2011 Archives

61. Certain measures of Dalhousie created serious discontent in India, whi

Certain measures of Dalhousie created serious discontent in India, which were also responsible for the revolt of 1857. Which of the following measures was *not* one of them ?

Doctrine of Lapse

Introduction of Railways and Telegraph

Abolition of titles and pensions of several rulers

Educational reforms

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct option is B) Introduction of Railways and Telegraph.

While the introduction of Railways and Telegraph lines by Dalhousie was a significant modernization effort that served British strategic and economic interests and caused some social disruption, it was not a primary cause of the widespread discontent among Indian rulers, soldiers, and the populace that directly led to the Revolt of 1857 in the same way as the Doctrine of Lapse, abolition of titles and pensions, and perceived interference through educational reforms.

Lord Dalhousie’s administration (1848-1856) introduced several controversial policies. The Doctrine of Lapse led to the annexation of states like Satara, Nagpur, and Jhansi on the pretext of lack of a natural heir, causing immense resentment among Indian rulers. The abolition of titles and pensions of deposed rulers (like Nana Saheb) further fueled political discontent. Educational reforms and associated social changes were viewed with suspicion by traditional elements, who feared interference with their religion and customs. The introduction of Railways and Telegraph, while transformative, was primarily seen by Indians as serving the British rulers and not a direct cause of the specific type of political, social, or religious discontent that ignited the revolt. The immediate trigger was the greased cartridges issue, but the underlying causes included Dalhousie’s annexations and reforms.

62. India has identified ten new hydropower projects for development to ac

India has identified ten new hydropower projects for development to achieve the target of import of 10,000 MW of hydropower from a neighbouring country by 2020. Which is that country ?

Bhutan

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Bangladesh

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

India has identified ten new hydropower projects for development to achieve the target of importing 10,000 MW of hydropower from Bhutan by 2020.

India has a long-standing and extensive cooperation with Bhutan in the hydropower sector. India provides financial and technical assistance for building major hydropower projects in Bhutan, and in return, India has the right to buy the surplus power generated from these projects. This cooperation is a significant source of revenue for Bhutan and helps India meet its energy demands. The target of importing 10,000 MW by 2020 is part of this bilateral framework.

Several large hydropower projects have been built or are under construction in Bhutan with Indian assistance, such as Chukha, Tala, Kurichhu, Punatsangchhu I & II, and Mangdechhu. These projects are primarily geared towards power export to India. While India also cooperates with Nepal on hydropower, the scale and specific target mentioned align more closely with the established framework and ongoing projects with Bhutan around the 2011 timeframe.

63. The Economic Survey 2010 – 2011 has suggested the creation of a Nation

The Economic Survey 2010 – 2011 has suggested the creation of a National Forest Land Bank to

settle disputes between agitating farmers and POSCO in Orissa

resolve differences between nodal ministries like Coal and Power and the Ministry of Environment

meet the UP farmers demand for higher compensation

provide relief to the farmers of Vidarbha in Maharashtra

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Economic Survey 2010-2011 suggested the creation of a National Forest Land Bank primarily to resolve differences and expedite clearances for development projects between ministries like Coal and Power and the Ministry of Environment.

The Economic Survey highlighted the delays and conflicts arising from obtaining forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects. The proposal for a National Forest Land Bank aimed to create a pool of readily available non-forest land across different agro-ecological zones. This land could then be used for compensatory afforestation, a mandatory requirement when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes. By having land readily available, the process of granting forest clearances could be streamlined, addressing the bottlenecks faced by development ministries and industries, thereby resolving conflicts with the Environment Ministry.

Compensatory afforestation requires planting trees on an equivalent area of non-forest land or on degraded forest land. Identifying and acquiring suitable land for this purpose was a major cause of delay. The Land Bank concept was intended as a mechanism to overcome this hurdle and facilitate faster clearances for critical projects.

64. Which of the following is the objective of the Institutes of Technolog

Which of the following is the objective of the Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill 2010 passed by the Lok Sabha in March 2011 ?

To allow IITs to launch courses in non-engineering disciplines like Medicine and Economics

To provide IITs autonomy in administration and faculty appointments

To allow IITs to set up campuses overseas

To provide IIT status to eight new institutions

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

The objective of the Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill 2010, passed by the Lok Sabha in March 2011, was to provide IIT status to eight new institutions.

The Bill sought to amend the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, which governs the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The primary purpose of the 2010 amendment was to integrate eight new centrally funded institutes of technology into the fold of the IIT Act, formally designating them as IITs. These were the new IITs established across different states during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012).

The eight institutions that were granted IIT status through this amendment were IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Rajasthan (later IIT Jodhpur), IIT Patna, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Ropar, IIT Mandi, and IIT Indore. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in March 2011 and subsequently by the Rajya Sabha, becoming an Act.

65. Which of the following countries won the gold medal in Cricket in the

Which of the following countries won the gold medal in Cricket in the Asian Games, 2010 ?

Sri Lanka

Pakistan

Bangladesh

India

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

Bangladesh won the gold medal in Men’s Cricket at the Asian Games, 2010.

