These 100 MCQ questions cover the most frequently tested topics in UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination — History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, General Science, Environment and Current Affairs. Click any option or use the Show Answer button to check your answer. For unlimited AI-generated unique MCQs every day, try Vooo AI Education.

📜 Indian History (Q1–Q10)
1Who founded the Indian National Congress in 1885?
A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B. A.O. Hume
C. Dadabhai Naoroji
D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: B — A.O. Hume
Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, founded the Indian National Congress in 1885 in Bombay.
2The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between the British East India Company and whom?
A. Hyder Ali
B. Tipu Sultan
C. Siraj ud-Daulah
D. Mir Qasim
Answer: C — Siraj ud-Daulah
The Battle of Plassey was fought between Robert Clive and Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal.
3Which movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 demanding an end to British rule?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
Answer: C — Quit India Movement
Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement on 8 August 1942, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India.
4The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in which year?
A. 1915
B. 1917
C. 1919
D. 1921
Answer: C — 1919
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on 13 April 1919 when British troops under General Dyer fired on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar.
5Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
A. Lord Mountbatten
B. C. Rajagopalachari
C. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
D. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: A — Lord Mountbatten
Lord Mountbatten served as the first Governor-General of independent India from August 1947 to June 1948.
6The Dandi March of 1930 was a protest against which British policy?
A. Rowlatt Act
B. Salt Tax
C. Partition of Bengal
D. Arms Act
Answer: B — Salt Tax
Gandhi led the 241-mile Dandi March to protest the British monopoly on salt and the heavy salt tax imposed on Indians.
7Which dynasty built the famous Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur?
A. Pallava
B. Hoysala
C. Chola
D. Pandya
Answer: C — Chola
The Brihadeeswarar Temple was built by Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 CE. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
8Akbar's syncretic religion was called:
A. Sulh-i-Kul
B. Din-i-Ilahi
C. Ibadat Khana
D. Mansabdari
Answer: B — Din-i-Ilahi
Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith) was a syncretic religion propounded by Akbar in 1582, incorporating elements from Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity.
9The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 to review which act?
A. Indian Councils Act 1909
B. Government of India Act 1919
C. Rowlatt Act 1919
D. Morley-Minto Reforms 1909
Answer: B — Government of India Act 1919
The Simon Commission was set up to review the working of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest further constitutional reforms.
10Who among the following was NOT a member of the Constituent Assembly of India?
A. B.R. Ambedkar
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: C — Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was not a member of the Constituent Assembly. He was assassinated on 30 January 1948, before the Constitution was completed.

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🌍 Indian Geography (Q11–Q20)
11Which is the longest river in India?
A. Ganga
B. Godavari
C. Brahmaputra
D. Yamuna
Answer: A — Ganga
The Ganga is the longest river in India at approximately 2,525 km.
12The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 9
D. 7
Answer: B — 8
The Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
13Which state has the longest coastline in India?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Maharashtra
C. Gujarat
D. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: C — Gujarat
Gujarat has the longest coastline among all Indian states at approximately 1,600 km.
14The Western Ghats is also known as:
A. Vindhya Range
B. Sahyadri
C. Satpura Range
D. Aravalli Range
Answer: B — Sahyadri
The Western Ghats is also known as Sahyadri. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots.
15Where is the Kaziranga National Park located?
A. Assam
B. Uttarakhand
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. West Bengal
Answer: A — Assam
Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam and is famous for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
16Which is the highest peak in India?
A. Nanda Devi
B. K2 (Godwin-Austen)
C. Kangchenjunga
D. Kanchenjunga
Answer: B — K2 (Godwin-Austen)
K2 at 8,611 metres is the highest peak in India located in Jammu & Kashmir. Kangchenjunga is the highest peak within the internationally recognised Indian territory.
17The Sundarbans mangrove forest is shared between India and which country?
A. Bangladesh
B. Myanmar
C. Nepal
D. Sri Lanka
Answer: A — Bangladesh
The Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest, shared between India (West Bengal) and Bangladesh. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
18Which river is known as the Dakshina Ganga (Ganga of the South)?
A. Krishna
B. Godavari
C. Cauvery
D. Mahanadi
Answer: B — Godavari
The Godavari river is called Dakshina Ganga (Ganga of the South) due to its religious significance and large size. It is the longest river in peninsular India.
19India shares its longest international border with which country?
A. China
B. Bangladesh
C. Pakistan
D. Nepal
Answer: B — Bangladesh
India shares its longest international border with Bangladesh at approximately 4,156 km. The India-China border is about 3,488 km.
20The Thar Desert is located in which Indian state?
A. Rajasthan
B. Gujarat
C. Haryana
D. Punjab
Answer: A — Rajasthan
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is primarily located in Rajasthan. It is the world's 17th largest desert.
⚖️ Indian Polity (Q21–Q30)
21The Constitution of India came into force on:
A. 15 August 1947
B. 26 November 1949
C. 26 January 1950
D. 15 August 1950
Answer: C — 26 January 1950
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
22Which article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability?
A. Article 14
B. Article 15
C. Article 17
D. Article 21
Answer: C — Article 17
Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
23The President of India is elected by:
A. Lok Sabha members only
B. All members of Parliament
C. Elected members of Parliament and State Legislatures
D. All citizens of India
Answer: C — Elected members of Parliament and State Legislatures
The President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of State Legislative Assemblies.
24How many Fundamental Rights are guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 9
Answer: B — 6
The Constitution originally guaranteed 7 Fundamental Rights. The Right to Property was removed in 1978 by the 44th Amendment, leaving 6 Fundamental Rights.
25Which schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with anti-defection laws?
A. Eighth Schedule
B. Ninth Schedule
C. Tenth Schedule
D. Eleventh Schedule
Answer: C — Tenth Schedule
The Tenth Schedule, added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment in 1985, contains provisions relating to disqualification on grounds of defection.
26The concept of Judicial Review in India is borrowed from which country?
A. United Kingdom
B. United States of America
C. Canada
D. Australia
Answer: B — United States of America
The concept of Judicial Review — the power of courts to review laws — was borrowed from the USA. However, India's version is more limited in scope.
27The minimum age to become the Prime Minister of India is:
A. 21 years
B. 25 years
C. 25 years (Lok Sabha member)
D. 35 years
Answer: C — 25 years
The Prime Minister must be a member of either House of Parliament. The minimum age for Lok Sabha is 25 years, and for Rajya Sabha is 30 years.
28Which writ is issued to release a person from illegal detention?
A. Habeas Corpus
B. Mandamus
C. Certiorari
D. Prohibition
Answer: A — Habeas Corpus
Habeas Corpus (meaning "you may have the body") is a writ issued by a court requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge. It protects against unlawful detention.
29The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution are borrowed from which country's constitution?
A. USA
B. UK
C. Ireland
D. Australia
Answer: C — Ireland
The Directive Principles of State Policy were borrowed from the Irish Constitution. They are non-justiciable guidelines for the government in making laws and policies.
30How many members are nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 8
Answer: B — 12
The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha who have expertise in literature, science, art and social service.

