2021-22 Archives

21. Which of the following pairs of floristic regions is/are correctly mat

Which of the following pairs of floristic regions is/are correctly matched ?

1. The Western Himalayan region : Darjeeling and Kurseong
2. The Eastern Himalayan region : Kashmir to Kumaon
3. The Indus Plain region : Punjab, Western Rajasthan and Northern Gujarat

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

1 and 2 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is C, as only the third pair is correctly matched.

India is divided into various floristic regions based on climate, topography, and vegetation characteristics. Statement 1 is incorrect because Darjeeling and Kurseong are located in the Eastern Himalayan region. Statement 2 is incorrect because the region from Kashmir to Kumaon falls under the Western Himalayan region. Statement 3 correctly identifies the Indus Plain region’s coverage, which includes parts of Punjab, Western Rajasthan, and Northern Gujarat, characterized by arid and semi-arid vegetation.

Broadly, India’s floristic regions include the Western Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas, Indus Plain, Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, Malabar, Assam, Central India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These regions have distinct floral compositions influenced by their specific ecological conditions.

22. The “SCO Summit” is a meeting of the member states of the Shanghai Coo

The “SCO Summit” is a meeting of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. How many permanent members are there in the SCO ?

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is B, representing 8 permanent members at a specific point in time relevant to the question’s framing.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization. The number of full members (often referred to as permanent members in a general sense, though not the official SCO terminology like ‘permanent members’ in the UNSC context) has changed over time. Originally formed by five members (Shanghai Five), it expanded to include Uzbekistan (making it 6), and later India and Pakistan (making it 8).

As of July 2023, Iran became the ninth full member of the SCO. Belarus is also in the process of joining. However, considering the options and common knowledge about the SCO structure after India and Pakistan joined in 2017 and before Iran’s accession, 8 was the widely recognized number of full members for a significant period. The question likely refers to this period. The initial five members were China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Uzbekistan joined in 2001, followed by India and Pakistan in 2017.

23. The “Suez Canal” connects which of the following two water bodies ?

The “Suez Canal” connects which of the following two water bodies ?

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean

Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.

The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It is one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

The Suez Canal provides a direct route for shipping between Europe and Asia, avoiding the long circumnavigation of Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. It was completed in 1869.

24. The “Northern Sea Route” is a shipping route that connects the Atlanti

The “Northern Sea Route” is a shipping route that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through which one of the following regions ?

Arctic Ocean

Indian Ocean

Mediterranean Sea

South China Sea

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is Arctic Ocean.

The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is a shipping route defined in Russian legislation as extending from the Novaya Zemlya archipelago to the Bering Strait. It primarily runs along Russia’s Arctic coast through the Arctic Ocean.

The NSR is gaining attention due to climate change melting Arctic ice, potentially making it a viable commercial shipping route that significantly shortens transit times between Europe and Asia compared to traditional routes through the Suez Canal.

25. The “Quad” is a strategic forum comprising the United States of Americ

The “Quad” is a strategic forum comprising the United States of America, India, Japan, and which one of the following countries ?

Australia

South Korea

Germany

France

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is Australia.

The “Quad” is an informal strategic forum known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) that comprises four countries: the United States, India, Japan, and Australia.

The Quad was initially formed in 2007 but lapsed. It was revived in 2017 and has since become a significant platform for discussions and cooperation among the member countries on regional and global issues, particularly those related to the Indo-Pacific region.

26. The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the

The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the

Council of Ministers

Chief Justice of India

Speaker of Lok Sabha

Election Commission of India

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is the Council of Ministers.

The President of India is the nominal head of the executive and acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. The dissolution of the Lok Sabha, before its full term, is a significant executive action taken by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 85(2)(b)).

While the President has the constitutional power to dissolve the Lok Sabha, this power is almost always exercised based on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, particularly if they have lost confidence or wish to seek a fresh mandate. In rare circumstances, if a Council of Ministers loses confidence and no alternative government can be formed, the President might act based on their own judgment, but the standard procedure involves the advice of the Council of Ministers.

27. The President of India can promulgate an ordinance when

The President of India can promulgate an ordinance when

both Houses of Parliament are in session

there is a financial emergency

there is a State emergency

both Houses of Parliament are not in session

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is both Houses of Parliament are not in session.

Article 123 of the Constitution of India grants the President the power to promulgate ordinances when both Houses of Parliament are not in session or when only one House is in session, provided that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action.

An ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament but is temporary in nature. It must be laid before both Houses of Parliament when they reassemble and ceases to operate six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament if not approved earlier.

28. Consider the following objectives : 1. Control inflation 2. Control

Consider the following objectives :

1. Control inflation
2. Control fiscal deficit
3. Regulate foreign exchange rates
4. Regulate interest rates

Which of the above objectives are correct ?

1 and 2 only

3 and 4 only

1, 2 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is 1, 2, 3 and 4.

All the listed objectives (Control inflation, Control fiscal deficit, Regulate foreign exchange rates, Regulate interest rates) are standard and correct objectives typically pursued through macroeconomic policies by governments and central banks.

Inflation control and interest rate regulation are primarily within the domain of monetary policy, usually managed by the central bank. Fiscal deficit control is a key objective of fiscal policy, managed by the government. Regulation of foreign exchange rates can involve interventions by both the central bank and the government, depending on the exchange rate regime. These objectives are interconnected and crucial for economic stability and growth.

29. The “National Investment and Manufacturing Zones” aim to promote

The “National Investment and Manufacturing Zones” aim to promote

Agricultural development

Manufacturing industries

Information technology sector

Tourism and hospitality sector

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is Manufacturing industries.

National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) are integrated industrial townships proposed by the Government of India to promote manufacturing activities. They are part of the National Manufacturing Policy.

NIMZs are envisaged as large areas (typically minimum 5000 hectares) with world-class infrastructure, land use on the basis of zoning, clean and energy-efficient technology, and requisite social infrastructure, aimed at attracting domestic and foreign investment in manufacturing.

30. Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India relating to the

Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the

Prime Minister of India

President of India

Vice President of India

Supreme Court of India

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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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The correct answer is the President of India.

According to Article 151(1) of the Constitution of India, the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the President, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament.

The CAG’s reports are crucial for parliamentary oversight of government finances. The President, upon receiving these reports, presents them to Parliament for discussion and examination by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).