JUNE - 2023 1

QUESTION BANK

JUNE
2023
QUESTIONS BASED ON IMPORTANT ARTICLES COVERED
FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES SUCH AS THE HINDU,
THE INDIAN EXPRESS AND THE PIB.

QUESTIONS IN LINE WITH UPSC SYLLABUS AND

QUESTION PAPER TRENDS.

ALSO INCLUDES ANSWER KEY AND

EXPLANATION FOR THE PRELIMS BASED
QUESTIONS.
JUNE - 2023
UPSC PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. How many of the following statements are true
regarding Multiple Sclerosis? (Level – Moderate)
1. It is an auto-immune disease.
2. It mainly affects the cardiovascular system of our
body.
3. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.
Options:
A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements
C. Only 3 statements
D. None
2. Consider the following statements about the
Delimitation Commission in India: (Level – Easy)
1. Both the Centre and the States can set up
Delimitation Commissions for the division of
constituencies at national and state levels
respectively.
2. Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution allow for
setting up a Delimitation Commission after every
census.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
3. How many of the following is/are an example of
Circular Economy? (Level – Easy)
1. Planned Obsolesce of Products
2. Extended Producer Responsibility
3. Banning of Single-Use Plastics
Options:
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. All 3
D. None
4. How many of the following is/are true regarding
“Joint Logistics Nodes”? (Level – Difficult)
1. Such nodes cater to the logistics bodies of all
3 services of the Indian Military: the Army, the
Navy, and the Air Force.
2. Right now, we have 3 such nodes which have
been operationalized.
3. The Joint Operations Division is responsible for
the establishment of such nodes.
Options:
A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements
C. All 3 statements
D. None
2
5. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with
the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It
symbolizes: (Level – Moderate) [PYQ 2012]
A. Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over
Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his
meditation.
B. Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity
and chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
C. Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all
arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the
Earth, and thus this life is transitory.
D. Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this
context.
6. How many of the following statements are true
regarding the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework?
(Level – Difficult)
1. It was launched by India’s Prime Minister in 2015.
2. It has 4 defined pillars of cooperation.
3. As of now, it has 14 members.
Options:
A. None
B. Only 1 statement
C. Only 2 statements
D. All 3 statements
7. How many of the following statements are
true regarding Western Disturbances? (Level –
Moderate)
1. They are an example of Extra-Tropical Cyclones.
2. They affect India only between November-
March.
3. They can acquire moisture from as far as the
Atlantic Ocean.
Options:
A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements
C. Only 3 statements
D. None
8. How many of the following statements are true
regarding the Western Ghats? (Level – Easy)
1. They traverse through 6 states of India.
2. They are a Biodiversity Hotspot.
3. They are an important water divide in India.
Options:
A. None
B. Only 1 statement
C. Only 2 statements
D. All 3 statements
9. The Mekedatu Drinking Water project is related to
which of the following rivers? (Level – Easy)
A. Kaveri
B. Godavari
C. Vaigai
D. Pranhita
JUNE - 2023
10. Which one of the following is not the most likely
measure the Government/RBI takes to stop the slide
of Indian rupee? (Level – Moderate) [PYQ 2019]
A. Curbing imports of nonessential goods and
promoting exports
B. Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee-
denominated Masala Bonds
C. Easing conditions relating to external commercial
borrowing
D. Following an expansionary monetary policy
11. Consider the following statements: (Level-Medium)
1. The Great Stupa at Sanchi has been declared a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was built during
Emperor Ashoka’s reign.
2. Ashoka spoke of Buddhism only to his coreligionists
and not to others.
3. The Second Buddhist Council was convened
under the patronage of Ashoka.
How many of the above statements are correct?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None
12. With reference to the insurance sector, consider the
following pairs: (Level-Difficult)
1. Bima Sugam – an online portal which is a one-stop
shop for all insurance-related queries.
2. Bima Vahak – he is tasked to sell and service
simple parametric bundled insurance products.
3. Bima Vistaar – A social safety net product targeting
untapped geographies.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
13. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(Level-Medium)
1. The first Law Commission was established by the
East India Company under the Charter Act of 1833.
2. The Law Commission recommendations made in
the report are binding.
Options:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None
14. Consider the following statements with respect to
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC): (Level-Easy)
1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates.
2. It is a 12-member body including the Governor of
RBI and is reconstituted every year.
3. It functions under the chairmanship of the Union
Finance Minister.
3
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
15. The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to
(Level-Difficult) (PYQ-CSE-2011)
A. Slow down the speed of neutrons
B. Increase the speed of neutrons
C. Cool down the reactor
D. Stop the nuclear reaction
16. Consider the following Pairs: (Level-Difficult)
National Waterway no. River System
1. NW 16 BARAK RIVER
2. NW 64 MAHANANDA RIVER
3. NW 98 SUTLEJ RIVER
4. NW 110 YAMUNA RIVER
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
17. `Consider the following statements: (Level-Medium)
1. Lavenders flourish best in dry, well-drained, sandy
or gravelly soils in full sun
2. Commercially, the plant is grown mainly for the
production of lavender essential oil.
3. Aroma Mission was launched by the Union
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through
the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
(CSIR), which has led to the well-known “Purple
Revolution” in India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
18. With respect to Commission of Enquiry Act, 1952,
which of the following statements is/are correct?
(Level-Difficult)
1. This Act is made for the appointment of
commissions to inquire into matters which are
related or concerned or affects the public at large.
2. Both central and state governments can set up
such Commissions of Inquiry and they can appoint
such commissions to investigate any subject
matter mentioned in the 7th schedule.
3. If the State government set up the commission
first, then Central Govt cannot set up a parallel
commission on the same subject matter
JUNE - 2023 4
Options: 23.
How many of the following statements are true
A. 1 only regarding India Africa Forum Summit? (Level-
B. 2 and 3 only Moderate)
C. 1 and 3 only 1. It was first held in the year 2008.
D. 1, 2 and 3 2. The 3rd summit did away with the Banjul Formula
of inviting the heads of state.
3. The 4th Summit is to be held in Africa in 2023.
19. Which of the following statements is correct about
Superbugs? (Level-Medium) Options:
A. Microbes that have become resistant to antibiotic A. Only 1 statement
drugs. B. Only 2 statements
B. A computer virus designed to damage hardware C. Only 3 statements
that’s being controlled by computers. D. None
C. Microbes used in the bioremediation process.
D. Microbes used in Oral Poliovirus vaccine (OPV). 24. How many of the following statements are correct?
(Level- Difficult)
20. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the 1. mRNA vaccines lead to the production of foreign
market. It consists of amino acids and provides proteins in our bodies, triggering our immune
calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a response.
low-calorie sweetening agent in food items. What is 2. The first human trial of an mRNA vaccine was done
the basis of this use?(Level-Difficult) (PYQ-CSE-2011) for Rabies.
A. Aspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike 3. India’s first mRNA vaccine was developed for
table sugar, it is not readily oxidised in human body Covid-19.
due to lack of requisite enzymes 4. India’s mRNA vaccine for Covid-19 was the first
B. When aspartame is used in food processing, the such mRNA vaccine against the disease.
sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to Options:
oxidation A. Only 1
C. Aspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion B. Only 2
into the body, it is converted into metabolites that
C. Only 3
yield no calories
D. All 4
D. Aspartame is several times sweeter than table
sugar, hence food items made with small quantities
of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation 25.
Consider the following techniques/phenomena:​
(Level- Difficult)
21. Consider the following statements regarding World 1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants​
Environment Day (WED): (Level- Difficult) 2. Cytoplasmic male sterility​
1. It has been celebrated since 1973 under the aegis 3. Gene silencing​
of UNEP Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic
2. For 2023, the theme is “Solutions to Plastic crops?​
Pollution”, and it is being hosted by Cote d’Ivoire A. 1 only​
3. India has been the host of World Environment Day B. 2 and 3​
twice C. 1 and 3​
How many of the above are true? D. None​
A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements 26.
How many of the following statements are true
C. Only 3 statements regarding Suriname? (Level- Difficult)
D. None 1. It is located in the northern part of South America.
2. It was a Dutch colony before getting independence
22. Project 75 I is related to which of the following? in 1975.
(Level- Easy) 3. Indian-origin people make up the largest ethnic
A. Indigenous construction of submarines in India. group in Suriname.
B. Immunizing at least 75% of the global population Options:
against HPV. A. Only 1 statement
C. Construction of a Space Station by China. B. Only 2 statements
D. Protection of jobs against the rise of Artificial C. Only 3 statements
Intelligence. D. None
JUNE - 2023 5
27. How many of the following statements are true 32. How many of the following gases are greenhouse
regarding the Indian Monsoons? (Level- Moderate) gases? (Level-Easy)
1. The shift of the ITCZ is a major factor in bringing 1. Methane
the Southwest monsoons to India. 2. Nitrogen
2. The Tamil Nadu coast remains dry during the 3. Water Vapour
Southwest monsoon season. 4. Argon
3. Monsoon enters West Bengal and Bangladesh not 5. Carbon Dioxide
from the southwest but from south and southeast
Options:
directions.
A. Only 2 gases
Options:
B. Only 3 gases
A. Only 1 statement
C. Only 4 gases
B. Only 2 statements
D. All 5 gases
C. Only 3 statements
D. None
33. How many of the following statements are correct
28. Section 124A was inserted into the Indian Penal Code about cotton cultivation? (Level-Medium)
during the reign of which Viceroy? (Level- Easy) 1. It is a Kharif crop.
A. Lord Mayo 2. India is one of the top 5 producers of cotton
B. Lord Canning globally.
C. Lord Lytton 3. Bt Cotton was introduced in India in 2002.
D. Lord Curzon Options:
A. Only 1 statement
29.
How many of the following statements are true B. Only 2 statements
regarding the Commission of Railway Safety? (Level - C. Only 3 statements
Moderate) D. None
1. It comes under the administrative control of the
Ministry of Railways. 34. Which of the following statements are true regarding
2. It is headquartered in Lucknow. the Madden Julian Oscillation? (Level-Difficult)
3. This authority is responsible for investigating 1. It is an Eastward moving system near the equator.
serious train accidents in the country. 2. It has a periodicity of 30-60 days.
Options: 3. Its presence over the Indian Ocean during
A. Only 1 statement monsoons helps bring good rainfall over the Indian
B. Only 2 statements Subcontinent.
C. Only 3 statements Options:
D. None A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements
30. Consider the following:​(Level- Difficult) C. Only 3 statements
1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee​ D. None
2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation​
3. Indian Reform Association​ 35. The money multiplier in an economy increases with
Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the which one of the following?​ (Level-Medium) (PYQ-
establishment of which of the above?​ CSE-2019)
A. 1 and 3 only​ A. Increase in the cash reserve ratio​
B. 2 and 3 only​ B. Increase in the banking habit of the population ​
C. 3 only​ C. Increase in the statutory liquidity ratio​
D. 1, 2 and 3 D. Increase in the population of the country

31. Consider the following statements about Minimum 36. How many of the following statements are true?
Support Price: (Level-Medium) (Level-Easy)
1. The Minimum Support Price is recommended by 1. The Pumped Storage projects are often developed
the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. in conjunction with hydel power projects.
2. It is the minimum price at which the government 2. It is a form of renewable energy.
buys the crops from the farmers. 3. They use surplus energy during low-demand times
3. The system of MSP was first introduced in India in in order to fulfil the demand during peak hours.
1966-67. Options:
How many of the above statements are incorrect? A. Only 1 statement
A. Only 1 statement B. Only 2 statements
B. Only 2 statements C. All 3 statements
C. Only 3 statements D. None
D. None
JUNE - 2023 6
37. How many of the following pairs are correctly 41. Consider the following statements with respect to
matched? (Level-Medium) Governor: (Level-Medium)
1. Repo Rate: the rate at which commercial banks 1. With regard to Money bills, he may give his assent
give out loans to the bill, he may withhold his assent and he may
2. Reverse Repo Rate: the rate at which commercial return the bill for reconsideration of the house.
banks take loans from the RBI 2. He cannot pardon a death sentence.
3. Statutory Liquidity Ratio: Minimum % of deposits 3. He can nominate one member to the state
to be maintained by commercial banks as liquid legislative assembly from the Anglo-Indian
assets community.
Options: How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only 1 pair A. Only one
B. Only 2 pairs B. Only two
C. All 3 pairs C. All three
D. None D. None

