Today UPSC PYQ – 20 UPSC Prelims Questions | 30 September 2026 | UPSCJOURNAL

Today UPSC PYQ – 20 UPSC Prelims Questions

Practice: UPSC CSE Prelims Previous Year Questions

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Q1. With reference to Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), consider the following:

1. Venture capital funds can be structured as AIFs.

2. Hedge funds may fall within the AIF framework.

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

Q2. Which of the following is a source of income for the Reserve Bank of India?

A. Income tax collected directly from citizens B. GST revenue collected by States C. Corporation tax on private companies D. Income from its monetary and investment operations

Q3. Consider the following pairs of organisations and their associated functions:

1. National Green Tribunal — Environmental adjudication

2. Competition Commission of India — Regulation of anti-competitive practices

3. Securities and Exchange Board of India — Regulation of securities markets

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A. 1 and 2 only B. 1, 2 and 3 C. 2 and 3 only D. 1 and 3 only

Q4. Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) is primarily associated with:

A. Fiscal deficit management B. ESG-related disclosures by listed companies C. Agricultural crop insurance D. Monetary policy transmission

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding agricultural income and capital assets:

1. Agricultural land situated in a rural area may receive different tax treatment from urban agricultural land.

2. The transfer of every agricultural land is automatically exempt from capital gains taxation.

Which statement is correct?

A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding critical minerals:

1. They are important for strategic and emerging technologies.

2. Their supply chains may be vulnerable to geographical concentration.

3. Rare earth elements have no relevance to clean-energy technologies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 2 and 3 only

Q7. Which one of the following correctly distinguishes a bondholder from a stockholder?

A. A bondholder is generally a creditor, while a stockholder has an ownership interest. B. A stockholder always receives a fixed return. C. A bondholder necessarily has voting rights in the company. D. Both represent exactly the same form of financing.

Q8. With reference to equity and derivatives markets, which of the following statements is correct?

A. Options derive their value from an underlying asset or instrument. B. Options are always obligations for the buyer. C. Equity shares and options are identical financial instruments. D. Derivatives cannot be based on equity instruments.

Q9. The concept of a circular economy primarily emphasises:

A. Reuse, repair, recycling and efficient resource utilisation B. Maximum extraction of virgin resources C. Complete elimination of manufacturing D. Increasing the volume of disposable products

Q10. Which of the following is generally classified as a capital receipt of the government?

A. Borrowings B. GST collection C. Corporation tax D. Customs duty

Q11. Raja Rammohan Roy is particularly associated with which of the following?

A. Promotion of the Swadeshi Movement B. Formation of the Indian National Congress C. Social and religious reform in early nineteenth-century India D. Launch of the Quit India Movement

Q12. With reference to the Non-Cooperation Movement, which of the following was a major feature?

A. Participation only through armed struggle B. Complete support to colonial institutions C. Withdrawal of cooperation from selected colonial institutions D. Immediate demand for complete independence in 1905

Q13. The term “Araghatta” in the context of ancient India is associated with:

A. A type of coinage B. A water-lifting device C. A temple style D. A military formation

Q14. Mahendravarman I is associated with which of the following dynasties?

A. Pallava B. Chola C. Rashtrakuta D. Satavahana

Q15. Fa-hien visited India during the reign of:

A. Ashoka B. Chandragupta II C. Harshavardhana D. Kanishka

Q16. Rajendra Chola I is particularly known for his expedition against:

A. Roman Egypt B. Central Asian kingdoms C. Srivijaya D. Persian Sasanids

Q17. Consider the following pairs of ancient regions and rivers:

1. Avanti — Narmada

2. Kosala — Sarayu

Which of the pairs are correctly matched?

A. 1 only B. Both 1 and 2 C. 2 only D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q18. Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, associated with the development of Indian classical music, was founded by:

A. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar B. Rabindranath Tagore C. Ustad Bismillah Khan D. Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande

Q19. In the Mauryan administration, which of the following was associated with the supervision of specific administrative functions?

A. Only village headmen B. Specially appointed officials for different functions C. Only Buddhist monks D. Foreign ambassadors

Q20. The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn following which major event?

A. Jallianwala Bagh massacre B. Dandi March C. Chauri Chaura incident D. Simon Commission arrival

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