UPSC CDS-1 Archives

31. In the Hadley cell thermal circulation, air rises up and finally desce

In the Hadley cell thermal circulation, air rises up and finally descends at

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intertropical convergence zone

doldrums

subtropical high-pressure cells

equatorial troughs

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The correct answer is C) subtropical high-pressure cells.

The Hadley cell is a large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that dominates the tropical atmosphere. Warm, moist air rises at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), located near the equator, driven by intense solar heating (creating a low-pressure area). This rising air cools, loses moisture (leading to tropical rainfall), and then flows poleward at high altitudes. Around 30 degrees latitude North and South, the air cools further, becomes denser, and descends towards the surface. This descending air is dry and leads to high-pressure areas known as the subtropical high-pressure cells. This descent inhibits cloud formation, resulting in clear skies and arid conditions often associated with major deserts found around these latitudes.

The Doldrums refer to the low-pressure region near the equator associated with the ITCZ, where air rises. Equatorial troughs are also low-pressure regions around the equator. Air rises, not descends, in these regions.

32. In India, how many States/Union Territories have more than two interna

In India, how many States/Union Territories have more than two international boundaries?

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The correct answer is D) 4.

As of the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, there are several Indian states and union territories sharing international boundaries. Those sharing more than two international boundaries are:
1. Arunachal Pradesh: Borders Bhutan, China, and Myanmar.
2. West Bengal: Borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
3. Sikkim: Borders Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
4. Ladakh (Union Territory): Borders Pakistan (PoK), China (Aksai Chin/LAC), and Afghanistan (Wakhan Corridor, disputed).
Thus, there are 3 states and 1 Union Territory that share more than two international boundaries, totaling 4 entities.

Other states/UTs bordering international boundaries include Jammu and Kashmir (UT – Pakistan, China), Punjab (Pakistan), Rajasthan (Pakistan), Gujarat (Pakistan), Uttarakhand (Nepal, China), Uttar Pradesh (Nepal), Bihar (Nepal), Assam (Bhutan, Bangladesh), Meghalaya (Bangladesh), Tripura (Bangladesh), Mizoram (Bangladesh, Myanmar), Nagaland (Myanmar), Manipur (Myanmar).

33. Which of the following are warm ocean currents?

Which of the following are warm ocean currents?

Kuroshio and California Current

North Atlantic Drift and Brazil Current

Canaries and Benguela Current

West Wind Drift and Falkland Current

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The correct answer is B) North Atlantic Drift and Brazil Current.

Warm ocean currents originate in lower latitudes (near the equator) and flow towards higher latitudes, carrying warmer water. Cold ocean currents originate in higher latitudes (near the poles) and flow towards lower latitudes, carrying colder water.
– Kuroshio Current: Warm current in the North Pacific. California Current: Cold current in the North Pacific. (Option A is incorrect)
– North Atlantic Drift: Warm current in the North Atlantic, an extension of the Gulf Stream. Brazil Current: Warm current in the South Atlantic. (Option B is correct)
– Canaries Current: Cold current in the North Atlantic. Benguela Current: Cold current in the South Atlantic. (Option C is incorrect)
– West Wind Drift (Antarctic Circumpolar Current): Cold current flowing around Antarctica. Falkland Current: Cold current in the South Atlantic. (Option D is incorrect)

Ocean currents significantly influence global climate patterns, distributing heat from the tropics towards the poles and cold water towards the equator. Warm currents tend to bring warmer temperatures and increased precipitation to coastal areas they flow past, while cold currents often lead to cooler, drier conditions and can be associated with deserts.

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34. Which one of the following groups of cities does not have Sclerophyll

Which one of the following groups of cities does not have Sclerophyll as its natural vegetation cover?

Valparaiso and Cape Town

Lisbon and Perth

Los Angeles and Adelaide

Las Vegas and Queensland

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The correct answer is D) Las Vegas and Queensland.

Sclerophyll vegetation, characterized by hard, leathery leaves adapted to reduce water loss, is typical of Mediterranean climates (dry summers, mild wet winters). Cities in Mediterranean climate regions include Valparaiso (Chile), Cape Town (South Africa), Lisbon (Portugal), Perth (Australia – SW), Los Angeles (USA – California), and Adelaide (Australia – S). Las Vegas (USA) is located in a desert climate (Mojave Desert), and its natural vegetation is characterized by xerophytes like cacti and Joshua trees, not sclerophyll forests or shrublands. Queensland (Australia) has a predominantly tropical and subtropical climate, with vegetation ranging from rainforests and savannas to dry woodlands, but not widespread sclerophyll shrublands characteristic of Mediterranean regions.

Mediterranean climates are found on the western coasts of continents between approximately 30° and 45° latitude. Sclerophyllous plants are an evolutionary adaptation to survive the long, hot, dry summers and prevent excessive transpiration.

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35. Geomorphic factors influencing plant and animal distributions are

Geomorphic factors influencing plant and animal distributions are

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slope angle and relief only

slope aspect and relative relief

slope angle, slope aspect and relief

slope angle, slope aspect and relative relief

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The correct answer is D) slope angle, slope aspect and relative relief.

Geomorphic factors relate to the physical characteristics of the Earth’s surface. Slope angle influences water runoff, soil erosion, and sun exposure. Slope aspect (the direction a slope faces) significantly affects the amount of insolation received, which impacts temperature and moisture levels. Relief refers to the variation in elevation within a given area; relative relief focuses on local differences in elevation. All these factors influence local climate conditions (microclimate), soil development, and drainage patterns, which in turn affect the types and distribution of plant and animal life. Options A, B, and C are incomplete as they do not list all the key geomorphic factors mentioned that are relevant to plant and animal distributions.