38. How many of the following pairs of the monument 42. With respect to the State Election Commission, which
and the ruler by whom it was constructed are of the following statements is/are correct? (Level-
correctly matched? (Level-Medium) Easy)
1. Siri Fort: Allauddin Khilji 1. It consists of a State Election commissioner to be
2. Jantar Mantar: Maharaja Jai Singh II appointed by the Governor.
3. Konark Sun Temple: Narasimhadeva I 2. He shall not be removed from office except in the
4. Qutub Minar: Iltutmish manner and on the grounds prescribed for the
removal of a judge of the State High Court.
Options:
Options:
A. Only 1 pair
A. 1 only
B. Only 2 pairs
B. 2 only
C. Only 3 pairs
C. Both
D. All 4 pairs
D. None
39. Which of the following statements are true? (Level-
Easy) 43. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)
1. IMD is designated as a Regional Specialized 1. El Niño typically favours stronger hurricane activity
Meteorological Centre for 13 nations. in the central and eastern Pacific basins, and
suppresses it in the Atlantic basin.
2. The naming of the cyclones in the North Indian
Ocean region started in 2004. 2. El Niño and La Niña affect both the ocean and the
atmosphere.
Options:
3. La Niña refers to a band of warmer water spreading
A. 1 only
from west to east in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
B. 2 only
How many of the above statements are correct?
C. Both 1 and 2
A. Only one
D. Neither 1 nor 2
B. Only two
C. All three
40. What is the use of Biochar in farming?​(Level-Difficult)
D. None
(PYQ-CSE-2020)
1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing
medium in vertical farming. 44. Minimum Support Price (MSP) is given to which of
the following crops? (Level-Medium)
2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium,
it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing 1. Paddy
microorganisms.​ 2. Groundnut
3. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it 3. Raw Jute
enables the medium to retain water for a longer 4. Sunflower Seed
time.​ 5. Ragi
Which of the above-given statements is/are correct?​ Options:
A. 1 and 2 only​ A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2 only​ B. 3, 4 and 5 only
C. 1 and 3 only​ C. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2 and 3 only​ D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
JUNE - 2023
45. What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
devices? (Level-Difficult) (PYQ-CSE-2011)
A. Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio frequency band,
whereas-Wi-Fi can use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency
band
B. Bluetooth is used for Wireless Local Area Networks
(WLAN) only, whereas Wi-Fi is used for Wireless
Wide Area Networks (WWAN) only
C. When information is transmitted between two
devices using Blue-tooth technology, the devices
have to be in the line of sight of each other, but
when Wi-Fi technology is used the devices need
not be in the line of sight of each other
D. The statements 1 and 2 given above are correct in
this context
46. Consider the following statements with respect to
PM SVANidhi: (Level- Medium)
1. The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM
SVANidhi) was launched by the Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment
2. Vendors can avail a working capital loan of up
to Rs. 1,00,000, which is repayable in monthly
instalments in the tenure of one year.
3. It is a centrally sponsored scheme and Small
Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will
be the implementation partner.
How many statements given above are correct?
A. only one
B. only two
C. All three
D. None
47. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)
A. The western side of the Aravallis is a rain shadow
area and faces the Thar desert, and hence has
sparse vegetation. The eastern side ¡s biodiversity-
rich with wetlands, lakes and ponds and green
vegetation
B. All the rivers of Rajasthan have their origin from
Aravalli.
C. The Aravalli Range passes through the states of
Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Gujarat.
D. Aravalli hills lie perpendicular to the direction of
monsoon winds causing heavy rainfall in eastern
Rajasthan.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only One
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
7
48.
With respect to Brahmos Missile, which of the
following statements is/are correct? (Level-Difficult)
1. The BrahMos missile also utilises a “fire-and-
forget” system, requiring no additional input from
the operator once the missile has been launched.
2. Indonesia is the first foreign country to place an
order for the purchase of the BrahMos.
Options:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None
49. Which of the following statements is incorrect with
respect to ‘Green Revolution’? (Level-Easy)
A. M.S. Swaminathan is known as the “Father of the
Green Revolution” in the world.
B. During the Green Revolution in the 1960s, Indian
farmers cultivated wheat and rice using high
yielding variety (HYV) seeds.
C. The Green Revolution in India was first introduced
in Punjab.
D. The green revolution spread only in irrigated and
high-potential rainfed areas. The villages or regions
without the access of sufficient water were left out,
which widened the regional disparities between
adopters and non-adopters.
50. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha
Mehta is well-known for (Level-Difficult) [PYQ-
CSE-2011]
A. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of
Quit India Movement
B. Participating in the Second Round Table
Conference
C. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
D. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government
under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
51. Which of the pairs of defense exercises and countries
involved is correctly matched? (Level- Difficult)
1. Ekuverin: Maldives
2. Khaan Quest: Mongolia
3. Lamitye: Sri Lanka
4. Dustlik: Uzbekistan
Options:
A. Only 1 pair
B. Only 2 pairs
C. Only 3 pairs
D. All 4 pairs
52. Which of the statements are true regarding the Indo-
Nepal relationship? (Level- Moderate)
1. The Indo-Nepal Treaty of Friendship was signed in
1950.
2. The Motihari-Amlekhganj petroleum product
pipeline exists between the two countries.
3. India is constructing the Pancheshwar hydropower
project in Nepal.
JUNE - 2023 8
Options: Options:
A. Only 1 statement A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements B. Only 2 statements
C. All 3 statements C. Only 3 statements
D. None D. All 4

53. “One Future Alliance” is related to which of the 58. Which of the following statements are true? (Level-
following? (Level-Easy) Moderate)
A. Digital Public Infrastructure 1. The USA left UNESCO for the first time in 2018.
B. Tackling greenhouse gas emission 2. China is the biggest donor of UNESCO right now.
C. Development of technologies to deflect asteroids Options:
that are on a path to strike Earth A. 1 only
D. WHO mission to prioritize One Health approach B. 2 only
against Anti Microbial Resistance C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
54. Identify the correct statement(s) regarding Svalbard:
(Level-Difficult)
59. Mayon Volcano, which has seen a recent eruption, is
1. Svalbard is the world’s northernmost inhabited located in which of the following countries? (Level-
land. Easy)
2. It is a part of Russia. A. Philippines
3. ISRO, in 1997 was instrumental in operationalizing B. Indonesia
a new rocket launching range there.
C. New Zealand
Options:
D. Tonga
A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements
60. Which of the following statements regarding ‘Green
C. All 3 statements Climate Fund’ is/are correct?​(Level- Moderate)
D. None 1. It is intended to assist developing countries in
adaptation and mitigation practices to counter
55. Among the following organisms, which one does not climate change.​
belong to the class of the other three?​(Level- Easy) 2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, Asian
A. Crab​ Development Bank and World Bank.
B. Mite​ Select the correct answer using the code given below.​
C. Scorpion​ A. 1 only​
D. Spider B. 2 only​
C. Both 1 and 2​
56. How many of the following statements are true D. Neither 1 nor 2​
regarding the National Disaster Mitigation Fund?
(Level- Moderate) 61. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It was mentioned in the country’s first Disaster (Level-Easy)
Management Act (2005). 1. Fly ash and plastic waste have already been in use
2. It was established for the first time in 2021. in India for the construction of national highways.
3. State Disaster Mitigation Funds are to be 2. The use of such material helps reduce the cost of
established with contributions from only the states. the construction of roads.
Options: Options:
A. Only 1 statement A. 1 only​
B. Only 2 statements B. 2 only​
C. All 3 statements C. Both 1 and 2​
D. None D. Neither 1 nor 2​

57. How many of the following pairs of puppetry art forms

and the states they belong to are correctly matched?
(Level- Difficult)
1. Ravanachhaya: Odisha
2. Putul Nach: West Bengal
3. Tholu Bommalata: Andhra Pradesh
4. Kathputli: Rajasthan
JUNE - 2023 9
62. How many of the following pairs of cyclone/hurricane/ 66. Consider the following statements: ​(Level-Medium)
typhoon and the water body where it originated are 1. Raja Parba is a festival celebrated mainly in the
correctly matched? (Level-Difficult) state of Odisha.
1. Fani: Bay of Bengal 2. It is a 3-day festival celebrating Mother Earth and
2. Vayu: Arabian Sea womanhood.
3. Harvey: Atlantic Ocean Which of the statements given above is/are correct?​
4. Phailin: Arabian Sea A. 1 only
Options: B. 2 only​
A. Only 1 pair C. Both 1 and 2
B. Only 2 pairs D. Neither 1 nor 2
C. Only 3 pairs
D. All 4 pairs 67. Consider the following statements: ​(Level-Easy)
1. The Paris Convention calls for a 1.5-degree Celsius
63. The “Migration and Development Brief” is released limit for global warming.
by which of these agencies? (Level-Medium) 2. The rise in global average temperature to measure
A. World Bank this limit is calculated keeping as base the global
B. United Nations Development Program temperatures after the last ice age ended.
C. International Labour Organisation Which of the statements given above is/are correct?​
D. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and A. 1 only
Development B. 2 only​
C. Both 1 and 2
64. How many of the following statements is/are true? D. Neither 1 nor 2
(Level-Medium)
1. An economy is said to enter a recession if the GDP 68. How many of these statements are true regarding
contracts for a year or more. NATO? (Level-Difficult)
2. Depression in an economy is when the economy 1. It was established in 1949 by a group of nations to
experiences a quarter of a negative growth rate. provide collective security against the USSR.
3. All 20 Eurozone countries have entered a recession 2. It had 12 founding members, and the membership
recently. has increased to 31.
Options: 3. Finland is the latest country to become a NATO
A. Only 1 statement member.
B. Only 2 statements Options:
C. Only 3 statements A. None
D. None B. Only 1 statement
C. Only 2 statements
65. Consider the following statements: (Level-Medium) D. All 3 statements
[PYQ-CSE-2015]
1. The President of India can summon a session of 69. How many of the following can be an impact of US
the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks it. ​ Fed rate hikes on Indian markets? (Level-Medium)
2. The Constitution of India provides for three 1. More inflow of money into India’s government
sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not securities.
mandatory to conduct all three sessions.​ 2. Fall of the rupee against the dollar.
3. There is no minimum number of days that the 3. Outflow of money from the stock markets.
Parliament is required to meet in a year. ​ Options:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?​ A. Only 1 statement
A. 1 only B. Only 2 statements
B. 2 only​ C. Only 3 statements
C. 1 and 3 only D. None
D. 2 and 3 only
70. What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva
Sutras) relate to?​(Level-Difficult) [PYQ-CSE-2008]
A. Lengths of sides of right-angled triangle
B. Calculation of value of pi​
C. Logarithmic calculations​
D. Normal distribution curve
JUNE - 2023
71. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)
1. The longest National Highway in India is National
Highway 44
2. Maharashtra has the largest network of National
Highways
3. The Leh–Manali Highway is the world’s second-
highest-altitude motorable highway
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
72. Which of the following statements is incorrect with
respect to the National Pension System (NPS)?
(Level-Medium)
A. Interim/Partial withdrawal of up to 25% of the
contributions made by the subscriber from NPS
Tier-I is tax-free.
B. NPS is mandatorily applicable to Central
Government employees including the Armed
Forces recruited on or after 01.01.2004.
C. NRIs can invest in NPS and are eligible to receive
all the benefits like other Indian citizens.
D. Tier-II is a voluntary account which offers liquidity
of investments and withdrawals.
73. With reference to the Aditya-L1 mission, which one of
the following statements is incorrect? (Level-Difficult)
A. ADITYA-L1 will be ISRO’s first space observatory
dedicated to studying the Sun.
B. The Aditya-L1 mission will carry seven different
payloads capable of studying various phenomena
on the Sun across the electromagnetic spectrum
and solar wind.
C. FIELDS instrument suite will capture the scale and
shape of electric and magnetic fields in the Sun’s
atmosphere.
D. The mission will study the solar upper atmospheric
(chromosphere and corona) dynamics.
74. Consider the following pairs: (Level-Easy)
10
75. Among the following States, which one has the
most suitable climatic conditions for the cultivation
of a large variety of orchids with minimum cost of
production, and can develop an export oriented
industry in this field? (Level-Easy)[PYQ-CSE-2011]
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh
76. ____________ is a type of protein in the mitochondria
which plays an important role in cellular respiration.
(Level – Difficult)
A. Cytochrome C
B. Elastin
C. Keratin
D. Leucine
77. The ‘Miyawaki Method’, often seen in the news, is a
technique (Level – Easy)
A. To promote agriculture in the semi-arid areas
B. To create dense forests with native plants
C. To apply controlled amounts of water to land to
help grow crops, landscape plants, and lawns.
D. To generate electricity by harvesting wind energy
78. Consider the following statements with respect to
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
(IREDA): (Level – Moderate)
1. It is a Mini Ratna (Category – I) Government of India
Enterprise.
2. It is registered as a Non-banking Financial
Company (NBFC) with the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI).
3. One of the objectives of IREDA is to conduct
and promote research in meteorology and allied
disciplines.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None

