UPSC CDS-1

11. Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are cor

Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are correct?

Subscribe on YouTube
  • 1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning.
  • 2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas.
  • 3. It results into very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours.
  • 4. It occurs only during daytime.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3
1, 3 and 4
2 and 3 only
2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are generally considered correct descriptions of cloudbursts. Statement 4 is incorrect. Cloudbursts are defined by their suddenness, localized nature, and very high intensity of rainfall, often accompanied by thunder and lightning (Statement 1). They predominantly occur in hilly or mountainous regions due to orographic lift supporting intense convective activity (Statement 2). They result in exceptionally high rainfall rates, often exceeding 100 mm per hour, with figures like 250-300 mm in a few hours representing extreme events but consistent with the description of very high intensity (Statement 3). Cloudbursts can occur at any time of day or night, not just during the daytime (Statement 4).
A cloudburst is an extreme weather phenomenon involving a large amount of precipitation falling in a short time over a small area. Key characteristics include suddenness, high intensity, and localized occurrence, often in hilly terrain.
The high intensity of rain during a cloudburst can lead to flash floods, landslides, and significant destruction, especially in fragile mountain environments. While convective activity is typically associated with daytime heating, the atmospheric conditions leading to cloudbursts can develop and release precipitation at any hour.

Join Our Telegram Channel

12. Tsunami waves are the undersea occurrence of earthquake exceeding 7.5

Tsunami waves are the undersea occurrence of earthquake exceeding 7.5 on Richter scale. Which one of the following statements regarding this is not correct?

Join Our Telegram Channel
It often generates strong waves.
The Pacific coasts are most vulnerable to Tsunami waves.
Tsunami waves are also called high-energy tidal waves or seismic sea waves.
Tsunami is a Latin word.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statement D is incorrect. The word “Tsunami” (津波) is Japanese, meaning “harbour wave”.
Tsunamis are giant waves caused by large-scale disturbances, most commonly underwater earthquakes, but also volcanic eruptions, landslides, and asteroid impacts. They are often referred to as seismic sea waves. The Pacific coasts, especially those bordering the seismically active “Ring of Fire”, are the most vulnerable to tsunamis. Tsunamis generate powerful waves that can cause immense destruction upon reaching coastlines.
Unlike wind-driven waves that only affect the surface, tsunamis are ‘full-column’ waves, meaning they displace the entire water column from the sea floor to the surface. In the open ocean, tsunamis have low amplitude but travel at high speeds. As they approach shallow coastal waters, their speed decreases, and their amplitude dramatically increases, leading to destructive wave heights. The term “tidal wave” is a misnomer, as tsunamis are not caused by tides.

Subscribe on YouTube

13. Tropical evergreen rain forest biome provides optimum environmental co

Tropical evergreen rain forest biome provides optimum environmental conditions for the growth of plants and animals. Which one among the following statements regarding this is not correct?

Subscribe on YouTube
It has heavy rainfall and high temperature throughout the year.
This biome is also called mega-thermal biome.
The evergreen rain forest biome extends between 10° N and 10° S latitudes.
The maximum development of this biome has taken place in central and southern California, and north-western coastal lands of Africa.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statement D is incorrect. The tropical evergreen rain forest biome is primarily located in equatorial regions between approximately 10° N and 10° S latitudes. Areas like the Amazon basin, Congo basin, and parts of Southeast Asia are prime examples. Central and southern California have a Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry summers and wet winters. North-western coastal lands of Africa (like Morocco) have a Mediterranean or arid climate. These regions are not where tropical evergreen rainforests achieve their maximum development.
Tropical evergreen rainforests are characterized by high temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year, are often referred to as mega-thermal biomes due to the high temperatures, and are concentrated in the equatorial zone (around 10° N to 10° S latitude).
The high rainfall (typically over 2000 mm per year) and consistent warm temperatures support a dense, multi-layered forest with high biodiversity. The consistent favorable conditions promote continuous plant growth and support a vast array of animal life.

Join Our Telegram Channel

14. Which one of the following statements with regard to the winter solsti

Which one of the following statements with regard to the winter solstice is correct?