Other geomorphic factors that can influence species distribution include altitude (part of relief), terrain ruggedness, drainage patterns, and the presence of specific landforms like valleys, ridges, or plateaus. These factors interact with climatic and edaphic (soil) factors to create diverse habitats.

36. Which one of the following statements about the famous text of *Pancha

Which one of the following statements about the famous text of *Panchatantra* is correct?

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It is a philosophical text reflecting the debates of the time and refuting rival positions.

It is a text ushering in linguistics as a formal science.

It is a text discussing developments in various spheres of natural sciences.

It is a text showing through illustration what should and should not be done.

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Panchatantra is a text showing through illustration what should and should not be done.

The Panchatantra is a collection of ancient Indian fables, primarily animal fables, intended to instruct young princes on statecraft and good governance (niti). The stories illustrate moral principles and practical wisdom by showing the consequences of various actions, effectively demonstrating what is advisable (“should be done”) and what is not (“should not be done”) in different situations.

Attributed to Vishnu Sharma, the Panchatantra is considered a nitishastra (text on political science or conduct). It uses simple stories and animal characters to convey complex ideas about human behavior, relationships, and strategy, making it accessible and memorable. It is not a philosophical text debating rival positions (A), a linguistics text (B), or a text on natural sciences (C).

37. Which of the following rulers were identified through metronymics (nam

Which of the following rulers were identified through metronymics (names derived from that of the mother)?

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Mallas of Pava

Videhas of Mithila

Yaudheyas

Satavahanas

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The Satavahanas were a dynasty in ancient South India whose rulers were often identified through metronymics.

Satavahana rulers frequently adopted names derived from their mothers’ names, such as Gautamiputra Satakarni (son of Gautami) and Vashishthiputra Pulumavi (son of Vashishthi). This practice is a distinctive feature of their inscriptions and coins.

The use of metronymics among the Satavahanas suggests a degree of respect for the maternal lineage, although patrilineal succession remained the norm. While other ancient groups had different naming conventions, metronymics are most prominently associated with the Satavahana dynasty in this context.

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

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Kuddapah-kar : Rocky wastelands

Nancai : Wet fields

Puncai : Dry fields

Tottakal : Garden lands

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The pair Kuddapah-kar : Rocky wastelands is not correctly matched as a standard land classification.

While ‘Nancai’ refers to wet fields, ‘Puncai’ to dry fields, and ‘Tottakal’ to garden lands (common terms in South Indian land classification), ‘Kuddapah-kar’ is not a general term for rocky wastelands. It refers to a specific type of cultivation or land classification primarily associated with the Cuddapah region in South India, often implying a specific cropping pattern or land use which might include dry or semi-dry cultivation, not necessarily just rocky wasteland in a general sense.

The terms Nancai, Puncai, and Tottakal are traditional Tamil/South Indian classifications reflecting the irrigation status and type of cultivation. Kuddapah-kar is a more specific term potentially linked to historical revenue records or local practices in the Cuddapah district, which may involve different types of land including some that are dry or less fertile, but it doesn’t broadly translate to ‘rocky wastelands’ as a general category like the others.

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39. Which of the following statements about ‘Mughal Mansab’ system are cor

Which of the following statements about ‘Mughal Mansab’ system are correct?

1. ‘Zat’ rank was an indicator of a Mansabdar’s position in the imperial hierarchy and the salary of the Mansabdar.
2. ‘Sawar’ rank indicated the number of horsemen the Mansabdar was required to maintain.
3. In the seventeenth century, Mansabdars holding 1000 or above ‘Sawar’ rank were designated as nobles (Umara).

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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All three statements about the Mughal Mansab system are correct.

The Mansabdari system was a military and administrative system introduced by Akbar.
1. ‘Zat’ was the personal rank, indicating the holder’s status in the hierarchy and determining the basic salary.
2. ‘Sawar’ was the cavalry rank, indicating the number of horsemen a Mansabdar was required to maintain and the associated grant for their upkeep.
3. High-ranking Mansabdars, especially those with 1000 Zat and/or Sawar rank and above (though the threshold varied slightly over time), were generally considered part of the ‘Umara’ or nobility.

The Mansab system was a complex graded system. A Mansabdar was a military unit within the imperial bureaucracy, responsible for military service and civil administration. The distinction between Zat and Sawar ranks was crucial, especially later in the system’s evolution, with concepts like ‘do aspa seh aspa’ also developing to differentiate the number of horses maintained per trooper. The ‘Umara’ constituted the elite of the Mughal administration and military.

40. The famous Mughal painting, depicting Jahangir embracing the Safavid k

The famous Mughal painting, depicting Jahangir embracing the Safavid king Shah Abbas, was painted by which one of the following Mughal painters?

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Abd al-Samad

Abul Hasan

Dasavant

Bishandas

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The famous Mughal painting depicting Jahangir embracing the Safavid king Shah Abbas was painted by Abul Hasan.

Abul Hasan was a celebrated Mughal miniature painter during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir bestowed upon him the title ‘Nadir-uz-Zaman’ (Wonder of the Age). This particular painting is one of Abul Hasan’s most famous works.

This allegorical painting, titled “Jahangir preferring a Sufi Shaikh over Kings” or similar variations, subtly portrays Jahangir’s worldview and diplomatic relations through symbolism, although the title mentions embracing Shah Abbas, the painting often depicts Jahangir giving preference to spiritual figures over monarchs like the Ottoman Sultan, English King James I, and Shah Abbas. Abul Hasan was renowned for his portraiture and historical scenes. Bishandas was another prominent painter in Jahangir’s court, known for his portraits.