UPSC Prelims 2024 — solved PYQs

Question 1

Consider the following statements:
1. The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.
2. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.
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

Accepted Answer

(C) Both 1 and 2 — Correct. The Red Sea lies in an arid belt receiving very little precipitation and has no major perennial river inflow. These factors contribute to its exceptionally high salinity.

Question 2

Consider the following statements regarding 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam':
1. Its provisions will come into effect from the 18th Lok Sabha.
2. It will be in force for 15 years after becoming an Act.
3. It provides reservation of seats for Scheduled Caste women within the quota reserved for Scheduled Castes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1, 2 and 3 (B) 1 and 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1 and 3 only

Accepted Answer

(C) 2 and 3 only — Correct. The reservation is to remain in force for 15 years (Statement 2), and the 106th Amendment explicitly provides reservation for Scheduled Caste women within the SC quota (Statement 3). Statement 1 is incorrect as the timing depends on delimitation.

Question 3

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Rainfall is one of the reasons for weathering of rocks.
Statement II: Rain water contains carbon dioxide in solution.
Statement III: Rain water contains atmospheric oxygen.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I (B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement I (C) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (D) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Accepted Answer

(A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I — Correct. Dissolved carbon dioxide makes rainwater weakly acidic (carbonic acid), enabling chemical weathering of rocks. Dissolved atmospheric oxygen enables oxidation of iron-bearing minerals. Both processes contribute to rock weathering.

Question 4

With reference to 'water vapour', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.
2. Its percentage is maximum at the poles.
Select the answer using the code given below. (A) 1 only (B) 2 only (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) Neither 1 nor 2

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 only — Correct. Water vapour is concentrated in the lower atmosphere because it enters the air mainly through surface evaporation. Its percentage is highest in warm, humid tropical zones, not at the cold poles.

Question 5

If the United States were to default on its Treasury obligations, holders of US Treasury Bonds would face payment risk because: (A) Their claim depends on the credit and promise of the US Government (B) Treasury bonds are always backed by physical gold kept with investors (C) They can never legally claim any payment under any circumstances (D) Treasury bonds are not debt instruments at all

Accepted Answer

(A) Their claim depends on the credit and promise of the US Government — Correct. Sovereign bond repayment rests on the issuer's creditworthiness and legal commitment rather than backing by specific hard assets.

Question 6

One of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen? (A) Hydrogen peroxide (B) Hydronium (C) Oxygen (D) Water vapour

Accepted Answer

(D) Water vapour — Correct. In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour as the only exhaust emission.

Question 7

Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has co-evolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree? (A) Fig (B) Mahua (C) Sandalwood (D) Silk cotton

Accepted Answer

(A) Fig — Correct. Fig trees (Ficus) have an obligate mutualism with fig wasps (family Agaonidae); each fig species is pollinated exclusively by its specific wasp partner.

Question 8

With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:
1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution.
2. A bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
3. A bill in regard to which the President has notified intention to summon the Houses to a joint sitting lapses on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 1 and 2 (C) 2 and 3 (D) 3 only

Accepted Answer

(B) 1 and 2 — Correct. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on dissolution (Statement 1). A bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha also lapses on dissolution (Statement 2). However, a bill for which the President has notified intention to summon a joint sitting does not lapse because the joint sitting mechanism preserves it (Statement 3 is incorrect).

Question 9

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to: (A) A government officer prohibiting him from taking a particular action (B) The Parliament or legislative Assembly to pass a law on prohibition (C) The lower court prohibiting continuation of proceedings in a case (D) The Government prohibiting it from following an unconstitutional policy

Accepted Answer

(C) The lower court prohibiting continuation of proceedings in a case — Correct. A writ of prohibition is issued by a superior court to an inferior court or tribunal to stop proceedings that exceed jurisdiction or violate the law. It is preventive in nature, unlike certiorari which quashes a decision already made.

Question 10

Consider the following:
1. Pyroclastic debris
2. Ash and dust
3. Nitrogen compounds
4. Sulphur compounds
How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) Only three (D) All four

Accepted Answer

(D) All four — Correct. Volcanic eruptions eject solid materials such as pyroclastic debris, ash and dust, and also release gases containing sulphur compounds (SO2, H2S) and nitrogen compounds along with water vapour and CO2.

Question 11

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India?
1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IXA of the Constitution.
2. Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution.
3. Provisions related to amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the Constitution. (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. Part IXA deals with Municipalities (added by the 74th Amendment), Part XVIII covers Emergency Provisions, and Part XX contains Article 368 relating to the amendment of the Constitution. All three statements correctly identify the relevant Parts.

Question 12

With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements. While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration:
1. He or she shall not preside.
2. He or she shall not have the right to speak.
3. He or she shall not be entitled to vote on the resolution in the first instance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 1 and 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 only — Correct. Under Article 96, the Speaker shall not preside while a resolution for removal is being considered. However, the Speaker retains the right to speak and participate in proceedings, and is entitled to vote in the first instance on the resolution (unlike the normal casting-vote-only rule).

