Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Equality in the society can be maintained by ending the institutional system of inequality and ensuring absence of privileges. The lack of any special privileges for any individual is a concept related to Equality Before Law (which is a British Concept and denotes positive notion). This concept entails equal subjection of all persons to the ordinary law of the land administered by ordinary law courts, and no one is above the law, regardless of their status (rich or poor, high or low, official or not. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Absence of Restraint does not necessarily imply equality in society as restraining the actions of the society curtails the liberty of the individual. Absence of Competition in society may result in monopoly, which would not imply equality, rather inequality in the society. Absence of ideology does not imply equality in society. Ideology is a set of principles or beliefs of a group/institution in the society.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) was not organized by the United Nations (UN). It was a global initiative launched by the United States under President Barack Obama in 2010 to prevent nuclear terrorism by securing nuclear materials. The summits were held in 2010 (Washington, D.C.), 2012 (Seoul), 2014 (The Hague), and 2016 (Washington, D.C.). These summits aimed at addressing nuclear terrorism and securing vulnerable nuclear materials but were independent of the UN framework. The UN, IAEA, and Interpol were involved in discussions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) is an independent group of experts focused on policy research related to nuclear disarmament and fissile material production. It works to reduce and secure global stocks of fissile materials like highly enriched uranium and plutonium but operates as a non-governmental organization. It is not an official organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA deals with nuclear safeguards and monitoring, but IPFM operates separately as an independent research body.

Explanation

Rights are legal, social, or ethical entitlements that individuals possess, often protected by a constitution or laws. In a democracy, rights are claims of citizens against the state, ensuring that the government respects, protects, and upholds their freedoms and dignity. These rights limit the state’s power to interfere in citizens’ personal lives. In India, Fundamental Rights, enshrined in Part III of the Constitution, safeguard individual freedoms by preventing unjust state actions that violate these rights. John Locke argued that natural rights such as life, liberty, and property must be protected by the state.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Lip items like lipsticks and other cosmetics including eye shadow, blush, compact powder, shampoo, and body lotion frequently include the contaminant lead.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: In some sodas and soft drinks, the citrus flavour is sometimes prevented from breaking out by the food additive brominated vegetable oil.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: MSG is commonly added to Chinese fast food and other processed foods to enhance flavor. While it is generally recognized as safe, some individuals may experience sensitivity to MSG, leading to symptoms like headaches or nausea.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy is an initiative of the European Union (EU), created by EU in 2015. It is aimed at removing digital trade barriers among EU member states to create a unified and efficient digital economy. The strategy aims to remove barriers to cross-border online activities, enhance digital connectivity, and promote fair competition. The DSM Strategy is a key part of the EU’s Digital Decade Policy for global digital leadership. It focuses on three key pillars:

Improving access to digital goods and services, Creating an environment for digital networks and services to thrive, and Maximizing the growth potential of the digital economy.

Explanation

It (GGGI) is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Global Gender Gap Index was introduced in 2006 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Index ranks countries based on gender parity (0 = complete inequality, 1 = complete equality). It measures gender equality across four key areas:

Economic Participation and Opportunity Educational Attainment Health and Survival Political Empowerment

Explanation

Efficient water use in agriculture refers to practices and techniques that aim to maximize the productivity of crops while minimizing water consumption. It involves employing methods such as capturing and storing water and drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the plant roots, reducing losses due to evaporation or runoff. Statements 1 and 3 are correct: Conservation Tillage includes no-till farming or zero tillage which is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage. Zero tillage helps in soil moisture conservation. Crop residues act as mulches and reduce evaporation losses and protect the soil from direct impact of raindrops, thus controlling crusting and sealing processes.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Though, Gypsum helps in dissolution of the salt clay pan found in soils that hinder the percolation of water and helps in water conservation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Buddhism.

Statement 2 is correct: Sarvastivadin considers everything empirical to be impermanent, they maintain that the dharma factors are eternally existing realities. Sarvastivadin:

Believes in the eternal existence of dharma factors Affirms the presence of past, present, and future Criticized by Sautrantikas for violating the Buddhist idea of impermanence. Sautrantika:

Descended from the Sarvastivadins Relies on sutras rather than Abhidharma commentaries Adheres to extreme momentariness, believing only the current moment exists Criticizes Sarvastivadin’s belief in the existence of past, present, and future phenomena Sammitiya and other sub-schools:

Branches off from Vatsiputriya, a parent school Well-known in Gujarat and Sindh during the Maitraka dynasty Split into two sub-schools: Avantakas and Kurukulas

Explanation

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, was enacted during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It significantly altered the Constitution adding in the Preamble socialist, secular, and integrity objectives.

Option (b) is correct: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added three new Directive Principles to the original list and they are:

Article 39 A: To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor. Article 43 A: To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries. Article 48 A: To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife.

Explanation

The directive principles are in the nature of instruments of instruction to the government of the day to achieve certain ends by their actions. Directive Principles of State Policy does not impose any limitations on any organ of the State but they act as moral and political obligations for the state to pursue welfare-oriented policies. It is a guideline that the government of the day can use for the welfare of the socially and economically backward classes while framing any rules. It is the fundamental rights that constitute limitations upon state action (whether legislative or executive).