Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Maurya (321 BCE - 185 BCE), Sunga (185 BCE - 73 BCE), and Kanva dynasties (73 BCE - 30 BCE) represent significant eras in ancient Indian history, spanning the rule from centralized imperial administration to regional governance and eventual fragmentation.

Statement 1 is correct: The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga, who then established the Sunga dynasty (185 BCE).

Statement 2 is correct: The last Sunga king, Devabhuti, was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva Kanva, a Brahmana, who subsequently usurped the throne and founded the Kanva dynasty (73 BCE).

Statement 3 is correct: The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was overthrown by the Andhras (also known as the Satavahanas) around 30 BCE, marking the end of the Kanva dynasty and the establishment of the Satavahana dynasty in central India.

Explanation

Buddhism and Jainism part of the Shramana traditions are two ancient Indian religions that originated around the same time, during the 6th century BCE. They emphasized asceticism, non-violence, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. They offered alternative philosophies to Vedic ritualism, focusing on personal spiritual practices and ethical living.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Vardhaman Mahavira’s mother, Trishala, was the sister (and not daughter) of Chetaka, a chief of the Lichchhavi clan. The Lichchhavis were known for their democratic and republican system of governance.

Statement 2 is correct: Gautama Buddha’s mother, Maya Devi, was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty. She was married to King Suddhodana of the Shakya clan and was the mother of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha.

Statement 3 is correct: Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism, was associated with Benaras (Varanasi), where he was born. According to Jain tradition, he was born into a royal family and preached a doctrine of non-violence, truth, and asceticism. The serpent symbol is associated with him.

Explanation

Marathas were a prominent warrior group from the western region of India who rose to power in the 17th century under the leadership of Shivaji Maharaj. They formed the Maratha Empire, which became the strongest native power in India following the decline of the Mughal Empire. Assertion (A) is correct: The Marathas emerged as a dominant force after the decline of the Mughal Empire due to their military strength, administrative capabilities, and extensive networks of alliances. Reason (R) is incorrect: Marathas did have a vision of a strong and unified empire under their control, but the idea of a "united Indian nation" as a political and cultural entity was not articulated in the way we understand the modern concept of a nation-state today. The Maratha Empire was driven more by regional, dynastic, and military ambitions rather than a unifying national ideology.

Explanation

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization that assesses the conservation status of species. IUCN maintains a Red List to categorize species based on their risk of extinction. Endangered species are those at high risk, requiring urgent conservation efforts to prevent extinction and protect biodiversity. Some of the common species which are under ‘Endangered’ category of the Red Book, are listed as under:

1. Indian Elephant 2. Bengal Tiger

3. Asiatic Lion 4. Indian Rhino

5. Ganges Dolphin 6. Crocodile The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a species of crocodile found in India, is critically endangered, with fewer than 250 individuals remaining in the wild. The Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus pal-ustris) is classified as Vulnerable. Habitat loss, poaching, and declining prey populations have contributed to their endangered status. The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching are significant threats to their survival. India is home to approximately 60% of the global Asian elephant population. Note: Presently, Mugger is under Vulnerable category and Sal-water crocodiles are under Least Concern but Ghariyal is listed as Critically Endangered.

