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UPSC CSE • BPSC • UPPCS

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UPSC CSE Prelims — Art & Culture

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2025

Q1. Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabharata'?

A. Mahendravarman I

B. Simhavishnu

C. Narasimhavarman I

D. Simhavarman

Show Answer

Answer: A. Mahendravarman I

Pallava ruler Mahendravarman I was known by titles including Vichitrachitta and Gunabhara and is associated with the Sanskrit farce Mattavilasa Prahasana.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2025

Q2. The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in:

A. Delhi

B. Gwalior

C. Ujjain

D. Lahore

Show Answer

Answer: D. Lahore

Vishnu Digambar Paluskar founded the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya at Lahore in 1901 and played an important role in popularising Hindustani classical music education.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024

Q3. Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?

A. Chhau dance

B. Durga Puja

C. Garba dance

D. Kumbh Mela

Show Answer

Answer: C. Garba dance

Garba of Gujarat was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024

Q4. Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO:

1. Santiniketan
2. Rani-ki-Vav
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya

How many of the above properties were included in 2023?

A. Only one

B. Only two

C. Only three

D. All four

Show Answer

Answer: B. Only two

Santiniketan and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas were inscribed in 2023. Rani-ki-Vav and the Mahabodhi Temple Complex were inscribed earlier.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2023

Q5. Consider the following pairs:

1. Devichandragupta — Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya — Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha — Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita — Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

A. Only one

B. Only two

C. Only three

D. All four

Show Answer

Answer: B. Only two

Hammira-Mahakavya is associated with Nayachandra Suri and Nitivakyamrita with Somadeva Suri. Devichandragupta is attributed to Vishakhadatta, while Milinda-panha records the dialogue between King Milinda and Nagasena.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2023

Q6. Consider the following pairs:

1. Besnagar — Shaivite cave shrine
2. Bhaja — Buddhist cave shrine
3. Sittanavasal — Jain cave shrine

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

A. Only one

B. Only two

C. All three

D. None

Show Answer

Answer: B. Only two

Bhaja is famous for Buddhist rock-cut caves and Sittanavasal for Jain heritage. Besnagar is especially associated with the Heliodorus pillar rather than a Shaivite cave shrine.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2023

Q7. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in the Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A. Only one

B. Only two

C. All three

D. None

Show Answer

Answer: B. Only two

The burial-mound tradition predates Buddhism, so the first statement is incorrect. Stupas did serve as relic repositories and as commemorative or votive structures in Buddhism.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2022

Q8. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?

A. Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.

B. The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.

C. Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.

D. Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.

Show Answer

Answer: B

Sangam texts contain references to social categories, material life, warfare, trade, occupations and beliefs. Hence the absolute claims in the other options are incorrect.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2021

Q9. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous:

A. Jain monks

B. Playwrights

C. Temple architects

D. Philosophers

Show Answer

Answer: B. Playwrights

These personalities are associated with India's dramatic and literary traditions.

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2021

Q10. Which one of the following statements is correct?

A. Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora river.

B. Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of the Chambal river.

C. Pandu-Lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of the Narmada river.

D. Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of the Godavari river.

Show Answer

Answer: A

The Ajanta cave complex is situated in the horseshoe-shaped gorge of the Waghora River in Maharashtra.

BPSC Prelims — Geography

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q1. Which of the following is a Zaid crop?

A. Gram

B. Fodder

C. Mustard

D. Cotton

Show Answer

Answer: B. Fodder

Zaid crops are cultivated during the short summer season between Rabi and Kharif. Summer fodder crops are commonly included in this category.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q2. Which of the following States of India has major reserves of coal?

A. Jharkhand

B. Chhattisgarh

C. Odisha

D. All of the above

Show Answer

Answer: D. All of the above

Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh contain some of India's most important coalfields and large coal reserves.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q3. Corundum and cryolite are associated with which of the following metals?

A. Aluminium

B. Silver

C. Tin

D. Iron

Show Answer

Answer: A. Aluminium

Corundum is aluminium oxide, while cryolite has historically been important in the electrolytic extraction of aluminium.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q4. Which one of the following rivers is different from the others?

A. Tungabhadra

B. Narmada

C. Penganga

D. Mahanadi

Show Answer

Answer: B. Narmada

Narmada is a major west-flowing river draining into the Arabian Sea. The others ultimately drain eastward towards the Bay of Bengal.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q5. Zoji-La Tunnel will connect which of the following places?

A. Manali and Jammu

B. Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley

C. Srinagar and Leh

D. Srinagar and Jammu

Show Answer

Answer: C. Srinagar and Leh

The Zoji-La tunnel project is intended to provide all-weather connectivity on the strategic Srinagar–Leh route.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q6. Which of the following is a cause of rural-to-urban migration in India?

A. High labour demand in cities

B. Unbalanced rural-urban development

C. Few jobs in rural areas

D. All of the above

Show Answer

Answer: D. All of the above

Rural-to-urban migration reflects both push factors such as inadequate rural employment and pull factors such as greater labour demand and opportunities in cities.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q7. Consider the following:

1. Garo Hills
2. Nanda Devi
3. Kamet
4. K2

What is their correct sequence from east to west?

