Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect: Water of the Ghaggar River is not utilized in the Indira Gandhi Canal. The Indira Gandhi Canal, which primarily serves the Thar Desert region in Rajasthan, is fed by waters from the Satluj River, not the Ghaggar. The Ghaggar River is primarily seasonal and dries up during the summer months. It is sometimes considered to be a remnant of the ancient Sarasvati River, but its flow is not regular enough to be utilized for the Indira Gandhi Canal. Statements (b), (c) and (d) are correct:

The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward to the Arabian Sea. Nizam Sagar is located on the Manjira River in the state of Telangana. It is part of the water supply system for the region. The Penganga River is a tributary of the Godavari River that flows through Maharashtra and Telangana.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: India’s first marine sanctuary was established in the Gulf of Kutch in 1980. This sanctuary is located on the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat, and is known for its rich biodiversity. It includes coral reefs, molluscs, dolphins, tortoises, and various sea birds. The Gulf of Kutch is one of the most important coastal ecosystems in India and serves as a critical habitat for marine life. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The Sundarbans is a delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. It is primarily a mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage site but is not a marine sanctuary. It is known for being home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, but not for coral reefs or other marine life like dolphins and tortoises. Chilka Lake, located on the east coast of India, is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest in the world. While it is an important ecological site, it is not India’s first marine sanctuary. Chilka Lake is known for its rich biodiversity, including various migratory birds, and the presence of the Irrawaddy dolphins, but it does not encompass coral reefs. Lakshadweep is a group of islands in the Arabian Sea, known for its coral reefs, atolls, and rich marine life. While there are marine reserves in Lakshadweep, it was not the first marine sanctuary to be established in India. The Gulf of Kutch predates Lakshadweep’s marine conservation areas.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: The Miri tribe is an indigenous tribe found in Assam. They are primarily located in the northeastern part of the state, mainly in the areas around the Brahmaputra River. The Miri tribe is known for its traditional agricultural practices and social structure. Pair (b) is correctly matched: The Konyak tribe is one of the prominent tribes of Nagaland, particularly known for their rich cultural heritage, including headhunting traditions, elaborate tattoos, and distinctive attire. The Konyaks reside mainly in the Mon district of Nagaland. Pair (c) is correctly matched: The Apatani tribe is one of the major tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. They are found primarily in the Ziro Valley of the state and are known for their unique agricultural techniques, including rice cultivation. The women of the Apatani tribe are known for their traditional face tattoos and nose plugs. Pair (d) is incorrectly matched: The Lambada tribe is not indigenous to Madhya Pradesh. They are predominantly found in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. The Lambadas, also known as Banjara or Gor in various regions, are a nomadic tribe with a rich cultural history, mainly located in the Deccan plateau and the western parts of India.

Explanation

Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) was launched on 2nd October, 1993, covering all the 1778 blocks under-Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS). These blocks were identified mainly in DPAP, DDP, Hill and Tribal areas. The main objective of the EAS was also on the lines of JRY, i.e. to provide gainful employment during lean agriculture season in the form of manual works to all able bodied adults who were in need and desirous of working, but unable to find anything to do. The assurance of 100 days of employment was extended to men and women above 18 years and below 60 years of age, residing in the villages of the blocks covered by EAS. A maximum of two adults per family were to be provided assured employment of 100 days under the scheme. The secondary objective was to develop economic infrastructure and community assets and resources for sustained employment and devel-opment.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: Jim Lake or Laker holds the record for most wickets in a Test match. He took 19 wickets in a Test match against Australia in 1956. Still the record. He played from England team. Pair (b) is correctly matched: Brian Lara Holds the record for the highest individual score in a Test innings (400), achieved against England in 2004. Still not broken. Pair (c) is correctly matched: Sanath Jayasuriya & Roshan Mahanama - Recorded the highest partnership in a Test innings (576 runs) for Sri Lanka against India in 1997. Still the record. Pair (d) is incorrectly matched: Sunil Gavaskar held the highest aggregate of runs in Test cricket before being surpassed by Allan Border (Australia) in 1993. So, Allan Border (Australia) held the Highest aggregate of runs in Test Cricket at the time when the question was asked.

Explanation

Madhya Pradesh was the first Indian state to prepare and release its Human Development Report (HDR) in 1995, under the guidance of Professor Amartya Sen.The Madhya Pradesh HDR was a pioneering effort in India, focusing on various dimensions of human development within the state, including health, education, and standard of living. The report aimed to assess and improve the well-being of its citizens by analyzing these critical areas. This initiative set a precedent for other Indian states to develop their own HDRs, contributing to a more localized understanding of human development challenges and facilitating targeted policy interventions. The Human Development Index (HDI) was introduced in 1990 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Human Development Report (HDR). It was conceptualized by economist Mahbub ul Haq and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. The HDI was created to shift the focus of development economics from purely economic growth (e.g., GDP) to a broader measure of human well-being, encompassing health, education, and living standards. It remains a key tool for assessing and comparing global development progress.

Explanation

Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar (4) - An influential Hindustani classical musician who composed the tune for Vande Mataram and founded Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. Venkatamahi (1) - A 17th-century Carnatic musicologist who introduced the Melakarta Raga classification system, which forms the foundation of Carnatic music theory. Shyama Shastri (2)- One of the Carnatic music Trinity, known for his devotional compositions in Telugu, Sanskrit, and Tamil, emphasizing intricate rhythmic patterns. Amir Khusrau (3)- A 13th-century Sufi musician and poet who pioneered the Khayal and Qawwali styles, blending Persian and Indian musical traditions.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: In the 1990s, poverty rates among various social and religious groups in India exhibited significant disparities. Government statistics from that period indicate that the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in states such as Bihar, Odisha (formerly Orissa), Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra experienced some of the highest levels of poverty. Several factors contributed to the high poverty rates among Scheduled Tribes in these states during the 1990s:

Geographical Isolation: Many ST communities resided in remote areas, limiting their access to essential services and economic opportunities. Limited Access to Education and Healthcare: Educational and healthcare facilities were often inadequate or inaccessible, hindering human capital development. Economic Marginalization: Dependence on traditional livelihoods, coupled with limited integration into the broader economy, exacerbated economic vulnerabilities.

Explanation

Shashi Tharoor (4)- Show Business is a satirical novel that delves into the world of Bollywood, media, and Indian politics through the life of a film star-turned-politician. Amitav Ghosh (2)- The Circle of Reason is his debut novel, blending history, science, and adventure, following the journey of an Indian boy falsely accused of terrorism. Anita Desai (1)- Clear Light of Day is a poignant novel about family bonds, childhood memories, and changing relationships set in Old Delhi. Vikram Chandra (3)- Love and Longing in Bombay is a collection of five interconnected stories exploring love, loss, and identity in Mumbai’s diverse landscape.

Explanation

In India Persons Below Poverty Line(BPL) is classified based on entitlement of a prescribed food basket measured in calorie and then converted into monetary terms for easy implementation into policies and programmes. The Planning Commission constituted a task force under the chairmanship of YK Alagh in 1979 to construct a poverty line for rural and urban areas on the basis of nutritional requirements and related consumption expenditure. The expert group under Suresh Tendulkar in 2009 also followed the calorie approach based on a consumption basket but added health and education along the calorie consumption basket. Another Expert group was constituted in 2014 under C Rangarajan also followed a calorie approach but suggested adding clothing, house rent, conveyance and education, and a behaviorally determined level of other non-food expenses.