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Topic Black holes
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 32 years (1985–2017), peaking in 1985.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 1985
- Recurs across 3 years (1985–2017)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1985 → CDS 2017
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (2 of 3) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2017
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- In June 2016, the LIGO group of scientists announced the detection of a second set of gravitational waves
- Gravitational waves were generated due to merger of two black holes at about 1·4 billion light-years distant
- Gravitational waves were inserted due to collision of two white dwarf stars at about 1·4 billion light-years distant
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 only
- B 1 and 2 only ✓
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CSE1989
'Black holes' refers to
- A Holes occurring in heavenly bodies.
- B
- C Collapsing object of high density. ✓
- D Collapsing object of low density.
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Space Tech
CSE1985
Black hole is
- A A magnetic dark cavity
- B Name of a star
- C A hole in the moon
- D A dying star ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Space Tech
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