Daily PYQ MCQ Practice
21 September 2026
UPSC CSE • BPSC • UPPCS
UPSC CSE Prelims — Ancient History
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q1. In early Buddhist iconography, what does an empty seat represent?
A. Meditation of the Buddha
B. First Sermon of the Buddha
C. Mahaparinibbana of the Buddha
D. Mahabhinishkramana of the Buddha
Show Answer
Answer: A. Meditation of the Buddha
Early Buddhist art often represented the Buddha aniconically. The empty seat or Vajrasana is associated with meditation/enlightenment; the Dharmachakra represents the First Sermon, the stupa Mahaparinibbana and the riderless horse the Great Renunciation.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q2. Which of the following is NOT one of the four principal forms of existence recognised in Jainism?
A. Deva
B. Yaksha
C. Manushya
D. Tiryancha
Show Answer
Answer: B. Yaksha
The four gatis are Deva, Manushya, Tiryancha and Naraki. Yaksha is not a separate principal gati.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q3. Consider the following ancient and modern river-name pairs:
1. Vitasta — Chenab
2. Asikni — Jhelum
3. Parushni — Ravi
4. Yavyavati — Beas
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2
B. 3 and 4
C. 3 only
D. 4 only
Show Answer
Answer: C. 3 only
Vitasta is Jhelum, Asikni is Chenab and Parushni is Ravi. Beas is generally identified with Vipasha, not Yavyavati.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q4. In which text does the expression kshetra-patni (“mistress of the field”) originate?
A. Rigveda
B. Atharvaveda
C. Ashtadhyayi
D. Arthashastra
Show Answer
Answer: B. Atharvaveda
The feminine expression associated with the “mistress of the field” occurs in the Atharvavedic tradition. Do not confuse it with the Rigvedic kshetrapati.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q5. Consider the following statements concerning the place-value system in India:
1. Early epigraphic evidence occurs in the Mankani plates of Gujarat dated to AD 595–596.
2. By the ninth century, place-value notation became widespread in Indian inscriptions.
3. Sanskrit inscriptions in Southeast Asia show place-value notation as early as the seventh century.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
All three statements trace the epigraphic spread of the Indian place-value system—from early Indian evidence to wider use and transmission into Southeast Asia.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q6. Pali texts refer to coins such as kahapana and nikkha, while archaeology has yielded punch-marked coins from many sites. These developments are associated with:
1. Emergence of urban life
2. Transition towards a money economy
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Coinage is closely linked with the second urbanisation, expanding trade, markets and monetisation in early historic India.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q7. Which of the following evidence supports the propositions that Rigvedic agriculture used well irrigation and draught-animal power?
1. References to water-lifting devices such as stone pulley wheels and wooden pails.
2. References to axes and sickles.
3. Earlier evidence of oxen being used for ploughing and pulling carts.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 3 only
Show Answer
Answer: C. 1 and 3 only
Water-lifting devices directly support well irrigation, while the established use of oxen supports draught-animal power. Axes and sickles demonstrate agriculture but do not specifically establish the two propositions.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q8. Harappan houses have yielded spindle-whorls, standardised weights and graduated scales; many houses also had private wells and bathing platforms. Which inferences follow?
1. Household spinning could be labour-intensive.
2. The Harappans possessed considerable knowledge of measurement.
3. Such houses establish the emergence of a common-property system.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Spindle-whorls indicate household textile activity and standardised weights show sophisticated measurement. Private household facilities do not establish common property.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026
Q9. Which king–dynasty pair in early historical Tamilakam is NOT correctly matched?
1. Senguttuvan — Chera
2. Udiyanjeral — Chola
3. Nedunjeliyan — Pandya
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3
D. 3 only
Show Answer
Answer: B. 2 only
Udiyanjeral belonged to the Chera line, not the Cholas. Senguttuvan was Chera and Nedunjeliyan was Pandya.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2025
Q10. The famous “Dancing Girl” figurine discovered at Mohenjo-daro is made of:
A. Carnelian
B. Clay
C. Bronze
D. Gold
Show Answer
Answer: C. Bronze
The Mohenjo-daro Dancing Girl is a bronze figurine produced through the lost-wax casting technique.
71st BPSC Prelims 2025 — General Science
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q1. Three of the following are optical viewing instruments. Identify the different one.
A. Telescope
B. Microscope
C. Stethoscope
D. Periscope
Show Answer
Answer: C. Stethoscope
A stethoscope is an acoustic medical instrument; the other three are primarily optical viewing instruments.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q2. What advantage does a plant obtain from a mycorrhizal association?
A. Protection only
B. Food supplied by fungus
C. Both A and B
D. Increased mineral absorption and protection against diseases
Show Answer
Answer: D
Fungal hyphae increase the root's effective absorbing area—especially for phosphorus—and can provide protection against soil pathogens.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q3. Which part of mango is normally eaten?
A. Epicarp
B. Mesocarp
C. Endocarp
D. None of the above
Show Answer
Answer: B. Mesocarp
Mango is a drupe. Its fleshy edible middle layer is the mesocarp, while the endocarp forms the hard stone.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q4. Who first used vascular-tissue characteristics in plant classification?
