UPSC IAS Archives

21. Who among the following were the founders of the “Hind Mazdoor Sabha”

Who among the following were the founders of the “Hind Mazdoor Sabha” established in 1948 ?

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B. Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.C. George

Jayaprakash Narayan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and M.N. Roy

C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu

Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta

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The Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) was founded on December 24, 1948, by socialists, Forward Bloc followers, and independent unionists. The key founders included Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam, and G.G. Mehta.

HMS is one of the major trade union federations in India, formed after a split from the Hind Mazdoor Panchayat and the Indian National Trade Union Congress.

It is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The other options list individuals associated with different political or social movements. B. Krishna Pillai and E.M.S. Namboodiripad were prominent communists. Jayaprakash Narayan was a socialist leader, Deen Dayal Upadhyay was associated with the Jan Sangh, and M.N. Roy was a radical humanist and communist. C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer was Dewan of Travancore, K. Kamaraj was a Congress leader, and Veeresalingam Pantulu was a social reformer.

22. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champar

Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha ?

Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement

Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement

Joining of peasant unrest to India's National Movement

Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops

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UPSC IAS – 2018

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The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Mahatma Gandhi’s first major Gandhian movement in India.

The Champaran movement was specifically centered on the grievances of indigo cultivators, who were peasants exploited under the ‘tin kathia’ system imposed by British planters. Gandhi’s intervention in Champaran involved investigating the situation, organizing the peasants, and using non-violent civil disobedience (satyagraha) to challenge the oppressive system. Its success led to the abolition of the tinkathia system and brought relief to the peasants.

The most significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha was that it successfully linked the local, isolated peasant unrest against specific grievances (indigo cultivation system) to the broader Indian National Movement led by figures like Gandhi. It demonstrated the effectiveness of Gandhi’s method of non-violent protest (Satyagraha) in addressing socio-economic issues and mobilized the peasant class, a large segment of the population, into the fold of the national struggle for the first time in such a prominent and successful manner. While some lawyers assisted Gandhi (like Rajendra Prasad), it was not marked by widespread all-India participation of lawyers, students, and women (A). It focused on the specific peasant issues and did not primarily involve Dalit and Tribal communities as distinct leading groups (B). It led to the abolition of the indigo system in Champaran but not a general drastic decrease in all plantation/commercial crops across India (D).

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23. The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company fro

The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were

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Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium

Sugar, salt, zinc and lead

Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea

Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium

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In the mid-18th century, particularly after gaining significant political influence in Bengal (like post-Battle of Plassey 1757), the English East India Company dramatically increased its exports from the region.

The staple commodities of export by the EIC from Bengal during this period included textiles (cotton and silk fabrics), saltpetre (potassium nitrate, essential for gunpowder), and increasingly, opium. Bengal was a major producer of silk, cotton, and saltpetre. Opium, while initially traded, became a massive export commodity, especially towards China, funding the purchase of Chinese goods like tea and silk.

Option A includes oil-seeds, which were less prominent than textiles or saltpetre as *staple* exports. Option B includes commodities that were either less significant exports (sugar, salt) or primarily imports (zinc, lead). Option C includes precious metals (copper, silver, gold) which were primarily imported into India to purchase goods for export, and tea, which became a major EIC export from India much later, in the 19th century. Spices were more associated with trade from South India and the East Indies initially. Therefore, cotton, silk, saltpetre, and opium accurately represent the major staples exported from Bengal by the EIC in the mid-18th century.

24. With reference to solar power production in India, consider the follow

With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements :

India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Let’s examine the two statements regarding solar power production in India.

Statement 1 is incorrect. India is not the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units. The global market for silicon wafers and solar cells is dominated by countries like China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. While India has been increasing its domestic manufacturing capacity through policies like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, it heavily relies on imports for wafers and cells.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is a major implementing agency for renewable energy schemes and conducts auctions for solar power projects, resulting in tariff discovery through competitive bidding, it is not the sole authority determining all solar power tariffs in India. Tariffs for state-level projects are determined by state implementing agencies, often through bidding, and regulatory commissions also play a role in approving tariffs or methodologies. So, SECI determines tariffs for the projects it auctions, but not *the* solar power tariffs for the entire country.

India has made significant progress in solar power deployment and is among the top countries in installed solar capacity. However, the manufacturing ecosystem, especially for critical components like wafers and cells, is still developing, with a significant reliance on imports. Tariff determination is a multi-faceted process involving central and state agencies, competitive bidding, and regulatory oversight.

25. When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up an

When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day’s weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly.

In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario?

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Border Gateway Protocol

Internet of Things

Internet Protocol

Virtual Private Network

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UPSC IAS – 2018

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The scenario describes everyday objects that are connected to a network, communicating with each other, and performing actions based on context or user input, without direct human intervention for each action.

The scenario involves a smart home and a smart car where devices like geysers, mirrors, refrigerators, lights, fans, AC machines, and cars are connected and interact intelligently. This interconnectedness and automation of various devices falls under the purview of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to the network of physical objects—”things”—embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet.

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Internet Protocol (IP) are fundamental networking protocols, not concepts describing the interconnectedness and automation of devices. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology for creating secure network connections. None of these accurately describe the overarching concept presented in the scenario.

26. Which of the following statements best describes “carbon fe

Which of the following statements best describes “carbon fertilization”?

