UPSC Geoscientist Archives

81. Which one among the following trace elements is not highly toxic ?

Which one among the following trace elements is not highly toxic ?

Arsenic

Chromium

Copper

Mercury

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The question asks which trace element among the options is *not* highly toxic. While toxicity is dose-dependent for all substances, some trace elements are generally considered more acutely or cumulatively toxic than others, even at low concentrations.

– Arsenic (As) is a metalloid widely recognized as highly toxic and carcinogenic.
– Chromium (Cr) has both essential and toxic forms; Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is highly toxic and carcinogenic.
– Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that is highly toxic, particularly in its organic form (methylmercury), affecting the nervous system.
– Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element necessary for many biological processes. While excessive intake can cause toxicity, it is less likely to be classified as *highly toxic* compared to arsenic, mercury, and certain forms of chromium in common environmental exposures, as the body has mechanisms to regulate copper levels and it is required for life.

Essential trace elements like copper are required in small amounts, and deficiency or excess can lead to health problems. Non-essential trace elements like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury are generally toxic even at low concentrations. Among the given options, copper stands out as being an essential nutrient, making it relatively less “highly toxic” in general contexts compared to the others which are primarily known for their toxicity.

82. Which of the following statements about Photochemical Smog is/are corr

Which of the following statements about Photochemical Smog is/are correct ?

1. It irritates the eyes.
2. It leads to cracking of rubber.
3. It causes considerable damage to plant life.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3

2 and 3 only

1 and 2 only

3 only

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Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution that forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. It is a complex mixture containing various pollutants, including ozone (O₃), peroxyacetyl nitrates (PANs), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and aldehydes.

Statement 1: Ozone and PANs are known irritants that affect the eyes and respiratory system.
Statement 2: Ozone is a strong oxidant that can cause the cracking and degradation of rubber and plastics.
Statement 3: Ozone and PANs are toxic to plants, damaging leaves, reducing growth, and affecting crop yields.

Photochemical smog is distinct from classical smog (sulfurous smog), which is primarily caused by sulfur dioxide and particulate matter from burning coal. It is typically associated with urban areas with high vehicular traffic and warm, sunny conditions.

83. In April 1908, Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose threw a bomb at a carr

In April 1908, Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose threw a bomb at a carriage in Muzaffarpur which they believed to be occupied by Kingsford. Which among the following correctly describes the profession of Kingsford ?

Revenue Officer

Judge

Police Officer

Army Personnel

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In April 1908, Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose attempted to assassinate Douglas Kingsford in Muzaffarpur. Kingsford was the District Judge at Muzaffarpur at that time. He had previously served as the Chief Presidency Magistrate in Calcutta and was known for handing down severe punishments to Indian nationalists and revolutionaries.

The revolutionaries mistakenly bombed a carriage carrying Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter, instead of Kingsford’s carriage. The ladies were killed in the attack. This incident led to the arrest of Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki; Chaki committed suicide while resisting arrest, and Bose was tried and subsequently hanged.

84. Which one of the following propositions from the book ‘History of Brit

Which one of the following propositions from the book ‘History of British India’ by James Mill is correct ?

The tax payable by the zamindars should not be more than thirty percent of the total produce

The rights of cultivators should be protected by the State

The State should remain as the landlord and that each peasant should hold land directly from the State as its tenant

Sufficient advances should be given to the peasants so that they are encouraged to cultivate cash crops

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James Mill, in his ‘History of British India’ and other writings reflecting his Utilitarian views, advocated for administrative systems that he believed were rational and efficient. In the context of land revenue, he supported the Ryotwari system, where the state dealt directly with the peasant cultivators (ryots), considering them as tenants of the state. This approach aimed to eliminate intermediaries like zamindars, whom he viewed as inefficient and potentially exploitative, and to maximize revenue collection directly for the state, which was seen as the ultimate owner or landlord of the land.

Mill’s perspective was heavily influenced by classical economics (Ricardo) and Utilitarian philosophy (Bentham). He believed that direct interaction between the state and the cultivator was the most economically sound and just system, although his views were also shaped by a critical and sometimes prejudiced understanding of Indian society. This proposition aligns with the Ryotwari settlement that was implemented extensively in parts of British India like Madras and Bombay.

85. Who among the following is the writer of the Kirtana-Ghosha ?

Who among the following is the writer of the Kirtana-Ghosha ?

Vatsadasa

Madhavdev

Rama Saraswati

Srimanta Sankaradev

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The Kirtana-Ghosha is a highly revered collection of devotional songs (kirtans) in Assamese literature, primarily composed by the 15th-16th century Vaishnava saint and reformer, Srimanta Sankaradev. It is considered a foundational text of the Ekasarana Dharma (Neo-Vaishnavite) movement he founded in Assam.

