UPSC CAPF Archives

1. Consider the following statements: 1. Geothermal energy can be used

Consider the following statements:

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1. Geothermal energy can be used to produce electricity or its hot water can be used directly for industry, agriculture, bathing and cleaning.
2. Nuclear energy is often cheaper than some other sources of electricity.
3. Thermal power stations burn fossil fuels to create steam to drive the turbines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

1, 2 and 3

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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Statement 1 is correct; Geothermal energy can be harnessed to generate electricity or its heat can be directly utilized for various purposes like heating buildings, industrial processes, agriculture (greenhouses), bathing (hot springs), etc. Statement 3 is correct; Thermal power stations traditionally burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) to heat water, produce steam, and drive turbines to generate electricity. Statement 2 is incorrect; While the operational cost of nuclear energy can be relatively low, the initial capital costs for building nuclear power plants are very high, as are costs associated with waste disposal and decommissioning. Consequently, nuclear energy is often *more expensive* in terms of Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) than many other sources, especially compared to mature renewable technologies or even certain fossil fuel plants depending on various factors. Stating it is “often cheaper” is a generalization that is frequently untrue.

Geothermal energy has dual uses (electricity and direct heat). Thermal power plants rely on burning fuel. Nuclear energy has high upfront and decommissioning/waste disposal costs, making it often expensive, not necessarily cheaper, compared to other sources.

The cost-effectiveness of different energy sources is a complex issue depending on location, technology, subsidies, regulatory environment, and external costs (like environmental impact). While some sources might be cheaper in certain contexts, statement 2 makes a general claim about nuclear energy that is not broadly accurate when considering full lifecycle costs.

2. Consider the following statements about Barchans: 1. These landforms

Consider the following statements about Barchans:

1. These landforms are found in Thar desert in India.
2. The windward side has concave slope with maximum height at the centre.
3. Two ends of the barchan are called horns.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

3 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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Statement 1 is correct; Barchan dunes are common landforms found in various deserts, including the Thar Desert in India. Statement 3 is correct; the two tapering ends of a crescent-shaped barchan dune, which point downwind, are called horns. Statement 2 is incorrect; the windward side of a barchan dune has a gentle, *convex* slope where sand is pushed up by the wind. The leeward side is the steep *concave* slip face.

Barchans are characteristic crescent-shaped dunes formed by unidirectional wind, commonly found in sand deserts. Their structure includes a gentle, convex windward slope, a steep, concave leeward slip face, and horns pointing in the direction of the wind.

Barchans typically form where there is a limited supply of sand and a relatively constant wind direction. Their movement is primarily determined by wind speed and direction. Statement 2 incorrectly describes the windward slope as concave; it is the leeward slip face that is concave and steep.

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3. Trans-Siberian Railway from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok does not r

Trans-Siberian Railway from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok does *not* run across:

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Altai range

Caucasus mountains

Ural mountains

Ob and Yenisei rivers

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The Trans-Siberian Railway runs from St. Petersburg in European Russia, across the Ural Mountains into Siberia, and through to Vladivostok on the Pacific coast. Its route traverses the Ural Mountains and crosses major Siberian rivers like the Ob and Yenisei (or passes near them). The Altai range is located in Southern Siberia, south of the main Trans-Siberian route. The Caucasus Mountains are located far to the southwest of Russia, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, completely separate from the Trans-Siberian path.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is a major east-west artery across Russia. While it passes through or near various geographical features in Siberia (like crossing rivers and passing north of certain mountain ranges), it is geographically distant from the Caucasus Mountains.

The route crosses the Urals near Yekaterinburg, spans the vast Siberian plains, and traverses several major river systems before reaching the Far East. The Caucasus region is a separate mountainous area in South Russia/Eurasia, unconnected to the course of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

4. Consider the following statements about the practice of Vedic sacrific

Consider the following statements about the practice of Vedic sacrifices:

1. The shrauta (Vedic sacrifices) involved the use of three fires – the garhapatya (householder’s fire), ahavaniya (offeratorial fire) and dakshinagni (southern fire).
2. These fires were supposed to be placed in pits of different shapes, i.e., the garhapatya to be square, ahavaniya to be round and that of the dakshinagni, rectangle-shaped.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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Statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is incorrect. Vedic Shrauta sacrifices indeed involve the use of three principal sacred fires: the Garhapatya, the Ahavaniya, and the Dakshinagni. However, their associated fire pit shapes are traditionally different from what is described in statement 2. The Garhapatya fire pit is typically circular, the Ahavaniya fire pit is square, and the Dakshinagni fire pit is semi-circular or shaped like a half-moon.

The use of three sacred fires (Garhapatya, Ahavaniya, Dakshinagni) is fundamental to major Vedic (Shrauta) rituals. The specific shapes of the altars or pits for these fires (circular for Garhapatya, square for Ahavaniya, semi-circular for Dakshinagni) are symbolically significant in Vedic cosmology and ritual practice.

