UPSC NDA-1

21. At 20°C, the speed of sound in water is approximately

At 20°C, the speed of sound in water is approximately

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330 m/s
800 m/s
1500 m/s
5000 m/s
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The correct answer is (C) 1500 m/s.
The speed of sound varies significantly depending on the medium and its temperature. Sound travels faster in denser media (liquids and solids) compared to gases because particles are closer together, allowing vibrations to be transmitted more quickly.
At 20°C, the speed of sound in air is approximately 343 m/s. In pure water at 20°C, the speed of sound is typically around 1482 m/s. Option (C) 1500 m/s is the closest approximation among the given choices for the speed of sound in water at this temperature. The speed of sound in solids like steel can be much higher, around 5000-6000 m/s.

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22. Which one of the following can charge an insulator ?

Which one of the following can charge an insulator ?

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Current electricity
Static electricity
Magnetic field
Gravitational field
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The correct answer is (B) Static electricity.
Insulators are materials that resist the flow of electric current. However, they can be charged through the accumulation of static electric charge on their surface or within their volume. This typically happens through processes like friction (triboelectric effect), contact with a charged object, or induction, which involve the transfer or redistribution of electrons, creating an imbalance of charge.
Current electricity involves the continuous flow of charge, which is impeded by insulators. Magnetic fields and gravitational fields are fundamental forces but do not directly cause the accumulation of charge on an insulator in the way static electricity does. Charging an insulator creates an electrostatic field around it.

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23. The art piece “In Memoriam” was a creation of which one of the followi

The art piece “In Memoriam” was a creation of which one of the following European painters ?

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Thomas Jones Barker
Joseph Noel Paton
Thomas Daniell
Charles D'Oyly
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The correct answer is (B) Joseph Noel Paton.
“In Memoriam” is a famous painting by the Scottish artist Joseph Noel Paton, created in 1858. It depicts a scene intended to evoke sympathy for the British victims of the 1857 Indian Mutiny, showing British women and children sheltering during a conflict.
The painting was a powerful piece of propaganda in Britain, emphasizing the perceived atrocities committed against the British during the revolt, particularly referencing events like the massacre at Cawnpore. It contributed to public support for retribution against the rebels and reinforced the justification for British rule. Other artists listed, like Thomas Daniell and Charles D’Oyly, were known for their landscape and genre paintings of India from earlier periods.

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24. Which Indian businessman favoured ‘healthy capitalism’ in helping Gand

Which Indian businessman favoured ‘healthy capitalism’ in helping Gandhiji to work towards a ‘common object’ ?

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Ghanshyam Das Birla
Ambalal Sarabhai
Sir Biren Mookerjee
T. T. K. Krishnamachari
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The correct answer is (A) Ghanshyam Das Birla.
Ghanshyam Das Birla was a prominent Indian businessman and a close associate and supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. He favoured what he saw as ‘healthy capitalism’, believing that business, conducted ethically, could contribute to national development and support the freedom struggle.
G.D. Birla provided significant financial support to Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. He often acted as a mediator between Gandhi and the British government and used his position to advocate for India’s independence. He articulated a vision of Indian capitalism that was socially responsible and aligned with nationalist goals, contrasting it with exploitative forms of capitalism.

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25. Which Viceroy had made the observation, “It’s a beautiful world if it

Which Viceroy had made the observation, “It’s a beautiful world if it wasn’t for Gandhi …..”?

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Lord Irwin
Lord Wavell
Lord Mountbatten
Lord Willingdon
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The correct answer is (D) Lord Willingdon.
The quote, often cited as “It’s a beautiful world if it wasn’t for Gandhi…”, is widely attributed to Lord Willingdon, who served as Viceroy of India from 1931 to 1936.
Lord Willingdon’s tenure coincided with the second phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement, following the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Unlike his predecessor Irwin, Willingdon adopted a hardline stance against the Congress and Gandhi, quickly arresting Gandhi upon his return from the Second Round Table Conference and suppressing the movement. The quote reflects his frustration with Gandhi’s constant political activism which challenged the British administration.

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26. The Azamgarh Proclamation of August 25, 1857 stressed on which one of

The Azamgarh Proclamation of August 25, 1857 stressed on which one of the following issues ?

