Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The industrial ages gave us the understanding of sunlight as an energy source. India is endowed with vast solar energy potential. About 5,000 trillion kWh per year energy is incident over India’s land area with most parts receiving 4-7 kWh per sqm per day. Solar photovoltaic power can effectively be harnessed providing huge scalability in India.

Statement 1 is correct: Solar water heaters are widely used for residential purposes.

Statement 2 is correct: Solar-powered pumps are increasingly utilized for small-scale irrigation. Governments under PM KUSUM are advocating for proliferation of such pumps.

Statement 3 is correct: Solar street lights are common in both rural and urban areas.

Statement 4 is correct: Solar microgrids and standalone systems can provide electricity to remote villages and small towns.

Explanation

A is matched with 4: Abhinav Bharat Society was founded by V.D. Savarkar, a revolutionary nationalist group aimed at overthrowing British rule. The society was inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy and played a significant role in organizing revolutionary activities in India and abroad. B is matched with 1: Anushilan Samiti was a revolutionary group based in Bengal, influenced by Aurobindo Ghosh. It aimed to achieve independence through armed revolution and was involved in several high-profile actions against British rule. C is matched with 2: Gadar Party was founded by Lala Hardayal and other Indian expatriates in the United States and Canada, and it aimed for armed rebellion against British rule. D is matched with 3: The Swaraj Party was founded in 1923 by Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. The party aimed to contest elections and obstruct British governance from within the legislative councils.

Explanation

As per India’s Foreign Trade Data (1994-95), the highest value of imports was:

Petroleum: India imported crude oil in large quantities to meet its growing energy needs. Capital Goods: Machinery, equipment, and industrial tools were imported to support infrastructure and manufacturing. Pearls & Precious Stones: India has a strong diamond and jewelry industry, which relies on imported raw materials. Chemicals: Used in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industries. Iron & Steel: Required for construction and heavy industries.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In space, there is no atmosphere to scatter sunlight, so the sky appears black, even during the day.

Statement 2 is correct: In space, stars appear as steady points of light because there is no atmospheric turbulence to cause them to twinkle, as we observe from Earth.

Statement 3 is correct: Space near the Sun is extremely hot, with temperatures rising significantly when exposed to direct sunlight. The spacecraft would experience extreme temperatures, which is why temperature regulation inside the spacecraft is essential for astronauts.

Explanation

A is matched with 4: The first session of the National Conference was held at Calcutta in 1883 to discuss political issues and laid the groundwork for the Indian National Congress, which was established in 1885. B is matched with 3: The All-India Muslim League was formed on December 30, 1906 at Dacca (now Dhaka) to represent the interests of Indian Muslims. C is matched with 2: All India State Peoples Conference was formed in 1927. This conference united representatives from princely states to push for democratic reforms. D is matched with 1: Announcement of Communal Award from Whitehall by the British government in August 1932 introduced separate electorates for minorities, including Dalits (then termed Depressed Classes), causing widespread controversy. v v v

Explanation

An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, which is exactly the nucleus of a helium atom (He2+). The mass of an alpha particle is very close to the mass of a helium atom as the mass of electrons is insignificant in comparison with protons and neutrons.

Explanation

During summer, high temperatures over the Indian sub-continent cause low pressure to develop, leading to a northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), especially in the northern regions. This low-pressure system draws moist air from the Indian Ocean, resulting in the arrival of southwest monsoon winds that bring rainfall to the subcontinent.

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

The south-east monsoon originates in the Southern Hemisphere and moves from the high-pressure areas in the south-east towards the low-pressure regions in the subcontinent. However, this is not the primary wind pattern responsible for bringing the summer rains, as it is the south-west monsoon that is more prominent. Trade winds blow from the east and are associated with the tropical regions, but they don’t bring the monsoon rains to India. They primarily affect the equatorial regions. The westerlies are winds that blow from the west and generally affect the higher latitudes of the mid-latitudes. They are not responsible for the monsoon system in India.

Explanation

The Western Ghats of India are considered an ecological hotspot due to their exceptional biodiversity and the large number of species that are found nowhere else in the world (endemism). The region is home to several unique ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, grasslands, and wetlands, and supports an array of plant and animal species, many of which are endangered.

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

The Himalayas, both Western and Eastern, are vital for biodiversity; however, they are not as prominently recognized as biodiversity hotspots compared to regions like the Western Ghats. The Eastern Ghats are ecologically important but do not meet the criteria of an "ecological hotspot" when compared to regions like the Western Ghats or the Eastern Himalayas. While they host a diverse set of species, they lack the same degree of endemism and are not as internationally recognized for biodiversity.

Explanation

The term ‘De-notified Tribes’ (DNTs) refers to communities that were previously classified as ‘Criminal Tribes’ under the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871 during British rule in India. The British labeled certain nomadic and semi-no-madic tribes as ‘criminal’ by birth based on their traditional livelihoods, often involving hunting, trading, or performing arts. After India’s independence, the Criminal Tribes Act was repealed in 1952, and these communities were ‘denotified’, meaning they were no longer considered criminal by default. However, despite this legal change, many Denotified Tribes (DNTs) and Nomadic Tribes (NTs) continue to face social stigma, discrimination, and lack of formal recognition.

Explanation

Kishenganga: This river flows through the Kashmir Valley, which is located in the northernmost region of India. Therefore, it should be placed first. Ganga: The Ganga originates in the Himalayas, in Uttarakhand, flowing through the northern plains. It is the second river in the north-south direction. Wainganga: The Wainganga originates in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh and flows through the central region of India. So it comes next. Penganga: The Penganga flows through Maharashtra and Telangana, which places it in the southernmost position of these rivers.