Paper : IAS Prelims Previous Year Paper General Studies (2003)

76. Consider the following statements:
A4-wheel vehicle moving in a sharp circular path at high speed will:
1. overturn about its outer wheels.
2. overturn about its inner wheels
3. skid outwards
4. skid inwards
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 4
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 4

77. Which one of the following schedules of the Indian Constitution lists the names of States and specifies their territories?
(a) First (b) Second
(c) Third (d) Fourth

78. In the year 2002, the President of India presented the national award for excellence in public administration and management sciences to:
(a) Kumar Manglam Birla
(b) N. R. Narayana Murthy
(c) `Rahul Bajaj
(d) Ratan Tata

79. ‘A’ and ‘B’ are two fixed points in a field. A cyclist ‘C’ moves such that ACB is always a right angle. In this context, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) The path followed by the cyclist is an ellipse
(b) The path followed by the cyclist is a circle
(c) The path followed by the cyclist is an exponential curve
(d) This type of motion is not possible

80. The thermal power plant of Bokaro is located in:
(a) Bihar (b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Jharkhand (d) Orissa

81. Among the following commodities imported by India during the year 2000-01, which one was the highest in terms of Rupee value?
(a) Edible oil
(b) Fertilizers
(c) Organic and inorganic chemicals
(d) Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones

82. With reference to ionic compounds, consider the following statements:
1. Ionic compounds are insoluble in alcohol.
2. Ionic compounds in the solid state are good conductors of electricity.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

83. Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
(a) The presence of NACI increases the rate of setting of Plaster of Paris
(b) Gypsum is added to the cement to slow down its rate of setting
(c) All alkaline earth metals form hydrated salts
(d) Barium and Strontium are found free in nature

84. With reference to India, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
(a) IPCL is India’s largest petrochemical company
(b) RIL is the largest private sector company in India
(c) MTNL is listed on NYSE
(d) BSNL is the first telecom service organization in India to launch a nationwide cellular service at one time

85. Which amongst the following States has the highest population density as per Census-2001?
(a) Kerala (b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Uttar Pradesh (d) West Bengal

86. The Ninth Schedule to the Indian Constitution was added by:
(a) First Amendment
(b) Eighth Amendment
(c) Ninth Amendment
(d) Forty second Amendment

87. Who headed the Interim Cabinet formed in the year 1946?
(a) Rajendra Prasad
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(d) Rajagopalachari88. The waterfall’Victoria’ is associated with the river:
(a) Amazon (b) Missouri
(c) St. Lawrence (d) Zambeji

89. The leader of the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) was:
(a) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Vithalbhai J. Patel
(d) Mahadev Desai

90. The Kelkar proposals which were in the news recently were the:
(a) recommendations for reforms in the power sector
(b) recommendations for tax reforms
(c) guidelines for the privatization of public sector undertakings
(d) guidelines for reducing vehicular pollution, and the promotion of CNG use

91. Consider the following statements:
1. The joint sitting of the two houses of the Parliament in India is sanctioned under Article 108 of the Constitution
2. The first joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was held in the year 1961
3. The second joint sitting of the two Houses of Indian Parliament was held to pass the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3

92. Life expectancy is highest in the world in:
(a) Canada (b) Germany
(c) Japan (d) Norway

93. During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission?
(a) To review the fitness of India for further political reforms
(b) To report on the existing conditions of labour and to make recommendations
(c) To draw up a plan for financial reforms for India
(d) To develop a comprehensive scheme for Civil Services in India

94. Octopus is:
(a) an arthropod
(b) an echinoderm
(c) a hemichordate
(d) a mollusk

95. Consider the following conditions of a sick human body:
1. Swollen lymph nodes
2. Sweating at night
3. Loss of memory
4. Loss of weight
Which of these are the symptoms of AIDS?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

96. Emperor Harsha’s southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by:
(a) Pulakesin-I (b) Pulakesin-II
(c) Vikramaditya-I (d) Vikramaditya-II

97. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution did the President give his assent to the ordinance on electoral reforms when it was sent back to him by the Union Cabinet without making any changes (in the year 2002)?
(a) Article 121 (b) Article 122
(c) Article 123 (d) Article 124

