UPSC CAPF Archives

1. Who among the following assumed the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah to

Who among the following assumed the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah to set himself up as an independent ruler with his base in Hyderabad?

Kartalab Khan

Bahadur Shah

Alivardi Khan

Chin Qilich Khan

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Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan, a prominent Mughal noble, was granted the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Fath Jang by the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar. He later consolidated his control over the Deccan region and effectively established the independent state of Hyderabad, although he continued to pay nominal allegiance to the Mughal emperor. He is also known by his alternative name Chin Qilich Khan and was the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty of Hyderabad.

– Chin Qilich Khan (Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan) was a key figure in the Deccan during the decline of the Mughal Empire.
– He was granted the title Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah.
– He established the virtually independent state of Hyderabad in the early 18th century.

Alivardi Khan was the Nawab of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, who also established a degree of independence from the Mughals around the same period. Bahadur Shah refers to Mughal Emperors. Kartalab Khan was a title held by various individuals; Murshid Quli Khan, the founder of the independent Nawabdom of Bengal, was also known by this title earlier in his career.

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2. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? 1. Permanen

Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. Permanent Settlement	:	Lord Cornwallis
2. Ryotwari Settlement	:	Thomas Munro
3. Mahalwari Settlement	:	Holt Mackenzie

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1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Permanent Settlement (also known as the Zamindari system) was introduced in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Ryotwari Settlement was introduced by Captain Alexander Read in some areas of Madras Presidency in 1792, and later developed and widely implemented by Thomas Munro from 1820.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Mahalwari Settlement was devised by Holt Mackenzie in 1822 and introduced in parts of North-Western Provinces (later Uttar Pradesh), Central India, and Punjab.

– Permanent Settlement: Zamindars were recognized as owners of land and responsible for collecting revenue; fixed revenue.
– Ryotwari Settlement: Revenue collected directly from the cultivators (ryots); revenue rates were periodically revised.
– Mahalwari Settlement: Revenue collected from villages (mahals) collectively; revenue was periodically revised.

3. Which of the following statements about Amaranayakas of Vijayanagara a

Which of the following statements about Amaranayakas of Vijayanagara are correct?

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1. The Amaranayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the Raya.
2. In lieu of their service and also to maintain their contingents, they were paid in cash.
3. They maintained stipulated contingents and elephants.
4. They used to send tribute to the king annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty.

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1, 2 and 3 only

1, 3 and 4 only

2 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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Statement 1 is correct: The Amara-Nayaka system was a key feature of the Vijayanagara Empire. Amaranayakas were military commanders or provincial governors appointed by the Raya (king) who were granted territories (known as ‘amaram’ or ‘amaramagani’) in exchange for their services.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Amaranayakas were primarily paid not in cash, but through the revenue collected from the territories granted to them. They were allowed to retain a portion of the revenue to maintain their contingents and for their personal expenses, while the rest was due to the king as tribute.
Statement 3 is correct: A major obligation of the Amaranayakas was to maintain a stipulated number of soldiers, horses, and elephants ready for service to the king.
Statement 4 is correct: The Amaranayakas were required to send tribute to the king annually from the revenue of their amaram lands and personally appear in the royal court with gifts to demonstrate their loyalty and allegiance.

– Amaranayakas were military chiefs or governors under the Vijayanagara rule.
– They were granted land (amaram) for their services.
– Their pay was primarily through revenue from the granted land, not cash.
– They maintained troops and were obliged to render military service to the king.
– They paid annual tribute and presented gifts to the king.

The Amara-Nayaka system is often compared to the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate and the feudal systems elsewhere, though it had its unique characteristics. The system played a crucial role in the military strength and administration of the Vijayanagara Empire, but also contributed to its eventual decline as Nayakas became increasingly independent.

4. Which of the following statements about Akbar are correct? 1. In 156

Which of the following statements about Akbar are correct?

