Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain. It comprises of four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. It has a distinct history, culture, and language, with Catalan being widely spoken. Catalonia has pursued greater autonomy and independence in recent years, leading to political tensions with the Spanish government.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe and has no territorial claims or historical association with Crimea. It is a peninsula located on the northern coast of the Black Sea. In 1954, it was transferred from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Mindanao is an island located in the Philippines. It is surrounded by the Bohol, Philippine, Cele-bes, and Sulu seas. It is known for its rich cultural diversity, with various indigenous groups and a significant Muslim population.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Oromia is a regional state in Ethiopia, not Nigeria. It is the largest and most populous region in Ethiopia, predominantly inhabited by the Oromo people which is the largest ethnic group in the country. Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in Eastern Africa.

Explanation

Option 1 is correct: Aleppo is a major city in northern Syria. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It has been a focal point in the Syrian Civil War, experiencing significant destruction and humanitarian crises.

Option 2 is incorrect: Kirkuk is a city in northern Iraq and not Yemen. It is known for its ethnic diversity and significant oil re-serves. The city has been a point of contention due to its strategic importance and the presence of various ethnic groups such as Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen.

Option 3 is incorrect: Mosul is a city in northern Iraq, not Palestine. It has been a significant cultural and economic center in Iraq. It was occupied by ISIS from 2014 to 2017, leading to extensive damage and loss of life.

Option 4 is correct: Mazar-i-Sharif is a city in northern Afghanistan. It known for its cultural significance and the Shrine of Hazrat Ali

Explanation

MSTrIPES stands for Monitoring system for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.M-STrIPES was launched in 2010 by NTCA and WII across Indian tiger reserves. It is a software-based monitoring system, designed to assist wild-life protection. The system consists of two components:

Field based methods for ecological monitoring, law enforcement, recording wildlife offences, and patrolling. A specialised GIS application for reporting, analysis, and data storage. Forest guards are required to use a GPS to track their movements as part of MSTrIPES, in addition to entering their observations on site-specific data sheets.

Explanation

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) is a technique used in cloning, where the nucleus of a somatic cell (any cell of the body other than a sperm or egg cell) is transferred into an egg cell whose nucleus has been removed. The SCNT-derived blastocyst used in reproductive cloning is implanted into the uterus of a surrogate mother, where it develops into a foetus and is carried to term.

Option (c) is correct: SCNT is used in reproductive cloning of animals. This technique allows the creation of genetically identical animals, such as Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell in 1996. The process involves taking the nucleus from a somatic cell (e.g., skin cell) of an adult animal and transferring it into an enucleated egg cell. The egg, now containing the somatic cell nucleus, begins to divide and develop into an embryo. This embryo can then be implanted into a surrogate mother to produce an offspring that is genetically identical to the donor animal. Fig.: Some classic examples of successful applications of biotechnology

Explanation

Sun temples in India, dedicated to the Sun God Surya, are renowned for their architectural grandeur and symbolic representation of cosmic order. Famous Sun temples in India are Konark Sun Temple (Odisha), Dakshinaarka Temple at Gaya (Bihar), Bhramanya Dev Temple at Unao (Madhya Pradesh), Sun Temple at Modhera (Gujarat).

Option 1 is correct: Arasavalli located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh is famous for the Suryanarayana Temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya). This temple is one of the few ancient Sun temples in India and is believed to have been built in the 7th century CE by the Kalinga king Devendra Varma. The temple is designed in such a way that the sun’s rays fall directly on the feet of the Sun God’s idol twice a year, during the months of March and September.

Option 2 is incorrect: Amarkantak is a pilgrimage town in Madhya Pradesh which marks the origin of the Narmada River. Here Lord Shiva is worshiped as Narmadeswar Amarkantak.

Option 3 is incorrect: Omkareshwar located in Madhya Pradesh is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is famous for the Omkareshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated on an island in the Narmada River and is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivites. Arasavalli Temple

Explanation

Genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome by identifying the precise order of nucleotides--adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)--that make up its genetic material. This comprehensive analysis provides critical insights into an organism’s genetic information, including variations, mutations, and functional elements such as genes and regulatory regions.

