2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Ancient History Art & Culture
The Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India, recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The roads and river routes were completely immune from robbery.
2. As regards punishment for offenses, ordeals by fire, water, and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option B
Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Unlike the earlier traveler Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang noted that roads were not safe; he himself was robbed multiple times. However, his records confirm the use of traditional Hindu "ordeals" for justice and the collection of taxes/duties at transit points.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Ancient History Art & Culture
Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?
1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul.
3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option D
Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: In Jainism, Karma is viewed as a physical substance (pudgala) that attaches to the soul. Penance (Tapas) is the method to exhaust old karma. The doctrine of Animism posits that all of nature (atoms, water, plants) possesses a soul (Jiva). Karma is seen as the "bane" because it obscures the soul's natural qualities.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to
1. resist drought and increase absorptive area
2. tolerate extremes of pH
3. resist disease infestation
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option D
• Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
• Explanation: Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic fungus that expands the root network, filters out toxins, and acts as a biological shield against soil-borne pathogens.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred:
1. Across different species of plants
2. From animals to plants
3. From microorganisms to higher organisms
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option D
• Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
• Explanation: This technology allows for the precise transfer of genes between unrelated organisms, regardless of their species or kingdom.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because
Athe new soil does not contain favourable minerals
Bmost of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard
Cmost of the root hairs are lost during transplantation
Dleaves get damaged during transplantation
Correct Answer: Option C
• Correct Answer: (c) most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation.
• Explanation: Root hairs are delicate and responsible for water intake. Losing them prevents the plant from absorbing enough water to survive the move.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance (s) of discovering this particle?
1. It will enable us to understand as to why elementary particles have mass.
2. It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of tranferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them.
3. It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option A
• Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
• Explanation: The Higgs boson explains the origin of mass. It has nothing to do with teleportation or nuclear fission fuel.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Due to improper/indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?
1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
4. Heptachlor
5. Mercury
6. Lead
7. Plutonium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
B1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
C2, 4, 5 and 7 only
D1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Correct Answer: Option B
• Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
• Explanation: Heptachlor is an insecticide. Plutonium is a radioactive element for nuclear fuel. The others are common toxic heavy metals found in electronic components.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Consider the following phenomena:
1. Size of the sun at dusk
2. Colour of the sun at dawn
3. Moon being visible at dawn
4. Twinkle of stars in the sky
5. Polestar being visible in the sky
Which of the above are optical illusions?
A1, 2 and 4 only
B3, 4 and 5 only
C1, 2 and 5 only
D2, 3 and 5 only
Correct Answer: Option A
• Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
• Explanation: These are caused by atmospheric refraction and scattering. The Moon and Polestar (3 and 5) are physically present in the sky, not illusions created by the atmosphere.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz. gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?
AGravity is the strongest of the four
BElectromagnetism acts only on particles with an electric charge
CWeak nuclear force causes radioactivity
DStrong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nucleus of an atom
Correct Answer: Option A
• Correct Answer: (a) Gravity is the strongest of the four
• Explanation: This is incorrect. Gravity is actually the weakest of the four forces. The Strong Nuclear Force is the strongest.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because
Aexposure to sunlight is prevented
Bconcentration of carbon dioxide in the environment is increased
Crate of respiration is decreased
Dthere is an increase in humidity
Correct Answer: Option C
• Correct Answer: (c) rate of respiration is decreased
• Explanation: Respiration is the biological process that leads to ripening and eventual decay. Cold temperatures slow down the enzymatic activity responsible for this.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Consider the following minerals:
1. Calcium
2. Iron
3. Sodium
Which of the minerals given above is/are required by human body for the contraction of muscles?
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option D
• Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
• Explanation: Calcium triggers the contraction process; Sodium is essential for the electrical impulse; Iron (in myoglobin) stores the oxygen required for muscle energy.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Viruses lack enzymes necessary for the generation of energy.
2. Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic medium.
3. Viruses are transmitted from one organism to another by biological vectors only.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option A
• Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
• Explanation: Viruses lack metabolic machinery and must use a host's energy. They cannot grow on synthetic media (they need living cells), and they can be transmitted through air, water, or touch—not just biological vectors.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Consider the following organisms:
1. Agaricus
2. Nostoc
3. Spirogyra
Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?
A1 and 2
B2 only
C2 and 3
D3 only
Correct Answer: Option B
• Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
• Explanation: Nostoc is a cyanobacterium capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Agaricus is a mushroom (fungus), and Spirogyra is a green algae; neither is used as a biofertilizer.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing?
1. Chikungunya
2. Hepatitis B
3. HIV-AIDS
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option B
• Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
• Explanation: Hepatitis B and HIV-AIDS are blood-borne pathogens. Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted via the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced by
ABacteria
BProtozoa
CMoulds
DViruses
Correct Answer: Option C
• Correct Answer: (c) Moulds
• Explanation: Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by certain species of fungi (molds), primarily Aspergillus flavus, which grow on crops like corn and peanuts.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Consider the following animals:
1. Sea cow
2. Sea horse
3. Sea lion
Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?
A1`only
B1 and 3 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option B
The correct answer is (b) 1 and 3 only.
1. Sea cow (Mammal): Also known as Manatees or Dugongs. They are aquatic herbivores that breathe air through lungs and nurse their young with milk.
2. Sea horse (Fish): Despite the name, they are actually a type of small bony fish. They breathe through gills and do not have mammalian characteristics.
3. Sea lion (Mammal): These are pinnipeds (like seals). They have fur, are warm-blooded, and give birth to live young.
2013
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Science and Technology
Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil?
1. Excretion of urea by animals
2. Burning of coal by man
3. Death of vegetation
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: Option C
The correct answer is 1 and 3 only.
1. Excretion of urea (Yes): Animal waste contains nitrogenous compounds. Soil bacteria convert this urea into ammonia and nitrates, enriching the soil.
2. Burning of coal (No): This releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. It is a source of air pollution, not a direct method of soil fertilization.
3. Death of vegetation (Yes): When plants die, decomposers break down their organic matter, returning the nitrogen stored in their tissues back into the soil.
About UPSC CSE Prelims 2013 Previous Year Questions
Practicing previous year questions is one of the most effective strategies for UPSC CSE exam preparation. This page contains 17 authentic questions from the UPSC CSE Prelims 2013 examination, complete with answers and detailed explanations.
At Quintessence Classes, we believe that understanding past exam patterns is crucial for success in competitive examinations. Our curated PYQ collection helps students identify frequently tested topics, understand the difficulty level, and practice with real exam questions. Whether you are preparing for UPSC CSE, JKPSC KAS, or JKSSB exams, our previous year questions database is designed to give you an edge in your preparation.
