UPSC NDA-2 Archives

1. Which one of the following metals is most commonly used for making fil

Which one of the following metals is most commonly used for making filament of incandescent electric bulbs?

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Aluminium

Silver

Copper

Tungsten

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Tungsten is the metal most commonly used for making the filament of incandescent electric bulbs.

– The filament in an incandescent bulb needs to glow white-hot (reach a very high temperature) to produce light.
– This requires a material with a very high melting point that can withstand such extreme temperatures without melting or vaporizing quickly.
– Tungsten (chemical symbol W) has the highest melting point of all known metals (3422°C or 6192°F).
– It also has high tensile strength, even at high temperatures, and relatively low vapor pressure, reducing evaporation of the filament.

Early incandescent bulbs used carbon filaments, but tungsten proved to be significantly more efficient and durable. The bulb is often filled with inert gases like argon or nitrogen to reduce tungsten evaporation and prolong the filament’s life.

2. The part of the human ear that converts the pressure variations associ

The part of the human ear that converts the pressure variations associated with audible sound waves to electrical signals is

auditory nerve

cochlea

eardrum

eustachian tube

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The cochlea is the part of the human ear responsible for converting the mechanical vibrations caused by sound waves into electrical signals.

– Sound waves enter the ear canal and cause the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to vibrate.
– These vibrations are transmitted through the middle ear ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) to the oval window.
– The oval window’s movement creates pressure variations in the fluid within the cochlea, which is a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear.
– The cochlea contains the organ of Corti, which houses tiny hair cells. These hair cells are mechanoreceptors that are stimulated by the fluid movements.
– When stimulated, the hair cells generate electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve.

The auditory nerve transmits the electrical signals from the cochlea to the brain for processing. The eardrum is a membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves, transmitting these vibrations to the middle ear bones. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and helps equalize pressure.

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3. Which one of the following statements about the speed of sound waves i

Which one of the following statements about the speed of sound waves is not correct?

The speed of sound waves in steel is higher than that in water.

The speed of sound waves in air decreases with increase in temperature.

The speed of sound waves in air increases with increase in temperature.

The speed of sound waves in water is higher than that in air.

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The statement that the speed of sound waves in air decreases with increase in temperature is incorrect.

– The speed of sound is generally highest in solids, lower in liquids, and lowest in gases. This is because molecules are closer together and interact more strongly in denser media, allowing vibrations to propagate faster.
– The speed of sound in steel is higher than in water, and the speed of sound in water is higher than in air.
– The speed of sound in a gas (like air) increases with increasing temperature. As temperature rises, the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules increases, and they collide more frequently and vigorously, allowing the sound wave to travel faster.

The speed of sound in dry air at 0°C is approximately 331.3 m/s. For every degree Celsius increase in temperature, the speed increases by about 0.6 m/s. Therefore, speed increases with temperature.

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4. SONAR is a device that is used to measure the distance of underwater o

SONAR is a device that is used to measure the distance of underwater objects by a ship. Which of the following types of waves does it use for this purpose?

Infrasonic waves

Sound waves in audible range for human beings

Ultrasonic waves

All of the above

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SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) systems typically use ultrasonic waves to measure distances and detect underwater objects.

– SONAR works by emitting sound pulses and measuring the time it takes for the echo to return after bouncing off an object.
– The speed of sound in water is known, so the distance can be calculated from the travel time.
– Ultrasonic waves (frequencies above the human hearing range, typically >20 kHz) are preferred in SONAR for several reasons, including better directionality, less attenuation over typical ranges compared to higher frequencies, and superior resolution compared to lower (infrasonic or audible) frequencies for object detection.

SONAR can be active (emitting pulses) or passive (listening to sounds). Active SONAR, used for distance measurement, relies heavily on the properties of ultrasonic pulses. While lower frequencies might be used for long-range detection (where attenuation is lower), ultrasonic frequencies are standard for detailed navigation and object location applications described in the question.

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5. Consider the following statements : 1. The Sharavati river creates J

Consider the following statements :

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1. The Sharavati river creates Jog Falls.
2. The Brahmani river is formed by the confluence of the Kosi and Sankh rivers.
3. The Tamraparni is a river of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

None

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Statement 1 and Statement 3 are correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, two statements are correct.

– Statement 1: The Sharavati river is indeed famous for creating the Jog Falls, one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India.
– Statement 2: The Brahmani river is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela in Odisha, not the Kosi and Sankh rivers. The Kosi river is a major tributary of the Ganges, flowing through Nepal and India.
– Statement 3: The Tamraparni river originates in the Pothigai hills of the Western Ghats and flows through the Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Gulf of Mannar.

Jog Falls is also known as Gerosappa Falls or Joga Falls. The Brahmani is a major interstate river in eastern India, flowing through Odisha. The Tamraparni river is considered sacred in Tamil Nadu and has several temples located along its banks.

6. Consider the following statements about ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN)

Consider the following statements about ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN)’ scheme :

1. It is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.
2. It creates affordability yet economically viable and profitable flight on regional routes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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The correct option is C, Both 1 and 2.

The Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme is a regional connectivity scheme launched by the Government of India.
Statement 1: “It is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.” This is correct. The primary objective of UDAN is to make air travel accessible and affordable for common people by stimulating regional air connectivity, thereby developing the regional aviation market.
Statement 2: “It creates affordability yet economically viable and profitable flight on regional routes.” This is also correct. The scheme aims to make flights affordable for passengers through measures like fare caps on a certain percentage of seats. To ensure economic viability for airlines operating on potentially less profitable regional routes, the scheme includes a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism, where the government provides financial support to cover operational costs that cannot be met by passenger fares alone. This mechanism helps make the routes economically viable for operators.

UDAN is a market-based mechanism where airlines bid for routes and commit to providing a certain number of subsidized seats. It is a component of the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016. The scheme focuses on improving infrastructure at unserved and underserved airports and providing incentives to airlines to operate flights on these routes.

7. The activities or services focussed on creation, rearrangement and int

The activities or services focussed on creation, rearrangement and interpretation of new and existing ideas are referred to as

quaternary activities

quinary activities

tertiary activities

secondary activities

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The correct option is A, quaternary activities.

Economic activities are commonly classified into sectors:
– **Primary:** Extraction of natural resources (agriculture, mining, fishing, forestry).
– **Secondary:** Processing of raw materials and manufacturing (industry, construction).
– **Tertiary:** Services that support the primary and secondary sectors and provide services to consumers (trade, transport, communication, banking, healthcare, education).
– **Quaternary:** Knowledge-based activities involving the collection, processing, and dissemination of information; research and development; specialized knowledge and technical skills. This sector is focused on the creation, rearrangement, and interpretation of new and existing ideas.
– **Quinary:** The highest level of decision-making in an economy, often considered a subset of quaternary activities. These are ‘gold collar’ professions involving top executives, government officials, scientists, and policy makers who create new knowledge and make significant decisions.
The description “creation, rearrangement and interpretation of new and existing ideas” directly corresponds to the definition of quaternary activities.

The growth of the quaternary sector is characteristic of post-industrial societies, where information and knowledge become increasingly important drivers of economic growth. Activities like IT services, consulting, research, education, and financial planning fall under this category.

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8. Consider the following statements : 1. Maharashtra State has the max

Consider the following statements :

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1. Maharashtra State has the maximum share of national highways (length in kilometres).
2. The nature of terrain and the level of economic development is one of the reasons for the maximum share of national highways in Maharashtra.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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The correct option is D, Neither 1 nor 2.

Statement 1 claims Maharashtra State has the maximum share of national highways (length in kilometres). As of recent data (e.g., from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India), states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan typically have a greater length of National Highways than Maharashtra. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 2 says “The nature of terrain and the level of economic development is one of the reasons for the maximum share of national highways in Maharashtra.” Since statement 1 is incorrect (Maharashtra does not have the maximum share), statement 2’s premise about reasons for the “maximum share” in Maharashtra is flawed. While terrain and economic development *are* factors influencing road network density and development, stating them as reasons for Maharashtra having the *maximum* share is incorrect because it doesn’t have the maximum share. Therefore, statement 2 is also incorrect as worded.

States with large geographical area, high population density, and significant economic activity tend to have extensive road networks, including National Highways. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have large areas, while UP also has the highest population. Maharashtra is economically developed and has diverse terrain, which contributes to its significant, but not leading, position in terms of NH length. Road development plans consider various factors including economic needs, strategic importance, connectivity to major centers, and terrain challenges.

9. Which one of the following areas was acquired by the British under the

Which one of the following areas was acquired by the British under the Treaty of Deogaon, 1803?

Cuttack

Murshidabad

Surat

Calicut

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The correct option is A, Cuttack.

The Treaty of Deogaon was one of the treaties signed in December 1803, marking the end of the Second Anglo-Maratha War with the Bhonsle Raja of Nagpur (Berar). According to this treaty, the Raja ceded the province of Cuttack (which included Balasore) and territory west of the Wardha river to the British East India Company. This acquisition was significant for the British as it connected their possessions in Bengal with those in Madras along the eastern coast.
– Murshidabad was the capital of the Bengal Subah under the Nawabs and was brought under effective British control after the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the grant of Diwani (1765).
– Surat was an important trading port in Gujarat, controlled at various times by the Mughals and Marathas, and became a key British trading post, but its acquisition wasn’t primarily defined by the Treaty of Deogaon.
– Calicut (Kozhikode) was a significant port on the Malabar Coast in present-day Kerala, involved in trade with Arab and European merchants, distinct from the areas covered by the Anglo-Maratha Wars in 1803.

The Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805) involved the British against the Scindia, Holkar, and Bhonsle confederacy. The British signed separate treaties with these Maratha powers: Treaty of Bassein (1802) with the Peshwa (which triggered the war), Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (1803) with Scindia, and Treaty of Deogaon (1803) with Bhonsle. These treaties significantly expanded British territory and influence in India.

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10. Who among the following is the author of the Hastyayurveda ?

Who among the following is the author of the Hastyayurveda ?

Palakapya

Vagbhata

Sushruta

Charaka

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The correct option is A, Palakapya.

Hastyayurveda is an ancient Sanskrit treatise focusing on the diseases and treatment of elephants. Traditional Indian veterinary literature attributes this work to a sage named Palakapya, who is said to have lived in the Anga kingdom.
The other options are incorrect:
– Vagbhata is known for his works on human medicine, Ashtanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Sangraha.
– Sushruta is famous for the Sushruta Samhita, a foundational text on surgery.
– Charaka is renowned for the Charaka Samhita, a key text on internal medicine (Ayurveda).
These three figures (Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata) are considered the “Great Trio” (Vriddha Trayi) of Ayurveda, focusing primarily on human health, whereas Palakapya is associated with veterinary science, specifically elephant medicine.

Veterinary science, particularly the care and treatment of elephants, was important in ancient India due to the elephants’ role in warfare, transport, and forestry. Texts like Hastyayurveda reflect a sophisticated understanding of animal anatomy, physiology, and pathology in that era.

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