UPSC CIVIL SERVICES PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQs

Explore the complete 2025 General Studies Paper-I Previous Year Questions with answers, explanations and topic-wise classification.

100Questions

100Published Questions

100Questions with Answer

0Dropped / No Answer

9Subjects

SUBJECT-WISE VIEW

2025 Question Distribution

Economy20

Polity & Governance15

History14

Environment & Ecology13

Science & Technology13

International Relations11

Geography11

Agriculture2

Art & Culture1

COMPLETE QUESTION BANK

2025 GS Paper-I Questions

100 Questions

With reference to investments, consider Bonds, Hedge Funds, Stocks and Venture Capital. How many are treated as Alternative Investment Funds?

EconomyBasic EconomicsEconomic Developmentmoderate

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Which of the following are sources of income for the Reserve Bank of India: buying/selling Government bonds; buying/selling foreign currency; pension fund management; lending to private companies; printing and distributing currency notes?

EconomyMoney & BankingRBImoderate

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With reference to the Government of India, consider the matching of the Directorate of Enforcement, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Directorate General of Systems and Data Management with their functions and parent departments.

EconomyBasic EconomicsEconomic Developmentmoderate

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Consider statements on the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report: RBI mandates all listed companies to submit it; and BRSR disclosures are largely non-financial.

EconomyIndustry & Infrastructureeasy

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Consider statements on exemption of income from allied agricultural activities such as poultry/wool rearing and treatment of rural agricultural land as a capital asset under the Income-tax Act.

EconomyTaxationmoderate

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Consider statements on India joining the Minerals Security Partnership, India being resource-rich in all 30 critical minerals, and the 2023 MMDR amendment empowering the Centre for certain critical minerals.

EconomyIndustry & Infrastructuremoderate

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Consider statements explaining why bondholders are generally at lower risk than stockholders, including their status as lenders and repayment priority.

EconomyBasic EconomicsEconomic Developmenteasy

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Consider statements about India’s large share of global equity-option contracts, its stock-market capitalisation overtaking Hong Kong, and absence of a regulatory body for small-investor protection.

EconomyFinancial Marketsmoderate

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Consider statements that circular economy reduces greenhouse-gas emissions, reduces raw-material use, and reduces production waste.

EconomyIndustry & Infrastructureeasy

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Q10

Consider statements: capital receipts create liability or reduce government assets; borrowings and disinvestment are capital receipts; interest received on loans creates a government liability.

EconomyPublic Financeeasy

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Q11

Consider statements about Raja Rammohan Roy: his respect for traditional Eastern philosophy and his advocacy of rational/scientific approach, human dignity and social equality.

HistoryModern IndiaSocio-Religious Reform Movementsmoderate

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Q12

Which of the listed activities were part of the Non-Cooperation Programme: boycott of law courts/foreign cloth, strict non-violence, retention of titles without using them publicly, and establishment of panchayats for disputes?

HistoryModern IndiaNon-Cooperation Movementmoderate

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Q13

The irrigation device called Araghatta was which of the following?

HistoryMedieval IndiaMedieval Administrationeasy

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Q14

Who assumed the titles Mattavilasa, Vichitrachitta and Gunabhara?

HistoryAncient IndiaSouth Indian Kingdomsmoderate

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Q15

Fa-Hien, the Chinese pilgrim who travelled to India, visited during the reign of which ruler?

HistoryAncient IndiaGupta Periodeasy

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Q16

Which ruler led a successful military campaign against the Srivijaya kingdom that ruled parts of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and neighbouring islands?

HistoryMedieval IndiaEarly Medieval Indiamoderate

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Q17

With reference to ancient India, consider pairs of territorial regions and rivers flowing through them: Avanti–Mahanadi, Kosala–Sarayu, etc. How many pairs are correctly matched?

HistoryAncient IndiaMahajanapadasmoderate

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Q18

Consider statements on the Congress objective of Swaraj by legitimate and peaceful means and the proposed staged implementation of civil disobedience/non-payment of taxes if Swaraj did not come within a year or repression occurred.

HistoryModern IndiaNon-Cooperation Movementeasy

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Q19

Ashokan inscriptions suggest Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta were important officers at which administrative level?

HistoryAncient IndiaMauryan Empiremoderate

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Q20

Consider the two statements on the objective and staged strategy of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

HistoryModern IndiaNon-Cooperation Movementeasy

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Q21

How many of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Sweden and North Macedonia are NATO members?

