Contemporary Events: India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (General Knowledge)
7 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Contemporary Events: India (General Knowledge). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–7 of 7 questions
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q1. The new series of Wholesale Price Index (WPI) released by the Government of India is with reference to the base prices of:
Explanation
The new series of Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was introduced with 1993-94 as the base year, replacing the earlier 1981-82 base year. This revision was done to better reflect the changing structure of the economy and update the weightage of various commodities in the index. The new WPI series became effective from April 1998 and included 697 commodities compared to 447 in the earlier series.
Additional insight:
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is a key economic indicator in India that measures the average change in prices of goods at the wholesale level. The current base year for WPI calculations is 2011-12, implemented to align with other major economic indicators. The WPI is compiled and published by the Office of the Economic Adviser, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q2. The Union Budget 2000 awarded a Tax Holiday for the North-Eastern Region to promote industrialisation for:
Explanation
The Union Budget 2000 introduced a 10-year tax holiday for industries in the North-Eastern Region under the North East Industrial Policy (NEIP), 1997. Under this scheme, industries were exempted from income tax for 10 years from the date of commencement of production. Additionally, excise duty exemptions and capital investment subsidies were also provided to encourage economic growth in the region.
Additional insight:
In the Union Budget 2025, the Finance Minister extended the tax holiday for startups by five years. Previously, startups had to be incorporated by April 1, 2025, to qualify; now, those registered until April 1, 2030, can benefit. This aims to boost startups through financial support and innovation incentives. Units established in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) can enjoy a 10-year tax exemption on specified income within their first 15 years of operation.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q3. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the given below the lists:
List-I (Person)
List-II (Achievement)
A. Deep Sen Gupta
1. India’s youngest International Master in the International Chess Tournament 2000
B. P. Harikrishna
2. The first Indian ever to win a gold in discuss in the World Junior Athletic Championship it Santiago, 2000
C. Seema Anti
3. Won the title in the Asian Junior Chess Tournament in Mumbai 2000
D. Tejas Bakre
4. Won the under 12 title in the World Youth Chess Festival in Oropesa, 2000
Explanation
Deep Sen Gupta: Won the Under-12 title in the World Youth Chess Festival, Oropesa, 2000. P. Harikrishna: Became India’s youngest International Master in the International Chess Tournament, 2000. Seema Antil: Became the first Indian to win a gold medal in discus throw at the World Junior Athletic Championship, Santiago, 2000. Tejas Bakre: Won the title in the Asian Junior Chess Tournament, Mumbai, 2000.
Additional insight:
In December 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju, at 18, became the youngest World Chess Champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record. In September 2024, India clinched its first Chess Olympiad gold in both the Open and Women’s categories. Anish Sarkar, at three years and eight months, became the youngest-rated chess player globally. GM Aleksey Grebnev and WIM Anna Shukhman (both FIDE) emerged as the winners of the 2024 Asian Junior Chess Championship in the open and girls sections, respectively.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q4. Who amongst the following was the Chairman of I.S.R.O. when INSAT-3B was launched?
Explanation
Dr. K. Kasturirangan was the Chairman of ISRO when INSAT-3B was launched on March 22, 2000, aboard an Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. He served as ISRO Chairman from 1994 to 2003.
Additional insight:
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) originated as the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), established in 1962 under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s vision. It was restructured as ISRO on August 15, 1969, with an expanded mandate to advance space technology. Headquartered in Bengaluru, its current Chairman is V. Narayanan.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q5. The theme of Indian Science Congress 2001 was:
Explanation
The 88th Indian Science Congress (2001) was held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, and the theme was "Food Nutrition and Environmental Security." The focus was on sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and environmental conservation.
Additional insight:
The 108th Indian Science Congress (2023) was inaugurated in Nagpur, focusing on sustainable development with the inclusive participation of all sections of society, including women. The theme was "Science & Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment." A new event, the "Tribal Science Congress," was introduced.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q6. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Person)
List-II (Distinguished as)
A. Santosh Yadav
1. T.V. host
B. Oprah Winfrey
2. Journalist
C. Oscar Wilde
3. Mountaineer
D. P. Sainath
4. Dramatist and Author
Explanation
Santosh Yadav - An Indian mountaineer, she is the first woman to climb Mount Everest twice. Oprah Winfrey - A famous TV host, known for The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oscar Wilde - A renowned dramatist and author, famous for The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. P. Sainath - An Indian journalist, known for his work on rural affairs and social issues.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q7. The largest share of Foreign Direct Investment (1997-2000) went to:
Explanation
Between 1997 and 2000, the services sector attracted the largest share of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. This includes telecommunications, banking, insurance, financial services, and IT.
Additional insight:
India’s services sector attracts the largest share of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), encompassing finance, banking, insurance, IT, and consultancy. Between 2000 and 2024, this sector received the highest FDI equity inflow, totalling US$ 115.18 billion.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2001
(c) 1993-94
2
2001
(d) 10 years
3
2001
(c) A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3
4
2001
(c) K. Kasturirangan
5
2001
(a) "Food nutrition and environmental security"
6
2001
(a) A - 3; B - 1; C - 4; D - 2
7
2001
(d) services sector
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Contemporary Events: India?
This page covers 7 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Contemporary Events: India (General Knowledge), asked from 1996 to 2010. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Contemporary Events: India?
Questions on Contemporary Events: India (General Knowledge) are available for 14 years, from 1996 to 2010. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
