Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Alma-Ata Declaration (1978) was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care (PHC) in Alma-Ata (now Almaty, Kazakhstan). It emphasized "Health for All" and the importance of primary healthcare.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 primarily focus on the laws of war and the conduct of hostilities including the prohibition of certain means of warfare. The control of biological and chemical weapons is covered by the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), not the Hague Convention.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Talanoa Dialogue was launched by Fiji during its presidency of the 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2017. It is a facili-tative dialogue aimed at encouraging countries to enhance their climate action and ambition under the Paris Agreement. The term "Talanoa" refers to a traditional Pacific Island approach to inclusive and participatory dialogue.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: The Under2 Coalition is an initiative for climate action which brings together subnational governments (states, provinces, and cities) to limit global warming below 2°C and not on child rights. Child rights are addressed by other organizations and agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Dr. Rakhmabai was an Indian physician and a feminist. At the young age of eleven, she was married to Dadaji Bhikaji, who was then nineteen. The Rakhmabai case did not centrally involve the women’s right to gain education.

Statement 2 is correct: The Rakhmabai case of 1884 was instrumental in the drafting of the Age of Consent Act in 1891.

Statement 3 is correct: She was married off at the young age of eleven with Dadaji Bhikaji, who was nineteen years old. In 1885, after 12 years of marriage, Bhikaji filed a petition in the court and sought "restitution of conjugal rights".

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Union Government provides subsidies on fertilizers to ensure their affordability for farmers and to maintain agricultural self-sufficiency. As a result, fertilizer prices in India are regulated by the government. For example, the retail price of urea is directly controlled, while non-urea fertilizers fall under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, where prices have some market influence but still receive government support.

Statement 2 is correct: Ammonia (NH₃) is a key raw material for making urea. It is produced by reacting natural gas (CH) with steam to extract hydrogen, which then combines with nitrogen from the air to form ammonia in the Haber-Bosch process.

Statement 3 is correct: Sulphur is a key ingredient in the production of phosphoric acid, which is used to make phosphatic fertilizers (e.g., DAP - Di-Ammonium Phosphate). It is obtained as a by-product from oil refineries and natural gas processing plants.

Explanation

Public Investment is the investment by the State (Central, state and local governments or through publicly owned companies) to build the nation’s capital stock by devoting resources to the basic physical infrastructure (such as roads, bridges, rail lines, airports, and water distribution), research and development, etc. that leads to increased output and/or living standards. The following can be considered as Public Investment in Agriculture:

Option 2 is correct: Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies will enhance productivity in the agricultural sector, as there will be easy and timely access of credit. This improves efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of credit for farmers, contributing to agricultural development.

Option 3 is correct: Investing in the development of social capital for farmers fosters a network of support and knowledge-sharing, which can significantly enhance the adoption of new agricultural technologies and practices.

Option 6 is correct: Setting up cold storage facilities by the governments will enhance productivity in the agricultural sector as agricultural products are generally perishable in nature and the facility of cold storage may help in increasing the shelf life of the products. Options 1, 4 and 5 are incorrect:

MSP is a price support mechanism rather than an investment. It ensures farmers get a minimum price for their crops but does not involve creating infrastructure or long-term agricultural improvements. Free electricity supply to farmers reduces costs for farmers, it is a subsidy rather than an investment in long-term infrastructure. Loan waivers offer quick financial relief to farmers burdened with debt, but they do not aid in the improvement of agricultural infrastructure or services. Similar to subsidies, they serve as financial assistance rather than investments aimed at fostering growth or enhancing efficiency.

