UPSC CDS-1

41. When hot water is placed into an empty water bottle, the bottle keeps

When hot water is placed into an empty water bottle, the bottle keeps its shape and does not soften. What type of plastic is the water bottle made from?

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Thermoplastic
PVC
Polyurethane
Thermosetting
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UPSC CDS-1 – 2019
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The question describes a water bottle that retains its shape and does not soften when hot water is placed in it. This property is characteristic of thermosetting plastics. Thermoplastics soften upon heating and can be reshaped, which is why typical PET water bottles deform when exposed to hot liquids. Thermosetting plastics undergo irreversible chemical cross-linking during their formation and remain rigid when heated; they will eventually decompose or char at very high temperatures but do not soften.
– Thermoplastics soften and become pliable upon heating.
– Thermosetting plastics remain rigid upon heating.
– The bottle not softening with hot water indicates it is not a thermoplastic.
Common water bottles are made from PET, a thermoplastic. However, if a bottle is designed to withstand hot water without softening, it is likely made from a thermosetting plastic or a specialized high-temperature thermoplastic, but given the options and the definitive statement “does not soften”, thermosetting is the most fitting category. PVC is a thermoplastic, and while some polyurethanes can be rigid, the description points towards the general class of thermosets.

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42. If one plots the tank irrigation in India and superimposes it with map

If one plots the tank irrigation in India and superimposes it with map of well irrigation, one may find that the two are negatively related. Which of the following statements explain the phenomenon?

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  • 1. Tank irrigation predates well irrigation.
  • 2. Tank irrigation is in the areas with impervious surface layers.
  • 3. Well irrigation requires sufficient groundwater reserves.
  • 4. Other forms of irrigation are not available.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
3 and 4
1 and 4
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Tank irrigation and well irrigation often show a negative spatial relationship in India. This is primarily due to the differing hydrogeological conditions required for each. Tank irrigation is historically prominent in the peninsular plateau region, characterized by hard crystalline rocks (impervious base layers) and undulating topography. These conditions favor surface storage (tanks) but limit groundwater recharge, making well irrigation difficult due to low water tables and poor aquifer connectivity (Point 2 – interpreted as underlying impervious layers). Conversely, well irrigation is dominant in the alluvial plains of North India and deltaic regions, where porous and permeable soils facilitate groundwater recharge and the presence of large aquifers allows for extensive well use (Point 3 – sufficient groundwater reserves). The areas with abundant groundwater for wells often lack suitable topography or have permeable soils less suited for tank construction and water retention. Thus, the conditions favoring one method are generally unfavourable for the other, leading to a negative spatial correlation.
– Tank irrigation is common in hard rock areas with low groundwater potential.
– Well irrigation requires significant and accessible groundwater reserves, typically found in alluvial or soft rock areas.
– The geological and hydrological conditions favouring one type of irrigation are often opposite to those favouring the other.
Statement 1 is true but does not explain the spatial relationship. Statement 4 is false; other irrigation methods like canals are widely used. The negative relationship is a consequence of adapting the irrigation method to the available water resources (surface vs. groundwater) dictated by geology and topography.

43. Which one of the following methods is not suitable for urban rainwater

Which one of the following methods is not suitable for urban rainwater harvesting?

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Rooftop recharge pit
Recharge wells
Gully plug
Recharge trench
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Rainwater harvesting methods suitable for urban areas typically involve collecting rainwater from rooftops or paved surfaces and either storing it or using it to recharge groundwater. Rooftop recharge pits, recharge wells, and recharge trenches are all methods designed for these urban environments. A gully plug, however, is a small structure built across a gully (a small valley or erosion channel) to prevent soil erosion and promote infiltration. These are typically used in rural or semi-arid areas with natural terrain and gullies, not in developed urban settings with managed drainage systems.
– Urban rainwater harvesting focuses on collecting runoff from buildings and paved areas.
– Rooftop recharge pits, recharge wells, and recharge trenches are common urban techniques for collection and groundwater recharge.
– Gully plugs are erosion control structures used in natural or agricultural landscapes.
Urban areas have unique challenges for rainwater harvesting, such as limited open space, high population density, and existing infrastructure like storm drains. Methods must be adaptable to these conditions. Gully plugs are designed for managing surface runoff in unpaved environments to control erosion, which is not the primary goal or suitable application in most urban areas.

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44. Which one of the following is not situated on Varanasi-Kanyakumari Nat

Which one of the following is not situated on Varanasi-Kanyakumari National Highway?

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Satna
Rewa
Katni
Jabalpur
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The Varanasi-Kanyakumari National Highway was the former NH 7, now largely subsumed into NH 44. The main route passes through Varanasi, Rewa, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Madurai, and Kanyakumari. Among the given options, Rewa and Jabalpur are directly situated on this highway. Satna is located west of Rewa and is connected via NH 30. Katni is situated between Rewa and Jabalpur but the main highway bypasses the city center. Based on standard maps and route descriptions, Satna is generally considered to be the city among the options that is not situated on the main Varanasi-Kanyakumari National Highway.
– The question refers to the highway route (old NH 7 / current NH 44).
– Rewa and Jabalpur are major cities located directly on this highway.
– Satna is located off the highway, west of Rewa.
– Katni is also located off the main highway alignment, between Rewa and Jabalpur.
– Assuming the question intends one city is not on the route while others are, Satna is the most likely intended answer as it is significantly off the main alignment compared to the others.
The alignment of major highways can sometimes be subject to minor variations or bypasses affecting whether a city center is directly ‘on’ the route. However, Satna’s location relative to the NH 44 is clearly off the direct path compared to Rewa and Jabalpur.

