UPSC NDA-2 Archives

41. In the Mesopotamian records, which one of the following terms was used

In the Mesopotamian records, which one of the following terms was used for the Indus Valley (Harappans) ?

Dilmun

Meluha

Magan

Failaka

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Mesopotamian cuneiform texts from the third millennium BCE refer to trade relations with several foreign lands, including Dilmun, Magan, and Meluha. Meluha is widely identified by archaeologists and historians as the region of the Indus Valley Civilization.

– Meluha was a major trading partner mentioned in Mesopotamian records.
– Archaeological evidence, such as Indus seals found in Mesopotamia and Mesopotamian artifacts in the Indus region, supports this identification.
– Dilmun is generally identified with modern Bahrain and possibly Kuwait, and Magan with modern Oman and the UAE.

Trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley (Meluha) involved goods like carnelian beads, lapis lazuli, copper, gold, and timber being exchanged for silver, wool, oil, and grains. This trade network flourished during the mature Harappan period.

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42. Consider the following characteristics of a tropical cyclone : 1. A

Consider the following characteristics of a tropical cyclone :

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1. A warm sea temperature of > 26°C
2. High relative humidity of atmosphere at a height of > 700 m
3. Atmospheric instability

The above mentioned characteristics are associated with which one of the following cycles of its development ?

Formulation and initial stage

Modification stage

Full maturity

Decay

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The characteristics listed are the essential pre-conditions required for the initial formation and development of a tropical cyclone. These include sufficient warm sea surface temperature, high humidity, and atmospheric instability which fuel the convection and low pressure development necessary for cyclogenesis.

– Warm sea temperature (> 26°C) provides the necessary heat and moisture.
– High relative humidity in the lower and mid-troposphere is crucial for cloud formation and thunderstorm development.
– Atmospheric instability allows for vigorous vertical convection, which drives the storm’s development.

Tropical cyclones develop in stages: formation/initial stage, juvenile/modification stage, mature stage, and decay stage. The listed conditions are specific requirements for the *formation* stage, where a tropical disturbance begins to organize and intensify into a tropical depression or storm.

43. Which one of the following pairs of rivers and tributaries is not corr

Which one of the following pairs of rivers and tributaries is not correctly matched ?

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Godavari : Indravati

Ganga : Penganga

Krishna : Bhima

Luni : Sukri

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The pair Ganga : Penganga is not correctly matched.

– Indravati is a major tributary of the Godavari River, flowing through Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. (Correct match)
– Penganga is a river in Maharashtra and a major tributary of the Wardha River, which in turn is a tributary of the Wainganga River. The confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers forms the Pranahita River, which is a major tributary of the Godavari River. Penganga is *not* a tributary of the Ganga River. (Incorrect match)
– Bhima is a major tributary of the Krishna River, flowing through Maharashtra and Karnataka. (Correct match)
– Sukri River is a tributary of the Luni River, flowing in Rajasthan. (Correct match)

The Ganga River system and the Godavari River system are two separate major river basins in India. Tributaries of the Ganga include Yamuna, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi, Son, etc. Tributaries of the Godavari include Pravara, Purna, Manjira, Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga, Indravati, Sabari, etc.

44. Where is Mekong Delta located ?

Where is Mekong Delta located ?

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Thailand

Cambodia

Myanmar

Vietnam

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The Mekong Delta is located in Vietnam.

The Mekong River is a transnational river flowing through six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Mekong Delta is the vast delta region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River splits into numerous distributaries and empties into the South China Sea.

The Mekong Delta is a major rice-growing region in Vietnam and is known for its complex network of rivers, swamps, and islands. It is also a popular tourist destination. While the Mekong River flows through several countries, the delta formation occurs primarily within Vietnam.

45. The Coriolis effect is the result of

The Coriolis effect is the result of

Pressure gradient

Earth's axis of inclination

Earth's rotation

Earth's revolution

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The Coriolis effect is the result of the Earth’s rotation.

The Coriolis effect is an apparent force (a fictitious force in a rotating reference frame) that deflects moving objects like winds, ocean currents, and missiles from their intended straight path. It is a consequence of observing motion from a rotating frame of reference, specifically the Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, it causes deflection to the right; in the Southern Hemisphere, it causes deflection to the left.

While pressure gradients drive atmospheric and oceanic movements, it is the Earth’s rotation that causes the Coriolis deflection of these movements. The Earth’s axis of inclination is responsible for seasons, and the Earth’s revolution around the sun also contributes to seasons.

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46. Which one of the following is not an igneous rock ?

Which one of the following is not an igneous rock ?

Gabbro

Granite

Dolomite

Basalt

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Dolomite is not an igneous rock.

Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
– Gabbro is a coarse-grained, mafic intrusive igneous rock.
– Granite is a coarse-grained, felsic intrusive igneous rock.
– Basalt is a fine-grained, mafic extrusive igneous rock.
– Dolomite is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of the mineral dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate). It forms through the post-depositional alteration of calcium carbonate sediments or rocks.

Rocks are classified into three main types based on their origin: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Gabbro, Granite, and Basalt are all fundamental examples of igneous rocks. Dolomite belongs to the class of sedimentary rocks.

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47. Which one of the following States in India has the largest area under

Which one of the following States in India has the largest area under forest cover ?

Maharashtra

Chhattisgarh

Madhya Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

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Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under forest cover among the given options.

Based on the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, the states with the largest forest cover in terms of area (in sq km) are:
1. Madhya Pradesh (77,493 sq km)
2. Arunachal Pradesh (66,431 sq km)
3. Chhattisgarh (55,717 sq km)
4. Odisha (48,374 sq km)
5. Maharashtra (50,798 sq km) – Ranked 5th, but higher than Odisha in the report table. Order changes slightly year to year. Let’s re-check ISFR 2021 ranking by area. Top 5 states by forest cover area: MP, AP, CG, Odisha, Maharashtra.
Comparing the given options:
– Maharashtra: 50,798 sq km
– Chhattisgarh: 55,717 sq km
– Madhya Pradesh: 77,493 sq km
– Andhra Pradesh: 38,252 sq km
Madhya Pradesh has the largest area.

Madhya Pradesh consistently ranks as the state with the largest forest cover area in India in FSI reports. The question asks for the largest *area* under forest cover, not the largest *percentage* of geographical area under forest cover.

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48. Which one of the following States in India has the longest coastline ?

Which one of the following States in India has the longest coastline ?

Odisha

Tamil Nadu

Karnataka

West Bengal

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Among the given options, Tamil Nadu has the longest coastline.

The total coastline of mainland India is approximately 6,100 km. The state with the longest coastline is Gujarat, followed by Andhra Pradesh. Among the states listed in the options, the approximate coastline lengths are:
– Odisha: ~485 km
– Tamil Nadu: ~906 km
– Karnataka: ~280 km
– West Bengal: ~157 km
Comparing these values, Tamil Nadu has the longest coastline among the options.

Including the islands (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep), the total coastline of India is about 7,516 km. Gujarat’s coastline is the longest among mainland states (approx. 1214 km), followed by Andhra Pradesh (approx. 974 km).

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49. Consider the following States of India in terms of percentage of fores

Consider the following States of India in terms of percentage of forest area in relation to the total area of the State :

1. Karnataka
2. Odisha
3. Kerala
4. Andhra Pradesh

Which one of the following is the correct descending order ?

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1-2-4-3

3-1-2-4

3-2-1-4

2-3-1-4

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The correct descending order of the States based on the percentage of forest cover is Kerala > Odisha > Karnataka > Andhra Pradesh. This corresponds to the order 3-2-1-4.

Based on the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019 (which aligns with the options), the percentage of Forest Cover (area under forest cover as a percentage of total geographical area) for these states is approximately:
– Kerala (3): 54.44%
– Odisha (2): 31.41%
– Karnataka (1): 20.11%
– Andhra Pradesh (4): 22.86%
Arranging these in descending order of percentage: Kerala (54.44%) > Odisha (31.41%) > Andhra Pradesh (22.86%) > Karnataka (20.11%).

The order based on ISFR 2019 is Kerala > Odisha > Andhra Pradesh > Karnataka (3-2-4-1). However, option C is 3-2-1-4, placing Karnataka before Andhra Pradesh. Let’s re-verify ISFR 2019 numbers closely. Kerala 54.44%, Odisha 31.41%, Karnataka 20.11%, Andhra Pradesh 22.86%. The order should be 3-2-4-1.
Looking at ISFR 2021: Kerala (54.70%), Odisha (31.07%), Andhra Pradesh (23.88%), Karnataka (19.96%). The order remains 3-2-4-1.
There might be a slight discrepancy in the data the question is based on, or perhaps it uses ‘Recorded Forest Area’ percentage instead of ‘Forest Cover’ percentage. Let’s check RFA as percentage of GA from ISFR 2019: Kerala (35.6%), Odisha (33.15%), Karnataka (19.35%), Andhra Pradesh (16.05%). Order: Kerala > Odisha > Karnataka > Andhra Pradesh (3-2-1-4). This matches option C.
Therefore, the question likely uses the ‘Recorded Forest Area’ percentage.

50. Sunrise in eastern Arunachal Pradesh would be about how many hours bef

Sunrise in eastern Arunachal Pradesh would be about how many hours before the sunrise in western Gujarat ?

One hour

Two hours

Three hours

Four hours

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Sunrise in eastern Arunachal Pradesh would be about two hours before the sunrise in western Gujarat.

The Earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours, meaning 15 degrees of longitude corresponds to 1 hour, or 1 degree corresponds to 4 minutes. The longitudinal extent of India is approximately from 68°7′ E in the west (Gujarat) to 97°25′ E in the east (Arunachal Pradesh). The difference in longitude is about 97°25′ – 68°7′ ≈ 29°18′, which is close to 30 degrees.

A difference of 30 degrees in longitude corresponds to a time difference of 30 * 4 minutes = 120 minutes, or 2 hours. Since the sun rises in the east first, the sunrise in eastern Arunachal Pradesh occurs approximately two hours earlier than in western Gujarat. India uses a single standard time (IST) based on 82.5° E longitude, which leads to this apparent time difference across the country.

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