The three fires represent different aspects: Garhapatya (householder, origin), Ahavaniya (offering, eastward), and Dakshinagni (south, often related to ancestors or protection from evil spirits). The incorrect assignment of shapes in statement 2 makes the statement false.

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5. Which one of the following statements with reference to the ancient In

Which one of the following statements with reference to the ancient Indian coins is *not* correct?

The Indo-Greeks issued the first coins bearing the name and images of rulers.

The Kushanas issued the first gold coins.

The Kushana gold coins were different in weight from the coins issued by contemporary Roman emperors.

These Kushana gold coins have been found from several sites in north India and central Asia.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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Statement C is incorrect. The Kushana gold coins, particularly those issued by Vima Kadphises, were heavily influenced by the weight standards of the Roman Empire’s gold coins (aureus/denarius), suggesting a similarity in weight rather than being necessarily different. This standard was likely adopted to facilitate trade between the Kushana Empire and the Roman Empire.

While the Kushanas were prominent issuers of gold coins in ancient India on a large scale, their initial gold coinage often followed Roman weight standards. The statement claims their weight was *different* from contemporary Roman emperors’ coins, which is generally inaccurate for the early Kushana period when the standard was borrowed.

Statement A is correct; the Indo-Greeks were the first to issue coins bearing the portraits and names of rulers in India. Statement B is generally considered correct in the context of widespread, standardized gold coinage, although some earlier limited gold issues might have existed. Statement D is correct; Kushana coins, including gold ones, have been widely found in archaeological sites across North India and Central Asia, reflecting the extent of their empire and trade networks.

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6. Which one of the following political centers finds a mention in Ashoka

Which one of the following political centers finds a mention in Ashokan inscriptions?

Indraprastha

Kaushambi

Suvarnagiri

Kandahar

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The question asks which one of the listed political centers finds a mention in Ashokan inscriptions. Ashokan inscriptions are found in various locations across his vast empire, often at significant cities or administrative centers.

A) Indraprastha: While an ancient city located near modern Delhi, there is no strong direct evidence placing it as a major administrative center explicitly mentioned as such in the widely known corpus of Ashokan inscriptions. Pillars found near Delhi might have been moved or erected in the general region rather than specifically within the city of Indraprastha as a capital.

B) Kaushambi: Ashokan pillar inscriptions, including the Queen’s Edict, have been found at Kaushambi (near modern Prayagraj). The edicts found here are addressed to the Mahamatras (officials) of Kaushambi, indicating it was a significant administrative center.

C) Suvarnagiri: Suvarnagiri was a major provincial capital in the southern part of the Mauryan Empire. It is explicitly mentioned in the Minor Rock Edict I as the seat from which instructions were issued to the Mahamatras of Isila (another town). This clearly identifies Suvarnagiri as a key political/administrative center.

D) Kandahar: Ashokan inscriptions, including bilingual inscriptions (Greek and Aramaic) and portions of Major Rock Edicts, are located at Kandahar in Afghanistan. This indicates Kandahar was a significant city and administrative center in the western part of the empire where Ashoka’s policies were promulgated.

Given that Kaushambi, Suvarnagiri, and Kandahar were all significant centers mentioned in Ashokan inscriptions, there might be an intended best fit among the options. Suvarnagiri is consistently listed as one of the four main provincial capitals of the Mauryan Empire (along with Taxila, Ujjayini, and Tosali), making its mention as a political center very prominent in administrative contexts within the edicts.

The Mauryan Empire under Ashoka was divided into provinces, each governed by a viceroy or high official, often headquartered in major cities. The four main provincial capitals besides the imperial capital Pataliputra were Taxila (North-West), Ujjayini (West), Tosali (East), and Suvarnagiri (South). Kandahar was also a crucial city in the frontier region with unique inscriptions reflecting the empire’s diverse population. Kaushambi was another important city with a pillar bearing edicts. However, Suvarnagiri’s explicit mention in Minor Rock Edict I as an administrative seat makes it a definitive example of a political center mentioned in the inscriptions.

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7. Which one of the following is not a pottery type?

Which one of the following is *not* a pottery type?

OCP

CCE

NBP

BRW

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The question asks which of the options is *not* a pottery type. The options are abbreviations commonly encountered in the study of Indian archaeology.

A) OCP: Stands for Ochre Coloured Pottery. This is a distinct pottery type found primarily in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, associated with cultures dating roughly from the late Harappan period through the early Iron Age.

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B) CCE: This abbreviation does not correspond to a recognized standard archaeological pottery type found in India or widely known in archaeology.

C) NBP: Stands for Northern Black Polished Ware. This is a high-quality, glossy pottery type characteristic of the Northern Indian Iron Age, particularly associated with the Mahajanapada period and the Mauryan Empire.

D) BRW: Stands for Black and Red Ware. This is a widely distributed pottery type in India, spanning various cultural periods from the Chalcolithic to the early Iron Age, characterized by its black interior and rim and red exterior.

