Solution of the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012 – GS Paper 1

May 21, 2012 June 20, 2019

31. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes
[A]Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
[B]Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
[C]Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
[D]Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context

Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
Among Buddhist symbols, Gautama Budhha used the Bhumisparsha gesture to summon the earth goddess, Sthavara , as witness to his attainment of Buddhahood. This gesture signifies the state of enlightment after meditating under the bodhi tree for four weeks and withstanding all the temptations put before him by Mara, the god of evil. Please note the language of the statements a and b given in this question. statement a says that Buddha calls Sthavara to prevent Mara from disturbing is meditation. This is incorrect. The correct answer of this question is B.


32. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of:
[A]Bhakti
[B]Image Worship and Yajnas
[C]Worship of Nature and Yajnas
[D]Worship of Nature and Bhakti

Worship of Nature and Yajnas


33. Which of the following statements is / are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj?
1. It opposed idolatry.
2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts.
3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible
Select the correct answer:
[A]1 Only
[B]1 & 2 Only
[C]3 Only
[D]1,2, & 3

1 & 2 Only
The third statement in this question would need your attention. The doctrine of infallibility of vedas, was not popularized by Brahmo Samaj. If you read about this in history books, you find that , though the Brahmo samaj originated as a reformist movement on the ancient foundations of Vedic religion, yet there infallibility of vedas was questioned by many of its members. Not only Devendranath Tagore was doubtful about the vedas infallibility but also he selected some portions of ‘Upanishada” and published them as Brahmo Dharma. Then, the “seed principles’ of Brahmonism was also propounded. What I want to say is that the third statement is incorrect. So the correct answer of this question is 1 & 2.


34. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a bankers’ bank. This would imply which of the following?
1. Other banks retain their deposits with the RBI.
2. The RBI lends funds to the commercial banks in times of need.
3. The RBI advises the commercial banks on monetary matters.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
[A]2 & 3 Only
[B]1 & 2 Only
[C]1 & 3 Only
[D]1, 2 & 3

1 & 2 Only
The third statement also seems to be correct but the statement is ambiguous.


35. Under which of the following circumstances may ‘capital gains’ arise?
1. When there is an increase in the sales of a product
2. When there is a natural increase in the value of the property owned
3. When you purchase a painting and there is a growth in its value due to increase in its popularity
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 Only
[B]2 & 3 Only
[C]2 Only
[D]1,2 & 3 Only

2 & 3 Only
One of the easiest question. Please note that increase in the value of collectibles such as stamps, paintings, coins,precious metals,precious gems, rare rugs, antiques, alcoholic beverages, and fine art also come under the capital gains. Correct answer is 2 & 3 Only.


36. Which of the following measures would result in an increase in the money supply in the economy?
1. Purchase of government securities from the public by the Central Bank
2. Deposit of currency in the commercial banks by the public
3. Borrowing by the government from the Central Bank
4. Sale of government securities to the public by the Central Bank
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
[A]1 Only
[B]2 & 4 Only
[C]1 & 3
[D]2, 3 & 4

1 & 3
Please note that any money that flows out of RBI leads to increase in the money supply. When the RBI purchases government securities from Public, the money flows out of RBI, this will increase the money supply. So statement 1 is correct. When currency is deposited by public in commercial banks, its mere transfer of money from public to commercial banks. the net effect on the money supply is nil.So statement 2 is incorrect. When the Government borrows from RBI, the money again flows out of RBI. To fulfil the demand of the Government, RBI will print new money and this leads to increase in the money supply thus statement 3 is also correct.


37. Which of the following would include Foreign Direct Investment in India?
1. Subsidiaries of foreign companies in India
2. Majority foreign equity holding in Indian companies
3. Companies exclusively financed by foreign companies
4. Portfolio investment
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1,2, 3 & 4
[B]2 & 4 Only
[C]1 & 3 Only
[D]1,2 & 3 Only

1,2 & 3 Only
Direct Investments and Portfolio investment are basic terms. Suppose I have Rs. 100 with me. I need to invest it somewhere. If, I buy a land in Rs. 70, build a factory in Rs. 15, get human resources in Rs. 10 and keep Rs. 5 for my operations, it will be my Direct Investment. If I invest it in a company in which by investing Rs. 100 I can get some control in management or take part in its operations, then also it will be my Direct Investment. However, if I think that why to take so much of headache, and I just want to make money by investing on its “listed” securities, make money when price of securities go up and exit, it will be “portfolio” investment. Now prefix Foreign with these two terms and u know what is difference between FDI and FPI. In this question, options 1, 2 & 3 are correct.


