41. An accurate clock shows 12 o’clock in the noon. Through how many degre

An accurate clock shows 12 o’clock in the noon. Through how many degrees will the hour hand rotate when the clock shows 5 o’clock on the same evening?

150°
140°
125°
120°
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The correct answer is A) 150°. The hour hand of a clock completes a full circle (360°) in 12 hours. To find the degrees rotated, we calculate the degrees moved per hour and multiply by the number of hours.
– The hour hand moves 360 degrees in 12 hours.
– Degrees moved per hour = 360° / 12 hours = 30° per hour.
– From 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm is a duration of 5 hours.
– Total rotation = 5 hours * 30°/hour.
Calculation: 5 hours * 30°/hour = 150°. Therefore, the hour hand rotates through 150 degrees from 12 o’clock noon to 5 o’clock on the same evening.

42. Which of the following statements about London Olympics, 2012 is/are c

Which of the following statements about London Olympics, 2012 is/are correct?

  • 1. London got a distinction to host the modern Olympic Games three times. The city had previously hosted the Games in 1908 and in 1948.
  • 2. Motto of the London Olympics is ‘Inspire a Generation’.
  • 3. Saina Nehwal was the official flag bearer of 83-member Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The correct answer is C) 1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 about the London Olympics 2012 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is correct: London has the unique distinction of being the only city to host the Summer Olympic Games three times, in 1908, 1948, and 2012.
– Statement 2 is correct: The official motto for the London 2012 Olympic Games was ‘Inspire a Generation’.
– Statement 3 is incorrect: The official flag bearer for the 83-member Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics was wrestler Sushil Kumar, who later won a silver medal. Saina Nehwal is a badminton player who won a bronze medal at the same Olympics, but she was not the flag bearer.
The London 2012 Olympics were officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad. Sushil Kumar was selected as the flag bearer due to his previous Olympic medal (bronze in 2008) and stature in Indian sports.

43. Whenever a tropical cyclone moves to land, much of its severity is red

Whenever a tropical cyclone moves to land, much of its severity is reduced. This is because

  • 1. its source of moisture is cut off
  • 2. the friction over land kills tropical cyclones

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 – 2012
The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2. When a tropical cyclone moves over land, both the cutting off of its moisture source and the increased friction contribute significantly to the reduction of its severity and eventual dissipation.
– Statement 1 is correct: Tropical cyclones draw immense energy from the latent heat released by the condensation of water vapor evaporated from the warm ocean surface. Moving over land cuts off this primary energy source.
– Statement 2 is correct: The land surface is much rougher than the ocean surface, causing increased friction. This friction slows down the winds, disrupts the storm’s circulation pattern, and contributes to its weakening. While friction might not “kill” it instantly, it plays a vital role in its decay along with the loss of moisture and sensible heat from the surface.
The rapid weakening of a tropical cyclone upon landfall is primarily due to the combined effect of losing access to the warm, moist ocean and the increased friction from the land surface. Other factors like interaction with topography and ingestion of drier air can also contribute to its weakening.

44. Vidyapati Thakur, a contemporary of Chandidas (end of 14th century to

Vidyapati Thakur, a contemporary of Chandidas (end of 14th century to early 15th century), was a native of

Bengal
Mithila
Malwa
Kashmir
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The correct answer is B) Mithila. Vidyapati Thakur (c. 1352–1448) was a prominent poet and scholar of Maithili and Sanskrit. He was born in the village of Bisfi in the Mithila region, which spans parts of northern Bihar in India and the Terai region of Nepal. He is considered the greatest figure of Maithili literature. Chandidas, his contemporary, was a Bengali poet.
– Vidyapati was primarily a poet of the Maithili language, which is spoken in the Mithila region.
– He is a pivotal figure in the development of Maithili literature and is also known for his Sanskrit works.
Vidyapati is celebrated for his lyrical poetry, particularly his love songs dedicated to Radha and Krishna, which influenced Vaishnava traditions in Bengal and other regions. Despite being a Maithili poet, his influence extended significantly into Bengali, Assamese, and Odia literature.

45. Who among the following was described as Jagadguru by his subjects for

Who among the following was described as Jagadguru by his subjects for his patronage of the Hindus in his State?

Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur
Mahmud II of Malwa
Husain Shah of Bengal
Mahmud Begara of Gujarat
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The correct answer is A) Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur. Ibrahim Adil Shah II (ruled 1580–1627) of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur was famous for his cultural interests, tolerance towards other religions, and patronage of Hindus. He was popularly known as “Jagadguru” (Teacher of the World) and “Abla Baba” (Friend of the Poor) by his subjects, reflecting his syncretic approach and popularity across religious communities.
– Ibrahim Adil Shah II was a ruler of the Sultanate of Bijapur.
– He is known for his religious tolerance and patronage of Hindu culture and individuals, earning him the title “Jagadguru”.
– He authored the ‘Kitab-i-Navras’, a book primarily on Indian classical music, with verses often invoking Hindu deities alongside Muslim saints.
The Deccan Sultanates, including Bijapur, were known for a degree of cultural synthesis and tolerance, although this varied among rulers. Ibrahim Adil Shah II stands out for his explicit embrace of elements from different traditions, making him a notable figure in medieval Indian history for promoting communal harmony.

46. The Bandagan-i-Khas during the rule of Delhi Sultans referred to the

The Bandagan-i-Khas during the rule of Delhi Sultans referred to the

innkeepers
royal slaves
Dak-carriers
guards of the State stable
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The correct answer is B) royal slaves. The term “Bandagan-i-Khas” translates to “special slaves” or “royal slaves” in Persian. During the Delhi Sultanate, rulers, particularly the early Mamluk (Slave) sultans like Iltutmish and Balban, relied heavily on a corps of specially trained slaves, often of Turkish or Central Asian origin, for military and administrative positions. These slaves were loyal directly to the Sultan and formed the backbone of the state machinery.
– “Bandagan” means slaves, and “Khas” implies special or royal.
– These royal slaves were highly trained and held significant power and positions in the Sultanate.
– They were a deliberate policy of the sultans to create a loyal support base independent of the turbulent nobility.
The recruitment and promotion of loyal slaves into military and administrative ranks were a characteristic feature of the Mamluk Sultanate in Delhi, inherited from similar systems in other parts of the Islamic world. These slaves were purchased, educated, and trained for service and could rise to high positions, including governorships and military command.

47. Sayana, the famous commentator of the Vedas, flourished under the rule

Sayana, the famous commentator of the Vedas, flourished under the rule of

Bahmani kings
Golkonda kings
Gajapati kings
Vijayanagar kings
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The correct answer is D) Vijayanagar kings. Sayana, the renowned commentator on the Vedas, flourished under the patronage of the Vijayanagar rulers in the 14th century. He served multiple kings of the Sangama dynasty, including Bukka I and his successor Harihara II.
– Sayana was a prominent scholar and minister in the Vijayanagar Empire.
– His extensive commentaries cover almost all parts of the Vedas and are considered highly authoritative.
Sayana’s works played a crucial role in the preservation and understanding of Vedic literature. He is often associated with his elder brother Madhavacharya, who was also a scholar and minister. Their contributions were vital to the intellectual and religious life of the Vijayanagar Empire, known for its patronage of arts, literature, and diverse religious traditions.

48. Which one among the following Princely States opted for a direct deali

Which one among the following Princely States opted for a direct dealing with the Constituent Assembly in the year 1946 instead of through the Chamber of Princes?

Baroda
Travancore
Junagadh
Mysore
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The correct answer is B) Travancore. Travancore was one of the first princely states to declare its intention to become independent and not join the Indian Union in 1947. Even prior to this declaration, in 1946, some states like Travancore explored the possibility of dealing directly with the Constituent Assembly rather than exclusively through the Chamber of Princes, which represented the collective interests of the states.
– Travancore, under its Dewan C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, took a strong stance on independence and direct negotiations, bypassing the Chamber of Princes.
– This move was significant in the complex process of integrating princely states into the Indian Union.
The Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal) was an institution established in 1920 by a royal proclamation of the British government to provide a forum for the rulers of the princely states to voice their needs and aspirations. While many states used this channel, some, like Travancore, sought independent approaches during the crucial period leading up to India’s independence and the formation of the Constituent Assembly. Baroda was significant as the first state to accede to India, but Travancore’s early declaration of independence and direct dealings were notable in 1946-47. Junagadh and Mysore also eventually acceded to India.

49. You placed a car in an open parking area in a summer day. After a few

You placed a car in an open parking area in a summer day. After a few hours, you noticed that the heat is trapped inside the car. This phenomenon is known as

ozone depletion
greenhouse effect
solar effect
cosmic ray impingement
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The phenomenon where heat is trapped inside a car parked in the sun is known as the greenhouse effect. Sunlight (short-wavelength radiation) passes through the glass windows and is absorbed by the interior surfaces of the car. These surfaces then re-radiate the energy as infrared radiation (long-wavelength heat radiation). The glass, while transparent to visible light, is largely opaque to this infrared radiation, trapping the heat inside the car and causing the temperature to rise.
– Sunlight (shortwave radiation) enters through glass.
– Interior absorbs sunlight and re-radiates as infrared heat (longwave radiation).
– Glass traps the infrared radiation, preventing heat escape.
This process is analogous to the way greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat, contributing to global warming. Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer, which protects from UV radiation. Solar effect generally refers to effects caused by the sun’s activity. Cosmic ray impingement is related to high-energy particles from space.

50. To start your loaded trolley bag, you exert more force than when it is

To start your loaded trolley bag, you exert more force than when it is moving. This is an example of

first law of thermodynamics
second law of thermodynamics
Newton's second law of motion
Newton's first law of motion
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
This phenomenon is an example that relates to Newton’s first law of motion. Newton’s First Law states that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. To start the loaded trolley bag from rest, you need to exert a force strong enough to overcome its inertia (resistance to change in state of motion) and the static friction between the trolley and the ground. Once the trolley is moving, the friction acting on it is kinetic friction, which is typically less than the maximum static friction. Therefore, less force is required to keep it moving than to start it from rest. The principle that a force is required to change the state of rest is central to the first law.
– Newton’s First Law describes inertia, the resistance of an object to changes in its state of motion.
– Static friction opposes the start of motion and is generally greater than kinetic friction, which opposes motion while it is occurring.
– Overcoming inertia and static friction requires more force than overcoming kinetic friction to maintain motion.
Newton’s Second Law (F=ma) describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, which applies once a net force is acting. While the forces (applied force, friction) and resulting motion are governed by the Second Law, the observation about needing more force to *start* is fundamentally about overcoming the initial resistance to motion described by the First Law and the nature of static vs. kinetic friction. The First Law provides the foundational principle that a force is necessary to initiate motion from rest.