UPSC CDS-2 Archives

31. The Tolkappiyam is

The Tolkappiyam is

A work of grammar.

A Tamil poem in praise of Rajendra Chola.

An ancient didactic work in Tamil.

A drama composed by a Chera King.

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The Tolkappiyam is considered the earliest existing Tamil grammar text. It is a comprehensive work dealing with orthography, phonology, morphology, syntax, and poetics.

It is an ancient work of Tamil literature, traditionally dated between the 3rd century BCE and 5th century CE, providing insights into early Tamil language, literature, and social life.

Rajendra Chola ruled in the 11th century, much later than the period of Tolkappiyam’s composition. While it contains didactic elements regarding proper language use and literary composition, its primary nature is that of a grammatical treatise. It is not a drama.

32. To which one of the following schools of philosophy did Kumarila Bhatt

To which one of the following schools of philosophy did Kumarila Bhatta and Prabhakara belong?

Lokayata

Madhyamika

Purva-Mimamsa

Uttara-Mimamsa

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Kumarila Bhatta and Prabhakara were two prominent philosophers of the Purva-Mimamsa school of Indian philosophy. They developed differing interpretations within the Mimamsa tradition.

Purva-Mimamsa is one of the six orthodox (astika) schools of Hindu philosophy, primarily concerned with the interpretation of the Vedas, particularly the ritualistic sections (Karma Kanda).

Lokayata is a heterodox (nastika) materialistic school. Madhyamika is a school of Mahayana Buddhism founded by Nagarjuna. Uttara-Mimamsa is another name for the Vedanta school, which focuses on the philosophical sections of the Vedas (Jnana Kanda), particularly the Upanishads.

33. The Dutch were defeated by Marthanda Varma of Travancore Kingdom in th

The Dutch were defeated by Marthanda Varma of Travancore Kingdom in the battle of

Wandiwash

Rakshasi — Tangadi

Pullalur

Colachel

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The Battle of Colachel took place in 1741 between the Travancore forces led by Marthanda Varma and the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie – VOC). The Dutch were decisively defeated in this battle, which marked the decline of Dutch influence in India and allowed Travancore to consolidate its power.

The Battle of Colachel is historically significant as it was a major defeat of a European naval power by an Indian state.

Marthanda Varma subsequently expanded the Kingdom of Travancore and organised a modern army based on European lines, using some of the captured Dutch soldiers as instructors. Other options: Battle of Wandiwash (1760) was between the British and French in the Carnatic Wars; Battle of Rakshasi-Tangadi is another name for the Battle of Talikota (1565), which led to the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire; Battle of Pullalur (around 618-619 AD) was a conflict between the Pallava and Chalukya dynasties.

34. What were Manigramam and Nanadesi in early medieval India ?

What were Manigramam and Nanadesi in early medieval India ?

Cluster of non-revenue paying villages

Village-level community groups

Guilds of Indian merchants

Literary societies in the capital towns

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Manigramam and Nanadesi were prominent and powerful merchant guilds (or associations of traders) in South India during the early medieval period (roughly 9th to 13th centuries). They played a crucial role in the long-distance trade, both within India and overseas.

– These guilds were highly organized, often having their own militia to protect trade routes and goods.
– They facilitated trade by pooling resources, managing risks, and establishing widespread trading networks.

These guilds are well-documented in inscriptions found across South India and even Southeast Asia, indicating the extensive reach of their trade activities. They were not restricted to local village activities or literary pursuits.

35. Which one of the following languages was added to the Eighth Schedule

Which one of the following languages was added to the Eighth Schedule by a Constitutional Amendment in 1967 ?

Khasi

Kashmiri

Sindhi

Urdu

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The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the official languages of the Republic of India. The 21st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1967 added Sindhi to the Eighth Schedule.

– Initially, the Eighth Schedule had 14 languages.
– Later, Sindhi was added in 1967.
– Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali were added by the 71st Amendment Act of 1992.
– Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santali were added by the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003.

As of now, there are 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. The question specifically asks for the language added by a Constitutional Amendment in 1967.

36. Recently, India’s first green hydrogen-based advanced fuel cell electr

Recently, India’s first green hydrogen-based advanced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) was launched. It has no tailpipe emissions other than

Hydrogen peroxide

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Water

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A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) powered by hydrogen uses a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, which powers the vehicle’s motor. The primary byproduct of this electrochemical reaction is water (H₂O). The tailpipe emission is essentially just water vapor.

