Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Jainism is based on two main philosophical principles:

Anekantavada and Syadvada.Additionally, Jainism emphasizes karma, the moral law of cause and effect, and the goal of achieving liberation (moksha) through non-violence (ahimsa) and self-discipline.

Option (b) is correct: Anekantavada is a fundamental doctrine of Jainism, meaning "the theory of manifold perspectives." It advocates that reality is multifaceted and cannot be fully understood from a single viewpoint, which aligns with Jain teachings of tolerance and non-absolutism. This philosophical approach is unique to Jainism and is not part of the core concepts in Buddhism, Sikhism, or Vaishnavism. Jain Syadvada, the theory of conditional predication suggests that statements about reality are context-dependent.

Explanation

MMTC has played a key role in India’s international trade landscape while also contributing to industrial growth through projects like NINL.

Statement 1 is correct: MMTC Limited (Metallic Materials Trading Corporation of India) is one of India’s largest public sector trading companies and the largest in the field of inter-national trade. It handles both exports and imports, primarily dealing with metals, minerals, and other commodities. MMTC is involved in the trading of precious metals, ores, and other products, making it the largest trading organization in India in its sector.

Statement 2 is correct: Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL) is a joint venture between MMTC Limited, Government of Odisha, and other stakeholders. It was established to set up a steel plant in the state of Odisha. The venture focuses on the production of steel and other related activities, contributing to industrial growth in the region.

Explanation

WiMAX (WIMAX forum was formed in June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability) is a communication technology that provides high-speed wireless broadband internet access. It is designed to offer both fixed and mobile broadband services over long distances, often as a replacement or supplement to traditional wired broadband technologies like digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable. Broadband Internet Access, Wireless Backhaul (for wireless link between a cellular base station and the core network) and Mobile Broadband etc. are based on WiMAX technology. It provides high-speed internet access, bridging the connectivity gap for both urban and rural areas, especially in the last-mile segment.

Explanation

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been operational since the 7th century AD. It is a prime example of Vijayanagara architecture built by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under King Deva Raya II and features intricate carvings, sculptures, and towering Gopuras adorned with Hindu mythological scenes. The temple’s central shrine houses Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva. Surrounding the temple are smaller shrines, mandapas (pillared halls), and a spacious courtyard. Over the centuries, various dynasties have contributed to its expansion and preservation. Beyond its religious significance, the temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, which showcases the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Explanation

Indian temple architecture is categorized into three styles. The Nagara Style (North) features beehive-shaped Shikharas and intricate carvings, as seen in the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple and Konark Sun Temple. The Dravida Style (South) is known for pyramid-like structures and towering Vimanams, exemplified by the Brihadeshwara and Meenakshi Temples. The Vesara Style blends Nagara and Dravida elements, seen in the Chenna-Keshava Temple at Somanathapura.

Option (a) is correct: The correct pairings are as follows:

Vidyashankara Temple, located in Sringeri, Karnataka, is a 14th-century temple that showcases ancient Indian astronomy and architecture. Built in 1338 AD, it combines Hoysala and Dravidian styles, with a shrine honoring Sri Vidyathirtha, a key figure in Vijayanagara history. Rajarani Temple is situated in Bhubaneswar, Orissa is famous for its exquisite Kalinga architecture and temple built with red and yellow coloured sandstone, which referred as Rajarani in local language Kandariya Mahadeo Temple is one of the largest and most artistically important Hindu temples, found in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Bhimesvara Temple is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and its architecture dates back to the Eastern Chalukya period characterized by Dravidian and Vesara elements.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act limits the number of ministers in the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, to a maximum of 15% of the total members of the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The limit was imposed to keep the size of the cabinet in check and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic expansion, ensuring that the government remains efficient and effective. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect: 90th Amendment concerns the reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the legislatures of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh The 92nd Amendment deals with the addition of languages to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 93rd Amendment enables reservations for socially and educationally backward classes in admission to educational institutions including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions

Explanation

Below the mantle, the core is divided into two main parts: the outer core and the inner core. Outer Core: This layer is in a liquid state and is primarily composed of iron mixed with nickel and small amounts of other elements. The movement of this liquid iron alloy is responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field. Inner Core: At the center of the Earth lies the inner core, a solid sphere predominantly made up of iron. Its high density and the immense pressure it is subjected to keep it in a solid state despite the high temperatures.

Explanation

Dadaab is a large refugee camp complex located in eastern Kenya, near the Somali border. Established in 1991, it is one of the largest refugee camps in the world, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees, mostly from Somalia. The three Dadaab camps are Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera

Explanation

A carbon credit represents the reduction or removal of 1 metric ton of CO₂ or its equivalent from the atmosphere. It allows for compensating carbon emissions by funding projects that either reduce emissions, like renewable energy or energy efficiency, or remove CO₂ through methods like reforestation or carbon capture. The concept of carbon credits was formalized under the Kyoto Protocol (1997), introducing mechanisms like Emission Trading, where countries could sell excess credits, and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), allowing investments in emission-reduction projects in developing countries for credits.

Explanation

Statement 1 and 3 are correct:

Hurricane Ike (2008) caused major damage in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Hurricane Gustav (2008) led to widespread destruction, especially in Louisiana and the Caribbean.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

No significant Hurricane Kate occurred near 2009. While Hurricane Kate (2003) existed, it wasn’t major or recent.