Statement 1 is correct: Genome sequencing can be used to identify specific genes or genetic markers in crops that confer resistance to diseases or tolerance to environmental stresses like drought. This allows plant breeders to select plants with these beneficial traits and accelerate crop improvement.

Statement 2 is correct: Genome sequencing speeds up the breeding process. Instead of relying on traditional trial-and-error methods to cross plants, scientists can use genome information to make more precise genetic selections.

Statement 3 is correct: Genome sequencing can also help researchers understand how crops interact with pathogens (like bacteria, fungi, and viruses). By mapping the genomes of both the host plant and the pathogen, researchers can identify the genes involved in defense mechanisms and the pathogen’s strategies for evading these defenses.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: India’s agriculture sector has shown a gradual decline in contribution to the Indian economy post-reform. India’s traditional occupation, agriculture, currently makes up only 15% of the GDP, down from 29% in 1991.

Statement 2 is correct: India is seen as a successful exporter of IT software, auto parts, textiles, and engineering goods in the reform period. Thus, the share of India’s exports in world trade increased after its liberalisation of economic policies in 1991. India’s share in world exports was around 0.5% in 1990 and increased to approximately 1.85% by 2023 (PwC report).

Statement 3 is correct: The Foreign investments including FDI and FII have increased from about US $ 100 million in 1990-91 to US $ 467 billion in 2012-13.

Statement 4 is correct: The opening up of the economy has led to rapid increase in foreign exchange reserves. In 1991, India had only $5.8 billion in forex reserves, which were insufficient to cover imports for even three weeks. As of 2012-13, forex re-serves had grown to over $292 billion (RBI data).The trend has continued, and as of January 2024, forex reserves are over $620 billion. The increase is due to higher exports, remittances, FDI inflows, and better economic management post-liberalization.

Explanation

The Indus Valley Civilization was highly materialistic, with advanced urban infrastructure, standardized weights, and extensive trade networks. In contrast, the Rig Vedic Civilization had a more pastoral economy, focusing on cattle wealth and ritualistic offerings rather than large-scale material production or urban development.

Statement 1 is correct: The Rigvedic Aryans are described in the Rigveda as using advanced weapons and armor, including coats of mail and helmets. In contrast, the Indus Valley Civilization shows no evidence of such organized military gear, suggesting a less militaristic society.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver, and copper, while the Indus Valley Civilization used copper and bronze, lacking iron. Iron technology emerged after the decline of the Indus Valley, during the later Vedic period.

Statement 3 is correct: The horse seems to have been unknown to the inhabitants of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Horse remains found at Surkotada, dating to around 2000 BCE, suggest the possibility of horses in the Indus Valley. However, Sándor Bökönyi’s analysis of bone fragments is inconclusive and does not definitively prove that the Indus people knew horses.

Explanation

A Bodhisattva in Buddhism is a being who has attained enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of birth and death to help others achieve liberation. Bodhisattvas embody compassion and selflessness, exemplified by figures like Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri.

Option (a) is correct: The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is in Ajanta Cave no 1 located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra which dates back to the 5th century AD. The fresco depicts Bodhisattva Padmapani (the compassionate one holding a lotus) with a calm and meditative expression. Other paintings of Bodhisattvas include Vajrapani (protector and guide, a symbol of Buddha’s power) and Manjusri (manifestation of Buddha’s wisdom). In this painting, Bodhisattva is holding a lotus in his hand in a Tribhanga pose. Fig.: Bodhisattva Padmapani in

Explanation

The framers of the Indian Constitution decided to guarantee every adult Indian citizen the right to vote. This right is enshrined in both the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Article 326 of the Constitution ensures that every citizen above the age of 18 has the right to vote. Additionally, Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, states that the right to vote is available to all individuals who are registered on the electoral roll of a constituency.