UPSC IAS

41. Which of the following is not a bird ?

Which of the following is not a bird ?

Join Our Telegram Channel
Golden Mahseer
Indian Nightjar
Spoonbill
White Ibis
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
Golden Mahseer is not a bird.
– Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is a species of fish, found in the Himalayan region.
– Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus) is a species of bird.
– Spoonbill is the common name for birds in the subfamily Plataleinae, known for their distinct spatulate beaks.
– White Ibis is the common name for several species of birds in the genus Eudocimus, belonging to the family Threskiornithidae (ibises and spoonbills).
The question requires basic knowledge of common animal names and classification. Identifying the Golden Mahseer as a fish readily distinguishes it from the other options, which are all birds.

Subscribe on YouTube

42. With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so w

With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements:

  • 1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties.
  • 2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage.
  • 3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products.
  • 4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

Join Our Telegram Channel
1 and 3
2 and 4
1 and 4
2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct statements are 1 and 3.
– Statement 1 is correct. PET fibres (polyester) are widely used in textile blends with natural fibres like cotton and wool to improve durability, wrinkle resistance, and other properties.
– Statement 3 is correct. PET bottles are one of the most commonly recycled plastic products, repurposed into various items including new bottles, textiles, and packaging materials.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. While PET containers are used for many beverages, including some lower-proof alcoholic ones like beer and wine, their suitability for *any* alcoholic beverage, especially high-proof spirits, is debated due to potential leaching of chemicals over time and potential degradation of the plastic itself. The statement is too broad.
– Statement 4 is incorrect. Incineration of PET releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. While modern incineration can capture energy, it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and can produce toxic substances if not performed under controlled conditions. Claiming no greenhouse gas emissions is false.
PET is a thermoplastic polymer resin. Its chemical name is polyethylene terephthalate. It is also known by the trade name Dacron (when used as fiber) and Mylar (when used as film). Its versatile properties make it suitable for packaging (bottles, food containers), textiles (polyester fabrics), films, and more.

Subscribe on YouTube

43. With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider t

With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:

Subscribe on YouTube
  • 1. It is a fungus.
  • 2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
  • 3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
3 only
1 and 2
2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is C, as statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. Gucchi (Morchella esculenta) is a type of wild mushroom, which belongs to the kingdom Fungi.
Statement 2 is correct. Gucchi is a highly valued edible fungus that grows wild in certain Himalayan forest areas, particularly in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, usually after the snow melts.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Gucchi is extremely difficult to cultivate commercially due to its complex growth cycle, which is not fully understood. It is primarily collected from the wild, making it expensive and rare. While research into its cultivation is ongoing, it is not commercially cultivated on a significant scale, especially not widely in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India (which is less known for Gucchi compared to the western Himalayas).
Gucchi mushrooms are prized for their unique flavour and texture and are one of the most expensive fungi globally. Their rarity is largely due to the inability to cultivate them reliably and their unpredictable appearance in the wild.

Join Our Telegram Channel

44. In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following s

In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements :

Subscribe on YouTube
  • The 24-hour mean of PM$_{2.5}$ should not exceed 15 $\mu$g/m$^3$ and annual mean of PM$_{2.5}$ should not exceed 5 $\mu$g/m$^3$.
  • In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.
  • PM$_{10}$ can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
  • Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1, 3 and 4
1 and 4 only
2, 3 and 4
1 and 2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is B, as statements 1 and 4 are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. The 2021 WHO Air Quality Guidelines recommend a 24-hour mean of PM$_{2.5}$ not exceeding 15 $\mu$g/m$^3$ and an annual mean not exceeding 5 $\mu$g/m$^3$.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Ground-level ozone is formed through photochemical reactions involving sunlight, NOx, and VOCs. High concentrations typically occur during hot, sunny weather with stagnant air, not during inclement weather which tends to break down or disperse pollutants.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While both PM$_{10}$ and PM$_{2.5}$ are harmful, smaller particles pose a greater health risk because they can penetrate deeper. PM$_{2.5}$ can reach the deep lung tissue and even enter the bloodstream. PM$_{10}$ mainly deposits in the upper respiratory tract and larger airways; crossing the lung barrier into the bloodstream is less characteristic of PM$_{10}$ as a whole compared to PM$_{2.5}$ and ultrafine particles.
Statement 4 is correct. Excessive exposure to ground-level ozone is a known respiratory irritant and can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms, causing coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
The WHO guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for air quality levels to protect public health. Many countries have national air quality standards, which may differ from the WHO guidelines.

Join Our Telegram Channel

45. “If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then

“If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement ?

Join Our Telegram Channel
The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is D. The analogy “wetlands function as its kidneys” best reflects the function where aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
The kidney’s primary function is to filter waste products from the blood. Wetlands act similarly by filtering pollutants, sediments, and excess nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus from runoff) from water as it flows through them. This purification process prevents these substances from entering larger water bodies. The absorption of heavy metals and excess nutrients by aquatic plants and microbial action within the wetland are key mechanisms for this filtering and purification function.
Other vital functions of wetlands include groundwater recharge, flood control, shoreline stabilization, and providing habitat for diverse species. However, the filtering of water is the function most directly analogous to the function of kidneys in the human body.

