Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

As mentioned in Arthshastra, Guilds, also known as Shrenis or Trade Guilds, played a significant role in ancient Indian society. These organizations brought together artisans, merchants, and traders to promote their collective interests, provide protection, and facilitate trade.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The king or local rulers protected guilds and ensured compliance with state regulations, but guilds operated autonomously and were not always formally registered with the central authority.

Statement 2 is correct: Guilds had significant control over the economic activities of their members. They were responsible for regulating various aspects of production, trade, and commerce, which included setting wages, standards of workmanship, prices for goods, and rules of operation.

Statement 3 is correct: Guild members were entitled to impeach and punish a chief found guilty of misconduct. The Arthashastra describes the role of guilds in resolving disputes through a Shreni court, where matters related to trade, contracts, and disagreements were handled by the guild’s officials.

Explanation

Temple architecture in India follows three main styles:

Nagara (Northern), Dravida (Southern), and Vesara (Mixed). Nagara Style (North Indian Temple Architecture) is found in Northern, Central, and Western India. Its key features are:

Shikhara (Tower) which is curvilinear in shape, rising progressively higher. Multiple Shikharas each smaller than the main one. Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) which houses the deity. Mandapa (Pillared Hall) usually present in front of the sanctum. Amalaka (Ribbed Disc), a large stone disc placed on top of the shikhara. Notable examples are: Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh), Sun Temple (Konark, Odisha), Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar, Odisha), etc. Dravida Style (South Indian Temple Architecture) is seen across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. Its key features:

Vimana (Tower) are pyramid-like structure over the sanctum. Gopurams (Gateway Towers) are large, ornate entrance towers. Sculptures & Mandapas are extensive carvings and pillared halls. Temple Tanks are found in major temples for ritualistic purposes. Notable examples are: Brihadeshwara Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu), Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu), Virupaksha Temple (Hampi, Karnataka), etc. Vesara Style (Hybrid or Mixed Style) is found in Deccan region (Maharashtra, Karnataka). It is a fusion of Nagara and Dravida styles like Shikhara of Nagara influence and temple layout of Dravida. Notable examples include: Hoysaleswara Temple (Halebidu, Karnataka), Virupaksha Temple (Pattadakal, Karnataka) and Chennakesava Temple (Belur, Karnataka), etc.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Permitting Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to engage in banking cannot be considered a part of Inclusive Governance. The primary objective of NBFCs changing into banks is to earn profits, which may not align with the principles of inclusivity. For Inclusive Governance to be successful, the government must focus on ensuring support for all citizens, regardless of their economic and social status. Instead of allowing financial entities to prioritize profit-making, the government should emphasize equitable access to financial services for all.

Statement 2 is correct: Article 243ZD of the Indian Constitution mandates the establishment of District Planning Committees (DPCs) at the district level to oversee planning at the district and sub-district levels. This aligns with the principles of Inclusive Governance, as strengthening local governance ensures better representation and promotes equitable development.

Statement 3 is correct: Increasing government spending or Investing in public health ensures that healthcare services are accessible and affordable, especially for vulnerable populations. Health plays a crucial role in promoting social justice and inclusive growth. For instance, establishing hospitals at the block and village levels ensures that even remote populations have access to necessary healthcare services.

Statement 4 is correct: The Mid-Day Meal Program (MDMP), also known as the Nutrition Support to Primary Education, aims who are enrolled in schools. It is designed to enhance enrollment, attendance, and retention rates, while also improving the nutritional status of students in primary education. Clearly, this initiative is an integral part of inclusive governance.

Explanation

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was initiated in 2001 by the United Nations. The objective of the MA was to evaluate how changing ecosystems might affect human well-being as well as the scientific foundation for any necessary action to improve the systems’ conservation and sustainable us-age, as well as their contribution to human well-being. Ecosystem services to the society are in the form of:

1. Provisioning services: food, raw materials, genetic resources, water, etc

2. Regulating services: carbon sequestration and climate regulation

3. Cultural services: tourism and religion

4. Supporting services: that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services such as nutrient recycling, crop pollination and soil formation, etc.

Explanation

Brinjal is a resilient crop that thrives even in drought-prone areas and is cultivated throughout most of the country. In India, Bt brinjal was the first food crop to undergo evaluation for potential commercial release.

Statement 1 is incorrect: A gene called cry1Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(and not fungus) was inserted into the brinjal to develop Bt Brinjal. This brinjal has been genetically modified to withstand insects like the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis).

Statement 2 is incorrect: Farmers will be free to save and sow as many seeds from Bt Brinjal open-pollinated cultivars as they like. They are not terminator seeds.

Statement 3 is correct: Public resistance to Bt brinjal in India was driven by fears of allergic reactions, toxicity and long-term health effects.

Statement 4 is correct: Environmentalists feared that introducing Bt brinjal could negatively impact biodiversity. The primary concern was the potential for cross-pollination with native brinjal varieties, which could lead to genetic contamination and loss of indigenous strains.