Commission/Committee Objective 79. Consider the following statements with respect to

1. Gadgil Commission Study on New Digital Gandhi Peace Prize: (Level – Difficult)
Payment Methods 1. It is awarded biennially by the Government of India.
2. The award is open to all persons regardless of
2. Punchhi Commission Centre-State Relations nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender.
3. T S R Subramanian Police reforms 3. A jury consisting of the Prime Minister of India, the
Committee Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the
Chief Justice of India, Speaker of the Lok Sabha
4. Narasimhan Commit- Define foreign direct
and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, decides the
tee investment (FDI)
awardee each year.
How many of the above statements are correct?
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? A. Only one
A. Only one B. Only two
B. Only two C. All three
C. Only three D. None
D. All four
JUNE - 2023
80. The tendency for increased litigation was visible
after the introduction of the land settlement system
of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is
normally traced to which of the following provisions?
(Level – Moderate) [PYQ-2011]
A. Making Zamindar’s position stronger vis-a-vis the
ryot
B. Making East India Company an overlord of
Zamindars
C. Making judicial system more efficient
D. None of the (a), (b) and (c) above
81. Consider the following statements with respect to
contempt of court: (Level – Moderate)
1. The Attorney General’s (AG) consent is mandatory
when a private citizen wants to initiate a case of
contempt of court against a person.
2. The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, has a limitation
period of two years for bringing in action against
an individual.
3. The Supreme Court has the power to initiate
contempt cases on its own, independent of the
motion brought before it by the AG or with the
consent of the AG.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
82. Which of the following statements is incorrect with
respect to the Chambal River? (Level – Difficult)
A. It is a tributary of the Yamuna River.
B. It originates at Janapav, south of Mhow town, near
Manpur, Indore, on the south slope of the Vindhya
Range in Madhya Pradesh.
C. It flows through three Indian states.
D. Banas, Mej and Parbati are the left bank tributaries
of Chambal.
83. Consider the following statements with respect to
the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016: (Level –
Difficult)
1. The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs has
regulatory oversight over Insolvency Professionals.
2. A competitor of the corporate debtor is prohibited
to submit a resolution plan in a corporate insolvency
resolution process.
3. A creditor can initiate a pre-packaged insolvency
resolution process when the debtor company has
defaulted at least Rupees one crore.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
11
84. With respect to the Cornwallis Code, which of
the following statements is/are correct? (Level –
Moderate)
1. It established the Permanent Settlement system.
2. Collectors were given only the power of the
revenue administration.
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
85. What is “Virtual Private Network”? (Level – Easy)
PYQ (2011)
A. It is a private computer network of an organization
where the remote users can transmit encrypted
information through the server of the organization
B. It is a computer network across a public internet
that provides users access to their organization’s
network while maintaining the security of the
information transmitted
C. It is a computer network in which users can access
a shared pool of computing resources through a
service provider
D. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above
is a correct description of Virtual Private Network
86. How many of the following statements are true
regarding the Jagannath Rath Yatra? (Level – Difficult)
1. It is an important festival for the devotees of Lord
Krishna.
2. It is also known as Gundicha Yatra.
3. Logs of Sharua and Phasi trees are essential for
the construction of the Ratha for this festival.
Options:
A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements
C. All 3 statements
D. None
87. How many of the following statements are true
regarding the Gandhi Peace Prize? (Level – Difficult)
1. It was started in the year 1969 to celebrate the
100th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
2. It is announced by the Ministry of Culture.
3. It can only be given to institutions and organisations,
and not to individuals.
Options:
A. Only 1 statement
B. Only 2 statements
C. All 3 statements
D. None
JUNE - 2023
88. The underwater submersible “Titan” is in the news
for which of the following reasons? (Level – Easy)
A. It has been commissioned to explore the depths of
the deepest point on Earth, the Challenger Deep.
B. It has been a part of the study to understand the
impact of sea warming on the Antarctic ice sheets.
C. It has been launched by the Government of India
to explore Gas Hydrates in our EEZ.
D. It was launched to take people to the ruins of the
Titanic and is now missing.
89. How many of the following pairs of Places in the
News and their country are correctly matched? (Level
– Moderate)
1. Chashma: Pakistan
2. Newfoundland: Canada
3. Kharson: Ukraine
Options:
A. Only 1 Pair
B. Only 2 Pairs
C. All 3 Pairs
D. None
90. If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule
VI of the Wildlife Protection Act,1972, what is the
implication? (Level – Easy) PYQ 2020
A. A license 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.
91. Global Gender Gap Index is released by:
A. World Economic Forum
B. Oxfam International
C. Sustainable Development Solutions Network
D. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
92. Consider the following statements w.r.t International
North­South Transport Corridor (INSTC):
1. It is 15,000 km long and is a multi-mode network of
ship, rail, & road routes.
2. Russia, India, and Iran are the founding member
states of INSTC.
3. It connects Russia with Iran and India via the
Caspian Sea.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
A. One only
B. Two only
C. All three
D. None
12
93. Which of these countries make up the ‘NATO plus
five’ arrangement?
A. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and South
Korea
B. India, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and South Korea
C. India, New Zealand, Ukraine, Israel and South
Korea
D. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Ukraine and South
Korea
94. Queen Durgavati is the most famous warrior-queen
of:
A. Garha Kingdom
B. Gajapati Kingdom
C. Sivaganga Kingdom
D. Thanjavur Nayak Kingdom
95. Consider the following statements w.r.t Mahadayi
River:
1. Mahadayi is a west-flowing river.
2. It originates in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in
Belagavi district of Karnataka.
3. Kalasa, Surla and Banduri are its major tributaries.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
A. One only
B. Two only
C. All three
D. None
96. Consider the following statements w.r.t Coastal
Regulation Zones (CRZ):
1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, & Climate
Change (MoEFCC) published CRZ notification for
the first time in 1991.
2. The CRZ rules govern & regulate commercial,
human & industrial activities that are near the
coastline.
3. Coastal areas are categorised into six different
types by the CRZ notification.
How many of these statement/s is/are correct?
A. One Only
B. Two Only
C. All Three
D. None of The Above
97. ‘Matsya-6000’ recently seen in news is:
A. Indigenously developed Nuclear-Powered Attack
Submarine (SSN).
B. India’s only Ballistic missile submarine.
C. Kalvari Class diesel-electric attack submarines.
D. Indian crewed deep-submergence vehicle
intended to be utilised under the Deep Ocean
mission.
JUNE - 2023 13
98. Consider the following statements w.r.t Medicines 103.The Cabinet Committee on Security is chaired by:
Patent Pool (MPP): A. The President of India
1. It is a public health organisation working to increase B. The Prime Minister of India
access & facilitate the development of life-saving C. The Minister of Defence
medicines for low- and middle-income countries. D. The Minister of Home Affairs
2. It is backed by the United Nations.
3. It was founded by the World Health Organisation. 104.India Semiconductor Mission was launched in the
How many of these statement/s is/are correct? year:
A. One Only A. 2018
B. Two Only B. 2021
C. All Three C. 2022
D. None of The Above D. 2023

99. Consider the following statements w.r.t International 105.‘L-20’, recently seen in news is:
Trade Union Confederation (ITUC): A. Meeting of trade unions of G­20 countries
1. It was formed out of the merger of the International B. Meeting of major ed-tech companies of G­ 20
Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) & the countries
World Confederation of Labour (WCL). C. Meeting of think tanks from the G-20 countries.
2. Its headquarters are in Belgium. D. Meeting of Agriculture Chief Scientists of G-20
Which of these statements is/are correct? countries
A. 1 only
B. 2 only 106.The Wagner Group often seen in news is:
C. Both 1 and 2 A. A Russian paramilitary organisation
D. Neither 1 nor 2 B. A China-backed hacking group
C. A U.S based non-governmental militia organisation
100.Reserve Bank of India (Relief Measures by Banks D. Iranian hacker group
in Areas affected by Natural Calamities) Directions
apply to: 107.Consider the following statements w.r.t Nuclear
A. Only the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) licensed to Suppliers Group (NSG):
operate in India by RBI 1. It is a multilateral nuclear export control
B. All Scheduled Commercial Banks including Small arrangement.
Finance Banks (SFBs) and RRBs 2. The NSG was formed in the wake of the nuclear
C. All Scheduled Commercial Banks including SFBs tests conducted by India in 1974.
and excluding RRBs 3. India is not a member of the NSG
D. None of the above
How many of the given statements is NSG /are
correct?
101.Consider the following: A. Only one
1. Libya B. Only two
2. Sudan C. All three
3. Chad D. None
4. Israel
How many of these countries border Egypt? 108.‘Veeracholapuram’ recently seen in news is famous
A. Only One for:
B. Only Two A. The Sun temple
C. Only Three B. Thiruvalangadu copper plates
D. All Four C. Thirupurasundari idol
D. The Siva temple
102.Consider the following statements w.r.t Global
Gender Gap Report: 109.Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is in:
1. It was first published in 2006 by the World A. Karnataka
Economic Forum. B. Tamil Nadu
2. India has dropped eight places from 2022 in the C. Kerala
annual Gender Gap Report 2023. D. Telangana
3. China, Sri Lanka and Nepal are ahead of India in
the annual Gender Gap Rankings 2023
How many of these statement/s is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. None
JUNE - 2023 14
110.Consider the following: How many of these statements is/are correct?
1. In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) A. Only one
2. Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) B. Only two
3. Cryopreservation C. All three
How many of these can be classified under Assisted D. None
Reproductive Technologies (ART)?
A. Only one 117. Consider the following statements with reference to
B. Only two the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):
C. All three 1. It is a statutory body.
D. None 2. It is a quasi-judicial body.
3. It is a constitutional body.
111.‘Climate Shift Index’ (CSI) model, recently seen in How many of these statements is/are correct?
news has been developed by: A. Only one
A. Climate Central B. Only two
B. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate C. All three
Change (UNFCCC) D. None
C. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
D. Sustainable Development Solutions Network 118. The New Development Bank (NDB) is a multilateral
(SDSN) development bank established by:
A. BRICS
112.The Suez Canal connects which two seas? B. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
A. Sea of Marmara and the Agean Sea C. Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical
B. Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
C. Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea D. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
D. Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea
119. The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution applies
113.‘Meira Paibi’ recently seen in news is a women’s social to the Northeastern states of:
movement in which of these states? A. Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura
A. Manipur B. Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura
B. West Bengal C. Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura
C. Rajasthan D. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura
D. Arunachal Pradesh
120.‘Paris Club’ often seen in the news is:
114. India has plans to procure the ‘MQ-9B High Altitude A. An informal group of official creditors
Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial vehicles’ from B. An international actor group that aims to cooperate
which of these countries? with climate change-related activities
A. Saudi Arabia C. A group of nations which counter the expansion of
B. United States of America permanent seats in the UNSC
C. Russia D. An informal club involved in Disaster Management
D. Israel and Early Warning Systems

