History – UPSC Prelim – GS – Question Paper

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2026

1) Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hin-dustani music?

a) Nat Bhairavi

b) Kamavardhini

c) Hanumatodi

d) Dheera Shankarabharanam

2) The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of the following reasons?

a) Aiding the flow of remittances from India and maintaining India’s creditworthiness

b) Providing support to Indian importers

c) Encouraging export of cotton produce from India

d) Preventing depreciation of the Rupee in terms of gold

3) Consider the following statements:

I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika.

II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked

coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.

The above statements have been associated with which of the following?

1. Emergence of urban life
2. Transition to money economy

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

4) Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara?

1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami
2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 and 3

c) 3 only

d) 3 and 4

5) Among the four main forms of existence of life recognised in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?

a) Deva (gods)

b) Yaksha (demi-gods)

c) Manushya (humans)

d) Tiryancha (animals and plants)

6) The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:

a) A joyous folk dance

b) Buddha in a meditative pose

c) The depiction of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha

d) Samudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean)

7) Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:
 

1. The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595-596).
2. In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over India.
3. The place-values have been found in Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia as early as the seventh century.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

8) Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns:
 

I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.

II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.

III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.

Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

9) Which one of the following statements about the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is correct?

a) The Eka Movement was throughout supported and organized by the Congress while Bardoli Satyagraha was initially independent of Congress influence and was only in the last stages supported by the Congress.

b) The Eka Movement was provided leadership by the taluqdars of Awadh, whereas the Bardoli Satyagraha was a movement of the landless labourers.

c) The Bardoli Satyagraha was a campaign against the enhancement of land revenue, while the Eka Movement was a protest against excessive extraction of rents.

d) The Eka Movement was located in the Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of the present-day U.P., while the Bardoli Satyagraha took place in Saurashtra.

10) Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:

I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.

II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.

Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?

1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle).
3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1, 2 and 3

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 3 only
 

11) Consider the following assertion :
I. In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one major tributary of either had shifted from the Ganga to the Indus or vice versa.

Which of the following is/are the basis of the above assertion?

1. The Nadi-Sukta of the Rigveda
2. The explorations of the Sutlej and the Yamuna by Robert Bruce Foote
3. The presence of the same species of dolphins in both the Indus and the Ganga river systems

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

12) What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?

a) The meditation of the Buddha

b) The Buddha’s Enlightenment

c) The Buddha’s Mahaparinibbana

d) The Buddha’s Mahabhinishkramana

13) Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?

1. Vitasta: Chenab
2. Asikni: Jhelum
3. Parushni: Ravi
4. Yavyavati: Beas

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2

b) 3 and 4

c) 3 only

d) 4 only

14) Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct?

It was located in the lower Krishna valley.

1. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
2. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

15) Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched ?

1. Senguttuvan: Chera
2. Udiyanjeral: Chola
3. Nedunjeliyan: Pandya

Select the answer using the code given below :

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3

d) 3 only

16) Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?

1. Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi.
2. The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose.
3. The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours.
4. The supporters of M.N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan preferred Congress unity to supporting Bose.

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 and 4 only

17) Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

1. The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.
2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.
3. The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 2 and 3 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 1, 2 and 3

d) 2 only

18) Consider the following assertion: The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

1. Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.
2. Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.
3. Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.

Select the answer using the code given below :

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

19) Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the:

a) Agra Gharana

b) Gwalior Gharana

c) Patiala Gharana

d) Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

20) In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni (‘mistress of the field’) originate?

a) Rigveda

b) Atharvaveda

c) Ashtadhyayi

d) Arthashastra

37) Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct?

1. They acted as army fortresses.
2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.
3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.
4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 3

c) 3 only

d) 2 and 4

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2025

11. Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy :

1. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East.
2. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) I only

(B) II only

(C) Both I and II

(D) Neither I nor II

12. Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme :

1. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth
2. Observance of strict non-violence
3. Retention of titles and hours without using them in public
4. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes

How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?

(A) Only one

(B) Only two

(C) Only three

(D) All the four

13. The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was

(A) a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley

(B) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes

(C) a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks

(D) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

14. Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’?

