (c) Jahangir

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the Afghan rulers of Delhi?

1. Sikandar Lodi – Ibrahim Lodi – Bahlol Lodi
2. Sikandar Lodi – Bahlol Lodi – Ibrahim Lodi
3. Bahlol Lodi – Sikandar Lodi – Ibrahim Lodi
4. Bahlol Lodi – Ibrahim Lodi – Sikandar Lodi

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The correct chronological order is Bahlol Lodi → Sikandar Lodi → Ibrahim Lodi. Bahlol Lodi founded the Lodi dynasty and ruled from about 1451 to 1489. He was succeeded by his son, Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517). After Sikandar’s death, his son Ibrahim Lodi ascended the throne and ruled until 1526, when he was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat.

Answer: (c) Bahlol Lodi – Sikandar Lodi – Ibrahim Lodi

Consider the following statements:

1. The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.
2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. I only
2. II only
3. Both I and II
4. Neither I nor II

Explanation

Statement I is incorrect

• The Ikshvaku kingdom flourished for about one hundred years, from 220 to 320 CE. It patronised Buddhism, Brahminism, as well as older folk religions. Their capital city, Vijayapuri, had at least 18 Brahminical temples, mostly along the Krishna riverfront. Archaeologists have also found 30 Buddhist monasteries on some of the best real estate in the city, and a giant stupa said to contain relics of the Buddha. This kingdom supported multiple religions, traded with Rome, and built the only amphitheatre found in ancient India. It hosted Nagarjuna, also known as ‘the second Buddha’, and founder of Madhyamaka, or the influential Middle Path school of Mahayana Buddhism.

Statement II is correct

• The Pala rulers of eastern India, particularly rulers such as Dharmapala and Devapala, were great patrons of Buddhism and supported renowned centres of Buddhist learning such as Nalanda Mahavihara and Vikramashila Mahavihara. Therefore, only Statement II is correct.

Answer: (b) II only

Match List I (Place of Archaeological Monument) with List II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:

Place of Archaeological Monument	State
I. Sisupalgarh	A. Assam
II. Piprahwa	B. Manipur
III. Goalpara	C. Orissa
IV. Bishnupur	D. Uttar Pradesh

Codes:

1. I-B, II-D, III-A, IV-C
2. I-B, II-A, III-D, IV-C
3. I-C, II-D, III-A, IV-B
4. I-C, II-A, III-D, IV-B

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The ancient city of Sisupalgarh, near Bhubaneswar, was built around the 7th – 6th century BCE and served as the capital of the Kalinga kingdom. A unique feature of Sisupalgarh was its water management system. It was built using the Jala Durga (Water Fort) concept, in which the city was encircled by water bodies to serve as natural barriers against invasions. This is the only fortified site in India having eight gateways (two on each side), indicating strategic defense planning. These gateways also suggest controlled entry and exit points for administrative and security purposes.
• Piprahwa, associated with ancient Kapilavastu and Buddhist relics, is located in Uttar Pradesh. The relics include bone fragments, crystal and steatite caskets, gold ornaments and gemstones; a Brahmi inscription attributes them to Buddha’s Sakya clan, dating them to the 3rd century BCE. Under the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878, the British Crown claimed the relics; Buddha’s bone relics were gifted to King Rama V of Siam, while most gems went to the Indian Museum, Kolkata. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavations (1971-77) uncovered an additional 22 bone relics in steatite caskets, now preserved at the National Museum, New Delhi. In 2025, relics held by the Peppé family surfaced at a Hong Kong auction and were repatriated to India.
• Goalpara is a historic site in Assam.Sri Suryapahar a site famous for archaeological remains, lies in the Goalpara district. Composed of 7 (Seven) peaks. Bishnupur, famous for its medieval temples and archaeological remains, is located in Manipur.

Answer: (b) I-C, II-D, III-A, IV-B

In which one among the following is the speed of sound maximum?

1. Air at 0°C
2. Air at 100°C
3. Water
4. Wood

Explanation

• The speed of sound depends on the elasticity and density of the medium. In general, sound travels slowest in gases, faster in liquids, and fastest in solids because the particles in solids are closely packed and can transmit vibrations more efficiently. The speed of sound is about 331 m/s in air at 0°C, 387 m/s in air at 100°C, 1500 m/s in water, and several thousand metres per second in wood. Therefore, among the given options, the speed of sound is maximum in wood.

