Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya (ruler of Vijayanagar empire), the taxation system was quite well-organized and efficient. The tax rate was fixed between one-third and one-sixth depending on the quality of the land. This method ensured that the tax burden was more equitable, as fertile land produced higher yields and therefore could bear a higher tax rate.

Statement 2 is correct: Commercial taxes consisting of levies, duties and customs on manufactured articles of trade were also levied. Private owners of workshops also paid an industry tax. In addition to the land tax, there were taxes levied on shopkeepers, farm workers, farm servants, laborers, posters, shoemakers, musicians, etc. Grazing and house taxes were also imposed.

Explanation

Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that applies small amounts of water and fertilizer uniformly across a specific area. Examples of drip irrigation methods include surface drip irrigation, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), drip tape, and micro-sprinklers.

Option 1 is correct: Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the plant’s root zone, reducing water availability for weeds, which helps in minimizing weed growth.

Option 2 is incorrect: Some of the disadvantages of Drip Irrigation are sensitivity to clogging, problem of moisture distribution, salinity hazards and high cost compared to furrow.

Option 3 is correct: Drip irrigation generally doesn’t contribute to significant erosion since water is delivered at low pressures and in controlled amounts, unlike surface irrigation where water flow can lead to erosion.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 introduced separate electorates on the basis of religion, thus introducing a system of communal representation. This was not the reason for the Congress split in 1907.

Option (b) is correct: There were ideological differences between the Moderates and Extremists over the method of achieving self-rule, leadership struggles, and the evolving political climate under British rule. The Surat split was caused because of Extremists’ lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government’.

Option (c) is incorrect: Formation of Muslim League in 1906 at Dhaka was not the reason for Congress split in 1907.

Option (d) is incorrect: Aurobindo Ghosh’s inability to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress was not a reason for the Surat Split.

Explanation

The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ was a reaction to the British decision to partition Bengal, calling for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of indigenous industries. It played a significant role in uniting Indians against colonial rule and sparked a broader nationalistic awakening.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a monotheistic movement, mystical in nature, developed within Shaivism in the Tamil region. This was known as the Sittars or Siddhas. The term siddha literally means one who has attained perfection as distinct from a bhakta who is attempting to perceive god.

Statement 2 is correct: The Lingayats of kannada region challenged the idea of caste-heirarchy and the "pollution" attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth. The Lingayats are devotees of Basaveshwara, a poet and social reformer who lived in the 12th century. The term "Linga" refers to universal consciousness as defined by the universal energy, not to Lingas seen in temples (Shakti). Lingayats are Shaivites and have been categorized as a Hindu subcaste known as "Veerashaiva Lingayats."

Explanation

Viruses can infect bacteria and are commonly known as bacteriophages. They attach to bacterial cells and inject their genetic material, leading to the production of new viral particles within the bacterial host. Viruses that infect fungi are termed mycoviruses. These viruses can influence the physiology and pathogenicity of their fungal hosts. Notably, studies have shown that fungi can acquire viruses and viroids from plants, indicating cross-kingdom transmission. Numerous viruses infect plants, causing a variety of diseases that can significantly impact agricultural productivity. These plant viruses can be transmitted through various means, including insect vectors, mechanical damage, and seed transmission. Ex-Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), infect plants, causing diseases that affect crop yields and quality.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched on November 30, 2015, at the COP21 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Paris, France.

Statement 2 is incorrect: ISA does not include all UN member states. Initially, it was focused on solar-rich countries between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. However, in 2018, its membership was expanded to include all member states of the United Nations. While all UN member states are eligible to join, not all have done so.

Explanation

GCC Member Countries are listed as under:

1. Saudi Arabia 2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

3. Kuwait 4. Qatar

5. Bahrain 6. Oman Clearly, Iran is NOT a member of the GCC because it is a non-Arab country and has historical tensions with several GCC members.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The OPCW is not an EU organization. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an independent, autonomous international organization established in 1997 to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). While OPCW collaborates with the UN, WHO, and other international agencies, it is not directly linked to NATO or the EU.

Statement 2 is correct: OPCW verifies and inspects chemical industries worldwide to ensure compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. It prevents the development and stockpiling of chemical weapons by monitoring the production and trade of dual-use chemicals.

Statement 3 is correct: OPCW helps member states (States Parties) with protective measures against chemical weapon threats. It provides technical and logistical assistance in case of chemical attacks or threats.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was held in 2015 in New Delhi, India. The first Summit was held in 2008 (New Delhi, India), and the second was in 2011 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was first initiated in 2008, not in 1951. Jawaharlal Nehru did not start this summit; however, he played an important role in strengthening India-Africa relations through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) began in 2008 under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as a formal platform to strengthen relations between India and African nations.