68th BPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper
Explore the complete solved question paper for 68th BPSC Prelims 2023 featuring 150 solved questions with bilingual (English & Hindi) explanations, official answer key, and subject weightage breakdown.
The Swadeshi and Boycott were adopted as the methods of struggle for the first time during the
Detailed Explanation:
Swadeshi and Boycott movements were first adopted as methods of struggle during the Partition of Bengal (1905).
The anti-partition agitation led by moderates like Surendranath Banerjee and extremists like Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularized these methods—Swadeshi promoted indigenous goods while Boycott targeted British products and institutions, making them defining features of the Bengal partition protest.
Who led cultivators in Bihar during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Detailed Explanation:
Swami Vidyanand led the cultivators in Bihar during the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), particularly in the Muzaffarpur region.
Shri Krishna Singh was a prominent freedom fighter who later became the first Chief Minister of Bihar, while Raj Kumar Shukla was instrumental in bringing Mahatma Gandhi to Champaran (1917) for the indigo farmers' movement, which preceded the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Who saved the life of Gandhiji in Bihar during Champaran Satyagraha?
Detailed Explanation:
Batak Mian, a local resident of Champaran, saved Mahatma Gandhi's life during the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) when he helped him escape from an angry mob that had gathered outside the courthouse.
Batak Mian provided shelter and protected Gandhi from potential violence, demonstrating the crucial role of local support in the success of the Champaran movement against indigo planters in Bihar.
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The elected Government of Bihar formed by Shri Krishna Singh resigned in February 1938 for which reason?
Detailed Explanation:
Shri Krishna Singh formed the first elected government in Bihar in July 1937 after the provincial elections under the Government of India Act, 1935.
The ministry resigned in February 1938 in protest against the British Government's refusal to release political prisoners, particularly those involved in the freedom movement.
This resignation was part of a broader pattern where Congress ministries in various provinces pressured the British administration on the issue of political prisoner release, though most ministries continued until October 1939 (resignation over India's involvement in World War II without consultation).
During the Salt Satyagraha in Bihar, in addition to making salt, the people chose to oppose the government by opposing which tax?
Detailed Explanation:
During the Salt Satyagraha in Bihar (1930), people opposed the Chaukidari Tax, which was a local tax imposed for village watchmen and policing.
Since Chaukidari Tax is not listed among the options (Malba, Haathi, or Development), the correct answer is Option 5 – None of the above.
The trade balance of India (merchandise and services) for December 2022 (provisional) is
Detailed Explanation:
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India's merchandise trade deficit for December 2022 was (-) USD 23.76 billion, while the services trade surplus was (+) USD 11.78 billion.
The overall trade balance (merchandise + services) for December 2022 stood at (-) USD 11.98 billion, indicating that imports exceeded exports by this amount.
Which organization carries out the survey for determining the poverty line?
Detailed Explanation:
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), now part of the National Statistical Office (NSO), conducts the Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES) which provides data for determining the poverty line.
The NSSO surveys collect detailed data on consumption patterns, income, and expenditure of households across India, which forms the basis for poverty estimation by expert committees and the Planning Commission/NITI Aayog.
Which of the following were goals of the Five-Year Plans?
1. Growth
2. Modernization
3. Self-reliance
4. Literature
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Growth (increase in GDP and national income) was a fundamental objective of all Five-Year Plans in India.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Modernization (adoption of new technology and industrial advancement) was a key goal emphasized across the Plans.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Self-reliance (reducing dependence on foreign aid and imports) became particularly prominent from the Fourth Plan onwards.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Literature was never a direct goal of the Five-Year Plans, which focused on economic development.
Since statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct, the answer should be "1, 2 and 3 only" - but this option is not provided. Options 1, 2, and 3 each exclude at least one correct statement, while Option 4 ("More than one of the above") is ambiguous. Therefore, Option 5 ("None of the above") is correct as none of the first three options accurately captures all correct statements.
In which budget did the Finance Minister announce the Liberalized Exchange Rate Management System?
Detailed Explanation:
The Liberalized Exchange Rate Management System (LERMS) was announced by Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the Union Budget 1992-1993.
This dual exchange rate system was introduced as part of economic liberalization reforms and marked a significant step towards convertibility of the Indian Rupee on the current account.
Which of the following States of India received the highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity flow during April to September 2022?
Detailed Explanation:
Karnataka received the highest FDI equity inflow during April-September 2022 with approximately ₹37,502 crore (26% share).
Top 5 states by FDI equity inflow were: Karnataka (26%), Maharashtra (23%), Delhi (17%), Gujarat (9%), and Tamil Nadu (7%).
Which of the following Five-Year Plans was focussed on Human Resource Development?
Detailed Explanation:
The Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992-1997) was the first to focus on Human Resource Development as a central theme, emphasizing health, education, and employment.
The First Plan (1951-56) focused on agriculture and irrigation, the Third Plan (1961-66) emphasized self-reliance and heavy industries, and the Fifth Plan (1974-79) targeted poverty alleviation and employment (Garibi Hatao).
Since the Eighth Plan is not among the given options (First, Third, Fifth), the correct answer is Option 5: None of the above.
Match List-I with List-II:
| List I | List II | ||
| a. | Grey Revolution | 1. | Onion production |
| b. | Pink Revolution | 2. | Tomato and meat production |
| c. | Silver Revolution | 3. | Production of eggs |
| d. | Red Revolution | 4. | Fertilizers |
Detailed Explanation:
Grey Revolution refers to increased production of fertilizers, crucial for agricultural productivity.
Pink Revolution relates to onion production and is associated with horticulture development in India.
Silver Revolution denotes the growth in egg production and poultry sector development.
Red Revolution signifies the increase in tomato and meat production, focusing on food processing and livestock.
Correct matching: a-4, b-1, c-3, d-2.
Which committee suggested the enactment of the Competition Act, 2002?
Detailed Explanation:
The S. V. S. Raghavan Committee (1999) recommended the enactment of a new competition law to replace the outdated MRTP Act, 1969.
Based on this recommendation, the Competition Act, 2002 was enacted, establishing the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to regulate anti-competitive practices and promote fair competition in markets.
What is the policy measure adopted by the Government of India to improve the system of agricultural marketing?
Detailed Explanation:
Public Distribution System (PDS) ensures food security through subsidized distribution of foodgrains to vulnerable sections.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees remunerative prices to farmers and protects them from price fluctuations during surplus production.
Buffer Stock is maintained by FCI (Food Corporation of India) to ensure availability during shortages and stabilize market prices.
All three measures — PDS, MSP, and Buffer Stock — are integral components of India's agricultural marketing and food security framework, making Option 4 (More than one of the above) correct.
Which of the following are the objectives of the SEZ Act, 2005?
1. Generation of additional economic activity
2. Promotion of exports of goods and services
3. Creation of employment
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The SEZ Act, 2005 explicitly aims at generation of additional economic activity in Special Economic Zones through infrastructure development and business incentives.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Promotion of exports of goods and services is a primary objective, with SEZs designated as foreign territory for trade operations to boost international trade.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Creation of employment opportunities is a key objective, with SEZs expected to generate both direct and indirect employment through industrial activities.
All three statements correctly reflect the objectives under the SEZ Act, 2005.
Which one of the following is correct for Bihar's economy?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Bihar's occupational structure shows stagnant shift from agriculture, with over 60% workforce still in primary sector despite economic growth, indicating structural rigidity from above.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Bihar's economy is predominantly primary goods-based, with agriculture contributing ~20% to GSDP and majority of output being agricultural commodities and raw materials.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Bihar's average GSDP growth rate (2015-2023) has been around 7-10%, not 2.5%, making it one of the faster-growing states in recent years.
Correct Answer: Option 4 – Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
According to the Bihar Economic Survey (2021-2022), what was the rate of growth of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Bihar in 2020-2021?
Detailed Explanation:
The Bihar Economic Survey (2021-2022) reported that Bihar's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew at 2.5% in the fiscal year 2020-2021.
This growth rate reflects the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during that period, which affected state economies across India.
According to the National Family Survey-5 released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on November 24, 2021, there has been a significant improvement in the sex ratio of Bihar. It has increased from ______in 2015-2016 to _____ in 2020-2022.
Detailed Explanation:
The National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on November 24, 2021, reported a significant improvement in Bihar's sex ratio at birth.
The sex ratio increased from 1062 in NFHS-4 (2015-2016) to 1090 in NFHS-5 (2019-2021), indicating 1090 girls per 1000 boys. This improvement reflects better healthcare access, nutrition, and gender-sensitive policies in the state.
The maximum number of tax industries is in which district?
Detailed Explanation:
Kishanganj district in Bihar has the maximum number of tasar silk industries.
Tasar silk production is concentrated in the tribal belt of Bihar, with Kishanganj leading due to favorable climatic conditions and presence of Terminalia arjuna (Arjun) trees essential for tasar silkworm rearing.
At what percentage has Bihar registered the lowest Female Workforce Participation Rate for the year 2020-2022?
Detailed Explanation:
Bihar recorded the lowest Female Workforce Participation Rate (FWPR) in India during 2020-2022, with 4% in rural areas and 6.5% in urban areas.
This data is from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), highlighting significant gender disparity in workforce participation across Indian states.
68th BPSC Prelims 2023 Questions Paper - Subject-wise Question Distribution
General Science
29 Qs (19.3%)Current Affairs
28 Qs (18.7%)Bihar Special
24 Qs (16%)Modern History
16 Qs (10.7%)Indian Polity
12 Qs (8%)General Mental Ability
9 Qs (6%)Indian Geography
7 Qs (4.7%)Indian Economy
7 Qs (4.7%)Medieval History
5 Qs (3.3%)Ancient History
5 Qs (3.3%)World Geography
5 Qs (3.3%)Environment & Ecology
3 Qs (2%)68th BPSC Prelims 2023 Question Paper - FAQs & Analysis
Q1 How many total questions were asked in 68th BPSC Prelims 2023?
Q2 What is the subject-wise question breakdown for 68th BPSC Prelims 2023?
- General Science: 29 questions (19.3%)
- Current Affairs: 28 questions (18.7%)
- Bihar Special: 24 questions (16%)
- Modern History: 16 questions (10.7%)
- Indian Polity: 12 questions (8%)
- General Mental Ability: 9 questions (6%)
- Indian Geography: 7 questions (4.7%)
- Indian Economy: 7 questions (4.7%)
- Medieval History: 5 questions (3.3%)
- Ancient History: 5 questions (3.3%)
- World Geography: 5 questions (3.3%)
- Environment & Ecology: 3 questions (2%)