Srimanta Sankaradev (c. 1449–1568) was a towering figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, contributing significantly to literature, music, dance, drama, and religious philosophy. His disciple Madhavdev wrote the Nama Ghosha, another important devotional text in Assamese.

86. Which among the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Nalayira D

Which among the following statements is/are correct ?

1. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is an anthology of Alvar saints’ compositions.
2. Tevaram is the collection of Tamil Shaiva hymns.
3. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is also described as the Tamil Veda.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

1 only

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All three statements are correct. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham is indeed a collection of 4000 hymns composed by the 12 Alvar saints, who were prominent figures in the Tamil Vaishnavite Bhakti movement. Tevaram is a collection of devotional hymns by the Nayanmar saints (Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar), who were leaders of the Tamil Shaivite Bhakti movement. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham holds immense religious significance in Tamil Vaishnavism and is often referred to as the “Tamil Veda” due to its scriptural authority and comprehensive nature.

The compilation of the Nalayira Divyaprabandham is traditionally attributed to Nathamuni in the 10th century. The Tevaram was compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi in the 11th century. Both collections are cornerstones of Tamil devotional literature and reflect the vibrant Bhakti movements that flourished in South India.

87. Which one among the following temples, constructed by Queen Loka Mahad

Which one among the following temples, constructed by Queen Loka Mahadevi in Pattadakal, is a UNESCO World Heritage site ?

Kailasanatha Temple

Virupaksha Temple

Brihadishvara Temple

Srirangam Temple

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The Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal, Karnataka, was constructed in the 8th century by Queen Lokamahadevi, the senior queen of the Chalukya king Vikramaditya II, to commemorate his victory over the Pallavas. The temples at Pattadakal are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing a blend of North Indian (Nagara) and South Indian (Dravidian) architectural styles.

Pattadakal was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty of Badami. The temple complex includes several important structures. The Virupaksha Temple is the largest and most elaborate among them and is considered a masterpiece of Chalukyan architecture. Queen Trailokyamahadevi, the younger queen of Vikramaditya II, built the nearby Mallikarjuna Temple, also to commemorate the victory.

88. Who among the following has written three works on the science of musi

Who among the following has written three works on the science of music called *Sangitaraja*, *Sangita Mimansa* and *Sudha Prabandha* ?

Tansen

Ibrahim Adil Shah

Amir Khusro

Maharana Kumbha of Mewar

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Maharana Kumbha (Maharana Kumbhakarna Singh) of Mewar (ruled 1433–1468) was not only a powerful ruler but also a great scholar, poet, and patron of arts and architecture. He is credited with authoring several important works on music, including the monumental *Sangitaraja* (King of Music), *Sangita Mimansa* (Investigation of Music), and *Sudha Prabandha* (Treatise on the Essence).

Maharana Kumbha’s contributions to music theory and practice were significant. *Sangitaraja* is considered one of the most comprehensive treatises on Indian music from the medieval period, covering various aspects like raga, tala, instruments, and performance.

89. The two medieval period canals originating from the Sutlej and Yamuna

The two medieval period canals originating from the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers and joining at Karnal were made at the orders of :

Alauddin Khalji

Mohammad Tughlaq

Firuz Tughlaq

Ibrahim Lodi

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Firuz Shah Tughlaq (ruled 1351–1388) of the Delhi Sultanate was renowned for his extensive public works, including irrigation canals. He is credited with repairing and extending old canals and constructing new ones to promote agriculture and supply water to his newly founded cities like Hissar and Firuzabad. The canals originating from the Yamuna and Sutlej rivers, particularly the Western Yamuna Canal and its branches in the Haryana region, are associated with his reign.

Firuz Tughlaq was particularly interested in the economic prosperity of his kingdom and saw irrigation as crucial for agricultural output and revenue. While canal systems existed before him, he significantly expanded and improved the network. The junction near Karnal is a known feature of this historical canal system.

90. Which one of the following examples of genetic-disorder or disease is

Which one of the following examples of genetic-disorder or disease is due to the numerical abnormalities in the sex chromosome ?

Turner's syndrome

Down's syndrome

Haemophilia

Alkaptonuria

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Turner’s syndrome is a genetic disorder affecting females, caused by the complete or partial absence of one X chromosome (monosomy X, 45,XO). This is a numerical abnormality involving the sex chromosome.

Down’s syndrome is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, an autosomal numerical abnormality. Haemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder resulting from a mutation in a gene on the X chromosome, not a numerical abnormality of the chromosome itself. Alkaptonuria is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder.