UPSC PRELIMS 2027
Practice Set 7
15 UPSC Level MCQs • Concept • Application • Elimination
How to use this set: Attempt each question before checking the answer.
Focus on statements, conceptual clarity and elimination rather than guesswork.
Polity
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Fundamental Duties:
1. They were part of the Constitution from the very beginning.
2. They are contained in Part IVA of the Constitution.
3. The Constitution permits Parliament to provide for penalties for their violation.
Answer: B
Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. They are contained in Part IVA, Article 51A. Parliament may create laws giving effect to these duties, including penalties in appropriate cases.
Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. They are contained in Part IVA, Article 51A. Parliament may create laws giving effect to these duties, including penalties in appropriate cases.
Prelims Trap: Fundamental Duties were not part of the original Constitution.
Polity
Q2. With reference to the Rajya Sabha, consider the following statements:
1. It is a permanent House and is not subject to dissolution.
2. One-third of its members retire every second year.
3. A person must necessarily be a resident of the State from which he or she is elected to become a Rajya Sabha member.
Answer: C
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and cannot be dissolved. Approximately one-third of its members retire every second year. The earlier requirement of state residence for Rajya Sabha elections was removed.
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and cannot be dissolved. Approximately one-third of its members retire every second year. The earlier requirement of state residence for Rajya Sabha elections was removed.
Economy
Q3. Consider the following statements about inflation:
1. Headline inflation generally includes food and fuel components.
2. Core inflation generally excludes volatile food and fuel prices.
3. A fall in the inflation rate necessarily means that the general price level has fallen.
Answer: A
Headline inflation captures the overall inflation measure, while core inflation commonly removes food and fuel because of their relatively high volatility. A lower inflation rate means prices are rising more slowly; it does not necessarily mean prices are falling.
Headline inflation captures the overall inflation measure, while core inflation commonly removes food and fuel because of their relatively high volatility. A lower inflation rate means prices are rising more slowly; it does not necessarily mean prices are falling.
Economy
Q4. Which of the following would generally be recorded in India's Current Account of the Balance of Payments?
1. Export of software services
2. Remittances received from Indians working abroad
3. Interest received on foreign investments
Answer: D
The Current Account includes trade in goods and services, primary income and secondary income. Software exports are services exports; remittances are generally recorded as transfers; and interest income is part of primary income.
The Current Account includes trade in goods and services, primary income and secondary income. Software exports are services exports; remittances are generally recorded as transfers; and interest income is part of primary income.
Geography
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding El Niño:
1. It involves abnormal warming of surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
2. It can influence the Indian monsoon through changes in atmospheric circulation.
3. Every El Niño year necessarily results in drought conditions across the entire Indian subcontinent.
Answer: B
El Niño refers to periodic warming of the tropical Pacific and associated atmospheric changes. It can affect the Indian monsoon, but the relationship is not deterministic. Other oceanic and atmospheric factors also influence rainfall.
El Niño refers to periodic warming of the tropical Pacific and associated atmospheric changes. It can affect the Indian monsoon, but the relationship is not deterministic. Other oceanic and atmospheric factors also influence rainfall.
Geography
Q6. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
1. Bab-el-Mandeb — Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
2. Bosporus — Black Sea and Sea of Marmara
3. Strait of Malacca — Andaman Sea and South China Sea
Answer: C
All three pairs are correctly matched. Bab-el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden; Bosporus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara; and the Strait of Malacca links the Andaman Sea region with the South China Sea.
All three pairs are correctly matched. Bab-el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden; Bosporus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara; and the Strait of Malacca links the Andaman Sea region with the South China Sea.
Environment
Q7. With reference to wetlands, consider the following statements:
1. Wetlands can act as natural buffers against floods.
2. Wetlands can support groundwater recharge in certain conditions.
3. All wetlands are freshwater ecosystems.
Answer: A
Wetlands can store excess water and reduce flood peaks. Some wetlands also contribute to groundwater recharge. However, wetlands may be freshwater, brackish or saline; therefore statement 3 is incorrect.
Wetlands can store excess water and reduce flood peaks. Some wetlands also contribute to groundwater recharge. However, wetlands may be freshwater, brackish or saline; therefore statement 3 is incorrect.
Environment
Q8. Consider the following statements about invasive alien species:
1. They can compete with native species for resources.
2. They can alter ecosystem processes.
3. Every non-native species automatically becomes invasive.
Answer: D
Invasive alien species can compete with native organisms and alter ecological processes. But a non-native species is not automatically invasive. Invasiveness depends on its ecological behaviour and impact.
