A selection of 25 solved questions — sign up free to practise all 75.
Q1Indian Economy·External Sector & TradePYQ 2010
Which one of the following best explains why FDI from Mauritius historically occupied a large share of total FDI inflows into India?
- AMauritius had a larger domestic market than India
- BThe Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement made routing investment through Mauritius tax-efficient for many investorsCorrect
- CIndia allowed FDI only from island economies
- DMauritius is a major global crude oil producer
Explanation
Correct. The India-Mauritius tax treaty historically encouraged treaty-based routing of investments due to capital gains tax advantages.
Q2Geography·Climatology and Atmospheric CirculationPYQ 2010
What causes wind to deflect toward left in the Southern Hemisphere?
- ATemperature
- BMagnetic field
- CRotation of the earthCorrect
- DPressure
Explanation
Correct. The Coriolis effect, caused by Earth's rotation, deflects moving objects to the left in the Southern Hemisphere and to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
Q3History & Culture·Gandhian Era (1919-1939)PYQ 2010
With reference to the Simon Commission's recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?
- AIt recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces.Correct
- BIt proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department.
- CIt suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre.
- DIt recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits.
Explanation
Correct. The Simon Commission recommended ending diarchy in the provinces and moving toward provincial autonomy with responsible government.
Q4Geography·Regional Geography of IndiaPYQ 2010
The approximate representations of land use classification in India is: [2010]
- ANet area sown 25%; forests 33%; other areas 42%
- BNet area sown 58%; forests 17%; other areas 25%
- CNet area sown 43%; forests 29%; other areas 28%
- DNet area sown 47%; forests 23%; other areas 30%Correct
Explanation
Correct. Approximately 47% of India's total geographical area is net sown area, about 23% is under forests, and the remaining 30% covers other categories including fallow land, barren land, and land under non-agricultural use.
Q5Science·Disease, Immunity and Public HealthPYQ 2010
Widespread resistance of malarial parasites to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malaria vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine?
- AMalaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium.Correct
- BMan does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection.
- CVaccines can be developed only against bacteria.
- DMan is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host.
Explanation
Correct. Multiple Plasmodium species (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale) with antigenic variation make it extremely difficult to design a single effective vaccine.
Q6Geography·Indian Resources and AgriculturePYQ 2010
When you travel in certain parts of India, you will notice red soil. What is the main reason for this colour?
- AAbundance of magnesium
- BAccumulated humus
- CPresence of ferric oxidesCorrect
- DAbundance of phosphates
Explanation
Correct. Red soil gets its distinctive colour from the presence of ferric oxides (iron oxide/Fe₂O₃) formed by the weathering of iron-rich crystalline and metamorphic rocks under warm, humid conditions.
Q7History & Culture·Indian Nationalism (1885-1919)PYQ 2010
Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention or of rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress session held in Surat in 1907. Which one of the following was not one of those resolutions?
- AAnnulment of partition of BengalCorrect
- BBoycott
- CNational education
- DSwadeshi
Explanation
Correct. The Calcutta session of 1906 adopted resolutions on swadeshi, boycott, national education and self-government. Annulment of Bengal partition was a central political demand but was not one of the four formal resolutions that became the flashpoint at Surat.
Q8Science·Disease, Immunity and Public HealthPYQ 2010
With regard to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the following statements is not correct?
- AThe chances of transmission from female to male are twice as likely as from male to female.Correct
- BThe chances of transmission are more if a person suffers from other sexually transmitted infections.
- CAn infected mother can transmit the infection during pregnancy, at childbirth and by breastfeeding.
- DThe risk of contracting infection from transfusion of infected blood is much higher than an exposure to contaminated needle.
Explanation
Correct (not correct statement). Epidemiological data shows that male-to-female transmission is actually more likely due to greater mucosal exposure, not the reverse.
