UPSC Prelims 2003 Previous Year Questions with Answers and Explanations

145 questions from the UPSC Prelims 2003 General Studies Paper I, each with the correct answer, a full explanation, why every option is right or wrong, and named sources. The other 5 questions of this paper are in the practice app while their explanations are checked.

Q1 · Medieval History: Alam Khan, one of those who invited Babar to invade India was
Q2 · Medieval History: The battle of Dharmat was fought between
Q3 · Geography: Which one among the following has the largest shipyard in India?
Q4 · Science & Technology: Three flags, each of different colour, are available for a military exercise. Using these flags, different codes can be generated by…
Q5 · Indian Polity: Match List I (Organisation) with List II (Location) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list: List I…
Q6 · Current Affairs: Tim Montgomery set a new world record at the IAAF Grand Prix final in the year 2002 in
Q7 · Science & Technology: With reference to the work of human kidney, consider the following statements: 1. After the waste is removed in the kidney, the cleaner…
Q8 · Science & Technology: A hydrogen - inflated polythene balloon is released from the surface of the earth. As the balloon rises to an altitude up in the…
Q9 · Indian Polity: The power to enlarge the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India with respect to any matter included in the Union List of Legislative…
Q10 · Indian Polity: Which one of the following High Courts has the territorial jurisdiction over Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Q11 · Indian Polity: Under which Article of the Indian Constitution did the President make a reference to the Supreme Court to seek the Court’s opinion on the…
Q12 · Science & Technology: Consider the following statements: 1. India launched its first full - fledged meteorological satellite (METSAT) in September 2002. 2. For…
Q13 · Geography: Nanda Devi peak forms a part of
Q14 · Indian Economy: Consider the following statements: 1. India is the original home of the cotton plant. 2. India is the first country in the world to…
Q15 · Current Affairs: Who is the author of the book ‘New Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy’?
Q16 · Medieval History: How did the Mughal Emperor Jahandar Shah’s reign come to an early end?
Q17 · Modern History: In India, among the following locations, the Dutch established their earliest factory at
Q18 · Indian Polity: Consider the following statements: 1. While members of the Rajya Sabha are associated with Committees on Public Accounts and Public…
Q19 · Environment & Ecology: The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, whose permission is required for cultivation of any genetically modified crop such as Bt -…
Q20 · Indian Polity: As per Indian Protocol, who among the following ranks highest in the order of precedence?
Q21 · Geography: Among the following cities, which one is at the highest altitude above mean sea level?
Q22 · Science & Technology: Consider the following statements: 1. Steam at 100 °C and boiling water at 100 °C contain the same amount of heat. 2. Latent heat of…
Q23 · Indian Economy: Consider the following statements: 1. Molasses is a by - product of sugar production process. 2. Bagasse obtained in the sugar mills is…
Q25 · Geography: Which one among the following States is smallest in area?
Q26 · Science & Technology: Consider the following statements: A four - wheel vehicle moving on a sharp circular path at high speed will 1. Overturn about its outer…
Q27 · Geography: The Basque people who are frequently in the news for their separatist activity live in
Q28 · Current Affairs: Match List I (High Officials) with List II (Organisation) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I…
Q29 · Science & Technology: Which one of the following statements is correct?
Q30 · Medieval History: Consider the following statements: 1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India…
Q31 · Science & Technology: Diffusion of light in the atmosphere takes place due to
Q33 · Indian Polity: Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q34 · Indian Economy: The government holding in BPCL is
Q35 · Current Affairs: Consider the following statements regarding the relations between India and Pakistan: 1. During Shimla Agreement, Indira Gandhi and…
Q36 · Indian Economy: During the year 2000 - 01, which one of the following industries recorded highest growth rate in India?
Q37 · Science & Technology: An oil tanker is partially filled with oil and moves forward on a level road with uniform acceleration. The free surface of oil then
Q38 · Geography: In which one of the following countries is rupee its currency?
Q39 · Geography: Which one of the following countries is land locked?
Q40 · Current Affairs: In December 2002, the Prime Minister of India signed ‘Delhi Declaration’ with the
Q41 · Geography: Among the following cities, which one is nearest to the Tropic of Cancer?
Q42 · Art & Culture: ‘Mrichchhakatika’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with
Q43 · Ancient History: Consider the following statements: 1. Vardhamana Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka. 2. Gautama Buddha’s…
Q44 · Science & Technology: A car travels the first one - third of a certain distance with a speed of 10 km/hr, the next one - third distance with a speed of 20 km/hr…
Q45 · Science & Technology: Consider the following statements The purpose of adding sodium sulphate and sodium silicate to the detergent in a washing powder is 1. To…
Q46 · Indian Economy: Debenture holders of a company are its
Q47 · Art & Culture: Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q48 · Indian Polity: Which one of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution provides that ‘It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State…
Q49 · Science & Technology: ‘A’ walks around a circular field at the rate of one round per hour while ‘B’ runs around it at the rate of six rounds per hour. They…
Q50 · Indian Polity: Consider the following statements: In India, stamp duties on financial transactions are 1. Levied and collected by the State Government 2.…
Q51 · Current Affairs: Which one of the following statements is correct?
Q52 · Indian Polity: Match List I (Item in the Indian Constitution) with List II (Country from which it was derived) and select the correct answer using the…
Q53 · Science & Technology: With reference to Indian defence, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q54 · Current Affairs: The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, 2002 was awarded to
Q55 · Current Affairs: Match List I (Name of the Person) with List II (Associated with) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List…
Q56 · Current Affairs: Whom did Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi beat in the US Open men’s doubles tennis championship in the year 2002 to win the title?
Q57 · Science & Technology: Four different candles, which can last for 5 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours and 2 hours of burning, respectively, are lit in a room at the same…
Q58 · Indian Economy: Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to FEMA in India?
Q59 · Indian Economy: Consider the following statements 1. India’s import of crude and petroleum product during the year 2001 - 02 accounted for about 27% of…
Q60 · Art & Culture: Who among the following was selected for the 2001 Dada Saheb Phalke Award?
Q61 · Science & Technology: Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q62 · Indian Economy: As per the Human Development Index given by UNDP, which one of the following sequences of South Asian countries is correct, in the order…
Q63 · Science & Technology: Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q64 · Indian Economy: Consider the following statements: 1. India ranks first in the world in fruit production. 2. India ranks second in the world in the export…
Q65 · Indian Economy: Which one of the following statements is correct?
Q66 · Indian Polity: Which one of the following Bills must be passed by each House of the Indian Parliament separately, by special majority?
Q67 · Environment & Ecology: Consider the following animals of India: 1. Crocodile 2. Elephant Which of these is/are endangered species?
Q68 · Geography: Which one among the following covers the highest percentage of forest area in the world?
Q69 · Science & Technology: A two - member committee comprising of one male and one female member is to be constituted out of five males and three females. Amongst…
Q70 · Ancient History: Consider the following statements: 1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander - in - chief, Pushyamitra…
Q71 · Modern History: The aim of education as stated by the Wood’s Despatch of 1854 was
Q72 · Current Affairs: Who won the title in the finals of French Open men’s singles tennis championship in the year 2002?
Q73 · Indian Polity: Consider the following statements: The function(s) of the Finance Commission is/are 1. To allow the withdrawal of money out of the…
Q74 · Indian Economy: Which one among the following States has the highest female literacy rate as per the Census 2001?
Q75 · Indian Economy: Which one among the following countries has the lowest GDP per capita?
Q76 · Current Affairs: Consider the following statements: 1. In Macedonia, ethnic Albanians are a minority. 2. In Kosovo, Serbians are a majority. Which of these…
Q77 · Geography: Israel has common borders with
Q78 · Geography: What is the correct sequence of the rivers - Godavari, Mahanadi, Narmada and Tapti in the descending order of their lengths?