Answer: (d) Wood

Match List I (Centre of Handicrafts) with List II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:

Centre of Handicrafts	State
I. Mon	A. Arunachal Pradesh
II. Nalbari	B. Assam
III. Pasighat	C. Meghalaya
IV. Tura	D. Nagaland

Codes:

1. I-D, II-B, III-A, IV-C
2. I-A, II-C, III-D, IV-B
3. I-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B
4. I-A, II-B, III-D, IV-C

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Mon is a well-known handicrafts centre in Nagaland, particularly associated with the Konyak tribe. Nalbari is located in Assam and is known for traditional handicrafts and weaving. Pasighat, one of the oldest towns in Arunachal Pradesh, is an important centre for indigenous handicrafts. Tura, situated in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, is known for bamboo and cane handicrafts.

Answer: (a) I-D, II-B, III-A, IV-C

Consider the following statements

1. Assertion (A): In India, every State has a High Court in its territory.
2. Reason (R): The Constitution of India provides for a High Court in each State.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Constitution, under Article 214, provides that there shall be a High Court for each State. However, the Assertion (A) is incorrect because the Constitution also permits the establishment of a common High Court for two or more States or Union Territories under Article 231. Consequently, a State may be served by a High Court that is located outside its territorial boundaries. For instance, Punjab and Haryana share the High Court at Chandigarh, while the Gauhati High Court historically exercised jurisdiction over several northeastern States. Therefore, R is true, but A is false.

Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.

Consider the following statements

1. Assertion (A): Balance of Payments represents a better picture of a country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world than the Balance of Trade.
2. Reason (R): Balance of Payments takes into account the exchange of both visible and invisible items whereas Balance of Trade does not.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 the 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

• The Balance of Trade (BoT) records only the difference between a country’s exports and imports of goods (visible items). In contrast, the Balance of Payments (BoP) is a comprehensive record of all economic transactions between a country and the rest of the world. It includes not only trade in goods but also services, investment income, remittances, transfers, and capital and financial transactions (invisible items). Since BoP captures both visible and invisible transactions, it provides a much more complete picture of a country’s external economic relations than BoT. Therefore, both the Assertion and the Reason are correct, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

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

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

1. Dhankar Monastery : Himachal Pradesh
2. Rumtek Monastery: Sikkim
3. Tabo Monastery: Himachal Pradesh
4. Kye Monastery: Arunachal Pradesh

Explanation

Option (d) is the correct answer

• Key Monastery (also spelled Kye or Ki Monastery) is not located in Arunachal Pradesh; it is situated in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh.

Answer: (d) Kye Monastery: Arunachal Pradesh

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

1. Mahanadi River rises in Chhattisgarh
2. Godavari River rises in Maharashtra
3. Cauvery River rises in Andhra Pradesh
4. Tapti River rises in Madhya Pradesh

Explanation

Option (c) is the correct answer

• The Kaveri River (Cauvery) does not originate in Andhra Pradesh; it rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills of Karnataka.

Answer: (c) Cauvery River rises in Andhra Pradesh

Consider the following statements

1. Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued a new gold coin which was called Dinar by Ibn Battuta.
2. Reason (R): Muhammad bin Tughlaq wanted to issue token currency in gold coins to promote trade with West Asian and North African countries.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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 the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced a new gold coin known as the Dinar (called Dinar by Ibn Battuta). He also issued a silver coin called the Adli and undertook important currency reforms during his reign.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced a token currency around 1330 CE to tackle the shortage of silver in the royal treasury. Drawing inspiration from the currency system used in China under Kublai Khan, he issued copper coins (Jitals) and assigned them the same value as silver tankas. However, since the concept of token currency was unfamiliar in India and there was no effective control over minting, counterfeit coins were produced on a large scale. The widespread forgery disrupted the economy and undermined public confidence in the currency. Consequently, the Sultan withdrew the scheme and agreed to exchange the copper coins for silver coins.

Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.