General Knowledge: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)
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 341–350 of 505 questions
Browse General Knowledge chaptersBrowse by year
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q341. Who is the author of the book ‘New Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy’?
Explanation
Option (a) is correct: The book "New Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy" was authored by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who served as India’s Prime Minister, delivered a series of speeches and statements outlining India’s foreign policy direction. The book compiles these speeches, providing insights into India’s diplomatic strategy, international relations, and global positioning during his tenure. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Jaswant Singh: A prominent Indian politician and diplomat, Jaswant Singh authored "Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence". P.C. Alexander: An Indian civil servant and politician, P.C. Alexander wrote "Through the Corridors of Power: An Insider’s Story". Yashwant Sinha: Former Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha authored "India Unmade: How the Modi Government Broke the Economy".
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q342. Who among the following was selected for the 2001 Dada Saheb Phalke Award?
Explanation
Option (d) is correct: Yash Chopra, the legendary filmmaker, received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001. He was known for directing and producing some of Bollywood’s most romantic and dramatic films, such as Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Chandni (1989), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), and Veer-Zaara (2004). Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect Lata Mangeshkar - She received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989. Ramanand Sagar - Not a recipient of this award. Dev Anand -He was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q343. In the year 2002, the President of India presented the national award for excellence in public administration and management science to:
Explanation
In 2002, N.R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, was honored with the National Award for Excellence in Public Administration and Management Science by the President of India. This award recognized his significant contributions to the Indian IT industry, corporate governance, and ethical business practices.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q344. Sandeep Pandey, the winner of Raman Magsaysay Award, is mainly an activist in:
Explanation
Sandeep Pandey, a social activist and co-founder of Asha for Education, won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2002 for his work in education and livelihood projects for Dalits and marginalized communities.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q345. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
List-I (High Officials)
List-II (Organisation)
A. C.P. Jain
1. Indian Airlines
B. S. Ramadorai
2. NTPC
C. Sunil Arora
3. TCS
D. Vivek Paul
4. Wipro Technologies
Explanation
C.P. Jain (NTPC) - Former Chairman of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), played a key role in India’s power sector development. S. Ramadorai (TCS) - Served as CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), instrumental in making it a global IT powerhouse. Sunil Arora (Indian Airlines) - Held key leadership roles in Indian Airlines, contributing to its management and operations. Vivek Paul (Wipro Technologies) - Former Vice Chairman of Wipro Technologies, significantly expanded its global IT services.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q346. In December 2002, the Prime Minister of India signed: ‘Delhi Declaration’ with the:
Explanation
In December 2002, the Prime Minister of India signed the "Delhi Declaration" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, strengthening India-Russia strategic partnership and cooperation in defense, trade, and global security.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q347. The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2002 was awarded to:
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2002 was awarded to Sadako Ogata, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, for her efforts in humanitarian work and refugee protection worldwide.
Additional insight:
The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award presented by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust for contributions toward peace, disarmament, and development. It was established in 1986 and recognizes individuals or organizations that promote international cooperation and a more equitable world order. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2023 was presented to classical pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu Awwad.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q348. Assertion (A): The new EXIM policy is liberal, market oriented and favours global trade. Reason (R): GATT has played a significant role in the liberalisation of the economy.
Explanation
The EXIM (Export-Import) Policy of India was revised to be more liberal and market-oriented to encourage global trade. This was influenced by international trade agreements and reforms under GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), which played a major role in the liberalization of economies worldwide by reducing trade barriers and promoting free trade. Thus, GATT’s influence explains the shift in India’s EXIM policy.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q349. Consider the following statements: 1. In the last five years, Indian software exports have increased at a compound annual growth rate of about 60% 2. The software and service industry in India registered an overall growth of about 28% in rupee terms during the year 2001-2002. Which of these statements is/are not correct?
Explanation
Statement (1) is incorrect: While India’s software exports did grow rapidly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a 60% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over five years is an overestimation. The growth rate was high but not consistently at that level.
Statement (2) is correct: The software and service industry in India did register around 28% growth in rupee terms during 2001-2002, as reported by NASSCOM and other industry sources.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q350. With reference to Government of India’s decision regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the year 2001-02 consider the following statements: 1. Out of the 100% FDI allowed by India in the tea sector the foreign firm would have to disinvest 33% of the equity in favour of an Indian partner within four years 2. Regarding the FDI in print media in India, the single largest Indian shareholders should have a holding higher than 26% Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: In 2001-02, India allowed 100% FDI in the tea sector, but with a condition that the foreign company must disinvest 33% of its equity in favor of an Indian partner within four years. This was done to ensure Indian participation in the tea industry.
Statement 2 is correct: The Indian government allowed 26% FDI in print media (news and current affairs publications). However, the single largest Indian shareholder was required to hold more than 26%, ensuring Indian control.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
341
2003
(a) A.B. Vajpayee
342
2003
(d) Yash Chopra
343
2003
(b) N.R. Narayana Murthy
344
2003
(d) education and livelihood projects for Dalits
345
2003
(c) A-2; B-3; C-1; D-4
346
2003
(b) President of Russia
347
2003
(d) Sadako Ogata
348
2003
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
349
2003
(a) Only 1
350
2003
(c) Both 1 and 2
What UPSC has tested in General Knowledge
These are single-fact questions: who wrote a book, where an organisation is headquartered, which country hosted an event.
Contemporary-events questions refer to the news of their year, so answers describe the position then, not today.
The chapters split by world and India, and by general awareness and current events, plus sports and games.
Later years’ questions sit under the other subjects on this site and lean toward analytical, statement-based formats.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on General Knowledge?
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.
Which General Knowledge chapters have the most questions?
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.
Are General Knowledge facts still current?
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.
Why practise these older questions?
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.
