UPSC NDA-2 Archives

41. Which of the following statements with regards to the Civil Disobedien

Which of the following statements with regards to the Civil Disobedience movement is/are correct ?

1. The movement received massive response from business groups and peasantry
2. The movement coincided with large scale labour upsurge in Maharashtra
3. The movement was marked by the mass participation of lawyers and students

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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Statement 3 is correct: The movement was marked by mass participation of lawyers and students, who boycotted courts and educational institutions respectively as part of the non-cooperation and civil disobedience programmes. Statement 2 is also considered correct: While the Civil Disobedience Movement had various facets, there was indeed significant labour unrest and strikes in industrial centres like Bombay (Maharashtra) during the early 1930s, coinciding with the period of the movement and influenced by the economic depression and political climate. Statement 1 is incorrect: While peasants responded massively to calls for no-revenue and no-rent campaigns, the response from ‘business groups’ as a whole was mixed. Large capitalists were often hesitant or opposed due to disruptions, while smaller merchants might have supported boycotts. Describing the response from business groups as “massive” is generally inaccurate. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

The Civil Disobedience Movement saw widespread participation from diverse sections of society including peasants, students, women, and urban populations. Lawyers boycotting courts and students leaving schools/colleges were specific programmes of the movement. While labour movements had their own drivers, significant unrest in major industrial areas coincided temporally with the CDM.

The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi with the Dandi Salt March. Key features included the Salt Satyagraha, boycott of foreign goods, picketing of liquor shops, no-tax campaigns (especially against land revenue), and boycott of government institutions (courts, schools). Women participated in large numbers, particularly in picketing. The movement’s impact varied across regions and social groups.

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42. The cylindrical stone seals were used in which civilization ?

The cylindrical stone seals were used in which civilization ?

Harappan

Egyptian

Roman

Mesopotamian

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Cylindrical stone seals are a distinctive feature of the Mesopotamian civilization, particularly from periods like the Akkadian and Babylonian empires onwards. These seals were rolled over clay tablets to create an impression, often used for administrative and legal purposes. While seals were used in other ancient civilizations, the widespread use and characteristic form of cylindrical seals are most strongly associated with Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamian cylindrical seals are famous for their intricate carvings and their method of use (rolling). They served as personal identifiers and administrative tools.

The Harappan civilization primarily used square or rectangular stamp seals with carvings of animals and scripts. There was trade contact between the Harappan and Mesopotamian civilizations, and some cylindrical seals have been found in the Indus Valley, but these are often considered imports or local adaptations influenced by Mesopotamian contact rather than a primary form of Harappan seals.

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43. Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister of India is co

Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister of India is codified in the Constitution of India itself ?

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The power of advising the President as regards the appointment of other Ministers

The power to allocate business amongst the Ministers

The power to summon the meeting of the Cabinet

The power to transfer a Minister from one Department to another

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Let’s examine each power:
A) The power of advising the President as regards the appointment of other Ministers: Article 75(1) explicitly states, “The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.” This power is directly codified in the Constitution.
B) The power to allocate business amongst the Ministers: This is a key function of the Prime Minister in the parliamentary system, but it is exercised under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, which are made under Article 77(3), rather than being a power directly codified in the main Articles as belonging specifically to the PM.
C) The power to summon the meeting of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet and summons its meetings. This is a fundamental aspect of the functioning of the Council of Ministers/Cabinet under parliamentary conventions and rules of procedure, but not explicitly codified as a specific power of the PM in the Articles themselves.
D) The power to transfer a Minister from one Department to another: This is also done by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, similar to the initial allocation of portfolios. It falls under the PM’s role in organizing the Council of Ministers but is not a power directly codified in the Constitution’s articles as distinct from the appointment advice.
Comparing the options, the power to advise the President on the appointment of other ministers (A) is the most clearly and directly codified power of the Prime Minister mentioned in the text of the Constitution (Article 75).

