Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

In 1904, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh founded the Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society) as a secret organization during India’s struggle for independence. The organization was inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy and aimed to overthrow British rule in India through armed revolution. Initially started as "Mitra Mela" in Nashik while Savarkar was a student, it was involved in assassinations of British officials. The group aimed to overthrow British rule. In 1904, Vinayak Savarkar named it Abhinav Bharat, inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy. Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose were associated with Jugantar Party (Bengal Revolutionaries) Bhagat Singh was a member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

Explanation

A is matched with 2: Shyamji Krishna Varma is associated with the journal Indian Sociologist, which advocated for India’s independence. B is matched with 3: Madame Bhikaji Cama is linked with The Talwar, a journal promoting nationalist ideas. C is matched with 4: Annie Besant published the Commonweal to support the Indian independence movement. D is matched with 1: Aurobindo Ghosh is known for the journal Bande Mataram, which was a platform for nationalist activism.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Information technology (IT) has become a key sector in India’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, exports, and employment. The growth of IT services, software development, and business process outsourcing (BPO) has positioned India as a global leader in the industry. Government initiatives, a large English-speaking work-force, and cost advantages have further boosted IT expansion. Reason (R) is false: While software exports are indeed a major component of India’s IT sector, the country has not traditionally had a strong base in hardware manufacturing. Unlike software, which flourished due to outsourcing, India’s hardware sector has remained underdeveloped due to import dependency, lack of infrastructure, and high production costs. Only in recent years have initiatives like "Make in India" and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme sought to strengthen domestic hardware manufacturing.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Devaluation reduces the value of a country’s currency relative to foreign currencies, making its exports cheaper and more competitive in the global market. This can lead to an increase in the demand for exports. Reason (R) is true: As the local currency weakens against foreign currencies, goods from the devaluing country become cheaper for foreign buyers. This effectively reduces the inter-national price of these goods, resulting in increased demand for exports. For instance, after India’s 1991 devaluation, exports surged as Indian goods became more competitive globally. The Economic Survey (1991-92) confirmed that devaluation played a crucial role in boosting exports and improving India’s trade balance. Thus, Reason R correctly explains Assertion A.

Explanation

The paintings of Abanindranath Tagore, a prominent figure in the Bengal School of Art, are classified as revivalistic because they aimed to revive Indian cultural and artistic traditions during British rule. He drew inspiration from Mughal miniatures, Ajanta frescoes, and Japanese wash techniques, moving away from Western realism and promoting a distinctly Indian art style. Abanindranath Tagore’s works, such as Bharat Mata symbolized national pride and cultural heritage, blending art with India’s freedom movement.

Explanation

Alam Ara (1931) was India’s first feature-length talkie film, directed by Ardeshir Irani. It marked the beginning of sound in Indian cinema and revolutionized the film industry. It was a musical drama based on a Persian story, and it featured several songs, which was a major draw for audiences at the time. The film had a huge impact on Indian cinema, especially in terms of introducing sound and dialogue, which made it a landmark in the history of Indian cinema.

Explanation

Barium is used in X-ray imaging because it effectively absorbs X-rays, which makes it show up clearly on X-ray images. This property helps in creating a clear contrast between the stomach and surrounding tissues, allowing doctors to examine the stomach’s structure more easily.

Explanation

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope that emits gamma rays. These high-energy rays are used in radiation therapy for cancer treatment because they can penetrate deep into tissues and target cancer cells effectively while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Related terms:

Proton therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses protons to precisely target and destroy tumor cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. It is particularly effective for tumors near sensitive areas, offering fewer side effects compared to conventional radiation therapy.

Explanation

The Indian elephant is the largest population of the Asian elephant species, and India is home to about 60-70% of the total population of Asian elephants. The passage refers to the distribution of the population in north-west India (Dehradun, Bijnor), western Ghats (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu), central India (Southern Bihar, Orissa), and the eastern parts (Assam, North Bengal), all of which are areas where elephants are found in the wild. Elephants predominantly inhabit moist deciduous forests, dry thorn forests, and grasslands, which align with the habitats described. Distinctive Features:

They have smaller ears compared to their African counterparts. Their trunks are highly sensitive and versatile, used for feeding, drinking, bathing, and social interactions. Adult males typically weigh up to 5,000 kg and stand about 2.5 to 3 meters tall at the shoulder. Males have large tusks, although not all elephants have visible tusks (especially females).

Explanation

India’s National Forest Policy (1988) recommends that at least 33% of the total geographical area of the country should be under forest cover to maintain proper ecological balance. Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the environment by preventing soil erosion, conserving water, supporting biodiversity, and regulating the climate. Currently, India’s forest cover is around 24% of its total geographical area, according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) report. While the target of 33% forest cover is still not fully achieved, ongoing afforestation and conservation programs aim to increase the forest cover to meet this goal.