This page lists 37 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on the UPSC 2024 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–10 of 37 questions
The Constituent Assembly convened its inaugural meeting on December 9, 1946. In accordance with French tradition, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the eldest member, was chosen as the interim President of the Assembly. Subsequently, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as the Assembly’s President.
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Chandraketugarh is not located in Odisha. It is actually an archaeological site in West Bengal, near Kolkata. It is known for its historical significance as an ancient trading hub and port town, dating back to the pre-Mauryan and Gupta periods. It is an urban centre of the ancient state of Gangaridai belonging to the trans-Bengal region at the interface of West Bengal and Bangladesh. The antiquity of the area dates back to eras as early as 4th century BCE, a period much prior to the Mauryan era and shows evidence in the continuity of subsequent Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, Pala and Sena dynasties.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Inamgaon is a chalcolithic site in Maharashtra. After the disintegration of the Indus civilization, in a phase known as the Early Jorwe (1400-1000 BC), hundreds of agrarian villages flourished in the Deccan region of west-central India. Environmental degradation, combined with unsustainable agricultural practices, contributed to the abandonment of many communities around 1000 BC. Inamgaon was one of a handful of villages to persist into the Late Jorwe phase (1000-700 BC), wherein reliance on dry-plough agricultural production declined. The site provides evidence of early farming communities, pottery, and burial practices. It is considered a key site for understanding the Deccan Chalcolithic culture.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Mangadu is a Megalithic Site in Kerala. The megalithic monuments at Mangadu consisted of 28 hard compact and unhewn laterite blocks within an area of 5 cents of land. The pottery at Mangadu can be classified into three categories namely the huge urns, the medium sized jars are hand made. The associated potteries are of wheel-made pottery and the fabric is black and red and red wares.
Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Salihundam is a Buddhist Site in Andhra Pradesh as early as the 2nd century CE to the 12th century CE. Here, Buddhism flourished under the patronage of various dynasties, including the Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, and the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The archaeological excavations have revealed numerous stupas, chaityas, viharas and a congregation hall, indicating the importance of this site in the transmission of Buddhist knowledge and wisdom. Rock cut caves are not found in Salihundam.
For Row 4, Trust what you’ve read. If you haven’t read about something, chances are it doesn’t exist or isn’t significant. Heard of rock-cut caves in Maharashtra? Yes--Ajanta, Ellora. In Odisha? Yes--Udayagiri, Khandagiri. Even MP and Bihar have them. But Andhra? Never come across any major rock-cut caves from there. So, if UPSC calls Salihundam that, it’s probably wrong. Row 4 is more likely false. Thus eliminating options C and D. Row 1 was a recent PYQ, hence should have been well known, giving option B as correct.
Fig.: Heat budget of the earth Statement-I is incorrect: The atmosphere is primarily heated by terrestrial radiation, which is the longwave radiation emitted by Earth’s surface after it absorbs solar radiation. While the atmosphere does absorb some direct solar radiation, it is the out-going longwave radiation from the Earth’s surface (which gets trapped by greenhouse gases) that plays a major role in warming the atmosphere. From the diagram above, 65 units out of 100 units of heat are absorbed by the atmosphere in the form of longwave radiation. Thus terrestrial radiation is the major cause behind the heating of the atmosphere. Statement-II is correct: The longwave radiation is absorbed by atmospheric gases, particularly by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It is mainly because their molecular structure allows them to vibrate and absorb infrared energy emitted by the Earth’s surface.
Without the natural greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average temperature would fall from 15°C to -18°C. This drop would make the planet too cold for most living things. Oceans would freeze, covering large areas with ice. Farming would fail, causing food shortages. Many animals and plants would die be-cause they cannot survive in such cold conditions. The green-house effect helps trap heat in the atmosphere. It keeps the Earth’s temperature stable. This warmth allows liquid water to exist and supports plants, animals, and people. Without it, Earth would not be a habitable planet.
Statement 1 is correct: The troposphere is the low-ermost layer of the atmosphere. Its average height is 13 km and extends roughly to a height of 8 km near the poles and about 18 km at the equator.
Statement 2 is correct: At the equator, strong convectional currents form due to intense solar heating. These currents carry heat and moisture to great heights, pushing the troposphere upwards and increasing its thickness.
Statement 2 explains Statement 1: The greater thickness of the troposphere at the equator (Statement-I) is due to strong convectional currents (Statement-II). Intense solar heating at the equator causes air to rise, creating powerful convection currents that push the tropopause higher, expanding the troposphere. In contrast, weaker convection at the poles, due to minimal solar heating, results in a thinner troposphere.
