Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The preparation and presentation of the Union Budget to the Parliament is primarily handled by the Budget Division within the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), which operates under the Ministry of Finance. The DEA is the nodal agency responsible for formulating and monitoring the country’s economic policies and programs. A principal responsibility of this department is the preparation and presentation of the Union Budget to the Parliament. Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect:

Department of Revenue administers taxes (both direct and indirect) and provides tax revenue estimates for the budget. Department of Financial Services deals with financial institutions, banking, insurance, and pension reforms and provides sector-specific information for the budget. Department of Expenditure manages government expenditure, budgeting, and accounts and helps in implementing expenditure control mechanisms.

Explanation

Fiscal deficit refers to the gap between the government’s total expenditure and its total revenue, excluding money from borrowings.

Statement 1 is incorrect: FDI involves investment from foreign entities into domestic businesses and assets. While FDI can stimulate economic growth, enhance infrastructure, and create jobs, it does not directly impact the fiscal deficit. This is because FDI pertains to the private sector and doesn’t directly alter government revenues or expenditures.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Privatization of higher educational institutions may reduce the government’s expenditure on education but it is not a direct or widely accepted measure to control fiscal deficit.

Statement 3 is correct: Reducing the size of the bureaucracy directly cuts government expenditure on salaries, pensions, and administrative costs. This is a valid measure to control fiscal deficit as it reduces the government’s recurring expenditure.

Statement 4 is correct: Selling or offloading shares of PSUs (disinvestment) is a direct measure to increase government revenue. The proceeds from disinvestment are used to bridge the fiscal deficit.

Explanation

In the Greendex 2009 report, India was ranked top in the world. The Greendex is a measure of consumer environmental behaviors, which was created by the National Geographic Society in collaboration with the international polling firm GlobeScan. The score reflects how environmentally responsible the population of a country is based on their consumer behavior, such as their attitudes and actions towards sustainability, including energy usage, waste management, and preferences for eco-friendly products. India’s top rank in Greendex 2009 highlighted the eco-friendly practices and sustainable consumption behaviors prevalent among Indian consumers compared to other nations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released during rice cultivation as flooded paddies create anaerobic conditions, promoting methane-producing micro-organisms. This makes rice farming a major source of methane emissions.

Statement 2 is correct. Nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, is emitted when nitrogen fertilizers in soil undergo denitrification, converting unused nitrate into nitrous oxide. This gas escapes into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. v v v

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: National Parks are established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The State Government issues a notification specifying the precise limits of the area designated as a National Park. Any alteration of these boundaries requires a resolution passed by the State Legislature.These areas receive strict protection, and activities like hunting, poaching, and deforestation are strictly prohibited. India’s first National Park Jim Corbett National Park was established under this Act.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Biosphere Reserves aim to conserve entire ecosystems rather than focusing on specific species. They are designated to promote the conservation of biodiversity, foster sustainable development, and support research and education. These reserves include core, buffer, and transition zones to balance conservation with sustainable use.

Statement 3 is correct: Wildlife Sanctuaries in India allow certain human activities, such as grazing or resource collection, under regulated conditions. The Chief Wildlife Warden may grant permissions for such activities, ensuring they do not adversely affect wildlife. This flexibility distinguishes Wildlife Sanctuaries from National Parks, where stricter protections are enforced.

Explanation

The given characteristics describe a tropical or sub-tropical region with the following conditions:

Hot and humid climate with annual rainfall of 200 cm suggests a climate suited for tropical crops that thrive in moist conditions. Hill slopes up to an altitude of 1100 metres indicate a location in lower to mid-altitudes (common in regions like the Western Ghats or Eastern Ghats). The annual temperature range of 15°C to 30°C also suggests moderate temperatures, which is typical of many tropical crops. Given these characteristics, pepper is the most likely crop to thrive in this region for the following reasons:

Pepper(Piper nigrum) thrives in tropical regions with high humidity, annual rainfall around 200 cm, and moderate temperatures. It is commonly cultivated on hill slopes, especially in regions like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, where these conditions are prevalent.

Option (a) is incorrect: Mustard (Brassica spp.) thrives in cool and dry climates, typically grown in temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. It requires low to moderate rainfall (40-60 cm), as excessive moisture can damage the crop. It is grown in North India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh) in Rabi season (winter).

Option (b) is incorrect: Cotton (Gossypium spp.) requires a warm climate with temperatures between 21°C and 30°C. It prefers moderate rainfall (50-100 cm); excessive rainfall (above 200 cm) can harm the crop. It is grown in black soil regions of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh.

Option (d) is incorrect: Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) requires moderate temperatures (20°C-30°C) and low rainfall (50-100 cm). Excessive humidity and rainfall hamper tobacco growth. It is grown in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat but in regions with controlled irrigation.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Jharkhand is not the primary source of copper in India. The Singhbhum district of Jharkhand has some copper reserves but Madhya Pradesh (Malanjkhand) and Rajasthan (Khetri) are the largest producers, contributing ~90% of India’s copper.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Odisha (formerly Orissa) is the largest producer of nickel in India, with major deposits in the Sukinda Valley.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Kerala is not a significant source of tungsten in India. The distribution of tungsten re-sources in India is as follows:

Karnataka: Approximately 41% Rajasthan: Around 27% Andhra Pradesh: About 17% Maharashtra: Approximately 11%

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha is a vital estuarine ecosystem and a key habitat for saltwater crocodiles, the world’s largest living reptiles. It hosts mangrove forests, estuarine habitats, and numerous bird species.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Desert National Park in Rajasthan is one of the last remaining strongholds of the Great Indian Bustard. It is critically endangered and among the heaviest flying birds. The park consists of sand dunes, grasslands, and rocky landscapes, providing an ideal habitat for this rare bird.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Eravikulam National Park in Kerala is renowned for the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat, not the Hoolock Gibbon. Hoolock Gibbons are native to Northeast India, primarily in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Explanation

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests cover the largest area in India, found across Central India, the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, and the Himalayan foothills. They thrive in 1,000-2,000 mm annual rainfall zones and experience a distinct dry sea-son, leading to leaf shedding. Dominant tree species are Sal (Shorea robusta) in the north and Teak (Tectona grandis) in the south. It covers about 37% of India’s total forest area.

Explanation

The Luni River, also known as the Sagarmati River, originating from the Aravalli Hills near Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is the largest river in the Thar Desert and flows southwest through Rajasthan and Gujarat. Unlike major rivers that drain into the sea, Luni is endorheic. It does not flow into the Gulf of Khambhat or the Gulf of Kutch, nor does it cross into Pakistan to merge with the Indus system. Due to high salinity and arid conditions, it eventually disappears into the marshy lands of the Rann of Kutch.