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Increased plant growth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Increased temperature of Earth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Increased acidity of oceans as a result of increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Adaptation of all living beings on Earth to the climate change brought about by the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

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“Carbon fertilization” is an ecological term describing a specific effect of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a key input for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. Increased levels of atmospheric CO2 can stimulate photosynthesis, leading to increased plant growth, especially in plants using the C3 photosynthetic pathway. This effect is known as carbon fertilization.

While increased CO2 contributes to global warming (B) and ocean acidification (C), these are distinct phenomena from carbon fertilization. Carbon fertilization is about the direct impact of elevated CO2 on plant physiology and growth. The adaptation of living beings to climate change (D) is a broad concept and not the definition of carbon fertilization.

27. Consider the following pairs: Terms sometimes seen in news – Context/

Consider the following pairs:

Terms sometimes seen in news – Context/ Topic
1. Belle II – Artificial Intelligence
2. Blockchain technology – Digital/ Cryptocurrency
3. CRISPR – Cas9 – Particle Physics

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

1 and 3 only

2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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This question asks to identify the correctly matched pairs of terms and their contexts.

1. Belle II is a particle physics experiment located at the KEK laboratory in Japan. It is designed to study B mesons and search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. It is related to Particle Physics, not Artificial Intelligence. Pair 1 is incorrectly matched.
2. Blockchain technology is the decentralized ledger technology that underlies many cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It is widely discussed in the context of digital currencies, distributed systems, and secure transactions. Pair 2 is correctly matched.
3. CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary gene-editing technology that allows scientists to precisely modify DNA sequences. It is used in genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology for research and therapeutic purposes. It is not related to Particle Physics. Pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

Only the pair “Blockchain technology – Digital/ Cryptocurrency” is correctly matched.

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28. With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) develo

With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :

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1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 3 only

2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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The Genetically Modified mustard variety DMH-11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11) was developed in India.

Statement 1 is incorrect. GM mustard DMH-11 contains three genes: two from the soil bacterium *Bacillus amyloliquefaciens* (*barnase* and *barstar*) and one from the soil bacterium *Streptomyces hygroscopicus* (*bar*). The *barnase* and *barstar* genes are used in a male sterility/fertility restoration system to facilitate hybrid seed production. The *bar* gene confers tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium. It does not provide pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
Statement 2 is correct. The barnase-barstar system is a genetically engineered method to create male sterility in one parent line and restore fertility in the hybrid progeny, enabling the production of hybrid seeds through cross-pollination in a crop like mustard, which is often self-pollinating. This system allows the plant to undergo effective cross-pollination and hybridization to produce higher-yielding hybrids.
Statement 3 is incorrect. DMH-11 was developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University South Campus (DUSC), led by Dr. Deepak Pental, and in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It was not developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

GM mustard DMH-11 is a herbicide-tolerant hybrid developed to boost India’s domestic edible oil production. It is a hybrid of the Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ and the East European variety ‘Early Heera-2’. While approved by the GEAC in 2017 and again in 2022 for environmental release (field trials), its commercial cultivation is currently stayed by the Supreme Court.

29. Consider the following phenomena : 1. Light is affected by gravity.

Consider the following phenomena :

1. Light is affected by gravity.
2. The Universe is constantly expanding.
3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time.

Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media ?

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1 and 2 only

3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity describes gravity not as a force, but as a consequence of the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. The theory makes several key predictions about the universe and gravity.

Statement 1 is correct. A prediction of General Relativity is that light is affected by gravity. Massive objects curve spacetime, and light follows this curvature. This phenomenon, known as gravitational lensing or the bending of light by gravity, was famously confirmed during a solar eclipse in 1919.
Statement 2 is correct. While Einstein initially favored a static universe, his field equations in General Relativity allow for dynamic solutions, including an expanding or contracting universe. The observation of the redshift of distant galaxies by Edwin Hubble in the 1920s provided strong evidence for an expanding universe, a phenomenon that is well-described by cosmological models based on General Relativity (like the Friedmann equations). Thus, the theory predicted the possibility of a non-static universe, which aligns with the observed expansion.
Statement 3 is correct. This is the fundamental principle of General Relativity: mass and energy warp the fabric of spacetime around them, and this warping is what we perceive as gravity.

All three statements describe predictions or fundamental aspects of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity that are often discussed in media and scientific discourse. Other predictions include gravitational time dilation, gravitational redshift, the precession of planetary orbits (like Mercury’s perihelion), and gravitational waves.

30. With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRN

With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:

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1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

None

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The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), now officially called NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), initially consists of a constellation of seven satellites.

Statement 1 is correct. The initial constellation comprised three satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) and four satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GSO).
Statement 2 is incorrect. NavIC provides coverage over India and a region extending up to 1500 km beyond its borders, not 5500 sq. km.
Statement 3 is incorrect. NavIC is a regional navigation system, providing coverage only over India and its vicinity. It is not designed to provide full global coverage. Global navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou have constellations of satellites orbiting the entire Earth.

Geostationary satellites orbit the Earth at the same speed as the Earth rotates, appearing to be fixed in the sky from a specific point on the ground. Geosynchronous satellites orbit the Earth with a period equal to the Earth’s rotation period, but their orbits may be inclined, causing them to appear to oscillate in the sky. The combination of GEO and GSO satellites ensures continuous coverage over the desired regional area.