Explanation

Announced in the 1998-1999 budget, the Kisan Credit Card Scheme aims to provide farmers with the institutional credit they need to meet their financial needs at various phases of farming. It is implemented by all public sector banks, regional rural banks, and cooperative banks across the nation. Options 1, 3 and 4 are correct: Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for the following purposes:

The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme provides credit for working capital requirements, including maintaining and repairing farm assets like equipment, machinery, and other resources. KCC also provides credit for the consumption requirements of the farmer’s family, such as food, fuel, and other basic household needs. Post Harvest Expenses: The scheme provides support for expenses related to post-harvest activities, such as packaging, storage, and transportation. Other than these the Kisan Credit Cards are issued to the farmers so that they may use them to purchase agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and draw cash for their production needs. Options 2 and 5 are incorrect:

The KCC scheme is not intended for funding non-agricultural investments like constructing a family house or setting up a cold storage facility, which are typically covered under other rural development or infrastructure schemes. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks which is not a short term investment. It needs heavy capital and is not possible with short-term credit support provided under KCC.

Explanation

The MSP is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and is announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The main objectives of establishing the MSP are:

To protect farmers from distress sales To procure food grains for the public distribution system (PDS).

Statement 1 is incorrect: While the government does ensure procurement at MSP for certain crops, the procurement is not unlimited. There are limits to the amount that can be procured at MSP, and these limits are determined by the government’s procurement policies and the capacity of procurement agencies like the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The government may also limit procurement based on market conditions, storage capacity, and other factors.

Statement 2 is incorrect: MSP is the minimum price at which the government purchases crops, but it does not ensure that the market price will never surpass the MSP. Market prices can exceed the MSP due to factors like demand, supply, and overall market conditions. While MSP affects market prices, it is not the only factor determining them.

Explanation

Gene therapy is the ability to improve genes through the correction of misplaced (mutated) genes or site-specific alterations with therapeutic treatment as the target. A gene abnormality that has been identified in a child or embryo can be corrected using a variety of techniques known as gene therapy. In this instance, genes are injected to treat an illness into a person’s cells and tissues.

Statement 1 is correct: Genetic modifications can be made to germ cells (sperm or eggs) of prospective parents. Techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 allow for precise editing of DNA in these cells, potentially preventing the transmission of genetic diseases to offspring.

Statement 2 is correct: Genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, allow scientists to precisely modify DNA at the early embryonic stage to correct genetic defects. This approach, called germline editing, involves altering the genome of an embryo at its earliest stage of development, ensuring that all cells in the resulting organism carry the change. These genetic modifications are heritable, meaning they can be passed down to future generations. While this technique offers the potential to prevent inherited genetic disorders, it also raises serious ethical concerns, such as the possibility of creating "designer babies" and safety challenges, including the risk of unintended genetic changes (off-target effects) that could cause unforeseen health issues.

Statement 3 is correct: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been experimentally integrated into pig embryos to create interspecies chimeras. This research aims to understand developmental biology and explore organ transplantation possibilities, such as growing human-compatible organs in animals.

Explanation

The protection against untouchability is specifically provided under Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, which is part of the Right to Equality. Article 17 explicitly abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offense. It is a direct form of discrimination based on caste, and its prohibition is a cornerstone of the right to equality in India. Articles 14 to 18 deals with ‘Right to Equality’:

Equality before Law (Article 14) Prohibition of discrimination based on grounds of religion, race, caste etc. (Article 15) Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment (Article 16) Abolition of Untouchability (Article 17) Abolition of titles (Article 18)

Explanation

During the Gupta period, different land measures were known in different regions such as Nivartana, Kulyavapa, and Dronavapa. These units of measurement, including Kulyavapa and Dronavapa, are mentioned in inscriptions from Bengal, as well as in texts like the Arthashastra and other regional inscriptions of the Gupta period. The term ‘’vap" means ‘’to sow". Kulyavapa means the area required to sow one kulya of grain and the Dronavyapa was the area required to sow one drona of grain. One kulya is equal to eight drona.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by emphasizing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The Article 3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948) says that "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

Statement 2 is correct: DPSPs are the principles that aim at providing social and economic justice and set the path towards the welfare state. This DPSP has a resemblance with UDHR Article 22. The article 22 of UDHR 1948 says that "Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security."

Statement 3 is correct: Fundamental duties (Article 51A) are basically civic and moral obligations of all citizens of India. Similarly Article 29 of the UDHR emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between individual rights and duties to the community.