11. A sound wave of frequency of 2 kHz has a wavelength of 35 cm in a give

A sound wave of frequency of 2 kHz has a wavelength of 35 cm in a given medium. How long will it take to travel a distance of 2ā‹…1 km through the medium ?

30 s
2ā‹…1 s
3ā‹…0 s
4ā‹…1 s
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct answer is C. We need to calculate the time taken using the relationship between speed, distance, and time, after first determining the speed of the sound wave.
– The speed of a wave ($v$) is given by the product of its frequency ($f$) and wavelength ($\lambda$): $v = f \times \lambda$.
– Given $f = 2 \text{ kHz} = 2000 \text{ Hz}$ and $\lambda = 35 \text{ cm} = 0.35 \text{ m}$.
– Speed $v = 2000 \text{ Hz} \times 0.35 \text{ m} = 700 \text{ m/s}$.
– The time ($t$) taken to travel a distance ($d$) is given by $t = d / v$.
– Given $d = 2.1 \text{ km} = 2100 \text{ m}$.
– Time $t = 2100 \text{ m} / 700 \text{ m/s} = 3 \text{ seconds}$.
The units were carefully converted to meters and seconds before calculation to ensure consistency in the final answer. The frequency is given in kilohertz (kHz) and the wavelength in centimeters (cm), requiring conversion to standard SI units (Hz and m). The distance is given in kilometers (km), also requiring conversion to meters.

12. Which one of the following holds true for a freely falling object ?

Which one of the following holds true for a freely falling object ?

It moves with a uniform velocity.
It moves with a uniform speed.
It moves with a non-uniform acceleration.
It moves with a uniform acceleration.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct answer is D. A freely falling object near the Earth’s surface, neglecting air resistance, moves with a constant acceleration.
– Free fall is defined as motion under the sole influence of gravity.
– Near the Earth’s surface, the acceleration due to gravity ($\text{g}$) is approximately constant (about 9.8 m/s²).
– This constant acceleration causes the velocity of the object to change uniformly over time.
In reality, air resistance affects falling objects, causing their acceleration to decrease as their speed increases, eventually reaching a terminal velocity where acceleration is zero. However, in standard physics problems where “freely falling” is used, air resistance is usually neglected, assuming movement solely under gravity with uniform acceleration.

13. The depletion in atmospheric ozone layer in last century was due to :

The depletion in atmospheric ozone layer in last century was due to :

chlorofluorocarbon
carbon monoxide
methane
pesticides
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct answer is A. The depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer observed in the last century is primarily attributed to the release of synthetic chemicals, especially chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
– CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform were widely used in refrigerants, aerosols, fire extinguishers, and solvents.
– When these chemicals reach the stratosphere, they are broken down by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms which catalytically destroy ozone molecules ($\text{O}_3$).
The discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica and subsequent scientific research led to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987), an international treaty designed to phase out the production and consumption of ODS. This has led to a slow recovery of the ozone layer. Carbon monoxide, methane, and pesticides have different environmental impacts but are not the primary cause of stratospheric ozone depletion.

14. Biogas is considered to be an excellent fuel which burns without smoke

Biogas is considered to be an excellent fuel which burns without smoke. The main constituent of biogas is :

methane
hydrogen
carbon dioxide
hydrogen sulphide
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct answer is A. Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. Its main constituent is methane ($\text{CH}_4$).
– Biogas is primarily composed of methane (typically 50-75%) and carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$) (typically 25-50%).
– Methane is the combustible component of biogas, making it valuable as a fuel.
Other gases present in biogas in smaller quantities include hydrogen ($\text{H}_2$), hydrogen sulphide ($\text{H}_2\text{S}$), nitrogen ($\text{N}_2$), and oxygen ($\text{O}_2$). The proportion of these gases varies depending on the feedstock and digestion conditions. While carbon dioxide is also a major component by volume, methane is the main constituent that provides the energy when burned.