Q9Indian Economy·Financial MarketsPYQ 2010
A 'bear' in the financial market denotes:
- AAn investor who believes that the price of a security will fallCorrect
- BAn investor who expects the share price to rise indefinitely
- CA shareholder who holds bonds as collateral against loans
- DA government agency that manages debt redemption
Explanation
Correct. A bear is a market participant who expects prices to decline and may sell securities in anticipation.
Q10History & Culture·Gandhian Era (1919-1939)PYQ 2010
For the Karachi session of Indian National Congress in 1931, presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme?
- AMahatma Gandhi
- BPandit Jawaharlal NehruCorrect
- CDr. Rajendra Prasad
- DDr. B. R. Ambedkar
Explanation
Correct. Jawaharlal Nehru drafted the Karachi Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme. It became a key bridge between nationalism and a rights-based constitutional vision.
Q11Polity & Governance·JudiciaryPYQ 2010
With reference to Lok Adalats, which of the following statements is correct?
- ALok Adalats have the jurisdiction to settle the matters at pre-litigation stage and not those matters pending before any court
- BLok Adalats can deal with matters which are civil and not criminal in nature
- CEvery Lok Adalat consists of either serving or retired judicial officers only and not any other person
- DNone of the statements given above is correctCorrect
Explanation
Correct. All three substantive statements are incorrect. Lok Adalats handle both pre-litigation and pending cases, can deal with compoundable criminal matters, and can include non-judicial members.
Q12Science·General Science Mixed ConceptsPYQ 2010
From the point of view of evolution of living organisms, which one of the following is the correct sequence of evolution?
- AOtter — Tortoise — Shark
- BShark — Tortoise — OtterCorrect
- CTortoise — Shark — Otter
- DShark — Otter — Tortoise
Explanation
Correct. Fish (shark) evolved first, followed by reptiles (tortoise), and then mammals (otter) — matching the progression of vertebrate evolution.
Q13History & Culture·Advent of Europeans and Company RulePYQ 2010
Who among the following Governor Generals created the Covenanted Civil Service of India which later came to be known as the Indian Civil Service?
- AWarren Hastings
- BWellesley
- CCornwallisCorrect
- DWilliam Bentinck
Explanation
Correct. Lord Cornwallis reformed the Company's administration by creating the Covenanted Civil Service, separating commercial and administrative functions and establishing a professional cadre of well-paid European civil servants.
Q14History & Culture·Advent of Europeans and Company RulePYQ 2010
With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements:
1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 onlyCorrect
- B2 and 3 only
- C3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Only statement 1 is accurate. The Portuguese were the first Europeans at Pondicherry. Statement 2 is debatable as the Danish and Dutch also had presence, and statement 3 is incorrect as the English captured Pondicherry multiple times during the Carnatic Wars.
Q15Indian Economy·Fiscal Policy & BudgetingPYQ 2010
Fiscal stimulus, in general, includes:
1. Cutting taxes
2. Increasing government expenditure
3. Abolishing all subsidies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Fiscal stimulus works by boosting aggregate demand through measures such as tax cuts and higher government spending. Abolishing all subsidies is neither necessary nor inherently expansionary.
Q16Polity & Governance·JudiciaryPYQ 2010
Consider the following statements:
The Supreme Court of India tenders advice to the President of India on matters of law or fact.
1. On its own initiative on any matter of larger public interest
2. If he seeks such an advice
3. Only if the matters relate to the Fundamental Rights of the citizens
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- C3 only
- D1 and 2
Explanation
Correct. Under Article 143, the Supreme Court gives advisory opinions only when the President makes a reference. The Court has no suo motu advisory power, and the reference is not confined to Fundamental Rights issues.
Q17Environment·Ecology BasicsPYQ 2010
Some species of plants are insectivorous. Why?