Subscribe on YouTube

46. Consider the following statements : “The Climate Group” is an intern

Consider the following statements :

Subscribe on YouTube
  • “The Climate Group” is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.
  • The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative “EP100”.
  • EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
  • Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
  • The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the “Under2 Coalition”.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

Join Our Telegram Channel
1, 2, 4 and 5
1, 3 and 4 only
2, 3 and 5 only
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is B, as statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. The Climate Group is a reputable international non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating climate action through networks of businesses and governments.
Statement 2 is incorrect. EP100 is an initiative led by The Climate Group. While the International Energy Agency (IEA) is a key player in energy efficiency globally and interacts with such initiatives, it did not launch EP100 in partnership with The Climate Group.
Statement 3 is correct. EP100 brings together companies committed to doubling their energy productivity, driving innovation and competitiveness while reducing emissions.
Statement 4 is correct. Several major Indian companies, such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Godrej & Boyce, Infosys, etc., are members of the EP100 initiative.
Statement 5 is incorrect. The Under2 Coalition is a group of state and regional governments committed to climate action. The Secretariat for the Under2 Coalition is run by The Climate Group, not the International Energy Agency.
The Climate Group runs several initiatives focused on different aspects of climate action, including RE100 (100% renewable electricity), EP100 (energy productivity), and EV100 (electric transport). These initiatives engage major corporations globally to drive market change.

47. “Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges

“Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a :

Join Our Telegram Channel
Database created by coalition of research organisations
Wing of "International Panel of Climate Change"
Committee under "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change"
Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is A. Climate Action Tracker is a database created by a coalition of research organisations.
The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) is an independent scientific analysis produced by two research organisations: Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute. It tracks the climate pledges and actions of countries against the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
CAT was launched in 2009 and has been providing independent assessments of countries’ climate commitments ever since. Its analysis is highly regarded and frequently cited in international climate policy discussions. It is not part of the official structure of the IPCC or UNFCCC, although its work supports their goals.

Subscribe on YouTube

48. According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are corre

According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?

  • 1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
  • 2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
  • 3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

Subscribe on YouTube
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is A, as statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. Kautilya’s Arthashastra describes various ways a person could become a slave (dasa), including as a result of judicial punishment (e.g., for certain crimes), voluntary self-sale, or being captured in war.
Statement 2 is correct. Arthashastra (Book III, Chapter XIII) explicitly states that if a female slave bore her master a son, both the mother and the child would gain emancipation (legally become free).
Statement 3 is incorrect. While the son born to a female slave and fathered by her master gained freedom along with his mother, he was not automatically entitled to the full legal status of a son born to the master’s free wife. Kautilya’s text deals with different types of sons and inheritance rules, and a son by a slave woman had a distinct status, though he was not a slave.
Kautilya’s Arthashastra provides detailed regulations regarding slavery, including conditions for becoming a slave, the rights and duties of slaves, and provisions for manumission. It reflects a complex system with protections not always found in other historical slave systems.

Join Our Telegram Channel

49. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:

Join Our Telegram Channel
  • 1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
  • 2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
  • 3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is B, as statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Statement 1 is incorrect. While the Dutch established factories on the east coast (Coromandel Coast), major settlements like Pulicat and Masulipatnam were primarily under the control of local rulers such as the Nayaks, the Qutb Shahis of Golconda, and later the Nawabs of Arcot/Carnatic. Gajapati rulers were significant further north in Odisha, but attributing the general establishment of Dutch factories on the entire east coast to land grants from them is inaccurate.
Statement 2 is correct. Alfonso de Albuquerque, the second Governor of Portuguese India, captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur (Yusuf Adil Shah) in 1510, establishing it as the capital of Portuguese India.
Statement 3 is correct. The English East India Company obtained the site of Madraspatnam in 1639 from Damarla Venkatadri Nayaka, a local chieftain who was a representative of the Vijayanagara Empire (under Peda Venkata Raya III). They built Fort St. George there.
The European trading companies sought permission and land grants from various local rulers and empires to set up their trading posts (factories) across India. The political landscape was fragmented, especially in the south after the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, leading to interactions with multiple powers.

Subscribe on YouTube

50. With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “

With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran” ?

Join Our Telegram Channel
Arab merchants
Qalandars
Persian calligraphists
Sayyids
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is D. The term “Kulah-Daran” was used to refer to the Sayyids.
“Kulah-Daran” literally means “Cap-wearers”. This term was applied to the Sayyids during the Delhi Sultanate period because they wore a distinctive high, pointed cap as a symbol of their lineage. They claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Ali.
The Sayyids held positions of influence during the Delhi Sultanate, and a specific dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty (1414-1451), ruled Delhi for a period. Their distinctive attire helped distinguish them.

Subscribe on YouTube
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5
Test 1Test 2Test 3Test 4Test 5Test 6Test 7Test 8Test 9Test 10Test 11Test 12Test 13Test 14Test 15Test 16Test 17Test 18Test 19Test 20Test 21Test 22Test 23Test 24