Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Buddhist Councils were pivotal in preserving and organizing the Buddha’s teachings. The First Council (483 BCE), held under King Ajatasatru, aimed to preserve the Buddha’s teachings, with Mahakassapa presiding. The Second Council (383 BCE) under King Kalasoka led to the split into Early Theravada and Early Mahayana. The Third Council (250 BCE), presided by Mogaliputta Tissa under Emperor Ashoka, focused on purifying Buddhism and compiling the Abhidhamma Pitaka. The Fourth Council (1st century AD) under King Kanishka in Kashmir formalized the division into Mahayana and Hinayana sects.

Option (d) is correct: The Fourth Buddhist Council was convened during the reign of Emperor Kanishka of the Kushan dynasty around the 1st century CE in Kundalvana (modern-day Kashmir). The council was presided over by the scholar-monk Vasumitra, with Ashvaghosha serving as his deputy. This council had a significant influence on the development and spread of Mahayana Buddhism.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Neap tides occur when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are perpendicular to each other (i.e., during the first and third quarters of the lunar cycle). Since the Sun’s gravitational force partially cancels out the Moon’s gravitational effect, the difference between high tide and low tide is minimal. As a result, the high tide is lower than normal, and the low tide is higher than normal. Reason (R) is false: Neap tides occur during the first and third quarter phases of the Moon, not during the new moon. Spring tides, on the other hand, occur during the full moon and new moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned, causing a higher-than-normal tidal range.

Explanation

Statements (3) and (4) are correct: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) focused on rural poverty and agricultural development. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is also a specialized agency of the UN, responsible for global monetary cooperation and financial stability. Statements (2) is incorrect: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a part of the World Bank Group and not a UN agency. Note: If the option includes 1, 3, and 4, then it would be the correct answer because the World Bank (which consists of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA)) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. However, the World Bank Group, which consists of five institutions--IBRD, IDA, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)--is not a specialized agency of the UN. Among these, only IBRD and IDA are recognized as specialized agencies of the UN.

Explanation

List-I (Books) List-II (Author) A. The Struggle is My Life 2. Nelson Mandela B. The Struggle and the Triumph

1. Lech Walesa C. Friends and Foes 5. Sheikh Mujibur Rehman D. Rebirth 3. Leonid Brezhnev

Explanation

The nature and size of an industry are determined by:

Capital investment in an industry is a significant determinant of its size and the type of production it can undertake. Higher capital investment often implies larger-scale operations and the ability to adopt more advanced technologies. Business turnover represents the total value of sales, is a direct measure of the scale of economic activity within the industry. A higher turnover indicates a larger industry. Power consumption is a good indicator of the scale of operations and the type of industry. Energy-intensive industries, like manufacturing or heavy industries, will consume more power. While the number of workers can indicate an industry’s labor intensity, it does not always determine the overall size. Some industries, like IT or pharmaceuticals, have high turnover and capital investment but a relatively smaller workforce.

Explanation

Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa) is a spiritual practice that combines meditation, qigong exercises, and moral philosophy based on Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. It gained popularity in China during the 1990s but was banned by the Chinese government in 1999, labeling it as a "cult" and a threat to social stability. Since then, followers have faced persecution, leading to international human rights concerns.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Rural electrification was identified as a Basic Minimum Service under the Prime Minister’s Gramodaya Yojana, a flagship program aimed at improving rural infrastructure, including power supply, education, and health services. As per government records during this period, rural electrification was prioritized to reduce regional imbalances.

Statement 2 is correct: Since the economic reforms of 1991, India allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the power sector without any upper limit. This was done to attract foreign capital and technology to boost power generation and infrastructure.

Statement 3 is incorrect: By 2001, the Union Ministry of Power had signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with more than 14 States. The exact number was higher, as the government was actively collaborating with multiple states to improve power generation and distribution.

Explanation

The Chandra X-ray Observatory, launched by NASA in 1999, is named in honor of Subramanyan Chandrasekhar, an Indian-American astrophysicist who won the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the Chandrasekhar Limit (the maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star). His research significantly contributed to the understanding of stellar evolution, black holes, and neutron stars.

Explanation

List-I (Important Day) List-II (Date) A. World Environment Day 2. June 5 B. World Forestry Day 1. March 20 C. World Habitat Day 4. October 3 D. World Ozone Day 3. September 16

Explanation

The Lingaraj Temple, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is one of the most important and revered temples in eastern India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be built in the 11th century during the rule of King Jajati Keshari of Somavamshi dynasty (9th century C.E. to 11th century C.E.). It is an excellent example of Kalinga architecture, showcasing intricate carvings and an impressive structure.