38. Consider the following statements:
The price of any currency in international market is decided by the
1. World Bank
2. Demand for provided by concerned goods/services the country
3. Stability of the government of the concerned country
4. Economic potential of the country in question
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A]1, 2, 3 & 4
[B]2 & 3 Only
[C]3 & 4 Only
[D]1 & 4 Only

2 & 3 Only


39. The basic aim of Lead Bank Scheme is that:
[A]big banks should try to open offices in each district
[B]there should be stiff competition among the various nationalized banks
[C]individual banks should adopt particular districts for intensive development
[D]all the banks should make intensive efforts to mobilize deposits

individual banks should adopt particular districts for intensive development
Under the Scheme, each district had been assigned to different banks (public and private) to act as a consortium leader to coordinate the efforts of banks in the district particularly in matters like branch expansion and credit planning. The Lead Bank was to act as a consortium leader for coordinating the efforts of all credit institutions in each of the allotted districts for expansion of branch banking facilities and for meeting the credit needs of the rural economy.Lead bank Scheme


40. Consider the following :
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies
Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
[A]1 Only
[B]1 & 2
[C]2 & 3
[D]None

None
Raja Todarmal had introduced the assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops, as Akbar’s able minister. Akbar’s grandfather Babur had already done conquest Delhi through his brilliant use of mobile light canon, centuries before British. The third statement is also incorrect. Correct answer is none

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52 Comments

  1. jace

    May 21, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    sir, cut off- is it is combined or for Paper I only?

    • GKToday

      May 21, 2012 at 9:46 pm

      @ jace,

      Cut off is combined, there is no individual cut off.

  2. prash

    May 21, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    sir, i am a great fan of gktoday.. thank u very much for ur efforts to make information transparent, free and authentic..
    i had a doubt regarding cut off.. 168-170 is a combined cut-off of paper I and II or GS alone..
    it cant b so less for combined or so much for GS alone.. ppl , including me, think that it might go somewhere between 200-210..
    plz clarify the same..
    thank u sir..

  3. ravi

    May 21, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    for qn 6.in case of cnstinal amendmt bill both houses have equal authority

  4. Sai Akhilesh

    May 21, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Q.No. 64

    Single window policy is introduced prior to this policy. It is not anew initiative.

    http://india.gov.in/allimpfrms/alldocs/16395.pdf

  5. Avishek

    May 21, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    For Q13 – BT Brinjal one ..statement 1 is incorrect as the gene used is not that of soil fungus but of soil bacteria :) ….as there is no option containing 2 3 4 ….so ans has to be 3 and 4 only.

  6. ravikvarma

    May 21, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    score ranging from 215 to 230…according to gktoday key..it is 217…is it in a comfortable margin?

  7. Avishek

    May 21, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    For Q71 – Seabuckthorn — its also used as biodiesel..though its use as of now is limited, but then it has great potential. Searching in google for Seabuckthorn as biodiesel……reveals many websites that says about it …so correct option should be D – all 1,2,3,4 . Seabuckthorn timber also has great value . Source : google :)

  8. thiyam surjakumar singh

    May 21, 2012 at 11:51 pm

    im greatly delighted with your work sir
    thank you for your great work
    thanks………..

  9. Vikas

    May 21, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Thank you Sir..most accurate

  10. Kamal

    May 21, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Hi,
    Thanks a ton for the keys.!!

    The cutoff 168-170 you are expecting is the combined marks of paper 1 & 2 right?

  11. sukumaran

    May 22, 2012 at 12:00 am

    in q 13 bt brinjal gene from bacterium

  12. Tigin kalistus

    May 22, 2012 at 12:08 am

    Is the ‘cutoff marks’as predicted here is for ‘Paper-1’ or combined? I presume it is for combined but then cannot fathom out the criteria adopted in arriving at such a low cuttoff, if it is so.

  13. anwer

    May 22, 2012 at 12:58 am

    the cutoff is for 1st paper only and for both paper combined.please clarify

  14. Gayathri

    May 22, 2012 at 1:20 am

    Sir,

    I would like to know if the cut off mentioned above(165-170) is the sum of both the papers. And also is there any separate cut off marks for each paper?

    Please do reply.
    Thanks.

  15. Johnny Prince

    May 22, 2012 at 1:24 am

    Having doubt in the 86th Qn.. The Snow Leopard does exist naturally in the mountain ranges of Kashmir, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.. Kindly correct me if I’m wrong.

  16. mynk.ngm

    May 22, 2012 at 1:42 am

    sirji this cut off is for GS1 and 2 combined right.. else im afraid only the paper setters and few others will make it..

  17. saurabh

    May 22, 2012 at 9:11 am

    In question 13, gene from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is used and not soil fungus. Option A seems to be incorrect.

  18. viswanadhas

    May 22, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Hi , is 170 an individual cutoff or combined ? If combined is there are min cut off on each paper. Plz advice. Thx

  19. killer

    May 22, 2012 at 10:08 am

    in gram sabha question they substituted ‘minor minerals ‘ with ‘any minerals’….itna specific …

  20. amit13226

    May 22, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Sir,
    As per ministry report,
    Coastal wetland area is smaller than inland.please confirm which data is to be followed.

  21. saurabh

    May 22, 2012 at 11:24 am

    In Q.57, NBFCs provide microfinance which promotes inclusive growth. Statement 1 seems to be correct too.

  22. saurabh

    May 22, 2012 at 11:54 am

    Q. 28, 1 & 3 both are correct. Since air is more dense close to the earh it can hold more heat than upper altitudes where air is thinner.

  23. Amit kumar

    May 22, 2012 at 11:57 am

    qn:-95….I think DPSP also contain

    art 44:-uniform civil code for the citizens
    then what should be the answer of qn. 95.

  24. Avishek

    May 22, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    There r many articles which have written about possible effects on biodiversity of Bt brinjal…and the langauge of statement 4 – there is SOME concern that bt brinjal MAY have adverse—– ….so statement 4 cannot be rules out . About the report of expert committee, yes they have said it, but there r numerous other reports, most recently buy greenpeace which says about adverse effects on biodiversity. Statement 2 ..about TERMINATOR SEEDS ..is not fully correct ..check this link please – http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/article317940.ece

  25. hemant

    May 22, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    can u plz tell me, wht would be the cutt of list for ias pre and csat

  26. Jitendra Gupta

    May 22, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    Hi Sir,

    Thanks for your excellent support to the aspirants.

    One favor I would like to ask. In the view of this year’s pattern of GS Paper-I, It needs a very good understanding of the topics for the best guess. If you could provide section-wise quiz like dividing Modern History in periods, or dividing Geography of India in Physical Geo, Human Geo, Climatology & atmospheric variations etc., it will help us in concentrating on the very topic and a better assessment of the preparation.

    Regards,
    Jitendra

  27. Adnan

    May 22, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    thank you very much sir. please make pdf available within a single link instead of 10

  28. Nanda

    May 22, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    Kudoos gktoday for answering all then questions with explanations . & waiting for the pdf to d/w ..

  29. dharmesh

    May 23, 2012 at 7:31 am

    how can someone read so many standard UPSC csat exam questions at one go directly from internet, it can only be worth yo read if there be a pdf version provided of question with answer to read them later nor from internet directly and can be print if required. providing so many questions to read from net is not yet worthy when exams are still offline and internet not have that much reach you must provide pdf version of questions with answers

  30. sundaravathanan

    May 23, 2012 at 10:54 am

    checking your key was like discussing question paper with a friend :) thanks a lot!!