Q79 · Science & Technology: If the radius of the earth were shrunk by one per cent, its mass remaining the same, the value of ‘g’ on the earth’s surface would
Q80 · Modern History: With reference to the entry of European powers into India, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q81 · Modern History: With reference to Indian freedom struggle, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q82 · Indian Economy: Consider the following statements: 1. In the last five years, Indian software exports have increased at a compound annual growth rate of…
Q83 · Indian Economy: Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q84 · Indian Polity: Which one of the following statements is correct?
Q86 · Modern History: The leader of the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) was
Q87 · Indian Economy: The Kelkar proposals which were in the news recently were the
Q88 · Indian Polity: Consider the following statements: 1. The joint sitting of the two Houses of the Parliament in India is sanctioned under Article 108 of…
Q89 · Geography: Life expectancy is highest in the world in
Q90 · Modern History: During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission?
Q91 · Science & Technology: Octopus is
Q92 · Science & Technology: Consider the following conditions of sick human body 1. Swollen lymph nodes 2. Sweating at night 3. Loss of memory 4. Loss of weight Which…
Q93 · Ancient History: Emperor Harsha’s southward march was stopped on the Narmada River by
Q94 · Indian Polity: Under which Article of the Indian Constitution did the President give his assent to the ordinance on electoral reforms when it was sent…
Q95 · Art & Culture: Dilip Kaur Tiwana is well known as a
Q96 · Indian Economy: Consider the following statements: 1. The maximum limit of shareholding of Indian promoters in private sector banks in India is 49 per…
Q97 · Current Affairs: Match List I (Cricketer) with List II (Country) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I (Cricketer) A.…
Q98 · Science & Technology: Regarding the atom of a chemical element, the magnetic quantum number refers to
Q99 · Environment & Ecology: Consider the following statements: 1. The common blue green algae Spirogyra and Ulothrix are found in both fresh water ponds and oceans.…
Q100 · Geography: Which among the following countries has the largest population?
Q101 · Medieval History: Assertion (A): Emperor Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 with a huge army. Reason (R): He was on his way to reclaim his ancestral…
Q102 · Indian Economy: Assertion (A): During the year 2001 - 02, the value of India’s total exports declined, registering a negative growth of 2.17%. Reason (R):…
Q103 · Geography: Assertion (A): The eastern coast of India produces more rice than the western coast. Reason (R): The eastern coast receives more rainfall…
Q104 · Indian Economy: Assertion (A): The new EXIM Policy is liberal, market - oriented and favours global trade. Reason (R): GATT has played a significant role…
Q105 · Science & Technology: Assertion (A): In the periodic table of chemical elements, electron affinity is always found to increase from top to bottom in a group.…
Q106 · Environment & Ecology: Assertion (A): Coal - based thermal power stations contribute to acid rain. Reason (R): Oxides of carbon are emitted when the coal burns.
Q107 · Geography: Assertion (A): The weight of a body decreases with the increase of latitude on earth. Reason (R): The earth is not a perfect sphere.
Q108 · Science & Technology: Assertion (A): Unsaturated fats are more reactive compared with the saturated fats. Reason (R): Unsaturated fats have only single bonds in…
Q109 · Geography: Assertion (A): The amount of moisture in the atmosphere is related to latitude. Reason (R): The capacity to hold moisture in the form of…
Q110 · Environment & Ecology: Assertion (A): Unlike temperate forests, the tropical rain forests, if cleared, can yield productive farm - land that can support…
Q111 · Modern History: Assertion (A): In 1916, Maulana Mohammad Ali and Abul Kalam Azad resigned from the Legislative Council. Reason (R): The Rowlatt Act was…
Q112 · Modern History: Assertion (A): Shah Alam II spent the initial years as an Emperor far away from his capital. Reason (R): There was always a lurking danger…
Q113 · Geography: Assertion (A): Areas lying within five to eight degrees latitude on either side of the equator receive rainfall throughout the year.…
Q114 · Medieval History: Assertion (A): Saluva Narasimha put an end to the old dynasty and assumed the royal title. Reason (R): He wanted to save the kingdom from…
Q115 · Modern History: Assertion (A): Marathas emerged as the strongest native power in India after the decline of Mughal empire. Reason (R): Marathas were the…
Q117 · Current Affairs: The sportsperson Soma Biswas is associated with
Q118 · Environment & Ecology: Which one of following is produced during the formation of photochemical smog?