1. In 1560s, Akbar had the Fort of Agra constructed.
2. In 1570s, Akbar decided to build a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri.
3. Akbar also commissioned a white marble tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Sikri.
4. In 1585, Akbar decided to shift the capital back to Agra.

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1, 2 and 4

1, 2 and 3

2, 3 and 4

3 and 4 only

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Statement 1 is correct: Akbar began the construction of the Agra Fort around 1565, transforming the existing fort into a major Mughal stronghold.
Statement 2 is correct: In the 1570s, specifically after the birth of his son Jahangir (in 1569) and the victory over Gujarat, Akbar decided to build a new capital city at Fatehpur Sikri, near the khanqah of Shaikh Salim Chishti. Construction was largely completed by the mid-1570s.
Statement 3 is correct: Akbar commissioned the construction of the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Fatehpur Sikri. While the original tomb was likely sandstone, it was later encased in white marble by Akbar himself, and the entire complex is a significant part of Fatehpur Sikri.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Akbar shifted his capital from Fatehpur Sikri to Lahore in 1585 to oversee the frontier in the northwest and respond to the Yusufzai rebellion. He remained in Lahore until 1598, only returning to Agra later.

– Akbar initiated construction of Agra Fort in the 1560s.
– Fatehpur Sikri was built as a new capital in the 1570s.
– The marble tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti is located at Fatehpur Sikri and was commissioned by Akbar.
– Akbar moved his capital to Lahore in 1585, not back to Agra.

Fatehpur Sikri was the Mughal capital for about 15 years (c. 1571-1585) before it was abandoned, likely due to water scarcity or strategic reasons leading to the move to Lahore. Akbar returned to Agra in 1598 where he died in 1605.

5. In which one of the following soils, the salt content is so high that

In which one of the following soils, the salt content is so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating the saline water in some areas?

Peaty soil

Alluvial soil

Laterite soil

Arid soil

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Arid soils are characteristic of dry regions with high evaporation. Due to capillary action, salts from lower layers are brought to the surface, leading to high salinity. In areas with saline arid soils, particularly those with shallow groundwater or proximity to saline water sources, the salt content can be so high that common salt can be obtained by evaporating the saline water collected in pans. This practice is common in Rann of Kutch, which has characteristics of arid soil.

– Arid soils are found in dry climates.
– High evaporation in arid regions leads to salt accumulation on the surface.
– Saline arid soils can be a source of common salt through evaporation.

Peaty soils are found in humid areas with waterlogged conditions and high organic matter. Alluvial soils are deposited by rivers and are generally fertile, although they can become saline in dry areas with poor drainage. Laterite soils are formed in tropical regions through intense leaching and are rich in iron and aluminum oxides, typically acidic and not saline.

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6. Which of the following statements about tropical rain forests are corr

Which of the following statements about tropical rain forests are correct?

1. The soils of tropical rain forests are quite infertile.
2. The vegetation is evergreen, enabling photosynthesis to take place year around.
3. They have been described as ‘deserts covered by trees’.
4. They are most productive land-based ecosystem.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2 and 4 only

1, 3 and 4 only

1, 2 and 3 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Let’s examine each statement:
1. The soils of tropical rain forests are quite infertile: Correct. High rainfall leads to rapid leaching of nutrients. Rapid decomposition returns nutrients, but they are quickly absorbed by the dense vegetation, leaving the soil itself poor in nutrients, especially mineral nutrients.
2. The vegetation is evergreen, enabling photosynthesis to take place year around: Correct. Tropical rainforests experience high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year, supporting continuous growth and photosynthesis, resulting in evergreen forests.
3. They have been described as ‘deserts covered by trees’: Correct. This phrase highlights the paradox of incredibly lush vegetation growing on nutrient-poor soil, contrasting the high biomass with the low soil fertility, much like how a desert is characterized by poor soil although it lacks the trees.
4. They are most productive land-based ecosystem: Correct. Due to favorable conditions of high sunlight, temperature, and water availability year-round, tropical rainforests exhibit the highest rates of primary productivity among all terrestrial ecosystems.
All four statements accurately describe characteristics of tropical rain forests.

