Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) Previous Years Questions and Answers

1 .

Consider the following statements:

1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.

2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs ‘in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 only

B)

2 only

C)

Both 1 and 2

D)

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 only

Note :

Statement 1 is incorrect: ISC is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together the private sector, government, financial institutions, civil society groups, media, donors/bi-lateral/multilateral, experts etc. to work in the sanitation space to drive sustainable sanitation through a partnership model.

Statement 2 is correct: The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is India’s leading national think tank on urban planning and development. As a hub for generation and dissemination of cutting-edge research in the urban sector, NIUA seeks to provide innovative solutions to address the challenges of a fast urbanising India.

It is against this backdrop that in 1976, NIUA was appointed as an apex body to support and guide the Government of India in its urban development plans. Since then, it has worked closely with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, alongside other government and civil sectors, to identify key areas of research, and address the lacunae in urban policy and planning.

Source : niua

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

2 .

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it?

A)

This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.

B)

This would create a local self-governing body in that area.

C)

This would convert that area into a Union Territory.

D)

The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.

Correct Answer : This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.

Note :

Statement (a) is correct: Governor can make regulations for the peace and good government of a scheduled area after consulting the tribes advisory council. Such regulations may prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by tribal to non tribal members or among members of the scheduled tribes, regulate the allotment of land to members of the scheduled tribes.

Statement (b) is incorrect: Tribal advisory council is an advisory body , not a governing body.

Statement (c) and (d) are incorrect (Self explanatory)

Source: Laxmikanth

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

3 .

In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO) ?

1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.

2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.

3. It hears any objection to the Government’s notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.

4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A)

1, 2 and 3

B)

3 and 4 only

C)

1 and 2 only

D)

1, 2 and 4

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1, 2 and 3

Note :

Statement 1 is correct: Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority with respect to coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India.

Statement 2 is correct: Functioning of the Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO)is entrusted with the task of monitoring captive mines.

Statement 3 is correct: Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government’s Notification relating to acquisition of coal bearing land and to furnish his reports to Central Govt.

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

4 .

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, etrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing worker?

A)

Central Statistics Office

B)

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

C)

Labour Bureau

D)

National Technical Manpower Information System

Correct Answer : Labour Bureau

Note : Labour Bureau has been bringing out Statistics on ?Industrial Disputes, Closures, Retrenchments and Lay-offs in India? based on the voluntary returns received every month from the Labour Departments of the States and Union Territories and the Regional Labour Commissioners

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

5 .

Consider the following pairs:

Reservoirs States

1. Ghataprabha – Telangana

2. Gandhi Sagar – Madhya Pradesh

3. Indira Sagar – Andhra Pradesh

4. Maithon – Chhattisgarh

How many pairs given above are not correctly matched ?

A)

Only one pair

B)

Only two pairs

C)

Only three pairs

D)

All four pairs

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Only one pair

Note :

Only one pair is correct.

Ghataprabha- Karnataka

Gandhi Sagar- Madhya Pradesh

Indira Sagar – Madhya Pradesh

Maithon- Jharkhand

Source : Indian Geography, Indian Map

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

6 .

With reference to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), consider the following statements :

1. They enable the digital representation of physical assets.

2. They are unique cryptographic tokens that exist on a blockchain.

3. They can be traded or exchanged at equivalency and therefore can be used as a medium of commercial transactions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

1 and 3 only 1

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1 and 2 only

Note :

* NFTs typically contain references to digital files such as photos, videos, and audio. Because NFTs are uniquely identifiable, they differ from cryptocurrencies, which are fungible. The market value of an NFT is associated with the digital file it references.

* Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are cryptographic assets on a blockchain with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them from each other.

* Statement 3 is incorrect : Unlike cryptocurrencies, they cannot be traded or exchanged at equivalency. This differs from fungible tokens like cryptocurrencies, which are identical to each other and, therefore, can serve as a medium for commercial transactions.

* NFTs are unique cryptographic tokens that exist on a blockchain and cannot be replicated.

* NFTs can represent real-world items like artwork and real estate.

* "Tokenizing" these real-world tangible assets makes buying, selling, and trading them more efficient while reducing the probability of fraud.

* NFTs can also function to represent individuals' identities, property rights, and more.

* The distinct construction of each NFT has the potential for several use cases. For example, they are an ideal vehicle to digitally represent physical assets like real estate and artwork. Because they are based on blockchains, NFTs can also work to remove intermediaries and connect artists with audiences or for identity management. NFTs can remove intermediaries, simplify transactions, and create new markets.

More Sources : Investopedia and Website Planet

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

7 .

In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation?

A)

Department of Consumer Affairs

B)

Expenditure Management Commission

C)

Financial Stability and Development Council

D)

Reserve Bank of India

Correct Answer : Reserve Bank of India

Note :

* Reserve Bank of India is responsible for maintaining price stability and controlling inflation.

* It is the responsibility of MPC in India, but RBI itself plays a large role in MPC and also carries out task of monetary policy committee.

* So RBI is the correct answer if MPC is not given in the options.

Source : Monetary Functions by RBI

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

8 .

Consider the following statements :

1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent years.

2. Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.

3. Vietnam's economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.

4. For a long time Vietnam's low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers.

5. Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A)

2 and 4

B)

3 and 5

C)

1, 3 and 4

D)

1 and 2

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 1, 3 and 4

Note :

Statement 1 is correct: According to a forecast by PricewaterhouseCoopers in February 2017, Vietnam may be the fastest-growing of the world's economies, with a potential annual GDP growth rate of about 5.1%, which would make its economy the 10th-largest in the world by 2050.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Vietnam is a Marxist–Leninist one-party state based on democratic centralism.

Statement 3 is correct: Vietnam’s economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.

Statement 4 is correct: Vietnam has low labour costs and stable exchange rates which attract global investments.

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

9 .

Consider the following:

1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

2. Missile Technology Control Regime

3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

India is a member of which of the above ?

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

3 only

C)

2 and 3 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 1, 2 and 3

Note :

India is the member of all the Organizations.

* The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).

* Missile Technology Control Regime: On 27 June, India became a full member of the MTCR after a “deal” was struck with Italy. This marks the first entry into any multilateral export control regime for India.

* Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: On 24 October 2014, twenty-one countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the AIIB in Beijing, China: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Source : Organizations in News, The Hindu

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

10 .

With reference to Convertible Bonds, consider the following statements :

1. As there is an option to exchange the bond for equity, Convertible Bonds pay a lower rate of interest.

2. The option to convert to equity affords the bondholder a degree of indexation to rising consumer prices.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

A)

1 only

B)

2 only

C)

Both 1 and 2

D)

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Both 1 and 2

Note :

Both the statements are correct.

Convertible bonds : Convertible bonds are hybrid securities that offer investors the best of both stocks and bonds. Like any other kind of bond, they provide a guaranteed income stream and pay back the amount you originally lent the company.

Convertible bonds typically carry lower interest rates payments than straight corporate bonds—the savings in interest expense can be significant. Investors accept the lower interest payments because the conversion option offers the opportunity to benefit from increases in the stock price. Hence statement 1 is correct.

Governments might use indexation as a way to potentially alleviate the negative effects inflation can have on the recipients of transfer payments and entitlements. Social Security payments, for example, are indexed to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Source : Forbes, Corporate Finance Institute paper on Convertible Bonds

Year : 2022

Category : General Studies

UPSC Previous Years (Prelims & Mains) Questions