CSE Preliminary Exam: Mock Test for Practice

Note. The answers to the following MCQs can be viewed by clicking here. The answer key will open in a separate window.

SECTION C: POLITY, GOVERNANCE & ECONOMY

51. Consider the following statements regarding the Constitution of India:

1. It establishes India as a sovereign democratic republic.
2. It provides for a parliamentary system of government.
3. It permits constitutional amendments through prescribed procedures.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

52. Which one of the following best describes the principle of the Rule of Law?

1. Government officials are above ordinary law.
2. Law applies equally to all persons subject to constitutional provisions.
3. Parliament can act without legal limitations.
4. Courts cannot review executive actions.

53. Consider the following:

1. Equality before law
2. Freedom of speech and expression
3. Protection against arbitrary deprivation of life and liberty

Which of the above are associated with Fundamental Rights?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

54. Which one of the following correctly distinguishes a parliamentary system from a presidential system?

1. Executive is collectively responsible to the legislature.
2. Judiciary is abolished.
3. Elections are not conducted.
4. Constitution is necessarily unwritten.

55. Consider the following statements regarding the Union Parliament:

1. It consists of the President and two Houses.
2. Money Bills can originate only in the Lok Sabha.
3. Both Houses enjoy identical powers regarding Money Bills.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

56. The primary purpose of judicial review is to:

1. Conduct elections
2. Audit government accounts
3. Examine constitutional validity of laws and actions
4. Frame legislation

57. Consider the following statements:

1. Directive Principles are enforceable by courts.
2. Directive Principles aim at establishing social and economic justice.
3. Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are intended to complement constitutional governance.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

58. Which one of the following institutions is primarily responsible for conducting elections to Parliament and State Legislatures?

1. Finance Commission
2. Election Commission of India
3. NITI Aayog
4. UPSC

59. Consider the following statements regarding federalism:

1. Powers are constitutionally distributed between different levels of government.
2. All governmental authority is concentrated in a single unit.
3. Constitutional mechanisms exist for resolving inter-governmental issues.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

60. Which one of the following best reflects the purpose of local self-government institutions?

1. Centralization of administration
2. Direct participation in grassroots governance
3. Elimination of representative democracy
4. Judicial adjudication

61. Consider the following:

1. Transparency
2. Accountability
3. Responsiveness

Which of the above are generally regarded as principles of good governance?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

62. Which one of the following best explains the concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?

1. Litigation restricted to government departments
2. Judicial process allowing issues affecting public interest to be raised
3. Litigation involving only elected representatives
4. Litigation concerning taxation alone

63. Consider the following statements:

1. Inflation refers to a sustained rise in the general price level.
2. Inflation always increases purchasing power.
3. Very high inflation can create economic uncertainty.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

64. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is best understood as:

1. Total wealth accumulated by citizens abroad
2. Value of final goods and services produced within a country's territory during a period
3. Total government expenditure only
4. Total foreign exchange reserves

65. Consider the following:

1. Consumption expenditure
2. Investment expenditure
3. Government expenditure

Which of the above may be considered while estimating GDP through expenditure approach?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

66. Which one of the following best describes fiscal policy?

1. Management of money supply exclusively
2. Government decisions relating to taxation and expenditure
3. Regulation of stock exchanges only
4. Management of foreign embassies

67. Consider the following statements:

1. The central bank may use policy rates as monetary policy instruments.
2. Monetary policy can influence liquidity conditions.
3. Monetary policy is framed by local municipal bodies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

68. Which one of the following situations would most likely indicate unemployment?

1. A person voluntarily choosing not to work despite opportunities
2. A person willing and able to work but unable to find employment
3. A retired person
4. A student attending school full-time

69. Consider the following statements regarding taxation:

1. Taxes provide revenue for public expenditure.
2. Taxation may be used to influence economic behaviour.
3. Taxes serve no redistributive purpose.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

70. Which one of the following best describes inclusive growth?

1. Growth benefiting only capital-intensive sectors
2. Growth accompanied by broad-based participation and opportunities
3. Growth limited to metropolitan areas
4. Growth without employment generation

71. Consider the following:

1. Human capital development
2. Infrastructure creation
3. Technological innovation

Which of the above can contribute to long-term economic growth?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

72. Which one of the following is most closely associated with a current account transaction in the Balance of Payments?

1. Export of software services
2. Purchase of foreign government bonds
3. Foreign direct investment inflow
4. Acquisition of overseas assets by government

73. Consider the following statements:

1. Competition can encourage efficiency.
2. Monopolies may reduce competitive pressures.
3. Markets always produce socially optimal outcomes without exception.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

74. Which one of the following best explains financial inclusion?

1. Restricting banking services to urban populations
2. Ensuring access to useful and affordable financial services
3. Eliminating all forms of private banking
4. Limiting digital payment systems

75. Consider the following statements:

1. Sustainable development seeks balance among economic, social and environmental objectives.
2. Economic growth and environmental concerns are always mutually exclusive.
3. Resource efficiency can contribute to sustainability.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

SECTION D: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, CURRENT AFFAIRS ORIENTATION & MIXED UPSC ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS

76. Consider the following statements regarding scientific inquiry:

1. Scientific conclusions are based on evidence.
2. Scientific theories can be revised when new evidence emerges.
3. Scientific knowledge is entirely independent of observation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

77. Which one of the following best explains the significance of peer review in science?

1. It guarantees that a finding can never be challenged.
2. It enables evaluation of research by qualified experts.
3. It replaces experimentation.
4. It eliminates all forms of bias.

