UPSC IAS Archives

11. The term ‘M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

The term ‘M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

Captive breeding of Wild Fauna

Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

Indigenous Satellite Navigation System

Security of National Highways

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UPSC IAS – 2017

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The term ‘M-STRIPES’ stands for Monitoring System For Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.

It is a software-based monitoring system implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in India to strengthen patrolling and surveillance in tiger reserves.

M-STRIPES utilizes GPS, camera traps, and field data collected by forest staff to provide real-time information on tiger sightings, signs, and threats, helping in effective management and anti-poaching efforts within tiger habitats.

12. Consider the following statements: 1. National Payments Corporation

Consider the following statements:

1. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) helps in promoting the financial inclusion in the country.
2. NPCI has launched RuPay, a card payment scheme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2017

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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2. Both statements accurately describe aspects related to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

– Statement 1 is correct. NPCI is an initiative to create robust payment and settlement systems in India, which are foundational for financial inclusion. By developing affordable and accessible payment platforms like UPI, AePS, and RuPay, NPCI facilitates easier access to financial services for a wider population, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
– Statement 2 is correct. RuPay is a domestic card payment network launched by NPCI. It is an alternative to international card networks like Visa and Mastercard and plays a significant role in promoting cashless transactions and financial inclusion in India.

NPCI was founded in 2008 as a not-for-profit organization under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). Its mandate is to provide retail payment infrastructure to the country. Besides RuPay, NPCI operates other major payment systems like Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), etc., all of which contribute significantly to the digital transformation of India’s payment landscape and financial inclusion efforts.

13. What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?

What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?

Production of biolarvicides

Manufacture of biodegradable plastics

Reproductive cloning of animals

Production of organisms free of diseases

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UPSC IAS – 2017

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The correct answer is C) Reproductive cloning of animals. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) is the technology most famously associated with cloning animals.

– Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) involves taking the nucleus from a somatic cell (any body cell other than sperm or egg) and transferring it into an enucleated egg cell (an egg cell from which the nucleus has been removed).
– This reconstructed egg cell is then stimulated to divide, forming an embryo.
– If this embryo is implanted into the uterus of a surrogate mother and develops to term, it results in the birth of an organism genetically identical to the donor of the somatic cell nucleus. This is reproductive cloning.
– SCNT can also be used for therapeutic cloning, where the embryonic stem cells derived from the resulting embryo are used for research or potential therapy, rather than implanting the embryo.

Dolly the sheep, cloned in 1996, was the first mammal created using SCNT from an adult somatic cell. While SCNT has potential applications in conservation (cloning endangered species), agriculture (cloning livestock), and medicine (therapeutic cloning), its most direct and well-known application is reproductive cloning of animals.

14. Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberaliza

Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991?

Share of agriculture in GDP increased enormously.
Share of India’s exports in world trade increased.
FDI flows increased.
India’s foreign exchange reserves increased enormously.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1 and 4 only

2, 3 and 4 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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UPSC IAS – 2017

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The correct answer is B) 2, 3 and 4 only. After the liberalization of economic policies in 1991, India experienced significant increases in its share of world trade, FDI flows, and foreign exchange reserves, while the share of agriculture in GDP declined.

– Statement 1 is incorrect. The share of agriculture in India’s GDP has consistently declined after 1991, although a large proportion of the population still depends on it for livelihood. This is a common structural transformation in developing economies.
– Statement 2 is correct. Liberalization led to increased trade integration with the global economy, resulting in a rise in India’s share of global exports.
– Statement 3 is correct. Policy changes opened up the Indian economy to foreign investment, leading to a substantial increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows.
– Statement 4 is correct. Increased trade surplus (in some periods), capital inflows (FDI, FII, external commercial borrowings), and remittances led to a massive increase in India’s foreign exchange reserves.

The 1991 reforms were aimed at dismantling the ‘License Raj’, opening the economy to greater domestic and international competition, and integrating it with the global economy. These reforms led to higher economic growth rates, increased trade, and greater foreign investment, fundamentally transforming the Indian economy.

15. Consider the following statements: In the election for Lok Sabha or

Consider the following statements:

In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected.
According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.

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 – 2017

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The correct answer is D) Neither 1 nor 2. Both statements are incorrect regarding the Indian parliamentary system.

– Statement 1 is incorrect. In India’s First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system, the winning candidate in a Lok Sabha or State Assembly election needs to secure more votes than any other candidate, not necessarily 50 percent or more of the total votes polled. They simply need a plurality of votes.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. The Constitution of India does not lay down provisions mandating that the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by the members of the respective house (Lok Sabha or State Assembly). While there has been a convention in the Lok Sabha to offer the Deputy Speaker’s post to the opposition, this is a political convention, not a constitutional rule, and it has not always been followed.

The FPTP system is a simple majority system. The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is governed by rules of procedure of the legislature, not explicitly detailed distribution by the Constitution based on party lines. The convention of giving the Deputy Speaker post to the opposition is aimed at ensuring fairness and inclusivity in the functioning of the House.

16. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples ? Arasavalli A

Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples ?

Arasavalli
Amarakantak
Omkareshwar

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 – 2017

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The correct answer is A) 1 only. Arasavalli is famous for its ancient Sun temple, while Amarakantak and Omkareshwar are primarily known for other temples.

