Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

An ecosystem can be defined as a functional unit of nature, where living organisms (producers, consumers, and decomposers) interact among themselves and also with the surrounding physical environment. Ecosystems can be of any size and usually encompasses a diverse range of species. E.g. Aquatic Ecosystem. In the ecosystem, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Everything that lives in an ecosystem is dependent on the other species and elements that are also part of that ecological community. A damaged or extinct component of an ecosystem has an effect on the entire system.

Explanation

The rock-cut elephant situated in Dhauli was constructed during the reign of Ashoka, who ruled from 272 to 231 BC (3rd Century AD). Varaha Image at Udayagiri Hill was built in the 5th century AD by Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) to commemorate the victory over the foreign Shaka. The rock-cut monuments in Mahabalipuram were constructed during the 7th and 8th centuries AD mainly by the Pallava king Narasimha. On the other hand, the Lingaraj Temple was built in the 11th century AD, under the reign of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The temple is a major Shaivite temple, a prime example of Kalinga architecture and is one of the largest temples in Odisha

Explanation

Indian folk paintings are traditional art forms rooted in local culture, depicting daily life, nature, and religious themes using vibrant colors and symbolic motifs. Examples include Madhubani from Bihar, known for its intricate patterns and mythological themes, Warli art from Maharashtra, which features tribal life and nature, and Pattachitra from Odisha.

Option (a) is correct: Kalamkari cotton textile is made in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and is either hand-painted or block-printed. The kalam (pen) is used for freehand drawing of the subject and filling in the colors is entirely done by hand. Kalamkari was first used to depict scenes from sacred texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavatam. It is practiced in two distinct styles: Srikalahasti (freehand drawing) and Machilipatnam (block-printing). The Srikalahasti style is more intricate and involves hand-painting while the Machilipatnam style uses wooden blocks for printing. Artists use natural dyes derived from plants, minerals, and other organic sources. The process involves multiple steps including dyeing, washing, and painting.

Explanation

The fifth and the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India deals with the provisions related to the protection of the interests of the Scheduled Tribes. Fifth Schedule: Deals with the provisions relating to the administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in any state except 4 states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura & Mizoram. The Constitution defines Scheduled Areas as the areas defined so by the Presidential notification and are mentioned in the 5th schedule of the Constitution. Sixth Schedule: The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It provides for the organisation of autonomous district and regional councils to safeguard the rights and interests of indigenous tribal communities, with powers over local governance, land, and customary laws.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: While cool sea surface temperatures can hinder cyclone formation, there are instances where localized warming (e.g., due to anomalies like El Niño) can occur in these regions. However, cyclones still rarely form, suggesting that low sea surface temperature alone isn’t the primary reason.

Option (b) is correct: In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific tropical regions, the ITCZ seldom occurs or is weak and displaced. This lack of persistent convergence means that there is insufficient atmospheric instability and rising air currents needed for cyclone formation.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Coriolis force is indeed weak near the equator, but the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific are far enough from the equator for the Coriolis force to induce the necessary rotation for cyclones. Cyclones frequently form at similar latitudes in other ocean basins (e.g., the North Atlantic or the North-Western Pacific), so this isn’t the limiting factor in these regions.

Option (d) is incorrect: Cyclones form over oceans, not land, as they require moisture and heat from the sea. The absence of land actually favors cyclone formation, as land disrupts and weakens cyclones.

Explanation

The 9th century saw the rise of a number of hill states, some of which maintained their identity until recent years, despite their wars with each other and frequent raids from the plain areas. Medieval Indian State Present Region Champaka Chamba (Himachal Pradesh) Durgara Jammu Kuluta Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) Malwa Central India Kamarupa Assam Trigarta Jalandhar Utkala Odisha Twipra Tripura

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Generally the westerlies flow between 30°N and 60°N and 30°S and 60°S latitude respectively, not between 30°N and 60°S latitudes.

Statement 2 is correct: The moist air masses that cause winter rains in the north-western region of India are indeed part of the westerlies. These are often referred to as winter disturbances or western disturbances, which bring moisture from the Mediterranean region, contributing to the winter rainfall in parts of India, especially the north-west.

Explanation

The passage describes a typical daily weather pattern characterized by:

Clear and bright mornings with a sea breeze.

As the Sun climbs high, heat builds up, causing dark clouds to form. Afternoon rain with thunder and lightning. The rain is short-lived, and this pattern repeats daily. This pattern is characteristic of equatorial regions, which experience convectional rainfall due to the intense heating of the Earth’s surface throughout the day. The high humidity and consistent temperatures near the equator lead to daily thunderstorms, often in the afternoon.

Explanation

Harihara I, along with his brother Bukka Raya I, laid the foundation for the city of Vijayanagara in 1336 on the south bank of the river Tungabhadra, a tributary to the river Krishna. Harihara I believed that the land south of the river Krishna belonged to the deity Virupaksha (a form of Lord Shiva). He undertook the responsibility of ruling the kingdom on behalf of this deity, considering himself as an agent of the deity. This reflects the deep religious and cultural connection to the land and the empire’s association with divine authority. The rulers of Vijayanagara were often referred to as the "servants of Virupaksha", showcasing their role as divine agents.

Explanation

The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is the price set by the government that mills are legally required to pay farmers for the sugarcane they purchase. It is mandated under the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966 published under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955. The FRP is announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), and it serves as a benchmark price for sugar mills to pay farmers. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) announces the decision following the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices’ (CACP) recommendation.