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UPSC Prelims 2018

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2018 · Q78Current AffairsIndian Government Schemes & Initiativesmoderate

With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements : 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy. 3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 2 and 3 only

2018 · Q82GeographyPhysical Geography & Geomorphologymoderate

With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements : 1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. 2. Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle. 3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 3 only

2018 · Q83Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitseasy

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at

  1. (a)The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
  2. (b)The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
  3. (c)The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
  4. (d)The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi
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Official answer(b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro

2018 · Q87Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptsmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. Most of the world's coral reefs are in tropical waters. 2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines. 3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2018 · Q91Modern HistoryPost-Independence Indiamoderate

Consider the following events : 1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India. 2. India's then largest bank, 'Imperial Bank of India', was renamed 'State Bank of India'. 3. Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier. 4. Goa became a part of independent India. Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?

  1. (a)4 – 1 – 2 – 3
  2. (b)3 – 2 – 1 – 4
  3. (c)4 – 2 – 1 – 3
  4. (d)3 – 1 – 2 – 4
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Official answer(b) 3 – 2 – 1 – 4

2018 · Q92Indian PolityFundamental Rightseasy

Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement ?

  1. (a)Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution
  2. (b)Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV
  3. (c)Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III
  4. (d)Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment to the Constitution
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Official answer(c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III

2018 · Q95Science & TechnologySpace Technology & Astronomymoderate

With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements : 1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3
  3. (c)1 and 2
  4. (d)3 only
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2018 · Q96Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements : 1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Government of India has steadily increased in the last decade. 2. To put the public sector banks in order, the merger of associate banks with the parent State Bank of India has been affected. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2018 · Q98Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006. 2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights. 3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only

2018 · Q100Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestrymoderate

With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements : 1. ‘The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development. 2. ‘The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’ (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP. 3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only