Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Convertibility of a currency means that it can be freely exchanged for other currencies and vice versa with-out restrictions. It essentially means that there are no limitations on the flow of the currency in and out of the coun-try. When a currency is convertible, individuals, businesses, and investors can easily convert it to other currencies to make payments abroad, invest in foreign assets, or engage in other inter-national transactions. Similarly, they can convert foreign currencies back into the domestic currency. India has current account convertibility, meaning that there are generally no restrictions on converting rupees for trade-related purposes. There are some regulations on capital account transactions, although these have been progressively liberalized over time.

Explanation

International liquidity refers to the availability of acceptable means of payment for international transactions. It’s essentially about having enough of the currencies that are widely used and accepted in global trade and finance. Historically, gold played this role, but in the modern era, "hard currencies," particularly the US dollar, have become the primary reserve currencies and mediums of exchange for international transactions. The "problem of international liquidity" arises when there is a shortage of these hard currencies. If countries don’t have enough dollars (or other widely accepted currencies) to pay for their imports, service their debts, or invest abroad, it can disrupt international trade and financial flows.

Explanation

Extremities of India:

Guhar Moti is the westernmost point of India. It is a small village located in the Kutch district of Gujarat. The northernmost point of India is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, near Indira Col. The easternmost point is Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh. Indira Point in Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost point.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Srisailam is a famous pilgrimage site located in the Nallamala Hills of Andhra Pradesh. It is home to the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. They are a significant range in southern India, located along the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Srisailam Sanctuary is also located in this region which is known for its rich biodiversity and the Srisailam Dam on the Krishna River.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Omkareshwar is situated on the Mandhata hills in Madhya Pradesh (ancient name: Shivpuri). The name "Omkareshwar" comes from the way the River Narmada flows here as it circles the Mandhata hill in the shape of a "Om." Omkareshwar is one of Shiva’s 12 cherished Jyotirlinga shrines.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Pushkar is known for the Pushkar Lake and the Brahma Temple. It is located in the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan, not the Mahadeo Hills. Pushkar is a major pilgrimage site associated with the worship of Lord Brahma. The Mahadeo Hills which are part of the Satpura Range are located in the central Indian region.

Explanation

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is a monthly production index that measures the performance of eight crucial sectors of the Indian economy. These industries collectively account for 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) as of September 2024. The eight core industries and their respective weights in the ICI are as follows:

Refinery Products: 28.04% Electricity: 19.85% Steel: 17.92% Coal: 10.33% Crude Oil: 8.98% Natural Gas: 6.88% Cement: 5.37% Fertilizers: 2.63%

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Jordan is a landlocked coun-try on the eastern edge of the Dead Sea, which borders Israel and Palestine. While it has access to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba, it does not have any coastline along the Mediterranean.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Syria has a strategic coastline along the Mediterranean Sea to its west. The coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus serve as vital trade and military hubs, with Tartus hosting a Russian naval facility. Syria’s Mediterranean coast provides it significant access to this international waterway. Lebanon boasts a stunning coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Cities like Beirut and Tripoli are vital Mediterranean ports, with Beirut being a historical hub for trade and culture since ancient times. Lebanon’s position on the Mediterranean has made it a cultural crossroads between East and West with influences from the Phoenician, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Israel has a coast along the Mediterranean Sea with important cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa located there.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) are famous for their rock-cut Buddhist architecture including sculptures and paintings from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE. The Mahaparinirvana of Buddha (his final passing away) is depicted in Cave 26 where a huge reclining Buddha (over 23 feet long) is shown lying on his right side, with his disciples mourning below and celestial beings above. They were built under the patronage of Satavahana and Vakataka rulers.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Varaha Avatar sculpture is not located at Mount Abu. It is found at Udayagiri Caves near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. The Udayagiri Caves are famous for their early Gupta period rock-cut sculptures, including the iconic Varaha panel depicting Vishnu rescuing Goddess Earth (Bhudevi) from the ocean. Mount Abu (Rajasthan) is primarily known for its Dilwara Temples (11th-13th century CE) of Jain architecture.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Arjuna’s Penance or Descent of the Ganges is a massive open-air rock relief located at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu. It depicts scenes from Hindu mythology such as the story of Arjuna’s penance and the descent of the Ganges to earth. It is one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explanation

The Ibadat Khana was built by Emperor Akbar in 1575 as a place for holding discussions with scholars of various religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. These discussions were part of Akbar’s efforts to promote religious tolerance and understand different faiths, which eventually led to the formulation of his Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith)-a synthesis of various religious principlesand a syncretic religious doctrine.

Option (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The mosque at Fatehpur Sikri is the Jama Masjid which was built for public worship and is one of the largest mosques in India. The Ibadat Khana was not Akbar’s private prayer chamber. Akbar’s private prayer chamber was likely located within the palace complex. While the Ibadat Khana was a place for religious discussions but it was not specifically a room for nobles.

Explanation

Indian temple architecture is diverse, with distinct regional styles such as the Nagara (northern), Dravida (southern), and Vesara (a blend of both). The Panchayatan style is a sub-school of Nagara architecture, specifically prevalent in North India.

Option (c) is correct:

Panchayatan is a temple architecture style where the main shrine (garbhagriha) is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, forming a quincunx (four smaller shrines at the corners and one main shrine in the center). The term comes from the Sanskrit words Pancha (five) and ayatana (containing). The Dashavatara Vishnu Temple in Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, built in the early 6th century AD, follows this style, with the main shrine on a rectangular plinth and four subsidiary shrines at the corners, totaling five shrines. Other temples that follow the Panchayatan style are Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Khajuraho, MP), built during the Chandela period and the Lakshmana Temple (Khajuraho, MP).

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: While inclusive growth and poverty reduction were important goals, they were not the main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan. The plan emphasized faster and sustainable growth in addition to inclusivity.

Option (b) is incorrect: This option misses the "faster" aspect, which was a key focus of the 12th Plan. The plan aimed to accelerate economic growth while making it sustainable and inclusive.

Option (c) is incorrect: While reducing unemployment was an important goal, it was not explicitly stated in the main objective of 12th FYP.

Option (d) is correct: The Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-2017) was launched with the objective of faster, sustainable, and more inclusive growth. It was the last five-year plan. Its growth rate target was 8%. Later, the government dissolved the Planning Commission with the creation of NITI Aayog. Major objectives of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan:

To remove gender and social gaps in school enrolment. To enhance access to higher education. To reduce malnutrition among children aged 0-3 years. To provide electricity to all villages. Create new job opportunities in non-agricultural sectors.