Shantiniketan located in West Bengal is the home of Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva-Bharati University. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023 for its cultural and educational significance. Santiniketan which means ‘abode of peace’ started taking shape in 1901, and it was this place Tagore later put up the foundations of Visva Bharati University. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas: The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas locatd in Karnataka, include the Hoysala temples at Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura. These temples were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023 for their exceptional architecture and artistry. The shrines are characterized by hyper-real sculptures and stone carvings that cover the entire architectural surface, a circumambulatory platform, a large-scale sculptural gallery, a multi-tiered frieze, and sculptures of the Sala legend. Other sites:
Rani-ki-Vav located in Gujarat is an 11th-century stepwell known for its intricate architecture and sculptures. These stepwells are a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been constructed since the 3rd millennium BC. It was included in UNESCO WHS list in 2014. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The first temple was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It was included in the UNESCO WHS list in 2002.
A Writ of Prohibition is a judicial order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to a lower court or tribunal, directing it to stop continuing proceedings in a case that exceeds its jurisdiction or is legally improper. It is issued before a lower court delivers its judgment. It is a preventive writ, stopping a court from acting beyond its powers. The Supreme Court can issue it under Article 32, and the High Courts can issue it under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
Habeas Corpus, a Latin term meaning "to produce the body," is a court order requiring that a detained individual be brought before the court within 24 hours to assess the legality of their detention. If detention is found illegal, the person is released; otherwise, they remain in custody. Mandamus, a Latin term meaning "command," is a writ issued by higher courts to ensure public officials fulfil their duties. It cannot be granted against private individuals or companies but is directed at public authorities, companies, tribunals, or lower courts, compelling them to perform their obligations or refrain from specific actions. Quo Warranto means "by what authority." This writ allows anyone, not just the aggrieved party, to challenge a person’s legal right to hold a public office. It cannot be issued against ministerial offices. Certiorari, meaning "certified," is a writ issued by the High Court or Supreme Court to a lower court or tribunal to transfer a case for review or appeal.
King Krishnadevaraya (1509 to 1529) of Tuluva dynasty allowed the Portuguese to build a fort Bhatkal in 1510. The town was named Bhatakala after the Jain grammarian Bhattakalanka Deva, who hailed from Haduvalli, 16 km away, capital of the Saluvas of Gerusoppa. The Vitthal temples and the Hazara Rama temple were constructed during his reign.
The Constitution of India does not specifically guarantee a right to privacy. However, through various judgments over the years, the Courts of the country have interpreted the other rights in the Constitution to give rise to a (limited) right to privacy--primarily through Article 21--the right to life and liberty. In Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that privacy is a fundamental right protected under Article 21 and Part III of the Constitution, affirming its intrinsic link to life, personal liberty, and fundamental freedoms. The Bench also ruled that the right to privacy is not absolute but is subject to reasonable restrictions (as is every other fundamental right).
Madhyama-vyayoga is one of the thirteen plays attributed to Bhasa. It is a one-act play (Prakarana) that revolves around a family reunion and is based on an episode from the Mahabharata. The play is notable for its dramatic structure, emotional depth, and adherence to classical Sanskrit theatrical conventions. The story unfolds with themes of valor, familial bonds, and moral dilemmas, culminating in a reunion that highlights Bhsa’s skill in dramatizing epic tales.
Kavyalankara is a work on poetics and literary criticism attributed to Bhamaha, a 7th-century Sanskrit scholar. It is one of the earliest texts on Sanskrit poetics and discusses figures of speech (alankaras) and the nature of poetry. Natyashastra is a foundational text on Indian performing arts, including drama, dance, and music attributed to Bharata Muni. It is often referred to as the "fifth Veda" and provides detailed guidelines for theatrical performance, stagecraft, and aesthetics. The Mahabhashya is a commentary on Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, the foundational text of Sanskrit grammar. It is attributed to Patanjali and not Bhasa.
Sanghabhuti was an Indian Buddhist monk from Kashmir who traveled to China towards the end of the 4th century AD. Sanghabhuti is primarily associated with the Sarvastivada Vinaya, a text that outlines the monastic rules and discipline for Buddhist monks and nuns. He traveled to China and collaborated with Chinese scholars to translate and comment on this text, which was crucial for the establishment of Buddhist monastic practices in China.
| Q | UPSC year | Correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024 | (d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha |
| 2 | 2024 | (b) 2 and 3 |
| 3 | 2024 | (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct |
| 4 | 2024 | (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I |
| 5 | 2024 | (b) Only two |
| 6 | 2024 | (c) the lower court prohibiting the continuation of proceedings in a case. |
| 7 | 2024 | (a) Krishnadevaraya |
| 8 | 2024 | (d) Article 21 |
| 9 | 2024 | (c) Madhyama-vyayoga |
| 10 | 2024 | (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya |
This page covers 37 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on the UPSC 2024 Prelims, asked between 1995 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
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.
Questions on the UPSC 2024 Prelims are available for 30 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
