UPSC 2023 History Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day: Statement-I: The Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens. Statement-II: On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I | Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I | Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect | Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct. Constitution Day is celebrated on 26 November to promote constitutional values. The Drafting Committee was set up on 29 August 1947, not on 26 November

Question 2

Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002: Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm. Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I | Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I | Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect | Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct. The Flag Code ratio is 3:2, but 600 mm x 400 mm is not one of the standard sizes listed in the Flag Code. Therefore Statement-I is incorrect and Stateme

Question 3

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day. Statement-II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I | Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I | Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect | Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct. National Handloom Day is observed on 7 August because the Swadeshi Movement was launched on 7 August 1905. Statement-II explains Statement-I.

Question 4

Consider the following pairs Site Well known for 1. Besnagar: Shaivite cave shrine 2. Bhaja: Buddhist cave shrine 3. Sittanavasal: Jain cave shrine How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Only one | Only two | All three | None. Bhaja is a Buddhist cave site and Sittanavasal is a Jain cave site. Besnagar is associated with the Heliodorus pillar/Vaishnava tradition, not a Shaivite cave shrine, so two pairs are correct.

Question 5

With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. archaeological excavations | establishment of English Press in Colonial India | establishment of Churches in Princely States | construction of railways in Colonial India. Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with archaeology/antiquarian work and excavations in India.

Question 6

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. The Regulating Act | The Pitt's India Act | The Charter Act of 1793 | The Charter Act of 1833. The Charter Act of 1833 redesignated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India.

Question 7

Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Ahmad Shah | Mahmud Begarha | Bahadur Shah | Muhammad Shah. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat ceded/surrendered Diu to the Portuguese under pressure in the sixteenth century.

Question 8

Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Devaraya I | Mallikarjuna | Vira Vijaya | Virupaksha. Devaraya I of Vijayanagara is credited with constructing a dam across the Tungabhadra and a canal/aqueduct to supply the capital.

Question 9

"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects." The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Buddhism | Jainism | Shaivism | Vaishnavism. The belief that souls exist in plants, animals, rocks, water and other natural objects reflects Jain doctrine of jiva in many forms.

Question 10

With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs: Literary work - Author 1. Devichandragupta - Bilhana 2. Hammira-Mahakavya - Nayachandra Suri 3. Milinda-panha - Nagarjuna 4. Nitivakyamrita - Somadeva Suri How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Only one | Only two | Only three | All four. Hammira-Mahakavya is by Nayachandra Suri and Nitivakyamrita is by Somadeva Suri. Devichandragupta is not by Bilhana and Milinda-panha is not by Nagarjuna, so two pairs are correct.

UPSC 2023 History PYQs with Answers