Questions in UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2020 from MCQ Factory and IAS4Sure Notes

UPSC 2020 Q.2) The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to

a) Voyager-2

b) New Horizons

c) LISA Pathfinder

d) Evolved LISA

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.3) With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:

Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga
Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.4) In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of

a) Digital security infrastructure

b) Food security infrastructure

c) Health care and education infrastructure

d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.5) Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells?

Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do.
Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.6) If you withdraw 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be

a) to reduce it by ₹ 1,00,000

b) to increase it by ₹ 1,00,000

c) to increase it by more than ₹ 1,00,000

d) to leave it unchanged

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.7) Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of

a) Peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters

b) Its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions

c) National leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of indigo

d) Government control over the planters

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.8) Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because

a) He was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so

b) He wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India

c) He wanted to provide William Carey and his associates employment

d) He wanted to train British civilians for administrative purposes in India

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.9 ) With reference to the carbon nanotubes, consider the following statement:

They can be used as the carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
They can be made into the artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body.
They can be used in biochemical sensors.
Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2,3 and 4 only

c) 1,3 and 4 only

d) 1,2,3 and 4

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.10) What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India?

These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.
These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.11) In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, ‘Pronuclear Transfer” is used for

a) Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm

b) Genetic modification of sperm producing cells

c) Development of stem cells into functional embryos

d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

IAS4Sure Notes:

UPSC 2020 Q.12) Consider the following statements:

Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

IAS4Sure Notes:

UPSC 2020 Q.13) With reference to “Blockchain Technology” consider the following statements:

It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls.
The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only.
Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 2 only

d) 1 and 3 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.14) A parliamentary system of government is one in which?

a) All political parties in the parliament are represented in the government

b) The government is responsible to the parliament and can be removed by it.

c) The government is elected by the people and can be removed by them

d) The government is chosen by the parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.15) Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare state?

a) Directive principles of state policy

b) Fundamental rights

c) Preamble

d) Seventh schedule

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.16) Consider the following statements:

The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism,

secularism, fundamental rights and democracy.

The Constitution of India provides for ‘judicial review’ to safeguard the ‘citizens’

liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the constitution is based.

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

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.17) In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy?

a) An agency widening the scope of parliamentary democracy

b) An agency for strengthening the structure of federalism

c) An agency for facilitating political stability and economic growth

d) An agency for the implementation of public policy

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.18) The Preamble to the Constitution of India is

a) A part of the Constitution but has no legal effect

b) Not a part of the Constitution and has no legal effect either

c) A part of the Constitution and has the same legal effect as any other part

d) A part of the Constitution but has no legal effect independently of other parts

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.19) “Gold Tranche” (Reserve Tranche) refers to

a) A loan system of the World bank

b) One of the operations of a central bank

c) A credit system granted by WTO to its members

d) A credit system granted by IMF to its members

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.20) With reference to the provisions contained in partIV of the constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

They shall be enforceable by courts
They shall not be enforceable by any court
The principles laid down in this part are to influence the making of laws by the state

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 2 and 3 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.21) Consider the following statements:

According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a state for six months even if he/she isnot a member of that state.

According to the Representation of People Act,1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1nor 2

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.22) Consider the following statements:

The president of India can summon a session of Parliament at such place as he/she thinks fit.

The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions
There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 2 and 3 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.23) Consider the following statements:

Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months.
State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhar data
Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products.
Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated fund of India.

Which of the statements give above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 4 only

b) 2 and 4 only

c) 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3 only

IAS4Sure Notes

UPSC 2020 Q.24) Rajyasabha has equal powers with Loksabha in

a) The matter of creating new all India services

b) Amending the Constitution

c) The removal of the government

d) Making cut motions

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.25) With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme(MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct?

MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education etc.,
A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations
MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 and 4 only

c) 1,2 and 3 only

d) 1,2 and 4 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.26)Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?

a) Right against Exploitation

b) Right to freedom

c) Right to constitutional remedies

d) Right to equality

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.27)In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by

a) The Preamble of the Constitution

b) A Directive Principle of state policy

c) The Seventh schedule

d) The conventional practice

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.28) Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include ‘The Macro Economic Framework Statement’. The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by

a) Long convention standing parliamentary

b) Article 112 and Article 110(1) of the Constitution of India

c) Article 113 of the Constitution of India

d) Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.29) A constitutional government by definition is a

a) government by legislature

b) popular government

c) Multi party government

d) Limited government

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.30)Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)?

Preamble
Directive Principles of State Policy
Fundamental Duties

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.31)In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?

Person with an annual income of less than Rs. 1,00,000
Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs. 2,00,000
Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than Rs. 3,00,000
All Senior Citizens

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 and 4 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1 and 4 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.32) Consider the following pairs:

International agreement/set-up Subject

Alma-Ata Declaration Healthcare of the people
Hague Convention Biological and chemical weapons
Talanoa Dialogue Global climate change
Under2 Coalition Child rights

Which of the pairs given above is/ are correctly matched?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 4 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 2, 3 and 4 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.33) With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Aurang In-charge of treasury of the State
Banian Indian agent of the East India Company
Mirasidar Designated revenue payer to the State

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.34) Which of the following statements correctly explain the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

a) Indian handicrafts were ruined.

b) Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large number.

c) Railway lines were laid in many parts of the country.

d) Heavy duties were imposed on the imports of British manufactures.

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.35) Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?

a) An advisory issued by the king to his subordinates

b) A diary to be maintained for daily accounts

c) A bill of exchange

d) An order from the feudal lord to his subordinates

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.36) The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?

Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference
Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
Acceptance of Gandhi’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1 only

b) 1, 2 and 4 only

c) 3 only

d) 2, 3 and 4 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.37) Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?

“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”

a) Ashoka

b) Samudragupta

c) Harshavardhana

d) Krishna Deva Raya

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.38) With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements:

At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer is by-product of oil refineries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.39) With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?

It is spread over two districts.
There is no human habitation inside the Park.
It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.

Select the correct answer using the code given below;

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 und 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.40) Consider the following statements:

Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.
Only some cyclones develop an eye.
The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10 C lesser than that of the surroundings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1 and 3 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.41) If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.

b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.

c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.

d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.42) What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?

Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop.
Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

MCQ 3

UPSC 2020 Q.43) According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

Cassava
Damaged wheat grains
Groundnut seeds
Horse gram
Rotten potatoes
Sugar beet

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1,2,5 and 6 only

b) 1,3,4 and 6 only

c) 2,3,4 and 5 only

d) 1,2,3,4,5 and 6

IAS4Sure Notes

UPSC 2020 Q.44) With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following sentences:

Black gram can be cultivated as both Kharif and rabi crop.
Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.

Which of the statement given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1,2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.45) “The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop.”

Which one of the following is the crop?

a) Cotton

b) Jute

c) Sugarcane

d) Tea

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.46) What is the importance of the term “Interest Coverage Ratio” of a firm in India?

It helps in understanding the present risk of a firm that a bank is going to give a loan
It helps in evaluating the emerging risk of a firm that a bank is going to give a loan to.
The higher a borrowing firm’s level of Interest Coverage Ratio, the worse is its ability to service its debt.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.47) In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20?

a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey

b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand

c) Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam

d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea

MCQ Factory Questions:

IAS4Sure Notes

UPSC 2020 Q.48) Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks
Consumption requirements of farm households
Post-harvest expenses
Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 5 only

b) 1, 3 and 4 only

c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.49)Consider the following statements

The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
The WTI does not capture changes in, the prices of services, which CPI does.
Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates.

Which of the statements given- above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

MCQ 3

UPSC 2020 Q.50) Consider the following pairs

River Flows into

Mekong Andaman Sea
Thames Irish Sea
Volga Caspian Sea
Zambezi Indian Ocean

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 only

c) 3 and 4 only

d) 1, 2 and 4 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

MCQ 3

UPSC 2020 Q.51)Consider the following statements

In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.

In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise.

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

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.52)With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements:

‘Commercial Paper’ is a short-term unsecured promissory note.
‘Certificate of Deposit’ is a long-term instrument issued by the Reserve Bank of India to a corporation.
‘Call Money’ is a short-term finance used for interbank transactions.
‘Zero-Coupon Bonds’ are the interest bearing short-term bonds issued by the Scheduled Commercial Banks to corporations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 4 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 2, 3 and 4 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.53)With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristics?

a) It is the investment through capital instruments essentially in a listed company.

b) It is largely non-debt creating capital flow.

c) It is the investment which involves debt-servicing.

d) It is the investment made by foreign institutional investors in the Government securities.

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.54)The term ‘West Texas Intermediate’, sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of

a) Crude oil

b) Bullion

c) Rare earth elements

d) Uranium

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.55) With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct?

Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited.
They apply to investment measures related to trade in both goods and services.
They are not concerned with the regulation of foreign investment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.56)Consider the following statements:

In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks
One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

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

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.57) With reference to cultural history of India consider the following pairs:

Parivrajaka Renunciant and Wanderer
Shramana Priest with a high status
Upasaka Lay follower of buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.58) Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasinga) that thrives well in hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?

a) Kanha National Park

b) Manas National Park

c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary

IAS4Sure Notes

UPSC 2020 Q.59)In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint?

Copper slag
Cold mix asphalt technology
Geotextiles
Hot mix asphalt technology
Portland cement

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 2, 3 and 4 only

c) 4 and 5 only

d) 1 and 5 only

MCQ Factory Questions:

UPSC 2020 Q.60) Consider the following statements:

Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury.
Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment.
High ash content is observed in Indian coal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

MCQ Factory Questions: