UPSC CSE Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) – 2007

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 2007 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 2007 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.

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List I (Town)

1. Betul
2. Jagdalpur
3. Jabalpur
4. Ujjain

List II (River Nearer to it)

1. Indravati
2. Narmada
3. Shipra
4. Tapti

Codes:

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

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Betul is located near the source region of the Tapti River in Madhya Pradesh. Jagdalpur lies close to the Indravati River, an important tributary of the Godavari. Jabalpur is situated on the banks of the Narmada River, famous for the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat. Ujjain is located on the banks of the Shipra River.

Answer: (b) A–4, B–1, C–2, D–3

Consider the following statements in respect of financial emergency under Article 360 of the Constitution of India:

1. A Proclamation of financial emergency issued shall cease to operate at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by the resolution of both Houses of Parliament.
2. If any proclamation of financial emergency is in operation, it is competent for the President of India to issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union but excluding the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

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

• A financial emergency proclamation lapses after two months unless approved by both Houses of Parliament.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The President’s power extends to reducing salaries and allowances of all, including judges; the statement wrongly excludes them.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Which of the following Constitution Amendment Acts seeks that the size of the Councils of Ministers at the Centre and in a State must not exceed 15 per cent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha and the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State, respectively?

1. 91st
2. 93rd
3. 95th
4. 97th

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, set a ceiling on the size of ministries to curb political expansion. It amended Article 75 (Union) and Article 164 (States) to stipulate that the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha or the respective Legislative Assembly.

Answer: (a) 91^st

Consider the following statements:

1. The Chairman of the Committee on public Accounts is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2. The Committee on Public Accounts comprises Members of Lok Sabha, Members of Rajya Sabha and a few eminent persons of industry and trade.

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 Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, a role often given to an opposition member for impartial oversight.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The PAC is composed solely of MPs: 15 from the Lok Sabha (nominated by the Speaker) and 7 from the Rajya Sabha (nominated by its Chairman). No external members from industry or trade are included.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Consider the following statements:

1. In India, the red panda is naturally found in the Western Himalayas only.
2. In India, the Slow Loris lives in the dense forests of the North East.

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

• In India, they are found in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Bengal Slow Loris inhabits the dense forests of Northeast India, including Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and survives patchily in forested areas and reserves.

Answer: (b) 2 only

The first factory Act restricting the working hours of women and children, and authorizing local governments to make necessary rules was adopted during whose time?

1. Lord Lytton
2. Lord Bentinck
3. Lord Ripon
4. Lord Canning

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Indian Factories Act, 1881, the first factory legislation in British India, was enacted under Lord Ripon’s viceroyalty.

Answer: (c) Lord Ripon

Who among the following wrote the book “Bahu Bibaho”?

1. Raja Rammohan Roy
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
3. Pandita Rambai
4. Rabindranath Tagore

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• It was written by the renowned Bengali educator, writer, and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

Answer: (b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Which of the following types of light are strongly absorbed by plants?

1. Violet and orange
2. Blue and red
3. Indigo and yellow
4. Yellow and violet

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Plants strongly absorb blue and red light for photosynthesis because chlorophyll pigments absorb these wavelengths most efficiently, while green light is mostly reflected

Ans: (b) Blue and red

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

1. Cosmic Background Explore (COBE): Satellite programme
2. Falcon: Under-sea cable system
3. Discovery: Space shuttle
4. Atlantis: Space station

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Space Shuttle Atlantis was a NASA space shuttle, not a space station

Answer: (d) Atlantis: Space station

Which one of the following is located in the Bastar region?

1. Bandhavgarh National Park
2. Dundeli Sanctuary
3. Rajai National Park
4. Indravati National Park

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Indravati National Park is located in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. It is named after the Indravati River and is known for its rich biodiversity, including wild buffalo populations.

Answer: (d) Indravati National Park

Consider the following statements:

1. Balaghat is known for its diamond mines.
2. Majhgawan is known for its manganese deposits.

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

Both statements are incorrect

Balaghat, a district in Madhya Pradesh, is primarily famous as the “Mineral Hub of India.” It is globally renowned for producing approximately 80% of India’s manganese and housing the Malanjkhand Copper Belt, which contains some of the largest copper ore deposits in Asia

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List-I (City)

1. Bangkok
2. Phnom-Penh
3. Hanoi
4. Yangon

List-II (River)

1. Irrawaddy
2. Mekong
3. Menam (Chao Phraya)
4. Red River

Options:

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

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Bangkok is located on the Chao Phraya River, historically known as the Menam River, which is the principal river of Thailand. Phnom Penh is situated near the confluence of the Mekong River and other rivers, making the Mekong the major river associated with the city. Hanoi lies on the banks of the Red River in northern Vietnam. Yangon is associated with the Irrawaddy River system, the chief river system of Myanmar.

