UPSC CDS-2 Archives

21. Which of the following lakes is/are situated in Ladakh? 1. Tso Kar

Which of the following lakes is/are situated in Ladakh?

1. Tso Kar
2. Pangong Tso
3. Tsomgo
4. Tso Moriri

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 4.

– Tso Kar is a salt lake basin located in the Rupshu Plateau in southern Ladakh.
– Pangong Tso is a long, narrow, deep, endorheic (landlocked) lake situated at a height of about 4,225 meters (13,862 ft) in the Himalayas. It extends from India to China (Tibet Autonomous Region). A significant portion lies in Ladakh.
– Tso Moriri, also known as “Mountain Lake”, is a high-altitude lake in the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh. It is India’s largest high-altitude lake entirely within India.
– Tsomgo Lake (also known as Changu Lake) is located in the East Sikkim district of Sikkim, not Ladakh.

All three lakes mentioned (Tso Kar, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri) are prominent geographical features of the Ladakh region. Pangong Tso is particularly famous for its changing colours. Tso Moriri is a Ramsar site.

22. Harshacharita has references to various presents sent by a ruler named

Harshacharita has references to various presents sent by a ruler named Bhaskara to Harshavardhana. Bhaskara belonged to

[amp_mcq option1=”Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha” option2=”Varman Dynasty of Assam” option3=”Nanda Dynasty of North India” option4=”None of the above” correct=”option2″]

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Bhaskara, the ruler mentioned in Harshacharita who sent presents to Harshavardhana, belonged to the Varman Dynasty of Assam (Kamarupa).

Banabhatta’s *Harshacharita* mentions the king of Kamarupa (ancient Assam) as Bhaskaravarman. An envoy from Bhaskaravarman, named Hamsavega, visited Harshavardhana’s court with lavish gifts. This visit aimed at forming an alliance between Harshavardhana and Bhaskaravarman against their common enemy, Shashanka, the ruler of Gauda. Bhaskaravarman was a prominent ruler of the Varman dynasty of Kamarupa in the 7th century CE, contemporary to Harshavardhana.

The Haryanka Dynasty ruled Magadha much earlier, from the 6th to 5th centuries BCE. The Nanda Dynasty also ruled Magadha much earlier, in the 4th century BCE. The Varman Dynasty of Assam is the correct dynasty for King Bhaskaravarman, who is the ‘Bhaskara’ referenced in the context of his alliance with Harshavardhana described in *Harshacharita*.

23. Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is no

Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”It witnessed the first cities in the subcontinent.” option2=”It marks the first use of script, written from right to left.” option3=”It marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting.” option4=”It marks the earliest known use of stone as a medium for the art of sculpting.” correct=”option3″]

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The statement that Harappan Culture marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting is incorrect.

The Harappan Civilization belongs to the Bronze Age (roughly 3300–1300 BCE). While they were skilled in working with copper, bronze, gold, and silver, they had no knowledge of iron. The use of iron in the Indian subcontinent became widespread much later, during the Iron Age, which typically began around 1000 BCE (corresponding to the later Vedic period). Harappan art includes sculptures in stone (like the ‘Priest King’ and dancing girl torso), bronze (like the ‘Dancing Girl’), terracotta, and steatite.

Statements A, B, and D are correct about the Harappan Culture. It is the first urban civilization in the subcontinent. The Indus script is considered one of the earliest scripts used in the region, and while undeciphered, evidence from seals suggests writing was typically from right to left. The Harappans did use stone and other materials for sculpting, marking an early instance of this art form in the subcontinent.

24. Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic,

Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, _Silappadikaram_?

[amp_mcq option1=”Cauvery” option2=”Godavari” option3=”Saraswati” option4=”Ganges” correct=”option1″]

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The Cauvery river is frequently praised in the fifth-century Tamil epic, *Silappadikaram*.

*Silappadikaram*, composed by Ilango Adigal, is set in the ancient Tamil kingdoms. A significant portion of the epic takes place in the Chola country, where the Cauvery (Kaveri) river is the lifeblood of agriculture and civilization. The epic describes the beauty and significance of the river, depicting it as a goddess and a source of prosperity for the land and its people. For example, Canto 10 describes the city of Puhar located at the mouth of the Cauvery and praises the river extensively.

Godavari is a major river of South India but is primarily associated with regions north of the traditional Tamil country. Saraswati is often considered a mythical river or linked to regions in North India. The Ganges (Ganga) is the major river of North India and is not central to the geography described and praised in the Tamil epic *Silappadikaram*, which is deeply rooted in the geography and culture of the Tamil land.

25. Who among the following scholars argued that “capital created underdev

Who among the following scholars argued that “capital created underdevelopment not because it exploited the undeveloped world, but because it did not exploit it enough”?

[amp_mcq option1=”Bill Warren” option2=”Paul Baran” option3=”Geoffrey Kay” option4=”Lenin” correct=”option3″]

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Bill Warren is the scholar who made the argument that “capital created underdevelopment not because it exploited the undeveloped world, but because it did not exploit it enough”.

This quote is a central theme in Bill Warren’s work, particularly in his book *Imperialism: Pioneer of Capitalism* (published posthumously in 1980). Warren, a Marxist, critiqued dependency theory and argued against the idea that imperialism solely created underdevelopment. He contended that capitalism, historically, played a progressive role by introducing capitalist social relations and development potential, and that the *failure* of true capitalist development and exploitation in the periphery was the reason for continued underdevelopment, rather than excessive exploitation by advanced capitalist nations.

Paul Baran was a key figure in early dependency theory, arguing that capitalism actively created underdevelopment in the periphery through surplus extraction. Geoffrey Kay also contributed to Marxist theories of development and underdevelopment, often engaging with Warren’s arguments. Lenin’s work on imperialism (`Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism`) focused on the economic roots of inter-imperialist rivalry and the export of capital but did not frame the underdevelopment argument in the terms of insufficient exploitation as Warren did.

