UPSC CDS-1 Archives

41. Which of the following National Parks of India are declared as World H

Which of the following National Parks of India are declared as World Heritage by UNESCO?

1. Keoladeo National Park
2. Sundarbans National Park
3. Kaziranga National Park
4. Ranthambore National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 3 only

3 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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The correct answer is B) 1, 2 and 3 only.

Among the listed National Parks, Keoladeo National Park (formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan), Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal), and Kaziranga National Park (Assam) are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their outstanding universal value. Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan) is a famous wildlife reserve, particularly known for its tiger population, but it is not inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a natural site.

Keoladeo National Park was inscribed as a WHS in 1985 for its importance as a wintering ground for migratory birds. Kaziranga National Park was inscribed in 1985 for its importance as a habitat for the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses. Sundarbans National Park was inscribed in 1987, recognized for its unique mangrove ecosystem and rich biodiversity, including the Bengal tiger.

42. Consider the following tributaries of river Ganga : 1. Gandak 2. Ko

Consider the following tributaries of river Ganga :

1. Gandak
2. Kosi
3. Ghaghara
4. Gomti

Which one of the following is the correct order of the above rivers from east to west?

3-4-1-2

2-1-3-4

2-3-1-4

1-2-4-3

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The correct answer is B) 2-1-3-4.

The question asks for the order of the given tributaries of the River Ganga from east to west. When considering the major north-bank tributaries joining the Ganga in the plains, their approximate order from East to West is: Kosi (joins near Kursela, Bihar) -> Gandak (joins near Patna, Bihar) -> Ghaghara (joins near Chapra, Bihar) -> Gomti (joins near Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, which is west of the major confluence points of Kosi, Gandak, and Ghaghara).

The list provided includes four prominent left-bank (north bank) tributaries of the Ganga. Their confluence points with the Ganga are located in different parts of Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, determining their relative east-west positions. Kosi is the easternmost among the options, followed by Gandak, then Ghaghara, and finally Gomti to the west.

43. Which one of the following crops is not cultivated in Karewas, the lac

Which one of the following crops is not cultivated in Karewas, the lacustrine deposits of sand, clay, loam, silt and boulders?

Saffron

Almond

Walnut

Ling nut

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The correct answer is D) Ling nut.

Karewas are elevated terraces or plateaus formed by lacustrine (lake) deposits in the Kashmir Valley. These fertile deposits are well-known for the cultivation of specific crops adapted to the region’s climate and soil. Saffron, almond, and walnut are traditionally and widely cultivated crops in the Karewa regions of Kashmir. Ling nut (also known as Water Chestnut, *Trapa natans*) is an aquatic or semi-aquatic plant cultivated in water bodies like lakes, ponds, or flooded fields, not on the terrestrial deposits of Karewas.

Karewas are economically important for Kashmir’s agriculture, particularly for horticulture and cash crops. Besides saffron, almonds, and walnuts, apple orchards are also prevalent in these areas. The unique soil composition and elevation of Karewas provide suitable conditions for these specific crops.

44. Extrusive volcanoes are not found in which one of the following

Extrusive volcanoes are not found in which one of the following mountains?

Alaska

Rocky

Andes

Himalayas

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The correct answer is D) Himalayas.

Extrusive volcanoes are typically associated with plate boundaries involving subduction or rifting, where magma reaches the Earth’s surface. The Himalayas were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian continental plates, a process that primarily leads to intense folding, faulting, and uplift, rather than the formation of extrusive volcanoes. While intrusive igneous activity (like granite formation) occurs deep within the crust in collisional zones, molten rock rarely erupts onto the surface.

The Andes (Nazca/South American plate subduction), Alaska (part of the Pacific Ring of Fire), and historically, the Rocky Mountains region (though less active now than regions on the Ring of Fire) are associated with tectonic settings where extrusive volcanic activity has occurred or can occur. The Himalayas represent a continent-continent collision boundary, which is less conducive to surface volcanism compared to ocean-continent or ocean-ocean subduction zones or rift zones.

