UPSC Prelims 2021 previous year paper practice · PYQ-pattern set

UPSC Prelims 2021 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 18 PYQ-pattern questions in this set — freshly worded in that year's pattern, not the original questions. Answers and solutions open under each question.

1. Q1 · History of India and Indian National Movement

   Consider the following statements about the Permanent Settlement of 1793: 1. It was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. 2. The revenue demand was fixed permanently and could not be increased. 3. The zamindars became owners of land with hereditary rights. 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
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   All three statements are correct. The Permanent Settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. The land revenue was fixed permanently and could not be raised. Zamindars were recognized as proprietors of land with hereditary succession rights, transforming them into a landlord class.

2. Q2 · Economic and Social Development

   Consider the following statements regarding the 'Marginal Standing Facility' (MSF): 1. It is a window for banks to borrow from the Reserve Bank of India in an emergency situation. 2. Banks can borrow under MSF by dipping into the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) portfolio. 3. The MSF rate is always lower than the Repo rate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. 1 and 2 only
   • B. 2 only
   • C. 1 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Statement 1 is correct: MSF is an emergency borrowing facility for banks from RBI when inter-bank liquidity dries up. Statement 2 is correct: Banks can borrow under MSF by encroaching upon their SLR holdings up to a certain limit. Statement 3 is incorrect: The MSF rate is typically higher than the Repo rate, acting as a penal rate to discourage excessive borrowing.

3. Q3 · Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic

   Consider the following statements about monsoons in India: 1. The southwest monsoon accounts for about 75% of India's annual rainfall. 2. The retreating monsoon season witnesses rainfall in the Coromandel Coast. 3. The phenomenon of 'break' in monsoon refers to the complete withdrawal of monsoon from the Indian subcontinent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. 1 and 2 only
   • B. 2 only
   • C. 1 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Statement 1 is correct - southwest monsoon contributes about 75-80% of India's annual rainfall. Statement 2 is correct - during October-November (retreating monsoon), the Coromandel Coast receives rainfall from northeast monsoon. Statement 3 is incorrect - 'break' in monsoon refers to temporary cessation of rainfall during the monsoon season, not complete withdrawal.

4. Q4 · General Science

   With reference to quantum computing, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. 2. Quantum computers can solve all computational problems faster than classical computers. 3. Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon utilized in quantum computing. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   • A. 1 only
   • B. 1 and 3 only
   • C. 2 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Statement 1 is correct - qubits use superposition to exist in multiple states simultaneously. Statement 2 is incorrect - quantum computers excel at specific problems (cryptography, optimization, simulation) but are not faster for all computational tasks. Statement 3 is correct - quantum entanglement is a key resource enabling quantum computing operations.

5. Q5 · Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

   Which of the following constitutional amendments is/are related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India?

   • A. 99th Amendment Act
   • B. 100th Amendment Act
   • C. 101st Amendment Act
   • D. 102nd Amendment Act
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016, introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India, restructuring the indirect tax regime by subsuming multiple central and state taxes.

6. Q6 · Economic and Social Development

   Consider the following statements about 'Fiscal Deficit': 1. Fiscal deficit indicates the total borrowing requirements of the government. 2. A high fiscal deficit always leads to inflation in the economy. 3. Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act mandates the government to maintain fiscal deficit within a prescribed limit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • A. 1 only
   • B. 1 and 3 only
   • C. 2 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Fiscal deficit represents total borrowing needs and the FRBM Act sets fiscal deficit targets. Statement 2 is incorrect—high fiscal deficit can lead to inflation if it results in excessive money supply, but it is not automatic and depends on how the deficit is financed and utilized.

7. Q7 · Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

   Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Community Reserves in India? 1. The State Government has the authority to declare an area as a Community Reserve. 2. Rights of people living in such areas for traditional agricultural practices are extinguished upon notification. 3. Community Reserves are meant to link or provide buffer zones for national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   • A. 1 and 2 only
   • B. 1 and 3 only
   • C. 2 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   State Government can declare Community Reserves, and they serve as buffer/corridor zones. Traditional rights are allowed to continue, so statement 2 is incorrect.

8. Q8 · Economic and Social Development

   Which of the following would lead to an appreciation of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar? 1. Higher inflow of Foreign Direct Investment into India 2. Increase in imports from the United States 3. Reserve Bank of India selling US Dollars in the foreign exchange market Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   • A. 1 and 2 only
   • B. 1 and 3 only
   • C. 2 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Higher FDI increases dollar supply, appreciating the rupee. RBI selling dollars also increases dollar supply, strengthening rupee. Higher imports increase dollar demand, weakening (not appreciating) the rupee.

9. Q9 · Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

   Which of the following gases is/are considered a greenhouse gas? 1. Methane 2. Nitrous oxide 3. Sulphur hexafluoride Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   • A. 1 only
   • B. 1 and 2 only
   • C. 2 and 3 only
   • D. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   All three gases—methane, nitrous oxide, and sulphur hexafluoride—are recognized greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Sulphur hexafluoride has an extremely high global warming potential.

10. Q10 · General Science

    'Optical coherence tomography', sometimes mentioned in the media, is a technique used in which one of the following?

    • A. Non-invasive medical imaging of biological tissues
    • B. Detection of gravitational waves in space
    • C. Measurement of ocean surface temperatures
    • D. Analysis of atmospheric pollution levels
    Answer and solution

    Answer: A

    Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique commonly used in ophthalmology and other medical fields to capture high-resolution cross-sectional images of biological tissues.