UPSC IAS

21. Consider the following pairs : Traditions Communities

Consider the following pairs :

Traditions Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari Santhals

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

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

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The correct answer is A) 1 only, because the Chaliha Sahib Festival is indeed a significant festival celebrated by the Sindhi community, while the other pairs are incorrectly matched.
– Chaliha Sahib Festival is an important 40-day festival observed by the Sindhi Hindu community to venerate Jhulelal, their patron saint.
– Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is a famous pilgrimage and cultural event held every 12 years in Uttarakhand, associated with the Garhwali people, not Gonds. Gonds are a major tribal group in central India.
– Wari-Warkari refers to the pilgrimage (Wari) tradition of the Warkari sect in Maharashtra, who undertake annual pilgrimages (Padayatra) to Pandharpur to worship Lord Vitthal (Vithoba). Santhals are a tribal group mainly concentrated in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
The Warkari tradition is a significant cultural and religious movement in Maharashtra, emphasizing communal living, equality, and devotion through Kirtan (singing devotional songs). The Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is one of the longest pilgrimages in the Himalayas. Understanding the geographical distribution and cultural practices of different communities is important for such questions.

22. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and of

The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at

[amp_mcq option1=”Ajanta” option2=”Badami” option3=”Bagh” option4=”Ellora” correct=”option1″]

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The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at Ajanta.
– The Ajanta Caves, located in Maharashtra, are famous for their rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE.
– They contain masterpieces of ancient Indian art, particularly paintings, which depict the Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha’s previous lives), religious figures, and decorative motifs.
– The mural painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani (the one holding a lotus flower) is located in Cave 1 of Ajanta and is considered one of the finest examples of Indian classical painting and one of the most recognizable images from the caves.
Badami, Bagh, and Ellora also have significant cave complexes with paintings and sculptures. Badami is known for Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain caves. Bagh caves are also Buddhist and contemporary to later Ajanta caves, known for murals (though less well-preserved than Ajanta). Ellora has a mix of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain rock-cut architecture, famous for the Kailasa temple, but the paintings there are different in style and focus compared to the iconic Padmapani at Ajanta.

23. Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (ION

Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):

  • 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
  • 2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

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

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Statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. The inaugural Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was held in New Delhi, India, in February *2008*, under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy. The statement incorrectly states the year as 2015.
– Statement 2 is correct. IONS is a voluntary initiative among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. Its objective is to increase maritime cooperation, provide a forum for discussion of regional maritime issues, and promote friendly relationships among member navies.
IONS provides a platform for heads of navies of the Indian Ocean littoral states to meet and discuss maritime issues of mutual interest. It has 25 member nations and 8 observer nations. The chairmanship rotates among the member states.

24. If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the

If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?

[amp_mcq option1=”Bhitarkanika Mangroves” option2=”Chambal River” option3=”Pulicat Lake” option4=”Deepor Beel” correct=”option2″]

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The Chambal River is the best place to visit to see gharials in their natural habitat.
– Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) are critically endangered fish-eating crocodiles found in freshwater river systems in northern India.
– The National Chambal Sanctuary, which spans parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh along the Chambal River, holds the largest and most stable population of gharials in their natural habitat. Significant conservation efforts have been focused here.
– Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha are famous for saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), not gharials.
– Pulicat Lake, located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, is a large brackish water lagoon, known for migratory birds and is not a habitat for gharials.
– Deepor Beel is a permanent freshwater lake and a wetland in Assam, primarily known for its avian fauna and aquatic life, but not gharials.
While small, scattered populations of gharials exist in other rivers like Girwa, Gandak, and Mahanadi (Satkosia gorge), the Chambal River remains the stronghold and the most reliable location to observe gharials in the wild.

25. With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) sometimes mentioned in th

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

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Statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is an irregular oscillation of sea surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer and then colder than the eastern part of the ocean. It is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between a western pole in the Arabian Sea (western tropical Indian Ocean) and an eastern pole in the eastern Indian Ocean south of Indonesia. The statement incorrectly mentions the Eastern Pacific Ocean, which is associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
– Statement 2 is correct. The IOD is a significant climate driver for countries around the Indian Ocean, including influencing the Indian monsoon. IOD and ENSO are two separate climate phenomena, but they can interact and influence each other’s impact on regional weather patterns, including the Indian monsoon. A positive IOD, for instance, is often associated with a good monsoon in India and can sometimes counteract the negative impact of an El Niño event.
A ‘positive IOD’ occurs when the western Indian Ocean is warmer and the eastern Indian Ocean is colder than average. A ‘negative IOD’ is the opposite. The IOD is often called the “Indian Niño” because of its similarity to the Pacific El Niño phenomenon.