15. Which one of the following is the main cause of the acid rains ?

Which one of the following is the main cause of the acid rains ?

The Sun causes heating of upper layer of atmosphere.
The burning of fossil fuels releases oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur in the atmosphere.
The electrical charges are produced due to friction amongst clouds.
The atmosphere of the Earth contains acids.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct answer is B. Acid rain is primarily caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide ($\text{SO}_2$) and nitrogen oxides ($\text{NO}_\text{x}$) which react with water molecules, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
– The main source of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides is the burning of fossil fuels in power plants, vehicles, and industries.
– These oxides dissolve in atmospheric water to form acidic compounds, which then fall to the ground as acid rain, snow, fog, or dry particles (acid deposition).
While carbon oxides (like $\text{CO}_2$) contribute to atmospheric processes such as climate change and ocean acidification, they are not the primary drivers of *acid rain* in the sense of acidic precipitation formed from sulfur and nitrogen pollutants. Natural sources like volcanic eruptions and decaying vegetation also contribute small amounts of sulfur and nitrogen compounds, but anthropogenic sources, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are the dominant cause of widespread acid rain.

16. If the Cash Reserve Ratio is lowered by the RBI, supply of money in th

If the Cash Reserve Ratio is lowered by the RBI, supply of money in the economy will :

remain unchanged.
decrease.
increase.
have ambiguous impact.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is a monetary policy tool used by the central bank (RBI in India). It is the percentage of a bank’s Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) that must be held as a reserve with the RBI. When the RBI lowers the CRR, banks are required to hold a smaller amount of their deposits as reserves with the RBI. This releases more funds for the banks to use for lending purposes. An increase in the lending capacity of banks leads to increased credit creation in the economy. Through the money multiplier effect, this increased lending ultimately results in an increase in the total money supply in the economy.
– CRR is the percentage of NDTL banks must hold with RBI.
– Lowering CRR means banks have more funds available for lending.
– Increased lending leads to credit creation and an increase in money supply.
CRR is one of the quantitative tools of monetary policy. Other tools include the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR), Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, Bank Rate, and Open Market Operations. Lowering CRR is an expansionary monetary policy measure aimed at increasing liquidity and stimulating economic activity by making more credit available. Conversely, increasing CRR is a contractionary measure to reduce liquidity and control inflation.

17. Suppose an Indian citizen makes an investment abroad and earns a posit

Suppose an Indian citizen makes an investment abroad and earns a positive return on her investment. Which of the following is correct ?

Her income is part of India's GDP, but not part of India's national income.
Her income is part of India's national income, but not part of India's GDP.
Her income is part of both India's GDP and national income.
Her income is neither part of India's GDP, nor its national income.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the total value of goods and services produced *within the geographic boundaries* of a country during a specific period. Gross National Income (GNI), often referred to historically as Gross National Product (GNP), measures the total income earned by the *residents* of a country, regardless of where the income is earned. GNI = GDP + Net Factor Income from Abroad (NFIA). NFIA is the difference between factor income (like wages, profits, interest, dividends) earned by residents from abroad and factor income paid to non-residents for their contributions within the country. Income earned by an Indian citizen on an investment abroad is factor income earned by a resident from outside India. This income contributes to India’s national income (GNI) but is not part of India’s GDP as it was generated outside the country’s borders.
– GDP measures production within geographical boundaries.
– National Income (GNI/GNP) measures income earned by residents, regardless of location.
– Income earned by residents from abroad is part of National Income but not GDP.
For many developed countries with significant foreign investments or income from citizens working abroad, GNI is typically higher than GDP. For countries with substantial foreign investment within their borders or many non-residents earning income domestically, GDP may be higher than GNI. The transaction described is a positive component of NFIA for India.

18. Which of the following are High Frequency Indicators of the Indian eco

Which of the following are High Frequency Indicators of the Indian economy ?

