Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

According to Article 236 of the Constitution of India, the term "district judge" encompasses various judicial positions, including:

Judge of a city civil court Additional district judge Joint district judge Assistant district judge Chief judge of a small cause court Chief presidency magistrate Additional chief presidency magistrate Sessions judge Additional sessions judge Assistant sessions judge Notably, the term does not include the position of tribunal judge. Tribunal judges operate within specialized tribunals and are not classified under the term "district judge" as per the constitutional definition.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi suggested the winding up of the Indian National Congress after India attained independence. He believed that the Congress had achieved its primary goal of securing independence and should now transform itself into a Lok Sevak Sangh (People’s Service Organization) to focus on social and economic reconstruction rather than remaining a political party. His suggestion was not accepted by the Congress leadership.

Explanation

Mahadev Govind Ranade was jurist and social reformer who worked for education, women empowerment, widow remarriage and against child marriages. He established the Indian National Social Conference(INSC) in 1887. He was also among the initial members of Indian National Congress(INC) and addressed his INSC along with the annual sessions of the INC.

Explanation

Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a medium with a higher refractive index to a medium with a lower refractive index, and the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle. From the given options, total internal reflection can take place when light travels from Diamond to glass. This is because diamond has a higher refractive index than glass, so when light travels from diamond to glass, it can undergo total internal reflection if the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: JL Nehru was the first Prime Minister and Union Minister of External affairs of Independent India. He was the President of INC at Lahore Session in 1929 where the congress passed the resolution of Purna Swaraj. In the Karachi session he was credited for drafting resolutions on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme. Kripalani was the Congress president in 1947.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Rajendra Prasad was the president of the Constituent Assembly.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The first Congress-led government in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) was formed in 1937 but it was headed by Govind Ballabh Pant, not Jawaharlal Nehru.

Explanation

The Panchayati Raj System in India, as established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, follows a three-tier structure of local self-government. This system is designed to decentralize power and governance to the grassroots level, ensuring democratic participation and accountability in rural areas. The three-tier system ensures local governance at all levels: village, block, and district, allowing for effective planning, implementation, and oversight of developmental activities.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: A transformer is designed to change the voltage level of an alternating current (AC) by using electromagnetic induction, either increasing (stepping up) or decreasing (stepping down) the voltage. Reason (R) is false: A transformer only works with alternating current (AC) because it relies on the changing magnetic field created by the alternating current to induce voltage in the secondary coil. It does not function with direct current (DC).

Explanation

Domestic electrical wiring is primarily a parallel connection, meaning that appliances and devices are connected in parallel to the power supply. This ensures that each device receives the same voltage, and turning one device on or off does not affect the others. Parallel wiring also allows for individual control of appliances and prevents overloading of a single circuit. In a series connection, devices share the same current, and the total resistance adds up, which can cause voltage drops, as seen in old-fashioned Christmas lights where if one bulb fails, the entire string goes out.

Explanation

During the colonial period, Indian literature saw significant growth influenced by nationalism, social reforms, and Western education. Writers began using novels and newspapers to address socio-political issues, preserve cultural identity, and inspire freedom movements.

Option (b) is correct: Durgesh Nandini was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1865 and is considered one of the first major novels in Bengali literature. It marked the beginning of the historical novel genre in India and played a crucial role in promoting nationalist sentiment during the colonial period.

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

Rast Goftar, an Anglo-Gujarati newspaper (1851) was founded by Dadabhai Naoroji and it promoted social reform and rational thinking. Maratha (1881), an English newspaper, was launched by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who spread nationalist ideas. Nibandhamala, a marathi monthly, by Vishnushastri Chipulankar, analyzed socio-economic issues and advocated reforms.

Explanation

Surendranath Banerjee, M.K. Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Lala Lajpat Rai were prominent freedom fighters who played pivotal roles in India’s struggle for independence, advocating nationalism, non-violence, armed resistance, and social reforms. A is matched with 4: Sir Surendranath Banerjee was a key figure in early Indian nationalism, advocating for reforms within the framework of British rule. His book, A Nation in Making, reflects his vision for India’s future. B is matched with 1: Hind Swaraj was authored by M.K. Gandhi (1909) critiques Western civilization and advocates for self-rule through self-reliance, traditional values, and non-violence, marking a significant shift in nationalist thought. C is matched with 2: Subhas Chandra Bose wrote the The Indian Struggle (1942) which outlines his analysis of India’s independence movement and his call for more radical action against British colonialism. D is matched with 3: The Story of My Deportation (1908) by Lala Lajpat Rai is an Autobiographical writing.