2018 Archives

271. In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary loca

In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Arunachal Pradesh” option2=”Manipur” option3=”Meghalaya” option4=”Nagaland” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Pakke Tiger Reserve, is located in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh in North-East India.

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known protected area, primarily recognized for its population of tigers and hornbills. It is located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

The sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 2002. It is known for its rich biodiversity, including various species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. The habitat consists of lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen forest.

272. Consider the following: 1. Areca nut 2. Barley 3. Coffee 4. Finge

Consider the following:

1. Areca nut
2. Barley
3. Coffee
4. Finger millet
5. Groundnut
6. Sesamam
7. Turmeric

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2, 3 and 7 only” option2=”2, 4, 5 and 6 only” option3=”1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only” option4=”1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) announces Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for various crops based on recommendations by the CACP. Among the listed items, MSP is announced for Barley (Rabi crop), Finger millet (Ragi – Kharif/Nutri-cereal), Groundnut (Kharif oilseed), and Sesamum (Sesame/Til – Kharif oilseed). MSP is not typically announced for Areca nut, Coffee, or Turmeric.

MSP is a price support mechanism by the government for selected agricultural crops to protect farmers from price fluctuations. The list of crops covered includes various cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and certain commercial crops. Plantation crops like Areca nut and Coffee, and spices like Turmeric are generally not included in the MSP list.

The government announces MSP for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane. The mandated crops include 14 Kharif crops, 6 Rabi crops, and 2 other commercial crops. Barley is a Rabi cereal. Finger millet (Ragi), Groundnut, and Sesamum are Kharif crops among the mandated list. Areca nut, Coffee, and Turmeric fall outside this list.

273. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life an

Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution” option2=”Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV” option3=”Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III” option4=”Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment to the Constitution” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Supreme Court of India, in the K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India case (2017), ruled that the Right to Privacy is a fundamental right protected under the Constitution. It held that privacy is an intrinsic part of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and flows from other fundamental freedoms guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution. Therefore, Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III correctly and appropriately imply this statement.

The landmark Puttaswamy judgment established Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. The court linked it primarily to Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) but also recognised its connection to other freedoms under Part III.

Article 14 deals with equality before the law. Article 17 deals with the abolition of untouchability. Article 24 deals with the prohibition of child labour. Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) are not justiciable fundamental rights. The 42nd and 44th Amendments are significant constitutional amendments but do not directly establish the right to privacy as derived from Article 21; this was a judicial interpretation.

274. Consider the following events : 1. The first democratically elected

Consider the following events :

1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India.
2. India’s then largest bank, ‘Imperial Bank of India’, was renamed ‘State Bank of India’.
3. Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier.
4. Goa became a part of independent India.

Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The events in chronological order are: Air India was nationalised (1953), Imperial Bank of India was renamed State Bank of India (1955), the first democratically elected communist government was formed in Kerala (1957), and Goa became part of independent India (1961). This sequence corresponds to option B (3-2-1-4).

Key dates for these events are: Air India nationalisation – 1953; SBI formation – 1955; First communist government in Kerala (EMS Namboodiripad) – 1957; Goa Liberation (Operation Vijay) – 1961.

Air India was nationalised through the Air Corporations Act, 1953. The State Bank of India was formed by nationalizing the Imperial Bank of India under the State Bank of India Act, 1955. The Communist Party of India won the assembly elections in Kerala in 1957, forming the first non-Congress government and the first democratically elected communist government in an Indian state. Goa, a Portuguese colony, was integrated into India through military action in 1961.

275. Consider the following pairs : Regions sometimes mentioned in news

Consider the following pairs :

Regions sometimes mentioned in news	Country
1. Catalonia	Spain
2. Crimea	Hungary
3. Mindanao	Philippines
4. Oromia	Nigeria

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correctly matched pairs are Catalonia – Spain and Mindanao – Philippines. Therefore, option C (1 and 3 only) is the correct answer.

Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain known for its independence movement. Mindanao is a major island in the Philippines, associated with the Moro conflict. Crimea is located in the Black Sea region, claimed by Russia (formerly part of Ukraine), and is not in Hungary. Oromia is a region in Ethiopia, not Nigeria.

Catalonia has a distinct cultural and linguistic identity within Spain. The conflict in Mindanao involves various groups seeking autonomy or independence. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 is a significant geopolitical issue. Oromia is the largest and most populous regional state in Ethiopia.

276. With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in Ind

With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs :

Institution	Founder
1. Sanskrit College at Benaras	William Jones
2. Calcutta Madarsa	Warren Hastings
3. Fort William College	Arthur Wellesley

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct answer is B) 2 only.

Let’s examine each pair:
1. **Sanskrit College at Benaras – William Jones:** This pair is incorrect. The Sanskrit College at Benaras (Varanasi) was established in 1791 by Jonathan Duncan, the Resident at Benaras, with the support of Governor-General Lord Cornwallis. William Jones was a prominent scholar of Oriental studies and founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784 in Calcutta, but he did not found the Sanskrit College at Benaras.
2. **Calcutta Madarsa – Warren Hastings:** This pair is correct. The Calcutta Madarsa (now known as Aliah University) was established in 1781 by Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal. It was established to promote the study of Muslim law and related subjects.
3. **Fort William College – Arthur Wellesley:** This pair is incorrect. Fort William College was established in 1800 by Lord Richard Wellesley, who was the Governor-General of Bengal from 1798 to 1805. It was intended to provide training to British civil servants in Indian languages, history, and culture. Arthur Wellesley was Richard Wellesley’s younger brother, who later became the Duke of Wellington and was known for his military career.

These institutions represent early attempts by the British colonial administration to engage with Indian languages, laws, and cultures, partly for administrative convenience and partly influenced by Orientalist scholars. They played a role in shaping the educational landscape during the colonial period.

277. “Momentum for Change : Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched

“Momentum for Change : Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by

[amp_mcq option1=”The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change” option2=”The UNEP Secretariat” option3=”The UNFCCC Secretariat” option4=”The World Meteorological Organization” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct answer is C) The UNFCCC Secretariat.

“Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative spearheaded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. It is part of the broader “Momentum for Change” program, which showcases innovative solutions for climate action from around the world. The “Climate Neutral Now” element specifically encourages and supports individuals, organizations, and governments to measure their climate footprint, reduce emissions as much as possible, and compensate for the unavoidable emissions by purchasing UN-certified carbon credits, thereby achieving climate neutrality.

The UNFCCC is the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement. Its Secretariat supports all institutions involved in the UN climate change process, including the Conference of the Parties (COP). Initiatives like “Momentum for Change” are part of the UNFCCC’s efforts to promote climate action and raise awareness globally.

278. Consider the following statements : 1. Most of the world’s coral re

Consider the following statements :

1. Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
2. More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.

Let’s evaluate each statement regarding coral reefs:
1. **Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters:** This statement is correct. Corals require specific environmental conditions for growth, including warm water temperatures (typically between 20-30°C), shallow depths allowing sunlight penetration (for symbiotic algae), clear water, and normal marine salinity. These conditions are predominantly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
2. **More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines:** This statement is correct. These three countries are part of the “Coral Triangle,” a marine region considered the global center of marine biodiversity. Australia hosts the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system. Indonesia and the Philippines have extensive reef systems within the Coral Triangle, which collectively hold the highest diversity of corals and reef fish globally. Together, these three nations account for a very significant proportion of the world’s coral reefs.
3. **Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests:** This statement is correct. While tropical rainforests are incredibly rich in species (especially insects and plants), marine ecosystems, in general, host a greater diversity of animal *phyla* compared to terrestrial ecosystems. Coral reefs, being highly complex and productive marine environments, are known to support a vast array of marine life representing a wide range of animal phyla, including sponges, cnidarians (corals, jellyfish), mollusks, arthropods, annelids, echinoderms, chordates (fish, turtles, etc.), and many others. The number of phyla found in marine environments is substantially higher than on land, and coral reefs are hotspots for this phylogenetic diversity.

Coral reefs are critically important ecosystems, providing habitat for a quarter of all marine species, protecting coastlines from erosion and storms, and supporting livelihoods through fisheries and tourism. They are, however, highly vulnerable to threats like climate change (ocean warming and acidification), pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.

279. Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?

Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.” option2=”It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.” option3=”Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.” option4=”None of the above” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct answer is B) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.

Prosopis juliflora is a highly invasive species native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. It was introduced to many parts of the world, including India, often for purposes like fuelwood, fodder, or soil stabilization in arid regions. However, it has become notorious for its invasive characteristics.
– It grows rapidly, forms dense thickets, and outcompetes native vegetation for water, sunlight, and nutrients.
– It alters soil properties and microhabitats.
– This aggressive growth and competition lead to a significant reduction in native plant species diversity.
– The reduced plant diversity impacts the fauna that depend on native plants for food and shelter, leading to a decline in overall biodiversity in areas it colonizes.
Therefore, its tendency to reduce biodiversity is the primary ecological reason it is often mentioned in news, usually in a negative context regarding environmental management and conservation efforts.

While Prosopis juliflora does have uses (fuelwood, pods for fodder, wood for charcoal), its negative ecological impacts as an invasive species often outweigh its benefits, particularly in fragile ecosystems like grasslands and arid/semi-arid areas. Control and eradication efforts are ongoing in many affected regions.

280. Consider the following statements : 1. The Barren Island volcano is

Consider the following statements :

1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

The correct answer is A) 1 only.

Let’s evaluate each statement about Barren Island volcano:
1. **The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory:** This statement is correct. Barren Island is India’s only active volcano and is located in the Andaman Sea, part of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
2. **Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar:** This statement is incorrect. Barren Island is located in the Andaman Sea, roughly 135-140 km northeast of Port Blair (South Andaman Island). Great Nicobar Island is located much further south, over 400 km from Barren Island.
3. **The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then:** This statement is incorrect. While there was a significant eruption in 1991 after nearly two centuries of dormancy, the volcano has erupted several times since then, including in 1995, 2005-06 (linked to the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake), and most recently exhibiting eruptions in 2017 and subsequent years. It is considered active.

Barren Island is a sub-aerial part of the volcanic arc that extends from Sumatra to Myanmar. It is uninhabited by humans. The recent eruptions highlight the ongoing volcanic activity in the region.