Contemporary Events: India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (General Knowledge)
118 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Indian contemporary events are listed here, from 1996 to 2010. UPSC asked about committees and their subjects, government policies and schemes, scientific missions, evacuation operations and international agreements. Each explanation describes the event as it stood in the year of the question.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 91–100 of 118 questions
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UPSC 2002General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q91. Match List I (Name of the Lady) with List II (Achievement) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Name of the Lady)
List-II (Achievement)
A. Chinna Pillai
1. Tinner of Neerja Bhanot Award
B. Kaveri Thakur
2. Recipient of Stree Shakti Puraskar
C. Mira Nair
3. Became the fastest swimmer in Asia at the age of 16 years
D. Yasoda Ekambaram
4. Recipient of the Golden Lion at Venice film festival
Explanation
Chinna Pillai: Recipient of the Stree Shakti Puraskar, an award given to women for their outstanding contribution to society. Kaveri Thakur: Became the fastest swimmer in Asia at the age of 16. Mira Nair: Recipient of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for her film Monsoon Wedding. Yasoda Ekambaram: Winner of the Neerja Bhanot Award, which honors bravery and humanitarian work.
Additional insight:
The Nari Shakti Puraskar is India’s highest civilian honor for women, awarded annually by the Government of India for contributions to women’s empowerment. It is presented at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on International Women’s Day (8 March). Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding and Satyajit Ray’s Aparajito are the two Indian films that have won the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
UPSC 2002General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q92. In the year 2001, the Prime Minister announced a five year excise duty holiday for industries in:
Explanation
In 2001, after the devastating earthquake in Kutch, Gujarat, the Indian government announced a five-year excise duty holiday for industries in the region to support economic recovery and encourage industrial development.
UPSC 2002General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q93. In the year 2001, Germany approved a $ 32 million credit to India:
Explanation
In 2001, Germany approved a $32 million credit to India under its development cooperation program. This funding was aimed at promoting primary education in select states, particularly focusing on improving infrastructure, teacher training, and access to education for underprivileged children.
UPSC 2002General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q94. Match List-I (Commission) with List-II (Matter of Enquiry) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Commission)
List-II (Matter of Enquiry)
A. Wadhwa Commission
1. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi
B. Liberhan Commission
2. Killing of Graham Staines
C. Sri Krishna
3. Demolition of a religious structure at Ayodhya
D. Jain Commission
4. Riots in Mumbai in 1993
Explanation
Wadhwa Commission: Investigated the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in Odisha (1999). Liberhan Commission: Probed the Babri Masjid demolition (1992) and its political implications. Sri Krishna Commission: Investigated the 1992-93 Mumbai riots following the Babri Masjid demolition. Jain Commission: Probed the 1991 assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and the role of LTTE.
UPSC 2002General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q95. Consider the following statements: The Draft Electricity Bill, 2001 seeks to replace: 1. Indian Electricity Act, 1910 2. Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 3. Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998 4. State Electricity Board Which of these statements are correct?
Explanation
Statements (1), (2) and (3) are correct: The Draft Electricity Bill, 2001 aimed to replace and consolidate various existing electricity laws to promote competition, efficiency, and private sector participation in the power sector. It sought to replace: 1. Indian Electricity Act, 1910: Regulated electricity supply and licensing. 2. Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948: Established State Electricity Boards (SEBs) and guided power development. 3. Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998: Set up regulatory commissions for tariff regulation.
Statement (4) is incorrect: However, State Electricity Boards (SEBs) were not directly replaced but were restructured under different provisions.
Statement 4 is incorrect.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q96. 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
Q97. 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
Q98. 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
Q99. 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
Q100. 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.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
91
2002
(b) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-1
92
2002
(c) earthquake ravaged Kutch district
93
2002
(a) to promote primary education in select states
94
2002
(b) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-1
95
2002
(a) 1, 2 and 3
96
2001
(c) 1993-94
97
2001
(d) 10 years
98
2001
(c) A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3
99
2001
(c) K. Kasturirangan
100
2001
(a) "Food nutrition and environmental security"
What UPSC has tested in Contemporary Events: India
The Tarapore Committee was associated with fuller capital account convertibility.
The B. K. Chaturvedi Committee dealt with price reforms in the oil sector.
Operation Sukoon was launched to evacuate Indian nationals from Lebanon.
The Prime Minister of India is Chairman of the National Water Resources Council and President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
The manuscripts of the Rig-Veda were included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Contemporary Events: India?
This page covers 118 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.
What was Operation Sukoon?
An operation launched by the Government of India in 2006 to evacuate Indian nationals from Lebanon during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The Navy and the Air India fleet helped to move thousands of people to safety.
What did the Tarapore Committee examine?
Fuller capital account convertibility of the rupee. The committee proposed a road map in 1997, recommending a phased move towards free movement of capital if certain conditions on inflation and fiscal deficit were met.
Who chairs the National Water Resources Council?
The Prime Minister of India. The Council, set up in 1983, has Chief Ministers and Union ministers as members and reviews the National Water Policy and water resource planning.
