UPSC Geoscientist Archives

11. Microscopic, branched and thread-like structures, which can grow and a

Microscopic, branched and thread-like structures, which can grow and absorb nutrition from organic matter, are found in

bacteria

viruses

fungi

algae

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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The correct answer is fungi.

Fungi are characterized by their vegetative structure, which consists of microscopic, branched, thread-like filaments called hyphae. These hyphae grow through organic matter and absorb nutrients, as fungi are heterotrophic organisms.

Bacteria are unicellular and lack hyphae. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and do not grow or absorb nutrition in this manner. Algae are photosynthetic organisms and their structure is typically different from the filamentous hyphae found in fungi, though some algae can be filamentous.

12. Which one of the following has non-nucleated cells at maturity?

Which one of the following has non-nucleated cells at maturity?

Xylem parenchyma

Xylem fibre

Palisade parenchyma

Companion cell

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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Xylem fibre has non-nucleated cells at maturity.

Different types of plant cells have varying structures and functions, and their state at maturity (living or dead, presence or absence of organelles like nucleus) differs.

Xylem parenchyma cells are living cells and possess a nucleus at maturity. Palisade parenchyma cells are living, photosynthetic cells in leaves and have a nucleus. Companion cells are living cells associated with sieve tube elements in phloem and have a nucleus, which is metabolically active and supports the sieve tube element. Xylem fibres are sclerenchymatous cells that provide mechanical support. They develop thick lignified cell walls and are typically dead at maturity, meaning they lose their protoplast, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, and other organelles. Another prominent example of a non-nucleated cell at maturity in vascular plants is the sieve tube element of the phloem, which relies on the adjacent companion cell for metabolic support.

13. The movement of a substance against a diffusion gradient with the use

The movement of a substance against a diffusion gradient with the use of energy is known as

active transport

passive transport

water potential gradient

solute loss

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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The movement of a substance against a diffusion gradient with the use of energy is known as active transport.

Transport across biological membranes can be passive or active. Passive transport mechanisms (like diffusion and facilitated diffusion) move substances down their concentration or electrochemical gradient and do not require metabolic energy. Active transport moves substances against their gradient, requiring the cell to expend energy, usually in the form of ATP.

Diffusion is the movement of substances from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. A diffusion gradient exists when there is a difference in concentration of a substance between two areas. Moving a substance from a low concentration area to a high concentration area, or against the natural flow of diffusion, requires work, which is powered by energy. This is the defining characteristic of active transport.

15. Which of the following statements regarding the President of India is/

Which of the following statements regarding the President of India is/are correct?

1. The President of India is elected by an electoral college in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
2. The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry take part in the election of the President of India.

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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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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Both statements regarding the President of India are correct.

The President of India is the head of state and is elected indirectly by an electoral college. The process is governed by Articles 54 and 55 of the Constitution.

Statement 1 is correct as per Article 55(3), which specifies that the election of the President shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot. Statement 2 is correct; originally, the electoral college for the President included elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States. The 70th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, extended this to include the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry, recognizing their representative character.

16. Which one of the following is not a Fundamental Duty enshrined in the

Which one of the following is not a Fundamental Duty enshrined in the Constitution of India?

To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions

To protect the national animal and bird

To value and preserve the rich heritage of India's composite culture

To safeguard public property and abjure violence

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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Protecting the national animal and bird is not explicitly listed as a Fundamental Duty in the Constitution of India.

Part IVA of the Constitution, containing Article 51A, lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens. These duties were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, and the 86th Amendment Act, 2002.

Article 51A(g) lays down the duty “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.” While this includes the protection of wildlife, the specific duty to protect the ‘national animal and bird’ as distinct entities is not enumerated. Option A (51A(a)), C (51A(f)), and D (51A(i)) are all explicitly mentioned Fundamental Duties in Article 51A.

17. Which of the following statements regarding the Panchayat system is/ar

Which of the following statements regarding the Panchayat system is/are correct?

1. The Constitution of India envisages a three-tier system of Panchayat.
2. Intermediate Panchayat stands between the village and district Panchayats in the State where the population is above 20 lakhs.
3. All the seats in a Panchayat shall be filled by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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All the given statements regarding the Panchayat system are correct.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, constitutionalized the Panchayati Raj system in India. It mandates a three-tier structure of Panchayats at the village, intermediate (Block/Taluk), and district levels.

Statement 1 is correct as Article 243B mandates the establishment of Panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels. Statement 2 is correct as per Article 243B(2), which provides for exemption from constituting an intermediate level Panchayat in states with a population not exceeding twenty lakhs. This implies states with a population above 20 lakhs must have the intermediate tier. Statement 3 is correct as Article 243C(2) stipulates that all members of a Panchayat at all three levels shall be elected by direct election from territorial constituencies. Reservations for SC/ST and women are also provided for, but the mode of filling seats is direct election.

18. Which one of the following is the shape of BrF₅?

Which one of the following is the shape of BrF₅?

Octahedral

Square planar

Square pyramidal

Trigonal bipyramidal

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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The shape of BrF₅ is square pyramidal.

To determine the shape of a molecule, VSEPR theory is used. Bromine (Br) is the central atom in BrF₅, having 7 valence electrons. Five Fluorine (F) atoms are bonded to Br, each forming a single bond. This accounts for 5 valence electrons from Br being used in bonding, forming 5 bond pairs. The remaining 7 – 5 = 2 valence electrons form one lone pair on the central Br atom.

The central atom (Br) has 5 bond pairs and 1 lone pair, resulting in a total of 6 electron domains around it. According to VSEPR theory, 6 electron domains arrange themselves in an octahedral electron geometry to minimize repulsion. When one position is occupied by a lone pair and five by bonding pairs, the resulting molecular geometry (shape of the atoms) is square pyramidal. The lone pair occupies an equatorial position to minimize repulsion, pushing the four basal fluorine atoms towards the apex, forming a square base and a pyramid with bromine at the apex.

19. In December 2023, the Parliament of India passed a Bill to establish ‘

In December 2023, the Parliament of India passed a Bill to establish ‘the Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University’ in which one among the following states ?

Telangana

Jharkhand

Chhattisgarh

Andhra Pradesh

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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In December 2023, the Parliament of India passed the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which provided for the establishment of the Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu district, Telangana. The bill aims to enhance access to quality higher education and research opportunities for the tribal population in Telangana.

The Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University is being established in Telangana.

The university is named after Sammakka and Sarakka (or Sammakka-Saralamma), revered deities of the Koya tribe, associated with a major tribal festival celebrated in Telangana. The establishment of this university fulfills a commitment made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which stipulated the establishment of a Tribal University in Telangana.

20. Which of the following statements about the ‘Blue Line’ is correct ?

Which of the following statements about the ‘Blue Line’ is correct ?

1. It is a learning ecosystem created by the UN System Staff College.
2. It is a line of withdrawal, set by the UN for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Statement 1 is incorrect. The ‘Blue Line’ is not a learning ecosystem created by the UN System Staff College. Statement 2 is correct. The ‘Blue Line’ is a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel published by the United Nations in 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425. It serves as a practical line for security purposes.

The ‘Blue Line’ is a UN-defined border demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel.

The Blue Line was established in May 2000 by UN cartographers. It is not an official international border but was drawn to verify Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. Tensions often arise along the Blue Line due to various points of contention and incidents. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is deployed in the area to monitor the line and maintain stability.