UPSC IAS Archives

41. Siachen Glacier is situated to the

Siachen Glacier is situated to the

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East of Aksai Chin

East of Leh

North of Gilgit

North of Nubra Valley

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The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas. Among the given options, it is situated to the north of the Nubra Valley.

The Nubra Valley is a valley formed by the Nubra River, which originates from the Siachen Glacier. Therefore, the glacier is situated upstream and to the north of the valley.

Siachen Glacier is the world’s second largest non-polar glacier. It is located just northeast of the point NJ9842, where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. The area is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Geographically, it is west of Aksai Chin and northeast of Leh. Gilgit is located significantly to the northwest of the Siachen region.

42. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following

With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct ?

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It is spread over two districts.
There is no human habitation inside the Park.
It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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The correct option is C, as statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.

The Desert National Park (DNP) is a large protected area in Rajasthan, India, known for its desert ecosystem and as a crucial habitat for endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard. It is spread across multiple districts and, typical of many large parks in India, includes human settlements within its boundaries.

1. **Spread over two districts:** The Desert National Park is indeed spread across two districts of Rajasthan: Jaisalmer and Barmer. This statement is correct.
2. **No human habitation inside the Park:** This statement is incorrect. Like many large national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India, DNP has several villages and human settlements within its vast area. The park management works alongside local communities living inside and around the park.
3. **Habitat of Great Indian Bustard:** DNP is widely recognized as one of the primary and last remaining natural habitats for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps). Conservation efforts for this species are heavily focused on DNP. This statement is correct.

43. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the followin

With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements :

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At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 and 3 only

2 only

1, 2 and 3

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The correct option is B, as statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.

The Indian government provides subsidies on chemical fertilizers to ensure their availability to farmers at affordable prices. The pricing mechanism varies for different fertilizers like urea and P&K fertilizers. Raw materials for fertilizer production often come from natural gas and oil refining processes.

1. **Retail price:** The retail price of Urea is fixed (administered) by the Government of India through the Urea Policy, providing a subsidy to manufacturers. Prices of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers were decontrolled to some extent but are under a Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, where a fixed subsidy is provided per nutrient, allowing manufacturers/importers to determine the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) to some extent, but still influenced by the subsidy. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that the retail price of *chemical fertilizers* is purely market-driven and not administered by the government, given the significant government control and subsidy mechanisms, especially for Urea.
2. **Ammonia production:** Ammonia (NH3), the primary input for urea synthesis, is predominantly produced in India and globally from natural gas (methane) through processes like steam reforming. This statement is correct.
3. **Sulphur as raw material:** Sulphur is a key raw material for producing sulphuric acid (H2SO4), which is essential for manufacturing various phosphatic fertilizers (like Single Super Phosphate – SSP, Diammonium Phosphate – DAP). Sulphur is a significant by-product recovered from the desulfurization of crude oil and natural gas in refineries and processing plants. This statement is correct.

44. With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following

With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct ?

OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January – March.
OMT collected during January – March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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The correct option is B, as statement 2 is correct regarding the use of OMT in monsoon prediction, while statement 1 contains specific details that may not be universally accurate or precisely phrased.

Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) represents the average temperature of the upper ocean layer, typically down to the depth where the temperature is 26°C. This measure reflects the heat content of the upper ocean and is considered a better predictor of the Indian Summer Monsoon than Sea Surface Temperature (SST) alone.

1. **Depth and Measurement:** OMT is measured up to the depth of the 26°C isotherm. The depth of the 26°C isotherm is not fixed at 129 meters but varies geographically and seasonally. While it might be around 129 meters in the specific region (south-western Indian Ocean) and time (January-March) mentioned, stating it as a fixed depth “which is 129 meters” can be misleading, as the OMT is defined by the varying depth of the isotherm, not a fixed depth. Therefore, this statement is likely inaccurate or too specific/poorly phrased for a general description.
2. **Monsoon Prediction:** Studies have shown a strong correlation between the Ocean Mean Temperature in the southeastern equatorial Indian Ocean and the southwestern Bay of Bengal during the pre-monsoon period (January-March or April-May) and the subsequent Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall. Higher OMT in this region is generally associated with a better monsoon. This statement is correct.

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45. Consider the following minerals : Bentonite Chromite Kyanite Sill

Consider the following minerals :

Bentonite
Chromite
Kyanite
Sillimanite

In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals ?

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1 and 2 only

4 only

1 and 3 only

2, 3 and 4 only

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The correct option is D, as Chromite, Kyanite, and Sillimanite are officially designated as major minerals in India, while Bentonite is typically classified as a minor mineral.

Minerals in India are classified as ‘major’ or ‘minor’ under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. This classification impacts their regulation, such as rules for mining leases and royalty rates. The list of major and minor minerals changes based on government notifications.

As per the classification under the MMDR Act, as amended and notified periodically:
1. Bentonite: Generally classified as a Minor Mineral.
2. Chromite: Classified as a Major Mineral.
3. Kyanite: Classified as a Major Mineral.
4. Sillimanite: Classified as a Major Mineral.
Therefore, only Chromite, Kyanite, and Sillimanite among the given options are major minerals.

46. What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture ? Controlling

What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture ?

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Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 4 only

1, 3 and 4 only

2, 3 and 4 only

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The correct option is C, as statements 1, 3, and 4 describe advantages of fertigation, while statement 2 is incorrect regarding the efficient application of all phosphatic fertilizers, especially rock phosphate.

