Access a comprehensive collection of UPSC Prelims topic-wise questions focused on General Knowledge, specifically highlighting Eminent Personalities. Delve into the lives, contributions, and significance of notable figures across various fields, including politics, literature, science, and more. These meticulously curated questions offer a deeper understanding of influential individuals who have shaped history and society. Whether you’re aspiring for the Civil Services or aiming to broaden your knowledge horizon, this resource provides invaluable insights into the lives and legacies of eminent personalities. Strengthen your grasp on historical and contemporary figures, enhancing your analytical skills and critical thinking abilities. Prepare effectively for the UPSC Prelims by immersing yourself in the narratives and achievements of iconic personalities, gaining a holistic perspective on their impact on India and the world.
Q1. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. (2001)
| List I (Persons) | List II (Distinguished as) |
| A. Santosh Yadav | 1. TV host |
| B. Oprah Winfrey | 2. Journalist |
| C. Oscar Wilde | 3. Mountaineer |
| D. P Sainath | 4. Dramatist and author |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 3 14 2
(b) 1 3 2 4
(c) 3 1 2 4
(d) 1 3 4 2
Ans. (a)
The correct matching is A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2.
Santosh Yadav is renowned as the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice. She achieved this feat first in 1992 and then again in 1993.
Oprah Winfrey is celebrated as one of the most famous TV hosts. She is best known for her iconic talk show, the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Oscar Wilde was an English playwright and author.
P. Sainath is an Indian journalist recognized for his impactful reporting on rural India, poverty, structural inequalities, and caste discrimination. He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007 for his contributions.
Q2. Match List I (Book) with List II (Author) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. (2002)
| List I (Book) | List II (Author) |
| A. Autobiography of an Unknown Indian | 1. Mulk Raj Anand |
| B. India: A Wounded Civilisation | 2. Nirad C Chaudhari |
| C. Confessions of a Lover | 3. RK Narayan |
| D. The English Teacher | 4. VS Naipaul |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 1 3 2 4
(b) 2 4 1 3
(c) 1 4 2 3
(d) 2 3 1 4
Ans. (b)
The correct matching is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3.
“Nour Autobiography of an Unknown Indian” is written by Nirad C. Chaudhuri. The book delves into his mental and intellectual development, as well as his life and growth in Calcutta.
“India: A Wounded Civilization” is authored by V.S. Naipaul. It is the second book in his ‘India’ trilogy, encompassing Naipaul’s self-evaluation and introspection of his views on India, including poverty, suffering, history, religion, and social structure.
“Confessions of a Lover” is penned by Mulk Raj Anand. He wrote it at the request of Irene, the beautiful daughter of a scientific philosopher whom he had met soon after arriving in England.
“The English Teacher” is written by R.K. Narayan. It portrays a vivid picture of a small fictional South Indian town called Malgudi.
Q3. Match the official with respective organisation. (2003)
| List I (High Official) | List II (Organisations) |
| A. CP Jain | 1. Indian Airlines |
| B. S Ramadorai | 2. NTPC |
| C. Sunil Arora | 3. TCS |
| D. Vivek Paul | 4. Wipro Technologies |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 4 1 3 2
(b) 4 3 1 2
(c) 2 3 1 4
(d) 2 1 3 4
Ans. (c)
The correct matching is A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4.
CP Jain served as the Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC.
S Ramadorai was the CEO and MD of Tata Consultancy Services from 1996 to 2009.
Sunil Arora was the Chairperson and Managing Director of Indian Airlines.
Vivek Paul served as the CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wipro Limited.
Q4. Match the following. (2004)
| List I (Book) | List II (Author) |
| A. My Presidential Years | 1. S Radhakrishnan |
| B. The Hindu View of Life | 2. VV Giri |
| C. Voice of Conscience | 3. N Sanjiva Reddy |
| D. Without Fear or Favour | 4. R Venkataraman |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 2 1 4 3
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 2 3 4 1
(d) 4 1 2 3
Ans. (d)
The correct matching is A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3.
“My Presidential Years” was authored by Ramaswamy Venkataraman, and it serves as a biography of the former president of India, Pranab Mukherjee, who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017.
“The Hindu View of Life” was written by S. Radhakrishnan, who served as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967 and as the first Vice-President of India from 1952 to 1962.
“Voice of Conscience” was penned by V.V. Giri, who served as the fourth President of India from August 24, 1969, to August 24, 1974, and as the third Vice-President of India from May 13, 1967, to May 3, 1969. He was the only president to be elected as an independent candidate and was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1975.
