41. Which company operated the ill-fated Titan submersible which recently

Which company operated the ill-fated Titan submersible which recently imploded killing all five passengers while on a dive to visit the Titanic shipwreck under the waters of the North Atlantic ?

Odyssey Marine Exploration
M.A.R.E. (Marine Adventure for Research and Education)
OceanGate Expeditions
Seafarer Exploration Corporation
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct answer is C.
The submersible ‘Titan’, which imploded while on an expedition to the Titanic shipwreck in June 2023, was operated by the American company OceanGate Expeditions. All five people on board were killed in the incident.
OceanGate Expeditions is a private company that offered crewed submersible services for tourism, industry, research, and exploration. The Titan submersible was one of its primary vessels. The implosion sparked widespread discussion about the safety regulations and risks involved in deep-sea tourism.

42. Which butterfly species was recently named the official butterfly of J

Which butterfly species was recently named the official butterfly of Jammu and Kashmir ?

Noble's Helen
Kaisar-i-Hind
Blue Duke
Blue Pansy
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct answer is B.
While the official declaration of the state butterfly for Jammu and Kashmir has been subject to conflicting reports and appears not to have been formally finalized as of late 2023, news reports from 2021-2022 indicated that the Kaisar-i-Hind (*Teinopalpus imperialis*) was among the species being considered by the J&K wildlife department for state butterfly status, alongside others like the Blue Duke. The Kaisar-i-Hind was officially declared the state butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh in 2021, which adds to the confusion surrounding this question if it is based on a J&K context. However, based on some reports mentioning its consideration for J&K, Option B appears to be the intended answer, possibly referring to this proposal phase.
The Blue Duke (*Bassarona durga*) was declared the state butterfly of Sikkim in 2021 and was also reported as being considered for J&K. The Kaisar-i-Hind is a large, vibrant butterfly primarily found in the Eastern Himalayas. The naming process for official state symbols can sometimes involve public consultation and consideration of multiple species before a final decision.

43. Which among the following set of national teams participated in the So

Which among the following set of national teams participated in the South Asian Football Federation Championship – 2023 ?

Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh
Lebanon, Kuwait, Pakistan
India, Pakistan, Myanmar
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct answer is B.
The 2023 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship was held in Bengaluru, India. Alongside the regular member nations of SAFF (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan), two guest teams, Kuwait and Lebanon, were invited to participate. The set of teams in option B, namely Lebanon, Kuwait, and Pakistan, all participated in the tournament. Sri Lanka did not participate due to suspension by FIFA. Myanmar is not a SAFF member and did not participate.
India won the 2023 SAFF Championship, defeating Kuwait in the final. The inclusion of guest teams was aimed at increasing the competitiveness and profile of the tournament.

44. Under which one of the following rivers has India’s first underwater m

Under which one of the following rivers has India’s first underwater metro rail tunnel been constructed ?

Yamuna
Ganga
Hooghly
Gomti
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct option is C. India’s first underwater metro rail tunnel has been constructed under the Hooghly River.
– The underwater metro tunnel is part of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West Corridor project.
– The tunnel passes beneath the Hooghly River, connecting the city of Kolkata with Howrah.
– This project represents a significant engineering achievement in India’s infrastructure development.
The Kolkata Metro, operational since 1984, was the first metro system in India. The East-West Corridor project, including the underwater section, aims to further expand and modernize the network, providing faster connectivity between key areas. The underwater section under the Hooghly is a particularly complex part of the construction.

45. In which one of the following cities is the Heliopolis Commonwealth Wa

In which one of the following cities is the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery located ?

Marseille
Washington D.C.
Cairo
Athens
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct option is C. The Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery is located in Cairo, Egypt.
– The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is responsible for commemorating the 1.7 million Commonwealth servicemen and women who died in the two world wars.
– Heliopolis is a suburb of Cairo, Egypt.
– The Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery is one of the significant cemeteries maintained by the CWGC in Egypt, containing graves and memorials primarily from the First World War.
Egypt was an important strategic location during both World Wars. Cairo served as a major administrative and medical centre, and several cemeteries and memorials were established there to bury those who died in the region.

46. The joint multinational maritime exercise IBSAMAR is conducted by the

The joint multinational maritime exercise IBSAMAR is conducted by the Navies of which of the following countries ?

