UPSC Prelims 2014 | Prelims Collection

2014 Ancient History

Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2014 Art & Culture

Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?

2014 Economy

What does venture capital mean?

2014 Environment & Ecology

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?

2014 Geography

The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of -

2014 Indian Polity

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

2014 International Relations

Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from

2014 Medieval History

In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for

2014 Modern History

What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to annex the Indian States 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown 3. To regulate East India...

2014 Science & Technology

Consider the following: 1. Bats 2. Bears 3. Rodents The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

2014 Social Issues & Schemes

What is/are the facility/facilities the beneficiaries can get from the services of Business Correspondent (Bank Saathi) in branchless areas? 1. It enables the beneficiaries to draw their subsidies and social security ...

2014 Art & Culture

Consider the following pairs 1. Garba : Gujarat 2. Mohiniattam : Odisha 3. Yakshagana : Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

2014 Economy

The terms ‘Marginal Standing Facility Rate’ and ‘Net Demand and Time Liabilities’, sometimes appearing in the news, are used in relation to

2014 Environment & Ecology

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’: 1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO. 2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year. 3. It ...

2014 Geography

Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms? 1. Continental drift 2. Glacial cycles Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2014 Indian Polity

In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

2014 International Relations

Consider the following countries: 1. Denmark 2. Japan 3. Russian Federation 4. United Kingdom 5. United States of America Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council ‘?

2014 Modern History

The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the -

2014 Science & Technology

Which reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a surface-to-surface missile. 2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only. 3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads abo...

2014 Art & Culture

With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India. Consider the following pairs: |Famous Shrine|Location| |-- |--| |1. Tabo monastery and temple complex | Spiti Valley| |2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple|Na...

2014 Economy

The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a

2014 Environment & Ecology

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? 1. Terrace cultivation 2. Deforestation 3. Tropical climate Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2014 Geography

If you travel through the Himalayas, you are Likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there? 1. Oak 2. Rhododendron 3. Sandalwood Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2014 Indian Polity

Which of the following are discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? 1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing President's rule 2. Appointing the Ministers 3. Reserving certain bills pass...

2014 International Relations

With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements: 1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009. 2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping. W...

2014 Modern History

The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a

2014 Science & Technology

Consider the following diseases 1. Diphtheria 2. Chickenpox 3. Smallpox Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

2014 Art & Culture

With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to

2014 Economy

In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constrain...

2014 Environment & Ecology

Consider the following statements: 1. Maize can be used for the production of starch. 2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel. 3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize. Which of the...

2014 Geography

With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements: 1. Coal bed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale ga...

2014 Indian Polity

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

2014 International Relations

Consider the following pairs |Region often in news|Country| |-- |--| |1. Chechnya|Russian Federation| |2. Darfur|Mali| |3. Swat Valley | Iraq| Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

2014 Modern History

The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to -

2014 Science & Technology

Consider the following techniques/phenomena: 1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants 2. Cytoplasmic male sterility 3. Gene silencing Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?

2014 Art & Culture

With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is base...

2014 Economy

If the interest rate is decreased in an economy, it will

2014 Environment & Ecology

With reference to the Neem tree, consider the following statements: 1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites. 2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture o...

2014 Geography

Which one of the following pairs of islands are separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’?

2014 Indian Polity

Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat? 1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings 2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees 3. Allocation of financial resources to th...

2014 Modern History

The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until -

2014 Science & Technology

Consider the following pairs : |Vitamin|Deficiency disease| |-- |--| |1. Vitamin C | Scurvy| |2. Vitamin D|Rickets| |3. Vitamin E | Night blindness| Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

2014 Art & Culture

With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statement: 1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand. 2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield fine wool. 3. They are kept in the category...

2014 Economy

With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account? 1. Balance of trade 2. Foreign assets 3. Balance of invisibles 4. Special Drawing Right Select the correct ans...

2014 Environment & Ecology

Consider the following international agreements: 1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 3. The World Heritage Convent...

2014 Geography

Turkey is located between

2014 Indian Polity

Consider the following statements: 1. The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business. 2. All ...

2014 Science & Technology

Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

2014 Art & Culture

Consider the following statements: 1. ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal. 2. The Philosophy of PushtiMarg was propounded by Madhvacharya. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2014 Economy

In the context of Indian economy which of the following is/are the purpose/purposes of ‘Statutory Reserve Requirements’? 1. To enable the Central Bank to control the amount of advances the banks can create 2. To make ...

2014 Environment & Ecology

What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’? 1. Prevention of soil runoff 2. Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers 3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge ...

2014 Geography

|Region|Well known for the production of| |-- |--| |1. Kinnaur (Himachal) | Areca nut| |2. Mewat (Haryana)|Mango| |3. Coromandel (TN-Andhra) | Soya bean| Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

2014 Indian Polity

Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India: 1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India. 2. A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sab...

