UPSC IAS

21. Steel slag can be the material for which of the following ? 1. Cons

Steel slag can be the material for which of the following ?

  • 1. Construction of base road
  • 2. Improvement of agricultural soil
  • 3. Production of cement

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Statement 1 is correct: Steel slag is widely used as an aggregate in road construction, including for base and sub-base layers.
Statement 2 is correct: Steel slag can be used as a soil amendment in agriculture. It contains calcium, magnesium, and other elements which can help neutralize acidic soils (acting as a liming agent) and provide essential nutrients.
Statement 3 is correct: Steel slag can be used in the production of cement and concrete as a supplementary cementitious material or as an aggregate, helping to improve properties and utilize industrial waste.
Steel slag, a byproduct of the steel industry, is a versatile material with applications in construction (roads, cement), agriculture (soil amendment), and other areas due to its physical and chemical properties.
Utilizing industrial byproducts like steel slag helps in waste management, resource conservation (by replacing natural aggregates or binders), and can potentially reduce costs in construction and agriculture. Different types of steelmaking processes produce different types of slag with varying compositions and suitability for specific applications.

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22. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conse

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous ?

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Kanha National Park
Manas National Park
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
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Kanha National Park is well-known for the conservation of the hard ground Barasingha.
The Barasingha (*Rucervus duvaucelii*) has three subspecies: the swamp-dwelling form (*duvaucelii*) found in the Terai and Assam, and the hard ground form (*branderi*) found in Central India. Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the primary habitat and the main conservation success story for the hard ground Barasingha, which faced near extinction before recovery efforts in the park. This subspecies is known for its preference for hard ground and its graminivorous diet.
The conservation of the hard ground Barasingha at Kanha National Park is considered a significant achievement in wildlife management in India. Manas National Park is known for the swamp deer subspecies, but not the hard ground variety.

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23. With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith

With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are

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Birds
Primates
Reptiles
Amphibians
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These names refer to different species of birds found in India.
Ceylon frogmouth (*Batrachostomus moniliger*), Coppersmith barbet (*Psilopogon haemacephalus*), Gray-chinned minivet (*Pericrocotus solaris*), and White-throated redstart (*Phoenicurus schisticeps*) are all recognized common names for bird species found in the Indian subcontinent. Identifying animal groups based on their common names requires familiarity with Indian fauna.
India has a rich avian diversity, with numerous endemic and migratory bird species. Knowing the common names of some distinctive species can be helpful for questions related to biodiversity.

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24. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin ?

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin ?

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  1. Nagarhole National Park
  2. Papikonda National Park
  3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
  4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Nagarhole National Park, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are located in the Cauvery basin. Papikonda National Park is in the Godavari basin.
The Cauvery river flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with tributaries originating in Kerala. Nagarhole National Park is in Karnataka. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu is drained by the Bhavani river, a Cauvery tributary. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala contains the origin of the Kabini river, a major tributary of the Cauvery. Papikonda National Park is located in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, along the Godavari river. Therefore, only 1, 3, and 4 are in the Cauvery basin.
Understanding the geography of river basins and the location of protected areas is important for environmental studies in India. Many important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are situated within major river basins, influencing local hydrology and dependent ecosystems.

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25. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements :

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  • The leader of an elephant group is a female.
  • The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
  • An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
  • Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 and 2 only
2 and 4 only
3 only
1, 3 and 4 only
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Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statements 3 and 4 are incorrect.
Elephant societies are matriarchal, led by the oldest and most experienced female (matriarch). The gestation period of an elephant is about 22 months, which is the longest among all mammals. Female elephants can reproduce well into their 40s and 50s, sometimes even later, so the age limit of 40 years is incorrect. According to the 2017 elephant census (and subsequent estimates), Karnataka has the highest elephant population in India, followed by Assam and then Kerala.
Elephants are keystone species and play a vital role in their ecosystems. Conservation efforts in India focus on protecting their habitats and corridors, mitigating human-elephant conflict, and preventing poaching.

26. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the followin

With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs :

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1. Parivrajaka – Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana – Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka – Lay follower of Buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

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1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
Parivrajaka refers to wandering ascetics or renunciants who have left their homes and societal ties. Upasaka refers to a lay follower of Buddhism or other Shramana traditions who is not a monk or nun but observes basic precepts. Shramana refers to ascetics and renunciants generally, particularly those who rejected the authority of the Vedas and the Brahmanical system, such as Buddhists, Jains, and Ajivikas. They represent a tradition distinct from the Brahmanical priesthood and are not typically associated with high status within that system.
The Shramana tradition emerged alongside the Brahmanical tradition in ancient India. Both traditions involved spiritual seeking, but differed in their philosophical approaches and practices. The Shramana movement emphasized asceticism, meditation, and personal effort towards liberation.

27. In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to b

In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture ?

  1. Crop diversification
  2. Legume intensification
  3. Tensiometer use
  4. Vertical farming

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1, 2 and 3 only
3 only
4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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All four practices are considered to be practices of eco-friendly agriculture.
Crop diversification enhances soil health and reduces reliance on synthetic inputs by breaking pest/disease cycles and utilizing nutrients more efficiently. Legume intensification improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Tensiometer use aids in precise irrigation scheduling, conserving water and energy. Vertical farming, when implemented sustainably (e.g., using renewable energy, closed-loop systems), reduces land use, water consumption, and transport emissions compared to conventional farming.
Eco-friendly agriculture encompasses a range of practices aimed at minimizing environmental impact, conserving natural resources, and promoting biodiversity while maintaining agricultural productivity. These practices often focus on soil health, water management, reduced chemical use, and resource efficiency.

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28. With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane i

With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements:

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  • A substantial saving in seed material is made when ‘bud chip settlings’ are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main field.
  • When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single-budded setts as compared to setts with many buds.
  • If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts.
  • Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 and 2 only
3 only
1 and 4 only
2, 3 and 4 only
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Statements 1 and 4 are correct. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct because bud chip settlings (using small cane pieces with just one bud grown in a nursery) significantly reduce the amount of seed cane required compared to traditional methods. Statement 4 is correct as tissue culture is a viable method for producing disease-free sugarcane planting material. Statement 2 is incorrect; traditional direct planting uses multi-bud setts (typically 2-3 buds) for better germination and survival compared to single-budded setts. Statement 3 is incorrect; larger setts with more buds and reserves are generally more resilient to adverse weather conditions than smaller single-budded setts when planted directly.
Modern techniques like bud chip technology and tissue culture propagation aim to improve the efficiency and health of sugarcane cultivation. They help in conserving planting material, reducing disease spread, and achieving better crop stands.

29. With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements

With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements :

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  • 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
  • 2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.

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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Neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct.
Solar power technology is widely used to run various types of water pumps, including both surface and submersible pumps. Submersible solar pumps are commonly used for drawing water from borewells or deep wells. Similarly, solar power systems can drive different types of pumps, including both centrifugal and positive displacement pumps like piston pumps, depending on the specific system design and application.
Solar water pumps are increasingly popular in agriculture and for rural water supply due to their sustainability and reduced dependence on grid electricity or diesel. They are available in various configurations to suit different head and flow requirements.

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30. “The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. I

“The crop is subtropical in nature. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop.” Which one of the following is that crop ?

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Cotton
Jute
Sugarcane
Tea
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UPSC IAS – 2020
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Cotton fits the given agro-climatic description most accurately.
The description highlights several key requirements: subtropical nature, sensitivity to hard frost, a minimum period of frost-free days, moderate rainfall (50-100 cm), and specific soil conditions (light, well-drained, moisture-retentive). Cotton is a subtropical crop highly sensitive to frost. It requires a long growing season with plenty of sunshine and moderate rainfall. The mentioned rainfall range and soil type (like black cotton soil or alluvial soil) are suitable for cotton cultivation.
Other options like Jute and Tea require higher rainfall (typically above 150 cm). Sugarcane requires 75-150 cm rainfall and often supplemental irrigation; while subtropical, the specific combination of 50-100 cm rainfall and soil description points more towards cotton, especially varieties grown in rainfed conditions or areas with limited irrigation.

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