Join Our Telegram Channel
The South Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness.
It occurs on June 21.
The North Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness.
The Sun is at aphelion.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
The winter solstice in a hemisphere occurs when that hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the Sun. For the Northern Hemisphere, this happens around December 21st or 22nd. For the Southern Hemisphere, this happens around June 20th or 21st. Unless specified, questions about “winter solstice” often implicitly refer to the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice.
– Statement A: The South Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness. During the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice (around Dec 21/22), the South Pole is tilted towards the Sun and experiences 24 hours of daylight. This statement is incorrect.
– Statement B: It occurs on June 21. June 21 is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Assuming the question refers to the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice, this statement is incorrect.
– Statement C: The North Pole experiences 24 hours of darkness. During the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice (around Dec 21/22), the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in the Sun not rising above the horizon for 24 hours (polar night). This statement is correct.
– Statement D: The Sun is at aphelion. Aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit when it is farthest from the Sun, which occurs around July 4th. Solstices are determined by Earth’s axial tilt relative to its orbit, not its distance from the Sun. This statement is incorrect.
The tilt of Earth’s axis (approximately 23.5 degrees) causes the seasons. Solstices mark the points in Earth’s orbit where the tilt is maximum towards or away from the Sun, leading to the longest and shortest days of the year outside the tropics.

Subscribe on YouTube

15. Which of the following statements with regard to the Mediterranean agr

Which of the following statements with regard to the Mediterranean agriculture is/are correct?

Join Our Telegram Channel
  1. The Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized commercial agriculture.
  2. It is intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation.
  3. It is a primitive subsistence agriculture.
  4. Viticulture is a speciality of the Mediterranean region.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 and 3
1 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
Mediterranean agriculture is a distinct type of agriculture practiced in regions with Mediterranean climates (hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters).
– Statement 1: The Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized commercial agriculture. This is correct. It often focuses on high-value crops like citrus fruits, olives, figs, grapes (for wine), and cork, which are primarily grown for commercial markets.
– Statement 2: It is intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation. This describes agriculture typically found in monsoon regions of Asia, not the Mediterranean. Wet paddy cultivation requires abundant water during the growing season, which is contrary to the dry summer conditions of Mediterranean climates.
– Statement 3: It is a primitive subsistence agriculture. Primitive subsistence agriculture (like shifting cultivation or nomadic herding) is characterized by low technology, dependence on natural rainfall, and production mainly for the farmer’s own consumption. Mediterranean agriculture is more advanced, uses irrigation, and is market-oriented. This statement is incorrect.
– Statement 4: Viticulture is a speciality of the Mediterranean region. This is correct. The climate is very suitable for grape cultivation, and the region is world-renowned for its wine production.
Mediterranean agriculture is known for its arboriculture (cultivation of trees and shrubs), cultivation of drought-resistant cereals (like wheat and barley during the wet winter/spring), and increasingly, market gardening near urban centers. It is generally considered a form of commercial rather than subsistence agriculture.

Subscribe on YouTube

16. Which one of the following statements with regard to the Indian Railwa

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Indian Railways is not correct?

Subscribe on YouTube
  • (a) The Indian rail networks have been developed throughout the Konkan coast.
  • (b) There is very low density of railway lines in the Himalayan region.
  • (c) The north Indian plain has a dense network of railway.
  • (d) At present, India has the largest railway network in the world.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world. Let’s evaluate the given statements.
– (a) The Indian rail networks have been developed throughout the Konkan coast. The Konkan Railway is a major rail line along the Konkan coast, connecting Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. While perhaps not covering the *entire* coast comprehensively, a significant network exists there. This statement is broadly correct.
– (b) There is very low density of railway lines in the Himalayan region. The mountainous and rugged terrain of the Himalayas makes railway construction difficult and expensive, resulting in a sparse network compared to the plains. This statement is correct.
– (c) The north Indian plain has a dense network of railway. The North Indian plains (like the Ganga plain) have flat terrain, high population density, and significant economic activity, making them ideal for extensive railway development and resulting in a dense network. This statement is correct.
– (d) At present, India has the largest railway network in the world. This statement is incorrect. While India has one of the largest networks globally, it is typically ranked 3rd or 4th in terms of route length, behind the United States, China, and sometimes Russia.
The ranking of railway networks by size can vary slightly depending on whether route length or track length is used, but the top positions are generally held by the USA, China, and Russia, with India following. The development of railway networks is heavily influenced by geographical factors, population distribution, and economic needs.

Join Our Telegram Channel

17. Which one of the following is not a biosphere reserve of India?

Which one of the following is not a biosphere reserve of India?

Subscribe on YouTube
Agasthyamalai
Nokrek
Great Nicobar
Great Himalayan
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
India has a network of Biosphere Reserves recognized under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. These are areas designated to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use.
– Agasthyamalai is an officially designated Biosphere Reserve located in the Western Ghats (Kerala and Tamil Nadu).
– Nokrek is an officially designated Biosphere Reserve located in the state of Meghalaya.
– Great Nicobar is an officially designated Biosphere Reserve located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
– Great Himalayan *National Park* is a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (recognized for its natural beauty and biodiversity, particularly alpine flora and fauna), located in Himachal Pradesh. While it is a protected area of high ecological significance, it is not listed among the 18 officially recognized Biosphere Reserves of India under the MAB Programme.
India has 18 designated Biosphere Reserves, 12 of which are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) recognized by UNESCO. Other notable Biosphere Reserves include the Nilgiri, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Gulf of Mannar, etc.

