42 previous year questions from the 2008 UPSC Prelims paper, organised by subject — each solved with option-by-option explanations.
A selection of 25 solved questions — sign up free to practise all 42.
What is the number of spokes in the Dharma Chakra in the National Flag of India?
Explanation
Correct. The Ashoka Chakra (Dharma Chakra) at the centre of the Indian national flag has 24 spokes. It is derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, a UNESCO-significant monument. The 24 spokes represent the 24 hours of the day, symbolising continuous progress.
The UN Monetary and Financial Conference that established the IBRD and the IMF is popularly known as:
Explanation
Correct. The 1944 UN Monetary and Financial Conference held at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, created the IMF and IBRD.
Where was the First Session of the Indian National Congress held in December 1885?
Explanation
Correct. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay in December 1885, presided over by W.C. Bonnerjee with 72 delegates.
Which one of the following Union Ministries is implementing the Biodiesel Mission (as Nodal Ministry)?
Explanation
Correct. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal ministry for implementing the National Biodiesel Mission.
Which one of the following countries has the largest livestock population in the world?
Explanation
Correct. India has the largest livestock population in the world, including cattle, buffalo, goats and sheep.
Consider the following statements: The Constitution of India provides that: 1. The Legislative Assembly of each State shall consist of not more than 450 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State. 2. A person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Legislative Assembly of a State if he or she is less than 25 years of age. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Article 173 prescribes a minimum age of 25 years for election to a State Legislative Assembly. The upper limit of 450 in Statement 1 is wrong, hence only Statement 2 is correct.
In which one of the following states are Namchik-Namphuk Coalfields located?
Explanation
Correct. The Namchik-Namphuk coalfields are located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. They contain tertiary coal deposits.
Which one among the following has the maximum number of National Parks?
Explanation
Correct. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have nine National Parks, the highest number for any state or union territory in India.
Which one of the following journals was brought out by Abul Kalam Azad? [2008]
Explanation
Correct. Abul Kalam Azad edited and published Al-Hilal (1912), an influential Urdu nationalist journal, and later Al-Balagh (1915).
Bimbavati Devi is a well-known dancer of which type of dance? [2008]
Explanation
Correct. Bimbavati Devi is associated with the Manipuri classical dance tradition and has been recognised for her contributions to this form.
What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutra) relate to?
Explanation
Correct. The Baudhayana Sulba Sutra contains a geometric relationship equivalent to the Pythagorean theorem, stating the relationship between the sides of a right-angled triangle. It predates Pythagoras by several centuries and was used in Vedic altar construction.
Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed?
Explanation
Correct. The Rowlatt Act was enacted in 1919 during the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921). Its passage triggered intense nationalist protest across India.
Which one of the following is the largest area-wise Lok Sabha constituency?
Explanation
Correct. Ladakh is the largest Lok Sabha constituency by geographical area, spanning the vast high-altitude region of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
What is the purpose of the US Space Agency's THEMIS Mission, which was recently in the news?
Explanation
Correct. NASA's THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) mission uses five spacecraft to study substorms in Earth's magnetosphere that trigger the auroral displays (Northern and Southern Lights) at high latitudes.
In the context of the Indian defence, what is 'Dhruv'?
Explanation
Correct. Dhruv (ALH) is an Advanced Light Helicopter designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for both military and civilian use.
Who amongst the following followers of Gandhi was a teacher by profession?
Explanation
Correct. J. B. Kripalani had an academic background and worked as a teacher before rising to prominence in nationalist politics under Gandhi's leadership.
During the time of which Mughal Emperor did the English East India Company establish its first factory in India?
Explanation
Correct. The English East India Company established its first factory at Surat during Jahangir's reign, receiving an imperial firman in 1613. Jahangir ruled from 1605 to 1627.
Assertion (A): In the human body, the liver has an important role in fat digestion. Reason (R): Liver produces two important fat-digesting enzymes. Select the correct answer.
Explanation
Correct. The liver aids fat digestion by producing bile which emulsifies fats, making A true. However, the liver does not produce fat-digesting enzymes (lipases come from the pancreas), making R false.
Which was the capital of Andhra State when it was made a separate State in the year 1953?
Explanation
Correct. When Andhra State was carved out of the composite Madras State in 1953, Kurnool was designated as its capital. Hyderabad became the capital later when Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956.
Which Schedule of the Constitution of India contains special provisions for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas in several States?
Explanation
Correct. The Fifth Schedule deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in States other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (which are covered under the Sixth Schedule).
Who among the following translated the autobiography of Madame Curie into Hindi? [2008]
Explanation
Correct. Lal Bahadur Shastri translated the autobiography of Marie Curie into Hindi, reflecting his literary interests alongside his political career.
Mixture of which one of the following pairs of gases is the cause of occurrence of most of the explosions in mines?
Explanation
Correct. Methane (firedamp) seeps naturally from coal seams and forms explosive mixtures with air at concentrations of 5-15%, making it the primary cause of mine explosions.
Nobel Prize winning scientist James D. Watson is known for his work in which area?
Explanation
Correct. James Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, received the 1962 Nobel Prize for discovering the double-helix structure of DNA.
Match List-I (Author) with List-II (Work): [2008] A. Bankimchandra — 1. Shatranj ke Khilari B. Dinabandhu Mitra — 2. Debi Chaudhurani C. Premchand — 3. Nil-Darpan 4. Chandrakanta
Explanation
Correct. Bankimchandra wrote Debi Chaudhurani, Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Nil-Darpan (about indigo farmers' exploitation), and Premchand wrote Shatranj ke Khilari.
Assertion (A): Radio waves bend in a magnetic field. Reason (R): Radio waves are electromagnetic in nature.
Explanation
Correct. Radio waves, being electromagnetic waves, do not carry electric charge and therefore are not deflected by a magnetic field. However, the reason is true — radio waves are indeed electromagnetic in nature.
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