UPSC CDS-2 Archives

41. Which one among the following was India’s first trade union in the pro

Which one among the following was India’s first trade union in the proper sense of the term?

[amp_mcq option1=”Bombay Labour Union” option2=”Ahmedabad Labour Union” option3=”Madras Labour Union” option4=”Allahabad Labour Union” correct=”option3″]

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The Madras Labour Union, founded in 1918 by B. P. Wadia, is widely regarded as India’s first properly organized trade union. It had a formal structure, regular membership, and specific objectives related to improving working conditions and wages.

Prior to the Madras Labour Union, there were various sporadic efforts and associations focused on labour welfare, but they lacked the systematic organization and structure characteristic of a modern trade union.

The Madras Labour Union emerged during the economic hardships following World War I and the growing nationalist awareness. B. P. Wadia was a prominent nationalist leader and associate of Annie Besant. The union organized workers in the textile industry in Madras.

42. Who among the following created the first All India Trade Union Congre

Who among the following created the first All India Trade Union Congress in 1920?

[amp_mcq option1=”B. P. Wadia” option2=”S. A. Dange” option3=”N. M. Joshi” option4=”B. T. Ranadive” correct=”option3″]

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The first All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed in 1920 in Bombay. While various leaders were involved in its formation, N. M. Joshi was one of the key figures and served as the first General Secretary of AITUC.

AITUC was a significant milestone in the organized labour movement in India, bringing together various trade unions under a single national umbrella.

Lala Lajpat Rai was the first President of AITUC. Other prominent leaders associated with its formation included Motilal Nehru, Annie Besant, C. R. Das, and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The formation of AITUC was influenced by the growth of the labour movement during and after World War I and the establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which required member countries to send representatives from labour organizations.

43. With whom did Subhas Chandra Bose form an alliance to destroy the Holw

With whom did Subhas Chandra Bose form an alliance to destroy the Holwell Monument in Calcutta during 1939–40?

[amp_mcq option1=”The Communist Party of India” option2=”The Muslim League” option3=”The Hindu Mahasabha” option4=”The Unionist Party” correct=”option2″]

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Subhas Chandra Bose formed an alliance with the Muslim League to destroy the Holwell Monument in Calcutta during 1939–40.

The Holwell Monument, commemorating the “Black Hole of Calcutta” incident, was considered a symbol of British imperialism and humiliation by Indian nationalists. Subhas Chandra Bose launched an agitation for its removal. To broaden the support base and pressure the government, he collaborated with the Bengal Provincial Muslim League, led by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. This joint agitation was successful, and the monument was eventually dismantled in 1940.

This incident is notable as an example of nationalist leaders attempting to forge a united front across communal lines on specific issues, even during a period of increasing communal tensions.

45. Who among the following gave evidence before the Joint Select Committe

Who among the following gave evidence before the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Bill, 1919 in favour of female franchise?

1. Mrs. Annie Besant
2. Mrs. Sarojini Naidu
3. Mrs. Hirabai Tata

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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Mrs. Annie Besant, Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, and Mrs. Hirabai Tata all gave evidence before the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Bill, 1919 in favour of female franchise.

These three prominent women were part of a delegation organized by Indian women’s organizations to advocate for women’s suffrage. They traveled to London in 1919 and presented their case before the Joint Select Committee of the British Parliament which was reviewing the Government of India Bill (leading to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms/GoI Act, 1919). They argued strongly that women should have the right to vote.

The Government of India Act, 1919 did not automatically grant women the franchise nationwide. However, it empowered the provincial legislatures to decide on the matter. Following this, Madras was the first province to grant women the right to vote in 1921, followed by Bombay and other provinces.

46. Which one of the following cities is closest to the Equator?

Which one of the following cities is closest to the Equator?

[amp_mcq option1=”Mogadishu” option2=”Singapore” option3=”Colombo” option4=”Manila” correct=”option2″]

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Singapore is the city closest to the Equator among the given options.