Invasive alien species can compete with native organisms and alter ecological processes. But a non-native species is not automatically invasive. Invasiveness depends on its ecological behaviour and impact.
Agriculture
Q9. Consider the following statements regarding drip irrigation:
1. It can reduce water losses through evaporation and runoff.
2. It can deliver water closer to the root zone.
3. It is equally effective for every crop and soil condition without any management changes.
Answer: B
Drip irrigation applies water directly or near the crop root zone and can improve water-use efficiency. Its performance still depends on crop, soil, system design and proper management.
Drip irrigation applies water directly or near the crop root zone and can improve water-use efficiency. Its performance still depends on crop, soil, system design and proper management.
Science & Technology
Q10. With reference to mRNA vaccines, consider the following statements:
1. They provide cells with genetic instructions for producing a target antigen.
2. The mRNA itself normally becomes a permanent part of the recipient's DNA.
3. The resulting antigen can stimulate an immune response.
Answer: C
mRNA vaccines deliver messenger RNA containing instructions that cells use to produce an antigen. This antigen can trigger an immune response. The mRNA does not normally integrate into the recipient's genomic DNA.
mRNA vaccines deliver messenger RNA containing instructions that cells use to produce an antigen. This antigen can trigger an immune response. The mRNA does not normally integrate into the recipient's genomic DNA.
Science
Q11. Which of the following statements about CRISPR technology is correct?
1. CRISPR-based systems can be used for targeted genome editing.
2. Guide RNA can help direct the editing machinery towards a specific DNA sequence.
3. CRISPR can edit only plant genomes and has no application in animal cells.
Answer: A
CRISPR systems can be used for targeted genome editing in a range of organisms. Guide RNA helps direct the molecular machinery to the intended DNA sequence. Therefore statement 3 is incorrect.
CRISPR systems can be used for targeted genome editing in a range of organisms. Guide RNA helps direct the molecular machinery to the intended DNA sequence. Therefore statement 3 is incorrect.
Ancient History
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding Ashokan inscriptions:
1. They provide important evidence for understanding Ashoka's Dhamma.
2. They were inscribed in more than one script.
3. Some inscriptions were issued in languages other than Prakrit.
Answer: D
Ashokan inscriptions are primary sources for his policies and Dhamma. They appear in scripts such as Brahmi and Kharosthi, while inscriptions from the north-western region include versions in Greek and Aramaic.
Ashokan inscriptions are primary sources for his policies and Dhamma. They appear in scripts such as Brahmi and Kharosthi, while inscriptions from the north-western region include versions in Greek and Aramaic.
Art & Culture
Q13. With reference to Indian temple architecture, consider the following statements:
1. Nagara architecture is traditionally associated with northern India.
2. Dravida architecture is traditionally associated with southern India.
3. A gopuram is the principal curvilinear tower over the sanctum in Nagara temples.
Answer: B
Nagara is broadly associated with northern India and Dravida with southern India. A gopuram is a monumental entrance gateway, particularly prominent in South Indian temple complexes. The main tower over the sanctum in Nagara architecture is the shikhara.
Nagara is broadly associated with northern India and Dravida with southern India. A gopuram is a monumental entrance gateway, particularly prominent in South Indian temple complexes. The main tower over the sanctum in Nagara architecture is the shikhara.
International Relations
Q14. Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Security Council:
1. The Security Council has five permanent members.
2. The permanent members possess veto power on substantive matters.
3. Every decision of the Security Council requires the affirmative vote of all five permanent members.
Answer: C
The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. A negative vote by any permanent member can block a substantive resolution. However, abstention by a permanent member does not necessarily veto it.
The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. A negative vote by any permanent member can block a substantive resolution. However, abstention by a permanent member does not necessarily veto it.
Polity
Q15. Consider the following statements about a Money Bill in India:
1. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
2. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations.
3. The Lok Sabha is bound to accept the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha.
Answer: A
A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President's recommendation for introduction. The Rajya Sabha may recommend changes but cannot reject or amend the Bill. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject those recommendations.
A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President's recommendation for introduction. The Rajya Sabha may recommend changes but cannot reject or amend the Bill. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject those recommendations.
Prelims Trap: “Recommendation” by Rajya Sabha is not binding on Lok Sabha.
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