Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Itaipu Dam, located on the Parana River at the border of Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), is one of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world. Completed in 1984, it is managed by Itaipu Binacional, equally owned by Brazil and Paraguay. The dam generates over 14,000 MW of electricity, supplying nearly 90% of Paraguay’s energy needs and about 15% of Brazil’s consumption. It remains a symbol of successful binational cooperation and a major contributor to renewable energy production globally.

Explanation

Wally Grout - Australian cricketer, renowned as a wicketkeeper for Australia in the 1950s and 60s, playing 51 Test matches (Cricket). Eusébio - Portuguese footballer, famous for winning the Golden Boot in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, and widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players (Football). Rod Laver - Australian tennis legend, the only player to win the Grand Slam (all four major tournaments) twice, in 1962 and 1969 (Lawn Tennis). Mark Spitz - American swimmer, won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, setting world records in each event (Swimming).

Explanation

The correct match is given below:

French Open 2004 - Anastsia Wimbledon 2004 - Maria Sharapova U.S Open - Svetlana Kuznetsova Australian Open 2004 Justine Henin Hardenne

Explanation

Statement (c) is correct: The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement aimed at regulating the safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs), or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), to protect biodiversity and human health. Statements (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The first Meeting of the Parties (MOP 1) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from February 23-27, 2004, not in the Philippines. India is a signatory to both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It ratified the protocol on January 23, 2003, and actively participates in its implementation. The United States is not a party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as it has not ratified the agreement.

Explanation

Shanmugham Venkatesh is an outstanding player in the game of football. He is a well-known former Indian footballer who played for the Indian national football team and was considered one of India’s best midfielders during his time. Venkatesh was also a key player for various clubs, including East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, and he earned many accolades for his contribution to Indian football.

Explanation

In 2004, the Davis Cup Final in men’s lawn tennis was contested between Spain and the United States of America. The final took place in Seville (Spain)and Spain emerged victorious, defeating the United States with a score of 3-1.

Explanation

Tughlaq dynasty (1320-1413) which was the third ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was founded by the Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq who was commonly referred to as Ghazi Malik. Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah, another name for Mahmud Shah Tughluq was the final sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty to govern the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. The list of rulers who ruled the Tughlaq dynasty are:

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - 1320-25 Muhammed Bin Tuglaq - 1325-51 Feroz Shah Tughlaq - 1351-88 Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq shah II 1388-1390 Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah 1390-1394 Mahmud Shah Tughlaq 1394-1412

Explanation

The Atharvaveda, known as the "Veda of magical formulas" or the "Veda of charms and spells," includes numerous incantations aimed at warding off evil and curing diseases.

Explanation

The 18th and 19th centuries were marked by a series of wars between the British and various Indian powers as part of the British East India Company’s efforts to consolidate control.

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: AD 1767-69 marks the First Anglo-Mysore War, not the First Anglo-Maratha War. The First Anglo-Maratha War occurred later, from 1775 to 1782.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: AD 1790-92 corresponds to the Third Mysore War, fought between the British East India Company and Tipu Sultan.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: AD 1824-26 corresponds to the First Anglo-Burmese War, which resulted in British territorial expansion in Burma.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: AD 1845-46 marks the First Sikh War, not the Second Sikh War. The Second Sikh War occurred in 1848-49.

Explanation

The Nizam Shahi dynasty (1490 to 1633 AD) ended when the Mughals annexed Ahmadnagar in 1633. Hussain Shah, the last ruler, was captured and imprisoned for life by the Mughal forces, marking the dynasty’s end and strengthening Mughal control over the Deccan.

Option (b) is incorrect: Nizam-ul-Mulk, a key figure of the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar, did not die as a result of battle with the Mughals. Instead, he passed away from natural causes.

Option (c) is incorrect: The son of Malik Amber, Fateh Khan surrendered to the Mughals in the siege of Daulatabad in 1633 and handed over the young Nizam Shahi ruler Hussain Shah to the Mughals who was sent as a prisoner to the fort of Gwalior.

Option (d) is incorrect: Malik Ambar was a prominent general and regent in the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, but he died in 1626, and the Nizam Shahi dynasty’s formal end came in 1636. Furthermore, the entire royal family was not killed by Mughal troops.