UPSC Prelims 2010 — GS Paper 1 Question Paper with Solutions
Complete 2010 UPSC CSE Prelims GS1 paper with 150 questions, answers, and detailed explanations. Attempt all questions with show/hide answers, or take the timed quiz.
150
Questions
72
Easy
77
Moderate
1
Difficult
Paper Analysis — 2010
The 2010 UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination showcased a conspicuous tilt towards Science & Technology and Indian Economy, together accounting for over half of the 150-question paper. With 47 questions (31%) from S&T and 36 questions (24%) from Economics, aspirants who had balanced their core GS preparation with newspaper-based updates on technology, banking and macro-indicators enjoyed a clear edge. Geography (19) and Environment & Ecology (20) together delivered 26% of the paper, reflecting the Commission’s long-term emphasis on earth-systems and sustainable development—well before “environment” became the buzz-word of later syllabi revisions.
In terms of difficulty, the paper was notably candidate-friendly: 72 items were adjudged easy, 77 moderate and only a solitary question classified as difficult. Most of the tricky items emerged from Science & Technology, where applied concepts—particularly biotechnology and IT—were blended with current developments. Conversely, Modern History and Art & Culture threw fewer curve-balls than usual; the single Ancient History question was factual and direct.
Two patterns surprised seasoned observers: first, Indian Polity’s share slumped to just 9 questions, a sharp departure from the double-digit dominance seen in previous years; second, Current Affairs (4 questions) was at its lowest ebb in a decade, signalling that static knowledge comfortably outweighed news-based recall in 2010.
Overall, the 2010 prelims rewarded breadth over depth. Candidates who maintained wide reading habits—spanning NCERT basics, economic surveys and frontline science magazines—could comfortably clear the cut-off despite the paper’s subtle shifts in weightage.
Q: A geographic area with an altitude of 400 metres has following characteristics:
Month J F M A M J J A S O N D
Average maximum temp. °C 31 31 31 31 30 30 29 28 29 30 31
Average minimum temp. °C 21 21 21 21 21 20 20 20 20 20 20
Rainfall (mm) 51 85 188 158 139 121 134 168 185 221 198 86
If this geographic area were to have a natural forest, which one of the following would it most likely be?
Q: If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven, the potato heats up but the paper plate does not. This is because
(a)Potato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper is mainly made up of cellulose
(b)Potato transmits microwaves whereas paper reflects microwaves
(c)Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water
(d)Potato is a fresh organic material whereas paper is a dead organic material
Q: With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following:
1. Fundamental Rights
2. Fundamental Duties
3. Directive Principles of State Policy
Which of the above provisions of the Constitution of India is/are fulfilled by the National Social Assistance Programme launched by the Government of India?
Q: A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements:
1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean.
2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: A cuboid has six sides of different colours. The red side is opposite to black. The blue side is adjacent to white. The brown side is adjacent to blue. The red side is face down. Which one of the following would be the opposite to brown?
Q: Consider the following statements:
The satellite Oceansat-2 launched by India helps in
1. estimating the water vapour content in the atmosphere.
2. predicting the onset of monsoons.
3. monitoring the pollution of coastal waters.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice?
(a)The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties
(b)Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
(c)Its modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids
(d)Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D
Q: Consider the following statements:
The Supreme Court of India tenders advice to the President of India on matters of law or fact
1. on its own initiative (on any matter of larger public interest).
2. if he seeks such an advice.
3. only if the matters relate to the Fundamental Rights of the citizens.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following :
1. Bluetooth device
2. Cordless phone
3. Microwave oven
4. Wi-Fi device
Which of the above can operate between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz range of radio-frequency band ?
Q: Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statements :
1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical areas.
2. Coffee is propagated by seeds but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: In order to comply with TRIPS Agreement, India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999. The difference/differences between a “Trade Mark” and a Geographical Indication is/are
1. A Trade Mark is an individual or a company’s right whereas a Geographical Indication is a community’s right.
2. A Trade Mark can be licensed whereas a Geographical Indication cannot be licensed.
3. A Trade Mark is assigned to the manufactured goods whereas the Geographical Indication is assigned to the agricultural goods/products and handicrafts only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: The SEZ Act, 2005 which came into effect in February 2006 has certain objectives. In this context, consider the following :
1. Development of infrastructure facilities.
2. Promotion of investment from foreign sources.
3. Promotion of exports of services only.
Which of the above are the objectives of this Act ?