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

Which one among the following rivers is the longest?

1. Amazon
2. Amur
3. Congo
4. Lena

Explanation

Option (a) is corect

• Among the rivers listed, the Amazon River is the longest. Recent estimates place its length at around 6,400 km, which is greater than that of the Amur River, Congo River, and Lena River. The Amazon River drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The Amur River, which stretches an impressive 4,444 kilometres, is the tenth-longest globally. It serves as a natural boundary between the Russian Far East and northeastern China before emptying into the Sea of Okhotsk, the Pacific Ocean, and the Strait of Tartary.
• The Congo River, the ninth-longest river, is Africa’s second-longest and second-largest in terms of discharge volume. It flows for 4,700 kilometres through multiple countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and Angola, crossing the equator twice before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Lena River is the 11th longest river in the world, stretching 4,400 km across Siberia. Flowing entirely within Russia, it originates in the Baikal Mountains and empties into the Arctic’s Laptev Sea.

Answer: (a) Amazon

Which one of the following rivers originates at Amarkantak?

1. Damodar
2. Mahanadi
3. Narmada
4. Tapti

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Narmada originates from the Amarkantak plateau of MP. It flows westwards in a rift valley between the Satpura in the south and the Vindhyan range in the north.

Option (a) is incorrect

• Damodar River, also called Deonadi in its initial reaches, is an important tributary of Ganga. It rises in the hills of the Chottanagpur Plateau of the Palamau district of Bihar. Barakar is its main tributary, and it joins the Hugli River south of Kolkata. Once known as the Sorrow of Bengal, the Damodar has been now tamed by the Damodar Valley Corporation, a multipurpose project.

Option (b) is incorrect

• Mahanadi basin extends over Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and comparatively smaller portions of Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, nearly 4.3% of the country’s total geographical area.
• The basin is bounded by the Central India hills on the north, the Eastern Ghats on the south and east, and the Maikala range on the west.
• Six small streams between the Mahanadi and the Rushikulya draining directly into the Chilka Lake are also part of the basin.
• In water potential and flood-producing capacity, the Mahanadi River ranks second to the Godavari.
• It originates from the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh.
• Left bank tributaries: Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, and Ib.
• Right bank tributaries: Ong, Tel, and Jonk.
• Important cities: Raipur, Durg, Cuttack, etc.

Option (d) is incorrect

• Situated in the Deccan plateau, the Tapti basin extends over MP, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• The basin is bounded by the Satpura Range on the north, by the Mahadev Hills on the east, by the Ajanta Range and the Satmala Hills on the south and by the Arabian Sea on the west.
• Tapti River originates near the Multai reserve forest in the Betul district of MP.
• It is the second-largest west-flowing river in peninsular India.
• It is known as ‘the twin’ or ‘the handmaid’ of the Narmada.
• Right bank tributaries: Suki, Gomai, Arunavati, and Aner.
• Left bank tributaries: Vaghur, Amravati, Buray, Panjhra, Bori, Girna, Purna, Mona, and Sipna

Answer: (c) Narmada

Which one among the following major Indian cities is most eastward located?

1. Hyderabad
2. Bhopal
3. Lucknow
4. Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Among the given cities, Lucknow lies farthest to the east in terms of longitude.

Answer: (c) Lucknow

Dalbergia species is associated with which one of the following?

1. Cashew nut
2. Coffee
3. Tea
4. Rosewood

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Dalbergia is a genus of trees belonging to the legume family and is well known for producing valuable hardwood commonly called rosewood. Species such as Dalbergia latifolia and Dalbergia sissoo are important timber trees. The other options are unrelated genera: cashew belongs to Anacardium, coffee to Coffea, and tea to Camellia.

Answer: (d) Rosewood

Through which one of the following Straits does a tunnel connect the United Kingdom and France?

