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 41–43 of 43 questions
Browse by year
UPSC 2012International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q41. Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic devel-opment: 1. Low birthrate with low death rate 2. High birthrate with high death rate 3. High birthrate with low death rate Select the correct order of the above using the codes given below:
Explanation
The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) describes the shift in population growth patterns as an economy develops. India is currently in Stage 3, moving towards a stabilized population with lower fertility rates. Stage 1 (High Birth Rate & High Death Rate): This occurs in pre-industrial societies, where disease, famine, and poor healthcare keep both birth and death rates high. Stage 2 (High Birth Rate & Low Death Rate): With better healthcare and sanitation, mortality declines while fertility remains high, leading to rapid population growth. Stage 3 (Low Birth Rate & Low Death Rate): As urbanization, education, and family planning improve, birth rates decline, stabilizing population growth.
UPSC 2011International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q42. In the Union Budget 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bioasphalt). What is the importance of this material? 1. Unlike traditional asphalt, bio- asphalt is not based on fossil fuels. 2. Bioasphalt can be made from non- renewable resources. 3. Bioasphalt can be made from organic waste materials. 4. It is eco-friendly to use bioasphalt for surfacing of the roads. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Bioasphalt is not derived from fossil fuels but from renewable biomass sources like plant-based oils, algae, and bio-waste. This makes it a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based asphalt.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The claim that bioasphalt is made from non-renewable resources is wrong because its raw materials come from renewable sources such as biomass and organic waste. Unlike conventional asphalt, which relies on finite petroleum reserves, bioasphalt can be continuously replen-ished.
Statement 3 is correct: Bioasphalt can be produced from organic waste materials, such as agricultural residues, used cooking oil, and forestry waste. This reduces waste accumulation and promotes circular economy practices by repurpos-ing waste into construction materials.
Statement 4 is correct: Using bioasphalt lowers greenhouse gas emissions as it reduces dependency on fossil fuels and utilizes carbon-sequestering biomass. It contributes to sustainable road infrastructure, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints in construction.
UPSC 2011International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q43. Mahatma Gandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled, "Unto this Last" and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed Mahatma Gandhi?
Explanation
"Unto This Last" & Gandhi Written by John Ruskin (1860), the book deeply influenced Mahatma Gandhi. The message that transformed Mahatma Gandhi was "The good of individual is contained in the good of all" Gandhi translated it into Gujarati as "Sarvodaya" (The Welfare of All). Core message: Individual well-being is tied to societal welfare, promoting ethical economics, self-sufficiency, and equitable wealth distribution. Inspired Gandhi’s Phoenix Settlement in South Africa and self-reliant village development in India. v v v
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
41
2012
(c) 2, 3, 1
42
2011
(b) 1. 3 and 4 only
43
2011
(b) The good of individual is contained in the good of all
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.
