Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Tabo Monastery is located in the Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. It was founded in 996 AD by the Buddhist translator and teacher Rinchen Zangpo under the patronage of the Western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge (modern-day Tibet). Often called the "Ajanta of the Himalayas", it is famous for its ancient murals, stucco sculptures, and thangka paintings. It is one of the oldest functioning Buddhist monasteries in India and holds immense religious and historical significance. The monastery is affiliated with the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Gatka is a traditional martial art of Punjab, not Kerala. It is associated with Sikh warriors and was historically used by Nihang Sikhs in battles. It involves swordfighting techniques and defensive moves.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Madhubani is a famous traditional painting style from Bihar, especially from the Mithila region. The GI tag ensures that only paintings produced in the authentic Madhubani style, by artists from the Mithila region, can be legally marketed and sold under the name "Madhubani painting."It features vibrant colors, intricate designs, and themes inspired by Hindu mythology

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Singhey Khababs Sindhu Darshan Festival This 3 day festival is celebrated in Ladakh (formerly part of Jammu & Kashmir). It honors the Sindhu (Indus) River, symbolizing unity, culture, and national integration. Singhey Khababs means "Lion’s Mouth", referring to the origin of the Indus River.

Explanation

The Agaria community is a group of people in India who work in salt production. They have their own unique culture, traditions, and language. Salt production The Agaria community are salt farmers in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. They create and maintain salt pans, collect salt crystals, and process and package the salt. They have specialized knowledge about weather conditions, salt pan behavior, and the salt production process. They have a deep connection with the land and the salt, which they consider sacred.

Explanation

The Hindu College in Calcutta, established in 1817, played a pivotal role in the advancement of modern education in India. This institution was founded through the collaborative efforts of Raja Rammohan Roy, David Hare, and Alexander Duff. This institution played a pivotal role in the Bengal Renaissance, fostering a generation of thinkers and reformers who significantly influenced Indian society.

Explanation

Lok Adalats are alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in India, aimed at providing a speedy and cost-effective resolution to disputes.

Statement 1 is correct: An award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is enforceable as such. Moreover, no appeal lies against it in any higher court, ensuring finality and quick resolution of the dispute.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Matrimonial and family disputes are covered under Lok Adalats. In fact, they often serve as a platform for resolving family-related disputes, including matters related to divorce, child custody, and maintenance.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: Night vision apparatus detects infrared waves emitted by objects as heat. Warmer objects emit more infrared radiation which is invisible to the human eye but can be captured and converted into a visible image by night vision devices. Infrared waves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves, typically used in thermal imaging, night vision, and remote sensing. Options (a) and (b) are incorrect: Microwaves are used in cooking and radar systems and radio waves are used for communication in broadcasting, mobile phones, and satellite transmissions.

Explanation

Amarkantak, a significant geographical landmark in India, serves as the source for two major rivers that exhibit contrasting hydrological patterns. The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh. It flows westward for 1,312 km, forming a natural divide between North and South India before emptying into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat. Its basin is elongated, with hilly upper reaches and fertile lower plains ideal for cultivation. The Son River is a major southern tributary of the Ganga, also originates near Amarkantak in Chhattisgarh. It initially flows north-northwest through Madhya Pradesh before turning eastward, cutting through the Kaimur Range and running parallel to the Kaimur Hills. It then flows through Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, eventually joining the Ganga near Patna. Fig: Map showing routes of Narmada and Son after originating near Amarkantak

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

Badrinath (Uttarakhand) is associated with the origin of the Alaknanda River, which later joins the Ganga system, but it does not give rise to two rivers flowing in opposite directions. Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) is the origin of the Krishna River, which flows towards the Bay of Bengal, but no significant river flows northward from here. Nasik (Maharashtra) is located on the banks of the Godavari River, which flows eastward, but there is no major northward-flowing river originating from here.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: India possesses significant reserves of thorium, particularly in the southern parts of the country. Major Thorium Deposit states are: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Kerala’s monazite sands, particularly along the coastal regions of Kollam and Palakkad, are among the richest for thorium in the world. These sands contain approximately 1.9 million tonnes of monazite, with high concentrations of thorium (up to 10%) and rare earth elements (55-60%).

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: While Kerala is renowned for its numerous west-flowing rivers that drain directly into the Arabian Sea, it is important to note that the state also possesses a few significant east-flowing rivers. The Kabini, Bhavani, and Pambar rivers, for instance, contribute to the eastward flow of water, ultimately merging with the larger Kaveri River system. These rivers flow eastward into neighboring states and ultimately merge with the Kaveri River. Kabini flows into Karnataka, while Bhavani and Pambar enter Tamil Nadu. They play a significant role in inter-state water systems and biodiversity.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Madhya Pradesh, a state characterized by diverse geographical features, is home to a network of rivers flowing westward. The Narmada, Tapi, and Mahi rivers are prominent examples of this westward drainage pattern, ultimately finding their way to the Arabian Sea.

Explanation

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptional levels of plant and animal endemism that are under significant threat. Options 1 and 2 are correct: Among the given regions, the Eastern Himalayas, encompassing parts of Nepal, Bhutan, In-dia, and China, and the Eastern Mediterranean Region qualify as biodiversity hotspots. These regions harbour a remarkable diversity of life, including numerous species found nowhere else on Earth. However, threats like deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change pose significant risks to this precious ecosystem. The Eastern Himalayas region supports iconic species like the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, red panda, and greater one-horned rhinoceros. The Eastern Himalayas’ rich biodiversity arises from its unique geography at the intersection of three biogeographical realms: Indo-Malayan, Palaearctic, and Sino-Japanese. The Eastern Mediterranean is part of the larger Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot, one of the richest and most threatened regions globally. The region also supports diverse wildlife, including migratory birds, reptiles like geckos and chameleons, amphibians such as cave salamanders, and unique mammals like macaques. Marine biodiversity includes endemic freshwater fish and Mediterranean Sea species. Fig: Map showing Biodiversity Hotspots Option 3 is incorrect: Northwestern Australia, encompassing the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, is known for its rugged landscapes, pristine coastlines, and rich Aboriginal heritage. This remote area features dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and unique wildlife. It also hosts significant mining and resource projects. South-Western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot whereas North-Western Australia is not.