UPSC CISF-AC-EXE Archives

11. Who among the following did not contribute to the preservation and doc

Who among the following did not contribute to the preservation and documentation of the ancient site of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh ?

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Shahjahan Begum

John Marshall

Sultan Jehan Begum

J.M. Kenoyer

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2023

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Sanchi is a major Buddhist site famous for its stupas. Several individuals played crucial roles in its discovery, excavation, and preservation.
A) Shahjahan Begum and C) Sultan Jehan Begum were the Begums of Bhopal in the 19th and early 20th centuries who provided significant financial support and protection for the site, preventing its destruction and facilitating initial restoration efforts.
B) John Marshall, as the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India in the early 20th century, oversaw extensive excavation, restoration, and documentation work at Sanchi, leading to its modern preservation and understanding.
D) J.M. Kenoyer is a prominent archaeologist known for his extensive work on the Indus Valley Civilization, particularly at sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. His research and publications are primarily focused on the Bronze Age cultures of South Asia. He is not known for contributions specifically to the site of Sanchi.
Therefore, J.M. Kenoyer did not contribute to the preservation and documentation of the ancient site of Sanchi.

– Sanchi was preserved from significant damage partly due to the efforts of the Begums of Bhopal.
– John Marshall’s archaeological work was vital for the scientific study and conservation of Sanchi.
– Different archaeologists specialize in different periods and sites; J.M. Kenoyer’s expertise lies primarily with the Indus Valley Civilization.

Major General Henry Taylor was one of the first Europeans to document Sanchi in the early 19th century. Alexander Cunningham also conducted excavations there before John Marshall’s comprehensive work. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.

12. Which one of the following Tamil texts deals with grammar ?

Which one of the following Tamil texts deals with grammar ?

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Manimekalai

Silappadikaram

Tolkappiyam

Padirruppattu

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The options are all important works of ancient Tamil literature.
A) Manimekalai: One of the five great Tamil epics, a Buddhist work.
B) Silappadikaram: One of the five great Tamil epics.
C) Tolkappiyam: The oldest surviving Tamil grammar text, dealing with phonology, morphology, syntax, and poetics.
D) Padirruppattu: Part of the Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies), a collection of Sangam poems praising Chera kings.
Among the given options, Tolkappiyam is explicitly a work on Tamil grammar.

– Tolkappiyam is the foundational text for the study of Tamil grammar and literature.
– The other options represent epic poems or anthologies of poetry from the Sangam or post-Sangam periods.

Tolkappiyam is considered a primary source for understanding the social, economic, and cultural life of the ancient Tamils, in addition to its linguistic and literary significance. The Five Great Epics of Tamil literature are Silappadikaram, Manimekalai, Seevaka Sinthamani, Valayapathi, and Kundalakesi.

13. Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Su

Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad ?

Gautamiputra Shatakarni

Kanishka

Samudragupta

Harshavardhana

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The description provided (“the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad”) closely matches the eulogistic language used to describe the Gupta emperor Samudragupta in the Allahabad Pillar inscription (Prashasti), composed by his court poet and minister, Harishena. The inscription portrays Samudragupta as an ideal ruler, a conqueror, learned, and benevolent, often attributing divine qualities to him and presenting him as a force for righteousness (prosperity of the good) and order (destruction of the bad). While other rulers were also praised in inscriptions, this specific phrasing and hyperbolic praise are most famously associated with Samudragupta’s court eulogy.

– Inscriptions and Prashastis are key sources for understanding ancient Indian rulers.
– The Allahabad Pillar inscription is a famous example of a royal eulogy from the Gupta period.

Gautamiputra Shatakarni (Satavahana dynasty) is known from the Nasik inscription by his mother. Kanishka (Kushan dynasty) is known from various inscriptions including the Rabatak inscription. Harshavardhana (Pushyabhuti dynasty) is known from sources like the Harshacharita by Bana and the accounts of Xuanzang. However, the description given is most characteristic of the Allahabad Prashasti’s portrayal of Samudragupta.

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14. In terms of area under forest cover, the top three states in India are

In terms of area under forest cover, the top three states in India are :

Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya

Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha

Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra

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According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), which is published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), the ranking of states based on the total forest cover area often lists the following states in the top positions (based on ISFR 2021):
1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Chhattisgarh
4. Odisha
5. Maharashtra
Option A correctly lists Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh as the top three states in terms of area under forest cover.

