UPSC CDS-2 Archives

41. Which one of the following is not a tributary of the river Ganga?

Which one of the following is not a tributary of the river Ganga?

[amp_mcq option1=”Son” option2=”Mahananda” option3=”Teesta” option4=”Sharada” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

The Teesta River is a major river that flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal and then through Bangladesh before merging with the Brahmaputra River. It is not a tributary of the Ganga River.

Tributaries of the Ganga include major rivers like the Yamuna, Son, Kosi, Gandak, Ghaghara, and Mahananda. The Teesta is a tributary of the Brahmaputra.

The Son River is a major right-bank tributary of the Ganga, flowing from Madhya Pradesh and joining the Ganga in Bihar. The Mahananda River is a left-bank tributary of the Ganga, originating in the Himalayas and flowing through West Bengal before joining the Ganga in Bangladesh. The Sharada River (also known as Kali Ganga or Mahakali) is a tributary of the Ghaghara River, which in turn is a major tributary of the Ganga. Thus, Son, Mahananda, and Sharada are all part of the Ganga river system, while Teesta is part of the Brahmaputra river system.

42. 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 (Place)		List-II (Industry)
A.	Bongaigaon	1.	Paper
B.	Koraput	2.	Machine tools
C.	Pinjore	3.	Aircraft
D.	Sirpur	4.	Petrochemical

Code :

[amp_mcq option1=”A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1″ option2=”A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1″ option3=”A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4″ option4=”A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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The correct matching of places with their primary industries is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.

A. Bongaigaon (Assam) is well-known for its petrochemical complex (Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited). B. Koraput (Odisha) hosts a significant unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), involved in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance. C. Pinjore (Haryana) was a major site for Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT). D. Sirpur (Sirpur-Kaghaznagar, Telangana) is historically famous for its paper industry (Sirpur Paper Mills).

This question tests knowledge of important industrial locations and the specific types of industries associated with them in India. These sites often represent major public sector undertakings or historically significant industrial developments.

43. Which of the following statements concerning atmosphere of the Earth a

Which of the following statements concerning atmosphere of the Earth are correct?

1. In stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude.
2. In mesosphere, temperature decreases with altitude.
3. The lowest temperature of the atmosphere is recorded in the upper part of mesosphere.
4. Tropopause is an isothermal zone.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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Statements 1, 2, and 3 regarding the Earth’s atmosphere are correct.

Statement 1 is correct: In the stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer. Statement 2 is correct: In the mesosphere, temperature decreases sharply with altitude, reaching very low temperatures at its upper boundary. Statement 3 is correct: The mesopause, located at the top of the mesosphere, is the coldest region of the Earth’s atmosphere. Statement 4 is generally considered incorrect: The tropopause is the boundary zone between the troposphere and stratosphere where the temperature lapse rate changes significantly; it’s not a thick isothermal layer, although temperature changes minimally with height within the boundary itself compared to the layers above and below.

The atmosphere’s temperature profile varies with altitude through its different layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Each layer exhibits distinct temperature gradients driven by different physical processes.

44. 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 (Railway Zone)	List-II (Headquarters)
A. North Eastern Railway	1. Kolkata
B. East Central Railway	2. Bilaspur
C. South East Central Railway	3. Hajipur
D. South Eastern Railway	4. Gorakhpur

Code :

[amp_mcq option1=”A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1″ option2=”A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4″ option3=”A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4″ option4=”A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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The correct matching of Railway Zones with their Headquarters is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.

A. North Eastern Railway has its headquarters in Gorakhpur. B. East Central Railway has its headquarters in Hajipur. C. South East Central Railway has its headquarters in Bilaspur. D. South Eastern Railway has its headquarters in Kolkata.

Indian Railways is organized into various zones for administrative efficiency, each with its own headquarters overseeing operations in a specific region. Knowing the headquarters of these zones is relevant geographical and administrative information.

45. If the latitude and longitudinal extent of an Indian State/UT is 15°48

If the latitude and longitudinal extent of an Indian State/UT is 15°48’00” N to 14°53’15” N and 74°20’13” E to 74°40’33” E, then which one of the following is that State/UT?

[amp_mcq option1=”Puducherry” option2=”Chandigarh” option3=”Goa” option4=”Delhi” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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The latitude range (14°53’15” N to 15°48’00” N) closely matches the latitudinal extent of Goa.

Goa lies approximately between 14°53′ N and 15°48′ N latitude and 73°40′ E and 74°20′ E longitude. The provided latitude range is almost an exact match for Goa’s northern and southern boundaries. While the provided longitude range (74°20’13” E to 74°40’33” E) seems to cover the eastern part of Goa and extend further east, the distinct latitude range makes Goa the most probable answer among the given options. Puducherry, Chandigarh, and Delhi are located significantly outside this latitude range.

