UPSC (Prelims) 2020 Hard Questions

With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as:
(a) ports handling foreign trade
(b) capitals of powerful kingdoms
(c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture
(d) important Buddhist pilgrimage centres

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Famous Place Present State

1. Bhilsa — Madhya Pradesh
2. Dwarasamudra — Maharashtra
3. Girinagar — Gujarat
4. Sthanesvara — Uttar Pradesh
   Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 1 and 3 only
   (c) 2 and 4 only
   (d) 3 and 4 only

According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   (a) 1, 2 and 5 only
   (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
   (c) 2, 3, 4 and 6 only
   (d) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

If you withdraw ₹1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be:
(a) to reduce it by ₹1,00,000
(b) to increase it by ₹1,00,000
(c) to increase it by more than ₹1,00,000
(d) to leave it unchanged

With reference to the Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm.
2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication.
3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth.
4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

With reference to the book 'Dinkar Katha' written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements:

1. It warned against the Colonial State's hypnotic suggestions of India's economic development.
2. It inspired the spirit of swadeshi movement and patriotic songs.
3. The use of 'desh' by Deuskar was specific to the context of the region of Bengal.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?

1. Persons with an annual income of less than ₹1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than ₹2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than ₹3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements:

1. Worker productivity (₹ per worker) at 2004-05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas.
2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased.
3. In rural areas, the growth in non-farm economy increased.
4. The growth rate in rural employment decreased.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 3 and 4 only
   (c) 3 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the East India Company
2. Bantas — Indian agent of the East India Company
3. Mahaldaar — Designated revenue payer to the Company
   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

With reference to the history of India, the terms 'Polychrome' and 'demarcanam' are associated with which one of the following?
(The image shows a question referencing the history of India about terms associated with 'LARA Indulgences'. The question asks about 'dyoceraps' and 'demarcanam'. Based on visible text: 'With reference to the history of India, the terms "LARA Indulgences" and "demarcanam" denote')
(a) zone of different monetary value
(b) class of monetary value
(c) area of different monetary value
(d) religious rituals

In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?
(a) fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm
(b) genetic modification of sperm producing cells
(c) development of functional embryo
(d) prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Consider the following statements:

1. These vaccines are antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria.
2. Dependence on antibiotics as vaccines becomes ineffective against drug-resistant bacteria.
3. Some are novel antigens that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria and do not cause an allergic reaction.
4. These vaccines have no side effects and are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   (From page_019: actual Q42 is about vaccines vs antibiotics. The actual extracted text reads: 'Consider the following statements regarding vaccines: 1. These vaccines are antibiotics... Select the correct answer')

Consider the following events in the history of India:

1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman — I
3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka
4. Establishment of Rashtrakuta power by Dantidurga
   What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest?

If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give greater immunity to India?

1. Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings
2. Opening up to more foreign banks
3. Maintaining full capital account convertibility
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Consider the following statements:

1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State.
2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a specified offence and sentenced to imprisonment for two years is prevented from contesting an election even after his release from prison.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the East India Company
2. Bantas — Indian textile industry
3. Mahaldaar — Person appointed by Aurangzeb to collect revenue
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   (The image shows pairs about Aurang, Bantas, Mahaldaar related to the East India Company context. Specific detail: Aurang = warehouse, Banta = Indian agent, Mahaldaar = designated revenue payer.)

With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:

1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
3. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
4. Carbon nanotubes are non-biodegradable.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

'The experiment will create a super-equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long.' According to the given description, the experiment is referring to:
(a) Voyager-2
(b) New Horizons
(c) LISA Pathfinder
(d) Evolved LISA

With reference to the cultural history of India, the terms 'Polychrome ware' and 'demarcanam' denote:
(a) class of monetary value
(b) zone of different monetary value
(c) classification of land revenue
(d) religious rituals

Consider the following statements:

1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months.
2. State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data.
3. Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products.
4. Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?