1. Davis Strait
2. Denmark Strait
3. Strait of Dover
4. Strait of Gibraltar

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Channel Tunnel, popularly known as the “Chunnel,” connects the United Kingdom and France beneath the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel. The Davis Strait lies between Greenland and Canada, the Denmark Strait separates Greenland and Iceland, and the Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea.

Answer: (c) Strait of Dover

The largest coral reef in the world is found near the coast of which one of the following countries?

1. Australia
2. Cuba
3. Ghana
4. Philippines

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The world’s largest coral reef system is the Great Barrier Reef, located off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Coral Sea. It is the largest living structure on Earth and consists of thousands of individual reefs and islands extending for over 2,000 km.

Answer: (a) Australia

In which State is the Guru Shikhar Peak located?

1. Rajasthan
2. Gujarat
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Maharashtra

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Guru Shikhar is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range and is located near Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

Answer: (a) Rajasthan

Which one of the following aroused a wave of popular indignation that led to the massacre by the British at Jallianwala Bagh?

1. The Arms Act
2. The Public Safety Act
3. The Rowlatt Act
4. The Vernacular Press Act

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Rowlatt Act empowered the colonial government to detain people without trial and curb civil liberties. It generated widespread protests across India under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. During protests against this Act in Amritsar, British troops under General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering at Jallianwala Bagh Massacre on 13 April 1919.

Answer: (c) The Rowlatt Act

Who was the Speaker of the first Lok Sabha?

1. Hukam Singh
2. G. V. Mavlankar
3. K. M. Munshi
4. U. N. Dhebar

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• G. V. Mavalankar became the Speaker of the Provisional Parliament (1951) until the first general elections (1952). He was then chosen as the Speaker for the First Lok Sabha in independent India on 15 May 1952.

Answer: (b) G. V. Mavlankar

At which one of the following places did Mahatma Gandhi first start his Satyagraha in India?

1. Ahmedabad
2. Bardoli
3. Champaran
4. Kheda

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The first Satyagraha movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in India was the Champaran Satyagraha. It was launched in Champaran district of Bihar to support indigo cultivators who were being exploited by European planters under the tinkathia system.

Answer: (c) Champaran

Who among the following started the newspaper Shome Prakash?

1. Dayanand Saraswati
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
3. Raja Rammohan Roy
4. Surendranath Banerjee

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Somprakash (also spelled Shome Prakash) was a Bengali weekly newspaper started in 1858 by Dwarakanath Vidyabhusan. The idea for launching the newspaper was originally proposed by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

Answer: (b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

The ruler of which one of the following States was removed from power by the British on the pretext of misgovernance?

1. Awadh
2. Jhansi
3. French
4. Satara

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The British annexed Awadh in 1856, claiming to free the people from the “misgovernment” of the Nawab.

Answer: (a) Awadh

Who among the following Europeans were the last to come to pre independence India as traders?

1. Dutch
2. English
3. French
4. Portuguese

Explanation

• The French were latecomers to the Eastern trade. The French East India Company was founded in 1664. Their first factory was set up in Surat in 1668, and it soon became the Company’s headquarters in India

Answer: (c) French

Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India?

1. Fort William
2. Fort St. George
3. Fort St. David
4. Fort St. Angelo

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• In 1639, two representatives of the British EIC, Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, purchased the land to construct a new fort. The fort was completed on St George’s Day, April 23, 1644, and named St George’s Fort after the Patron Saint of England. It was the first fort constructed by the British in India.

Ans: (b) Fort St. George

Which one of the following non-metals is not a poor conductor of electricity?

1. Sulphur
2. Selenium
3. Bromine
4. Phosphorus

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Selenium is a non-metal that shows semiconducting properties and can conduct electricity better than most non-metals, especially under the influence of light. Hence, it is not considered a poor conductor of electricity.is a non-metal that shows semiconducting properties and can conduct electricity better than most non-metals, especially under the influence of light. Hence, it is not considered a poor conductor of electricity.

Answer: (b) Selenium

Which one of the following is another name of RDX?

1. Cyanohydrin
2. Selenium
3. Cyclohexane
4. Cyclonite

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• RDX is a powerful high explosive chemically known as RDX is a powerful high explosive chemically known as Research Department Explosive or Royal Demolition Explosive. Another commonly used name for it is Cyclonite. The other options are incorrect because cyanohydrin is an organic compound containing hydroxyl and cyano groups, Selenium is a non-metallic chemical element, and Cyclohexane is a hydrocarbon used mainly as an industrial solvent and chemical intermediate. Department Explosive or Royal Demolition Explosive. Another commonly used name for it is Cyclonite.

