21. Dr. Urjit Patel, who has been appointed recently as Governor of Reserv

Dr. Urjit Patel, who has been appointed recently as Governor of Reserve Bank of India, was holding which position immediately prior to this appointment ?

Chief Economist, IMF
Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India
Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India
Professor of Economics at Harvard University
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
Immediately prior to his appointment as Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Dr. Urjit Patel was holding the position of Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India.
Urjit Patel served as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from January 2013 before being elevated to the position of Governor in September 2016. He succeeded Raghuram Rajan.
Urjit Patel has a background in economics and had previously worked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Brookings Institution, and served on various government committees in India. His appointment as Governor followed his role in heading a committee on monetary policy reform which recommended the establishment of a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

22. Consider the following statements pertaining to Coffee plantation in I

Consider the following statements pertaining to Coffee plantation in India :

  • Need warm and moist climate with a spell of dry weather during the ripening period
  • Rolling fields having good drainage
  • Strong sunshine over hilly slopes exceeding temperature 35°C
  • Karnataka is the leading producer in India

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3
3 and 4
1, 2 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
Statement 1: Coffee needs a warm and moist climate with temperatures generally ranging from 15°C to 28°C. A spell of dry weather is required during the ripening period for harvesting. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: Coffee plants thrive on well-drained soil. Rolling fields and hilly slopes provide excellent drainage, preventing waterlogging, which is detrimental to coffee roots. This statement is correct.
Statement 3: While coffee needs sunshine, strong direct sunshine, especially exceeding 35°C, is generally harmful. Coffee is often grown under shade trees in India to regulate temperature and sunlight intensity. This statement is incorrect.
Statement 4: Karnataka is indeed the largest producer of coffee in India, accounting for over 70% of the country’s total production. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the other major producing states. This statement is correct.
Arabica and Robusta are the two main varieties of coffee grown in India. Indian coffee is highly regarded globally, particularly for its unique flavor profiles due to cultivation under shade. The coffee plantations are primarily concentrated in the Southern states of India in the Western Ghats region.

23. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I
(Industry)
List II
(Place)
A. Petrochemical 1. Coimbatore
B. Aircraft 2. Pinjore
C. Machine tools 3. Bengaluru
D. Cotton textiles 4. Bongaigaon

Code :

A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
The correct match is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.
A. Petrochemical industry: Bongaigaon in Assam is known for its refinery and petrochemical complex.
B. Aircraft industry: Bengaluru is a major center for the aerospace industry in India, housing institutions like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
C. Machine tools industry: Pinjore in Haryana has a significant presence of machine tool manufacturing units, particularly linked to HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools).
D. Cotton textiles industry: Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu is one of the largest textile centers in India, often referred to as the “Manchester of South India.”
This type of question tests knowledge about the geographical distribution of key industries in India. Bengaluru is also a major IT hub. Coimbatore is known for various industries besides textiles, including engineering. Bongaigaon is a significant industrial city in Assam. Pinjore is historically linked with HMT.

24. Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization is located in

Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization is located in

Washington
Geneva
Moscow
London
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
The headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is located in Geneva.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation on atmospheric science, climatology, hydrology, and geophysics. Its main office is situated in Geneva, Switzerland.
Geneva is a major global hub for international organizations, hosting the headquarters of many UN bodies and other international institutions. Washington D.C. is home to many US government agencies and international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF. Moscow is the capital of Russia. London is a major financial center and hosts various international bodies, but not the WMO headquarters.

25. According to the Census 2011, the density of population in which one a

According to the Census 2011, the density of population in which one among the following States is the lowest ?

Sikkim
Nagaland
Manipur
Mizoram
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
According to the Census 2011, the density of population is lowest in Mizoram among the given options.
Based on the 2011 Census of India, the population densities of the given states are:
Sikkim: 86 persons per sq km
Nagaland: 119 persons per sq km
Manipur: 128 persons per sq km
Mizoram: 52 persons per sq km
Comparing these figures, Mizoram has the lowest population density among the listed states.
Arunachal Pradesh holds the distinction of having the lowest population density among all Indian states according to the 2011 Census, with only 17 persons per sq km. The high population density states are primarily in the Indo-Gangetic plains, with Bihar having the highest density (1106 persons per sq km). The population density of India as a whole was 382 persons per sq km in 2011.

