UPSC Prelims 2015 Question Paper & Official Answer Key

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana' has been launched for

With reference to the Fourteenth Finance Commission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It has increased the share of States in the central divisible pool from 32 percent to 42 percent. 2. It has made recommendations concerning sector-specific grants.

The Fortaleza Declaration', recently in the news, is related to the affairs of

A decrease in tax to GDP ratio of a country indicates which of the following? 1. Slowing economic growth rate 2. Less equitable distribution of national income

In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?

Which one of the following pairs of States of India indicates the easternmost and westernmost State?

Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy: 1. The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the country. 2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court.

In the Index of Eight Core Industries', which one of the following is given the highest weight?

Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)? 1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government. 2. NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India's premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.

What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture? 1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur. 2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place. 3. Leaching of nitrate to the groundwater can occur.

With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments. 2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments. 3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the

What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

Consider the following pairs: 1. Srisailam : Nallamala Hills 2. Omkareshwar : Satmala Hills 3. Pushkar : Mahadeo Hills. Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the 'Sedition Committee'. 2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League. 3. Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?

With reference to fly ash' produced by the power plants using coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building construction. 2. Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement contents of concrete. 3. Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only, and does not contain any toxic elements.

With reference to 'dugong', a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a herbivorous marine animal. 2. It is found along the entire coast of India. 3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India? 1. Dadabhai Naoroji 2. G. Subramania Iyer 3. R. C. Dutt

Which one of the following issues the 'Global Economic Prospects' report periodically?

When the Reserve Bank of India reduces the Statutory Liquidity Ratio by 50 basis points, which of the following is likely to happen?

With reference to the use of nanotechnology in health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology. 2. Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.

In India, markets in agricultural products are regulated under the

Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?

With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements : 1. It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes. 2. It wanted to establish the dictatorship of proletariat. 3. It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes.

Consider the following statements: 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants. 3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined

Which of the following brings out the 'Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers'?

In the context of modern scientific research, consider the following statements about IceCube', a particle detector located at South Pole, which was recently in the news: 1. It is the world's largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice. 2. It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter. 3. It is buried deep in the ice.

The terms ‘Agreement on Agriculture', 'Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures' and 'Peace Clause' appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the

With reference to 'Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a contactless communication technology that uses electromagnetic radio fields. 2. NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of even a metre from each other. 3. NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information.

The area known as 'Golan Heights' sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to

Convertibility of rupee implies

Consider the following pairs: 1. Champaka : Central India 2. Durgara : Jammu 3. Kuluta : Malabar. Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

Consider the following rivers: 1. Vamsadhara 2. Indravati 3. Pranahita 4. Pennar. Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?

When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by

Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha

Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?

Consider the following: The arrival of Babur into India led to the 1. introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent 2. introduction of the arch and dome in the region's architecture 3. establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region.

The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the

What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?

Consider the following statements: 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. 2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.

The term 'Goldilocks Zone' is often seen in the news in the context of

Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930?

Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?

Consider the following statements: 1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu. 2. The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.

Which of the following statements regarding 'Green Climate Fund' is/are correct? 1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. 2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, Asian Development Bank and World Bank.

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014 was given to which one of the following?

With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It recommended a federal government. 2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts. 3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS.

Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic?

Amnesty International is

With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system? 1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority 2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land 3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord

BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes' is managed by the

India is a member of which among the following? 1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations 3. East Asia Summit

In India, the steel production industry requires the import of

The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to

With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the Parliament. 2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization from the Parliament of India. 3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need the authorization from the Parliament of India.

Who/Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India?

Consider the following statements: 1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers. 2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. China 4. Myanmar 5. Thailand

Basel III Accord' or simply Basel III', often seen in the news, seeks to

Consider the following statements: 1. The winds which blow between 30° N and 60° S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies. 2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)', consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills. 2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of moderates' and 'extremists'?

In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these bridges become stronger. These unique living root bridges' are found in

Tides occur in the oceans and seas due to which among the following? 1. Gravitational force of the Sun 2. Gravitational force of the Moon 3. Centrifugal force of the Earth. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used? 1. Assessment of crop productivity 2. Locating groundwater resources 3. Mineral exploration 4. Telecommunications 5. Traffic studies. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Consider the following States: 1. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Himachal Pradesh 3. Mizoram. In which of the above States do "Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests' occur?

The term 'IndARC', sometimes seen in the news, is the name of

With reference to 'Forest Carbon Partnership Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples. 2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management. 3. It assists the countries in their REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+)' efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?

With reference to an organization known as BirdLife International', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations. 2. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' originated from this organization. 3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas'. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?

In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen in the news, is

"Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over." Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

With reference to Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. The rate of growth of Real Gross Domestic Product has steadily increased in the last decade. 2. The Gross Domestic Product at market prices (in rupees) has steadily increased in the last decade. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements: 1. The Legislative Council of a State in India can be larger in size than half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular State. 2. The Governor of a State nominates the Chairman of Legislative Council of that particular State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

"To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the

Which one of the following is the best description of the term 'ecosystem?

The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? 1. People's participation in development 2. Political accountability 3. Democratic decentralization 4. Financial mobilization. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to Indian economy, consider the following: 1. Bank rate 2. Open market operations 3. Public debt 4. Public revenue. Which of the above is/are component/components of Monetary Policy?

With reference to inflation in India, which of the following statements is correct?

Consider the following countries: 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan. Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its

The substitution of steel for wooden ploughs in agricultural production is an example of

There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?

With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements: 1. The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum. 2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availability of

With reference to 'fuel cells' in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements: 1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products. 2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers. 3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Kalamkari painting refers to

Which one of the following best describes the main objective of 'Seed Village Concept'?

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit? 1. Reducing revenue expenditure 2. Introducing new welfare schemes 3. Rationalizing subsidies 4. Expanding industries. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Which of the following has/have been accorded 'Geographical Indication' status? 1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees 2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma 3. Tirupathi Laddu. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a Public Limited Government Company. 2. It is a Non-Banking Financial Company. Select the correct answer using the code given below.