Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Planned expenditures are defined as the expenditure on the programmes that are mentioned in our country’s current five-year plan. For example, electricity, water, communication, transportation, agriculture and other activities, social services, etc. In simple terms, the Expenditure Report shows the expenditures made by Central Aid for state and federal needs and items under the Central Plan. In the context of the Union Budget of India, Non-Plan Expenditure refers to all expenditures of the government that are not part of the Five-Year Plans. This classification was used prior to 2017, after which the distinction between Plan and Non-Plan Expenditure was removed. Non-Plan Expenditure includes both developmental and non-developmental spending and is of-ten obligatory in nature. The major components of Non-Plan Expenditure are:

1. Defence Expenditure: This includes spending on the armed forces, procurement of defense equipment, and other related activities.

2. Interest Payments: These are payments made by the government to service its debt, both domestic and foreign.

3. Salaries and Pensions: This covers the salaries of government employees and pensions for retired personnel.

4. Subsidies: Financial support provided by the government to various sectors, including food, fertilizers, and petroleum, to keep prices low for consumers.

Explanation

The balance of payment(BoP) is a record of all monetary transactions made between the residents of one country and the rest of the world. A balance of payments deficit means the nation imports more than it exports. The current account and capital account are the two components that constitute the balance of payments.

Option (c) is correct: The Current Account of a country’s Balance of Payments (BoP) records the transactions of goods, services, income, and current transfers between residents and non-residents. It comprises the following components:

Balance of Trade (Goods): This is the difference between the value of a country’s exports and imports of tangible goods. Balance of Invisibles:

Services: Transactions involving services such as tourism, banking, and consulting. Income: Earnings from investments abroad (like interest and dividends) minus payments made to foreign investors. Foreign assets are part of the Financial Account, which records investments in financial instruments and assets between countries. SDRs are international reserve assets created by the Inter-national Monetary Fund (IMF) and are recorded in the Financial Account of the BoP.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: It is constituted by the President under Article 280 to give its recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States. It defines the financial relations between the Centre and the States. Therefore, it is not directly associated with "Planning" in the traditional sense.

Statement 2 is correct: Earlier, NDC served as "the highest decision-making authority" in the country on development matters. NDC used to advise the Planning Commission on planning.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Union Ministry of Rural Development is entrusted with the task of accelerating the socio-economic development of rural India.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Union Ministry of Urban Development is entrusted with the formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to the housing and urban development in India.

Statement 5 is correct: Parliament is the supreme legislative institution of the Republic of India. It is directly responsible to make laws and devise plans and strategies for the welfare of the society. Therefore, it is indirectly associated with planning.

Explanation

India has a vast network of national highways, with a total length of 1,46,195 kilometers as per Annual Report 2024-25 of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched:: NH4 (National Highway 4) was one of the major national highways in India before the renumbering of highways in 2010. After renumbering, NH4 was largely replaced by NH48. It connected Mumbai to Chennai via Pune, Bengaluru, and other cities. It did not connect Chennai and Hyderabad.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched:: NH6 (National Highway 6) did not connect Mumbai and Kolkata directly. After renumbering, it was largely replaced by NH53 and NH16. Historically it connected Surat (Gujarat) to Kolkata, passing through states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched:: The old NH 15 ran from Pathan-kot in Punjab to Samakhiali in Gujarat, passing through cities like Bikaner and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. It did not connect Ahmedabad and Jodhpur.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: The Ten Degree Channel lies between Little Andaman Island (southernmost island of the Andaman group) and Car Nicobar (northernmost island of the Nicobar group). This channel is about 150 km wide and is an important passage for maritime navigation.