115. Consider the following statements with reference to 121. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was
Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope established to rank:
(FAST): A. Higher Education Institutions
1. It is one of the biggest radio telescopes in the B. Primary Educational Institutions
world. C. Both a and b
2. It is a single dish aperture telescope. D. Neither a nor b
3. It is located in India.
How many of these statements is/are correct? 122.‘Equalisation Levy’ often seen in the news is a
A. One only A. Indirect Tax
B. Two Only B. Direct Tax
C. All Three C. Central Tax
D. None D. None of the Above

116. Consider the following statements with reference to 123.Recently ‘Amroha Dholak’, ‘Mainpuri Tarkashi’, and
Bank for International Settlements (BIS): ‘Sambhal Horn Craft’ have been given a Geographical
1. The BIS is an international organization founded in Indication (GI) Tag for which of these states?
1930 charged with fostering international monetary A. Manipur
and financial cooperation. B. Madhya Pradesh
2. The Bank’s capital is held by central banks only C. Uttar Pradesh
including the Reserve Bank of India. D. Bihar
3. Its headquarters is in Basel, Switzerland.
JUNE - 2023 15
124.Consider the following statements with reference to 131.Consider the following statements:
‘Chinar Corps’: 1. El Nino Southern Oscillation is an irregular periodic
1. It is a unit of the Indian Army. variation of wind and sea surface temperature that
2. It guards the Line of Actual Control. occurs over the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean.
3. It is also known as XV Corps or 15 Corps. 2. The warming phase of ENSO is known as El Nino.
How many of these statements is/are correct? 3. The cooling phase of ENSO is known as La Nina.
A. Only one How many of these statements is/are correct?
B. Only two A. Only one
C. All three B. Only two
D. None C. All three
D. None
125.India is a signatory to:
A. Nuclear Non-Proliferation (NPT) Treaty 132.Consider the following statements with reference to
B. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Food Corporation of India (FCI):
C. Both a and b 1. It is a government-owned corporation and a
D. Neither a nor b statutory body.
2. It functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and
126.Donetsk and Luhansk regions are often seen in the Farmers’ Welfare.
news in the context of 3. It is responsible for the procurement, storage &
distribution of food grains across India to ensure
A. Tigray War
food security for the population.
B. Russia-Ukraine War
C. Serbia-Kosovo Conflict How many of these statements is/are correct?
D. Afghanistan Crisis A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
127.Consider the following statements w.r.t All India
D. None
Survey on Higher Education (AISHE):
1. It is released by NGO Pratham.
2. It covers all higher educational institutions located 133.Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located closer to
in Indian Territory imparting higher education in the which of these bird sanctuaries?
country. A. Nalabana Bird Sanctuary
3. It was initiated in the year 2021. B. Mayani Bird Sanctuary
How many of these statements is/are correct? C. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
D. Vembanad Bird Sanctuary
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three 134.Consider the following statements with reference to
D. None Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT):
1. The GMRT Observatory is located near Pune at
128.Euclid Space Telescope recently seen in the news is Junnar, Narayangaon.
developed by: 2. It is an array of thirty fully steerable parabolic radio
telescopes.
A. Roscosmos
3. The upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope
B. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(uGMRT) is India’s largest radio telescope.
C. European Space Agency
D. Israel Space Agency How many of these statements is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
129.Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is
C. All three
chaired by:
D. None
A. Finance Minister
B. Minister of Corporate Affairs
C. Prime Minister 135.Consider the following statements w.r.t National
D. Minister of Home Affairs Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
1. It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
and the Indian Banks Association (IBA).
130.Financial Stability Report (FSR) is published by the:
2. It is an umbrella organization incorporated in 2008
A. Reserve Bank of India as a “Not for Profit” Company under the Companies
B. Ministry of Finance Act 1956.
C. Ministry of Corporate Affairs 3. It was established to create the infrastructure for
D. NITI Aayog the entire banking system in India for physical as
well as electronic payment and settlement systems.
How many of these statements is/are incorrect?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
JUNE - 2023 16
JUNE - 2023 17
SEPTEMBER - 2022
24
JUNE - 2023 18

ANSWER KEYS
1. B 41. A
2. B 42. C
3. B 43. B
4. C 44. D
5. B 45. A
6. C 46. D
7. B 47. B
8. D 48. A
9. A 49. A
10. D
50. A
11. B
51. C
12. C
52. C
13. A
53. A
14. A
54. B
15. A
55. A
16. C
56. B
17. B
57. D
18. A
58. D
19. A
59. A
20. D
60. A
21. C
61. C
22. A
62. C
23. B
63. A
24. C
64. A
25. B
65. C
26. C
66. C
27. C
67. A
28. A
68. D
29. B
69. B
30. B
70. A
31. A
71. C
32. B
72. B
33. C
73. C
34. C
74. A
35. B
75. B
36. C
76. A
37. A
77. B
38. D
78. B
39. C
79. A
40. D
80. D
JUNE - 2023 19

