Geography · Chapter 17 of 29

Universe, Solar System & Earth: BPSC Prelims PYQs

35 previous-year questions on Universe, Solar System & Earth, asked 1992–2024. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. 40th BPSC Prelims 1995

   Time taken by the Sun to revolve around the centre of our galaxy is –

   1. A2.5 crores years
   2. B10 crores years
   3. C25 crores years
   4. D50 crores years
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

   How many constellations are in our space?

   1. A87
   2. B88
   3. C89
   4. D90
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. 41st BPSC Prelims 1996

   The group of stars that indicates the direction of polaris, is

   1. ASaptarishi
   2. BMrig
   3. CScorpio
   4. DTaurus
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

   In the universe, what are pulsars?

   1. ARadio waves emitted by a star
   2. BA group of stars
   3. CRotating neutron stars
   4. DAn exploding star
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

   Which of the following does not belong to the solar system?

   1. AAsteroids
   2. BComets
   3. CPlanets
   4. DNebula
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2018

   One astronomical unit is the average distance between

   1. Athe Earth and the Sun
   2. Bthe Earth and the Moon
   3. Cthe Jupiter and the Sun
   4. Dthe Pluto and the Sun
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. 67th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2022

   Which is the chief celestial body of the solar system?

   1. AEarth
   2. BJupiter
   3. CSaturn
   4. DSun
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

   When does solar eclipse occur?

   1. AWhen the Sun comes between the earth and the moon
   2. BWhen the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon
   3. CWhen the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun
   4. DNone of the above
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. 42nd BPSC Prelims 1997

   Energy is produced on the Sun by—

   1. ANuclear fission
   2. BNuclear fusion
   3. COxidation reactions
   4. DReduction reactions
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. 38th BPSC Prelims 1992

    Nicolaus Copernicus is famous for—

    1. AThe invention of the telescope
    2. BStating that planets revolve around the Sun and not around the Earth
    3. CThe discovery of calculus
    4. DThe study of surgical operations of the human body
    Answer and explanation →

11. 11. 41st BPSC Prelims 1996

    The hottest planet in the solar system is—

    1. AMercury
    2. BVenus
    3. CMars
    4. DEarth
    Answer and explanation →

12. 12. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Which planet is known as the ‘Evening Star’?

    1. AMars
    2. BJupiter
    3. CVenus
    4. DSaturn
    Answer and explanation →

13. 13. 65th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

    Which is the brightest planet in the solar system?

    1. AEarth
    2. BUranus
    3. CNeptune
    4. DVenus
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

14. 14. 64th BPSC Prelims 2018

    Who among the following was the first to explain that the rotation of the Earth on its own axis accounts for the daily rising and setting of the Sun?

    1. AAryabhata
    2. BBhaskara
    3. CBrahmagupta
    4. DVarahamihira
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

15. 15. 56th–59th BPSC Prelims 2014

    The scientist who first discovered that the Earth revolves around the Sun was—

    1. ANewton
    2. BDalton
    3. CCopernicus
    4. DEinstein
    Answer and explanation →

16. 16. 38th BPSC Prelims 1992

    Time taken by light emitted from the Sun to reach the Earth is –

    1. A2 minutes
    2. B4 minutes
    3. C8 minutes
    4. D16 minutes
    Answer and explanation →

17. 17. 65th BPSC Prelims 2019

    Sunlight reaches the Earth-

    1. AIn 5 minutes
    2. BIn 6 minutes
    3. CIn 8 minutes
    4. DIn 10 minutes
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

18. 18. 42nd BPSC Prelims 1997

    The time taken by sunlight to reach the Earth’s surface is approximately—

    1. A4.2 seconds
    2. B4.8 seconds
    3. C8.5 minutes
    4. D3.6 hours
    Answer and explanation →

19. 19. 41st BPSC Prelims 1996

    In completing one revolution around the Sun, Earth takes approximately –

    1. A365 days
    2. B365.25 days
    3. C365.5 days
    4. D365.75 days
    Answer and explanation →

20. 20. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Approximately how much distance per minute does the Earth rotate?

    1. A49 km
    2. B59 km
    3. C69 km
    4. D79 km
    Answer and explanation →

21. 21. BPSC TRE-3 (Jul 2024)

    The distance between the Earth and the sun is greater during

    1. AAphelion
    2. BPerihelion
    3. CSummer solstice
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

22. 22. BPSC TRE-3 (Jul 2024)

    How much is the equatorial diameter greater than the polar diameter?

    1. A43 km
    2. B36 km
    3. C49 km
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

23. 23. 41st BPSC Prelims 1996

    Which is the largest planet in the solar system?

    1. AJupiter
    2. BNeptune
    3. CVenus
    4. DSaturn
    Answer and explanation →

24. 24. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Time Saturn takes to complete one revolution around the Sun-

    1. A18.5 years
    2. B36 years
    3. C29.5 years
    4. D84 years
    Answer and explanation →

25. 25. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    For one revolution around the Sun, Uranus takes –

    1. A84 years
    2. B36 years
    3. C18 years
    4. D48 years
    Answer and explanation →

26. 26. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

    The year is largest on –

    1. APluto
    2. BJupiter
    3. CNeptune
    4. DEarth
    Answer and explanation →

27. 27. 65th BPSC Prelims 2019

    The country which has the longest north-south (latitudinal) extension of its territory is :

    1. ARussia
    2. BChile
    3. CChina
    4. DBrazil
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

28. 28. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

    How many latitudes are there on the globe drawn at 1 degree interval?

    1. A180
    2. B178
    3. C179
    4. DNone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

29. 29. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

    What is the local time of Thimphu (Bhutan) located at 90° East longitude when the time at Greenwich (0°) is 12:00 noon?

    1. A6:00 p.m
    2. B4:00 p.m
    3. C7:00 p.m
    4. D6:00 a.m
    Answer and explanation →

30. 30. 70th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2024

    Which longitude separates Canada and Alaska?

    1. A131° W
    2. B161° W
    3. C151° W
    4. D141° W
    Answer and explanation →

31. 31. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    International Date Line passes through –

    1. AAfrica
    2. BAsia
    3. CPacific Ocean
    4. DAtlantic Ocean
    Answer and explanation →

32. 32. 43rd BPSC Prelims 1999

    The basis of deciding the standard time of any place is–

    1. ALongitude
    2. BLatitude
    3. CInternational Date Line
    4. DPrime Meridian
    Answer and explanation →

33. 33. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

    The time at Cairo is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich. Hence, it is located at-

    1. A30° W longitude
    2. B30° E longitude
    3. C28° E longitude
    4. D28° W longitude
    Answer and explanation →

34. 34. 48th–52nd BPSC Prelims 2008

    The Longest day in southern Hemisphere is

    1. A22 June
    2. B22 December
    3. C21 March
    4. D22 September
    Answer and explanation →

35. 35. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

    The shortest day of the year in Northern Hemisphere is on –

    1. A21 December
    2. B22 December
    3. C21 June
    4. D22 June
    Answer and explanation →