UPSC IAS Archives

1. ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to

‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to

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immunization of children and pregnant women

construction of smart cities across the country

India's own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

New Educational Policy

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UPSC IAS – 2016

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Mission Indradhanush is a flagship program launched by the Government of India.

Its primary objective is to ensure full immunization with all available vaccines for children up to two years of age and pregnant women. The mission focuses on covering unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals in areas with low immunization coverage.

The mission was launched on December 25, 2014, and aims to cover all children and pregnant women who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against seven vaccine-preventable diseases: diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and Hepatitis B. Later, the list was expanded to include more diseases like Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) in select areas, and in 2017, Pneumonia (caused by Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) and Rubella were also included.

2. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transc

In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to

a range of enzymes used in genome editing

the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism

the description of the mechanism of gene expression

a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells

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UPSC IAS – 2016

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In Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’ refers to the complete set of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules expressed by an organism or in a specific cell population at a given time.

– The genome is the complete set of DNA in an organism. Genes within the genome are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules during the process of gene expression.
– The transcriptome represents all the mRNA transcripts present in a cell or tissue. Studying the transcriptome allows researchers to understand which genes are actively being expressed under specific conditions.

– Option A describes enzymes involved in techniques like CRISPR, which manipulate the genome.
– Option C describes the *process* of gene expression (transcription, translation), not the resulting set of mRNA molecules.
– Option D describes changes in the DNA sequence itself, which can affect the resulting transcriptome but is not what the term ‘transcriptome’ refers to.
– Transcriptomics is the study of the transcriptome and is a key area of research in molecular biology and bioinformatics, providing insights into cellular function, development, and disease.

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3. Consider the following pairs: Terms sometimes seen in the news The

Consider the following pairs:

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Terms sometimes seen in the news	Their origin
1. Annex-I Countries	: Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions	: Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanism	: Kyoto Protocol

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC IAS – 2016

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Only pair 3 is correctly matched.

– Pair 1: ‘Annex-I Countries’ are a group of developed countries and economies in transition listed in Annex I of the *United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)* and the *Kyoto Protocol*. These countries had committed to specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. The Cartagena Protocol deals with biosafety (living modified organisms), not emission reduction commitments. Thus, pair 1 is incorrectly matched.
– Pair 2: ‘Certified Emissions Reductions’ (CERs) are emission reduction units generated through projects under the *Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)*, which is one of the flexible mechanisms defined in the *Kyoto Protocol*. The Nagoya Protocol deals with Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, not emission reduction trading mechanisms. Thus, pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
– Pair 3: ‘Clean Development Mechanism’ (CDM) is indeed one of the flexible mechanisms established under the *Kyoto Protocol* to help Annex I countries meet their emission reduction commitments by undertaking emission reduction projects in developing countries. Thus, pair 3 is correctly matched.

– The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty which extended the 1992 UNFCCC that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
– The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
– The Nagoya Protocol is another supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

4. The term ‘Core Banking Solutions’ is sometimes seen in the news. Which

The term ‘Core Banking Solutions’ is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following statements best describes/ describe this term?

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1. It is a networking of a bank’s branches which enables customers to operate their accounts from any branch of the bank on its network regardless of where they open their accounts.
2. It is an effort to increase RBI’s control over commercial banks through computerisation.
3. It is a detailed procedure by which a bank with huge non-performing assets is taken over by another bank.

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 IAS – 2016

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Statement 1 best describes the term ‘Core Banking Solutions’ (CBS).

– Core Banking Solutions (CBS) are a centralized system implemented by banks that allows all branches to access and process customer data and transactions in real-time from a central database.
– This enables customers to operate their accounts from any branch of the bank that is on the CBS network, regardless of where the account was originally opened (Statement 1). Services like cash withdrawal/deposit, fund transfers, account balance checks, etc., become available across the network.

– CBS is a technology platform that modernizes banking operations, improves efficiency, customer service, and data management. It facilitates activities across various departments of a bank, including deposit accounts, loan management, ledger maintenance, and customer relationship management.
– While computerization inherent in CBS provides banks with better data and operations management that *can* be used for regulatory compliance, its main purpose is not to increase RBI’s control (Statement 2 is incorrect).
– Statement 3 describes a banking merger or resolution process related to non-performing assets (NPAs), which is unrelated to the technical term CBS (Statement 3 is incorrect).

5. Which of the following is/are tributary/ tributaries of Brahmaputra?

Which of the following is/are tributary/ tributaries of Brahmaputra?

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1. Dibang
2. Kameng
3. Lohit

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 IAS – 2016

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Dibang, Kameng, and Lohit are all tributaries of the Brahmaputra river.

– The Brahmaputra river originates in the Himalayas and flows through Tibet, India, and Bangladesh. It has numerous tributaries joining it throughout its course.
– Dibang is a right-bank tributary that joins the Brahmaputra downstream of Sadiya in Arunachal Pradesh.
– Kameng (known as Jia Bhoreli in Assam) is a right-bank tributary that flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
– Lohit is a left-bank tributary that joins the Brahmaputra near Sadiya, just before it enters Assam.

