95 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on the UPSC 2021 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 91–95 of 95 questions
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UPSC 2021Indian Economy · Security Market in India
Q91. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Retail investors through Demat account can invest in ‘Treasury Bills’ and ‘Government of India Debt Bonds’ in the primary market. 2. The ‘Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching’ is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India. 3. ‘Central Depository Services Ltd’ is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Retail investors can participate in government securities (G-Secs) like Treasury Bills (T-Bills) and Government of India Bonds through schemes such as Retail Direct Scheme facilitated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This allows them to invest directly in the primary market using Demat accounts.
Statement 2 is correct: The NDS-OM platform, is an electronic trading platform, operated by the RBI, is an anonymous order-matching system for secondary market trading in government securities (G-Secs)
Statement 3 is incorrect: CDSL is promoted by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) but not by the Reserve Bank of India. It is promoted by BSE Ltd. jointly with leading banks such as State Bank of India, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Union Bank of India.
UPSC 2021Indian Economy · Human Development and Sustainable Development
Q92. With reference to ‘Water Credit’, consider the following statements: 1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. 2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. 3. It aims to enable poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statements 1 and 3 are correct: WaterCredit is a powerful solution and puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. It helps bring small loans to those who need access to affordable financing and expert resources to make household water and toilet solutions a reality.
Statement 2 is incorrect: WaterCredit is not launched by the WHO or the World Bank. It is an initiative of Water.org, a non-profit organization co-founded by Gary White and Matt Da-mon. While it may collaborate with various global partners, it is not directly under the aegis of these organizations.
Exam tip:
S2 aligns with Function-person/organisation/ministry match trap as it’s easy to manipulate to make it false. What possible role does WHO and World bank can play in "Water credits’’. Isn’t it a misfit? Highly plausible hence likely false.
UPSC 2021Polity · Miscellaneous
Q93. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/ her right. 2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Parole is not a right but a privilege granted by prison authorities. Parole is a discretionary relief granted to prisoners under specific conditions. The decision to grant parole lies with the prison authorities or state authorities, and they may deny parole even if a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, depending on factors such as security risks or the nature of the crime committed.
Statement 2 is correct: Each state has its own parole rules, governed by respective State Prison Manuals and the Prisons Act, 1894. These rules outline eligibility criteria, conditions, and the authority responsible for granting parole.
Exam tip:
For S1, Trap phrase: "cannot be denied" an absolute phrase implying parole becomes a right. But in India:
Parole is not a Fundamental Right, nor is it automatically granted. Even if a "sufficient case" is made, granting parole is at the discretion of the competent authority. Hence likely false.
UPSC 2021Polity · Miscellaneous
Q94. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked up in a police station, not in jail. 2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Judicial custody does not mean detention in a police station. Instead, the accused is sent to jail under the magistrate’s orders. Police custody, on the other hand, involves detention at a police station for investigation. Judicial custody ensures that the accused is under judicial supervision and not directly handled by the police.
Statement 2 is correct: During judicial custody, the police cannot interrogate the accused without prior approval from the court. This provision protects the accused from undue pressure or custodial violence while ensuring due process.
Additional insight:
Judicial custody refers to a situation where an accused person is under the custody of the court and housed in a jail, whereas police custody means the accused is detained at a police station for investigation. These are governed by provisions under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.
Aspect
Judicial custody
Police custody
Authority
Under the jurisdiction of the court.
Under the jurisdiction of the police for investigation.
Detention location
The accused is sent to jail (prison or judicial lock-up).
The accused is kept in a police station lock-up.
Purpose
Ensures the accused does not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses while awaiting trial.
Allows police to interrogate the accused, gather evidence and proceed with the investigation.
Duration
Can extend up to 90 days for serious offences and 60 days for others.
Maximum 15 days, after which the accused must be presented before a magistrate.
Interrogation rights
Police need court permission to interrogate the accused in jail.
Police can directly question the accused without seeking court permission.
UPSC 2021Polity · Miscellaneous
Q95. With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage. 2. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment. 3. The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: EPF coverage is not universal for all casual workers. It applies to workers in establishments with 20 or more employees and only if they meet the eligibility criteria under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Many temporary, seasonal, or casual workers may not qualify.
Statement 2 is correct: Casual workers are entitled to regular working hours and overtime payment as per the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and the Factories Act, 1948. These laws ensure that all workers, including casual labourers, have regulated working hours and are paid overtime wages at stipulated rates if they work beyond the prescribed hours.
Statement 3 is correct: The government can mandate wage payments through banking channels under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, which was amended by the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Act, 2017. This amendment allows the government to require industries and establishments to pay wages electronically or through bank transfers to enhance transparency and prevent exploitation.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
91
2021
(b) 1 and 2
92
2021
(c) 1 and 3 only
93
2021
(b) 2 only
94
2021
(b) 2 only
95
2021
(b) 2 and 3 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on all subjects?
This page covers 95 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on the UPSC 2021 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 2021 Prelims are available for 31 years, from 1995 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
