UPSC Prelims 2026 General Studies Paper 1 Question Paper

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UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2026 Question Analysis for General Studies Paper 1

UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2023 is available. On 24 May 2026 (Sunday), the Union Public Service Commission successfully administered the UPSC Prelims 2026 General Studies Paper 1 Question Paper UPSC 2026 Exam for both GS Paper 1 and 2. UPSC question papers are crucial for those who are preparing for the UPSC exams.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Analysis. The UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2026 Exam Date : 24-05-2026

There are 100 MCQs in the General Studies Paper-1. In this section, we have shared the UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2026 PDFs along with the UPSC Answer Key 2026. You can also download the UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2026 PDFs.

UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2026 Question Analysis Difficulty Level: Moderate to Tough

Aspirants can download UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper PDFs from the given link below.

For UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2026 PDF (Set A) : Click Here

Subject-wise question distribution

Topic wise Distribution
Sl No.	Subject	Total Questions
1	Ancient History, Art & Culture	16
2	Modern History	4
2	Geography	9
3	Environment & Ecology	10
4	Polity & Governance	12
5	Economy	16
6	Science & Technology	17
7	International Relations & Defense	13
8	Current Affairs & Misc	3

Dear aspirant, please note detailed analysis of the questions will be updated soon.

No. Of Questions : 100 Mark : 2 Marks Each

Test Booklet Series : A

1. Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Hindustani music?

(a) Nat Bhairavi
(b) Kamavardhini Bilawal in

(d) Dheera Shankarabharanam

2. The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange
rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young
Commission (1926) was adopted by the
British Government for which one of the
following reasons ?

(a) Aiding the flow of remittances from
India and maintaining India’s
creditworthiness

(b) Providing support to Indian importers

(d) Preventing depreciation of the Rupee in
terms of gold

3. Consider the following statements :

L Pali texts contain the first definite
references to coins, e.g., kahapana,
nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika.

Il. The literary evidence from Pali texts is
corroborated by archaeological evidence
of punch-marked coins from many sites,
most of them made of silver.

The above statements have been associated

with which of the following ?

1. Emergence of urban life

2. Transition to money economy

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 2only

(d) Neither 1 nor

4. Which of the following temples has/have a
Nagara-style shikhara ?

1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami

2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
4, Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land2

(b) 2and3
‘(c) 3only

(d) 3and4

5. Among the four main forms of existence of life
recognized in Jainism, which one of the
following is noé included ?

(a) Deva (gods)
(b) Yaksha (demi-gods)
(c) Manushya (humans

(d) Tiryancha (animals and plants)

6. The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves
represents :

(a) A joyous folk dance

(b) Buddha in a meditative pose

Kailasha

(d) Samudramanthan (Churning of the
Ocean)

7. Consider the following statements relating to

the use of the place-value system in India :

1. The earliest epigraphic use of the
place-value system in India is found in
the Mankani plates from Gujarat
(AD 595 — 596).

2. In the ninth century, place-values
become general in inscriptions all over
India.

3. The Place-values have been found in
Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia
as early as the seventh century.

Which of the statements given above are

correct ?

(a) land 2 only

(b) land 8 only

(d) 1,2and3

8. Consider the following statements about the

archaeological findings in Harappan towns :

I. There is wide occurrence’ of | 10.
spindle-whorls in the houses but
absence of spinning wheels.

II. Weights and measurement scales,
complete with graduations have been
discovered.

III. There are houses built in large part
with baked bricks, around relatively
spacious courtyards, with their own
wells, bathing platforms, and large
rooms.

Which of the following inferences can be

drawn from the above statements ?

1. Statement I suggests that spinning was
a laborious activity done at home.

2. Statement II suggests the extent of the
scientific knowledge that the
Harappans possessed.

3. Statement III suggests the emergence of
a common property system.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land 2 only

-(b) 2and 8 only
(c) l1and3 only
(d) 1,2and3

9. Which one of the following statements about
the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is
correct ?

(a) The Eka Movement was throughout
supported and organized by the
Congress while Bardoli Satyagraha was
initially independent of Congress
influence and was only in the last stages
supported by the Congress.

(b) The Eka Movement was _ provided

‘ leadership by the talugdars of Awadh,
whereas the Bardoli Satyagraha was a
movement of the landless labourers.

(c) |The Bardoli Satyagraha was a
campaign against the enhancement of
land revenue, while the Eka Movement
was a protest against excessive
extraction of rents.

(d) The Eka Movement was located in the
Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of the
present-day U.P., while the Bardoli
Satyagraha took place in Saurashtra.

10. Consider the following statements about the

* Rigvedic period :

I. Irrigation from wells allowed
agriculture to expand away from flood
plains and strips on river margins into
the present Punjab and Haryana plains
having underground water levels
reasonably close to the surface.

II. Draught-animal power was employed to
draw up water out of the wells.

Which of the following information

support/supports the above statements ?

1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the
use of ashma chakra (stone pulley
wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden
pails) to draw up water.

