Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Debenture holders are creditors of a company as they lend money to the company in exchange for a fixed interest rate over a specified period. Unlike shareholders, they do not hold ownership rights but receive priority during liquidation over equity holders. Debentures are issued to raise long-term capital and are generally backed by the company’s assets or revenue-gener-ating ability. Unlike equity shareholders, debenture holders do not have voting rights in company decisions.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is false: Electron affinity generally decreases as you move down a group due to increasing atomic radii and weaker nuclear attraction for the incoming electron. Additional electron shells increase the shielding effect, further reducing effective nuclear pull. Reason (R) is true: As you go down a group, additional electron shells are added, making the atomic radius increase. This is because the outermost electrons are farther from the nucleus, and the shielding effect from inner electrons increases. Directions: The following Items consist of two statements. One labeled as the ‘Assertion (A)’ and the other as ’Reason (R)’. You have to answer these items using the code given below:(2003)

Explanation

Survey of India, the oldest scientific department under the Department of Science & Technology, was established in 1767. As the principal mapping agency, it ensures India’s domain is accurately mapped, providing base maps for development and resource utilization to support the country’s progress and security. The Department of Science & Technology which operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology, promotes science and technology in India, from high-end research and cutting-edge technology development to addressing the technological needs of the common man through skill development.

Explanation

Statement (a) is correct: The Press Council of India is a statutory quasi-judicial autonomous authority re- established in the year 1966 under an Act of Parliament, Press Council Act, 1965. Statement (b) is correct: The PIB accredits media representatives, including foreign media, at the Headquarters, enabling them to access information from government sources. Statement (c) is incorrect: Uttar Pradesh publishes the largest number of newspapers in India. Statement (d) is correct: Currently, PTI commands more than 50% per cent of news agency market share in India.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The Governor within their respective states is the fourth ranked officer of the government of India just below the Prime Minister and above former Presidents. Governors rank eighth outside their states. The correct sequence in the descending order of precedence in the warrant of precedence is:

1. President of India

2. Vice President of India

3. Prime Minister of India

4. Governors of States within their respective States

5. Former President 5A. Deputy Prime Minister

6. Speaker of Lok Sabha, and Chief Justice of India

9. Judges of the Supreme Court

10. Deputy Chairman of RS

11. Attorney General of India

12. Member of Parliament

Explanation

Detergents are cleaning agents used to remove dirt, grease, and stains from surfaces and fabrics. Key additives like sodium sulphate prevent clumping by keeping the powder dry, while sodium silicate maintains alkalinity, enhancing the cleaning efficiency.

Statement 1 is correct: Sodium sulphate is added to keep the washing powder dry by preventing it from absorbing moisture.

Statement 2 is correct: Sodium silicate is used to maintain the alkalinity of the detergent, which enhances the cleaning action by breaking down grease and dirt.

Explanation

Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution that occurs when sunlight reacts with pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including hydrocarbons. The reaction leads to the formation of ozone, which is a key component of photochemical smog. Key Components of Photochemical Smog are:

Nitrogen Oxides - Released from vehicles, industrial emissions, and power plants. They react with sunlight to form ozone. Hydrocarbons: Organic compounds that also contribute to ozone formation when exposed to sunlight. Ozone: The primary harmful product of photochemical smog, which can cause respiratory problems and damage to vegetation. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, but it does not directly form photochemical smog. While it can contribute indirectly to smog formation by reacting with other pollutants, it is not a primary component like ozone, hydrocarbons, or nitrogen oxides.

Explanation

The female literacy rate is the percentage of women aged 7 years and above who can read and write with under-standing in any language. It is a key indicator of the educational and social development of a region or country. As per Census 2001, the overall female literacy rate in India was 54.16%, while the male literacy rate was 75.85%. As per Census 2011, the female literacy rate in India rose to 65.46%, and Chhattisgarh’s female literacy rate increased to 60.59%.

Option (a) is correct:

As per the Census 2001, conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, Chhattisgarh had the highest female literacy rate among the given options. Here are the female literacy rates for the states mentioned:

Chhattisgarh: 52.40% Madhya Pradesh: 50.28% Orissa (Odisha): 50.97% Rajasthan: 44.34%

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Spirogyra and Ulothrix are types of blue green algae that can be found in both freshwater and marine environments. They are typically found in ponds, rivers, and even oceans in some cases. Spirogyra is known for its spiral-shaped chloroplasts and forms slimy green filaments/ mats on the water surface, especially when nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are abundant while Ulothrix is characterized by its simple, unbranched filaments and typically grows in both freshwater ponds and coastal regions. These algae play an important role in the aquatic food chain.

Statement 2 is correct: Chameleons have a unique ability to move their eyes independently of each other. They can focus one eye on an object in front while the other eye looks in a different direction, even behind them. This independent eye movement enables them to have a 360-degree view of their surroundings, aiding in predator detection and prey surveillance.

Explanation

Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature and are found in animal products like butter, lard, and fatty cuts of meat, as well as some plant oils like coconut and palm oil. They are composed of fatty acids with no double bonds between carbon atoms, making them less reactive. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and are mainly found in plant-based oils (such as olive, sunflower, and canola oil) and fish. They contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms which introduce "kinks" in the structure making them more reactive and beneficial for heart health when consumed in moderation. Assertion (A) is true: Unsaturated fats have at least one double bond between carbon atoms, making them more reactive. These double bonds are sites where chemical reactions can occur more easily compared to the single bonds in saturated fats. Reason (R) is false: Unsaturated fats contain at least one double bond in their carbon chain, not only single bonds. Saturated fats have only single bonds.