31. Light year is a unit for measurement of

Light year is a unit for measurement of

age of universe
very small time intervals
very high temperature
very large distance
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The correct answer is D.
A light-year is defined as the distance that light travels in vacuum in one Julian year (365.25 days). Since the speed of light is constant and very high, a light-year represents a very large distance. It is commonly used in astronomy to measure the distances between celestial objects, such as stars and galaxies. It is not a unit of time, temperature, or a measure related to the age of the universe (although the size of the observable universe is often expressed in light-years, its age is in years).
One light-year is approximately 9.461 trillion kilometers (5.879 trillion miles). Other units for measuring astronomical distances include the Astronomical Unit (AU) and the Parsec.

32. Which of the following statements about ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ held recently

Which of the following statements about ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ held recently in New Delhi is/are correct ?

  • 1. The theme of the festival was ‘A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Cuisine and Commerce’
  • 2. The festival was organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The correct answer is A.
Aadi Mahotsav is a national tribal festival showcasing tribal art, craft, cuisine, and commerce. Statement 1, describing the theme as ‘A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Cuisine and Commerce’, accurately reflects the purpose and scope of the festival. Statement 2 is incorrect; Aadi Mahotsav is organized by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India), which functions under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, not the Ministry of Tourism.
TRIFED is a national-level apex organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and is engaged in the marketing development of tribal products. Aadi Mahotsav serves as a platform for tribal artisans and craftspersons to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers.

33. Which of the following are essential pre-requisites for establishment

Which of the following are essential pre-requisites for establishment of a thermal power station ?

  • 1. Availability of fossil fuels
  • 2. Proximity to a river, lake or sea
  • 3. Good transport network
  • 4. Proximity to an urban centre

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3
2 and 4
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The correct answer is A.
Thermal power stations burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, or natural gas) to generate electricity. Therefore, the availability of fossil fuels (1) is essential. These plants require large amounts of water for cooling purposes, so proximity to a river, lake, or sea (2) is also essential. A good transport network (3) is crucial for bringing in fuel (especially coal) and transporting equipment and personnel. Proximity to an urban centre (4) is not essential and often avoided due to space requirements, pollution concerns, and safety. Power is transmitted to urban centres via transmission lines. Thus, conditions 1, 2, and 3 are essential pre-requisites.
Other factors influencing the location of thermal power plants include the availability of land and proximity to load centres to minimize transmission losses, although the latter is often less critical than fuel and water availability.

34. Which one of the following centres is NOT known for iron and steel ind

Which one of the following centres is NOT known for iron and steel industry ?

Bhadravati
Salem
Vishakhapatnam
Renukoot
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The correct answer is D.
Bhadravati (Karnataka), Salem (Tamil Nadu), and Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) are well-known centres for the iron and steel industry in India. Bhadravati hosts Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL), Salem has the Salem Steel Plant (a unit of SAIL), and Vishakhapatnam has the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL). Renukoot (Uttar Pradesh), on the other hand, is primarily known for the Hindalco aluminium plant, which is part of the Aditya Birla Group, and is a major centre for aluminium production, not iron and steel.
Major integrated steel plants in India are located in places like Jamshedpur, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro, Bhilai, Salem, Vishakhapatnam, and Bhadravati. The location of these plants is often influenced by the availability of raw materials (iron ore, coal, limestone), water, labour, and proximity to markets or ports.

35. Which one of the following is a local wind that blows out from Siberia

Which one of the following is a local wind that blows out from Siberia ?

Bora
Purga
Mistral
Blizzard
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The correct answer is B.
Purga is a specific term for a violent snowstorm or blizzard, often accompanied by strong winds and drifting snow, occurring in the tundra regions of Russia and Siberia. The wind blows out from the cold interior regions. Bora is a cold, dry wind in the Adriatic region. Mistral is a cold wind in southern France. A blizzard is a general term for a severe snowstorm, not specific to originating from Siberia as a unique local wind name like Purga. Therefore, Purga is the local wind that blows out from Siberia among the given options.
Local winds are winds that blow over a limited area and are influenced by local topography or temperature differences. They have distinct names in different regions. Examples include Loo (India), Chinook (North America), Foehn (Alps), etc.

36. Bharatmala Project is related to

Bharatmala Project is related to

Improving road connectivity
Interlinking ports and railways
Interlinking of rivers
Interlinking major cities with gas pipelines
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The correct answer is A.
The Bharatmala Pariyojana is a centrally-sponsored and funded road and highways project initiated by the Government of India. Its main objective is to improve road connectivity across the country, focusing on economic corridors, inter-corridor and feeder routes, national corridors efficiency improvement, border roads, coastal roads and port connectivity roads, and greenfield expressways. Options B, C, and D relate to other infrastructure sectors (ports/railways conjunction, rivers, gas pipelines) and are not the primary focus of the Bharatmala Project.
The project aims to connect 550 districts in the country through National Highways. It is a significant step towards enhancing logistics efficiency and reducing freight costs across India. The project is being implemented by agencies like NHAI, NHIDCL, and state PWDs.