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45. 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 :

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List-I (City) List-II (Product)
A. Detroit 1. Motorcar
B. Antwerp 2. Diamond cutting
C. Tokyo 3. Steel
D. Harbin 4. Shipbuilding
A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
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The correct matches are: Detroit is known for Motorcars (Automobile industry), Antwerp is a major center for Diamond cutting and trade, Tokyo is a significant port city and a major hub for Shipbuilding and electronics, and Harbin is an industrial city in China historically associated with Steel production.
– Detroit: Automobile manufacturing (Motor City).
– Antwerp: Diamond trade and processing.
– Tokyo: Shipbuilding, electronics, finance (major global city).
– Harbin: Heavy industry, including historical links to steel.
Matching these yields: A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3, which corresponds to option D.

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46. Which one of the following is not correct about Sargasso Sea?

Which one of the following is not correct about Sargasso Sea?

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It is characterized with anticyclonic circulation of ocean currents.
It records the highest salinity in Atlantic Ocean.
It is located west of Gulf Stream and east of Canary Current.
It is confined in gyre of calm and motionless water.
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The Sargasso Sea is a region in the gyre of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is bounded by four currents that form the North Atlantic Gyre: the Gulf Stream to the west, the North Atlantic Current to the north, the Canary Current to the east, and the North Equatorial Current to the south. Therefore, it is located *east* of the Gulf Stream and *west* of the Canary Current. Option C incorrectly reverses this relative positioning.
The Sargasso Sea is defined by surrounding ocean currents forming a gyre.
The Sargasso Sea is known for its high salinity (due to high evaporation and minimal freshwater input), relative calmness at its center, accumulation of Sargassum seaweed, and being part of the anticyclonic North Atlantic Gyre circulation. While it has high salinity, claiming it has the *highest* in the entire Atlantic (Option B) might be debatable depending on specific localized areas, but Option C is definitively incorrect regarding the geographical location relative to the currents.

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47. Which among the following countries of South America does the Tropic o

Which among the following countries of South America does the Tropic of Capricorn not pass through?

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Chile
Bolivia
Paraguay
Brazil
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The Tropic of Capricorn (approximately 23.5° South latitude) passes through four South American countries: Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. It does not pass through Bolivia, which is located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
The Tropic of Capricorn’s path in South America includes Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
The Tropic of Capricorn is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It is the most southerly latitude at which the sun can be directly overhead.

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48. Which one among the following is the most populated State in India as

Which one among the following is the most populated State in India as per Census 2011?

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Goa
Mizoram
Meghalaya
Sikkim
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According to the Census of India 2011, among the given options:
Goa Population: ~1.45 million
Mizoram Population: ~1.1 million
Meghalaya Population: ~2.96 million
Sikkim Population: ~0.61 million
Comparing these figures, Meghalaya had the highest population among the listed states in 2011.
Census 2011 data is required to answer this question.
Uttar Pradesh was the most populated state in India in 2011, while Sikkim was the least populated. The question asks for the most populated *among the given options*.

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49. The city of Cartagena, which is famous for Protocol on Biosafety, is l

The city of Cartagena, which is famous for Protocol on Biosafety, is located in

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Colombia
Venezuela
Brazil
Guyana
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The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty governing the movements of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology. The Protocol was finalized and adopted in the city of Cartagena, Colombia, in January 2000, which gives it its name.
International environmental agreements are often named after the city where they are adopted or signed.
Although the Protocol was adopted in Cartagena, Colombia, its parent agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The Secretariat of the CBD and its protocols, including the Cartagena Protocol, is located in Montreal, Canada.

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50. Which one of the following States of India is not covered by Flood For

Which one of the following States of India is not covered by Flood Forecasting Stations set up by the Central Water Commission?

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Rajasthan
Jammu and Kashmir
Tripura
Himachal Pradesh
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Based on information regarding the Central Water Commission’s (CWC) flood forecasting network, stations are established on various inter-state rivers and their tributaries across India. While CWC has coverage in various states, historical network development and focus areas might lead to one state having less extensive or no coverage for certain types of forecasting compared to others. Although specific definitive data from the time the question was framed is needed for absolute certainty, Rajasthan has historically been cited in the context of having less extensive riverine flood forecasting network compared to the other flood-prone states listed, which are part of major comprehensive river basin forecasting systems (Jhelum/Chenab in J&K, Satluj/Beas/Ravi/Yamuna in HP, Barak/Gomti in Tripura). However, it’s important to note that CWC *does* have stations in parts of Rajasthan, particularly in the Chambal basin and monitoring reservoir levels. The question might be referring to a complete lack of coverage which might be outdated or pertain to specific criteria. However, given the options and standard interpretations of such questions, Rajasthan is often indicated as having less comprehensive coverage compared to the others listed.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) is responsible for flood forecasting on major rivers in India.
CWC’s network covers many river basins across India to issue flood forecasts and warnings. The density and type of stations can vary by region depending on hydrological characteristics and flood risk. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Tripura are situated in regions highly vulnerable to riverine floods and have significant CWC presence.

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