2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda
of the use of implements like parashu/
kulisha (axe) and datra /sreni (sickle).

3. There is a history of the use of ox, even
before the Rigveda, for ploughing the
land and pulling the carts.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land 2 only

“(b) 1,2 and3

11. Consider the following assertion :

In the Pleistocene period either the

once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutl
into the Yamuna and one
either had shifted from the
or vice versa.

Which of the followin
above assertion ?

Yamuna

¢} flowed
major tributary of

Ganga to the Indus

8 is/are the basis of the

1. The Nadi-Sukta of the Rigveda

2. The explorations of the Sutlej and the
Yamuna by Robert Bruce Foote

3. The presence of the same species of

dolphins in both the Indus and the
Ganga river systems

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 2 only

(d) 3 only

12. What does an empty seat represent in early

Buddhist iconography ?
(a) The meditation of the Buddha

(b) The Buddha’s First Sermon

(d) The Buddha’s Mahabhinishkramana

13. Which of the following pairs of ancient and

modern names of rivers is/are correctly
matched ?

1. Vitasta : Chenab

2. Asikni : Jhelum

3. Parushni : Ravi

4. Yavyavati : Beas

Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) land2

(b) 3and4

(d) 4only

14. Which of the following statements on the

Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture

is/are correct, ?

1. It was located in the lower Krishna
valley.
2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi

Stupa in size.

3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made
a lasting impact on the later South
Indian sculpture, and its products were

carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.

Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2and 3 only

(d) 1,2and3

15. Which of the following pairs of the king and

his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam

is/are not correctly matched ?

1. Senguttuvan Chera
2. Udiyanjeral Chola
3. Nedunjeliyan Pandya

Select the answer using the code given below :

.(a) l and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) l and 3
(d) 3 only

16. Which of the following factors contributed to

the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas
Chandra Bose in 1939 ?

1. Bose failed to win the confidence of
Mahatma Gandhi.

2. The Congress Left was disunited and
failed to support Bose.

3. The Communists did not support Bose
in his endeavours.

4. The supporters of MN. Roy and
socialist leaders like J ayaprakash
Narayan preferred Congress unity to
supporting Bose.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) “1,2and3

(b) 1,2and4

(d) 2and4only

17. Consider the following statements regarding
the British policy in Awadh immediately after
its annexation in 1856 :

1. The talugdars were dispossessed of
their estates but allowed to retain their
arms and forts.

2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was
made in 1856 assuming that the
talugdars were outsiders.

3. The British believed in taking revenue
directly from the peasants by removing
the taluqdars.

Which of the statements given above is/are

correct ?

(a) 2and 3 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1,2and3
(d) 2only

18. Consider the following assertion :

The genesis of political alliances based on
community lay in the very nature of the
Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.

Which of the
support/supports the above assertion ?

following statements

1. Reforms retained and extended the
principle of separate electorates.

2. Separate electorates were supposed to
counter Indian nationalism, which was
growing stronger.

3. Deprived classes rallied around the
favours inherent in separate electorates.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 2 and 83 only
(c) land 2 only
(d) 1,2 and 3

19. Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous

classical singer from Karnataka, represented
the :

(a) Agra Gharana
(b) Gwalior Gharana
(c) Patiala Gharana

(d) Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

20. In which one among the following texts does
the term kshetra-patni (‘mistress of the field’)
originate ?

(a) Rigveda

(b) Atharvaveda
(c) Ashtadhyayi

(d) Arthashastra

21. Consider the following

statements with reference to India’s response to climate change :

I. India’s Long-Term Low Emission
Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a
crucial tool for achieving net-zero
emissions by 2070.

II. India’s 4 Biennial Update Report
(BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024
recorded around 8% decrease in
Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over
2019.

III. Climate-resilient development
necessarily depends on quick and
short-term achievement of emission
reduction targets.

Which of the following relationships among

the above statements is/are correct ?

1. Statement I is empirically supported by
statement IT.

2. Statement III contradicts the approach
implicit in statement I.

3. Statement I and statement III together
establish the premise of long-term
sustainability.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) land2

(d) 3 only

22. With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons,
which of the following statements is/are
correct ?

1: A Sanctuary in North-east India is
home to this ape species listed as
Endangered in the International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red
List.

2. They have specialized brachiation and
can easily swing between trees.

3. They possess a strong and heavy build
like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile
tree climbers.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly
(b) land2
(c) 2and3
(d) 3only

23. Which of the following best explain(s) the
rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems
in the context of climate resilience ?

1. Mangroves reduce tidal energy and
store freshwater, making them ideal
sites for paddy cultivation in saline
estuarine belts.

2. Their salt-sensitive roots filter
seawater, making mangroves key to
converting coastal land into freshwater
aquaculture zones.

3. By withstanding tidal surges and
offering biomass resources, mangroves
function both as natural bio-shields and
livelihood bases for rural communities.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) land2
(c) 2and3

(d) 30only

24. In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam

International Seaport represent a structural

shift in India’s maritime trade and logistics

policy ?

a By functioning exclusively as a domestic
cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal
shipping and eliminate the need for
foreign collaborations.