“Without Fear or Favour” is written by N. Sanjiva Reddy, who served as the sixth President of India from 1977 to 1982. He also became the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Q5. Match List I (Indian Scientist/Scholar) with List II (Area of Work) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. (2005)
| List I (Indian Scientist/ Scholar) | List II (Area of Work) |
| A. CNR Rao | 1. Telecommunication |
| B. Jagdish Bhagwati | 2. Physics |
| C. GN Ramachandran | 3. Economics |
| D. Ashok Jhunjhunwala | 4. Solid State Chemistry and Material Science |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 2 1 4 3
(c) 4 1 2 3
(d) 2 3 4 1
Ans. (a)
The correct matching is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.
Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao is an Indian chemist who has primarily worked in solid-state chemistry and materials science. On November 16, 2013, he was chosen for the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, making him the third scientist after C.V. Raman and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to receive this honor.
Jagdish Natwarlal Bhagwati is an Indian-born American economist and law professor at Columbia University. Bhagwati’s research encompasses international trade and he is an advocate of free trade.
G.N. Ramachandran, born on October 8, 1922, was an Indian physicist known for his contributions to understanding peptide structure. He was the first to propose a triple-helical model for the structure of collagen.
Ashok Jhunjhunwala is an Indian academic who has made significant contributions to technology innovation and adoption in the Indian context.
Q6. Which one of the following is not correctly matched? (2005)
| Prominent Indian Writers | Languages | |
| (a) Raja Rao | – | Telugu |
| (b) Gobind Trimbuk Deshpande | – | Marathi |
| (c) Subramania Bharati | – | Tamil |
| (d) Tara Shankar Joshi | – | Gujarati |
Ans. (a)
Pair (a) is inaccurately matched since Raja Rao is known for his contributions to English literature through novels and short stories. His notable work “The Serpent and the Rope” (1960), a semi-autobiographical novel exploring a quest for spiritual enlightenment across Europe and India, solidified his reputation as one of India’s premier prose writers. This literary achievement earned him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1964.
Q7. How is Gabriel Garcia Marquez well known as? (2007)
(a) Known for research in agriculture
(b) A renowned football coach
(c) A great writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature
(d) Known for research in railway engineering
Ans. (c)
Renowned writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, is celebrated for his literary prowess. Born on March 6th, 1928, in Aracataca, Magdalena, Colombia, he is widely known by the affectionate nickname “Gabo”. Aside from being a novelist, he excels as a journalist, publisher, and political activist.
Garcia Marquez’s magnum opus, “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, stands as a testament to his narrative genius. Additionally, works such as “In Evil Hour”, “Memories of My Melancholy Whores”, and “The General in His Labyrinth” showcase the depth and breadth of his literary repertoire.
Q8. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists. (2007)
| List I (Eminent Persons) | List II (Known as) |
| A. Bhanu Bharti | 1. Music composer |
| B. Mike Pandey | 2. Poet and literature |
| C. Mohammad Zahur Khayyam | 3. Theatre director |
| D. Vinda Karandikar | 4. Wildlife film maker |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 1 4 3 2
(b) 3 2 1 4
(c) 1 2 3 4
(d) 3 4 1 2
Ans. (d)
The correct matching is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2.
Bhanu Bharti, a prominent figure in Indian theater, serves as both a director and playwright. He is the visionary behind the esteemed Aaj Rangmandal theatre group. Bharti is renowned for his innovative collaborations with tribal and folk performers, particularly those rooted in the ancient rituals of the Bhil tribe from the Mewar region of Rajasthan. His notable works include “Chandrama Singh urf Chamku Das”, “Yamgatha”, and “Aks-Tamasha”.
Mike H. Pandey, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, specializes in creating compelling documentaries focused on wildlife and environmental conservation. His dedication to raising awareness about biodiversity and species preservation has earned him over 300 prestigious awards.
Khayyam, born Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi, is celebrated as an Indian music director of immense talent. His mastery in composing music earned him three Filmfare Awards for Best Music, notably in 1977 for “Kabhi Kabhi” and in 1982 for “Umrao Jaan”. In 2010, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Additionally, he received the 2007 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Creative Music, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the field.
Vinda Karandikar, a luminary in Indian literature, excelled as a poet, writer, and literary critic. Renowned for his contributions to Marathi literature, he was also a proficient translator. Karandikar was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his remarkable literary achievements.
Q9. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. (2007)
| List I (Writers) | List II (Books) |
| A. VS Naipaul | 1. The Siege of Krishnapur |
| B. Salman Rushdie | 2. In a Free State |
| C. Paul Scott | 3. Midnight’s Children |
| D. JG Farrell | 4. Staying On |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 2 3 4 1
(b) 4 1 2 3
(c) 2 1 4 3
(d) 4 3 2 1
Ans. (a)
The correct matching is A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1.
“In a Free State” is a novel penned by V.S. Naipaul, who was honored with the Booker Prize in 1971. The narrative structure comprises a framing story and three short stories: “One out of Many,” “Tell Me Who to Kill,” and the titular tale, “In a Free State.”
