Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Horse Latitudes are sub-tropical regions located at approximately 30° to 35° North and South latitudes. These are high-pressure zones characterized by calm winds and minimal precipitation. The name "Horse Latitudes" is believed to have originated from the historical practice of sailors throwing horses overboard to conserve water when ships were stranded in these calm regions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Horse Latitudes are high-pres-sure belts, not low-pressure belts. These regions are associated with the subtropical high-pressure zones, where air from the equator descends, creating stable and dry conditions. The high-pressure conditions result from the descending air of the Hadley cells, which suppresses cloud formation and leads to arid climates. Many of the world’s major deserts, such as the Sahara and the Australian Outback, are situated under the Horse latitudes. Low-pressure belts, on the other hand, are found near the equator (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and at higher latitudes (subpolar lows).

Explanation

The Vijaya Vittala Temple in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built during King Devaraya II’s reign in the 15th century. Dedicated to Lord Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the temple is famous for its 56 musical pillars that produce melodic sounds when struck. Its most notable feature is the stone chariot in front of the Ranga Mantapa, dedicated to Garuda, with two elephants pulling it. The temple showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the artisans of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Explanation

According to the 91st Constitution Amendment Act,2003, the number of ministers, including the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total membership of the Lok Sabha at the Centre or the Legislative Assembly at the State level. It was formulated primarily to address concerns about the excessive size of the Council of Ministers and to strengthen anti-defection laws. The Act aimed to streamline the functioning of the Indian government and curb political opportunism.

Explanation

A Financial Emergency under Article 360 of the Indian Constitution can be declared if the President believes that India’s financial stability or credit is threatened. It allows the central government to assume control over state finances and redistribute resources.

Statement 1 is correct: Article 360 of the Indian Constitution specifies that a proclamation of financial emergency must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months of being issued; if not, it will automatically cease to operate after this period. Statement given aligns with the provisions under Article 360, making this statement accurate.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While it is true that during a financial emergency, the President has the authority to issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of persons serving in connection with the Union’s affairs, it is not true that Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are exempt from such reductions. In fact, the President is empowered to apply these measures to all public servants, including judges, during a financial emergency. Therefore, this statement is wrong.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Tempel 1 was the target of NASA’s Deep Impact mission launched in 2005. The mission involved sending an impactor spacecraft to collide with the comet’s nucleus, creating a crater and allowing scientists to study the composition and structure of the comet’s interior. The mission provided valuable data about the formation of the solar system.

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

Halley’s Comet is one of the most famous comets which is known for its periodic appearance every 76 years. It was last observed in detail by the European Space Agency’s Giotto mission in 1986. Hale-Bopp was a bright comet that became visible to the naked eye in 1997. It was extensively studied by ground-based telescopes and space observatories. Comet Hyakutake was another bright comet that passed close to Earth in 1996. It was studied by ground-based telescopes and space observatories but was not the target of the Deep Impact mission.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer) was a satellite launched by NASA to study the cosmic microwave background radiation and provide evidence supporting the Big Bang theory. Pair (b) is correctly matched: The FLAG Alcatel-Lucent Optical Network (FALCON) submarine cable system is a 11,859 km undersea cable connecting multiple countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and Egypt, facilitating international telecommunications. Pair (c) is correctly matched: Discovery was a part of NASA’s Space Shuttle program and completed numerous missions. It conducted various missions, including deploying satellites, servicing the Hubble Space Telescope, and assembling the International Space Station (ISS). Pair (d) is incorrectly matched: Space Shuttle Atlantis was one of NASA’s reusable spacecraft used for human spaceflight missions. It is not a space station but a space shuttle that transported astronauts and cargo to space.

Explanation

The Wavell Plan (1945), proposed by Lord Wavell, aimed to resolve the political deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. It proposed forming a framework for an interim government. Assertion (A) is true: According to the Wavell Plan, the number of Hindu and Muslim members in the Executive Council were to be equal. Reason (R) is false: Wavell Plan did not aim to prevent partition but rather to create a framework for political dialogue and the transfer of power from British rule to Indian self-rule.

Explanation

The Tshwane Declaration was signed between India and South Africa in October 2006. The declaration marked a significant enhancement of the bilateral relations between the two countries and aimed to strengthen cooperation in various areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, and cultural exchange. The declaration was named after Tshwane, the metropolitan municipality in which Pretoria, one of South Africa’s capital cities, is located.

Explanation

Canada is not signatory to ITER projects.

ITER is a 35-nation fusion energy project launched in 1985, headquartered in France, aiming to prove fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source through the world’s largest tokamak. Its members include China, the EU, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the US, with the EU covering 45.6% of costs and others, including India, sharing 9.1% each.

Explanation

Steve Fossett was an American adventurer known for setting numerous world records in aviation and sailing. In 2005, he became the first person to fly a plane solo nonstop around the world without refueling, which was one of his most notable achievements. He is not known for hunting crocodiles, swimming across the Atlantic, or climbing Mount Everest. Thus, the correct answer is for completing the longest nonstop flight around the globe.