UPSC IAS Archives

21. With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the followin

With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

It serves as financial mechanism for 'Convention on Biological Diversity' and 'United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change'

It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level

It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their environment

Both (a) and (b)

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UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is A.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) serves as a financial mechanism for several key multilateral environmental agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Statement A correctly identifies its role for the CBD and UNFCCC. Statement B is incorrect; while GEF funds projects that might involve scientific research, its primary role is financing environmental projects, not undertaking the research itself. Statement C is incorrect; the GEF is not an agency under the OECD; it is a partnership of 18 agencies, including UN bodies, multilateral development banks, and national agencies.

The GEF was established in 1992 on the eve of the Rio Earth Summit to help tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental problems. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

22. With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the

With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements:

1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness.
3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.

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 Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is an independent non-governmental organization dedicated to nature conservation. It is not an autonomous body *under* any government ministry. It actively works to conserve nature through scientific research, education, and public awareness, including organizing nature trails and camps. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.

BNHS is one of the oldest and largest conservation NGOs in India, founded in 1883. Its activities span a wide range of biodiversity research, conservation projects, and public education initiatives aimed at promoting nature appreciation and conservation. While it collaborates with government bodies and receives grants, it maintains its independent status.

Statement 1 is false as BNHS is a registered society/trust, not a government entity. Statement 2 accurately describes its core mission. Statement 3 highlights one of its key public engagement activities, well-known to anyone familiar with the organization.

23. Consider the following pairs : Programme/Project Ministry 1.

Consider the following pairs :

Programme/Project	Ministry
1. Drought-Prone Area Programme	Ministry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development Programme	Ministry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas	Ministry of Rural Development

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1 and 2 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

None

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None of the given pairs are correctly matched. The Drought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) were administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (specifically, the Department of Land Resources). The National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) falls under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Administrative responsibilities for various development programs in India are assigned to different Union Ministries. DPAP and DDP historically focused on area development and drought/desert mitigation in specific vulnerable regions, falling under the purview of rural development and land resources. NWDPRA is aimed at improving agricultural productivity in rainfed areas through watershed management, placing it under the agriculture ministry.

Over time, some of these programs or their components may have been restructured or integrated into larger schemes. However, at the time this question was likely framed, the stated ministry pairings were incorrect. For example, DPAP and DDP were later subsumed into the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), which is also under the Ministry of Rural Development.

24. Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each oth

Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’?

Andaman and Nicobar

Nicobar and Sumatra

Maldives and Lakshadweep

Sumatra and Java

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The Ten Degree Channel is a body of water that separates the Andaman Islands to the north and the Nicobar Islands to the south in the Bay of Bengal.

Geographically, this channel lies roughly along the 10° North latitude line. It is a significant geographical feature dividing the two major island groups of India’s Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

Other significant channels in the region include the Eight Degree Channel (separating Minicoy island of Lakshadweep from the Maldives) and the Great Channel (separating Great Nicobar from Sumatra, Indonesia). The Sunda Strait separates the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.

25. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreu

If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?

Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference

The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland

The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed

It is given the status of 'World Heritage Site'

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The Montreux Record is a list under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands that identifies wetlands of international importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to human interference.

Listing a site on the Montreux Record highlights the specific threats to its ecological character and calls for targeted conservation measures. It serves as a mechanism for monitoring and responding to adverse changes in Ramsar sites.

The Montreux Record is a tool to help identify priority sites for conservation action. It does not automatically impose legal restrictions like prohibiting activity within a specific radius (B), nor does it specifically relate to cultural practices (C), or confer World Heritage status (D).

26. What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane produc

What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as ‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative’?

Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.
Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this.
There is no application of chemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this.
The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 4 only

2, 3 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) reduces seed cost by using single-budded setts, facilitates effective drip irrigation due to wider spacing, and increases the scope for intercropping in the wide inter-row spaces. Statement 3 is incorrect as SSI promotes reduced use but doesn’t entirely eliminate chemical fertilizers.

SSI is an agro-ecological approach to sugarcane cultivation that focuses on ‘more with less’ – more cane production using less seed, less water, and less land. Key practices include the use of single-budded setts or seedlings transplanted after raising them in a nursery, wider row spacing, and promotion of drip irrigation and organic manuring.

