UPSC PRELIMS · 2023

UPSC Prelims 2023: sample questions with answers

2023 was heavy on science applications and mapping-style geography. Five representative questions:

Q1PYQ 2023Economy

In the context of finance, the term 'beta' refers to:

Choose an answer to see the explanation.

Answer: A numeric value that measures the fluctuations of a stock to changes in the overall stock market. Beta measures a stock's volatility relative to the market. Finance-vocabulary questions have become a fixture of recent papers.

Q2PYQ 2023Science & Tech

'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

Choose an answer to see the explanation.

Answer: Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes. Wolbachia bacteria introduced into Aedes mosquitoes suppress dengue transmission — trialled in several countries and covered widely in science pages.

Q3PYQ 2023Geography

Consider the following statements:

1The Jhelum river passes through Wular Lake.
2The Krishna river directly feeds Kolleru Lake.
3The meandering of the Gandak river formed Kanwar Lake.

Choose an answer to see the explanation.

Answer: 1 only. Wular is a flow-through lake on the Jhelum (true). Kolleru sits between the Krishna and Godavari deltas but is fed by local streams, not the Krishna directly. Kanwar Taal is an oxbow of the Budhi Gandak, not the Gandak.

Q4PYQ 2023Economy

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

Choose an answer to see the explanation.

Answer: Labour Bureau. The Labour Bureau (Ministry of Labour) compiles industrial-dispute statistics. 'Which body compiles X' questions reward knowing one line of each institution's mandate.

Q5PYQ 2023Science & Tech

'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?

Choose an answer to see the explanation.

Answer: Collecting DNA samples from the air in a habitat at one go. Environmental DNA can now be sampled directly from air to survey biodiversity — 'best refers' again rewards the precise definition.

Want the complete 2023 paper as a PDF, not just these five questions? Download GS Paper I (2023) direct from upsc.gov.in →

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100 questions, 120 minutes, negative marking — exactly like exam day, with explanations after.

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