– Arasavalli: Located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, it is home to the famous Sri Suryanarayana Swami Temple, one of the prominent Sun temples in India.
– Amarakantak: Located in Madhya Pradesh, it is a significant pilgrimage center known as the source of the Narmada and Son rivers and is home to several temples, notably dedicated to Shiva and the origin of the rivers, but not primarily famous for a Sun temple.
– Omkareshwar: An island on the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh, it is famous for the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and other temples, but not primarily famous for a Sun temple.

India has several ancient Sun temples, including the most famous one at Konark in Odisha. Other significant Sun temples include the Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat and the Martand Sun Temple ruins in Jammu and Kashmir. Knowledge of major pilgrimage sites and their associated deities is important for such questions.

17. Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are used to create digital displ

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are used to create digital display in many devices. What are the advantages of OLED displays over Liquid Crystal displays?

OLED displays can be fabricated on flexible plastic substrates.
Roll-up displays embedded in clothing can be made using OLEDs.
Transparent displays are possible using OLEDs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 and 3 only

2 only

1, 2 and 3

None of the above statements is correct

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UPSC IAS – 2017

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The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 3. All three listed points are advantages of OLED displays over traditional Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs).

– OLED displays can be fabricated on flexible plastic substrates, unlike LCDs which typically require rigid glass substrates. This flexibility is a major advantage.
– Because of their flexibility and thinness, roll-up or foldable displays embedded in clothing or other flexible surfaces are possible using OLEDs.
– Specific designs of OLEDs can be made transparent, allowing for futuristic transparent displays used in windows, screens, etc., which is generally not possible with LCD technology which relies on a backlight.

Beyond flexibility and potential for transparency, OLEDs also offer other advantages like better contrast ratios (true black pixels), faster response times, wider viewing angles, and potentially lower power consumption (especially when displaying dark content) compared to LCDs. However, they can also have limitations such as shorter lifespan for certain colors, vulnerability to water damage, and screen burn-in.

18. Consider the following pairs : Commonly used / consumed mate

Consider the following pairs :

	Commonly used / consumed materials	Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them
1.	Lipstick	Lead
2.	Soft drinks	Brominated vegetable oils
3.	Chinese fast food	Monosodium glutamate

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

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2017

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. All three pairs are correctly matched, identifying commonly found or controversial chemicals in the respective products.

– Lipstick: Trace amounts of lead have been a subject of concern and regulatory limits in some lipsticks. Lead can be present as a contaminant in color additives.
– Soft drinks: Brominated Vegetable Oils (BVOs) have been used as an emulsifier in some citrus-flavored soft drinks to keep flavor oils suspended. While the use has declined and is banned in some regions, it has been a common ingredient.
– Chinese fast food: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavour enhancer derived from glutamic acid. It is commonly used in many processed foods and cuisines, including Chinese fast food, to enhance savoury taste.

These substances have varying levels of health concern and regulatory status. Lead in lipstick is generally a contaminant at very low levels. BVOs have faced scrutiny and are being phased out by some manufacturers. MSG is generally recognized as safe by regulatory bodies in many countries, although some individuals report sensitivity to it. Awareness of such chemicals in common products is increasing among consumers.

19. Consider the following statements : The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card

Consider the following statements :
The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at

1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

1 and 2 only

3 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC IAS – 2017

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The correct answer is B) 3 only. The primary aim of the Soil Health Card Scheme is to provide farmers with soil nutrient status and recommendations, directly helping to check the overuse of fertilizers. Statements 1 and 2 are not the stated aims of the scheme.

– Statement 1 is incorrect. The scheme focuses on existing cultivable land to improve soil health and productivity, not on expanding irrigated area. Irrigation infrastructure development is a separate initiative.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. While improved soil health can potentially benefit a farmer’s creditworthiness, enabling banks to assess loan quantum based on soil quality is not a stated objective or direct function of the scheme. The scheme aims to empower farmers with information for better farming decisions.
– Statement 3 is correct. A core objective is to promote balanced fertilization based on soil test reports and recommended doses of nutrients, thereby preventing the indiscriminate and overuse of fertilizers, which saves costs and reduces environmental pollution.

The Soil Health Card Scheme, launched by the Government of India, involves testing soil samples from farmers’ fields and providing them with a card detailing the soil’s nutrient status and recommendations for appropriate fertilizers and soil amendments. The aim is to improve soil health, increase productivity, and optimize fertilizer use, promoting sustainable agriculture.

20. Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agr

Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture ?

1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land
2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field
3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field

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 – 2017

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. All three listed practices contribute to water conservation in agriculture.

– Reduced or zero tillage: Minimizes soil disturbance, which helps to retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and prevent soil erosion.
– Applying gypsum before irrigating the field: Gypsum improves soil structure, especially in problematic soils (like saline or alkaline), leading to better water infiltration and drainage, and reduced surface runoff and waterlogging, thereby making water use more efficient.
– Allowing crop residue to remain in the field: Crop residue acts as mulch, covering the soil surface. This reduces evaporation, helps moderate soil temperature, suppresses weeds, and improves soil organic matter over time, all of which enhance the soil’s ability to absorb and retain water.

These practices are components of sustainable agriculture and conservation farming, aiming to improve soil health, reduce input costs (like water and energy for irrigation), and enhance environmental sustainability while maintaining or improving yields. They are particularly relevant in regions facing water scarcity.