Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The sex ratio in a population is defined as the number of females per 1,000 males. As per 1991 census sex ratio declined slightly from 934 to 927 between 1981-1991, indicating a decline in the proportion of females relative to males. When we examine the census data for India over recent decades, we observe that the sex ratio does not follow a single steady trend; rather, it shows variations from one census to another. As per the table, These fluctuations indicate that the sex ratio in India is neither steadily declining, stable, nor uniformly increasing; it is fluctuating over time. Various factors contribute to these changes, including differences in birth rates, mortality rates, socio-economic conditions, and cultural practices. 1991 to 2001: The ratio increased again to 933, suggesting a modest recovery. 2001 to 2011: The ratio further improved to 943, which is a significant increase compared to 1991.

Explanation

The tribal population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly the Onge, Jarwa, Great Andamanese, and Sentinelese, belong to the Negroid race. These tribes are considered to be among the earliest inhabitants of the Indian sub-continent and are genetically linked to the African population. These characteristics include Dark skin complexion, Curly hair, Short stature and distinct linguistic and cultural traditions.

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

Australoids are typically found among indigenous populations in parts of India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Caucasoids are primarily associated with populations in Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia Mongoloids are primarily found in East Asia, characterized by features like oblique eyes, high cheekbones, and sparse hair. A small population of Shompen and Nicobars tribes found in Andaman and Nicobar islands are of Mongoloid descent.

Explanation

Transplanting seedlings is a common agricultural practice where young plants are grown in nurseries and then moved to the main field. This method ensures better growth, higher yields, and efficient use of resources.

Option (c) is correct: Onions are typically cultivated by transplanting seedlings. Farmers grow small onion plants from seeds in a nursery and then carefully transplant them into the field. This method allows for better control over spacing and ensures healthier plants. Onion seedlings are first raised in nurseries and then transplanted to the main field after 6-8 weeks. This method helps in uniform spacing, better root establishment, and higher yield. Onion requires well-drained soil and moderate irrigation, making transplanting essential for commercial production.

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

Maize is usually directly sown into the field.

Sorghum is also typically directly sown.

Soyabean is typically directly sown, although some varieties can be transplanted.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 2: Barley is a hardy crop that grows well in a cool climate and can tolerate poor soil fertility. It is commonly cultivated in temperate regions. It is rown in temperate regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh in India. B is correctly matched with 4: Rice is typically cultivated in areas with abundant rainfall and warm temperatures. It thrives in alluvial soils that are rich in nutrients, which is why the ideal condition is described as a hot and moist climate with rich soil. Major rice-producing states in India include West Bengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. C is correctly matched with 1: Millets are drought-resistant crops that grow in areas with a hot and dry climate and can tolerate poor, sandy soils. They are commonly cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions. 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets by the UN to promote their cultivation. D is correctly matched with 3: Tea requires a warm and moist climate, well-drained soil, and grows best in high-altitude areas. Hill slopes in regions like Darjeeling and Assam are ideal.

Explanation

The descending order by production quantity is:

Groundnut (3) > Soyabean (4) > Mustard (2) > Sesamum (1) Groundnut is the largest produced oilseed in India. It is cultivated primarily in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, often in semi-arid regions. Soybean is the second largest oilseed crop, grown predominantly in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Mustard ranks third in oilseed production and is grown widely in the north-western plains, particularly in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Sesamum (or sesame) has a lower production compared to the others. It is cultivated in small quantities across Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Explanation

In Monaco, the Prime Minister (Minister of State) is not directly elected by the people but is instead appointed by the Prince of Monaco from a list of three candidates proposed by the President of France. This is because of Monaco’s close political ties with France, as established in the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1918. While Monaco is an independent country, France plays a significant role in its governance, especially in defence and foreign relations.

Explanation

As of December 1996, the world’s fastest computer was ASCI Red, developed by Intel and Sandia National Laboratories under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI). It was the first computer to break the 1 teraflop (10¹² floating point operations per second) barrier in December 1996. It had 9,298 Pentium Pro processors and achieved a sustained performance of 1.06 teraflops (1.06 × 10¹² operations per second) in 1997 on the LINPACK benchmark.

Explanation

As of 1997, the Basque separatist organization ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) was still active in Spain, conducting violent attacks to push for an independent Basque state. The group, founded in 1959, intensified its activities in the 1980s and 1990s, targeting Spanish government officials, security forces, and civilians.

Explanation

The film "The Making of the Mahatma" was directed by Shyam Benegal. Released in 1996, the film is based on the book "The Apprenticeship of a Mahatma" by Fatima Meer and focuses on Mahatma Gandhi’s 21 years in South Africa (1893-1914), a crucial period that shaped his philosophy of non-violence (Satyagraha) and resistance against racial discrimination.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is false: The reservation of 33% seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies does require a constitutional amendment. Recently, the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 was made, which provides for 33% reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies (alongwith UTs with legislative assemblies). Reason (R) is true: Political parties can independently decide to allocate a certain percentage of tickets to women candidates and this is separate from constitutional reservation.