Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

J B Kripalani started his career as a teacher and later became the principal of the Gujarat Vidyapith, a university established by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. He was deeply influenced by Gandhi’s ideas and played a significant role in the freedom movement. He was the president of the Indian National Congress during the crucial phase of Indian independence in 1947.

Explanation

With reference to the year in which this has been asked, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the maximum number of National Parks among the given states/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 9 National Parks Assam: 7 National Parks Arunachal Pradesh: 2 National Parks Meghalaya: 2 National Parks Currently, Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number (12) of National Parks.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 2: Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay is known for writing the novel Debi Chaudhurani, which depicts the story of a woman’s empowerment and resistance. B is correctly matched with 3: Nil-Darpan is a famous play written by Dinabandhu Mitra, which highlights the plight of indigo farmers in Bengal under British rule. C is correctly matched with 1: Shatranj ke Khilari (The Chess Players) is a story written by Premchand that critiques the indifference of Indian rulers during the British colonial period.

Explanation

Abul Kalam Azad, a prominent freedom fighter and scholar, brought out the journal Al-Hilal in 1912. It was a weekly published in Urdu, aimed at promoting political consciousness among Muslims and opposing British colonial rule. Other works of Abul Kalam Azad were Al-Balagh, Gubhar-e-Khatir, and India wins Freedom.

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

Muhammad Ali Jauhar published and edited the weekly English-language newspaper "The Comrade." The newspaper was banned in 1914 under the Press Act. Shyamji Krishna Verma served as the editor of "The Indian Sociologist" journal. The Zamindar newspaper was edited by Zafar Ali Khan but started by his father, Maulvi Sirajuddin Ahmad, in Sialkot as a farmer’s paper.

Explanation

Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984) was one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of the 20th century. He was a prominent figure in progressive literature and a vocal advocate for social justice, human rights, and anti-imperialism. The poem "Subh-e-Azadi" (Dawn of Freedom) was written by Faiz in 1947 which reflects on the partition of India and the bittersweet nature of independence. The poem captures the disillusionment and pain of partition, juxtaposing the joy of freedom with the tragedy of communal violence and displacement. The opening lines of the poem, "Ye daagh daagh ujala, ye shab-gazida sahar" (This stained light, this night-bitten dawn), are iconic and encapsulate the mixed emotions of the time.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: A jet engine relies on the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere for combustion. In space, where there is no atmosphere, a jet engine cannot function because it cannot obtain the necessary oxygen for burning fuel.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Rockets do carry their own supply of oxygen, but typically, the oxygen is not in gas form. It is usually stored as a liquid oxidizer (e.g., liquid oxygen, LOX) along with the fuel.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes, excluding the states of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram (ATMM). Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The Third Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the forms of oaths and affirmations for various constitutional posts and offices. The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution outlines the distribution of powers and responsibilities between the Union and State governments through three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. The Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains laws that are exempt from judicial review to protect them from being challenged in court.However, the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) and later the I.R. Coelho case (2007) clarified that laws in the Ninth Schedule are not completely exempt from judicial review if they violate the basic structure of the Constitution.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Rubies and sapphires are both varieties of the mineral corundum, which is chemically known as aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃). The difference between rubies and sapphires lies in the trace elements present in them. Rubies get their red color from the presence of trace amounts of chromium. Sapphires can come in various colors, but they are typically blue due to trace amounts of iron and titanium. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) is the chemical compound for quartz, Lead tetroxide (Pb₄O₆) is a compound containing lead and oxygen and Boron nitride (BN) is a compound of boron and nitrogen. All three are not related to rubies or sapphires.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: Xenon: Approximately 0.0000087% of Earth’s atmosphere, known as "stranger gas" due to its unusual behavior among noble gases. Unlike other noble gases, xenon can form compounds with other elements, such as xenon fluorides. It is used in high-intensity discharge lamps and flash lamps for bright illumination, explored as an anesthetic agent and in imaging techniques for the brain, heart, and lungs, and utilized in ion propulsion systems for satellites, contributing to efficient space travel. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Argon (Ar): Approximately 0.934% of Earth’s atmosphere, used in welding to create an inert atmosphere, in incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs to protect filaments from oxidation, and has potential as a neuroprotectant in medical applications. Neon: Neon (Ne) makes up about 0.0018% of Earth’s atmosphere. It is known for its use in neon signs that emit a reddish-orange glow. Neon is also used in lasers with helium to create specific light wavelengths. It helps detect leaks by identifying trace gases and is used as a cryogenic material for preserving biological specimens. Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), also called laughing gas, is colorless, odorless, and non-flammable. It has anesthetic properties and is used for minor surgeries and dental procedures. In the culinary field, it is used in whipped cream dispensers. In racing, it enhances engine power by allowing more fuel to burn, improving performance.

Explanation

A is matched with 2: Nagender Singh served as the President of the International Court of Justice. B is matched with 3: A. N. Ray held the position of Chief Justice of India. He is well remembered for his controversial elevation as Chief Justice during the tenure of Indira Gandhi’s government, which was perceived as politically motivated. C is matched with 1: R. K. Trivedi was the Chief Election Commissioner of India. D is matched with 4: Ashok Desai served as the Attorney General of India. The Attorney General is the top legal advisor to the government of India and represents the government in the Supreme Court.