2. By focusing primarily on passenger
cruise tourism and heritage shipping to
increase Kerala’s profile as a maritime
heritage destination.

3. By leveraging its natural deep draft and
strategic location to reduce dependence
on foreign trans-shipment ports,
enhance revenue retention, and
reposition India in regional maritime
trade.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) land2
(c) 2and3
(d) 3only

25. Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent
on the basis of the following information :

1. ‘It has an antecedent drainage system.

2. It flows through three countries.

3. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and
is an important river for irrigation.

4. It does not form distributaries.

Select the answer from the following :

(a) Brahmaputra

(b) Indus

(d) Teesta

26. Which of the following with reference to
Indian States is/are not correct ?

1. Uttar Pradesh shares its boundary with
the highest number of other Indian
States.

2. Rajasthan the
international border among all Indian
States.

shares longest

3. Sikkim is the only State that shares its
boundary with just one other Indian

State.
Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) lonly
(b) land2
(c) 2and3
(d) 3only

27. Which of the following statements with regard
to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang
Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia
is/are correct ?

1. It showcases how sustained local
conservation efforts can contribute to
the arrival and _ protection of

international migratory birds.
2. It reflects the global success of advanced

tracking technologies that guide
migratory birds back to their stopover
sites, ,

3. It confirms that Amur Falcons have
adapted to permanent residency in
India due to favourable habitat changes.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly
(b) l and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only

28. Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development

(RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) ?

1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas

2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions

3. Enhancing productivity and minimising

climatic risks through Integrated Farming
Systems (IFS)

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) land2

(d) 3only

29. Which of the following is/are the most

significant implication(s) of obtaining

Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the

global textile industry ? 32.

1. It allows Indian exporters to compete in
high-end markets that prioritise
chemical-free products.

2. It confirms that Eri Silk meets
international safety, environmental, and
quality standards, enabling its entry into
premium eco-conscious markets.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 2only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

30. Ships from which of the following countries

have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach

out to the Indian Ocean ?

1. Bahrain

2. Syria

3. Qatar

4. Egypt

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land2

(b) 1land3

(d) S3and4

31. Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a
Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is
situated in which one among the following countries ?

(a) Ecuador
(b) Peru
(c) Bolivia
(d) Colombia

32. With reference to Madhav National Park,

which of the following statements is/are

correct ?

1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India

in 2025.

2. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a

Ramsar Site, is situated within this

National Park.

3. Its area is shared between Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) only
(b) land2
(c) 2and3
(d) 3only

33. With reference to the climate of Andaman and
Nicobar Islands, which of the following
statements is/are correct ?

1. The climate can be defined as a humid,
tropical coastal climate.

2. It receives rainfall from both South-west

monsoon and North-east monsoon.

3. Maximum precipitation is between

December and May.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly
(b) land2
(c) 2and3
(d) 3only

34. Which of the following geographical features
or phenomena is/are associated with the
Peninsular Block of India ?

1. Submergence of parts of the western
coast due to tectonic activity

2. Presence of residual mountain ranges

such as the Veliconda hills and
Mahendragiri hills

3. Deep, V-shaped river valleys formed by
fast-flowing rivers _

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) l only

(b) l and 2
(c) 2 and 3

(d) 3only

35. Consider the following statements withreference to the Sagarmala Programme of the
Government of India :

I The Sagarmala Programme seeks to
growth through cost-effective and sustainable
coastal infrastructure.

II. The success of the Sagarmala
Programme is reflected in significant
growth in coastal and inland waterway
shipping, along with improved global
port rankings.

Ill. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as
a global maritime innovation hub
aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and
Viksit Bharat 2047 visions.

achieve port-led economic

Which of the following relationships among
the above statements is/are correct ?

1. Statement II validates the effectiveness
of the strategies statement envisioned in

2. Statement III extends the objectives of
statement I by embedding them into a
future-oriented innovation framework.

3. Statement I contradicts statement I
by focusing only on _ traditional
infrastructure instead of modem innovation.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly
(b) land2
(c) 2and3
(d) 3 only

36. Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) :
1. / Itis an epiphytic orchid.
2. The species is endemic to North-east
India.
3. It is the State flower of Arunachal
Pradesh and Assam.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct ?
(a) lonly
(b) land3
(c) 2and3
(d) 3only

37. Which one of the following statements with
regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom
kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO, is/are correct:?
1. They acted as army fortresses.
2. They were recreation centres of the
Royals and Nobles.
3. They were burial grounds of the Royals
and Nobles.
4. They were battle drill centres of the
Royals and Nobles. 40.
Select the answer using the code given below :
– (a) l only
(b) l and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and4

38. At the United Nations Ocean Conference
(UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of
the United Nations demonstrated its leading
voice on marine and ocean issues, especially
on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for
resilient livelihood and “Blue
Transformation”.

