Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Kim Dae-jung, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2000, is from South Korea. He was the eighth president of South Korea, serving from 1998 to 2003, and was recognized for his work towards democracy and human rights in South Korea and East Asia, as well as his efforts towards peace and reconciliation with North Korea.

Explanation

The United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference (1944), commonly known as Bretton Woods conference, was held in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA to regulate the international monetary and financial order after the conclusion of World War II. During this conference, agreements were signed to establish the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Explanation

The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional office in the country, serving as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In case of the President’s absence or vacancy, the Vice President assumes the role of acting President. Mohammad Hidayatullah and Shankar Dayal Sharma were Vice-President and later became President of India. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy were never a vice-President but did become President of India.

Explanation

India purchased the Barak anti-missile defence systems from Israel. The Barak system is developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is a surface-to-air missile designed to intercept and destroy incoming threats such as anti-ship missiles, aircraft, and drones. It is part of India’s naval defence system and is installed on various Indian Navy warships to enhance their anti-missile capabilities.

Explanation

5.5 ton class helicopter with twin engines. is an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for military and civilian applications. Equipped with twin Shakti engines, it operates at altitudes up to 20,000 feet, making it suitable for diverse terrains. Dhruv is used for troop transport, search and rescue, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and disaster relief. Its variants include the armed Rudra and the upgraded Mark III. As a symbol of India’s self-reliance in defense, Dhruv has been exported to countries like Nepal and Mauritius, enhancing India’s defense diplomacy.

Explanation

Median age refers to the age at which half the population is younger and half is older. It reflects the demographic profile of a country, with higher median ages indicating older populations. With respect to year in which question has been asked:

India: India, being a developing nation with a younger population and a higher birth rate, has the lowest median age among these countries. China: China’s population control policies (like the one-child policy) and the country’s demographic transition have resulted in a population that is older than India’s but younger than that of the USA and the UK. USA: The USA has a relatively older population compared to India and China due to factors such as higher life expectancy and a stable birth rate. Therefore, the median age is higher than those of India and China but lower than the UK’s. UK: The UK, being an industrialized and developed nation with an aging population, has the highest median age among the four countries. The population has a stable growth rate and a higher proportion of elderly individuals, making the median age of the UK the highest.

Explanation

India’s National Population Policy, 2000, sets a long-term objective to achieve a stable population by the year 2045. This goal aligns with sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. The policy emphasizes addressing unmet needs for contraception, healthcare infrastructure, and personnel, aiming to bring the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to replacement levels by 2010. The medium-term objective is to achieve a TFR of 2.1 by 2010, and the long-term objective is to stabilize the population by 2045.

Explanation

In 2008, the percentage of persons above 65 years of age in India’s population was approximately in the range of 5-6%. According to the World Bank, approximately 7.07% of India’s population was aged 65 and above in 2023. This means that approximately 7.07% of India’s total population is currently aged 65 and above.

Explanation

ITER, which stands for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a massive international collaboration aimed at harnessing the power of nuclear fusion. This groundbreaking project is being constructed in Cadarache, Southern France. ITER aims to replicate nuclear fusion, where light atomic nuclei combine to release vast energy, offering a limitless, clean power source. Using a tokamak design, it employs powerful magnetic fields to heat plasma to over 150 million degrees Celsius. The project is a global collaboration involving China, the EU, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the US. India has provided in-wall shielding components and the cryo lines and cryo distribution system, crucial for the reactor’s operation.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2001, the percentage of rural population in various states was as follows:

Himachal Pradesh: 90.2% Bihar: 89.5% Orissa (now Odisha): 85.0% Uttar Pradesh: 79.2% Therefore, among the given options, Himachal Pradesh had the highest percentage of rural population to its total population in 2001.