(A) Mahendravarman I

(B) Simhavishnu

(C) Narasimhavarman I

(D) Simhavarman

15. Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of

(A) Samudragupta

(B) Chandragupta II

(C) Kumargupta I

(D) Skandagupta

16. Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?

(A) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)

(B) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)

(C) Rajendra I (Chola)

(D) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)

17. With reference to ancient India (600-322 BC), consider the following pairs :

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(A) Only  one

(B) Only two

(C) Only three

(D) All the four

18. Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the ‘Pradeshika’, ‘Rajuka’ and ‘Yukta’ were important officers at the

(A) village-level administration

(B) district-level administration

(C) provincial administration

(D) level of the central administration

19. Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement
    I. The Congress declared the attainment of ‘Swaraj’ by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
    II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if ‘Swaraj’ did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) I only

(B) II only

(C) Both I and II

(D) Neither I nor II

20. The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in

(A) Delhi

(B) Gwalior

(C) Ujjain

(D) Lahore

21. The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

(A) Carnelian

(B) Clay

(C) Bronze

(D) Gold

71. “Sedition has become my religion” was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of

(A) the Champaran Satyagraha

(B) publicly violating Salt Law at Dandi

(C) attending the Second Round Table Conference in London

(D) the launch of the Quit India Movement

72. Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of Chauri Chaura incident?

(A) C. R. Das

(B) Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant

(C) Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Khwaja Hasan Nizami

(D) M. A. Jinnah

74. Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of ‘Harijans’ in his political and social programme?

(A) The Poona Pact

(B) The Gandhi–Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)

(C) Arrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement

(D) Promulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935

75. Consider the following fruits :

1. Papaya
2. Pineapple
3. Guava

How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

(A) Only one

(B) Only two

(C) All the three

(D) None

78. Who among the following was the founder of the ‘Self-Respect Movement’?

(A) ‘Periyar’ E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker

(B) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

(C) Bhaskarrao Jadhav

(D) Dinkarrao Javalkar

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2024

3. Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

12. With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
    
    1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
    2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

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

13. Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?

(a) Kavyalankara

(b) Natyashastra

(c) Madhyama Vyayoga

(d) Mahabhashya

14. Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:

(a) Prajnaparamita Sutra

(b) Visuddhimagga

(c) Sarvastivada Vinaya

(d) Lalitavistara

15. Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO:

1. Shantiniketan
2. Rani-ki-Vav
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya

How many of the above properties were included in 2023?
 

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

34. With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?

1. Nayaputta
2. Shakyamuni
3. Tathagata

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha

35. In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

Archaeological State Description

1. Chandraketugarh Odisha Trading Port town
2. Inamgaon Maharashtra Chalcolithic
3. Mangadu Kerala Megalithic
4. Salihundum Andhra Pradesh Rock-cut shrine

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 1 and 4

36. 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

37. With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements:

1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.
2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.

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

38. Consider the following statements:
    1. There are parables in Upanishads.
    2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

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

40. Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?

(a) Chhau dance

(b) Durga puja

(c) Garba dance

(d) Kumbh mela

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2023

1. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished a prominent Buddhist center under the Mahasanghika, located?

(a) Andhra

(b) Gandhara

(c) Kalingo

(d) Magadha

2. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements :
   1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
   2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
   3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

3. With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well-known as-

(a) Capital cities

(b) Ports

(c) Centres of iron-and-steel making

(d) Shrines of Jain Tirthankaras

4. Which one of the following explains the practice of “Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?

(a) Kings employing women bodyguards.

(b) Learned persona assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters

(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals

(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

5. Consider the following dynasties:

1. Hoysala

2. Gahadavala

3. Kakatiya

4. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) None

6. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs

Literary work : Author

1. Devi Chandragupta : Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
3. Melinda panha : Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

7. ‘Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects’. The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

(a) Buddhism

(b) Jainism

(c) Shaivism

(d) Vaishnavism

8. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometers long from the river to the capital city?

(a) Devaraya I

(b) Mallikarjuna

(c) Vira Vijaya

(d) Virupaksha

9. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to the Portuguese?

