Question-1
Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates
(a) The Right of Equality
(b) The Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) The Right of Freedom
(d) The Concept of Welfare
Explanation: Not required
Motivation- FR/DPSPs/FD are important themes of UPSC-CSE.
Source- Laxmikant, 4th Edition, Pg8.2
Hairsplitting Potential- Some can do so in B and D, but concept of welfare is
much broader.
Nature- Static + Basic
Memory Code- Factual
Level- Easy
Question-2
What is the position of the Right to Property in India?
(a) Legal right available to citizens only
(b) Legal right available to any person
(c) Fundamental Right available to citizens only
(d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right
Explanation: Companies, State and it’s agencies, few other non-citizens can buy property in India under article 300-A. Also, in article 300-A, the word ‘person’ is used and not citizen.
Motivation- Court Judgement on this issue.
Source- Laxmikant, Indian Kanoon website.
Hairsplitting Potential- Some can do so in A and B.
Nature- Current Inspired
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/private-property-is-a-human-right-says-sc/article30551819.ece
Memory Code- Analytical
Level- Easy
Question-3
What was the exact constitutional status of India on 26th January, 1950?
(a) A Democratic Republic
(b) A Sovereign Democratic Republic
(c) A Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic
(d) A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic
Explanation: On November 26, we adopted constitution.
Motivation- 42nd CAA, addition of Secular word in preamble is often debated in media.
Source- Laxmikant, 4th edition Pg2.4
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Analytical
Level- Easy
Question-4
Constitutional government means
(a) A representative government of a nation with federal structure
(b) A government whose Head enjoys nominal powers
(c) A government whose Head enjoys real powers
(d) A government limited by the terms of the Constitution
Explanation: Definition of Constitutional government.
Motivation- Last year too they asked this question. Theme in UPSC
Source- https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/keps201.pdf
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Analytical
Level- Easy
Question-5
With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to
(a) Dance forms of Northwest India
(b) Musical instruments
(c) Pre-historic cave paintings
(d) Tribal languages
Explanation: These are tribal languages.
Motivation- UNESCO came up with Atlas of endangered languages. Was
well covered in the Hindu.
Source- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/radio-aids-
revival-of-dying-tribal-language/article30831074.ece
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Factual
Level- Tough to recall such obscure fact
Question-6
Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma
Awards:
1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.
Which of the above statements are not correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: SC judgement on statement 1, given in Laxmikant.
Motivation- Bharat Ratna for all Doctors in India was demanded.
Source- Wikipedia of Padma and Bharat Ratna
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Factual
Level- Tough to recall such obscure fact
Question-7
Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.
Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
(d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
Explanation: FAO and Arbor Day Foundation. S1 is wrong.
Motivation- was in news.
Source- https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/hyderabad-the-
only-tree-city-of-the-world-from-india/article33872974.ece
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Current
Memory Code- Factual
Level- Tough to recall such obscure fact
Question-8
Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000:
1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award.
2. The award was received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far.
3. Roger Federer received this award maximum number of times compared to others.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Source- Random google articles and Wikipedia.
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- कु छ भी
Level- Tough
Question-9
Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics:
1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’.
2. Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball are
included in this Olympics
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Faster, Higher, Stronger, Together.
Motivation- Recently Together was added in official motto.
Source- https://www.dw.com/en/tokyo-2020-ioc-adds-together-to-official-
olympics-motto/a-58324752
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Current
Memory Code- Factual
Level- Moderate if you followed Olympic. काहे का sports जवानी तो UPSC में बर्बाद कर रहा हूँ।
Question-10
Consider the following statement in respect of the ICC World Test Championship:
1. The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won.
2. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more
matches than England.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: It is point based system not match win based.
Motivation- 1st ICC Test Championship.
Nature- Current
Memory Code- Factual
Level- Moderate
Question-11
Consider the following statements:
1. ‘Right to the City’ is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
2. ‘Right to the City’ gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city.