26. Red blood cells (RBCs) have

Red blood cells (RBCs) have

no nucleus, no mitochondria and no endoplasmic reticulum
nucleus, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum
nucleus, mitochondria but no endoplasmic reticulum
no mitochondria but endoplasmic reticulum is present
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
The correct answer is no nucleus, no mitochondria and no endoplasmic reticulum.
Mature mammalian red blood cells (erythrocytes) are unique in that they lack most organelles found in other eukaryotic cells. They are anucleated, meaning they do not have a nucleus. They also lack mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.
The absence of these organelles maximizes the space available for hemoglobin, the protein responsible for oxygen transport. The lack of mitochondria means that RBCs rely on anaerobic respiration (glycolysis) for energy, ensuring that they do not consume the oxygen they carry. Their distinctive biconcave shape provides a large surface area for gas exchange.

27. Kidney secretes an enzyme, which changes plasma protein angiotensinoge

Kidney secretes an enzyme, which changes plasma protein angiotensinogen into angiotensin. The enzyme is

Renin
Nitrogenase
Hydrolase
Mono-oxygenase
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
The correct answer is Renin.
Renin is an enzyme secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidneys. It plays a crucial role in the body’s Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), which regulates blood pressure, fluid balance, and electrolyte balance. Renin initiates the cascade by cleaving angiotensinogen, a plasma protein produced in the liver, into angiotensin I.
Angiotensin I is then converted into angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor and stimulator of aldosterone secretion, by the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE), primarily found in the lungs. The RAAS pathway is vital for maintaining homeostasis and is a target for many medications used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Nitrogenase is involved in nitrogen fixation, Hydrolase is a broad class of enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis, and Mono-oxygenase is an enzyme that incorporates one atom of molecular oxygen into a substrate. None of these are directly involved in the kidney’s conversion of angiotensinogen.

28. Dengue virus causes high fever, rashes and reduces the number of a par

Dengue virus causes high fever, rashes and reduces the number of a particular type of blood cells. Those blood cells are

Monocytes
Platelets
Eosinophils
Neutrophils
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause severe illness. One of the characteristic effects of dengue virus is its impact on blood cells, particularly platelets (thrombocytes). Dengue infection often leads to a significant decrease in platelet count (thrombocytopenia), which can increase the risk of bleeding.
Dengue virus significantly reduces the number of platelets in the blood.
While dengue can affect white blood cell counts (often causing a decrease in lymphocytes and neutrophils), the reduction in platelets is a hallmark of the disease and a critical factor in assessing the severity and managing potential complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever. Monocytes and eosinophils are types of white blood cells, and while their counts can fluctuate during infection, the primary clinically significant reduction targeted by the question is typically platelets.

29. Which one of the following agencies enforces the laws on food security

Which one of the following agencies enforces the laws on food security in India ?

FDA
WHO
FSSAI
FAO
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidates various acts and orders related to food. FSSAI is responsible for setting standards for food products and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure that food is safe and wholesome for human consumption. It is the primary agency enforcing food safety and standards laws in India.
FSSAI is the nodal agency for enforcing food safety and standards in India.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is a US agency. WHO (World Health Organization) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) are specialized agencies of the United Nations dealing with health and food/agriculture on a global level, respectively.

30. Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease of humans and other animals.

Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease of humans and other animals. It is caused by

Histomonas
Trypanosoma
Angomonac
Naegleria
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
Sleeping sickness, or African trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic disease caused by flagellate protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma. Specifically, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense cause the disease in humans. The parasite is transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly.
Sleeping sickness is caused by parasites of the genus Trypanosoma.
Histomonas meleagridis is a parasite that causes histomoniasis (“blackhead”) in poultry. Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that can cause a rare and fatal brain infection in humans. Angomonac is not a recognized parasitic genus.