Daily PYQ MCQ Practice
UPSC CSE • BPSC • UPPCS
Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations
UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 — Science & Technology
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q1. Consider the following:
1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units
How many of the above are considered “Distributed Energy Resources”?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Show Answer
Answer: D. All four
Distributed Energy Resources include small-scale generation or storage resources located close to consumers. Battery storage, biomass generation, fuel cells and rooftop solar can all function as DERs.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q2. Which term most appropriately describes an interoperable network of 3D virtual worlds that can be accessed simultaneously by large numbers of users who can exercise property rights over virtual items?
A. Big data analytics
B. Cryptography
C. Metaverse
D. Virtual matrix
Show Answer
Answer: C. Metaverse
The metaverse refers broadly to persistent and interoperable virtual environments in which users can interact and hold or exchange digital assets.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q3. With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consider the following statements:
1. RTGs are miniature fission reactors.
2. RTGs can power onboard systems of spacecraft.
3. Plutonium-238 can be used as a fuel in RTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
An RTG is not a nuclear fission reactor. It converts heat from radioactive decay into electricity and is useful for long-duration spacecraft missions.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q4. Which one of the following is synthesised in the human body and causes dilation of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow?
A. Nitric oxide
B. Nitrous oxide
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. Nitrogen pentoxide
Show Answer
Answer: A. Nitric oxide
Nitric oxide acts as an important signalling molecule and relaxes vascular smooth muscle, producing vasodilation.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q5. Consider the following aircraft:
1. Rafale
2. MiG-29
3. Tejas Mk-1
How many of the above are considered fifth-generation fighter aircraft?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Show Answer
Answer: D. None
None belongs to the fifth-generation fighter category. Fifth-generation aircraft are typically associated with advanced stealth, sensor fusion and network-centric capabilities.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q6. Consider the following activities:
1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports
2. Monitoring precipitation
3. Tracking migration of animals
In how many of the above activities can radar be used?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Show Answer
Answer: B. Only two
Radar is widely used for precipitation monitoring and can track migrating birds or animals. Narcotics detection normally uses chemical/trace detection, scanners or sniffer dogs rather than radar.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q7. What is the principal exhaust-pipe emission from a hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle?
A. Hydrogen peroxide
B. Hydronium
C. Oxygen
D. Water vapour
Show Answer
Answer: D. Water vapour
Hydrogen reacts electrochemically with oxygen in a fuel cell to generate electricity, with water and heat as by-products.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q8. In which of the following are hydrogels used?
1. Controlled drug delivery in patients
2. Mobile air-conditioning systems
3. Preparation of industrial lubricants
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A. 1 only
Hydrogels are water-rich polymer networks widely used in biomedical applications such as controlled drug delivery and wound care.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q9. The term “pumped-storage hydropower” is most appropriately discussed in the context of:
A. Irrigation of terraced crop fields
B. Lift irrigation of cereal crops
C. Long-duration energy storage
D. Rainwater harvesting
Show Answer
Answer: C. Long-duration energy storage
Surplus electricity pumps water to a higher reservoir; later, water is released through turbines when electricity is required. It therefore functions like a large-scale energy-storage system.
UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2024
Q10. With reference to stars, consider the following statements:
1. Stars generate energy mainly through nuclear fusion.
2. More massive stars generally consume their nuclear fuel faster than low-mass stars.
3. Stellar mass plays an important role in determining a star's eventual evolutionary fate.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Fusion powers main-sequence stars. Massive stars burn fuel much faster, while initial mass strongly influences whether the final remnant becomes a white dwarf, neutron star or black hole.
BPSC Prelims — Ancient History
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q1. Which Buddhist Council was not held in Bihar?
A. Second
B. First
C. Third
D. Fourth
Show Answer
Answer: D. Fourth
The First Council was at Rajagriha, Second at Vaishali and Third at Pataliputra. The Fourth Council associated with Kanishka was held in Kashmir.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q2. Consider the following dynasties:
1. Shunga
2. Maurya
3. Kushana
4. Kanva
Which is the correct chronological order?
A. 1–2–3–4
B. 2–1–4–3
C. 2–3–1–4
D. 2–1–3–4
Show Answer
Answer: B. 2–1–4–3
The sequence is Maurya → Shunga → Kanva → Kushana.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q3. The script predominantly used in Ashoka's pillar inscriptions was:
A. Brahmi
B. Samaritan
C. Pali
D. Sanskrit
Show Answer
Answer: A. Brahmi
Most Ashokan inscriptions across the subcontinent use Brahmi script. Kharosthi was used in parts of the northwest.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q4. Which one of the following is NOT related to the Rigvedic period?
A. Gargi
B. Ghosha
C. Apala
D. Vishvavara
Show Answer
Answer: A. Gargi
Ghosha, Apala and Vishvavara are associated with Rigvedic hymns. Gargi is prominently associated with the later Vedic Upanishadic tradition.
71st BPSC PRELIMS 2025
Q5. Match the following:
Karnasuvarna — West Bengal
Pragjyotisha — Assam
Girnar — Gujarat
Pratishthana — Maharashtra
Which matching is correct?
A. All four
B. First and second only
C. Second and fourth only
D. First, third and fourth only
Show Answer
Answer: A. All four
Karnasuvarna is associated with Bengal, Pragjyotisha with Assam, Girnar with Gujarat and Pratishthana/Paithan with Maharashtra.
70th BPSC RE-EXAM 2025
Q6. Which major city of the Indus Valley Civilization had important trade links with West Asia?
A. Ropar
B. Lothal
C. Kalibangan
D. None of the above
Show Answer
Answer: B. Lothal
Lothal in Gujarat was an important Harappan trading centre associated with maritime commerce and contacts with West Asia.
70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024
Q7. Who among the following ruled Assam during the time of Harshavardhana?
A. Aswad Jahan
B. Bhaskar Varman
C. King Dahir
D. More than one of the above
Show Answer
Answer: B. Bhaskar Varman
Bhaskar Varman ruled Kamarupa and was a contemporary and ally of Harshavardhana.
70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024
Q8. Which of the following was the capital of the Chera dynasty?
A. Karur
B. Kanchipuram
C. Madurai
D. More than one of the above
Show Answer
Answer: A. Karur
Karur/Vanchi is associated with the Cheras; Madurai with the Pandyas and Kanchipuram with the Pallavas.
70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024
Q9. Consider the following statements about the Ajivika sect:
1. Makkhali Gosala was an important leader.
2. Niyati or fate was central to its philosophy.
3. Ajivikas supported discrimination based on caste and class.
4. Ajivikas had regular assemblies.
Which statements are correct?
A. 2, 3 and 4
B. 1, 2 and 4
C. 1 and 4 only
D. More than one of the above
Show Answer
Answer: B. 1, 2 and 4
Makkhali Gosala and the doctrine of Niyati are central to Ajivika history. The caste-discrimination statement is not accepted here.
70th BPSC PRELIMS 2024
Q10. With reference to Pravarsena of the Vakataka dynasty, consider the following statements:
1. He was regarded as the real founder of Vakataka imperial power.
2. His authority extended over a large part of central India.
3. He succeeded Vindhyashakti.
4. He finds mention in Puranic traditions.
Which of the statements are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1 and 3 only
Show Answer
Answer: B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Pravarsena I succeeded Vindhyashakti and greatly expanded Vakataka power, becoming the dynasty's major early imperial ruler.
UPPCS Prelims — Environment & Ecology
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q1. With reference to an ecosystem, consider:
1. Green plants in terrestrial ecosystems capture about 1% of the sunlight energy falling on their leaves.
2. Around 10% of organic matter/energy is transferred to the next higher consumer level.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Only 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Only 1
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Only a small fraction of incident solar energy is captured by producers, and the ecological 10% law describes approximate transfer between trophic levels.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q2. With reference to environmental carrying capacity:
1. Resource extraction should remain above the rate of resource generation.
2. Waste generation should remain within the environment's absorption capacity.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Only 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Only 1
Show Answer
Answer: A. Only 2
Sustainable extraction must not exceed regeneration. Waste generation likewise needs to remain within assimilative capacity.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q3. With reference to the ozone layer:
1. It shields Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
2. Ozone depletion has been linked to chlorofluorocarbons.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Only 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Only 1
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Stratospheric ozone absorbs harmful UV radiation, while chlorine released from CFCs contributes to catalytic ozone destruction.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q4. Which of the following Ramsar sites are NOT situated in Uttar Pradesh?
1. Sarsai Nawar Jheel
2. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
3. Rudrasagar Lake
4. Sultanpur National Park
A. 1 and 3
B. 3 and 4
C. 2 and 3
D. 1 and 2
Show Answer
Answer: B. 3 and 4
Rudrasagar is in Tripura and Sultanpur National Park is in Haryana. Sarsai Nawar Jheel and Samaspur Bird Sanctuary are in Uttar Pradesh.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q5. With reference to lichens:
1. Lichens are good indicators of air pollution.
2. Lichens grow well in highly polluted areas.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Only 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Only 1
Show Answer
Answer: D. Only 1
Many lichens are sensitive to atmospheric pollutants, particularly sulphur dioxide, which is why their presence/absence can indicate air quality.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q6. Match the protected areas with their States/UTs:
Dachigam — Jammu & Kashmir
Keoladeo — Rajasthan
Kanha — Madhya Pradesh
Periyar — Kerala
Which matching is correct?
A. All four
B. Only first and second
C. Only second and third
D. Only first, third and fourth
Show Answer
Answer: A. All four
All four protected-area locations are correctly matched.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q7. With reference to Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), consider:
1. Mission LiFE was launched in 2022.
2. The idea of LiFE was first proposed at COP25 in Madrid.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Only 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Only 1
Show Answer
Answer: D. Only 1
Mission LiFE was launched in 2022. The idea was introduced by India at COP26 in Glasgow, not COP25 in Madrid.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q8. Consider the following Biosphere Reserve–State pairs:
1. Nokrek — Manipur
2. Manas — Assam
3. Agasthyamalai — Kerala
Which pair(s) is/are NOT correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2
B. Only 3
C. 2 and 3
D. Only 1
Show Answer
Answer: D. Only 1
Nokrek is in Meghalaya, not Manipur. Manas is in Assam, while Agasthyamalai extends across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2025
Q9. With reference to the Global Environment Facility (GEF):
1. It was established in 1991.
2. Only developed countries are donors to it.
Which statement(s) is/are correct?
A. Only 2
B. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Only 1
Show Answer
Answer: D. Only 1
The GEF began in 1991. Contributions are not restricted exclusively to developed countries.
UPPCS PRELIMS 2024
Q10. Which of the following statements about an ecological niche is NOT correct?
A. A dominant species may occupy a broad ecological niche.
B. An ecological niche describes the functional position and resource use of a species.
C. Niche differentiation can reduce direct competition among species.
D. Ecological niche and habitat necessarily mean exactly the same thing.
Show Answer
Answer: D
Habitat describes where an organism lives; ecological niche is broader and includes how it uses resources and interacts with biotic and abiotic components.