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💰 Indian Economy (Q31–Q40)
31Which body presents the Union Budget of India?
A. Reserve Bank of India
B. Planning Commission
C. Ministry of Finance
D. NITI Aayog
Answer: C — Ministry of Finance
The Union Budget is presented by the Finance Minister on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, typically on 1 February each year.
32GST in India was implemented on:
A. 1 April 2017
B. 1 July 2017
C. 1 January 2018
D. 1 April 2016
Answer: B — 1 July 2017
Goods and Services Tax (GST) was implemented in India on 1 July 2017, replacing multiple indirect taxes with a unified tax system.
33NITI Aayog replaced which body?
A. Planning Commission
B. Finance Commission
C. Election Commission
D. Economic Advisory Council
Answer: A — Planning Commission
NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission which had existed since 1950.
34The headquarters of the Reserve Bank of India is in:
A. New Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Kolkata
D. Chennai
Answer: B — Mumbai
The Reserve Bank of India was established on 1 April 1935. Its central office (headquarters) is located in Mumbai.
35Which five-year plan focused on heavy industries and is called the Mahalanobis Plan?
A. First Five Year Plan
B. Second Five Year Plan
C. Third Five Year Plan
D. Fourth Five Year Plan
Answer: B — Second Five Year Plan
The Second Five Year Plan (1956-61), based on the Mahalanobis model, focused on rapid industrialization with emphasis on heavy industries.
36India's economic survey is released by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Finance
B. NITI Aayog
C. Ministry of Commerce
D. RBI
Answer: A — Ministry of Finance
The Economic Survey is an annual document released by the Ministry of Finance a day before the Union Budget. It reviews the Indian economy over the past year.
37Which Indian received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2019?
A. Abhijit Banerjee
B. Amartya Sen
C. Raghuram Rajan
D. Kaushik Basu
Answer: A — Abhijit Banerjee
Abhijit Banerjee won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics for his experimental approach to alleviating global poverty, shared with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer.
38India's first Bullet Train corridor is being built between which two cities?
A. Mumbai and Ahmedabad
B. Delhi and Mumbai
C. Chennai and Bangalore
D. Delhi and Kolkata
Answer: A — Mumbai and Ahmedabad
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor is India's first bullet train project, being built with Japanese technology and funding.
39India's Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on which part of the Moon?
A. North Pole
B. South Pole
C. Equatorial region
D. Far side
Answer: B — South Pole
Chandrayaan-3 made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole on 23 August 2023, a historic achievement for ISRO.
40The Digital India initiative was launched in which year?
A. 2013
B. 2014
C. 2015
D. 2016
Answer: C — 2015
Digital India was launched on 1 July 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society.

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