UPSC Geoscientist

1. A planar, irregular shaped object has a mass of 2 kg. Its moment of in

A planar, irregular shaped object has a mass of 2 kg. Its moment of inertia along the two orthogonal axes in the plane of the object are 3 kg m² and 4 kg m², respectively. The moment of inertia of the object along an axis perpendicular to the plane and passing through a point 0·5 m away from its centre of mass is represented by I. Which one among the following is the correct value of I ?

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7·5 kg m²
7 kg m²
5 kg m²
1 kg m²
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For a planar object, the moment of inertia about an axis perpendicular to the plane and passing through a point is related to the moments of inertia about two perpendicular axes in the plane by the perpendicular axis theorem and the parallel axis theorem.
By the perpendicular axis theorem, the moment of inertia about the center of mass (assuming the given orthogonal axes intersect at CM) and perpendicular to the plane is I_CM = Ix + Iy = 3 kg m² + 4 kg m² = 7 kg m². By the parallel axis theorem, the moment of inertia I about a parallel axis perpendicular to the plane and at a distance d = 0.5 m from CM is I = I_CM + m d².
Given mass m = 2 kg and distance d = 0.5 m. I = 7 kg m² + (2 kg)(0.5 m)² = 7 + 2(0.25) = 7 + 0.5 = 7.5 kg m².

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2. Which one of the following is the thinnest layer of the Earth ?

Which one of the following is the thinnest layer of the Earth ?

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Inner Core
Outer Core
Mantle
Crust
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The Earth’s layers, from outside to inside, are the Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core. The Crust is the outermost and thinnest layer.
The relative thicknesses of Earth’s main layers are: Crust (5-70 km), Mantle (~2900 km), Outer Core (~2300 km), and Inner Core (~1220 km).
The thickness of the crust varies significantly; it is thinner under oceans (oceanic crust) and thicker under continents (continental crust). Despite this variation, it remains the thinnest layer compared to the mantle and core.

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3. Fold Mountains are formed in which type of tectonic settings ?

Fold Mountains are formed in which type of tectonic settings ?

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Divergent
Convergent
Transform
Rifting
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Fold Mountains are primarily formed at convergent tectonic plate boundaries. When two continental plates collide, neither subducts significantly; instead, the crust is compressed, folded, and uplifted to form large mountain ranges like the Himalayas, Alps, and Andes. Collision or subduction at convergent boundaries generates immense pressure that causes the rock layers to buckle and fold.
– Convergent boundaries involve plates moving towards each other.
– Compression forces at convergent boundaries lead to folding and faulting of crustal rocks.
– Divergent boundaries involve plates moving apart.
– Transform boundaries involve plates sliding past each other.
Other mountain types include block mountains (formed by faulting and uplift/subsidence of crustal blocks, often at divergent or transform boundaries), volcanic mountains (formed by accumulation of volcanic material, often at convergent or divergent boundaries), and erosional mountains (remnants of dissected plateaus).

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4. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a typical soil p

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a typical soil profile from top to bottom ?

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Topsoil, Humus, Eluviation zone, Subsoil, Weathered parent material
Subsoil, Topsoil, Humus, Weathered parent material, Eluviation zone
Humus, Subsoil, Topsoil, Eluviation zone, Weathered parent material
Humus, Topsoil, Eluviation zone, Subsoil, Weathered parent material
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A typical soil profile is divided into horizons (layers). From top to bottom, the commonly recognized horizons are O (organic/humus), A (topsoil – mineral soil mixed with humus), E (eluviation/leaching layer below A in some soils), B (subsoil – accumulation of leached material), C (weathered parent material), and R (bedrock). Option D, starting with Humus (part of or above O), then Topsoil (A), followed by Eluviation zone (E), Subsoil (B), and finally Weathered parent material (C), represents the correct sequential arrangement of these specific layers in a typical soil profile from the surface downwards.
– Soil profile is a vertical cross-section showing soil horizons.
– Key horizons: O, A, E, B, C, R.
– Humus is organic matter, typically in O or mixed with A.
– Eluviation (E) is leaching from upper layers, Illuviation (accumulation) is in B.
The characteristics of each soil horizon (color, texture, structure, chemical composition) differ due to various soil-forming processes like weathering, leaching, accumulation of organic matter, etc.

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5. Which one of the following types of coral reefs are developed along th

Which one of the following types of coral reefs are developed along the edges of continental shelves and separated by lagoon ?

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Patch reefs
Fringing reefs
Barrier reefs
Atoll reefs
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Coral reefs develop in different forms. Fringing reefs grow directly from the coastline. Barrier reefs are separated from the coast by a lagoon, which can be quite wide and deep. Atoll reefs are ring-shaped reefs enclosing a central lagoon, often formed around submerged volcanic islands. Patch reefs are isolated, small reefs. The description “developed along the edges of continental shelves and separated by lagoon” best fits the definition of Barrier reefs.
– Fringing reef: directly attached to the coast.
– Barrier reef: separated from the coast by a lagoon.
– Atoll reef: ring around a lagoon.
– Patch reef: isolated reef within a lagoon or platform.
Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems built by colony-forming corals. They are found in warm, shallow, clear marine waters. The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is the world’s largest barrier reef system.

