Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Shikha Tandon (Swimming) - Indian swimmer with 146 national and international medals; first Indian to qualify for two events at the 2004 Olympics. Ignace Tirkey (Hockey) - Versatile Indian midfielder; part of the 2003 Asia Cup-winning team and represented India in multiple international tournaments, including the Olympics. Pankaj Advani (Cue Sports) - 23-time world champion in snooker and billiards, one of India’s greatest cueists. Rohan Bopanna (Tennis) - Indian doubles specialist; 2017 French Open mixed doubles champion and ATP circuit star.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has diversified into the hydropower sector as part of its efforts to expand into more environmentally friendly energy sources. It has undertaken projects like the Koldam Hydro Electric Power Project in Himachal Pradesh and other hydropower projects in Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Additionally, NTPC has acquired stakes in hydro-focused companies like THDC India and NEEPCO, further expanding its hydropower portfolio.

Statement 2 is correct: Power Grid Corporation of India (PG-CIL) has diversified into the telecom sector through its subsidiary, Power Grid Teleservices Limited, under the brand name PowerTel. It uses its extensive transmission network for laying optical fiber cables and offers telecom services, including leasing bandwidth to telecom operators.

Explanation

Kolkata-Hajira (Part of former NH6, now mostly NH53) is a major east-west corridor, traversing several states and covering a considerable distance. It is one of the longer na-tional highways in India, approximately in the range of 1900-2000 km, and it is likely the longest of the options. It runs west to east through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. A significant portion of this route now falls under the renumbered NH53.

Explanation

The highest individual score in a Test innings evolved over time, with Hanif Mohammad (337 in 1958) holding the record before Garfield Sobers surpassed it with 365* in 1958. Brian Lara then set a new record with 375 in 1994, before Matthew Hayden broke it with 380 in 2003.

Explanation

The Indian Constitution is a unique blend of influences from various countries, incorporating their best practices into its framework. Directive Principles of State Policy were inspired by Ireland. The Irish Constitution provided the model for including socio-economic rights in the form of guiding principles for state policy. Fundamental Rights were borrowed from the United States of America. The American Bill of Rights served as the inspiration for ensuring basic human rights in India. The Concurrent List in Union-State Relations was influenced by Australia, reflecting their federal structure. The concept of India as a Union of States with greater powers to the Union was derived from Canada, which has a strong federal system with residual powers vested in the central government. List-I (Items in the Indian Constitution) List-II (Country from which it was derived Parliamentary System of Government United Kingdom President as Supreme Commander of Armed Forces United States of America Procedure for Amendment of the Constitution South Africa Emergency Provisions (National Emergency) Germany (Weimar Constitution)

Explanation

The entry of European powers into India marked a pivotal era in Indian history, characterized by trade, colonial expansion, and rivalry among European nations. These powers established factories, forts, and settlements to dominate trade routes and resources in India. Statement (a) is incorrect: The Portuguese, led by Afonso de Albuquerque, captured Goa in 1510, not 1499. The capture of Goa marked the establishment of Portuguese colonial rule in India and made Goa their stronghold for over four centuries. Statement (b) is correct: The English East India Company opened its first factory in South India at Masulipatam (modern-day Machilipatnam) in 1611. This marked the beginning of English trade in South India. Statement (c) is correct: The English established their first factory in Eastern India at Hariharpur, near Balasore in Orissa, in 1633. This was a strategic move to expand their trading operations in Eastern India. Statement (d) is correct: Under the leadership of Joseph François Dupleix, the French occupied Madras (modern-day Chennai) in 1746 during the First Carnatic War. However, Madras was later returned to the British by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748.

Explanation

The Dutch established factories on the Coromandel coast, in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Bihar. Amongst the above, they opened their earliest factory at Pulicat in 1609. Their other principal factories in India were at Surat (1616), Bimlipatam (1641), Karaikal (1645), Chinsura (1653), Kasimbazar (near Murshidabad), Balasore, Patna, Nagapatam (1658) and Cochin (1663).

Explanation

Qutb-ud-Din Aibak (1206-1210 AD) was the first Sultan of Delhi and the founder of the Mamluk dynasty. Aibak’s notable achievements include the construction of the Qutb Minar in Delhi, which is a symbol of Islamic architecture, and his efforts to consolidate control over northern India by defeating Rajput kingdoms and expanding his empire.

Option (d) is correct: Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in 1210 CE from a fatal accident while playing Chaugan (a Persian-origin game similar to polo). He fell from his horse during the match in Lahore and succumbed to his injuries. His death was accidental and occurred during a leisure activity, not due to treachery or battle. Other important rulers of the Mamluk dynasty are:

Shamsuddin Iltutmish 1210 - 1236 AD Raziyya Sultan - 1236 - 1240 AD Ghiyasuddin Balban - 1266 - 1287 AD

Explanation

The time a planet takes to complete one revolution around the Sun depends on its distance from the Sun. Planets farther from the Sun have larger orbits, resulting in longer revolution periods.

Option (b) is correct: Jupiter takes the longest time among the given options to orbit the Sun, requiring approximately 4,333 days(11.86 Earth years). This is due to its significantly larger orbital path compared to the other planets listed. Hence, this is the correct answer. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Earth completes one revolution around the Sun in approximately 365.25 days, which is relatively short compared to the other options provided. Mars requires around 687 days(1.88 Earth years) to complete a revolution. While this is longer than Earth’s revolution time, it is still shorter than that of Jupiter. Venus has the shortest revolution period among the listed planets, taking approximately 224.7 Earth days(0.615 years) to orbit the Sun.

Explanation

The Charter Act of 1833 marked a significant milestone in British India’s administrative history. It centralized governance, abolished the East India Company’s trading activities, and initiated legislative reforms to consolidate British rule. Statement (a) is correct: The Charter Act of 1833 ended the trading activities of the East India Company. The company was transformed into a purely administrative body, and its commercial functions were abolished. Statement (b) is correct The act changed the title of the supreme authority in India to Governor-General of India in Council. William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India under this provision. Statement (c) is correct: The Charter Act of 1833 conferred all law-making powers on the Governor-General in Council, making it the sole legislative authority for all British territories in India. Statement (d) is incorrect:. The first Indian to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General’s Council was Satyendra Prasad Sinha, but this happened much later under the Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms). The Charter Act of 1833 only created the post of a Law Member which was filled by British officials, such as Lord Macaulay.