45. Which one of the following Indian States has the highest percentage of

Which one of the following Indian States has the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribe population to its total population?

Mizoram

Nagaland

Meghalaya

Arunachal Pradesh

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The question asks for the state with the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribe (ST) population to its total population among the given options. Based on Census 2011 data (which is the most recent comprehensive data available and typically used for such questions), the percentages are approximately:
– Mizoram: 87.1%
– Nagaland: 86.5%
– Meghalaya: 86.1%
– Arunachal Pradesh: 68.8%
Comparing these percentages, Mizoram has the highest percentage of ST population relative to its total population among the states listed.

– North-Eastern states generally have a high percentage of tribal population.
– Census data provides the official figures for population composition.

Other states and Union Territories in India also have significant tribal populations, but the question specifically asks among the four given states. The high percentages in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya reflect the unique demographic profile of these states, where tribal communities constitute the majority of the population.

46. Consider the following constituent gases of the atmosphere : 1. Argo

Consider the following constituent gases of the atmosphere :

1. Argon
2. Neon
3. Helium
4. Carbon dioxide

Which one of the following is the correct ascending sequence of the above gases in terms of the volume percentage?

1-3-2-4

1-4-2-3

4-2-3-1

2-4-1-3

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The question asks for the correct ascending sequence of atmospheric gases by volume percentage. Let’s list the approximate volume percentages of the given gases in dry air:
1. Argon (Ar): ~0.93%
2. Neon (Ne): ~0.0018%
3. Helium (He): ~0.0005%
4. Carbon dioxide (CO₂): ~0.04% (This value can slightly vary depending on the source/year, but its relative position is stable).
The correct ascending order by volume percentage is Helium (3) < Neon (2) < Carbon dioxide (4) < Argon (1). This corresponds to the sequence 3-2-4-1. Looking at the options provided: A) 1-3-2-4 (Ar, He, Ne, CO2) - Incorrect B) 1-4-2-3 (Ar, CO2, Ne, He) - This sequence (0.93%, 0.04%, 0.0018%, 0.0005%) represents the correct *descending* order of the gases. C) 4-2-3-1 (CO2, Ne, He, Ar) - Incorrect D) 2-4-1-3 (Ne, CO2, Ar, He) - Incorrect Based on standard scientific values, none of the options represent the correct ascending sequence (3-2-4-1). However, option B presents the correct descending sequence (1-4-2-3). It is highly probable that there is an error in the question asking for "ascending" instead of "descending", or a misprint in the options. Given that a forced choice from the options is required and B is the correct descending order, it is often the case in such flawed questions that the option matching the reverse order is the intended answer due to a mistake in the question phrasing. Assuming this likely error, we select B.

– The major components of dry air are Nitrogen (~78%), Oxygen (~21%), and Argon (~0.93%).
– Carbon dioxide, Neon, and Helium are trace gases, present in much smaller quantities.
– The order of abundance for the given gases is Argon > Carbon dioxide > Neon > Helium.

The percentages of atmospheric gases are generally constant in the lower atmosphere, except for variable gases like water vapor and carbon dioxide. The exact percentage of CO2 has been increasing due to human activities, but its relative abundance compared to Ar, Ne, and He remains in the same order.

47. The pressure of a fluid varies with depth h as P = P₀ + pgh, where ρ i

The pressure of a fluid varies with depth h as P = P₀ + pgh, where ρ is the fluid density. This expression is associated with

Pascal's law

Newton's law

Bernoulli's principle

Archimedes' principle

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The expression P = P₀ + ρgh gives the total pressure at a depth h in a fluid. P₀ is the pressure at the surface (e.g., atmospheric pressure), ρ is the fluid density, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the depth. This formula describes the hydrostatic pressure at a given depth. This concept and formula are fundamental to hydrostatics, a field significantly contributed to by Blaise Pascal. While the formula is derived from basic principles of force and pressure (considering the weight of the fluid column), it is most directly associated with Pascal’s principles of hydrostatics, which deal with the pressure exerted by fluids at rest and its transmission.

