Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Lahore session of the Indian National Congress was held in 1929 under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru. During this session, the Congress adopted the historic resolution to demand Purna Swaraj (complete independence) from British rule. It was also decided to celebrate 26th January 1930 as Independence Day, marking the declaration of India’s resolve for full sovereignty. This session marked a significant shift in the freedom struggle, moving away from dominion status demands to the goal of complete independence.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution of India does encourage equal pay for equal work for both men and women under Article 39(d), which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The Directive Principles call for the state to ensure that there is no discrimination between men and women in terms of equal pay for equal work.

Statement 2 is correct: The Constitution of India does not provide a specific definition of backward classes. However, it provides for affirmative action through Articles 15(4), 16(4), and 46 to promote the welfare of backward classes, but leaves the identification and classification of such groups to the state.

Explanation

The Diamantina Trench is a deep-sea trench located in the southeastern Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia. It is part of the Diamantina Fracture Zone, a complex series of deep troughs and ridges. The trench was formed due to seafloor spreading and tectonic activity in the Indian Ocean basin. It is not associated with a subduction zone, unlike many other deep-sea trenches such as the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

Explanation

The 104th Constitution Amendment Bill deals specifically with the issue of reservation or quota for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in private educational institutions. It was aimed to extend the reservations or affirmative action to private educational institutions so that SEBCs could access quality education in private institutions as well. Before this amendment, reservation policies applied primarily to government-run institutions, and private institutions were largely free to admit students on their own terms, without any mandatory quota for backward classes.

Explanation

Dr. Rajendra Prasad held the portfolio of Food and Agriculture in the Interim Government formed in the year 1946.

Explanation

In 2005, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) made significant progress in reprocessing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel used in the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). Reprocessing the spent fuel from the FBTR posed significant challenges due to its intense radioactivity and the distinct chemical characteristics of the mixed carbide fuel. The accomplishment of successful reprocessing showcased India’s expertise in managing and recycling this advanced type of nuclear fuel. It also provided critical knowledge for the advancement of next-generation fast breeder reactors, including the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam.

Explanation

New Zealand was among the early adopters of measures to directly regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In 2008, New Zealand implemented the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS), an all-gases, partial-coverage, uncapped domestic emissions trading scheme that features price floors, forestry offsetting, free allocation, and auctioning of emissions units.

Explanation

"Paheli" (2005) is a Hindi fantasy film directed by Amol Palekar and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. Based on Vijayadan Detha’s story "Duvidha", it follows Lachchi (Rani Mukerji), whose husband Kishanlal (Shah Rukh Khan) leaves for business, while a ghost takes his form and wins her love. Set in Rajasthan, the film explores love, fidelity, and the supernatural, leading to a unique resolution when the real Kishanlal returns.

Explanation

Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is an independent, international non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides medical humanitarian aid in crisis-affected regions worldwide.

Explanation

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the long-time President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He played a pivotal role in the UAE’s formation in 1971 and remained President until his passing in 2004.