2016

221. Which one of the following statements about the Union Executive in Ind

Which one of the following statements about the Union Executive in India is correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”According to the Constitution of India, the total number of members of the Council of Ministers cannot exceed 20% of the total number of Members of the House of the People.” option2=”The rank of the different Ministers is determined by the President.” option3=”The Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.” option4=”Only a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister.” correct=”option3″]

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Statement A is incorrect. The Constitution was amended by the 91st Amendment Act, 2003, which added Article 75(1A), stating that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the House of the People. The limit is 15%, not 20%.
Statement B is incorrect. While the Ministers are appointed by the President, their rank (Cabinet Minister, Minister of State, etc.) and portfolios are determined by the Prime Minister, who heads the Council of Ministers.
Statement C is correct. Article 75(1) of the Constitution 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.”
Statement D is incorrect. Article 75(5) states that a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as a Minister, but they must become a member of either House within six consecutive months, failing which they cease to be a Minister. Therefore, being a member at the time of appointment is not mandatory.
The President is the head of the Union Executive, but acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in the appointment and allocation of portfolios among ministers.
Article 74(1) states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice. This highlights the real executive authority resting with the Council of Ministers led by the PM.

222. Consider the following statements about the Constitution of India: 1.

Consider the following statements about the Constitution of India:
1. A Member of Parliament enjoys freedom of speech in the Parliament as a Parliamentary Privilege protected by the Constitution of India.
2. The Constitution has vested the power to amend the Constitution in the Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

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Statement 1: Article 105 of the Constitution of India deals with the powers, privileges, etc., of the Houses of Parliament and the members and committees thereof. Article 105(1) states that “subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to the rules and standing orders regulating the procedure of Parliament, there shall be freedom of speech in Parliament.” Article 105(2) further protects this privilege by stating that “no member shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof”. Thus, freedom of speech in Parliament is a constitutionally protected parliamentary privilege. Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2: Article 368 of the Constitution outlines the procedure for amendment of the Constitution. It clearly states that the power to amend the Constitution is vested in the Parliament. The article details the requirements for introducing an amendment bill and the majorities required for its passage in Parliament, and in some cases, ratification by state legislatures. Statement 2 is correct.
Parliamentary privileges are special rights, immunities, and exemptions enjoyed by Members of Parliament collectively and individually, which are necessary for the effective discharge of their functions. The power to amend the constitution is a constituent power exercised by the Parliament under specific procedures.
The freedom of speech in Parliament is not absolute; it is subject to the provisions of the Constitution and the rules and standing orders of Parliament. However, it provides immunity from court proceedings regarding statements made or votes cast within Parliament. Article 368 specifies different procedures for different types of amendments, but the power rests with the Parliament.

223. Who are Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh?

Who are Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sprinters” option2=”Rock climbers” option3=”Fighter pilots” option4=”Mountaineers” correct=”option3″]

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Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi, and Mohana Singh are renowned Indian women who made history by becoming the first female fighter pilots to be commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) combat stream in 2016. They were part of the first batch of women fighter pilots.
Their induction marked a significant step towards gender equality in the Indian armed forces, breaking barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men.
These pilots underwent rigorous training alongside their male counterparts before being commissioned and eventually allowed to fly frontline fighter jets.

224. The United Nations proclaimed 21 June as:

The United Nations proclaimed 21 June as:

[amp_mcq option1=”International Mother Language Day” option2=”International Widows’ Day” option3=”International Day of Yoga” option4=”International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” correct=”option3″]

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The United Nations General Assembly, by resolution 69/131 adopted on 11 December 2014, proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. The initiative was proposed by India and supported by a large number of member states.
International Days are designated by the United Nations to mark particular events or topics, in order to promote awareness and action. These days serve as a way to focus global attention on important issues.
Other dates mentioned: International Mother Language Day is February 21; International Widows’ Day is June 23; International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is June 26.

225. How many moles of hydrogen atom are present in one mole of Aluminium

How many moles of hydrogen atom are present in one mole of Aluminium hydroxide?

[amp_mcq option1=”One mole” option2=”Two moles” option3=”Three moles” option4=”Four moles” correct=”option3″]

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The chemical formula for Aluminium hydroxide is Al(OH)₃. This formula indicates that one molecule of Aluminium hydroxide contains one atom of Aluminium (Al) and three hydroxide groups (OH). Each hydroxide group (OH) consists of one Oxygen atom (O) and one Hydrogen atom (H). Therefore, one molecule of Al(OH)₃ contains a total of 3 hydrogen atoms (one in each of the three OH groups).
A mole is a unit of amount of substance, equal to Avogadro’s number (approximately 6.022 × 10²³) of elementary entities (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.). If one molecule contains a certain number of atoms of a particular element, then one mole of molecules will contain the same number of moles of those atoms.
In one mole of Al(OH)₃ molecules, there are Avogadro’s number of Al(OH)₃ molecules. Since each molecule has 3 hydrogen atoms, there are 3 × (Avogadro’s number) of hydrogen atoms. This quantity of hydrogen atoms represents 3 moles of hydrogen atoms.

226. Which one of the following gases gives acidic solution on dissolving i

Which one of the following gases gives acidic solution on dissolving in water?

[amp_mcq option1=”Hydrogen” option2=”Carbondioxide” option3=”Nitrogen” option4=”Oxygen” correct=”option2″]

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When carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolves in water (H₂O), it reacts to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) through a reversible reaction: CO₂ + H₂O ⇌ H₂CO₃. Carbonic acid is a weak acid that can dissociate into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻), and further into hydrogen ions and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻). The presence of hydrogen ions increases the acidity of the solution.
Non-metal oxides that react with water form acidic solutions. CO₂ is an oxide of carbon, a non-metal. Other examples include SO₂ and NO₂, which form sulfurous/sulfuric acid and nitrous/nitric acid respectively, contributing to acid rain.
Hydrogen (H₂), Nitrogen (N₂), and Oxygen (O₂) are diatomic gases that do not react with water to form acids under normal conditions. H₂ is neutral. N₂ and O₂ are relatively inert. Oxides of metals, on the other hand, typically form alkaline solutions when dissolved in water (e.g., Na₂O + H₂O → 2NaOH).

227. Which of the following statement(s) concerning natural regions of the

Which of the following statement(s) concerning natural regions of the world is/are correct ?

  • 1. Equatorial climatic regions have less urbanization
  • 2. Mediterranean climatic regions have high level of urbanization
  • 3. Equatorial climatic regions have high concentration of human population
  • 4. Mediterranean climatic regions practice plantation farming

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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Statement 1: Equatorial rainforest regions, characterized by dense vegetation, high humidity, and challenging environment, historically and in many areas today, have lower levels of urbanization compared to other major climatic zones. While significant cities exist, large parts of the region remain less developed and urbanized. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: Mediterranean climatic regions, known for their pleasant climate (warm, dry summers; mild, wet winters), fertile land in coastal areas, and accessibility, have historically been centers of civilization and continue to attract high levels of settlement and urbanization. Many major cities worldwide are located in these regions. This statement is correct.
Statement 3: Equatorial climatic regions are generally not known for high concentrations of human population across the entire region. While some specific areas like river deltas, coasts, or specific resource-rich zones might have high density, vast areas, particularly deep rainforests, are sparsely populated. Regions with high population concentration are typically found in monsoon climates (South Asia, East Asia) or parts of temperate zones. This statement is incorrect.
Statement 4: Plantation farming, involving large-scale cultivation of single cash crops, is more characteristic of tropical and subtropical regions (e.g., coffee, tea, rubber, sugarcane, oil palm). Mediterranean agriculture is more known for specialized farming of crops like grapes, olives, citrus fruits, figs, wheat, and vegetables, often on smaller scales or in a more intensive manner rather than extensive plantation systems common in the tropics. This statement is incorrect.
Different natural regions have distinct characteristics that influence human activities, settlement patterns, and economic development. Climate, vegetation, and resources play crucial roles. Mediterranean climates are highly attractive for human habitation and agriculture, leading to high urbanization, while dense equatorial rainforests pose significant challenges for large-scale settlement and development.
Mediterranean agriculture is often referred to as ‘horticultural farming’ focusing on fruits, vegetables, and high-value crops, along with some cereal cultivation. The challenges in equatorial regions include dense vegetation, heavy rainfall, high temperatures, diseases, and difficult terrain, although resource exploitation and specific agricultural practices (like shifting cultivation or specialized crops) do occur.

228. Which of the following statements concerning temperature is/are correc

Which of the following statements concerning temperature is/are correct ?

  • 1. In winter season isotherms in Northern Hemisphere are more or less circular on continents
  • 2. Isotherms are parallel to latitude in Southern Hemisphere in oceans
  • 3. Minimum temperature during winter is recorded in Northern Canada