Q: Consider the following statements :
1. Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions.
2. India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e., Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine ?
(a)Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium
(b)Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection
(c)Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria
(d)Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation.
2. A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve a few specific species of flora and fauna.
3. In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited biotic interference is permitted.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: A pesticide which is a chlorinated hydrocarbon is sprayed on a food crop. The food chain is: Food crop – Rat – Snake – Hawk. In this food chain, the highest concentration of the pesticide would accumulate in which one of the following?
Q: With reference to soil conservation, consider the following practices:
1. Crop rotation
2. Sand fences
3. Terracing
4. Wind breaks
Which of the above are considered appropriate methods for soil conservation in India?
Q: With reference to the Non-banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India, consider the following statements:
1. They cannot engage in the acquisition of securities issued by the government.
2. They cannot accept demand deposits like Savings Account.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Two trains leave New Delhi at the same time. One travels north at 60 kmph and the other travels south at 40 kmph. After how many hours will the trains be 150 km apart?
Q: A question paper had ten questions. Each question could only be answered as True (T) or False (F). Each candidate answered all the questions. Yet, no two candidates wrote the answers in an identical sequence. How many different sequences of answers are possible?
Q: Six books A, B, C, D, E and F are placed side by side. B, C and E have blue cover and the other books have red cover. Only D and F are new books and the rest are old. A, C and D are law reports and others are Gazetters. What book is a new law report with a red colour?
Q: Following are the characteristics of an area in India:
1. Hot and humid climate
2. Annual rainfall 200 cm
3. Hill slopes up to an altitude of 1100 metres
4. Annual range of temperature 15 °C to 30 °C
Which one among the following crops are you most likely to find in the area described above?
Q: India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th Five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:
1. Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
2. Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
3. Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass.
4. Trillions of Neutrinos pass through human body every second.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Q: The “Instrument of Instructions” contained in the Government of India Act 1935 have been incorporated in the Constitution of India in the year 1950 as
Q: Recently, LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) procedure is being made popular for vision correction. Which one of the following statements in this context is not correct?
(a)LASIK procedure is used to correct refractive errors of the eye
(b)It is a procedure that permanently changes the shapes of the cornea
(c)It reduces a person’s dependence on glasses or contact lenses
(d)It is a procedure that can be done on the person of any age
Q: Six persons M, N, O, P, Q and R are sitting in two rows, three in each. Q is not at the end of any row. P is second to the left of R. O is the neighbour of Q and is sitting diagonally opposite to P. N is the neighbour of R. On the basis of above information, who is facing N?
Q: Consider the following countries:
1. Brazil
2. Mexico
3. South Africa
According to UNCTAD, which of the above is/are categorized as “Emerging Economies”?
Q: In the context of Indian economy, consider the following pairs:
Term – Most appropriate description
1. Melt down – Fall in stock prices
2. Recession – Fall in growth rate
3. Slow down – Fall in GDP
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Q: With reference to BRIC countries, consider the following statements:
1. At present, China’s GDP is more than the combined GDP of all the three other countries.
2. China’s population is more than the combined population of any two other countries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Stiglitz Commission established by the President of the United Nations General Assembly was in the international news. The commission was supposed to deal with
(a)The challenges posed by the impending global climate change and prepare a road map
(b)The workings of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order
(c)Global terrorism and prepare a global action plan for the mitigation of terrorism
(d)Expansion of the United Nations Security Council in the present global scenario
Q: With reference to the mineral resources of India, consider the following pairs:
Mineral — 90% Natural sources in
1. Copper — Jharkhand
2. Nickel — Orissa
3. Tungsten — Kerala
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Q: As regards the use of international food safety standards as reference point for the dispute settlements, which one of the following does WTO collaborate with?
Q: An objective of the National Food Security Mission is to increase the production of certain crops through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country. What are those crops?
Q: With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a)It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces
(b)It proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department
(c)It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre
(d)It recommended the creation of Indian Police Service, with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits
Q: Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention OR of rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress session held in Surat in 1907. Which one of the following was not one of those resolutions?
Q: After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled "The Way Out". Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet?
(a)The establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States
(b)Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in-Chief should be Indian leaders
(c)Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible
Q: There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings?
Q: India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has declared many areas as Ramsar Sites. Which of the following statements best describes how we should maintain these sites in the context of this Convention?
(a)Keep all the sites completely inaccessible to man so that they will not be exploited.
(b)Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and permit tourism and recreation only.
(c)Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach for a period without any exploitation, with specific criteria and specific period for each site, and then allow sustainable use of them by future generations.
(d)Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and allow their simultaneous sustainable use.
Q: Other than Jatropha curcas, why is Pongamia pinnata also considered a good option for the production of bio-diesel in India?
1. Pongamia pinnata grows naturally in most of the arid regions of India.
2. The seeds of Pongamia pinnata are rich in lipid content of which nearly half is oleic acid.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Due to their extensive rice cultivation, some regions may be contributing to global warming. To what possible reason/reasons is this attributable?
1. The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation cause the emission of methane.
2. When nitrogen based fertilizers are used, nitrous oxide is emitted from the cultivated soil.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Sustainable development is described as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this perspective, inherently the concept of sustainable development is intertwined with which of the following concepts ?
Q: Consider the following pairs:
Protected area — Well-known for
1. Bhitarkanika, Orissa — Salt Water Crocodile
2. Desert National Park, Rajasthan — Great Indian Bustard
3. Eravikulam, Kerala — Hoolak Gibbon
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
Q: A person travelled a distance of 50 km in 8 hours. He covered a part of the distance on foot at the rate of 4 km per hour and a part on a bicycle at the rate of 10 km per hour. How much distance did he travel on foot ?
Q: In the context of governance, consider the following :
1. Encouraging Foreign Direct Investment inflows
2. Privatization of higher educational Institutions
3. Down-sizing of bureaucracy
4. Selling/off-loading the shares of Public Sector Undertakings
Which of the above can be used as measures to control the fiscal deficit in India ?
Q: As per the UN-Habitat's Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, which one among the following regions has shown the fastest growth rate of urbanization in the last three decades?
Q: Tamil Nadu is a leading producer of mill-made cotton yarn in the country. What could be the reason?
1. Black cotton soil is the predominant type of soil in the State.
2. Rich pool of skilled labour is available.
Which of the above is/are the correct reasons?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. On the planet Earth, the fresh water available for use amounts to about less than 1% of the total water found.
2. Of the total fresh water found on the planet Earth 95% is bound up in polar ice caps and glaciers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: In a group of five persons A, B, C, D and E, there is a professor, a doctor and a lawyer. A and D are unmarried ladies, and do not work. Of the married couple in the group, E is the husband. B is the brother of A and is neither a doctor nor a lawyer. Who is the professor?
Q: Consider the following actions by the Government:
1. Cutting the tax rates
2. Increasing the government spending
3. Abolishing the subsidies
In the context of economic recession, which of the above actions can be considered a part of the "fiscal stimulus" package?
Q: Half of the villagers of a certain village have their own houses. One-fifth of the villagers cultivate paddy. One-third of the villagers are literate. Four-fifth of the villagers are below twenty-five. Then, which one of the following is certainly true?
(a)All the villagers who have their own houses are literate
(b)Some villagers under twenty-five are literate
(c)A quarter of the villagers who have their own houses cultivate paddy
(d)Half of the villagers who cultivate paddy are literate
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to come to Champaran to investigate the problem of peasants.
2. Acharya J. B. Kripalani was one of Mahatma Gandhi's colleagues in his Champaran investigation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such regulation?
(a)Lord Cornwallis felt that the District Collector's efficiency of revenue collection would enormously increase without the burden of other work
(b)Lord Cornwallis felt that Judicial power should compulsorily be in the hands of Europeans while Indians can be given the job of revenue collection in the districts
(c)Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person
(d)The judicial work demanded a deep knowledge of India and a good training in law and Lord Cornwallis felt that District Collector should be only a revenue collector
Q: With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India is available on a monthly basis only.
2. As compared to Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI(IW)), the WPI gives less weight to food articles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Each person's performance compared with all other persons is to be done to rank them subjectively. How many comparisons are needed in total, if there are 11 persons?