78. Consider the following:

1. Artificial Intelligence
2. Internet of Things (IoT)
3. Cloud Computing

Which of the above are digital technologies with wide-ranging applications?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

79. Which one of the following best describes machine learning?

1. Programming where systems improve performance using data and experience
2. Manual processing of records
3. Mechanical manufacturing only
4. A form of satellite communication

80. Consider the following statements:

1. Encryption helps protect digital information.
2. Strong passwords contribute to cybersecurity.
3. Cybersecurity concerns are relevant only to governments.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

81. Which one of the following is most directly associated with satellite remote sensing?

1. Gathering information about Earth without physical contact
2. Deep-sea mining
3. Thermal power generation
4. Genetic engineering

82. Consider the following statements regarding biotechnology:

1. Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms or their components.
2. Biotechnology has applications in agriculture and medicine.
3. Biotechnology is restricted to laboratory research and has no practical applications.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

83. Which one of the following best explains the term “genome”?

1. Complete genetic material of an organism
2. Type of vaccine
3. Protein-producing organelle
4. Unit of ecological classification

84. Consider the following:

1. Vaccination
2. Sanitation
3. Public awareness

Which of the above can contribute to disease prevention?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

85. Which one of the following best describes antimicrobial resistance?

1. Ability of microorganisms to withstand effects of medicines designed to kill them
2. Immunity against all diseases
3. Resistance of metals to corrosion
4. Adaptation of plants to drought

86. Consider the following statements:

1. Renewable energy technologies can contribute to energy transition.
2. Energy storage technologies can support renewable energy integration.
3. Fossil fuels are renewable on human timescales.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

87. Which one of the following is a major advantage of geographic information systems (GIS)?

1. Spatial analysis and mapping
2. Elimination of data collection
3. Replacement of all field surveys
4. Prevention of natural hazards

88. Consider the following statements regarding space exploration:

1. Satellites support communication services.
2. Satellites assist weather forecasting.
3. Satellites have applications in navigation systems.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

89. Which one of the following best explains “quantum computing”?

1. Computing based on quantum-mechanical principles
2. Traditional mechanical calculators
3. Analog radio communication
4. Conventional data storage systems only

90. Consider the following:

1. Critical minerals
2. Semiconductor manufacturing
3. Advanced battery technologies

Which of the above are increasingly important in modern technological and industrial development?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

91. Which one of the following best illustrates the precautionary principle?

1. Delaying all technological innovation indefinitely
2. Taking preventive action when significant environmental risks are uncertain but plausible
3. Ignoring scientific evidence
4. Allowing unrestricted exploitation of resources

92. Consider the following statements:

1. Urbanization can create opportunities for economic growth.
2. Urbanization can generate environmental challenges.
3. Urbanization automatically eliminates social inequalities.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

93. Which one of the following best explains demographic dividend?

1. Economic benefit arising from a favourable age structure
2. Increase in dependency ratio
3. Decline in labour force participation
4. Reduction in life expectancy

94. Consider the following:

1. Data governance
2. Privacy protection
3. Cyber resilience

Which of the above are important concerns in the digital age?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

95. Which one of the following best describes sustainable consumption?

1. Unlimited resource use
2. Consumption patterns mindful of long-term environmental and social impacts
3. Complete elimination of industrial activity
4. Exclusive reliance on imported goods

96. Consider the following statements:

1. Disaster risk reduction includes preparedness measures.
2. Early warning systems can reduce disaster impacts.
3. Natural hazards always become disasters regardless of vulnerability.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

97. Which one of the following best explains the concept of resilience?

1. Ability of a system to absorb shocks and recover
2. Permanent resistance to all change
3. Absence of adaptation
4. Complete elimination of risk

98. Consider the following statements:

1. International cooperation can help address global challenges.
2. Climate change is an example of a transboundary issue.
3. Public policy decisions often involve trade-offs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

99. A policymaker seeks to maximize economic growth while preserving ecological sustainability. Which of the following approaches would be most consistent with this objective?

1. Promoting resource efficiency
2. Encouraging innovation in clean technologies
3. Ignoring environmental externalities

Select the correct answer using the code below:

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

100. Consider the following statements:

1. Effective governance, environmental stewardship and technological innovation are increasingly interconnected.
2. Long-term public policy challenges often require multidisciplinary approaches.
3. Sustainable development concerns only environmental issues.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3