Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Shyok River is a tributary of the Indus River. It originates from the Rimo Glacier, part of the Karakoram Range in Ladakh, India. The river flows through the Shyok Valley and passes through northern Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan (POK) before merging with the Indus River near Skardu. It is the northernmost river in the given list. The Zaskar River is a tributary of the Indus River.It originates from the Zaskar Range in Ladakh and flows southeast before joining the Indus near Leh. The famous Chadar Trek takes place on its frozen waters during winters. It is located south of the Shyok River. The Spiti River originates from the Kunzum Range in Himachal Pradesh. It flows through the cold desert valley of Spiti. It eventually merges with the Sutlej River at Khab, near the India-Tibet border. It is south of both Shyok and Zaskar Rivers. The Sutlej River is the largest tributary of the Indus River. It originates from Rakshastal Lake near Mount Kailash in Tibet and enters India through Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It then flows through Punjab before entering Pakistan. It is the southernmost river among the four. Therefore, the correct sequence of these rivers from north to south is Shyok, followed by Zaskar, then Spiti, and finally, Sutlej.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The headquarters of the North Western Railway (NWR) is located in Jaipur, not Jodhpur. The NWR is one of the 18 zones of Indian Railways and covers parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Indrail Pass is a travel-as-you-please ticket offered by Indian Railways to foreign tourists, not specifically for freedom fighters or sportspersons. It allows unlimited travel on the Indian Railways network for a specified period.

Statement 3 is correct: The Fairy Queen, a steam locomotive built in 1855 is recognized by Guinness as the world’s oldest steam engine still in regular (though limited) operation. It operates as a luxury tourist train between Delhi and Alwar, offering a journey that includes visits to heritage sites and wildlife destinations like the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 1: Kothagudem, a city in Telangana (earlier part of Andhra Pradesh), India, is the administrative center of the Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The city is a crucial hub for coal reserves and houses the Singareni Collieries Company and thermal power station. B is correctly with Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) is a coal-based power plant located in Shaktinagar, Raichur district, Karnataka. The power station is operated by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and significantly contributes to Karnataka’s electricity supply. Raichur boasts the historic Raichur Fort. Its economy is primarily agricultural, earning it the nickname "Rice Bowl of Karnataka". C is correctly with Mettur town in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, is renowned for the massive Mettur Dam. The Mettur Thermal Power Station is a major coal-fired power plant. With a total installed capacity of 1,440 MW across multiple units commissioned since 1987, it plays a vital role in meeting Tamil Nadu’s energy needs. D is correctly with Wanakbori in Gujarat is primarily known for its major coal-fired Wanakbori Thermal Power Station. The plant boasts a capacity exceeding 2,000 MW and is crucial electricity source for Gujarat, significantly contributing to the state’s industrial and economic growth.

Explanation

India’s diverse handicrafts, expressions of rich cultural heritage, thrive in specialized centers across the country. These centers preserve traditions, empower artisans, and produce globally recognized artistic treasures. A is correctly matched with 4: Mon is a district in Nagaland and is home to the Konyak Naga tribe. It is known for their rich handicraft traditions such as wood carvings, traditional headgear, beadwork, and handwoven textiles. The Konyak warriors now create beautiful handicrafts that represent their tribal heritage. B is correctly matched with 2: Nalbari district of Assam is well known for its bamboo and cane handicrafts, including mats, baskets, and decorative items. It is also famous for the traditional Assamese handloom industry, particularly the production of Mekhela Chador (Assamese women’s attire). C is correctly matched with 1: Naisghat located in Arunachal Pradesh is known for its tribal handicrafts such as woodwork, cane and bamboo products, and handmade textiles. Arunachal Pradesh has a strong tradition of weaving, with tribes like the Adi, Apatani, and Monpa creating intricate patterns using natural dyes. D is correctly matched with 3: Tura located in Meghalaya is known for its handwoven textiles, bamboo handicrafts, and traditional ornaments. The Garo tribe in Tura is famous for making traditional bamboo baskets (Kokcheng) and wood carvings. Meghalaya is renowned for its Eri silk production, often referred to as "Ahimsa Silk" due to its non-violent method of silk extraction.

Explanation

Cellulose is a natural polysaccharide and the primary structural component of plant cell walls, providing strength and rigidity. It is widely used in industries for making paper, textiles, and derivatives like cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate for various applications. Assertion (A) is true: Cellulose acetate, derived from cellulose, is used in the manufacture of shatterproof plastics, including glass used for eyewear and safety applications. These derivatives provide durability and impact resistance, essential for safety applications. Reason (R) is true: Polysaccharides such as cellulose are not soluble in water due to their extensive hydrogen bonding and crystalline structure. This insolubility is a key property of cellulose, which contributes to its stability and strength when used in manufacturing materials like shatterproof glass. Hence, Reason (R) provides the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Explanation

In September 2005, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) awarded the CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award for 2004 to Midas Communication Technologies Pvt. Ltd. This recognition was bestowed for their innovative work in designing, developing, and commercializing the corDECT Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) access system and optiMA Fiber-in-Local Loop (FLL) access system.

Explanation

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is an autonomous research and development organization in India. As per its organizational structure, the Prime Minister of India serves as the President of CSIR. This role includes overseeing the council’s activities and providing guidance on scientific and industrial research policies.

Explanation

In 2005, Indian Airlines introduced a new logo inspired by the Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha. The logo featured a stylized representation of the temple’s iconic wheel, known as the Konark Chakra, symbolizing movement and progress. The temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explanation

In 2005, the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Ken-Betwa Link Project, aiming to transfer surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh. This initiative is part of India’s National Perspective Plan for interlinking rivers to address water scarcity and enhance irrigation in drought-prone regions.

Explanation

Chandralekha, the renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna Award (Fellowship) in 2005 for her lifetime achievement in dance. She was known for her unique approach to Bharatanatyam, blending it with elements of martial arts and yoga.