UPSC Prelims 2024 previous year paper · official paper and PYQ-pattern practice

UPSC Prelims 2024 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 17 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 · Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues

   Which of the following statements is correct regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs)? 1. The CEC and ECs are appointed by the President of India. 2. They hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. 3. The CEC can be removed from office in the same manner as a Judge of the Supreme Court. 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: D

   Statement 1 is correct: the CEC and ECs are appointed by the President. Statement 2 is correct: their term is 6 years or until age 65, whichever is earlier. Statement 3 is correct: the CEC can be removed only in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge (impeachment). Thus all three statements are correct.

2. Q2 · Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

   Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the concept of 'Carbon Neutrality'? 1. It refers to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing emissions with removal. 2. India has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. 3. Carbon neutrality can be achieved through afforestation and use of renewable energy sources. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

   Answer: A

   Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Carbon neutrality means achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing emissions with carbon removal through methods like afforestation and renewable energy. However, statement 2 is incorrect; India has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2070, not 2050, as announced at COP26 in Glasgow.

3. Q3 · History of India and Indian National Movement

   With reference to the Quit India Movement of 1942, which of the following statements is correct?

   • A. It was launched immediately after the failure of the Simon Commission.
   • B. The Congress Working Committee passed the Quit India Resolution in Bombay.
   • C. The Muslim League actively participated alongside the Congress.
   • D. The movement witnessed no instances of underground resistance.
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   The Quit India Resolution was passed by the All-India Congress Committee in Bombay on 8 August 1942, leading to the famous 'Do or Die' call by Mahatma Gandhi. The movement saw widespread underground resistance, and the Muslim League did not join the movement.

4. Q4 · Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

   The term 'Carbon Neutrality' refers to which of the following?

   • A. Achieving a balance between carbon emissions and carbon removal from the atmosphere
   • B. Complete elimination of all carbon dioxide from industrial processes
   • C. Using only renewable energy sources for electricity generation
   • D. Reducing methane emissions to zero in agricultural activities
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Carbon neutrality means achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing emissions with carbon removal through methods like afforestation, carbon capture, or offsetting. It does not require complete elimination of emissions, but rather achieving equilibrium.

5. Q5 · Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic

   Consider the following pairs of geographical features with their locations: 1. Atacama Desert - South America 2. Lake Baikal - Central Asia 3. Great Rift Valley - East Africa How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

   • A. Only one
   • B. Only two
   • C. All three
   • D. None
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Pair 1 is correct - Atacama Desert is in Chile, South America. Pair 2 is incorrect - Lake Baikal is in Siberia, Russia (North Asia, not Central Asia). Pair 3 is correct - Great Rift Valley runs through East Africa. Hence, two pairs are correctly matched.

6. Q6 · Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

   Consider the following statements: Statement I: Mangrove ecosystems sequester more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests. Statement II: Mangroves have specialized root systems that allow them to trap sediments and organic matter in anaerobic conditions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   • A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
   • B. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
   • C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
   • D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   Both statements are correct and Statement II explains Statement I. Mangroves are highly efficient blue carbon ecosystems that sequester 3-5 times more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests. This is because their specialized root systems (pneumatophores, prop roots) trap sediments and organic matter in anaerobic conditions, preventing decomposition and enabling long-term carbon storage.

7. Q7 · Economic and Social Development

   Which of the following best describes the concept of 'Universal Basic Income' (UBI)?

   • A. A conditional cash transfer to families below the poverty line based on their work participation
   • B. A periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all citizens on an individual basis
   • C. A subsidized food distribution scheme targeting vulnerable sections of society
   • D. An employment guarantee scheme providing 100 days of wage employment annually
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Universal Basic Income is a periodic cash payment provided unconditionally to all citizens individually, without means-testing or work requirements, aimed at ensuring minimum income security.

8. Q8 · Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

   With reference to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), consider the following statements: 1. The Cartagena Protocol deals with the safe handling, transport and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs). 2. The Nagoya Protocol addresses access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits arising from their utilization. 3. India is a party to the CBD but has not ratified the Cartagena Protocol. 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: A

   Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Cartagena Protocol (on biosafety) deals with LMOs, and the Nagoya Protocol covers access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources. Statement 3 is incorrect—India has ratified both the CBD and the Cartagena Protocol.

9. Q9 · General Science

   With reference to vaccines, consider the following statements: 1. mRNA vaccines deliver genetic instructions for cells to produce viral proteins, triggering an immune response. 2. Live attenuated vaccines contain killed pathogens that cannot cause disease. 3. Vector-based vaccines use harmless viruses to carry genetic material from the pathogen into cells. How many of the above statements are correct?

   • A. Only one
   • B. Only two
   • C. All three
   • D. None
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Live attenuated vaccines contain weakened (not killed) pathogens; killed pathogens are in inactivated vaccines.

10. Q10 · General Science

    Which one of the following best describes 'Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)'?

    • A. A method of secure communication that uses quantum mechanics principles to encrypt data
    • B. A technique for faster data processing in supercomputers using quantum entanglement
    • C. A system for distributing computational tasks across multiple quantum processors
    • D. A protocol for sharing quantum computing resources among research institutions
    Answer and solution

    Answer: A

    Quantum Key Distribution uses principles of quantum mechanics to create secure encryption keys, making it virtually impossible to intercept communications without detection.