UPSC CDS-2 Archives

11. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) was established in

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) was established in the year

2014

2015

2016

2017

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is the regulator for overseeing insolvency proceedings in India. It was established on 1st October 2016 under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 was a landmark legislation aimed at consolidating and amending the laws relating to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner.

IBBI is a unique regulator regulating a profession as well as processes. It regulates insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professional entities, and information utilities.

12. Which among the following is not the strength or chief benefit of

Which among the following is not the strength or chief benefit of Bicameralism?

Second chambers check the first chambers and prevent majoritarian rule.

It checks the powers of the executive.

The second chambers can act as a constitutional safeguard.

It often acts as a check on democratic rule, particularly when their members are non-elected or indirectly elected.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

Bicameralism refers to a legislature with two chambers or houses. Strengths include providing a check on the lower house (preventing hasty or majoritarian legislation), allowing for representation of different interests (like states in a federal system), and potentially serving as a constitutional safeguard. Statement D, which suggests that non-elected or indirectly elected second chambers act as a check on *democratic rule*, is often seen as a *weakness* or *criticism* of bicameralism from a purely democratic perspective, as it can dilute accountability and the direct will of the electorate. The question asks what is *not* a strength or chief benefit.

Bicameralism aims to provide checks and balances within the legislature, offer diverse representation, and ensure careful consideration of laws. A second chamber whose members are not directly elected can be perceived as undemocratic, which is a potential drawback, not a benefit, in the context of democratic governance.

In federal systems, the second chamber often represents the constituent states (e.g., Rajya Sabha in India, Senate in the USA). The mode of election or selection to the second chamber varies significantly across countries.

13. Which one of the following central features is not associated with Cap

Which one of the following central features is not associated with Capitalist Economy ?

There is generalised commodity production — it has market value.

Productive wealth is held predominantly in private hands.

Economic life is organised according to market principles.

Economic organisation is based on planning, a supposedly rational process of resource allocation.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

Capitalist economies are characterized by private ownership of the means of production, generalized commodity production for market exchange, and economic life being primarily guided by market forces (supply, demand, price mechanism). Resource allocation is determined by market competition and individual choices, not by a central planning authority. Statement D describes a centrally planned economy, not a capitalist one.

Key features of Capitalism include private property, free markets, competition, wage labour, and profit motive. Central planning is a characteristic of socialist or command economies.

While modern capitalist economies often have some degree of government intervention and regulation (mixed economies), the fundamental organization of economic life is based on market principles rather than comprehensive central planning.

14. Blue Helmets are

Blue Helmets are

United Nations Peacekeepers

Violent Non-State Actors

Civil Society Organisations

Environmental Organisations

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

“Blue Helmets” is the widely recognized term for the military personnel serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations. They wear characteristic blue helmets or berets to distinguish themselves as neutral peacekeepers.

– UN peacekeeping operations involve military, police, and civilian personnel working to help countries navigate the path from conflict to peace.
– The UN Charter gives the Security Council the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and peacekeeping is one of the tools it uses.

UN peacekeepers are contributed by member states. They operate under UN command and are guided by principles such as consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate.

15. India is still a young country as the median age of its population is

India is still a young country as the median age of its population is

Less than 25 years

Between 25 to 30 years

Between 30 to 35 years

Between 35 to 40 years

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

India is considered a young country primarily due to its low median age. The median age of India’s population is currently between 25 to 30 years (often cited around 28 or 29 years as per recent data). This indicates that half of the population is younger than this age, reflecting a significant youth demographic.

– A low median age signifies a large proportion of young people in the population.
– This demographic profile is often referred to as a “demographic dividend,” representing a potential for economic growth due to a large working-age population.

In contrast, many developed countries have a much higher median age, often above 40, indicating an aging population. While India’s median age is rising, it remains significantly lower than that of older economies, placing it among the younger countries globally.

16. Which one of the following is not a category under which the President

Which one of the following is not a category under which the President of India nominates Members of Parliament ?

Literature*

Science

Art

State Service

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

According to Article 80(3) of the Constitution of India, the President can nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). These members are nominated from amongst persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of matters such as literature, science, art, and social service. “State Service” is not listed as a category for Presidential nomination to Parliament.

– The nomination aims to provide representation in the Rajya Sabha to distinguished persons who might not otherwise be elected.
– The categories specified in the Constitution are exhaustive for the purpose of nomination under this provision.

Nominated members have the same rights and privileges as elected members, except that they cannot vote in the election of the President of India (though they can vote in the election of the Vice-President).

17. With reference to BrahMos missile, consider the following statements :

With reference to BrahMos missile, consider the following statements :

1. It has a flight range of up to 290 km.
2. It is capable of attaining a speed of 2.8 Mach.
3. Its cruising altitude could be up to 30 km.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 and 2

2 only

1 and 3

3 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement 1: The original BrahMos missile’s range was capped at 290 km primarily due to Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions, which applied before India became a member. This was a widely known characteristic for a long time.
Statement 2: BrahMos is known for its supersonic speed of Mach 2.8, making it one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world.
Statement 3: Cruise missiles like BrahMos are designed to fly at low altitudes (often tens of meters above the surface) to evade radar detection. While they can reach higher altitudes during certain flight phases, a cruising altitude of up to 30 km is not typical for a cruise missile like BrahMos; this altitude range is more characteristic of high-flying aircraft or ballistic missile trajectories.
Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, and statement 3 is incorrect.

– BrahMos is a joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyeniya).
– It is a multi-platform missile, capable of being launched from land, sea, and air.
– Since India’s entry into the MTCR in 2016, the range of BrahMos has been successfully extended beyond 290 km in newer versions. However, statement 1 reflects the missile’s initial and long-standing characteristic range.

The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers: the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.

18. The term ‘Thermal High Altitude Area Defense’, sometimes mentioned in

The term ‘Thermal High Altitude Area Defense’, sometimes mentioned in news, refers to

Anti-Missile system.

Air-launched cruise missile.

Aircraft navigation system.

Surface-to-air guided weapon.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

Thermal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an anti-ballistic missile system developed by the United States. It is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase (when they are descending towards their target) within or outside the atmosphere.

– THAAD uses a “hit-to-kill” technology, meaning the interceptor missile destroys the incoming threat through kinetic energy upon direct impact.
– It is designed to defend against threats over a large area.

THAAD is part of the United States’ broader ballistic missile defense system. It is typically deployed to protect critical military and civilian sites.

19. P-75 I (or P-75 India) project refers to manufacture of

P-75 I (or P-75 India) project refers to manufacture of

Diesel-electric submarines.

Nuclear-powered submarines.

Aircraft carrier warships.

Field guns.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

The P-75 I project (Project 75 India) is a follow-on project to Project 75 of the Indian Navy, which involved the construction of six Scorpene-class submarines. P-75 I aims to acquire a new class of diesel-electric submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology to increase their underwater endurance.

– P-75 I is part of India’s plan to modernize its submarine fleet.
– The project emphasizes indigenous construction under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, often involving collaboration with foreign partners providing technology.

Diesel-electric submarines are also known as conventional submarines. AIP technology allows these submarines to operate submerged for longer periods than traditional diesel-electric submarines, reducing the need to surface or snorkel for air to recharge batteries.

20. The SWIFT (The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunica

The SWIFT (The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) frequently mentioned in news, is essentially a

Global financial intelligence agency

Global terror finance detection system

Global money transfer system

Global stock-market information sharing system

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

Download PDF Attempt Online

SWIFT (The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is essentially a secure messaging network used by financial institutions globally to transmit information and instructions for money transfers and other financial transactions. While it doesn’t hold funds or manage accounts directly, it enables the communication required for these transactions to occur between banks across the world.

– SWIFT is a cooperative owned by its member financial institutions.
– It provides a standardized and reliable way for banks to communicate about transactions, facilitating international payments.

While SWIFT is used for financial transactions, it can also play a role in tracking illicit finance flows, and its services can be leveraged by financial intelligence units or be subject to sanctions, but its primary function is not as a dedicated intelligence or detection system. It is the backbone of international money transfer communications.