2015

1. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limit

With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • 1. It is a Public Limited Government Company.
  • 2. It is a Non-Banking Financial Company.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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UPSC IAS – 2015
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Both statements are correct.
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) is indeed a Public Limited Government Company (a Mini Ratna under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) and is also registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).
IREDA’s primary objective is to promote, develop, and extend financial assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency/conservation projects. Its status as a government company enables it to fulfil its developmental role in the renewable energy sector, while its registration as an NBFC allows it to perform lending and financial services within the regulatory framework set by the RBI.

2. Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication

Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status?

  • 1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees
  • 2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma
  • 3. Tirupathi Laddu

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Banaras Brocades and Sarees (1) and Tirupathi Laddu (3) have been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) status.
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Banaras Brocades and Sarees are famous traditional textiles from the Varanasi region. Tirupathi Laddu is a famous sweet Prasad from the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Tirupathi. Both have received GI tags acknowledging their unique geographical origin and associated traditional craftsmanship or reputation. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma is a popular culinary dish from Rajasthan but does not have a GI tag, as GI status is generally not granted to generic culinary preparations unless they have a very specific unique characteristic tied to the geography (like Darjeeling Tea leaves).

3. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of t

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit?

  • 1. Reducing revenue expenditure
  • 2. Introducing new welfare schemes
  • 3. Rationalizing subsidies
  • 4. Expanding industries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Actions 1 (Reducing revenue expenditure) and 3 (Rationalizing subsidies) can be taken by the government to reduce a persistent deficit budget.
A budget deficit occurs when a government’s total expenditures exceed its total revenues. To reduce the deficit, the government must either increase revenue or decrease expenditure.
Reducing revenue expenditure (e.g., on salaries, pensions, administrative costs) directly lowers government spending. Rationalizing subsidies (e.g., reducing their amount or targeting them better) also reduces expenditure. Introducing new welfare schemes typically increases government expenditure, thus increasing the deficit. Expanding industries is a long-term strategy for economic growth which *may* eventually lead to higher tax revenues, but it is not a direct or immediate action specifically aimed at *reducing* a persistent deficit through expenditure cuts or quick revenue increases; it might even require initial government investment.

4. Which one of the following best describes the main objective of ‘Seed

Which one of the following best describes the main objective of ‘Seed Village Concept’?

Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies
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The main objective of the ‘Seed Village Concept’ is involving farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost.
The Seed Village Concept aims to develop a self-sufficient seed production system within a village by training farmers to produce high-quality seeds of different crops, which they can use themselves or sell to other farmers in the same village or nearby areas.
This concept promotes decentralized seed production, reduces dependence on external seed sources, ensures timely availability of seeds, and improves the quality of seeds used by farmers, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity. It focuses on community participation and capacity building at the local level.

5. Kalamkari painting refers to

Kalamkari painting refers to

a hand-painted cotton textile in South India
a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India
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Kalamkari painting refers to a hand-painted cotton textile in South India.
Kalamkari is an ancient style of hand painting done on cotton fabric with a ‘kalam’ (pen), using natural dyes. It is primarily practiced in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in South India.
There are two distinct styles of Kalamkari art in India: the Srikalahasti style, which is free-hand drawing and painting, and the Machilipatnam style, which uses block-printing followed by hand painting. Both are traditionally done on cotton textile and are renowned for their intricate details and use of natural colours, often depicting mythological figures, floral motifs, or epic scenes.

6. With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen

With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements :

  • 1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.
  • 2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
  • 3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Only statement 1 is correct.
In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. This process is efficient and produces only water and heat as by-products when pure hydrogen is used.
Statement 2 is incorrect because fuel cells are highly scalable and can power everything from large buildings, vehicles, and grid-level energy storage to small devices like laptops and mobile phones. Statement 3 is incorrect because fuel cells generate Direct Current (DC) electricity. An inverter is required to convert the DC output to Alternating Current (AC) if needed for applications requiring AC.

7. The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availabil

The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availability of

goods and services
gold and silver
dollars and other hard currencies
exportable surplus
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The problem of international liquidity is related to the non-availability of dollars and other hard currencies.
International liquidity refers to the availability of financial assets that can be readily used to settle international transactions, primarily reserves of convertible foreign currencies (hard currencies), gold, and drawing rights with international institutions like the IMF (SDRs).
Hard currencies, such as the US Dollar, Euro, Yen, and Pound Sterling, are widely accepted in international trade and finance due to their stability and convertibility. A ‘problem of international liquidity’ arises when there is a shortage of these internationally accepted means of payment relative to the volume of international trade and financial flows, making it difficult for countries to finance balance of payments deficits.

8. With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider th

With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements:

  • 1. The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.
  • 2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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Both statements are incorrect.
Indian Railways’ bio-toilets use a bacterial inoculum, not fungal, for the anaerobic decomposition of human waste. The end products of this decomposition include biogas (primarily methane and carbon dioxide) and treated water, not solely ammonia and water vapour.
The anaerobic bacteria consortium (specifically, bacteria from the DRDO-developed inoculum) breaks down the complex organic matter in human waste. The biogas is released into the atmosphere (or sometimes vented), and the treated liquid effluent is disinfected and discharged. While some ammonia might be produced, it is not the only end product released along with water vapour.

9. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which

H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?

AIDS
Bird flu
Dengue
Swine flu
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UPSC IAS – 2015
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The H1N1 virus is the primary cause of swine flu.
H1N1 is an influenza A virus subtype that is the most common cause of human influenza (flu).
The 2009 swine flu pandemic was caused by a new strain of H1N1 that resulted from a mix of human, swine, and bird flu viruses. While H1N1 strains circulate in various animals, this particular strain was referred to as “swine flu” because genetic analysis showed it originated from pigs. Bird flu is typically caused by other influenza subtypes like H5N1. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Dengue is caused by the Dengue virus, transmitted by mosquitoes.

10. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people
Parliament can amend the Constitution
Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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The correct option is D (Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha). This is the defining characteristic of the Parliamentary System of Government in India.
– In a parliamentary system, the executive (Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister) is part of the legislature and is collectively responsible to the lower house of the legislature (Lok Sabha in India).
– This means the government remains in power only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the government must resign.
– Option A (Lok Sabha is elected directly) is a feature of a democratic system with a representative legislature, but not exclusive to a parliamentary system.
– Option B (Parliament can amend the Constitution) describes a legislative power, common to many systems.
– Option C (Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved) describes the permanent nature of the upper house, which is a feature of India’s bicameral legislature, but not the core principle of parliamentary executive responsibility.
Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution explicitly states: “The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha).” This establishes the fundamental link between the executive and the legislature that defines India’s parliamentary system, in contrast to a presidential system where the executive (President) is elected independently and is not directly responsible to the legislature.
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