UPSC CDS-2 Archives

1. Timber vegetation is generally not found in which of the following

Timber vegetation is generally not found in which of the following regions?

[amp_mcq option1=”Subtropical region” option2=”Temperate region” option3=”Alpine region” option4=”Tundra region” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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Timber vegetation is generally not found in the Tundra region.

Tundra regions are characterized by extremely low temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost (permanently frozen ground). These conditions prevent the growth of large trees suitable for timber. The vegetation typically consists of mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, and dwarf shrubs.

Alpine regions, which are high-altitude areas above the tree line, also generally lack timber vegetation for similar reasons (cold, wind, thin soil). Subtropical and Temperate regions, however, are well-known for their extensive forests containing various types of trees that are sources of timber, such as evergreen, deciduous, and coniferous forests.

2. Which one of the following Indian places receives minimum rainfall in

Which one of the following Indian places receives minimum rainfall in a year?

[amp_mcq option1=”Jodhpur” option2=”Leh” option3=”New Delhi” option4=”Bengaluru” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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Leh receives the minimum rainfall in a year among the given options.

Leh is located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, which lies in the rain shadow area of the Himalayas. This geographical location prevents the monsoon winds from reaching the region, resulting in extremely low precipitation. It is often described as a cold desert.

Other regions in India known for low rainfall include the Thar Desert (parts of Rajasthan) and the Bikaner region, but among the options provided, Leh is significantly drier. Jodhpur is in Rajasthan, New Delhi is in the Northern Plains, and Bengaluru is in South India, all of which receive much more rainfall compared to Leh.

3. As per the Budget Estimates of expenditure on major subsidies during 2

As per the Budget Estimates of expenditure on major subsidies during 2019-20, the maximum expenditure was likely to be on

[amp_mcq option1=”urea subsidy” option2=”petroleum subsidy” option3=”food subsidy” option4=”fertilizer subsidy” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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Based on the Budget Estimates of expenditure on major subsidies for the Union Government in 2019-20, the largest allocation was for Food subsidy.

The Budget Estimates for 2019-20 projected significant expenditures on various subsidies. Among the major categories listed: Food subsidy (~₹1.84 lakh crore), Fertiliser subsidy (~₹0.80 lakh crore), and Petroleum subsidy (~₹0.37 lakh crore). The Food subsidy was clearly the largest among these. Fertiliser subsidy is the total of Urea subsidy and P&K subsidy; Urea subsidy is a component, not the total fertiliser subsidy.

Food subsidy is primarily channelled through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for procuring, storing, and distributing food grains under schemes like the National Food Security Act. Fertiliser subsidy supports the availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised prices. Petroleum subsidy mainly covers LPG and Kerosene. In 2019-20, the allocation for food subsidy was the highest among these categories.

4. Which one of the following statements about Indian economy during 2019

Which one of the following statements about Indian economy during 2019-20 is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”There has been deceleration in growth rate.” option2=”There has been sluggish growth in tax revenue relative to the Budget Estimates.” option3=”Fiscal deficit as percentage of GDP has been as per the Budget Estimates.” option4=”The non-tax revenue registered a considerably higher growth.” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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The fiscal year 2019-20 for the Indian economy was characterised by a slowdown in growth rate, sluggish tax revenue collection, and higher-than-budgeted fiscal deficit. Non-tax revenues, on the other hand, saw relatively strong growth.

Statement A is correct; India’s GDP growth rate decelerated in 2019-20. Statement B is correct; tax revenue growth was sluggish and fell short of the Budget Estimates due to the economic slowdown. Statement D is correct; non-tax revenue, boosted by factors like a large dividend transfer from the RBI, registered considerable growth. Statement C claims that the fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP was as per the Budget Estimates. This is incorrect. The Budget Estimate for 2019-20 fiscal deficit was 3.3% of GDP, but the actual fiscal deficit for 2019-20 turned out to be significantly higher (later reported around 4.6%) due to revenue shortfalls and increased expenditure.

The government revised the fiscal deficit target upwards during the year, and the final figure exceeded the initial Budget Estimate, reflecting the economic challenges faced in 2019-20 even before the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was reflected in the figures for that specific year (which ended March 31, 2020).

5. Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Food

Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Food Security Act is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”The Act was enacted in the year 2013.” option2=”The Act was rolled out in the year 2014.” option3=”The Act legally entitles 67 percent of the population to receive highly subsidised food grains.” option4=”The Act is not being implemented in all the States/Union Territories.” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was enacted in 2013 with the objective of providing highly subsidised food grains to approximately two-thirds of India’s population. While the rollout was phased across states and union territories, by 2019-20, the Act was indeed being implemented in all States and Union Territories.

Statement A is correct; the Act was enacted in 2013. Statement C is correct; it legally entitles about 67 percent of the population to receive subsidised food grains. Statement B, claiming it was rolled out in 2014, is partially correct in that implementation began in some states, but the full nationwide rollout was not completed in 2014. However, statement D, which says “The Act is not being implemented in all the States/Union Territories” (as of 2019-20 context), is factually incorrect. By 2016, the vast majority of states and UTs had implemented the Act, and by 2019, it was universally implemented.

The phased implementation meant that different states/UTs notified and started implementing the Act at different times after its enactment in 2013. While not all states had completed implementation immediately in 2014, by the period 2019-20, implementation was universal. Therefore, statement D is the false statement.

6. As per the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Ranking, India’s rank h

As per the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Ranking, India’s rank has improved from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2019. During this period, in which of the following parameters has India’s rank deteriorated?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ease of starting a business” option2=”Getting electricity” option3=”Registering property” option4=”Paying taxes” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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India’s overall rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business improved significantly from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2019 (DoDB 2020 report). This improvement was driven by reforms across multiple parameters. However, India’s performance in some specific parameters was less impressive or even saw a decline in rank relative to other countries.

While parameters like ‘Starting a Business’, ‘Getting Electricity’, and ‘Paying Taxes’ saw substantial improvements in India’s rank during this period, the parameter ‘Registering Property’ showed a deterioration in rank. This suggests that reforms related to property registration did not keep pace with the improvements seen globally or in other areas within India.

Specific ranks in the DoDB 2020 report (reflecting 2019 status) show India’s rank in ‘Registering Property’ at 154, which was worse than its rank in the DoDB 2015 report (reflecting 2014 status), where it was around 120. This contrasts sharply with parameters like ‘Getting Electricity’ (rank 25 in DoDB 2020 vs ~137 in DoDB 2015).

7. As per the Budget Estimates of 2019-20, the following are some of the

As per the Budget Estimates of 2019-20, the following are some of the important sources of tax receipts for the Union Government:

Corporation Tax
Taxes on Income other than Corporation Tax
Goods and Services Tax
Union Excise Duties

Which one of the following is the correct descending order of the foresaid tax receipts as a percentage of GDP?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2, 3, 4″ option2=”1, 3, 2, 4″ option3=”3, 2, 1, 4″ option4=”2, 4, 3, 1″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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Based on the Union Budget Estimates for 2019-20, the major sources of tax revenue for the Union Government, in descending order as a percentage of GDP (or equivalently, as a percentage of total tax revenue), were Corporation Tax, followed closely by Taxes on Income (other than Corporation Tax, i.e., Personal Income Tax), then Goods and Services Tax (Centre’s share), and finally Union Excise Duties. The order 1, 2, 3, 4 corresponds to Corporation Tax, Taxes on Income, GST, and Union Excise Duties.

In the BE 2019-20, the relative shares of gross tax revenue were approximately 31% from Corporation Tax, 26% from Income Tax, 23% from GST (Centre’s share), and 12% from Union Excise Duties. This confirms the descending order: Corporation Tax > Taxes on Income > GST > Union Excise Duties.

While the percentages are of total tax revenue rather than GDP directly, the relative order of these major taxes as a proportion of GDP collected by the centre would remain the same. This distribution reflects the structure of India’s central government tax base in that period.

8. Marsilea, Fern and Horse-tail are examples of which one of the followi

Marsilea, Fern and Horse-tail are examples of which one of the following plant groups ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Pteridophyta” option2=”Bryophyta” option3=”Gymnosperms” option4=”Angiosperms” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2019

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Marsilea, Ferns, and Horse-tails are examples of plants belonging to the group Pteridophyta. This group includes ferns and their close relatives (fern allies).

Pteridophytes are vascular plants (having xylem and phloem for transport) that reproduce via spores, not seeds. They show alternation of generations, with the sporophyte being the dominant, conspicuous plant. Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts) are non-vascular spore-producing plants. Gymnosperms and Angiosperms are seed-bearing plants, with Angiosperms also producing flowers and fruits.

Marsilea is a type of aquatic fern. Ferns are the most diverse group of pteridophytes. Horse-tails (Equisetum) are also spore-bearing vascular plants and are considered fern allies within the Pteridophyta.

9. Which one of the following is not found in animal cells ?

Which one of the following is not found in animal cells ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Free ribosomes” option2=”Mitochondria” option3=”Nucleolus” option4=”Cell wall” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2019

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Animal cells and plant cells share many common organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. However, there are key structural differences.

A cell wall is a rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection to the cell. It is a characteristic feature of plant cells (made primarily of cellulose), fungi, algae, and bacteria, but it is *not* found in animal cells. Animal cells are enclosed only by a cell membrane.

Free ribosomes (involved in protein synthesis) are found in the cytoplasm of both animal and plant cells. Mitochondria (responsible for cellular respiration) are present in both. The nucleolus (involved in ribosome synthesis) is located within the nucleus of both animal and plant cells.

10. Which one of the following acids is also known as Vitamin C ?

Which one of the following acids is also known as Vitamin C ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Methanoic acid” option2=”Ascorbic acid” option3=”Lactic acid” option4=”Tartaric acid” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2019

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Vitamin C is a well-known water-soluble vitamin essential for various bodily functions, including the synthesis of collagen, acting as an antioxidant, and supporting the immune system. Its chemical name is Ascorbic acid.

The question asks for the acid also known as Vitamin C. Among the options provided, Ascorbic acid is the correct chemical name for Vitamin C.

Methanoic acid is also known as formic acid. Lactic acid is produced in muscles and found in sour milk. Tartaric acid is a naturally occurring acid found in grapes and other fruits.