Archaeological pottery types are crucial for dating and understanding ancient cultures. They are classified based on characteristics like material, manufacturing technique, shape, colour, surface treatment (e.g., slip, polish, paint), and firing method. OCP, NBP, and BRW are established categories used by archaeologists working in the Indian subcontinent.

8. Which one of the following statements with reference to the ‘Neolithic

Which one of the following statements with reference to the ‘Neolithic Period’ is *not* correct?

The characteristic features of the period included ground and polished stone tools, agriculture, animal domestication and pottery.

This period is also known as the 'New Stone Age'.

The characteristic features appeared almost at the same time in various parts of the subcontinent.

Earliest evidence of agriculture is found from Mehrgarh around 8000 BCE.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The question asks which statement regarding the Neolithic Period is *not* correct.

Statement A: The characteristic features of the period included ground and polished stone tools, agriculture, animal domestication and pottery. This is a correct description of the key features associated with the Neolithic period, marking a significant shift from the Paleolithic.

Statement B: This period is also known as the ‘New Stone Age’. This is correct. The term “Neolithic” literally means “New Stone Age,” reflecting the characteristic stone tools (ground and polished) which were different from the chipped stone tools of the older Paleolithic age.

Statement C: The characteristic features appeared almost at the same time in various parts of the subcontinent. This statement is incorrect. The transition to the Neolithic lifestyle, characterized by agriculture, settled life, pottery, and polished stone tools, occurred gradually and independently at different times in different regions of the Indian subcontinent and globally. There was no single, uniform, and simultaneous onset of the Neolithic across the entire subcontinent.

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Statement D: Earliest evidence of agriculture is found from Mehrgarh around 8000 BCE. This statement is correct. Mehrgarh, located in present-day Balochistan, Pakistan, is one of the earliest sites in South Asia providing evidence of agriculture (cultivation of wheat and barley) and animal domestication (cattle, sheep, goats) dating back to around 8000 BCE.

The Neolithic Revolution, as this transition is sometimes called, was a major turning point in human history, leading to the development of settled villages, population growth, and eventually the rise of complex societies and civilizations. In the Indian subcontinent, Neolithic sites are found in various regions, including the Indus Valley, the Ganga Valley, South India, and the Northeast, with varying chronologies.

9. Which of the following statements is/are correct about KAVACH-2023?

Which of the following statements is/are correct about KAVACH-2023?

1. It is a joint coordination committee of all three wings of India’s armed forces to protect India’s borders.
2. It is India’s national level hackathon jointly launched by AICTE and BPRD to tackle cyber threats.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The question asks about KAVACH-2023.

Statement 1: It is a joint coordination committee of all three wings of India’s armed forces to protect India’s borders. This statement is incorrect. KAVACH-2023 was not related to military coordination for border protection.

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Statement 2: It is India’s national level hackathon jointly launched by AICTE and BPRD to tackle cyber threats. This statement is correct. KAVACH-2023 was a national-level cyber security hackathon. It was jointly organized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), in collaboration with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). The aim was to identify innovative concepts and solutions to address cyber security and cybercrime challenges.

KAVACH-2023 focused on soliciting solutions for various cyber security issues, including cyber stalking, cyber harassment, online fraud, social media monitoring, and data security. It aimed to leverage the technical expertise of students, startups, and professionals to enhance the cyber capabilities of law enforcement agencies.

10. What is ‘Climate Neutral Now’ initiative? 1. It encourages organizat

What is ‘Climate Neutral Now’ initiative?

1. It encourages organizations and other interested stakeholders to act now in order to achieve a carbon neutral world by 2030.
2. It derives its aims from the Paris Agreement.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The question asks about the ‘Climate Neutral Now’ initiative.

Statement 1: It encourages organizations and other interested stakeholders to act now in order to achieve a carbon neutral world by 2030. This statement is incorrect. The Climate Neutral Now initiative, launched by the UNFCCC, encourages entities (organizations, companies, cities, individuals) to measure, reduce, and offset their greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of becoming climate neutral *themselves*. While it encourages acting *now*, the stated ultimate objective of the initiative is to contribute to the global goal of achieving a climate neutral world *by mid-century*, as required by the Paris Agreement, not specifically by 2030. Achieving global carbon neutrality by 2030 is a far more ambitious target than the goal promoted by this initiative.

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Statement 2: It derives its aims from the Paris Agreement. This statement is correct. The initiative explicitly states its alignment with and support for the goals of the Paris Agreement, particularly the long-term goal of limiting global warming and achieving climate neutrality in the second half of the century. By encouraging voluntary climate action, it contributes to the collective efforts needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets.

The Climate Neutral Now initiative provides a platform and guidance for voluntary action towards climate neutrality by various actors. It promotes the use of certified carbon credits from UNFCCC-recognized mechanisms as a way to offset unavoidable emissions, in addition to emphasizing the primary importance of reducing emissions.