UPSC IAS Archives

1. Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is he

Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

Bhutia and Lepcha

Gond and Korku

Irula and Toda

Sahariya and Agariya

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct option is B, identifying Gond and Korku tribes as associated with a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival involving planting fruit-bearing trees.

Certain indigenous communities in India have deep-rooted traditions linked to ecology and agriculture. The Gond and Korku tribes, predominantly in Central India, have festivals such as ‘Hari Jyoti’ (Green Light) or ‘Hariali’ celebrated during the monsoon season which involve tree plantation, particularly focusing on fruit-bearing and useful trees, reflecting their close connection with the environment and agricultural cycles. This practice aligns with the description of a month-long, ecologically important festival centered around planting saplings of fruit-bearing trees.

Other options represent tribes from different regions (Bhutia and Lepcha from Sikkim; Irula and Toda from Tamil Nadu; Sahariya from Rajasthan/Madhya Pradesh, Agariya from Central India) with their own distinct cultural and ecological practices, but the description specifically fits the known traditions of the Gond and Korku tribes related to tree plantation festivals during the planting season.

2. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the B

Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3

2 and 4

3 and 4 only

1, 3 and 4

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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The Kingdoms of Kosala and Magadha were closely associated with the life and activities of the Buddha.

The Buddha spent a significant part of his life preaching and travelling in the Gangetic plains, primarily within the territories of Kosala and Magadha. Important sites related to his life, such as Sravasti (capital of Kosala) and Rajagriha (capital of Magadha) and Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, and Sarnath (all within or bordering these kingdoms), highlight their central role in his journey and teachings.

Avanti was a powerful kingdom contemporary to the Buddha but located further west (capital Ujjain); it was not as central to his travels and teachings as Kosala and Magadha during his lifetime, although it later became important for Buddhism. Gandhara, in the northwest, became a major center for Buddhism much later, particularly known for Gandhara art during the Kushana period, long after the Buddha’s passing.

3. Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel

Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?

1. Oxides of sulphur
2. Oxides of nitrogen
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Carbon dioxide

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 3 and 4 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Steel industry processes are significant sources of various air pollutants, including oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

Oxides of sulphur (SOx) and nitrogen (NOx) are produced during the combustion of fuels and from raw materials containing sulphur and nitrogen. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of incomplete combustion. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced from the combustion of carbon-based fuels (like coal or coke) and also from chemical reactions involved in steel production (e.g., reduction of iron oxides). All four listed pollutants are associated with steel manufacturing.

Steel plants also release particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals. Controlling these emissions is a major environmental challenge for the industry.

4. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of th

If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?

1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
3. Sandalwood

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only

3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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Oak and Rhododendron species are commonly found naturally growing in the Himalayan region.

The Himalayas are home to diverse vegetation types, including temperate forests where various species of Oak (Quercus) thrive, especially at lower to mid-altitudes. Rhododendron species are particularly characteristic of the Himalayan alpine and subalpine zones, known for their vibrant blooms and widespread presence across different altitudes and forest types.

Sandalwood (Santalum album), famous for its fragrant wood and oil, is predominantly found in South India, especially in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is not native to the Himalayas.

5. Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on

Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

algae and bacteria

algae and fungi

bacteria and fungi

fungi and mosses

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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Lichens are a symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism, typically an alga or a cyanobacterium.

In this symbiosis, the fungus (mycobiont) provides structure, protection from drying, and absorbs water and minerals from the environment. The alga or cyanobacterium (photobiont) provides food through photosynthesis, producing carbohydrates that the fungus utilizes. This mutualistic relationship allows lichens to colonize harsh environments, including bare rock, where neither organism could easily survive alone.

Lichens are pioneers in primary ecological succession on bare rock. They secrete acids that help weather the rock, breaking it down and creating initial soil particles, which allows other plants to eventually grow. They are also excellent indicators of air quality because they are very sensitive to atmospheric pollution.

6. In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were u

In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for

military officers

village headmen

specialists in Vedic rituals

chiefs of craft guilds

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for village headmen or village officials responsible for local administration, especially land revenue.

These terms appear in various inscriptions and historical texts, particularly from periods like the Gupta, post-Gupta, and early medieval Rajput dynasties. ‘Mahattara’ literally means ‘elder’ or ‘great man’ and was a common term for village elders or headmen. ‘Pattakila’ was also used for a village official, often associated with the collection of land revenue or management of village lands.

The village headman played a crucial role in rural administration, acting as an intermediary between the state authorities and the villagers, responsible for law and order, dispute resolution, and revenue collection at the local level.

7. If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stal

If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?

1. Painted Stork
2. Common Myna
3. Black-necked Crane

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2

2 only

2 and 3

3 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The behaviour of stalking alongside cattle to catch insects disturbed by their movement is characteristic of the Common Myna.

Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis) are frequently observed foraging for insects in grasslands, often following grazing animals like cattle, sheep, or even lawnmowers, taking advantage of insects stirred up from the vegetation. This is a form of commensalism, where the bird benefits, and the cattle are largely unaffected.

Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala) are wading birds that feed primarily on fish and other aquatic prey in wetlands. Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) are large birds that feed on roots, tubers, insects, and small vertebrates, often foraging in wetlands or agricultural fields, but are not typically known for actively following cattle for insects in the same way as mynas.

8. Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on

Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?

1. Volcanic action
2. Respiration
3. Photosynthesis
4. Decay of organic matter

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 3 only

2 only

1, 2 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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Volcanic action, respiration, and decay of organic matter all release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus adding to the carbon cycle.

Volcanic eruptions release gases, including CO2, from the Earth’s interior. Respiration is the process by which living organisms convert organic matter into energy, releasing CO2 as a byproduct. Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing CO2 through respiration and decomposition processes. Photosynthesis, however, is the process by which plants and other organisms use sunlight, water, and CO2 to create energy-rich organic molecules, thus *removing* CO2 from the atmosphere.

The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, leading to concerns about climate change.

9. Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

The Committee on Public Accounts

The Committee on Estimates

The Committee on Public Undertakings

The Committee on Petitions

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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Among the listed committees of the Indian Parliament, the Committee on Estimates is the largest.

The Committee on Estimates consists of 30 members, all of whom are from the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The Committee on Public Accounts and the Committee on Public Undertakings each consist of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). The Committee on Petitions has a varying number of members, typically smaller than the others listed.

The Estimates Committee scrutinizes the estimates included in the budget presented to Parliament and suggests economies in public expenditure. It is considered one of the three financial committees of Parliament, along with the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings.

10. Consider the following : 1. Bats 2. Bears 3. Rodents The phe

Consider the following :

1. Bats
2. Bears
3. Rodents

The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

1 and 2 only

2 only

1, 2 and 3

Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in endotherms. It is observed in various animal groups, including mammals like bats, bears, and many rodents.

Bats enter deep hibernation. Many rodents, such as groundhogs, ground squirrels, and hamsters, are well-known hibernators. While the hibernation of bears is sometimes debated in terms of its physiological depth compared to smaller mammals, they do enter a state of reduced metabolic activity, body temperature, and heart rate for extended periods during winter.

True hibernation involves a significant drop in body temperature (close to ambient), drastic slowing of metabolic rate, and infrequent arousals. Some animals, like bears, enter a less profound state sometimes called ‘winter sleep’ or torpor, where the body temperature drop is less severe and arousals might be more frequent, but it still serves the purpose of conserving energy during periods of food scarcity and cold.