International RelationsGeopoliticsmoderate

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Q22

Through how many of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela do the Andes Mountains pass?

GeographyWorld GeographyMountainsmoderate

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Q23

Through how many of Lake Tanganyika, Lake Tonlé Sap and Patos Lagoon does the Equator pass?

GeographyPhysical GeographyClimatologymoderate

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Q24

Consider statements about turmeric in 2022–23: India as largest producer/exporter, more than 30 varieties, and Maharashtra/Telangana/Karnataka/Tamil Nadu as major producing States.

AgricultureCropseasy

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Q25

Which statements provide evidence of continental drift, including matching ancient rocks on Brazil and West Africa, Ghana gold deposits, and Gondwana sediment counterparts?

GeographyPhysical GeographyRocks & Mineralsmoderate

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Q26

Consider statements about atmospheric dust being greater in subtropical/temperate areas and the role of dry winds.

GeographyPhysical GeographyAtmospheric Circulationmoderate

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Q27

Consider statements on January isotherms bending equatorward over land and poleward over oceans, and January air being warmer over oceans than land in the Northern Hemisphere.

GeographyPhysical GeographyOceanseasy

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Q28

Consider statements about chalk as a permeable rock, shale as impermeable, and clay being porous but not allowing water to pass.

GeographyPhysical GeographyRocks & Mineralsmoderate

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Q29

Consider statements that without atmosphere surface temperature would be far below freezing, atmospheric heat trapping maintains average temperature, and gases such as CO2 absorb radiation.

Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeGreenhouse Gaseseasy

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Q30

Consider statements on Rashtriya Gokul Mission: its importance for rural poor and its objective of scientific conservation and promotion of indigenous cattle and buffalo.

Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Institutionseasy

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Q31

Consider statements on cement-sector CO2 emissions, silica-bearing clay mixed with limestone, and limestone conversion to lime during clinker production.

EconomyIndustry & Infrastructuremoderate

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Q32

Consider statements on India not signing the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health, its binding nature, and possible health-system resilience effects of decarbonisation.

Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeClimate Agreementsdifficult

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Q33

Consider statements about changes in Earth’s rotation/axis, solar flares and CMEs, and polar-ice melt shifting water towards the equator.

GeographyPhysical GeographyClimatologydifficult

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Q34

Consider statements on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, including carbon-market principles and non-market cooperation strategies.

Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeClimate Agreementsmoderate

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Q35

Which institution launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific?

International RelationsInternational Organizationseasy

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Q36

Which statements about Direct Air Capture are correct: carbon sequestration, feedstock for plastics/food processing, and source of carbon for synthetic low-carbon aviation fuel?

Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeClimate Mitigationmoderate

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Q37

Regarding the Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider statements on being an omnivorous crustacean, restricted Indian habitat and arboreal habit.

Environment & EcologyBiodiversitySpecies Diversityeasy

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Q38

Consider statements on India’s per-capita CO2 emissions, its Asia-Pacific rank in fuel-combustion CO2 emissions, and electricity/heat as major sources.

Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeClimate Mitigationmoderate

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Q39

How many pairs are correctly matched: cassava–woody shrub, ginger–herb with pseudostem, Malabar spinach–herbaceous climber, mint–annual shrub, papaya–woody shrub?

Environment & EcologyBiodiversitySpecies Diversitymoderate

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Q40

Consider statements comparing rainforest and ocean oxygen production, marine phytoplankton/photosynthetic bacteria, and oxygen concentration in surface water.

Environment & EcologyEcologyEnergy Floweasy

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Q41

How many are alternative powertrain vehicles: full battery electric, hydrogen fuel-cell, fuel-cell electric hybrid?

Science & TechnologyBiotechnologyeasy

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Q42

Consider statements that all UAVs can vertically land, all can automatically hover, and all can use only batteries.

Science & TechnologySpace Technologymoderate

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Q43

Which of cobalt, graphite, lithium and nickel usually make up battery cathodes?

Science & TechnologyEmerging Technologiesmoderate

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Q44

How many contain plastic: cigarette butts, eyeglass lenses, car tyres?

Environment & EcologyPollutioneasy

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Q45

Coal gasification technology can be used in production of how many of ethanol, nitroglycerine and urea?

Science & TechnologyChemistryOrganic Chemistrymoderate

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Q46

What is the common characteristic of CL-20, HMX and LLM-105?

Science & TechnologyDefence Technologyeasy

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Q47

Consider statements that Majorana 1 will enable quantum computing, was introduced by AWS, and deep learning is a subset of machine learning.