Explanation

Vedic Aryans used to worship manifestations of forces of nature as Gods in the form of Indra, Agni, Soma, Varuna. Mother Earth and Rivers, especially Saraswati, were worshiped as the goddess. The hymns in the Rigveda reflect reverence for natural forces like fire, wind, and the sun, with a strong emphasis on rituals and offerings. Yajna was a method of worship that involved offering sacrifices. It included Vedic chants singing and a sacrificial mantra. The Vedic mantra was chanted while sacrificing havan samagri in the fire during a yajna. Bhakti (devotion) and image worship became more prominent in later religious developments.

Explanation

Phytoplanktons are the primary producers in the marine food chain and hence they are called the ‘grass of the sea’. They contribute more than half of the oxygen in the environment and help in reducing global warming by absorbing human-in-duced carbon dioxide. They are important bioindicators regulating life in oceAns:

Statements 1 is correct: If phytoplankton are destroyed then less CO₂ will be absorbed thereby increasing atmospheric carbon and contributing to global warming. Phytoplankton are responsible for carbon fixation through photosynthesis. They absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter. When phytoplankton die, some of this carbon sinks to the ocean floor, sequestering it for long periods. Statements 2 is correct: Phytoplankton are the primary producers in marine ecosystems forming the base of the food web. They are consumed by zooplankton which in turn are eaten by larger organisms like fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. The destruction of phytoplankton would disrupt the entire marine food chain and can lead to the collapse of fisheries and the decline of marine biodiversity.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The density of ocean water is primarily determined by temperature and salinity and not by the presence of phytoplankton. While phytoplankton can slightly affect water properties through their metabolic activities but their destruction would not cause a drastic decrease in ocean water density.

Explanation

Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology techniques, allowing for the alteration of its DNA.

Statement 1 is correct: GE crops have been engineered to withstand drought conditions which allows them to maintain productivity under water scarcity. For instance, genetically modified wheat with enhanced drought tolerance has been developed.

Statement 2 is correct: Biofortification through genetic engineering has led to crops with enhanced nutritional profiles. Example: Golden Rice has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Genetic engineering for space-specific traits (like enhanced photosynthesis in low light or microgravity) is not a major application of genetically engineered plants presently. Research is ongoing into growing plants in space (Ex-NASA’s experiments with growing lettuce on the International Space Station) but these efforts primarily focus on optimizing growth conditions rather than genetically engineering plants.

Statement 4 is correct: Genetic engineering has been used to delay ripening and spoilage in fruits and vegetables. For example: Flavr Savr Tomato is the first commercially available genetically engineered crops, designed to ripen more slowly and extend shelf life.

Explanation

Dhrupad is derived from ‘Dhruva’ (fixed star) and ‘Pada’ (song), is an ancient form of classical music that emerged from early vocal traditions. It is performed with tanpura and pakhawaj, its lyrics in Braj Bhasha often reflect devotion and heroism, expressing emotions like veera and sringar. Key gharanas include Dagarvani, Bishnupur, Darbhanga, and Mallik.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Dhrupad traces its roots back to the ancient text Sama Veda. Its modern form evolved during the 15th and 16th centuries particularly in the courts of the Rajput kingdoms and the Mughal emperors. The Rajput kings such as Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior were great patrons of Dhrupad. Dhrupad flourished under the patronage of emperors like Akbar, who admired musicians like Tansen.

Statement 2 is correct: Dhrupad is deeply rooted in spirituality and devotion. It often incorporates themes from Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas, and is traditionally performed in temples and royal courts. The lyrics of Dhrupad compositions (called prabandhas) are usually in praise of deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga.

Statement 3 is correct: The Dhrupad alap, which is the slow, improvisational opening section of a performance, often uses Sanskrit syllables from mantras and is rooted in spiritual tradition. These syllables, known as "Bol Alap", are often derived from ancient Vedic chants and mantras.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Kuchipudi dance form originates from Andhra Pradesh and is known for its dramatic elements. Dancers often incorporate spoken dialogues (Vachika Abhinaya) as part of the performance, especially in dance-dramas like Bhama Kalapam. The traditional Sutradhara (narrator) or lead performer in Kuchipudi often delivers dialogues. Bharatanatyam originates from Tamil Nadu and is primarily a silent dance form where expressions are conveyed through gestures (Mudras), facial expressions (Abhinaya), and body movements. Spoken dialogues are not part of traditional Bharatanatyam performances.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Dancing on a brass plate (Tarangam) is a signature feature of Kuchipudi, not Bharatanatyam. In Kuchipudi the dancer balances on the edges of a brass plate while moving gracefully and often with a pot of water on the head (symbolizing control and balance). Bharatanatyam focuses more on structured footwork, linear movements and geometric postures.