A. 3–4–2–1

B. 4–3–1–2

C. 2–1–4–3

D. 1–2–3–4

Show Answer

Answer: D. 1–2–3–4

From east to west the sequence is Garo Hills → Nanda Devi → Kamet → K2.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q8. Which of the following ports is an artificial port?

A. Marmagao

B. Mumbai

C. Kochi

D. Chennai

Show Answer

Answer: D. Chennai

Chennai is an artificial harbour developed on the Coromandel Coast, unlike the naturally sheltered harbours in the other options.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q9. The Andes extends along which of the following?

A. West Coast of India

B. West Coast of North America

C. East Coast of Australia

D. West Coast of South America

Show Answer

Answer: D. West Coast of South America

The Andes form a long mountain chain along the western margin of South America.

70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024

Q10. Which type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of lava?

A. Igneous

B. Sedimentary

C. Crystal

D. Metamorphic

Show Answer

Answer: A. Igneous

Igneous rocks form when molten magma or lava cools and solidifies. Basalt is a common example formed from lava.

UPPCS Prelims 2025 — Economy & Social Development

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q1. Given below are two statements:

Assertion (A): Poverty line differs across time and countries.
Reason (R): The basic needs of people vary across regions and over time.

A. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

B. A is false, but R is true

C. A is true, but R is false

D. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Show Answer

Answer: D

Minimum living requirements and their costs vary geographically and over time. Therefore the reason correctly explains why poverty lines are not universally identical.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q2. Arrange the following in correct chronological order:

1. Jawahar Rojgar Yojana
2. Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas
3. Integrated Rural Development Programme
4. National Rural Employment Programme

A. 3–4–1–2

B. 4–3–2–1

C. 4–3–1–2

D. 3–4–2–1

Show Answer

Answer: D. 3–4–2–1

The sequence is IRDP → NREP → DWCRA → Jawahar Rojgar Yojana.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q3. Given below are two statements:

Assertion (A): Food security is necessary even in surplus food-production years.
Reason (R): Starvation can still occur due to unequal distribution and lack of accessibility.

A. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

B. A is false, but R is true

C. A is true, but R is false

D. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Show Answer

Answer: D

Aggregate availability does not automatically ensure household access. Distribution, affordability and accessibility remain essential to food security.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q4. Which of the following is/are NOT a dimension of food security?

1. Availability
2. Accessibility
3. Affordability
4. Accountability

A. 1 and 2

B. 2, 3 and 4

C. Only 4

D. Only 1

Show Answer

Answer: C. Only 4

Availability, accessibility and affordability are standard dimensions used in the Indian textbook framing of food security. Accountability is not one of these dimensions.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q5. Arrange the following poverty-related committees/studies in chronological order:

1. Lakdawala Committee
2. Rangarajan Committee
3. Tendulkar Committee
4. Dandekar and Rath

A. 4–1–2–3

B. 1–4–3–2

C. 1–4–2–3

D. 4–1–3–2

Show Answer

Answer: D. 4–1–3–2

Dandekar and Rath preceded the Lakdawala methodology, followed later by the Tendulkar and Rangarajan committees.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q6. Arrange the following in correct chronological order:

1. Food for Work Programme
2. Community Development Programme
3. Training for Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM)
4. Drought Prone Areas Programme

A. 4–2–1–3

B. 2–4–1–3

C. 2–4–3–1

D. 4–2–3–1

Show Answer

Answer: B. 2–4–1–3

Community Development Programme came first, followed by the Drought Prone Areas Programme, Food for Work Programme and TRYSEM.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q7. With reference to the Multidimensional Poverty Index, consider the following statements:

1. It was developed and introduced in 2010.
2. It measures extreme poverty by including those living on less than one dollar per day.

A. Only 2

B. Neither 1 nor 2

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Only 1

Show Answer

Answer: D. Only 1

The global MPI was introduced in 2010 and measures overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards rather than applying a simple dollar-income threshold.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q8. Who among the following introduced the concept of entitlements in food security?

1. M. S. Swaminathan
2. Atul Pranay
3. Samali Srikant
4. Amartya Sen

A. 1 and 2

B. Only 4

C. 3 and 4

D. Only 1

Show Answer

Answer: B. Only 4

Amartya Sen developed the entitlement approach, showing how hunger and famine may result from failures in people's ability to command food rather than merely from inadequate aggregate supply.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q9. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana comes under which of the following?

1. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
2. Ministry of Rural Development
3. Ministry of Finance

A. 1 and 2

B. Only 3

C. 2 and 3

D. Only 1

Show Answer

Answer: B. Only 3

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana is administered under the Ministry of Finance through the Department of Financial Services.

UPPCS PRELIMS 2025

Q10. With reference to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, consider the following statements:

1. The World Bank and IMF were set up together and are popularly known as the Bretton Woods Twins.
2. Headquarters of the IMF and World Bank are located at Washington D.C. and New York respectively.

A. Only 2

B. Neither 1 nor 2

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Only 1

Show Answer

Answer: D. Only 1

The IMF and World Bank emerged from the Bretton Woods framework. Both institutions are headquartered in Washington, D.C., so Statement 2 is incorrect.

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