Science & TechnologyArtificial Intelligencemoderate

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Q48

Consider statements that monoclonal antibodies are man-made proteins, stimulate immune function by binding specific antigens, and are used for viral infections such as Nipah.

Science & TechnologyBiotechnologymoderate

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Q49

Consider statements: no virus can survive in ocean waters; no virus can infect bacteria; no virus can change cellular transcriptional activity in a host.

Science & TechnologyBiologyHuman Diseasesmoderate

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Q50

Consider statements about activated carbon as a pollutant-removal tool, its large surface area for adsorption, and synthesis from carbon-rich wastes.

Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeCarbon Cyclemoderate

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Q51

Consider statements that an Ordinance can abridge a Fundamental Right and can come into effect retrospectively.

Polity & GovernanceConstitutionFundamental Rightsdifficult

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Q52

Consider statements about the Fifth Schedule: State Government losing executive power, Union takeover, and role of Governor/local administration.

Polity & GovernanceFederalismdifficult

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Q53

How many of the Inter-State Council, National Security Council and Zonal Councils were established under provisions of the Constitution?

Polity & GovernanceConstitutional Bodieseasy

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Q54

Consider statements on the Governor acting in discretion and the President reserving a State bill without it being forwarded by the Governor.

Polity & GovernanceUnion ExecutivePresidentdifficult

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Q55

Which listed constitutional amendment subjects require ratification by at least half the State Legislatures before presidential assent?

Polity & GovernanceConstitutiondifficult

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Q56

Consider statements on State and Union powers in Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule.

Polity & GovernanceRights & Welfaremoderate

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Q57

Match organisations such as the National Automotive Board, Coir Board and National Centre for Mass Spectrometry with their ministries.

Polity & GovernanceUnion ExecutiveExecutive Powersmoderate

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Q58

Which subjects fall under the Union/State distribution provisions in the Seventh Schedule, including extent of executive power and Governor’s office?

Polity & GovernanceConstitutionConstitutional Featuresmoderate

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Q59

Consider statements on the Governor’s immunity from court proceedings, criminal proceedings during office, and legislative privilege.

Polity & GovernanceConstitutionConstitutional Featuresmoderate

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Q60

How many activities—crude-oil production; refining/storage/distribution; marketing/sale of petroleum products; natural-gas production—are regulated by PNGRB?

EconomyIndustry & Infrastructuremoderate

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Q61

Given revenue expenditure ₹80,000 crore, revenue receipts ₹60,000 crore, borrowings ₹10,000 crore and interest payments ₹6,000 crore, which deficit statements are correct?

EconomyPublic Financeeasy

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Q62

INSTC connects India to which broader region/route?

International RelationsGeopoliticseasy

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Q63

Consider statements comparing ethanol production from major feedstocks and the United States as a principal feedstock source.

EconomyFinancial Marketsmoderate

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Q64

Which implications best reflect the World Bank warning that India could experience wet-bulb temperatures above 35°C?

Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeGlobal Warmingdifficult

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Q65

A country’s fiscal deficit is ₹50,000 crore and total receipts excluding borrowing are ₹10,000 crore; interest liabilities are ₹1,500 crore. What is primary deficit?

EconomyPublic Financeeasy

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Q66

Which statements correctly describe the 15th Finance Commission recommendations on grants, States’ share of Union taxes and tax-effort criteria?

EconomyPublic Financemoderate

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Q67

Consider statements on IBRD providing loans/guarantees to middle-income countries, working alone to reduce poverty, and its origins in post-WWII reconstruction.

International RelationsInternational Organizationsmoderate

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Q68

Consider statements on instantaneous RTGS settlement, charges for inward RTGS transactions, and operating hours of RTGS versus NEFT.

EconomyFinancial Marketseasy

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Q69

How many of UAE, France, Germany, Singapore and Bangladesh have international merchant payments accepted under UPI?

EconomyFinancial Marketsmoderate

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Q70

Consider statements on PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar and household support.

EconomyIndustry & Infrastructuremoderate

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Q71

“Sedition has become my religion” was said by Gandhiji at the time of which event?

HistoryModern IndiaGandhian Eramoderate

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Q72

The famous Dancing Girl figurine from Mohenjo-daro is made of which material?

Art & CultureArt & CultureSculptureeasy

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Q73

Who provided legal defence to people accused after the Chauri Chaura incident?

