General Awareness: India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (General Knowledge)
11 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on General Awareness: 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 1–10 of 11 questions
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q1. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Explanation
T. S. Krishnamurthy, 13th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, conducted the 2004 General Elections, which saw the UPA come to power. Played a crucial role in electoral reforms and ensuring free and fair elections. Prior to being CEC, he served as an Election Commissioner of India from 2000 to 2004.He was also a civil servant in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) before joining the Election Commission. K.C. Pant was the Chairman of the 10th Finance Commission of India from 1995-2000. A. M. Khusro was a renowned economist and the Chairman of the 11th Finance Commission of India. He contributed significantly to India’s economic planning and policy formulation. R. C. Lahoti was the 35th Chief Justice of India (CJI) advocated for speedy justice and emphasized reducing delays in the judicial system. Played a role in key judgments related to constitutional law and governance.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q2. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the formation of the following as full States of the Indian Union?
Explanation
Nagaland (1963), originally part of Assam, became a state following the Naga nationalist movement. Known for its indigenous tribes and the Hornbill Festival, its capital is Kohima. Haryana (1966) emerged from Punjab based on linguistic lines, with Chandigarh as its capital. It is a key agricultural and industrial hub, home to Kurukshetra. Sikkim (1975), once an independent kingdom, merged with India through a referendum. Gangtok is its capital, and it is known for Kanchenjunga and organic farming. Arunachal Pradesh (1987), formerly part of NEFA, became a state due to strategic importance. With Itanagar as its capital, it borders China and hosts diverse tribal cultures.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q3. In which one of the following cities is the Global Automotive Research Centre being set up?
Explanation
The Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Oragadam, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), is a National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) center supporting automobile R&D in India. It provides vehicle testing, homologation, and ensures safety, emissions, and performance compliance with global standards.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q4. Who among the following served as the Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund?
Explanation
Raghuram Rajan served as the Chief Economist and Director of Research at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2003 - 2006. He was the first Indian to hold this prestigious position at the IMF. Later, he became the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 2013 - 2016.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q5. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List-I (Person)
List-II (Known As)
A. Bhajan Sopori
1. Bharatnatyam dancer
B. Birju Maharaj
2. Exponent of Santoor
C. Priyadarsini
3. Mridangam maestro
D. TV Gopalakrishnan
4. Kathak dancer
Explanation
Bhajan Sopori (1948-2022), Exponent of Santoor A legendary Santoor player from Jammu and Kashmir. Known as "Saint of Santoor" for his unique style. Recipient of Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and J&K State Award. Revived and popularised Sufi and Hindustani classical music on the Santoor. Birju Maharaj (1938-2022), Kathak Dancer A world-renowned Kathak exponent from the Lucknow Gharana. Grandson of Kalka-Bindadin Maharaj, who shaped the Lucknow style of Kathak. Awarded Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and Kalidas Samman. Also choreographed dance sequences in Bollywood films like "Devdas" (2002) and "Vishwaroopam" (2013). Priyadarsini Govind, Bharatnatyam Dancer One of the leading Bharatanatyam dancers of India. Known for her expressive Abhinaya (facial expressions in dance). Received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contributions to Bharatanatyam. Trained under Kalanidhi Narayanan and S.K. Rajarathnam Pillai. T. V. Gopalakrishnan, Mridangam Maestro A renowned Carnatic percussionist, vocalist, and musicologist. Known for his mastery of Mridangam and contributions to Carnatic and Hindustani music. Trained several musicians and played with stalwarts like M. S. Subbulakshmi and Balamuralikrishna. Awarded Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and Kalaimamani Award.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q6. Who among the following wrote the book-Ayodhya: 6 December 1992?
Explanation
P. V. Narasimha Rao, former Prime Minister of India (1991-1996), wrote the book "Ayodhya: 6 December 1992". The book provides his perspective on the Babri Masjid demolition, which took place on December 6, 1992, during his tenure as Prime Minister. It discusses the political events, legal aspects, and administrative challenges related to the Ayodhya dispute.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q7. The Pulitzer Prize is associated with which one of the following?
Explanation
The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious annual award presented by Columbia University, New York City, recognizing excellence in journalism, literature, and music. Established in 1917 through a $500,000 endowment from newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer, the prize is highly esteemed. Awards are announced on recommendations from the Pulitzer Prize Board, consisting of judges appointed by the university. Over time, the number and categories of awards have evolved, with the current structure including 14 prizes in journalism, 6 in literature, and 1 in music. Additionally, fellowships are granted to support aspiring professionals in these fields.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q8. Raghu Rai is well-known for which one of the following areas?
Explanation
Raghu Rai is a renowned Indian photographer and photojournalist. He is best known for his documentary photography, capturing historical, cultural, and political moments in India. He was a member of Magnum Photos, a prestigious international photography cooperative. His work includes iconic photographs of Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 for his contribution to photography
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q9. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List-I (Eminent Person)
List-II (Known As)
A. Bhanu Bharti
1. Music Composer
B. Mike Pandey
2. Poet and literature
C. Mohd Zahur Khayyam
3. Theatre director
D. Vinda Karandikar
4. Wildlife film maker
Explanation
Bhanu Bharti - Renowned Indian theatre director known for historical and socially relevant plays, promoting folk and classical traditions. Mike Pandey - Award-winning Indian wildlife filmmaker focused on conservation and biodiversity, recipient of the Green Oscar. Mohd Zahur Khayyam - Legendary music composer, known for soulful melodies in Kabhi Kabhie and Umrao Jaan, awarded Padma Bhushan. Vinda Karandikar - Celebrated Marathi poet and critic, Jnanpith Award winner (2003), known for modernist and philosophical themes.
UPSC 2007General Knowledge · General Awareness: India
Q10. Who wrote the book ‘The Story of the Integration of the Indian States’?
Explanation
V. P. Menon wrote the book "The Story of the Integration of the Indian States". He was a senior civil servant and served as Secretary to the Ministry of States under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The book details the merger of princely states into the Indian Union after independence in 1947. V. P. Menon played a key role in negotiating the Instrument of Accession, which led to the peaceful integration of many princely states.
Additional insight:
B. N. Rau - Constitutional Advisor who played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution; later served as a Judge at the ICJ. C. Rajagopalachari - Last Governor-General of India, senior Congress leader, founder of the Swatantra Party, and Bharat Ratna awardee (1954). Krishna Menon - India’s Defence Minister (1957-1962), known for his UN speech on Kashmir and military policies, but criticized for the 1962 war failure.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2007
(c) A M Khusro: Former Chairman, Union Public Service Commission
2
2007
(b) Nagaland -Haryana-Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh
3
2007
(a) Chennai
4
2007
(d) Raghuram Rajan
5
2007
(c) A-2; B-4; C-1; D-3
6
2007
(b) P V Narasimha Rao
7
2007
(c) Journalism
8
2007
(b) Photography
9
2007
(d) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2
10
2007
(d) V P Menon
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on General Awareness: India?
This page covers 11 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on General Awareness: India (General Knowledge), asked from 1996 to 2009. 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 General Awareness: India?
Questions on General Awareness: India (General Knowledge) are available for 14 years, from 1996 to 2009. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
