This page lists 89 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.
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 89 questions
UPSC 2024Indian Economy · Agriculture
Q21. With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements: 1. To implement the scheme, the Central Government provides 100% funding. 2. Under the Scheme, Cadastral Maps are digitised. 3. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate the Records of Rights from local language to any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (formerly the National Land Record Modernization Programme) was revamped into a Central Sector Scheme from April 1, 2016, with full funding (100 %) provided by the Central Government for its implementation.
Statement 2 is correct: A major objective of DILRMP is the dig-itization of cadastral maps to improve land record transparency. Cadastral maps show land boundaries and ownership details at a detailed level and are crucial for modern land administration.
Statement 3 is correct: To address linguistic barriers, the government, with technical support from C-DAC Pune, has initiated the transliteration of land records into any of the 22 languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution. As of February 2025, 17 States and Union Territories have adopted transliteration tools for their land records under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP).
Additional insight:
The Digital India Land Record Modernization Programme (DILRMP) was earlier known as the National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP). It was launched in 2008 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Rural Development. The main purpose of the scheme is to digitize and modernize land records. It also aims to develop a centralized land record management system for better transparency and efficiency. Other focus areas of Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) are computerizing Record of Rights, digitizing cadastral maps to enhance transparency and reduce disputes, integrating textual Record of Rights with spatial cadastral maps, and establishing state-level data centers for efficient land record management. Complementing this, the SVAMITVA Scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) aims to improve rural land governance by providing official property documentation to rural owners through drone and GIS-based land demarcation. This initiative facilitates property monetization, access to bank loans, dispute resolution, and comprehensive village-level planning.
UPSC 2024Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q22. A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to:
Explanation
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.
Additional insight:
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.
UPSC 2024Medieval History · Vijayanagara Empire
Q23. Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
Explanation
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.
UPSC 2024Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q24. Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India has the Supreme Court of India placed the Right to Privacy?
Explanation
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).
UPSC 2024Art and Culture · Literature
Q25. Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?
Explanation
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.
Additional insight:
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.
UPSC 2024Art and Culture · Literature
Q26. Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:
Explanation
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.
UPSC 2024Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q27. With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements: 1. PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food and food packaging materials. 2. PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment. 3. Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since about the 1950s.
Statement 1 is correct: People are most likely exposed to these chemicals by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS. Although PFOS use has been phased out, it can still be found in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and air.
Statement 2 is correct: PFAS molecules have a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. Because the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest, these chemicals do not degrade easily in the environment, leading to long-term contamination.
Statement 3 is correct: PFAS can accumulate in the bodies of animals, including humans, through persistent exposure. They tend to concentrate in organs like the liver and kidneys and bio-accumulate up the food chain
UPSC 2024Ancient History · Art, Literature and Culture During Ancient Times
Q28. Consider the following statements: 1. There are no parables in Upanishads. 2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. The Upanishads do contain parables (short stories with moral or philosophical lessons). Examples include:
Nachiketa and Yama in the Katha Upanishad, which explores the concept of the soul and immortality.
Statement 2 is correct: The Upanishads (1000-500 BCE) were composed during the later Vedic period, forming the philosophical core of Hinduism. The Puranas, on the other hand, were compiled much later (mostly between 3rd to 10th century CE), making Upanishads earlier than Puranas.
Additional insight:
Upanishads: The Upanishads are ancient Indian texts that explore deep philosophical and spiritual ideas. They form the core of Vedanta philosophy and focus on concepts like Brahman (the ultimate reality), Atman (the soul), and Moksha (liberation). The Upanishads emphasize self-inquiry, meditation, and the relationship between the individual soul and the universe. Composed in Sanskrit mostly between 800 BCE and 200 BCE, they are considered the concluding part of the Vedas and contain teachings in the form of dialogues between teachers and students. Some of the most well-known Upanishads include the Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Katha, and Mundaka Upanishads. Puranas: The Puranas are a vast collection of Hindu scriptures that narrate myths, legends, history, and religious teachings. Written in Sanskrit, they were compiled mostly between the 3rd and 10th centuries CE to explain complex Vedic concepts in a simpler way. There are 18 major Puranas, including the Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, and Bhagavata Purana, each dedicated to different deities and aspects of the universe. They cover topics such as cosmology, genealogy of gods and kings, moral teachings, and rituals. The Puranas played a crucial role in shaping Hindu religious traditions and popular devotion.
Exam tip:
For S1, "No parables" extreme phrase. That means not even one story-like teaching exists in any of the numerous Upanishads. Likely false.
UPSC 2024Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q29. With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets? 1. Nayaputta 2. Shakyamuni 3.Tathagata Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Shakyamuni epithet is widely used in Buddhist texts such as the Lalitavistara Sutra and Mahayana scriptures for Gautama Buddha "Shakyamuni" means "Sage of the Shakya Clan." Gautama Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha in the Shakya clan which ruled the region of Kapilavastu (modern Nepal-India border). Tathagata means "The One Who Has Thus Gone (Tathagata) or Thus Come (Tatha-agata)," referring to Buddha’s enlightened state and transcendence over worldly existence. It is one of the most common epithets used by Gautama Buddha himself in Pali Canon texts like the Digha Nikaya and Majjhima Nikaya. "Nayaputta" is not an epithet of Gautama Buddha; rather, it refers to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism
UPSC 2024Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q30. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Statement I is correct: Chewing gum contributes significantly to environmental pollution due to its non-biodegrad-able nature. Most chewing gums are improperly disposed of, leading to litter on streets and microplastic pollution in water bodies.
Statement II is correct: Modern chewing gums often use synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, as part of their gum base, which are essentially plastics. These materials do not biodegrade easily, causing long-lasting environmental harm. The presence of plastic in gum makes it non-biodegradable and a significant contributor to pollution when improperly disposed of. Hence, Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
21
2024
(d) 1, 2 and 3
22
2024
(c) the lower court prohibiting the continuation of proceedings in a case.
23
2024
(a) Krishnadevaraya
24
2024
(d) Article 21
25
2024
(c) Madhyama-vyayoga
26
2024
(c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
27
2024
(d) 1, 2 and 3
28
2024
(b) 2 only
29
2024
(b) 2 and 3 only
30
2024
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on all subjects?
This page covers 89 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.
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 2024 Prelims are available for 30 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