Which of the following combinations about the
“Four Betters” proposed by FAO for “Blue
Transformation” is correct ?

(a) Better production, better nutrition,
better environment and better ocean

(b) Better production, better nutrition,
better environment and better life

(d) Better estuaries, better nutrition, better
environment and better mangrove
vegetation

39. Which of the following statements with
reference to Lake Turkana is/are correct ?

1. It is the largest desert lake in the world.

2. The lake is situated in South Sudan
along the eastern fringe of the Sahara
desert.

3. The lake is listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and is also referred to as
the ‘Jade Sea’.

Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) lonly

(b) l and 3 only

(d) 1,2and3

40. Which one of the following is the first Plan

Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Forest Degradation
(REDD+) project in India ?

(a) Uttarakhand REDD+ project

(b) ICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+
project in North-Eastern Himalayas

(d) Sikkim Mamley Kamrang Community
REDD+ project

41. Which of the following statements with regard | 43.
to genetic medicine is/are correct ?

1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate
for the faulty genes responsible for
disease.

2. Engineered viruses and lipid
nanoparticles are used as carriers of the
genetic medicine.

3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA
sequence.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2and3

42, Which of the following statements with regard | 44,
to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in –
machine learning is/are correct ?

1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next
possible words and then pick the one
with the highest probability.

2. LLMs process data through
mathematical optimization to minimise
prediction errors.

3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) land 2 only

(d) 1,2and3

43. Which of the following statements with regard

to stealth technology is/are correct ?

1. Stealth objects have a very small radar
cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material.

2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies.

3. Stealth metamaterials to increase the scattering objects are coated with

of electromagnetic radiation.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

1 only

2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3

44. Which of the following statements with regard

to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are
correct ?

1. They carry a beacon emitting red light
pulses to facilitate underwater detection.

2. They record both the cockpit voice and
flight data.

3. Their memory units are made using
either stainless steel or titanium.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 2 only
(d)1,2 and 3

45. Which of the following statements with regard
to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ?

1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained
from natural gas reforming combined
with carbon capture and storage (CCS).

2. It is produced using electrolysis of water
with electricity generated by renewable
energy.

3. National Green Hydrogen Mission of
India aims for abatement of nearly
50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas

emissions by 2030.
Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) lonly
(b) 2and 8 only
(c) 2only |
(d) 1,2and3

46. Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in

India’s space programme :

1. The Indian National Space Promotion
and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is
an autonomous agency formed to
facilitate
entities.

2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s
first flight using 3D-printed rocket
engine.

3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid
fuel for GSLV.

Which of the statements given above is/are

correct ?

participation of private

(a) lonly

(b) ~2and 3 only
(c) land 2 only
(d) 1,2and3

47. Which of the following statements with regard

to drone swarms is/are correct ?

1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to

communicate with the command centre.

2. Individual drones in the swarm can
communicate with other drones in the

swarm.

3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used
technique to counter drone swarm

attack.
Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) lonly
(b) 2and 3 only
(c) land 2 only
(d) ; 1,2 and3

48. Which of the following statements with regard

to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ?

1. It is a part of the Human Genome
_ Project.

2. The funded by the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT),

Government of India.

project is

8. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue
of genetic diversity of the Indian
population.

Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) lonly

(b) 2 and 83 only

(d) 1,2and3

49. Which of the following statements with regard 51.
to the National Quantum Mission (NQM)
is/are correct ?

1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale
quantum computers with 50 — 1000
physical qubits.

2. Its implementation includes setting up
of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in
academic and national R&D institutes
across India.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 2only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

50. Which of the following statements with regard

to India’s Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct ?

1. It was launched by the Ministry of
Ports, Shipping and Waterways,
Government of India.

2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry
3 people for deep sea exploration.

3. Samudrayaan is a project under this
mission.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 2and3 only

(d) 1,2and3

51. Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a

critical vaccination programme during a
pandemic. He found that a private service
provider responsible for vaccine distribution
was compromising on quality to make profits.
Despite immense pressure to manage the
issue due to vested interests, he raised his
voice based on the principles of public
administration which he learnt during
various training programmes attended across

his career. He reported the issue to the

appropriate vigilance authority and halted the

contract to ensure citizen welfare.

Which one among the following principles of
public administration was most strongly

demonstrated by Mr. X’s actions ?

(a) Esprit de corps

(b) Equity

(d) Delegation

52. In a multi-ethnic district where both economic
competition and __ historical grievances
frequently led to community tensions, a
flashpoint has arisen with a Government
decision to allocate land for a waste
management facility near a tribal hamlet,
sparking protests by the tribal community
which claimed that the land was sacred and
critical to their cultural identity. At the same
time, urban residents and local industries
supported the project, citing severe solid
waste challenges and health concerns due to
lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has
escalated with road blockades, social media
campaigns, and allegations of police excesses.

As a responsible Government official, you are
tasked with resolving the situation through
mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome
that balances environmental needs, tribal
rights, and urban public health.