Q: With reference to the treatment of cancerous tumours, a tool called cyberknife has been making the news. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a)It is a robotic image guided system
(b)It delivers an extremely precise dose of radiation
(c)It has the capability of achieving sub-millimetre accuracy
Q: A geographic region has the following distinct characteristics:
1. Warm and dry climate
2. Mild and wet winter
3. Evergreen oak trees
The above features are the distinct characteristics of which one of the following regions?
Q: With reference to the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007, consider the following statements:
1. This policy is applicable only to the persons affected by the acquisition of land for projects and not to the involuntary displacement due to any other reason.
2. This policy has been formulated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: In the context of India’s Five Year Plans, a shift in the pattern of industrialization, with lower emphasis on heavy industries and more on infrastructure begins in
Q: Two of the schemes launched by the Government of India for Women’s development are Swadhar and Swayam Siddha. As regards the difference between them, consider the following statements:
1. Swayam Siddha is meant for those in difficult circumstances such as women survivors of natural disasters or terrorism, women prisoners released from jails, mentally challenged women etc., whereas Swadhar is meant for holistic empowerment of women through Self Help Groups.
2. Swayam Siddha is implemented through Local Self Government bodies or reputed Voluntary Organizations whereas Swadhar is implemented through the ICDS units set up in the states.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, consider the following:
1. The Right to Development
2. The Right to Expression
3. The Right to Recreation
Which of the above is/are the Rights of the child?
Q: Three men start together to travel the same way around a circular track of 11 km. Their speeds are 4, 5.5 and 8 kmph respectively. When will they meet at the starting point for the first time?
Q: With reference to the Consumer Disputes Redressal at district level in India, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a)A State Government can establish more than one District Forum in a district if it deems fit
(b)One of the members of the District Forum shall be a woman
(c)The District Forum entertains the complaints where the value of goods or services does not exceed rupees fifty lakhs
(d)A complaint in relation to any goods sold or any service provided may be filed with a District Forum by the State Government as a representative of the interests of the consumers in general
Q: As a result of their annual survey, the National Geographic Society and an international polling firm GlobeScan gave India top rank in Greendex 2009 score. What is this score?
(a)It is a measure of efforts made by different countries in adopting technologies for reducing carbon footprint
(b)It is a measure of environmentally sustainable consumer behaviour in different countries
(c)It is an assessment of programmes/schemes undertaken by different countries for improving the conservation of natural resources
(d)It is an index showing the volume of carbon credits sold by different countries
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. The Taxus tree naturally found in the Himalayas.
2. The Taxus tree is listed in the Red Data Book.
3. A drug called “taxol” is obtained from Taxus tree is effective against Parkinson’s disease.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: P, Q, R and S are four men. P is the oldest but not the poorest. R is the richest but not the oldest. Q is older than S but not than P or R. P is richer than Q but not than S. The four men can be ordered (descending) in respect of age and richness, respectively, as
Q: Indiscriminate disposal of used fluorescent electric lamps causes mercury pollution in the environment. Why is mercury used in the manufacture of these lamps?
(a)A mercury coating on the inside of the lamp makes the light bright white
(b)When the lamp is switched on, the mercury in the lamp causes the emission of ultra-violet radiations
(c)When the lamp is switched on, it is the mercury which converts the ultra-violet energy into visible light
(d)None of the statement given above is correct about the use of mercury in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps
Q: If there were no Himalayan ranges, what would have been the most likely geographical impact on India?
1. Much of the country would experience the cold waves from Siberia.
2. Indo-Gangetic plain would be devoid of such extensive alluvial soils.
3. The pattern of monsoon would be different from what it is at present.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: A man fills a basket with eggs in such a way that the number of eggs added on each successive day is the same as the number already present in the basket. This way the basket gets completely filled in 24 days. After how many days was the basket 1⁄4th full?
Q: The diameters of two circular coins are in the ratio of 1 : 3. The smaller coin is made to roll around the bigger coin till it returns to the position from where the process of rolling started. How many times did the smaller coin roll around the bigger coin?
Q: The difference between the simple interest received from two banks on Rs. 500 for two years is Rs. 2·50. What is the difference between their rates?
