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GPSC-2026

Practice UPSC GPSC-2026 previous year questions on Anantam IAS: 200 Prelims MCQs with answer keys, explanations and topic-wise links.

New 596 2026 286 GPSC-2026 200 2013 194 2014 187 2015 182 2016 182 2017 182 2020 182 2018 180 2019 180 2024 180 2023 180 2022 180 2025 180 2021 180

Prelims MCQs 200

  1. Consider the following statements regarding the factors affecting glycemic index:

    Consider the following statements regarding the factors affecting glycemic index:

    1. AOnly 1 and 2
    2. BOnly 2 and 3
    3. COnly 1 and 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Statement 1 is right: higher fibre slows digestion and lowers the glycemic index. Statement 2 is right too, since heavier processing breaks down food structure and pushes the glycemic index up. Statement 3 is wrong because fat tends to slow gastric emptying and glucose absorption rather than speed it up.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  3. Consider the following pairs of Air Mass classifications and their dominant characteristics:

    Consider the following pairs of Air Mass classifications and their dominant characteristics:

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DAll of the above
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Maritime Tropical (warm, moist, unstable), Continental Polar (cold, dry, stable) and Maritime Polar (cold, moist, unstable) are all correctly matched. The Continental Tropical pair is wrong because cT air is hot and dry, not 'cool'. That leaves three correctly matched pairs.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  4. Which of the below is/are considered as legal tender in India?

    Which of the below is/are considered as legal tender in India?

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 1 and 2
    3. COnly 2 and 3
    4. DOnly 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Only fiat money, the currency notes and coins issued under the authority of the state, counts as legal tender that must be accepted to settle debts. Demand deposits and cheques are not legal tender; they are payment instruments a creditor can refuse. So only statement 1 qualifies.

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    Indian Economy UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  5. Which of the statement/s given below is/are correct?

    Which of the statement/s given below is/are correct?

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 2
    3. COnly 1 and 3
    4. DOnly 1 and 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    Statement 1 is right: the Liquidity Adjustment Facility lets the RBI inject or absorb liquidity through repo and reverse-repo operations. Statement 2 is right too: the Marginal Standing Facility is a penal-rate overnight borrowing window above the repo rate. Statement 3 is wrong because MSF borrowing is not collateral-free; banks tap it against eligible securities, including by dipping into their SLR holdings.

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    Indian Economy UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  6. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about India’s nuclear energy programme?

    Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about India's nuclear energy programme?

    1. AOnly 1 and 2
    2. BOnly 2 and 3
    3. COnly 1 and 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Stage 2 of the three-stage programme runs on plutonium-fuelled Fast Breeder Reactors, and Stage 3 is built around the thorium-based Advanced Heavy Water Reactor, so statements 1 and 2 hold. Statement 3 is wrong because Kaiga is not India's first indigenous PHWR; the first home-built PHWR units came up earlier at Rawatbhata (RAPS) in Rajasthan.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  8. Consider the following statements about Ellora:

    Consider the following statements about Ellora:

    1. ABoth 1 and 2
    2. BNeither 1 nor 2
    3. COnly 1
    4. DOnly 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Statement 1 is correct: Ellora is famous for combining Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves at a single site. Statement 2 is wrong because the Kailasa temple was not assembled from imported blocks; it was carved top-down as a single monolith out of the living basalt cliff.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  9. With reference to demographic data collection and the preparations for the upcoming decadal Census…

    With reference to demographic data collection and the preparations for the upcoming decadal Census scheduled for 2027, consider the following statements:

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll three
    4. DNone of the above
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Statement 1 is wrong: registration of births and deaths sits in the Concurrent List (Entry 30), not the Union List, so the Civil Registration System is a shared subject. Statement 2 is correct, as the Houselisting and Housing Census captures the condition of settlements and housing shortfalls. Statement 3 is correct, since the Mother Tongue Survey covers tongues recorded consistently across two or more Census decades, leaving two true statements.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  10. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Gram Sabha’ and reservation provisions in Panchayati Raj…

    Consider the following statements regarding the 'Gram Sabha' and reservation provisions in Panchayati Raj Institutions:

