Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 3: India exports a significant quantity of iron ore to Japan due to its high demand for raw materials in its steel industry. B is correctly matched with 1: Indian leather goods have a substantial market in Russia. The demand for quality leather products in Russia aligns with India’s export capabilities in this sector. C is correctly matched with 4: The United Kingdom has historically been a major importer of Indian tea owing to long-standing trade ties and the popularity of tea in British culture. D is correctly matched with 2: The United States of America is a significant market for Indian cotton fabrics, given the demand for diverse textile products.

Explanation

The Mahabharata has been a significant source of inspiration for numerous literary works across India, influencing many regional languages. Pair (a) is incorrectly matched: Saraladasa (born as Siddheswara Parida) was a 15th-century poet and scholar of Odia literature and not Bengali. He is best known for three Odia books - Sarala Mahabharata, Vilanka Ramayana and Chandi Purana. Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: Kasirama, an important figure in Oriya literature, is most renowned for his adaptations of the Ramayana rather than the Mahabharata. Pair (c) is incorrectly matched: Tikkana was a Telugu poet who contributed to Andhra Mahabharatam, not Marathi. Pair (d) is correctly matched: Pampa was a Kannada poet, who authored Vikramarjuna Vijaya, also known as Pampa Bharata, based on the Mahabharata theme. His rendition of the Mahabharata focuses on the story of Arjuna and his heroic exploits.

Explanation

In India, inflation has traditionally been measured using the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and stands true for 1997. The WPI tracks the price changes of goods at the wholesale level, reflecting the prices at which goods are sold in bulk and is published by the Economic Adviser in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. However, in recent years, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has gained prominence as a measure of inflation, especially for policy decisions. The CPI measures price changes from the consumer’s perspective, capturing the retail prices of goods and services. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has adopted the CPI as the key measure for its inflation targeting framework.

Explanation

The formula for electing the President of India considers each state’s population and the number of elected members in the state’s Legislative Assembly. In 1997 R K Narayanan with nearly 95% defeated T N Seshan who got nearly 5% vote. The census used in the election was 1971 due to complex interplay of politics and constitutional provisions. Even the Presidential election 2022 used the 1971 census. The 84th Constitutional Amendment act 2001 froze the use of census data from 1971 till 2026.

Explanation

A no-confidence motion is a parliamentary instrument used by the opposition to try to remove the government. Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha, meaning only the Lok Sabha can introduce a no confidence motion. Statement (a) is correct: A PM from the Upper House can not vote for a no confidence motion, as only Lok Sabha members can vote on it. Statements (b) and (c) are incorrect: Article 88 gives every minister (and the Attorney General of India) the right to speak in either house or joint sitting. It only restricts their respective Right to vote in the house which they are not members of. Statement (d) is incorrect: As per article 75(5) PM can be a member of either house of the Parliament. The Prime Minister (PM), like any other minister, can be appointed even if they are not a Member of Parliament (MP) at the time of appointment. However, they must become a member of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha within six months, failing which they must resign from the position.

Explanation

The British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald had proposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes in the Communal Award, which Gandhi opposed, fearing it would fragment Indian society permanently and weaken the national movement. The Poona Pact (1932, not 1934) was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, mediated by the British Government, to resolve the issue of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (Harijans).

Option (d) is correct: The pact provided for joint electorates with reserved seats for the Depressed Classes in the general constituencies instead of separate electorates. This ensured representation for the Depressed Classes while maintaining social unity. The number of reserved seats in provincial legislatures was increased, and provisions were made for their upliftment.

Explanation

Thugs were a secret criminal network in India, active between the 14th to the 19th century, known for their ritualistic strangulation of travelers to rob them. Captain William Henry Sleeman was a British officer in India who played a key role in the suppression of the Thuggee cult in the early 19th century. He was appointed during Lord William Bentick’s tenure, during Lord William Bentinck’s tenure (1828-1835). He led several successful campaigns against the thugs, and his efforts led to the eventual dismantling of the organization.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The majority of the world’s population is concentrated in regions between 20°N and 40°N latitude due to favorable climatic, geographical, and economic factors. This region includes highly populated countries like In-dia, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan and parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. These areas offer suitable conditions for agriculture, industrialization, and urbanization, which have historically supported large populations.

Option (a) is incorrect: This region includes parts of tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and northern South America. While densely populated areas exist, the overall population concentration is lower compared to 20°N to 40°N.

Option (c) is incorrect: This latitude includes parts of Europe, Russia, and North America, which are less populated compared to 20°N to 40°N.

Option (d) is incorrect:: This region includes parts of Australia, South Africa, and South America, which have lower population densities.

Explanation

The description "people of yellow complexion, oblique eyes, high cheek bones, sparse hair and medium height" is characteristic of the group historically classified as Mongoloids. The term "Mongoloid" (a now outdated anthropological classification) has been used to refer to peoples primarily from East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arctic, and some parts of the Indian subcontinent (notably the northeast). They are typically described as having a yellowish or light olive complexion, oblique (almond-shaped) eyes, high cheekbones, and a generally medium stature.

Option (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Nordic Aryans belong to the Caucasoid racial group, which is primarily found in Northern and Central Europe. They typically have light skin, tall stature, blue or light-colored eyes, and straight or wavy hair. Austrics refer to the Austro-Asiatic language-speaking ethnic groups found in India and Southeast Asia. They are generally dark-skinned, have broad noses, and curly hair. Negroids primarily refer to populations of African origin. They have dark skin, tightly curled hair, broad noses, and full lips.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 2:The Karanpura coal-fields are located in Jharkhand, known for their vast coal re-serves. B is correctly matched with 3: The Hutti Gold Mines in Karnataka are one of the few active gold mining areas in India.The Hutti region has a long history of gold mining and remains significant in India’s gold production. C is correctly matched with 4: Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its high-quality mica deposits. D is matched with 1: The Bhandara district in Maharashtra is a significant producer of manganese, used in steel production and other industries.