Q: A candidate attempted 12 questions and secured full marks in all of them. If he obtained 60% marks in the test and all questions carried equal marks, then what is the total number of questions in the test?
Q: In a meeting, the map of a village was placed in such a manner that south-east becomes north, north-east becomes west and so on. What will south become?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. The “Bombay Manifesto” signed in 1936 openly opposed the preaching of socialist ideals.
2. It evoked support from a large section of business community from all across India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: For the Karachi session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme ?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than HIV/AIDS
2. Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Excessive release of the pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) into the air may produce a condition in which oxygen supply in the human body decreases. What causes this condition ?
(a)When inhaled into the human body, CO is converted into CO₂
(b)The inhaled CO has much higher affinity for haemoglobin as compared to oxygen
(c)The inhaled CO destroys the chemical structure of haemoglobin
(d)The inhaled CO adversely affects the respiratory centre in the brain
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu.
2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu.
3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: What are the possible limitations of India in mitigating the global warming at present and in the immediate future ?
1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available.
2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development.
3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. The Commonwealth has no charter, treaty or constitution.
2. All the territories/countries once under the British empire (jurisdiction/rule/mandate) automatically joined the Commonwealth as its members.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Examine the following statements :
1. All colours are pleasant.
2. Some colours are pleasant.
3. No colour is pleasant.
4. Some colours are not pleasant.
Given that the statement 4 is true, what can be definitely concluded ?
Q: In the context of bilateral trade negotiations between India and European Union, what is the difference between European Commission and European Council ?
1. European Commission represents the EU in trade negotiations whereas European Council participates in the legislation of matters pertaining to economic policies of the European Union.
2. European Commission comprises the Heads of State or government of member countries whereas the European Council comprises of the persons nominated by European Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: With reference to the National Investment Fund to which the disinvestment proceeds are routed, consider the following statements :
1. The assets in the National Investment Fund are managed by the Union Ministry of Finance.
2. The National Investment Fund is to be maintained within the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. Certain Asset Management Companies are appointed as the fund managers.
4. A certain proportion of annual income is used for financing select social sectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: With reference to India, consider the following :
1. Nationalization of Banks
2. Formation of Regional Rural Banks
3. Adoption of villages by Bank Branches
Which of the above can be considered as steps taken to achieve the “financial inclusion” in India ?
Q: With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements :
1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times ?
1. Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism.
2. The invading tribes from Central Asia till the time of last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists.
3. The Kings of Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Consider the following statements :
The functions of commercial banks in India include
1. Purchase and sale of shares and securities on behalf of customers.
2. Acting as executors and trustees of wills.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Which one of the following authorities makes recommendation to the Governor of a State as to the principles for determining the taxes and duties which may be appropriated by the Panchayats in that particular State ?
Q: Consider the following statements :
In India, taxes on transactions in Stock Exchanges and Futures Markets are
1. levied by the Union
2. collected by the States
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Consider the following statements :
1. The Union Government fixes the Statutory Minimum Price of sugarcane for each sugar season.
2. Sugar and sugarcane are essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: With reference to Indian economy, consider the following statements :
1. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased by four times in the last 10 years.
2. The percentage share of Public Sector in GDP has declined in the last 10 years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Consider the following which can be found in the ambient atmosphere :
1. Soot
2. Sulphur hexafluoride
3. Water vapour
Which of the above contribute to the warming up of the atmosphere ?
Was the 2010 Prelims paper easier compared to earlier years?▼
Yes. With 72 easy and only 1 truly difficult question, the 2010 paper is considered one of the more approachable editions of the decade. However, its balanced moderate segment meant guess-work was still risky for the ill-prepared.
Which subjects dominated the 2010 GS paper?▼
Science & Technology (47 questions) and Indian Economy (36 questions) dominated, together forming 55% of the paper. Geography, Environment & Ecology followed next, while Polity and Current Affairs were relatively under-represented.
How should future aspirants interpret the low Polity weightage in 2010?▼
Treat it as an anomaly, not a trend. UPSC traditionally gives high importance to Polity; the 2010 dip was balanced by heavier Polity coverage in subsequent years. Continue preparing Polity comprehensively despite this one-off reduction.
