2016 Archives

211. Ramsar Convention, to which India is a signatory, is related to conser

Ramsar Convention, to which India is a signatory, is related to conservation and wise use of :

[amp_mcq option1=”wetlands” option2=”genetic resources” option3=”mines” option4=”forest lands” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty focused on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

– The full name of the convention is “The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat”.
– It was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
– Its mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
– India is a signatory to this convention and has designated several sites as Ramsar Sites.

Wetlands include swamps, marshes, fens, peatlands or water; areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres; areas of karst, rivers, lakes and human-made wetlands such as dams, reservoirs, rice paddies, sewage treatment facilities and salt pans. Wise use is defined as “maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”.

212. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below

List I (Climate type in letter code)	List II (Major area)
A. Aw	1. Central California
B. Af	2. Indian Sub-Continent
C. Cs	3. North and South of Amazon Forests
D. Am	4. Western Equatorial Africa

Code :

[amp_mcq option1=”3 1 4 2″ option2=”2 4 1 3″ option3=”3 4 1 2″ option4=”2 1 4 3″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct match is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2, which corresponds to option C.

– Aw climate (Tropical Savanna) is found poleward of the equatorial regions, often bordering rainforests, characterized by wet and dry seasons. Areas like the Cerrado region south of the Amazon fit this.
– Af climate (Tropical Rainforest) is characterized by high temperature and rainfall year-round, typical of equatorial regions. Western Equatorial Africa (Congo basin) is a major example.
– Cs climate (Mediterranean) has dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters, found on west coasts in mid-latitudes. Central California has this climate.
– Am climate (Tropical Monsoon) has a strong seasonal pattern of rainfall influenced by monsoon winds, with a distinct wet and dry season. The Indian Sub-Continent is a prime example.

The climate classifications used are based on the Köppen-Geiger system. Aw is specifically a tropical savanna climate with a dry winter (‘w’). Af is a tropical rainforest climate (‘f’ for fully humid). Cs is a Mediterranean climate with a dry summer (‘s’). Am is a tropical monsoon climate, often considered a transition between Af and Aw.

213. Which one of the following cities has greater annual range of temperat

Which one of the following cities has greater annual range of temperature ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Kuala Lumpur” option2=”New Delhi” option3=”Shanghai” option4=”Ulaanbaatar” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

Ulaanbaatar has the greater annual range of temperature among the given cities.

Annual range of temperature is the difference between the average temperature of the warmest month and the coldest month. This range is typically largest in locations far from moderating influences like large bodies of water (continental effect) and at higher latitudes where seasonal differences in solar insolation are more pronounced.

– Kuala Lumpur is near the equator, experiencing a consistently tropical climate with a small annual temperature range.
– New Delhi is in a subtropical continental climate zone, experiencing hot summers and relatively cold winters, leading to a significant annual range.
– Shanghai is in a subtropical monsoon climate zone, also experiencing seasonal variations but its coastal location provides some moderation compared to inland areas.
– Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is located deep inland in a high-latitude region (around 47°N). It experiences an extreme continental climate with very cold, long winters and relatively warm summers, resulting in one of the largest annual temperature ranges among capital cities worldwide.

214. Which one of the following layers of atmosphere has high concentration

Which one of the following layers of atmosphere has high concentration of ions ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Stratosphere” option2=”Exosphere” option3=”Thermosphere” option4=”Troposphere” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Thermosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that has a high concentration of ions.

The Thermosphere contains a region called the ionosphere, where solar radiation causes atoms and molecules to become ionized (gain or lose electrons), creating a high concentration of ions and free electrons. This ionization is responsible for phenomena like the aurora borealis/australis and facilitates the reflection of radio waves used for long-distance communication.

The atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature profiles: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.
– Troposphere: Lowest layer, where weather occurs.
– Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer. Temperature increases with altitude.
– Mesosphere: Temperature decreases with altitude. Meteors burn up here.
– Thermosphere: Temperature increases significantly with altitude due to absorption of high-energy solar radiation. It includes the ionosphere.
– Exosphere: Outermost layer, where the atmosphere thins out into space.

215. Consider the following Statements and Conclusions: Statements : Moha

Consider the following Statements and Conclusions:
Statements :

Mohan is a good sportsman.
Sportsmen are healthy.

