31. Which one of the following planets has the highest density?

Which one of the following planets has the highest density?

Mercury
Venus
Jupiter
Earth
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is Earth.
Density is defined as mass per unit volume. The density of planets varies based on their composition. Terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are primarily composed of rock and metal, making them relatively dense. Gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are primarily composed of lighter elements like hydrogen and helium, resulting in much lower densities. Among the options provided, Earth is a terrestrial planet and has the highest average density (approximately 5.51 g/cm³).
Comparing the densities of the given options:
– Earth: ~5.51 g/cm³
– Mercury: ~5.43 g/cm³
– Venus: ~5.24 g/cm³
– Jupiter: ~1.33 g/cm³
Earth has the highest density among these four planets, and indeed, it has the highest density among all planets in our solar system.

32. Basket-of-eggs topography is related to

Basket-of-eggs topography is related to

Drumlins.
Eskers.
Cirques.
Moraines.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is Drumlins.
“Basket-of-eggs topography” is a descriptive term used for landscapes characterized by a large number of drumlins. Drumlins are streamlined, elongated hills formed by glacial ice acting on underlying unconsolidated material. They are typically shaped like an inverted spoon or half-buried egg, with the blunt end facing upstream (towards the ice flow) and the tapered end pointing downstream. When numerous drumlins are present together in a region, they create a distinctive pattern resembling a basket filled with eggs from an aerial view.
Eskers are ridge-like deposits left by meltwater streams within or under a glacier. Cirques are bowl-shaped depressions carved by glacial erosion at the head of a valley. Moraines are accumulations of rock debris deposited by glaciers, forming various features like ridges (lateral, medial, terminal moraines) or irregular deposits (ground moraine). Only drumlins occur in clusters that create the “basket-of-eggs” appearance.

33. Consider the following statements : 1. Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental Col

Consider the following statements :

  • 1. Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was founded at Aligarh by Sayyid Ahmad Khan.
  • 2. Sayyid Ahmad Khan was a great believer in religious toleration, and Hindus, Parsis and Christians had contributed to the funds of his college.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.
Statement 1 is correct: Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817-1898) founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875 with the aim of providing modern Western education to the Muslim community, integrated with Islamic studies. This institution later evolved into Aligarh Muslim University. Statement 2 is correct: Sayyid Ahmad Khan, despite his focus on Muslim education, was a proponent of religious toleration and harmony. His college was open to students from all communities, and he actively sought and received financial contributions from people of diverse backgrounds, including Hindus, Parsis, and Christians, reflecting a spirit of composite nationalism and inter-community cooperation in funding the venture.
Sayyid Ahmad Khan was a key figure in Muslim intellectual history in India during the 19th century. He advocated for Muslims to adopt modern education and engage with British rule after the 1857 revolt, believing it was essential for the community’s progress.

34. Swami Dayanand Saraswati 1. was opposed to the worship of idols of G

Swami Dayanand Saraswati

  • 1. was opposed to the worship of idols of Gods and Goddesses.
  • 2. regarded the Vedas as infallible.
  • 3. had met and had discussions with Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883) was a prominent Hindu reformer and the founder of the Arya Samaj. He strongly advocated for a return to the original teachings of the Vedas and rejected later religious practices he considered corrupt. Statement 1 is correct: He was a staunch opponent of idolatry and the worship of images. Statement 2 is correct: His philosophy was based on the infallibility and supreme authority of the Vedas (“Back to the Vedas”). Statement 3 is correct: Historical records indicate that he did meet and engage in discussions with Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891), another leading figure of the Bengal Renaissance and social reformer, on various social and religious issues.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s reformist movement aimed to purify Hinduism by removing superstitious practices, caste discrimination, and promoting education and social reform based on Vedic principles. His work had a significant impact on the social and religious landscape of 19th-century India.

35. Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not co

Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not correct ?

It was written by Abu'l Fazl.
It is a part of a larger work called Akbar Nama.
It describes the Mughal Empire as having a diverse population and a composite culture.
It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is D) It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan.
The Ain-i-Akbari was written by Abu’l Fazl during the reign of Emperor Akbar and is the third volume of the Akbarnama. It is a detailed administrative document providing a comprehensive account of the Mughal Empire’s administration, economy, society, and culture. It was completed around 1598. There is no historical evidence to suggest that it was revised by Sadullah Khan (who served as a Wazir during Shah Jahan’s reign, much later) on the orders of Shah Jahan.
Options A, B, and C are correct statements about the Ain-i-Akbari. Abu’l Fazl was a close friend and court historian of Akbar. The work is indeed part of the larger Akbarnama. The detailed descriptions within the Ain reflect the empire’s diverse population and the composite nature of its culture, including information on various religious groups, castes, customs, and economic activities.