– Forest cover is measured in two ways: total area and percentage of geographical area.
– Different states top the list depending on whether area or percentage is considered.

In terms of percentage of geographical area under forest cover, the top states are often different, with Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Nagaland typically having very high percentages. The question specifically asks for area.

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15. With respect to the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament of Ind

With respect to the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament of India, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

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1. The committee came into existence in the year 1921
2. It was not a Parliamentary Committee under the control of the Speaker at the time of its inception

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Let’s evaluate the statements regarding the Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
Statement 1: “The committee came into existence in the year 1921.” This statement is correct. The PAC was constituted for the first time in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919, following the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
Statement 2: “It was not a Parliamentary Committee under the control of the Speaker at the time of its inception.” At its inception in 1921, it was a committee of the Central Legislative Assembly. The President (Speaker) of the Central Legislative Assembly exercised control over the functioning of its committees. The term “Parliamentary Committee” strictly refers to committees of the Parliament of India formed after the Constitution came into effect. So, while it was not a ‘Parliamentary’ Committee in the post-independence sense, it was a committee of the legislature and was under the control of the presiding officer (Speaker/President). The statement says it was *not* both. Since it *was* under the control of the Speaker (President of the Assembly), the second part of the implied joint condition (“not under the control of the Speaker”) is false. The statement as a whole, implying absence of both qualities, is incorrect. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Based on the analysis, only Statement 1 is correct.

– The Public Accounts Committee is one of the oldest financial committees in the Indian legislative system, predating independence.
– Committees of the legislature function under the overall guidance and control of the presiding officer (Speaker in the Lok Sabha, Chairman in the Rajya Sabha).

The PAC consists of members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (Lok Sabha having a larger share). The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker and is traditionally from the opposition party (since 1967). The committee scrutinizes the appropriation accounts and the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

16. Which one of the following States has less than two Lok Sabha seats ?

Which one of the following States has less than two Lok Sabha seats ?

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Arunachal Pradesh

Goa

Meghalaya

Mizoram

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The number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to each state is primarily based on population, though adjustments have been made over time. Let’s check the number of Lok Sabha seats for the given states:
A) Arunachal Pradesh: 2 seats
B) Goa: 2 seats
C) Meghalaya: 2 seats
D) Mizoram: 1 seat
Mizoram is the only state among the options that has less than two Lok Sabha seats (it has 1 seat).

– Allocation of Lok Sabha seats is based on the principle of representation by population.
– Smaller states, despite population, are guaranteed at least one Lok Sabha seat.

Other states with only one Lok Sabha seat include Nagaland and Sikkim. Union Territories like Puducherry, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep also have only one Lok Sabha seat each. Jammu and Kashmir (UT) has 5, and Ladakh (UT) has 1. Delhi (NCT) has 7.

17. Which one among the following political parties came second in terms o

Which one among the following political parties came second in terms of seats won in the first Lok Sabha election in India ?

Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party

Communist Party of India

People's Democratic Front

Socialist Party

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The first general election to the Lok Sabha in India was held in 1951-52. The results were:
1. Indian National Congress (INC) – 364 seats
2. Communist Party of India (CPI) – 16 seats
3. Socialist Party – 12 seats
4. Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP) – 9 seats
5. People’s Democratic Front (PDF) – 7 seats
The party that won the second highest number of seats was the Communist Party of India (CPI).

– The first general election (1951-52) was a landmark event in Indian democracy.
– The Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, secured a dominant majority.
– Knowing the performance of other parties helps understand the initial multi-party landscape.

The Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP) was formed by J.B. Kripalani. The Socialist Party was a significant opposition force initially but faced internal divisions. The People’s Democratic Front was active primarily in Hyderabad State.

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18. Which one of the following is the most accurate meaning of the term ‘t

Which one of the following is the most accurate meaning of the term ‘the State’, as defined in Part-III of the Constitution of India ?

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The Union Government, all State Governments and all local authorities within the territory of India

The Parliament of India and State Legislatures

The Union Government and the Parliament of India

The Union Government, all State Governments, Parliament of India and all State Legislatures and all local or other authorities within the territory of India

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Part III of the Constitution of India (Fundamental Rights) defines ‘the State’ in Article 12. According to Article 12, the term “the State” includes:
– The Government and Parliament of India
– The Government and the Legislature of each of the States
– All local or other authorities within the territory of India
– All local or other authorities under the control of the Government of India.
Option D provides the most comprehensive list that aligns precisely with the definition given in Article 12, including the Union Government, all State Governments, Parliament, State Legislatures, and all local or other authorities.

– The definition of ‘the State’ under Article 12 is crucial for understanding against whom fundamental rights are enforceable.
– The definition is broad, encompassing not just the executive and legislative branches at the Union and State levels, but also local bodies and other authorities exercising governmental power.

The term “other authorities” has been subject to judicial interpretation over time. The courts have held that ‘other authorities’ can include statutory and non-statutory bodies that have the power to make laws, rules, or regulations, or which are under the deep and pervasive control of the government. Examples include public sector undertakings, universities, etc., when they act as an instrumentality of the State.

19. A father’s age is 2 years more than 4 times the age of his son. His ag

A father’s age is 2 years more than 4 times the age of his son. His age is also 2 years more than 5 times the age of his daughter. The average age of the father, the son and the daughter is 20 years. What is the age of the daughter ?

6 years

12 years

10 years

8 years

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Let F be the father’s age, S be the son’s age, and D be the daughter’s age.
According to the first statement: F = 4S + 2
According to the second statement: F = 5D + 2
According to the third statement: (F + S + D) / 3 = 20, which simplifies to F + S + D = 60.

From the first two equations, we can equate the expressions for F:
4S + 2 = 5D + 2
4S = 5D
S = 5D / 4

Now substitute the expressions for F and S in terms of D into the average age equation:
(5D + 2) + (5D / 4) + D = 60

Multiply the entire equation by 4 to eliminate the fraction:
4(5D + 2) + 5D + 4D = 240
20D + 8 + 5D + 4D = 240
(20 + 5 + 4)D + 8 = 240
29D + 8 = 240
29D = 240 – 8
29D = 232
D = 232 / 29
D = 8

The age of the daughter is 8 years.

– Translate the word problem into a system of linear equations.
– Use substitution to solve the system of equations.

We can verify the ages:
Daughter’s age (D) = 8 years.
Father’s age (F) = 5D + 2 = 5(8) + 2 = 40 + 2 = 42 years.
Son’s age (S) = (F – 2) / 4 = (42 – 2) / 4 = 40 / 4 = 10 years.
Check the average: (F + S + D) / 3 = (42 + 10 + 8) / 3 = 60 / 3 = 20 years. This matches the given information.

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20. What is the smallest number, which when multiplied by 9 gives the prod

What is the smallest number, which when multiplied by 9 gives the product having the digit 5 only in all places ?

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9528395

61728395

12345675

59382716

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We are looking for the smallest number, say ‘x’, such that when multiplied by 9, the product consists only of the digit 5. Let the product be P. So, 9 * x = P, where P is a number like 5, 55, 555, 5555, etc.
For P to be divisible by 9, the sum of its digits must be divisible by 9. If P consists only of the digit 5, the sum of its digits is 5 multiplied by the number of digits. For this sum to be divisible by 9, the number of digits (all 5s) must be a multiple of 9.
The smallest number of 5s that is a multiple of 9 is 9. So, the smallest possible product P is 555,555,555 (nine 5s).
Now, we find x by dividing P by 9:
x = 555,555,555 / 9
x = 61,728,395
Comparing this with the given options, option B matches this value.

– A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
– To find the smallest such number ‘x’, the product P must be the smallest number consisting only of 5s that is divisible by 9.
– The smallest number of 5s required for the sum of digits to be divisible by 9 is nine 5s (since 9 * 5 = 45, which is divisible by 9).

The calculation 555,555,555 ÷ 9 can be done using long division or by recognizing patterns. Dividing a repdigit of ‘n’ digits by 9 follows a specific pattern. For example, 111…1 (n times) divided by 9 gives 0.111…1. Here, we have nine 5s. Dividing 111,111,111 by 9 gives 12,345,679. So, 555,555,555 = 5 * 111,111,111. Therefore, 555,555,555 / 9 = 5 * (111,111,111 / 9) = 5 * 12,345,679 = 61,728,395.