Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Indian Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) include Article 51, which underscores the nation’s commitment to promoting global peace and security. Key provisions of Article 51 covers:

Maintenance of Just and Honorable Relations: Advocates fair and respectful international relations. Respect for International Law: Upholds adherence to global legal principles. Peaceful Resolution of Disputes: Supports resolving conflicts through diplomacy and negotiation

Explanation

Pavarana is a significant Buddhist ceremony observed at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for monks. During this retreat monks stay in a fixed monastery and refrain from extensive travel to avoid harming small creatures that emerge during the rains. On the full moon day of Ashvin (September-October) the Pavarana ceremony is held which marks the conclusion of Vassa. It serves as a day of confession when monks publicly acknowledge any offenses or mistakes they may have committed during their stay. It allows fellow monks to offer constructive criticism, fostering discipline and humility within the Sangha. It is an essential aspect of Vinaya (monastic discipline) which reinforces ethical behavior.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: While some ocean currents are slow-moving others like the Gulf Stream, can move swiftly, reaching speeds of up to 5.6 miles per hour (9 kilometers per hour). Additionally, ocean currents are not limited to surface movements as there are also deep-water currents driven by differences in water density.

Statement 2 is correct: Ocean currents play a significant role in maintaining the Earth’s heat balance by transporting warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles to the equator. This helps regulate global temperatures.

Statement 3 is correct: Prevailing winds, such as the trade winds and westerlies, are a primary force driving ocean currents. These winds create friction on the ocean’s surface, causing water to move.

Statement 4 is correct: The configuration of the ocean, such as the shape of ocean basins, land masses, and coastlines, significantly influences the direction, speed, and path of ocean currents. For example, the Gulf Stream is influenced by the shape of the North American coastline, and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is shaped by the absence of landmasses in the Southern Ocean.

Explanation

The Apatani are a tribal group of people who live in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The Dayak people are indigenous to the island of Borneo, which is divided among Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia. The Dinka people are a Nilotic ethnic group native to South Sudan. Uyghur refers to a Turkic-speaking people of inner Asia living mostly in the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang in northwestern China.

Explanation

List-I (Organisation) List-II (Headquarters) A. International Atomic Energy Agency

4. Vienna B. International Telecommunication Union

2. Geneva C. Council of the European Union 1. Brussels D. Organisation for Ecnomic Cooperation and Development

3. Paris

Explanation

The World Development Report (WDR) is an annual flagship publication of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which is part of the World Bank Group. It provides in-depth analysis of global economic trends, development challenges, and policy recommendations.

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are correct: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that promotes intellectual property (IP) rights globally. The TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement is binding on all WTO members as part of their obligations. Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect: WIPO’s headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland, not Rome. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) were initially given a transition period of 10 years (extendable), but not 20 years from the general date of application. The deadline has been extended multiple times, with the current extension until July 1, 2034 for pharmaceutical patents.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation of India Limited (MMTC) is one of the largest non-oil importers in India, focusing on minerals, metals, and agricultural commodities.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Project and Equipment Corporation of India Limited (PEC) operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not exclusively under the Ministry of Industry. It focuses on project exports, providing project engineering, consultancy, and execution services.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited (ECGC) does not enforce quality control or pre-shipment inspection. Its primary objective is to provide export credit insurance to Indian exporters. This insurance protects exporters against risks like non-payment by foreign buyers, political risks, and other uncertainties associated with international trade. ECGC facilitates exports by reducing these risks, encouraging exporters to venture into new markets.

Explanation

All-India Muslim League, founded in 1906, did not oppose the partition of Bengal and separate electorates. In fact, the League supported these measures. The partition of Bengal in 1905, carried out by the British, was viewed by the Muslim League as a move that would benefit Muslims by providing a separate political identity and more representation in government, especially through separate electorates. Statements (a), (b) and (d) are correct:

Hakim Ajmal Khan was a leader in the Ahrar Movement, which was a nationalist militant movement aiming to oppose British rule. Syed Ahmed Khan felt that the Indian National Congress, with its Hindu majority, would neglect the interests of Muslims, especially in terms of education and hence opposed it. Maulana Barkatullah and Maulana Obeidullah Sindhi both were involved in the formation of a provisional government of India in Kabul during World War I as part of efforts to gain independence through an armed struggle against the British.

Explanation

Weber’s theory of industrial location emphasizes minimizing transportation and production costs as key factors in determining where industries should be located. Industries tend to locate near raw materials (if they are heavy and bulky), energy sources, and markets to reduce transportation costs. Labour availability and cheap energy also influence location choices. The theory also highlights agglomeration, where industries benefit from clustering together to share infrastructure and resources, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Option (b) is correct: The HINDALCO aluminum factory at Renukut, Uttar Pradesh, is primarily located due to the abundant supply of power from the Rihand Dam hydroelectric project. Aluminum production is highly energy-intensive, making proximity to reliable power sources a critical factor.