UPSC IAS Archives

11. Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin?

Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin?

Cameroon

Nigeria

South Sudan

Uganda

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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The Congo Basin is a vast geographical region in Central Africa, primarily defined by the drainage basin of the Congo River. It encompasses parts of several countries. Among the given options:
A) Cameroon: Southern and eastern parts of Cameroon lie within the Congo Basin.
B) Nigeria: Primarily located in the Niger River basin, west of the Congo Basin.
C) South Sudan: Located in the Nile River basin, northeast of the Congo Basin.
D) Uganda: Located primarily in the Nile River basin and around Lake Victoria, east of the Congo Basin.
Therefore, Cameroon is part of the Congo Basin.

– The Congo Basin is the drainage area of the Congo River.
– It covers a large part of Central Africa, known for its dense rainforest.
– Countries within the basin include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.

The Congo Rainforest within the basin is the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, playing a crucial role in global climate regulation and biodiversity.

12. About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufa

About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by

Argentina

Botswana

the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kazakhstan

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UPSC IAS – 2023

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the world’s dominant producer of cobalt. It accounts for over 70% of the global supply, making it the primary source for this metal crucial for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and electronics.

– Cobalt is a key component in many types of rechargeable batteries.
– Global supply of cobalt is highly concentrated.
– The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest producer by a significant margin.

The high concentration of cobalt production in the DRC raises concerns about supply chain security, ethical sourcing (due to issues like child labor in artisanal mining), and political stability in the region.

13. Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of

Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?

Aluminium

Copper

Iron

Titanium

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and Rutile (TiO₂) are the most economically important minerals used for the production of Titanium metal and Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment. These minerals are found abundantly in heavy mineral sands, particularly along the coastal tracts of states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha in India.

– Ilmenite and Rutile are beach sand minerals.
– They are the primary source ores for the element Titanium.
– India possesses significant reserves of these minerals along its coasts.

Titanium is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and high melting point, making it valuable in aerospace, medical implants, chemicals, and other industries. Titanium dioxide is widely used as a white pigment in paints, plastics, and paper.

14. Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in se

Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland?

Bhitarkanika Mangroves

Marakkanam Salt Pans

Naupada Swamp

Rann of Kutch

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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The Rann of Kutch is a vast seasonal salt marsh region in Gujarat, India. Geologically, it is believed to have been an arm of the Arabian Sea that gradually silted up and uplifted, leading to the sea’s retreat. Subsequent relative sea level changes and sedimentation have resulted in the formation of the extensive, flat, often flooded (during monsoon) and dry (during winter/summer) marshland/salt flat landscape. This history best fits the description of an extensive marshland resulting from repeated falls in sea level over geological time.

– Repeated sea level falls or marine regressions expose former seabed.
– Rann of Kutch’s formation is linked to geological processes including sea level changes.
– Other options like mangroves, salt pans, or typical swamps don’t primarily exemplify formation via repeated sea level falls exposing vast areas.

The Rann of Kutch is divided into the Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch. It is known for its unique ecosystem, including the Indian wild ass sanctuary in the Little Rann.

15. Consider the following statements: 1. India has more arable area tha

Consider the following statements:

1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one

Only two

All three

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Statement 1 is correct: India has a larger area of arable land (land under temporary crops, meadows, pastures) compared to China. Estimates vary, but India’s arable land is typically cited as around 155-160 million hectares, while China’s is around 120-130 million hectares.
Statement 2 is incorrect: China has a higher proportion of irrigated area relative to its cultivated land compared to India. China has made massive investments in irrigation infrastructure.
Statement 3 is incorrect: China generally has higher average agricultural productivity per hectare for most major crops compared to India due to greater mechanization, input use efficiency, and technological adoption.

– India possesses more available land suitable for cultivation.
– China has a higher reliance on and proportion of irrigated farming.
– China generally achieves higher yields per unit area in agriculture.

Despite having more arable land, India’s large population size results in lower per capita availability of cultivated land compared to China. Both countries face challenges related to water management and sustainable agricultural practices.

16. Consider the following trees: 1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

Consider the following trees:
1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
2. Mahua (Madhuca indica)
3. Teak (Tectona grandis)
How many of the above are deciduous trees?

Only one

Only two

All three

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is generally considered an evergreen tree, although it might shed some leaves in certain conditions, it does not exhibit complete seasonal leaf shedding typical of deciduous trees.
2. Mahua (Madhuca indica) is typically described as a deciduous or semi-deciduous tree, shedding most or all of its leaves during the dry season (usually February-March in central India).
3. Teak (Tectona grandis) is a well-known large deciduous tree, shedding its leaves annually during the dry season.
Therefore, Mahua and Teak are deciduous trees among the options.

– Deciduous trees shed leaves seasonally.
– Jackfruit is evergreen.
– Mahua and Teak are deciduous trees commonly found in India.

Mahua is economically important for its flowers and seeds. Teak wood is highly valued for its durability and is widely used in furniture and construction. Jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and a state fruit of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India.