3. ‘Right to the City’ means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies in the city.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Explanation:
Motivation- SC Judgement on Delhi-Railway basti case.
Source- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/smothering-the-housing-rights-of-the-urban-poor/article32584491.ece
But this article is not sufficient to answer this question.
Here is the official paper on R2C by Habitat-III
https://uploads.habitat3.org/hb3/file_58322.pdf
Hairsplitting Potential- Lack of credible document which contains these statements verbatim. Thus, spilt between C and D. But, I think answer will be C.
Nature- Random Current
Memory Code- Factual, can’t deduce answer.
Level- Tough
Question-12
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned
magistrate and such accused is locked up in police station, not in jail
2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not
allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Check out source for the details.
Motivation- Often seen in news. CJI’s remarks on custodial violence.
Source- https://districts.ecourts.gov.in/sites/default/files/fct.pdf
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Current
Memory Code- Factual, can’t deduce answer.
Level- Moderate
Question-13
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right.
2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation:
It was observed in a recent case of Sanjay Kumar Valmiki v. State of NCT of Delhi (2020) that “parole is a discretionary exercise, whereas furlough is a beneficial privilege of the criminal to be considered for release, which the convict can claim provided he meets the Act’s and Rules’ requirements.
Parole is granted in emergency situations, whereas furlough is granted to the petitioner if the prerequisites are met. According to Rules 1171 to 1178 of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 and Rule 1223, a prisoner is only eligible for furlough if he has received three Annual Good Conduct reports and, as a result, three Annual Good Conduct Remissions.”.
Motivation- HC Judgement, Father Stanly case.
Source- HC judgement as quoted above.
https://blog.ipleaders.in/parole-india-laws-related/
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Current
Memory Code- Factual, can’t deduce answer.
Level- Tough
Question-14
At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(c) Ministry of Rural Development
(d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Explanation: Self Explanatory.
Motivation- Often seen in news.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Factual.
Level- Easy
Question-15
A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?
(a) Article 14
(b) Article 28
(c) Article 32
(d) Article 44
Explanation: Self Explanatory.
Motivation- Themes PYQ.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Factual.
Level- Easy
Question-16
Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?
(a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded
(b) The union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units
(c) The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties
(d) The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law
Explanation: Features of Indian constitution showing federal bias
Motivation- PYQ Theme.
Source- Laxmikant, 4th edition, Pg13.1 Table
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Factual, can’t deduce answer.
Level- Easy
Question-17
Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State’?
(a) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government.
(b) A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance
(c) A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with own culture, tradition and government
(d) A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary
Explanation: Self explanatory
Motivation- HC Judgement - UN not a State
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hc-united-nations-not-a-state-
under-article-12/article27180399.ece
Source- Political Science, NCERT 11th
Hairsplitting Potential- A/B, NCERT mentions A.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Analytical, C and D can be eliminated.
Level- Moderate
Question-18
With reference to Indian judiciary, consider the following statements:
1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with prior permission of the President of India.
2. A High Court in India has the power to review its own judgement as the Supreme Court does.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Self explanatory
Motivation- HC Judgement -
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/settled-proposition-court-of-record-
high-court-review-own-judgments-article-226-kerala-high-court-174922
Source- Polity by Laxmikant
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Static, current inspired
Memory Code- Analytical
Level- Moderate
Question-19
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile
2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State
3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under
any circumstances
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Explanation: Citizen by naturalisation can be Presidents too.
Motivation- Citizenship Act.
Source- Laxmikant, 4th edition
Hairsplitting Potential- Nil.
Nature- Static
Memory Code- Factual.
Level- Moderate
Question-20
Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty
in a liberal democracy?
(a) A committed judiciary
(b) Centralization of powers
(c) Elected government
(d) Separation of powers
Explanation: Liberty - Article 21 - Judiciary - Separation of Power
Source- Laxmikant, 4th edition
Level- Easy