    1. AOnly 1, 2 and 4
    2. BOnly 2 and 3
    3. COnly 1 and 3
    4. D1, 2, 3 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct: the Gram Sabha is the body of all adult voters of a village, Article 243D mandates SC/ST reservation in proportion to population, and Article 243E requires fresh elections before the five-year term ends. Statement 3 is wrong because reserving the chairperson's post for women is not left to state discretion; at least one-third of chairperson offices are constitutionally reserved for women.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  11. To understand inclination of students towards various subjects, three students are asked to give…

    To understand inclination of students towards various subjects, three students are asked to give their preference for three subjects: Mathematics, Science and History. Each student either preferred or did not prefer each subject. Two students selected History, one student selected Science, two students selected Mathematics. Student 1 does not select Mathematics and Science. Student 2 selects subjects except Science. Student 3 does not select History. Which of the following statements is true?

    1. AStudent 1 selected Mathematics
    2. BStudent 3 selected Science and History
    3. CStudent 2 selected Mathematics and History
    4. DNone of the above
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Since only one student took Science and neither Student 1 nor Student 2 could, Science goes to Student 3. History needs two takers but Student 3 cannot, so History goes to Students 1 and 2. Mathematics needs two takers but Student 1 cannot, so Maths goes to Students 2 and 3. That leaves Student 1 with History only, Student 2 with Maths and History, and Student 3 with Science and Maths, which makes option (c) true.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  12. To understand inclination of students towards various subjects, three students are asked to give…

    To understand inclination of students towards various subjects, three students are asked to give their preference for three subjects: Mathematics, Science and History. Each student either preferred or did not prefer each subject. Two students selected History, one student selected Science, two students selected Mathematics. Student 1 does not select Mathematics and Science. Student 2 selects subjects except Science. Student 3 does not select History. Which of the following statements is false?

    1. AStudent 1 and Student 2 both selected Mathematics
    2. BStudent 2 selected History and Student 3 selected Science
    3. CStudent 1 selected History and Student 3 selected Mathematics
    4. DStudent 2 selected Mathematics and History
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    From the same deduction, the final allotment is Student 1 = History, Student 2 = Maths and History, Student 3 = Science and Maths. Student 1 never takes Mathematics, so the claim that Students 1 and 2 both selected Mathematics is false. Options (b), (c) and (d) all match the valid allotment and are true.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  13. Consider the following statements regarding the philosophical doctrines of Jainism and Buddhism:

    Consider the following statements regarding the philosophical doctrines of Jainism and Buddhism:

    1. ABoth Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct and Statement-2 is the correct explanation for Statement-1.
    2. BBoth Statement-1 and Statement-2 are correct and Statement-2 is not the correct explanation for Statement-1.
    3. CStatement-1 is correct but Statement-2 is incorrect.
    4. DStatement-1 is incorrect but Statement-2 is correct.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    Statement-1 is wrong because both Jainism and Buddhism are heterodox (nastika) traditions that reject the authority of the Vedas, so neither accepts the supremacy of the Yajurveda or Samaveda. Statement-2 is correct: Buddhism teaches the Madhyam Marg (Middle Path) and Jainism is built on Anekantavada, the doctrine of many-sidedness. That makes only Statement-2 right.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  14. Following its official expansion, the BRICS grouping has undergone a significant geopolitical transformation. Which…

    Following its official expansion, the BRICS grouping has undergone a significant geopolitical transformation. Which of the following statements best explains the most important strategic macroeconomic shift resulting from this expansion?

    1. AIt transformed the grouping into a formal military alliance functioning as a counterbalance to NATO.
    2. BIt made grouping the world's largest manufacturing bloc with direct control over global industrial supply chains.
    3. CIt significantly increased the grouping's influence over global energy markets by including major Middle Eastern petroleum-exporting countries.
    4. DIt created a compulsory common digital currency for all trade among member countries, replacing the United States Dollar.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The BRICS expansion brought in major energy exporters from the Middle East such as the UAE, Iran and Egypt, sharply raising the bloc's combined share of global oil production and reserves. That is the real macroeconomic shift. BRICS is not a military alliance, has no compulsory common currency, and the supply-chain dominance claim in option (b) is overstated.

