2014

51. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity toget

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

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biosphere reserves
botanical gardens
national parks
wildlife sanctuaries
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UPSC IAS – 2014
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The establishment of biosphere reserves is considered the most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life.
The question asks about the conservation strategy that best integrates biodiversity conservation with the preservation of traditional human life.
Biosphere reserves are designed to reconcile conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable development, actively involving local communities and traditional lifestyles. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries prioritize strict conservation, often restricting human activities. Botanical gardens focus on ex-situ plant conservation.

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52. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India cont

Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

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Second Schedule
Fifth Schedule
Eighth Schedule
Tenth Schedule
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The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding disqualification of members of Parliament and State Legislatures on the ground of defection.
The question requires knowledge of the contents of the various Schedules of the Indian Constitution.
The Tenth Schedule was added to the Constitution by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985, also known as the Anti-Defection Law. The Second Schedule deals with emoluments, allowances, privileges, etc., of constitutional functionaries. The Fifth Schedule contains provisions relating to the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. The Eighth Schedule lists the recognized languages of India.

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53. Consider the following pairs : Hills : Region 1. Cardamom Hills : Coro

Consider the following pairs :
Hills : Region
1. Cardamom Hills : Coromandel Coast
2. Kaimur Hills : Konkan Coast
3. Mahadeo Hills : Central India
4. Mikir Hills : North-East India
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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1 and 2
2 and 3
3 and 4
2 and 4
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Pair 3 (Mahadeo Hills : Central India) and Pair 4 (Mikir Hills : North-East India) are correctly matched.
The question tests knowledge of the geographical location of various hill ranges in India.
Pair 1 is incorrect; Cardamom Hills are part of the Southern Western Ghats, located in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, while the Coromandel Coast is the southeastern coast of India. Pair 2 is incorrect; Kaimur Hills are part of the Vindhya Range located primarily in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, while the Konkan Coast is the western coastline stretching across Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. Mahadeo Hills are part of the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh, which is indeed in Central India. Mikir Hills are located in Assam and are part of the Meghalaya Plateau/Purvanchal ranges, which are in North-East India.

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54. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems

Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?

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Mimamsa and Vedanta
Nyaya and Vaisheshika
Lokayata and Kapalika
Sankhya and Yoga
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Lokayata and Kapalika do not form part of the six orthodox (Astika) systems of Indian Philosophy recognized traditionally.
The question requires identification of the components of the traditional six systems of Indian Philosophy (Shad-darshanas).
The six orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa (or simply Mimamsa), and Uttara Mimamsa (or Vedanta). Lokayata (also known as Charvaka) is a heterodox (Nastika) materialistic school. Kapalika is a tantric sect of Shaivism.

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55. Consider the following pairs : Wetlands Confluence of rivers

Consider the following pairs :

WetlandsConfluence of rivers
1. Harike WetlandsConfluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej
2. Keoladeo Ghana National ParkConfluence of Banas and Chambal
3. Kolleru LakeConfluence of Musi and Krishna

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Pair 1 is correctly matched. Harike Wetlands are located at the confluence of the Beas and Satluj rivers in Punjab.
The question tests knowledge of the geographical locations of prominent Indian wetlands and national parks relative to river systems.
Pair 2 is incorrect; Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Rajasthan is fed by the Ban Ganga and Gambhir rivers, not the Banas and Chambal rivers. Pair 3 is incorrect; Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh is located between the deltas of the Godavari and Krishna rivers, not specifically at the confluence of the Musi and Krishna (Musi is a tributary of Krishna, but the lake’s location is described by its position relative to the deltas).

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56. Consider the following rivers : 1. Barak 2. Lohit 3. Subansiri Wh

Consider the following rivers :

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  • 1. Barak
  • 2. Lohit
  • 3. Subansiri

Which of the above flows/flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The question asks which of the listed rivers flow through Arunachal Pradesh. Let’s examine each river:
1. Barak: The Barak River is a major river in Northeast India. It originates in Manipur and flows through Nagaland and Assam in India before entering Bangladesh, where it merges with the Surma and Kushiyara rivers. It does not flow through Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Lohit: The Lohit River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. It originates in Tibet and flows through Arunachal Pradesh (in the eastern part, forming the easternmost part of the Brahmaputra basin in India) before joining the Brahmaputra in Assam. It flows through Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Subansiri: The Subansiri River is another major tributary of the Brahmaputra. It also originates in Tibet and flows through Arunachal Pradesh (in the central part) before joining the Brahmaputra in Assam. It flows through Arunachal Pradesh.
– The Lohit and Subansiri rivers are tributaries of the Brahmaputra that flow through Arunachal Pradesh.
– The Barak River flows through Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam before entering Bangladesh.
Arunachal Pradesh is known as the “land of the dawn-lit mountains” and has numerous rivers and tributaries, many originating from the Himalayas. The Brahmaputra itself enters India in Arunachal Pradesh (where it is known as Siang) before being joined by tributaries like Lohit and Dibang and then flowing into Assam.

