138 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Indian general awareness make this the largest General Knowledge chapter, from 1996 to 2009. UPSC asked about books and authors, institutions and their locations, national symbols, artists and personalities. The explanations give the fact and its context, as of the year the question was set.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 131–138 of 138 questions
Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, with over 900 million native speakers and more than 1.1 billion total speakers. It is the official language of China and Taiwan and is widely spoken in Singapore and other Chinesespeaking communities worldwide.
Pair (d) is correctly matched: Mukna (Manipur) - A traditional wrestling sport in Manipur, often performed during festive occasions and cultural events, showcasing physical strength and agility. Pair (a) is incorrectly matched: Korku (Madhya Pradesh) - A tribal dance performed by the Korku tribe, mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, often celebrating harvest and festivals. Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: Jhummar (Punjab/Rajasthan) - A graceful and rhythmic dance performed primarily by men in Punjab and Rajasthan, often accompanied by dhol and other traditional instruments. Pair (c) is incorrectly matched: Thali (Rajasthan) - A Rajasthani folk dance where performers balance multiple brass plates (thalis) on their heads, demonstrating skill and coordination.
| List-I (Rivers) | List-II (Dams) |
|---|---|
| A. Cauvery | 1. Alamatti |
| B. Krishna | 2. Mettur |
| C. Narmada | 3. Gandhi Sagar |
| D. Chambal | 4. Sardar Sarovar |
Cauvery River - Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu): Built in 1934, it supports irrigation and hydroelectric power. Other dams include Krishnarajasagara, Kallanai, and Kabini. Krishna River - Almatti Dam (Karnataka): Part of the Upper Krishna Project, aiding irrigation and power. Other dams: Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, and Tungabhadra. Narmada River - Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat):
Supplies water to multiple states. Other dams: Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar, and Maheshwar. Chambal River - Gandhi Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh):
A gravity dam (1960) for irrigation and power. Other dams:
Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, and Kota Barrage.
Option (c) is correct: Khasi belongs to the Austroasiatic (Austric) language family, specifically the Mon-Khmer branch, and is spoken mainly in Meghalaya, India.
Option (a) is incorrect: Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Maharashtra.
Option (b) is incorrect: Ladakhi is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Ladakh.
Option (d) is incorrect: Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken in Tamil Nadu.
The Eco Mark is a certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for products that meet environmental sustainability criteria. It is awarded to goods that have minimal adverse effects on the environment throughout their lifecycle, including production, use, and disposal. The mark helps consumers identify eco-friendly products and promotes sustainable manufacturing practices.
Some notable certification marks in India along with their issuing bodies:
Certification Mark Issuing Body Purpose ISI Mark Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Ensures industrial products meet Indian standards. Agmark Directorate of Marketing & Inspection Certifies the quality of agricultural products. FPO Mark Ministry of Food Processing Industries Ensures hygiene in processed fruit products. BIS Hallmark Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certifies the purity of gold and silver jewelry. India Organic Certification APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) Certifies organic farm products. Non-Polluting Vehicle Mark Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Certifies vehicles meet Bharat Stage emission norms. FSSAI Mark Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Ensures food products meet safety and quality standards.
| List-I | List-II |
|---|---|
| A. Empowerment of women | 1. Indira Mahila Yojana |
| B. Education for women’s equality | 2. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh |
| C. Promotion of savings among rural women | 3. Mahila Samakhya Programme |
| D. Meeting credit needs of the poor women | 4. Mahila Samridhi Yojana |
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD), registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. RMK’s main objective is to provide micro-credit to poor women for livelihood support and income-generating activities at concessional terms, promoting their socio-economic development. Mahila Samridhi Yojana: It launched on October 2, 1993, aims to provide economic security to rural women, encouraging savings habits. Eligible women (18+ years) can open a savings account with a minimum deposit of Rs. 4 at their local rural post office. They receive a 25% encouragement amount on deposits not withdrawn for 1 year, and a 25% bonus, up to Rs. 300, every year. Indira Mahila Yojana: Launched in 1997, Indira Mahila Yojana aimed to empower poor women by promoting self-help groups (SHGs) at the village level for financial inclusion and skill development. Mahila Samakhya Programme: It began in 1988 as a direct initiative of the New Education Policy (1986) and its subsequent Programme of Action, with the objective of educating and empowering women in rural regions.
In 1990, Dinesh Goswami headed the committee for electoral reforms recommendation in the electoral process. The Recommendations of Dinesh Goswami Committee Electoral Reforms: Proposed state funding for political parties, fresh delimitation (1981 census), and lowering the candidate age from 25 to 21 for assembly elections. Stricter Regulations: Limited candidates to contest in only two constituencies, increased security deposit to discourage non-serious candidates, and Anti-Defection Law amendments to restrict disqualification. Decision-Making: Disqualification of members to be decided by the President/Governor based on Election Commission advice.
Other Key Committees Related to Electoral Reforms Committee Year Focus Area Vohra Committee 1993 Examined the link between criminals and politicians in India. Indrajit Gupta Committee 1998 Recommended partial state funding for elections to ensure fair competition. 2nd ARC Report (headed by Veerappa Moily) 2007 Suggested measures for transparency, accountability, and ethics in public administration. Tankha Committee 2010 Reviewed and proposed reforms in election laws and processes.
Ankiya Nat is a traditional one-act play of Assam, introduced by Sankaradeva and Madhavdev (15th-16th century AD). It is an opera-style performance depicting Lord Krishna’s life, featuring a Sutradhar (narrator), Gayan-Bayan Mandali (musicians), and masks for expressions. The plays are written in Brajavali, a mix of Assamese and Maithili.
(Options a, b and d are incorrect) Naqqual (Naqal) - A mimicry-based folk performance from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, performed by Behroopiyas/ Naqalchis from the Muslim Bhand community, using humor and satire for social or political messages. Tamasha - A folk theatre of Maharashtra, notable for female actors playing male roles, often accompanied by Lavani songs. Baha Festival - A spring festival celebrated by Ho, Santhal, Munda, and other indigenous tribes in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
| Q | UPSC year | Correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| 131 | 1999 | (c) Mandarin |
| 132 | 1999 | (d) Mukna: Manipur |
| 133 | 1999 | (b) A-2; B-1; C-4; D-3 |
| 134 | 1998 | (c) Khasi |
| 135 | 1998 | (c) environment friendly |
| 136 | 1997 | (b) A - 1; B - 3; C - 4; D - 2 |
| 137 | 1997 | (c) Governmental funding of parliament elections |
| 138 | 1996 | (c) Ankia Nat - Assam |
This page covers 138 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.
Twenty-four. The Dharmachakra, in navy blue on the white band, is taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, and each spoke is said to stand for a principle or an hour of the day.
V. P. Menon, who as Secretary of the States Department worked with Sardar Patel to integrate the princely states into India after Independence. Its account of that process remains a standard source.
Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha, well-known vocalists of Dhrupad, the oldest form of Hindustani classical music. They trained under the Dagar tradition, perform at festivals across the world and were awarded the Padma Shri.
