UPSC CDS-2 Archives

11. Which one of the following statements about emergency provisions under

Which one of the following statements about emergency provisions under the Constitution of India is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”The powers of the Union Executive extend to giving directions to the States concerning the exercise of their powers.” option2=”The Union Executive can issue a provision relating to reduction of salaries of employees of the State Governments.” option3=”Governors have no emergency powers like the President of India.” option4=”If the Governor of a State is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of the State is threatened, he may declare financial emergency in the State.” correct=”option4″]

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Statement D is not correct. Article 360 of the Constitution deals with Financial Emergency. A Financial Emergency can only be declared by the President of India if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of India or of any part of the territory thereof is threatened. A Governor of a State has no power to declare a Financial Emergency or any other type of emergency like the President of India.

The power to declare a Financial Emergency (Article 360) is vested solely with the President of India, not with the Governor of a State.

Statement A is correct; during a National Emergency (Article 352), the executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to any State as to the manner in which its executive power is to be exercised (Article 353(a)). Statement B is correct; during a Financial Emergency (Article 360), the Union Executive can issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in the State, including high court judges (Article 360(4)(a)(iii)). Statement C is correct; Governors do not possess emergency powers akin to those of the President under Articles 352, 356, or 360. While a Governor’s report is often the basis for President’s Rule (Article 356), the declaration and exercise of emergency powers are done by the President.

12. Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period in Indian

Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period in Indian History is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sanskrit language and literature, after centuries of evolution, reached what has been described as a level of classical excellence through royal patronage.” option2=”The status of women was redefined. They were entitled to formal education and hence there were women teachers, philosophers and doctors. Early marriage was prohibited by law and they were given the right to property.” option3=”Decentralization of administrative authority was impacted by increased grants of land and villages with fiscal and administrative immunities to priests and temples.” option4=”Land grants paved the way for feudal developments and emergence of serfdom in India, resulting in the depression of the peasantry.” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) The status of women was redefined. They were entitled to formal education and hence there were women teachers, philosophers and doctors. Early marriage was prohibited by law and they were given the right to property.

– Statement A is correct. The Gupta period is renowned for its significant advancements in Sanskrit language and literature, often referred to as a ‘classical age’. Works by Kalidasa, Vishakhadatta, Bharavi, etc., flourished under royal patronage.
– Statement B is incorrect. While the Gupta period saw achievements in various fields, the general status of women declined compared to earlier periods. Practices like early marriage and Sati became more prevalent. Women’s access to formal education was limited, and their rights to property were generally restricted, primarily limited to ‘Stridhana’ (gifts received by a woman at the time of her marriage). There is no evidence of widespread women teachers, philosophers, or doctors, nor prohibition of early marriage by law during this time.
– Statement C is correct. The practice of granting land (Brahmadeya, Devadana) to Brahmins, temples, and monasteries, often with administrative and fiscal immunities, became widespread during the Gupta period. This led to the rise of intermediaries and contributed to decentralization of administration.
– Statement D is correct. The land grant system, by creating powerful intermediaries and tying peasants to the land under their authority, is seen as laying the groundwork for feudalistic tendencies and the emergence of serfdom in India, adversely affecting the condition of the peasantry.

The Gupta period (roughly 320 to 550 CE) is often referred to as a “Golden Age” in Indian history due to its achievements in art, architecture, literature, science, and philosophy, but this golden age primarily benefited the upper strata of society, and it’s important to note that social inequalities, including the declining status of women and the crystallization of the caste system, were also features of this era.

13. 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 :

List-I (Harappan Site)	List-II (Modern Name)
A. Dholavira	1. Saurashtra
B. Rakhigarhi	2. Hisar
C. Bhirrana	3. Kadir Island
D. Bhogavo	4. Haryana

Code :

[amp_mcq option1=”A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3″ option2=”A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3″ option3=”A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1″ option4=”A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1″ correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is C) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1.

– Dholavira is a major Harappan site located on Khadir Bet (Kadir Island) in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Thus, A matches 3.
– Rakhigarhi is a large Harappan site located in Hisar district, Haryana. Thus, B matches 2.
– Bhirrana is considered one of the oldest discovered Indus Valley Civilization sites, located in Fatehabad district, Haryana. Haryana is the state where it is located. Thus, C matches 4.
– The Bhogavo river is a river in Gujarat that flows near the Harappan site of Lothal, which is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Thus, D matches 1.

These are important Harappan sites located in present-day India. Their excavation has provided significant insights into the Indus Valley Civilization. Dholavira is known for its sophisticated water management system and city planning. Rakhigarhi is considered one of the largest Harappan sites. Bhirrana has yielded evidence suggesting early phases of the civilization. Lothal was a port city.

15. Which one of the following statements regarding Uniform Civil Code as

Which one of the following statements regarding Uniform Civil Code as provided under Article 44 of the Constitution of India is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”It is a Fundamental Right of every Indian citizen.” option2=”The State shall endeavour to secure it for citizens throughout the territory of India.” option3=”It is not enforceable by any Court.” option4=”It is not enforceable by a Court yet the Constitution requires that as a principle it should be fundamental in the governance of our country.” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) It is a Fundamental Right of every Indian citizen.

– Article 44 of the Constitution of India, which deals with the Uniform Civil Code, is listed under Part IV, Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs).
– Fundamental Rights are contained in Part III of the Constitution and are enforceable by courts (Articles 32 and 226). DPSPs, under Article 37, are expressly stated as “not enforceable by any court”. Therefore, the UCC is not a Fundamental Right.
– Statement B is correct as it directly quotes the objective mentioned in Article 44.
– Statement C is correct because DPSPs are not judicially enforceable.
– Statement D is correct as Article 37 explicitly states that the principles in Part IV are “fundamental in the governance of the country” and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws, even though they are not enforceable by courts.
– The question asks for the statement that is *not* correct. Only statement A is incorrect.

A Uniform Civil Code aims to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of various religious communities with a common set of laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance. Its implementation has been a subject of ongoing debate in India.

16. 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 :

	List-I (States of NE India)		List-II (Location in Map)
A.	Tripura	1.	Location 1
B.	Mizoram	2.	Location 2
C.	Nagaland	3.	Location 3
D.	Manipur	4.	Location 4

[amp_mcq option1=”A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3″ option2=”A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3″ option3=”A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2″ option4=”A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2″ correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is D) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2.

– This question requires matching states in North-East India with abstract map locations. Based on the typical relative positions of these states on a map:
– Tripura (A) is located in the southwestern part of Northeast India, largely surrounded by Bangladesh. Assuming Location 3 corresponds to this position.
– Mizoram (B) is located in the southernmost part of Northeast India, south of Tripura and Manipur, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh. Assuming Location 4 corresponds to this position.
– Nagaland (C) is located in the northern part of Northeast India, north of Manipur, bordering Myanmar and Assam. Assuming Location 1 corresponds to this position.
– Manipur (D) is located in the central part of Northeast India, south of Nagaland and east of Assam and Mizoram, bordering Myanmar. Assuming Location 2 corresponds to this position.
– The matching A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2 reflects this relative geographic arrangement.

Without the actual map showing the locations, this answer is based on inferring the likely intended positions based on standard geographic representations and the provided options. The states of Northeast India share complex borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, and China, and understanding their relative positions is important for geography.

17. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Himalayan rive

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Himalayan rivers have their origin in the snow-covered areas, hence are dry in winter season.
2. Rivers of the Peninsular Plateau have reached maturity.
3. Himalayan rivers depict all the three stages of normal cycle of erosion.

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

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The correct answer is C) 2 and 3 only.

– Statement 1: Himalayan rivers originate from snow-covered areas (glaciers) and also receive significant rainfall during the monsoon season. They are perennial rivers, meaning they flow throughout the year. Their flow is highest during summer due to snow/glacier melt and monsoon rainfall, but they are *not* dry in winter, although the volume might be reduced. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 2: Rivers of the Peninsular Plateau are generally older than Himalayan rivers. They flow through relatively stable and peneplained surfaces. Their valleys are wide and shallow, and the longitudinal profile has gentle gradients, indicating they have reached a mature or old stage of erosion. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
– Statement 3: Himalayan rivers originate from steep mountains (youthful stage with features like V-shaped valleys, rapids, waterfalls), flow through the plains (mature stage with features like floodplains, meanders, oxbow lakes), and finally form deltas before joining the sea (old stage with features like deltas and distributaries). They exhibit characteristics of all three stages of the normal cycle of erosion as described by William Morris Davis. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

The distinction between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers is a key aspect of India’s drainage system. Himalayan rivers are characterized by youthfulness, large catchment areas, and perennial flow, while Peninsular rivers are older, seasonal (mostly rain-fed), and have narrower, shallower valleys.

18. 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 :

	List-I (Lake)		List-II (Type of Lake)
A.	Bhimtal	1.	Lagoon
B.	Ashtamudi	2.	Landslide
C.	Gohna	3.	Tectonic
D.	Lonar	4.	Crater

[amp_mcq option1=”A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4″ option2=”A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4″ option3=”A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3″ option4=”A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3″ correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4.

– Bhimtal is a lake in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Many lakes in this region, including Bhimtal, are believed to be formed by tectonic activity (faulting and subsidence). Thus, A-3 (Tectonic).
– Ashtamudi Lake is a large backwater lake in Kerala, forming part of the Ashtamudi Wetland Ramsar site. Backwater lakes are a type of lagoon. Thus, B-1 (Lagoon).
– Gohna Lake in Uttarakhand was formed in 1894 when a massive landslide blocked the Birahi Ganga river, creating a natural dam. Thus, C-2 (Landslide).
– Lonar Lake in Maharashtra is a saline soda lake believed to have been formed by a meteorite impact during the Pleistocene epoch. This makes it a crater lake (specifically, an impact crater lake). Thus, D-4 (Crater).

Lakes are formed by various geological and geomorphological processes, including tectonic activity, volcanic activity (crater lakes), erosion and deposition by glaciers (glacial lakes), rivers (oxbow lakes, floodplain lakes), wind (playas), dissolution of soluble rocks (karst lakes), landslides, and meteorite impacts. Lagoons are typically coastal features separated from the sea by a barrier.

19. Which of the following statements related to latitude are true? 1. R

Which of the following statements related to latitude are true?

1. Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude.
2. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude.
3. Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45′ N latitude.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.

– Statement 1: Rainfall, temperature, and vegetation patterns are strongly influenced by latitude. Temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles due to varying angles of solar radiation. This temperature gradient affects rainfall patterns (e.g., equatorial rainforests, subtropical deserts, temperate forests, polar ice). Different climatic zones support distinct types of vegetation. Thus, this statement is true.
– Statement 2: The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude. At the equator (0° latitude), the day and night are roughly 12 hours long throughout the year. As latitude increases towards the poles (90°), the variation between day and night length increases significantly, culminating in phenomena like the Midnight Sun and polar night within the Arctic and Antarctic circles (beyond ~66.5° latitude). Thus, this statement is true.
– Statement 3: Indira Point is the southernmost point of India’s territory (in the Great Nicobar Island). Its geographical coordinates are approximately 6°45′ North latitude. Thus, this statement is true.

Latitude is one of the fundamental factors influencing Earth’s climate and biological diversity. The variation in day length with latitude is a result of the tilt of the Earth’s axis relative to its orbital plane around the Sun.

20. ‘Tuvalu’ has become a point of discussion recently. Why?

‘Tuvalu’ has become a point of discussion recently. Why?

[amp_mcq option1=”Potato plant that could grow in high altitude” option2=”Place in equatorial Africa, where snow is found” option3=”New innovative technology to meet global warming” option4=”A country under threat of submergence due to ice melting and sea level rise” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is D) A country under threat of submergence due to ice melting and sea level rise.

– Tuvalu is a low-lying island nation in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of nine coral atolls.
– Due to its extremely low elevation (highest point is only 4.6 meters above sea level), Tuvalu is considered one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise caused by melting glaciers and thermal expansion of ocean water.
– The increasing sea levels threaten to inundate the islands, contaminate freshwater sources, and degrade soil, posing an existential threat to the country and its population.
– This vulnerability has made Tuvalu a prominent voice in international climate change discussions.

Tuvalu’s situation is often cited as a clear example of the immediate dangers faced by small island developing states due to climate change, despite their minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The government of Tuvalu has been exploring various options, including potentially relocating its population or developing digital nationhood.