Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Khudai Khidmatgars, led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (the Frontier Gandhi), were a nonviolent movement advocating for Pashtun unity and independence from British rule. Inspired by Gandhian principles of non-violence, they focused on social reform and opposed British colonialism. Active in the North-West Frontier Province, they also opposed the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan, as reflected in the 1947 Bannu Resolution, which called for an independent Pashtunistan rather than joining Pakistan. The movement played a key role in the broader Indian independence struggle.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: The 39th Amendment Act primarily dealt with matters related to the elections of the President, Vice President, and disputes concerning the Prime Minister’s election.

Option (b) is incorrect: The 40th Amendment Act expanded the central government’s authority over certain properties and lands, exempting them from state legislative jurisdiction.

Option (c) is incorrect: 42nd Amendment Act also known as the "Mini Constitution introduced significant changes, including emphasizing India’s status as a socialist secular republic.

Option (d) is correct: The 44th Amendment, enacted in 1978 during the Janata Party government, granted the President the authority to return any matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers. This amendment significantly reinforced the checks and balances within India’s parliamentary system.

Explanation

The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Bill (2002) was enacted to introduce free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years as a fundamental right.This amendment inserted Article 21A into the Indian Constitution, mandating the state to provide free and compulsory education in this age group.It also made changes to Article 45 and Article 51A(k) to align with the newly introduced right.

Explanation

INSAT or the Indian National Satellite System is a series of multipurpose Geostationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue needs of India.

Statement 1 is correct: The INSAT-series of satellites were launched from foreign stations like Kourou in French Guiana or Kennedy Space Center in the USA.

Statement 2 is correct: The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) was used to launch many of the IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites, which are used for Earth observation.

Statement 3 is correct: India’s first cryogenic engine was used for the third stage of the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) for the first time in the launch of GSLV-D3 in 2010.

Statement 4 is correct: GSAT-1, India’s first geostationary communication satellite, was launched in 2001, and its payloads were designed to provide digital broadcast and communication services, including internet services.

Explanation

A satellite is an object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object. There are two kinds of satellites: natural (such as the moon orbiting the Earth) or artificial (such as the International Space Station orbiting the Earth). Almost every planet having at least one moon. Assertion (A) is true: Satellites are launched in the eastward direction to take advantage of the Earth’s rotational velocity, which gives the rocket an initial boost in speed. This helps the rocket reach the required escape velocity more efficiently. Reason (R) is false: While the Earth’s rotation does provide a velocity boost but it does not directly help the satellite attain escape velocity (the speed needed to break free from Earth’s gravity, approximately 11.2 km/s). Instead, the Earth’s rotation helps the satellite achieve orbital velocity (the speed needed to stay in orbit, approximately 7.8 km/s for low Earth orbit).

Explanation

Ever since the 1857 revolt, to secure princely states as a safeguard against potential political instability and to reward their loyalty the policy of annexation was discontinued. The Government of India Act of 1935 proposed a federal union (that never came to existence) that included both British India and the princely states, which were ruled by Indian monarchs but under British control. The 1935 Act did not aim for direct political control over the princely states. It allowed them autonomy while including them in the federal structure. The British sought to manage relations, not control them completely. The real intention behind including princely states into the proposed federal union, through Government of India Act, 1935, was to ensure that these states would act as a balance against the anti-imperialist nationalist movement.

Explanation

Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani ascended to a prominent position within the Congress Party. He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in November 1946 and steered the organisation through the critical days of the transfer of power and the partition of India in 1947.

Explanation

In the early 1930s, the Indian National Congress (INC) led India’s nationalist movement, while the labour movement grew with workers protesting for better conditions. Despite this, the labour movement had limited involvement in the broader nationalist struggle. They felt the Congress was not adequately addressing the issues important to workers, like social and economic reforms. Assertion (A) is true: The labour movement in the early 1930s was growing, but its participation in the larger Indian nationalist movement was weak. Workers were more focused on their immediate economic struggles, like better wages and working conditions, rather than the broader nationalist cause. Reason (R) is true: Some labour leaders criticised the Indian National Congress (INC) for representing the interests of the middle class and the bourgeoisie rather than the working class. Due to this the effect of labour participation in nationalist upsurge was weak. Thus, Reason (R) explains Assertion (A).

Explanation

The Cabinet Mission reached Delhi on March 24, 1946. The Mission engaged in extensive discussions with Indian leaders from all parties and groups on the following issues: the formation of an interim government, and the principles and processes for drafting a new constitution that would grant India independence. The Cabinet Mission (1946) proposed a federal union for India, with autonomy for provinces and safeguards for minorities. The Cabinet Mission Plan was initially accepted in principle by both the Congress and the Muslim League but disagreements soon emerged, particularly over the grouping of provinces. The Muslim League eventually rejected the plan, and Jinnah called for "Direct Action." This failure to agree on the plan is widely regarded as the last major chance to prevent the partition of India.

Explanation

Below is a table summarizing approximate population figures for the four countries for the years 2002 and 2024:

Country Population (2002) Population (2024) Indonesia ~214 million ~283 million Brazil ~176 million ~212 million Russia ~145 million ~144 million Japan ~127 million ~123 million

Option (c) is correct: Based on the table above, the correct descending order (largest to smallest) for the population of the countries is: Indonesia (2)>Brazil (1)> Russia (4)> Japan (3)