UPSC 2017 History Previous Year Questions

Question 1

With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: 1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy 2. Quit India Movement launched 3. Second Round Table Conference What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1-2-3 | 2-1-3 | 3-2-1 | 3-1-2. Second Round Table Conference was in 1931, Quit India Movement in 1942, and the Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946. Thus the sequence is 3-2-1.

Question 2

Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? 1. Arasavalli 2. Amarakantak 3. Omkareshwar Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh is famous for a Sun temple. Amarkantak and Omkareshwar are not primarily famous as Sun-temple sites.

Question 3

The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Ajanta | Badami | Bagh | Ellora. The Bodhisattva Padmapani is the celebrated mural in Cave 1 of Ajanta, depicting Avalokitesvara, the compassionate bodhisattva, holding a lotus. It exemplifies the mature Gupta-Vakataka tradition of Indian wall painting.

Question 4

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism. 2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. Sautrantika, Sammitiya and Sarvastivadin are Buddhist schools, not Jain sects. Sarvastivadins held that dharmas exist in past, present and future, so statement 2 is correct.

Question 5

With reference to Quality Council of India (QCI), consider the following statements 1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry. 2. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and Indian industry associations. Its Chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister on industry recommendations to the Government.

Question 6

With reference to the 'National Intellectual Property Rights Policy', consider the following statements: 1. It reiterates India's commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS Agreement. 2. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal agency for regulating intellectual property rights in India. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. The National IPR Policy reiterates India's commitment to TRIPS and the Doha Development Agenda. DIPP was made the nodal department for IPR policy/management.

Question 7

The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments. | Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India. | Impose censorship on national press. | Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.. The Butler Committee examined the relationship between the British Indian Government/Paramount Power and Indian princely states, aiming to improve/clarify that relationship.

Question 8

Consider the following statements: 1. The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions. 2. N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. The Factories Act, 1881 focused on limited regulation of factory labour conditions, especially child labour, not wages or trade unions. N. M. Lokhande was a pioneer of labour organization in British India.

Question 9

It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry? 1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents. 2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed. 3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 2 only | 2 and 3 only | 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Algae biofuels can be produced on land as well as in water systems, so statement 1 is wrong. The industry needs high technical expertise and large facilities, which can raise economic, ecological and social concerns.

Question 10

Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of Ryotwari Settlement in India during the British rule? 1. Lord Cornwallis 2. Alexander Read 3. Thomas Munro. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 1 and 3 only | 2 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Ryotwari settlement was introduced and developed by Alexander Read and Thomas Munro. Lord Cornwallis is associated with the Permanent Settlement.

UPSC 2017 History PYQs with Answers