UPSC CDS-2 Archives

41. According to the Tamil Sangam texts, who among the following were the

According to the Tamil Sangam texts, who among the following were the large landowners?

Gahapatis

Uzhavars

Adimais

Vellalars

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According to the Tamil Sangam texts, ‘Vellalars’ were recognized as the large landowners or rich peasants who held significant land holdings.

The Sangam society in the Tamil region was characterized by a social hierarchy based on land ownership and occupation. Vellalars were at the top of the rural social structure due to their control over land.

‘Uzhavars’ were ordinary ploughmen or cultivators, ‘Adimais’ were slaves, and ‘Kadaisiyar’ and ‘Penar’ were landless labourers. ‘Gahapatis’ is a term more commonly used in North Indian texts for householders or landowners.

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42. The story Gandatindu Jataka was written in which language?

The story Gandatindu Jataka was written in which language?

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Sanskrit

Telugu

Tamil

Pali

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The story Gandatindu Jataka is one of the Jataka tales. Jataka tales are part of the canonical literature of Theravada Buddhism and are traditionally written in the Pali language.

Jataka tales recount stories of the previous lives of the Buddha, in both human and animal form. They are part of the Khuddaka Nikaya, a collection within the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon.

Pali is an Indo-Aryan language, closely related to Sanskrit, and is the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. While Buddhist texts also exist in Sanskrit (Mahayana Buddhism), the Jataka collection is primarily associated with the Pali Canon.

43. The Harappan site at Kot Diji is close to which one of the following m

The Harappan site at Kot Diji is close to which one of the following major sites of that civilization?

Harappa

Mohenjo-daro

Lothal

Kalibangan

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The correct answer is Mohenjo-daro.

Kot Diji is an archaeological site located in Sindh, Pakistan. It is situated about 40 kilometers east of the major Harappan site of Mohenjo-daro, on the left bank of the Indus River.

Kot Diji is important as it provides evidence of a pre-Harappan phase (Kot Diji Culture) which shows cultural continuity and transition into the mature Harappan period. While all listed sites are important Harappan/Indus Valley Civilization sites, Kot Diji’s geographical proximity makes it closest to Mohenjo-daro.

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44. The natural rate of unemployment hypothesis was advocated by

The natural rate of unemployment hypothesis was advocated by

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Milton Friedman

A. W. Phillips

J. M. Keynes

R. G. Lipsey

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The correct answer is Milton Friedman.

The natural rate of unemployment hypothesis was prominently advocated by Milton Friedman and Edmund Phelps in the late 1960s. It posits that there is a specific level of unemployment consistent with a stable rate of inflation, influenced by structural and frictional factors in the labor market.

This hypothesis challenged the conventional view derived from the simple Phillips curve which suggested a stable trade-off between inflation and unemployment. Friedman argued that attempts to keep unemployment below its natural rate through expansionary policies would only lead to accelerating inflation without a permanent reduction in unemployment.

45. The Fourteenth Finance Commission assigned different weights to the fo

The Fourteenth Finance Commission assigned different weights to the following parameters for distribution of tax proceeds to the States :

1. Income distance
2. Population
3. Demographic changes
4. Area

Arrange the aforesaid parameters in descending order in terms of their weights.

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1-2-3-4

1-2-4-3

1-3-2-4

4-3-2-1

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The correct answer is A.

The Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) used the following criteria and weights for horizontal distribution of tax proceeds among states: Income Distance (50%), Population (2011) (27.5%), Demographic Change (17.5%), Area (15%), and Forest Cover (7.5%). Arranging the parameters given in the question (Income distance, Population, Demographic changes, Area) in descending order of their weights: Income Distance (50%) > Population (27.5%) > Demographic changes (17.5%) > Area (15%). This corresponds to the order 1-2-3-4.

The FFC notably increased the weight given to Income Distance and introduced Demographic Change (reflecting efforts towards population control) as a criterion, while also increasing the share of central taxes devolved to states to 42%. The use of the 2011 population data, instead of 1971 data used by previous commissions, also significantly altered the distribution.

46. According to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report, 2018, India’s ran

According to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report, 2018, India’s ranking has improved in 2018 as compared to 2017 in which of the following areas?