Consider the following statements with

reference to the above :

1. A successful conflict resolution process
must begin with acknowledging the
cultural concerns of the protesting tribal
community before discussing technical
alternatives.

2. The Government should move ahead
with the project without delay to
address urban health concerns, which
outweigh the sentiments of a small
group.

3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue
platform — including tribal leaders,
environmental experts, and municipal
representatives — to build mutual
understanding and help de-escalate
tensions.

4. Conducting an
Environmental and _ Social Impact

Assessment (ESIA) and sharing
findings transparently with both sides
to facilitate evidence-based decision-
making.

Which of the statements given above would

contribute to the resolution process ?

(a) 1,3 and 4 only

(b) 2,3 and 4 only

(d) 1,2,3and4

independent

53. Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official

the development working in urban
department of a major city. Recently, she was
involved in approving a contract for a public
infrastructure project—a new community
park. During the approval process, she
received a piece of confidential information
of the shortlisted history of indicating that
had a workmanship and allegations of corruption in

one contractors poor other cities, though nothing had been legally
proven. The Head of the Department, Mr. Y, advised her not to disclose this information to
the project committee or the public because it could delay the project and damage the city’s
reputation. However, Ms. X believed that withholding such information compromised
transparency and public trust.

What amongst the following should Ms. X do
now ?

1. Immediately disclose the information to
the project committee and the public

2. Recommend removing the contractor
from the shortlist to protect the project’s
integrity

3. Propose a ‘limited disclosure’ to an

oversight committee, while keeping the
information confidential from the public
for the time being

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land 2 only

(b) 3only
(c); 2 and 8 only
(d) 1,2and3

54. ‘X’ was addressing a seminar on the meanin
of the term ‘law’ as provided under Article 13,
Part Ill of the Constitution of India x
explained that the meaning of the term ‘law’
in the Constitution of India was very
comprehensive. It included ordinances, orders
and even rules and regulations. ‘Y’ pointed
out that the term ‘law’ in Article 13 also
included custom or usage having in the

territory of India the force of law, to which %’

was not convinced.

Based on the above, select the correct

eonclusin from the options given below :

(a) ‘is correct in the interpretation of law,
including the view on non-inclusion of
custom.

(b) The view of ‘YY that ‘law’ included
custom is not correct.

(d) The view of only ‘Y is correct.

55. Consider the following statements with

reference to the Constitution of India :

1. There is no Article in the Constitution
of India that specifies that the
Constitution of India will be officially
called the ‘Constitution of India’.

2. There is no Article in the Constitution
of India that specifies that the Indian
Independence Act, 1947 and the
Government of India Act, 1935 stand
repealed.

3. There is no Article in the Constitution of
India that mentions g6th January, 1950
as the date of the commencement of the
Constitution of India.

Which one of the following conclusions based

on the above statements is correct ?

~(a) All three statements are correct.

(b) There is no correct statement.

(d) There is only one correct statement.

56. Which of the following statements with regard
to the persons with disabilities in India is/are

correct ?

1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of
India in 2018, mandates reservation in
education and employment, places a
legal duty on Governments to ensure

accessibility and non-discrimination.

2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses
on achieving universal accessibility
for Persons with Disabilities across three
key domains — built infrastructure,
transport systems and information and

communication technology.

3. The National Divyangjan Finance and
Development Corporation (NDFDC) is
a public sector organisation set up by
the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as
a not-for-profit company to promote
entrepreneurship among Persons with

Disabilities (PwDs).

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land2
(b) 2only
(c) © land 3
(d) 1lonly

57. Consider the following statements about the
provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes
and the Scheduled Tribes in India :

1. Provisions regarding the administration
of the Tribal Areas in the States of
Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and
Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule
of the Constitution of India.

2. Some tribes of India are entitled to
exemption from paying Income Tax on
certain incomes.

3. The Constitution of India provides for
reservation of seats in Panchayats for
women belonging to the Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

Which one of the following conclusions based

on the above statements is correct ?

(a) There are two correct statements, that
include statement 2.

(b) There are two correct statements, that
are statements 1 and 3.

(d) All three statements are correct.

58. Consider the following statements in respect a

of questions asked by the Members in the .

Parliament of India :

1. Unstarred questions are those to which
a Member desires an oral answer in the
House.

2. Starred questions are those to which a
Member desires a written answer.

3. No supplementary question can be
asked on an unstarred question.

Which one of the following conclusions based

on the above statements is correct ?

(a) All the three statements are correct.

(b) There are two correct statements, that
include statement 2.

(d) There is no correct statement.

59. Consider the following statements about the

Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled

Castes. and Scheduled Tribes of the

Parliament of India :

1. Although members of this Committee
are elected from both Houses of
Parliament, the Chairperson of this
Committee is appointed by the
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

2. Twenty members are elected by the
Rajya Sabha and ten members by the
Lok Sabha.

3. No Minister, except for the Union
Minister of Social Justice and
Empowerment, is eligible to be a
member of this Committee.

4. Members are elected for a fixed term of
two years from the date they enter their
office.

Which one of the following conclusions based
on the above statements is correct ?

(a) There are four correct statements.

(b) There is only one correct statement, that
is statement 2.

(d) There is no correct statement.

60. Consider the following statements about
Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India :

1. It aims to enhance India’s air defence,
ballistic missile defence and _ aerial
offensive capabilities.

2. This Mission is being designed to
enhance rapid, precise, and powerful
defence responses, reinforcing India’s
strategic autonomy.

3. One of the aims of this Mission is to
cover all public places of India by an

expanded nationwide security shield by
2035,

Which of the statements given above is/are
correct ?

(a). 1,2 and 3

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) lonly

61. Consider the following statements about 63
~ river bridges connecting India with
neighbouring countries :

1. ‘Maitri Setu’, built over Feni river,
connects Ramgarh in India with
Sabroom in Bangladesh.

2. dJhulaghat suspension bridge connects
India with Myanmar.

3. Mechi bridge and its approaches connect
Panitanki Bypass in India with
Kakarvitta in Nepal.

Which of the statements given above is/are

correct ?

(a) land2

(b) 2and3

(d) 3only

62. Which of the following statements about a

Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR)

under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha

Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct ?

1. A Zero FIR can be lodged at
a police station, even though
the place of commission of a
cognizable/non-cognizable offence is
outside the territorial jurisdiction of
that police station.

2. The Officer-in-Charge of the police
station where a Zero FIR has been
lodged may, with the permission of the
competent authority, initiate a
preliminary enquiry.

3. Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the
informant to furnish information
electronically. ms

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 1,2and3

(b) 2and 3 only

(d) 2 only

63. With reference to the organisations under the
Government of India, consider the following

details :

In how many of the above rows are the given
details correctly matched ?

(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 8
(d) None

64. Which of , the tales international
“conventions have not been ratified by India?
1, Employment Policy Convention is/are a part of cooperation between India a
2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention the ASEAN member countries ?
3. International Convention on the 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport
won of the Rights of All Migrant Project
Workers and Members of Their Families
i ] Highwa
4, Geneva Convention Relative to the 2, IMT Trilateral Highway ;
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of 3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line
War Select the answer using the code given below :
5. Convention on Reduction of StatelessnessSelect the answer using the code given below :
(a) 2and4 (b) 2and3
(b) land2 (c) Land 3
(c) 3and 4 only “===
(d) 38,4and5 (d) 2only

65. Consider the following statements _ with
respect to the Al Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi :

Answer using the code given below the Lists :

1. The Summit’s intellectual framework ; ;
was based on three foundational List I List IT
Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress. (Project Supported by (Country)
2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses India)
Democratising AI Resources,
3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI D. Institute of Security 4. Sri Lanka
Impact was structured around seven een Enforcement
Chakras (Pillars), which included Access UdLes
for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, Code:
and Secure and Trusted Al. A B C D
Which of the statements given above is/are
(a) 1,2and3
(b) 1 and 2 only () 3 4 2 4
(ec) 2Qand3 only (d) 1 2 4 3
@) 3 only

68. Which of the following items of defence
hardware is/are manufactured in India ?

1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets

2. T-90 MK-III Tanks

3. Akula Class Submarine

Select the answer using the code given below :

-(a) land 2

(b) land3

(d) 2only

69. Consider the following statements about

platforms for multilateral co-operation :

1. The ‘Colombo Process’ is a_ regional
consultative process in which member
states take binding decisions by
consensus. 71.

2. The ‘Abu Dhabi Dialogue’ is a voluntary
non-binding consultative process among
Asian countries of labour origin and
destination to facilitate regional
cooperation on contractual labour
mobility.

3. The ‘Global Forum for Migration and
Development’, created upon the proposal
of a former UN Secretary General, is a
voluntary forum whose decisions are
non-binding in nature.

Which of the statements given above is/are

correct ?

(a) 1,2and3

(b) land 3 only

(d) 2only

(37-A)

70. Consider the following UN _ organisations/

agencies :
1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children’s Fund

8. United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees
4, International Labour Organisation

How many of the above has/have been

awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?

(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4

71. Match ListI with ListII and select the
answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I List IT

(UN Peacekeeping (Period of

Operation) Operation)
A. UNMIL 1. 2007 — 2010
B. MINURCAT 2. 2002 — 2005
C. MINUSTAH 3. 2003 — 2018
D. UNMISET 4. 2004-2017
Code:

A B C D

(a) 3 1 2
(b) 3 1 4 2
(c) 2 1 4 8
(d) 2 4 1 3

72. Match List I with List I and select the

answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I
(BIMSTEC

List IT

(Location)
Centre / Establishment)

A. BIMSTEC Cultural 1.
Industries Observatory

B. BIMSTEC Energy 2.

NOIDA

Bengaluru
Centre

C. BIMSTEC Centre 3.
for Weather and Climate
D. BIMSTEC Technology 4.

Colombo

Thimphu
Transfer Facility

Code:
A B Cc D
(a) 3 2 1

(b) 3 1 2 4

-(c) 4 2 1 3

(d) 4 1 2 3

73. Which one of the following pairs is not

correctly matched ?

(Indian Armycorps) (Headquarters)

(a) 3 Corps : dimapur

(b) 4corps : Tezpur

(d) 33 Corps : Srinagar

74.Which of the following statements with
respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram

Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ?

1. The period of its implementation is
15 April, 2021 to 318* March, 2026.

2. The key objective of the Revamped
RGSA is to develop the governance
of the Raj

Institutions to the

capabilities Panchayati
deliver on

Sustainable Development Goals.

3. The share of the Central funding for the
Revamped RGSA is 100% for all States

and Union Territories.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land2
(b) 2only

75. Which of the following countries are members

of the European Union ?

1, Belarus
2. Poland
3. Germany

4, Switzerland

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 2 and 4
(b) land 4 only
(c) 2and3

(d) 2and 4 only

76.

77. Which of the following statements in relation
to NIRANTAR (National Institute for
Research and Application of Natural
Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build
Resilience), a platform of institutions under
the Ministry of Environment, Forest and

Climate Change, is/are correct ?

1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a
vertical under this platform, the lead

institute of which is Botanical Survey of

India, Kolkata.

2. Research and Management of
Ecosystem Service is a vertical under
this platform, the lead institute of which
is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.

Capacity Development Support is a

vertical under this platform, the lead
institute of which is Indian Institute of
Forest Management, Bhopal.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 1,2and3
(b) land3 only
(c) 2only

(d) 3 only

78. The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of 80
Germany visited India in January, 2026, |*
Which of the following is/are not correct in
terms of outcomes of this visit ?

1. Signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding between the All India
Institute of Ayurveda and the
University of Hamburg

2. Signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding on Youth Hockey
Development between Hockey India and
the German Hockey Federation

3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue
mechanism on the Indo-Pacific

4, Opening of an Honorary Consul of
Germany in Lucknow

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 2and3 °

(b) land4

(d) lonly

79. Which of the following statements about
DHRUV64 is/are correct ?

1. It is the third chip fabricated under the
DIR-V Programme with an overall aim
to enable the creation of microprocessors 81.
for India.

2. It is India’s first homegrown 1:0 GHz,
64-bit dual-core microprocessor.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) lonly

(b) 9 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

80. The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently
introduced a national standard to test and
assess bomb disposal system. Which of the
following statements with regard to this

system is/are correct ?

1. The standard is
IS 19445 : 2025.

new known as

2. It will improve interoperability of

equipment across agencies.

3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in
collaboration with the 30 Central
Scientific Research Institute, Russia.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 1,2and3

(b) 2and 3 only

(d) lonly

81. X born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel

Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an

American university when this prize was
announced. Identify x –

(a) Michel H. Devoret
(b) Richard Robson
(c) John Clarke

(d) Joel Mokyr

82. Which of the following statements with regard

to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are

correct ?

1. The tournaments have a shared

– governance structure establishing the

partnership among the four Grand Slam
tournaments.

2. They are open for entry to all

internationally ranked tennis players
above the age of 14.

3. There is a limitation on the number of
‘Wild Cards’ a player may receive to

compete in a Grand Slam Tournament.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land 2 only
(b) 2and3 only
(c) lonly
(d) 1,2and3

83. Which one of the following pairs of

semiconductor plants in India and their

locations is not correctly matched ?

(a) CG Power and Industrial : Gujarat
Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in
partnership with Renesas
Electronics and STARS
Microelectronics

(b) Tata Semiconductor : Assam
Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd.

{c) HCL-Foxconn Joint : Madhya
Venture India Chip Ltd. Pradesh

(4) SieSem Pvt. Ltd. : Odisha

84. Which of the following statements with regar d

to India’s indigenous new high resolution
weather model, the ‘Bharat Forecast System,

is/are correct ?

1. Its objective is to generate forecasts at
the Panchayats cluster level.

2. It was developed by IIT Delhi.

Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) lonly

(b) 2only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

85. Consider the following statements with

regard to the film ‘Boong’ :
1. The film has recently won the British
Academy of Film and Television Arts
(BAFTA) Award in the Children’s and
Family Film category. ;

2. The film is directed by Lakshmipriya
Devi.

3. This is the first Indian film to win a

BAFTA award in the Children’s and
Family Film category.

Which of the statements given above is/are
correct ?

(a) 1,2and3
(b) 2and 3 only
(c) land 2 only
(d) 3only

86. Which of the following statements regarding
the features of blockchain technology are
correct ?

1. Records stored in the dat

made visible to relevant
without risk of alteration,

9. Copies of the entire database are stored
on multiple computers on
syncing within seconds.

3, Consortium blockchain ig g blend of
public and private blockchai
selective data access.