(a) Ahmad Shah

(b) Mahmud Begarha

(c) Bahadur Shah

(d) Muhammad Shah

10. By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

(a) The Regulating Act

(b) The Pitt’s India Act

(c) The Charter Act of 1793

(d) The Charter Act of 1833

61. With reference to Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with
 

(a) archaeological excavations

(b) establishment of English Press in Colonial India

(c) establishment of Churches in Princely States

(d) construction of railways in Colonial India

62. Consider the following pairs:
 

Site : Well known for

1. Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine
2. Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine
3. Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrine

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

63. Consider the following statements:
 

Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.

Statement-II : It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.

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 is the correct explanation for Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect Statement-II is correct

64.  Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002:
 

Statement-I : One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm.

Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.

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 is the correct explanation for Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect Statement-II is correct

65. Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day:

Statement-I: Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens.

Statement-II: On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India.

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 is the correct explanation for Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect Statement-II is correct

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2022

51. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following were treated as “Reserved” subjects?
    

    1. Administration of Justice

    2. Local Self-Government

    3. Land Revenue

    4. Police

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 2 and 4

52. In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:

(a) Clothing

(b) Coins

(c) Ornaments

(d) Weapons

53. Consider the following freedom fighters:
    1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
    2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
    3. Rash Behari Bose

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only
 

54. With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
    1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
    2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.

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

55. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
    1. Nettipakarana
    2. Parishishtaparvan
    3. Avadanashataka
    4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

56. With reference to Indian History, consider the following pairs:

Historical person Known as

1. Aryadeva — Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga — Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar

    How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) None of the pairs

(b) Only one pair

(c) Only two pairs

(d) All three pairs

57. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
    1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
    2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
    3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

58. With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “KulahDaran”?

(a) Arab merchants

(b) Qalandars

(c) Persian calligraphists

(d) Sayyids

59. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
    1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
    2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
    3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.

    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

60. According to Kautiyla’s Arthahastra, which of the following are correct?
    1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
    2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
    3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.

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

91. Consider the following pairs :

1. Dhauli | Odisha
2. Erragudi | Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada | Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi | Karnataka

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four pairs

92. Consider the following pairs:

1. Nannuka              |      Chandela
2. Jayashakti           |      Paramara
3. Nagabhata II       |      Gurjara-Pratihara
4. Bhoja                  |       Rashtrakuta

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four pairs

93. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct ?

(a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.

(b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.

(c) Sangam poems have no references to warrior ethic.

(d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.

94. “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:

(a) Akbar

(b) Humayun

(c) Shahjahan

(d) Aurangzeb

95. The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?

(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.

(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.

(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.

(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.

96. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple ?

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :
 

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2021

1. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhutti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshwara were famous
   a) Jain monks
   b) Playwrights
   c) temple architects
   d) philosophers

2. Consider the following statements:
   i) The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all women above the age of 21.
   ii) The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature.

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

3. With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian History, which one of the following statements is correct?
   a) The Quit India Resolution was adopted by AICC
   b) The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.
   c) The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.
   d) Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over.

4. Which among the following is associated with ‘’Songs from Prison’’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?
   a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
   b) Jawaharlal Nehru
   c) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
   d) Sarojini Naidu

5. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

(Mughal Empire – Suba, Sarkar, Pargana and Village)

a) Paragana-Sarkar-Suba

b) Sarkar-Paragana-Suba

c) Suba-Sarkar-Paragana

d) Paragana-Suba-Sarkar

6. Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
   a) Annie Besant
   b) Debendranath Tagore
   c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
   d) Sarojini Naidu

7. In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillion are remembered as
   a) Leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
   b) Members of the Interim Government in 1946
   c) Members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly
   d) Officers of the Indian National Army

8. With reference to Indian History, which of the following statements is/are correct?
   1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State
   2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire
   3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durani

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 only

c) 2 and 3

d) 3 only

9. Which one of the following statements is correct?
   a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
   b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river.
   c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada River.
   d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river.