Fertigation is the integrated application of water-soluble fertilizers through an irrigation system. It delivers nutrients directly to the plant’s root zone along with water, offering potential benefits in nutrient use efficiency and management.

1. **Controlling alkalinity/pH:** Yes, certain fertilizers used in fertigation (like acidic fertilizers) can help modify the pH of the irrigation water and soil near the root zone, which can be beneficial in alkaline soils or with alkaline irrigation water.
2. **Efficient application of Phosphatic fertilizers:** While some soluble phosphatic fertilizers (e.g., monoammonium phosphate – MAP, diammonium phosphate – DAP after dissolution, urea phosphate) can be efficiently applied through fertigation, highly insoluble phosphatic fertilizers like rock phosphate are not suitable for fertigation systems as they can clog emitters and are not readily available to the plant in solution. Therefore, efficient application of *all* phosphatic fertilizers, particularly rock phosphate, is *not* possible via fertigation.
3. **Increased availability of nutrients:** Delivering nutrients directly to the active root zone in solution form enhances their availability and uptake by the plants compared to broadcasting or banding.
4. **Reduction in leaching:** Precise application of nutrients based on plant needs and growth stage, along with water management through irrigation, can reduce the amount of nutrients that leach below the root zone, minimizing environmental pollution and nutrient loss.

47. Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.

Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.

Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.

Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.

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The correct option is B because the statement “Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine” is incorrect.

Vaccination is a highly effective way to prevent Hepatitis B infection. While there is no widely available prophylactic vaccine for Hepatitis C, research is ongoing.

A) Hepatitis B and HIV share similar transmission routes, including sexual contact, exposure to infected blood (e.g., through sharing needles), and mother-to-child transmission. This statement is correct.
B) There is a safe and effective vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B infection. In contrast, there is currently no effective preventive vaccine for Hepatitis C, although treatments for Hepatitis C have significantly advanced. Thus, the statement that Hepatitis B *does not* have a vaccine is false.
C) According to WHO estimates, significantly more people globally live with chronic Hepatitis B and C infections compared to HIV. This statement is correct.
D) Both Hepatitis B and C infections can be asymptomatic for many years, with chronic liver damage occurring silently before symptoms appear. This statement is correct.

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48. What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?

What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?

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A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing

A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients

A gene that makes plants pest-resistant

A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops

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The correct option is A. Cas9 protein is a key component used in targeted gene editing.

Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) is an enzyme that acts as a molecular scissors. It is guided by an RNA molecule to a specific location on a DNA strand and makes a precise cut. This makes it a fundamental tool in the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system.

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized molecular biology and genetic engineering by providing a relatively simple, fast, and inexpensive way to modify genes. It allows scientists to precisely edit DNA sequences, enabling potential applications in treating genetic diseases, developing new crops, and fundamental biological research.
B) While gene editing tools *could* potentially be involved in developing biosensors, Cas9 itself is not primarily a biosensor.
C) Cas9 is a tool for editing genes, not a gene that confers pest resistance directly, although it could be used to insert or modify genes to make plants pest-resistant.
D) Cas9 is a protein used for DNA modification, not a herbicidal substance.

49. Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billion

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of lightyears away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

Higgs boson particles' were detected.

'Gravitational waves' were detected.

Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through 'wormhole' was confirmed.

It enabled the scientists to understand 'singularity'.

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The correct option is B. The observation of the merger of giant black holes billions of lightyears away from Earth led to the first direct detection of gravitational waves.

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by accelerating massive objects. Highly energetic events like the merger of black holes or neutron stars are strong sources of gravitational waves.

The LIGO and Virgo collaborations detected the first direct evidence of gravitational waves in 2015 (event GW150914), which originated from the merger of two black holes. This observation was a landmark discovery, confirming a major prediction of Einstein’s general theory of relativity and opening a new window for observing the universe through gravitational wave astronomy.
A) Higgs boson particles were detected at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, which is unrelated to black hole mergers.
C) While black holes and general relativity are related to the concept of wormholes, the detection of gravitational waves from a merger does not confirm the possibility of inter-galactic space travel through wormholes.
D) Observing black hole mergers and the resulting gravitational waves provides insights into the nature of gravity in extreme conditions, but it does not directly enable scientists to understand the singularity at the heart of a black hole, which remains a theoretical concept under current physics.

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50. RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last

RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?

It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 4

2 and 3

1 and 3

2, 3 and 4

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The correct option is A, as statements 1, 2, and 4 accurately describe applications of RNA interference technology, while statement 3 does not.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation, by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules. This mechanism is utilized to “silence” specific genes.

1. **Gene silencing therapies:** RNAi is a primary mechanism used in gene silencing. This property is being explored to develop therapies for various genetic disorders and diseases by turning off specific problematic genes.
2. **Cancer treatment:** RNAi can be used to silence genes that promote cancer cell growth, survival, or metastasis, making it a promising area of research for developing new cancer therapies.
3. **Hormone replacement therapies:** Hormone replacement therapy involves administering exogenous hormones to correct a deficiency or imbalance. RNAi deals with regulating gene expression and is not directly used in hormone replacement therapy.
4. **Crop resistance to viral pathogens:** RNAi can be engineered in plants to target and silence viral genes, thereby making the plants resistant to specific viral infections. This is a recognized application in agricultural biotechnology.

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