Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Sri Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 AD in Tamil Nadu. He is the most respected Acharya in the philosophy of Sri Vaishnavism. Ramanuja was deeply influenced by the Alvars. Shri Ramanujacharya firmly believed that intense devotion to Vishnu was the best means to attain salvation. He is famous as the chief proponent of Vishishtadvaita subschool of Vednta. Vishishtadvaita is a non-dualistic school of Vedanta philosophy in which Brahman alone exists, but is characterized by multiplicity. He was also referred to as Ilaya Perumal, which means the radiant one. His works such as Vedartha-Sangraha, the Sribhasya and the Bhagavad Gita-bhashya aimed at providing a philosophical foundation for devotional worship.

Explanation

Software as a Service (SaaS) refers to software provided by a third party as a service where hosting and maintenance are managed by the provider. Unlike traditional methods requiring local deployment and maintenance SaaS allows direct access to software via thin clients such as web browsers.

Statement 1 is correct: SaaS applications often provide customization options, allowing users to adjust the user interface (UI) and modify data fields according to their business requirements. However, customization is typically limited to certain areas defined by the service provider and may not involve deep structural changes.

Statement 2 is correct: SaaS platforms are accessible via the internet and can be used across devices, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. This accessibility is a key feature of SaaS, as users can access their applications and data on the go through web browsers or mobile apps.

Statement 3 is correct: Email services such as Outlook, Hotmail, and Yahoo Mail are classic examples of SaaS. They deliver email functionality over the internet without requiring users to install software locally. These services are hosted by the provider and accessed through browsers or apps.

Explanation

Parishishta Parvan also called the Sthaviravali Charita. It was written by Hemachandra (12th century CE). It is a Jain historical text that provides biographies of Jain monks and rulers who supported Jainism. It contains details about Chandragupta Maurya’s conversion to Jainism under the guidance of Bhadrabahu. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana is a Jain Purana written by Hemachandra in the 12th century CE. It details the lives of 63 great Jain figures (Shalaka Purushas), including the 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartins, 9 Vasudevas, 9 Balabhadras, and 9 Prati-Vasudevas. Nettipakarana (The Guidebook) is an ancient Pali Buddhist text. It is part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pali Canon and serves as a guide for interpreting Buddhist teachings. Avadanasataka(Century of Noble Deeds) is a Buddhist text written in Sanskrit. It is a collection of Buddhist legends and moral stories, emphasizing karmic consequences and rebirth.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: A fundamental principle of Web 3.0 is to grant users ownership and control over their personal data, reducing reliance on centralized entities. This shift aims to enhance privacy and security for individuals.

Statement 2 is correct: Web 3.0 leverages blockchain technology to create decentralized applications, including social networks. These platforms operate without central authorities, offering users greater control over content and data.

Statement 3 is correct: Decentralization is a hallmark of Web 3.0, where control is distributed among users instead of being held by centralized corporations. This collective operation is facilitated through decentralized networks and consensus mechanisms.

Explanation

ryadeva was a Mahayana Buddhist monk, a disciple of Nagarjuna and a Madhyamaka philosopher. His key work "Catuataka" (Four Hundred Verses) elaborates on Madhyamaka philosophy. His writings are important sources of Madhyamaka in both East Asian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Dignaga, a Buddhist logician and author of the Pramasamuccaya (Compendium of the Means of Valid Knowledge) laid the foundations of Buddhist logic. Nathamuni (9th-10th century CE) was a Vaishnavite scholar and theologian. He is credited with compiling the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of hymns by Tamil Alvars, which became a foundational text in Sri Vaishnavism. He was also the guru of Yamunacharya and predecessor of Ramanuja in the Vishishtadvaita tradition.

Explanation

The updated (2021) WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide recommendations on air quality guideline levels as well as interim targets for six key air pollutants. The guidelines focus on so-called classical pollutants, particulate matter (PM. and PM), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO).

Statement 1 is correct: The 24-hour ceiling mean of PM 2.5 used to be 25 micrograms but has now dropped to 15.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Ozone at ground level is formed by the reaction with sunlight (photochemical reaction) of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicle and industry emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by vehicles, solvents and industry. As a result, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of sunny weather and not during inclement weather.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Particles with a diameter of 10 m (PM10) can reach the lungs but cannot enter the bloodstream. However, particles with a diameter of 2.5 m or less can penetrate deeper into the lungs, reaching the alveoli, enter the bloodstream, and potentially cross blood-organ barriers, impacting various organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. PM (10 microns) can reach deep into the lungs, but the more harmful PM. (2.5 microns) can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream, posing severe health risks.

Statement 4 is correct: Excessive ozone in the air can have a marked effect on human health. It causes breathing problems, triggers asthma, reduces lung function and causes lung diseases. Ozone triggers asthma because it is very irritating to the lungs and airways.

Explanation

Quantum computers are machines that use the properties of quantum physics to store data and perform computations. A classical computer performs operations using classical bits, which can be either 0 or 1. Quantum computer uses quantum bits or Qubits, which can be both 0 and 1 at the same time. Qubits (or quantum bits) are the units of computation in quantum computers. They take advantage of quantum mechanics characteristics, which regulate how matter behaves at the atomic level. Quantum computers are faster, more accurate, & energy efficient. Two important phenomena of quantum physics that are used to achieve functioning of quantum computing are:

1. Superimposition: Each quantum bit (basic unit of information in a quantum computer) can represent both a 1 and a 0 at the same time, which is known as superposition.

2. Quantum Entanglement: Subatomic particles become "entangled" (connected) in quantum entanglement, which means that any change in one upsets the other, even though they are at opposite ends of the universe.

Explanation

Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6 when pH falls below this; it is called Acid rain (pH 4.2 to 4.4). Acid rain results when Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) & Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) react with water, oxygen & other chemicals to form Sulfuric & Nitric acids. Nitrous oxide and Sulphur dioxide cause Acid rain. The acid rain harms microorganisms in the soil; inhibits the activity of nitrogen fixation bacteria; soil acidification; ocean acidification; affects the growth of plants; food chain; kills aquatic animals; corrosion of metals & weathering of stone buildings & statues. NOx + SO₂ + Moisture + other chemicals Acid Rain (HNO₃ + H₂ SO₄)

Explanation

Short-Range Devices (SRDs) are communication technologies designed for limited-distance operations, typically within a few meters to a few hundred meters.

Option 1 is correct: CCTV systems use video cameras to transmit signals to specific monitors for surveillance purposes. The transmission range of CCTV systems is generally confined to the premises being monitored, making them short-range by design.

Option 2 is correct: RFID employs electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. They are typically short-range, with passive RFID tags readable from up to a few meters and active tags extending up to 100 meters.

Option 3 is correct: WLANs enable wireless network communication within a localized area, such as a home or office, using high-frequency radio waves. The effective range of WLANs is usually within 100 meters, categorizing them as short-range communication technologies.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Under India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, foreign-owned e-commerce firms operating as marketplace models (e.g., Amazon, Flipkart) can-not sell their own goods. They are only allowed to provide a platform for third-party sellers.

Statement 2 is correct: The FDI policy limits the degree to which foreign-owned e-commerce firms can own or control sellers on their platforms. For example, a single seller cannot account for more than 25% of the total sales on the platform(as per FDI policy).