Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In India, the important pulse crops grown in winter (rabi) are chickpea, lentil, lathyrus, field pea and kidney bean. However, green gram, black gram and cowpea are grown in both spring and rainy season. Black gram (Urad dal) can be cultivated in both kharif (monsoon) and rabi (winter) seasons in India, making it a versatile crop in the country’s agricultural cycle.

Statement 2 is incorrect: According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), the share of pulse production in 2018-19 was as follows: Tur (15.34%), Gram (43.29%), Moong (Green gram, 10.04%), Urad (Black gram, 13.93%), Lentil (6.67%), and other pulses (10%). Green gram alone does not account for nearly half of India’s total pulse production.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Over the past three decades, both kharif pulses and rabi pulses have experienced increased production due to improved agricultural practices, increased area under cultivation, and better support for pulse farming.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Cotton is India’s most important fiber crop, accounting for about 25% of the world’s cotton production. Cotton growing condition requirements:

Temperature and climate: Cotton flourishes in a subtropical climate with optimal temperatures ranging from 21°C to 30°C. Rainfall: Cotton needs 50 to 100 cm of rainfall during its growing period, but excessive or waterlogged conditions can negatively affect its growth. Soil Type: Cotton grows best in light, well-drained, moisture-retaining soils, especially the black cotton soil of the Deccan Plateau, which has high moisture-retention capacity. Frost-Free Days: Requires at least 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine to complete its life cycle. Growing Season: It is a kharif crop and typically takes 6 to 8 months to mature Top Cotton Producing States: Gujarat > Maharashtra > Telangana > Andhra Pradesh > Rajasthan. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Jute: Requires high rainfall (150-200 cm) and humid weather, not subtropical conditions. Sugarcane: Requires higher rainfall (75-200 cm) and thrives mainly in tropical regions. Tea: Requires cool, humid conditions, heavy rainfall (150-300 cm), and acidic soils, unlike the drier conditions needed for cotton.

Explanation

In India, minerals are classified as major minerals and minor minerals under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Major minerals are those specified in the First Schedule of the Act and are under the regulatory control of the central government. Minor minerals are defined under Section 3(e) of the Act and are regulated by state governments.

Option (d) is correct: The following are Major minerals:

Chromite is an oxide mineral of chromium and iron and is the primary source for chromium. It is extensively used in metallurgy, refractory materials, and chemicals. Kyanite is a typically blue silicate mineral used in refractory and ceramic products. Sillimanite is an alumino-silicate mineral used in high-temperature ceramics and refractories. Bentonite is a type of clay formed from volcanic ash and is primarily used in drilling mud, binder, purifier, and absorbent applications. In India, bentonite is officially classified as a minor mineral.

Explanation

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has six schedules. Schedule VI mandates, ‘no person is allowed to cultivate a specified plant mentioned in schedule 6, except with a licence granted by the Chief WildLife Warden’. The plants mentioned in the sixth schedule includes:

Beddomes Cycad Blue Vanda Kuth Ladies slipper orchids Pitcher plant Red Vanda

Explanation

Steel Slag, a by-product of steel making, is produced during the separation of the molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces. The slag occurs as a molten liquid melt and is a complex solution of silicates and oxides that solidi-fies upon cooling.

Statement 1 is correct: Steel slag is widely used as a base course material in road construction, providing a strong and durable foundation beneath asphalt roads, tracks, and paved surfaces. Its high strength, resistance to deformation, and excellent drainage properties enhance pavement longevity.

Statement 2 is correct: Steel slag can be used in the agricultural sector due to its ability to correct soil acidity. In fact, developed countries like Japan, the USA have taken the lead in making fertilisers using steel-making slag.

Statement 3 is correct: Additionally, it is utilized in the production of Portland slag cement (PSC), where it is blended with ordinary Portland cement to improve durability and resistance to chemical attacks. This not only enhances cement quality but also promotes sustainable construction by recycling industrial byproducts.

Explanation

Option 1 is correct: Copper slag is a by-product obtained during smelting and refining of copper. The use of copper slag in cement and concrete provides potential environmental as well as economic benefits.

Option 2 is correct: Cold mix asphalt is produced by mixing unheated mineral aggregate with either emulsified bitumen or foamed bitumen. It is suitable for light to medium trafficked roads when used in base and surface courses.

Option 3 is correct: The Government has allowed the use of coir based geotextiles for construction of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 2020. Options 4 and 5 are incorrect: Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is a combination of approximately 95% stone, sand, or gravel bound together by asphalt cement, a product of crude oil. The wide use of hot mix technology leads to environmental pollution as these plants emit a huge amount of greenhouse gases. Portland cement is a major CO₂ emitter.

Explanation

IAEA safeguards apply to nuclear reactors using imported uranium as part of India’s international agreements. These safeguards ensure that the imported fuel is strictly used for civilian purposes and not diverted for military use. However, not all nuclear reactors in India are placed under IAEA safeguards. Reactors using domestic uranium are not subject to these safeguards allowing flexibility for strategic programs. By keeping reactors using domestic uranium outside IAEA safeguards, India maintains the flexibility to support its strategic programs without external oversight. As of recent data, out of India’s 22 operational reactors, 14 are under IAEA safeguards because they utilize imported fuel.

Explanation

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a cryptographic framework that ensures secure electronic transactions, authentication, and digital signatures. It involves the use of public and private keys, digital certificates, and certificate authorities to enable safe communication online. PKI plays a crucial role in areas such as e-governance, online banking, Aadhaar authentication, and cybersecurity. In India, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) oversees digital signature certificates (DSCs) and encryption technologies under the Information Technology Act, 2000, making PKI integral to the country’s digital security infrastructure.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Short-term foreign debt is a major vulnerability during a financial crisis. When global confidence deteriorates, investors can pull their short-term funds out of emerging markets very quickly. This sudden outflow of capital can cause a currency crisis, sharp interest rate increases, and severe economic disruption. A lower reliance on such borrowings provides greater resilience.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Opening up to more foreign banks would lead to enhanced exposure to the global economy. While foreign banks can introduce advanced practices and enhance capital availability, they also increase India’s exposure to global financial shocks. During crises these banks often prioritize their home markets, reducing support to Indian operations and exacerbating credit shortages. Greater foreign bank presence may foster interconnectedness but does not guarantee immunity, potentially heightening India’s vulnerability to external disruptions.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Capital account convertibility means no restriction on the amount one can convert into foreign currency to enable one to acquire any foreign assets and vice versa. In case of a financial crisis it can create a situation of "Capital flight" where a foreign investor can withdraw all his money at once.

Explanation

Demand deposit accounts consist of funds held in a bank account from which deposited funds can be withdrawn at any time while a term deposit account restricts access for a predetermined time(Fixed deposits accounts, Recurring deposits accounts). Current accounts and savings accounts are demand deposits. Money = total currency with the public + demand deposits of the public with banks. When you withdraw Rs. 1,00,000 in cash from your demand deposit account, you’re simply changing the form of your money. You’re not changing the total amount of money in the economy. Before the withdrawal: You have Rs. 1,00,000 in your bank account, which is part of the money supply (specifically, it’s part of the deposit component of the money supply). After the withdrawal: You have Rs. 1,00,000 in cash. This cash is also part of the money supply (specifically, it’s part of the currency in circulation component). The money has just moved from one "pocket" of the money supply to another. The overall quantity of money remains the same.