HistoryModern IndiaNon-Cooperation Movementmoderate

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Q74

At which event did Gandhi decide to include upliftment of Harijans in his political and social programme?

HistoryModern IndiaGandhian Eramoderate

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Q75

How many of papaya, pineapple and guava were introduced into India by the Portuguese in the 16th and 17th centuries?

AgricultureCropsmoderate

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Q76

How many of the United Kingdom, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia and Brazil have more than four time zones?

GeographyPhysical GeographyEarth Structuredifficult

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Q77

Consider statements about Anadyr in Siberia and Nome in Alaska and the difference in calendar days despite geographical proximity.

GeographyPhysical GeographyEarth Structuremoderate

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Q78

Who founded the Self-Respect Movement?

HistoryModern IndiaSwadeshi Movementeasy

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Q79

Which country-resource pairs are correctly matched: Botswana–diamond, Chile–lithium, Indonesia–nickel?

GeographyEconomic Geographyeasy

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Q80

Which pairs are correctly matched: Mallorca–Italy, Normandy–Spain, Sardinia–France?

GeographyIndian GeographyPhysiography of Indiaeasy

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Q81

Consider statements that rare earth elements are used in flat-screen displays and some have phosphorescent properties.

Science & TechnologyEmerging Technologiesmoderate

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Q82

Consider statements about the National Rail Plan, Kavach being developed with Germany, and RFID tags on tracks.

Science & TechnologyArtificial Intelligencemoderate

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Q83

Consider the listed space missions—Aditya-L1, XPoSat and Gaganyaan—and identify how many statements about them are correct.

Science & TechnologySpace Technologymoderate

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Q84

Match Dornier-228, IL-76 and C-17 Globemaster with their aircraft roles and identify how many pairs are correct.

Science & TechnologySpace Technologymoderate

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Q85

Artificial rainmaking to reduce air pollution makes use of which chemical agents?

Environment & EcologyPollutionmoderate

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Q86

Consider statements on the exercise of President’s power, criminal proceedings against the Governor, and legislative privilege.

Polity & GovernanceConstitutionConstitutional Featuresmoderate

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Q87

Consider statements on the Speaker continuing until immediately before the first meeting after dissolution, resignation from political party on election, and removal by resolution of the House.

Polity & GovernanceParliamentLok Sabhamoderate

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Q88

Consider statements concerning a member’s disqualification from the House and the meaning of “political party” in the Constitution.

Polity & GovernanceParliamentParliamentary Privilegesmoderate

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Q89

Consider statements that State Governments have no power over concessions for minor minerals and that the Central Government notifies minor minerals.

Polity & GovernanceGovernancemoderate

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Q90

Which organisation is associated with the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) aimed at tackling climate change and biodiversity loss?

International RelationsGeopoliticseasy

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Q91

Consider statements on Panchayats at intermediate level, minimum age of membership, and the role of the State Finance Commission.

Polity & GovernanceLocal Governmentdifficult

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Q92

Consider statements on GAGAN providing additional accuracy/integrity, improving air-traffic management, and being useful only for aviation.

Science & TechnologyEmerging Technologiesmoderate

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Q93

Consider statements regarding the AI Action Summit held in Paris in February 2025, including co-chairing, declarations and participation.

International RelationsInternational Groupingsmoderate

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Q94

Consider statements related to international merchant payments and RTGS/NEFT arrangements.

EconomyFinancial Marketsmoderate

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Q95

Consider statements regarding the AI Action Summit in Paris in February 2025 and the participation of India, France, US and UK.

International RelationsInternational Groupingsmoderate

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Q96

Match International Year/Awareness observances with their years, including International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, International Year of Cooperatives, International Year of Peace and Trust, and International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence.

International RelationsGlobal Institutionsmoderate

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Q97

Consider statements about the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Indonesia’s membership, and the summit theme.

International RelationsRegional Organizationsmoderate

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Q98

Consider statements on Lokpal jurisdiction over Indian public servants abroad, appointment of Chairperson, and minimum age of Chairperson/Member.

Polity & GovernanceStatutory & Regulatory Bodiesdifficult

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Q99

Consider statements on the first Kho Kho World Cup being held in Delhi and the reported men’s and women’s final scores.

International RelationsGeopoliticseasy

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Q100

Consider statements on the 45th Chess Olympiad, Gukesh defeating Nepomniachtchi, and Abhimanyu Mishra being the youngest-ever Grandmaster.

International RelationsGeopoliticsmoderate

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