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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Statement 1: In winter season, continents in the Northern Hemisphere become significantly colder than the surrounding oceans due to differential heating and cooling rates. This thermal contrast leads to isobars bending equatorward over land and poleward over oceans. While not perfectly circular, the isotherms tend to form closed patterns reflecting cold centers over the large landmasses, deviating from the zonal pattern. Compared to the Southern Hemisphere, the influence of land is pronounced, making the continental isotherms less parallel to latitudes and somewhat ‘circular’ around cold pools. This statement is generally considered correct in depicting the characteristic pattern.
Statement 2: The Southern Hemisphere is dominated by oceans. Oceans have a more uniform temperature distribution and heat/cool more slowly than land. As a result, isotherms in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly over vast oceanic areas and away from significant landmasses like Antarctica or the southern tips of continents, tend to be more regular and run broadly parallel to the lines of latitude. This statement is correct.
Statement 3: While Northern Canada experiences extremely low temperatures in winter, the absolute minimum temperatures on Earth during winter are typically recorded in places like Siberia (Russia) or Antarctica (Vostok Station holds the world record). Northern Canada is among the coldest regions, but it doesn’t necessarily record *the* minimum temperature globally. This statement is incorrect.
Isotherms are lines connecting points of equal temperature. Their patterns are influenced by latitude, altitude, distribution of land and water, ocean currents, and winds. Landmasses cause greater temperature extremes (hot summers, cold winters) compared to oceans, leading to bending of isotherms. The Southern Hemisphere’s oceanic dominance results in more zonal (latitude-parallel) temperature distribution.
The bending of isotherms over landmasses in winter (equatorward bend) and summer (poleward bend) is a direct consequence of the continentality effect. The Southern Hemisphere’s temperature patterns are simpler due to the lack of large east-west oriented landmasses at middle and high latitudes.

229. 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 the Lists :

List I
(Geomorphic Agent)		 List II
(Feature)
A. Ground water 1. Plunge pool
B. Running water 2. Horns
C. Glacier 3. Playas
D. Wind 4. Lapies

Code :

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

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The correct answer is A) 4 1 2 3. This matches the features to their primary geomorphic agents:
– Ground water (A) is a significant agent in karst landscapes, forming features like sinkholes, caves, and Lapies (also known as Karren), which are solutional features on limestone or dolomite surfaces. So, A-4.
– Running water (B), particularly rivers, is responsible for erosional features like valleys, canyons, and waterfalls. Plunge pools are common erosional features found at the base of waterfalls, carved by the impact and turbulence of falling water. So, B-1.
– Glacier (C) is a powerful erosional and depositional agent in high latitudes and altitudes. Glacial erosion shapes mountains, creating features like cirques, arêtes, and sharp, pyramidal peaks called Horns (or pyramidal peaks) formed when several cirques meet. So, C-2.
– Wind (D) is a dominant geomorphic agent in arid and semi-arid regions. Wind can erode, transport, and deposit sediment, forming features like sand dunes, loess deposits, and erosional landforms. Playas are flat, dry lakebeds found in desert basins, which are depositional features associated with ephemeral lakes and wind processes (deflation and deposition). So, D-3.
– Groundwater creates dissolution features in soluble rocks (karst).
– Running water (rivers) creates features like valleys and erosional landforms at waterfalls (plunge pools).
– Glaciers carve distinctive landscapes in mountainous and polar regions (horns, cirques, U-shaped valleys).
– Wind shapes arid landscapes through erosion, transport, and deposition (playas, dunes).
– Lapies are small-scale solution features that can form on rock surfaces exposed to rainfall or covered by a thin soil layer, often part of larger karst systems shaped by groundwater.
– Horns are characteristic features of glaciated mountain ranges, resulting from the headward erosion of multiple cirques around a peak.
– Playas are temporary lakes; when they dry, the flat surface is often subject to wind deflation and deposition of fine sediments.

230. Which one of the following is the correct descending order of countrie

Which one of the following is the correct descending order of countries in terms of per capita availability of arable land ?

[amp_mcq option1=”India – China – Brazil” option2=”China – Brazil – India” option3=”Brazil – China – India” option4=”Brazil – India – China” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is D) Brazil – India – China. Per capita availability of arable land is calculated by dividing the total arable land area by the total population. Using approximate figures (as of recent years, trends were similar earlier):
– Brazil: Large land area, relatively smaller population compared to India and China. High per capita arable land.
– India: Significant arable land area, but very high population. Moderate per capita arable land.
– China: Significant arable land area, but also very high population (similar to India’s), and slightly less arable land area than India. Low per capita arable land compared to India and Brazil.

Therefore, the descending order of per capita availability of arable land is Brazil > India > China.

– Per capita arable land = Arable land area / Population.
– Brazil has a large land area and lower population density compared to India and China.
– India and China have very large populations, which significantly reduces their per capita figures despite having large absolute areas of arable land.
– Factors affecting arable land availability include total land area, climate, topography, soil quality, land use patterns, and population size.
– China’s arable land area has been under pressure due to urbanization, industrialization, and desertification.
– India faces challenges related to land degradation, fragmentation, and high population density.
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