– Fuel cells combine hydrogen (the fuel) and oxygen (from the air) in a chemical reaction to produce electricity, with water and heat as outputs.
– FCEVs are considered zero-emission vehicles at the tailpipe.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a different chemical compound and is not produced in this process. Nitrogen is the main component of air but is not a product of the fuel cell reaction. Oxygen is consumed in the reaction, not emitted.

37. Consider the following statements regarding e-RUPI prepaid digital vou

Consider the following statements regarding e-RUPI prepaid digital vouchers:

1. The maximum amount of e-RUPI is rupees one lakh.
2. Beneficiaries can receive e-RUPI without having a bank account.
3. To receive e-RUPI on mobile phones, beneficiaries need a smart phone with Internet connection.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 and 2

3 only

1 and 3

2 only

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Statement 1: A single e-RUPI voucher can have a maximum value of ₹1 lakh. This is correct.
Statement 2: e-RUPI is designed to be accessible to beneficiaries even if they do not have a bank account. It can be delivered via SMS or QR code. This is correct.
Statement 3: Beneficiaries can receive e-RUPI via SMS even on basic mobile phones without internet connection. While a smartphone with internet is needed to scan a QR code, receiving via SMS doesn’t require these. Thus, the statement that a smartphone with internet is *needed* to receive on mobile phones is incorrect.
Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

– e-RUPI is a prepaid digital voucher developed by NPCI.
– It is a person-specific, purpose-specific payment solution.
– It works on basic phones (via SMS string) and smartphones (via QR code).

e-RUPI is a leak-proof mechanism for welfare service delivery, connecting sponsors of services with beneficiaries and service providers digitally. It ensures that payment is made only upon completion of the transaction.

38. India has achieved the 10 percent Ethanol blending much ahead of the t

India has achieved the 10 percent Ethanol blending much ahead of the targeted date. Which one among the following greatly benefits from this ?

Cassava plantations

Maize farming

Sugar industry

Wine industry

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In India, ethanol for blending with petrol is primarily produced from sugarcane molasses, a byproduct of the sugar industry. Achieving the 10 percent ethanol blending target means a significant increase in demand for ethanol, directly benefiting sugar mills that produce ethanol and the farmers who grow sugarcane.

– The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and provide a remunerative market for sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry.
– Sugarcane is the main source for ethanol production in India, although other sources like maize are also being explored.

Cassava and maize can also be used to produce ethanol, but in India’s current policy and production scenario, the sugar industry is the major beneficiary of increased ethanol demand for fuel blending. The wine industry is unrelated to fuel ethanol production.

39. Consider the following statements about James Webb Space Telescope (JW

Consider the following statements about James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) :

1. It is the largest observatory ever launched into space.
2. It has been developed by NASA in partnership with the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Statement 1: James Webb Space Telescope is indeed the largest and most powerful space telescope ever launched, making it the largest observatory launched into space to date.
Statement 2: JWST is a significant international collaboration led by NASA with contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Both statements are correct.

– JWST is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, designed to observe in the infrared spectrum.
– Its large mirror and advanced instruments enable it to look back in time to the formation of the first galaxies.

JWST was launched on December 25, 2021, and is located at the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrangian point. It is a key mission for understanding the universe’s origins, galaxy evolution, star and planet formation, and the search for exoplanets.

40. In India, which one of the following is responsible for the implementa

In India, which one of the following is responsible for the implementation of the Government of India’s policy in all matters concerning telecommunications ?

Digital Communications Commission

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Telecom Advisory Committee

Telecommunications Consultants India Limited

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In India, the Digital Communications Commission (formerly the Telecom Commission) is the highest decision-making body within the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. It is responsible for formulating and implementing government policy concerning telecommunications.

– The Digital Communications Commission operates under the Department of Telecommunications, which falls under the Ministry of Communications.
– It is the primary body for policy formulation and implementation in the Indian telecom sector on behalf of the Government.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory body that regulates the telecommunications services and tariffs in India, but it is not responsible for the overall implementation of government policy. Telecom Advisory Committees are consultative bodies. Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is a Public Sector Undertaking providing consulting and engineering services.