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UPSC CAPF Previous Year GK Questions

Previous-year questions are the most reliable guide to UPSC CAPF, because the notice lists six broad areas for Paper-I but does not say how many questions each will carry. Solving the papers of recent years shows the balance between current events and static GK, the level of detail UPSC expects in polity, history, geography, economy and science, and how often questions touch security, defence and human rights, areas the syllabus names in both papers. The Commission puts up the question papers of each exam on its website; the 2026 papers of General Ability and Intelligence and of General Studies, Essay and Comprehension went up on 20 July 2026, the day after the exam. This page is where GK24 collects UPSC CAPF previous-year questions of Paper-I, in English and Hindi, each with the correct answer, an explanation and the topic it belongs to, so that one question leads you to the GK note that covers it. Use them in three rounds: first untimed to learn the pattern, then timed to build speed under negative marking, and finally as a revision of the questions you got wrong. For Paper-II, read the past essay, argument and report topics. They show the kind of issues UPSC sets, such as security, governance, technology and society, and make a good list to practise writing on.

Previous Year Questions

Q121.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IEasy

Which of the following is/are the basic step(s) in genetically modifying an organism? 1. Identification of DNA with desirable genes 2. Introduction of the identified DNA into the host 3. Maintenance of introduced DNA in the host and transfer of the DNA to its progeny Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 3
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1, 2 and 3

Making a genetically modified organism needs all three steps: find the useful DNA, put it into the host, and make sure the host keeps it and passes it on.

Q122.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IEasy

In which one of the following regions of the Earth is the ozone hole prominently observed in the stratosphere?

  1. A.Equatorial region
  2. B.Arctic region
  3. C.Antarctic region
  4. D.Tropical region
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Antarctic region

The ozone hole, a sharp seasonal thinning of stratospheric ozone, forms every southern spring over Antarctica. During the long polar winter a strong circular wind, the polar vortex, isolates the air over Antarctica, and temperatures fall low enough to form polar stratospheric clouds.

Q123.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IMedium

Which of the following statements about eutrophication is/are correct? 1. Eutrophication takes place in young lakes when the water is cold and clear. 2. Eutrophication is caused by nutrient enrichment in water bodies. Select the answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 only

Eutrophication is the enrichment of a water body with nutrients, so statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 describes the opposite condition.

Q124.GeographyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IMedium

Doldrum are

1. equatorial calms

2. calm and light winds

3. roaring forties

4. variable both in position and in extent

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1, 2 and 4
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3
  4. D.2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1, 2 and 4

The doldrums are the equatorial belt of calm and light, variable winds, and the belt shifts with the seasons; they have nothing to do with the roaring forties.

Q127.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2024, Paper IHard

Consider the following statements:

1. Burden of a tax on a commodity is independent of who (buyer or seller) it is explicitly imposed upon

2. Burden of a tax on a commodity depends on the slope of the demand and supply curves

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2

Who finally bears a tax (its incidence) is decided by the market, through the elasticities of demand and supply, not by the law that says who must pay it.

Q129.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements about genetic engineering:

1. The technique of genetic engineering involves creation of recombinant DNA, use of gene cloning and gene transfer.

2. Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific locations.

3. Restriction enzymes split the entire double-stranded DNA into two strands.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.1 and 2
  3. C.1 and 3
  4. D.2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1 and 2

Genetic engineering uses recombinant DNA, cloning and gene transfer, and restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sites; but they do not unzip DNA into two strands, so statement 3 is wrong.

Q131.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IHard

Which one of the following groups belongs to the same school of thought?