4, Mathematical algorithms make it

impossible to change or delete any data
once recorded and accepted.

abase may be
stakeholders

a network,

ns allowing

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2and 4 only
(c) 1,2and4
(d) land 4 only

87. An e-commerce revenue model where the

seller has control over pricing but doesn’t keep
products in stock and instead transfers
customer orders and shipment details to a
third-party supplier, who then ships the goods
directly to the customer, is called :

(a) Dropshipping Model

(b) Affiliate Revenue Model

(d) Agency Revenue Model

88. Which one of the following correctly

represents the three key sub-indices of the
Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) of the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ?

(a) Credit access, Insurance depth, and

Pension coverage
(b) Banking access, GDP contribution, and
Financial literacy
(c) Access, Usage, and Quality .
(d) Access, Affordability, and Transparency

89. Which ono of the following best a He
key objective of India’s ‘Open Networ 0
Digital Commerce’ (ONDC) initiative ?

(a) To allow government control over all
digital commerce transactions

(b) ‘To replace private e-commerce playera

(d) To mandate UPI-based payments for all

online transactions

90. Which one of the following statements about
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central
Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not
correct ?

(a) UPI is a real-time payment system but
Digital Rupee is akin to sovereign paper
currency.

(b). In case of UPI, settlement for end users
happens instantly as the money gets
immediately debited or credited but in
case of Digital Rupee, there is no
settlement as the wallet balance gets
transferred to another wallet.

(c). UPI transactions are recorded by banks
and reflected in bank statements but in
case of Digital Rupee, no data is captured
in bank statements as transactions are
from one wallet to another.

(d). In both the cases (UPI and Digital
Rupee), the liability lies with the users
and their respective banks.

91. Which of the following statements about
Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are
correct ?

1. Tokenization is the process of turning

real world assets into digital tokens
using blockchain technology.

2. Tokenization of real world assets
offers 24x 7 access, promoting financial
inclusion.

3. Tokenization of real world assets will
allow the access to high = growth
investment opportunities for individuals
in India.

-» Select the answer usin i

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2and3 only

(d) land3 only

92. A bond whose proceeds are . used only ty

finance or refinance a Combination of both a

environmental and #ocial projects ig called : .

(a) Green Bond

(b) Social Bond

(d) Sovereign Bond

93. Which of the following statements about

Mixchange’s role in Micro, Small & Medium

ee (MSMEs) financing is/are

correct ?

1. Mixchange provides collateral based
loans to MSMEs.

2. Mixchange facilitates discounting of
invoices and Bills of Exchange for
MSMEs.

3. Mixchange functions as a credit rating
agency for MSMEs.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) 1,2and3

(b) 2only

(d) l only

94. Which one of the following best describes the

‘Crowding Out Effect’ in the context of fisea

policy ?

(a) A situation where private ee
increases due to increased Governm
spending ‘

(b) A situation where a
Borrowing leads to higher interest

(d) A situation where Government spending

has no impact on aggregate demand

95. Which of the following statements about Kare
Karth Klements (REEs) and Critical Minerals
is/are correct 7

1, Modern technological — innovations
including Artificial Intelligence, robotics
and space exploration extensively utilise
Rare Barth Klements (REEs).

2, China has the highest share in mining
of REEs followed by India,

3. The Government of India launched the
National Critical Mineral Mission
(NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust
framework for self-reliance in the
critica) mineral] sector.

4, Rare Earth Elements are a set of
13 metallic elements.

Select the answer using the code given below :

(a) land 3 only
(b) 4only

96. Which of the following statements about

insurance in aviation sector is/are correct ?

1. ‘Aviation Hull Insurance’ covers the
physical aircraft, including the body,
engine, and on-board equipment.

2. Under the Montreal Convention,
‘adopted in 1999 by over 130 countries,
including India, airlines are strictly
liable to pay compensation to the
family/nominee of every deceased
passenger without requiring the family
to prove fault,

Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) lonly

(b) 2only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

97. Which of the following State Crowdfunding is/are correct ?

1. Crowdfunding js Solicitation (small amount) from multiple invest,
through a web-based Platform or social networking site for 4 Specific Project.
2. Small and Medium erprises (SMEs)
ao er thee funds at lower cost
of capital without undergoing ;;
procedures, Bong rigorous

Select the answer
(a) lonly
(b) 2only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d) Neigther 1and 2

98.

99. Consider the following statements about the

Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
in India :

1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits.

2. All the NBFCs operating in India have
to be registered with the RBI.

3. NBFCs form part of the payment and
settlement system and can issue cheque
drawn on itself.

4. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit
Insurance and Credit Guarantee
Corporation (DICGC) is not available to

the depositors of deposit taking NBFCs,.

Which of the statements
correct ?

(a) land 4
(b) 1,2 and 3
(c) 4 only
(d) 2,3 and 4

100. Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPJ :

1. MPT is calculated using Alkire-Foster
methodology.

2. MPT calculated by NITI Aayog has a
total of twelve indicators.

3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are
common indicators in the MP] of NITT
Aayog and MPI of United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP).

Which of the Statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1,2and3

(d) 2 only

For UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1 2026 PDF (Set A) : Click Here