Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Article 51A of part IV-A of the Indian Constitution deals with the Fundamental Duties. These duties are the moral and civic obligations that all citizens of a nation have. To vote in public elections is not a fundamental duty as it is not included in article 51A. List of Fundamental Duties:

To abide by the Constitution and respect National Flag and National Anthem (Not national song) To follow the noble ideals that inspired the struggle for freedom. To protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. To render national service when called upon to do so. To promote the common spirit of brotherhood amongst all Indians + to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. To preserve the rich heritage of the country’s culture. To protect the national environment including forests, lakes, wildlife, etc. To develop scientific temper, humanism and spirit of reform and inquiry. To safeguard public property and to abjure violence. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individuals. To provide opportunity for education to his child between the age 6 and 14 years

Explanation

A rapid rise in the population of algae in an aquatic system is known as an algal bloom, marine bloom, or water bloom. Algal blooms can appear in both marine and freshwater habitats. "Harmful algal blooms (HAB)" are blooms that can affect wildlife or the environment. Harmful Algal Bloom can lead to fish die-offs, cities cutting off water to residents, or states having to close fisheries.

Statement 1 is correct: Estuaries receive nutrient-rich water from rivers which can include agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial effluents. These nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus promote the growth of algae causing algal blooms.

Statement 2 is correct: Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season can cause significant runoff from agricultural fields, urban areas, and other land surfaces. This runoff can carry fertilizers, pesticides, and other nutrients into the sea, providing the necessary conditions for algal blooms

Statement 3 is correct: Water that rises to the surface as a result of upwelling is typically colder and is rich in nutrients, which again leads to algal blooms.

Explanation

Article 266 further says, No money out of this fund can be issued except in accordance with a parliamentary law. Thus, the authorization for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India must come from the Parliament of India.

Explanation

For slowing down global warming, carbon sequestration involves the capture and storage of CO₂. It is captured from the air, industries or power stations and stored permanently underground. This promotes Long-term reserve of CO₂ or forms of carbon to control temperatures. Carbon sequestration aids in lowering the amount of GHGs (due to combustion of fossil fuels) present in the air.

Statement 2 is correct: The photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans is natural carbon sequestration and it is responsible for much of CO₂ being moved from lower atmosphere to oceans:

Statements 1 is incorrect: CO₂ is a heavy gas that primarily accumulates in the troposphere and lower stratosphere but does not escape into the outer stratosphere or space. The primary removal mechanisms of CO₂ involve absorption by oceans, photosynthesis by plants, and geological sequestration rather than atmospheric escape. Statements 3 is incorrect: Polar ice caps and glaciers are not a major active carbon sink. Ice trapping does not remove a significant amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere on short time scales. While some CO₂ gets sealed in glaciers but melting due to climate change can release CO₂ back into the atmosphere thereby making this process less effective in long-term carbon storage.

Explanation

The Consolidated Fund of India is the primary fund of the Union Government where all its revenues, including taxes, loans, and other receipts for the conduct of government business, are deposited. According to the Constitution of India, all government spending must be approved by Parliament and drawn from this fund. The accounts of Government are kept in three parts:

1. Consolidated Fund of India

2. Contingency Fund of India

3. Public Account of India

Explanation

Emissions of all the above-mentioned gases i.e. Carbon dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen and Oxides of Sulphur take place from coal combustion at thermal power plants. Gas Sources Carbon dioxide (CO₂) Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation Oxides of Sulphur Burning fossil fuels, Smelting ores, Volcanic eruptions, Vehicles, etc Nitrogen oxides (N₂O) Burning of fossil fuels, fertilizers; burning of wood and crop residue. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Iron ore smelting, burning of fossil fuels, burning e-waste.

Explanation

Antarctic Ozone Hole was discovered by British Antarctic Survey scientists Farman, Gardiner and Shanklin in 1985. The formation of the ozone hole in the Antarctic has been an annual occurrence (in the months of September, October and November, due to a set of special meteorological and chemical conditions that arise at the South Pole, such as the presence of strong polar front, polar stratospheric clouds and increasing inflow of human-made chemicals like CFCs, etc.

Explanation

Carbon Credit is a permit that allows the company the right to emit 1 tonne of CO₂ or its equivalent. One credit permits the emission of a mass equal to one ton of carbon dioxide. Statement (a) is correct: The carbon credit system was established as part of the Kyoto Protocol (1997) to allow countries to meet their emission reduction targets via flexible mechanisms such as Carbon Trading, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), etc. Statement (b) is correct: Under Kyoto mechanisms, countries or entities that emit less than their allowed quota can earn carbon credits, which they can then sell to others who are exceeding limits. Statement (c) is correct: The core objective is to create a market-based incentive to limit global greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO₂. Statement (d) is incorrect: Carbon credit prices are not fixed by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). They are determined by market forces in various carbon exchanges, such as the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). UNEP does not set or fix prices.

Explanation

Inflation is the rise in prices of goods and services within a particular economy wherein, the purchasing power of consumers decreases, and the value of the cash holdings erode. Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time. The opposite and rare fall in the price index of this basket of items is called ‘deflation’. The Cob-web Phenomenon explains fluctuations in food prices, especially for crops like pulses. If prices are high in one year, farmers may plant more of those crops the next season, causing oversupply and a price drop. In the following season, prices may rise again due to reduced supply as farmers cut back on production, creating a cyclical pattern of price fluctuations.

Statement 1 is incorrect: While there has been a shift towards cultivating commercial crops like cotton, sugarcane, and oilseeds, it has not been to the extent of a 30% reduction in food grains cultivation. While commercial crops have gained ground, India’s food grain production remains significant, and a drastic decrease of 30% is not observed.

Statement 2 is correct: As incomes rise, dietary patterns evolve. People tend to consume more protein-rich foods (meat, poultry, fish, dairy), fruits, and vegetables. These items often require more resources to produce (e.g., livestock feed, cold storage) and can contribute to food price increases. As incomes rise, this change in consumption habits adds pressure on food prices.

Statement 3 is correct: India’s food supply chain faces significant inefficiencies like inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation infrastructure, and a fragmented distribution system. These constraints lead to higher costs and wastage leading to higher food prices. Structural inefficiencies make it difficult for supply to keep pace with increasing demand, fueling inflation.

Explanation

The Quit India Resolution was ratified in a Congress meeting at Gowalia Tank on 8th August 1942. Apart from the Quit India Movement, other resolutions involved the Civil Disobedience Movement against British Rule. Mantra of "Do or Die" was adopted in this Session by Gandhiji. The British Govt responded to the call of Gandhi by arresting all major Congress leaders the very next day. Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, etc. were all behind the bars. This left the movement in the hands of the younger leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, besides many regional leaders also rose up to lead this movement in their respective regions.