Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

In ancient Indian Non-Vedic religious traditions like Buddhism and Jainism, distinct roles and terminologies were used to describe various types of spiritual practitioners and followers such as Parivrajaka, Shramana and Upasaka.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Sanskrit word Parivrajaka means renunciant & wanderer in English. Ajita Keshkambalin, Makhkhali Goshala, Gauthama Buddha, and Vardhamana Mahavira are a few well-known examples for Parivrajaka.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Brahmins were privileged as intermediaries between God and its followers, making them socially dominant groups of the society. There have been many movements that tried to distance themselves from this practice and belief. Shramanas were one such group. Famous among them were Buddhists, Jains, lokayats, and Ajivikas. The Shramanas included a variety of ascetics, monks and lay followers of various sects. They renounced worldly life to search for the truth about life and the universe. The main feature of Shramana was their equal treatment. They lived as an equal member of the order, without any caste distinctions.

Pair 3 is correct: Lay followers of Buddhism were known as Upsakas or Upasikas. This title is used for the followers of Buddhism who were not monks, nuns and took certain vows.

Explanation

Visible Light Communication (VLC) uses visible light for data communication. Optical wireless communications methods include VLC as a subset. Because light-producing equipment (such as indoor/outdoor lamps, TVs, traffic signs, commercial displays, and car headlights/taillights) are utilised everywhere, VLC can be employed as a communications channel for ubiquitous computing.

Statement 1 is correct: Visible Light Communication (VLC) operates within the visible light spectrum which ranges from approximately 375 nm (violet) to 780 nm (red). VLC uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit data by modulating light intensity.

Statement 2 is incorrect: VLC is considered a short-range communication technology due to the limitations of light propagation. It is effective over short distances such as within a room or confined space and is not designed for long-range communication like radio frequency (RF) technologies.

Statement 3 is correct: VLC has the potential to transmit data at very high speeds often exceeding the data rates of Bluetooth. VLC can achieve data rates in the range of gigabits per second (Gbps) while Bluetooth typically operates at much lower speeds (up to a few megabits per second).

Statement 4 is correct: VLC operates in the visible light spectrum, which does not interfere with radio frequency (RF) signals. This makes VLC particularly useful in environments where electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a concern such as hospitals, aircraft, and industrial settings.

Explanation

DPSP embodies the concept of a ‘welfare state’. A welfare state refers to a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the economic and social well-being of its citizens. Article 38 (1) states that "The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life".

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer is generally covered under cyber insurance policies. If a malware attack disrupts access to your computer system the insurance can covers the expenses related to restoring the system to its original state.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Cyber insurance policies do not cover physical damage to hardware. They primarily focus on digital and financial losses. If a computer is physically damaged by a miscreant, it would fall under general insurance or property insurance rather than cyber insurance. These insurance policies are primarily focused on addressing losses arising from cybercrimes affecting data and software.

Statement 3 is correct: Cyber insurance often covers the cost of hiring cybersecurity experts, consultants, or negotiators to minimize financial and reputational losses in case of cyber extortion such as ransomware attacks.

Statement 4 is correct: Cyber insurance policies often provide coverage for legal defense costs if a third party initiates a lawsuit related to a cyber incident. This includes expenses such as attorney fees and other legal charges. Example: Bajaj Allianz’s policy covers defense costs arising from claims made by third parties against the insured individual.

Explanation

Part IV of the Constitution of India deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which are outlined in Articles 36 to 51.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The DPSP are not enforceable by courts. According to Article 37, the DPSPs are not justiciable (i.e., they cannot be enforced through legal action in courts). They are not legally binding and do not carry any legal consequences if violated.

Statement 2 is correct: The provisions of the Directive Principles of State Policy are not enforceable by any court. This means that citizens cannot directly approach the courts for the enforcement of these principles, unlike Fundamental Rights (which are enforceable in court).

Statement 3 is correct: Although DPSPs are not enforceable by courts, they are intended to influence the state’s policies and lawmaking process. They act as guiding principles for the government to ensure that the laws passed are aligned with the values of social justice, equality, and welfare.

Explanation

Blockchain technology is a decentralized and secure system for recording and verifying transactions across multiple computers. It uses cryptography to link blocks of data together in a chain, making it difficult to alter or tamper with the information. This technology has applications in various fields, including finance, supply chain management, and healthcare.

Statement 1 is correct: Blockchain operates as a decentralized and distributed ledger, allowing all participants to view transactions without granting control to any single user. This transparency and lack of central authority are fundamental characteristics of blockchain technology.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While blockchain gained prominence through cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, its applications extend far beyond digital currencies. Blockchain’s versatile structure supports various uses, including supply chain management, healthcare data management, and identity verification, among others.

Statement 3 is correct: Public blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, enable developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) without requiring approval from a central authority. This open-access design promotes innovation and encourages widespread participation within the blockchain ecosystem.

Explanation

Article 50 (Part IV, Directive Principle of State Policy) specifically addresses the separation of the judiciary from the executive. This principle is rooted in liberal-intellectual ideals, which align with the doctrine of separation of powers. The separation ensures that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches function independently, preventing the concentration of power in one branch. By doing so, it helps safeguard individual rights and freedoms, crucial for a functioning democracy.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Free legal services are available to the groups of society that are listed under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, they are:

Women and children Members of SC/ST Industrial workmen Victims of mass disaster, violence, flood, drought, earthquake industrial disaster Disabled persons Persons in custody Persons whose annual income does not exceed 1 lakh or may be prescribed by the State Government Beggars or those who have fallen victim to human trafficking.

Statement 2 is correct: Income limit for Transgender is Rs. 2,00,000.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Though there is a provision for free aid to members of SC and ST community, the Legal Services Authority does not mention Other Backward Classes (OBC) while providing free legal services.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The provision of free legal services to Senior Citizens is dependent on the rules framed by the respective state governments who can prescribe income limits. As a result, not all elderly people qualify for free legal assistance.

Explanation

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a grade of crude oil that serves as a major benchmark for oil prices globally. WTI is a high-quality, light, and sweet crude oil. It is called "light" because it has a low density, and "sweet" because it contains low sulfur content. These characteristics make it ideal for refining into gasoline and other high-demand petroleum products. It is one of the three major benchmarks for crude oil prices, alongside Brent Crude (from the North Sea) and Dubai Crude. It is widely used as a reference price for oil in the Americas. WTI prices often make headlines because they reflect global oil market trends and have significant implications for energy costs, economic stability, and geopolitical dynamics.

Explanation

At room temperature, benzene is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a sweet odor and is highly flammable. It evaporates quickly into the air, and its vapor is denser than air, which can cause it to settle in low-lying areas. Benzene is a toxic air pollutant released from various sources and it can also contaminate water.

Option (a) is correct: Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. It is also present in gasoline, cigarette smoke, and crude oil, fuel evaporation, coal and oil combustion, and other activities. In various industries, benzene is used as a raw material to produce chemicals for making plastics, resins, nylon, and synthetic fibers. It is also found in the production of certain lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Although varnishes and paints may contain benzene, and the thermal breakdown of polyurethane can release benzene among other substances, these are not well-established as sources of benzene pollution.