21. The term ‘Sagittarius A*’, sometimes mentioned in news, refers to

The term ‘Sagittarius A*’, sometimes mentioned in news, refers to

a supermassive black hole in our Milky Way Galaxy
two giant black holes spiralling around each other several light- years away from the Earth
a Supernova explosion seen in real time for the first time ever by scientists
a huge asteroid that passed by very close to the Earth
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Sagittarius A* is the name given to the supermassive black hole located at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. It is approximately 26,000 light-years away from Earth. It has been a subject of intense study by astronomers, and its image was captured for the first time by the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration in 2022.
Supermassive black holes are found at the centers of most large galaxies. Sagittarius A* has a mass equivalent to about four million times that of our Sun.
The Event Horizon Telescope is a global network of radio telescopes that work together to form a virtual Earth-sized telescope capable of imaging black holes. They previously captured the image of the black hole in galaxy M87.

22. Nowadays, ‘nonfungible tokens’ are talked about in the context of

Nowadays, ‘nonfungible tokens’ are talked about in the context of

digital assets on a blockchain
operations of 'banking correspondents' in rural areas
multifactor authentication security requirement in banking trans- actions
transactions through 'small finance banks'
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets that represent ownership of a specific item or piece of media. They are stored on a blockchain, which is a decentralized digital ledger. The uniqueness and ownership of an NFT are verifiable through the blockchain.
Option A, “digital assets on a blockchain,” accurately describes the nature and technology underlying non-fungible tokens.
The key characteristic of an NFT is its non-fungibility, meaning each token is unique and cannot be replaced or exchanged for another identical item (unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are fungible).
NFTs can represent various digital items such as art, music, videos, virtual real estate, and in-game items. They have gained popularity, particularly in the art and collectibles markets.

23. Which one of the following is not a thrust area of the ‘Atal Mission f

Which one of the following is not a thrust area of the ‘Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)’?

Water supply
Storm water drainage to reduce flooding
Motorized urban transport and capacity building
Green spaces and park
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) focuses on providing basic infrastructure services in urban areas. The five key thrust areas identified under AMRUT are: 1) Water supply, 2) Sewerage and septage management, 3) Storm water drainage, 4) Urban transport, and 5) Green spaces and parks.
Option A (Water supply), B (Storm water drainage), and D (Green spaces and park) are explicitly listed as thrust areas.
Option C mentions “Motorized urban transport and capacity building”. While Urban transport is a thrust area, the focus is primarily on non-motorized and public transport options and improving infrastructure for them. “Motorized urban transport” as a standalone or primary thrust area is not accurate; the emphasis is on sustainable transport. Capacity building is a component but not listed as one of the five core thrust areas in the same category as the others. Therefore, option C is the statement that does not correctly represent a core thrust area of AMRUT.
AMRUT aims to improve urban infrastructure through projects related to water supply, sewerage, drainage, urban transport (sustainable forms), and green spaces. It also includes reforms and capacity building components.
AMRUT was launched in 2015 with a focus on transforming 500 selected cities and towns. It complements other urban missions like Swachh Bharat Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).

24. Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

A censure motion can be moved against a single Minister of the Council of Ministers.
A motion of no-confidence cannot be moved against the Prime Minister alone.
A censure motion cannot be moved against the entire Council of Ministers.
A censure motion can be moved against a group of Ministers.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
The question asks which statement is NOT correct.
A) A censure motion can be moved against a single Minister. This is correct.
B) A motion of no-confidence cannot be moved against the Prime Minister alone. This is correct; a no-confidence motion must be moved against the entire Council of Ministers.
C) A censure motion cannot be moved against the entire Council of Ministers. This is incorrect. A censure motion can be moved against an individual minister, a group of ministers, or the entire Council of Ministers to express strong disapproval of their policy or action.
D) A censure motion can be moved against a group of Ministers. This is correct.
Therefore, the incorrect statement is C.
A censure motion needs to state the reasons for its adoption, unlike a no-confidence motion. If a censure motion is passed by the Lok Sabha, the Council of Ministers is not obliged to resign (though it indicates a loss of confidence and may lead to a no-confidence motion). If a no-confidence motion is passed, the entire Council of Ministers must resign.
A no-confidence motion can only be moved in the Lok Sabha and requires the support of at least 50 members to be admitted. A censure motion can also only be moved in the Lok Sabha.