- ATheir growth in shady and dark places does not allow them to undertake sufficient photosynthesis and thus they depend on insects for nutrition
- BThey are adapted to grow in nitrogen-deficient soils and thus depend on insects for sufficient nitrogenous nutritionCorrect
- CThey cannot synthesize certain vitamins themselves and depend on the insects digested by them
- DThey have remained in that particular stage of evolution as living fossils, a link between autotrophs and heterotrophs
Explanation
Correct. Insectivorous plants typically grow in nitrogen-poor, acidic, or waterlogged soils. They trap and digest insects to supplement their nitrogen requirements.
Q18Environment·BiodiversityPYQ 2010
King Cobra is the only snake that makes its own nest. Why does it make its nest?
- AIt is a snake-eater and the nest helps attract other snakes
- BIt is a viviparous snake and needs a nest to give birth to its offspring
- CIt is an oviparous snake and lays its eggs in the nest and guards the nest until they are hatchedCorrect
- DIt is a large, cold-blooded animal and needs a nest to hibernate in the cold season
Explanation
Correct. The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is oviparous and is the only snake species known to build a nest from leaf litter. The female deposits her eggs inside and guards the nest for the entire incubation period of about 60-90 days.
Q19Indian Economy·Inflation & Price IndicesPYQ 2010
Deflation means:
- AA persistent fall in the general price levelCorrect
- BA fall in the rate of inflation while prices still rise
- CDepreciation of the domestic currency
- DA recession in the financial sector only
Explanation
Correct. Deflation is a sustained decline in the overall price level.
Q20Indian Economy·Public Finance & TaxationPYQ 2010
Which of the following was NOT stipulated in the original FRBM Act, 2003?
- AElimination of revenue deficit by a target year
- BRestriction on borrowing from RBI except under specified conditions
- CElimination of primary deficit by a target yearCorrect
- DLaying of fiscal policy statements before Parliament
Explanation
Correct. The original FRBM law did not stipulate elimination of primary deficit by a target year.
Q21History & Culture·Gandhian Era (1919-1939)PYQ 2010
Consider the following statements:
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to come to Champaran to investigate the problem of peasants.
2. Acharya J. B. Kripalani was one of Mahatma Gandhi's colleagues in his Champaran investigation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. Gandhi came to Champaran after repeated requests from Raj Kumar Shukla, not Rajendra Prasad. J. B. Kripalani did assist Gandhi in the Champaran campaign, so only the second statement is correct.
Q22Geography·Climatology and Atmospheric CirculationPYQ 2010
A geographic region has the following distinct characteristics:
1. Warm and dry climate
2. Mild and wet winter
3. Evergreen oak trees
The above features are the distinct characteristics of which one of the following regions?
- AMediterraneanCorrect
- BEastern China
- CCentral Asia
- DAtlantic coast of North America
Explanation
Correct. Hot dry summers, mild wet winters, and evergreen vegetation adapted to drought (like holm oak and cork oak) are hallmarks of the Mediterranean climate region.
Q23Geography·Physiography of IndiaPYQ 2010
Which one of the following is the appropriate reason for considering the Gondwana rocks as most important of rock systems of India?
- AMore than 90% of limestone reserves of India are found in them
- BMore than 90% of India's coal reserves are found in themCorrect
- CMore than 90% of fertile black cotton soils are spread over them
- DNone of the reasons given above is appropriate in this context
Explanation
Correct. The Gondwana rock system is of paramount economic importance because it contains over 90% of India's coal reserves, found in basins across Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
Q24Polity & Governance·Constitutional BodiesPYQ 2010
Who among the following shall cause every recommendation made by the Finance Commission to be laid before each House of Parliament?
- AThe President of IndiaCorrect
- BThe Speaker of Lok Sabha
- CThe Prime Minister of India
- DThe Union Finance Minister
Explanation
Correct. Article 281 mandates that the President shall cause every recommendation of the Finance Commission, together with an explanatory memorandum as to the action taken thereon, to be laid before each House of Parliament.
Q25Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2010
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty drawn at:
- AUnited Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972
- BUN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992Correct
- CWorld Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002
- DUN Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, 2009
Explanation
Correct. The UNFCCC was opened for signature at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and entered into force in 1994.