Conclusions :

I. All healthy persons are sportsmen.
II. Mohan is healthy.

Which one of the following is correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only Conclusion I follows” option2=”Only Conclusion II follows” option3=”Both Conclusion I and Conclusion II follow” option4=”Neither Conclusion I nor Conclusion II follows” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

Only Conclusion II follows from the given statements.

The statements are: (1) Mohan is a good sportsman. (2) Sportsmen are healthy.
From statement (2), we know that the property of being ‘healthy’ applies to all ‘sportsmen’. Statement (1) tells us that Mohan is a ‘sportsman’. Since Mohan belongs to the category ‘sportsmen’, and all members of this category are ‘healthy’ according to statement (2), it logically follows that Mohan is ‘healthy’. Thus, Conclusion II is valid.
Conclusion I states: “All healthy persons are sportsmen.” This is the converse of statement (2). Statement (2) “All Sportsmen are Healthy” (S -> H) does not imply “All Healthy persons are Sportsmen” (H -> S). There can be healthy persons who are not sportsmen (e.g., a healthy artist or student). Therefore, Conclusion I does not follow logically.

This is another example of deductive reasoning or syllogism.
Statement 1: Mohan ∈ Sportsmen
Statement 2: Sportsmen ⊆ Healthy Persons (All S are H)
From these, it follows that Mohan ∈ Healthy Persons. (Conclusion II)
The converse of “All S are H” is “All H are S”, which is not necessarily true.

216. Which one of the following figures correctly represents the relations

Which one of the following figures correctly represents the relations between Jupiter, Mars and Planets?

[amp_mcq option1=” (Representing two separate circles)” option2=” (Representing two overlapping circles within a larger circle)” option3=” (Representing two overlapping circles)” option4=” (Representing one circle within another, and a separate circle)” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

The figure representing two separate circles within a larger circle correctly represents the relationship between Jupiter, Mars, and Planets. Although the description mentions “overlapping circles”, option B typically represents this relationship in Venn diagrams. Assuming the diagram for option B visually shows two distinct, non-overlapping circles inside a larger one, then it is the correct representation.

Jupiter is a planet, and Mars is a planet. Jupiter and Mars are distinct celestial bodies and do not overlap. Therefore, the set of Jupiter is a subset of the set of Planets, and the set of Mars is a subset of the set of Planets. The sets of Jupiter and Mars are mutually exclusive (they do not share members). This is best represented by a large circle encompassing two smaller, separate circles.

Venn diagrams are used to visually represent the relationships between different sets. The largest circle represents the most inclusive set (Planets). The smaller circles represent the subsets (Jupiter, Mars). Since Jupiter and Mars are individual, distinct planets, their circles should be separate from each other within the larger ‘Planets’ circle. Based on typical Venn diagram options, option B’s *visual* representation, despite the potentially inaccurate textual description “overlapping circles”, is likely intended to show this correct relationship.

217. Which of the following statements with regards to the Civil Disobedien

Which of the following statements with regards to the Civil Disobedience movement is/are correct ?

1. The movement received massive response from business groups and peasantry
2. The movement coincided with large scale labour upsurge in Maharashtra
3. The movement was marked by the mass participation of lawyers and students

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement 3 is correct: The movement was marked by mass participation of lawyers and students, who boycotted courts and educational institutions respectively as part of the non-cooperation and civil disobedience programmes. Statement 2 is also considered correct: While the Civil Disobedience Movement had various facets, there was indeed significant labour unrest and strikes in industrial centres like Bombay (Maharashtra) during the early 1930s, coinciding with the period of the movement and influenced by the economic depression and political climate. Statement 1 is incorrect: While peasants responded massively to calls for no-revenue and no-rent campaigns, the response from ‘business groups’ as a whole was mixed. Large capitalists were often hesitant or opposed due to disruptions, while smaller merchants might have supported boycotts. Describing the response from business groups as “massive” is generally inaccurate. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

The Civil Disobedience Movement saw widespread participation from diverse sections of society including peasants, students, women, and urban populations. Lawyers boycotting courts and students leaving schools/colleges were specific programmes of the movement. While labour movements had their own drivers, significant unrest in major industrial areas coincided temporally with the CDM.

The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi with the Dandi Salt March. Key features included the Salt Satyagraha, boycott of foreign goods, picketing of liquor shops, no-tax campaigns (especially against land revenue), and boycott of government institutions (courts, schools). Women participated in large numbers, particularly in picketing. The movement’s impact varied across regions and social groups.