  31. Sidharth

    May 23, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Will there be individual cur-off for each paper? If yes, what will be the cut-off for paper 1 and also for Paper 2

  32. neeraj

    May 24, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    sir i think i will get 149 marks in aptitude but in gk i think it is not more than 35
    what should i do
    pls help me

  33. Anurag

    May 24, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Will GKtoday upload the solutions for CSAT too…… Please do it as your answers are the most authentic ones…..Anxiously waiting fr the CSAT solutions, do post soon ….and many many thanks for the informative solutions of GS Section. Thank You..

  34. nishant

    May 26, 2012 at 2:24 am

    Dear Admin
    I am very much thankful for giving such a beautiful insights to clear our confusion..As for me now I see that I get 60 marks in paper-1 and I think I will get 150 in 2nd paper.which makes it 210..Do I have chance and should I start preparing? Is it true that UPSC has separate cut-off for both papers..PLZ let me know if any …

  35. Mukesh kumar ray

    May 26, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    Sir, my series is (c) prelims 2012 plz send me solved question..

  36. viptip

    May 27, 2012 at 9:38 am

    BT seads are terminator

    http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article3427.html

  37. samm

    May 27, 2012 at 10:41 am

    hey bro
    i think u will be selected
    as ur total is approx 184
    and i knew a person who got same marks in previous year and got selected
    and this would be happen same in this year
    so start prepare for mains
    wish u all the best

  38. shobhit777

    May 29, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Thanks for the great job…..are sure of the answers you provided for Sufi, Lead Poisoning and RBI question. Most of the other keys are showing different answers. Pls Reply….

  39. Hgiue_980

    May 30, 2012 at 9:57 am

    Question 57: Could you please clarify why permitting NBFC to do banking is not an Inclusive Governance? Thanks

  40. Hgiue_980

    May 30, 2012 at 10:01 am

    Question 65: The option 2 states, withdrawal of money ONLY after the Appropriation Bill is passed. What about the VOTE ON ACCOUNT, which allows to withdraw even before the Appropriation Bill is passed? Please clarify. Thanks

  41. Hgiue_980

    May 30, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Question 95: Why Article 44 is not included in the answer? Thanks

  42. dileep

    May 31, 2012 at 1:05 am

    Sir,

    (Reg: Question No: 28)

    Could you please elaborate why you rejected 3rd statement? Many articles on internet have given that 3rd statement is also correct. Would be grateful if you could provide further support to your answer.

  43. sandy123

    June 7, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    A piece of info….. this year more than 5.50 lacs candidates registered for CSP….dunno how many actually appeared….talked to UPSC today…..last year this was 4.7 lacs….so wats the take on cutoff ?

  44. vats

    June 16, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    Sir,
    why is banking by nbfc not included in inclusive governance?isnt the recent recommendations by the Y.H Malegam committee, a reference in this regard, as the NBFC -MFI is thought to provide financial inclusion?

  45. kesari.meena00

    July 12, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    SIR

    I AM A ST GUY AND I AM GETTING 171 MARKS IN IAS PRE.
    PAPER-1 46
    PAPER-2 125
    WHAT ARE MY CHANCE FOR MAINS AND WHAT WAS THE CUTOFF OF LAST YEAR.

    THANKS

  46. samm

    August 18, 2012 at 9:13 am

    how can we find our marks in this paper
    can we send rti for it…..

  47. DEBOJYOTI ROY

    January 6, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Sir,i would like to get prelis 2nd paper questions.Is there any seat conservation for s/c?

  48. aman

    January 26, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    why pdf download is not available?
    pls provide

  49. sushma Pandey

    March 20, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    sir, i am preparing for panchayat secretary ,which will
    be held within next week.Kindly send some very
    important & detailed article under our constitution for
    panchayat & Rural development.Kindly send and guide me
    soon .

    with regards,

  50. rashi

    April 26, 2013 at 8:50 am

    sir did u provide notes for entire gs pre and mains both if yes how can i get it i am preparing for upsc 2014 give me ur num so tht if any query i can talk to u

  51. sk

    August 13, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Its very helpful to go through specially for me where I can continue even in my work free time. Thanks a lot.

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