UPSC CAPF Archives

21. Epidermal cells of plant roots increase their absorption surface by

Epidermal cells of plant roots increase their absorption surface by having

Scales

Root hairs

Endodermis

Stomata

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UPSC CAPF – 2019

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The correct answer is B, Root hairs.

Epidermal cells of plant roots often develop thin, hair-like extensions called root hairs. These significantly increase the surface area of the root epidermis, maximizing the absorption of water and dissolved mineral nutrients from the soil.

Scales are modified leaves. The endodermis is an inner layer of the root cortex that regulates the movement of water and minerals. Stomata are pores on leaves and stems used for gas exchange.

22. Bending of shoot of a plant towards light can be referred to as

Bending of shoot of a plant towards light can be referred to as

photonasty

positive phototropism

negative phototropism

photoperiodism

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The correct answer is B, positive phototropism.

Phototropism is the growth of a plant in response to a light stimulus. When a plant shoot bends and grows towards the light source, it is exhibiting positive phototropism.

Photonasty is a non-directional plant movement in response to light intensity (e.g., opening and closing of flowers). Negative phototropism is growth away from a light source (e.g., roots). Photoperiodism is the physiological response of an organism to the length of day or night.

23. Which of the following organisms belongs to Coelenterata (Cnidaria) ?

Which of the following organisms belongs to Coelenterata (Cnidaria) ?

Planaria and liverfluke

Sea urchin and sea cucumber

Hydra and sea anemone

Euplectella and sycon

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The correct answer is C, Hydra and sea anemone.

Hydra and sea anemones are classic examples of organisms belonging to the phylum Coelenterata, also known as Cnidaria. This phylum includes organisms like jellyfish, corals, hydroids, and sea anemones, characterized by features like radial symmetry, a gastrovascular cavity, and specialized stinging cells called nematocysts.

Option A includes Planaria and liverfluke, which belong to the phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms). Option B includes sea urchin and sea cucumber, which belong to the phylum Echinodermata. Option D includes Euplectella and sycon, which belong to the phylum Porifera (sponges).

24. Phreatophytes are the plants adapted to grow in

Phreatophytes are the plants adapted to grow in

moist shaded places

rocky environments

arid environments

active volcanic lava

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UPSC CAPF – 2019

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The correct answer is C, arid environments.

Phreatophytes are plants that are adapted to arid or semi-arid environments by having very deep root systems that can reach the water table.

The term “phreatophyte” comes from the Greek words ‘phrear’ (well) and ‘phuton’ (plant). These plants rely on groundwater for survival, making them common indicators of groundwater levels in regions where surface water is scarce.

25. Which of the following are the defining features of liberal democracy

Which of the following are the defining features of liberal democracy ?

1. Constitutional government based on formal, usually legal, rules
2. Guarantees of civil liberties and individual rights
3. It invests political authority with potentially unlimited power

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 3 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC CAPF – 2019

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The correct answer is B, which states that 1 and 2 are the defining features of liberal democracy.

Liberal democracy is characterized by a constitutional government based on formal rules and the protection of civil liberties and individual rights. It specifically avoids concentrating unlimited power in any single authority or branch of government, relying instead on principles like the rule of law, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

Statement 1 is correct because a constitutional government based on formal rules is fundamental to liberal democracy, ensuring predictable governance and limiting arbitrary power. Statement 2 is correct as the guarantee of civil liberties and individual rights is a core principle distinguishing liberal democracy from other forms of government. Statement 3 is incorrect; liberal democracy is defined by limitations on government power to protect individual freedoms, not by investing unlimited power.

26. Which one of the following statements regarding the Directive Principl

Which one of the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy is NOT correct ?

State shall follow the Directive Principles of State Policy both in the matter of administration as in the making of laws

The Directive Principles of State Policy embody the object of the State under the republican Constitution

The Directive Principles of State Policy have precedence over the Fundamental Rights in case of conflict between the two

The Directive Principles of State Policy are not enforceable in the Courts

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The statement that the Directive Principles of State Policy have precedence over the Fundamental Rights in case of conflict between the two is NOT correct.

Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable and enforceable by courts, while Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) are non-justiciable and not enforceable by courts.

A) Article 37 states that DPSPs are fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. This implies they guide both administration and legislation.
B) DPSPs aim to realize the goals of a welfare state and socio-economic justice, reflecting the objectives of the Constitution.
C) In case of a conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, Fundamental Rights generally hold primacy, as they are legally enforceable. While attempts were made through constitutional amendments (like Article 31C and the 42nd Amendment) to give precedence to some or all DPSPs over certain Fundamental Rights, the Supreme Court’s interpretations (e.g., in the Minerva Mills case) have upheld the supremacy of Fundamental Rights while advocating for a harmonious construction between the two parts of the Constitution. A blanket precedence of DPSPs over Fundamental Rights is not correct.
D) Article 37 explicitly states that the provisions contained in Part IV shall not be enforceable by any court.