98. Dilip Kaur Tiwana is well known as a:
(a) literature (b) musician
(c) scientist (d) sportsperson99. Consider the following statements:
1. The maximum limit of shareholding of Indian promoters in private sector banks in India is 49 percent of the paid up capital.
2. Foreign Direct Investment upto 49 percent from all sources is permitted in private sector banks in India under the automatic route.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

101. Regarding the atom of a chemical element, the magnetic quantum number refers to:
(a) orientation (b) shape
(c) size (d) spin

102. Consider the following statements:
1. The common blue green algae Spirogyra and Ulothrix are found in both fresh water ponds and oceans.
2. The chameleon can look ahead with one eye, and at the same time look behind with another. Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

103. Which among the following countries has the largest population?
(a) Indonesia (b) Japan
(c) Pakistan (d) Sudan

Directions: The following fifteen (15) items consist of two statements: one labeled as the ‘Assertion (A)’ and the other as ‘Reason (R)’. You are to examine these two statements carefully and select the answers to these items using the codes given below: 

Codes:
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

104. Assertion (A): Emperor Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 with a huge army. 
Reason (R): He was on his way to reclaim his ancestral country of Ferghana in Central Asia. 

105. Assertion (A): During the year 2001-02, the value of India’s total exports declined, registering a
negative growth of 2.17%.
Reason (R): During the year 2001-02, negative growth in exports was witnessed in respect of iron and
steel, coffee, textiles and marine products.

106. Assertion (A): The eastern coast of India produces more rice than the western coast.
Reason (R): The eastern coast receives more rainfall than the western coast.

107. Assertion (A): The new EXIM policy is liberal, market-oriented and favours global trade. 
Reason (R): GATT has played a significant role in the libralisation of the economy.

108. Assertion (A): In the periodic table of chemical elements, electron affinity is always found to increase from top to bottom in a group. 
Reason (R): In a group, the atomic radii generally increase from top to bottom.

109. Assertion (A): Coal-based thermal power stations contribute to acid-rain. 
Reason (R): Oxides of carbon are emitted when coal burns.

110. Assertion (A): The weight of a body decreases with the increase of latitude on earth. 
Reason (R): The earth is not a perfect sphere.

111. Assertion (A): Unsaturated fats are more reactive compared with the saturated fats. 
Reason (R): Unsaturated fats have only single bonds in their structure.

112. Assertion (A): The amount of moisture in the atmosphere is related to latitude. 
Reason (R): The capacity to hold moisture in the form of water vapour is related to temperature.

113. Assertion (A): Unlike temperate forests, the tropical rain forests, if cleared, can yield productive farmland that can support intensive agriculture for several years even without chemical fertilizers. 
Reason (R): The primary productivity of the tropical rain forest is very high when compared to that of
the temperate forests.

114. Assertion (A): In 1916, Maulana Mohammad Ali and Abul Kalam Azad resigned from the Legislative Council. 
Reason (R): The Rowlatt Act was passed by the Government in spite of being opposed by all Indian members of the Legislative Council.

115. Assertion (A): Shah Alam Ii spent the initial years as an Emperor far away from his capital. 
Reason (R): There was always a lurking danger of foreign invasion from the north-west frontier.

116. Assertion (A): Areas lying within five to eight degrees latitude on either side of the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. 
Reason (R): High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain to fall mostly in the afternoons near the equator.

117. Assertion (A): Saluva Narasimha put an end to the old dynasty and assumed the royal title. 
Reason (R): He wanted to save the kingdom from further degeneration and disintegration.

118. Assertion (A): Marathas emerged as the strongest native power in India after the decline of Mughal empire.
Reason (R): Marathas were the first to have a clear concept of a united Indian nation.

119. In December 2002, the prime Minister of India signed ‘Delhi declaration’ with the:
(a) President of Indonesia
(b) President of Russia
(c) Prime Minister of Cambodia
(d) Prime Minister of Laos

120. Among the following cities, which one is nearest to the Tropic of Cancer?
(a) Delhi (B) Kolkata
(c) Jodhpur (D) Nagpur

121. ‘Mrichchhakatika’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with:
(a) the love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
(b) the victory of Chandragupta II over the Shaka Kshatrapas of western India
(c) the military expeditions and exploits of Samudragupta
(d) the love affair between a Gupta King and a princess of Kamarupa

