UPSC CDS-2 Archives

31. Constitutional safeguards available to Civil Servants are ensured by

Constitutional safeguards available to Civil Servants are ensured by

Article 310

Article 311

Article 312

Article 317

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Article 311 of the Constitution of India provides specific constitutional safeguards to civil servants against arbitrary dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank.

Article 311(1) states that no person who is a member of a civil service of the Union or an all-India service or a civil service of a State or holds a civil post under the Union or a State shall be dismissed or removed by an authority subordinate to that by which he was appointed.
Article 311(2) mandates that no such person shall be dismissed or removed or reduced in rank except after an inquiry in which he has been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges.

Article 310 deals with the doctrine of pleasure, under which civil servants hold office during the pleasure of the President or the Governor, but this is subject to the safeguards provided under Article 311. Article 312 pertains to the creation of All India Services. Article 317 deals with the removal or suspension of a member of a Public Service Commission. Thus, Article 311 is the primary article ensuring constitutional safeguards for civil servants regarding their tenure and disciplinary action.

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32. A Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha can be held up by the Rajya Sabha

A Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha can be held up by the Rajya Sabha for how many weeks?

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Two

Three

Four

Five

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The question asks for the maximum period the Rajya Sabha can hold up a Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha.

– According to Article 109 of the Constitution of India, regarding special procedure in respect of Money Bills:
– A Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
– After a Money Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations.
– The Rajya Sabha must return the Bill with its recommendations within a period of fourteen days from the date of its receipt.
– The Lok Sabha can either accept or reject any or all of the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha.
– If the Lok Sabha accepts any recommendations, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses with those amendments.
– If the Lok Sabha does not accept any recommendations, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form it was passed by the Lok Sabha, without any amendments suggested by the Rajya Sabha.
– If the Rajya Sabha fails to return the Bill within fourteen days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses at the expiration of the said period in the form it was passed by the Lok Sabha.
– Therefore, the Rajya Sabha can only hold up a Money Bill for a maximum of fourteen days.

Fourteen days is equivalent to two weeks. This limited power of the Rajya Sabha over Money Bills underscores the primacy of the Lok Sabha in financial matters, as the Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people and is responsible for the financial accountability of the government.

33. Which one of the following criteria got the highest weight for determi

Which one of the following criteria got the highest weight for determination of shares of States in the formula given by the 14th Finance Commission?

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Population

Income distance

Area

Tax effort

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The question asks which criterion received the highest weight in the formula used by the 14th Finance Commission for determining the shares of states in the divisible pool of central taxes.

– The 14th Finance Commission used specific criteria for horizontal devolution (distribution of central taxes among states).
– The weights assigned were: Income Distance (50%), Population (2011) (27.5%), Area (15%), Forest Cover (7.5%). (Note: Some sources give slightly different distributions or include a component for demographic performance, but Income Distance consistently receives the highest weight).
– Among the options provided (Population, Income distance, Area, Tax effort), Income Distance had the highest weight (50%). Tax effort was a criterion used by some previous Finance Commissions, but not the 14th FC.

Income distance measures the distance of a state’s per capita income from the state with the highest per capita income. A higher income distance indicates a lower per capita income, and states with higher income distance typically receive a larger share of the divisible pool to address regional inequalities.

34. Which of the following statements in respect to the Indian Peninsular

Which of the following statements in respect to the Indian Peninsular Plateau are correct?

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1. The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South.
2. The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau.
3. The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers.
4. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks.

1, 2, 3 and 4

1, 3 and 4 only

2 and 4 only

1 and 3 only

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The question asks which statements regarding the Indian Peninsular Plateau are correct.

– **Statement 1:** “The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South.” This statement is generally considered correct in terms of overall elevation, as the higher peaks are found in the south (e.g., Nilgiris, Anaimalai Hills) compared to the northern parts of the plateau, although the prominent slope is eastwards.
– **Statement 2:** “The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau.” This is incorrect. The Malwa Plateau is located to the northwest of the Vindhya range, and the Vindhyas form its southern boundary. It does not form the *eastern* flank of the plateau.
– **Statement 3:** “The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers.” This is correct. The Narmada River flows in a rift valley north of the Satpura range, and the Tapi River flows in a rift valley south of the Satpura range. The Satpuras lie between these two rivers.
– **Statement 4:** “The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks.” This is correct. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is part of the ancient Gondwana landmass and is primarily composed of ancient crystalline rocks like granite and gneiss, making it rich in mineral resources.

Based on the analysis, statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Option B includes statements 1, 3 and 4. While statement 1’s interpretation of “rises” might seem ambiguous compared to the primary eastward slope, in the context of elevation gradient from north to south, it can be considered correct up to the southern highlands. Statement 2 is definitively wrong. Statements 3 and 4 are definitively correct. Given the options, B is the most plausible answer.

35. 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 (Mountain Range)	List-II (Location in Map)
A. Satpura	1.
B. Vindhya	2.
C. Aravalli	3.
D. Mahadeo	4.

A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3

A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4

A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3

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The question asks to match mountain ranges in India with their approximate locations on a map (represented by numbers 1, 2, 3, 4). Assuming the map locations are standard representations of these features in India.

– **Aravalli (C):** Located in northwestern India, extending from Rajasthan to Haryana/Delhi. Location 1 typically represents the Aravalli range.
– **Vindhya (B):** Located in central India, running roughly east-west, north of the Narmada River. Location 2 typically represents the Vindhya range.
– **Satpura (A):** Located in central India, running roughly east-west, south of the Narmada River and parallel to the Vindhya range. Location 4 typically represents the Satpura range.
– **Mahadeo (D):** A part of the Satpura range, located in Madhya Pradesh. Location 3 is likely representing a section of the Satpura range, specifically the Mahadeo Hills area.

