UPSC CDS-2 Archives

1. Which one of the following resolutions in the final agreement reached

Which one of the following resolutions in the final agreement reached at COP28 is associated with the target of achieving ‘Net Zero by 2050’ ?

Fossil fuel phase-out

Methane emission cuts

Global goal on adaptation

Climate resilience

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In the final agreement reached at COP28 (UAE Consensus), the resolution most directly associated with the target of achieving ‘Net Zero by 2050’ is the call to transition away from fossil fuels. While the text adopted was “transitioning away from fossil fuels” rather than the stronger “phase-out,” this decision is fundamentally aimed at enabling the world to reach net-zero emissions, primarily by drastically reducing the use of coal, oil, and gas. Among the given options, “Fossil fuel phase-out” (or transition) is the action directly addressing the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change, and thus is intrinsically linked to achieving Net Zero.

– Achieving ‘Net Zero by 2050’ requires a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels.
– The COP28 agreement explicitly linked the call to transition away from fossil fuels to the goal of achieving net zero by 2050.
– Options B, C, and D (Methane cuts, adaptation, resilience) are important aspects of climate action but the fossil fuel resolution is the most direct and comprehensive measure towards the *mitigation* required for Net Zero.

The COP28 agreement represented the first time a COP decision explicitly called for transitioning away from all fossil fuels. Other key elements of the agreement included tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

2. Which one of the following statements about ‘INS Tarmugli’ is not corr

Which one of the following statements about ‘INS Tarmugli’ is not correct ?

(a) It is a fast attack craft commissioned by the Indian Navy.
(b) It was commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.
(c) It was given by the Government of India to Sri Lankan Naval Force in 2006 and returned to the Indian Navy in May 2023.
(d) It is supposed to be used for coastal surveillance.

It is a fast attack craft commissioned by the Indian Navy.

It was commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

It was given by the Government of India to Sri Lankan Naval Force in 2006 and returned to the Indian Navy in May 2023.

It is supposed to be used for coastal surveillance.

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Statement (c) is not correct. While the vessel has a history of being transferred between India and Sri Lanka, the statement misrepresents the names and the sequence in relation to ‘INS Tarmugli’. The vessel was originally commissioned as INS Tillanchang by the Indian Navy. It was gifted to the Sri Lankan Navy in 2006 and named SLNS Ayesha. After being returned to India in May 2023, it was subsequently re-commissioned by the Indian Navy as INS Tarmugli in December 2023. Therefore, INS Tarmugli itself was not given and returned; it was a different vessel name during that period, and it was commissioned *after* being returned.

– INS Tarmugli is indeed a fast attack craft commissioned by the Indian Navy (a).
– It was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam (b).
– Fast attack craft are used for coastal surveillance and patrolling (d).
– The historical transfer involved the vessel named INS Tillanchang (later SLNS Ayesha) which was later re-commissioned as INS Tarmugli.

INS Tarmugli belongs to the Fast Attack Craft (FAC) class. Its commissioning enhances the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet.

3. India’s first dedicated OPD for the Transgenders was opened at which o

India’s first dedicated OPD for the Transgenders was opened at which one among the following hospitals ?

AIIMS, New Delhi

PGIMER, Chandigarh

KGMU, Lucknow

RML Hospital, New Delhi

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The first dedicated Out Patient Department (OPD) for the transgender community in India was inaugurated at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi.

– This initiative aims to provide accessible and specialised healthcare services to transgender individuals, addressing their unique health needs and reducing stigma.
– It marks a significant step towards inclusive healthcare in India.

The dedicated OPD provides a range of services, including general health check-ups, hormonal therapy consultations, mental health support, and referrals for gender affirmation procedures, all under one roof.

4. Which of the following movies won the 96th Academy Award 2024 in the B

Which of the following movies won the 96th Academy Award 2024 in the Best Picture category ?

Anatomy of a Fall

Oppenheimer

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

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The film “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, won the prestigious Best Picture award at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony held in March 2024.

“Oppenheimer” was a major contender at the awards, receiving multiple nominations and winning several key categories, including Best Director for Christopher Nolan and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy.

Other nominees in the Best Picture category included “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “American Fiction,” “The Holdovers,” “Maestro,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things,” and “The Zone of Interest.”

5. Which of the following State/s is/are common to Bru-Reang Agreement, N

Which of the following State/s is/are common to Bru-Reang Agreement, NLFT (SD) Agreement and Tripartite Agreement with TIPRA ?

Tripura

Assam and Tripura

Tripura and Mizoram

Manipur and Mizoram

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Let’s examine the states involved in each agreement:
– Bru-Reang Agreement: Involved the Government of India, Government of Tripura, Government of Mizoram, and Bru representatives. (States: Tripura, Mizoram)
– NLFT (SD) Agreement: Signed between the Government of India, Government of Tripura, and the NLFT(SD) insurgent group. (State: Tripura)
– Tripartite Agreement with TIPRA: Signed between the Government of India, Government of Tripura, and TIPRA Motha. (State: Tripura)
The only state common to all three agreements is Tripura.