Geographical extents provided in questions can sometimes have minor variations depending on the source or specific definition used. However, the close match in the latitude range strongly points towards Goa as the intended answer.

46. With regard to water transportation in India, which of the following s

With regard to water transportation in India, which of the following statements are correct?

1. Headquarters of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation is located at Delhi.
2. Headquarters of Inland Waterways Authority of India is located at Noida.
3. National Inland Navigation Institute is located at Kolkata.
4. First National Inland Waterway was between Haldia and Allahabad.

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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Statements 2 and 4 are correct regarding water transportation in India.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The headquarters of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation (CIWTC) is located at Kolkata. Statement 2 is correct: The headquarters of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is located at Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Statement 3 is incorrect: The National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) is located at Patna, Bihar. Statement 4 is correct: The first National Inland Waterway (NW-1) was declared on the Ganga river system between Haldia (West Bengal) and Allahabad (Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh).

IWAI, established in 1986, is the nodal agency for developing and regulating inland waterways. NW-1 is the longest operational waterway in India and is crucial for transport in the Gangetic basin.

47. The elemental composition of an adult human body by mass is

The elemental composition of an adult human body by mass is

[amp_mcq option1=”C > O > H > N” option2=”O > C > H > N” option3=”N > C > H > O” option4=”N > C > O > H” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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The elemental composition of an adult human body by mass is dominated by Oxygen, followed by Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen.

Oxygen is the most abundant element by mass (approx. 65%), largely due to its presence in water (H₂O). Carbon (approx. 18.5%) forms the backbone of organic molecules. Hydrogen (approx. 9.5%) is also abundant in water and organic compounds. Nitrogen (approx. 3.2%) is a key component of proteins and nucleic acids.

These four elements constitute about 96-97% of the human body’s mass. Calcium and Phosphorus are the next most abundant elements, primarily found in bones and teeth.

48. In case of a standard hydrogen electrode

In case of a standard hydrogen electrode

[amp_mcq option1=”absolute electrode potential is not zero” option2=”absolute electrode potential is zero” option3=”both absolute and standard electrode potential values are zero” option4=”electrode potential is zero only at 25°C” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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The absolute electrode potential of a standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is not zero.

By international convention, the *standard electrode potential* of the SHE is *defined* as zero volts (0 V) at standard conditions (typically 25°C, 1 bar/atm H₂ pressure, and 1 M H⁺ concentration). This defines a relative scale for measuring the standard potentials of other half-cells. However, the absolute potential of the SHE, which represents the potential difference between the electrode and a point infinitely far away in vacuum, is not zero and is estimated to be around +4.44 V at 25°C.

The ability to measure absolute electrode potentials is limited; therefore, a reference electrode with a defined potential, like the SHE, is used to create a relative potential series. Option D is misleading as the zero potential is defined at standard conditions including 25°C, but the phrasing “only at 25°C” is inaccurate and incomplete regarding the conditions.

49. Which one of the following statements is correct?

Which one of the following statements is correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”The oxidation number for hydrogen is always zero.” option2=”The oxidation number for hydrogen is always +1.” option3=”The oxidation number for hydrogen is always -1.” option4=”Hydrogen can have more than one oxidation number.” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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Hydrogen can exist in different chemical environments where it exhibits more than one oxidation number.

The oxidation number for hydrogen is typically +1 when bonded to nonmetals (e.g., H₂O, HCl, NH₃). However, when bonded to more active metals (forming metal hydrides like NaH, CaH₂), hydrogen is more electronegative than the metal and has an oxidation number of -1. In its elemental form (H₂), the oxidation number is 0.

The oxidation number reflects the hypothetical charge an atom would have in a molecule if all bonds were ionic. The electronegativity difference between hydrogen and the atom it is bonded to determines whether hydrogen takes a positive or negative oxidation state.

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 :

List-I (Element)	List-II (Property/Use)
A. Mg	1. Gives red colour to flame
B. Ca	2. Sulphate compound used in medicine to examine the alimentary canal of a patient
C. Sr	3. Traps the energy of sunlight in photosynthesis
D. Ba	4. Control of muscle contraction

Code :

[amp_mcq option1=”A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3″ option2=”A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3″ option3=”A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2″ option4=”A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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Matching the elements with their properties/uses yields A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2.

Magnesium (Mg) is a key component of chlorophyll, which traps sunlight energy in photosynthesis (A-3). Calcium (Ca) ions play a vital role in muscle contraction (B-4). Strontium (Sr) salts are used to impart a red colour to flames, such as in fireworks (C-1). Barium sulfate (BaSO4) is an opaque compound used in medicine as a contrast agent (barium meal) to examine the alimentary canal of a patient (D-2).

These are common properties and applications of elements from Group 2 (alkaline earth metals). While other calcium compounds are used medicinally, calcium ions’ role in muscle function is a fundamental biological property. Barium sulfate is non-toxic due to its extreme insolubility, unlike most other barium compounds.