  1. A.J. J. Rousseau, M. Robespierre, N. Bonaparte, O. Cromwell
  2. B.T. Jefferson, J. Madison, G. Washington, Abraham Lincoln
  3. C.F. Engels, K. Marx, M. Bakunin, J. S. Mill
  4. D.Georgi Plekhanov, Vera Zasulich, Alexandra Kollontai, V. I. Lenin
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Georgi Plekhanov, Vera Zasulich, Alexandra Kollontai, V. I. Lenin

All four were Russian Marxists, so they belong to one school of thought. Plekhanov is called the father of Russian Marxism; in 1883 he founded the Emancipation of Labour group in Geneva with Vera Zasulich, who had begun as a populist revolutionary.

Q133.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2025, Paper IEasy

Cholesterol is a type of

  1. A.carbohydrate
  2. B.protein
  3. C.lipid
  4. D.nucleic acid
Show answer
Correct answer: C. lipid

Cholesterol is a sterol, a kind of lipid (fat-like substance) that does not dissolve in water. Cholesterol is made mainly in the liver and also comes from animal foods such as eggs, meat and butter; plants do not contain it.

Q134.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements regarding biodiversity conservation:

1. In situ conservation refers to conservation of species in their natural habitats.

2. Nature reserves are areas specifically designed for wildlife conservation.

3. Captive breeding of animals is an in situ conservation measure.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.1 and 2
  3. C.3 only
  4. D.2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1 and 2

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, but captive breeding is an ex situ measure, so statement 3 is wrong. In situ conservation protects plants and animals where they naturally live, along with their whole ecosystem.

Q135.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IMedium

Which of the following are the necessary conditions for the growth of coral reefs?

1. Photic conditions

2. Clean and sediment free water

3. Sea salinity of 6%

4. Tropical sea water with temperature of 20°C to 21°C

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1, 2 and 4 only
  2. B.2 and 4 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only

Corals need sunlit, clean, warm tropical water, but a salinity of 6% is far too high for them, so statement 3 is wrong.

Q136.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IMedium

On which one of the following conditions, did the Marathas agree to serve the Mughal king with a cavalry contingent of 15,000 in the early 18th century?

  1. A.Grant of the jagir of Malwa province
  2. B.Control of the resources of Gujarat
  3. C.The right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India
  4. D.The right to mint coins in their own name
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India

This was the heart of the 1719 agreement between Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath and the Mughal court. In 1718 Balaji Vishwanath, the first great Peshwa of Shahu, made a deal with the Sayyid brothers, the king-makers at Delhi.

Q137.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2023, Paper IHard

Which of the following is/are not correct about the Mother's Absolute Affection Programme?

1. Allows all pregnant women to absolutely free and no-expense delivery in public health institutions.

2. Provides assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care.

3. Promotes undiluted focus on breastfeeding.

4. Provides medical and nutritional care to severely acute malnourished children.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1, 2 and 3 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1, 2 and 4 only
  4. D.3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1, 2 and 4 only

The MAA (Mothers' Absolute Affection) programme is only about breastfeeding, so statement 3 is the one correct statement and 1, 2 and 4 are not.

Q139.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) talks about protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation and stopping biodiversity loss?

  1. A.SDG 5
  2. B.SDG 13
  3. C.SDG 15
  4. D.SDG 16
Show answer
Correct answer: C. SDG 15

SDG 15, "Life on Land", covers terrestrial ecosystems, forests, desertification, land degradation and biodiversity loss. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda, replacing the eight Millennium Development Goals.

Q140.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following statements about land tenure system is NOT correct?

  1. A.During the British rule in India three categories of land tenure system, viz. Zamindari, Mahalwari and Ryotwari were introduced
  2. B.Under Zamindari system, land was held by one person or at the most by a few joint owners who were responsible for the payment of land revenue
  3. C.Under the Mahalwari system, the agricultural lands belonged to the Government
  4. D.Under Ryotwari system, the individual holders had the permanent rights over land and were directly responsible for payment of land revenue
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Under the Mahalwari system, the agricultural lands belonged to the Government

Under the Mahalwari system the land belonged to the village community (the mahal), which was jointly responsible for the revenue; it did not belong to the Government.

All UPSC previous year questions