UPSC IAS Archives

11. Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for t

Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?

Syria and Jordan

Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia

Philippines and Papua New Guinea

Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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The major outbreak of the Ebola virus that received extensive global attention in the years preceding this question (likely referring to the 2014-2016 epidemic) primarily occurred in West Africa.

The affected countries most frequently mentioned in the news for this particular outbreak were Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

While other Ebola outbreaks have occurred in different African countries at various times, the scale and international impact of the 2014-2016 West African epidemic made these three countries synonymous with the disease in recent news reports during that period. The other options list countries from different regions not primarily affected by this major outbreak.

12. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statement

With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’.
2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
3. Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect regarding the Rowlatt Satyagraha.

The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was indeed based on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee, headed by Justice S.A.T. Rowlatt, which investigated ‘revolutionary crime’ in India (Statement 1 is correct). Mahatma Gandhi launched the Rowlatt Satyagraha against this act and utilized the widespread network and existing infrastructure of the Home Rule League to organize protests and demonstrations across India (Statement 2 is correct). The Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, almost a decade after the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919), so demonstrations against it did not coincide with the Rowlatt Satyagraha (Statement 3 is incorrect).

The Rowlatt Act authorized the government to imprison any person without trial and conviction in a court of law, which was seen as a denial of civil liberties. The protests against it were widespread and marked the beginning of a new phase of mass mobilization in the Indian independence movement under Gandhi’s leadership. The Simon Commission faced protests because it was an all-British commission tasked with reviewing the constitutional progress in India, with no Indian representation.

13. Consider the following pairs: Place of Pilgrimage : Location 1. Sri

Consider the following pairs:

Place of Pilgrimage : Location
1. Srisailam : Nallamala Hills
2. Omkareshwar : Satmala Hills
3. Pushkar : Mahadeo Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC IAS – 2015

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Only pair 1 is correctly matched.

Srisailam, a famous pilgrimage center and Jyotirlinga site, is located in the Nallamala Hills, which are part of the Eastern Ghats, in Andhra Pradesh (Pair 1 is correct). Omkareshwar is an island in the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh and is not in the Satmala Hills (Pair 2 is incorrect). Pushkar is located near Ajmer in Rajasthan, not in the Mahadeo Hills, which are part of the Satpura range in Madhya Pradesh (Pair 3 is incorrect).

The Satmala Hills are a range of hills in Maharashtra and Telangana. The Mahadeo Hills are located in the northern part of the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh.

14. What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

The Earth's rotation on its axis

Convergence of the two equatorial currents

Difference in salinity of water

Occurrence of the belt of calm near the equator

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UPSC IAS – 2015

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The eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current is primarily explained by the pressure gradient created by the ‘pile-up’ of water in the western equatorial ocean, which is allowed to flow back eastward in the belt of calm near the equator.

The persistent westward-blowing trade winds in the tropics push surface water westward, causing it to accumulate in the western part of the ocean basin (e.g., western Pacific, western Atlantic). This creates a higher sea level and a pressure gradient sloping downwards towards the east. In the doldrums (Intertropical Convergence Zone – ITCZ), a belt of low pressure and calm or weak winds near the equator, the wind stress is minimal. With reduced opposition from wind, the water flows eastward down this pressure gradient, forming the Equatorial Counter-Current.

While other factors influence ocean currents, the primary driving mechanism for the eastward equatorial counter-current is the interplay between the westward-flowing trade winds, the resulting pressure gradient caused by water accumulation in the west, and the presence of the doldrums where this eastward flow is not inhibited by strong winds. The Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect) causes deflection, but not the primary eastward flow. Salinity differences mainly influence deeper thermohaline circulation.

15. The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the

The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices

Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture

Agricultural Produce Market Committee

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UPSC IAS – 2015

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The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is an advisory body that recommends the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for various crops and the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane. However, the final approval for the FRP comes from the Union Cabinet, specifically the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister.

