This page lists 96 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on the UPSC 2015 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Explanations state facts as they stood in the year each question was asked, so words like “recently” or “currently” refer to that year, not today. For the present position, check the latest Current Affairs.
Showing 21–30 of 96 questions
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q21. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’, often seen in the news, is:
Explanation
Option (c) is correct: The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) is a landmark international agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, organized by the United Nations. It is recognized as one of the most comprehensive global commitments to advancing women’s rights. The BPfA serves as a guiding framework for national and international efforts to achieve gender equality. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) focuses on security and economic cooperation. APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) deals with trade and economic policies, not gender equality. Wildlife trafficking is addressed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the East Asia Summit, but this is unrelated to the Beijing Declaration.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q22. With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills. 2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), formerly IOR-ARC, was established in 1997. It was not formed in response to piracy or oil spills but to promote regional economic cooperation, trade, and devel-opment among Indian Ocean nations. Piracy and maritime security became important issues later, but they were not the primary reason for formation of IOR-ARC.
Statement 2 is incorrect: IORA is not just about maritime security; it covers a broad range of areas, including: Trade and investment facilitation, Fisheries management, Disaster risk reduction, Academic and scientific cooperation, Tourism and cultural exchanges.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q23. In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. China 4. Myanmar 5. Thailand Select the correct answer by using the code given below:
Explanation
The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is a regional cooperation initiative launched in 2000 to strengthen ties between India and five Southeast Asian countries along the Mekong River and the Ganges River. MGC Member Countries include India, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam. Clearly, Bangladesh and China are not participants in MGC.
Additional insight:
Objectives of MGC include:
Strengthening economic collaboration and trade between member nations, Advancing cultural interactions and people-to-people connections, and Encouraging dialogue and partnership on shared concerns. The MGC’s four core cooperation areas encompass tourism, culture, education, and transport & communication. Additionally, it has broadened its scope to cover emerging fields such as health and traditional medicine, agriculture and allied industries, small and medium enterprises, water resource management, science and technology, skill enhancement, and capacity development.
UPSC 2015Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q24. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’. 2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilise the Home Rule League. 3. Demonstrations against the arrival of the Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Rowlatt Act was passed on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee chaired by Sir Sidney Rowlatt.
Statement 2 is correct: In organising his satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilise three types of political networks: The Home Rule Leagues; Certain Pan-Islamist groups and Satyagraha Sabha.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The two time periods are not the same. The incident of Rowlatt Satyagraha took place in 1919 and the Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission took place in 1928, thus the two events cannot coincide.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q25. India is a member of which among the following? 1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations 3. East Asia Summit Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: APEC is a 21-member economic forum focused on promoting free trade and economic co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region. India has been seeking APEC membership, but it has not yet been admitted.
Statement 2 is incorrect: ASEAN is a regional group of 10 Southeast Asian countries. However, India has strong ties with ASEAN and is a part of the ASEAN+6 framework but is not a full member.
Statement 3 is correct: India is a member of the East Asia Summit (EAS). EAS includes 18 countries, including ASEAN members + India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and the US. It focuses on political, security, and economic issues in the Indo-Pacific region. It promotes peace, stability, connectivity, and cooperation on global challenges such as climate change and health security.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q26. Amnesty International is:
Explanation
Option (a) is incorrect: Amnesty International is NOT a UN agency. UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) is the actual UN body responsible for refugee assistance.
Option (b) is correct: Amnesty International fights for human rights globally hence, is the correct answer.
Option (c) is incorrect: Amnesty focuses on human rights, not poverty alleviation. Organizations like Oxfam and ActionAid focus on helping the poor.
Option (d) is incorrect: Amnesty International is not intergovernmental. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) deals with medical emergencies.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q27. The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:
Explanation
Option (a) is incorrect: Central Asia includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and Golan Heights is not in this region.
Option (b) is correct: Golan Heights is in the Middle East, contested between Israel and Syria.
Option (c) is incorrect: Southeast Asia includes countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar, but Golan Heights is unrelated to this region.
Option (d) is incorrect: Central Africa includes DR Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic, not related to the Golan Heights.
UPSC 2015Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q28. Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
Kosala was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas (Great Kingdoms) during Buddha’s time. Buddha was born in Lumbini which was under the rule of the Kosala kingdom at that time. His father, King Suddhodana was the leader of the Shakya clan which a vassal state under Kosala. King Prasenajit (Pasenadi) of Kosala was a major contemporary of Buddha and a patron of Buddhism. Magadha was the most powerful Mahajanapada during Buddha’s lifetime. Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, which was in Magadha. King Bimbisara of Magadha was one of Buddha’s earliest royal patrons and donated the Venuvana monastery in Rajgir.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q29. The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs of
Explanation
The Fortaleza Declaration was adopted during the 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in July 2014. The BRICS Summit brought together the five member countries:
1. Brazil 2. Russia
3. India 4. China
5. South Africa
Additional insight:
Key Outcomes of the Fortaleza Declaration:
Establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS Bank, to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries. Creation of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) to provide financial stability in times of crisis. Commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and global economic stability. Recent Information: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates officially joined BRICS, increasing the group’s membership to nine nations.
UPSC 2015Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q30. Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy: 1. The Principles spell out socio-economic democracy in the country. 2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Directive Principles deals with a very comprehensive economic, social and political programme for a modern democratic State. Article 38 deals with the promotion of the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order by ensuring social, economic and political justice and by minimising inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities. B.R. Ambedkar opined that the Directives have great value because they lay down that the goal of Indian polity is ‘economic democracy’ as distinguished from ‘political democracy’.
Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 37 Directive Principles are not enforceable in any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
21
2015
(c) An agenda for women’s empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations
22
2015
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
23
2015
(c) 1 and 3
24
2015
(b) 1 and 2 only
25
2015
(b) 3 only
26
2015
(b) A global Human Rights Movement
27
2015
(b) Middle East
28
2015
(d) 3 and 4 only
29
2015
(b) BRICS
30
2015
(c) Both 1 and 2
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on all subjects?
This page covers 96 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on the UPSC 2015 Prelims, asked between 1995 to 2024. 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 2015 Prelims are available for 30 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