10. Consider the following statements:
    1. 21st February is declared to be International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
    2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

11. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:
    1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
    2. It is the only circular temple built in India
    3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
    4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 4

d) 2, 3 and 4

12. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
    a) Dholavira
    b) Kalibangan
    c) Rakhigarhi
    d) Ropar

13. In the first quarter of the seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?
    1. Broach
    2. Chicacole
    3. Trichinopoly

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2

c) 3 only

d) 2 and 3

14. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
    1. The Guptas of Magadha
    2. The Paramaras of Malwa
    3. The Pushyabutis of Thanesar
    4. The Yadavas of Devagiri
    5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
    6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1, 2 and 5

b) 1, 3, 4 and 6

c) 2, 3 and 4

d) 5 and 6

15. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagar Empire were experts in which of the following areas?
    1. Wrestling
    2. Astrology
    3. Accounting
    4. Soothsaying

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 1, 3 and 4 only

c) 2 and 4 only

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

16. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
    a) Pingali Venkaya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here.
    b) Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of the Andhra region from here.
    c) Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.
    d) Madam Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.

17. Consider the following pairs:

    Historical place : Well-known for

1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines
2. Chandra-ketugargh : Terracotta art
3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts

Which of the pairs given above is correctly matched?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2

c) 3 only

d) 2 and 3

18. Consider the following statements
    1. It was during the reign of Iltumish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.
    2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
    3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2

c) 3 only

d) 2 and 3

19. Consider the following statements:
    1. St.Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order
    2. St.Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there
    3. The Feast of St.Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.

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

20. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    

    1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.

    2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim the right to the property during the lifetime of the father whereas, in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim the right to the property.

    3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3

d) 3 only

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2020

11. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?

(a) The earliest dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (Sutra) style

(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas.

(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path

(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval south India.

12. In the Indian history, The Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around

1. Women’s rights to gain education
2. Age of consent
3. Restitution of conjugal rights

Select the correct answer using the given code below-

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

13. Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of

(a) Peasants resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters

(b) Its unprofitable in the world market because of new inventions

(c) National leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of Indigo

(d) Government control over the planters

Q14. Wellesley established the Fort William college at Calcutta because:

(a) He was asked by the board of directors at London to do so

(b) He wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India

(c) He wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment

(d) He wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India.

15. With reference to the history of India, ‘ulgulan’ or the great tumult is the description of the which of the following?

(a) The revolt of 1857

(b) The Mappila rebellion of 1921

(c) The Indigo revolt of 1859-1860

(d) Birsa Munda’s revolt of 1899-1900

16. With reference to the Scholars/literatures of ancient India, consider the following statements:
    1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
    2. Amarsimha is associated with Harshavardhana
    3. Kalidasa is associated with chandragupta-II

Which of the above given statements is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

41. With reference to the history of India consider the following pairs:

1. Aurang — in-charge Of treasury of the state
2. Banian — Indian agent of the East India Company
3. Mirasidar — designated revenue payer to the state

Which of the pairs above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

42. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. Sthaviravadins belong to mahayana Buddhism
2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the mahayana Buddhism

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

43. Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of the Industrial revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

(a) Indian handicrafts were ruined

(b) Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers

(c) Railway lines were laid in many parts of the country

(d) Heavy duties were imposed on the imports of british manufacturers

44. 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 under Parantaka-I
4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

What is the correct chronological order of the above events, Starting from the earliest time?

(a) 2-1-4-3

(b) 3-1-4-2

(c) 2-4-1-3

(d) 3-4-1-2

45. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in sources of the Post Harsha period?

(a) An advisory issued by the king to his subordinates

(b) A diary to be maintained for daily routine

(c) A bill of exchange

(d) An order from the feudal lord to his subordinates

46. With reference to the book ‘desher Katha’ written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements

1. It warned against the colonial states’ hypnotic conquest of the mind
2. It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs
3. The use of ‘desh’ by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

47. The Gandhi-Irwin pact included which of the following?

1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the round table conference
2. Withdrawal of ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
3. Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
4. Release of those prisoners who were not charged with violence

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

48. The Vital Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by

(a) Gopal Babu Walangkar

(b) Jyotiba Phule

(c) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

(d) Bhimarao Ramji Ambedkar

49. With reference to the history of India, the terms Kulyavapa and dronavapa denote

(a) Measurement of land

(b) Coins of different monetary value

(c) Classification of urban land

(d) Religious rituals

50. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?

“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely”

(a) Ashoka

(b) Samudragupta

(c) Harshavardhana

(d) Krishnadevaraya

57. With references 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 is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 4 only

62. 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.

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

1. Parivrajaka – Renunciant and wanderer
2. Shramana – Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka – Lay follower of Buddhism

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3