122. Consider the following statements:
1. Vardhamana Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchavi chief Chetaka.
2. Gautama Buddha’s mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty.
3. parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Banaras.
Which of these statements is/are correct?(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3

123. A car travels the first one-third of a certain distance with a speed of 10km/hr, the next one-third distance with a speed of 20 km/hr and the last one-third distance with a speed of 60 km/hr. The average speed of the car for the whole journey is:
(a) 18 km/hr (b) 24 km/hr
(c) 30 km/hr (d) 36 km/hr

124. Consider the following statements:
The purpose of adding sodium sulphate and sodium silicate to the detergent in a washing powder is:
1. to keep the washing powder dry.
2. to maintain the alkalinity of the powder
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

125. Debenture holders of a company are its:
(a) Shareholders (b) Creditrso
(c) Debtors (d) Directors

126. Which one of the following statements if NOT correct?
(a) The National Song Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji originally in Bengali
(b) The National Calendar of India based on Saka era has its 1st Chaitra on 22nd March normally and 21st March in a leap year
(c) The design of the National Flag of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July, 1947
(d) The song ‘Jana-gana-mana’, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly on 24th January, 1950 as the national Anthem of India

127. Which one of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution provides that ‘It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression  and internal disturbance’?
(a) Article 215 (b) Article 275
(c) Article 325 (d) Article 355

128. ‘A’ walks around a circular field at the rate of one round per hour while ‘B’ runs around it at the rate of six rounds per hour. They start in the same direction from the same point at 7.30 a.m. They shall first cross each other at:
(a) 8.30 a.m. (b). 8.10 a.m.
(c) 7.48 a.m. (d) 7.42 a.m.

129. Consider the following statements: In India, stamp duties on financial transactions are:
1. levied and collected by the State Government.
2. appropriated by the Union Government.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

130. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) East Timor was a British colony for four centuries
(b) The European colonial rulers handed over East Timor to Indonesia in 1975
(c) The United Nations took over East Timor in 1999 to prepare it for independence
(d) East Timor finally declared its independence in December 2001

132. With reference to Indian defence, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
(a) With the induction of Prithvi-II, the IAF is the only air force in the world with surface-tosurface ballistic missiles under its command.
(b) Sukhoi-30 MKI jet fighters can launch air-to-air and air-to-surface precision missiles
(c) Trishul is a supersonic surface-to-air missile with a range of 30 km
(d) The indigenously built INS Prabal can launch surface-to-surface missiles

133. The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, 2002 was awarded to:
(a) John Hume
(b) Nelson Mandela
(c) Norodom Sihanouk
(d) Sadak Ogata

135. Whom did Mahesh Bhupati and Max Mirnyi beat in the US Open men’s doubles tennis championship in the year 2002 to win the title?
(a) Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett
(b) Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan
(c) Jonas Bjorkman and Todd Woodbridge
(d) Jiri Novak and Radek Stepanek

136. Four different candles, which can last for 5 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours, 2 hours of burning, respectively, are lit in a room at the same instant and allowed to burn till such time that the three candles in the room get extinguished. The cost of burning each one of these candles is 75 paise per hour. The cost involved is:
(a) Rs 2.75 (b) Rs. 3.75
(c) Rs. 9.75 (d) Rs. 12.50137.

Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to FEMA in India?
(a) The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) was replaced by Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in the year 2001
(b) FERA was given a sunset clause of one year till 31st May, 2002 to enable Enforcement Directorate to complete the investigation of pending issues
(c) Under FEMA, violation of foreign exchange rules has ceased to be a criminal offence
(d) As per the new dispensation, enforcement Directorate can arrest and prosecute the people for the violation of foreign exchange rules

138. Consider the following statements:
1. India’s import of crude and petroleum products during the year 2001-02 accounted for about 27% of India’s total imports.
2. During the year 2001-02, India’s exports had increased by 10% as compared to the previous year.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

139. Who among the following was selected for the 2001 Dada Saheb Phalke Award?
(a) Dev Anand
(b) Lata Mangeshkar
(c) Ramanand Sagar
(d) Yash Chopra

140. Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
(a) Milk contains none of the B-vitamins
(b) Vitamin-A (retinal) deficiency leads to dry and scaly skin
(c) One of the symptoms of scurvy is pain in the joints
(d) Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency can lead to heart failure

141. As per the Human Development Index given by UNDP, which one of the following sequences of South Asian countries is correct, in the order of higher to lower development?
(a) India-Sri Lanka-Pakistan-Maldives
(b) Maldives-Sri Lanka-India-Pakistan
(c) Sri Lanka-Maldives-India-Pakistan
(d) Maldives-India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka

142. Which one of the following statements if NOT correct?
(a) The velocity of sound in air increases with the increase of temperature
(b) The velocity of sound in air is independent of pressure
(c) The velocity of sound in air decreases as the humidity increases
(d) The velocity of sound in air is not affected by the change in amplitude and frequency

143. Consider the following statements:
1. India ranks first in the world in fruit production
2. India ranks second in the world in the export of tabacco Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

144. Which one of the following statements if correct?
(a) Alliance Air is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines
(b) The Airports Authority of India manages seven of the country’s international airports
(c) The Airports Authority of India is the regulatory organization for enforcing civil air regulations in India
(d) It is the function of Directorate General of Civil Aviation to plan and construct runways and terminal buildings and to provide air safety services

145. Which one of the following Bills must be passed by each House of the Indian Parliament separately, by special majority?
(a) Ordinary Bill
(b) Money Bill
(c) Finance Bill
(d) Constitution Amendment Bill

146. Consider the following animals of India:
1. Crocodile
2. Elephant
Which of these is/are endangered species?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

147. Which one among the following covers the highest percentage of forest area in the world?
(a) Temperate Coniferous forests
(b) Temperate Deciduous forests
(c) Tropical Monsoon forests
(d) Tropical Rain forests

148. A two member committee comprising of one male and one female member is to be constituted out of five males and three females. Amongst the females, Ms. A refuses to be a member of the committee in which Mr. B is taken as the member. In how many different ways can the committee be constituted?
(a) 11 (b) 12
(c) 13 (d) 14

149. Consider the following statements:
1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga.
2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne
3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras.  Which of these statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2
(c) Only 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3

150. The aim of education as stated by the Wood’s dispatch of 1854 was:
(a) the creation of employment opportunities for native Indians
(b) the spread of western culture in India
(c) the promotion of literacy among the people using English medium of language
(d) the introduction of scientific research and rationalism in the traditional Indian education



ANSWERS:
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (d) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (d) 13. (a) 14. (a) 15. (d) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (c) 19. (a) 20. (b) 21. (a) 22. (c) 23. (d) 24. (b) 25. (b) 26. (d) 27. (c) 28. (d) 29. (c) 30. (b) 31. (c) 32. (b) 33. (a) 34. (b) 35. (d) 36. (c) 37. (a) 38. (b) 39 (a) 40. (b) 41. (c) 42. (a) 43. (b) 44. (d) 45. (a) 46. (d) 47. (c) 48. (a) 49. (a) 50. (d) 51. (a) 52. (c) 53. (d) 54. (c) 55. (d) 56. (c) 57. (d) 58. (c) 59. (c) 60. (b)  61. (b) 62. (c) 63. (b) 64. (a) 65. (a) 66. (c) 67. (b) 68. (d) 69. (b) 70. (a) 71. (a) 72. (d) 73. (a) 74. (c) 75. (d) 76. (a) 77. (a) 78. (b) 79. (d) 80. (c) 81. (d) 82. (d) 83. (d) 84. (a) 85. (a) 86. (a) 87. (b) 88. (d) 89. (b) 90. (b) 91. (a) 92. (c) 93. (b) 94. (d) 95. (d) 96. (b) 97. (c) 98. (a) 99. (b) 100. (a) 101. (a) 102. (b) 103. (a) 104. (c) 105. (d) 106. (c) 107. (c) 108. (d) 109. (b) 110. (b) 111. (c) 112. (d) 113. (d) 114. (d) 115. (b) 116. (b) 117. (a) 118. (c) 119. (b) 120. (b) 121. (a) 122. (c) 123. (c) 124. (d) 125. (b) 126. (a) 127. (d) 128. (d) 129. (d) 130. (c) 131. (d) 132. (a) 133. (c) 134. (c) 135. (d) 136. (c) 137. (c) 138. (a) 139. (d) 140. (a) 141. (b) 142. (b) 143. (d) 144. (a) 145. (d) 146. (d) 147. (d) 148. (d) 149. (a) 150. (c)

<< BACK >>