81. B 123. C
82. D 124. B
83. D 125. D
84. C 126. B
85. B 127. A
86. C 128. C
87. A 129. C
88. D 130. A
89. C 131. C
90. A 132. B
91. A 133. A
92. B 134. C
93. A 135. D
94. A
95. C
96. B
97. D
98. B
99. C
100. C
101. C
102. B
103. B
104. B
105. A
106. A
107 C
108. D
109. B
110. C
111. A
112. B
113. A
114. B
115. B
116. C
117. B
118. A
119. C
120. A
121. A
122. B
JUNE - 2023 20
EXPLANATION FOR THE PRELIMS QUESTIONS
1. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, Multiple sclerosis is an
autoimmune inflammatory illness that affects the
central nervous system (CNS) when the body’s
immune system attacks its tissue.
● Statement 2 is not correct, Multiple sclerosis
mainly affects the central nervous system (CNS)
i.e. the brain and spinal cord.
○ The nerve damage disrupts communication
between the brain and the body.
● Statement 3 is correct, At present, there is no cure
for multiple sclerosis.
○ Treatment mainly focuses on speeding
recovery from attacks, reducing new
radiographic and clinical relapses, slowing
the progression of the disease, and managing
symptoms.
2. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct, The Delimitation
Commission in India is a high-power body whose
orders have the force of law and cannot be called
into question before any court.
○ The Delimitation Commission is appointed
by the President of India and works in
collaboration with the Election Commission of
India.
● Statement 2 is correct, As per Article 82, the
Parliament will enact a Delimitation Act after every
census.
○ According to Article 170, the states also get
classified into territorial constituencies after
every census.
3. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct, A circular economy
would mean the end of planned obsolescence.
○ This means re-using, repairing, refurbishing,
and recycling existing materials and products.
○ Planned obsolescence of electronic products
generates massive amounts of waste.
● Statement 2 is correct, Implementing Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR) helps make an
important contribution towards the transition to a
circular economy.
● Statement 3 is correct, Banning single-use plastic
helps further in the shift toward a more circular
economy.
4. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, Joint Logistics Node (JLN)
will provide integrated logistics cover to the Armed
Forces for their small arms ammunition, rations,
fuel, general stores, civil hired transport, aviation
clothing, spares and also engineering support in
an effort to synergise their operational efforts.
○ JLNs play a key role in integrating the logistics
of all three Services.
● Statement 2 is correct, Currently, India has three
JLNs which were made operational in 2021 for the
logistics integration of the three services.
● Statement 3 is correct, The Joint Operations
Division under the Headquarters Integrated
Defence Staff is responsible for setting up such
nodes.
5. Explanation:
● Lord Buddha’s ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’ symbolises
Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity
and chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
● ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’ symbolises the triumph of
the spirit over matter and its liberation from worldly
trappings.
6. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct, India, along with the
other nations led by the United States, inaugurated
the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) on
23rd May 2022 in Tokyo.
● Statement 2 is correct, The four main pillars of the
IPEF include trade, supply chain resiliency, clean
energy and decarbonisation, and taxes and anti-
corruption measures.
● Statement 3 is correct, IPEF has 14 partner
countries namely Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India,
Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam & the US.
7. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, Western Disturbances
are extratropical storms that originate in the
Mediterranean region.
● Statement 2 is not correct, Usually, India receives
four to six intense Western Disturbances between
November to March.
○ However, western disturbances start declining
after winter and during the summer months
of April and May, they move across northern
India.
● Statement 3 is correct, Western Disturbances
can acquire moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and
other parts of Europe.
8. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, The Western Ghats are a
mountain range running parallel along the western
coast of India starting from Gujarat and ending in
Tamil Nadu covering the states of Maharashtra,
Goa, Karnataka and Kerala.
● Statement 2 is correct, There are major four
biodiversity hotspots in India, which include the
Himalayas, the Indo-Burma Region, the Western
Ghats and Sundaland.
JUNE - 2023
● Statement 3 is correct, The Western Ghats are
major water divides of peninsular India as they act
as the highest boundary line of many peninsular
and Konkan rivers.
○ It divides the basins of the east-flowing
peninsular rivers from those of the Konkan and
Malabar rivers which are west-flowing rivers.
9. Explanation:
● The Mekedatu Project is proposed at the confluence
of River Kaveri with its tributary Arkavathi.
● The project aims to ensure adequate drinking
water supply to Bengaluru.
10. Explanation:
● An expansionary monetary policy results in
increased money supply in the economy resulting
in a stronger dollar.
● Such a policy might lead to a fall in the value of the
Indian Rupee and thus the Government/RBI does
not undertake such a measure to stop the slide of
the Indian rupee.
11. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is correct, The Great Stupa and
Sanchi’s other Buddhist monuments were
collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage
site in 1989. The Great Stupa (also called Stupa no.
1) was originally built in the 3rd century BCE by the
Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is believed to house
the ashes of the Buddha.
● Statement 02 is correct, King Ashoka spoke
of Buddhism only to his coreligionists and not
to others. Toward all religious sects, he adopted
a policy of respect and guaranteed them full
freedom to live according to their own principles,
but he also urged them to exert themselves for the
“increase of their inner worthiness.”
● Statement 03 is incorrect, The Second Buddhist
Council was conducted under the patronage of
King Kalasoka of the Sisunaga dynasty. It was held
in 383 BC, i.e., a hundred years after the Buddha’s
death.
Read more on World Heritage Sites in India.
12. Explanation:
● Bima Sugam – It is an online portal which is a
one-stop shop for all insurance-related queries,
policy purchases, claim settlements and insurance
advice. It is envisioned as a trusted platform by the
IRDAI.
● Bima Vahaks – Bima Vahaks, also known as
“insurance volunteers”, aim to extend insurance
coverage nationwide, regardless of geographical
location.
● Bima Vistaar – It is a social safety net product
targeting untapped geographies. It is developed
as an affordable, accessible and comprehensive
cover for rural populations in the event of natural
disasters, such as floods, and earthquakes.
21
13. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is correct, The first Law Commission
was established by the East India Company under
the Charter Act of 1833.
● Statement 02 is incorrect, The recommendations
of the Law Commission are not binding.
14. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is correct, The Monetary Policy
Committee (MPC) determines benchmark interest
rates required to achieve the inflation target.
● Statement 02 is incorrect, The committee consists
of six members (including the Chairman): three RBI
officials and three government-nominated external
members. Government-nominated members will
hold office for a period of four years or until further
orders are issued, whichever is earlier.
● Statement 03 is incorrect, The Governor of the
Reserve Bank of India is the Chairperson of MPC.
15. Explanation:
Heavy water is employed in nuclear reactors as a
neutron moderator, slowing down neutron production
and bringing stability to the fission reaction. Heavy
water is an excellent moderator because it can work at
high temperatures and has a low absorption probability
for neutrons.
16. Explanation:
● Pair 01 is correctly matched, Barak River is the
second largest river in the North Eastern Region.
It originates from south of Kohima in Nagaland
near Nagaland – Manipur Border. After traversing
through Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, it splits
at Bhanga into two streams called Surma and
Kushiyara.
○ These two streams rejoin at Markuli in
Bangladesh and thereafter the river is called
Meghna.
○ The navigable portion of Barak River in India
is the 121 km stretch between Lakhipur and
Bhanga which has been declared as NW-16 in
the year 2016.
● Pair 02 is incorrectly matched, The 425 km stretch
of Mahanadi from Paradip sea mouth to Sambalpur
has been declared as National Waterway-64 by
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
● Pair 03 is correctly matched, Sutlej river stretch
passing through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab is
declared as National Waterway 98.
● Pair 04 is correctly matched, Yamuna river stretch
passing through Delhi,Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
is declared as National Waterway 98.
17. Explanation:
● The Purple or Lavender Revolution was launched
in 2016 by the Union Ministry of Science &
Technology through the Council of Scientific &
Industrial Research (CSIR) Aroma Mission.
JUNE - 2023
18. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is correct, Parliament enacted
the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, which
authorises the union and state governments to
appoint inquiry commissions to make inquiries in
the definite matters of public importance. This is a
central legislation enacted under the constitution,
Schedule VII, List I and III.
● Statement 02 is correct,Both central and state
governments can set up such Commissions of
Inquiry, states are restricted by subject matters that
they are empowered to legislate upon.
● Statement 03 is correct, If the central government
set up the commission first, then states cannot
set up a parallel commission on the same subject
matter without the approval of the Centre.
○ But if a state has appointed a Commission, then
the Centre can appoint another on the same
subject if it is of the opinion that the scope of
the inquiry should be extended to two or more
states.
19. Explanation: Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses,
parasites and fungi that are resistant to most of the
antibiotics and other medications commonly used to
treat the infections they cause.
● A few examples of superbugs include resistant
bacteria that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract
infections and skin infections.
20. Explanation: Aspartame is several times sweeter than
table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities
of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation.
● Aspartame is metabolised by the body into two
constituent amino acids and methanol. These
hydrolysis products are handled by the body in the
same way as aspartic acid, L-Phenylalanine and
methanol from other consumed foods. It contains
calories, but consumers will likely use less than
they would of table sugar because it is about 200
times sweeter.
● Aspartame is not heat stable and loses its
sweetness when heated, so it typically isn’t used in
baked goods.
21. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: In 1973, the first WED was
held with the theme “Only One Earth”.
● Statement 2 is correct: For 2023, the theme is
“Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, and it is being
hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.
● Statement 3 is correct: India has been the host of
World Environment Day twice in 2011 and 2018.
22. Explanation:
● Project-75 (I) envisages the indigenous construction
of six modern conventional submarines with
contemporary equipment, weapons & sensors.
22
23. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: It was first held from April 4
to April 8, 2008, in New Delhi, India.
● Statement 2 is correct: The 3rd summit did away
with the Banjul Formula of inviting the heads of
state.
● Statement 3 is not correct: The 4th summit is not
yet scheduled.
24. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: The mRNA (messenger RNA)
is one such vaccine that injects pieces of mRNA
into human cells in order to get them to produce
pathogen antigens.
● Statement 2 is not correct: The first human trial of
an mRNA vaccine was done for a tumour.
● Statement 3 is correct: The country’s first home-
grown mRNA Covid-19 vaccine is GEMCOVAC-19.
● Statement 4 is correct: It was the first such mRNA
vaccine against the Covid-19 disease.
25. Explanation:
● Grafting and budding are horticultural techniques
used to join parts from two or more plants so that
they appear to grow as a single plant.
● Cytoplasmic male sterility is total or partial male
sterility in hermaphrodite organisms, as the result
of specific nuclear and mitochondrial interactions.
● Gene silencing is the regulation of gene expression
in a cell to prevent the expression of a certain
gene.
26. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: It is a small country located
in the Northern part of South America.
● Statement 2 is correct: It was a Dutch colony before
getting independence in 1975.
● Statement 3 is correct: Indian-origin people make
up the largest ethnic group in Suriname.
27. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: The shift of the ITCZ is a
major factor in bringing the Southwest monsoons
to India.
● Statement 2 is correct: During the South-West
Monsoons, Tamil Nadu remains dry because it is
located in a rain shadow area. It receives rainfall in
the winter season due to northeast trade winds.
● Statement 3 is correct: Monsoon enters West
Bengal and Bangladesh not from the southwest
but from south and southeast directions.
28. Explanation:
Section 124A was inserted into the Indian Penal Code
during the reign of Lord Mayo. In 1870 it was added to
the Penal Code by an amendment introduced by Sir
James Stephen.
JUNE - 2023 23
29. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct: The Commission of
Railway Safety works Under the Ministry of Civil
Aviation.
● Statement 2 is correct: It has its headquarters in
Lucknow.
● Statement 3 is correct: It investigates serious train
accidents in the country.
30. Explanation:
● The Calcutta Unitarian Committee was established
by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
● In 1868, Keshab Chandra Sen laid the foundation
stone of his mandir called the Tabernacle of New
Dispensation​.
● He was also a part of the Indian Reform Association,
whose objective was to create public opinion
against child marriage.
31. Explanation:
● The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices
(CACP) recommends MSPs. It is approved by the
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
Read more on Minimum Support Price.
32. Explanation:
The Primary GHGs are: Water Vapour, Carbon
dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide and Ozone. Other
GHGs are carbon monoxide, fluorinated gases,
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), black carbon (soot), and
brown carbon.
Read more on Greenhouse Gases.
33. Explanation:
Cotton is a kharif crop which is cultivated during the
rainy season. India is the largest cotton producer in
the world with 6,188,000 tonnes production volume
per year. China comes second with 6,178,318 tonnes of
yearly production.
● Bt cotton was first approved for field trials in
the United States in 1993 and first approved for
commercial use in the United States in 1995. Bt
cotton was approved by the Chinese government
in 1997.
● In 2002, a joint venture between Monsanto and
Mahyco introduced Bt cotton to India.
34. Explanation: Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an
oceanic-atmospheric phenomenon which affects
weather activities across the globe. It brings major
fluctuation in tropical weather on weekly to monthly
timescales.
● The MJO is characterised as a pulsating disturbance
moving eastward near the equator, consisting of
clouds, rainfall, winds, and pressure.
○ It has a regular cycle of occurrence every 30 to
60 days.
● The MJO follows a path comprising eight distinct
phases as it progresses through its journey.
○ During the Monsoon season, when the MJO
reaches the Indian Ocean, it brings substantial
rainfall to the Indian subcontinent.
35. Explanation: The money multiplier represents the total
money generated by commercial banks based on a
fixed amount of base money and reserve ratio.
● When the cash reserve ratio is raised, it limits
the ability of banks to lend money, resulting in a
decrease in the money multiplier.
● A rise in the population’s banking activity fosters
increased lending, leading to higher deposits in
the banking system and consequently elevating
the money multiplier.
● The money multiplier in an economy does not
automatically increase with population growth,
highlighting that population size alone does not
determine changes in the money multiplier.
36. Explanation:
● Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is a type of
hydroelectric energy storage. It is a configuration of
two water reservoirs at different elevations that can
generate power as water moves down from one to
the other (discharge), passing through a turbine.
The system also requires power as it pumps water
back into the upper reservoir (recharge).
● Pumped-storage hydroelectricity allows energy
from intermittent sources (such as solar, wind)
and other renewables, or excess electricity from
continuous base-load sources (such as coal or
nuclear) to be saved for periods of higher demand.
37. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is incorrect, Repo stands for “Re
Purchase Option”. Repo Rate is the rate at which
the Reserve Bank of India lends to other banks by
buying the securities with an agreement that the
bank will buy back on a certain date.
● Statement 02 is incorrect, The reverse repo
rate is the rate of interest that is provided by the
Reserve Bank of India while borrowing money from
commercial banks.
● Statement 03 is correct, Statutory Liquidity Ratio
(SLR) is the minimum percentage of deposits that a
commercial bank must keep in liquid cash, gold, or
other securities.
38. Explanation:
● Among the six rulers of the Khilji dynasty, Alauddin
Khilji laid the foundation of his capital Siri in 1303
A.D.
● A Jantar Mantar is an assembly of stone-built
astronomical instruments, designed to be used with
the naked eye. There were five Jantar Mantars in
India (Jaipur, Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi),
all of them built at the command of Maharaja Jai
Singh II.
● Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century (year 1250)
temple in Odisha. The temple is attributed to King
Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty
about 1250 CE.
● Qutbu’d-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutub
Minar in 1199 AD and raised the first storey, to which
were added three more storeys by his successor
and son-in-law, Shamsu’d-Din Iltutmish (AD 1211-
36).
JUNE - 2023
39. Explanation:
● Worldwide there are six regional specialised
meteorological centres (RSMCs) and five regional
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs)
mandated for issuing advisories and naming of
tropical cyclones.
● India Meteorological Department is one of the
six RSMCs to provide tropical cyclone and storm
surge advisories to 13 member countries under the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)/United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-
Pacific (ESCAP) Panel.
● The 2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was
the first in which tropical cyclones were officially
named in the basin.
○ Cyclone Onil, which struck India and Pakistan,
was named in late September.
40. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is correct, Biochar is created by
subjecting biomass to high temperatures without
the presence of oxygen. Utilising biochar in vertical
farming has the potential to greatly enhance crop
yields.
● Statement 02 is correct, Biochar holds promise in
enhancing the inherent nitrogen fixation capability
of legumes within the soil. It provides a favourable
environment for nitrogen-fixing microorganisms,
thereby promoting their survival and activity.
● Statement 03 is correct, Because of its porous
nature, biochar can improve soil’s water retention.
Thereby plants will have more water available to
them for a longer period of time.
41. Explanation:
● The Governor cannot return a money bill to the
state legislature for reconsideration.
● Article 331 and Article 333 of the Indian Constitution
allowed for the nomination of two Anglo-Indians to
the Lok Sabha and State Legislature, respectively,
but that was done away with through the 104th
Amendment Act.
42. Explanation:
● Article 243K(1) of the Constitution states that the
superintendence, direction and control of the
preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct
of, all elections to the Panchayats (Municipalities
under Article 243ZA) shall be vested in a State
Election Commission consisting of a State Election
Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor.
● Article 243K(2) states that the tenure and
appointment will be directed as per the law
made by the state legislature. However, the State
Election Commissioner shall not be removed from
his/her office except in like manner and on the like
grounds as a Judge of a High Court.
24
43. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is correct, El Niño favours stronger
hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific
basins, and suppresses it in the Atlantic basin.
Conversely, La Niña suppresses hurricane activity
in the central and eastern Pacific basins, and
enhances it in the Atlantic basin.
● Statement 02 is correct, El Niño and La Niña
produce important consequences for people and
ecosystems across the globe. The interactions
between the ocean and atmosphere alter weather
around the world and can result in severe storms
or mild weather, drought or flooding.
● Statement 03 is incorrect, La Niña occurs when
the band of water spreads east to west and is
cooler.
Read more on El Nino and La Nina.
44. Explanation:
● Government announces minimum support prices
(MSPs) for 22 mandated crops and fair and
remunerative prices (FRP) for sugarcane.
● The mandated crops are 14 crops of the kharif
season, 6 rabi crops and two other commercial
crops.
● In addition, the MSPs of toria and de-husked
coconut are fixed on the basis of the MSPs of
rapeseed/mustard and copra, respectively. The list
of crops are as follows.
○ Paddy, wheat, barley, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi,
gram, arhar/tur, moong, urad, lentil, groundnut,
rapeseed/mustard, toria, soyabean, sunflower
seed, sesamum, safflower seed and niger
seed
○ Raw cotton, Raw jute, Copra, De-husked
coconut, Sugarcane (Fair and remunerative
price), Virginia flu cured (VFC) tobacco.
JUNE - 2023
45. Explanation:
● Bluetooth works by using radio frequencies, rather
than the infrared spectrum used by traditional
remote controls. As a result, Bluetooth eliminates
the need not only for a wired connection but also
for maintaining a clear line of sight to communicate
between devices.
● The communication distance of Bluetooth is around
10 m or less, whereas the communication distance
of Wi-Fi is several hundred metres. Both Bluetooth
and Wi-Fi technology do not need a direct line of
sight for information transmission.
46. Explanation:
● The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM
SVANidhi) was launched and fully funded by the
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
● Vendors will be provided with an initial working
capital of up to Rs. 50000, which is repayable in
monthly instalments in the tenure of one year.
● It is a central sector scheme and Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will be the
implementation partner.
47. Explanation:
● Most of the rivers of Rajasthan have their origin
from Aravali like Luni, and its tributary and Banas
and many others but some rivers have another
origin like Chambal originate from Mahu MP and
Ghaghar originates from Himalaya.
● Aravallis lie parallel to the path of the Arabian
Sea Branch of the southwest monsoons , thereby
causing no orographic rainfall.
48. Explanation:
Philippines is the first foreign country to place an order
for the purchase of the BrahMos Shore-Based cruise
Missile System for its navy.
49. Explanation:
Norman Borlaug is known as the “Father of Green
Revolution” in the world. M.S. Swaminathan is known
as the “Father of the Green Revolution” in India.
Read more on Green Revolution
50. Explanation:
Usha Mehta (25 March 1920 – 11 August 2000) was
a Gandhian and freedom fighter of India. She is also
remembered for organising the Congress Radio, also
called the Secret Congress Radio, an underground
radio station, which functioned for a few months during
the Quit India Movement of 1942.
51. Explanation:
● Exercise Ekuverin: India and Maldives
● Khaan Quest: Annual military exercise in Mongolia
● Lamitye: India-Seychelles joint military exercise
● Dustlik: India and Uzbekistan
25
52. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: The Indo-Nepal Treaty of
Friendship was signed in 1950.
● Statement 2 is correct: Motihari-Amlekhganj
petroleum product pipeline exists between the two
countries.
● Statement 3 is correct: The Pancheshwar
Multipurpose Project, an important arm of the
Mahakali Treaty was signed between Nepal and
India in 1996.
53. Explanation:
“One Future Alliance” is related to Digital Public
Infrastructure. It would allow like-minded nations to use
technology to improve people’s lives.
54. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: Svalbard is the world’s
northernmost inhabited land.
● Statement 2 is not correct: Svalbard is a part of
Norway.
● Statement 3 is correct: ISRO, in 1997 was
instrumental in operationalizing a new rocket
launching range there.
55. Explanation:
● Mites, scorpions, and spiders are Arachnids while
crabs are Crustaceans.
56. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: The National Disaster
Mitigation Fund is covered under the Disaster
Management Act (2005).
● Statement 2 is correct: It was established for the
first time in 2021.
● Statement 3 is not correct: State Disaster Mitigation
Funds are established with contributions from both
the centre and states.
57. Explanation:
● Ravanachhaya: Odisha
● Putul Nach: West Bengal
● Tholu Bommalata: Andhra Pradesh
● Kathputli: Rajasthan
58. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct: USA left UNESCO for
the first time in 1984. It rejoined in 2003.
● Statement 2 is not correct: UNESCO is mainly
financed by the compulsory contributions of its
Member States. Currently, Japan is the largest
donor to UNESCO.
59. Explanation:
Mayon Volcano is an active volcano in southeastern
Luzon, Philippines.
JUNE - 2023
60. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: Green Climate Fund aims
to assist developing countries in adaptation and
mitigation practices to counter climate change.​
● Statement 2 is not correct: The Green Climate Fund
was established in 2010 as a part of the UNFCCC’s
financial framework to channel funds from richer
nations to developing countries in order to help
them reduce climate change and adapt to its
effects.
61. Explanation:
● The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has
used fly ash — the fine residue of coal combustion
in thermal power plants for the construction of
highways and flyover embankments. The 135-km
long, six-lane Eastern Peripheral Expressway used
1.2 crore cubic meters of fly ash in its construction.
● NHAI has been encouraging the innovative use
of new materials and is focused on reducing the
carbon footprint, enhancing durability and making
construction more economical.
62. Explanation:
● Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Phailin was the
most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in
India since the 1999 Odisha cyclone until Cyclone
Amphan hit West Bengal in May 2020.
● It made landfall in the Bay of Bengal Coast, Odisha.
Read more on Cyclones.
63. Explanation: The Migration and Development Brief is
published by the World Bank.
64. Explanation:
● Statement 03 is correct, As per the data from
EU’s statistical agency, Eurostat, the eurozone has
entered a technical recession, with a contraction
of 0.1 percent for two consecutive quarters. The
eurozone consists of 20 countries that use the
euro as their currency.
● Statement 01 is incorrect, When the economy
faces a downfall for two consecutive quarters and
this results in the decreased GDP of the country, it
is said to be in a state of recession.
● Statement 02 is incorrect, A depression is a
severe and prolonged downturn in economic
activity. A depression may be defined as an
extreme recession that lasts three or more years
or which leads to a decline in real gross domestic
product (GDP) of at least 10% in a given year.
65. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is correct, Under Article 85 of the
Indian Constitution, the President shall from time to
time summon each House of Parliament to meet at
such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months
shall not intervene between its last sitting in one
session and the date appointed for its first sitting in
the next session.
26
● Statement 02 is incorrect, India does not have
a fixed parliamentary calendar. By convention
(i.e. not provided by the Constitution), Parliament
meets for three sessions in a year.
● Statement 03 is correct, The Constitution does
not specify when or for how many days Parliament
should meet. Article 85 only requires that there
should not be a gap of more than six months
between two sessions of Parliament.
Read more on Sessions of the Indian Parliament.
66. Explanation:
● Raja Parba is a three-day-long festival that usually
takes place in mid-June, marking the onset of the
monsoon season.
● It is primarily celebrated by women and is dedicated
to the celebration of fertility, womanhood, and the
agricultural significance of the monsoon rains.
● The festival is associated with rituals and traditions
that symbolise the menstrual cycle of a woman and
her connection to the earth’s fertility.
○ During Raja Parba, women refrain from doing
household chores and agricultural work
as a mark of respect to the earth, which is
considered to be menstruating during this
time.
● One of the main attractions of Raja Parba is the
swing festival, known as “Pahili Raja,” where girls
and women enjoy swinging on specially decorated
swings tied to trees.
● Raja Parba reflects the cultural heritage and
agrarian traditions of Odisha. It showcases the
deep connection between the people and the
land, emphasising the importance of sustainable
agriculture and the role of women in nurturing the
agricultural cycle.
67. Explanation:
● The overarching goal of the Paris Agreement
is to hold “the increase in the global average
temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial
levels (1850-1900) ” and pursue efforts “to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial
levels.
68. Explanation:
● North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is
a collective security system: its independent
member states agree to defend each other against
attacks by third parties. During the Cold War, NATO
operated as a check on the threat posed by the
Soviet Union.
● At present, NATO has 31 member countries. These
countries, called NATO Allies, are sovereign states
that come together through NATO to discuss
political and security issues and make collective
decisions by consensus. NATO was created by
12 countries from Europe and North America on 4
April 1949.
● Finland became NATO’s newest member today
(4 April 2023), upon depositing its instrument of
accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the
United States at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
JUNE - 2023
69. Explanation:
● Statement 01 is incorrect, When the Fed raises
interest rates, it makes investments in the United
States more attractive to global investors. As a
result, capital may flow out of emerging markets
like India and into the US. This could lead to a
decrease in foreign investment and put downward
pressure on the Indian rupee.
○ In response to a rate hike, investors may
reallocate their portfolios to favour US assets,
such as US government bonds. This can
reduce the demand for Indian government
bonds and push up yields, making borrowing
costs higher for the Indian government.
● Statement 02 is correct, If capital outflows occur,
it can lead to a depreciation of the Indian rupee
against the US dollar. A weaker rupee can make
imports more expensive, potentially fueling
inflationary pressures and increasing the cost of
servicing foreign debt.
● Statement 03 is correct, Global investors often
reassess their investment strategies in response to
changes in interest rates. If a rate hike in the US
leads to a decline in foreign investor sentiment, it
may negatively impact the Indian stock market.
70. Explanation:
● The Baudhayanasūtras are a group of Vedic
Sanskrit texts which cover dharma, daily rituals,
mathematics, etc. They belong to the Taittiriya
branch of the Krishna Yajurveda School and
are among the earliest texts of the sutra genre,
perhaps compiled in the 8th to 7th centuries BCE.
● The BaudhāyanaŚulbasûtra is noted for containing
several early mathematical results, including
an approximation of the square root of 2 and
the statement of a version of the Pythagorean
Theorem.
71. Explanation:
● National Highway 44 (NH 44) is a major north–
south National Highway in India and is the longest
in the country.
○ It passes through the Union Territory of Jammu
and Kashmir, in addition to the states of Punjab,
Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana,
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
● Maharashtra has the largest network of National
Highways with 17,757 km (13.4%) followed by Uttar
Pradesh and Rajasthan with 11,737 km (8.9 %) and
10,342km (7.8 %) respectively.
● The Leh–Manali Highway is a 428 km long highway
in northernmost India connecting Leh, the capital
of the Union Territory of Ladakh, to Manali in the
state of Himachal Pradesh. It connects the Kullu
Valley of the upper Beas River to the Chandra and
Bhaga river valleys of Lahaul via the Atal tunnel in
Himachal Pradesh, then crosses over a series of
high Himalayan passes into the Indus river valley
in Ladakh.
○ It is the world’s second-highest-altitude
motorable highway.
27
72. Explanation:
● NPS was made mandatory for all new recruits to
the Central Government service (except the armed
forces) from 1st January 2004.
73. Explanation: FIELDS instrument is a part of the Parker
Solar Probe by NASA.
Read more on Aditya L1 Mission.
74. Explanation:
● Pair 01 is incorrectly matched, The Western Ghats
Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), also known as the
Gadgil Commission after its chairman Madhav
Gadgil, was an environmental research commission
appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment
and Forests.
● Pair 02 is correctly matched, The Punchhi
Commission was constituted by the Government
of India in 2007 as a Commission on Centre-State
relations.
● Pair 03 is incorrectly matched, T.S.R Subramanian
committee was set up in August 2014, to review the
country’s green laws and the procedures followed
by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC).
● Pair 04 is incorrectly matched, Narasimham
Committee was established to examine India’s
banking sector and recommend reforms when
the banks were underperforming during the 1991
economic liberalization of India. The Narasimham
Committee was formed two times for economic
reforms, once in 1991 and again in 1998.
75. Explanation:
● Arunachal Pradesh is commonly referred to as the
“Orchid State of India.”
● This nickname stems from the region’s incredible
richness and diversity of orchids, which are found
in abundance throughout the state.
● Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with a favourable
climate and varied topography, including lush
forests, hills, and valleys, providing an ideal habitat
for orchids to thrive. It is estimated that around
500 species of orchids can be found in this region,
making it a paradise for orchid enthusiasts and
researchers.
● The richness of orchids in Arunachal Pradesh has
also contributed to its tourism industry.
● Orchids also hold a special place in the traditions,
customs, and festivals of the indigenous
communities residing in the state. These flowers
are often used for decoration, religious ceremonies,
and as symbols of beauty and elegance.
76. Explanation:
● The Cytochrome c (cyt c) is a small heme protein
found loosely associated with the inner membrane
of the mitochondria where it plays a critical role in
cellular respiration.
● Cytochrome c is a small, water-soluble protein of
molecular weight about 12,000.
● Cytochrome c is functionally involved in the
electron transport chain of mitochondria.
JUNE - 2023
● Google doodle honours Kamala Sohonie who was
the first Indian woman to get a PhD degree in a
scientific discipline
○ Kamala Sohonie worked on potatoes and
discovered the enzyme ‘Cytochrome C’, a type
of protein in the mitochondria which plays an
important role in cellular respiration.
77. Explanation:
● Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki endowed the
Miyawaki technique to create dense forests with
native plants.
● This unique method is used worldwide for urban
afforestation by growing a forest in someone’s
backyard.
● The Miyawaki method helps create self-sustaining
vegetation within 2 to 3 years, whereas a traditional
procedure takes nearly 100 years.
78. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, Indian Renewable Energy
Development Agency (IREDA) is a Mini Ratna
(Category–I) Government of India enterprise
under the administrative control of the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy.
● Statement 2 is correct, IREDA has been notified as
a “Public Financial Institution” under section 4 ‘A’ of
the Companies Act, 1956 and registered as Non-
Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with Reserve
Bank of India (RBI).
● Statement 3 is not correct, The key objectives of
IREDA are:
○ To give financial support to specific projects
and schemes for generating electricity and / or
energy through new and renewable sources
and conserving energy through energy
efficiency.
○ To maintain its position as a leading
organisation to provide efficient and effective
financing in renewable energy and energy
efficiency / conservation projects.
○ To increase IREDA`s share in the renewable
energy sector by way of innovative financing.
○ Improvement in the efficiency of services
provided to customers through continual
improvement of systems, processes and
resources.
○ To strive to be a competitive institution through
customer satisfaction.
79. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct, The Gandhi Peace Prize
was instituted by the Government of India in 1995
on the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
○ The Gandhi Peace Prize is awarded annually
as a tribute to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
● Statement 2 is correct, The award is conferred
to individuals, associations, institutions or
organizations who have worked selflessly for
peace, non-violence and amelioration of human
sufferings especially of the less-privileged section
of society contributing towards social justice and
harmony.
28
○ The Gandhi Peace Prize is open to all persons
irrespective of their nationality, race, language,
caste, creed or gender.
● Statement 3 is not correct, The jury comprises of:
○ The Prime Minister of India,
○ Chief Justice of India,
○ Leader of Single Largest Opposition Party in
Lok Sabha, and
○ Two eminent members
80. Explanation:
● The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was brought
into effect by the East India Company headed by
the Governor-General Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
● Post the introduction of this system, the tendency
for increased litigation was visible mainly because
the Court fees which were imposed in the judicial
plan of 1787 were abolished.
● Thus people could now drag anybody to courts.
81. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, The Attorney General’s (AG)
consent is mandatory when a private citizen wants
to initiate a case of contempt of court against a
person.
○ Before such a plea can be filed, the AG must
sign off on the complaint, determining if it
requires the attention of the court at all.
● Statement 2 is not correct, The Contempt of
Courts Act, 1971, has a limitation period of one year
for bringing in action against an individual.
○ According to Section 20 of the Contempt of
Courts Act, 1971, “No court shall initiate any
proceedings of contempt, either on its own
motion or otherwise, after the expiry of a
period of one year from the date on which the
contempt is alleged to have been committed”.
● Statement 3 is correct, Article 129 of the
Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to
initiate contempt cases on its own, independent of
the motion brought before it by the AG or with the
consent of the AG.
82. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, The Chambal River is
a tributary of the Yamuna River in Central and
Northern India.
● Statement 2 is correct, The Chambal River
originates at Janapav, south of Mhow town, near
Manpur, Indore, on the south slope of the Vindhya
Range in Madhya Pradesh.
● Statement 3 is correct, The Chambal River flows
through three Indian states namely Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
● Statement 4 is not correct, The main left bank
tributaries of Chambal include the Banas and Mej
rivers on the left
○ The Parbati, Kali Sindh and Shipra Rivers are
the main right-bank tributaries of the Chambal
River.
JUNE - 2023
83. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct, The Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has regulatory
oversight over Insolvency Professionals, Insolvency
Professional Agencies, Insolvency Professional
Entities and Information Utilities.
● Statement 2 is not correct, A competitor of the
corporate debtor along with a promoter of the
corporate debtor and a creditor of the corporate
debtor are allowed to submit a resolution plan in a
corporate insolvency resolution process.
○ A wilful defaulter is prohibited to submit a
resolution plan in a corporate insolvency
resolution process.
● Statement 3 is not correct, A pre-pack envisages
the resolution of the debt of a distressed company
through a direct agreement between secured
creditors and the existing owners or outside
investors, instead of a public bidding process.
○ A corporate debtor with a minimum default
of INR 10 lakhs can initiate a pre-packaged
insolvency resolution process.
84. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, The Cornwallis Code of
1793 contained provisions for governing the civil,
policing and judiciary administration in British India.
○ Cornwallis Code of 1793 established the
Permanent Settlement system.
● Statement 2 is correct, Cornwallis wanted
Separation of Power and the Cornwallis Code
divested the collector of all the judicial and the
magisterial powers.
○ Thus the Collectors were given only the power
of the revenue administration according to the
Cornwallis Code.
85. Explanation:
● Virtual Private Network (VPN) corresponds to an
encrypted & secure network that enables you to
securely use network resources.
● VPN allows users to work from home in a secure
manner to connect to remote corporate servers
with the help of routing infrastructure given by the
public internetwork.
● VPNs allow employees to securely access their
company’s intranet while travelling outside the
office.
86. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct, Jagannath Rath Yatra is an
annual chariot festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath
who is considered a form of Lord Krishna; the
festival is held in the city of Puri in the state of
Odisha.
● Statement 2 is correct, The festival is also known
as Gundicha Yatra as it symbolises the journey of
Lord Jagannath from the Jagannath Temple to the
Gundicha Temple.
● Statement 3 is correct, The Jagannath Temple
authorities require over 1,100 big logs of 12 species
of wood for the construction of the Ratha and the
logs of three species namely Phasi, Bhaunra and
Asana are the major components of the chariots.
29
87. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is not correct, The Gandhi Peace Prize
was instituted by the Government of India in 1995
on the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
● Statement 2 is correct, Gandhi Peace Prize is
announced by the Ministry of Culture.
● Statement 3 is not correct, The award is
conferred to individuals, associations, institutions
or organizations who have worked selflessly for
peace, non-violence and amelioration of human
sufferings especially of the less-privileged section
of society contributing towards social justice and
harmony.
88. Explanation:
● Titan is a 22-foot carbon-fibre and titanium craft
deployed by a Canadian expedition ship, the M.V.
Polar Prince, to travel nearly 13,000 feet down to
explore the site of the Titanic shipwreck in the
North Atlantic.
● However, this submersible watercraft with five
people on board has been missing after it set out
to explore the shipwreck site.
89. Explanation:
● Pair 1 is correct, Chashma is located in Mianwali
District near Kundian, Punjab, Pakistan.
○ Pakistan and China signed an MoU to build a
new unit of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant.
● Pair 2 is correct, Newfoundland is a province of
Canada composed of the island of Newfoundland.
○ An underwater submersible “Titan” which was
to travel to the site of the Titanic shipwreck on
the ocean floor off Newfoundland is missing.
● Pair 3 is correct, Kherson is a port city in Ukraine
that serves as the administrative centre of Kherson
Oblast.
○ The Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine was destroyed
recently which has caused extensive flooding
along the lower Dnieper River in Kherson and
Kherson Oblast region.
90. Explanation:
● Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
focuses on plant species, including rare or
threatened plants, and imposes restrictions on
their collection, cultivation, or trade.
● Cultivation and trade of such plants are only
permitted with a license or prior approval of a
competent authority.
91. Explanation:
● India ranks 127 out of 146 countries in the Global
Gender Gap Report 2023 released by the World
Economic Forum.
● India has shown an improvement of 1.4% points & 8
positions from 135 in 2022.
JUNE - 2023
92. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is incorrect. The International North–
South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-km-
long multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road
routes for moving freight between India, Iran,
Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.
● Statement 2 is correct. Russia, Iran & India signed
the International North-South Transport Corridor
(INSTC) project in 2002.
● Statement 3 is correct. It connects Russia with Iran
and India via the Caspian Sea.
93. Explanation:
● US Senate India Caucus will introduce legislation
to give India ‘NATO plus five’ defence status.
● Currently, NATO Plus 5, is a security arrangement
that brings together Australia, New Zealand, Japan,
Israel and South Korea.
94. Explanation:
● Queen Durgavati is the most famous warrior queen
of the Garha-Mandla/Garha Kingdom.
● In the tribal belts of the Vindhyas and Mahakoshal
regions, Queen Durgavati is revered.
95. Explanation:
● River Mahadayi or Mandovi is a west-flowing inter-
state river in the Western Ghats.
● Mahadayi or Mandovi or Mhadei River originates
in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary located in the
Belagavi district of Karnataka.
● Major Tributaries of River Mahadayi are Kalasa
Nala, Banduri Nala, Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti
Nala, Mahadayi Nala, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala,
Andher Nala.
96. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct. In 1991, the Government of
India issued a notification regarding the CRZ under
the Environment Protection Act, 1986 administered
by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)
to protect and conserve the environment and
ecosystem on the coastline of the country.
● Statement 2 is correct. The CRZ rules and
regulations have been formulated with the
objective of protecting coastal ecosystems, by
regulating human and industrial activities near the
coastline.
● Statement 3 is incorrect. Coastal areas are
categorised into four different types by the CRZ
notification.
97. Explanation: Matsya 6000 is an Indian crewed deep-
submergence vehicle intended to be utilised for deep-
sea exploration of rare minerals under the Deep Ocean
mission.
98. Explanation:
● Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Medicines Patent
Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public
health organisation working to increase access &
facilitate the development of life-saving medicines
for low- and middle-income countries.
30
● Statement 3 is incorrect: The Medicines Patent
Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public
health organisation. It was founded by Unitaid,
which continues to be MPP’s main funder.
99. Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct. International Trade Unions
Confederation (ITUC) was established on the 1st of
November 2006 on account of the merger of the
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions
(ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour
(WCL).
● Statement 2 is correct. ITUC is headquartered in
Brussels, Belgium.
100.Explanation: The provisions of these Directions shall
apply to every Scheduled Commercial Bank – including
Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and excluding Regional
Rural Banks (RRBs) licensed to operate in India by the
Reserve Bank of India.
101. Explanation:Only Three. Egypt is bordered by Libya,
Sudan, Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
102.Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect. India has climbed eight
places from last year in the annual Gender Gap Report,
2023, and is now ranked 127 out of 146 countries. In
2022 it was ranked 135.
103. Explanation:
● The Cabinet Committee on Security is chaired by
the Prime Minister.
104.Explanation: The India Semiconductor Mission
was launched in 2021 with a total financial outlay of
Rs76,000 crore under the aegis of the Ministry of
Electronics and IT (MeitY).
105. Explanation:
● L-20 or Labour 20 summits are summits of labour
and employment leaders or trade unions from the
G20 countries.
● It represents the labour unions from G20 member
countries and serves as a platform for discussions
and recommendations on labour-related issues.
JUNE - 2023 31
● The L-20 focuses on promoting decent work,
workers’ rights, social protection, and inclusive
economic growth within the G20 agenda.

106.Explanation:The Wagner Group also known as PMC

Wagner is a Russian paramilitary organisation. It is
believed to have been founded in 2014.

107.Explanation: All three statements are correct.

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a transnational
body comprised of nuclear supplier countries that
aim to control the proliferation of nuclear weapons by Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
curbing the export of nuclear weapons development
materials and related technology. It seeks to improve
113. Explanation: Meira Paibi is a women’s social movement
the existing safeguards on existing nuclear materials.
in the state of Manipur. Referred to as the “guardians
This is an important topic for candidates preparing for
of civil society”, it dates to 1977 in present Kakching
the UPSC 2023 exam.
district.

The NSG was formed in the wake of the nuclear

114. Explanation: India plans to procure 31 General Atomics
tests conducted by India in May 1974 which proved
MQ­9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned
that certain non-weapons nuclear technology could
Aerial vehicles (UAV). The MQ­9B has two variants — the
be used to develop nuclear weapons. The group
SkyGuardian and the SeaGuardian, its maritime variant.
had its first meeting in November 1975. A series of
MQ-9B is the first hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle
meetings held in London produced agreements on
(UAV) designed for long-endurance and high-altitude
export guidelines. Although initially there were only
surveillance.
7 countries as members, there are 48 participating
governments as of 2017.
115. Explanation: Only 2 statements are correct. Five-
hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is
108.Explanation:
located in the Dawodang depression in China.
● The Veeracholapuram temple in Kallakurichi
district is famous for its Shiva Temple. It was in
news as steps are being taken to retrieve some 116. Explanation: All three statements are correct. Read
idols that were stolen or went missing from Chola- more about the BIS in today’s CNA under ‘Prelims
era temples. Facts’.

109. Explanation: 117. Explanation: NHRC is a statutory body established

in 1993, under the provisions of the Protection of
● Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is a protected
Human Rights Act, 1993. It is also a quasi-judicial body.
area and tiger reserve in the Eastern Ghats in the
It is partly judicial in character, as it has powers that
Erode District of Tamil Nadu.
resemble those of a court of law.

110. Explanation:
118. Explanation: The NDB is a multilateral financial
● Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), as institution established by the BRICS countries, namely,
commonly understood, comprises procedures Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. NDB was
such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine founded in 2014 at the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza,
insemination (IUI), oocyte and sperm donation, Brazil.
cryopreservation and includes surrogacy as well.
119. Explanation: The Sixth Schedule of the Indian
111. Explanation: The Climate Shift Index model has been Constitution applies to the Northeastern states of
developed by a U.S Non-profit organization called Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram (3 Councils each), and
Climate Central. It reveals how much climate change Tripura (1 Council).
influences the temperature on a particular day.
120. Explanation: Paris Club is an informal group of
112. Explanation: The Suez Canal is an artificial waterway in official creditors from 22 wealthy countries who find
Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red sustainable solutions for challenges faced by debtor
Sea, separating Africa and Asia. countries.

121. Explanation: The National Institutional Ranking

Framework (NIRF) was approved by the Ministry of
Education (Erstwhile Ministry of Human Resource
Development) in September 2015 to rank Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs).
JUNE - 2023
122. Explanation: Equalisation Levy was introduced in India
in 2016. It is a direct tax on digital services withheld at
the time of payment by the service recipient.
123. Explanation: The Geographical Indications Registry,
Chennai has given tags to 7 products from Uttar Pradesh
– Amroha Dholak, Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip,
Mainpuri Tarkashi, Sambhal Horn Craft, Baghpat Home
Furnishings, Barabanki Handloom Product and Kalpi
Handmade Paper.
32
133. Explanation: The Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary,
alongside the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary in Chilika Lake,
is located in the Bargarh district in Odisha. It is situated
near the city of Sambalpur’s Hirakud Dam.
134. Explanation: All three statements are correct.
135. Explanation: None of the given statements is incorrect.
Read more on the National Payments Corporation of
India in the linked article.

124. Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect. Chinar Corps is

responsible for guarding the Line of Control (LoC) in
the Kashmir Valley.

125. Explanation: India is neither a signatory to the

Nuclear Non-Proliferation (NPT) Treaty regime nor the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

126.Explanation: Russia-Ukraine War. Donetsk and Luhansk

regions (together called the Donbas region) are in
Eastern Ukraine which borders Russia.

127. Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect. The All

India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) was initiated
in 2011, during which data for the year 2010-11 was
collected. It is released by the Ministry of Education.

128.Explanation: The European Space Agency’s Euclid

mission is set to launch into space on a Falcon9 rocket
from SpaceX. The mission is specifically designed to
study the dark universe, probing both “dark matter”
and “dark energy”.

129. Explanation: CCEA is one of the standing committees

of the cabinet constituted by the government. It is
headed by the Prime Minister.

130. Explanation: Financial Stability Report (FSR) is a

biannual report published by the Reserve Bank of India.

131. Explanation: ENSO affects the tropics (the regions

surrounding the equator) and the subtropics (the
regions adjacent to or bordering the tropics).
El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of what is
known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
cycle. The ENSO is a recurring climatic pattern involving
temperature changes in the waters of the eastern and
central tropical Pacific Ocean, and changes in the
patterns of upper and lower-level winds, sea level
pressure, and tropical rainfall across the Pacific Basin.
El Nino is often called the warm phase and La Nina is
called the cold phase of ENSO. These deviations from
the normal surface temperatures can have a large-
scale impact on the global weather conditions and
overall climate.

132. Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect. It functions

under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution.
JUNE - 2023
UPSC MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Graphene is a revolutionary material and has multi-
sectoral uses. Elucidate.
(150 words, 10 marks) (GS-3; Science and
Technology)
2. The two thousand rupee note had served its purpose.
Discuss in the context of the trends in supply and
circulation by the RBI.
(150 words, 10 marks) (GS-3; Economy)
3. The challenges within the manufacturing sector are
systemic to it. Elucidate.
(150 words, 10 marks) (GS-3; Economy)
4. Discuss the need for a national lithium programme and
clarity over its ownership.
(150 words, 10 marks) (GS-3; Economy)
5. Railway safety in India remains a major concern despite
all the recent measures. Critically evaluate.
(250 words, 15 marks) (GS-3; Disaster
Management)
6. What are the risks and concerns that arise from the
emergence of generative AI? Examine.
(250 words, 15 marks) (GS-3; Science and
Technology)
7. What is the Kavach system? Discuss the salient features
of this system?
(250 words, 15 marks) (GS-3; Science and
Technology)
8. “North Korea’s space programme has the potentiality
to destabilise East Asia”. Discuss.
(150 words, 10 marks) (GS-3; Science and
Technology)
9. Despite differences at various levels, India-China
relations are critical to realise the Asian century.
Discuss.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, IR]
10. What are the salient features of the POCSO Act?
Assess the success of this act to deliver justice to the
victims.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity]
11. India’s renewable energy transition goals depend upon
the states’ individual goals. Elaborate.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-3, Environment]
12. The only data localization law that can be successful
is an international law and not a national law. Do you
agree? Critically analyze.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2, Governance]
33
13. How well equipped are the new animal birth control
rules, 2023 to tackle the human-dog conflict? Critically
analyze.
(250 words; 15 marks) [GS-2, Social Justice]
14. Transitioning towards low-carbon cities would only be
justified if it is just and fair. Elaborate on this statement
and suggest ways to achieve the same.
(250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3, Environment]
15. Indian Railways has been the lifeline of India’s growth
story. Analyse the challenges, advantages and
disadvantages of its privatisation.
(250 words; 15 marks) (GS-3; Economy)
16. Assess the impact of the Performance Linked Incentive
Scheme in giving a boost to India’s manufacturing
sector.
(250 words; 15 marks) (GS-3; Economy)
17. India’s Electricity sector needs more than just on
paper reforms to fulfil its true mandate. Do you agree?
Critically analyse.
(250 words; 15 marks) (GS-3; Economy/
Infrastructure)
18. Despite having a multifaceted partnership along with
unique ties of friendship, India and Nepal are witnessing
numerous challenges in their relationship. Comment.
(250 words; 15 marks) (GS-2; International
Relations)
19. Evaluate the performance of ‘Saksham Anganwadi
and POSHAN 2.0’ launched for maximizing nutritional
outcomes.
(10 marks; 150 Words) [GS-2; Social Justice]
20. The current state of unrest in Manipur highlights the
failure of the civil society. Discuss the role of Civil
Society Organisations in conflict zones.
(15 marks; 250 words) [GS-3; Security]
21. The governments need to work with animal welfare
organizations to provide proper healthcare and
housing to stray dogs. Comment.
(10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, Governance]
22. Why do you think the protests by the wrestlers against
sexual harassment have not evoked the same response
from civil society as in the previous instances?
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity and
Governance]
JUNE - 2023
23. The objective of ensuring ‘complete justice’ through
Article 142 of the Indian Constitution has somewhere
turned into ‘complete dominance’ of the judiciary over
the other arms of the government. Do you agree?
Critically analyze.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity &
Governance]
24. Canada’s vote bank politics may dent its long-term
Indo-pacific vision of countering China with India’s
assistance. Comment.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, International
Relations]
25. Discuss the challenges in front of the next Finance
Commission of India.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Polity &
Governance]
26. “The way to strengthen the child nutrition regime in
India is to empower the Anganwadi Workers.” Discuss.
(150 words, 10 marks) [GS-2; Health]
27. Discuss the potentiates and dangers of Artificial
Intelligence.
(250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3; Science and
Technology)
28. “India is facing the dual problem of malnutrition and
obesity”. Discuss.
(150 words; 10 marks) [GS-2; Health]
29. The revival of the US-Iran nuclear deal would have
significant implications for India as well. Do you agree?
Elaborate.
(250 words; 15 marks) [GS-2; International
Relations]
30. Despite the best efforts from the Government, millets
are still not the first choice grain in India. Identify the
reasons for this mismatch.
(250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3; Agriculture]
31. Discuss the trends observed in the cyclonic
disturbances across the northern Indian Ocean and
analyze the reasons behind the same.
(10 marks,150 words) [GS-1; Geography]
32. What is the concept of ‘Common But Differentiated
Responsibility’? Discuss the challenges faced by the
developing world in adapting to climate change.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3; Environment]
33. Collaborations like the Summit for New Global Financing
Pact are paramount in maintaining the relevance of
global conventions and organisations. Analyze.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, IR]
34
34. India’s developmental journey has been high-paced
but found lacking at the same time. In the context of
the above statement, discuss the role played by a
strong Indo-US relationship in India’s growth story.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, IR]
35. The recent UPI data reveals a problem and a paradox.
Discuss the above statement in the context of the
recent study on financial transactions in India.
(10 marks, 150 words) [GS-3, Economy]
36. India’s semiconductor policy and strategy need to be
revamped. Comment.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Economy]
37. Examine the detrimental impact of heatwaves and
measures to be taken to mitigate the disaster.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-3; Disaster
Management]
38. India – Nepal relations have seen a lot of ups and
downs. Examine with a focus on ongoing connectivity
and infrastructure projects.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International
Relations]
39. Discuss the recent advances that India and the USA
have made in the field of science and technology.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
40. How does UGC’s ‘Professor of Practice’ model help
improve academia-industry collaboration? Evaluate.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Social Justice]
41. Discuss the opportunities and challenges in the India-
Egypt bilateral relationship.
(150 words, 10 marks) (GS-2; International Relations)
42. “India has to go a long way on certain indicators
according to the Gender Gap Report”. Comment.
(150 words, 10 marks) (GS-1; Indian Society)
43. Critically examine the recent attempted-mutiny in
Russia and its impact on Russia’s internal security and
on global geopolitics.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
44. Comment on the pros and cons of mandatory
implementation of Aadhaar Based Payment System
(ABPS) in MGNREGA.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Governance]
45. India’s relations with Egypt is undergoing a significant
transformation. Discuss in detail.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
46. Evaluate the distribution of Tamil diaspora around the
world, their contribution and challenges being faced by
the community.
(250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
JUNE - 2023 35
47. The IT Act of 2000 is outdated and ineffective for
regulating emerging threats and concerns on the
Internet. In this context, examine and bring out
arguments in favour of the proposed Digital India Bill
which seeks to replace the IT Act.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity]

48. Evaluate the interconnections between flash floods

and landslides with a focus on the Himalayan belt.
Substantiate with recent examples.
(15 marks, 250 words) [GS-1, Geography]

49. The India-U.S. relationship has moved from ‘American

exceptionalism’ to a more pragmatic era of ‘American
exceptionism’ for India. Do you agree?
(10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, IR]

50. Discuss the irritants in the digital trade between India

and the U.S.
(10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, IR]

51. The Wagner Group has revealed the fault lines in

Russian politics. Comment.
(10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, IR]

52. There are multiple issues in the NIRF rankings. Do you

agree?
(10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, Education]

53. What is the Open Market Sale Scheme? How does the
centre use to regulate prices?
(150 words, 10 marks) [GS-3, Economy]

54. In light of the recent Railway accidents, discuss the role

of Blockchain in its mitigation.
(150 words, 10 marks) [GS-3, Science and Technology]