While the Prime Minister holds many crucial powers as the head of government and the Council of Ministers, not all of these are explicitly detailed in the Constitution. Many powers are derived from parliamentary conventions and rules of business established under constitutional provisions. The question asks for a power *codified* in the Constitution itself.

Article 78 outlines the duties of the Prime Minister regarding furnishing information to the President, but the specific powers related to running the government, like allocating business or summoning cabinet, are part of the operational framework of the parliamentary system, guided by rules and conventions, stemming from the PM’s position as the head of the Council of Ministers responsible to the Lok Sabha.

44. Which one of the following statements about Money Bill is correct ?

Which one of the following statements about Money Bill is correct ?

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A Bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill only if it provides for imposition of fines or penalties

A Money Bill shall be introduced in the Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha can reject the Money Bill

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha finally decides if it is a Money Bill, should any dispute about it arise

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Statement A is incorrect. Article 110(2) explicitly states that a bill is *not* a Money Bill *only* because it imposes fines or penalties. Money Bills deal with matters listed in Article 110(1), primarily related to taxation, government borrowing, Consolidated Fund, etc.
Statement B is incorrect. Article 109(1) states that a Money Bill *shall not* be introduced in the Rajya Sabha; it can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
Statement C is incorrect. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding Money Bills. It cannot reject or amend a Money Bill. It can only make recommendations to the Lok Sabha, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject. If the Rajya Sabha does not return the bill within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses.
Statement D is correct. Article 110(3) of the Constitution states, “If any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the House of the People thereon shall be final.” The Speaker’s decision on this matter is conclusive.

The Lok Sabha has overriding powers compared to the Rajya Sabha with respect to Money Bills. This reflects the principle that the power to tax and spend (financial power) rests primarily with the directly elected representatives of the people.

Article 110(1) lists the specific matters that qualify a Bill as a Money Bill. These include the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax; regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India; the custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund, etc.

45. Which one of the following statements about the Union Executive in Ind

Which one of the following statements about the Union Executive in India is correct?

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According to the Constitution of India, the total number of members of the Council of Ministers cannot exceed 20% of the total number of Members of the House of the People.

The rank of the different Ministers is determined by the President.

The Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Only a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister.

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Statement A is incorrect. The Constitution was amended by the 91st Amendment Act, 2003, which added Article 75(1A), stating that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the House of the People. The limit is 15%, not 20%.
Statement B is incorrect. While the Ministers are appointed by the President, their rank (Cabinet Minister, Minister of State, etc.) and portfolios are determined by the Prime Minister, who heads the Council of Ministers.
Statement C is correct. Article 75(1) of the Constitution explicitly states, “The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.”
Statement D is incorrect. Article 75(5) states that a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister, but they must become a member of either House within six consecutive months, failing which they cease to be a Minister. Therefore, being a member at the time of appointment is not mandatory.

The President is the head of the Union Executive, but acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in the appointment and allocation of portfolios among ministers.

Article 74(1) states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice. This highlights the real executive authority resting with the Council of Ministers led by the PM.

46. Consider the following statements about the Constitution of India: 1.

Consider the following statements about the Constitution of India:
1. A Member of Parliament enjoys freedom of speech in the Parliament as a Parliamentary Privilege protected by the Constitution of India.
2. The Constitution has vested the power to amend the Constitution in the Parliament.
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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Statement 1: Article 105 of the Constitution of India deals with the powers, privileges, etc., of the Houses of Parliament and the members and committees thereof. Article 105(1) states that “subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to the rules and standing orders regulating the procedure of Parliament, there shall be freedom of speech in Parliament.” Article 105(2) further protects this privilege by stating that “no member shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof”. Thus, freedom of speech in Parliament is a constitutionally protected parliamentary privilege. Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2: Article 368 of the Constitution outlines the procedure for amendment of the Constitution. It clearly states that the power to amend the Constitution is vested in the Parliament. The article details the requirements for introducing an amendment bill and the majorities required for its passage in Parliament, and in some cases, ratification by state legislatures. Statement 2 is correct.