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Hindu-Muslim divide
Support to the English Government
The return of the Badshahi
The imposition of heavy Dumas (revenue demand)
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The correct answer is (C) The return of the Badshahi.
The Azamgarh Proclamation of August 25, 1857, issued during the Indian Mutiny, was a comprehensive document outlining the grievances against British rule and promising a return to a just and prosperous rule under the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar (referred to as Badshahi). It appealed to various sections of society by promising specific benefits upon the restoration of the old order.
The proclamation strongly condemned the British government’s policies, including revenue systems, destruction of indigenous industries, and perceived interference in religious matters. It explicitly called for the restoration of the sovereignty of the Mughal Emperor and outlined the structure of the alternative government, promising justice and prosperity for Hindus and Muslims alike. This document is a significant primary source for understanding the rebels’ objectives and ideology during the 1857 revolt.

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27. Who was the author of the book ‘History of British India’ ?

Who was the author of the book ‘History of British India’ ?

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Charles Grant
John Stuart Mill
James Mill
William Jones
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The correct answer is (C) James Mill.
James Mill, the Scottish historian, economist, and political theorist, authored the monumental work ‘History of British India’, published in 1817 in three volumes.
Mill’s ‘History of British India’ was highly influential in shaping British perceptions of India and was used as a textbook for East India Company officials. It presented a utilitarian critique of Indian society and culture, advocating for radical reforms under British rule. Despite not having visited India himself, the work was based on extensive research of Company records and other available materials. His son, John Stuart Mill, later served in the East India Company and edited his father’s work.

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28. ‘Inversion of Rainfall” is associated with

‘Inversion of Rainfall” is associated with

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Orographic rainfall
Convectional rainfall
Cyclonic rainfall (Tropical)
Cyclonic rainfall (Temperate)
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‘Inversion of Rainfall’ is associated with Orographic rainfall.
Inversion of rainfall refers to the phenomenon where, in mountainous regions, rainfall increases with altitude up to a certain height (the zone of maximum precipitation), but then decreases above that level. This pattern is typically observed in orographic rainfall, which occurs when moist air is forced to rise over a mountain barrier. As the air rises, it cools, leading to condensation and precipitation on the windward slopes. However, at very high altitudes, the amount of moisture in the air may decrease, temperatures become very low, and other factors limit further precipitation, causing the rainfall amount to decrease beyond the optimum level.
Convectional rainfall occurs due to vertical uplift of heated air, often leading to thunderstorms, and doesn’t typically exhibit this specific altitude-dependent inversion pattern across a mountain slope. Cyclonic rainfall (Tropical or Temperate) is associated with large-scale weather systems (low-pressure systems, fronts) where precipitation patterns are influenced by convergence and uplift over broader areas, not primarily by the forced ascent over a single mountain barrier which causes the distinct rainfall profile described as inversion.

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29. ‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a ‘Local’ wind found in

‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a ‘Local’ wind found in

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East Asia
West Coast of Africa
Sahara of Africa
Mesopotamia
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‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a local wind found in Mesopotamia.
The Shamal (or Shumāl) is a northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of northern Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. It is a hot, dry wind that often brings dust and sandstorms, particularly in summer. Historically, this region corresponds largely to ancient Mesopotamia and the surrounding areas.
Other local winds have specific regional names: the Harmattan is a dry, dusty trade wind blowing from the Sahara Desert over West Africa; the Sirocco is a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and reaches southern Europe; the Khamsin is a dry, hot, sandy local wind occurring in Egypt and Israel. The Shamal is characteristic of the Middle East region encompassing Mesopotamia.

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30. ‘Viticulture’ is a common feature of which one of the following Austra

‘Viticulture’ is a common feature of which one of the following Australian cities ?

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Adelaide
Darwin
Hobart
Brisbane
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Viticulture is a common feature of Adelaide.
Viticulture, the cultivation of grapevines, is strongly associated with Adelaide due to its proximity to some of Australia’s most famous wine regions. South Australia, with Adelaide as its capital, is a major wine-producing state in Australia and is home to world-renowned regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills, all located relatively close to the city. While other parts of Australia also produce wine, Adelaide is arguably the major city most closely linked with significant and internationally recognized viticulture areas.
Darwin is in the tropical Northern Territory and is not known for viticulture. Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is near some wine regions, but Tasmania is a smaller wine producer compared to South Australia. Brisbane, in Queensland, is also near some wine areas (like the Granite Belt), but again, Queensland’s wine industry is less prominent than South Australia’s. Therefore, Adelaide is the city most strongly associated with extensive viticulture among the given options.

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