Based on these typical locations: A (Satpura) is at 4, B (Vindhya) is at 2, C (Aravalli) is at 1, D (Mahadeo) is at 3. This arrangement matches option A. The Narmada river flows between the Vindhya (2) and Satpura (4) ranges.

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36. 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 (Industrial Region)	List-II (Country)
A. Leipzig	1. USA
B. Detroit	2. UK
C. Lorraine	3. France
D. Cumberland	4. Germany

Code :

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A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2

A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

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The question asks to match industrial regions with the countries they are located in.

– **Leipzig (A):** A major city in Germany with a history as an industrial and trade center. Matching A-4 is correct.
– **Detroit (B):** A major city in the state of Michigan, USA, historically known as the center of the American automobile industry. Matching B-1 is correct.
– **Lorraine (C):** A historical region in France, known for its significant iron ore deposits and associated steel industry. Matching C-3 is correct.
– **Cumberland (D):** A historic county in North West England, UK, known for coal mining and iron industries. Matching D-2 is correct.

These regions were historically significant industrial hubs, although some, like Detroit and parts of Cumberland, have seen decline in their traditional industries in recent decades. Lorraine’s steel industry has also undergone significant changes.

37. Who was the editor of the journal Indian Social Reformer that was st

Who was the editor of the journal Indian Social Reformer that was started in 1890?

K. T. Telang

Veeresalingam

N. G. Chandavarkar

K. N. Natarajan

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The question asks for the editor of the journal *Indian Social Reformer* which was started in 1890.

– The *Indian Social Reformer* was a prominent journal dedicated to social reform in India.
– It was edited for a long period by K. N. Natarajan, who took over soon after its inception and continued his editorship for decades.

K. T. Telang was a judge and reformer. Veeresalingam (Kandukuri Veeresalingam) was a prominent social reformer from Andhra Pradesh. N. G. Chandavarkar was a social reformer and politician who also became President of the Indian National Congress. While these figures were associated with social reform, K. N. Natarajan was the long-term editor of this specific journal.

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38. 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 (Type of Land)	List-II (Meaning)
A. Urvara	1. Land watered by a river
B. Maru	2. Fertile land
C. Nadimatrika	3. Land watered by rain
D. Devamatrika	4. Desert land

Code :

A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

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The question asks to match types of land, likely from historical or ancient Indian texts, with their meanings.

– **Urvara (A):** This Sanskrit term means fertile or productive land. Matching A-2 is correct.
– **Maru (B):** This term is related to desert or unproductive land, like ‘Marusthal’. Matching B-4 is correct.
– **Nadimatrika (C):** Composed of ‘Nadi’ (river) and ‘matrika’ (mother). It refers to land that is watered or nourished by a river, i.e., river-fed land. Matching C-1 is correct.
– **Devamatrika (D):** Composed of ‘Deva’ (god, often referring to the rain god Indra) and ‘matrika’ (mother). It refers to land that is watered or dependent on rain. Matching D-3 is correct.

These terms are found in ancient Indian literature, including texts on economics, agriculture, and geography, describing different categories of land based on fertility and source of water.

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39. With regard to nature of Mughal State, who among the following scholar

With regard to nature of Mughal State, who among the following scholars argued that “the peculiar feature of the State in Mughal India was that it served not merely as the protective arm of the exploiting classes, but was itself the principal instrument of exploitation”?

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Irfan Habib

Satish Chandra

Athar Ali

J. F. Richards

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The statement describes the Mughal State as not just a protector of exploiting classes but an instrument of exploitation itself. This perspective emphasizes the role of the state machinery, particularly the Jagirdari system, in appropriating surplus from the peasantry.

– This view is most strongly associated with the Marxist school of Indian history, and particularly with the work of historian Irfan Habib.
– Irfan Habib’s seminal work, “The Agrarian System of Mughal India,” details the system of land revenue and jagirs, arguing that the state’s structure led to intense exploitation of the peasantry and contributed to the decline of the empire.

Other scholars listed also contributed significantly to Mughal history. Satish Chandra wrote on parties and politics at the Mughal court and medieval Indian history. Athar Ali’s work focused on the Mughal nobility and administration. J. F. Richards studied the Mughal Empire, particularly focusing on political and administrative aspects. However, the specific characterization of the state as the principal instrument of exploitation is a hallmark of Irfan Habib’s analysis.

40. Consider the following : Tughlaqabad Fort Bada Gumbad in Lodhi Gard

Consider the following :

Tughlaqabad Fort
Bada Gumbad in Lodhi Garden
Qutub Minar
Fatehpur Sikri

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of building the above monuments?

3, 1, 4, 2

3, 1, 2, 4

1, 3, 2, 4

1, 3, 4, 2

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The question asks for the correct chronological order of building the listed monuments. These monuments belong to different periods of Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rule.

– **Qutub Minar (3):** Construction began around 1192 by Qutb al-Din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish (Delhi Sultanate, Slave Dynasty). This is the earliest monument among the given options.
– **Tughlaqabad Fort (1):** Built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in the early 14th century (c. 1320) (Delhi Sultanate, Tughlaq Dynasty).
– **Bada Gumbad in Lodhi Garden (2):** Built in 1494 during the reign of the Lodhi Dynasty (Delhi Sultanate).
– **Fatehpur Sikri (4):** Built by Mughal emperor Akbar, construction started around 1569 and continued through the 1570s. This belongs to the Mughal period and is the latest among the given options.

The chronological order is Qutub Minar (Slave Dynasty) -> Tughlaqabad Fort (Tughlaq Dynasty) -> Bada Gumbad (Lodhi Dynasty) -> Fatehpur Sikri (Mughal Empire). This corresponds to the sequence 3, 1, 2, 4.

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