21. What is the causative agent of West Nile fever ?

What is the causative agent of West Nile fever ?

Bacteria
Virus
Protozoa
Fungus
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
West Nile fever is a viral infection transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. The causative agent is the West Nile virus (WNV).
– West Nile fever is caused by a virus.
– The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes.
West Nile virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. It is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, West Asia, and North America. Most people infected with WNV have no symptoms, but some develop fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. A small percentage develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system.

22. According to OECD report, what is the expected growth rate of India’s

According to OECD report, what is the expected growth rate of India’s economy in 2024-25 ?

5.5%
6.6%
7.2%
7.8%
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
According to the OECD report published in May 2024, the expected growth rate of India’s economy in 2024-25 is 6.6%.
In its Economic Outlook report released in May 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) projected India’s GDP growth for the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) at 6.6%. This forecast was maintained from previous reports, reflecting strong domestic demand and investment.
Economic forecasts from international organizations like OECD, IMF, and World Bank are frequently updated based on evolving global and domestic economic conditions. These projections provide insights into the expected performance of an economy and are closely watched by policymakers and investors. The 2024-25 fiscal year in India runs from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

23. Which Indian received the ‘Green Oscar’ Whitley Gold Award, 2024 ?

Which Indian received the ‘Green Oscar’ Whitley Gold Award, 2024 ?

Tulsi Gowda
Purnima Devi Barman
Alice Garg
Amrita Devi
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
Purnima Devi Barman received the ‘Green Oscar’ Whitley Gold Award in 2024.
Dr. Purnima Devi Barman is an Indian wildlife biologist who leads the “Hargila Army” conservation initiative dedicated to protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork. She received the Whitley Award (often called the ‘Green Oscar’) in 2022 and was subsequently honoured with the Whitley Gold Award in 2024 for her continued outstanding work in conservation.
The Whitley Awards are presented annually by the UK-based charity the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) to recognise and celebrate conservation leaders working in the Global South. The Whitley Gold Award is given to a past Whitley Award winner for their exceptional achievement and leadership in conservation.

24. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India deals

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India deals with the provisions of Election Commission of India ?

Article 324
Article 330
Article 336
Article 339
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
Article 324 of the Constitution of India deals with the provisions of Election Commission of India.
Article 324 provides for the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, to the Legislature of every State and to the offices of President and Vice-President held by the Election Commission. It establishes the Election Commission as an independent constitutional body.
Part XV of the Constitution (Articles 324 to 329) deals with elections. Article 324 is the foundational article for the Election Commission, specifying its composition, powers, and functions related to conducting free and fair elections in India.

25. INS Vikrant is

INS Vikrant is

a submarine
an aircraft carrier
a tanker
a frigate
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
INS Vikrant is an aircraft carrier.
INS Vikrant (IAC-I) is India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in September 2022, marking a significant milestone in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative and enhancing the Navy’s blue-water capabilities.
INS Vikrant is the largest warship ever built in India. It is named after its predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier, which was acquired from the UK and served from 1961 to 1997. INS Vikrant operates a mix of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, MH-60R helicopters, and other naval aviation assets.

26. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India menti

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India mentions the provision of Council of Minister for aid and advice of the President of India ?

Article 63
Article 66
Article 74
Article 77
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
Article 74 of the Constitution of India mentions the provision of Council of Minister for aid and advice of the President of India.
Article 74(1) states that “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.” The Article essentially establishes the parliamentary system at the Union level, where the President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 made the advice of the Council of Ministers binding on the President. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 added a proviso allowing the President to require the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice, but requiring the President to act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.

27. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India is re

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India is regarding the duties of the Chief Minister with respect to the furnishing of information to the Governor ?

Article 195
Article 187
Article 167
Article 165
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
Article 167 of the Constitution of India is regarding the duties of the Chief Minister with respect to the furnishing of information to the Governor.
Article 167 outlines the duties of the Chief Minister. It states that it shall be the duty of the Chief Minister of each State:
(a) to communicate to the Governor of the State all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the State and proposals for legislation;
(b) to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the State and proposals for legislation as the Governor may call for; and
(c) if the Governor so requires, to submit for the consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council.
This article defines the formal relationship and communication channels between the Chief Minister (as head of the Council of Ministers) and the Governor (as the constitutional head of the state). It ensures that the Governor is kept informed about the state’s administration and legislative proposals.

28. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India empow

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India empowers the President to grant pardons of punishment to any person ?

Article 27
Article 41
Article 72
Article 91
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
Article 72 of the Constitution of India empowers the President to grant pardons of punishment to any person.
Article 72 grants the President of India the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence. This power extends to cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends, in all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death, and in all cases where the sentence is a sentence by a court martial.
Similar pardoning power is vested in the Governor of a State under Article 161 of the Constitution, but the Governor cannot pardon a death sentence (though they can suspend, remit, or commute it) and cannot exercise this power in respect of punishment or sentence by a court martial.

29. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India state

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India states the Directive Principles of State Policy on ‘Promotion of international peace and security’?

Article 51
Article 57
Article 59
Article 61
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
Article 51 of the Constitution of India states the Directive Principles of State Policy on ‘Promotion of international peace and security’.
Article 51, under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), mandates the State to endeavour to:
(a) promote international peace and security;
(b) maintain just and honourable relations between nations;
(c) foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with one another; and
(d) encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are guidelines for the central and state governments of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws and policies. Though not legally enforceable, they are fundamental in the governance of the country. Article 51 reflects India’s commitment to a peaceful international order.

30. What is the name approved by the IAU working group for planetary syste

What is the name approved by the IAU working group for planetary system nomenclature for the landing site of Chandrayaan’s Vikram lander ?

Trishul
Shiv Shakti
Agniveer
Vijay
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
The name approved by the IAU working group for planetary system nomenclature for the landing site of Chandrayaan’s Vikram lander is ‘Shiv Shakti’.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the name ‘Shiv Shakti Point’ for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander on the Moon. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has since recognised and approved this name for the landing site.
The IAU is the internationally recognised authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface features. The naming of the landing site serves as a tribute to India’s successful lunar mission and its cultural significance. The point where the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter crash-landed on the Moon in 2019 was also named ‘Tiranga Point’ by India’s Prime Minister.