Kurkalang Skilling and Learning Center

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2013 - General Studies Paper I — question paper

Source note: KSLC indexes previous-year papers for practice and revision. Copyright and official exam ownership remain with the respective examination authorities. When a record uses an official public source, use that authority's notice as final.

Historical paper · reviewed structured rendering

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2013 - General Studies Paper I

Paper #3258 · 2013 · General Studies Paper I · 100 reviewed questions · Showing 41–80 of 100

Close paper

Accuracy note: This is a reviewed structured rendering of an official previous-year paper and may cover only part of it. Where available, explanatory notes describe unresolved source or answer issues without supplying a scoring answer. Official examination authority notices remain final.

2013 General Studies Paper I, Series A: 100 questions with 100 final-key answers and concise KSLC explanations. Original questions and applicable copyright belong to UPSC and the respective rights holders. KSLC explanations are independent educational commentary; KSLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by UPSC. Official source: https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers/archives

  1. The balance of payments of a country is a systematic record of
    1. all import and export transactions of a country during a given period of time, normally a year
    2. goods exported from a country during a year
    3. economic transaction between the government of one country to another
    4. capital movements from one country to another
  2. The Reserve Bank of India regulates the commercial banks in matters of 1. liquidity of assets 2. branch expansion 3. merger of banks 4. winding-up of banks Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 and 4 only
    2. 2, 3 and 4 only
    3. 1, 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  3. An increase in the Bank Rate generally indicates that the
    1. market rate of interest is likely to fall
    2. Central Bank is no longer making loans to commercial banks
    3. Central Bank is following an easy money policy
    4. Central Bank is following a tight money policy
  4. In India, deficit financing is used for raising resources for
    1. economic development
    2. redemption of public debt
    3. adjusting the balance of payments
    4. reducing the foreign debt
  5. Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization? 1. They possessed great palaces and temples. 2. They worshipped both male and female deities. 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare. Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 1,2 and 3
    4. None of the statements given above is correct
  6. Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? 1. Chikungunya 2. Hepatitis B 3. HIV-AIDS Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
  7. Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? 1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance. 2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul. 3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
  8. Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?
    1. Ecotone
    2. Ecological niche
    3. Habitat
    4. Home range
  9. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among
    1. NO₂, O₃ and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
    2. CO, O₂ and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
    3. CO, CO₂ and NO₂ at low temperature
    4. high concentration of NO₂, O₃ and CO in the evening
  10. Consider the following minerals: 1. Calcium 2. Iron 3. Sodium Which of the minerals given above is/are required by human body for the contraction of muscles?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
  11. Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts 1. consists of not more than 25 Members of the Lok Sabha 2. scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of the Government 3. examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1,2 and 3
  12. Consider the following Bhakti Saints: 1. Dadu Dayal 2. Guru Nanak 3. Tyagaraja Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
    1. 1 and 3
    2. 2 only
    3. 2 and 3
    4. 1 and 2
  13. With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of organism is/are known as decomposer organism/organisms? 1. Virus 2. Fungi 3. Bacteria Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
  14. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where
    1. warm and cold atmospheric currents meet
    2. rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea
    3. warm and cold oceanic currents meet
    4. continental shelf is undulating
  15. Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/ characteristics of equatorial forests? 1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy 2. Coexistence of a large number of species 3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
  16. Which of the following constitute Capital Account? 1. Foreign Loans 2. Foreign Direct Investment 3. Private Remittances 4. Portfolio Investment Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1, 2 and 3
    2. 1, 2 and 4
    3. 2, 3 and 4
    4. 1, 3 and 4
  17. Consider the following historical places: 1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepakshi Temple 3. Sanchi Stupa Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 1, 2 and 3
    4. None
  18. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: 1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul. 2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. 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
  19. In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government? 1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament. 2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament. 3. Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 3 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
  20. The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons? 1. Thermal difference between land and water 2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans 3. Presence of strong winds in the interior 4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2,3 and 4
  21. Which of the following is/are the characteristic/ characteristics of Indian coal? 1. High ash content 2. Low sulphur content 3. Low ash fusion temperature Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1,2 and 3
  22. Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct? 1. They are generally red in colour. 2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash. 3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP. 4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1, 2 and 3
    2. 2, 3 and 4
    3. 1 and 4
    4. 2 and 3 only
  23. Consider the following statements: 1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds. 2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma. 3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 only
    3. 2 and 3
    4. None
  24. Consider the following crops: 1. Cotton 2. Groundnut 3. Rice 4. Wheat Which of these are Kharif crops?
    1. 1 and 4
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1, 2 and 3
    4. 2,3 and 4
  25. “Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders.” The above statement best describes which of the following regions?
    1. African Savannah
    2. Central Asian Steppe
    3. North American Prairie
    4. Siberian Tundra
  26. Consider the following statements: 1. Inflation benefits the debtors. 2. Inflation benefits the bondholders. 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
  27. Disguised unemployment generally means
    1. large number of people remain unemployed
    2. alternative employment is not available
    3. marginal productivity of labour is zero
    4. productivity of workers is low
  28. Consider the following statements: 1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament. 2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India. 3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1,2 and 3
  29. Consider the following statements: 1. National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission. 2. The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India. 3. The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
  30. Consider the following statements: 1. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House. 2. While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President. 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
  31. With reference to National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements: 1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity. 2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programmes and schemes throughout the country. 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
  32. During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the 1. meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky 2. lightning that separates the nimbus clouds 3. violent upward movement of air and water particles Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 1 and 3
    4. None of the above produces the thunder
  33. Consider the following pairs:
    No. — Tribe — State
    1. 1 — Limboo (Limbu) — Sikkim
    2. 2 — Karbi — Himachal Pradesh
    3. 3 — Dongaria Kondh — Odisha
    4. 4 — Bonda — Tamil Nadu
    Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
    1. 1 and 3 only
    2. 2 and 4 only
    3. 1, 3 and 4 only
    4. 1, 2,3 and 4
  34. Consider the following liquid assets: 1. Demand deposits with the banks 2. Time deposits with the banks 3. Savings deposits with the banks 4. Currency The correct sequence of these assets in the decreasing order of liquidity is
    1. 1–4–3–2
    2. 4–3–2–1
    3. 2–3–1–4
    4. 4–1–3–2
  35. In the context of Indian economy, ‘Open Market Operations’ refers to
    1. borrowing by scheduled banks from the RBI
    2. lending by commercial banks to industry and trade
    3. purchase and sale of government securities by the RBI
    4. None of the above
  36. Priority Sector Lending by banks in India constitutes the lending to
    1. agriculture
    2. micro and small enterprises
    3. weaker sections
    4. All of the above
  37. Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?
    1. Engineering
    2. Paper and pulp
    3. Textiles
    4. Thermal power
  38. To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?
    1. Promoting skill development
    2. Introducing more social security schemes
    3. Reducing infant mortality rate
    4. Privatization of higher education
  39. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?
    1. One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck
    2. Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters
    3. Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story
    4. A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism
  40. Annie Besant was 1. responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement 2. the founder of the Theosophical Society 3. once the President of the Indian National Congress Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3

Browse all previous-year papers