A. Engler and Prantl
B. Bentham and Hooker
C. A. P. de Candolle
D. More than one of the above
Show Answer
Answer: C. A. P. de Candolle
De Candolle used vascular-tissue characteristics as an important basis in plant classification.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q5. Xylem in plants is principally responsible for:
A. Transport of food
B. Transport of water and dissolved minerals
C. Transport of oxygen and other gases
D. Transport of essential amino acids
Show Answer
Answer: B
Xylem conducts water and dissolved mineral salts mainly from roots upward. Phloem primarily transports organic food.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q6. Which of the following is a nonsense (stop) codon?
A. AUG
B. UAA
C. UUU
D. UGC
Show Answer
Answer: B. UAA
UAA, UAG and UGA are stop codons. AUG is generally the start codon and codes for methionine.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q7. Biological membranes are principally composed of:
A. Lipids and proteins in varying proportions
B. Lipids only
C. Proteins only
D. None of the above
Show Answer
Answer: A
Biological membranes contain a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins; their relative proportions vary between cells and organelles.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q8. Which immunoglobulin is produced first in a primary immune response?
A. IgA
B. IgG
C. IgM
D. IgE
Show Answer
Answer: C. IgM
IgM is generally the first antibody produced following initial exposure to a new antigen.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q9. The interaction between herpes simplex virus and a human host is best described as:
A. Symbiosis
B. Parasitism
C. Endosymbiosis
D. Endoparasitism
Show Answer
Answer: B. Parasitism
The virus benefits by exploiting host-cell machinery while the host is harmed, fitting the parasitic relationship.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q10. Hormones are secreted primarily by:
A. Reproductive glands
B. Sebaceous glands
C. Exocrine glands
D. Endocrine glands
Show Answer
Answer: D. Endocrine glands
Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands release their secretions through ducts.
UPPCS Prelims 2025 — Indian Polity & Governance
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q1. With reference to creation of a new All India Service, consider the following statements:
1. Rajya Sabha may pass a resolution in the national interest for creation of a new All India Service.
2. Such a resolution must be supported by two-thirds of the total membership of Rajya Sabha.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: A. 1 only
Article 312 requires a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of members present and voting—not two-thirds of the total membership.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q2. Which Constitution Part–subject pair is NOT correctly matched?
1. Part IVA — Fundamental Duties
2. Part VI — The States
3. Part XI — The Municipalities
A. 1 and 2
B. 3 only
C. 2 and 3
D. 1 only
Show Answer
Answer: B. 3 only
Municipalities are in Part IXA. Part XI concerns relations between the Union and the States.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q3. Which of the following are Financial Committees of Parliament?
1. Estimates Committee
2. Public Accounts Committee
3. Committee on Public Undertakings
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
These three are conventionally grouped as the principal Financial Committees of Parliament.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q4. The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution were primarily inspired by the Constitution of:
A. Canada
B. Ireland
C. United States of America
D. Australia
Show Answer
Answer: B. Ireland
The DPSPs were influenced by the Irish Constitution, which itself drew on earlier continental constitutional ideas.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q5. Which statement regarding Panchayats in India is correct?
A. Minimum age to contest a Panchayat election is 25 years.
B. State Election Commission conducts Panchayat elections.
C. If a Panchayat is dissolved early, a fresh election is not constitutionally required.
D. Panchayat finances are reviewed by the Union Finance Commission alone.
Show Answer
Answer: B
The State Election Commission supervises local-body elections. The minimum age for contesting Panchayat elections is 21, and State Finance Commissions review Panchayat finances.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q6. With reference to Panchayati Raj Institutions, consider the following:
1. Their normal tenure is five years.
2. One-fourth of the seats reserved for SCs/STs must constitutionally be reserved for women belonging to those categories.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. 2 only
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. 1 only
Show Answer
Answer: D. 1 only
Article 243E provides a five-year term. Article 243D uses a one-third constitutional benchmark for women within SC/ST reserved seats, not one-fourth.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q7. With reference to the Public Accounts Committee, consider the following:
1. It submits its reports to the Lok Sabha.
2. It consists of 15 members from the Rajya Sabha.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Both 1 and 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. 2 only
D. 1 only
Show Answer
Answer: D. 1 only
PAC has 22 members—15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. Its reports are presented to Lok Sabha.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q8. With reference to the Vice-President of India:
1. The Vice-President is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
2. The Vice-President is a member of Rajya Sabha.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Both 1 and 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. 2 only
D. 1 only
Show Answer
Answer: D. 1 only
Article 64 makes the Vice-President ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha, but the Vice-President is not a member of either House of Parliament.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q9. With reference to a Joint Sitting of Parliament:
1. Article 109 provides for a Joint Sitting of Parliament.
2. A Joint Sitting may be used to pass a Constitution Amendment Bill.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Both 1 and 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. 2 only
D. 1 only
Show Answer
Answer: B. Neither 1 nor 2
Joint sitting is provided under Article 108. Article 109 concerns Money Bills. Constitutional Amendment Bills must be passed separately by each House and cannot be resolved through a joint sitting.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q10. Which of the following is NOT included among programmes/schemes associated with achieving the objectives of National Education Policy 2020?
1. ULLAS
2. DIKSHA
3. Bharat Nirman Programme
A. 1 and 2
B. 3 only
C. 1 and 3
D. 1 only
Show Answer
Answer: B. 3 only
ULLAS and DIKSHA are education-focused initiatives. Bharat Nirman was a rural infrastructure programme and is not an NEP 2020 education initiative.