The high productivity of tropical rainforests is concentrated in the biomass, not the soil. The rapid nutrient cycling makes the ecosystem vulnerable if the vegetation cover is removed, as the underlying soil cannot support regrowth for long without the constant input from decomposing organic matter. Deforestation in these areas often leads to soil degradation.

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7. Caves, arches, stacks and stumps are the landscape features of which o

Caves, arches, stacks and stumps are the landscape features of which one of the following?

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River

Wave

Limestone

Wind

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The correct answer is B) Wave.

Caves, arches, stacks, and stumps are sequential landforms created by the erosional action of waves along coastlines. Waves erode weak points in cliffs, forming sea caves. Over time, two caves on opposite sides of a headland may meet, or a single cave may erode through, forming a sea arch. When the roof of the arch collapses, an isolated pillar of rock, known as a sea stack, is left. Further erosion reduces the stack to a mere stump visible only at low tide.

River erosion creates features like gorges, valleys, meanders, and deltas. Limestone landscapes (karst topography) feature sinkholes, caves (formed by dissolution), and underground drainage. Wind erosion creates landforms such as sand dunes, yardangs, and deflation hollows, primarily in arid environments. The specific sequence of caves, arches, stacks, and stumps is characteristic of coastal erosion by waves.

8. The price declared by the Government every year before the sowing seas

The price declared by the Government every year before the sowing season to provide incentives to the farmers is called

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buffer price

issue price

minimum support price

fair sustenance price

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The correct answer is C) minimum support price.

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the price set by the Government of India for certain agricultural produce, to protect the farmer against excessive falls in farm prices during bumper production years. It is announced by the government before the sowing season for certain crops, providing a price guarantee and acting as an incentive for farmers to cultivate those crops. The idea is to ensure a minimum profit for the farmers and encourage crop production.

Buffer price (A) is not a standard term in this context, although related to buffer stock operations. Issue price (B) is the price at which food grains are distributed from the government’s buffer stock (e.g., through PDS), determined after procurement. Fair sustenance price (D) is not a recognized term in this context.

9. The widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics are the characte

The widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics are the characteristics of

famine

poverty

civil war

malnutrition

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The correct answer is A) famine.

Famine is defined as a widespread scarcity of food, often accompanied by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality. The conditions described – widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics – are precisely the defining characteristics and consequences of a famine event. Lack of food leads to starvation, weakening the population and making them highly susceptible to infectious diseases (epidemics), resulting in mass deaths.

While poverty (B) can contribute to food insecurity and malnutrition, widespread deaths on a large scale due to starvation and epidemics are typically associated with the more extreme conditions of famine, not just general poverty levels. Civil war (C) can often cause famine by disrupting agriculture and supply chains, but famine is the term for the resulting condition of widespread food scarcity and its consequences. Malnutrition (D) is a state of poor nutrition, a symptom and contributor to deaths during a famine, but famine is the broader crisis encompassing the starvation and epidemics leading to widespread deaths.

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10. How many different words, with or without meaning, can be formed by us

How many different words, with or without meaning, can be formed by using the letters of the word COVID?

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150

100

120

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UPSC CAPF – 2021

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The correct answer is D) 120.

The word COVID has 5 letters: C, O, V, I, D. All five letters are distinct. To find the number of different words that can be formed by using all the letters, we need to find the number of permutations of these 5 distinct letters. The number of permutations of ‘n’ distinct objects is given by n!.
In this case, n = 5.
Number of words = 5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1.
5! = 20 × 6 × 1 = 120.

This is a basic problem involving permutations. If there were repeated letters in the word, the formula would be adjusted by dividing by the factorial of the counts of repeated letters.