UPSC NDA-1

41. Advantage(s) of tectonic activity in Iceland include(s): 1. Source o

Advantage(s) of tectonic activity in Iceland include(s):

  • 1. Source of natural geothermal energy
  • 2. Creation of new land
  • 3. Attraction of tourists

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.
Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent plate boundary, making it one of the most geologically active places on Earth. This tectonic activity manifests as frequent volcanic eruptions and geothermal activity. Geothermal energy (from hot springs, geysers, etc.) is a major source of heating and electricity in Iceland (Statement 1 is correct). Volcanic eruptions can lead to the creation of new landforms, including islands (like Surtsey) and lava fields (Statement 2 is correct). The dramatic volcanic and glacial landscapes resulting from this tectonic activity, such as geysers, hot springs, volcanoes, and unique rock formations, are major attractions for tourists worldwide (Statement 3 is correct).
Iceland is often referred to as the “Land of Fire and Ice” due to the coexistence of glaciers and volcanoes, both products of its geological setting. The abundance of geothermal energy makes Iceland a leader in renewable energy use. The continuous geological processes shape its unique and appealing landscape for tourism.

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42. Which one of the following is not a minor plate ?

Which one of the following is not a minor plate ?

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Cocos Plate
Nazca Plate
Caroline Plate
Antarctic Plate
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The correct answer is D) Antarctic Plate.
The Earth’s lithosphere is divided into several large and small tectonic plates. Major plates are generally considered to be the Pacific Plate, North American Plate, Eurasian Plate, Indo-Australian Plate, African Plate, South American Plate, and Antarctic Plate. Minor plates are smaller and often located in complex zones between major plates. The Cocos Plate, Nazca Plate, and Caroline Plate are all classified as minor or intermediate-sized tectonic plates. The Antarctic Plate is one of the seven principal major tectonic plates.
Minor plates include the Arabian Plate, Caribbean Plate, Scotia Plate, Philippine Sea Plate, Fiji Plate, and many others. The classification into “major” and “minor” can sometimes vary slightly depending on the source, but the Antarctic Plate is universally recognized as a major plate due to its large size and significant tectonic boundaries.

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43. Which one of the following rivers is not a tributary of river Brahmapu

Which one of the following rivers is not a tributary of river Brahmaputra ?

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River Manas
River Kameng
River Mahananda
River Subansiri
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The correct answer is C) River Mahananda.
The Brahmaputra River has numerous tributaries flowing from the Himalayas and the hills of the Northeast. River Manas, River Kameng (also known as Jiabharali), and River Subansiri are all major left-bank or right-bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra in India and Bhutan. The River Mahananda originates in the Darjeeling hills and flows south through West Bengal and Bihar before joining the River Ganges (Padma) in Bangladesh. It is a tributary of the Ganges system, not the Brahmaputra system.
The Brahmaputra’s major tributaries include Dibang, Lohit, Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Sankosh, Teesta, and Dhansiri. The Mahananda River is an important river in the Ganges basin, known for its fertile alluvial plains.

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44. Keppel Island is completely bleached mainly due to the expansion of

Keppel Island is completely bleached mainly due to the expansion of

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Starfish.
Blue whale.
Octopus.
Sea horse.
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The correct answer is A) Starfish.
Coral bleaching is primarily caused by environmental stress, most notably elevated sea temperatures. However, biological factors can also contribute. Outbreaks of predatory starfish, specifically the Crown-of-Thorns starfish (*Acanthaster planci*), are known to cause significant damage to coral reefs by feeding on polyps. Severe predation can weaken the coral, making it more susceptible to bleaching, or cause direct mortality that appears as whitening (tissue loss revealing the white skeleton). Keppel Island, being part of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem which experiences COTS outbreaks, is susceptible to such damage. While climate change and rising temperatures are the main driver of widespread bleaching events, localised stress from predators like starfish can exacerbate or cause bleaching in specific areas. Given the options, Starfish (Crown-of-Thorns) is the only organism listed that is a known significant predator of coral and contributes to coral damage and bleaching.
Blue whales, octopuses, and sea horses do not feed on coral and are not associated with causing coral bleaching. While other factors like pollution or disease can cause bleaching, the question points to “expansion” of a species, and Crown-of-Thorns starfish populations can undergo periodic outbreaks or expansions, leading to increased predation pressure on reefs.

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45. Which one of the following is the correct meaning of ziyarat ?

Which one of the following is the correct meaning of ziyarat ?

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Pilgrimage to the tombs of sufi saints
The practice of revenue farming
The death anniversary of a sufi shaikh
A form of Islamic divorce
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The correct answer is A) Pilgrimage to the tombs of sufi saints.
Ziyarat is an Arabic term meaning “visit” or “pilgrimage”. In the context of Sufism, *ziyarat* specifically refers to the act of visiting the tomb (dargah) of a Sufi saint, which is considered a pious act by many followers. Devotees undertake these pilgrimages to pay homage, seek blessings, and pray for intercession.
Option B, revenue farming (Ijarah or Jagirdari in different contexts), is an economic/administrative practice. Option C, the death anniversary of a Sufi shaikh, is known as *Urs*. Option D refers to Islamic concepts of divorce (Talaq, Khula, etc.). Ziyarat distinctly means the act of visiting a holy place, most commonly a saint’s tomb in the Sufi context.

