Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act/ Rowlatt act gives the notorious power to imprison activists without trial for up to two years, even possession of seditious newspapers is adequate evidence of guilt. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The drain on the Indian economy in the form of cash, kind and loans to the British government came to about 367 million pounds during the WW-I. Rowlatt Act has no direct relation with draining Indian money or economic support to war efforts. The Khilafat Movement (1919-20) was a movement to express Muslim support for the Caliph of Turkey and protect the institution of the Khalifa in Turkey against the allied powers, particularly Britain. The Rowlatt Act was not explicitly aimed at suppressing the Khilafat Movement. Vernacular Press Act, The Newspaper Act and The Indian Press Act were passed in order to impose restrictions on freedom of press. It has no relation with the Rowlatt Act.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress (1929), the resolution on ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or complete independence was passed. The Congress also decided to boycott the First Round Table Conference because the British refused to include Indian demands for a Constituent Assembly and full self-rule.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The rift between the extremists and moderates took place in the Surat Session(1907) and the split was resolved in the Lucknow Session 1916.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Two-Nation Theory, proposed by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and later championed by the Muslim League, argued that Hindus and Muslims in India were two distinct nations with separate religious, cultural, and social identities. But it is not associated with the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: National Investment and Manufacturing Zones(NIMZs) are large areas of land developed as industrial townships with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. They are designed to promote manufacturing investments and boost industrial growth. The Na-tional Manufacturing Policy (2011) proposed the establishment of NIMZs to make India a global manufacturing hub.

Statement 2 is correct: The government has introduced a single window clearance system to simplify and expedite the process of obtaining approvals and clearances for setting up and operating manufacturing units. This reduces bureaucratic delays and improves the ease of doing business.

Statement 3 is correct: The Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF) was established to support the acquisition and development of advanced technologies for the manufacturing sector. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of Indian industries by promoting innovation and technology adoption.

Explanation

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are mentioned under Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution. Directive Principles of State Policy are classified into Socialist, Gandhian and Liberal-Intellectual.

Article 40 of the Constitution deals with Organising Village Panchayats and endows them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government. The idea of Promoting Cottage Industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas is based on Gandhian Principles and is mentioned under Article 43.

Explanation

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Middle Path (Madhyamaka Marga) was a core teaching of Gautama Buddha. He rejected extreme asceticism as well as indulgence in sensual pleasures. Jainism of Mahavira advocated extreme asceticism, including rigorous penance, fasting, and self-mortification.

Statement 2 is Correct: Both Buddhism and Jainism did not accept the Vedas as supreme authority. They rejected the idea that Brahmins had a monopoly on religious knowledge. Buddha and Mahavira promoted rationalism, self-experience, and ethical conduct over scriptural authority.

Statement 3 is Correct: Both religions rejected the efficacy of Vedic rituals and sacrifices and instead emphasized the importance of moral conduct, meditation, and self-discipline. They believed that liberation (nirvana in Buddhism, moksha in Jainism) could not be achieved through rituals but only through personal effort and spiritual practice.

Explanation

Eight Core Industries measures combined and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity. As of 2024 Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). These industries have a major impact on general economic activities and also industrial activities. They significantly impact most other industries as well. The capital basis of the economy is represented by the core sector. The IIP provides the economic growth rates for various industrial categories over a certain time period.

Explanation

Option (1) is correct: Directive Principle of State lays down the provisions of education under:

Article 45: Provides for early childhood care and education. Article 46: Promotes educational and economic interests of weaker sections (SCs, STs, and other disadvantaged groups).

Option (2) is correct: Rural and Urban Local Bodies The Schedule 11 added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, specifies the powers, responsibilities and authority of Panchayat and under Article 243-G the Panchayati Raj Institutions have allowed 29 subjects to work in their local areas and Education is one of them. The Schedule 12 added by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, specifies the powers, responsibilities and authority of Municipalities and under the Article 243-W the Constitution provides for 18 subjects to the Municipalities including education. Options (3) and (4) are correct:

Fifth Schedule: Governs Scheduled Areas and Tribes, ensuring educational development for tribal communities through special provisions. Sixth Schedule: Grants Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the Northeast the power to make laws on primary and secondary education.

Option (5) is correct: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 shifted the education from State list to Concurrent list in Seventh Schedule. Now, Education is in the Concurrent List (Entry 25), meaning both the Centre and States can legislate on it.

Explanation

Mudras in Buddhist iconography are symbolic hand gestures that convey specific spiritual meanings. For example, the Dharmachakra Mudra represents the teaching of the Dharma, while the Bhumisparsha Mudra symbolizes the Buddha’s moment of enlightenment.

Option (b) is correct: The"Bhumisparsha Mudra" hand gesture shown in Lord Buddha’s image symbolizes his calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara. It means ‘touching the earth’ in Sanskrit. This mudra, formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha’s enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Vasundhara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment.

Explanation

The Earth’s rotation affects ocean currents through the Coriolis effect, which causes moving fluids like air and water to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection influences the direction of ocean currents.

Option 2 is correct: Wind patterns which are driven by differences in air pressure, are primary drivers of surface ocean currents. The friction between the wind and the ocean surface pushes water, creating currents.

Option 3 is correct: Differences in water density, which are caused by variations in salinity and temperature, influence vertical ocean currents. Cold water is denser and tends to sink, while warm water is lighter and tends to rise. This process contributes to the thermohaline circulation.

Option 4 is incorrect: The revolution of the Earth does not directly influence ocean currents. While the revolution of Earth impacts seasons and sunlight distribution, it is not a direct cause of ocean current movement.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: India does not have a policy to save coal reserves for the future. Coal imports are driven by domestic supply shortages and the need for high-quality coking coal, not strategic conservation.

Statement 2 is correct: A significant portion of India’s power plants are coal-based, and domestic coal production often falls short of demand. This forces power plants to rely on coal imports to meet their requirements.

Statement 3 is correct: India has limited reserves of high-quality coking coal, which is essential for steel production. Most of the coking coal used by steel companies is imported from countries like Australia, as domestic production is insufficient and often of lower quality.