36. Consider the following statements about the Mahanavami Dibba : 1. It

Consider the following statements about the Mahanavami Dibba :

  • 1. It was the name of a giant box of sweets distributed at the Mahanavami festival.
  • 2. It was the name of a massive platform with a base covered with relief carvings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is 2 only.
The Mahanavami Dibba is a large stone platform located in the royal enclosure of Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It served as a central structure for royal ceremonies, particularly during the Mahanavami festival (equivalent to Dasara/Navaratri). Its multi-layered base is adorned with extensive relief carvings depicting various aspects of life, festivities, and tribute bearers. Statement 1 is incorrect as it was a physical platform, not a container for sweets. Statement 2 accurately describes the platform and its decorative carvings.
The Mahanavami festival was one of the most important annual celebrations in the Vijayanagara Empire, showcasing the power and grandeur of the king and his kingdom. European travelers like Domingo Paes described the elaborate ceremonies conducted on and around this platform.

37. Who among the following was considered to be the preceptor of Mirabai

Who among the following was considered to be the preceptor of Mirabai ?

Dadu
Raidas
Ramanand
Surdas
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is Raidas.
Tradition holds that Mirabai, the famous Rajput princess and devotee of Krishna, was a disciple of Saint Raidas (also known as Ravidas). Raidas was a revered saint of the Bhakti movement from the 15th to 16th century, contemporary to Kabir and Guru Nanak.
Ramanand was an earlier saint (14th-15th century) considered the guru of Kabir and other prominent Bhakti figures. Dadu Dayal (16th-17th century) founded the Dadupanthis tradition. Surdas (15th-16th century) was a blind poet known for his devotion to Krishna and his compositions in Braj Bhasha. While these were all significant figures in the Bhakti movement, Raidas is widely accepted as Mirabai’s preceptor.

38. If it is 12.00 Noon in India, on which meridian will it be 7.00 am of

If it is 12.00 Noon in India, on which meridian will it be 7.00 am of the same day ?

7.5 degree E. Longitude
7.5 degree W. Longitude
75 degree E. Longitude
75 degree W. Longitude
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is 7.5 degree E. Longitude.
India’s standard time (IST) is based on the meridian 82.5 degrees East longitude. The time difference between two locations is directly proportional to the difference in their longitudes, with 1 hour corresponding to 15 degrees of longitude (360 degrees / 24 hours). If it is 12:00 Noon at 82.5 degrees E, and we need to find the longitude where it is 7:00 am on the same day, the time difference is 12:00 – 7:00 = 5 hours. Since the time is earlier, the location must be to the west of India. The longitude difference is 5 hours * 15 degrees/hour = 75 degrees. Starting from 82.5 degrees East and moving 75 degrees West, we get the required longitude: 82.5 degrees E – 75 degrees = 7.5 degrees E.
Moving eastwards adds time (later time), and moving westwards subtracts time (earlier time). The calculation confirms that a location at 7.5 degrees East longitude is 5 hours behind India’s standard time (at 82.5 degrees East).

39. Which one of the following is the longest Latitude ?

Which one of the following is the longest Latitude ?

90 degree Latitude
23.5 degree Latitude
0.0 degree Latitude
66.5 degree Latitude
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is 0.0 degree Latitude.
Latitudes are imaginary circles parallel to the equator. The equator (0 degrees latitude) is the largest circle of latitude. As the latitude increases towards the poles (90 degrees North or South), the circumference of the parallel of latitude decreases, becoming a point at the poles.
The equator is the line of latitude equidistant from the North and South poles, dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. All other parallels of latitude are smaller circles. Therefore, the 0.0-degree latitude (the equator) is the longest latitude.

40. The process whereby certain minerals absorb the water, expand and chan

The process whereby certain minerals absorb the water, expand and change is called as

Hydration.
Oxidation.
Hydrolysis.
Carbonation.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is Hydration.
Hydration is a process of chemical weathering where certain minerals absorb water into their crystal structure. This absorption causes the minerals to swell and expand, leading to stress within the rock and eventual disintegration. Examples include the hydration of feldspars into clay minerals.
Oxidation is a process where minerals react with oxygen, often in the presence of water, leading to rust formation in iron-bearing minerals. Hydrolysis involves the chemical reaction of water with a mineral, breaking down the mineral by replacing ions with hydrogen or hydroxyl ions from water. Carbonation is the reaction of minerals with carbonic acid (formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water), common in the weathering of limestone. While water is involved in all these processes, the specific process of mineral absorption of water leading to expansion and change is defined as hydration.