UPSC CSE Prelims
Current Affairs Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Solved Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for Current Affairs in UPSC CSE Prelims in English & Hindi Medium.
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The word ‘Denisovan’ is sometimes mentioned in the media in reference to -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — an early human species
Denisovans refer to an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans that lived in Asia tens of thousands of years ago. They were first identified through DNA analysis of fossil remains found in the Denisova Cave in Siberia, making them a significant discovery in human evolutionary studies. Unlike other ancient human groups, Denisovans are known primarily through genetic evidence rather than complete skeletal fossils.
📝 Short Notes: Denisovans and Human Evolution
- Discovery: Denisovans were first identified in 2010 from a finger bone and teeth found in Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains of Siberia.
- Classification: They are an extinct group of archaic humans closely related to Neanderthals, who diverged from modern humans around 500,000-600,000 years ago.
- Geographic Range: Evidence suggests Denisovans lived across a wide area of Asia, from Siberia to Southeast Asia and possibly the Pacific islands.
- Genetic Legacy: Modern humans, particularly Melanesians, Southeast Asians, and Aboriginal Australians, carry 3-5% Denisovan DNA, indicating interbreeding occurred.
- Physical Features: Limited fossil evidence suggests they had larger teeth and jaws than modern humans, adapted to harsh environments.
- Significance: Their discovery revealed that human evolution was more complex than previously thought, with multiple hominin species coexisting and interbreeding.
Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — NITI Aayog
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was launched in 2016 under NITI Aayog, India's premier policy think tank, to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. AIM establishes Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools and Atal Incubation Centres to nurture innovation from grassroots to startups.
📝 Short Notes: Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
- Parent Body: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)
- Launched: 2016 by the Government of India
- Objective: To create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across India
- Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs): Established in schools to foster innovation and scientific temperament among students through hands-on learning
- Atal Incubation Centres (AICs): Set up to provide world-class infrastructure and support to startups and entrepreneurs
- Target: Students, innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups across various sectors
- Support Provided: Mentorship, funding, infrastructure, and networking opportunities for innovative ventures
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?
- Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
- Enterprises with crèches must allow the mother minimum six crèche visits daily.
- Women with two children get reduced entitlements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 3 only
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 increased paid maternity leave to 26 weeks for the first two children, but reduced it to 12 weeks for women with two or more surviving children. Statement 3 correctly identifies this reduced entitlement provision.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Women are entitled to 26 weeks of paid leave (not 6 months split equally), with a maximum of 8 weeks pre-delivery leave, not 3 months (12 weeks).
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Act mandates 4 crèche visits daily (including rest intervals), not 6 visits, for establishments with 50 or more employees.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Women with two or more surviving children receive reduced paid maternity leave of 12 weeks instead of 26 weeks.
📝 Short Notes: Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Paid Maternity Leave | 26 weeks for first two children (increased from 12 weeks); 12 weeks for women with two or more surviving children |
| Pre-delivery Leave | Maximum 8 weeks before expected delivery date |
| Commissioning/Adopting Mother | 12 weeks paid leave from the date of child handover |
| Crèche Facility | Mandatory for establishments with 50+ employees; 4 visits per day allowed (including rest intervals) |
| Work from Home | Can be allowed after exhausting maternity leave, based on nature of work and mutual agreement |
| Applicability | All establishments employing 10 or more persons |
| Notice to Employer | Written intimation of maternity leave, as early as possible (ideally before expected delivery date) |
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With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements:
- The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised grains.
- The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately 67% of India's population, not just BPL families. The Act mandates that the eldest woman aged 18 years or above in a household be designated as the head for ration card issuance. However, pregnant and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration of 600 calories (not 1600) per day along with a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000.
✅ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The NFSA covers about 67% of the population (75% rural and 50% urban), identified through SECC methodology, not just BPL families. Beneficiaries include both Priority Households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Section 3(5) of the NFSA mandates that the eldest woman in the household aged 18 years or above shall be the head of the household for issuing ration cards, ensuring women's empowerment in food security.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Under Section 4 of the NFSA, pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration of 600 calories per day (not 1600) during pregnancy and six months after childbirth, along with a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000.
📝 Short Notes: National Food Security Act, 2013
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Up to 75% of rural population and 50% of urban population (approximately 67% overall) |
| Foodgrain Allocation | Priority Households: 5 kg per person per month; AAY: 35 kg per household per month |
| Prices | Rice: Rs 3/kg, Wheat: Rs 2/kg, Coarse grains: Rs 1/kg |
| Maternity Entitlements | 600 calories take-home ration + Rs 6,000 maternity benefit for 6 months |
| Household Head | Eldest woman aged 18 years or above |
| Grievance Redressal | District and State level mechanisms; State Food Commissions |
Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India?
- Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did.
- Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
- Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our school, public places and major tourist centres
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 3 only
Digital India, launched in 2015, aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Its focus is on providing digital infrastructure, digital governance, and digital literacy—not creating Indian internet companies or attracting multinational data centres.
❌ Statement I – Incorrect: Creating India's own internet companies like China is not an objective of the Digital India Programme.
❌ Statement II – Incorrect: The original Digital India Plan does not include a policy to encourage multinational companies to establish Big Data centres in India. This relates to later data localization and data centre policies, not Digital India.
✅ Statement III – Correct: A major objective of Digital India is to connect villages through broadband and provide Wi-Fi in schools, public places, and tourist centres under initiatives like Broadband Highways and the Public Internet Access Programme.
📝 Short Notes: Digital India Programme
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch | 1 July 2015 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) |
| Vision | Transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy |
| Three Vision Areas | Digital Infrastructure, Governance & Services on Demand, Digital Empowerment of Citizens |
| Key Pillars | Broadband Highways, Public Internet Access, e-Governance, e-Kranti, Information for All, Digital Literacy |
| Village Connectivity | Expansion of broadband and internet connectivity to Gram Panchayats through BharatNet |
| Public Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi in schools, public places, railway stations, and tourist centres |
| Major Initiatives | DigiLocker, UMANG, e-Hospital, BHIM, Digital Payments, Common Service Centres (CSCs) |
Key Fact:
Digital India is built around three core goals—digital infrastructure, digital services, and digital empowerment, rather than promoting specific private internet companies.
As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements
- Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.
- Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 per cent belong to OBCs.
- In Kerala, a little over 60 per cent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1 and 3 only
The NSSO 70th Round (Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households, 2013) provides detailed information on the social and economic conditions of agricultural households in India. Statements I and III match the survey findings, while Statement II overstates the share of OBC agricultural households.
✅ Statement I – Correct: Rajasthan had the highest share of agricultural households (78.4%) among rural households, according to the NSSO 70th Round survey.
❌ Statement II – Incorrect: OBC agricultural households accounted for about 45%, not over 60%, of the total agricultural households in India.
✅ Statement III – Correct: In Kerala, over 60% of agricultural households reported that their main source of income was non-agricultural activities, unlike most other states.
With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements
- It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
- It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 2 and 3 only
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship skill development scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). It aims to provide industry-relevant skill training, improve employability, and certify skills according to national standards.
❌ Statement I – Incorrect: PMKVY is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), not the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
✅ Statement II – Correct: PMKVY provides training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital literacy, along with technical skills to improve employability.
✅ Statement III – Correct: One of PMKVY's key objectives is to align the skills of the unregulated workforce with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), ensuring standardized skill certification.
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017?
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
- It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
- It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. It is a nationwide initiative to harness creative digital technology solutions from students and innovators to solve pressing problems faced by ministries, departments, and industries.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: SIH 2017 was launched as a unique open platform to identify new digital technology innovations for addressing challenges across various sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, clean energy, water resources, and waste management. It brings together students, startups, and tech enthusiasts to develop practical solutions.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: SIH is not focused solely on making financial transactions digital. While digital payments may be one potential solution area, the hackathon covers a broad spectrum of national challenges requiring innovative technological interventions, not just financial digitization.
Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments
✅ Option 3 – Correct: The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced by the Central Government on January 1, 2004. Subsequently, various State Governments adopted the NPS architecture for their employees. State Government employees joining after the date of notification by their respective State Governments are mandatorily covered under NPS.
❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: NPS is available to all Indian citizens including both Resident Indians and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), not just resident Indian citizens.
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: The eligibility age for joining NPS is 18 to 70 years, not 21 to 55 years. The age range was expanded over time to include a broader segment of citizens.
❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: NPS specifically excludes Armed Forces personnel. Additionally, the correct implementation date for Central Government employees was January 1, 2004, not April 1, 2004.
What is the purpose of ‘Vidyanjali Yojana’?
- To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India.
- To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
- To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Vidyanjali Yojana does not deal with foreign educational institutions opening campuses in India. It is focused on improving existing government schools.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Vidyanjali Yojana is a school volunteer initiative launched by the Ministry of Education to improve the quality of education in government schools. It facilitates community and private sector participation by connecting volunteers (professionals, retired teachers, subject experts, NGOs) with government schools to contribute their time, knowledge, and skills.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The primary purpose of Vidyanjali is to enable volunteer participation through time and expertise, not monetary contributions. While volunteers may support various activities, the scheme's core focus is on non-monetary contributions like teaching support, mentoring, skill development, and enrichment activities.
With reference to ‘National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)’, which of the statements given below is/are correct?
- Under NSQF, a learner can acquire the certification for competency only through formal learning.
- An outcome expected from the implementation of NSQF is the mobility between vocational and general education.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: NSQF allows learners to acquire competency certification through multiple pathways, not just formal learning. It recognizes formal learning (schools/colleges), non-formal learning (skill development programs), and informal learning (on-the-job training, self-learning). This flexibility is a core feature of NSQF.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: A key objective of NSQF is enabling mobility between vocational and general education. By establishing equivalence between vocational qualifications and general education levels (across 10 levels), NSQF allows individuals with vocational skills to pursue higher education and vice versa, creating a more flexible education ecosystem.
‘Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Scheme is a key component of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). It aims to certify and recognize the skills acquired by workers through informal or non-formal means, particularly those gained through work experience rather than formal training. The scheme is particularly relevant for construction workers, domestic workers, and others in the unorganized sector who have learned skills through traditional channels or on-the-job experience. RPL provides them with formal certification aligned to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), enhancing their employability and enabling them to access better opportunities. The scheme does not focus on distance learning enrollment (Option 2), job reservation in PSUs (Option 3), or certifying trainees under formal NSDP programs (Option 4), as those who complete formal training receive regular certification.
Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?
- To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
- To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
- To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 2 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Creating awareness about malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers is a core objective of the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan), launched in 2018 to address malnutrition comprehensively.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Reducing anaemia among young children (6 months to 6 years), adolescent girls, and women (15-49 years) is an explicit target of the mission, with specific goals to reduce anaemia prevalence by 3% per annum.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: While promoting millets, coarse cereals, and unpolished rice aligns with nutritional goals, these are not explicitly stated as objectives of the National Nutrition Mission. The mission focuses on behavior change, service delivery, and convergence rather than specific food promotion.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Promoting consumption of poultry eggs is not an objective of the National Nutrition Mission. The mission emphasizes adequate nutrition through diverse diets but does not mandate specific food items like eggs.
Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:
- National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
- National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: National Career Service (NCS) is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, not the Department of Personnel and Training. It is implemented through the Directorate General of Employment & Training under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: NCS has been launched in Mission Mode, but it aims to improve employment opportunities for all citizens, not specifically for uneducated youth. The platform provides career-related services including job matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, information on skill development courses, apprenticeships, and internships to jobseekers across all education levels. It connects jobseekers with employers and training providers through a single digital platform.
What is the aim of the programme ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) is a flagship programme launched by the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD) to enable higher educational institutions (HEIs) to work with rural communities.
The core objective is to identify local development challenges and devise appropriate, sustainable solutions using academic expertise and technology.
Under this programme, participating institutions adopt clusters of villages and engage in activities related to infrastructure development, livelihood enhancement, health, education, and skill development.
This creates a symbiotic relationship where academic institutions contribute to rural transformation while gaining practical insights for research and pedagogy. The programme emphasizes participatory rural development, leveraging institutional knowledge for inclusive growth.