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UPSC Prelims 2017

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2017 · Q1Indian PolityParliament & State Legislaturesmoderate

With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements : 1. A private member's bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India. 2. Recently, a private member's bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2017 · Q2Ancient HistoryVedic Perioddifficult

With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2017 · Q3Indian EconomyHuman Development, Poverty & Employment Schemesmoderate

'Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme' is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to

  1. (a)Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.
  2. (b)Enrolling the persons in Universities for distance learning programmes.
  3. (c)Reserving some skilled jobs to rural and urban poor in some public sector undertakings.
  4. (d)Certifying the skills acquired by trainees under the National Skill Development Programme.
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Official answer(a) Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.

2017 · Q6Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC) : 1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2017 · Q7Indian PolityParliament & State Legislaturesmoderate

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution ?

  1. (a)Equal pay for equal work for both men and women
  2. (b)Participation of workers in the management of industries
  3. (c)Right to work, education and public assistance
  4. (d)Securing living wage and human conditions of work to workers
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Official answer(b) Participation of workers in the management of industries

2017 · Q8Ancient HistoryVedic Perioddifficult

Which one of the following statements is correct ?

  1. (a)Rights are claims of the State against the citizens.
  2. (b)Rights are privileges which are incorporated in the Constitution of a State.
  3. (c)Rights are claims of the citizens against the State.
  4. (d)Rights are privileges of a few citizens against the many.
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Official answer(c) Rights are claims of the citizens against the State.

2017 · Q10Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifemoderate

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017 ? 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade. 2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country. 3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)2 and 3 only
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2017 · Q11Indian EconomyBanking and Financeeasy

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ? 1. It decides the RBI's benchmark interest rates. 2. It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year. 3. It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 2 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)2 and 3 only
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2017 · Q14Indian PolityPolitical Theory & Conceptseasy

In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique ? 1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature. 2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. 3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2017 · Q20Indian EconomyFiscal Policy & Budgetmoderate

With reference to the 'Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT Act)', consider the following statements : 1. A property transaction is not treated as a benami transaction if the owner of the property is not aware of the transaction. 2. Properties held benami are liable for confiscation by the Government. 3. The Act provides for three authorities for investigations but does not provide for any appellate mechanism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)2 and 3 only
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2017 · Q21Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptsmoderate

Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences ? 1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. 2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants. 3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2017 · Q22Science & TechnologyEnergy & Environmentmoderate

It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry ? 1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents. 2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed. 3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2017 · Q23Current AffairsIndian Government Schemes & Initiativesmoderate

Which of the following are the objectives of 'National Nutrition Mission' ? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. 2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. 3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice. 4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)1, 2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1, 2 and 4 only
  4. (d)3 and 4 only
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Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only

2017 · Q25Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration ? 1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams 2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs 3. Subterranean deep saline formations Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3