SawaalBoxसवाल बॉक्स

UPSC Prelims 2021

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2021 · Q1Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Constitution of India give the Central Government the right to issue directions to the RBI in public interest. 3. The Governor of the RBI draws his power from the RBI Act. Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2021 · Q2Indian EconomyHuman Development, Poverty & Employment Schemesmoderate

With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements : 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage. 2. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment. 3. The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account. Which of the above statements are correct?

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

Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2021 · Q5Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

With reference to ‘Urban Cooperative Banks’ in India, consider the following statements : 1. They are supervised and regulated by local boards set up by the State Governments. 2. They can issue equity shares and preference shares. 3. They were brought under the purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 through an Amendment in 1966. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2021 · Q9Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

Which one of the following effects of creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?

  1. (a)Diversion of resources to the purchase of real estate and investment in luxury housing
  2. (b)Investment in unproductive activities and purchase of precious stones, jewellery, gold, etc.
  3. (c)Large donations to political parties and growth of regionalism
  4. (d)Loss of revenue to the State Exchequer due to tax evasion
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(d) Loss of revenue to the State Exchequer due to tax evasion

2021 · Q13Indian EconomyFinancial Markets & Capital Marketsmoderate

With reference to India, consider the following statements : 1. Retail investors through demat account can invest in ‘Treasury Bills’ and ‘Government of India Debt Bonds’ in primary market. 2. The ‘Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching’ is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India. 3. The ‘Central Depository Services Ltd.’ is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Official answer(b) 1 and 2

2021 · Q14Indian EconomyDigital Payments & Financial Inclusionmoderate

With reference to ‘WaterCredit’, consider the following statements : 1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. 2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. 3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2021 · Q15Indian EconomyMonetary Policy & Money Supplymoderate

In India, the central bank’s function as the ‘lender of last resort’ usually refers to which of the following? 1. Lending to trade and industry bodies when they fail to borrow from other sources 2. Providing liquidity to the banks having a temporary crisis 3. Lending to governments to finance budgetary deficits Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Official answer(b) 2 only

2021 · Q16Environment & EcologyPollution & Waste Managementmoderate

‘R2 Code of Practices’ constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of

  1. (a)environmentally responsible practices in electronics recycling industry
  2. (b)ecological management of ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention
  3. (c)sustainable practices in the cultivation of agricultural crops in degraded lands
  4. (d)‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ in the exploitation of natural resources
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) environmentally responsible practices in electronics recycling industry

2021 · Q24Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationdifficult

With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on Forests’, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. 2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests. 3. It is a legally binding international declaration. 4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities. 5. India was one of the signatories at its inception. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1, 2 and 4
  2. (b)1, 3 and 5
  3. (c)3 and 4
  4. (d)2 and 5
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) 1, 2 and 4

2021 · Q25Environment & EcologyPollution & Waste Managementmoderate

Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? 1. Brakes of motor vehicles 2. Engines of motor vehicles 3. Microwave stoves within homes 4. Power plants 5. Telephone lines Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1, 2, 3 and 5 only
  2. (b)1, 2 and 4 only
  3. (c)3, 4 and 5 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(b) 1, 2 and 4 only