27. Which of the following statements about Max Weber’s ideal theory of Bu

Which of the following statements about Max Weber’s ideal theory of Bureaucracy is/are correct ?

1. It refers to the dominant class character.
2. Bureaucracy is associated with structural and behavioral characteristics.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Only statement 2 is correct regarding Max Weber’s ideal theory of Bureaucracy.

Max Weber’s ideal type of bureaucracy is a theoretical construct based on rational-legal authority. It describes bureaucracy in terms of efficiency, predictability, and impersonality.

1. Weber’s ideal bureaucracy is characterized by features like hierarchy, division of labor, formal rules, impersonality, and merit-based appointments. While bureaucratic structures can be used by dominant classes or groups to maintain power (as seen in Marxist critiques), Weber’s *ideal type* itself describes a form of organization based on rational-legal authority and efficiency, not inherently or primarily a reflection of dominant class character. Thus, statement 1 is not a defining characteristic of the *ideal type*.
2. Weber’s theory explicitly details the structural aspects (e.g., hierarchical structure, fixed official duties) and behavioral characteristics (e.g., adherence to rules, impersonality in official conduct, rational decision-making) associated with bureaucracy. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

28. According to which one of the following plans/reports, the decision wi

According to which one of the following plans/reports, the decision with regard to the partition of Punjab and Bengal was to be taken on the basis of voting of the Members of the respective Legislative Assemblies ?

Nehru report

Cripps mission plan

Beveridge report

Mountbatten plan

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UPSC CAPF – 2019

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The decision regarding the partition of Punjab and Bengal was taken on the basis of voting of the Members of the respective Legislative Assemblies according to the Mountbatten Plan.

The Mountbatten Plan, officially known as the June 3rd Plan, outlined the process for the partition of British India and the transfer of power to independent India and Pakistan.

The Mountbatten Plan proposed that the provincial legislative assemblies of Punjab and Bengal would meet in two groups, one representing the Muslim-majority districts and the other the rest of the province. Each group would vote separately on whether the province should be partitioned. A simple majority in either group for partition would result in the division of the province. This mechanism was specifically laid out in the Mountbatten Plan to determine the boundaries of the new dominions.

29. Which of the following is NOT provided for under the Directive Princip

Which of the following is NOT provided for under the Directive Principles of State Policy ?

Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases

Uniform Civil Code for the citizens

Separation of Judiciary from executive

Participation of workers in the management of local-self government

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Participation of workers in the management of local-self government is NOT specifically provided for under the Directive Principles of State Policy.

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are contained in Part IV of the Indian Constitution (Articles 36-51) and serve as guidelines for the state.

A) Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases is covered under Article 41.
B) Uniform Civil Code for the citizens is covered under Article 44.
C) Separation of Judiciary from executive is covered under Article 50.
D) Article 43A (added by the 42nd Amendment) provides for the participation of workers in the management of *industries*. While Article 40 mandates the organisation of village panchayats (a form of local self-government), and Part IX and IXA deal extensively with Panchayats and Municipalities, there is no specific DPSP mandating the participation of workers in the management of local-self government bodies themselves.

30. A walks 10 metres in front and 10 metres to the right. Then every time

A walks 10 metres in front and 10 metres to the right. Then every time turning to his left he walks 5, 15 and 15 metres respectively. How far is he now from his starting point ?

55 metres

23 metres

5 metres

None of these

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The person is 5 metres away from their starting point.

The problem can be solved by tracking the person’s displacement in two perpendicular directions (e.g., North-South and East-West).

Assume ‘front’ is North.
1. 10 metres in front (North): Displacement (0, +10)
2. 10 metres to the right (East from the North direction): Displacement (+10, 0)
Total displacement so far: (+10, +10) from start. Current position is (10, 10) relative to start (0, 0). Direction is East.
3. Turning left (now facing North) walks 5 metres: Displacement (0, +5).
Total displacement: (+10, +10) + (0, +5) = (+10, +15). Current position (10, 15). Direction is North.
4. Turning left (now facing West) walks 15 metres: Displacement (-15, 0).
Total displacement: (+10, +15) + (-15, 0) = (-5, +15). Current position (-5, 15). Direction is West.
5. Turning left (now facing South) walks 15 metres: Displacement (0, -15).
Total displacement: (-5, +15) + (0, -15) = (-5, 0). Current position (-5, 0).
The starting point is (0, 0). The final position is (-5, 0).
The distance from the starting point is the straight-line distance between (0, 0) and (-5, 0), which is 5 metres.