Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Agricultural markets in India are primarily regulated under the APMC Acts, which are state-level legislations. These acts establish regulated markets (mandis) where farmers are required to sell their produce through licensed traders to ensure fair prices and reduce exploitation. The central government provides guidelines, but states have the authority over agricultural marketing as agriculture is a state subject under the Constitution. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Essential Commodities Act, 1955: This act is aimed at controlling the production, supply, and distribution of essential commodities to prevent hoarding and black marketing. It does not regulate agricultural markets directly but empowers the government to regulate the prices and stock limits of certain agricultural products in times of scarcity. Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937: This act deals with the grading and quality control of agricultural products through standards like AGMARK. It focuses on quality assurance rather than the regulation of markets or the sale process. Food Products Order, 1956 and Meat and Food Products Order, 1973: These orders are related to the quality control and standardization of food products and meat, ensuring they meet safety and hygiene standards. They do not regulate the agricultural markets directly.

Explanation

The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908) was a key turning point in the history of the Indian National Congress that later led to a split between the moderates and extremists in the party. The movement, which was sparked by the partition of Bengal by the British in 1905, saw the rise of extremist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who advocated for more radical measures to achieve self-rule, while the moderates, led by figures like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, supported gradual reforms within the British system. The differences over the approach to achieving independence eventually led to the split at the Surat Session of 1907.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched in 1996-97. Its goal was to provide Central Loan Assistance (CLA) to the states, rather than directly to poor farmers. The programme aimed to help states complete their major irrigation projects that were in the advanced stages of development. Its primary objective was to speed up the completion of ongoing irrigation projects.

Statement 2 is correct: The Command Area Development (CAD) programme was launched in 1974-75. Its aim was to close the gap between the irrigation potential and the actual use of major and medium irrigation schemes. The ultimate goal of the programme is to deliver irrigation water to the fields. The plan involves creating field channels, land contouring, and a rotational water supply. These measures are designed to improve water use efficiency in agriculture. In 2004, the programme was restructured into the Command Area Development and Water Management Program.

Explanation

This is because the replacement of wooden ploughs (a less durable, less efficient tool) with steel ploughs (which are more durable, efficient, and require less labor for maintenance and use) leads to increased productivity per unit of capital, i.e., the plough itself. This represents a shift towards more capital-in-tensive technology. This is capital-augmenting rather than labor-augmenting progress because the improvement is in the capital itself (the plough), making it more productive, rather than increasing the labor force or improving labor productivity directly.

Explanation

The main aim of the Seed Village Concept is to involve farmers in the production of quality seeds through training, ensuring that these seeds are accessible to others at the right time and at affordable prices. This approach empowers farmers to contribute to seed production, meeting local demand and ensuring that both they and neighboring farmers have access to high-quality seeds.

Option (b) is correct: A village is referred to as a ‘seed village’ if a trained group of farmers produces seeds for a variety of crops and provides for the requirements of themselves, their fellow villagers, and villagers in nearby villages at an affordable price. Thus this option best captures the main objective of the Seed Village Concept, which focuses on training farmers to produce high-quality seeds for local use, ensuring accessibility and affordability.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: H1N1 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which causes respiratory infections in humans and animals. It is commonly known as Swine Flu because it was originally found in pigs. The virus is a result of genetic reassortment between human, swine, and avian influenza viruses.

Option (a),(b) and (c) are incorrect:

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and not the H1N1 virus. HIV primarily affects the immune system (CD4+ T cells) which leads to weakened immunity. Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) is caused by a different subtype of Influenza A virus, such as H5N1, H7N9, H5N8, etc. H1N1 is not responsible for Bird Flu. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the Dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pain and rash.

Explanation

With excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture, the necessity for nitrogen-fixing bacteria decreases as soil nitrogen levels increase. The soil becomes more acidic and nitrate leaches into the groundwater when nitrogenous fertilisers are used excessively or inappropriately. Fertilizers in agriculture increase inputs of nutrients to soils affecting their pH value.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, such as Rhizobium (in leguminous plants), Azotobacter, and Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. But excessive nitrogen fertilizers reduce biological nitrogen fixation because plants get sufficient nitrogen from fertilizers and do not depend on these microbes. Thus instead of increasing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria decrease in population due to reduced plant-microbe symbiosis.

Statement 2 and 3 are correct: The conversion of Nitrogen from one form to the other involves the generation or consumption of acidity and the uptake of urea, ammonium or nitrate by plants will also affect the acidity of the soil. Due to the leaching process, these substances accumulate underground.

Explanation

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) classifies Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) as those that tested nuclear weapons before January 1, 1967. These include China (Tested in 1964), France (Tested in 1960), Russia (formerly Soviet Union, 1949), United Kingdom (Tested in 1952) and United States (Tested in 1945).

Explanation

Babur successfully conquered Bhira (1519-1520), Sialkot (1520), and Lahore (1524) in Punjab. The decisive encounter between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi took place at the Battle of Panipat in 1526. Despite having fewer soldiers, Babur’s army was better organized and strategically superior. Babur’s battlefield tactics were distinctive, he strategically flanked Ibrahim’s army on both sides while his cavalry launched a central assault using arrows and gunfire from skilled Ottoman gunners.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Gunpowder was first used in the Indian subcontinent during the 14th century earlier than Babur’s arrival. However it gained prominence during Babur’s campaign for control of Bhera in India in 1519.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The introduction of Islamic architectural details, such as true domes and arches, and the fusion of Indian and Islamic architectural forms were the Delhi Sultanate’s biggest contributions to Indian fine arts. This was much before the arrival of Babur.

Statement 3 is correct: The Timurids, an islamic Sunni dynasty, had two notable empires in history. The Timurid Empire (1370-1507) in Persia and Central Asia The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) in India.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) is a landmark international agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, organized by the United Nations. It is recognized as one of the most comprehensive global commitments to advancing women’s rights. The BPfA serves as a guiding framework for national and international efforts to achieve gender equality. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) focuses on security and economic cooperation. APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) deals with trade and economic policies, not gender equality. Wildlife trafficking is addressed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the East Asia Summit, but this is unrelated to the Beijing Declaration.