2020 Archives

191. If you withdraw ₹ 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at

If you withdraw ₹ 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be

[amp_mcq option1=”to reduce it by ₹ 1,00,000″ option2=”to increase it by ₹ 1,00,000″ option3=”to increase it by more than ₹ 1,00,000″ option4=”to leave it unchanged” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

Money supply (specifically M1) is defined as the sum of currency in circulation (C) and demand deposits (DD) held by the public. When you withdraw ₹1,00,000 in cash from your demand deposit account, there is a decrease in the demand deposits component by ₹1,00,000 and a corresponding increase in the currency in circulation component by ₹1,00,000.

The total amount of money defined as M1 (Currency + Demand Deposits) remains unchanged; only the form in which the money is held by the public changes from demand deposits to physical currency.

The transaction is a transfer of funds between two components of the money supply (M1). If the definition of money supply included broader measures like M2, M3 etc., which include time deposits or other assets, the effect might be different depending on the nature of the withdrawal account and what the money is subsequently used for (e.g., if it shifts into a different asset type). However, in the context of a simple cash withdrawal from a demand deposit account affecting aggregate money supply (M1), the net effect is zero.

192. If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which o

If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give some immunity to India ?

1. Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings
2. Opening up to more foreign banks
3. Maintaining full capital account convertibility

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement 1 is correct: Short-term foreign borrowings are highly volatile and can be withdrawn rapidly during a global financial crisis. An economy that depends less on such borrowings is less vulnerable to sudden capital flight, which can trigger liquidity problems and currency depreciation.

Reducing reliance on volatile short-term foreign debt enhances an economy’s resilience against external financial shocks.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While opening up to foreign banks can bring benefits like increased competition and technology, it can also introduce risks of contagion from their home countries during a global crisis. Their presence does not necessarily provide immunity; it can potentially increase exposure. Statement 3 is incorrect: Maintaining full capital account convertibility allows unrestricted movement of capital in and out of the country. While beneficial in normal times, it makes the economy highly susceptible to massive capital outflows (sudden stops) during a global financial crisis, significantly increasing vulnerability rather than providing immunity.

193. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene

Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution ?

1. Automobile exhaust
2. Tobacco smoke
3. Wood burning
4. Using varnished wooden furniture
5. Using products made of polyurethane

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

Benzene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and a known carcinogen. All the listed factors contribute to benzene pollution exposure. Automobile exhaust (1) contains benzene from incomplete combustion of fuel. Tobacco smoke (2) is a major source of indoor benzene exposure. Wood burning (3) is another combustion source releasing benzene. Using varnished wooden furniture (4) and products made of polyurethane (5) can off-gas benzene and other VOCs as they may contain solvents or release byproducts containing benzene over time, especially in indoor environments.

Exposure to benzene pollution can occur through combustion sources (vehicles, smoking, burning) and off-gassing from various materials and products (solvents, paints, finishes).

Benzene is also found in crude oil and is used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, and pesticides. Industrial emissions and hazardous waste sites are other sources. Indoor sources like attached garages (from vehicles), stored fuels, glues, adhesives, paints, and cleaning products also contribute to benzene levels. Given the wide range of sources, it is plausible that all the listed factors contribute to human exposure to benzene.

194. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general di

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells ?

1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do.
3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement 1 is correct: Plant cells have a rigid outer cell wall made primarily of cellulose, which provides structural support and protection. Animal cells lack a cell wall. Statement 3 is correct: Mature plant cells typically have a single, large central vacuole that can occupy a significant portion of the cell volume, maintaining turgor pressure. Animal cells may have several small vacuoles, but not a large central one.

The presence of a cellulose cell wall and the nature of vacuoles are key distinguishing features between plant and animal cells.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Both plant cells and animal cells have a plasma membrane (also called the cell membrane). The plasma membrane is an essential boundary that encloses the cytoplasm in all living cells, regulating the passage of substances in and out. In plant cells, the plasma membrane is located just inside the cell wall.

