Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state located in the western Himalayas, and several significant rivers flow through it. These rivers originate in the Himalayas and are vital for irrigation, hydroelectric projects, and other water needs in northern India. Beas River originates from Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It flows entirely within Himachal Pradesh before entering Punjab. Chenab River originates near Baralacha Pass in the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. After originating in Himachal, it flows into Jammu & Kashmir and later into Pakistan. Ravi River originates near Bara Banghal in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It flows through Chamba district and then into Jammu & Kashmir before crossing into Pakistan. Sutlej River originates from Mansarovar Lake near Mount Kailash in Tibet. It enters Himachal Pradesh through the Shipki La Pass and flows through Kinnaur before entering Punjab. The Bhakra Nangal Dam is built on this river. Yamuna River originates near Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.The river forms the eastern boundary of Himachal Pradesh and flows through districts like Sirmaur and Paonta Sahib before entering Haryana. Fig: Map depicting Indus and its tributaries.

Explanation

Exp:

Option (a) is incorrect: Magnesium is not responsible for the red color. It affects soil fertility but not its hue.

Option (b) is incorrect: Humus contributes to dark brown or black soils, not red soils. Red soils are low in organic content.

Option (c) is correct: The red color of red soil is primarily due to the presence of ferric oxides (iron oxides) in its composition. Red soils are formed from the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks, particularly in regions with a hot and dry climate. Iron-bearing minerals in these rocks oxidize over time, forming ferric oxides that impart the red color. Its colour varies from red to brown, depending on the intensity of oxidation and hydration. They are generally low in nitrogen, phos-phorous, and organic matter (humus) but rich in iron. They are found extensively in peninsular India, including parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Common in areas with low rainfall where leaching is minimal, allowing ferric oxides to accumulate.

Option (d) is incorrect: Phosphates improve soil fertility but do not influence soil color significantly.

Explanation

The Gondwana rock system, named after the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most significant geological formations in India. These s are found in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Telangana.

Option (b) is correct: Gondwana rock system is primarily known for its rich coal deposits, which account for over 90% of India’s total coal reserves. Major coalfields such as Damodar Valley (Jharkhand and West Bengal), Son Valley (Madhya Pradesh), and Mahanadi Valley (Odisha and Chhattisgarh) are part of this system. The Gondwana rock system is considered the most important rock system in India due to its rich coal deposits.

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

Limestone is primarily found in the Vindhyan rock system, Cuddapah system, and the Aravalli ranges. Major limestone deposits exist in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Black cotton soil (Regur soil) is derived from the Deccan Trap volcanic rocks, not from Gondwana rocks. These soils are rich in clay and moisture-retentive, found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: Gobind Sagar Lake is a vast reservoir created by the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. It was named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru. Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: Kolleru Lake is a freshwater lake situated in Andhra Pradesh but it is not directly fed by the Krishna River. It is primarily fed by two minor rivers Budameru and Tammileru which originate in the Eastern Ghats. Krishna and Godavari rivers are nearby but do not feed the lake directly. Pair (c) is correctly matched: Ukai Reservoir(also known as Vallabh Sagar) is located on the Tapi River in Gujarat. It is the second-largest reservoir in Gujarat after the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. It was built in 1972 and provides irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. Pair (d) is correctly matched: Wular Lake is one of South Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. It is situated in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located near Srinagar and experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in size, ranging from 30 to 189 square kilometers. The Jhelum River flows through the lake, with the lake playing a crucial role in regulating the river’s flow.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Himalayas act as a formidable barrier as it effectively blocking the frigid winds from Siberia from penetrating deep into the Indian subcontinent. Without this natural barrier, much of India would be susceptible to severe cold waves during winter.

Statement 2 is correct: The Himalayan ranges are a crucial source of the alluvial soils that enrich the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The erosion of the Himalayas over millennia has resulted in the deposition of fertile sediments, creating one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the world. In the absence of the Himalayas, this fertile alluvial plain would not exist, significantly impacting agricultural productivity.