26. Consider the following statements: 1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition

Consider the following statements:
1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries.
2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.
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″]

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Statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants is a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions, and civil society. It was launched in 2012 by Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, the United States and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is not an initiative of the G20 group of countries.
– Statement 2 is correct. The CCAC focuses on reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), which have a strong impact on both climate and air quality. The main SLCPs targeted by the coalition are methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Reducing these pollutants can have rapid climate and health benefits.
SLCPs like black carbon and tropospheric ozone contribute significantly to warming, while methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. HFCs are used as refrigerants and propellants and are also potent greenhouse gases. Reducing these pollutants is seen as a way to achieve near-term climate benefits and improve air quality, complementing efforts to reduce long-lived greenhouse gases like CO2.

27. Which of the following statements best describes the term ‘Scheme for

Which of the following statements best describes the term ‘Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A), recently seen in the news?

[amp_mcq option1=”It is a procedure for considering ecological costs of developmental schemes formulated by the Government.” option2=”It is a scheme of RBI for reworking the financial structure of big corporate entities facing genuine difficulties.” option3=”It is a disinvestment plan of the Government regarding Central Public Sector Undertakings.” option4=”It is an important provision in ‘The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code’ recently implemented by the Government.” correct=”option2″]

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The term ‘Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A)’ refers to a scheme by RBI for reworking the financial structure of big corporate entities facing difficulties.
– The Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A) was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in June 2016.
– It provided a framework for the resolution of large stressed accounts (non-performing assets) of ₹500 crore or more.
– The scheme allowed for the bifurcation of a stressed asset into sustainable debt (debt which can be serviced by the current operations of the borrower) and unsustainable debt. The unsustainable debt could be converted into equity or other hybrid instruments, allowing banks to resolve large NPAs without having to classify the entire account as NPA immediately after restructuring, provided certain conditions were met.
S4A was one of the measures taken by the RBI to address the issue of rising non-performing assets (NPAs) in the Indian banking system, particularly those involving large corporate borrowers. It aimed to provide a path for resolution and revival of viable businesses while taking a hit on the unsustainable portion of the debt. This scheme was later superseded by other resolution frameworks introduced by the RBI and ultimately the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

28. Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. Nat

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:
1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

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Statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Career Service (NCS) is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, not the Department of Personnel and Training.
– Statement 2 is correct. NCS has been launched in a Mission Mode and one of its objectives is to improve employment opportunities for various categories of citizens, including youth (both educated and uneducated), by providing job matching, counselling, training information, etc. While it serves a broad population, improving opportunities for uneducated youth is indeed part of its mandate.
The National Career Service portal (www.ncs.gov.in) is a central platform that provides a wide range of career-related services including job search, career counseling, training details, skill development courses, and information on self-employment schemes. It aims to connect job seekers, employers, skill providers, career counselors, and government departments.

29. In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’

In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to

[amp_mcq option1=”Division of the central legislature into two houses” option2=”Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments” option3=”Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi” option4=”Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories” correct=”option4″]

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The principle of ‘Dyarchy’ refers to the division of provincial subjects into two categories.
– Dyarchy (or Diarchy) was a system of double government introduced in British India by the Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms).
– It applied to the provinces. Provincial subjects were divided into two lists: ‘Reserved’ subjects (like finance, police, justice, land revenue) which were administered by the Governor and his Executive Council, who were responsible to the British Parliament.
– ‘Transferred’ subjects (like education, health, local government, public works) were administered by the Governor acting with ministers who were nominated from the elected members of the provincial legislature and were responsible to the legislature. This division of subjects into ‘Reserved’ and ‘Transferred’ is what constituted Dyarchy at the provincial level.
Options A, B, and C describe different aspects of governance structures but do not accurately define the specific principle of ‘Dyarchy’ as implemented in British India. Option A describes a bicameral legislature. Option B describes federalism or double government (Centre and State) but not the specific nature of dual rule *within* the provincial executive. Option C describes the dual control from London and Delhi, which existed, but ‘Dyarchy’ specifically refers to the provincial executive arrangement.

30. With reference to ‘National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)’, wh

With reference to ‘National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)’, which of the statements given below is/are correct ?

  • Under NSQF, a learner can acquire the certification for competency only through formal learning.
  • An outcome expected from the implementation of NSQF is the mobility between vocational and general education.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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Statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) recognizes that competency can be acquired through formal, non-formal, or informal learning (often through Recognition of Prior Learning – RPL). Certification is not limited to formal learning pathways only.
– Statement 2 is correct. A key objective of NSQF is to provide a framework that enables mobility between vocational education, general education, and the labour market. It aims to create pathways for learners to progress vertically and horizontally within education and training systems.
NSQF is a competency-based framework that organizes all qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude. These levels are defined in terms of learning outcomes which the learner must possess regardless of whether they were acquired through formal, non-formal or informal learning.
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