“Midnight’s Children,” authored by Salman Rushdie, offers a portrayal of India’s journey from British colonialism to independence and the subsequent partition. Recognized as a quintessential example of postcolonial, postmodern, and magical realist literature, it clinched both the Booker Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1981.
“Staying On,” a novel by Paul Scott, published in 1977, earned the Booker Prize. The title itself refers to a phrase commonly used by British expatriates residing in India during the twilight years of the British Raj.
“The Siege of Krishnapur,” written by J. G. Farrell and initially published in 1973, delves into the siege of a fictional Indian town, Krishnapur, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This compelling narrative secured the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1973.
Q10. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? (2008)
| Theories/Laws | Associated Scientists |
| 1. Associated Scientists | Edwin Hubble |
| 2. Expansion of Universe | Alfred Wegener |
| 3. Photoelectric Effect | Albert Einstein |
Codes
(a) 2 and 3
(b) Only 3
(c) Only 2
(d) Only 1
Ans. (b)
Pair 3 is indeed matched correctly. Here are the corrected versions for pairs 1 and 2:
- In 1929, at the Mount Wilson Observatory in California, the American astronomer Edwin Hubble made one of the most significant discoveries in the annals of astronomy.
- In 1915, the German meteorologist and geologist Alfred Wegener introduced the theory of Continental Drift.
Q11. Match List I (Persons) with List II (Area of Works) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. (2005)
| List I (Persons) | List II (Area of Works) |
| A. Ela Bhatt | 1. Theatre training |
| B. Mahashweta Devi | 2. Women labour sector |
| C. Ebrahim Alkazi | 3. Management teaching |
| D. Vijay Govindarajan | 4. Literature and social work fo the country tribal communities |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 3 1 4 2
(b) 2 4 1 3
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 2 1 4 3
Ans. (b)
The correct matching is indeed A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3.
- Ela Bhatt is an eminent figure in India known for her role as a cooperative organizer, lawyer, and activist. She founded the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA) in 1972 and served as its general secretary until 1996. Currently, she holds the position of chancellor at Gujarat Vidyapith.
- Mahasweta Devi, a prolific Indian writer who primarily wrote in Bengali, was also an ardent activist. Her literary repertoire includes notable works such as “Hajar Churashir Maa”, “Rudali”, and “Aranyer Adhikar”. Devoted to the cause of tribal rights and empowerment, she tirelessly advocated for the marginalized Lodha and Shabar communities across West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
- Ebrahim Alkazi, an influential figure in Indian theater, served as a director and drama teacher. Notably, he held the position of Director at the National School of Drama, New Delhi, from 1962 to 1977. Alkazi’s directorial portfolio boasts over 50 plays, including acclaimed productions of works by Girish Karnad, Mohan Rakesh, and Dharamvir Bharati, alongside numerous adaptations of Shakespearean and Greek dramas.
- Vijay Govindarajan, also known as VG, is a distinguished academic serving as a Professor at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. Additionally, he was honored as the Marvin Bower Fellow for the academic year 2015-16 at Harvard Business School.
Q12. Match List I (Authors) with List II (Books) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. (2005)
| List I (Authors) | List II (Books) |
| A. Amartya Sen | 1. An Ordinary Person Guide to Empire |
| B. Bimal Jalan | 2. The Argumentative Indian |
| C. Arundhati Roy | 3. The Future of India |
| D. Mani Shankar Aiyar | 4. Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist |
Codes
A B C D
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 2 3 1 4
(c) 3 2 4 1
(d) 2 3 4 1
Ans. (b)
The correct matching is indeed A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4.
- “An Ordinary Person’s Guide to Empire” is authored by Arundhati Roy. Within its pages, she explores the interconnectedness of America’s war on terror, the rise of corporate power, the responses of nation-states to resistance movements, the roles of NGOs, and the dynamics of caste and communal politics in India.
- “The Argumentative Indian” is penned by Nobel Laureate Indian economist Amartya Sen. This collection of essays delves into India’s rich history and multifaceted identity. Sen advocates for the significance of India’s democracy, the defense of secular politics, and the eradication of inequalities based on class, caste, gender, and community for the nation’s success.
- “The Future of India” is authored by Bimal Jalan, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India. In this insightful analysis, Jalan argues that India’s future is deeply influenced by the interaction between politics, economics, and governance. He emphasizes the critical role of these factors in shaping the functioning of Indian democracy.
- “Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist” is written by Mani Shankar Aiyar. In this work, Aiyar revisits and scrutinizes every aspect of India’s secular ethos, exposing various dimensions of secularism. He discusses pertinent issues such as the Conversion law, Uniform Civil Code, and Article 370, offering his insights and reflections on these topics.
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