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YEAR ASKED IN

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. In this question, two statements I and II are given. These statements may be…

    In this question, two statements I and II are given. These statements may be independent causes, or effects of independent causes, or one may be the effect of the other. Read both statements and select the correct answer.

    1. AII is the cause and I is its possible effect.
    2. BI is the cause and II is its possible effect.
    3. CBoth I and II are effects of independent causes.
    4. DBoth I and II are independent causes.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Lowering the entrance cut-off from 60 to 50 relates to admissions, while the Students Union's two-year negotiation about canteen food and hygiene relates to campus welfare. There's no logical link making one cause the other, so neither is the effect of the other. They arise from separate, unrelated causes, making them effects of independent causes.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  2. In the context of India, what do the terms ‘Jarawa’, ‘Onge’, ‘Sentinelese’ and ‘Shompen’…

    In the context of India, what do the terms 'Jarawa', 'Onge', 'Sentinelese' and 'Shompen' refer to?

    1. ATraditional musical instruments played by the Dangi tribes.
    2. BTribal communities found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    3. CMajor harvest festivals celebrated by the tribes in Nagaland.
    4. DNames of traditional tribal administrative councils in Jharkhand.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese and Shompen are indigenous tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first three are Negrito tribes of the Andamans, while the Shompen are a Mongoloid tribe of Great Nicobar; several are particularly vulnerable tribal groups.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  3. Consider the following statements about the Gaganyaan Mission:

    Consider the following statements about the Gaganyaan Mission:

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

    Correct answer: A

    Gaganyaan is a human spaceflight programme to low Earth orbit, not a human lunar journey, so statement 1 is wrong. The first crewed Gaganyaan flight is planned for 2027, so no Indian astronaut has yet flown under Gaganyaan, making statement 4 wrong. HAL builds the crew module structure and other hardware, so statement 3 is correct, and statement 2 is correct. The statements that are not correct are 1 and 4.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  4. As per Article 53 of the Constitution, the executive power of the Union shall…

    As per Article 53 of the Constitution, the executive power of the Union shall be vested with the

    1. APresident
    2. BPrime Minister
    3. CUnion Cabinet
    4. DUnion Cabinet Secretary
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Article 53 vests the executive power of the Union in the President, who exercises it either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution. In practice the President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, but the formal vesting is in the President.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  5. The Basic Structure doctrine propounded by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case…

    The Basic Structure doctrine propounded by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case is related to which of the following?

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

    Correct answer: B

    The Kesavananda Bharati (1973) verdict held that Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution but cannot alter its Basic Structure, directly addressing Parliament's amending power (statement 2) and the supremacy of the Constitution (statement 3). It wasn't about executive encroachment on the judiciary or legislative control of the executive, so 1 and 4 don't apply.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  6. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravallis:

    Consider the following statements regarding the Aravallis:

    1. AOnly 1 and 2
    2. BOnly 2 and 3
    3. COnly 1, 2 and 4
    4. D1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    All five statements about the Aravallis hold up. The range hosts lakes like Sambhar and Pushkar, acts as a watershed dividing Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea drainage, holds metals and critical minerals including REEs, has fractured porous rocks that aid groundwater recharge, and serves as the 'green lungs' barrier separating the desert from the northern plains.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  7. What is the primary technical objective of the Second Stage of India’s Three-Stage Nuclear…

    What is the primary technical objective of the Second Stage of India's Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme?

    1. ATo utilize natural uranium to produce electricity and Plutonium-239.
    2. BTo use Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) to burn Plutonium-239 and breed more fuel from a Thorium blanket.
    3. CTo utilize India's vast Thorium reserves directly in Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWR).
    4. DTo focus exclusively on the enrichment of Uranium-235 for export to the global market.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The second stage uses Fast Breeder Reactors that burn the Plutonium-239 produced in stage one, while a thorium blanket around the core breeds Uranium-233 for the third stage. Option (a) describes the first stage, and direct thorium use in AHWR is the third stage.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  8. The sum of 30 observations is 910. If one of the observations is taken…

    The sum of 30 observations is 910. If one of the observations is taken as -25 instead of 25, find the correct mean.