195. In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context

In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of

[amp_mcq option1=”Digital security infrastructure” option2=”Food security infrastructure” option3=”Health care and education infrastructure” option4=”Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a system used to create, manage, distribute, use, store, and revoke digital certificates. Digital certificates bind public keys to identities, providing a way to verify the authenticity of parties involved in digital transactions.

PKI is a fundamental component of digital security infrastructure, enabling secure communication, electronic transactions, and digital signatures through cryptography. It ensures trust in the digital world by verifying identities and encrypting data.

Components of a typical PKI include Certificate Authorities (CAs), Registration Authorities (RAs), a central directory (like LDAP), a Certificate Management System, and potentially Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) or Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) responders. PKI is essential for applications like secure web browsing (HTTPS), email encryption, and secure digital transactions. Options B, C, and D relate to physical infrastructure or specific societal sectors, which are not directly associated with the technical term “Public Key Infrastructure”.

196. What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Ind

What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India ?

These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.
These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statements 1 and 2 highlight important benefits of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs) in India.

Statement 1: Pneumococcal bacteria (*Streptococcus pneumoniae*) are a major cause of several serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), and sepsis (bloodstream infection), particularly in young children and the elderly. PCVs protect against infection by the most common and dangerous strains of these bacteria, thereby preventing these diseases. Correct.
Statement 2: By preventing pneumococcal infections, PCVs significantly reduce the incidence of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. This, in turn, reduces the need for antibiotic treatment for these conditions. Lowering the overall use of antibiotics helps to slow down the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a growing global health crisis. Correct.
Statement 3: While PCVs are generally safe and effective, no vaccine is completely free of side effects or the potential for allergic reactions. Common side effects are usually mild, such as fever, redness or swelling at the injection site, and irritability. Serious allergic reactions are rare but possible with any vaccine. Therefore, the statement that these vaccines have *no* side effects and cause *no* allergic reactions is incorrect.

PCVs are included in India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to protect children against pneumococcal diseases. Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing infectious diseases and combating antimicrobial resistance.

197. Consider the following statements : Genetic changes can be introduce

Consider the following statements :

Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

All three statements are correct descriptions of capabilities or research areas in genetic technologies.

Statement 1: Genetic changes can be introduced in germline cells (cells that produce eggs or sperm) using gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. This is technically feasible, meaning the capabilities exist to perform such modifications. However, editing the germline in humans is highly controversial due to ethical concerns regarding heritable changes and is subject to strict regulations or prohibitions in most countries. The statement says “can be introduced”, which is true from a technical standpoint. Correct.
Statement 2: A person’s genome can be edited at a very early stage of development, such as the embryonic stage before implantation or shortly after. This is known as embryo editing or pre-implantation genetic modification. Gene editing tools can be applied to correct genetic mutations in embryos. Similar to germline editing, this is technically possible but raises significant ethical debates and regulatory challenges. Correct.
Statement 3: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or human embryonic stem cells can be injected into the embryos of other species, such as pigs or sheep, to create human-animal chimeras. The goal of such research is often to study human development, model diseases, or potentially grow human tissues or organs within the animal host for future transplantation purposes. This is an active area of biomedical research. Correct.

Advances in genetic engineering, particularly the development of precise gene editing tools like CRISPR, have opened up new possibilities but also raised complex ethical, legal, and social questions regarding their application in humans and other organisms.

198. “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation i

“The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to

[amp_mcq option1=”Voyager-2″ option2=”New Horizons” option3=”LISA Pathfinder” option4=”Evolved LISA” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

The description refers to the Evolved LISA mission.