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6. Mangroves represent :

Mangroves represent :

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Epiphytic vegetation
Salt-tolerant vegetation
Floodplain vegetation
Playa vegetation
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Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs that live in coastal intertidal zones. They are adapted to unique conditions, including low-oxygen soil and high salinity levels (brackish or saltwater). Their ability to tolerate and thrive in saline environments is a defining characteristic. Therefore, mangroves represent salt-tolerant vegetation.
– Mangroves are coastal plants.
– They are adapted to survive in saline or brackish water.
– They possess specialized physiological adaptations to deal with salt, waterlogged soil, and tidal fluctuations.
Mangrove ecosystems are vital coastal habitats, providing ecological services such as coastal protection against erosion and storms, serving as nursery grounds for various marine species, and sequestering carbon. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

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7. Which one among the following is not in-situ conservation?

Which one among the following is not in-situ conservation?

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Wildlife sanctuary
Botanical garden
Biosphere reserve
National park
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In-situ conservation refers to the conservation of species within their natural habitat. Wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and national parks are all examples of in-situ conservation methods, protecting ecosystems and species within their natural environments. A botanical garden, on the other hand, is a controlled collection of plants cultivated for scientific, educational, or aesthetic purposes, representing conservation *outside* the natural habitat. This is an example of ex-situ conservation.
– In-situ conservation = in the natural habitat.
– Ex-situ conservation = outside the natural habitat.
– Wildlife sanctuary, National park, Biosphere reserve are in-situ.
– Botanical garden, Zoological park, Seed bank are ex-situ.
Conservation strategies are broadly classified into in-situ and ex-situ methods. Both approaches are crucial for biodiversity conservation. While in-situ conservation is ideal as it preserves entire ecosystems, ex-situ methods are important for species that are highly endangered or require specific controlled environments.

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8. Which of the following statements regarding Urban Population in India

Which of the following statements regarding Urban Population in India as per Census 2011 is/are correct?

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  • 1. More than 31% of the total population lives in towns.
  • 2. The number of towns was more than 7500.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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According to Census 2011 data, the total urban population in India was 31.16% of the total population. This is “more than 31%”, making statement 1 correct. The Census 2011 identified a total of 7,935 towns in India, which is “more than 7500”, making statement 2 correct. Both statements are factually correct based on the Census 2011 data on urbanisation in India.
– Census 2011 recorded India’s urban population percentage and the number of towns.
– Urban population: 31.16% of the total population.
– Number of towns: 7,935.
The Census of India defines ‘urban areas’ based on criteria including population size, density, percentage of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits, and the existence of municipal bodies. This classification includes both Statutory Towns and Census Towns.

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9. Which of the following tiger reserves is/are not situated in the state

Which of the following tiger reserves is/are not situated in the state of Rajasthan?

  • 1. Mukundra Hills
  • 2. Ramgarh Vishdhari
  • 3. Kawal
  • 4. Bhadra

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1 only
1 and 2
3 and 4
4 only
This question was previously asked in
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The question asks which tiger reserves are *not* situated in Rajasthan. Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve are both located in Rajasthan. Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in Telangana. Bhadra Tiger Reserve is located in Karnataka. Therefore, Kawal and Bhadra are the tiger reserves not situated in Rajasthan.
– Mukundra Hills TR: Rajasthan.
– Ramgarh Vishdhari TR: Rajasthan.
– Kawal TR: Telangana.
– Bhadra TR: Karnataka.
Project Tiger was launched in India in 1973 to conserve tigers and their habitats. Tiger reserves are designated protected areas established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and are managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

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10. Which of the following pairs is/are not correctly matched? (Ramsa

Which of the following pairs is/are not correctly matched?

(Ramsar site) (State)
1. Kolleru lake Telangana
2. Satkosia gorge Odisha
3. Kanjli lake Punjab
4. Pala wetland Mizoram

Select the answer using the code given below:

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1 only
1 and 2
2 and 3
4 only
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The question asks for the pairs that are *not* correctly matched. Kolleru Lake is located in Andhra Pradesh, not Telangana. Satkosia Gorge is in Odisha. Kanjli Lake is in Punjab. Pala Wetland is in Mizoram. Therefore, only the first pair, Kolleru lake – Telangana, is incorrectly matched.
– Kolleru Lake is a large freshwater lake located between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
– Kolleru Lake is a designated Ramsar site and a wildlife sanctuary.
Ramsar sites are wetlands designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. India has numerous Ramsar sites spread across its states and Union Territories, recognized for their ecological significance.

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