    1. A30
    2. B29
    3. C32
    4. D29.5
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The wrong sum is 910 because one value was recorded as -25 instead of +25, an error of 50. Adding the difference back gives the correct sum of 910 + 50 = 960. Dividing by 30 observations gives a correct mean of 960 / 30 = 32.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  9. Consider the following statements:

    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: C

    Papeete (150 W) is at UTC-10 and Port Moresby (150 E) is at UTC+10, a 20-hour gap. For statement 1, departing Papeete 4 p.m. Monday converts to 02:00 Tuesday UTC, and arriving Port Moresby 6 a.m. Wednesday is 20:00 Tuesday UTC, giving an 18-hour flight. For statement 2, departing Port Moresby noon Wednesday is 02:00 Wednesday UTC, and arriving Papeete 11 a.m. Wednesday is 21:00 Wednesday UTC, a 19-hour flight. Both are internally consistent.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  10. The Competition Commission of India aims to establish a robust competitive environment through proactive…

    The Competition Commission of India aims to establish a robust competitive environment through proactive engagement with:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. BOnly 1 and 2
    3. COnly 1 and 3
    4. DOnly 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The CCI's competition-advocacy mandate works on three fronts: engaging with the Government on policy, with Industry to encourage fair practices, and with Consumers to raise awareness of their rights. All three groups are part of its proactive engagement, so the answer covers 1, 2 and 3.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  11. Consider the following statements about commercial dairy farming.

    Consider the following statements about commercial dairy farming.

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

    Correct answer: C

    Commercial dairy farming is highly labour intensive because it needs constant care in feeding, milking and tending animals. It's also highly commercial, and large-scale dairying became possible only with efficient transport, refrigeration and pasteurisation since milk is perishable. Both statements are correct.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  12. What role does Electric Propulsion play in the modern Green Space Movement?

    What role does Electric Propulsion play in the modern Green Space Movement?

    1. AThey eliminate the need for any fuel by using the Earth's magnetic field for propulsion.
    2. BThey use solar energy to accelerate ions to very high speeds, providing high fuel efficiency for long-duration missions.
    3. CThey are used exclusively for the heavy-lift liftoff phase from the Earth's surface.
    4. DThey prevent the formation of space junk by vaporizing defunct satellites using laser beams.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Electric (ion) propulsion uses solar-generated electricity to ionise a propellant and accelerate the ions to very high exhaust speeds. This delivers very high fuel efficiency, which makes it ideal for long-duration deep-space and station-keeping missions. It produces low thrust, so it can't be used for heavy-lift liftoff from Earth's surface.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  13. A charity kitchen has grain to serve 200 people for 40 days. If 50…

    A charity kitchen has grain to serve 200 people for 40 days. If 50 people leave after 10 days, how long from now would the grain last?

    1. A30 days
    2. B40 days
    3. C50 days
    4. D36 days
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Total stock equals 200 x 40 = 8000 person-days. In the first 10 days, 200 people consume 200 x 10 = 2000 person-days, leaving 6000 person-days. With 50 people gone, 150 remain, so the grain lasts 6000 / 150 = 40 more days from that point.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  14. Which of the following statements regarding the Girnar rock inscriptions are correct?

    Which of the following statements regarding the Girnar rock inscriptions are correct?

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

    Correct answer: A

    The Junagadh (Girnar) rock carries inscriptions of three rulers across eras: Ashoka, the Western Satrap Rudradaman I, and the Gupta emperor Skandagupta, so statement 1 is correct. The language isn't Pali, though. Ashoka's edicts are in Prakrit while the Rudradaman and Skandagupta inscriptions are in Sanskrit, so statement 2 is wrong.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  15. Consider the following statements about Prasoon Joshi:

    Consider the following statements about Prasoon Joshi:

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

    Correct answer: B

    Prasoon Joshi was appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati in 2026, so statement 1 is correct. Before this he chaired the Central Board of Film Certification, not the International Film Festival of India, so statement 2 is wrong. He did write the song "Maa" (Main Kabhi Batlata Nahin...) for Taare Zameen Par, making statement 3 correct.

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    Current Affairs UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  16. Based on the family photo album described, Dakshit is Sunita’s:

    Based on the family photo album described, Dakshit is Sunita's:

    1. ABrother
    2. BSon
    3. CHusband
    4. DNephew
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Meera's grandfather has only two sons, Jayesh and Vijay, and no daughters. Dakshit is the grandfather's only grandson. Meera's mother Sheetal is married to Jayesh (Vijay is her brother-in-law), and their daughters are Meera and Mamta. So the only grandson Dakshit must be the child of Vijay and his wife Sunita, which makes Dakshit Sunita's son.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  18. Based on the family photo album described, how many children are there in the…

    Based on the family photo album described, how many children are there in the third generation (to which Meera belongs)?

    1. ATwo
    2. BThree
    3. CFour
    4. DOne
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The third generation consists of the grandfather's grandchildren. Jayesh and Sheetal have two daughters, Meera and Mamta, while Vijay and Sunita have the only grandson, Dakshit. That gives three children in Meera's generation.

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    CSAT UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  19. Which of the following contributions of Aryabhata is/are true?

    Which of the following contributions of Aryabhata is/are true?

