UPSC Prelims
Solved Papers

Consider the following statements:

1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.
2. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The jet aircraft fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation?

1. There are no clouds or water vapor in the lower stratosphere.
2. There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

What could be the main reason/reasons for the formation of the African and Eurasian desert belt?

1. It is located in the subtropical high-pressure cells.
2. It is under the influence of warm ocean currents.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

The lower Gangetic plain is characterized by a humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region?

Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:

1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity?

With reference to “Aam Admi Bima Yojana”, consider the following statements:

1. The member insured under the scheme must be the head of the family or an earning member of the family in a rural landless household.
2. The member insured must be in the age group of 30 to 65 years.
3. There is a provision for free scholarship for children of the insured who are studying between classes 9 and 12.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is?

Both foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign institutional investor (FII) are related to investment in a country. Which one of the following statements best represents an important difference between the two?

A layer in the Earth’s atmosphere called the ionosphere facilitates radio communication. Why?

1. The presence of ozone causes the reflection of radio waves to Earth.
2. Radio waves have a very long wavelength.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Karl Marx explained the process of class struggle with the help of which one of the following theories?

With reference to India, consider the following central acts:

1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947
2. Mining and Mineral Development (Regulation) Act, 1957
3. Customs Act, 1962
4. Indian Forest Act, 1927

Which of the above acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

The Himalayan Range is very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

If a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because?

In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase marine productivity by bringing the?

1. Decomposer microorganisms to the surface.
2. Nutrients to the surface.
3. Bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of?

1. Its escape into the outer stratosphere.
2. The photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans.
3. The trapping of air in the polar ice caps.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity:

1. Species richness
2. Vegetation density
3. Endemism
4. Ethno-botanical importance
5. Threat perception
6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions

Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?

The “New START” treaty was in the news. What is this treaty?

When the bark of a tree is removed in a circular fashion all around near its base, it gradually dries up and dies because?

A “closed economy” is an economy in which?

Which one of the following is not a feature of “Value Added Tax”?

Between India and East Asia, the navigation-time and distance can be greatly reduced by which of the following?

1. Deepening the Malacca Straits between Malaysia and Indonesia.
2. Opening a new canal across the Kra Isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and Andaman Sea.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Westerlies in the Southern Hemisphere are stronger and more persistent than in the Northern Hemisphere. Why?

1. Southern Hemisphere has less landmass as compared to the Northern Hemisphere.
2. Coriolis force is higher in the Southern Hemisphere as compared to the Northern Hemisphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The lowering of bank rate by the Reserve Bank of India leads to?

Economic growth is usually coupled with?