UPSC NDA-1 Archives

41. The light energy escaping from the Sun can be spread by

The light energy escaping from the Sun can be spread by

[amp_mcq option1=”a shower of rain drops” option2=”a plane mirror” option3=”a convex lens” option4=”a combination of a convex lens and a concave lens” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) a shower of rain drops.

This question is likely referring to the phenomenon of dispersion of light, where white sunlight is separated into its constituent colors. A shower of raindrops acts like a large number of tiny prisms. As sunlight enters a raindrop, it is refracted, dispersed into its spectral colors, reflected internally, and then refracted again upon exiting the raindrop. This process creates a rainbow, which is a visible spectrum of sunlight. A plane mirror reflects light but does not disperse it. A convex lens converges light, and while it can refract light, its primary function is focusing, not spreading or dispersing white light into a spectrum like a prism or raindrop does. A combination of lenses can be used for various optical purposes but typically not for simply spreading or dispersing sunlight into its spectrum in the manner suggested by the formation of a rainbow.

Dispersion is the phenomenon where the speed of light in a medium depends on its wavelength (or color). Different wavelengths are refracted at slightly different angles, causing the separation of white light into its spectrum. Prisms and diffraction gratings are commonly used to demonstrate dispersion. A rainbow is a natural example of dispersion by water droplets.

42. Which one of the following energy is stored in the links between the a

Which one of the following energy is stored in the links between the atoms ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Nuclear energy” option2=”Chemical energy” option3=”Potential energy” option4=”Thermal energy” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) Chemical energy.

Chemical energy is the potential energy stored within the chemical bonds between atoms in molecules. When chemical reactions occur, these bonds are broken and new bonds are formed, releasing or absorbing energy. Nuclear energy is stored within the nucleus of an atom, in the forces holding protons and neutrons together. Potential energy is stored energy based on position or state (e.g., gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy). Thermal energy is energy associated with the temperature of an object due to the kinetic energy of its atoms and molecules.

The formation and breaking of chemical bonds involve changes in chemical energy. Stronger bonds generally correspond to lower potential energy within the bond. This stored energy can be released, for example, during combustion (burning).

43. Spring tides refer to

Spring tides refer to

[amp_mcq option1=”greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides” option2=”lowest difference in the sea level at high and low tides” option3=”no difference in the sea level at high and low tides” option4=”counteraction of gravitational pull of the Sun to that of Moon” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides.

Spring tides are tidal events that occur twice each lunar month, around the times of the new moon and full moon. During these phases, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned. The combined gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon on Earth’s oceans is strongest, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides than average. The difference between high and low tide sea levels (tidal range) is therefore maximized during spring tides. Neap tides, conversely, occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth (during the first and third quarter moon phases), resulting in smaller tidal ranges.

The term “spring” in spring tide does not refer to the season but rather to the ‘springing forth’ or rising of the tide. Spring tides have the maximum tidal range, while neap tides have the minimum tidal range.

44. Which one of the following organisms represents the primary consumer c

Which one of the following organisms represents the primary consumer category in an ecosystem ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Caterpillar” option2=”Crabapple tree” option3=”Frog” option4=”Sparrowhawk” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) Caterpillar.

In an ecosystem, producers are organisms (usually plants) that produce their own food through photosynthesis. Primary consumers are herbivores that feed directly on producers. Secondary consumers are carnivores or omnivores that feed on primary consumers. Tertiary consumers feed on secondary consumers, and so on. A Crabapple tree is a producer (plant). A Caterpillar is typically a herbivorous larva that feeds on leaves (producers), making it a primary consumer. A Frog is a carnivore (e.g., eating insects), making it a secondary or tertiary consumer. A Sparrowhawk is a bird of prey that feeds on other animals (e.g., birds, small mammals), making it a secondary or tertiary consumer.

The different categories of consumers represent trophic levels in a food chain or food web. Primary consumers occupy the second trophic level. Identifying the trophic level of an organism depends on its feeding habits within a specific ecosystem context.

45. Which one of the following organisms has vascular tissues ?

Which one of the following organisms has vascular tissues ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Cladophora” option2=”Penicillium” option3=”Marsilea” option4=”Anabaena” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) Marsilea.

Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) are present in vascular plants (Tracheophytes), which include pteridophytes (ferns), gymnosperms, and angiosperms. Marsilea is a genus of ferns, which belong to the group Pteridophyta. Cladophora is a green alga, Penicillium is a fungus, and Anabaena is a cyanobacterium; none of these groups of organisms possess vascular tissues.

Algae, fungi, and bacteria are considered non-vascular organisms. The development of vascular tissues was a significant evolutionary step that allowed plants to grow larger and colonize terrestrial environments more effectively by facilitating efficient transport of water, nutrients, and sugars.

