UPSC CDS-1

1. Consider the following characteristics of a soil type: These soils c

Consider the following characteristics of a soil type:

  • These soils consist of various proportions of sand, silt and clay.
  • These soils contain adequate proportions of potash, phosphoric acid and lime.
  • These soils can be further classified on the basis of their age.

Identify the type of soil on the basis of the given characteristics.

Alluvial
Laterite
Arid
Black
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Alluvial soils are formed by the deposition of sediment carried by rivers. These soils are typically a mixture of sand, silt, and clay in varying proportions, known as loam. They are generally rich in potash, phosphoric acid, and lime, making them very fertile. A key characteristic of alluvial soils, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plains, is their classification based on age: Khadar (newer alluvium, renewed yearly by floods) and Bhangar (older alluvium, above flood level). This classification is a strong indicator for alluvial soils.
Alluvial soils are the most widespread and fertile soils in India, covering large parts of the northern plains and coastal regions. Their texture varies from sandy loam to clay.
Laterite soils are formed under conditions of high temperature and rainfall with alternating wet and dry periods, often deficient in nitrogen, potash, and lime. Arid soils are found in dry areas, characterized by sandy texture and often high salt content, poor in organic matter. Black soils (Regur) are rich in calcium carbonate, magnesia, potash, and lime but generally poor in nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and organic matter.

2. Which of the following groups of planets is termed as ‘gas planets’ as

Which of the following groups of planets is termed as ‘gas planets’ as they are composed primarily of lighter ices, liquids and gases?

Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus
Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn
Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune
Neptune, Saturn, Mars, Uranus
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The solar system’s planets are broadly classified into terrestrial planets and Jovian planets (or gas giants). The Jovian planets are located further from the Sun and are significantly larger and less dense than terrestrial planets. They are composed primarily of lighter elements like hydrogen and helium, as well as ices and liquids. This group includes Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
The inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are terrestrial, meaning they are rocky and have solid surfaces. The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are Jovian or gas giants.
Jupiter and Saturn are often referred to as gas giants, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Uranus and Neptune are sometimes called ice giants, as they have a higher proportion of volatile substances (like water, ammonia, and methane) in their interior compared to Jupiter and Saturn, although they also contain significant amounts of hydrogen and helium. The term ‘gas planets’ or ‘gas giants’ commonly refers to all four Jovian planets.

3. If it is 10:00 a.m. at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), then what will be th

If it is 10:00 a.m. at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), then what will be the time at 90° E longitude?

5:00 a.m.
4:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
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The Earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours. This means it rotates 15 degrees in one hour (360/24 = 15), or 1 degree every 4 minutes (60/15 = 4). Longitudes to the east of GMT are ahead in time, and longitudes to the west are behind. The difference in longitude between GMT (0°) and 90° E is 90°. The time difference is (90/15) hours = 6 hours. Since 90° E is east of GMT, the time will be 6 hours ahead of GMT. If it is 10:00 a.m. at GMT, then at 90° E, the time will be 10:00 a.m. + 6 hours = 4:00 p.m.
For every 15 degrees of longitude, there is a time difference of one hour. Eastward travel adds time, while westward travel subtracts time.
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) or UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the standard time at the prime meridian (0° longitude). India’s standard time (IST) is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT, corresponding to 82.5° E longitude (82.5 * 4 minutes = 330 minutes = 5 hours 30 minutes).

4. The theme of India’s G20 Presidency ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Ea

The theme of India’s G20 Presidency ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth-One Family-One Future’ is drawn from the

Maha Purana
Maha Upanishad
Rig Veda
Smriti
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The theme of India’s G20 Presidency, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth-One Family-One Future’, is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text, the Maha Upanishad. Specifically, it is found in Chapter 6, Verse 72 of the Maha Upanishad.
The phrase reflects a fundamental tenet of Indian philosophy that the entire world is one family. Adopting this theme for the G20 Presidency highlights India’s commitment to inclusive and interconnected global growth and challenges.
The Maha Upanishad is one of the minor Upanishads of Hinduism. While the sentiment of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is present in various ancient Indian texts and traditions, its explicit mention as a verse is most commonly attributed to the Maha Upanishad.

5. The 16th edition of Indo-Nepal annual joint training exercise in jungl

The 16th edition of Indo-Nepal annual joint training exercise in jungle warfare and counterterrorism operations was held in December 2022 at Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi. What is the name of this exercise?

