Miscellaneous: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: Putrajaya is a planned city that serves as the administrative capital of Malaysia. It was developed to relieve congestion in Kuala Lumpur, the official capital, and houses many government ministries and agencies. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Kota Bharu: Kota Bharu, the capital of the state of Kelantan in northeastern Malaysia, is a city with a rich cultural heritage. While Kota Bharu is an important city within Malaysia, it does not hold the status of the federal administrative center. Kuala Terengganu: Kuala Terengganu, the capital of the state of Terengganu on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is a city with a long maritime history. Its location on the South China Sea has shaped its development as a port city and a center for fishing and shipbuilding. While Kuala Terengganu plays a vital role in the regional economy and culture, it is not the administrative capital of Malaysia. Taiping: Taiping, a historic town located in the state of Perak in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia, holds a significant place in Malaysian history. During the British colonial era, Taiping was an important tin mining center, and its influence can still be seen in the town’s architecture and layout. Taiping is also known for its natural beauty, including the Taiping Lake Gardens, one of the oldest public gardens in Malaysia. While Taiping has a rich history and cultural significance, it does not serve as the federal administrative center of the country.

Explanation

Mahogany is a tropical hardwood tree native to the Americas. Known for its reddish-brown timber, which is durable, beautiful, and easy to work with, mahogany is highly valued in furniture making, cabinetry, and boatbuilding. However, it is not naturally found in the Himalayan region. The climatic and environmental conditions of the Himalayas are unsuitable for its growth, so any presence of mahogany there would be the result of human introduction rather than natural occurrence.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: As of 2008, the four Indian biosphere reserves recognized under UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) were:

1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (2000)

2. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (2001)

3. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (2001)

4. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (2004) The Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve was not included in the WNBR by UNESCO until 2015. It was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list only in July 2016, becoming the first "Mixed Heritage" site of India. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, located on India’s southeastern coast, is a biodiversity hotspot with coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and rich marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals. It supports traditional fishing communities and promotes sustainable development while conserving its unique ecosystem. Recognized by UNESCO, it highlights the balance between conservation and livelihoods. The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand includes the Nanda Devi National Park and India’s second-highest peak. It protects pristine alpine habitats with endangered species like the snow leopard and Himalayan musk deer. Recognized by UNESCO, it plays a vital role in conserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and its biodiversity. The Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, located in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, is the world’s largest mangrove forest. It supports iconic species like the Bengal tiger and numerous aquatic animals. Recognized by UNESCO, it protects this critical ecosystem known for coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and supporting local livelihoods.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL), also known as Vizag Steel, is a prominent integrated steel producer located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. By the year 2007, RINL had been granted "Mini Ratna" status by the Indian government. This designation recognizes the company’s strong performance and gives it greater autonomy in financial and operational decision-making.

Statement 2 is correct: In 2006, The Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO), formerly an independent entity, was successfully merged with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). SAIL, a major public sector steel producer in India, undertook this merger to consolidate its operations, enhance efficiency, and streamline its production processes. The merger of IISCO with SAIL has integrated the resources and expertise of both organizations, creating a larger and more robust entity within the Indian steel sector.

Explanation

Statement (c) is correct: The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement aimed at regulating the safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs), or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), to protect biodiversity and human health. Statements (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The first Meeting of the Parties (MOP 1) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from February 23-27, 2004, not in the Philippines. India is a signatory to both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It ratified the protocol on January 23, 2003, and actively participates in its implementation. The United States is not a party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as it has not ratified the agreement.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has diversified into the hydropower sector as part of its efforts to expand into more environmentally friendly energy sources. It has undertaken projects like the Koldam Hydro Electric Power Project in Himachal Pradesh and other hydropower projects in Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Additionally, NTPC has acquired stakes in hydro-focused companies like THDC India and NEEPCO, further expanding its hydropower portfolio.

Statement 2 is correct: Power Grid Corporation of India (PG-CIL) has diversified into the telecom sector through its subsidiary, Power Grid Teleservices Limited, under the brand name PowerTel. It uses its extensive transmission network for laying optical fiber cables and offers telecom services, including leasing bandwidth to telecom operators.

Explanation

Kolkata-Hajira (Part of former NH6, now mostly NH53) is a major east-west corridor, traversing several states and covering a considerable distance. It is one of the longer na-tional highways in India, approximately in the range of 1900-2000 km, and it is likely the longest of the options. It runs west to east through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. A significant portion of this route now falls under the renumbered NH53.

Explanation

Anthracite is a hard, brittle coal characterized by its high carbon content, typically ranging from 86% to 98%. It is considered the most metamorphosed type of coal, meaning it has undergone the most intense heat and pressure during its formation. This high carbon content makes anthracite the clean-est-burning type of coal, producing very little smoke or volatile matter. It is often referred to as "hard coal" and burns with a short, blue flame. Due to its cleaner-burning properties, anthracite is a preferred fuel source where minimizing air pollution is a priority. However, its relative scarcity and higher cost compared to other coal types limit its widespread use.

Explanation

Otto Schmidt, a Soviet geophysicist and astronomer, proposed a theory for the origin of the Earth and other planets in the solar system based on a cloud of gas and dust particles. His hypothesis, known as the "dust cloud hypothesis", suggested that the Sun, while already formed, captured or interacted with a surrounding cloud of interstellar material. This cloud, composed of gas, dust, and ice particles, began to rotate and flat-ten under the influence of the Sun’s gravity. Within this rotating disk, particles collided and clumped together, gradually forming larger and larger bodies. v v v