Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: India was the first country to launch a National Programme for Family Planning in 1952. The Mission Parivar Vikas, one of the key flagship Family Planning Programmes of Government of India was launched in 2016 for increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services.

Statement 2 and 3 are correct:

The National Population Policy of India 2000, aimed to achieve a replacement level of fertility (2.1 children per woman) by 2010, with a target population of about 111 crores. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years, based on current fertility rates. Kerala was the First State in India to achieve replacement level fertility. The Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2021 study notes that India’s TFR was 1.9 in 2021, below the replacement level of 2.1.

Explanation

Uttar Pradesh had the largest absolute number of Scheduled Caste (SC) population in both the 2001 and 2011 censuses. However, in terms of the percentage of SC population relative to the total population, Punjab (not Bihar) recorded the highest proportion in both years. In 2001, Punjab’s SC population constituted approximately 28.85% of its total population, which increased to around 31.94% in 2011. In comparison, Uttar Pradesh’s SC population percentage was 21.15% in 2001 and slightly declined to 21.1% in 2011.

Option (b) is incorrect: The percentage decadal growth rate of the country has declined significantly from 21.5% for the period 1991-2001 to 17.6 % during 2001-2011.

Option (c) is incorrect: Sikkim was the state with the least population (approximately 5.4 lac) in 2001 as well as in 2011 (approximately 6.07 lac).

Option (d) is correct: The sex ratio represents the number of females per 1,000 males in a population. Pondicherry (now Puducherry) had a higher proportion of females compared to males(1001 females over 1000 male), resulting in the high-est sex ratio among Union Territories, according to the Census 2001 data.

Explanation

The 15th International AIDS Conference, the largest-ever HIV/AIDS gathering, was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2004 to unite experts, researchers, and activists in advancing HIV/ AIDS research and treatment. Thailand’s leadership in HIV/ AIDS prevention and treatment, along with its strategic location in Southeast Asia, made it an ideal host for global collaboration.

Explanation

In 2001 Uttar Pradesh had the highest Population while Maharashtra ranked the second. In 2011 the same trend continued with Uttar Pradesh having the highest population (199,812,341) while Maharashtra followed(11,23,74,333) it at second.

Explanation

In 2005, during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct an Indian-style Buddhist temple in Luoyang, Henan Province, China. This initiative aimed to strengthen cultural ties and highlight the shared Buddhist heritage between the two countries.

Explanation

In September 2004, Tropical Storm Jeanne unleashed torrential rains over Haiti, triggering catastrophic flooding and mudslides that devastated the nation. The storm’s impact was particularly severe in Gonaïves, Haiti’s third-largest city, where a 9-foot wall of water inundated the area, leading to widespread destruction.

Explanation

The Sahariya tribe, recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), primarily inhabits the Baran district of Rajasthan, especially in the Shahabad and Kishanganj tehsils. They also reside in parts of Madhya Pradesh, including Morena, Sheopur, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Vidisha, and Guna districts.

Explanation

A. Guenter Grass - 2. Nobel Prize Winner for Literature (1999) for his exceptional literary contributions. B. Trevor Huddleston - 3. Anti-apartheid activist, dedicated to opposing apartheid in South Africa. C. Dicky Dolma - 4. Youngest woman to climb Mount Everest at 19 years old. D. Kim Campbell - 1. First female Prime Minister of Canada (June-November 1993).

Explanation

The Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878 by Lord Lytton to curb the growing influence of Indian-language newspapers that were critical of British rule. It imposed strict controls on the press, particularly targeting vernacular (Indian-language) publications. However, Lord Ripon, who succeeded Lytton as Viceroy, repealed the Act in 1882, marking a significant step towards promoting press freedom and reducing colonial censorship in India.

Explanation

Kunwar Singh, a prominent leader of the Revolt of 1857, belonged to Jagdispur, located in present-day Bihar. He was a key figure in the rebellion and is remembered for his bravery and leadership despite being in his 80s at the time of the revolt. Other prominent leaders:

Leader of 1857 Revolt Location Mangal Pandey Barrackpore Bahadur Shah Zafar Delhi General Bakht Khan Delhi Tantia tope Kanpur Azimullah Kanpur Begum Hazrat Mahal Lucknow Maulvi Ahmadullah Faizabad