46. Which one of the following is NOT a component of conducting tissue in

Which one of the following is NOT a component of conducting tissue in plants ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Fibres” option2=”Tracheids” option3=”Pericycle” option4=”Sieve tubes” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) Pericycle.

Conducting tissues in plants are xylem and phloem, which are responsible for the transport of water, minerals, and food. Components of xylem include tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, and xylem fibres. Components of phloem include sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibres. Fibres (both xylem and phloem fibres), Tracheids (xylem), and Sieve tubes (phloem) are all components of the conducting tissues. The pericycle is a layer of parenchyma cells located just inside the endodermis in the root and stem, surrounding the vascular tissue. It is involved in the formation of lateral roots and secondary growth (vascular cambium and cork cambium) but is not considered a part of the vascular or conducting tissue itself.

Vascular tissues are complex tissues composed of different cell types working together for transport. Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to leaves, while phloem transports sugars (food) from leaves to other parts of the plant. The pericycle is meristematic in some cases and plays a crucial role in the development of lateral organs and thickening growth, but its primary function is not conduction.

47. Which one of the following cell organelles does NOT possess its own ge

Which one of the following cell organelles does NOT possess its own genetic material encoding proteins ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ribosome” option2=”Nucleus” option3=”Mitochondria” option4=”Chloroplast” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) Ribosome.

Cell organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts contain their own DNA which encodes some of their proteins. Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins, but they do not possess their own DNA. The genes for ribosomal RNA are located in the nuclear DNA, and ribosomal proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm based on mRNA transcribed from nuclear DNA.

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are believed to have originated from endosymbiotic bacteria, which is why they retained their own circular DNA and protein synthesis machinery (including ribosomes distinct from cytoplasmic ribosomes). The nucleus contains the vast majority of a eukaryotic cell’s genetic material in the form of linear DNA chromosomes. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, translating mRNA into protein sequences, but they do not carry the genetic code for their own proteins or rRNA in a dedicated genome within the organelle itself.

48. Which one of the following cell organelles does NOT possess nucleic ac

Which one of the following cell organelles does NOT possess nucleic acid ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Nucleolus” option2=”Chloroplast” option3=”Ribosome” option4=”Plasma Membrane” correct=”option4″]

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The correct option is D, Plasma Membrane. The plasma membrane is primarily composed of a lipid bilayer and proteins and does not contain nucleic acids (DNA or RNA).

– Nucleolus is found within the nucleus and contains ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins involved in ribosome synthesis.
– Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and possess their own circular DNA, as well as RNA.
– Ribosomes are complexes of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins, responsible for protein synthesis. They contain nucleic acid (RNA).

Other organelles that contain nucleic acids (DNA) include the nucleus (main repository of DNA) and mitochondria (possess their own circular DNA).

49. The 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) was held in New Delhi

The 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) was held in New Delhi in November, 2017. Which of the following statements about GCCS is/are correct ?

1. The 4th version of GCCS was held in London.
2. The main theme of GCCS 2017 is ‘Cyber4All: A Secure and Inclusive Cyberspace for Sustainable Development’.
3. ‘Bindu’ is the logo of GCCS 2017.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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The correct option is C, 2 and 3 only.

– Statement 1: The 4th version of GCCS was held in The Hague, Netherlands (2015), not London. The first GCCS was held in London (2011). So, statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 2: The main theme of GCCS 2017 was indeed ‘Cyber4All: A Secure and Inclusive Cyberspace for Sustainable Development’. So, statement 2 is correct.
– Statement 3: ‘Bindu’ was the official logo of GCCS 2017, representing a digital point originating from India and connecting the world. So, statement 3 is correct.

GCCS is a global platform for discussing international cyber policy issues. The 2017 edition was hosted by India.

50. In order to review the Income Tax Act, 1961 and to draft a new Direct

In order to review the Income Tax Act, 1961 and to draft a new Direct Tax Law in consonance with economic needs of the country, the Government of India in November 2017 has constituted a Task Force. Who among the following is the convenor of it ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Shri Arvind Subramanian” option2=”Shri Arbind Modi” option3=”Shri Amitabh Kant” option4=”Dr. Bibek Debroy” correct=”option2″]

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The correct option is B, Shri Arbind Modi. The Task Force constituted in November 2017 to review the Income Tax Act, 1961, and draft a new direct tax law was headed by Arbind Modi, who was a Member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) at the time.

– The task force was mandated to draft a new direct tax law in tune with the economic needs of the country and simplify the existing legislation.
– The committee submitted its report in August 2019.

The other options are prominent figures but were not the convenor of this specific task force. Arvind Subramanian was the Chief Economic Advisor at the time. Amitabh Kant is CEO of NITI Aayog. Dr. Bibek Debroy is Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.