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

    Correct answer: D

    Aryabhata held that the Earth rotates on its own axis while the Sun stays fixed, which explains the apparent daily motion of the sky. He gave the scientific cause of solar and lunar eclipses as shadows cast by the Moon and Earth, rejecting the Rahu-Ketu myth. His estimate of the Earth's circumference was remarkably close to the modern value, so all three statements are correct.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  20. The first successful test of the Indian-made, helicopter-launched, short-range anti-ship missile was conducted in…

    The first successful test of the Indian-made, helicopter-launched, short-range anti-ship missile was conducted in 2026. What is the name of that missile?

    1. AAgni
    2. BNaval Anti-Ship Missile (Short Range) / NASM-SR
    3. CBrahMos
    4. DAmogh
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The NASM-SR is India's first indigenously developed air-launched, short-range anti-ship cruise missile. In April 2026, DRDO and the Indian Navy carried out a maiden salvo launch from a Sea King helicopter off the Odisha coast, with both missiles striking the target. Agni is a ballistic missile and BrahMos is a long-range supersonic cruise missile, so they don't fit.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  21. With reference to ISRO’s achievements in Quantum Communication, which of the following statement(s) is/are…

    With reference to ISRO's achievements in Quantum Communication, which of the following statement(s) is/are true?

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

    Correct answer: A

    ISRO demonstrated free-space Quantum Key Distribution over about 300 metres at the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, including live video conferencing using quantum-key-encrypted signals, so statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is false because ISRO hasn't established a mainland-to-deep-space satellite quantum link, and India isn't the first country to do so.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  22. In the context of Green Propulsion, which of the following statement(s) is/are true regarding…

    In the context of Green Propulsion, which of the following statement(s) is/are true regarding the advantage(s) of using Hydroxylammonium Nitrate (HAN)-based monopropellants over traditional Hydrazine?

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

    Correct answer: A

    HAN-based green propellants offer higher density and higher specific impulse than hydrazine with much lower toxicity, so statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong because HAN monopropellants still need a catalyst and a high chamber temperature to decompose and ignite; they don't react spontaneously with the vacuum of space.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  24. Which of the following statements regarding the India-Pakistan war in 1971 is/are true?

    Which of the following statements regarding the India-Pakistan war in 1971 is/are true?

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

    Correct answer: D

    Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender on Pakistan's behalf, not Yahya Khan, so statement 1 is false. J.S. Aurora was the GOC-in-C of the Eastern Command who accepted the surrender, not the Chief of the Indian Army, that role belonged to General Sam Manekshaw, so statement 2 is false as worded.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  26. Consider the following in relation to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):

    Consider the following in relation to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):

    1. A1, 2, 3 and 4
    2. BOnly 1, 2 and 3
    3. COnly 1 and 2
    4. DOnly 1, 2 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The DGCA primarily handles safety issues in civil aviation and regulates air transport services, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. Its headquarters are in New Delhi, not Bengaluru, so statement 3 is wrong, and it doesn't depend on the Indian Air Force for its day-to-day functions, so statement 4 is wrong too.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  27. Consider the following statements with respect to literacy according to the Census of India,…

    Consider the following statements with respect to literacy according to the Census of India, 2011.

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

    Correct answer: C

    The Census defines a literate as someone aged seven and above who can read and write with understanding in any language, so statement 1 is correct. The literacy rate is the percentage of literate persons in the relevant population, which statement 2 captures, so both statements are correct.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Easy

  28. Consider the following Assertion and Reason:

    Consider the following Assertion and Reason:

    1. ABoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
    2. BBoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
    3. CAssertion (A) is correct, but Reason (R) is incorrect.
    4. DAssertion (A) is incorrect, but Reason (R) is correct.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The 73rd Amendment added the State Finance Commission mechanism under Article 243-I to ensure a regular flow of funds to Panchayati Raj Institutions, so the Assertion is correct. PRIs had long been crippled by a shortage of funds, which is exactly why this funding mechanism was created, so the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

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    Indian Polity UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  29. Consider the following statements:

    Consider the following statements:

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

    Correct answer: C

    El Nino is a major driver of drought in India, and it's a warm current that appears off the Peruvian coast around December, so statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is wrong because India receives deficient rainfall when the eastern Pacific warms during El Nino, not when South Pacific temperatures fall.

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    Geography UPSC GPSC-2026 Hard

  30. Which of the following statements regarding the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and…

    Which of the following statements regarding the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and India's missile programme are correct?

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

    Correct answer: B

    DRDO developed indigenous missiles under the IGMDP, and the Prithvi is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Agni series are surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, not surface-to-air, so statement 3 is wrong.

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    Science & Technology UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

Mains Q&A 0

No Mains Q&A from GPSC-2026 yet.