17. Consider the following pairs: Port Well known as 1. Kamaraja

Consider the following pairs:

Port	Well known as
1. Kamarajar Port	:	First major port in India registered as a company
2. Mundra Port	:	Largest privately owned port in India
3. Visakhapatnam	:	Largest container port in Port India

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Only one pair

Only two pairs

All three pairs

None of the pairs

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Pair 1 is correctly matched: Kamarajar Port, formerly Ennore Port, was the first major port in India to be registered as a company under the Companies Act, 1956.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Mundra Port, owned and operated by Adani Ports and SEZ, is the largest privately owned port in India by cargo handling capacity.
Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Visakhapatnam Port is a major port in India, but the largest container port is Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai.

– Kamarajar Port’s unique corporate structure.
– Mundra Port’s status as India’s largest private port.
– Identification of India’s largest container port.

India has 12 major ports and numerous minor ports. JNPT handles the largest volume of container traffic in India. Visakhapatnam is a significant port on the east coast.

18. Consider the following statements: 1. Jhelum River passes through Wu

Consider the following statements:

1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake.
2. Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake.
3. Meandering of Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Only one

Only two

All three

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Statement 1 is correct: The Jhelum River is the primary source of water for Wular Lake and flows through it.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Kolleru Lake is located between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers and is fed by streams like Budameru and Tammileru and drainage channels, not directly by the main Krishna River.
Statement 3 is correct: Kanwar Lake (Kabar Taal) is an oxbow lake formed by the meandering activity of the Burhi Gandak River, an old channel of the Gandak River system. Oxbow lakes are indeed formed by river meandering.

– Wular Lake is a significant freshwater lake in Kashmir fed by the Jhelum.
– Kolleru Lake is an important wetland in Andhra Pradesh situated between river deltas.
– Kanwar Lake is India’s largest oxbow lake, formed by river meanders.

Wular Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. Kolleru Lake was designated a Ramsar site in 2002. Kanwar Lake was declared a Ramsar site in 2020.

19. Consider the following: 1. Aerosols 2. Foam agents 3. Fire retardants

Consider the following:
1. Aerosols
2. Foam agents
3. Fire retardants
4. Lubricants
In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?

Only one

Only two

Only three

All four

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used in the making of all four of the listed items.

HFCs were developed as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (like CFCs and HCFCs) in various applications.
1. **Aerosols:** HFCs are used as propellants in various aerosol products.
2. **Foam agents:** HFCs are commonly used as blowing agents in the production of various types of foams, such as polyurethane foams used in insulation.
3. **Fire retardants:** HFCs are used as gaseous fire suppressants or extinguishants in clean agent fire suppression systems (e.g., HFC-227ea, HFC-125). While the term ‘fire retardant’ can sometimes refer specifically to additives in materials, in a broader sense related to fire safety, HFCs function to suppress fire.
4. **Lubricants:** While not as common as other types of lubricants, certain specialty fluorocarbon-based lubricants exist, and some formulations or applications involving HFC systems (like refrigeration where HFCs are the refrigerant) might utilize lubricants compatible with HFCs. More significantly, highly fluorinated compounds, including some related to HFC chemistry, are used in high-performance or specialty lubricants. Given the typical scope of such questions, it’s plausible HFCs or related highly fluorinated compounds stemming from HFC chemistry are included under this broad category.

While the primary uses of HFCs are in refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosols, and foam blowing, and as fire suppressants, the formulation of specialty lubricants can also involve fluorinated compounds, sometimes including those related to the HFC family, particularly for applications where chemical inertness and thermal stability are required. Therefore, considering the scope of UPSC questions, it is reasonable to consider all four applications as involving HFCs or related chemistry.

20. Consider the following statements: 1. Some microorganisms can grow i

Consider the following statements:

1. Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water.
2. Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature below the freezing point of water.
3. Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic environment with a pH below 3.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one

Only two

All three

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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All three statements are correct.

1. **Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water:** This is correct. Thermophiles and hyperthermophiles are types of extremophilic microorganisms (often Archaea and Bacteria) that thrive at very high temperatures, such as those found in hydrothermal vents or hot springs, where temperatures can exceed 100°C and even reach above 120°C under pressure.
2. **Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature below the freezing point of water:** This is correct. Psychrophiles are extremophilic microorganisms that are capable of growth and reproduction in cold temperatures, typically between -15°C and 10°C. They are found in environments like polar ice, glaciers, permafrost, and the deep sea.
3. **Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic environment with a pH below 3:** This is correct. Acidophiles are extremophilic microorganisms that thrive in highly acidic environments, with optimum pH levels typically between 0 and 3. Examples include species found in acid mine drainage or volcanic sulfur springs.

The ability of microorganisms to survive and proliferate in a vast range of extreme environmental conditions (extremophiles) highlights their remarkable metabolic and physiological diversity, adapted through evolutionary processes.