Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a hybrid business structure that combines the features of a partnership and a corporation.

Option (a) is correct: There is no upper limit on the number of partners in an LLP. It is a feature of traditional partnerships under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, where the maximum number of partners is limited to 50 for certain businesses.

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

In an LLP, partners can directly manage the business and there is no requirement for a separation between ownership and management. This is a key feature of LLPs. The internal governance of an LLP including the rights and duties of partners, can be decided by mutual agreement among the partners. This flexibility is a characteristic feature of LLPs. An LLP is a corporate body with a separate legal entity, and it enjoys perpetual succession, meaning the LLP continues to exist even if the partners change or leave.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The Forward Markets Commission (FMC) was the regulatory authority for commodity futures markets in India. It was responsible for overseeing trading in commodity futures, including the regulation of commodity exchanges like NCDEX and MCX. In 2015, the FMC was merged with SEBI to create a unified regulator for both commodities and securities markets. So, if this question were about the present day, SEBI would be the correct answer for regulating commodities futures trading! Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect: Currency Futures Trading and Equity Futures Trading are regulated by SEBI. FMC only regulated commodities futures trading. Financial futures (like equity and currency futures) were regulated by SEBI.

Explanation

The Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, 2005 was enacted to boost economic growth by creating designated zones with special incentives for businesses.

Statement 1 is correct: One of the key objectives of the SEZ Act is to develop world-class infrastructure facilities within these zones. This includes roads, power, water supply, and other utilities to attract businesses and promote industrial growth.

Statement 2 is correct: The SEZ Act aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) by offering tax incentives, simplified regulations, and a business-friendly environment. This helps in bringing in capital and technology from abroad.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The SEZ Act is not limited to promoting exports of services only. It aims to promote both goods and services exports. SEZs are designed to boost over-all export-oriented production, including manufacturing, IT services, and other sectors.

Explanation

The 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz ISM band (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) is a part of the radio frequency spectrum commonly used for short-range communication technologies. This range is globally available for unlicensed use, making it ideal for a variety of wireless communication applications. Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, microwave ovens, Wi-Fi baby monitors, wireless cameras, and RFID systems operate in the 2.4 to 2.5 GHz range of the radio frequency band. While it allows a variety of devices to operate within it, managing interference is a key challenge in environments with multiple devices using the same frequency. This range is commonly used due to its balance between range and data capacity, making it suitable for short-range communication and other applications.

Explanation

LASIK is primarily used to treat refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. LASIK uses a laser to reshape the cornea, allowing light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina, improving vision. The goal of LASIK is to correct refractive errors and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for corrective eyewear like glasses or contact lenses. LASIK is typically not recommended for individuals under the age of 18 because their eyes may still be changing. Additionally, people over the age of 40 may not be ideal candidates due to presbyopia, a condition that affects near vision.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a wired broadband technology that uses telephone lines to transmit digital data. It is used for high-speed internet connections, but it is not a wireless technology. It does NOT belong to the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). DSL is a wired broadband technology that provides internet access over telephone lines and is unrelated to mobile networks. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) belongs to the GSM family. It is an enhancement of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and is considered part of 2.5G and 2.75G networks within the GSM framework. LTE (Long-Term Evolution) belongs to the GSM family. LTE is a 4G technology that evolved from GSM and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). It provides high-speed wireless communication but is not strictly GSM-based; however, it is considered part of the evolutionary path of GSM networks.

Explanation

The term "Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM)" is related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, particularly in the context of agriculture. It refers to a proposed tool for developing countries to temporarily increase tariffs on agricultural imports in response to surges in imports or price depressions, as part of the ongoing Doha Development Round.

Explanation

Statements 1 is correct: India lacks sufficient alternative technologies, such as those for renewable energy and waste management, which are essential for mitigating global warming. This gap hampers the country’s ability to address climate change effectively. Statements 2 is correct: As a developing country, India faces challenges in investing significant funds into research and development due to its economic constraints.

Statement 3 is incorrect: It is not accurate to claim that developed countries have primarily set up polluting industries in India. Developed countries have shifted some industries to developing nations due to lower environmental regulations and labor costs (a process known as carbon leakage) but this is not a dominant factor in India’s overall emissions. India has strict environmental regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) norms.

Explanation

The Stiglitz Commission, formally known as the Commission of Experts on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System, was established by the UN General Assembly President in 2008. Its primary objective is to examine the global financial system’s operations and identify strategies to achieve a more sustainable and stable global economic order.

Explanation

The Earth’s atmosphere contains gases and particles that contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and leading to global warming. These gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, while particles like soot can alter solar radiation balance and reduce the reflectivity of surfaces like ice and snow, further influencing climate change.

Option (d) is correct:

Soot directly contributes to warming by absorbing sunlight and reducing the reflectivity of snow and ice. Sulphur hexafluoride is a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. Water vapour is the most significant greenhouse gas and amplifies the warming effect through feedback mechanisms. Other gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and cause global warming are Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).