SawaalBoxसवाल बॉक्स

UPSC Prelims 2025

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2025 · Q26GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is more in subtropical and temperate areas than in equatorial and polar regions. Statement II : Subtropical and temperate areas have less dry winds. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
  3. (c)Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
  4. (d)Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct

2025 · Q27GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and poleward while crossing the oceans. Statement II : In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
  3. (c)Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
  4. (d)Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I

2025 · Q28GeographyPhysical Geography & Geomorphologymoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : In the context of effect of water on rocks, chalk is known as a very permeable rock whereas clay is known as quite an impermeable or least permeable rock. Statement II : Chalk is porous and hence can absorb water. Statement III : Clay is not at all porous. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
  3. (c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
  4. (d)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I

2025 · Q29Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gaseseasy

Consider the following statements : I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth’s surface. II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet’s average temperature. III. Atmosphere’s gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)I and III only
  2. (b)I and II only
  3. (c)I, II and III
  4. (d)II and III only
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) I, II and III

2025 · Q30Indian EconomyAgriculture & Rural Developmentmoderate

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission : I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)I only
  2. (b)II only
  3. (c)Both I and II
  4. (d)Neither I nor II
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) Both I and II

2025 · Q31Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbon emissions. Statement II : Silica-bearing clay is mixed with limestone while manufacturing cement. Statement III : Limestone is converted into lime during clinker production for cement manufacturing. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
  3. (c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
  4. (d)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I

2025 · Q32Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitsmoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the ‘Declaration on Climate and Health’. Statement II : The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector. Statement III : If India’s health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
  3. (c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
  4. (d)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I

2025 · Q33GeographyAstronomy & Earth–Sun Systemmoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth’s rotation and axis. Statement II : Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth’s outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy. Statement III : As the Earth’s polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
  3. (c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
  4. (d)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I

2025 · Q34Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitsmoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Statement II : Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets. Statement III : Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
  3. (c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
  4. (d)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I

2025 · Q36Environment & EcologyClimate Changemoderate

With reference to ‘Direct Air Capture’, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration. II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing. III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)I and II only
  2. (b)III only
  3. (c)I, II and III
  4. (d)None of the above statements is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) I, II and III

2025 · Q38Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Consider the following statements : I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0·5 t CO2/capita. II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region. III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)I and III only
  2. (b)II only
  3. (c)II and III only
  4. (d)I, II and III
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) II and III only

2025 · Q40Environment & EcologyBiogeochemical Cycles & Earth Systemsmoderate

With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements : I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans. II. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen. III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)I and II
  2. (b)II only
  3. (c)I and III
  4. (d)None of the above statements is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(b) II only

2025 · Q48Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticseasy

With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements : I. They are man-made proteins. II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens. III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)I and II only
  2. (b)II and III only
  3. (c)I and III only
  4. (d)I, II and III
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(d) I, II and III

2025 · Q50Environment & EcologyPollution & Waste Managementmoderate

Consider the following statements : Statement I : Activated carbon is a good and an attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries. Statement II : Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals. Statement III : Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
  2. (b)Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
  3. (c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
  4. (d)Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I