Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

In India, female literacy is defined as the percent-age of females aged 7 years and above who can read, write, and understand a simple message in any language. As per the 2001 Census of India, the correct sequence of the descending order of female literacy rates for the states mentioned is:

Kerala (87.86%) Mizoram (86.75%) Goa (75.51%) Nagaland (61.46%)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility(PRGF) was actually established by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), not the International Development Association (IDA). The PRGF was the IMF’s concessional lending facility for low-income countries, aimed at supporting programs that foster durable growth and poverty reduction.The PRGF focuses on promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty through concessional loans with low interest rates. It has been replaced by the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).

Statement 2 is correct: The Singapore Regional Training Institute (STI) is the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) regional training center for the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1998, the STI aimed at enhancing the capacity of officials from the region in areas by providing training in macroeconomic analysis and policy and related subjects as a part of a programme of the IMF institute.

Explanation

Articles 371A to 371I were added through various amendments to preserve the cultural, social, and economic interests of specific regions, addressing their unique needs.

Statement 1 is correct: Articles 371A to 371I were added to meet regional demands of states like Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Goa.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Although both constitutions allow a dual system of governance, the United States permits dual citizenship, while India adheres to single citizenship.

Statement 3 is also incorrect: In India, a naturalized citizen can lose citizenship if acquired through fraud or disloyalty to the Constitution.

Explanation

The Food and Nutrition Board is primarily responsible for implementing various programs related to nutrition, food security, and the health of children and mothers. Currently. It works under the Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Government of India. However, in the year the question was asked, the body was under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Explanation

LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid form, making it easier to transport across long distances where pipelines are not feasible. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) play crucial roles in the global energy market, facilitating the storage, transportation, and consumption of natural gas.

Statement 1 is correct: LNG is natural gas cooled to approximately -162°C at normal atmospheric pressure, making it a liquid for ease of storage and transportation in specialized cryogenic tanks.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The first LNG terminal in India was built at Dahej, Gujarat, not Hassan.

Statement 3 is correct: Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), such as ethane, propane, butane, and natural gasoline, are extracted from natural gas and can be separated from LPG.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 3: The Thal Heavy Water Plant, located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, is a crucial facility for the production of heavy water. Heavy water (deuterium oxide) is essential in nuclear reactors as a moderator and coolant. The Thal plant uses a process involving ammonia-hydrogen exchange to enrich deuterium from natural water. It’s a vital component of India’s nuclear program. B is correctly matched with 1: The Manuguru Heavy Water Plant is situated in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana (it was formerly in Andhra Pradesh before the state bifurcation). It houses a Heavy Water Plant (HWP) that plays a crucial role in supplying heavy water for pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs) in India. C is correctly matched with 2: The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) is located near Kakrapar village in the Surat district of Gujarat. It houses two units of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). These reactors use heavy water as a moderator and coolant and natural uranium as fuel. KAPS is an important source of nuclear power in India and is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). D is correctly matched with 5: The Kaiga Generating Station is a nuclear power plant located near Kaiga village in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It also consists of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). It consists of four PHWR reactors, each generating 220 MW of electricity.

Explanation

The State of Uttar Pradesh shares its boundaries with eight Indian states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. These adjacent states include Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Uttar Pradesh shares an inter-national border with the nation of Nepal. Punjab situated in the northwest shares its boundaries with Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory), Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. Chhattisgarh located in central India is surrounded by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Jharkhand in the east, shares borders with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Rajasthan in the west, is bordered by Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

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. With historical roots in the Nizam’s dominion, it is geographically situated with an average elevation of 89 meters. As of the 2011 census, its population was 119,501. The city is a crucial hub for coal reserves, featuring the Singareni Collieries Company, and houses a thermal power station along with an ITC paperboard factory. Culturally significant, it’s located near the revered Bhadrachalam Temple, making it a blend of industrial and cultural importance. The Kothagudem Thermal Power Station, located in Palwan-cha, Telangana, is a major coal-based power plant operated by TSGENCO. B is correctly matched with 3: Raichur, the administrative center of its namesake district in Karnataka, India, lies between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. With a history spanning from the Mauryan era and subsequent rule by various empires, Raichur boasts the historic Raichur Fort. Its economy is primarily agricultural, earning it the nickname "Rice Bowl of Karnataka," though it also has some industry and gold resources. Culturally diverse, Raichur blends Hindu and Muslim influences, and is well-connected by road and rail, featuring a major railway junction. Located at Shaktinagar in Karnataka’s Raichur district, the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) is a coal-fired power plant operated by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). Commissioned in stages starting in 1985, RTPS, Karnataka’s first thermal power plant, is situated 18km from Raichur City and its nearest railway station. It generates approximately 70% of the state’s total electricity, making it a crucial power source for Karnataka. C is correctly matched with 4: Mettur, a town in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, is renowned for the massive Mettur Dam, one of India’s largest. Built on the Cauvery River, the dam provides crucial irrigation and drinking water, generates hydroelectric power, and forms the Stanley Reservoir. Beyond the dam, Mettur is an industrial hub with chemical and aluminium production. The dam and surrounding areas also make it a popular tourist destination. The Mettur Thermal Power Station, operated by TANGEDCO in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, 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 matched with 2: Wanakbori, in Gujarat, In-dia, is primarily known for its major coal-fired Wanakbori Thermal Power Station. Operated by GSECL, this plant boasts a capacity exceeding 2,000 MW across multiple units, including a large 800 MW unit. Using coal as fuel, it’s a crucial electricity source for Gujarat, significantly contributing to the state’s indus-trial and economic growth.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Global Trust Bank (GTB) was merged with Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) on 14th August 2004, not Punjab National Bank (PNB), after financial instability.

Statement 2 is correct: The 2003 Kelkar Committee report retained its tax reform recommendations, including abolishing housing loan tax exemptions. However they were not fully implemented due to opposition from various stakeholders.

Explanation

The Investment Commission was formed in December 2004 by the Government of India to promote and facilitate investment in the country. It had three members Ratan Tata (Chairman), Deepak Parekh, Ashok Ganguly.