The experiment described involves three spacecraft flying in a specific formation (equilateral triangle with sides measuring one million kilometers) and using lasers shining between them. This configuration and method are designed to detect gravitational waves by precisely measuring the tiny changes in the distances between the spacecraft caused by passing gravitational waves.
Voyager-2 and New Horizons are spacecraft designed for planetary exploration, not gravitational wave detection.
LISA Pathfinder was a single spacecraft technology demonstrator mission for the LISA concept, proving the feasibility of housing free-falling test masses and measuring their motion with extreme precision, but it did not involve three separate spacecraft measuring distances over millions of kilometers.
Evolved LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a planned space mission by ESA and NASA that will consist of three spacecraft forming an equilateral triangle with sides approximately 2.5 million kilometers long. It will use laser interferometry between the spacecraft to detect gravitational waves in the millihertz frequency range, which are expected from sources like merging supermassive black holes and binaries of compact objects in our galaxy. The description in the question, while giving slightly different side length (one million km vs 2.5 million km), accurately captures the core concept of the Evolved LISA mission design for gravitational wave detection in space.

Ground-based gravitational wave detectors like LIGO and Virgo operate on Earth and are sensitive to higher frequency gravitational waves. Space-based detectors like LISA are necessary to detect lower frequency gravitational waves that cannot be observed from the ground due to terrestrial noise.

199. Consider the following activities : Spraying pesticides on a crop fi

Consider the following activities :

Spraying pesticides on a crop field
Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes
Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis

At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

All three listed activities can be successfully carried out using drones at the present level of technology.

Activity 1: Spraying pesticides on a crop field. Drones equipped with spray tanks and nozzles are increasingly used in agriculture for precision spraying of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. They can cover fields quickly and accurately, often more efficiently and with less chemical waste than traditional methods. This is a well-established drone application. Correct.
Activity 2: Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes. Volcanoes are hazardous environments for humans due to heat, toxic gases, and unpredictable eruptions. Drones can be flown into volcanic craters to collect visual data, thermal imagery, and atmospheric gas samples, providing valuable information for monitoring and research without putting scientists at risk. This is a demonstrated application of drones. Correct.
Activity 3: Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis. Researchers use drones to fly over whales and collect samples of the “snot” (exhaled breath and mucus) from their blowholes using collection plates attached to the drone. These samples contain DNA, hormones, and microbiome data, which are crucial for studying whale health and populations. This is a less invasive method compared to traditional biopsy darts and is successfully being used in marine biology. Correct.

Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have evolved significantly and are used across numerous sectors due to their versatility, ability to access difficult or dangerous areas, and capacity to carry various sensors and payloads.

200. With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:

With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:

They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body.
They can be used in biochemical sensors.
Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2020

Download PDF Attempt Online

According to the official answer key for UPSC Prelims 2020, all four statements are considered correct.

Statement 1: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a high surface area and can be functionalized to attach drugs, proteins, and antigens. They are widely researched as potential drug delivery systems and carriers for vaccines in the human body. Correct.
Statement 2: CNTs possess high strength and unique electrical properties, making them candidates for use in biomaterials. Research is ongoing to explore their potential in tissue engineering, including creating scaffolds or artificial structures that could mimic biological tissues like blood capillaries. Correct.
Statement 3: CNTs exhibit changes in electrical conductivity upon binding with specific molecules. This property makes them excellent candidates for use in highly sensitive biochemical sensors for detecting various substances, including biomarkers, pathogens, and environmental pollutants. Correct.
Statement 4: While pristine carbon nanotubes are generally considered poorly biodegradable and their persistence in the body or environment is a concern, significant research efforts are focused on modifying or functionalizing CNTs to make them biodegradable for biomedical and environmental applications. Some types of functionalized CNTs have shown evidence of enzymatic or cellular degradation. Therefore, depending on the specific type and context, biodegradability can be considered a relevant property or a goal being actively pursued and achieved in specific cases, leading to this statement being considered correct in a broad sense.

Carbon nanotubes are allotropes of carbon with cylindrical nanostructure. They have exceptional mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties, leading to diverse applications in electronics, materials science, energy, and biomedicine. Their potential interaction with biological systems and environmental fate are active areas of research.