505 previous year UPSC Prelims General Knowledge questions are on this page, from 1996 to 2010, in 5 chapters. In those years UPSC tested general awareness directly: people, books, institutions, places and events of the time. General Awareness: India is the largest chapter, followed by Contemporary Events: India and General Awareness: World. Every explanation states facts as they 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 131–140 of 505 questions
Japan upgraded its defence agency to a full-fledged ministry to strengthen its defence capabilities and better address emerging security challenges. This decision was driven by rising regional threats and shifting global security dynamics.
In the latter half of 2006, a significant political event unfolded in Thailand:
On 19 September 2006, the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against PM Thaksin Shinawatra, dissolving parliament, banning protests, and imposing martial law. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin led the coup, forming the Council for National Security (CNS) and appointing Surayud Chulanont as interim PM. Elections were held on 23 December 2007 after Thaksin’s party was dissolved.
Some Recent Coups:
Mali: Mali experienced two coups during this period. The first one occurred in August 2020, and the second one in May 2021. Myanmar: In February 2021, the military seized power in Myanmar, overthrowing the elected civilian government. Guinea: In September 2021, the military took control of Guinea, ousting the president. Sudan: In October 2021, a military coup took place in Sudan, dissolving the transitional government. Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso experienced two coups during this period. The first one occurred in January 2022, and the second one in September 2022. Niger: In July 2023, the military seized power in Niger, overthrowing the president. Gabon: In August 2023, the military took control of Gabon, annulling the recent election results. Bangladesh: In August 2024, Bangladesh experienced a military-backed transition, leading to the resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim civilian government.
In December 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, orchestrated a coup that ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and President Josefa Iloilo. The 2006 Fijian coup stemmed from tensions over proposed legislation favoring indigenous Fijians, exacerbating existing ethnic divisions. Military leader Bainimarama seized power, ousting the government and prompting international condemnation. Fiji faced suspension from the Commonwealth and further isolation due to the coup and subsequent actions. The coup highlighted deep-rooted issues of land ownership, resource allocation, and political power between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians.
Leander Paes won the 2006 US Open Men’s Doubles title alongside Martin Damm. An Indian tennis player renowned for his doubles skills, Paes partnered with Czech player Martin Damm for the tournament. The duo showcased impressive teamwork and had a strong campaign leading up to the final. On September 10, 2006, they faced Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi in the championship match. Paes and Damm secured victory in straight sets, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. This triumph marked Paes’s fourth Grand Slam men’s doubles title and Damm’s first.
Bangkok (Thailand) - Hosted the event four times: 1966, 1970, 1978, and 1998. The city’s strong infrastructure and experience in organizing major international events contributed to its repeated selection.
Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Prize-winning Kenyan activist, made a lasting impact on sustainable development. Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist and activist, founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, focusing on tree planting, conservation, and women’s empowerment to combat deforestation and resource scarcity in Kenya’s rural areas. Her movement planted millions of trees, restoring biodiversity and promoting sustainable resources, while also empowering women through education and leadership. In 2004, Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for linking sustainability, democracy, and social justice, leaving a lasting global impact.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Q | UPSC year | Correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| 131 | 2007 | (b) Japan |
| 132 | 2007 | (c) Thailand |
| 133 | 2007 | (c) Fiji |
| 134 | 2007 | (b) Martin Damm |
| 135 | 2007 | (b) Bangkok |
| 136 | 2007 | (c) Sustainable development |
| 137 | 2007 | (c) A M Khusro: Former Chairman, Union Public Service Commission |
| 138 | 2007 | (b) Nagaland -Haryana-Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh |
| 139 | 2007 | (a) Chennai |
| 140 | 2007 | (d) Raghuram Rajan |
This page covers 505 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on General Knowledge, asked from 1996 to 2010. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
General Awareness: India has the most with 138 questions, followed by Contemporary Events: India with 118, General Awareness: World with 110, Contemporary Events: World with 99 and Sports and Games with 40.
Many remain true, such as authorship and headquarters, but contemporary-events answers describe the position in the year each question was asked. Always check a recent source for the present position before relying on an item.
They show the style of general-awareness questions UPSC used and the breadth of topics it covered, from literature and institutions to sports. The explanations also build a base of facts that still helps with current affairs.
