Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The remark, "In this instance we could not play off the Mohammedans against the Hindus," by Sir Charles Aitchison, refers to the Revolt of 1857. During the rebellion, the British were frustrated because their usual strategy of dividing Hindus and Muslims was ineffective. Instead of fighting each other, both communities united against the British, which posed a significant challenge to British rule. This unity between Hindus and Muslims during the revolt was unexpected and disrupted British efforts to exploit religious divisions.

Explanation

Option 1 is incorrect: While radial tyres improve handling and durability, they primarily reduce rolling resistance, which can have a minor impact on fuel efficiency. However, their primary benefit is not directly linked to significant fuel savings.

Option 2 is correct: A streamlined body reduces aerodynamic drag, allowing the car to move more efficiently through the air. This directly improves fuel efficiency, especially at higher speeds. An example of a car with a streamlined body is the Tesla Model S. Its sleek, aerodynamic design minimizes air resistance, improving both fuel efficiency (or energy efficiency in the case of electric cars) and performance.

Option 3 is correct: Multipoint Fuel Injection ensures that the right amount of fuel is injected into each cylinder, improving combustion efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

Option 4 is incorrect: While a catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions, it does not directly affect fuel efficiency. Its primary function is to convert toxic gases like carbon monoxide into less harmful substances. Direction: The following item consists 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.

Explanation

According to Newton’s first law of motion, " A body at rest will remain at rest, and a body in motion will continue in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force". According to Newton’s second law of motion, "The rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the applied force and occurs in the direction of the force". Assertion (A) is true: When the man whistles, he expels air from his lungs. This expelled air has mass and velocity, creating momentum in the forward direction and thus creating reaction force which pushes the man backward on the frictionless surface. This is based on Newton’s second law of motion. Reason (R) is true: The statement that ‘ if no external force acts on a system, its momentum cannot change’ is clearly stating Newton>s first law of motion which is clearly not explaining the Assertion (A). Thus, Reason (R) merely states Newton’s First Law of Motion and doen’s explain the Assertion (A) which is based on Newton’s Second Law of Motion.

Explanation

The state with the largest number of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha is Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh has a significant tribal population, including communities like Gonds and Bhils, and the reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha is proportionate to the tribal population in the state. The reserved seats ensure representation of Scheduled Tribes in Parliament to address their issues and protect their rights.

Explanation

1st ARC Recommendation (1966): The first ARC recommended the appointment of persons having long experience in public life and administration and non-partisan attitude as governors. Rajamannar Committee (1969): The Rajamannar Committee recommended the provision that the state ministry holds office during the pleasure of the governor should be omitted. Sarkaria Commission (1983): The "Sarkaria Commission" recommended that the Governor should be a distinguished outsider without intense political links, that he should not have recently participated in politics, and that he should not be a member of the ruling party. National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000): The committee recommended that the president should appoint the governor of a state only after consultation with the chief minister of that state.

Explanation

Decibels (dB) are units used to measure the intensity of sound. The decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning each 10 dB increase represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity.

Option (d) is correct: A noise level of 100 decibels corresponds to Noise from a machine shop. A sound at 100 decibels is quite loud. It is typical of sounds like those found in a machine shop or at a loud concert. For reference: 0 decibels is the threshold of hearing (just audible sound). 30-40 decibels corresponds to a quiet room. 60-70 decibels corresponds to ordinary conversation. 100 decibels is in the range of very loud noise, such as machinery or a chainsaw. 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. (2000)

Explanation

Subhash Chandra Bose, while delivering the presidential address at the 51st Session of the Indian National Congress (INC) in Haripura (1938) proposed the introduction of the Roman script for Hindi to make the language more accessible especially for non-Hindi speakers. Bose believed that adopting the Roman script would help simplify learning Hindi for Indians from different linguistic backgrounds and improve its adaptability. He emphasized that language should not be a barrier in national unity and sought a pragmatic approach to linguistic communication. Most leaders and linguists, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, opposed the idea of Romanizing Hindi. After independence, the Devanagari script was retained for Hindi, and English was kept as an associate official language to bridge linguistic diversity.

Explanation

In the case of a compact disc (CD), when sunlight or any other light source hits its surface, the following optical phenomena occur. Diffraction: The CD’s surface contains tiny, closely spaced grooves that act like a diffraction grating. This causes the light to spread out into different colors, creating the rainbow effect that is visible. Refraction: Light also passes through the transparent plastic layer of the CD, and as it enters and exits this layer, it bends due to the change in the refractive index between the plastic and air. Transmission: Some light also passes through the CD material, further contributing to the observed effects. Together, these phenomena--refraction, diffraction, and transmission--combine to produce the beautiful rainbow-like colors seen when a CD is viewed in sunlight.

Explanation

Name figures in the voters’ list is a crucial condition. According to the Constitution and election laws, a candidate must be registered in the voters’ list of the respective local body area to be eligible for nomination. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

He obtains permission from the principal of his college:

This is not a requirement under the law for contesting elections to a Municipal Council. The student does not need permission from his college principal unless there is an institutional policy specifically for that purpose. He is a member of a political party: While candidates may contest elections as members of political parties, membership is not a mandatory requirement. Independent candidates can also run for election. He files a declaration owing allegiance to the Constitution of India: Although a declaration of allegiance to the Constitution is important for various public offices, it is not typically a formal requirement for Municipal Council elections.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct:

List-I (Local Bodies) List-II (States) A. Zila Parishads at the sub-divisional level

2. Assam B. Mandal Praja Parishad 1. Andhra Pradesh C. Tribal Councils 4. Meghalaya D. Absence of Village Panchayats 3. Mizoram Zila Parishads at the sub-divisional level: In the year 1999, Zila Parishads in Assam were associated with the sub-divisional level Mandal Praja Parishad: In Andhra Pradesh, Mandal Praja Parishads are the intermediate-level bodies. Tribal Councils: Meghalaya has Tribal Councils, which are autonomous bodies governing tribal areas. Absence of Village Panchayats: Mizoram does not have Village Panchayats, as seen in other states, but operates through Autonomous District Councils and other related forums for governance.