2014 Science & Technology

In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of the following can be used in the biometric identification of a person? 1. Iris scanning 2. Retinal scanning 3. Voice recognition Select the correct answer using the code ...

2014 Art & Culture

Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?

2014 Economy

With reference to Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure? 1. Defence -expenditure 2. Interest payments 3. Salaries and pensions 4. Subsidies Select the correct answer using the...

2014 Environment & Ecology

With reference to a conservation organization called Wetlands International, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories t...

2014 Geography

What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north? 1. Bangkok 2. Hanoi 3. Jakarta 4. Singapore Select the correct answer using the code given be...

2014 Indian Polity

Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

2014 Science & Technology

Which of the following is/are the example/examples of chemical change? 1. Crystallization of sodium chloride 2. Melting of ice 3. Souring of milk Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2014 Art & Culture

A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their -

2014 Economy

Which of the following are associated with ‘Planning’ in India? 1. The Finance Commission 2. The National Development Council 3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development 4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development 5. Th...

2014 Environment & Ecology

With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements : 1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. 2. It strives to conserve nature through ...

2014 Geography

Consider the following pairs : | National Highway | Cities Connected | |------------------|--------------------------| | 1. NH 4 | Chennai and Hyderabad | | 2. NH 6 | Mumbai and Kol...

2014 Indian Polity

Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

2014 Science & Technology

Which of the following pair is/are correctly matched? |Spacecraft|Purpose| |-- |--| |1. Cassini-Huygens | Orbiting Venus and transmitting data to the Earth| |2. Messenger|Mapping and investigating the Mercury| |3. Voy...

2014 Art & Culture

Consider the following towns of India: 1. Bhadrachalam 2. Chanderi 3. Kancheepuram 4. Karnal Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees / fabric?

2014 Economy

In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?

2014 Environment & Ecology

Which of the following have coral reefs? 1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2. Gulf of Kutch 3. Gulf of Mannar 4. Sunderbans Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2014 Geography

Consider the following rivers: 1. Barak 2. Lohit 3. Subansiri Which of the above flows / flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

2014 Indian Polity

Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which - 1. Places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority 2. Places effective restrictions on the Authority...

2014 Science & Technology

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetativ...

2014 Art & Culture

With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: |Famous work of sculpture|Site| |-- |--| |1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and...

2014 Economy

Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as ‘World Economic Outlook’?

2014 Environment & Ecology

Consider the following pairs |Wetlands|Confluence of rivers| |-- |--| |1. Harike Wetlands | Beas and Satluj/Sutlej| |2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park|Banas and Chambal| |3. Kolleru Lake | Confluence of Musi and Krishna...

2014 Geography

Consider these pairs - 1. Cardamom Hills -- Coromandel Coast 2. Kaimur Hills -- Konkan Coast 3. Mahadeo Hills -- Central India 4. Mikir Hills -- North-East India Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

2014 Science & Technology

Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of the other three?

2014 Art & Culture

Consider the following languages: 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language / Languages’ by the Government?

2014 Economy

The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is

2014 Environment & Ecology

Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

2014 Geography

Consider the following pairs 1. Dampa Tiger Reserve: Mizoram 2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary: Sikkim 3. Saramati Peak: Nagaland Which of the above pairs is /are correctly matched?

2014 Art & Culture

The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

2014 Economy

Programme/ Project Ministry 1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture 2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests 3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Mi...

2014 Environment & Ecology

If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?

2014 Art & Culture

Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was

2014 Environment & Ecology

There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? 1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water a...

2014 Art & Culture

With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?

2014 Environment & Ecology

What is the significance of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as ‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative’? 1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation. 2. Drip irriga...

2014 Environment & Ecology

If you walk through the countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses, Which of the following is/are such bird/birds? 1. ...

2014 Environment & Ecology

With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct

2014 Environment & Ecology

Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth? 1. Volcanic action 2. Respiration 3. Photosynthesis 4. The decay of organic matter Select the correct answer using the code give...

2014 Environment & Ecology

Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use? 1. They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment. 2. They are ab...

2014 Environment & Ecology

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The purpose of the declar...

2014 Environment & Ecology

Which of the following are some important pollutants released by the steel industry in India? 1. Oxides of sulphur 2. Oxides of nitrogen 3. Carbon monoxide 4. Carbon dioxide Select the correct answer using the code g...

2014 Environment & Ecology

With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements: 1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar ...

2014 Environment & Ecology

The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above the pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its poss...

2014 Environment & Ecology

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body. 3. National Ganga River Ba...

2014 Environment & Ecology

Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

2014 Environment & Ecology

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

2014 Environment & Ecology

Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins? 1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers 2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers 3. Ge...