Other significant tributaries of the Brahmaputra include Subansiri, Manas, Teesta, Sankosh (right bank), and Burhi Dihing, Dhansiri, Kopili (left bank). The Brahmaputra river system is a major river system in South Asia.

6. The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritag

The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?

1. To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity.
2. To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities.
3. To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identified GIAHS.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 3 only

2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2016

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Statement 2 correctly describes the overall goal of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) initiative by the FAO, while statements 1 and 3 do not.

– The overall goal of the GIAHS initiative is to identify, support, and safeguard remarkable traditional agricultural systems around the world. These systems are characterized by their resilience, sustainability, and the invaluable cultural and biological diversity they conserve (Statement 2).
– GIAHS focuses on preserving traditional knowledge, landscapes, biodiversity, and management practices that have evolved over generations in harmony with their environment.

– While GIAHS sites may receive some support, the primary goal is not to impose modern technology or greatly enhance productivity in a way that might compromise the traditional system’s integrity or sustainability (Statement 1 is incorrect). The focus is on maintaining the *system* itself, which includes livelihood security, food security, knowledge systems, and ecological integrity.
– Providing Geographical Indication (GI) status is a separate initiative related to intellectual property rights and product branding, and it is not an inherent or overall goal of the GIAHS program (Statement 3 is incorrect). GIAHS is about the *system*, not just the specific produce.
– GIAHS aims to recognize, conserve, and promote these systems for their significance as living cultural heritage and their contribution to sustainable development.

7. With reference to ‘Stand Up India Scheme’, which of the following stat

With reference to ‘Stand Up India Scheme’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
2. It provides for refinance through SIDBI.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC IAS – 2016

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Both statements are correct with reference to the ‘Stand Up India Scheme’.

– The purpose of the Stand Up India Scheme is indeed to promote entrepreneurship among women and Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories (Statement 1). It facilitates bank loans for greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, or trading sectors.
– The scheme mandates bank branches to facilitate at least one loan between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to an SC or ST borrower and at least one loan to a woman borrower.
– The scheme does provide for refinance through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) (Statement 2). SIDBI is the nodal agency for the Stand Up India Scheme and provides refinance assistance to banks for lending under the scheme.

The scheme was launched on April 5, 2016. It aims to address institutional credit gaps by enabling banks to extend financial support to these underserved sectors of the population, thereby promoting inclusive growth.

8. Consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Secretary in a State

Consider the following statements:

1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State.
2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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UPSC IAS – 2016

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Statement 1 is correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect.

– The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State, based on the recommendation of the Chief Minister (Statement 1). The appointment order is formally issued in the name of the Governor.
– The Chief Secretary does not have a fixed tenure (Statement 2). They hold office at the pleasure of the Chief Minister/Governor and can be transferred or removed. Their tenure is typically not fixed by statute but depends on the political executive’s decision.

The Chief Secretary is the administrative head of the State Secretariat, the head of the State Civil Services, and the chief advisor to the Chief Minister. Their position is of crucial importance in state administration. While appointed by the Governor, their selection is entirely the prerogative of the Chief Minister.

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9. Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’

Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?

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Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms

Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil

Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields

It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops

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The primary reason the Government promotes Neem-coated Urea is that the coating slows down the release of nitrogen from the urea into the soil.

Neem coating acts as a nitrification inhibitor. It slows down the conversion of urea into ammonium nitrate and then into nitrates by soil bacteria. This process makes nitrogen available to plants over a longer period, reduces nitrogen loss through leaching and volatilization, and increases nitrogen use efficiency by crops.

– By slowing down nitrification, Neem-coated Urea also helps reduce the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas produced during the nitrification and denitrification processes in soil. So, while it doesn’t *eliminate* N2O release entirely, it reduces it compared to uncoated urea.
– Increased nitrogen efficiency means farmers need less urea, saving costs and reducing environmental impact.
– Neem has certain pest repellent properties, which might offer minor benefits, but the main purpose of coating urea with neem oil is to control the rate of nitrogen release.

10. Which of the following are the key features of National Ganga River Ba

Which of the following are the key features of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)?

1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2016

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Statements 1 and 2 are correct features of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), while Statement 3 is incorrect.

– NGRBA was constituted in 2009 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
– It adopted the river basin as the unit for planning and management of the Ganga, recognizing the river and its tributaries as a single system (Statement 1).
– It was envisioned as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring, and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, spearheading conservation efforts at the national level (Statement 2).

– The Prime Minister of India was the ex-officio Chairman of the NGRBA. The Chief Ministers of the states through which the Ganga flows (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal) were members, along with relevant Union Ministers and experts, but they did not hold the Chairman position on a rotation basis (Statement 3 is incorrect).
– NGRBA was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (National Ganga Council), which is also chaired by the Prime Minister.