UPSC Previous Year Question

 Consider the following organizations/bodies in India: 1. The National Commission for Backward Classes 2. The National Human Rights Commission 3. The National Law Commission 4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission How many of the above are constitutional bodies? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Answer - A Analysis - Easy , Factual, contemporery affair Explaination  The National Commission for Backward Classes(NCBC) was in news Because it got constitutional status by Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2018 (also called, 102nd Amendment Act, 2018), under Article 338B. NHRC statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 National Law Commission: executive body whose chief function is legal reforms in the country.  National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission- A quasi-judicial and statutory body was established in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.  Tip  Make a table of all the bodies in the news and in laxmikanth and

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights? (a) 1st amendment (b) 42nd amendment  (c) 44th Amendment (d) 86thAmendment Answer - A  Analysis - Difficult and factual question  Explanation  1st Amendment Act, 1951 provided means to  1. Restrict freedom of speech and expression, By Adding three more grounds of restrictions   public order, friendly relations with foreign states and incitement to an offence.  Also, made the restrictions “reasonable” and thus, justiciable in nature. 2. validation of Zamindari abolition laws, and  3. Clarified that the right to equality does not bar the enactment of laws which provide "special consideration" for weaker sections of society. 4. Provided that state trading and nationalisation of any trade or business by the state is not to be invalid on the grounds of violation of the right to trade or business.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country ? (a) It determines the objective for the making of necessary laws. (b) It enables the creation of political offices and a government. (c) It defines and limits the powers of government. (d) It secures social justice, social equality and social security. Answer - C  Analysis - Medium level , factual question  Source - NCERT 11th - Constitution at work  Chapter 1 - CONSTITUTION: WHY AND HOW? WHY DO WE NEED A CONSTITUTION? 1. Constitution allows coordination and assurance 2. Specification of decision-making powers 3. Limitations on the powers of government 4. Aspirations and goals of a society 5. Fundamental identity of a people Tip  You must read the 11th NCERT at least chapter 1 

 In essence, what does 'Due Process of Law' mean? (a) The principle of natural justice (b) The procedure established by law (c) Fair application of law (d) Equality before law Answer - A Analysis - Difficult, Factual  Source - Introduction To The Constitution Of India by DD Basu Tip - Don't Even think to read DD Basu for the UPSC exam. Explaination  What is Due Process of Law? It is a principle that makes sure that the procedure used to make a law is free from arbitrariness and irrationality. In this fair play is ensured by giving every  party a right to be heard which is the  very basis of the principle of natural justice. 

 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 Answer - D Analysis  Easy, Factual  Explanation  The Charter Act of 1833 Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India and vested in him all civil and military powers.

 Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese? (a) Ahmad Shah (b) Mahmud Begarha (c) Bahadur Shah (d) Muhammad Shah Answer - C Analysis  Difficult, Factual  Source  Old NCERT Medieval India Satish Chandra(page 128) Explanation In 1534, Nino da Cunha  captured Diu and Bassein from the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah. Tip Never prepare based on random fact-based questions.

 Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city? (a) Devaraya I (b) Mallikarjuna (c) Vira Vijaya (d) Virupaksha Answer - A  Easy, factual question  Source Lucent, Satish Chandra - Medieval India NCERT Chapter 9, page 116 Explaination Nuniz in his account has talked about projects of Devaraya 1. Around 1410 AD Devaraya 1 got a barrage constructed across Tungabhadra River.  Tip  Vijaynagar Empire is upsc favourite topic and you can cover it from Lucent's book because the previous year's question can be solved using it.

 "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 Answer  B Analysis - Easy, Factual , Current affair based  Jainism holds that every atom has a soul but it is not Jiva, because they do not have sense organs. 

 Consider the following  dynasties: 1.Hoysala 2.Gahadavala 3.Kakatiya 4.Yadava How many of the  above dynasties established their  kingdoms in early eighth century AD? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) None Solution - D Analysis  Medival History , Difficult , Factual , Current affair Tip - 3 things which must be on your tips for all the dynasties asked in UPSC pre-previous year questions and dynasties which  are in news 1. Timeline  2. Region ruled  3. Founder and important king. You need to make a list for it 

  Which one of the following explains the  practice of ' Vattakirutal ' as mentioned in Sangam  poems?   (a) Kings employing women bodyguards   (b) Learned persons 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   Analysis Factual, Difficult   Solution -  D What is Vattakirutal?   Vattakirutal was a practice in which a defeated king committed ritual suicide by starving himself to death, accompanied by those who had been close to him during his lifetime.     Sangam poems are concerned with two main topics:   1. love ( akam ) 2. heroism ( puram ), including kings' praise and deeds.   The goal of the hero of the Puram poems was pukal (glory, fame) and a heroic death was greatly valued.   People used to wo

  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   Analysis - Factual question     Source-   Solution - B 

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 Analysis   Difficult question because of the format in which options are given.   Source Current affair     What is Stupa? Stupa, Sanskrit for heap, is a mound-like (hemispherical)burial structure containing relics of Buddhist monks. e.g. Sanchi Stupa built over Buddha relics. Hence statement 2 is correct.   Origin of stupa Concept of stupa does not have Buddhist origin because it is mentioned in the Rigveda, Atharvaveda etc. Hence statement 1 is not correct.   Rigveda refers to a Stupa raised by the King Varuna above the forest in a place having no foundation .   The word ‘estuka’

  In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka , which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas , located? (a) Andhra (b) Gandhara (c) Kalinga (d) Magadha                  Analysis   It was a difficult factual question.   Tip   It can be solved if you have the habit of memorising NCERT Map.   Source   Themes in Indian History Part 1; Ch2- Kings, Farmers and Towns Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)- Pg 43 (Map) https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/lehs102.pdf   Solution A - Andhra   What is Mahasanghika?   Mahasanghika (“Great Congregation( समूह )”, also given as Mahasamghika) was a Buddhist school of thought which is thought to have been formed after the Second Buddhist Council of 383 BCE when it separated itself from another school, the Sthaviravada (“Sect of the Elders”).   Buddhism was present in Andhra pradesh during pre-mauryan period.   Amaravati and Dharanikota, both formed pa