– The formula P = P₀ + ρgh quantifies hydrostatic pressure variation with depth.
– Pascal’s contributions were foundational to understanding fluid pressure at rest and its transmission.

Newton’s laws relate to motion and force. Bernoulli’s principle relates pressure, velocity, and height in fluid flow (fluid dynamics). Archimedes’ principle relates to buoyancy and displaced fluid. While all are important concepts in fluid mechanics, the specific formula for pressure variation with depth in a static fluid is most closely linked to the principles and studies of hydrostatics pioneered by Pascal.

48. A wire of copper having length l and area of cross-section A is taken

A wire of copper having length l and area of cross-section A is taken and a current I is flown through it. The power dissipated in the wire is P. If we take an aluminum wire having same dimensions and pass the same current through it, the power dissipated will be

< P

> P

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The power dissipated in a wire is given by P = I²R, where I is the current flowing through the wire and R is its resistance. The resistance of a wire is given by R = ρ * (l/A), where ρ is the resistivity of the material, l is the length, and A is the area of cross-section.
For the copper wire, P = I² * R_copper = I² * (ρ_copper * l / A). We are given this power is P.
For the aluminum wire, it has the same dimensions (l and A) and the same current (I). The power dissipated is P_aluminum = I² * R_aluminum = I² * (ρ_aluminum * l / A).
To compare P_aluminum and P, we need to compare the resistivities of aluminum (ρ_aluminum) and copper (ρ_copper). Copper is a better conductor than aluminum, which means its resistivity is lower. Therefore, ρ_aluminum > ρ_copper.
Since P_aluminum is proportional to ρ_aluminum (for fixed I, l, A) and P is proportional to ρ_copper, and ρ_aluminum > ρ_copper, it follows that P_aluminum > P. The power dissipated in the aluminum wire will be greater than in the copper wire.

– Power dissipated in a resistor is proportional to its resistance (P = I²R, or P = V²/R, or P = VI).
– Resistance depends on the material’s resistivity and the wire’s dimensions (R = ρl/A).
– Aluminum has higher resistivity than copper.

Copper is widely used in electrical wiring due to its low resistivity and ductility. Aluminum is also used, particularly in high-voltage transmission lines, as it is lighter and cheaper than copper, despite having a higher resistivity. The difference in resistivity directly impacts the power loss due to heating (Joule heating) for the same current and dimensions.

49. Which of the following statements about the National Water Academy (NW

Which of the following statements about the National Water Academy (NWA) is/are correct?

1. The primary objective of the NWA is to function as Centre of Excellence in training for in-service engineers from Central and State organiza- tions on various aspects of water resource planning.
2. The NWA is located in New Delhi.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Statement 1: The National Water Academy (NWA) is indeed a premier institution in India for training in-service engineers and professionals from Central and State government organizations, as well as from the private sector and NGOs, on various aspects of water resources development and management, including planning. This statement correctly describes a primary objective.
Statement 2: The National Water Academy (NWA) is located at Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, not New Delhi.
Therefore, Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 2 is incorrect.

– The NWA is India’s leading training institution for water resources professionals.
– Its location is important factual information.

The National Water Academy functions under the Central Water Commission (CWC), Ministry of Jal Shakti. It provides training programs, workshops, and seminars aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of water sector personnel to address the challenges of water resource management in India.

50. In which one of the following groups of States in India is the Integra

In which one of the following groups of States in India is the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project being implemented as a pilot investment?

Gujarat, Kerala and Goa

Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal

Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

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The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project in India is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The first phase of the project was implemented as a pilot investment in selected coastal states to build capacity and demonstrate ICZM principles. The states selected for this initial pilot phase were Gujarat, Odisha, and West Bengal.

– The ICZM project in India aims for sustainable management of coastal areas.
– The pilot phase focused on capacity building and demonstrating ICZM approaches in specific states.

The project aims to address issues such as coastal erosion, pollution, conservation of coastal ecosystems, and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities through a holistic and integrated approach involving various stakeholders. Later phases or projects might include other coastal states.