UPSC IAS Archives

11. Which of the following is/are the characteristic/characteristics of In

Which of the following is/are the characteristic/characteristics of Indian coal?

High ash content
Low sulphur content
Low ash fusion temperature

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

The correct answer is A) 1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 accurately describe characteristics of Indian coal, while statement 3 is incorrect.

Indian coal is known for its high ash content and relatively low sulphur content compared to coal found in many other parts of the world. The ash fusion temperature of Indian coal is generally high, which can lead to operational issues like slagging in boilers if not properly managed.

High ash content reduces the energy output per unit weight and increases transportation costs and environmental challenges related to ash disposal. Low sulphur content is an advantage from an environmental perspective as it results in lower sulphur dioxide emissions. The high ash fusion temperature means that the ash melts at a higher temperature, but if furnace temperatures exceed this point, it can form slag, which sticks to boiler tubes.

12. The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is h

The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?

Thermal difference between land and water
Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
Presence of strong winds in the interior
Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

The primary reason for the high annual range of temperature in the interior of continents compared to coastal areas is the thermal difference between land and water. Land heats up and cools down much faster than water. Coastal areas benefit from the moderating influence of the ocean, which absorbs and releases heat slowly, reducing temperature extremes throughout the year. Interior regions, lacking this moderating effect, experience greater variations between summer highs and winter lows.

Specific heat capacity and heat transfer mechanisms cause land to heat and cool more rapidly than water. This differential heating/cooling leads to continental climates having larger temperature ranges (diurnal and annual) than maritime climates.

Statement 2 is generally not true as a universal reason for the difference in range; altitude affects absolute temperature, not primarily the range between interiors and coasts in a general sense. Statements 3 and 4 describe potential local weather phenomena but are not the fundamental climatic reason for the large annual temperature range in continental interiors compared to coasts. Interior areas often experience low humidity and less cloud cover, which further contributes to faster heating and cooling.

13. In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are impl

In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?

1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament.
2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
3. Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

In a parliamentary government system like India’s, members of the Cabinet are drawn from the Parliament (Statement 1). The government remains in power only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the legislature (specifically the Lok Sabha in India) (Statement 2). Statement 3 is incorrect; the Cabinet is headed by the Head of the Government (Prime Minister), not the Head of the State (President).

Key features of a parliamentary system include the fusion of powers between the executive and legislature, collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature, and the head of government being distinct from the head of state.

In India, the President is the Head of State (nominal executive), while the Prime Minister is the Head of Government (real executive). The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Ministers are required to be members of Parliament. These principles are fundamental to the functioning of India’s parliamentary democracy.

14. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consi

With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:

1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Sankhya school, like almost all mainstream Indian philosophical systems, accepts the concept of rebirth or transmigration of the soul (Purusha). The goal of Sankhya is liberation (kaivalya) from the cycle of birth and death by realizing the distinction between Purusha and Prakriti. Statement 2 is correct. Sankhya is a gnostic system that emphasizes achieving liberation through discriminative knowledge (viveka-jnana) of the true nature of Purusha and its distinction from Prakriti, independent of any external influence or divine grace.

Sankhya is a dualistic philosophy positing two ultimate realities: Purusha (consciousness/self) and Prakriti (matter/nature). It explains creation and evolution as the interaction of these two principles and identifies ignorance of their distinction as the root cause of suffering and bondage. Liberation is achieved through knowledge.

The Sankhya system does not explicitly advocate for belief in God as essential for liberation, making it a unique orthodox school in this regard. Its emphasis on knowledge as the sole means to salvation distinguishes it from systems that rely on devotion (Bhakti) or ritualistic action (Karma). The concept of karma and rebirth are fundamental to understanding the bondage from which Sankhya seeks liberation.

15. Consider the following historical places: 1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepa

Consider the following historical places:

1. Ajanta Caves
2. Lepakshi Temple
3. Sanchi Stupa

Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”None” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

Ajanta Caves are world-renowned for their ancient Buddhist mural paintings dating back primarily to the Gupta period and earlier. The Veerabhadra temple in Lepakshi is famous for its extensive Vijayanagara period mural paintings on ceilings, depicting epic scenes. Sanchi Stupa is primarily known for its architectural structure and the elaborate carvings on its gateways (toranas), but not for significant surviving mural paintings.

Mural paintings are paintings applied directly onto a wall or ceiling surface. India has a rich tradition of mural painting, found in caves, temples, palaces, and homes across different periods and regions.

Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) represent some of the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly painting. Lepakshi Temple (Andhra Pradesh) is a prominent example of Vijayanagara architecture and painting. Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh) is one of the oldest Buddhist sites and is known for the Great Stupa built by Ashoka, with its beautifully carved gateways added later. While walls existed at Sanchi, the site is primarily celebrated for its sculpture and architecture, not its paintings.

