UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Replicating past strategies

Q1. With reference to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, consider the following statements about its provisions: 1. Hyderabad was to serve as the common capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for ten years. 2. The central government was to constitute an expert committee to recommend a new capital for the successor Andhra Pradesh. 3. The High Court at Hyderabad was to function as the common High Court for both successor states initially. 4. The Act itself named Amaravati as the capital of the successor Andhra Pradesh. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Hyderabad was to serve as the common capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for ten years.
  2. The central government was to constitute an expert committee to recommend a new capital for the successor Andhra Pradesh.
  3. The High Court at Hyderabad was to function as the common High Court for both successor states initially.
  4. The Act itself named Amaravati as the capital of the successor Andhra Pradesh.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 with its 2026 Amendment: 1. The 2014 Act provided Hyderabad as the common capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for ten years. 2. The 2026 Amendment designates Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital by amending Section 5 of the 2014 Act. 3. The 2026 Amendment grants retrospective recognition to Amaravati as capital from 2 June 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2014 Act provided Hyderabad as the common capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for ten years.
  2. The 2026 Amendment designates Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital by amending Section 5 of the 2014 Act.
  3. The 2026 Amendment grants retrospective recognition to Amaravati as capital from 2 June 2019.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The concept of a 'special category state' in India was first introduced in 1969 on the recommendation of which one of the following?

  • A. Fifth Finance Commission
  • B. National Development Council under the Gadgil formula
  • C. Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State Relations
  • D. Third Finance Commission

Q4. Which one of the following most accurately describes the role of the Finance Commission with respect to Special Category States?

  • A. It does not distinguish between special and non-special category states when devolving taxes and grants.
  • B. It confers Special Category Status on states applying the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula.
  • C. It recommends to the President which states should be granted Special Category Status.
  • D. It earmarks 90% central grant assistance for Special Category States in its award.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the three-capital model proposed for Andhra Pradesh under the Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020: 1. Visakhapatnam was to be the executive capital. 2. Kurnool was to be the judicial capital. 3. Amaravati was to be the executive capital. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Visakhapatnam was to be the executive capital.
  2. Kurnool was to be the judicial capital.
  3. Amaravati was to be the executive capital.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Under the YSRCP government's three-capital plan for Andhra Pradesh, consider the following city-role pairings: 1. Visakhapatnam — executive capital 2. Amaravati — legislative capital 3. Kurnool — judicial capital 4. Tirupati — administrative capital Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Visakhapatnam — executive capital
  2. Amaravati — legislative capital
  3. Kurnool — judicial capital
  4. Tirupati — administrative capital
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. Under the special development package for the backward regions of Andhra Pradesh envisaged with the Reorganisation Act, the highest rate of additional depreciation allowed on new plant and machinery in the eligible backward districts was:

  • A. 10 per cent
  • B. 15 per cent
  • C. 20 per cent
  • D. 25 per cent

Q8. With reference to the seven backward districts of Andhra Pradesh eligible for the special development package's tax incentives, consider the following: 1. Anantapur 2. Kurnool 3. Srikakulam 4. Guntur Which of the above is/are correctly identified as eligible backward districts?

  1. Anantapur
  2. Kurnool
  3. Srikakulam
  4. Guntur
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. Consider the following pairings of new states created in the year 2000 with their parent states: 1. Chhattisgarh — Madhya Pradesh 2. Uttarakhand — Uttar Pradesh 3. Jharkhand — Bihar 4. Telangana — Andhra Pradesh Which of the above is/are correctly identified as states created in the year 2000?

  1. Chhattisgarh — Madhya Pradesh
  2. Uttarakhand — Uttar Pradesh
  3. Jharkhand — Bihar
  4. Telangana — Andhra Pradesh
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. How many new States were carved out of existing States in the year 2000?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q11. Following the 2024 general elections in which the NDA alliance won Andhra Pradesh, who assumed office as the Chief Minister of the state?

  • A. N. Chandrababu Naidu
  • B. Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
  • C. Pawan Kalyan
  • D. Nara Lokesh

Q12. Consider the following statements about the procedure for reorganisation of states under Article 3 of the Constitution: 1. A reorganisation Bill can be introduced in Parliament only on the prior recommendation of the President. 2. Such a Bill must be passed by both Houses by a special majority as required under Article 368. 3. The views of the affected state legislature are advisory and not binding on Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A reorganisation Bill can be introduced in Parliament only on the prior recommendation of the President.
  2. Such a Bill must be passed by both Houses by a special majority as required under Article 368.
  3. The views of the affected state legislature are advisory and not binding on Parliament.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3