Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

"My Music My Life" is an autobiography of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, detailing his musical journey. "Adha Gaon" is a famous novel by Rahi Masoom Raza depicting the socio-political changes in rural India. "Radha" is a poetic work composed by Ramakanta Rath exploring the philosophical aspects of Radha-Krishna’s love. "The Pilferer" is a Marathi novel written by Laxman Gaikwad, it is based on the struggles of a nomadic tribe in India.

Explanation

The Indian Human Development Report (IHDR) does not give a separate Unemployment Related Index for each sample village. The IHDR uses a composite index approach to measure human development. It combines indicators across key dimensions such as Infrastructure and Amenities Index: This index reflects access to basic infrastructure like sanitation, drinking water, electricity, and other amenities that contribute to well-being. Education Related Index: This index combines indicators related to literacy rates, school enrollment, educational attainment, and other measures of educational progress. Health Related Index: This index includes indicators of health status, such as life expectancy, infant mortality rates, access to healthcare facilities, and other health-related measures. Unemployment is typically analyzed as a separate factor or included as a component within broader indices (like a poverty index or a standard of living index) rather than being a standalone index at the village level. Collecting reliable and granular unemployment data at the village level across a large sample can be challenging. Also, unemployment is more often seen as an outcome affecting poverty and standard of living, rather than a direct input into human development itself.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Chakiarkoothu is a traditional Sanskrit theatre art form of Kerala, performed exclusively by the Chakiar caste.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Traditionally, it was restricted to upper-caste Hindus, while others were not allowed.

Statement 3 is correct: Mizhavu, a large copper drum, is the primary percussion instrument used in the performance.

Statement 4 is correct: The performance is staged in a Koothambalam, a sacred temple theatre.

Explanation

The Order of Precedence is a protocol list maintained by the Government of India that determines the ceremonial hierarchy for officials. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) ranks the highest among the given functionaries, occupying the 6th position in the Order of Precedence. Next is the Union Cabinet Minister, who ranks 7th, reflecting their high status as senior members of the executive. The Chief Election Commissioner comes next in rank, placed lower than a Union Cabinet Minister in ceremonial hierarchy. Finally, the Cabinet Secretary, though the highest-ranking civil servant in India, ranks lower than the other three functionaries, holding a position below the Chief Election Commissioner. Below is the Order of Precedence as per the latest guidelines:

1. President of India

2. Vice President of India

3. Prime Minister of India

4. Governors of States (within their respective states)

5. Former Presidents Chief Justice of India Speaker of the Lok Sabha

6. Union Cabinet Ministers Chief Ministers of States (within their respective states) Deputy Chairman of the NITI Aayog Former Prime Ministers Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

7. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Chief Ministers of States (outside their respective states) Governors of States (outside their respective states)

8. Judge of the Supreme Court

9. Deputy Chief Ministers of States Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha Members of the NITI Aayog Ministers of State of the Union

10. Attorney General of India Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Governors within their respective Union Territories

11. Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chief Election Commissioner Comptroller and Auditor General of India

12. Deputy Ministers of the Union

13. Officers of the rank of full General or equivalent (Air Chief Marshal, Admiral, etc.)

14. Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (if not a full General rank)

15. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (outside India)

16. Chief Justices of High Courts (within their respective jurisdictions) Chief Ministers of Union Territories (within their respective Union Territories)

17. Judges of High Courts (within their respective jurisdictions)

18. Members of Parliament

19. Deputy Chief Ministers of Union Territories (within their respective Union Territories)

20. Mayors of cities in Union Territories

Explanation

A is matched with 2: Cracking is a process in the petroleum industry where large hydrocarbons are broken into smaller hydrocarbons like gasoline and diesel. B is matched with 3:Smelting is used in the copper industry to extract metal from its ore by heating it in a furnace. C is matched with 4: Hydrogenation is used in the production of edible fats by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils, converting them into margarine or vanaspati. D is matched with 1: Vulcanization is a process in the rubber industry where sulfur is added to raw rubber to improve its elasticity and strength.

Explanation

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria are often used as biofertilizers in rice cultivation. They have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, enriching the soil with nitrogen and improving crop growth.

Explanation

A phytotron is a facility that provides an environment where various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and CO₂ levels can be controlled precisely to study plant growth and development. This setup helps scientists to conduct experiments on plants in a controlled and reproducible environment. Phytotron is neither related with growing plants in disease free conditions nor conserving endangered species of plants.

Explanation

Soft drinks, especially colas, often contain caffeine, which is a stimulant. Caffeine can help to increase alertness and reduce fatigue, and it is commonly added to colas and other energy drinks.

Explanation

Canola oil is derived from a type of mustard plant that has been specially bred to have very low levels of erucic acid, which is a substance that can be harmful in large amounts. This makes canola oil safe and suitable for human consumption. Canola oil is known for being rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, making it a heart-healthy cooking oil. It has a long shelf life due to its stability, and its mild flavor makes it suitable for a variety of culinary uses.

Explanation

In 1999, Kuwait’s Parliament rejected a bill that would have granted women the right to vote and run for office. This decision reflected the division between liberal and conservative factions within the National Assembly. Women in Kuwait were eventually granted voting rights in 2005.