Answer: (d) Cyclonite

Where are the headquarters of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) located?

1. Dubai
2. Jeddah
3. Islamabad
4. Ankara

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest organisation after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world. Its headquarters are in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Answer: (b) Jeddah

Where is Copacabana Beach located?

1. Buenos Aires
2. Hawaiian Islands
3. Rio de Janeiro
4. Valletta

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Copacabana Beach, located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a vibrant, crescent-shaped, 4-kilometer stretch of sand.

Answer: (c) Rio de Janeiro

Consider the following statements:

1. The mode of removal of a Judge of a High Court in India is same as that of removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court.
2. After retirement from the office, a permanent Judge of a High Court cannot plead or act in any court or before any authority 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 correct

• A judge of a High Court can be removed only by an order of the President after each House of Parliament passes an address supported by a special majority on the grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Thus, the procedure and grounds for removal are the same as those applicable to a Supreme Court judge.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Article 220 of the Constitution prohibits a retired Judge of a High Court from pleading or acting in any Court or before any authority in India except the Supreme Court and the other High Courts.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the formation as full States of the Indian Union?

1. Sikkim – Arunachal Pradesh – Nagaland – Haryana
2. Nagaland – Haryana – Sikkim – Arunachal Pradesh
3. Sikkim – Haryana – Nagaland – Arunachal Pradesh
4. Nagaland – Arunachal Pradesh – Sikkim – Haryana

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The correct chronological sequence by year of attaining full statehood is Nagaland (1963), Haryana (1966), Sikkim (1975), and Arunachal Pradesh (1987)

Answer: (b) Nagaland – Haryana – Sikkim – Arunachal Pradesh

Tarapore Committee was associated with which one of the following?

1. Special Economic Zones
2. Fuller capital account convertibility
3. Foreign exchange reserves
4. Effect of oil-prices on the Indian economy

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Reserve Bank of India constituted the S. S. Tarapore Committee, also known as the Committee on Capital Account Convertibility (CAC), to recommend a roadmap for achieving full convertibility of the rupee on the capital account.

Answer: (b) Fuller capital account convertibility

Participatory Notes (PNs) are associated with which one of the following?

1. Consolidated Fund of India
2. Foreign Institutional Investors
3. United Nations Development Programme
4. Kyoto Protocol

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Participatory Notes (PNs) are offshore derivative instruments issued by registered Foreign Institutional Investors (now largely referred to as Foreign Portfolio Investors) to overseas investors who wish to invest in Indian securities without directly registering with Indian market regulators.

Answer: (b) Foreign Institutional Investors

The Pulitzer Prize is associated with which one of the following?

1. Environmental protection
2. Olympic games
3. Journalism
4. Civil Aviation

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Pulitzer Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of journalism. The Pulitzer is announced by Columbia University in America and bestowed on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board. In addition to honouring winners and finalists in 15 journalism categories, the Pulitzer Board recognises distinguished work in areas such as books, music, and theatre. The prizes were established in the will of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer and first awarded in 1917. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000. A member of the Ghadar Party in America, Indian-American journalist Gobind Behari Lal was the first from India to win the Pulitzer Prize for journalism in 1937.

Answer: (c) Journalism

Consider the following statements:

1. The repo rate is the rate at which other banks borrow from the Reserve Bank of India.
2. A value of 1 or Gini Coefficient in a country implies that there is perfectly equal income for everyone in its population.

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 repo rate (short for repurchase rate) is the interest rate at which a country’s central bank (like the Reserve Bank of India) lends short-term funds to commercial banks.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Gini coefficient is a statistical measure used to assess the distribution of income, wealth, or resources in a population. It ranges from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates perfect equality and 1 indicates maximum inequality. The Gini index is the same value multiplied by 100 (ranging from 0 to 100).

Answer: (a) 1 only

MCA‑21 is a major initiative taken up by the Government of India in which one of the following areas?

1. Foreign direct investment in India
2. Attracting international tourists
3. e‑governance
4. Modernization of airports

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• MCA-21 was designed to automate and streamline the delivery of government services to the corporate sector.

Answer: (c) e‑governance

The Stilwell Road, built in 1940s, which was recently in news, connects which of the following?