FRP is the minimum price that sugar mills are legally required to pay to farmers for sugarcane. It is fixed by the Central Government under the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966. States can also declare their own State Advised Price (SAP), which is usually higher than the FRP.

16. With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature a

With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statements 2 and 3 are correct regarding the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

IUCN is a membership union composed of both government and civil society organisations; it is not an organ of the United Nations (Statement 1 is incorrect). IUCN is widely involved in conservation efforts globally, including running field projects (Statement 2 is correct). CITES is an international agreement between governments that is legally binding on its member states (Part of Statement 1 correct, but overall incorrect due to IUCN part). However, CITES does not replace national laws; instead, member states are required to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement the convention effectively (Statement 3 is correct).

IUCN is known for its Red List of Threatened Species. CITES regulates international trade in species listed in its Appendices I, II, and III to ensure trade is not detrimental to their survival. While CITES is a treaty, its implementation relies on national legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.

17. What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous f

What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?

1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur.
2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place.
3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 3 only

2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statements 2 and 3 are correct regarding the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture.

Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers can lead to soil degradation and environmental pollution. The process of nitrification, where ammonium from fertilizers is converted to nitrate, releases hydrogen ions, increasing soil acidity over time (Statement 2 is correct). Nitrate is highly soluble and mobile in soil, making it susceptible to leaching into groundwater, causing contamination and potential health risks (Statement 3 is correct).

Statement 1 is generally incorrect. Excessive nitrogen supply from fertilizers often suppresses the activity of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (like Rhizobium associated with legumes) because the plant can easily access nitrogen from the soil and reduces the need to support nitrogen fixation. Proliferation of non-fixing microbes might occur, but not specifically nitrogen-fixing ones due to direct fertilizer use.

18. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National In

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation–India (NIF)?

1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.
2. NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect regarding the National Innovation Foundation–India (NIF).

NIF is indeed an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Its primary mandate is to scout, support, and scale up grassroots innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge from citizens, particularly those in the informal sector and students, across the country. It aims to strengthen India’s capacity to generate and manage grassroot innovations.

Statement 2 is incorrect because NIF’s core focus is on fostering grassroots innovation and traditional knowledge within India. While collaborations might exist, its main purpose is not primarily to strengthen highly advanced scientific research in premier institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions. Its work involves linking grassroots innovations to the formal S&T system and converting them into enterprises through value addition, protection of intellectual property, and business development.

19. Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with

Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?

Bhitarkanika National Park

Keibul Lamjao National Park

Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Sultanpur National Park

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UPSC IAS – 2015

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Keibul Lamjao National Park is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity.

Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in Manipur, is the only floating national park in the world. It is situated on Loktak Lake and is characterised by unique floating islands called ‘phumdis’, which are heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter at various stages of decomposition. This habitat is home to the critically endangered Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer), also known as the dancing deer.

Bhitarkanika National Park (Odisha) is known for its mangrove ecosystem and salt-water crocodiles. Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan) is a famous wetland bird sanctuary. Sultanpur National Park (Haryana) is also a significant bird sanctuary. None of these are characterised by extensive floating vegetation (phumdis) in the manner of Keibul Lamjao.

20. In the Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is

In the Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight?

Coal production

Electricity generation

Fertilizer production

Steel production

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Among the given options in the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, Electricity generation is given the highest weight.

The Index of Eight Core Industries includes Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity. Based on the 2011-12 series base used for calculation, Electricity generation has the highest weight among these eight industries, followed by Refinery Products and Steel.

The eight core industries represent about 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Their performance significantly impacts the overall industrial activity. As of recent data using the 2011-12 series, the approximate weights are: Electricity (19.858%), Refinery Products (17.166%), Steel (17.917%), Coal (10.332%), Crude Oil (8.983%), Natural Gas (6.877%), Cement (5.372%), and Fertilizers (2.632%).