UPSC CDS-2 Archives

31. In which one of the following highlands of India can you find temperat

In which one of the following highlands of India can you find temperate forests called ‘Sholas’?

[amp_mcq option1=”Nilgiris” option2=”Vindhyas” option3=”Satpuras” option4=”Himalayas” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) Nilgiris.

‘Sholas’ are patchworks of montane grassland and evergreen forests found in the high altitude regions of the Western Ghats, specifically in the Nilgiris, Anaimalai Hills, Palani Hills, High Wavys, Munnar, Eravikulam National Park, and Agasthyamalai Hills. These temperate forests are characterized by stunted trees and are interspersed with rolling grasslands.

The term ‘Shola’ is derived from the Tamil word ‘solai’ meaning a tropical rainforest thicket. These unique ecosystems are found above 1,500 meters (5,000 ft) and play a critical role in the hydrology of the region, acting as important catchments for many rivers. The Vindhyas, Satpuras, and Himalayas have different types of forest ecosystems depending on altitude and latitude, but the specific ‘Shola’ grasslands and forests are characteristic of the higher reaches of the Southern Western Ghats.

32. The acceleration due to gravity at the Earth’s surface depends on

The acceleration due to gravity at the Earth’s surface depends on

[amp_mcq option1=”its mass only.” option2=”its radius only.” option3=”both its mass and radius.” option4=”either its mass or its radius.” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) both its mass and radius.

The acceleration due to gravity (g) at the surface of a celestial body like Earth is given by Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation. The formula for g is g = GM/R², where G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Earth, and R is the radius of the Earth. This formula clearly shows that the acceleration due to gravity depends directly on the mass (M) and inversely on the square of the radius (R).

While the formula g = GM/R² gives the ideal value of gravity assuming Earth is a perfect sphere of uniform density, the actual value of ‘g’ varies slightly across Earth’s surface due to factors like Earth’s rotation (centrifugal force reduces effective gravity, more at the equator), Earth’s shape (it’s an oblate spheroid, larger radius at the equator), altitude (g decreases with height above the surface), and local variations in crustal density. However, the fundamental dependence is on the Earth’s total mass and average radius.

33. When water is heated from 0°C to 4°C, its density

When water is heated from 0°C to 4°C, its density

[amp_mcq option1=”remains constant.” option2=”increases.” option3=”decreases.” option4=”first increases then decreases to its original value.” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) increases.

Water exhibits anomalous expansion between 0°C and 4°C. Unlike most substances whose density decreases upon heating (as volume increases), water’s volume *decreases* when heated from 0°C to 4°C. Density is mass per unit volume (ρ = m/V). Since the mass remains constant and the volume decreases in this temperature range, the density of water increases.

The density of water is maximum at 4°C (approximately 1000 kg/m³). Above 4°C, water behaves normally; its volume increases with temperature, and thus its density decreases. This peculiar property of water is crucial for aquatic life in cold climates, as lakes and rivers freeze from the top down, allowing aquatic organisms to survive in the denser, warmer water at the bottom.

34. Which one of the following statements about the aperture of a convex l

Which one of the following statements about the aperture of a convex lens is correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”It is equal to its radius of curvature.” option2=”It is equal to its focal length.” option3=”It is independent of its radius of curvature.” option4=”It is equal to half of its focal length.” correct=”option3″]

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The aperture of a convex lens is the effective diameter of the circular outline of the lens from which light passes. It is related to the physical size of the lens and how much light it can collect. The aperture is independent of the lens’s radius of curvature and focal length. While these properties determine how the lens bends light, the aperture determines the brightness of the image and affects phenomena like diffraction and depth of field.

Aperture is a measure of the size of the opening that limits the amount of light passing through a lens. A larger aperture allows more light to enter, resulting in a brighter image and typically a shallower depth of field.

Focal length depends on the radii of curvature of the lens surfaces and the refractive index of the lens material (Lensmaker’s formula). Aperture is a geometric property related to the physical size of the lens or the diaphragm opening within it, and it can be adjusted in optical systems like cameras. It is not determined by or equal to the radius of curvature or focal length.

35. If an object is placed at the focus of a convex lens, its image is

If an object is placed at the focus of a convex lens, its image is

[amp_mcq option1=”at the focus on the same side.” option2=”at the focus on the opposite side.” option3=”coincident with the lens.” option4=”at infinity.” correct=”option4″]

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When an object is placed at the principal focus of a convex lens, the rays of light from the object become parallel after refraction through the lens. Parallel rays are considered to meet at infinity. Therefore, the image is formed at infinity.

