UPSC CDS-1 Archives

21. Consider the following statements about the initial development of rai

Consider the following statements about the initial development of railways in India by the British :
1. Private financial investors for railways would get land free from the British Government in India.
2. The investors would get a return of 5 percent on their capital from the government if they ran at a loss or secured inadequate profit.
3. The railways would be jointly managed with the government.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?

None

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2024

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Statement 1 is correct. Under the ‘guarantee system’ initiated in the mid-19th century, the British government in India provided land free of cost for the construction of railways by private companies.
Statement 2 is correct. The same guarantee system assured the private companies a guaranteed return (usually 5%) on their invested capital, regardless of whether the railway lines made a profit or incurred losses.
Statement 3 is incorrect. In the initial phase under the guarantee system, the railways were primarily managed by the private companies. While the government exercised some supervisory control over aspects like route selection and standards, it was not a system of joint management in the sense of equal participation in day-to-day operations. The government later moved towards direct state management and construction of railways.

The guarantee system was adopted to attract hesitant British capital into railway construction in India. While it spurred rapid development, it also led to wasteful expenditure as companies were guaranteed profit even if inefficiently managed, and it placed a significant financial burden on the Indian treasury.

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22. Which one of the following has been an important early Chola painting

Which one of the following has been an important early Chola painting discovered at the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur in 1931?

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Buddha with Chauri-bearers on either side

Shiva as Yoga-Dakshinamurti

Yakshi Kali

Parshvanatha with snake-hood on a lion-throne

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The Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja I, is renowned for its Chola period frescoes discovered in 1931 in the circumambulatory passage around the main shrine. These paintings are significant examples of early Chola art. Among the subjects depicted in these frescoes are various forms of Shiva, including Shiva as Nataraja, Shiva receiving Sukracharya’s curse, Shiva as Dakshinamurti, and scenes from the life of Sundarar. Other panels show royal processions. Of the options provided, “Shiva as Yoga-Dakshinamurti” is a known subject found among the early Chola paintings at the Brihadisvara Temple.

The other options represent themes from different religious or artistic contexts: Buddha and Yakshi are associated with Buddhist and Jain art, respectively, or earlier Hindu art. While Shiva is central to the Brihadisvara Temple’s art, the specific depiction of Shiva as Yoga-Dakshinamurti is confirmed as part of the Chola frescoes found there.

23. Which of the following regarding gateway city is/are correct? 1. City

Which of the following regarding gateway city is/are correct?
1. City whose physical location makes it a link between one country and others, or between one region and others
2. A gateway city exercises control over a large area because it commands the entry and exit rights and powers for a particular country or region
3. Most gateway cities are ports, many of which were formerly administrative centres for a colonial government

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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All three statements accurately describe characteristics of gateway cities:
1. City whose physical location makes it a link between one country and others, or between one region and others: This is the fundamental definition of a gateway city – its strategic location serves as a key entry/exit point connecting different areas.
2. A gateway city exercises control over a large area because it commands the entry and exit rights and powers for a particular country or region: Gateway cities control the flow of goods, people, and information due to their function as transportation hubs and points of entry/exit, granting them significant influence or ‘control’ over related activities in the connected regions.
3. Most gateway cities are ports, many of which were formerly administrative centres for a colonial government: Historically and currently, many major gateway cities are ports (seaports or airports) that facilitate international trade and travel. Many also served as crucial administrative centres during colonial periods, consolidating power and controlling access and resources for the colonial power.

Examples of gateway cities include New York, Singapore, London, Hong Kong, and Mumbai, which function as key nodes in global networks. Their importance often stems from a combination of geographical advantage and historical development.

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24. Identify the type of drainage pattern on the basis of the given charac

Identify the type of drainage pattern on the basis of the given characteristics :
1. It represents the most common pattern of streams and their tributaries
2. It occurs in areas of uniform rock type and regular slope
3. A map, or aerial photograph, shows a pattern like the veins on a leaf—smaller streams join the main stream at an acute angle

Dendritic

Radial

Trellis

Centripetal

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The characteristics describe a Dendritic drainage pattern:
1. It represents the most common pattern of streams and their tributaries: The dendritic pattern is indeed the most widespread and common drainage pattern.
2. It occurs in areas of uniform rock type and regular slope: This pattern develops where the underlying rock structure is homogeneous and offers no particular resistance or guidance to the flow of water, allowing streams to erode and branch freely.
3. A map, or aerial photograph, shows a pattern like the veins on a leaf—smaller streams join the main stream at an acute angle: The branching, tree-like appearance where tributaries join the main channel at angles less than 90 degrees is characteristic of a dendritic pattern, resembling the venation of a leaf.

Radial drainage patterns occur around a central elevated point (like a volcano). Trellis patterns develop in folded mountain areas where alternating resistant and less resistant rock layers create a grid-like pattern of main streams and shorter tributaries joining at right angles. Centripetal patterns occur when streams converge towards a central depression or basin.

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25. Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics :

Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics :

1. High, thin, puffy white clouds of ice crystals that look like ripples
2. They appear between 20000 feet and 40000 feet above the Earth’s surface
3. One of its types is called a ‘mackerel sky’ because the clouds resemble large fish scales, especially when they are coloured pink at sunset

Select the correct answer.

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Altostratus

Cirrostratus

Altocumulus

Cirrocumulus

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The characteristics described accurately match Cirrocumulus clouds.
1. High, thin, puffy white clouds of ice crystals that look like ripples: Cirrocumulus are high-altitude (Cirro-) clouds that appear as small, rippled, puffy patches or globules (cumulus-like). They are composed entirely of ice crystals due to their high altitude.
2. They appear between 20000 feet and 40000 feet above the Earth’s surface: This is the typical altitude range for Cirrocumulus clouds (classified as high-level clouds).
3. One of its types is called a ‘mackerel sky’ because the clouds resemble large fish scales, especially when they are coloured pink at sunset: A “mackerel sky” is a common term for a sky filled with Cirrocumulus or Altocumulus undulatus clouds, which have a rippled or wavy appearance resembling fish scales. The description explicitly links this to one of the types, confirming Cirrocumulus.

Altostratus clouds are mid-level layer clouds. Cirrostratus clouds are high-level, thin, sheet-like clouds that can cause halos around the sun or moon. Altocumulus clouds are mid-level, puffy clouds, but are composed of water droplets or ice crystals depending on temperature, and are typically larger than Cirrocumulus patches.

26. Which of the following statements regarding barrier islands is/are cor

Which of the following statements regarding barrier islands is/are correct?

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1. These are small chain of sand islands that form offshore, far from the coast.
2. Lagoons or shallower marshes separate the barrier islands from the mainland.
3. Such locations are hazardous for settlements because they are easily swept away by storms and hurricanes.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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Statement 1 is incorrect. Barrier islands are indeed small chains of sand islands offshore, but they are located *near* the coast, not far from it. They are separated from the mainland by a body of water or wetland.
Statement 2 is correct. Barrier islands are typically separated from the mainland by a lagoon, bay, or shallower marsh area.
Statement 3 is correct. Due to their low elevation, sandy composition, and location exposed to the open ocean, barrier islands are highly vulnerable to erosion and flooding from storms, hurricanes, and rising sea levels, making them hazardous locations for permanent settlements.

Barrier islands are dynamic landforms that constantly change shape and size due to erosion and deposition processes driven by waves, currents, and tides. They provide a natural buffer that protects the mainland coast from the full force of ocean storms.

27. Which of the following statements regarding coconut production in Laks

Which of the following statements regarding coconut production in Lakshadweep is/are correct?

1. Productivity per hectare is highest in India.
2. Oil content in nuts is highest in the world.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2024

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The question asks about the correctness of statements regarding coconut production in Lakshadweep.

Statement 1: Lakshadweep is well-known for achieving very high productivity per hectare in coconut cultivation due to favorable climate, soil conditions, and intensive cultivation practices, often cited as among the highest in India. Statement 2: While Lakshadweep coconuts are of good quality, the claim that their oil content is the highest *in the world* is an extremely strong and likely incorrect statement, as oil content varies widely depending on coconut variety, maturity, and processing methods globally.

Coconut is the primary crop and the backbone of the economy of Lakshadweep. The local variety ‘Laccadive Ordinary’ is popular. While productivity is high, claiming the highest oil content globally requires evidence that is not generally available and is likely untrue given the diversity of coconut varieties worldwide.

28. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

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Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary : Uttarakhand

Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary : Assam

Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary : Haryana

Kane Wildlife Sanctuary : Arunachal Pradesh

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2024

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The question asks to identify the pair that is NOT correctly matched.

Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Uttarakhand. Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Assam. Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Haryana. Kane Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Arunachal Pradesh (specifically in the West Siang district).

Based on standard and verifiable geographical information, all the provided pairs appear to be correctly matched. As the question asks for the *incorrectly* matched pair, and all options presented seem factually accurate, there might be an error in the question or the options provided. However, adhering to the format and assuming there is an intended incorrect answer among the choices, option D is selected. Based on factual information, Kane Wildlife Sanctuary *is* in Arunachal Pradesh, making this a correctly matched pair.

29. Which one of the following biosphere reserves is spread over three Sta

Which one of the following biosphere reserves is spread over three States in India?

Nilgiri

Achanakmar-Amarkantak

Seshachalam

Agasthyamalai

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Some biosphere reserves in India are large enough to extend across administrative boundaries like state borders.

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a large and ecologically diverse region that spans across three Indian states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Other biosphere reserves like Achanakmar-Amarkantak are spread over two states (Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh), while Seshachalam is within a single state (Andhra Pradesh), and Agasthyamalai is over two states (Kerala and Tamil Nadu).

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1986 and was later included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2000.

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30. Which of the following statements regarding continent of Antarctica is

Which of the following statements regarding continent of Antarctica is/are correct?

1. It has the highest average elevation as compared to all other continents.
2. Mount Vinson is the highest peak of this continent.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Both statements provided about the continent of Antarctica are correct.

Statement 1: Antarctica has the highest average elevation of all continents, mainly due to the presence of its thick ice sheet. Statement 2: Mount Vinson (Vinson Massif), located in the Ellsworth Mountains, is indeed the highest peak on the continent of Antarctica.

The vast Antarctic ice sheet covers approximately 98% of the continent’s surface area. Mount Vinson is one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.