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46. Which of the following statements about the Deccan Riots Commission is

Which of the following statements about the Deccan Riots Commission is/are correct?

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  • 1. The Commission did not hold enquiries in the districts which were not affected.
  • 2. The Commission did record the statements of ryots, sahukars and eye-witnesses.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.
The Deccan Riots Commission was appointed by the Bombay government in 1875 to investigate the causes of the agrarian riots that had erupted in the Deccan districts. Its primary mandate and focus were on the districts specifically affected by the riots. Historical accounts and the structure of such investigative commissions suggest that their detailed enquiries, including recording testimonies, are concentrated in the areas where the events occurred (Statement 1 is correct). The Commission did indeed collect extensive evidence by interviewing peasants (ryots), moneylenders (sahukars), and eyewitnesses, along with examining official reports and records (Statement 2 is correct).
The report of the Deccan Riots Commission is a significant source of information about the agrarian conditions, the relationship between peasants and moneylenders, and the causes of rural distress under colonial rule in the late 19th century. The Commission’s findings contributed to the enactment of the Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Act of 1879.

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47. At which one of the following places was a Shiva temple not constructe

At which one of the following places was a Shiva temple not constructed under the patronage of the Chola rulers?

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Chidambaram
Thanjavur
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Naneghat
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The correct answer is D) Naneghat.
The Chola rulers, particularly the Imperial Cholas (9th to 13th centuries CE), were prolific builders of magnificent Shiva temples across their empire in South India. Prominent examples include the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram, the Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur (built by Rajaraja I), and the Brihadeshwara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram (built by Rajendra I). Naneghat, located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, is historically associated with the Satavahana dynasty (c. 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE) and is known for its ancient rock-cut caves and inscriptions, long before the rise of the Chola power.
The architectural style and patronage of the temples at Chidambaram, Thanjavur, and Gangaikonda Cholapuram are distinctly characteristic of the Chola period and their fervent devotion to Shiva. Naneghat, on the other hand, belongs to a much earlier period and different dynasty, geographically far from the core Chola territory and their architectural tradition.

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48. Which of the following statements about *Saguna* bhakti traditions is/

Which of the following statements about *Saguna* bhakti traditions is/are correct?

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  • 1. *Saguna* bhakti traditions focus on the worship of specific deities such as Vishnu or his avatars.
  • 2. In *Saguna* bhakti traditions, Gods and Goddesses are conceptualised in anthropomorphic forms.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.
*Saguna* bhakti traditions involve the worship of a personal God with specific form, attributes, and qualities. This includes deities like Vishnu (and his avatars such as Rama and Krishna), Shiva, Durga, etc. These deities are often depicted in anthropomorphic (human-like) or zoomorphic forms, allowing devotees to relate to them in a tangible way through idols, images, and narratives.
Statement 1 is correct because *Saguna* bhakti is explicitly centred on the devotion to specific deities conceived with form and attributes. Statement 2 is correct because *Saguna* worship often involves the conceptualization and representation of these deities in human-like (anthropomorphic) forms, which are then worshipped through rituals and devotion. This contrasts with *Nirguna* bhakti, which focuses on the worship of the formless, attributeless absolute (Brahman).

49. Which one of the following was not a part of the *dhamma* of King As

Which one of the following was not a part of the *dhamma* of King Ashoka ?

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Honouring the king
Tolerance of religions other than one's own
Respecting Brahmanas
Promoting the welfare of his subjects
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The correct answer is A) Honouring the king.
Ashoka’s *dhamma* was a set of ethical and social principles aimed at promoting well-being, mutual respect, and religious tolerance among his subjects. While subjects were expected to obey the king’s laws, “honouring the king” was not a central tenet of the *dhamma* itself, which focused on righteous conduct towards family, neighbours, religious groups, and general societal welfare.
Key aspects of Ashoka’s *dhamma* included respect for elders, tolerance towards different religious sects (respecting Brahmanas, Shramanas, etc.), care for the elderly, kindness to slaves and servants, non-violence, and working for the welfare of subjects (promoting public works, medical facilities). These principles are well documented in his rock and pillar edicts. The focus was on virtuous behaviour and social harmony rather than a cult of the monarch.

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50. Which one of the following Harappan sites was a specialised centre for

Which one of the following Harappan sites was a specialised centre for making shell objects?

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Lothal
Balakot
Amri
Kot Diji
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The correct answer is B) Balakot.
Balakot, located near the coast in present-day Pakistan, was a significant Harappan site known for its specialised production of shell objects. Archaeological evidence suggests extensive shell working activities, indicating it was a centre for crafting goods from marine shells.
Other Harappan sites were known for different crafts. Lothal was famous for its bead making industry and dockyard. Amri is an important early Indus site. Kot Diji represents the pre-Harappan and early Harappan phases. Specialised centres for crafts were a feature of the mature Harappan period, with specific locations excelling in the production of certain goods like shell objects, beads, metalwork, etc.

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