Practice <strong>UPSC IAS Civil Services</strong> MCQ questions covering Indian History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, and Current Affairs. Aligned with the latest UPSC Prelims syllabus — perfect for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Civil Services aspirants.
The Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32 is available only before which court?
Answer: C
Article 32 grants the right to move the Supreme Court of India directly for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
This is a exclusive remedy available before the Supreme Court.
High Courts have similar powers under Article 226 for enforcement of constitutional rights, but Article 32 specifically vests exclusive jurisdiction in the Supreme Court.
Q.22Easy
Which Directive Principle of State Policy requires the State to endeavor to provide free and compulsory education to children?
Answer: A
Article 45 of the DPSP directs the State to provide free and compulsory education to all children until they attain 14 years of age.
This was later enforced through the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Article 46 deals with advancement of SCs/STs, Article 47 with health, and Article 48 with agriculture.
Q.23Easy
Under the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, what is the maximum tenure of a Panchayat before it stands automatically dissolved?
Answer: C
The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 (which inserted Article 243E) provides that every Panchayat shall continue for five years from the date of its constitution and shall stand dissolved after the expiry of this period.
Provisions are made for elections to the new Panchayat to be conducted before the dissolution of the old one.
Q.24Easy
Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following writs can be issued by the Supreme Court to enforce Fundamental Rights?
Answer: B
Article 32 grants the Supreme Court power to issue all five types of writs: Habeas Corpus (release from unlawful detention), Mandamus (to compel performance of duty), Prohibition (to prevent ultra vires action), Certiorari (to quash orders), and Quo Warranto (to question authority).
These are crucial remedies for enforcing Fundamental Rights.
Q.25Easy
The power to dissolve the Lok Sabha vests with:
Answer: B
Under Article 85(2), the President has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister.
However, this is a constitutional power exercised on ministerial advice.
The President cannot dissolve the Lok Sabha without PM's recommendation, reflecting parliamentary sovereignty.
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Q.26Easy
Which of the following words was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Amendment Act?
Answer: B
The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) added three significant words to the Preamble: 'Socialist' (before 'Democratic'), 'Secular' (after 'Sovereign'), and 'Integrity' (after 'Unity').
These additions were made during the Emergency period under PM Indira Gandhi and represented a major constitutional amendment.
Q.27Easy
Which article of the Indian Constitution grants the President the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha?
Answer: A
Article 85(2) empowers the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister.
This power is exercised on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, headed by the PM.
The President acts on advice and cannot exercise this power independently.
Q.28Easy
Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between the President and Prime Minister in India's parliamentary system?
Answer: B
India follows the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy.
The President is the constitutional and nominal head of state (Executive head), while the Prime Minister is the actual head of government and chief executive.
The PM is responsible to Parliament and exercises executive authority on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 53, 74, 75).
Q.29Easy
Which of the following statements about the Indus Valley Civilization is correct?
Answer: B
The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE) was contemporary with Egyptian Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BCE) and Mesopotamian civilizations.
Its script remains undeciphered, there is limited evidence of temples, and it was primarily urban and sedentary, not nomadic.
Q.30Easy
Which Vedic text is considered the oldest and contains hymns primarily dedicated to various deities?
Answer: B
The Rigveda is the oldest Vedic text (c. 1500-1200 BCE) and consists of 1028 hymns dedicated to various Vedic deities like Indra, Agni, and Soma.
The Yajur Veda contains sacrificial formulas, Sama Veda contains musical chants, and Atharva Veda contains spells and incantations.
Q.31Easy
The Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya expanded significantly with the help of which key minister?
Answer: B
Vishnugupta, also known as Kautilya or Chanakya, was the chief minister and strategist of Chandragupta Maurya (c. 321-297 BCE).
He is credited with helping Chandragupta establish and expand the Mauryan Empire.
Kautilya authored the Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft and administration.
Q.32Easy
During the Gupta Empire under Chandragupta II, the Chinese traveler who visited India was:
Answer: A
Fa-hien (also Faxian) visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (c. 375-415 CE) and left detailed accounts of Gupta administration, culture, and Buddhism.
Hiuen-tsang visited during Harsha's reign in the 7th century CE, not the Gupta period.
Q.33Easy
Which Mauryan ruler is credited with establishing the Maurya Empire and conquering most of northern India?
Answer: B
Chandragupta Maurya (r. 321-298 BCE) founded the Maurya Empire with the help of his advisor Kautilya and conquered most of northern India through military campaigns.
Ashoka expanded the empire further and later embraced Buddhism.
Q.34Easy
Which of the following sites of the Indus Valley Civilization has provided evidence of a sophisticated drainage system and standardized weights and measures?
Answer: B
Mohenjo-daro is renowned for its advanced urban planning features including a sophisticated drainage system with underground sewers, standardized brick sizes, and uniform weights and measures.
These indicate a high degree of civic organization in the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE).
Q.35Easy
The Rigveda contains references to the Dasas and Dasyus. In the context of Vedic history, these terms most likely refer to:
Answer: B
In Rigvedic literature, Dasas and Dasyus refer to the indigenous or non-Aryan populations that the Aryans encountered and often came into conflict with.
The Rigveda frequently mentions battles between Aryans and these groups, particularly in the context of cattle raids and territorial expansion.
Q.36Easy
The Gupta Empire is often referred to as the 'Golden Age' of India. Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of this period?
Answer: B
The Gupta Empire (c. 320-550 CE) witnessed remarkable developments in mathematics, with scholars like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta formulating concepts of zero, the decimal system, and trigonometry.
This period also saw flourishing in Sanskrit literature, astronomy, medicine, and architecture.
Q.37Easy
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: B
The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE) was primarily a Bronze Age civilization.
Iron was not extensively used; tools were made of bronze, copper, and stone.
All other features are well-established characteristics of this civilization, including urban planning, sophisticated drainage systems found in cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, and evidence of standardized weights in trade.
Q.38Easy
Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Ujjayini and was ruled by the Avanti dynasty?
Answer: B
Avanti was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas with its capital at Ujjayini (modern Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh).
It was ruled by various dynasties, including the Avanti dynasty.
The kingdom was known for its prosperity and strategic location.
Vatsa had its capital at Kaushambi, Koshala at Shravasti, and Magadha at Pataliputra.
Q.39Easy
Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism and renunciation of war is traditionally attributed to his experience in which military campaign?
Answer: A
Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism is attributed to the devastating Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE), where he conquered the eastern coast region of Kalinga (modern Odisha).
The heavy casualties and suffering caused by the war deeply moved Ashoka, leading to his renunciation of military conquest (Digvijaya) and his embrace of Dharmamaharajya (rule by righteousness).
This transformation is documented in his Rock Edicts.
Q.40Easy
The Sangam Age literature primarily originates from which geographical region?
Answer: B
The Sangam Age (c. 300 BCE to 300 CE) refers to the period of Tamil literature and culture centered in the southern Deccan and Tamil Nadu.
The Sangam was a legendary academy of Tamil poets and scholars.
The literature of this period includes the Sangam texts like Akananuru, Purananuru, and others, which provide insights into the life and times of ancient Tamil kingdoms like the Chola, Pandya, and Chera.
