2014

71. With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitu

With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account?

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  • 1. Balance of trade
  • 2. Foreign assets
  • 3. Balance of invisibles
  • 4. Special Drawing Rights

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1 only
2 and 3
1 and 3
1, 2 and 4
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The correct option is C. The Balance of Trade and Balance of Invisibles constitute the Current Account of the Balance of Payments.
The Balance of Payments (BoP) is a statement of all transactions made between entities in one country and the rest of the world over a specific period. It is divided into two main accounts: the Current Account and the Capital Account. The Current Account records transactions in goods, services, income (like remittances, interest, dividends), and current transfers (like gifts, grants).
1. Balance of Trade: Exports minus imports of *goods* (visible trade). This is a component of the current account.
2. Foreign assets: These relate to investments and reserves, which are recorded in the Capital Account or Financial Account (often considered part of the Capital Account structure).
3. Balance of Invisibles: Exports minus imports of *services* and net income and net transfers. This is a component of the current account.
4. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): These are reserve assets held by countries with the IMF and changes in SDR holdings are typically recorded in the Capital Account or as part of reserve assets, not current transactions.
Therefore, only 1 and 3 are components of the Current Account.

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72. The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is

The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is

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inclusive growth and poverty reduction
inclusive and sustainable growth
sustainable and inclusive growth to reduce unemployment
faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth
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The correct option is D. The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-2017) was ‘Faster, Sustainable and More Inclusive Growth’.
The 12th Five-Year Plan was the last of India’s Five-Year Plans. Its central theme and stated objective were “Faster, Sustainable and More Inclusive Growth”. This expands upon the “Inclusive Growth” objective of the 11th Plan by adding the dimensions of speed and sustainability, recognizing the need for not just equity but also environmental considerations and a higher growth rate to achieve development goals.
The 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) had the objective “Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth”. The 12th Plan built upon this by emphasizing sustainability alongside speed and inclusiveness.

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73. What does venture capital mean?

What does venture capital mean?

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A short-term capital provided to industries
A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs
Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses
Funds provided for replacement and renovation of industries
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The correct option is B. Venture capital means a long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs.
Venture capital is a form of private equity financing that is provided by venture capital firms or funds to start-ups, early-stage, and emerging companies that have been deemed to have high growth potential or which have demonstrated high growth. It is characterized by being a long-term investment, usually in equity, and is provided to fund initial operations or expansions of new ventures.
Venture capital is typically associated with high risk due to the early stage of the companies invested in, but it offers the potential for proportionally high returns if the ventures are successful. It is not short-term capital, nor is it primarily intended for companies already incurring losses (though start-ups often do in their early phase) or for replacement/renovation of established industries.

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74. The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a

The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a

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tax imposed by the Central Government
tax imposed by the Central Government but collected by the State Government
tax imposed by the State Government but collected by the Central Government
tax imposed and collected by the State Government
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The correct option is D. The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a tax imposed and collected by the State Government (in the pre-GST era or as a conceptual understanding).
Prior to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India, Sales Tax (or Value Added Tax – VAT) on the sale of goods within a state was a state subject. This meant that the power to levy and collect sales tax on intra-state sales rested with the State Government, as per the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.
With the advent of GST (implemented from July 1, 2017), most indirect taxes, including Sales Tax/VAT, Central Sales Tax, Service Tax, etc., were subsumed into a single tax. Under GST, tax on an intra-state sale is bifurcated into Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST), both levied simultaneously. However, the question refers to “sales tax,” implying the pre-GST regime or a general understanding of the tax on sales, which was a state domain.

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75. Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is he

Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

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Bhutia and Lepcha
Gond and Korku
Irula and Toda
Sahariya and Agariya
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The correct option is B, identifying Gond and Korku tribes as associated with a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival involving planting fruit-bearing trees.
Certain indigenous communities in India have deep-rooted traditions linked to ecology and agriculture. The Gond and Korku tribes, predominantly in Central India, have festivals such as ‘Hari Jyoti’ (Green Light) or ‘Hariali’ celebrated during the monsoon season which involve tree plantation, particularly focusing on fruit-bearing and useful trees, reflecting their close connection with the environment and agricultural cycles. This practice aligns with the description of a month-long, ecologically important festival centered around planting saplings of fruit-bearing trees.
Other options represent tribes from different regions (Bhutia and Lepcha from Sikkim; Irula and Toda from Tamil Nadu; Sahariya from Rajasthan/Madhya Pradesh, Agariya from Central India) with their own distinct cultural and ecological practices, but the description specifically fits the known traditions of the Gond and Korku tribes related to tree plantation festivals during the planting season.

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76. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the B

Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

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  • 1. Avanti
  • 2. Gandhara
  • 3. Kosala
  • 4. Magadha

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1, 2 and 3
2 and 4
3 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4
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The Kingdoms of Kosala and Magadha were closely associated with the life and activities of the Buddha.
The Buddha spent a significant part of his life preaching and travelling in the Gangetic plains, primarily within the territories of Kosala and Magadha. Important sites related to his life, such as Sravasti (capital of Kosala) and Rajagriha (capital of Magadha) and Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, and Sarnath (all within or bordering these kingdoms), highlight their central role in his journey and teachings.
Avanti was a powerful kingdom contemporary to the Buddha but located further west (capital Ujjain); it was not as central to his travels and teachings as Kosala and Magadha during his lifetime, although it later became important for Buddhism. Gandhara, in the northwest, became a major center for Buddhism much later, particularly known for Gandhara art during the Kushana period, long after the Buddha’s passing.

77. Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel

Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?

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  • 1. Oxides of sulphur
  • 2. Oxides of nitrogen
  • 3. Carbon monoxide
  • 4. Carbon dioxide

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1, 3 and 4 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Steel industry processes are significant sources of various air pollutants, including oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
Oxides of sulphur (SOx) and nitrogen (NOx) are produced during the combustion of fuels and from raw materials containing sulphur and nitrogen. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of incomplete combustion. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced from the combustion of carbon-based fuels (like coal or coke) and also from chemical reactions involved in steel production (e.g., reduction of iron oxides). All four listed pollutants are associated with steel manufacturing.
Steel plants also release particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals. Controlling these emissions is a major environmental challenge for the industry.

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78. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of th

If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?

  • 1. Oak
  • 2. Rhododendron
  • 3. Sandalwood

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1 and 2 only
3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Oak and Rhododendron species are commonly found naturally growing in the Himalayan region.
The Himalayas are home to diverse vegetation types, including temperate forests where various species of Oak (Quercus) thrive, especially at lower to mid-altitudes. Rhododendron species are particularly characteristic of the Himalayan alpine and subalpine zones, known for their vibrant blooms and widespread presence across different altitudes and forest types.
Sandalwood (Santalum album), famous for its fragrant wood and oil, is predominantly found in South India, especially in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is not native to the Himalayas.

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79. Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on

Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

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algae and bacteria
algae and fungi
bacteria and fungi
fungi and mosses
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Lichens are a symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism, typically an alga or a cyanobacterium.
In this symbiosis, the fungus (mycobiont) provides structure, protection from drying, and absorbs water and minerals from the environment. The alga or cyanobacterium (photobiont) provides food through photosynthesis, producing carbohydrates that the fungus utilizes. This mutualistic relationship allows lichens to colonize harsh environments, including bare rock, where neither organism could easily survive alone.
Lichens are pioneers in primary ecological succession on bare rock. They secrete acids that help weather the rock, breaking it down and creating initial soil particles, which allows other plants to eventually grow. They are also excellent indicators of air quality because they are very sensitive to atmospheric pollution.

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80. In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were u

In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for

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military officers
village headmen
specialists in Vedic rituals
chiefs of craft guilds
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In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for village headmen or village officials responsible for local administration, especially land revenue.
These terms appear in various inscriptions and historical texts, particularly from periods like the Gupta, post-Gupta, and early medieval Rajput dynasties. ‘Mahattara’ literally means ‘elder’ or ‘great man’ and was a common term for village elders or headmen. ‘Pattakila’ was also used for a village official, often associated with the collection of land revenue or management of village lands.
The village headman played a crucial role in rural administration, acting as an intermediary between the state authorities and the villagers, responsible for law and order, dispute resolution, and revenue collection at the local level.

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