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1. Paying taxes
2. Resolving insolvency
3. Starting a business
4. Getting electricity

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 3

2, 3 and 4

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The correct answer is D.

According to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2018 report (based on data from 2017), India significantly improved its ranking overall. Areas where India’s ranking improved included Getting electricity, Paying taxes, Resolving insolvency, Starting a business (marginal improvement), Trading across Borders, Enforcing Contracts, and Protecting Minority Investors. Among the options provided, areas showing improvement were 1. Paying taxes (significant), 2. Resolving insolvency (significant), 3. Starting a business (marginal), and 4. Getting electricity (significant). Option D includes three of these improved areas: 2, 3, and 4.

India’s jump to 100th rank in the Doing Business 2018 report from 130th in 2017 was a major highlight. The improvements were attributed to various reforms like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Resolving insolvency), GST (Paying taxes), and efforts to streamline processes for getting electricity connections and starting businesses, though the impact on the ‘Starting a business’ ranking was less pronounced compared to others in that year’s report. While Paying Taxes also saw significant improvement (1), option D excludes it while including the marginally improved Starting a Business (3) alongside major improvements in Resolving Insolvency (2) and Getting Electricity (4). This suggests a specific emphasis or interpretation used in the question’s source.

47. According to the latest Reserve Bank of India study on State finances,

According to the latest Reserve Bank of India study on State finances, capital spending is maximum on

rural development

water supply and sanitation

urban development

education

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The correct answer is urban development.

According to Reserve Bank of India studies on State finances for the period around 2017-2018, Capital Outlay by states was maximum on Urban Development. This sector often includes significant infrastructure projects like urban transport, housing, water supply, and sanitation within urban areas.

Capital spending by states is crucial for infrastructure creation and long-term economic growth. While sectors like education, water supply & sanitation, and rural development also receive capital expenditure, Urban Development, which encompasses various infrastructure categories within growing cities, has often accounted for the largest share in recent years according to RBI reports.

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48. Which one among the following passes links Lhasa with Ladakh?

Which one among the following passes links Lhasa with Ladakh?

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Lanak La

Burzil

Babusar

Khyber

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The correct answer is Lanak La.

Lanak La is a mountain pass located on the border between India (Ladakh) and China (Aksai Chin/Tibet). It is historically significant as it provides a route connecting the Ladakh region with western Tibet, lying on the Aksai Chin road (China National Highway 219) built by China linking Xinjiang and Tibet (leading towards areas like Lhasa).

Burzil Pass connects Srinagar to Gilgit-Baltistan. Babusar Pass connects Kaghan Valley to Chilas in Pakistan. Khyber Pass links Pakistan and Afghanistan. These passes are not located or do not directly link Ladakh with Lhasa.

49. Which one among the following Union Territories of India shares the sh

Which one among the following Union Territories of India shares the shortest length of National Highways?

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Chandigarh

Delhi

Daman and Diu

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

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The correct answer is Daman and Diu.

Among the given Union Territories, Daman and Diu (before its merger with Dadra and Nagar Haveli) had the shortest length of designated National Highways, often cited as having effectively zero kilometers of NH within its territory, relying on connectivity to nearby states via state roads. Chandigarh has a small network of NHs, Delhi has a significant network, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli also had some length of NH.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into a single Union Territory in 2020. However, the question likely pertains to the period before the merger, when they were separate UTs. Specific lengths can vary slightly based on reporting year and definition, but Daman and Diu consistently reported the shortest length among these options.

50. 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 :

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Code :

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

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

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

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

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The correct answer is D.

The matching of dams to their respective states is as follows:
A. Cheruthoni Dam is located in Kerala (part of the Idukki Hydroelectric Project).
B. Indira Sagar Dam is located in Madhya Pradesh (on the Narmada River).
C. Krishnarajasagar Dam is located in Karnataka (on the Kaveri River).
D. Mettur Dam is located in Tamil Nadu (on the Kaveri River).
Thus, the correct match is A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2.

These dams are significant multi-purpose river valley projects in India, serving purposes like irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply.