Miscellaneous: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)
43 previous year UPSC Prelims questions here cover topics that sit outside the main chapters, from 2011 to 2023. They include government schemes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana and the Soil Health Card, digital public platforms, sports awards and bodies such as the Tea Board and the Labour Bureau. The explanations state what each scheme or body does.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 31–40 of 43 questions
Browse by year
UPSC 2017International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q31. Consider the following statements: 1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes. 2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandates certification for automotive tyres and tubes to ensure road safety and product quality. The BIS Standard Mark indicates compliance with ISI standards.
Statement 2 is incorrect: AGMARK is a certification issued by the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and not by FAO. It ensures the quality of agricultural products like grains, pulses, and edible oils.
UPSC 2017International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q32. Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. 2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. 3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice. 4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: A key goal is raising awareness about malnutrition, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Statement 2 is correct: The mission aims to reduce anemia prevalence among children, adolescent girls, and women through dietary diversification and micronutrient supplementation.
Statement 3 is correct: The program promotes nutrient-rich foods, including millets and unpolished rice, to enhance dietary diversity.
Statement 4 is incorrect: While eggs are recommended as a protein source, the mission does not specifically promote poultry eggs.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q33. A recent movie titled The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the biography of
Explanation
‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ (2015) is a biographical film on Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematical genius known for his extraordinary contributions to number theory, infinite series, and mathematical analysis. Ramanujan, largely self-taught, made groundbreaking contributions and collaborated with British mathematician G. H. Hardy at Cambridge University. His work laid the foundation for modern research in mathematical physics, cryptography, and computer science. His famous "Ramanujan Prime" and "Ramanujan Theta Function" remain fundamental in mathematical studies today.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q34. On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label? 1. Ceiling fans 2. Electric geysers 3. Tubular fluorescent lamps Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Labeling Program is a government initiative that promotes energy efficiency by rating appliances based on their power consumption. Ceiling fans, electric geysers, and tubular fluorescent lamps all come under the BEE Star Labeling scheme as they are com-mon energy-consuming appliances. The labeling program helps consumers make informed choices by indicating the energy efficiency of electrical appliances. The program has been extended to refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and many other household electrical products.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q35. Why does the Government of India promote the use of Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?
Explanation
Introduced by the Government of India in 2015, the Neem-coated Urea policy aims to improve nitrogen use efficiency and curb the diversion of urea for non-agricultural purposes. The neem coating slows the dissolution rate of urea in the soil, ensuring a gradual release of nitrogen that minimizes nutrient loss and boosts crop productivity. Additionally, it helps prevent soil degradation caused by overuse of urea and discourages illegal diversion for industrial applications, as neem-coated urea is unsuitable for non-agricultural uses.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q36. With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with cluster approach. 2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme. 3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irriga-tion equipment. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The initiative promotes advanced production, post-harvest technologies, and value addition techniques to enhance millet productivity and processing.
Statement 2 is correct: The scheme benefits poor, marginal, and tribal farmers as millets are drought-resistant and thrive in low-input farming conditions.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While the initiative promotes millet cultivation, it does not mandate shifting from commercial crops or provide free kits for inputs and micro-irrigation equipment.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q37. Which of the following are the key features of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)? 1. The river basin is the unit of planning and management. 2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level. 3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on the rotation basis. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The entire Ganga River Basin is used as a planning and management unit, ensuring comprehensive conservation efforts.
Statement 2 is correct: NGRBA is responsible for national-lev-el policy and implementation strategies for river cleaning and pollution control.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of NGRBA, not a rotating Chief Minister.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q38. Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status? 1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees 2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma 3. Tirupathi Laddu Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is granted to products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation linked to that location. Banaras Brocades and Sarees (GI Tag - 2009): Famous for intricate Zari and silk weaving, these sarees are handwoven in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Tirupati Laddu (GI Tag - 2009): This prasadam from the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh is known for its unique recipe and religious significance. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma is incorrect: It is a traditional Rajasthani dish but has not been granted a GI tag.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q39. Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarma- ment and Development for 2014 was given to which one of the following?
Explanation
In 2014, the award was conferred upon ISRO for its remarkable achievements in space technology and its role in scientific advancement and national development. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development is awarded annually for exemplary contributions to peace, sustainable development, and scientific progress. ISRO continues to make strides in space technology, with projects like Chandrayaan-3, Gaganyaan, and Aditya-L1. The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) was a key factor in ISRO receiving this award, making India the first country to reach Mars in its maiden attempt and at a low cost.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q40. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the:
Explanation
The Planning Commission, which followed a centralized economic planning model, was replaced by NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) on January 1, 2015. NITI Aayog is leading initiatives like Aspirational Districts Programme, Atal Innovation Mission, and National Data and Analytics Platform. NITI Aayog emphasizes ‘cooperative federalism’, where states are given more autonomy in policy-making. Unlike the Planning Commission, which imposed five-year plans, NITI Aayog focuses on long-term policy strategies, innovation, and sustainable development goals (SDGs). It functions as India’s premier policy think tank and promotes digital governance, social sector reforms, and economic competitiveness.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
31
2017
(a) 1 only
32
2017
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
33
2016
(a) S. Ramanujan
34
2016
(d) 1, 2 and 3
35
2016
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
36
2016
(c) 1 and 2 only
37
2016
(a) 1 and 2 only
38
2015
(c) 1 and 3 only
39
2015
(c) Indian Space Research Organization
40
2015
(d) Planning Commission
What UPSC has tested in Miscellaneous
Aarogya Setu, CoWIN, DigiLocker and DIKSHA are all built on open-source digital platforms.
The Labour Bureau compiles information on industrial disputes, closures and retrenchments.
Public Key Infrastructure in India is used in the context of digital security infrastructure.
The Polar Code is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
Aadhaar cannot be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Miscellaneous?
This page covers 43 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Miscellaneous (International Relations and Current Affairs), asked from 2011 to 2023. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Can Aadhaar be used as proof of citizenship?
No. Aadhaar is an identity number given to residents and is not proof of citizenship, domicile or date of birth. A statement claiming that it proves citizenship or domicile is therefore incorrect.
What is the Polar Code?
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, adopted by the International Maritime Organization. It sets safety and environmental rules for ships in Arctic and Antarctic waters, and came into force in 2017.
Which body compiles data on industrial disputes in India?
The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It compiles statistics on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, wages and the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers.
