UPSC Prelims 2021

Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

1. (a)Distances among stellar bodies do not change.
2. (b)Gravity of stellar bodies does not change.
3. (c)Light always travels in straight line.
4. (d)Speed of light is always same.

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited. 2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements : 1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it. 2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister's charge. 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

'Right to Privacy' is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?

1. (a)Article 15
2. (b)Article 19
3. (c)Article 21
4. (d)Article 29

Consider the following statements : 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. 2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. 3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

No answer is recorded for this question: cancelled by UPSC — marks awarded to all candidates

Consider the following statements : 1. 'Right to the City' is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard. 2. 'Right to the City' gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city. 3. 'Right to the City' means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies in the city. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

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 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?

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

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?

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

At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

1. (a)Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
2. (b)Ministry of Panchayati Raj
3. (c)Ministry of Rural Development
4. (d)Ministry of Tribal Affairs

A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?

1. (a)Article 14
2. (b)Article 28
3. (c)Article 32
4. (d)Article 44

Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

1. (a)The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
2. (b)The Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.
3. (c)The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.
4. (d)The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law.

Which one of the following best defines the term 'State'?

1. (a)A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government
2. (b)A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance
3. (c)A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government
4. (d)A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary

With reference to Indian judiciary, consider the following statements : 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with prior permission of the President of India. 2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does. 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

With reference to India, consider the following statements : 1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile. 2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. 3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

1. (a)A committed judiciary
2. (b)Centralization of powers
3. (c)Elected government
4. (d)Separation of powers

Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates

1. (a)the Right to Equality
2. (b)the Directive Principles of State Policy
3. (c)the Right to Freedom
4. (d)the Concept of Welfare

What is the position of the Right to Property in India?

1. (a)Legal right available to citizens only
2. (b)Legal right available to any person
3. (c)Fundamental Right available to citizens only
4. (d)Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right

What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?

1. (a)A Democratic Republic
2. (b)A Sovereign Democratic Republic
3. (c)A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
4. (d)A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic

Constitutional government means

1. (a)a representative government of a nation with federal structure
2. (b)a government whose Head enjoys nominal powers
3. (c)a government whose Head enjoys real powers
4. (d)a government limited by the terms of the Constitution

With reference to India, the terms 'Halbi, Ho and Kui' pertain to

1. (a)dance forms of Northwest India
2. (b)musical instruments
3. (c)pre-historic cave paintings
4. (d)tribal languages

Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards : 1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. 2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once. 3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year. Which of the above statements are not correct?

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

Consider the following statements : Statement 1 : The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2 : Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. (a)Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
2. (b)Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
3. (c)Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
4. (d)Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000 : 1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award. 2. The award was received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far. 3. Roger Federer received this award maximum number of times compared to others. Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics : 1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’. 2. Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball are included in this Olympics. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship : 1. The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won. 2. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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