Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Pair 1 and 3 are correctly matched:

Sportstar is an Indian sports magazine published by the Hindu Group. The Week is an Indian news magazine published by the Malayala Manorama Group.

Pair 2 and 4 are incorrectly matched:

BusinessWorld is one of India’s leading business magazines but it is not published by the ABP Group. It was initially part of the Ananda bazar Patrika (ABP) Group, but later ownership changed. Reader’s Digest (India) is published by the India Today group not Indian Express Group.

Explanation

Option 1 is correct: Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is located in Gujarat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, including temples, mosques, and water installations. It is renowned for the Kalika Mata Temple and its 16th-century pre-Mughal city remains.

Option 2 is correct: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, this Victorian Gothic Revival railway station blends British and Indian architectural styles. Built in 1887, it is a bustling hub and an iconic symbol of Mumbai’s heritage.

Option 3 is correct: Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) is situated in Tamil Nadu. This UNESCO site showcases 7th-8th century Pallava dynasty rock-cut temples, monolithic structures, and bas-relief sculptures like Arjuna’s Penance. The Shore Temple is its most prominent landmark.

Option 4 is correct: Sun Temple (Konark Temple) was built in the 13th century in Odisha. The Konark Sun Temple is designed as Surya’s chariot with intricately carved wheels and horses. This UNESCO site is a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture and Hindu symbolism.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: A geostationary satellite orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 35,786 km(not 10,000 km) above the equator. This altitude ensures that the satellite’s orbital period matches the Earth’s rotational period, making it appear stationary from the ground.

Statement 2 is correct: FM (Frequency Modulation) is less affected by noise because noise primarily affects amplitude, not frequency. This makes FM transmission superior in quality compared to AM (Amplitude Modulation).

Explanation

A-4: Dr. B.V. Rao is regarded as the father of the Indian poultry industry. He played a crucial role in modernizing poultry farming in India. B-5: C.K. Prahalad was a well-known management thinker, famous for the concept of "The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid." He specialized in corporate strategy and management science. C-2: Dr. John Kurien is an expert in fisheries economics. He played a key role in developing India’s fisheries sector and sustainable marine policies. D-3: Kiran Karnik was the former President of NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies). He contributed significantly to the IT and software industry in India.

Explanation

The Liberhan Commission was set up by the Government of India on December 16, 1992, to investigate the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. It was led by Justice M.S. Liberhan, became one of the longest-running commissions in India’s history, taking 17 years to submit its final report in 2009.

Explanation

The book "My Music, My Life" is the autobiography of Pandit Ravi Shankar. It provides insights into his journey as a legendary sitar maestro, his experiences with Indian classical music and his collaborations with international musicians.

Explanation

The Cochin International Airport in Kerala is the first airport in India to be owned by a public limited company. Established in 1999, it became India’s first greenfield airport developed under a PPP model. In 2015, it became the world’s first fully solar-powered airport.

Explanation

Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: Phalcon is not a cruise missile. It is an Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) developed by Israel in collaboration with India. Pair (a), (c) and (d) are correctly matched:

Arjun MBT is India’s indigenously developed main battle tank, designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Saras is a light civilian aircraft designed by the National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore. It is India’s first indigenously built civil aircraft. Operation Seabird refers to the construction of the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka, aimed at reducing dependence on Mumbai and Visakhapatnam ports. INS Kadamba naval base in Karnataka is currently the third-largest Indian naval base, and is expected to become the largest naval base in the eastern hemisphere after completion of expansion Phase II.

Explanation

Raj Kapoor is widely regarded as one of the greatest icons of Indian cinema. He was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987 for his outstanding contribution to Indian films. However, he did not receive the Bharat Ratna.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The BSE Sensex (S&P BSE Sensex) is based on 30 of the most actively traded and financially strong stocks on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), not 50.

Statement 2 is incorrect: In Sensex calculation, stocks are as-signed weightage based on free-float market capitalization, not proportional weightage. This means stocks with higher market capitalization and more freely tradable shares have a greater impact on the index.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the largest stock exchanges but not the oldest. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange (Netherlands), established in 1602, is considered the world’s oldest stock exchange. As per Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) reports, the Sensex is widely used as a benchmark index for tracking the performance of the Indian equity market.