GS Prelims Previous Years Question Paper- 2014 (Part 1)

1. The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

(a) the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended.
(b) King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Darbar in Delhi in 1911
(c) Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement
(d) the Partition of India, in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan

Ans: b

2.  The 1929 Session of Indian, National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the

(a) attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress
(b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj Was adopted as the goal of the Congress
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement was launched
(d) decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken

Ans: b

3. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:

1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: b

4. Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?

(a) 22 March (or 21st March)
(b) 15th May (or 16th May)
(c) 31st March (or  30th March)
(d) 21st April (or 20th April)    

Ans: a

5. With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs:

Famous work of sculpture                                                                    Site

1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below               : Ajanta

2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock     : Mount Abu

3. “Arjuna’s Penance” /”Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders     : Mamallapuram

Which of the pairs given above is/ are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only,
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: a

6. The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a

(a) revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco.
(b) nationalist organization operating from Singapore
(c) militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
(d) communist movement for India’s freedom with head-quarters at Tashkent

Ans: a

7. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?

(a) It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
(b) It is an ancient style bronze and brass work still found in southern part of Coromandel area
(c) It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
(d) It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India

Ans: d

8. Consider the following pairs:

1.  Garba         : Gujarat
2. Mohiniattam : Odisha
3. Yakshagana : Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: c

9. With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India,

consider the following pairs:

Famous shrine                                          Location
   
1. Tabo monastery and temple complex      : Spiti Valley
2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako            : Zanskar Valley
3. Alchi temple complex                              : Ladakh
    
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: c

10. Consider the following statements:

1. ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.

2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: d

11. A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their

(a) martial arts in North-East India
(b) musical tradition in North-West India
(c) classical vocal music in South India
(d) pietra dura tradition in Central India

Ans: b

12. What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?

1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States
2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown
3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: a

13. Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was

(a) the mosque for the use of Royal Family
(b) Akbar’s  private chamber prayer
(c) the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions.
(d) the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs

Ans: c

14. In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider / greater implementation?

1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.

2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.

3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) None

Ans: b

15. With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities, in those zones except agriculture.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 u
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: d

16. Consider the following statements:

1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: b

17.  Consider the following pairs:    

Vitamin              Deficiency disease

1. Vitamin C       Scurvy
2. Vitamin D       Rickets
3. Vitamin E        Night blindness

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None

Ans: a

18. There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?

1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil.
2. They can enter the food chains.
3. They can trigger the production of free radicals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: d

19. Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as ‘World Economic Outlook’?

(a) The International Monetary Fund
(b) The United Nations Development Programme
(c) The World Economic Forum
(d) The World Bank

Ans: a

20. With reference to Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure?

1.  Defence -expenditure
2.  Interest payments
3.  Salaries and pensions
4.  Subsidies

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) None

Ans: c

21. Which of the following have coral reefs?

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands I
2. Gulf of Kachchh
3. Gulf of Mannar
4. Sunderbans

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: a

22. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?

1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: b

23. The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of

(a) Equatorial climate
(b) Mediterranean climate
(e) Monsoon climate
(d) All of the above climates

Ans: c

24. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to

(a) an assembly of village elders
(b) a religious sect
(c) a style of temple construction
(d) an administrative functionary

Ans: c

25. Consider the following rivers:

1. Barak
2. Lohit
3. Subansiri

Which of the above flows / flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: b

26. Consider the following pairs:

Wetlands                                                         Confluence of rivers

1. Harike Wetlands                             : Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej

2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park         : Confluence of Banas and Chambal

3. Kolleru Lake                                  : Confluence of Musi and Krishna

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: a

27. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?

(a) Mimamsa and Vedanta
(b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika
(c) Lokayata and Kapalika
(d) Sankhya and Yoga

Ans: c

28. Consider the following pairs:

     Hills                                    Region

1. Cardamom Hills            : Coromandel Coast

2. Kaimur Hills                  : Konkan Coast

3. Mahadeo Hills               : Central India

4. Mikir Hills                     : North-East India

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 4

Ans: c

29. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

(a) Second Schedule
(b) Fifth Schedule
(c) Eighth Schedule
(d) Tenth Schedule

Ans: d

30. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

(a) biosphere reserves
(b) botanical gardens
(c) national parks
(d) wildlife sanctuaries

Ans: a

31. Turkey is located between

(a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
(b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
(c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
(d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

Ans: b

32. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north?

1. Bangkok
2. Hanoi
3. Jakarta
4. Singapore

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 4-2-1-3
(b) 3-2-4-1
(c) 3-4-1-2
(d) 4-3-2-1

Ans: c

33. The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3 °C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?

1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source
2. Widespread coral mortality will occur.
3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.
4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: b

34. The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from        
                       
(a) Katha Upanishad                
(b) Chandogya Upanishad            
(c) Aitareya Upanishad            
(d) Mundaka Upanishad

Ans: d

35. In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

(a) Preamble to the Constitution
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Fundamental Duties
(d) Ninth Schedule

Ans: b

36. What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’?

1. Prevention of soil runoff
2. Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
4. Regeneration of natural vegetation

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: c

37. Which of the following are associated with ‘Planning’ in India?

1. The Finance Commission 
2. The National Development Council
3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development
4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development
5. The Parliament

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: c

38. Which of the following is / are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?

1.  Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2.  Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
3.  Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: c
   
39. Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which

1. places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority
2. places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: b

40. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?

1.  Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
2.  Appointing the Ministers
3.  Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4.  Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 nd 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: b

41. In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for

(a) military officers
(b) village headmen
(c) specialists in Vedic rituals
(d) chiefs of craft guilds

Ans: b

42. Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

(a) algae and bacteria
(b) algae and fungi
(c) bacteria and fungi
(d) fungi and mosses

Ans: b

43. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are Iikely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?

1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
3. Sandalwood

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only     
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: a

44. Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?                    

1. Oxides of sulphur                
2. Oxides of nitrogen                
3. Carbon monoxide                
4. Carbon dioxide
               
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
               
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only                
(b) 2 and 3 only                
(c) 1 and 4 only                
(d) 1,2, 3 and 4

Ans: d

45. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

1.  Avanti
2.  Gandhara
3.  Kosala
4.  Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4

Ans: c
           
46. Every year, a month long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/ tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

(a) Bhutia and Lepcha
(b) Gond and Korku
(c) lrula and Toda
(d) Sahariya and Agariya

Ans: b

47. The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a

(a) tax imposed by the Central Government
(b) tax imposed by the Central Government but collected by the State Government
(c) tax imposed by the State Government but collected by the Central Government
(d) tax imposed and collected by the State Government

Ans: d

48. What does venture capital mean?

(a) A short-term capital provided to industries
(b) A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs
(c) Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses
(d) Funds provided for replacement and renovation of industries

Ans: b

49. The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is

(a) inclusive growth and poverty reductions
(b) inclusive and sustainable growth
(c) sustainable and inclusive growth to reduce unemployment
(d) faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth.

Ans: d

50. With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account?

1. Balance of trade
2. Foreign assets
3. Balance of invisibles
4. Special Drawing Right

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 4

Ans: c

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