UPSC 2003 General Knowledge Questions with Answers
41 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on General Knowledge in the UPSC 2003 Prelims. 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 31–40 of 41 questions
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UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q31. 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
Q32. 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.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q33. The Government holding in BPCL is:
Explanation
In 2003, the Government of India held around 66% stake in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). This was part of its broader disinvestment and privatization strategy.
Additional insight:
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is a public sector oil and gas company in India, engaged in refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products. It was nationalized in 1976 and has since been one of India’s leading energy companies. As of January 2025, the Government of India holds 52.98% of the equity share capital in BPCL.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q34. Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to FEMA in India?
Explanation
FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) was enacted in 1999 and came into force in 2000. It replaced FERA (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act), which was more stringent and focused on criminalizing violations of foreign exchange laws. Under FEMA, violations are treated as civil offenses, meaning that penalties may be imposed but the violation itself is no longer a criminal offense, unlike FERA where violations could lead to imprisonment.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q35. Consider the following statements: 1. India’s Import of crude and petroleum products during the year 2001-02 accounted for about 27% of India’s total imports. 2. During the year 2001-02, India’s exports had increased by 10% as compared to the previous year Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: India’s import of crude and petroleum products during 2001-02 accounted for about 27% of total imports.
Statement 2 is incorrect: India’s exports did not increase by 10% in 2001-02; instead, they grew at a lower rate.
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Sports and Games
Q36. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
List-I (Cricketers)
List-II (Country)
A. Barry Richards
1. England
B. Tex Dexter
2. West Indies
C. Alan Davidson
3. South Africa
D. Charlie Griffith
4. New Zealand
5. Australia
Explanation
Barry Richards was a legendary South African batsman. Tex Dexter was a well-known cricketer from England. Alan Davidson was a famous Australian left-arm fast bowler and all-rounder. Charlie Griffith was a feared fast bowler from the West Indies.
Additional insight:
Famous Cricketer of New Zealand Richard Hadlee Martin Crowe Glenn Turner John R. Reid Stephen Fleming
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Sports and Games
Q37. The sportsperson Soma Biswas is associated with:
Explanation
Soma Biswas is associated with Athletics. She’s a renowned Indian athlete from West Bengal who specialized in the heptathlon, winning silver medals at the 2002 and 2006 Asian Games.
Additional insight:
Some notable Indian athletes:
Milkha Singh (Track and Field) P.T. Usha (Track and Field) Varsha Gautham (Sailing) Vishnu Saravanan (Sailing) P. R. Sreejesh (Hockey) Aditi Ashok (Golf) Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw) Hima Das (Sprint) Dutee Chand (Sprint) Seema Punia (Discus Throw)
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Sports and Games
Q38. Time Montgomery set a new world record at the IAAF Grand Prix final in the year 2002 in:
Explanation
In the 2002 IAAF Grand Prix Final, Tim Montgomery set a new world record in the 100 m Dash, with a time of 9.78 seconds. This performance broke the previous world record of 9.79 seconds, which was held by Maurice Greene (USA).
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Sports and Games
Q39. Whom did Mahesh Bhupati and Max Mirnyi beat in the US Open Men’s Doubles Tennis Championship in the year 2002 to win the title?
Explanation
In the 2002 US Open Men’s Doubles final, Mahesh Bhupathi (India) and Max Mirnyi (Belarus) won the title by defeating the pair of Jiri Novak and Radek Stepanek.
Additional insight:
In the 2024 US Open Men’s Doubles Tennis Championship, the Australian duo of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson clinched the title by defeating Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (4).
UPSC 2003General Knowledge · Sports and Games
Q40. Who won the title in the finals of French Open Men’s Singles Tennis Championship in the year 2002?
Explanation
In the 2002 French Open Men’s Singles final, Albert Costa of Spain won the title. He defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero, also from Spain, in the final with a score of 6-1, 6-0, 4-6, 6-2. This victory marked Costa’s first and only Grand Slam title in his career.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
31
2003
(a) Only 1
32
2003
(c) Both 1 and 2
33
2003
(b) between 60% and 70%
34
2003
(c) Under FEMA, violation of foreign exchange rules has ceased to be a criminal offence
35
2003
(a) Only 1
36
2003
(c) A-3; B-1; C-5; D-2
37
2003
(d) athletics
38
2003
(c) 100 m Dash
39
2003
(d) Jiri Novak and Radek Stepanek
40
2003
(a) Albert Costa
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on General Knowledge?
This page covers 41 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on General Knowledge in the UPSC 2003 Prelims, asked from 1996 to 2010. 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 Knowledge?
Questions on General Knowledge in the UPSC 2003 Prelims are available for 15 years, from 1996 to 2010. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