Q119 · Art & Culture: Consider the following statement: 1. Kitab - I - Nauras, a collection of songs in praise of Hindu deities and Muslim saints, was written…
Q120 · Science & Technology: Three bells toll at intervals of 9, 12 and 15 minutes respectively. All three begin to toll at 8 a.m. At what time will they first toll…
Q121 · Current Affairs: Match List I (Distinguished Lady) with List II (Organisation/Industry) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the…
Q122 · Indian Polity: Consider the following statements: In the electoral college for Presidential Election in India. 1. The value of the vote of an elected…
Q123 · Modern History: Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q124 · Indian Polity: Which of the following Constitutional Amendments are related to raising the number of Members of Lok Sabha to be elected from the States?
Q125 · Medieval History: How did Sultan Qutb - ud - din Aibak die?
Q126 · Science & Technology: Among the following which planet takes maximum time for one revolution around the Sun?
Q128 · Modern History: Which one of the following provisions was NOT made in the Charter Act of 1833?
Q129 · Science & Technology: With reference to normal human beings, consider the following statements: 1. In response to the presence of HCl, secretin is produced from…
Q130 · Geography: Survey of India is under the Ministry of
Q131 · Indian Polity: Which among the following countries was the earliest to give women the right to vote?
Q132 · Science & Technology: Total time taken by a person in going to a place by walking and returning on cycle is 5 hours 45 minutes. He would have gained 2 hours by…
Q133 · Current Affairs: Sandeep Pandey, the winner of Raman Magsaysay Award, is mainly an activist in
Q134 · Current Affairs: What was the main reason for a great civil strife in Argentina recently?
Q135 · Modern History: With reference to colonial rule in India, what was sought by the Ilbert Bill in 1883?
Q136 · Modern History: An important aspect of the Cripps Mission of 1942 was
Q137 · Modern History: When Congress leaders condemned the Montagu - Chelmsford Report, many moderates left party to form the
Q138 · Current Affairs: In the FIFA World Cup Football event in the year 2002, the number of goals scored by Ronaldo of Brazil was
Q139 · Indian Polity: Which one of the following schedules of the Indian Constitution lists the names of states and specifies their territories?
Q140 · Current Affairs: In the year 2002, the President of India presented the national award for excellence in public administration and management sciences to
Q141 · Science & Technology: ‘A’ and ‘B’ are two fixed points in a field. A cyclist C moves such that ACB is always a right angle. In this context, which one of the…
Q142 · Geography: The thermal power plant of Bokaro is located in
Q143 · Indian Economy: Among the following commodities imported by India during the year 2001 - 02, which one was the highest in terms of Rupee value?
Q144 · Science & Technology: With reference to ionic compounds, consider the following statements: 1. Ionic compounds are insoluble in alcohol. 2. Ionic compounds in…
Q145 · Science & Technology: Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q146 · Current Affairs: With reference to India, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Q147 · Geography: Which amongst the following States has the highest population density as per Census 2001?
Q148 · Indian Polity: The Ninth Schedule to the Indian Constitution was added by
Q149 · Modern History: Who headed the Interim Cabinet formed in the 1946?
Q150 · Geography: The waterfall ‘Victoria’ is associated with the river

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