16. Which of the following constitute Capital Account? 1. Foreign Loans

Which of the following constitute Capital Account?

1. Foreign Loans
2. Foreign Direct Investment
3. Private Remittances
4. Portfolio Investment

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”1, 2 and 4″ option3=”2, 3 and 4″ option4=”1, 3 and 4″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Capital Account of the Balance of Payments records transactions involving changes in ownership of foreign financial and non-financial assets. Foreign Loans (both inflow and outflow), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and Portfolio Investment (like buying stocks or bonds) are all classified under the Capital Account as they represent changes in assets or liabilities. Private Remittances, which are unilateral transfers of money, are part of the Current Account.

The Balance of Payments (BoP) summarizes all economic transactions between residents of a country and the rest of the world over a period. It consists of the Current Account and the Capital Account. The Capital Account deals with cross-border investment flows and changes in assets/liabilities.

The Current Account records transactions related to trade in goods and services, income receipts and payments, and current transfers (like remittances, grants). The Capital Account, broadly defined, includes capital transfers (like debt forgiveness, grants) and investment flows (FDI, portfolio investment, other investments like loans and deposits). In India’s BoP presentation, the Capital Account is mainly composed of Investment (FDI, Portfolio, Other) and Loans, and Banking Capital.

17. Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of

Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of equatorial forests?

Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy
Coexistence of a large number of species
Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

All three statements describe characteristic features of equatorial forests (tropical rainforests). The presence of tall, closely set trees with a continuous canopy (leading to stratification), extremely high biodiversity with a large number of coexisting species, and the abundance of epiphytes are all unique or highly pronounced characteristics of this biome compared to others.

Equatorial forests are known for their high temperature and rainfall year-round, leading to dense vegetation, complex vertical structure (canopy layers), and exceptional species richness. These conditions also favour the growth of plants that live on others, like epiphytes.

The multi-layered structure of the forest, from the emergent layer to the understorey and forest floor, is a direct consequence of the dense canopy. The high biodiversity is attributed to a stable climate over long periods and complex ecological interactions. Epiphytes thrive in the humid conditions, utilizing the trees for support and access to sunlight.

18. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regio

The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where

[amp_mcq option1=”warm and cold atmospheric currents meet” option2=”rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea” option3=”warm and cold oceanic currents meet” option4=”continental shelf is undulating” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

The most important fishing grounds of the world are typically found where warm and cold oceanic currents meet. This is because the meeting of currents causes upwelling, bringing nutrient-rich cold water from the ocean depths to the surface. This nutrient supply supports a large growth of plankton, which forms the base of the marine food web, leading to high populations of fish and other marine life.

The convergence of different oceanic currents, especially warm and cold ones, is a major factor in creating productive marine environments suitable for large-scale fishing. Upwelling associated with these areas is key to nutrient availability.

Examples of major fishing grounds located at the convergence of currents include the Grand Banks off Newfoundland (meeting of the warm Gulf Stream and the cold Labrador Current) and the North Sea (meeting of the North Atlantic Drift and polar waters). The continental shelf is also important because it is shallow enough for sunlight penetration, supporting photosynthesis, but the current mixing provides the significant boost in productivity.

19. With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the followin

With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of organism is/are known as decomposer organism/organisms?

Virus
Fungi
Bacteria

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

Fungi and Bacteria are the primary decomposers in most ecosystems. They break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the environment. Viruses are not decomposers; they are parasitic and reproduce within host cells.

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so, they carry out the natural process of decomposition. They play a vital role in nutrient cycling, making essential nutrients available to producers (plants).

Decomposition is a critical part of the food web. While fungi and bacteria are the main decomposers, detritivores (like earthworms, beetles, and millipedes) also contribute by physically breaking down organic matter, which increases the surface area for fungi and bacteria to act upon.

20. Consider the following Bhakti Saints : Dadu Dayal Guru Nanak Tya

Consider the following Bhakti Saints :

Dadu Dayal
Guru Nanak
Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 3″ option2=”2 only” option3=”2 and 3″ option4=”1 and 2″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

Download PDF Attempt Online

Guru Nanak (1469-1539) lived during the period when the Lodi dynasty ruled Delhi and was succeeded by Babur in 1526. Dadu Dayal (1544-1603) and Tyagaraja (1767-1847) lived much later. Therefore, only Guru Nanak was preaching during the transition from the Lodi dynasty to Babur’s rule.

This question tests knowledge of the timeline of prominent Bhakti saints and their contemporaries among ruling dynasties. Identifying the lifespans of the saints is crucial to determine who was active during the specified historical period (fall of Lodi dynasty and rise of Babur, i.e., around 1526).

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, travelled widely during his lifetime and preached a message of equality, devotion to one God, and rejection of ritualism. The Lodi dynasty ruled from 1451 to 1526. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, marking the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.