Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Thorium composes 0.0006% of the earth’s crust whereas Uranium composes 0.00018% of the earth’s crust, where a substantial amount of Uranium is found in dissolved seawater. Thus, Thorium(Th) is comparatively far more abundant in nature than uranium(U).

Statement 2 is correct: Uranium-233, produced from thorium, is generally considered to have higher energy output compared to natural uranium, with estimates suggesting it could produce significantly more energy per unit mass, though the exact ratio can vary depending on reactor design and conditions.

Statement 3 is correct: Thorium-based reactors generate less long-lived radioactive waste compared to uranium-based reactors. The waste from thorium has a lower proportion of transuranic elements like plutonium, which are highly radioactive and pose disposal challenges."

Explanation

The Government of India Act, 1935 divided powers between the Centre and provinces into three lists: Federal (59 items), Provincial (54 items), and Concurrent (36 items). It abolished dyarchy in provinces, replacing it with provincial autonomy, while retaining it at the Centre. The Act introduced bicameralism in six provinces and extended communal representation to Scheduled Castes, women, and labor. It also abolished the Council of India created by GoI Act 1858.

Explanation

Biologists studying various forms of life on Earth have identified a common characteristic among all living organisms. The matter within every living organism on Earth primarily consists of four chemical elements: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen.

Option (b) is correct: Carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen are the elements that were primarily responsible for the origin of life on Earth. These elements are fundamental in the formation of organic compounds, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which are essential for life. The combination of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen forms the basis of amino acids, nucleotides, and other critical biomolecules involved in the origin of life on Earth.

Explanation

Capillarity (or capillary action) is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces, such as thin tubes or porous materials, without the assistance of external forces and even against gravity. It occurs due to the cohesion (attraction between liquid molecules) and adhesion (attraction between the liquid and solid surface), along with surface tension.

Statement 1 is correct: The oil in the wick of a lamp rises due to the capillary action of threads in the wick. Absence of capillarity would certainly make it difficult to use Kerosene lamps.

Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no capillary action in using a straw to consume the soft drink as the consumer applies additional pressure from the mouth to consume the soft drink.

Statement 3 is correct: A blotting paper soaks ink by the capillary action of the pores in the blotting paper. The blotting paper will not be useful without the capillarity phenomenon.

Statement 4 is correct: The root-hairs of plants draw water from the soil through capillary action. Therefore absence of capillarity phenomenon would adversely affect the growth of trees.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: An increase in sales of a product typically results in revenue or business profits, not capital gains. Capital gains arise from the sale of an asset at a price higher than its purchase price, not from the regular sale of products.

Statement 2 is correct: Capital gains can arise when the value of an asset, such as property, appreciates over time. If the property is sold at a higher price than the original purchase price, the difference is considered a capital gain.

Statement 3 is correct: If the value of an asset, such as a painting, increases due to factors like popularity, and you sell it for a higher price than what you paid, the difference is considered a capital gain.

Explanation

The original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India refers to matters that can be directly brought before the Court without needing to pass through lower courts. The Constitution of India under Article 32 and 131 outlines the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Statement 1 is correct: According to Article 131, a dispute between the Government of India and one or more States.

Statement 2 is incorrect: As per Article 329 (b), no election to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature. Hence as it cant be taken to SC court directly it does not come under original jurisdiction.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Article 131 doesn’t mention UT anywhere. Further, the original jurisdiction mentioned in 131 is regarding issues between the federal units.

Statement 4 is correct: According to Article 131, a dispute between two or more states comes under the Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 124(2) and its interpretations in various SC judgments, The judges of the SC are appointed by the President based on the recommendations of the collegium system, which involves the Chief Justice of India and senior judges of the SC (In case of elevating a HC judge, CJ of concerned HC is also consulted).

Statement 2 is incorrect: SC judge can be removed from his office by an order of President. The President can order for removal of SC Judge only after an address by Parliament has been presented to him in the same session for such removal.

Statement 3 is correct: The salaries, allowances and pensions of the judges and the staff as well as all the administrative expenses of the SC are charges on the Consolidated Fund of India. Thus they are non-votable by the Parliament.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Under Article 146. The Chief Justice of India can appoint officers and servants of the SC and can also prescribe their conditions of service.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Ryotwari System was started by Thomas Munro and Alexander Reed. It was started in the Baramahal district of Tamil Nadu and later spread to Madras, parts of Bombay, East Bengal, Assam and Coorg. Ryots were required to pay the revenue directly to the government

Statement 2 is correct: Ryots (farmers) were given the ownership and other rights (Pattas) over the land.

Statement 3 is correct: The Ryotwari System involved high taxes (50% in dryland and 60% in wetland) and the taxes had to be paid regardless of the harvest, leading to peasant distress. The land was surveyed and an assessment for its productivity before imposing taxes. This assessment was based on the quality and size of the land, and the tax was usually a fixed portion of the estimated crop yield. Mahalwari System Permanent Settlement Ryotwari Settlement Punjab and UP Bombay and Madras Bengal Bihar and Orissa

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand Old man of India) wrote the "Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India" in which he propounded The Drain of Wealth Theory and exposed the economic exploitation of Indians by the British.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, etc. interpreted the ancient texts and restored the self confidence of Indians, not Dadabhai Naoroji. Swami Dayananda Saraswati even gave the call to "go back to vedas".

Statement 3 is incorrect: Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Keshav Chandra Sen, Atmaram Pandurang, etc. emphasized the need for eradication of all social evils before anything else.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: After getting the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765 the major aim of the British East India Company was to increase their land revenue collection without caring of its consequences on cultivators and peasants.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The first recorded use of Artillery in India is at the Battle of Adoni in 1368 by the Bahamani kings against the Raja of Vijayanagar.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Tobacco and Red Chillies were introduced by Portuguese not British.