113 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on the UPSC 2001 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 91–100 of 113 questions
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UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q91. The Union Budget 2000 awarded a Tax Holiday for the North-Eastern Region to promote industrialisation for:
Explanation
The Union Budget 2000 introduced a 10-year tax holiday for industries in the North-Eastern Region under the North East Industrial Policy (NEIP), 1997. Under this scheme, industries were exempted from income tax for 10 years from the date of commencement of production. Additionally, excise duty exemptions and capital investment subsidies were also provided to encourage economic growth in the region.
Additional insight:
In the Union Budget 2025, the Finance Minister extended the tax holiday for startups by five years. Previously, startups had to be incorporated by April 1, 2025, to qualify; now, those registered until April 1, 2030, can benefit. This aims to boost startups through financial support and innovation incentives. Units established in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) can enjoy a 10-year tax exemption on specified income within their first 15 years of operation.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q92. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the given below the lists:
List-I (Person)
List-II (Achievement)
A. Deep Sen Gupta
1. India’s youngest International Master in the International Chess Tournament 2000
B. P. Harikrishna
2. The first Indian ever to win a gold in discuss in the World Junior Athletic Championship it Santiago, 2000
C. Seema Anti
3. Won the title in the Asian Junior Chess Tournament in Mumbai 2000
D. Tejas Bakre
4. Won the under 12 title in the World Youth Chess Festival in Oropesa, 2000
Explanation
Deep Sen Gupta: Won the Under-12 title in the World Youth Chess Festival, Oropesa, 2000. P. Harikrishna: Became India’s youngest International Master in the International Chess Tournament, 2000. Seema Antil: Became the first Indian to win a gold medal in discus throw at the World Junior Athletic Championship, Santiago, 2000. Tejas Bakre: Won the title in the Asian Junior Chess Tournament, Mumbai, 2000.
Additional insight:
In December 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju, at 18, became the youngest World Chess Champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record. In September 2024, India clinched its first Chess Olympiad gold in both the Open and Women’s categories. Anish Sarkar, at three years and eight months, became the youngest-rated chess player globally. GM Aleksey Grebnev and WIM Anna Shukhman (both FIDE) emerged as the winners of the 2024 Asian Junior Chess Championship in the open and girls sections, respectively.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q93. Who amongst the following was the Chairman of I.S.R.O. when INSAT-3B was launched?
Explanation
Dr. K. Kasturirangan was the Chairman of ISRO when INSAT-3B was launched on March 22, 2000, aboard an Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. He served as ISRO Chairman from 1994 to 2003.
Additional insight:
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) originated as the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), established in 1962 under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s vision. It was restructured as ISRO on August 15, 1969, with an expanded mandate to advance space technology. Headquartered in Bengaluru, its current Chairman is V. Narayanan.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q94. The theme of Indian Science Congress 2001 was:
Explanation
The 88th Indian Science Congress (2001) was held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, and the theme was "Food Nutrition and Environmental Security." The focus was on sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and environmental conservation.
Additional insight:
The 108th Indian Science Congress (2023) was inaugurated in Nagpur, focusing on sustainable development with the inclusive participation of all sections of society, including women. The theme was "Science & Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment." A new event, the "Tribal Science Congress," was introduced.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q95. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Person)
List-II (Distinguished as)
A. Santosh Yadav
1. T.V. host
B. Oprah Winfrey
2. Journalist
C. Oscar Wilde
3. Mountaineer
D. P. Sainath
4. Dramatist and Author
Explanation
Santosh Yadav - An Indian mountaineer, she is the first woman to climb Mount Everest twice. Oprah Winfrey - A famous TV host, known for The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oscar Wilde - A renowned dramatist and author, famous for The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. P. Sainath - An Indian journalist, known for his work on rural affairs and social issues.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: India
Q96. The largest share of Foreign Direct Investment (1997-2000) went to:
Explanation
Between 1997 and 2000, the services sector attracted the largest share of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. This includes telecommunications, banking, insurance, financial services, and IT.
Additional insight:
India’s services sector attracts the largest share of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), encompassing finance, banking, insurance, IT, and consultancy. Between 2000 and 2024, this sector received the highest FDI equity inflow, totalling US$ 115.18 billion.
UPSC 2001Science and Technology · Biology: Zoology
Q97. In the eye donation, which part of the eye is transplanted from the donor?
Explanation
In eye donation, the part of the eye that is transplanted is the cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye that allows light to enter and is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. It can become damaged due to injury, disease, or aging. A corneal transplant replaces the damaged cornea with healthy tissue from a deceased donor.
Option (b) is incorrect: The lens is located behind the cornea and focuses light onto the retina. It is not transplanted during eye donation, as it can be replaced with an artificial lens in procedures like cataract surgery.
Option (c) is incorrect: The retina is a sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye that converts light into neural signals. Retinal damage cannot currently be treated through transplantation during eye donation.
Option (d) is incorrect: The whole eye is not transplanted due to the complexity of the organ and the high risk of rejection.
UPSC 2001Science and Technology · Biology: Zoology
Q98. A man whose blood group is not known meets with a serious accident and needs blood transfusion immediately. Which one of the blood groups mentioned below and readily available in the hospital will be safe for transfusion?
Explanation
Option (a) is correct: O, Rh- blood group is known as the universal donor because it does not have A, B, or Rh antigens. If the patient’s blood type is not O, receiving blood with A or B antigens can trigger an immune response, leading to serious complications. If the patient is Rh-, receiving Rh+ blood can lead to the development of Rh antibodies, which can cause problems in future pregnancies or transfusions. Therefore, O, Rh- blood group will be safe for transfusion if the blood group of the patient is not known.
Option (b) is incorrect: If the recipient is Rh-negative, transfusion of Rh+ blood can cause an immune reaction, leading to complications like hemolysis or sensitization.
Option (c) is incorrect: AB, Rh- has both A and B antigens, which can trigger an immune response in individuals with A, B, or O blood groups.
Option (d) is incorrect: AB, Rh+ blood group is highly specific and can only be safely given to individuals with the AB, Rh+ blood group. It is not suitable for transfusion in emergencies where the recipient’s blood group is unknown.
UPSC 2001Science and Technology · Biology: Zoology
Q99. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
List-I (Achievement in genetics)
List-II (Scientists)
A. Discovery of transduction and conjugation in bacteria
1. Khurana
B. Establishing the sex-linked inheritance
2. Kornberg
C. Isolation of DNA polymerase from E. coli
3. Lederberg
D. Establishing the complete genetic code
4. Morgan
5. Ochoa
Explanation
A is matched with 3: Lederberg discovered bacterial conjugation (exchange of genetic material between bacteria) and transduction (transfer of DNA between bacteria via viruses). B is matched with 4: Thomas Hunt Morgan’s work with fruit flies (Drosophila) provided strong evidence for the chromosomal theory of inheritance and firmly established the concept of sex-linked genes. C is matched with 2: Kornberg isolated DNA polymerase I from Escherichia coli, which was crucial for understanding DNA replication. D is matched with 1: Har Gobind Khorana played a significant role in deciphering the genetic code, which specifies how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA translates into the sequence of amino acids in proteins.
UPSC 2001Science and Technology · Biology: Zoology
Q100. Which of the following features of DNA makes it uniquely suited to store and transmit genetic information from generation to generation?
Explanation
The complementary nature of the two DNA strands ensures accurate replication and transmission of genetic information. Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T), and Guanine (G) always pairs with Cytosine (C) on the opposite strand. This allows for precise copying of the genetic information during cell division.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
91
2001
(d) 10 years
92
2001
(c) A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3
93
2001
(c) K. Kasturirangan
94
2001
(a) "Food nutrition and environmental security"
95
2001
(a) A - 3; B - 1; C - 4; D - 2
96
2001
(d) services sector
97
2001
(a) Cornea
98
2001
(a) O, Rh-
99
2001
(d) A - 3; B - 4; C - 2; D - 1
100
2001
(a) Complementary of the two strands
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on all subjects?
This page covers 113 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on the UPSC 2001 Prelims, 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 the UPSC 2001 Prelims are available for 31 years, from 1995 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