  1. Power Consumption
  2. IIP General Index
  3. 10-year G-sec yield

Select the correct answer using the code below.

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
High-Frequency Indicators (HFIs) are economic data points that are released frequently (daily, weekly, monthly) and provide timely insights into the current state and trajectory of the economy.
1. Power Consumption: Measured daily/weekly/monthly, it is a good proxy for economic activity, especially industrial and commercial.
2. IIP (Index of Industrial Production) General Index: Released monthly, it provides a timely snapshot of the performance of the industrial sector, contributing significantly to overall economic assessment between quarterly GDP releases.
3. 10-year G-sec yield: A financial market indicator that reflects borrowing costs and market sentiment, updated constantly in real-time or daily.
All three indicators are monitored frequently by policymakers and analysts to gauge economic momentum and make quick assessments, fitting the definition of High-Frequency Indicators.
– High-Frequency Indicators provide timely data on economic activity.
– They are typically released more often than quarterly or annual data (daily, weekly, monthly).
– Power consumption, IIP, and G-sec yields are examples of such indicators in India.
Other examples of HFIs include GST collections (monthly), Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMI – monthly), railway freight traffic (monthly), port traffic (monthly), vehicle registrations (monthly), bank credit growth (fortnightly/monthly), etc. These indicators are crucial for tracking cyclical changes and assessing the impact of recent events or policies on the economy in near real-time.

19. An Indian businessperson buys shares in a British car company. This tr

An Indian businessperson buys shares in a British car company. This transaction will be reflected in :

Balance of Trade, but not in Balance of Payments.
Balance of Payments, but not in Balance of Trade.
both Balance of Payments and Balance of Trade.
neither Balance of Payments nor Balance of Trade.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The Balance of Payments (BOP) is a record of all economic transactions between residents of a country and the rest of the world over a specific period. It comprises the Current Account (trade in goods and services, income, transfers) and the Capital/Financial Account (investments, loans, reserves). The Balance of Trade (BOT) is typically a sub-part of the Current Account, recording only the exports and imports of *goods*. Buying shares in a foreign company is a financial transaction, specifically a portfolio investment abroad, which is recorded in the Capital/Financial Account of the BOP. It does not involve the trade of goods. Therefore, the transaction will be reflected in the Balance of Payments but not in the Balance of Trade.
– Balance of Payments (BOP) records all international economic transactions, including financial ones.
– Balance of Trade (BOT) primarily records international trade in goods.
– Buying foreign shares is a financial investment, recorded in the Capital/Financial Account of the BOP.
The BOP must always balance in accounting terms, meaning the sum of the Current Account, Capital Account, and Financial Account, plus net errors and omissions, is zero. A transaction like buying foreign shares represents an outflow of capital from the investor’s country and is recorded as a debit item in the Financial Account.

20. The focus of the Second Five Year Plan was :

The focus of the Second Five Year Plan was :

establishment of a self-reliant and self-generating economy with emphasis on agriculture.
rapid industrialization with emphasis on the development of basic and heavy industries.
removal of poverty and attainment of self-reliance.
acceleration of food-grain production and increase in employment opportunities and overall productivity.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
India’s Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961), often referred to as the Mahalanobis Plan, placed a strong emphasis on rapid industrialization. The strategy focused on investing heavily in the development of basic and heavy industries, such as steel, coal, fertilizers, and heavy engineering, with the aim of building a self-reliant industrial base.
– The Second Five Year Plan covered the period 1956-1961.
– It was based on the Mahalanobis Model.
– Its primary focus was rapid industrialization.
– Emphasis was laid on basic and heavy industries.
The First Five Year Plan (1951-1956) primarily focused on agriculture, irrigation, and power projects. Poverty removal and self-reliance became explicit objectives in later plans, particularly the Fifth Plan (1974-1979) with the “Garibi Hatao” slogan. Acceleration of food-grain production was a focus during the Green Revolution period, influenced by later plans, although agricultural support continued in the Second Plan alongside industrialization.