3,238 previous year UPSC Prelims (GS Paper-I) questions, from 1995 to 2025, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Filter by subject, chapter or year.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 931–940 of 3238 questions
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UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q931. 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 2016Polity · Parliament
Q932. The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the:
Explanation
According to Article 249 of the Constitution.
Parliament can legislate on a matter enumerated in the State List if a resolution is passed by the Rajya Sabha.The resolution must be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. This means the majority is calculated based on the number of members present and voting, not the total membership of the Rajya Sabha. This is subject to the National Interest clause. The Parliament can legislate on State List matters when it is required in the national interest.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q933. 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 2016Polity · Parliament
Q934. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation. 2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per Article 107(3), No bill lapses on prorogation. Prorogation does not affect the bills pending before the House.
Statement 2 is correct: A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Conditions under which Bill lapses:
1. Bills pending in the Lok Sabha (whether originating in the Lok Sabha or transmitted to it by the Rajya Sabha)
2. Bills passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha. (Note - A bill originating in Lok Sabha lapses) Conditions under which Bills does not lapse:
1. Bill not passed by the two Houses due to disagreement and if the president has notified the holding of a joint sitting before the dissolution of Lok Sabha
2. Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha.
3. Bill passed by both Houses but pending assent of the president.
4. Bill passed by both Houses but returned by the president for reconsideration of Houses.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q935. 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 2016Science and Technology · Miscellaneous
Q936. India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?
Explanation
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a collaborative international project involving countries such as India, China, the European Union, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States. Its primary goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a sustainable and large-scale energy source by replicating the fusion processes that power the sun. If ITER succeeds then the immediate advantage for India would be the capability to construct fusion reactors for power generation. Fusion energy offers a carbon-free and environmentally sustainable alternative, with the potential to provide a significant amount of power compared to fossil fuels.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q937. 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 2016Indian Economy · Banking Sector in India
Q938. The establishment of ‘Payment Banks’ is being allowed in India to promote financial inclusion. Which of the following statements is/are correct in this context? 1. Mobile telephone companies and supermarket chains that are owned and controlled by residents are eligible to be promoters of Payment Banks. 2. Payment Banks can issue both credit cards and debit cards. 3. Payment Banks cannot undertake lending activities. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines for licensing Payments Banks specify that entities such as existing non-bank Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) issuers, mobile telephone companies, supermarket chains, and others owned and controlled by residents are eligible to promote Payments Banks. This initiative aims to leverage their extensive customer bases and distribution net-works to enhance financial inclusion.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Payments Banks are permitted to issue ATM or debit cards but are not allowed to issue credit cards. This restriction aligns with their mandate to provide basic banking services without engaging in credit risk activities. The restriction on credit cards is a key differentiator between Payment Banks and traditional banks.
Statement 3 is correct: As per RBI guidelines their primary role is to accept demand deposits, provide payment and remittance services, and distribute financial products like insurance and mutual funds, thereby promoting financial inclusion without assuming credit risk.
UPSC 2016Indian Economy · Banking Sector in India
Q939. The term ‘Core Banking Solution’ is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following statements best describes/describe this term? 1. It is a network of a bank’s branches which enables customers to operate their accounts from any branch of the bank on its network regardless of where they open their accounts. 2. It is an effort to increase RBI’s control over commercial banks through computerization. 3. It is a detailed procedure by which a bank with huge non-performing assets is taken over by another bank. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Core Banking Solution (CBS) is a centralized platform that connects all branches of a bank, allowing customers to access and manage their accounts from any branch, ATM, or online. It’s a software application that integrates various banking operations and provides a unified view of customer information. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect:
The implementation of Core Banking Solutions is primarily driven by individual banks aiming to improve operational efficiency and customer service. Core Banking Solutions are unrelated to the processes of bank mergers or acquisitions. They are technological systems that enable centralized operations and do not pertain to the takeover procedures of banks with significant non-performing assets.
Additional insight:
Core Banking Solutions (CBS) is a centralized banking system that enables banks to handle their daily operations, such as deposit accounts, loan processing, fund transfers, and customer transactions, through one unified platform.With CBS, all bank branches are connected to a central database, allowing customers to access banking services easily, no matter which branch they use. This system supports real-time transaction processing and ensures that data is consistently updated across all branches. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) uses E-kuber as its core banking solution, which was launched in 2012. E-kuber enables commercial banks to access their RBI current accounts anytime and from any location. It can be accessed via the internet or IN-FINET (Indian Financial Network), a secure network for member banks and financial institutions. INFINET serves as the communication backbone for the National Payments System.
UPSC 2016Indian Economy · Banking Sector in India
Q940. What is/are the purpose/purposes of the Marginal Cost of the Fund-Based Lending Rate (MCLR) announced by RBI? 1. These guidelines help improve the transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining the interest rates on advances. 2. These guidelines help ensure availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as the banks. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
MCLR is the lowest interest rate a bank can charge for loans. It helps banks calculate the minimum interest rate for different types of loans. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the MCLR system on April 1, 2016, to make monetary policy transmission more effective and increase transparency in setting interest rates. It replaced the base rate system, which had been used since July 2010.
Statement 1 is correct: Bringing transparency in the methods followed by various banks for the determination of interest rate is one of the key objectives of MCLR regime. Before banks used various methods to set lending rates which lead to opacity and confusion for borrowers. MCLR introduced a standardized, transparent calculation method, requiring banks to disclose its components, helping borrowers better understand their loan rates.
Statement 2 is correct: By standardizing the methodology for calculating lending rates, the MCLR guidelines aim to ensure that interest rates are "fair" to Borrowers and Banks:
The transparent methodology prevents banks from arbitrarily charging high interest rates. The MCLR framework allows banks to factor in their actual cost of funds when determining lending rates, ensuring that they can maintain profitability.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
931
2016
(d) 1, 2 and 3
932
2016
(d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting
933
2016
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
934
2016
(b) 2 only
935
2016
(c) 1 and 2 only
936
2016
(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation.
937
2016
(a) 1 and 2 only
938
2016
(b) 1 and 3 only
939
2016
(a) 1 only
940
2016
(c) Both 1 and 2
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on all subjects?
This page covers 3238 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I, asked from 1995 to 2025. 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 all subjects?
Questions on UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I are available for 31 years, from 1995 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