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

Nicobar Islands and Sumatra (Indonesia) are separated by the Great Channel (or the Six Degree Channel), not the Ten Degree Channel. This channel lies south of the Nicobar Islands and serves as a major passage between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Maldives and Lakshadweep are far apart and separated by the Eight Degree Channel. It is located between Minicoy Island (southernmost Lakshadweep island) and the northernmost atoll of the Maldives. Sumatra and Java are separated by the Sunda Strait. It is a strategic maritime passage connecting the Java Sea with the Indian Ocean.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Dampa Tiger Reserve is the largest protected area in Mizoram covering approximately 500 sq. km in the Mamit district. It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1976 and later upgraded to a Tiger Reserve in 1994 under Project Tiger. It lies near the Bangladesh border and is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The reserve is home to a variety of species, including tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, elephants, hoolock gibbons, and barking deer.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is not in Sikkim but in Tripura. It is located in Gomati district. This sanctuary is one of the largest sanctuaries in Tripura and is unique due to the presence of the Gumti Reservoir, a significant water body formed by the construction of the Gumti Dam. It supports a wide range of species, including elephants, Indian bison (gaur), barking deer, sambar, leopards, wild boars, and several species of primates. The reservoir attracts a variety of migratory birds, making it an important site for birdwatching.

Statement 3 is correct: Saramati Peak is the highest peak in Nagaland rising to an elevation of 3,841 meters. It is located in the Kiphire district, near the India-Myanmar border. It is a popular trekking destination, particularly during the Hornbill Festival, when adventurers attempt to scale the peak. The region is facing increasing threats from deforestation and shifting cultivation (jhum farming), impacting the biodiversity of the area.

Explanation

Option 1 is incorrect: The Barak River originates in the Manipur Hills near the border of Nagaland at an altitude of about 3,015 meters. It primarily flows through Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Assam before entering Bangladesh.

Option 2 is correct: The Lohit River originates in the Zayü County of Tibet and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh. It flows through the Mishmi Hills before joining the Brahmaputra River.

Option 3 is correct: The Subansiri River, often referred to as the "Gold River", originates in the Tibetan Himalayas and enters India via the Miri Hills in Arunachal Pradesh. It eventually merges with the Brahmaputra River.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: The Cardamom Hills are part of the Western Ghats, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is named after the cardamom spice that is abundantly cultivated here. These hills are famous for their spice plantations, including pepper and coffee. It is home to Periyar Wild-life Sanctuary, known for its rich biodiversity and tiger reserve. The Coromandel Coast is along the Bay of Bengal on the eastern coast of India

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Kaimur Hills are an extension of the Vindhya Range and spread across Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. These hills are known for prehistoric rock paintings and ancient caves, making them an important archaeological site. The region contains several waterfalls and plateaus and plays a crucial role in rainwater retention for local rivers. The Konkan Coast lies along the Arabian Sea, covering Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, while the Kaimur Hills are located deep inland

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Mahadeo Hills are part of the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh. These hills are known for their dense forests, tribal communities and ancient temples. The Satpura Tiger Reserve and Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve are located and are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: The Mikir Hills are located in Assam, near Kaziranga National Park. The Mikir Hills are made of ancient crystalline rocks unlike the Himalayas, which are of tectonic origin making them geologically unique. These hills are home to various tribal communities, including the Karbi people.

Explanation

The World Economic Outlook (WEO) is a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that analyses key parts of the IMF’s surveillance of economic developments and policies in its member countries. The World Economic Outlook (WEO) presents the IMF’s analysis and projections of global economic developments and classifies their analysis by region and stage of economic development. It is published twice a year in April and October, with updates in January and July. Other Report published by IMF: Global Financial Stability Report

Explanation

Decreased interest rates lower the cost of borrowing for businesses, making it more attractive to finance new investments in capital goods and expansion projects. This leads to an increase in investment expenditure.

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

Lower interest rates reduce the cost of borrowing, encouraging consumers to take loans for purchases, thereby increasing consumption expenditure. While lower interest rates can stimulate economic activity, leading to higher incomes and potentially increased tax revenues, this effect is indirect and not guaranteed. Lower interest rates reduce the returns on savings, which may discourage individuals from saving, potentially decreasing total savings.