Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Kiran Desai won the 2006 Man Booker Prize for her novel The Inheritance of Loss, making her the youngest female winner at that time.

Explanation

Operation Sukoon was launched by the Indian Navy in July 2006 to evacuate Indian nationals and other foreign nationals stranded in Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in the Middle East. This was a large-scale humanitarian evacuation mission, also involving the Indian embassy and other government bodies. The operation showcased India’s capability to undertake swift and effective rescue missions in conflict zones abroad.

Explanation

In 2006, the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) won the CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development for its impactful contributions to rural livelihoods. CLRI’s sustainable leather technologies enhanced skill development and supported small-scale entrepreneurs, promoting growth in the sector.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: China was granted observer status at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during the 13th SAARC Summit in Dhaka in 2005. This allowed China to participate in SAARC meetings and contribute as an observer without full membership.

Statement 2 is correct: India was granted observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2005. As of 2007, India actively participated in SCO meetings as an observer but was not yet a full member. India later became a full member in 2017.

Explanation

MCA-21 is an e-governance initiative launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India. It aims to simplify and automate corporate filings, improve transparency, and facilitate online compliance for businesses. The initiative allows companies to electronically file their documents and statutory requirements, making corporate governance more efficient and accessible.

Explanation

John C. Mather is an American astrophysicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006 for his work on the Cosmic Background Explorer Satellite (COBE), which provided significant insights into the Big Bang theory. Michael Griffin served as the 11th Administrator of NASA, beginning his tenure on April 14, 2005. Paul G. Allen was an American business magnate best known as the co-founder of Microsoft alongside Bill Gates. Piers Sellers was a British-American NASA astronaut who participated in multiple space-walks during his missions to the International Space Station.

Explanation

Basel II is an international banking regulatory framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. It focuses on establishing international standards for measuring the adequacy of a bank’s capital, ensuring that financial institutions have sufficient capital to cover the risks they are exposed to. The framework is built upon three pillars, minimum capital requirements, supervisory review process and market discipline.

Explanation

The Tarapore Committee was set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the chairmanship of S.S. Tarapore to examine the feasibility of full capital account convertibility in India. First Tarapore Committee (1997) - Recommended a phased approach to full capital account convertibility and identified macroeconomic preconditions such as fiscal consolidation, low inflation, and strengthening of the financial sector. Second Tarapore Committee (2006) - Reviewed the progress and suggested further steps for a gradual transition towards capital account liberalization while maintaining economic stability.

Explanation

Robert Webster is renowned for his research on the influenza virus. His studies have been instrumental in understanding the genetics and epidemiology of influenza viruses. He has worked extensively on avian influenza, focusing on how the virus mutates and its ability to infect humans, especially during the H5N1 and H1N1 outbreaks. Webster has helped shape our understanding of how influenza viruses evolve and spread, helping to develop vaccines and antiviral strategies.

Explanation

The appendix is a small, tube-like structure that is attached to the large intestine. It is located at the junction where the small intestine (specifically the ileum) meets the large intestine. This area is known as the cecal junction, and the appendix is attached to the cecum, which is a pouch-like structure in the lower right abdomen. The appendix is thought to be a vestigial organ, meaning it may have once had a more significant function in digestion but is now largely considered to be without a clear, vital role.