The Equator is the line of 0° latitude. Singapore is located at approximately 1° North latitude. Mogadishu (Somalia) is located around 2° North latitude. Colombo (Sri Lanka) is located around 7° North latitude. Manila (Philippines) is located around 14° North latitude. Comparing these latitudes, Singapore is closest to 0°.

Cities located very close to the Equator typically experience a tropical climate with high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year and little seasonal variation.

47. The largest geographical area of India is covered by which one of the

The largest geographical area of India is covered by which one of the following types of soils?

[amp_mcq option1=”Inceptisols” option2=”Entisols” option3=”Alfisols” option4=”Vertisols” correct=”option1″]

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According to the USDA soil taxonomy, Inceptisols cover the largest geographical area of India.

Inceptisols are young soils with minimal profile development, but they show the beginning of horizon formation. In India, these soils are widespread, particularly in the vast alluvial plains (like the Ganges and Brahmaputra plains) where fresh sediments are deposited and young soils develop, and also in parts of plateaus and hills.

Entisols are even younger soils with little to no horizon development, found in areas of very recent deposition (e.g., floodplains, dunes). While significant, they cover a smaller area than Inceptisols. Alfisols (typically found in areas with red soils) and Vertisols (black cotton soils) are also important soil orders in India but cover smaller total areas compared to Inceptisols. Estimates vary slightly, but Inceptisols are generally cited as covering the largest percentage of India’s land area.

48. Which one of the following indicates the Tropical Savannah climate?

Which one of the following indicates the Tropical Savannah climate?

[amp_mcq option1=”Aw” option2=”Dfc” option3=”Cwg” option4=”Am” correct=”option1″]

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The Köppen climate classification code ‘Aw’ indicates the Tropical Savannah climate.

In the Köppen system, the first letter ‘A’ represents Tropical climates, characterized by consistently high temperatures throughout the year. The second letter ‘w’ signifies a dry winter season (winter is the low sun period). The Tropical Savannah climate typically has distinct wet and dry seasons, with the dry season occurring during the cooler part of the year (winter).

‘Am’ indicates a Tropical Monsoon climate. ‘Cwg’ represents a subtropical highland climate or monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (often found in parts of India). ‘Dfc’ indicates a subarctic climate with cold winters and no dry season, characteristic of high latitudes.

49. The Isotherm Line, which divides India North-South in almost two equal

The Isotherm Line, which divides India North-South in almost two equal parts in the month of January, is

[amp_mcq option1=”10 °C” option2=”25 °C” option3=”15 °C” option4=”20 °C” correct=”option4″]

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The Isotherm Line, which divides India North-South in almost two equal parts in the month of January, is approximately the 20 °C isotherm.

In January, North India experiences cold weather due to the influence of the Himalayas and continental winds, with average temperatures often below 15°C. South India, being closer to the Equator and influenced by maritime conditions, remains warm, with temperatures generally above 20°C or 25°C. The 20°C isotherm typically runs across central India, separating the cooler northern plains from the warmer southern peninsula, effectively dividing the country into roughly two halves based on temperature distribution in January.

Isotherms are lines on a map connecting points that have the same temperature. The temperature distribution in India during winter (January) is characterized by a decrease from south to north. The 25°C isotherm generally lies further south, while the 15°C and 10°C isotherms are located further north, primarily in the plains and foothills respectively.

50. Decadal growth rate of population in percentage was highest in India i

Decadal growth rate of population in percentage was highest in India in the year

[amp_mcq option1=”1991″ option2=”1981″ option3=”1971″ option4=”1961″ correct=”option3″]

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The decadal growth rate of population in percentage was highest in India in the decade ending in 1971.

The decade from 1961 to 1971 recorded the highest decadal growth rate of India’s population since independence, standing at 24.80%. This period saw a significant decline in the death rate due to improvements in healthcare, while the birth rate remained high.

Subsequent decades saw a gradual decline in the decadal growth rate, although the absolute increase in population remained high for some time due to the large base population. The growth rates for the decades ending in 1981, 1991, and 2001 were 24.66%, 23.87%, and 21.54% respectively.