218. The cylindrical stone seals were used in which civilization ?

The cylindrical stone seals were used in which civilization ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Harappan” option2=”Egyptian” option3=”Roman” option4=”Mesopotamian” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

Cylindrical stone seals are a distinctive feature of the Mesopotamian civilization, particularly from periods like the Akkadian and Babylonian empires onwards. These seals were rolled over clay tablets to create an impression, often used for administrative and legal purposes. While seals were used in other ancient civilizations, the widespread use and characteristic form of cylindrical seals are most strongly associated with Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamian cylindrical seals are famous for their intricate carvings and their method of use (rolling). They served as personal identifiers and administrative tools.

The Harappan civilization primarily used square or rectangular stamp seals with carvings of animals and scripts. There was trade contact between the Harappan and Mesopotamian civilizations, and some cylindrical seals have been found in the Indus Valley, but these are often considered imports or local adaptations influenced by Mesopotamian contact rather than a primary form of Harappan seals.

219. Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister of India is co

Which one of the following powers of the Prime Minister of India is codified in the Constitution of India itself ?

[amp_mcq option1=”The power of advising the President as regards the appointment of other Ministers” option2=”The power to allocate business amongst the Ministers” option3=”The power to summon the meeting of the Cabinet” option4=”The power to transfer a Minister from one Department to another” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

Let’s examine each power:
A) The power of advising the President as regards the appointment of other Ministers: Article 75(1) explicitly states, “The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.” This power is directly codified in the Constitution.
B) The power to allocate business amongst the Ministers: This is a key function of the Prime Minister in the parliamentary system, but it is exercised under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, which are made under Article 77(3), rather than being a power directly codified in the main Articles as belonging specifically to the PM.
C) The power to summon the meeting of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet and summons its meetings. This is a fundamental aspect of the functioning of the Council of Ministers/Cabinet under parliamentary conventions and rules of procedure, but not explicitly codified as a specific power of the PM in the Articles themselves.
D) The power to transfer a Minister from one Department to another: This is also done by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, similar to the initial allocation of portfolios. It falls under the PM’s role in organizing the Council of Ministers but is not a power directly codified in the Constitution’s articles as distinct from the appointment advice.
Comparing the options, the power to advise the President on the appointment of other ministers (A) is the most clearly and directly codified power of the Prime Minister mentioned in the text of the Constitution (Article 75).

While the Prime Minister holds many crucial powers as the head of government and the Council of Ministers, not all of these are explicitly detailed in the Constitution. Many powers are derived from parliamentary conventions and rules of business established under constitutional provisions. The question asks for a power *codified* in the Constitution itself.

Article 78 outlines the duties of the Prime Minister regarding furnishing information to the President, but the specific powers related to running the government, like allocating business or summoning cabinet, are part of the operational framework of the parliamentary system, guided by rules and conventions, stemming from the PM’s position as the head of the Council of Ministers responsible to the Lok Sabha.

220. Which one of the following statements about Money Bill is correct ?

Which one of the following statements about Money Bill is correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”A Bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill only if it provides for imposition of fines or penalties” option2=”A Money Bill shall be introduced in the Rajya Sabha” option3=”The Rajya Sabha can reject the Money Bill” option4=”The Speaker of the Lok Sabha finally decides if it is a Money Bill, should any dispute about it arise” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement A is incorrect. Article 110(2) explicitly states that a bill is *not* a Money Bill *only* because it imposes fines or penalties. Money Bills deal with matters listed in Article 110(1), primarily related to taxation, government borrowing, Consolidated Fund, etc.
Statement B is incorrect. Article 109(1) states that a Money Bill *shall not* be introduced in the Rajya Sabha; it can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
Statement C is incorrect. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding Money Bills. It cannot reject or amend a Money Bill. It can only make recommendations to the Lok Sabha, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject. If the Rajya Sabha does not return the bill within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses.
Statement D is correct. Article 110(3) of the Constitution states, “If any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the House of the People thereon shall be final.” The Speaker’s decision on this matter is conclusive.

The Lok Sabha has overriding powers compared to the Rajya Sabha with respect to Money Bills. This reflects the principle that the power to tax and spend (financial power) rests primarily with the directly elected representatives of the people.

Article 110(1) lists the specific matters that qualify a Bill as a Money Bill. These include the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax; regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India; the custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund, etc.