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    International Relations UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  15. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Basic Structure’ doctrine of the Indian Constitution and…

    Consider the following statements regarding the 'Basic Structure' doctrine of the Indian Constitution and judicial pronouncements:

    1. AOnly 1 and 2
    2. BOnly 1, 2 and 4
    3. COnly 3 and 4
    4. DOnly 1 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct: the doctrine emerged in Kesavananda Bharati (1973), Parliament can amend any part under Article 368 short of the basic structure, and Minerva Mills held that the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is part of that structure. Statement 3 is wrong because judicial review is itself recognised as part of the basic structure.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  16. Consider the following statements:

    Consider the following statements:

    1. ABoth Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 explains Statement 1
    2. BBoth Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, but Statement 2 does not explain Statement 1
    3. CStatement 1 is correct, but Statement 2 is not correct
    4. DStatement 1 is not correct, but Statement 2 is correct
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The Northern Hemisphere really does show a larger annual temperature range than the Southern at the same latitudes, so Statement 1 is correct. The reason is exactly what Statement 2 says: the Northern Hemisphere holds far more land, and land heats and cools faster than the ocean-dominated Southern Hemisphere. Statement 2 is therefore the correct explanation.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  17. __________ is defined as the measure in monetary terms of the volume of all…

    __________ is defined as the measure in monetary terms of the volume of all goods and services produced within the geographical boundary of the State during a given period of time.

    1. AGross per capita income
    2. BGross state domestic product
    3. CGross national income
    4. DGross value added
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Gross State Domestic Product is the money value of all final goods and services produced within a state's geographical boundary over a given period. The word 'State' and the geographical-boundary framing point clearly to GSDP rather than national aggregates like gross national income or per-capita measures.

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    Indian Economy UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  18. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct regarding Renewable Energy Installed Capacity in India?

    Which of the following statement/s is/are correct regarding Renewable Energy Installed Capacity in India?

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 1 and 2
    3. COnly 2 and 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Statement 1 is right: solar leads India's renewable capacity at over 150 GW, with wind a distant second at about 56 GW. Statement 2 is wrong because bio-energy is only around 12 GW, roughly 4% of the renewable mix, nowhere near 30%. Statement 3 is also wrong since India ranks about fifth, not top three, in installed hydropower capacity.

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    Indian Economy UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  20. The ‘Komagata Maru’ holds an irreplaceable place in the narrative of modern Indian history.…

    The 'Komagata Maru' holds an irreplaceable place in the narrative of modern Indian history. This ship is primarily famous because

    1. AIt was the vessel from which Veer Savarkar made his legendary escape into the ocean while being deported to India.
    2. BIt was the ship aboard which Mahatma Gandhi wrote his foundational philosophical text, 'Hind Swaraj'.
    3. CIt carried Indian immigrants who were denied entry at a foreign port under strict immigration rules, resulting in a prolonged standoff and their forced return.
    4. DIt was the central warship where the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) initiated their historic mutiny against British authorities.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The Komagata Maru carried mostly Sikh, Muslim and Hindu passengers from Punjab to Vancouver in 1914, where Canadian immigration laws barred their entry, leading to a long standoff and their forced return to India. Savarkar's escape was from the SS Morea, Gandhi wrote Hind Swaraj aboard the SS Kildonan Castle, and the 1946 RIN mutiny centred on HMIS Talwar.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  21. Consider the following statements regarding the OPEC grouping:

    Consider the following statements regarding the OPEC grouping:

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll three
    4. DNone of the above
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    OPEC steers markets through production targets and quotas, not export quotas, so statement 1 is reversed and wrong. The UAE wasn't the first to leave; Ecuador exited as far back as 1992, well before Indonesia, Qatar and the UAE's 2026 departure, so statement 2 is wrong. OPEC has never been confined to Asia and Africa, since founding member Venezuela and later Ecuador are in South America, so statement 3 is wrong too. None of the three are correct.

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    International Relations UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  22. Consider the following statements regarding the constitutional position and discretionary powers of the Governor…

    Consider the following statements regarding the constitutional position and discretionary powers of the Governor of a State:

    1. AOnly 1, 2 and 3
    2. BOnly 2 and 4
    3. COnly 1 and 4
    4. D1, 2, 3 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Under Article 200, the Governor can reserve a Bill that endangers the position of the High Court for the President, and recommending President's Rule is a recognised discretionary power, so statements 1 and 2 hold. Article 361 protects the Governor from court answerability for official acts, making statement 3 correct. Statement 4 is wrong because not being a resident of the concerned state is only a convention, not a constitutional qualification; Article 157 only requires citizenship and a minimum age of 35.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  23. Consider the following statements regarding the distribution of ocean salinity:

    Consider the following statements regarding the distribution of ocean salinity:

    1. AOnly 1 and 2
    2. BOnly 2 and 3
    3. COnly 1 and 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Statement 1 is wrong because the highest open-ocean surface salinity sits in the subtropics around 20°-30° latitude, where evaporation peaks, not at the equator, where heavy rainfall dilutes the surface. Statement 2 is right: Arctic surface salinity swings with the seasonal freezing and melting of sea ice. Statement 3 is also right because high-latitude waters carry a fresh, light surface layer over saltier deep water, so salinity rises with depth through a sharp halocline.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  25. Consider the following statements regarding the Noakhali riots that occurred during the partition of…

    Consider the following statements regarding the Noakhali riots that occurred during the partition of India:

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 2
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    Noakhali is in East Bengal (now Bangladesh), not Sindh, so statement 1 is wrong. Statement 2 is also wrong: it was Mahatma Gandhi who walked village to village in Noakhali to calm communal tensions, while Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the 'Frontier Gandhi', worked in the North-West Frontier Province.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  26. With reference to the Commonwealth Games (CWG), consider the following statements:

    With reference to the Commonwealth Games (CWG), consider the following statements:

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 2
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Ahmedabad's 2030 edition is officially the 'Centenary Games', marking 100 years since the first edition at Hamilton in 1930, so statement 1 is right. Statement 2 is wrong because China doesn't even compete in the Commonwealth Games; Australia has long topped the medal tally.

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    Current Affairs UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  27. Examine the following statements regarding the powers and jurisdiction of the ‘National Human Rights…

    Examine the following statements regarding the powers and jurisdiction of the 'National Human Rights Commission' (NHRC):

    1. AOnly 2 and 3
    2. BOnly 1 and 2
    3. COnly 1 and 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The NHRC can only investigate complaints made within one year of the incident (2), and for violations by the armed forces it can merely seek a report from the central government (3). Statement 1 is wrong because the NHRC is recommendatory; it cannot itself punish or award compensation, only recommend such action to the government or courts.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  28. What is the biggest reason for migration in India as per Census 2011?

    What is the biggest reason for migration in India as per Census 2011?

    1. AEducation
    2. BEmployment
    3. CMarriage
    4. DUnder-developed regional economy
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Census 2011 records marriage as the single largest reason for migration in India, driven overwhelmingly by women moving to their marital homes. Employment is the leading cause specifically for male migration, but overall marriage dominates the totals.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  29. What does a “Firewall” do?

    What does a "Firewall" do?

    1. ARemoves viruses from the computer.
    2. BFilters data coming and going in the network.
    3. CCreates backups of data.
    4. DAutomatically encrypts all files.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    A firewall monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic against a set of security rules, acting as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external ones. Removing viruses is the job of antivirus software, while backups and encryption are separate functions.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  30. Recent global conflicts have underscored the importance of domestic Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR). With…

    Recent global conflicts have underscored the importance of domestic Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR). With reference to India's SPR programme, consider the following statements:

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 2
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Phase-I caverns aren't confined to the west coast: Visakhapatnam sits on the east coast, while Mangalore and Padur are on the west, so statement 1 is wrong. Statement 2 is right, as the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle set up to build and run these crude storage facilities.

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    Indian Economy UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

Mains Q&A 0

No Mains Q&A from GPSC-2026 yet.