Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Subsidiary Alliance was a diplomatic strategy introduced by Lord Wellesley in 1798, aiming to maintain British control over Indian states.

Option (c) is correct: The Subsidiary Alliance aimed to establish British paramountcy over the Indian States and to ensure their military and political subservience to the British East India Company. Securing a fixed income for the company was not the primary objective of the system. Hyderabad was the first state to come under it. The native Indian ruler had to pay for the maintenance of the British army and if he failed to make the payment, a portion of his territory was taken away and ceded to the British. They could not engage in alliances with other powers without British consent.

Explanation

Rajput regional paintings, flourishing in Rajasthan from the 16th to 19th centuries, are known for their vibrant colors, detailed depictions of court life, and themes from Hindu mythology. Styles like Mewar, Marwar, and Bundi showcase ornate portraits, landscapes, and historical events with a distinctive blend of Persian and Indian artistic traditions.

Option (d) is correct: Bani Thani paintings are a distinctive style of Indian miniature art that originated in the 18th century in the Rajput kingdom of Kishangarh, Rajasthan. Bani Thani painted by artist Nihal Chand is often referred to as the "Mona Lisa of India" and depicts a courtesan who was the muse and beloved of Raja Sawant Singh. The painting is characterized by its graceful curves, large eyes, and delicate features.

Explanation

Carnatic music is a classical music tradition of South India, characterized by its intricate ragas (melodies) and talas (rhythms), with a strong emphasis on vocal performance and improvisation. Prominent early singers include Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri, and Tyagaraja, who significantly contributed to its development through their compositions and performances.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Tyagaraja is known for his devotional songs (Kritis) to Lord Rama and not Lord Krishna.

Statement 2 is correct: He innovated the technique of structural variations of musical lines and created new Ragas.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Annamacharya belonged to the 15th century whereas Tyagaraja belonged to the 18th century and so they are non-contemporary.

Statement 4 is correct: Annamacharya is renowned for his keertanas (devotional songs), most of which are dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, the deity of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.

Explanation

The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) in the Rajmahal Hills was sparked by the oppression of revenue officials, police, moneylenders, and landlords (referred to as "dikus" by the Santhals). Led by Sido and Kanhu, the Santhals revolted, declaring independence from the British. The rebellion was suppressed by 1856 after extensive military action.

Statement (1) is correct: After the Santhal Uprising (1855-56), the British created the Santhal Parganas in 1855 by carving out areas from Bhagalpur and Birbhum districts to provide the Santhals with a separate administrative region.

Statement (2) is correct: The British introduced legal restrictions on land transfers, making it illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal. This was done to prevent exploitation by moneylenders (Mahajans) and landlords (Zamindars), which had been a major cause of the rebellion.

Explanation

“If there are no laws, there is no liberty" is attributed to John Locke. Law and liberty are not opposed; rather, laws protect liberty.

Option (a) is incorrect: If there are more laws, there is less liberty: This implies that law restricts liberty, which is not always the case. Well-structured laws are meant to protect and preserve liberty by ensuring order and justice. For instance, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 empowers citizens by promoting transparency in governance, thereby strengthening democracy and individual freedom.

Option (b) is correct: Without laws, there would be chaos, and individual liberty would be at risk. Laws provide the framework that allows liberty to exist and be protected. They ensure that people can enjoy their freedoms without infringing on others’ rights. For instance, without laws regulating traffic, there would be chaos on the roads, leading to accidents and endangering lives.

Option (c) is incorrect: If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people: While it is important for laws to reflect the will of the people, this option is not as broadly applicable. Liberty can exist even when laws are made by representatives or through other legitimate processes.

Option (d) is incorrect: If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger: Frequent changes in law may cause instability, but it does not inherently endanger liberty. As long as changes are made transparently and for the benefit of society, liberty can be maintained.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correct: Chapchar Kut is a spring festival of Mizo people in Mizoram. It is celebrated in March after they complete their jhum cultivation (Jungle clearing).

Pair 2 is correct: The Khongjom Parba is a traditional ballad form from Manipur. It commemorates the bravery of Manipuri warriors, particularly the Battle of Khongjom fought during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. The ballad is performed with a combination of singing and storytelling with the accompaniment of instruments like the dholak (a type of drum).

Pair 3 is incorrect: Thang-Ta is an ancient Manipuri Martial Art dance developed from the war environment of Manipur by the Meitei community. Thang-Ta was also known as Huyen Lallong which means ‘The art of sword and the spear’.

Explanation

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are international treaties between two or more countries designed to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade and investment, ASEAN has established Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with multiple countries. Its FTA partners include Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. Canada and the USA have not signed FTA with ASEAN.

Explanation

The Additional Protocol (AP) is a legal agreement between a country and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that strengthens the IAEA’s ability to verify that nuclear materials are not being diverted for non-peaceful purposes. It expands the IAEA’s access to nuclear facilities and provides additional transparency measures. India signed the Additional Protocol with the IAEA in 2009, and it came into force in 2014.

Option (a) is correct: The Additional Protocol strengthens IAEA oversight over India’s civilian nuclear reactors, ensuring non-diversion of nuclear material for military purposes. India voluntarily placed 14 civilian reactors under IAEA safeguards as part of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal (2008).

Option (b) is incorrect: India’s military nuclear installations are not subject to IAEA safeguards as India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Option (c) is incorrect: While ratifying the protocol demonstrates India’s commitment to non-proliferation but it does not directly grant the privilege to buy uranium from NSG countries. However, it played a role in securing an NSG waiver in 2008 which allowed India to access nuclear technology and materials despite not being an NPT signatory

Option (d) is incorrect: Ratifying the Additional Protocol does not automatically make India a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). NSG membership requires a consensus among all member states, and India’s membership has faced opposition due to its non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Explanation

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has two key conventions focused on child labour:

ILO Convention 138 (Minimum Age Convention, 1973) focuses on the abolition of child labour by setting a minimum age for employment or work, which should not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, for most of the countries, not less than 15 years. It aims to ensure that children are not employed in work that jeopardizes their health, safety, or morals. ILO Convention 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999) aims to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, including slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, forced labour, and hazardous work. It is recognized as one of the core ILO conventions, widely ratified by countries worldwide.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The Israel-Palestine conflict is the primary context where the "two-state solution" is discussed. The "two-state solution" refers to the proposal for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict by creating two independent states:

Israel as a Jewish state.

Palestine as a separate sovereign state, comprising the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The two-state solution is widely supported by the United Nations, USA, and European Union as a way to bring peace to the region. However, territorial disputes, Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and political disagreements have hindered its implementation. Options (a) (c), and (d) are incorrect:

China has territorial disputes (e.g., Taiwan, Tibet, South China Sea), but the "two-state solution" is not related to China. Iraq has internal conflicts (e.g., Sunni-Shia tensions, Kurdish independence), but not a two-state issue. Yemen is dealing with a civil war, not a two-state conflict.