Explanation

The Saluva Dynasty is credited with stabilizing the Vijayanagara Empire after the decline of the Sangama Dynasty, restoring order and expanding its territories. Under Saluva Narasimha, the empire strengthened its military and administrative structures, ensuring its resilience. The dynasty also laid the groundwork for the prosperity that flourished under the subsequent Tuluva Dynasty. Assertion (A) is correct: Saluva Narasimha, a Vijayanagara Empire ruler in the late 15th century, is credited with ending the declining Sangama dynasty and founding the Saluva dynasty in 1485 CE. Reason (R) is correct: This shift was necessitated by internal rebellion and external threats from the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapati rulers of Odisha. His primary motive was to restore stability and prevent further disintegration of the empire. The assertion about his actions and the reason attributing these to his concern for the kingdom’s survival are both accurate, and R explains A effectively. Hence, R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart), authored by Shudraka, is a classic Sanskrit drama. It narrates the love story between Charudatta, a virtuous but impoverished Brahmin merchant, and Vasantasena, a wealthy courtesan. This work, set against the backdrop of urban life in ancient India, explores themes of love, morality, social hierarchy, and political intrigue. Unlike epics or courtly literature, Mrichchhakatika focuses on the lives of ordinary people, providing valuable insights into the socio-economic conditions of the time. Other Sanskrit plays ascribed to Shudraka are Vinavasavadatta, Bhana (short one-act monologue) and Padmaprabhritaka.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: The amount of atmospheric moisture varies with latitude because temperature differences across latitudes influence evaporation and condensation. Near the Equator, high temperatures increase evaporation rates, allowing the atmosphere to hold more water vapor, resulting in higher moisture content. In polar regions, lower temperatures reduce evaporation, leading to minimal moisture in the air. Reason (R) is true: The capacity of air to hold moisture is directly related to its temperature. Warmer air has a greater capacity to retain water vapor, while colder air can hold much less moisture. Since temperature is latitude-dependent, atmospheric moisture content is indirectly influenced by latitude. Reason (R) explains Assertion (A): Because temperature, which is dependent on latitude, determines the air’s ability to hold water vapor. This explains the variation in atmospheric moisture content across latitudes, with tropical regions being more humid and polar regions drier.

Explanation

Primary productivity refers to the rate at which plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce organic compounds from carbon dioxide and sunlight, forming the base of the food chain in an ecosystem. Assertion (A) is false: While temperate forest soils are generally richer in nutrients due to slower decomposition rates and seasonal leaf litter, tropical rainforest soils are nutrient-poor. The rapid decomposition in tropical rainforests causes nutrients to be quickly absorbed by the dense vegetation, leaving the soil itself infertile. Once the forest is cleared, the exposed soil is rapidly depleted due to erosion and leaching from heavy rains, making sustained agriculture difficult without chemical inputs. Reason (R) is true: The primary productivity (the rate at which plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis) of tropical rainforests is indeed very high compared to temperate forests. This is due to consistent warm temperatures, high rainfall, and abundant sunlight year-round, which promote continuous plant growth. However, this high productivity is linked to the forest’s ecosystem, not the soil’s fertility.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Areas located within 5° to 8° latitude on either side of the Equator, often influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), experience year-round rainfall due to persistent solar heating and moisture-laden air masses. The ITCZ is a region where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, causing warm, humid air to rise continuously. This rising air cools and condenses, leading to frequent cloud formation and precipitation. The consistent high temperatures in these regions enhance evaporation, while the abundant moisture ensures that convectional rainfall occurs almost daily, particularly in the afternoons when the ground has heated the most. Reason (R) is true: Convectional rainfall is characteristic of equatorial regions. High temperatures during the day cause the surface air to heat up and rise (convection), cooling as it ascends, leading to afternoon rainfall. This process is driven by the intense solar heating and high humidity near the Equator. Reason(R) explains Assertion(A): Because the continuous rainfall near the Equator is a direct result of high temperatures and convectional rain, which occurs due to the daily cycle of heating and cooling.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Temperate coniferous forests dominate due to their vast distribution in the boreal or taiga zones, covering large parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. They thrive in cold climates and represent the largest biome by area, accounting for the highest percentage of forest cover worldwide. Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect:

Temperate Deciduous Forests: Found in areas with distinct seasons, like eastern North America, Europe, and East Asia, but their global coverage is smaller than that of coniferous forests. Tropical Monsoon Forests: Found in regions with monsoon climates (seasonal rainfall) like parts of Asia and Africa, they cover a smaller area compared to temperate coniferous forests. Tropical Rain Forests: Found near the Equator, these forests are rich in biodiversity but are geographically restricted to regions like the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.