The advantages listed in statements 1, 2, and 4 are well-documented benefits of the SSI method compared to traditional sugarcane cultivation. Statement 3 is a common misconception or overstatement; SSI encourages integrated nutrient management, which includes organic sources and efficient use of inorganic fertilizers if needed, aiming for significant reduction rather than zero application.

27. Which of the following grants/grant direct credit assistance to rural

Which of the following grants/grant direct credit assistance to rural households?

1. Regional Rural Banks
2. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
3. Land Development Banks

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1 and 2 only

2 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Land Development Banks (or their successors within the cooperative structure) are financial institutions that provide direct credit facilities to rural households for various purposes like agriculture and rural development activities. NABARD, on the other hand, is primarily an apex institution providing refinance and support to banks and other financial institutions, rather than direct credit to individual households.

RRBs were established to cater to the banking and credit needs of the rural population directly. Land Development Banks (part of the cooperative credit structure) focus on long-term agricultural finance, also providing credit directly to farmers (rural households). NABARD functions as a refinancing and supervisory body for rural credit institutions.

While NABARD is crucial for the rural credit system, its role is mainly at the wholesale level, channeling funds to the retail institutions (like RRBs, Cooperative Banks, and sometimes commercial banks) which then disburse direct credit to the ultimate borrowers (rural households).

28. The national income of a country for a given period is equal to the

The national income of a country for a given period is equal to the

total value of goods and services produced by the nationals

sum of total consumption and investment expenditure

sum of personal income of all individuals

money value of final goods and services produced

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National income, strictly defined (like NNP at Factor Cost), represents the total income earned by the residents (nationals) of a country. Among the given options, the total value of goods and services produced by the nationals corresponds to the Gross National Product (GNP), which is a measure of the total economic output attributable to the residents of a nation, regardless of the physical location of the output.

While Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (defined in option D) measures the total value of goods and services produced within a country’s borders, National Income (NI) conceptually aligns more closely with the income accruing to the residents of the nation. GNP is the aggregate most directly linked to “production by nationals”. National Income (NNP at Factor Cost) is derived from GNP (NNP at Market Price minus Net Indirect Taxes).

Option B describes the expenditure side of GDP calculation. Option C describes personal income, which is a part of national income but not the total. Option D describes GDP. While GDP is a crucial measure, the term “national income” often implies a focus on the income or production attributable to the nation’s residents (GNP) or the net income available to factors of production (NNP at Factor Cost). Given the options, A is the most appropriate choice representing the productive output linked to the “nationals”.

29. Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?

Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?

1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1, 2 and 3 only

1, 3 and 4 only

2 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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The National Development Council (NDC) was chaired by the Prime Minister and included Union Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers of all States. The Chairman of the Finance Commission was not a member of the NDC. Thus, statements 1, 3, and 4 constitute the NDC.

The NDC was an advisory body to the Planning Commission, established in 1952. Its main functions included reviewing the working of the National Plan, considering important questions of social and economic policy affecting national development, and recommending measures for the achievement of the objectives of the Plan. It was considered the highest body below Parliament for considering and approving the Five Year Plans.

With the dissolution of the Planning Commission in 2014 and the creation of NITI Aayog, the National Development Council’s role and structure are under review or effectively redundant, although it has not been formally abolished.

30. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sit

Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to

1. resist drought and increase absorptive area
2. tolerate extremes of pH
3. resist disease infestation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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Mycorrhizal associations significantly benefit plants, especially in challenging or degraded environments, by improving their ability to absorb water and nutrients, tolerate harsh soil conditions (including pH extremes), and resist diseases. Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots. The fungal hyphae extend far into the soil, vastly increasing the surface area for absorption of water and nutrients (particularly phosphorus and nitrogen) beyond what the plant’s root hairs can reach. This enhanced absorption capacity helps plants cope with drought stress. Mycorrhizae can also modify the rhizosphere environment and interact with soil microbes, improving plant tolerance to soil acidity/alkalinity and heavy metals, and enhancing resistance to root pathogens.

Mycorrhizal biotechnology is increasingly used in ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture due to these multifaceted benefits to plant health and resilience, reducing the need for irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.