Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Article 124(1) of the Indian Constitution mandates the establishment of the Supreme Court, consisting of the Chief Justice of India and such other judges as Parliament may prescribe from time to time.

Option (b) is correct: The power to increase the number of Supreme Court judges lies with Parliament. Under the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019, the number of judges was increased by three, bringing the total number of judges, including the Chief Justice, to 34, up from 31.

Explanation

According to Article 131, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over disputes between two or more states. It also handles disputes between the Central Government and one or more states, or between different states and the Centre. The Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction is exclusive in such federal disputes, meaning only the Court can resolve these matters. This ensures that conflicts between the Government of India and states are directly addressed by the Supreme Court.

Explanation

Azadirachta indica, commonly known as the Indian neem tree, is a tropical evergreen belonging to the Meliaceae family, native to the Indian subcontinent, renowned for its medicinal and ecological significance. Neem is typically grown in tropical and subtropical regions.

Statement 1 is correct: Neem oil and neem barks are used as an insect repellent and can be used for controlling the spread of some insects and mites.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While neem seeds contain oil, which has potential as biofuel, the manufacturing of hospital detergents is not a common or widespread use of neem seeds. The primary application of neem oil in hospital settings is in disin-fectants or antiseptic creams, not detergents specifically.

Statement 3 is correct: Neem oil has multiple applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Neem is considered a weed and based on its antimicrobial resistance and other antifungal properties, they are also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Explanation

Gangetic dolphins live in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, In-dia, and Bangladesh. The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater. They are essentially blind. They are also called ‘susu’.

Statement 1 is correct: Dams and barrages disrupt the natural flow of rivers, reducing the availability of suitable habitats for the dolphins. They also fragment populations and prevent dolphins from migrating to areas with adequate food resources. These structures can obstruct the dolphins’ access to breeding and feeding grounds.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While crocodiles may compete with dolphins for food yet an increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers is not considered a threat to Gangetic dolphins.

Statement 3 is correct: Dolphins die as a result of accidentally being caught in fishing nets, also known as bycatch.

Statement 4 is correct: The use of pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural practices leads to water pollution, which can degrade the dolphins’ habitat by reducing water quality and food availability (as it affects the aquatic food chain).

Explanation

Option 2 is correct: Common mynas are native to South Asia, with their breeding range extending from Afghanistan through India and Sri Lanka to Bangladesh. They have been introduced to many tropical regions worldwide, except South America. While generally resident in India, occasional east-west movements occur. The Common Myna is an omnivorous, opportunistic feeder, often foraging on insects disturbed by grazing cattle. It thrives in urban environments and is known for its strong territorial instincts, often found in open woodlands.

Option 1 is incorrect: Painted storks forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes. A wading bird that lives in the wet-lands of tropical Asia. They feed on fish, frogs, and insects in shallow water. It has distinctive pink tertial feathers Option 3 is incorrect: The habitat of Black-necked Crane is in the high altitude wetlands and grasslands of the Tibetan plateau, Sichuan (China), and eastern Ladakh (India). They are not opportunistic feeders.

Explanation

The Himalayan ecosystem exhibits distinct vegetation zones based on altitude and climate.

Statement 1 is correct: Oak trees dominate the temperate broadleaf forests of the Himalayas. They are typically found between 1,500-3,000 meters. Common species include Quercus leucotrichophora (Banj Oak) in the western Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and Quercus semecarpifolia (Kharsu Oak) at higher elevations. Oak forests play a key role in soil conservation and water retention, making them ecologically vital.

Statement 2 is correct: Coniferous trees like Rhododendron, pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar, are found in the temperate forests (1500 and 3000 metres). Some key species include Rhododendron arboreum (Buransh), found in Uttarakhand and Sikkim, and Rhododendron hodgsonii, which thrives in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. The vibrant flowers contribute to pollination cycles and biodiversity.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Sandalwood does not naturally grow in the Himalayas. It is native to tropical dry deciduous forests. It is primarily found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, at lower altitudes (600-1,200 meters). Its preference for warm, arid conditions makes it unsuitable for Himalayan climates.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Changpa are a semi-no-madic ethnic group. They are mainly found in the Changtan plateau that stretches across the cold desert of Ladakh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. They are also known as Champa. A smaller number resides in the western regions of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. They share linguistic and cultural affinities with Tibetans.

Statement 2 is correct: The Changpa community is known for rearing Changra goats, which produce the fine wool known as Pashmina. They are raised for ultra-fine cashmere wool, also known as pashmina once woven.

Statement 3 is correct: The Changpa community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in the Union Territory of Ladakh. This classification provides them with certain constitutional safeguards and benefits.

Explanation

Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems formed by colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps. These animals secrete a hard, calcium carbonate exoskeleton that provides a foundation for the growth of other corals and a diverse array of marine organisms. Coral reefs are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, particularly in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. Fig: Map showing distribution of Coral Reefs in India Options 1 is correct: Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago is home to some of India’s most diverse and well-developed coral reefs which supports a rich variety of marine life. Options 2 is correct: Gulf of Kachchh is situated along Gujarat’s western coast. This region features fringing reefs around its islands. Though less developed due to environmental factors, these reefs contribute significantly to marine biodiversity. Options 3 is correct: Gulf of Mannar is ocated between south-eastern India and Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar hosts extensive fringing reefs around 21 islands. It is part of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, known for its diverse marine species. Option 4 is incorrect: Sundarban is the largest deltaic region of the world and encompasses over hundreds of islands (105), with a maze of innumerable rivers, rivulets, and creeks but does not have any coral reef.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 356, President’s Rule is imposed if the President, upon receipt of the report from the Governor of the State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. This comes under the discretionary power of the Governor.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 164 (1) states that Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.

Statement 3 is correct: As per Article 200 the Governor of a state can use his legislative power to reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government does not come under Governor’s discretionary power. In the Nabam Rebia judgement (2016), the Supreme Court held that the exercise of Governor’s discretion under Article 163 is limited and his choice of action should not be arbitrary or fanciful.

Explanation

Earlier sales tax was collected by the State Government, and the rate of sales tax varied from state to state. Toothpaste is a consumer good, and under the previous regime, it was subjected to Sales Tax or VAT (Value Added Tax), which was collected by the State Government. However, after the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, sales tax was largely subsumed under GST, which is a dual taxation system involving both the Centre and the State Governments.