37. Which of the following conditions is/are essential for tea cultivation

Which of the following conditions is/are essential for tea cultivation ?

  • 1. Tropical and sub-tropical climate
  • 2. Heavy rainfall ranging from 150 cm to 250 cm
  • 3. Soil should contain good amount of lime

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The correct answer is B.
Tea cultivation requires specific climatic and soil conditions. Statement 1 is correct as tea thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Statement 2 is also correct as it needs heavy rainfall (150-250 cm), which should be well-distributed throughout the year. Statement 3 is incorrect; tea plants require well-drained, fertile soil rich in humus and iron, and importantly, slightly acidic soil. Soil containing a good amount of lime makes the soil alkaline, which is not suitable for tea cultivation. Therefore, only conditions 1 and 2 are essential among the given options.
Tea is grown in hilly areas with good drainage because stagnant water is harmful to the roots. Important tea-growing regions in India include Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling, Dooars), Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. India is one of the leading producers and consumers of tea globally.

38. Which one of the following rivers is NOT a tributary of river Cauvery

Which one of the following rivers is NOT a tributary of river Cauvery ?

Hemavati
Arkavati
Indravati
Amravati
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The question asks which river is NOT a tributary of the river Cauvery.
– Hemavati is a major tributary of the Cauvery, joining it in Karnataka.
– Arkavati is a tributary of the Cauvery, also joining it in Karnataka.
– Indravati is a major river in Central India and a significant tributary of the Godavari River, flowing through Chhattisgarh and Odisha. It is not related to the Cauvery basin.
– Amravati is a major tributary of the Cauvery, joining it in Tamil Nadu.
Therefore, Indravati is not a tributary of the river Cauvery.
Understanding the major river systems of India and their principal tributaries is important for geography.
The Cauvery River originates in the Brahmagiri hills of the Western Ghats and flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari River is the second longest river in India, originating in Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra, and flowing eastwards to the Bay of Bengal.

39. Which one of the following Himalayan vegetation species is found betwe

Which one of the following Himalayan vegetation species is found between the altitudes of 1800 to 2600 metres ?

Saal
Chir
Spruce
Deodar
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
Himalayan vegetation varies significantly with altitude. The altitude range of 1800 to 2600 meters typically falls within the Temperate forest zone.
– Saal (Shorea robusta) is a characteristic tree of the Subtropical/Tropical forests found at lower altitudes (below ~1200m).
– Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) is found in the lower Himalayan ranges, primarily between 900 and 2000 meters.
– Spruce (Picea smithiana) is found in the Western Himalayas at altitudes typically between 1800 and 3000 meters.
– Deodar (Cedrus deodara) is a prominent species in the Western Himalayas, thriving at altitudes between 1500 and 3200 meters, but is often dominant or forms pure stands specifically within the 1800 to 2600 meter range. Among the given options, Deodar is the most characteristic species found prominently within the entire specified altitude band of 1800-2600 metres.
Altitude is a primary factor determining vegetation types in the Himalayas, leading to distinct zones like Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, and Alpine forests.
The specific altitude ranges for vegetation types can vary slightly depending on the region (Western vs. Eastern Himalayas) and local conditions (aspect, rainfall). However, Deodar is widely recognized as a key species in the mid-temperate zone of the Himalayas.

40. Which of the following statements about Ring of Fire is/are correct?

Which of the following statements about Ring of Fire is/are correct?

  • 1. It is a zone of convergence plate boundaries
  • 2. It is an active seismic and volcanic zone
  • 3. It is associated with deep trench

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The Ring of Fire is a region around the rim of the Pacific Ocean characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
1. It is a zone of convergence plate boundaries: Correct. The Ring of Fire largely follows the boundaries of several tectonic plates, where many convergent plate boundaries exist, leading to subduction.
2. It is an active seismic and volcanic zone: Correct. The high incidence of earthquakes and volcanoes gives the region its name.
3. It is associated with deep trench: Correct. Deep oceanic trenches (like the Mariana Trench, Peru-Chile Trench, etc.) are characteristic features of convergent plate boundaries where subduction occurs, and many of the world’s deepest trenches are located within or along the Ring of Fire.
All three statements accurately describe characteristics of the Ring of Fire.
The Ring of Fire is a direct consequence of plate tectonics, particularly the subduction of oceanic plates beneath continental or other oceanic plates.
Approximately 90% of the world’s earthquakes and 80% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. It contains 452 volcanoes, more than 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes.