Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The New Development Bank (NDB) was not set up by APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation). It was established by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in 2014 during the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. APEC is a regional economic forum comprising 21 Pacific Rim member economies.

Statement 2 is correct: The headquarters of the New Devel-opment Bank is in Shanghai, China. The bank became operational in 2015 and focuses on infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies. The headquarters was designed with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability which reflects the bank’s commitment to sustainable development.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 was enacted to establish Gram Nyayalayas at the grassroots level, ensuring access to justice at citizens’ doorsteps and preventing denial of justice due to social, economic, or other barriers. The Gram Nyayalaya shall be a mobile court and shall exercise the powers of both Criminal and Civil Courts. The Gram Nyayalaya shall follow summary procedure in criminal trial.

Statement 2 is correct: The Court shall try to settle disputes via conciliation between the parties and the court can make use of the conciliators(social workers) to be appointed for this purpose.

Explanation

‘Import cover’ refers to the duration (typically measured in months) that a country’s foreign exchange reserves can sustain its current level of imports. This metric is crucial for assessing a nation’s external vulnerability and economic stability. To calculate import cover, the total foreign exchange re-serves are divided by the average monthly import expenditure. For instance, if a country has foreign exchange reserves of $60 billion and its average monthly imports amount to $10 billion, the import cover would be 6 months. A higher import cover indicates a stronger buffer against external economic shocks, as the country can continue to fund its import needs even during periods of reduced foreign exchange inflows. Conversely, a lower import cover suggests greater vulnerability to external pressures, such as fluctuations in global commodity prices or capital outflows.

Explanation

The terms Amber Box, Blue Box, and Green Box are classifications used within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to categorize different types of agricultural subsidies based on their trade-distorting effects. Amber Box: This category includes subsidies that are considered to distort production and trade. Examples encompass measures such as price support schemes and subsidies directly related to production quantities. These are subject to reduction commitments under the WTO agreements. Blue Box: Subsidies in this box are also trade-distorting but are conditioned upon programs that limit production. For instance, direct payments under production-limiting programs fall into this category. Blue Box subsidies are exempt from reduction commitments. Green Box: This box contains subsidies that cause minimal or no trade distortion. They are typically government-funded and do not involve price support. Examples include research funding, environmental programs, and disaster relief payments. Green Box subsidies are permitted without limits under WTO rules.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) is a key body within the IMF structure. It discusses pressing issues related to the global economy and provides guidance to the IMF on its policies and work. It plays a crucial role in shaping the IMF’s agenda and priorities.

Statement 2 is correct: The World Bank participates as an observer in IMFC meetings. This allows for coordination and collaboration between the IMF and the World Bank on issues related to international finance and development. Given the interconnectedness of their work, it’s essential for both institutions to be aligned.

Explanation

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) launched in 2015 by the Government of India, provides collateral-free institutional loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs for small business enterprises. The scheme aims to bring enterprises into the formal financial system. Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) offers three loan products:

Shishu: Loans up to Rs. 50,000 Kishore: Loans between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 5 lakh Tarun: Loans between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh An increase in the loan limit to 20 lakh was announced during the Union Budget 2024-25 To strengthen support for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Bodhgaya is located in the Magadh region of Bihar not Baghelkhand (which is in Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh). It is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world. It is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree around 5th-6th century BCE. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major pilgrimage center for Buddhists. The Great Buddha Statue, monasteries built by Buddhist communities worldwide, and the annual Kalachakra festival add to its spiritual significance.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Khajuraho is in Madhya Pradesh, part of the Bundelkhand region, which spans Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for its Hindu and Jain temples, built between the 10th-12th centuries by the Chandela dynasty. The temples are known for their intricate carvings and erotic sculptures which symbolizes Kama (desire) as one of the four goals of life (Purusharthas) in Hindu philosophy. Important temples include Kandariya Mahadev, Lakshmana, Vishwanath, and Parshvanath Jain Temple.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Shirdi is located in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra which is not part of Vidarbha region. Vidarbha is in eastern Maharashtra, covering districts like Nagpur, Amravati, and Chandrapur. It is known as the holy town of Sai Baba, one of India’s most revered saints, who preached love, unity, and service to humanity in the late 19th-early 20th century. Sai Baba’s teachings blended Hindu and Sufi traditions, promoting religious harmony. The Dwarkamai Mosque, Chavadi, and Gurusthan are other significant sites related to Sai Baba’s life.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Nashik is in northern Maharashtra, not Malwa (which is in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan).Nashik is an important Hindu pilgrimage site associated with the Ramayana. It hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It is home to the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Pair 5 is correctly matched: Tirupati located in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for the Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.

Explanation

The Brahmaputra River, a major transboundary river in South Asia, is fed by numerous tributaries that enhance its volume and sustain the diverse ecosystems along its course. the Dibang, Kameng, and Lohit rivers are important tributaries of Brahmaputra River.

Option (d) is correct:

The Dibang River also known as the Sikang, originates in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It traverses through the rugged terrains of Arunachal Pradesh, carving out deep gorges and valleys. The Dibang merges with the Lohit River near the town of Sadiya in Assam. Together they join the main channel of the Brahmaputra River. The Kameng River originates from a glacial lake beneath the Gori Chen mountain in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The river flows through the Bhalukpong circle of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh and then through the Sonitpur district of Assam. It joins the Brahmaputra River near the town of Tezpur in Assam. The Lohit River originate in the Zayü County of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Upon entering India in Arunachal Pradesh, the Lohit traverses the Mishmi Hills, flowing through dense forests and mountainous terrains. It meets the Dibang River near Sadiya in Assam and their combined waters subsequently merge with the Brahmaputra River.

Explanation

Ease of Doing Business Index is published by the World Bank. It is an aggregate figure that includes different parameters which define the ease of doing business in a country. It is calculated by adding up the distance to frontier ratings of various economies. The "regulatory best practices" for conducting business serve as the basis for the distance to frontier score, which compares economies based on that parameter. The index for ease of doing business is calculated based on the following indicators: Construction permits, registration, obtaining financing, tax payment mechanisms, etc.

Explanation

In the medieval era, feudalism was the predominant socio-economic structure.

Statement 1 is incorrect: As a political principle of organization that divided the power of lords, feudalism laid the foundations for a decentralization of political power, wherein the nobility owned land from the Crown in return for military service, and vassals were tenants of the nobles. The peasants were required to reside on their lord’s land and to offer him homage, labor, and a share of the production in exchange for military protection.

Statement 2 is correct: In a feudal system, land is the main economic resource, and it is the key to political power and authority. The feudal system is built around the concept of land ownership, where lords or landholders control vast estates and manage them with the help of vassals, peasants, or serfs. Land is granted in exchange for military service, loyalty, or other obligations, forming the basis for the entire administrative and economic structure.

Statement 3 is correct: One of the key features of the feudal system is the lord-vassal relationship, which forms the backbone of feudal society. A vassal is granted land (a fief) by a lord in return for military service, loyalty, and other obligations. This relationship is often hierarchical, with the vassal owing loyalty and service to a superior lord, who in turn may be a vassal to a higher lord or the king. The lord-vassal relationship is not just a social contract but a legal one, with specific duties and rights that define the relationship between the two parties.