Join Our Telegram Channel

18. With regard to ‘Project Tiger’, which one of the following statements

With regard to ‘Project Tiger’, which one of the following statements is not correct?

Join Our Telegram Channel
  • (a) It was launched in India in the year 1973.
  • (b) The objective of the Project is to preserve the habitats and tigers therein as natural heritage.
  • (c) The Project emphasized to ensure viable population of tigers in India.
  • (d) There are no Tiger Reserves in north-eastern part of India.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
Project Tiger is a conservation programme launched in India to protect the Bengal tiger. Let’s examine each statement:
– (a) It was launched in India in the year 1973. This statement is correct. Project Tiger was launched on April 1, 1973.
– (b) The objective of the Project is to preserve the habitats and tigers therein as natural heritage. This statement correctly describes a key objective of Project Tiger.
– (c) The Project emphasized to ensure viable population of tigers in India. This is also a core objective, aiming to maintain a healthy and sustainable tiger population.
– (d) There are no Tiger Reserves in north-eastern part of India. This statement is incorrect. The North-Eastern region of India has several significant Tiger Reserves, including Manas, Nameri, Orang, Pakke, Namdapha, Buxa (partially in Northeast/East), Kamlang, and Dampa.
Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). It has significantly contributed to the increase in India’s tiger population since its inception. The presence of tiger reserves in diverse geographical regions, including the Northeast, is vital for the species’ survival across its range.

Subscribe on YouTube

19. The optical phenomenon that is primarily responsible for the observati

The optical phenomenon that is primarily responsible for the observation of rainbow on a rainy day is

Join Our Telegram Channel
diffraction
interference
dispersion
reflection
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
A rainbow is formed when sunlight interacts with water droplets suspended in the atmosphere. This phenomenon involves several processes: refraction, dispersion, and reflection.
– When white sunlight enters a water droplet, it is refracted (bent) because the speed of light changes as it passes from air to water.
– As sunlight is composed of different colors (wavelengths), and the refractive index of water is slightly different for each color, the white light is split into its constituent colors. This splitting of white light into its spectrum is called dispersion. Dispersion is crucial because it separates the colors we see in a rainbow.
– The dispersed light then reflects off the inner back surface of the water droplet.
– Finally, the light is refracted again as it exits the droplet into the air, further enhancing the separation of colors.
While refraction and reflection are necessary parts of the process, dispersion is the specific phenomenon responsible for separating the different wavelengths of light (colors) that make up the visible spectrum, thereby creating the band of colors characteristic of a rainbow. Diffraction and interference are wave phenomena but are not the primary cause of the color separation in a typical rainbow.

Subscribe on YouTube

20. A photon of X-ray has energy of 1 keV. A photon of visible radiation h

A photon of X-ray has energy of 1 keV. A photon of visible radiation has energy of 3 eV. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct?

Subscribe on YouTube
The wavelength of X-ray photon is less than the wavelength of visible radiation photon.
Both the photons have different energies.
The speeds of both the photons in vacuum are different.
The frequency of X-ray photon is higher than the frequency of visible radiation photon.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
The energy (E), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ) of a photon are related by the equations E = hf and E = hc/λ, where h is Planck’s constant and c is the speed of light in vacuum. The speed of light in vacuum (c) is a universal constant, approximately 3 x 10⁸ m/s, and is the same for all electromagnetic radiations regardless of their energy, frequency, or wavelength.
– The energy of the X-ray photon (1 keV = 1000 eV) is significantly higher than the energy of the visible radiation photon (3 eV).
– Statement A: Since E = hc/λ, higher energy means shorter wavelength. E(X-ray) > E(Visible), so λ(X-ray) < λ(Visible). This statement is correct. - Statement B: The energies (1000 eV and 3 eV) are clearly different. This statement is correct. - Statement C: The speed of all electromagnetic radiation (including photons of X-rays and visible light) in vacuum is the constant 'c'. Their speeds in vacuum are the same, not different. This statement is incorrect. - Statement D: Since E = hf, higher energy means higher frequency. E(X-ray) > E(Visible), so f(X-ray) > f(Visible). This statement is correct.
Electromagnetic radiation spans a wide spectrum of frequencies and wavelengths, each with corresponding energy levels. While energy, frequency, and wavelength vary, the speed of propagation in a vacuum remains constant for all parts of the spectrum.

Join Our Telegram Channel
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5
Test 1Test 2Test 3Test 4Test 5Test 6Test 7Test 8Test 9Test 10Test 11Test 12Test 13Test 14Test 15Test 16Test 17Test 18Test 19Test 20Test 21Test 22