UPSC IAS Archives

31. Consider the following pairs: Country – Important reason for being in

Consider the following pairs:

Country – Important reason for being in the news recently
1. Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China
2. Guinea – Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon – Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia – Suspension of Parliament by President

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Only one pair

Only two pairs

Only three pairs

All four pairs

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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Three out of the four pairs are correctly matched: Guinea, Lebanon, and Tunisia have all been in the news recently for the reasons cited.

– Guinea experienced a military coup in September 2021, leading to the suspension of its constitution and government.
– Lebanon has been facing a severe and prolonged economic depression, widely considered one of the worst global crises since the mid-19th century.
– Tunisia’s President Kais Saied suspended the parliament and dismissed the prime minister in July 2021, consolidating power and leading to a political crisis.

The first pair, Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China, is incorrectly matched. While China has been expanding its presence in Africa, its first and only overseas military base is in Djibouti, not Chad. Chad has faced significant political instability and transitions recently, but not specifically related to a Chinese military base being set up there.

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32. Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Sen

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

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It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.

China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.

A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.

Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man's land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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Statement B correctly identifies the core issue surrounding the Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu in China), which are the subject of a maritime dispute between China and Japan in the East China Sea.

The Senkaku Islands are a group of uninhabited islands located in the East China Sea. Both Japan and China claim sovereignty over these islands. This dispute is a significant point of tension in Sino-Japanese relations and affects maritime security in the region. The islands are strategically located near potential oil and gas reserves and important shipping lanes.

Statement A is incorrect because the islands are natural landforms, not artificial, and they are located in the East China Sea, not generally considered part of the South China Sea disputes (though related to broader regional tensions). Statement C is incorrect; while the US has security alliances in the region, there is no permanent American military base specifically set up on the Senkaku Islands to aid Taiwan. Statement D is incorrect; the International Court of Justice has not declared the islands ‘no man’s land’, and the primary claimants are China and Japan, not South-East Asian countries.

33. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from the baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.

All three statements are correct according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Statement 1 is correct. Article 3 of UNCLOS states that every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with the Convention.
Statement 2 is correct. Article 17 of UNCLOS grants ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. Innocent passage means navigation through the territorial sea that is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the coastal State.
Statement 3 is correct. Article 57 of UNCLOS states that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

UNCLOS is a comprehensive treaty governing the uses of the oceans and their resources. It establishes different maritime zones (internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, continental shelf, high seas, and the Area) and defines the rights and obligations of states within each zone.

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34. Consider the following statements: 1. Gujarat has the largest solar pa

Consider the following statements:
1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India.
2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport.
3. Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2

2 only

1 and 3

2 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is B) 2 only.

Statement 1 is incorrect. At the time this question was likely framed (or based on standard knowledge from that period), Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan was considered the largest solar park in India (and one of the largest in the world) in terms of commissioned capacity. While Gujarat has significant solar capacity, it did not host the single largest solar park.
Statement 2 is correct. Cochin International Airport in Kerala is renowned for being the world’s first airport to be fully powered by solar energy, starting its solar power project operations in 2015.
Statement 3 is incorrect. As of around 2022, the largest floating solar projects in India were located in states like Telangana (NTPC Ramagundam) or Kerala (NTPC Kayamkulam), not Goa.

India has made significant strides in solar energy capacity addition, with large solar parks and innovative projects like fully solar-powered airports and floating solar installations. The rankings and sizes of projects can change as new capacity is commissioned.

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35. Consider the following countries: 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia

Consider the following countries:
1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan
Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?

1, 2 and 5

1 and 3

2 and 5

2, 4 and 5

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is C) 2 and 5.

The Organization of Turkic States (formerly the Turkic Council) is an international organization comprising Turkic states. The current member states are:
1. Azerbaijan
2. Kazakhstan
3. Kyrgyzstan
4. Turkey
5. Uzbekistan
Observer states include Hungary and Turkmenistan.
Based on this, Armenia (1), Croatia (3), and Romania (4) are not members. Azerbaijan (2) and Uzbekistan (5) are members.

The organization aims to promote comprehensive cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries. Its secretariat is located in Istanbul, Turkey. The decision to rename the organization from “Turkic Council” to “Organization of Turkic States” was made at the 8th Summit in Istanbul in November 2021.

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36. Consider the following statements: 1. Bidibidi is a large refugee sett

Consider the following statements:
1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2

2 only

2 and 3

3 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is C) 2 and 3.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement located in **Uganda**, in the northwestern part of the country, not Kenya.
Statement 2 is correct. Bidibidi settlement in Uganda was established primarily to host refugees fleeing the civil war and conflict in neighboring South Sudan.
Statement 3 is correct. Dadaab is one of the world’s largest refugee complexes, located in eastern Kenya. It has historically hosted and continues to host a large population of refugees from Somalia, who have fled due to civil war, conflict, and environmental crises.

Uganda hosts a large number of refugees, particularly from South Sudan, making it one of the top refugee-hosting countries globally. Kenya has long hosted refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and other countries, with Dadaab and Kakuma being prominent refugee camps.

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37. Consider the following statements: 1. High clouds primarily reflect so

Consider the following statements:
1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth’s surface and thus cause warming effect.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is D) Neither 1 nor 2.

Statement 1 is incorrect. High clouds, such as cirrus clouds, are typically thin and made of ice crystals. They are relatively transparent to incoming solar radiation (little reflection) but effectively absorb and re-emit outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface, trapping heat and causing a *warming* effect.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Low clouds, such as stratus and cumulus clouds, are generally thick and made of water droplets. They have a high albedo, meaning they are very effective at reflecting incoming solar radiation back into space, thus causing a net *cooling* effect on the Earth’s surface. While they also absorb and emit infrared radiation, their dominant effect on the overall energy balance is cooling due to solar reflection.

The impact of clouds on climate is complex and depends on their altitude, type, and properties. High clouds tend to warm the planet, while low clouds tend to cool it. The overall net effect of clouds globally is a cooling influence, primarily due to the strong reflection of solar radiation by low clouds outweighing the greenhouse effect of high clouds.

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38. Consider the following : Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxide Ozone Sul

Consider the following :

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Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxide
Ozone
Sulphur dioxide

Excess of which of the above in the environment is/are cause(s) of acid rain ?

1, 2 and 3

2 and 4 only

4 only

1, 3 and 4

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is B) 2 and 4 only.

Acid rain is primarily caused by atmospheric pollutants, specifically sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These gases react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
Statement 1 (Carbon monoxide) is incorrect. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a pollutant but does not cause acid rain.
Statement 2 (Nitrogen oxide) is correct. Nitrogen oxides (NOx, including NO and NO₂) are major precursors to nitric acid formation in acid rain.
Statement 3 (Ozone) is incorrect. Ozone (O₃) is a secondary pollutant and a greenhouse gas. While it can contribute to the oxidation processes that form acid rain from SO₂ and NOx, it is not a precursor acid gas itself and is not considered a primary cause in the same way as SO₂ and NOx.
Statement 4 (Sulphur dioxide) is correct. Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) is a major precursor to sulfuric acid formation in acid rain.

The main sources of SO₂ and NOx emissions are the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) in power plants, industries, and vehicles. Acid rain can harm forests, lakes, streams, and damage buildings and monuments.

39. Consider the following statements : DNA Barcoding can be a tool to :

Consider the following statements :
DNA Barcoding can be a tool to :

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assess the age of a plant or animal
distinguish among species that look alike.
identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

3 only

1 and 2

2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is D) 2 and 3.

Statement 1 is incorrect. DNA barcoding is a method for identifying species using a short, standardized sequence of DNA. It provides a “barcode” that is unique to a species, but it does not provide information about the age of an individual plant or animal.
Statement 2 is correct. DNA barcoding is highly effective at distinguishing among species, even those that are morphologically similar or difficult to identify using traditional methods. The barcode sequence provides a clear genetic signature for differentiation.
Statement 3 is correct. DNA barcoding can be used to identify the species composition of biological materials in processed foods, allowing detection of adulteration, mislabeling, or the presence of undesirable or allergenic plant or animal materials.

The standard barcode region used for animals is a segment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). For plants, different regions are used, such as rbcL and matK in chloroplast DNA. DNA barcoding has applications in biodiversity studies, food safety, forensic science, and wildlife trafficking detection.

40. Consider the following statements : Other than those made by humans,

Consider the following statements :

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Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

3 only

1 and 2

2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct answer is D) 2 and 3.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Nanoparticles occur widely in nature, resulting from various natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, sea spray, and even biological processes (e.g., formation of magnetite crystals in bacteria).
Statement 2 is correct. Nanoparticles of metallic oxides, such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO), are commonly used in cosmetics, particularly in sunscreens, due to their ability to absorb and scatter UV light.
Statement 3 is correct. There are ongoing concerns about the potential environmental and health risks associated with nanoparticles from commercial products entering the environment, due to their small size, high surface area, and unique properties which can lead to different biological interactions and potential accumulation in tissues.

Research on the safety and environmental impact of manufactured nanoparticles is an active area of study. Regulatory bodies are developing guidelines and assessments for products containing nanomaterials.