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.
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UPSC 2001Geography · Places and Locations: World Geography
Q111. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Local Wind)
List-II (Region)
A. Fohn
1. Argentina
B. Sarmun
2. Kurdistan
C. Santa Ana
3. California
D. Zonda
4. Alps
Explanation
A is correctly matched with 4: The Fohn is a warm, dry, downslope wind that occurs in the Alps. It’s a katabatic wind, meaning it’s created by air descending from a higher elevation. As air is forced up the windward side of a mountain range, it cools and condenses, losing its moisture as precipitation. The now dry air continues over the mountain crest and descends on the leeward side. As it descends, it compresses and warms, often significantly. This results in a sudden rise in temperature and a decrease in humidity on the leeward side, creating the characteristic Fohn wind. These winds can have a significant impact on local weather, causing rapid snowmelt, increasing the risk of avalanches, and even influencing vegetation patterns. B is correctly matched with 2: The Sarmun is a hot, dry, and dusty wind that blows in the Kurdistan region, particularly in northern Iraq and parts of Iran. It’s a type of desert wind, of-ten associated with low-pressure systems. These winds can carry large amounts of dust and sand, reducing visibility and causing discomfort. They are most common during the summer months and can lead to significant temperature increases and dry conditions, impacting agriculture and water resources. The Sarmun is similar to other regional desert winds like the Khamsin in Egypt or the Sirocco in the Mediterranean, although its specific characteristics and regional impact are unique to the Kurdistan area. C is correctly matched with 3: The Santa Ana winds are strong, dry, and warm winds that blow in Southern California. They originate from high-pressure systems over the Great Basin region and flow southwestward towards the coast. As the air descends from the higher elevations of the mountains surrounding Southern California, it compresses and warms, becoming very dry. These winds are channeled through canyons and mountain passes, increasing their speed and intensity. Santa Ana winds are known for their ability to rapidly increase fire danger, as they create extremely dry conditions and can quickly spread wildfires. They are most common in the fall and winter months and can also cause power outages and damage to property. D is correctly matched with 1: The Zonda is a dry and dusty wind that affects the western slopes of the Andes Mountains in Argentina. Similar to the Fohn, it’s a katabatic wind. Moist air is forced up the eastern slopes of the Andes, where it cools and releases its moisture. The dry air then descends on the western side, warming as it compresses. The Zonda is characterized by its hot and dry nature, often carrying dust and sand from the high-altitude deserts. It can cause significant temperature fluctuations and reduce visibility. These winds are most prevalent during the winter months and can have a significant impact on agriculture and local weather patterns in the affected regions of Argentina.
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Sports and Games
Q112. The Chess player Alexi Shirov represents:
Explanation
Alexei Shirov is a Latvian-born Spanish chess grandmaster. He has represented Spain in international competitions since 1996.
Additional insight:
Some notable chess players:
Magnus Carlsen (Norway) Fabiano Caruana (USA) Liren Ding (China) Viswanathan Anand (India) Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) D. Gukesh became the youngest ever chess world champion at the age of 18, defeating China’s Ding Liren (2023 World Chess Champion) in the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship held in Singapore. Gukesh is only the third Asian to win the World championship after Viswanathan Anand (India) and Ding Liren (China).
UPSC 2001General Knowledge · Sports and Games
Q113. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Sports women)
List-II (Sport)
A. Anjali Vedpathak
1. Athletics
B. Mouma Das
2. Gymnastics
C. Neelam Singh
3. Rifle Shooting
D. Tumpa Debnath
4. Table Tennis
5. Chess
Explanation
Anjali Vedpathak (Rifle Shooting): A top Indian rifle shooter, was ranked world No. 1 in the 10m air rifle event, with multiple international medals. Mouma Das (Table Tennis): A prominent Indian table tennis player, representing India in the Commonwealth Games and Olympics. Neelam Singh (Athletics): An Indian discus thrower, who competed in international events like the Asian and Commonwealth Games. Tumpa Debnath (Gymnastics): An Indian gymnast known for her performances in national and international gymnastics competitions.
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.