Sampriti
Mitra Shakti
Yudh Abhyas
Surya Kiran
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The annual joint military exercise between India and Nepal is known as ‘Surya Kiran’. The 16th edition of this exercise was held in December 2022 at the Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi.
‘Surya Kiran’ is a significant bilateral military exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations, and disaster relief efforts between the two armies.
Other joint military exercises mentioned are: ‘Sampriti’ (India-Bangladesh), ‘Mitra Shakti’ (India-Sri Lanka), and ‘Yudh Abhyas’ (India-USA). Knowing the names and participating countries of such exercises is important for current affairs.

6. Who among the following is honoured with the UN Environment Programme’

Who among the following is honoured with the UN Environment Programme’s 2022 Champions of the Earth Award in the Entrepreneurial Vision category?

Ela Bhatt
Amit Dasgupta
Purnima Devi Barman
Vanshika Parmar
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Purnima Devi Barman, a wildlife biologist from Assam, India, was honoured with the UN Environment Programme’s 2022 Champions of the Earth award in the Entrepreneurial Vision category. She was recognized for her work in leading the ‘Hargila Army’, an all-women grassroots movement dedicated to protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila) and its wetland habitats.
The Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour, recognizing outstanding leaders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment.
The 2022 awards recognized five recipients in four categories: Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, Policy Leadership, and Science and Innovation. Other winners included Constantino Aucca Chutas (Peru), Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet (Cameroon), Fadia Ghanem (Syria), and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Directorate of Food & Technology (Bolivia).

7. Who among the following is the author of the famous novel, City of Joy

Who among the following is the author of the famous novel, City of Joy ?

Larry Collins
Dominique Lapierre
Rudyard Kipling
Mark Tully
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The correct answer is B, Dominique Lapierre.
“City of Joy” is a renowned 1985 novel written by French author Dominique Lapierre. The book is based on the lives of inhabitants of an impoverished slum in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India. It depicts the struggles and resilience of the people living there.
Dominique Lapierre often wrote about India and its people, sometimes in collaboration with Larry Collins (e.g., “Freedom at Midnight”, “Is Paris Burning?”). A film adaptation of “City of Joy” was released in 1992, directed by Roland Joffé and starring Patrick Swayze.

8. Which country won the FIFA World Cup (Men) for maximum number of

Which country won the FIFA World Cup (Men) for maximum number of times?

Argentina
Brazil
France
Spain
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The correct answer is B, Brazil.
As of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Brazil holds the record for winning the men’s tournament the maximum number of times. Brazil has won the World Cup five times (in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002).
Following Brazil, Germany (including West Germany) and Italy are tied with four wins each. Argentina has won three times, while France and Uruguay have won twice. England and Spain have won once each.

9. In which one of the following revolts did the Koya and Konda tribal ch

In which one of the following revolts did the Koya and Konda tribal chiefs rise against the local overlord from a Mansabdar family?

The Rampa Rebellion, 1879-1880
The Gudem Uprising, 1886
The Rampa Rebellion, 1922-1924
The Telangana Armed Struggle, 1946-1951
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The correct answer is A, The Rampa Rebellion, 1879-1880.
The Rampa region, primarily inhabited by Koya and Konda tribes in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, saw several revolts against exploitation and oppressive policies. The rebellion of 1879-1880 was specifically triggered by grievances against the forest laws, the exploitation by moneylenders and merchants, and the oppression by the Mansabdars (local overlords who were intermediaries for revenue collection). Tribal chiefs led the uprising against these intermediaries and the British administration supporting them.
The Rampa Rebellion of 1922-1924, also known as the Manyam Rebellion, was led by Alluri Sitarama Raju and was a significant anti-British struggle against forest laws and colonial rule, though issues of exploitation by intermediaries were still relevant. The Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-1951) was a post-WWII peasant rebellion against the Nizam and his landlords.

10. Name the battle in which the Travancore King defeated the Dutch in

Name the battle in which the Travancore King defeated the Dutch in 1741.

The Battle of Porto Novo
The Battle of Colachel
The Battle of Pollilore
The Battle of Changanassery
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The correct answer is B, The Battle of Colachel.
In 1741, the King of Travancore, Marthanda Varma, decisively defeated the Dutch forces of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie – VOC) at the Battle of Colachel (Kolachal), located in present-day Tamil Nadu near the border with Kerala. This victory marked a significant turning point, ending the Dutch colonial ambitions in the Malabar region and strengthening the position of Travancore as a regional power.
The Dutch commander Eustachius de Lannoy was captured in this battle and later joined Travancore’s service, modernizing its army along European lines. The Battle of Porto Novo (1781) and the Battle of Pollilore (1780) were battles fought during the Second Anglo-Mysore War. The Battle of Changanassery (1790) was fought between Travancore and Mysore.
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