25. Which of the following statements about the Committee on Public Undert

Which of the following statements about the Committee on Public Undertakings is/are correct?

  • 1. There are more members from the Rajya Sabha than the Lok Sabha in the Committee.
  • 2. The Chairperson of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Committee on Public Undertakings consists of 22 members, out of which 15 are from the Lok Sabha and 7 are from the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, there are more members from the Lok Sabha than the Rajya Sabha. Statement 2 is correct as the Chairperson of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from amongst the members of the Committee who are from the Lok Sabha.
The Committee on Public Undertakings examines the reports and accounts of Public Undertakings specified in the Fourth Schedule to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. It also examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General on Public Undertakings.
The Committee is constituted every year. A Minister is not eligible to be elected as a member of the Committee. The term of office of the members is one year.

26. Which among the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet

Which among the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?

  • 1. To ensure interministerial coordi- nation
  • 2. Management of major crisis situations in the country

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Both ensuring inter-ministerial coordination and playing a role in the management of major crisis situations are functions of the Cabinet Secretariat.
The Cabinet Secretariat provides secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and its committees, facilitating coordination among ministries and departments. The Cabinet Secretary also heads the Crisis Management Group, which reviews and coordinates the response to major crises in the country.
The Cabinet Secretariat operates under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. It is responsible for administering the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules and the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, which govern the working of ministries and departments.

27. Which of the following is/are source/ sources of Law in India? 1. Co

Which of the following is/are source/ sources of Law in India?

  • 1. Constitution of India
  • 2. Statutes
  • 3. Customary Law
  • 4. Case Law

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
1, 2 and 4 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
All the listed options, 1, 2, 3, and 4, are sources of law in India.
The major sources of law in India include the Constitution of India (the fundamental law), Statutes or legislation (laws made by Parliament and state legislatures), Customary Law (traditional practices recognized by courts, particularly in personal laws), and Case Law or Judicial Precedents (decisions of higher courts which are binding on lower courts).
The Indian legal system is based on Common Law tradition inherited from the British, where judicial precedents play a significant role. However, written law (Constitution and Statutes) holds primary importance.

28. ‘Dhivehi’ is a principal language of which one of the following Union

‘Dhivehi’ is a principal language of which one of the following Union Territories?

Puducherry
Ladakh
Lakshadweep
Jammu and Kashmir
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
‘Dhivehi’ is a principal language of Lakshadweep.
While Malayalam is the widely spoken language in most islands of Lakshadweep, the people of Minicoy Island, which is part of the Lakshadweep Union Territory, speak Mahl. Mahl is a dialect of Dhivehi, the official language of the Republic of Maldives. Thus, Dhivehi (in the form of Mahl) is a principal language for a part of the UT.
The linguistic diversity within Lakshadweep reflects its historical connections and geographic proximity to both mainland Kerala and the Maldives. Excluding Minicoy, the language spoken is predominantly Jeseri (also known as Dweep Bhasha), a dialect of Malayalam.

29. In which one of the following States, more than 50% area is under Jhum

In which one of the following States, more than 50% area is under Jhum cultivation?

Manipur
Assam
Sikkim
Mizoram
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Mizoram is one of the states in India where more than 50% of the area is significantly impacted or historically associated with a high percentage of area under Jhum cultivation.
Jhum cultivation, or shifting cultivation, is widely practiced in the Northeastern states of India. While specific percentages can fluctuate and vary by source, Mizoram is known for a high proportion of its cultivated land being under this practice compared to other states in the region, reflecting a strong reliance on it for livelihood.
Other northeastern states like Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura also practice Jhum cultivation, but Mizoram is often cited for having a high percentage of its total geographical area or cultivated area under Jhum, or having the largest number of families dependent on it.

30. Which one of the following is a part of Deccan Plateau?

Which one of the following is a part of Deccan Plateau?

Aravalli Hills
Karbi Anglong Hills
Shivalik Hills
Vindhyan Hills
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Karbi Anglong Hills is a part of the Deccan Plateau.
The Meghalaya Plateau and the Karbi Anglong Plateau in Assam are geologically considered extensions of the Deccan Plateau, separated from the main plateau by the Bengal delta and the Malda fault.
The Aravalli Hills are located in northwestern India. The Shivalik Hills are the southernmost and youngest mountain range of the Himalayas. The Vindhyan Hills are located in central India, forming the northern boundary of the peninsular plateau region, but are often treated separately from the core Deccan Plateau.