26. Which twelfth century Sanskrit scholar was first responsible for the c

Which twelfth century Sanskrit scholar was first responsible for the compilation of ‘Nibandhas’ or digests of epic and Puranic texts?

[amp_mcq option1=”Harsha” option2=”Govindachandra” option3=”Lakshmidhara” option4=”Kalidasa” correct=”option3″]

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Lakshmidhara was a twelfth-century Sanskrit scholar known for his extensive compilation of Nibandhas.

Lakshmidhara, a minister of the Gahadavala king Govindachandra (reigned c. 1114–1155 CE), compiled the *Krutya Kalpataru* (also spelled Kṛtyakalpataru). This vast work is one of the earliest and most comprehensive Nibandhas (digests) covering various aspects of dharma, drawing upon Epics, Puranas, Smritis, and other ancient texts. This period saw the rise of Nibandha literature which aimed to reconcile and systematize the vast and sometimes conflicting body of ancient Hindu law and custom.

Harsha often refers to Harshavardhana (7th century) or Harsha of Kashmir (11th-12th century, known for patronizing Kalhana, author of Rajatarangini). Govindachandra was the king who patronized Lakshmidhara. Kalidasa was a celebrated poet and dramatist of the classical Gupta period (likely 4th-5th century CE), long before the period of Nibandha compilation.

27. Who among the following was the Chief Justice of India when Public Int

Who among the following was the Chief Justice of India when Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was introduced in the Indian Judicial System?

[amp_mcq option1=”M. Hidayatullah” option2=”A. S. Anand” option3=”A. M. Ahmadi” option4=”P. N. Bhagwati” correct=”option4″]

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Justice P. N. Bhagwati is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India and was Chief Justice of India during a period when PIL was actively developed and promoted by the Supreme Court.

Justice P.N. Bhagwati served as the Chief Justice of India from July 1985 to December 1986. Before becoming CJI, as a judge of the Supreme Court, he played a crucial role along with Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer in relaxing the traditional rule of locus standi, allowing public-spirited citizens to approach the court on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged, thereby pioneering the concept of PIL in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Key early PIL cases were decided during this period, solidifying PIL’s place in the Indian judicial system.

Justice M. Hidayatullah was CJI much earlier (1968-1970). Justices A. S. Anand (1998-2001) and A. M. Ahmadi (1994-1997) served as CJI significantly after PIL was introduced and had become an established feature of the Indian judiciary. While PIL evolved over time with contributions from many judges, Justice Bhagwati is the most prominent figure associated with its initial introduction and expansion, particularly during the late 70s and early 80s, including his tenure as CJI.

28. The National Commission for Women was created by

The National Commission for Women was created by

[amp_mcq option1=”an amendment in the Constitution of India” option2=”a decision of the Union Cabinet” option3=”an Act passed by the Parliament” option4=”an order of the President of India” correct=”option3″]

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The National Commission for Women was created by an Act passed by the Parliament.

The National Commission for Women was established as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. An Act passed by the Parliament is the legal basis for its creation and functioning.

Constitutional bodies are those established directly by the Constitution (e.g., Election Commission, UPSC). Statutory bodies are those established by an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature (e.g., NCW, NHRC, NITI Aayog – though NITI Aayog is by executive resolution, its predecessor Planning Commission was neither constitutional nor statutory). The National Commission for Women is a statutory body. It was not created by a constitutional amendment, a cabinet decision alone, or a presidential order without underlying legislation.

29. Which one of the following cannot be introduced first in the Rajya

Which one of the following cannot be introduced first in the Rajya Sabha?

[amp_mcq option1=”Constitutional Amendment” option2=”CAG Report” option3=”Annual Financial Statement” option4=”Bill to alter the boundaries of any State” correct=”option3″]

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The Annual Financial Statement (Budget) cannot be introduced first in the Rajya Sabha.

According to Article 109(1) of the Constitution of India, a Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). The Annual Financial Statement, while laid before both Houses, is the basis for the demand for grants and the subsequent Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill, which are considered Money Bills. Money Bills must originate only in the Lok Sabha.

Constitutional Amendment Bills (Article 368) can be introduced in either House of Parliament. Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), after being submitted to the President, are laid before each House of Parliament (Article 151), but this is not an ‘introduction’ as a legislative proposal. A Bill to alter the boundaries of any State (under Article 3), though requiring the President’s recommendation, can be introduced in either House. The Budget process involves the Annual Financial Statement being laid before both Houses, but the legislative procedure involving the demand for grants and subsequent Money Bills originates in the Lok Sabha.

30. A writ issued to secure the release of a person found to be detained i

A writ issued to secure the release of a person found to be detained illegally is

[amp_mcq option1=”Mandamus” option2=”Habeas corpus” option3=”Certiorari” option4=”Prohibition” correct=”option2″]

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The writ of Habeas Corpus is issued to secure the release of a person found to be detained illegally.

Habeas Corpus is a Latin term meaning “to have the body of”. This writ is a fundamental instrument for protecting individual liberty against arbitrary detention. When issued, it commands the detaining authority to produce the detained person before the court and justify the grounds of detention. If the detention is found to be unlawful, the court orders the release of the person.

Mandamus is a writ issued by a superior court to a lower court, tribunal, or public authority to perform a public duty that they have refused or failed to perform. Certiorari is a writ issued by a superior court to quash the order of a lower court or tribunal or public authority. Prohibition is a writ issued by a superior court to a lower court or tribunal to prevent it from exceeding its jurisdiction or acting contrary to the rules of natural justice. Among the given options, only Habeas Corpus is directly related to securing the release of a person from illegal detention.