A convex lens converges parallel rays of light to its principal focus and makes rays originating from its principal focus parallel. This is one of the standard ray diagrams for convex lenses.

The image formed at infinity is typically considered real, inverted, and highly magnified. This principle is used in devices like telescopes (for distant objects) and in projectors to obtain a magnified image at a large distance.

36. An object is dropped from a height onto the floor. Which one of the fo

An object is dropped from a height onto the floor. Which one of the following remains uniform as it falls ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Its acceleration” option2=”Its momentum” option3=”Its kinetic energy” option4=”Its potential energy” correct=”option1″]

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When an object is dropped from a height and falls towards the floor, its acceleration remains uniform (assuming negligible air resistance). This is because the acceleration is due to gravity, which is approximately constant near the Earth’s surface.

Acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.8 m/s² near the Earth’s surface and acts downwards. For a freely falling object (with negligible air resistance), this acceleration is constant.

As the object falls, its velocity increases (due to uniform acceleration), its momentum (mass x velocity) increases, and its kinetic energy (1/2 x mass x velocity²) increases. Its potential energy (mass x gravity x height) decreases as its height decreases. Only the acceleration due to gravity remains constant.

37. By which one of the following Constitutional Amendment Acts, was the A

By which one of the following Constitutional Amendment Acts, was the Article 21A (Right to Education) inserted into the Constitution of India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”83^rd Amendment Act” option2=”84^th Amendment Act” option3=”85^th Amendment Act” option4=”86^th Amendment Act” correct=”option4″]

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Article 21A, which enshrines the Right to Education as a Fundamental Right, was inserted into the Constitution by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002.

The 86th Amendment Act, 2002, made elementary education a fundamental right for children between the ages of 6 and 14. It also changed Article 45 (Directive Principle of State Policy) and added a new fundamental duty under Article 51A, making it a duty of parents or guardians to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward.

Following the 86th Amendment, the Parliament enacted the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) to provide the legal framework for the implementation of Article 21A.

38. Which of the following States has/have bicameral legislature ? 1. An

Which of the following States has/have bicameral legislature ?

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Telangana
3. Bihar
4. Uttar Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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All four states listed, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, currently have bicameral legislatures, meaning they have both a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).

A bicameral legislature consists of two houses. In Indian states, this means having a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council. The presence of a Legislative Council in a state is not mandatory and depends on a resolution passed by the state’s Legislative Assembly and subsequently by an Act of Parliament.

As of late 2023/early 2024, the six states in India with bicameral legislatures are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The question lists four of these six states.

39. Which one of the following statements about Money Bill is not correct

Which one of the following statements about Money Bill is not correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Council of States.” option2=”The Council of States has no power to reject or amend the Money Bill.” option3=”The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the sole and final power in deciding whether a Bill is a Money Bill or otherwise.” option4=”The Council of States has no power to discuss the Money Bill.” correct=”option4″]

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Statement D is incorrect. The Council of States (Rajya Sabha) does have the power to discuss a Money Bill. While it cannot reject or amend it, and must return it to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, it can certainly discuss the bill and make recommendations.

Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha on the recommendation of the President (Article 109). The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding Money Bills; it cannot reject or amend them but can suggest amendments, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept. If the Rajya Sabha does not return the bill within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the final authority to certify whether a bill is a Money Bill. This decision cannot be challenged in any court or in either House of Parliament. This power of the Lok Sabha (and its Speaker) over Money Bills reflects the principle that the House directly elected by the people (Lok Sabha) has primary control over financial matters.

40. Which one of the following best describes the electoral system to elec

Which one of the following best describes the electoral system to elect the President of India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Proportional Representation” option2=”Proportional Representation and Single Transferable Vote System” option3=”First-Past-the-Post System” option4=”List System” correct=”option2″]

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The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the states and the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. This election is conducted according to the system of Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote.

Proportional Representation ensures that the voting strength of states (based on population) and Members of Parliament is balanced. The Single Transferable Vote system is a preferential voting system where a voter ranks candidates in order of preference. Votes are transferred from candidates with surplus votes or those eliminated until a candidate achieves the required quota.

Article 55 of the Indian Constitution outlines the manner of the election of the President. The system aims to ensure proportionality in representation and give due weightage to both the Union and the States. The value of votes for MLAs varies based on the population of their respective states, while the value of votes for MPs is uniform and calculated to reflect the total value of votes cast by MLAs.