Practise UPSC MCQs with explanations

Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water, and many other natural objects not looked upon 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?

With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs: Literary work - Author 1. Devichandragupta: Bilhana 2. Hammira-Mahakavya: Nayachandra Suri 3. Milinda-panha: Nagasena 4. Nitivakyamrita: Somadeva Suri. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Consider the following dynasties: 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava. How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?

Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?

With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were well known as

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?

In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

Consider the following statements: Statement-1: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration. Statement-2: Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term 'efficiency of administration'. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President. 2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District, and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block. 3. The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States. How many of the above statements are correct?

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve': 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest. 2. Hunting is not allowed in such area. 3. People of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce. 4. People of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices. How many of the above statements are correct?

With reference to Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. When the Lok Sabha transmits Finance Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it can amend or reject the Bill. 2. When the Lok Sabha transmits Money Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it cannot amend or reject the Bill; it can only make recommendations. 3. In the case of disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no joint sitting for Money Bill, but a joint sitting becomes necessary for Finance Bill. How many of the above statements are correct?

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in the performance of duties of his/her office of President before the date of decision become invalid. 2. Election for the post of the President of India can be postponed on the ground that some Legislative Assemblies have been dissolved and elections are yet to take place. 3. When a Bill is presented to the President of India, the Constitution prescribes time limits within which he/she has to declare his/her assent. How many of the above statements are correct?

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?

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights?

Which one of the following statements best reflects the chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country?

Consider the following statements: Statement-1: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons. Statement-2: In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894, which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

In essence, what does 'Due Process of Law' mean?

Consider the following infrastructure sectors: 1. Affordable housing 2. Mass rapid transport 3. Health care 4. Renewable energy On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?

Consider the following: 1. Demographic performance 2. Forest and ecology 3. Governance reforms 4. Stable government 5. Tax and fiscal efforts For the horizontal tax devolution, the Fifteenth Finance Commission used how many of the above as criteria other than population area and income distance?

Consider the investments in the following assets: 1. Brand recognition 2. Inventory 3. Intellectual property 4. Mailing list of clients How many of the above are considered intangible investments?