These agreements address long-standing issues related to insurgency, displacement (Bru refugees), and the rights/demands of indigenous communities primarily in Tripura.

The Bru-Reang agreement aimed at the permanent settlement of Bru refugees, displaced from Mizoram, in Tripura. The NLFT (SD) agreement brought one faction of the banned NLFT group into the mainstream. The agreement with TIPRA relates to addressing the socio-economic and cultural demands of the indigenous people of Tripura.

6. ISRO, in its studies, has revealed that there is a 178% increase in th

ISRO, in its studies, has revealed that there is a 178% increase in the size of the Ghepang Ghat Glacial Lake. In which of the following States/UTs is this lake located ?

Jammu & Kashmir

Ladakh

Himachal Pradesh

Uttarakhand

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The Ghepang Ghat Glacial Lake, whose significant increase in size was highlighted by ISRO’s study, is located in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

Glacial lakes, especially those formed due to glacial retreat, pose a risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Monitoring their size and stability is crucial for disaster preparedness in the Himalayan region.

ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) regularly monitors Himalayan glacial lakes using satellite data to assess changes in their size and potential risks. The Ghepang Ghat lake’s rapid expansion is linked to the retreat of its parent glacier.

7. Which of the following statements is not correct ? (a) SAGAR-SETU is

Which of the following statements is not correct ?

(a) SAGAR-SETU is a mobile app, which aims to improve the Ease of Doing Business.
(b) Harit Sagar aims at achieving Zero Carbon Emission Goal.
(c) Sagar Manthan is a mission launched by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, to increase fish production.
(d) Costa Serena is the first international cruise liner in India.

SAGAR-SETU is a mobile app, which aims to improve the Ease of Doing Business.

Harit Sagar aims at achieving Zero Carbon Emission Goal.

Sagar Manthan is a mission launched by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, to increase fish production.

Costa Serena is the first international cruise liner in India.

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Statement (c) is incorrect. SAGAR-SETU is a mobile app for port-related services (correctly stated in a). Harit Sagar Guidelines aim for zero carbon emissions in the maritime sector (correctly stated in b). Costa Serena is indeed the first international cruise liner to start operations in India (correctly stated in d). Sagar Manthan is NOT a mission for fish production; it is a Real-time Performance Monitoring Digital Module of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, for monitoring various projects and activities. Fish production falls under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Sagar Manthan is an internal monitoring tool for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The initiatives SAGAR-SETU and Harit Sagar are part of India’s efforts to modernize its ports and maritime sector, focusing on ease of doing business, sustainability, and environmental goals. Costa Serena’s arrival marks a step towards promoting cruise tourism in India.

8. The terms used for cereals in the Rig Veda are :

The terms used for cereals in the Rig Veda are :

Godhuma and Vrihi

Yava and Dhanya

Tila and Khala

Priyangu and Shyamaka

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In the Rig Veda, the most frequently mentioned grain is ‘Yava’, which refers to barley. The general term for grain or corn used in the Rig Veda is ‘Dhanya’.

While agriculture was known during the Rig Vedic period, the economy was predominantly pastoral. Barley (‘Yava’) was the main cultivated cereal.

Terms like ‘Godhuma’ (wheat), ‘Vrihi’ (rice), ‘Tila’ (sesame), ‘Priyangu’ (millet), and ‘Shyamaka’ (millet) are more commonly found and associated with later Vedic texts (like Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda) and subsequent periods, indicating a greater reliance on agriculture and diversification of crops.

9. The distribution of charkhas on a wide scale among the people was deci

The distribution of charkhas on a wide scale among the people was decided by :

Congress Working Committee in 1919

All India Congress Committee in 1921

Mahatma Gandhi at the start of Dandi March

All India Congress Committee in 1947

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During the session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) held at Bezwada (Vijayawada) in March 1921, it was resolved to achieve three goals within three months: enroll one crore members in the Congress, collect one crore rupees for the Tilak Swaraj Fund, and distribute 20 lakh charkhas. This decision significantly boosted the Khadi movement and the wide-scale popularization of the charkha.

The resolution at Bezwada was part of the preparatory phase for the Non-Cooperation Movement, emphasizing self-reliance and boycott of foreign goods through the promotion of Khadi and village industries.

Mahatma Gandhi actively promoted the charkha as a symbol of swadeshi (self-sufficiency) and an instrument for economic upliftment of the masses.

10. Consider the following statements about the Vedanta philosophy : 1.

Consider the following statements about the Vedanta philosophy :

1. Shankara was the founder of Advaita Vedanta.
2. The philosophy of Dvaita was elaborated by Madhva.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Both statements are correct. Adi Shankara (Shankara) is the most prominent proponent and systematizer of Advaita Vedanta. Madhva is the founder and main exponent of the Dvaita (dualism) school of Vedanta philosophy.

Vedanta is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. Different schools within Vedanta offer various interpretations of the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita. Advaita emphasizes non-dualism (oneness of Atman and Brahman), while Dvaita emphasizes dualism (distinction between God and individual souls).

Other major schools of Vedanta include Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) founded by Ramanuja, Dvaitadvaita (dualistic non-dualism) by Nimbarka, and Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism) by Vallabha.