Question 13

With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct? (A) Ghaghara - Gomati - Gandak - Kosi (B) Gomati - Ghaghara - Gandak - Kosi (C) Ghaghara - Gomati - Kosi - Gandak (D) Gomati - Ghaghara - Kosi - Gandak

Accepted Answer

(B) Gomati - Ghaghara - Gandak - Kosi — Correct. Moving eastward after Prayagraj, the Gomati joins first (near Varanasi), followed by the Ghaghara, then the Gandak, and finally the Kosi farther east in Bihar.

Question 14

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the 'vermin' category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I (B) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I (C) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect (D) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

Accepted Answer

(C) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect — Correct. The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius) has been listed under the vermin category of the Wildlife Protection Act. However, it is a fruit bat feeding on fruits and flower nectar, not a blood-feeder.

Question 15

Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 and 2 only — Correct. Lions breed throughout the year without a fixed season, and cheetahs lack the laryngeal anatomy to roar. Statement 3 is wrong because male leopards do scent-mark their territories.

Question 16

Recently, the term 'pumped-storage hydropower' is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following? (A) Irrigation of terraced crop fields (B) Lift irrigation of cereal crops (C) Long duration energy storage (D) Rainwater harvesting system

Accepted Answer

(C) Long duration energy storage — Correct. Pumped-storage hydropower stores energy by pumping water uphill during surplus generation and releasing it through turbines during peak demand, enabling long-duration storage.

Question 17

Consider the following countries:
1. Finland
2. Germany
3. Norway
4. Russia
How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) Only three (D) All four

Accepted Answer

(B) Only two — Correct. Germany and Norway border the North Sea. Finland borders the Baltic Sea and the Arctic Ocean, while Russia's European coast fronts the Baltic and Arctic seas, not the North Sea.

Question 18

Consider the following statements:
1. Non-Banking Financial Companies can access the RBI's Liquidity Adjustment Facility like scheduled banks.
2. Foreign portfolio investors can hold Government securities in India subject to the applicable framework.
3. Stock exchanges can provide separate debt trading platforms.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 3 only (C) 1, 2 and 3 (D) 2 and 3 only

Accepted Answer

(D) 2 and 3 only — Correct. FPIs can hold Government securities and stock exchanges can operate debt platforms, but NBFCs do not access LAF as banks do.

Question 19

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars.
Statement-II: Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I (B) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I (C) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect (D) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Accepted Answer

(D) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct — Correct. Giant stars have higher nuclear reaction rates (Statement-II is true) but this causes them to exhaust fuel faster, giving them shorter, not longer, lifespans (Statement-I is false).

Question 20

How many Delimitation Commissions had been constituted by the Government of India till December 2023? (A) One (B) Two (C) Three (D) Four

Accepted Answer

(D) Four — Correct. Delimitation Commissions were set up in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002, making a total of four up to December 2023.

Question 21

Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal? (A) Krishnadevaraya (B) Narasimha Saluva (C) Muhammad Shah III (D) Yusuf Adil Shah

Accepted Answer

(A) Krishnadevaraya — Correct. Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire maintained friendly commercial relations with the Portuguese and permitted them to build a fort at Bhatkal, a key trading port on the western coast.

Question 22

Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world? (A) Algeria and Morocco (B) Botswana and Namibia (C) Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana (D) Madagascar and Mozambique

Accepted Answer

(C) Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana — Correct. West Africa dominates global cocoa production, with Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana consistently ranking as the two largest producers, together accounting for more than 60 per cent of world output.

Question 23

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?
1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this exercise.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.
Select the answer using the code given below: (A) 1, 2 and 3 (B) 1, 2 and 4 (C) 1, 3 and 4 (D) 2, 3 and 4

Accepted Answer

(D) 2, 3 and 4 — Correct. Mitra Shakti is the India-Sri Lanka joint exercise. The 2023 edition began at Aundh in Pune, focused on counter-terrorism cooperation, and included Indian Air Force participation.

Question 24

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles.
Statement II: At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I (B) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I (C) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect (D) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

Accepted Answer

(A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I — Correct. The troposphere extends to about 16 km at the equator but only 8 km at the poles. Intense solar heating drives deep convection that pushes the tropopause higher at the equator.

Question 25

Consider the following description:
1. Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.
2. Precipitation occurs throughout the year.
3. Precipitation varies between 50 cm - 250 cm.
What is this type of climate? (A) Equatorial climate (B) China type climate (C) Humid subtropical climate (D) Marine West coast climate

Accepted Answer

(D) Marine West coast climate — Correct. Marine west coast climates have equable temperatures due to oceanic influence (low annual and daily range), year-round precipitation, and moderate rainfall totals of 50-250 cm.

UPSC Prelims 2024 — solved PYQs

2024 PYQs by subject

Solved questions

Other years

Practise the full 2024 paper

UPSC Prelims 2024 — solved PYQs

2024 PYQs by subject

Solved questions

Other years

Practise the full 2024 paper