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57. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan

With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to

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an assembly of village elders
a religious sect
a style of temple construction
an administrative functionary
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The term ‘Panchayatan’ in the cultural history of India refers to a specific style of temple construction.
A) an assembly of village elders: An assembly of village elders is typically referred to as a Gram Panchayat or similar terms depending on the historical period and region, not Panchayatan.
B) a religious sect: While ‘pancha’ means five, and some religious traditions might involve groups of five or specific sets of deities, ‘Panchayatan’ in the context of cultural history specifically denotes an architectural style.
C) a style of temple construction: The Panchayatan style of temple architecture is a layout where the main shrine is built on a raised platform, and four subsidiary shrines are located at the four corners, making it a group of five (pancha) shrines dedicated typically to a principal deity in the center and four other deities. This forms a complete ‘mandala’ pattern. This is the correct meaning of Panchayatan in this context.
D) an administrative functionary: An administrative functionary would not be referred to by this term.
– Panchayatan is a style of Hindu temple architecture.
– It features a main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
Famous examples of temples built in the Panchayatan style include the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh (Uttar Pradesh) and the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), although the latter is sometimes debated as a strict Panchayatan due to the integration of subsidiary shrines into the main structure’s platform. This style became prominent during the Gupta period and continued in later periods.

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58. The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of

The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of

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Equatorial climate
Mediterranean climate
Monsoon climate
All of the above climates
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The question asks which climate is characterized by the seasonal reversal of winds.
A) Equatorial climate: Equatorial climate regions near the equator typically experience consistent high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year, with prevailing winds that are generally constant (like trade winds or doldrums). There is no significant seasonal reversal of winds.
B) Mediterranean climate: Mediterranean climates are characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typically influenced by the seasonal shift of subtropical high-pressure belts. While there are seasonal wind patterns, the defining characteristic is not a complete reversal of prevailing winds.
C) Monsoon climate: The monsoon climate is specifically defined by the seasonal reversal of wind direction. In summer, winds blow from the sea to the land (bringing heavy rainfall), and in winter, they blow from the land to the sea (leading to dry conditions). This reversal is driven by the differential heating of land and sea.
D) All of the above climates: Only the Monsoon climate exhibits the characteristic seasonal reversal of winds.
– Seasonal reversal of winds is the defining feature of the Monsoon climate.
– This phenomenon is caused by the differential heating of land and water bodies over seasons.
Monsoon climates are most prominent in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia, as well as other regions like parts of Africa and Australia. The Indian subcontinent is a classic example of a monsoon climate region.

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59. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?

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  • 1. Terrace cultivation
  • 2. Deforestation
  • 3. Tropical climate

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only
2 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The question asks which factors are associated with the problem of soil erosion in India.
1. Terrace cultivation: While terrace cultivation is a conservation practice used to reduce soil erosion on slopes, it is associated with *areas where* soil erosion is a problem (hilly and mountainous regions). If done improperly or not maintained, terraces can also fail and contribute to erosion. So, it is associated with the problem contextually and potentially operationally.
2. Deforestation: Removal of forest cover exposes the soil directly to the impact of rain and wind, significantly increasing the rate of soil erosion. Deforestation is a major cause of soil erosion in India, particularly in hilly and forest areas. This is strongly associated with the problem.
3. Tropical climate: Tropical climates often experience intense rainfall events (e.g., during monsoons). Heavy rainfall can cause significant splash erosion and surface runoff, leading to severe soil erosion, especially on unprotected land. The intensity of rainfall is a key factor in soil erosion processes. This is strongly associated with the problem.
Considering the options and the nature of soil erosion, deforestation and intense rainfall associated with tropical climate are direct causes/exacerbating factors. Terrace cultivation is a response practice in erosion-prone areas, and its presence indicates the existence of the problem. Therefore, all three can be considered associated with the problem of soil erosion in India in different ways.
– Deforestation is a major human-induced cause of soil erosion.
– Intense rainfall typical of tropical climates contributes significantly to soil erosion.
– Terrace cultivation is a farming practice used in hilly, erosion-prone areas, thus associated with the problem geographically.
Factors contributing to soil erosion include natural factors like rainfall intensity, wind, topography, and soil type, as well as human factors like deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural practices (including improper tilling, lack of cover crops, and sometimes improper terrace cultivation), and construction activities. In India, deforestation, agricultural practices on slopes, and the intense monsoon rainfall are major contributors to soil erosion.

60. Which of the following have coral reefs? 1. Andaman and Nicobar Isla

Which of the following have coral reefs?

  • 1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • 2. Gulf of Kachchh
  • 3. Gulf of Mannar
  • 4. Sunderbans

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1, 2 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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The question asks which of the listed locations in India have coral reefs.
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are surrounded by extensive coral reefs, including fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and platform reefs. This is a major coral reef area in India.
2. Gulf of Kachchh: The Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat is home to coral reefs, notably within the Marine National Park.
3. Gulf of Mannar: The Gulf of Mannar, located between India and Sri Lanka, contains extensive coral reefs and is designated as a Marine National Park and Biosphere Reserve to protect its rich biodiversity, including corals.
4. Sunderbans: The Sunderbans, located in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, is primarily known for its vast mangrove forests and unique estuarine ecosystem. While some isolated patches or associated fauna might exist, it is not characterized by significant coral reefs like the other three locations. Coral reefs typically thrive in clear, warm, shallow waters with low sediment load, conditions not typical of the muddy, dynamic delta environment of the Sunderbans.
– India has significant coral reef areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Kachchh, and Gulf of Mannar.
– The Sunderbans is primarily a mangrove ecosystem, not known for coral reefs.
Other areas with coral reefs in India include the Lakshadweep Islands (atolls) and some patches along the mainland coast. Coral reefs are important marine ecosystems providing habitats for diverse marine life and protecting coastlines. They are sensitive to environmental changes like climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices.

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