India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives
India, Bangladesh and South Africa
India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Mauritius
India, Brazil and South Africa
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct option is D. The joint multinational maritime exercise IBSAMAR is conducted by the Navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa.
– IBSAMAR is a tri-nation naval exercise.
– The name ‘IBSAMAR’ is an acronym derived from the participating countries: IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) + MAR (Maritime).
– The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime security cooperation among the three navies.
IBSAMAR is one of the key defence cooperation initiatives among the IBSA Dialogue Forum countries. The exercise series began in 2008.

47. 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 (International Yoga Day) List II (Theme)

A. 6th Edition
B. 7th Edition
C. 8th Edition
D. 9th Edition

1. Yoga for well-being
2. Yoga for health – Yoga at home
3. Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
4. Yoga for Humanity

Code :

A B C D
(a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 2 1 4 3
(c) 3 1 4 2
(d) 3 4 1 2
(a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 2 1 4 3
(c) 3 1 4 2
(d) 3 4 1 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct option is B, which matches the themes with the editions as A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3.
– The 6th International Yoga Day (2020) theme was “Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home”. (List II – 2)
– The 7th International Yoga Day (2021) theme was “Yoga for well-being”. (List II – 1)
– The 8th International Yoga Day (2022) theme was “Yoga for Humanity”. (List II – 4)
– The 9th International Yoga Day (2023) theme was “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “Yoga for ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'”. (List II – 3)
International Yoga Day is celebrated annually on June 21st, following its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Each year, a specific theme is designated to highlight a particular aspect or benefit of Yoga.

48. Which of the following statements about the National Centre for Good G

Which of the following statements about the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) are correct ?

  • 1. NCGG was set up by the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy.
  • 2. The National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR) has been rechristened and subsumed into NCGG.
  • 3. NCGG is an apex level autonomous body under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • 4. The Chairperson of the Governing Body of the NCGG is the Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 4
2 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
3 and 4 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct option is B because only statements 2 and 4 about the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) are correct.
– 1. NCGG was not set up by the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy. It was established by the Government of India. (Incorrect)
– 2. The National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR) was subsumed into NCGG. This is correct.
– 3. NCGG is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, specifically the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). It is not under the Ministry of Home Affairs. (Incorrect)
– 4. The Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India is the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the NCGG. This is correct.
NCGG is an institution dedicated to promoting good governance through training, research, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of governance. It conducts training programs for civil servants from India and other developing countries.

49. Which one among the following statements about National Highways Autho

Which one among the following statements about National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is not correct ?

NHAI collects fees on the National Highway.
NHAI conducts training of Highway Engineers at entry level and in-service.
NHAI provides consultancy and construction services in India and abroad.
NHAI regulates and controls the plying of vehicles for its proper management.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct option is D because the statement “NHAI regulates and controls the plying of vehicles for its proper management” is not correct regarding the primary functions of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
– NHAI’s primary mandate is the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways.
– A) NHAI is authorized to collect fees (tolls) on National Highways. This is correct.
– B) NHAI is involved in research and development, including training of personnel related to highway engineering. This is correct.
– C) NHAI provides technical and consultancy support, including potential services outside India, although its main focus is domestic. This function is within its broader scope or potential activities.
– D) The regulation and control of the plying of vehicles, including traffic rules, speed limits, and enforcement, falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, state transport departments, and police authorities, not NHAI. NHAI focuses on the infrastructure itself.
NHAI was established by the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Its core function revolves around the infrastructure of National Highways.

50. Which of the following pairs of revolution in agriculture sector and i

Which of the following pairs of revolution in agriculture sector and its production are correctly matched ?

  • 1. Pink revolution : Shrimp production
  • 2. Yellow revolution : Oilseeds production
  • 3. Black revolution : Biodiesel production
  • 4. Golden revolution : Egg production

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3
2, 3 and 4
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
The correct option is A because pairs 1 (Pink revolution : Shrimp production), 2 (Yellow revolution : Oilseeds production), and 3 (Black revolution : Biodiesel production) are correctly matched. Pair 4 (Golden revolution : Egg production) is incorrectly matched.
– Pink Revolution is associated with Onion production, Pharmaceutical production, and Prawn/Shrimp production.
– Yellow Revolution is associated with Oilseeds production.
– Black Revolution is associated with Petroleum production, specifically promoting the production of ethanol and mixing it with petrol to produce biodiesel.
– Golden Revolution is associated with Overall Horticulture (fruits, honey, flowers). Silver Revolution is associated with Egg production.
Various “Revolutions” have been named in India to signify significant growth and developments in specific agricultural and allied sectors, following the success of the Green Revolution in food grain production.