1. Agartala in India and Yangon in Myanmar via Bangladesh
2. Ledo in India and Kunming in China via Myanmar
3. Kalimpong in India and Lhasa in Tibet via Bhutan
4. Imphal in India and Bangkok in Thailand via Myanmar

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Stilwell Road, also known as the Ledo Road, was constructed during the Second World War to connect Ledo in India with Kunming through Myanmar. It was built under the supervision of American General Joseph Stilwell to supply Allied forces in China.

Answer: (b) Ledo in India and Kunming in China via Myanmar

Which one of the following is not a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?

1. Russia
2. Kazakhstan
3. Ukraine
4. Uzbekistan

Explanation

• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) includes countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan among its members. Ukraine is not a member of the SCO.

Answer: (c) Ukraine

Recently, the European Union and other six countries including India signed the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Project. Which one of the following was not a signatory to it?

1. Canada
2. China
3. Japan
4. USA

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Canada is not currently a member of ITER as it does not contribute financially to the project

Answer: (a) Canada

Match List‑I with List‑II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List‑I (Person)

1. Bhajan Sopori
2. Birju Maharaj
3. Priyadarsini Govind
4. T. V. Gopalakrishnan

List‑II (Known as)

1. Bharatnatyam Dancer
2. Exponent of Santoor
3. Mridangam maestro
4. Kathak dancer

Codes:

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

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Bhajan Sopori was a renowned exponent of the santoor, Birju Maharaj was a celebrated Kathak dancer, Priyadarsini Govind is known for Bharatanatyam, and T. V. Gopalakrishnan is famous as a mridangam maestro.

Answer: (c) A‑2, B‑4, C‑1, D‑3

Basel II relates to which one of the following?

1. International standards for safety in civil aviation
2. Measures against cyber crimes
3. Measures against drug abuse by sportspersons
4. International standards for measuring the adequacy of a bank’s capital

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Basel Committee on Banking Supervision introduced Basel II as a framework to strengthen banking regulation and financial stability. It lays down international standards for capital adequacy, risk management, and banking supervision to ensure that banks maintain sufficient capital against various financial risks.

Answer: (d) International standards for measuring the adequacy of a bank’s capital

Which one of the following is also known as Top Slip?

1. Simlipal National Park
2. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, also known as Top Slip, is a popular destination located in the Anaimalai Hills of Pollachi.

Answer: (d) Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Which one of the following places was associated with Acharya Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement at the beginning of the movement?

1. Udaygiri
2. Raipur
3. Pochampally
4. Venkatagiri

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Bhoodan movement, also referred to as the ‘Bloodless Revolution’, was a voluntary land distribution and land reformation and distribution movement that was initiated by prominent freedom fighter Acharya Vinoba Bhave on 18th April 1951 in the village of Pochampally, Telangana.

Answer: (c) Pochampally

Which one of the following is the correct sequence in the decreasing order of contribution of different sectors to the Gross Domestic Product of India?

1. Services—Industry—Agriculture
2. Services—Agriculture—Industry
3. Industry—Services—Agriculture
4. Industry—Agriculture—Services

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• According to the World Bank, sector-wise Indian GDP composition in 2023 is as follows: Agricultural (15.57%), Industry (25.01%), and Services (49.80%)

Answer: (a) Services—Industry—Agriculture

Consider the following statements:

1. North Atlantic Co-operation Council (NACC) is the name of the new organization which has replaced the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
2. The United States and the United Kingdom became members of NATO when it was formed in 1949.

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

• The North Atlantic Co-operation Council (NACC) did not replace NATO. It was established in 1991 as a forum for dialogue and cooperation between NATO and former Warsaw Pact countries.

Statement 2 is correct

• The United States and the United Kingdom were indeed founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which was established on April 4, 1949.

Answer: (b) 2 only

Where is the famous Vijaya Vittala Temple having its 56 carved pillars emitting musical notes located?

1. Belur
2. Bhadrachalam
3. Hampi
4. Srirangam

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The famous Vijaya Vittala Temple is located at Hampi in Karnataka. The temple is renowned for its 56 musical pillars, also known as “SaReGaMa pillars,” which produce musical sounds when gently tapped. It is one of the finest examples of Vijayanagara architecture.

Answer: (c) Hampi

Where are the Shevaroy Hills located?

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

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Shevaroy Hills, also known as the Servarayan Hills, are situated in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The highest peak in the Shevaroy Hills is Shevaroyan Temple Peak, which rises to an elevation of about 1,623 meters. Yercaud, a hill station nestled in the Shevaroy Hills, is a well-known tourist spot with attractions like the Yercaud Lake, Anna Park, and Killiyur Falls.

Answer: (d) Tamil Nadu

Which one of the following cities does not have the same clock time as that of the other three cities at any given instant?

1. London
2. Lisbon
3. Accra
4. Addis Ababa

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Addis Ababa is the correct answer because it is located significantly further east than the other three cities.

Answer: (d) Tamil Nadu

Consider the following

1. Assertion (A): The Council of Ministers in the Union of India is collectively responsible both to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
2. Reason (R): The members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are eligible to become Ministers in the Union Government.

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 Assertion is false because the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha, not to the Rajya Sabha, as per Article 75. The Reason is true because ministers can be chosen from either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. Even a person who is not a member of either House can become a minister temporarily, but must become a member of Parliament within six months.

Answer: (d) A is false but R is true

Consider the following

1. Assertion (A): According to the Wavell Plan, the number of Hindu and Muslim members in the Executive Council were to be equal.
2. Reason (R): Lord Wavell thought that this arrangement would have avoided the partition of India.

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

• Under the Wavell Plan, parity between caste Hindus and Muslims was proposed in the reconstituted Executive Council. The Reason is false. The plan aimed to break the constitutional deadlock and secure cooperation of Indian political parties during the final phase of British rule, but there is no evidence that Lord Wavell specifically believed that parity would prevent the partition of India.

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

Consider the following

1. Assertion (A): Kali River (Kalinadi) is an east-flowing river in the southern part of India.
2. Reason (R): The Deccan Plateau is higher along its western edge and gently slopes towards the Bay of Bengal in the east.

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 Assertion is false because the Kali River (Kalinadi) is a west-flowing river of Karnataka that originates in the Western Ghats and drains into the Arabian Sea. The Reason is true because the Deccan Plateau is generally higher along the Western Ghats and slopes eastward, which explains why most Peninsular rivers flow towards the Bay of Bengal.

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true

Consider the following

1. Assertion (A): There are no tea plantations in any African country.
2. Reason (R): Tea plants need fertile soil with high humus.

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 Assertion is false because several African countries, especially Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Tanzania, have extensive tea plantations. Kenya is one of the world’s leading tea exporters. The Reason is true because tea plants grow best in fertile, well-drained acidic soils rich in humus, along with warm and humid climatic conditions.

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true

Consider the following statements:

1. Robert Clive was the first Governor-General of Bengal.
2. William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of 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

Only statement 2 is correct

• The Regulating Act of 1773 raised the status of Governor of Bengal to Governor-General of Bengal. Warren Hastings was the last Governor of Bengal (1772-73) and the first Governor-General of Bengal from 1773 to 1785. By the Charter Act of 1833, the Governor General of Bengal became the Governor General of India. William Bentinck was the last Governor-General of Bengal and the first Governor-General of India

Answer: (b) 2 only

The song Amar Sonar Bangla, written during the Swadeshi Movement, inspired the liberation struggle of Bangladesh and was later adopted as the National Anthem of Bangladesh. Who wrote this song?

1. Rajni Kanta Sen
2. Dwijendralal Ray
3. Mukunda Das
4. Rabindranath Tagore

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• Rabindranath Tagore composed Amar Sonar Bangla in 1905 during the Swadeshi Movement against the partition of Bengal. The song later became the national anthem of Bangladesh after its independence in 1971.

Answer: (d) Rabindranath Tagore

Consider the following statements:

1. The annual range of temperature is greater in the Pacific Ocean than that in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The annual range of temperature is greater in the Northern Hemisphere than that in the Southern Hemisphere.

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

Only statement 2 is correct

• • More water → less annual range. Hence statement (1) is false while (2) is true.

Answer: (b) 2 only

Consider the following statements:

1. Either of the two belts over the oceans at about 30° to 35° N and S latitudes is known as Horse Latitudes.
2. Horse Latitudes are low-pressure belts.

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

Only statement 1 is correct

• The Horse Latitudes are subtropical belts located roughly between 30° and 35° north and south latitudes over the oceans. These regions are characterized by calm winds and dry weather conditions. Horse Latitudes are high-pressure belts.

Answer: (a) 1 only