Cricket was included in the Asian Games for the first time in 2010 held in Guangzhou, China, featuring the T20 format.
– Men’s Tournament: Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan in the final to win the gold medal. Pakistan secured the bronze medal.
– Women’s Tournament: Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in the final to win the gold medal. China secured the bronze medal.
The question asks about “gold medal in Cricket”. Since Bangladesh won the gold medal in the Men’s event and Pakistan won the gold medal in the Women’s event, and both are options, it is possible the question implicitly refers to the more prominent Men’s event, or it expects recognition of one of the gold medal winners. Given the options, both Bangladesh and Pakistan won a gold. However, assuming the more prominent men’s event is referred to, Bangladesh is the winner.

India did not send teams for the cricket event in the 2010 Asian Games, citing prior international commitments. In the 2014 Asian Games, Sri Lanka won the Men’s gold and Pakistan won the Women’s gold again.

66. Which one among the following brought together the thinkers, editors,

Which one among the following brought together the thinkers, editors, business and cultural groups and political leaders of India and Pakistan to bridge the divide between the nations ?

Aman Biradari

Aman Ki Ore

Aman Ke Raste

Aman Ki Asha

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

The initiative that brought together thinkers, editors, business and cultural groups, and political leaders of India and Pakistan to bridge the divide between the nations is Aman Ki Asha.

Aman Ki Asha (meaning ‘Hope for Peace’) was a joint peace initiative launched in 2010 by two leading media houses, the Jang Group of Pakistan and The Times of India Group of India. The initiative aimed to promote peace and cooperation between the two countries through various activities including dialogues, cultural exchanges, and media campaigns involving people from different walks of life.

The initiative gained significant media attention and organised numerous events and discussions across both countries involving artists, intellectuals, students, business leaders, and politicians, seeking to build public support for better relations and understanding.

67. In 2010, at the Lisbon Summit, NATO signed a “Declaration on Enduring

In 2010, at the Lisbon Summit, NATO signed a “Declaration on Enduring Partnership” for future enhanced cooperation with regard to capacity building and security sector reform. With whom did NATO sign this declaration ?

Pakistan

Turkey

Serbia

Afghanistan

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

In 2010, at the Lisbon Summit, NATO signed a “Declaration on Enduring Partnership” for future enhanced cooperation with Afghanistan.

The NATO Summit in Lisbon in November 2010 was a significant event where NATO leaders reviewed the mission in Afghanistan (ISAF). A key outcome was the agreement with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on a long-term partnership aimed at strengthening Afghanistan’s institutions, particularly in the security sector, beyond the planned transition of security responsibility to Afghan forces. This partnership was formalised through the “Declaration on Enduring Partnership”.

The enduring partnership framework aimed to continue NATO’s support to Afghanistan through training, assistance, and advice even after the completion of the ISAF mission. The focus was on capacity building and ensuring Afghanistan’s long-term stability and security sector reform.

68. Which one among the following is not a plantation crop ?

Which one among the following is *not* a plantation crop ?

Coffee

Sugarcane

Wheat

Rubber

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

Among the given options, Wheat is not a plantation crop.

Plantation crops are typically grown on large estates with the primary purpose of export or large-scale processing. They are usually perennial crops or annual crops cultivated using methods similar to perennials on large farms.
– Coffee: Perennial crop, grown on plantations.
– Sugarcane: Often grown on large farms, historically associated with plantations in many regions.
– Wheat: A staple food grain, typically grown as a field crop in extensive or intensive farming systems, not considered a plantation crop.
– Rubber: Perennial tree crop, widely grown on plantations.

Other examples of plantation crops include tea, cocoa, cotton, oil palm, and specific spices like cardamom. Wheat is a field crop usually cultivated on small to large farms, but not typically categorised under the ‘plantation’ model which implies specific economic and organisational structures often linked to colonial history or large-scale commercial export.

69. ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Regional Block consist

ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Regional Block consists of a number of countries. Which one of the following groups of countries is a part of this block ?

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar

Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, China

Indonesia, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Myanmar

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

The group of countries that is a part of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) block among the given options is Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

ASEAN comprises ten member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Option B lists six of these ten members.

ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on 7 January 1984, Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999.

70. In which stage of ‘demographic transition’ is India at present ?

In which stage of ‘demographic transition’ is India at present ?

High birth rate and high death rate

High birth rate and low death rate

High birth rate and falling death rate

Low birth rate and low death rate

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

Download PDF Attempt Online

India is generally considered to be in the later part of Stage 2 or entering Stage 3 of the demographic transition model. Among the given options, “High birth rate and low death rate” (Stage 2) best describes the condition leading to the significant population growth experienced by India, where death rates have fallen substantially while birth rates, although falling, remain relatively high compared to developed countries.

The demographic transition model describes population change over time.
– Stage 1: High birth rate, high death rate.
– Stage 2: High birth rate, falling death rate (leading to rapid population growth).
– Stage 3: Falling birth rate, low death rate (population growth slows down).
– Stage 4: Low birth rate, low death rate (population stabilizes or declines).
In India, death rates declined significantly due to improved healthcare and living conditions, starting earlier than birth rates. By 2011, death rates were relatively low, while birth rates were still considerably above replacement level, resulting in a large natural increase and rapid population growth, characteristic of Stage 2 or the transition phase into Stage 3 where birth rates begin to fall more significantly. Option B, “High birth rate and low death rate,” accurately reflects the state that generates rapid growth observed in India.

While birth rates in India were indeed falling by 2011 (moving towards Stage 3), option C “High birth rate and falling death rate” is less accurate for 2011 as death rates had already largely fallen and stabilised at a low level, rather than *rapidly* falling at that specific time. Option B describes the *result* of the process where death rates fell and birth rates remained high relative to death rates.