Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: The first human embryo cloning was achieved in the United States. In 2001, scientists at Advanced Cell Technology in Massachusetts (USA) successfully cloned a human embryo. The cloned embryo only developed to the 6-cell stage before it stopped dividing and was destroyed. This was far from a fully developed embryo, and the experiment was not considered a complete success. The first verified and successful cloning of a human embryo to produce stem cells was achieved in 2013 by scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University, led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov. They used somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create a cloned embryo that developed to the blastocyst stage, from which stem cells were derived. Germany has strict regulations against human cloning and it is not the country where the first human embryo cloning took place. Pairs (a), (c), and (d) are correctly matched:

In 1997, scientists in the U.K. created the world’s first genetically modified mouse with a full human chromosome, specifically the human chromosome 21. In 2005, NASA’s Deep Impact mission successfully guided a spacecraft to collide with comet Tempel 1. This was the first mission in history to deliberately crash a spacecraft into a comet to study its composition. Japan’s JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) successfully landed the Hayabusa spacecraft on the asteroid Itokawa in 2005. The mission was designed to collect samples from the asteroid and return them to Earth.

Explanation

Meningococcal meningitis is a severe bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It inflames the protective membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It spreads through respiratory droplets and can lead to life-threatening complications like sepsis, brain damage, or death if untreated.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Meningococcal meningitis is not transmitted by mosquito bites. It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread through close contact, such as kissing or sharing items like utensils or drinks.

Statement 2 is correct: Vomiting and neck pain are common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis. Individuals may also experience fever, headache, sensitivity to light, confusion, and seizures.

Explanation

Options 1 and 2 are correct: The Bermuda Triangle extends between Southern Florida, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda, forming a triangular region in the Atlantic Ocean. The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, is a loosely defined region where several ships and aircraft are said to have mysteriously disappeared. Option 3 is incorrect: Hawaiian Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, far from the Bermuda Triangle, and are not part of it.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The historical Macedonian territory refers to the region of Macedonia, which was part of ancient Greece and later divided into several modern-day countries. The territorial disputes, especially over the use of the name Macedonia, have been a source of tension primarily between Greece and Bulgaria. Greece claims the cultural and historical heritage of ancient Macedonia and has been particularly sensitive to the use of the name Macedonia, especially when used by the neighboring North Macedonia. Bulgaria has also made historical claims to parts of this region due to the presence of Bulgarian-speaking populations in the area historically known as Eastern Macedonia. This dispute over the Macedonian region and its historical claims has been a point of contention for many years, especially surrounding issues of identity, heritage, and territorial integrity.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The Huangpu River is the main river that runs through Shanghai, China. It divides the city into two parts:

Puxi (west of the river) - The older, historic part of Shanghai. Pudong (east of the river) - A modern financial district with skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower. The river is 113 km long and plays a vital role in trade and transportation. It is also famous for the Bund, a waterfront area showcasing Shanghai’s colonial-era architecture.

Explanation

The leading producer of uranium among the given options is Canada. Canada has historically been one of the largest uranium producers in the world, particularly from its high-grade uranium mines in Saskatchewan. The country has rich uranium reserves, especially in the Athabasca Basin, where some of the world’s highest-grade uranium deposits are found. In the early 2000s, Canada was the top global producer, but in recent years, Kazakhstan has surpassed it as the world’s leading uranium producer. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The United States of America has uranium reserves but the USA is not a top producer. USA’s production is much lower compared to Canada and Kazakhstan. Germany once mined uranium, but now it imports most of its uranium as its domestic production has declined. Zambia is a major producer of copper, but not uranium.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The length of a terrestrial mile is lesser than that of a nautical mile. A terrestrial (statute) mile measures 1,609 meters (1.609 km), whereas a nautical mile is 1,852 meters (1.852 km), making the statement correct.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Harmattan is a dry, dusty trade wind that originates from the Sahara Desert and blows toward the West African coast, affecting countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, rather than the East African coast as stated.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Greece and Albania are not located on the Iberian Peninsula. The Iberian Peninsula comprises Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and a small portion of France. In contrast, Greece and Albania are part of the Balkan Peninsula.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The Equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It passes through 13 countries in total, including Colombia in South America, Kenya in Africa, and Indonesia in Southeast Asia. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

While Brazil is crossed by the Equator, Zambia and Malaysia are not. Zambia is located south of the Equator, and Malaysia is entirely north of the Equator. While Brazil is on the Equator, Sudan is located entirely north of the Equator, and Malaysia does not cross it either. Indonesia is on the Equator, Venezuela and Ethiopia are entirely north of the Equator.

Explanation

Pair (a) is incorrectly matched: Baikonur is not in Russia but in Kazakhstan. The Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world’s first and largest operational space launch facility, is leased by Russia from Kazakhstan but is geographically located in southern Kazakhstan. Pair (b) is correctly matched: Kourou is in French Guiana, an overseas territory of France in South America. It is home to the Guiana Space Centre, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). Pair (c) is correctly matched: Borobudur is a famous Buddhist temple located in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pair (d) is correctly matched: Cannes is a city in France, globally recognized for hosting the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

Explanation

Myanmar shares its borders with a total of five countries: India - Located to the northwest of Myanmar; China - Found to the north and northeast of Myanmar; Bangladesh - Situated to the west of Myanmar; Thailand - Positioned to the southeast of Myanmar; Laos - Located to the east of Myanmar.