Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

The Parliamentary System is also referred to as the Cabinet form of Government. It establishes a system of collective responsibility of the executive to the legislative which is directly responsible to the people. Parliamentary system is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. It is through the powers of motions, discussion over budget, etc that the Parliament enforces the responsibility of the executive to itself and to the people ultimately.

Explanation

Sankirtana is a Meitei cultural performance art which includes a wide range of artistic expressions carried out to commemorate special religious occasions and different phases in the lives of the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains. Sankirtana rituals are centered around temples and domestic spaces, where dancers and singers narrate stories of Lord Krishna’s life and actions through dance and song. In 2013, UNESCO added Manipur’s distinctive cultural legacy to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Statement 1 is correct: Manipuri Sankirtana is a vibrant combination of song and dance. It is a form of devotional performance that involves singing, drumming, and dancing, often performed in a circular formation. The performers sing hymns and devotional songs, accompanied by rhythmic movements and drumming.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While cymbals (kartal) are an essential part of Manipuri Sankirtana but they are not the only instruments used. The primary instrument in Sankirtana is the Pung, a traditional Manipuri drum. Other instruments such as the harmonium and flute may also be used in some performances.

Statement 3 is correct: Manipuri Sankirtana is deeply connected to the Vaishnavite tradition and its themes often revolve around the life and deeds of Lord Krishna. The lyrics of the songs are usually devotional praising Krishna and recounting episodes from his life such as his childhood exploits (Bal Leela) and his divine love for Radha.

Explanation

Statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct:

The Indian Constitution adopts the federal system of Government, but with more tilt towards a unitary system of government. So, every state government does not have power of its own. Thus it is considered as a quasi-federal system. The features of a federation are Two level of Government, Division of powers, Written Constitution, Supremacy of Constitution, Rigidity of Constitution, Independent judiciary, Bicameralism, etc Statement (d) is incorrect: The term "Union of States" is used instead of "Federation of States" for two key reasons:

First, unlike the American federation, India’s union is not based on an agreement among states, and second, states cannot secede from the union. While the union is indestructible, states can be reorganized or have their borders changed by the central government. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described it as "an indestructible union of destructible states."

Explanation

The Parliamentary system is also known as the Cabinet Government/ Responsible government/ Westminster model of government. It provides for collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature. The features of parliamentary government in India are:

Presence of nominal and real executives Majority party rule Collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature Membership of the ministers in the legislature Leadership of the prime minister or the chief minister Dissolution of the lower House (Lok Sabha or Assembly).

Explanation

The Kakatiya dynasty ruled in South India. The dynasty governed much of the eastern Deccan region, which includes modern-day Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka and southern Odisha, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Their capital was Orugallu, now called Warangal.

Option (b) is correct: Motupalli was the chief port of the Kakatiyas and this port was visited by the Venetian traveller, Marco Polo. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Kakinada emerged as a significant port much later, after the decline of the Kakatiya dynasty. While Machilipatnam was the main port of Golconda Kingdom, In the thirteenth century, the port town of Nelluru was a part of the Kakatiya kingdom. After a while, it passed back and forth between Kakatiya and Pandyas until Pandyas was vanquished by Prataprudra II. But Motupalli was more important than this.

Explanation

Transfer of pollen grains (shed from the anther) to the stigma of a pistil is termed pollination. Flowering plants have evolved an amazing array of adaptations to achieve pollination. Depending on the source of pollen, pollination is divided into three types, i. e. Autogamy, Geitonogamy and Xenogamy.

Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are important pollinators for many flowering plants. Plant species particularly those that produce brightly colored, scented flowers with deep nectar tubes are adapted to butterfly pollination. A drastic fall in butterfly populations would result in reduced pollination, affecting plant reproduction and possibly leading to a decline in the population of such plant species.

Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no direct link between butterfly populations and fungal infections in cultivated plants. Fungal infections are influenced by factors like humidity, temperature, plant health, and soil conditions rather than by the presence or absence of butterflies.

Statement 3 is correct: Butterflies form a crucial part of the food chain, serving as prey for birds, wasps, spiders, and other insectivores. Many species of small birds (e.g., flycatch-ers, warblers, bee-eaters) depend on butterflies and their larvae (caterpillars) as a major food source. If butterfly populations decline then predators depending on them may suffer a population decline.

Explanation

The preamble to the Indian Constitution assures to all citizens- liberty of thought, liberty of expression, liberty of belief, liberty of faith and worship. However, economic liberty is not directly mentioned in the Preamble. While economic rights and the goal of economic justice are addressed in the Directive Principles of State Policy, the Preamble does not specifically include economic liberty as one of its stated objectives.

Explanation

The Preamble to the Constitution of India reflects the vision and values of the framers, including justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It outlines the objectives of the Constitution, such as ensuring social, economic, and political justice, and promoting unity and dignity. In the Berubari case, the court held that the Preamble was not part of the Constitution’s operative provisions, meaning it did not have legal force in itself, although it could help in interpreting the Constitution’s provisions. The Supreme Court has affirmed its importance in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), where it was recognized as integral to understanding the Constitution makers intent and philosophy, and it overturned opinion in the Berubari case. So, now Preamble stands as part of the constitution.

Explanation

India’s cultural landscape is marked by a wide array of religious traditions that include the Chaliha Sahib Festival (Sindhis), Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra (Garhwalis), Wari-Warkari (Maharashtrians), Baisakhi (Punjabis), Bohag Bihu (Assamese), and Onam (Keralites)

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Chaliha Sahib Festival is a significant religious festival celebrated by the Sindhi community. It is dedicated to Jhulelal the patron saint of the Sindhis and involves 40 days of fasting, prayers, and rituals.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is a major pilgrimage in Uttarakhand associated with Garhwali and Kumaono community, not Gond community. It is a traditional yatra (pilgrimage) that takes place every 12 years, and involves a journey to the Nanda Devi peak.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Wari-Warkari tradition is associated with the Warkari sect of Maharashtra, not the Santhal community. The Warkari sect is a devotional movement centered around the worship of Lord Vitthal (a form of Lord Krishna) and involves an annual pilgrimage to the Pandharpur temple.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is also the primary vector for dengue fever. This mosquito species thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, making it a common carrier for both diseases. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is well-adapted to urban environments and breeds in stagnant water, such as in containers, flower pots, and discarded tires.

Statement 2 is correct: Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual contact unlike other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue or chikungunya. The virus can remain in semen for an extended period even after symptoms have resolved. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects such as microcephaly.