2015 Archives

21. Which one of the following was given classical language status

Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?

Odia

Konkani

Bhojpuri

Assamese

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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The question asks which language was *recently* given classical language status. The Indian government criteria for classical language status were announced in 2004. Tamil was the first language to be granted this status in 2004, followed by Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). Among the given options, Odia was the most recent addition (as of 2014 when this question was likely framed or relevant).

The status of ‘Classical Language’ in India is granted by the Government of India based on specific criteria. Odia was the sixth language to receive this status.

The criteria for declaring a language as classical include: high antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over 1500-2000 years; a body of ancient literature/texts, considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; the literary tradition being original and not borrowed from another speech community; and the classical language and literature being distinct from modern, though there may be a continuity. As of the latest updates, six languages have been granted this status.

22. With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the f

With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples.
2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management.
3. It assists the countries in their ‘REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+)’ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statement 1 is correct; the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is indeed a global partnership involving various stakeholders including governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and indigenous peoples. Statement 3 is also correct; FCPF’s primary objective is to assist developing countries in their REDD+ efforts (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+) by providing them with financial and technical assistance to build their capacity for REDD+ implementation. Statement 2 is incorrect; while the facility supports activities related to sustainable forest management within the REDD+ framework, its focus is on supporting countries and specific REDD+ programs/projects rather than directly providing financial aid to individual scientists or universities for general scientific forestry research.

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), administered by the World Bank, is focused on REDD+ readiness and implementation, providing financial and technical support to developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

REDD+ is a framework created by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to guide activities that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. The ‘+’ signifies the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. FCPF works towards building the necessary systems and capacity in developing countries to participate in future systems of positive incentives for REDD+.

23. The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of

The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of

an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence

India's satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim

a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region

India's underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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‘IndARC’ is the name of India’s first underwater moored observatory deployed in the Arctic region. It was set up by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) to collect data and conduct scientific studies related to the Arctic climate and its influence on global processes.

IndARC is India’s contribution to Arctic scientific research, providing continuous data on oceanographic parameters to understand climate change in the Arctic.

India has a research station in the Arctic called Himadri, located in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway. IndARC is an underwater observatory complementing the research conducted at Himadri by providing oceanographic data. The Arctic region is crucial for understanding global climate patterns, and India’s research efforts there contribute to international scientific endeavors.

24. Consider the following States : 1. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Himachal Pr

Consider the following States :

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram

In which of the above States do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in areas with high rainfall (typically over 200 cm annually) and high temperatures throughout the year. These conditions are prevalent in parts of Northeast India, including Arunachal Pradesh (in lower elevations) and Mizoram. Himachal Pradesh, being a Himalayan state, has primarily temperate and alpine forest types, not tropical wet evergreen forests. Therefore, Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests occur in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Tropical Wet Evergreen forests are characterized by dense vegetation, tall trees, and multiple layers of canopy, found in warm and very wet regions. In India, they are primarily located in the Western Ghats, Northeast India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The diverse topography and climate of India lead to a variety of forest types. Arunachal Pradesh, being in the eastern Himalayas, has a range of forests from tropical evergreen in the foothills to alpine meadows at higher altitudes. Mizoram, part of the Lushai Hills in Northeast India, falls within the tropical monsoon climate zone with heavy rainfall, supporting evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. Himachal Pradesh’s vegetation varies with altitude, including subtropical, temperate, and alpine zones.

25. In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) s

In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used?

Assessment of crop productivity
Locating groundwater resources
Mineral exploration
Telecommunications
Traffic studies

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3 only

4 and 5 only

1 and 2 only

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites are Earth observation satellites used for various applications involving surveying and monitoring the Earth’s surface. Statement 1 (Assessment of crop productivity), Statement 2 (Locating groundwater resources), and Statement 3 (Mineral exploration) are all standard and significant applications of remote sensing data obtained from IRS satellites. Statement 4 (Telecommunications) is incorrect as telecommunication services are provided by communication satellites (like the INSAT or GSAT series). Statement 5 (Traffic studies) is also a potential application using high-resolution remote sensing data for urban planning and infrastructure monitoring, but given the options, the most prominent and core applications listed are 1, 2, and 3. Option A includes 1, 2, and 3 only, which are definitive applications.

Indian Remote Sensing satellites are designed for monitoring and mapping the Earth’s resources and environment. Their applications include agriculture, water resources, forestry, geology, land use mapping, disaster management, and urban studies.

India has one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in the world. These satellites provide crucial data for various national development activities and research purposes. While traffic studies can potentially use remote sensing data (e.g., satellite imagery for mapping roads, analyzing traffic flow patterns in urban areas), the primary established applications listed among the options are resource identification and management (1, 2, 3).

26. Tides occur in the oceans and seas due to which among the following?

Tides occur in the oceans and seas due to which among the following?

Gravitational force of the Sun
Gravitational force of the Moon
Centrifugal force of the Earth

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Tides are primarily caused by the gravitational pull exerted by the Moon and the Sun on the Earth’s oceans. The gravitational force of the Moon is the dominant factor due to its closer proximity to Earth. Additionally, the centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the Earth-Moon system around its common center of mass also contributes to tidal bulges on the side of Earth opposite to the Moon. Therefore, the gravitational forces of both the Sun and the Moon, along with the centrifugal force of the Earth’s rotation (within the Earth-Moon system), contribute to the occurrence of tides. All three statements are correct.

The primary forces causing tides are the gravitational attraction of the Moon and the Sun and the inertial (centrifugal) force of the Earth-Moon system.

The gravitational pull is strongest on the side of Earth facing the Moon, creating a bulge. On the opposite side, the centrifugal force (acting outwards from the center of the Earth-Moon system’s rotation) is relatively stronger than the Moon’s gravitational pull, creating another bulge. These bulges are the high tides. Low tides occur in the areas between the bulges. The Sun’s gravity also influences tides, causing spring tides (larger tides when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned) and neap tides (smaller tides when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other relative to Earth).

27. In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of l

In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these bridges become stronger. These unique ‘living root bridges’ are found in

Meghalaya

Himachal Pradesh

Jharkhand

Tamil Nadu

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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The unique ‘living root bridges’, locally known as Jing Kieng Jri, are found in the state of Meghalaya in Northeast India. They are created by the Khasi and Jaintia people by training the aerial roots of the Indian Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) across streams and rivers. Over time, these roots grow thicker and stronger, forming robust, living bridges.

Living root bridges are a fascinating example of bioengineering and sustainable infrastructure, primarily found in the southern part of Meghalaya, known for its high rainfall and dense forests.

These bridges are naturally self-renewing and grow stronger with time, contrasting with man-made structures that require maintenance and eventually deteriorate. Some of these bridges are hundreds of years old. They are a significant cultural and ecological heritage site and a major tourist attraction in Meghalaya.

28. Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the

Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of ‘moderates’ and ‘extremists’?

Swadeshi Movement

Quit India Movement

Non-Cooperation Movement

Civil Disobedience Movement

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908), which emerged in response to the Partition of Bengal, intensified existing ideological differences within the Indian National Congress. The ‘Moderates’ preferred constitutional methods and dialogue, while the ‘Extremists’ advocated for passive resistance, boycott of foreign goods and institutions, and mass mobilisation. These differences culminated in the Surat Split of 1907, formally dividing the Congress into these two factions.

The Swadeshi Movement provided the context and immediate catalyst for the fundamental disagreements between the Moderate and Extremist wings of the Indian National Congress regarding the methods and goals of the national movement, ultimately leading to the split at the Surat session in 1907.

The Quit India Movement (1942), Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), and Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) were significant phases of the Indian independence struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi. While these movements also saw internal dynamics within the Congress, the primary split between Moderates and Extremists is historically associated with the period of the Swadeshi Movement and the Surat Split.

29. With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperatio

With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), consider the following statements:

It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.

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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Statement 1 is incorrect as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IOR-ARC) was established in 1997, not recently, and while maritime safety and security are part of its agenda, they were not the primary or sole reasons for its establishment; it was founded primarily to promote economic cooperation. Statement 2 is incorrect because IOR-ARC is not solely focused on maritime security; its objectives encompass a wide range of areas including economic cooperation, trade, investment, tourism, technology, disaster risk management, and cultural exchange, in addition to maritime safety and security. Therefore, neither statement is correct.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IOR-ARC), now known as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), is an international organisation established in 1997 to promote regional cooperation and development within the Indian Ocean region. Its focus is multi-faceted, covering economic, social, and environmental aspects.

IORA’s membership includes 23 Member States and 10 Dialogue Partners. The organization provides a platform for countries of the Indian Ocean region to discuss and cooperate on issues of mutual interest. While maritime security is an important area of focus, it is one of several priority areas alongside trade facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk management, and academic and S&T cooperation.

30. Consider the following statements: 1. The winds which blow between 3

Consider the following statements:

1. The winds which blow between 30° N and 60° S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.
2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.

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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The correct option is B.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Westerlies are prevailing winds that blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes, approximately between 30° and 60° latitude in *each* hemisphere (30°N to 60°N and 30°S to 60°S). The statement describes a range from 30°N to 60°S as a single band, which is geographically incorrect for the definition of westerlies.
Statement 2 is correct. The winter rains in the North-Western region of India (such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan and Delhi) are caused by Western Disturbances. These are extratropical storms originating in the Mediterranean region, moving eastward across Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, driven by the mid-latitude westerlies. These disturbances bring moisture that results in precipitation during the winter months. Thus, the moist air masses causing these rains are part of the westerlies system.

Westerlies are part of the global atmospheric circulation, specifically located between the subtropical high-pressure belt (around 30°) and the subpolar low-pressure belt (around 60°). They are stronger in the Southern Hemisphere due to the absence of large landmasses obstructing the flow. Western Disturbances are significant weather phenomena in North-Western India, crucial for Rabi crops, but they can also cause challenging weather conditions like fog and cold waves.