Parliamentary privileges are special rights, immunities, and exemptions enjoyed by Members of Parliament collectively and individually, which are necessary for the effective discharge of their functions. The power to amend the constitution is a constituent power exercised by the Parliament under specific procedures.

The freedom of speech in Parliament is not absolute; it is subject to the provisions of the Constitution and the rules and standing orders of Parliament. However, it provides immunity from court proceedings regarding statements made or votes cast within Parliament. Article 368 specifies different procedures for different types of amendments, but the power rests with the Parliament.

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47. Who are Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh?

Who are Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh?

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Sprinters

Rock climbers

Fighter pilots

Mountaineers

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Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi, and Mohana Singh are renowned Indian women who made history by becoming the first female fighter pilots to be commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) combat stream in 2016. They were part of the first batch of women fighter pilots.

Their induction marked a significant step towards gender equality in the Indian armed forces, breaking barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men.

These pilots underwent rigorous training alongside their male counterparts before being commissioned and eventually allowed to fly frontline fighter jets.

48. The United Nations proclaimed 21 June as:

The United Nations proclaimed 21 June as:

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International Mother Language Day

International Widows' Day

International Day of Yoga

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

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The United Nations General Assembly, by resolution 69/131 adopted on 11 December 2014, proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. The initiative was proposed by India and supported by a large number of member states.

International Days are designated by the United Nations to mark particular events or topics, in order to promote awareness and action. These days serve as a way to focus global attention on important issues.

Other dates mentioned: International Mother Language Day is February 21; International Widows’ Day is June 23; International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is June 26.

49. How many moles of hydrogen atom are present in one mole of Aluminium

How many moles of hydrogen atom are present in one mole of Aluminium hydroxide?

One mole

Two moles

Three moles

Four moles

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The chemical formula for Aluminium hydroxide is Al(OH)₃. This formula indicates that one molecule of Aluminium hydroxide contains one atom of Aluminium (Al) and three hydroxide groups (OH). Each hydroxide group (OH) consists of one Oxygen atom (O) and one Hydrogen atom (H). Therefore, one molecule of Al(OH)₃ contains a total of 3 hydrogen atoms (one in each of the three OH groups).

A mole is a unit of amount of substance, equal to Avogadro’s number (approximately 6.022 × 10²³) of elementary entities (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.). If one molecule contains a certain number of atoms of a particular element, then one mole of molecules will contain the same number of moles of those atoms.

In one mole of Al(OH)₃ molecules, there are Avogadro’s number of Al(OH)₃ molecules. Since each molecule has 3 hydrogen atoms, there are 3 × (Avogadro’s number) of hydrogen atoms. This quantity of hydrogen atoms represents 3 moles of hydrogen atoms.

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50. Which one of the following gases gives acidic solution on dissolving i

Which one of the following gases gives acidic solution on dissolving in water?

Hydrogen

Carbondioxide

Nitrogen

Oxygen

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When carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolves in water (H₂O), it reacts to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) through a reversible reaction: CO₂ + H₂O ⇌ H₂CO₃. Carbonic acid is a weak acid that can dissociate into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻), and further into hydrogen ions and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻). The presence of hydrogen ions increases the acidity of the solution.

Non-metal oxides that react with water form acidic solutions. CO₂ is an oxide of carbon, a non-metal. Other examples include SO₂ and NO₂, which form sulfurous/sulfuric acid and nitrous/nitric acid respectively, contributing to acid rain.

Hydrogen (H₂), Nitrogen (N₂), and Oxygen (O₂) are diatomic gases that do not react with water to form acids under normal conditions. H₂ is neutral. N₂ and O₂ are relatively inert. Oxides of metals, on the other hand, typically form alkaline solutions when dissolved in water (e.g., Na₂O + H₂O → 2NaOH).

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