UPSC CDS-1 Archives

1. Which one of the following would be considered as Foreign Direct Inves

Which one of the following would be considered as Foreign Direct Investment ?

A foreign company buying shares in stock exchanges in India

A foreign country pension fund investing in Indian stock markets

A foreign merchant banker buying shares from Indian stock markets

A foreign entity setting up an educational institution in India

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A foreign entity setting up an educational institution in India would be considered as Foreign Direct Investment.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country. FDI typically involves establishing a lasting interest or controlling ownership in a foreign enterprise. This can be done by establishing a new business (greenfield investment) or acquiring a significant stake in an existing one.
– Options A, B, and C describe portfolio investment, which involves buying shares purely for financial return without seeking management control. Investing in stock markets (unless it’s a significant stake aiming for control) is typically portfolio investment.
– Option D, setting up a new educational institution, involves creating physical infrastructure, employing staff, and operating a business in India, representing a clear instance of greenfield FDI.

FDI is distinct from Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI). FDI is seen as bringing not just capital but also technology, management expertise, and market access. FPI is more liquid and focuses on short-term financial gains.

2. Isohalines are lines joining equal :

Isohalines are lines joining equal :

temperature

pressure

rainfall

salinity

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Isohalines are lines joining equal salinity.

Iso- lines (or isolines) are lines on a map that connect points of equal value for a specific quantity. The term isohaline is specifically used in oceanography and limnology to connect points of equal salt concentration (salinity) in water bodies.

Other common isolines include:
– Isotherms: Lines joining points of equal temperature.
– Isobars: Lines joining points of equal atmospheric pressure.
– Isohyets: Lines joining points of equal rainfall.
– Isobat: Line connecting points of equal depth in a water body.
– Contour lines: Lines joining points of equal elevation above a reference level.

3. Individual lava flows are normally only a few feet thick, but over a l

Individual lava flows are normally only a few feet thick, but over a long period of time, repeated flows may build up a volcano. Such volcanoes are termed as :

Shield volcano

Composite volcano

Strato-volcano

Cinder-cone volcano

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Such volcanoes are termed as Shield volcano.

The description “Individual lava flows are normally only a few feet thick, but over a long period of time, repeated flows may build up a volcano” and the implied shape resulting from such flows points to a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are formed by effusive eruptions of low-viscosity basaltic lava that spreads out thinly and widely, building a broad, gently sloping cone resembling a warrior’s shield.

Composite volcanoes (or stratovolcanoes) are built from alternating layers of viscous lava, ash, and volcanic debris, resulting in steeper, conical shapes and often explosive eruptions. Cinder-cone volcanoes are the simplest type, formed by loose pyroclastic material (cinders) ejected from a single vent, resulting in steep slopes but relatively small size.

4. A peripediment in a desert or semi-desert region is also known as :

A peripediment in a desert or semi-desert region is also known as :

Inselberg

Zeugen

Bajada

Playa

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A peripediment in a desert or semi-desert region is also known as Bajada.

A peripediment is generally considered to be the gentle slope area at the base of a mountain or escarpment in arid and semi-arid regions. This area often comprises an erosional pediment closer to the mountain and a depositional bajada further out. While technically distinct (pediment is erosional, bajada is depositional), the term ‘peripediment’ is sometimes used more broadly to refer to this entire piedmont zone or specifically the region around the pediment, which is dominated by the bajada (coalesced alluvial fans). Among the given options, Bajada is the feature most closely associated geographically and morphologically with the peripediment region, forming the depositional part of the piedmont slope.

Inselbergs are isolated residual hills. Zeugen are features formed by differential wind erosion. Playas are dry lake beds. The piedmont slope in arid regions consists of the pediment (erosional bedrock surface) and the bajada (depositional apron of alluvial fans). While ‘peripediment’ might refer strictly to the marginal part of the pediment, its usage in some contexts refers to the broader area including the bajada. Given the options, Bajada is the most appropriate answer.

5. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

List I (Soil Type)	List II (Salient Characteristic)
A. Entisols	1. Soils having weakly or quickly developed horizons
B. Inceptisols	2. Weakly developed soils with no horizons
C. Histosols	3. These soils are very old and highly weathered
D. Oxisols	4. These soils have very high quantity of organic matter in the upper layers

A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

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The correct match is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3.

This question matches soil orders from the USDA soil taxonomy with their salient characteristics.
– Entisols (A): These are the youngest soils with little or no profile development and lack distinct horizons. They match “Weakly developed soils with no horizons” (2).
– Inceptisols (B): These soils have developed some weakly expressed horizons (incipient horizons) and are slightly more developed than Entisols but still considered young. They match “Soils having weakly or quickly developed horizons” (1).
– Histosols (C): These soils are composed primarily of organic materials, typically found in wet environments like swamps and bogs. They match “These soils have very high quantity of organic matter in the upper layers” (4).
– Oxisols (D): These are highly weathered soils found in humid tropical and subtropical regions, characterized by high concentrations of iron and aluminum oxides and deeply leached horizons. They match “These soils are very old and highly weathered” (3).

The USDA soil taxonomy is a classification system used to classify soils based on measurable soil properties. There are twelve soil orders globally. This question covers four of them, highlighting some key distinctions based on age, profile development, and composition.

6. Which one of the following works was composed by Krishnadevaraya on st

Which one of the following works was composed by Krishnadevaraya on statecraft in Telugu ?

Amuktamalyada

Jambavati Kalyanam

Rayavachakamu

Satyavadu Parinaya

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The correct answer is Amuktamalyada.

Amuktamalyada is a significant Telugu epic poem composed by Krishnadevaraya, the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. While primarily a literary work narrating the story of Andal, it is renowned for its sections discussing political maxims, principles of governance, and administrative advice, making it a work on statecraft. Jambavati Kalyanam and Ushaparinayam are Sanskrit dramas by Krishnadevaraya. Rayavachakamu is a historical chronicle about the Vijayanagara Empire but was written by Sthānapati Ananta, not Krishnadevaraya. Satyavadu Parinaya is likely a reference to Krishnadevaraya’s Sanskrit work Satyaraja Parinayam.

Krishnadevaraya was not only a great conqueror and administrator but also a renowned scholar and patron of arts and literature. His court was adorned by eight poets known as the Ashtadiggajas. His reign (1509–1529 CE) is considered the golden age of the Vijayanagara Empire and Telugu literature. Amuktamalyada is one of the Pancha Kavyas (five great epics) of Telugu literature.

7. The ruins of Hampi were brought to light by which of the following Bri

The ruins of Hampi were brought to light by which of the following British officers of the East India Company ?

Colonel Colin Mackenzie

James Prinsep

William Jones

James Rennell

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Option A is correct. Colonel Colin Mackenzie, a Scottish army officer and surveyor in the service of the British East India Company, was instrumental in bringing the ruins of Hampi (the site of the Vijayanagara Empire capital) to light through his extensive surveys and mapping activities in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Early British administrators and scholars played a significant role in the documentation and study of Indian historical sites and artifacts, often through their surveying and archaeological work.

James Prinsep is famous for deciphering the Brahmi script. William Jones was a pioneering linguist and founder of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. James Rennell is known for his cartographic work in India. While all contributed significantly to understanding India’s past, Colin Mackenzie is specifically credited with the initial comprehensive survey and documentation of the Hampi ruins.

8. Who among the following was the founder of the Virashaiva Movement in

Who among the following was the founder of the Virashaiva Movement in Karnataka ?

Basavanna

Appar

Sambandar

Sundarar

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Option A is correct. Basavanna (also known as Basava) was the 12th-century philosopher, statesman, and social reformer who is considered the founder of the Virashaiva movement (also known as Lingayatism) in Karnataka.

The Virashaiva movement was a significant religious and social reform movement in South India during the medieval period, challenging caste hierarchies and advocating for social equality and personal devotion to Shiva.

Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar were part of the earlier Nayanar tradition in Tamil Nadu, prominent Tamil Shaivite saints who composed devotional hymns (Tevaram) between the 6th and 9th centuries. They are distinct from the Virashaiva movement led by Basavanna.

9. In which one of the following years was the first telegraphic connecti

In which one of the following years was the first telegraphic connection established between Europe and India ?

1851

1854

1865

1871

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Option C is correct. The first successful and reliable direct telegraphic cable connection between Europe (via Persia and the Persian Gulf) and India was established in 1865.

Establishing reliable telegraph communication between Europe and India in the 19th century was a major technological and infrastructural achievement that significantly reduced communication time.

While telegraph lines were laid in India from the early 1850s (1851 was the first experimental line, 1854 saw lines like Calcutta-Agra), connecting India to Europe required overcoming significant geographical challenges, primarily laying submarine cables across the Arabian Sea and establishing land lines through intermediate territories. The 1865 link was crucial for administrative and commercial purposes during the British Raj.

10. Which of the following statements about sculptures at Sanchi is/are co

Which of the following statements about sculptures at Sanchi is/are correct ?

1. In some sculptures there is representation of Shalabhanjika.
2. The figure of Shalabhanjika is represented by a woman surrounded by lotuses and elephants.
3. The Shalabhanjika motif was not directly inspired by Buddhist ideas.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3

2 and 3 only

2 only

1 and 3 only

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Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Shalabhanjika figures, representing nature spirits (Yakshinis), are indeed found on the gateways (toranas) of the Sanchi Stupa (Statement 1). This motif pre-dates Buddhism and represents fertility and auspiciousness, adopted into Buddhist art for its symbolism rather than being directly inspired by core Buddhist doctrines (Statement 3). Statement 2 is incorrect as Shalabhanjika is typically depicted holding a tree branch, not necessarily surrounded by lotuses and elephants, although these motifs are present elsewhere in Sanchi sculptures.

The art at Sanchi incorporates various motifs, including nature spirits like Shalabhanjikas, reflecting the assimilation of popular beliefs and symbols into Buddhist art.

The Shalabhanjika motif is a common fertility symbol in ancient Indian art, appearing in different religious contexts. Her representation at Sanchi signifies the inclusion of auspicious, pre-Buddhist imagery within the Buddhist narrative and decorative scheme.