Statement 3 is correct: The Himalayas play a pivotal role in influencing the Indian monsoon. They act as a barrier, forcing the moisture-laden monsoon winds to rise, leading to significant rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. Without the Himalayas, the Indian monsoon would likely be much weaker and less consistent, with significantly lower rainfall across the subcontinent. The absence of orographic lifting would result in a drier climate, potentially transforming large areas of India into desert-like regions. The monsoon winds would face less obstruction, meaning less moisture would be lifted and condensed, leading to a reduction in rainfall.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Both Sikkim in the east and Rajasthan in the west share the commonality of being intersected by the 27th parallel north. The latitude passes through Gangtok in Sikkim and Alwar in Rajasthan. This shared latitudinal position provides a unique geographical connection between these two distinct regions of India. The red line in the accompanying figure may represent an approximation of the line of latitude that passes through both locations.

Explanation

The approximate representation of land use classification in India is Net area sown 47%; forests 23%; other areas 30%. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare employs a nine-fold classification system for land use in India. This system encompasses categories such as forest areas, agricultural land (cultivated and fallow), barren land, pastures, land under tree crops, and areas designated for non-agricultural uses. Fig: Land use pie chart

Explanation

The International Development Association (IDA) is administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which is part of the World Bank Group. IDA provides concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest countries to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. It complements the efforts of IBRD, which primarily supports middle-income nations. Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect:

International Fund for Agricultural Devel-opment (IFAD): IFAD is a specialized UN agency that focuses on transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems. It provides funding to smallholder farmers and vulnerable rural populations to improve food security and sustainable farming practices. Unlike IDA, IFAD does not administer large-scale concessional lending programs for broad economic reforms. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): UNDP works on global development goals, including poverty eradication, governance, and climate action. While UNDP and IDA both support developing countries, UNDP does not administer financial assistance through concessional loans. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO): UNIDO promotes industrial growth, technology adoption, and economic diversification in developing nations. It provides technical assistance and policy support but does not manage concessional lending like IDA.

Explanation

As of the latest updates, the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) in India remains a significant source of revenue for the government. Introduced in 2004, STT is a direct tax levied on the purchase and sale of securities listed on recognized stock ex-changes.

Option (a) is correct: In India, taxes on stock exchange and futures market transactions fall under the Securities Trans-action Tax (STT), which is levied by the Union Government under the Securities Transaction Tax Act, 2004. The tax is imposed on the purchase or sale of listed securities, including equities and derivatives.

Statement 1 is correct: The Union Government levies and collects the STT, as per the provisions of the Finance Act (2004).

Statement 2 is incorrect: State governments do not collect STT. Instead, stamp duties on share transfers are collected by states, but not the transaction tax.

Explanation

Financial inclusion refers to providing affordable and accessible financial services, such as savings accounts, credit, and insurance, to all segments of society, especially the underprivileged and rural populations.

Statement 1 is correct: In 1969 and 1980, the Government of India nationalized several major commercial banks. This move aimed to shift the focus from "class banking" to "mass banking," thereby extending banking services to the underprivileged and rural sectors. Post-nationalization, these banks expanded their branch networks into rural areas, providing financial services to previously unbanked populations.

Statement 2 is correct: RRBs were established under the Regional Rural Banks Act of 1976 to develop the rural economy by providing credit and other facilities to small and marginal farmers, agricultural laborers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs. The primary objective was to bridge the credit gap in rural areas and integrate them into the formal banking system, thereby promoting financial inclusion.

Statement 3 is correct: The Lead Bank Scheme, introduced by the Reserve Bank of India, assigned specific banks the responsibility of acting as a consortium leader in particular districts. These lead banks were tasked with adopting villages to ensure the provision of banking services and credit facilities. This initiative aimed to promote financial inclusion by fostering a banking relationship with rural communities and addressing their specific financial needs.