UPSC 1999 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Pair (d) is correctly matched: Mukna (Manipur) - A traditional wrestling sport in Manipur, often performed during festive occasions and cultural events, showcasing physical strength and agility. Pair (a) is incorrectly matched: Korku (Madhya Pradesh) - A tribal dance performed by the Korku tribe, mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, often celebrating harvest and festivals. Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: Jhummar (Punjab/Rajasthan) - A graceful and rhythmic dance performed primarily by men in Punjab and Rajasthan, often accompanied by dhol and other traditional instruments. Pair (c) is incorrectly matched: Thali (Rajasthan) - A Rajasthani folk dance where performers balance multiple brass plates (thalis) on their heads, demonstrating skill and coordination.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1996, specifies that a person convicted of the offence of insulting the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India is disqualified from contesting elections for six years from the date of conviction.

Statement 2 is correct: The security deposit amount for candidates contesting elections was increased to discourage non-serious candidates.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The law does not restrict a candidate from contesting elections from more than one Parliamentary constituency, but if a candidate wins both, they must vacate one.

Statement 4 is correct: The amendment removed the provision requiring elections to be countermanded in the event of the death of a contesting candidate, ensuring that the electoral process is not delayed. The only exception would be if the candidate had already secured the maximum number of votes.

Explanation

Cauvery River - Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu): Built in 1934, it supports irrigation and hydroelectric power. Other dams include Krishnarajasagara, Kallanai, and Kabini. Krishna River - Almatti Dam (Karnataka): Part of the Upper Krishna Project, aiding irrigation and power. Other dams: Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, and Tungabhadra. Narmada River - Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat):

Supplies water to multiple states. Other dams: Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar, and Maheshwar. Chambal River - Gandhi Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh):

A gravity dam (1960) for irrigation and power. Other dams:

Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, and Kota Barrage.

Explanation

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

Statement 1 is Correct: The Chairman of the NHRC must be a retired Chief Justice of India, as per the original Act. However, the 2019 amendment provided that a person who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of India.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While State Human Rights Commissions exist, they are not present in every state; their establishment depends on state governments.

Statement 3 is Correct: The powers of the NHRC are primarily recommendatory in nature. It can suggest measures for relief or improvement, but its recommendations are not legally binding.

Statement 4 is Incorrect: There is no mandatory provision in the original Act requiring the appointment of a woman as a member of the NHRC. However The 2019 act amends this to allow at least one member to be a woman.

Explanation

The Water (Cess) Act, 1977: This act is aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of water resources. It imposes a cess on water consumed by industries to promote efficient water usage, indirectly contributing to environmental protection. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: This act focuses on the preservation and protection of forests in India. It prevents the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, which helps in conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991: This act ensures that industries that deal with hazardous substances have insurance to compensate victims of accidents, promoting environmental and public safety. The Port Laws Amendment Act, 1997: This act deals with port management and administration but does not have a direct focus on environmental protection or conservation.

Explanation

Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between fungi and the roots of higher plants. In this relationship, the fungi help the plants by increasing water and nutrient absorption (especially phosphorus), while the plants provide carbohydrates (like glucose) to the fungi. This mutualistic relationship is beneficial to both organisms and plays a crucial role in plant growth and soil health.

Explanation

Indian Standard Time (IST) is calculated based on the 82.5°E longitude, which passes through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. IST is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5:30). Since the Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, it covers 15° of longitude per hour which means that for every degree of longitude, there is a 4-minute difference in local time. Shillong is located at 92°E longitude, which is 9.5° east of the IST reference meridian. By multiplying this difference with 4 minutes per degree, we get a time difference of 9.5 × 4 = 38 minutes. Since local time increases towards the east, Shillong will be 38 minutes ahead of IST. Therefore, if it is 10:00 AM IST then the local time in Shillong will be 10:38 AM.

Explanation

The Krishna-Godavari basin is a large sedimentary basin on the east coast of India, formed by the Krishna and Godavari rivers. It extends into the Bay of Bengal and is known for its significant hydrocarbon reserves, including both oil and natural gas. The Ravva offshore block, a prolific oil and gas producing area, is located within this basin. The basin’s geological history and structure have created favorable conditions for the accumulation of hydrocarbons, making it a crucial region for India’s energy sector.

Explanation

Maracaibo is a major city in northwestern Venezuela, situated on the western side of Lake Maracaibo, connected to the Gulf of Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea. Its strategic location and the discovery of vast oil reserves in the Maracaibo Basin have led to its development as a crucial port for the petroleum industry. Maracaibo serves as a primary hub for the export of crude oil and refined petroleum products, contributing significantly to Venezuela’s economy.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Chile holds a prominent position in the global copper market, consistently ranking among the top producers worldwide. Its copper mining industry is a significant contributor to the nation’s economy and plays a crucial role in supplying copper to meet global demand. This sustained high level of production underscores Chile’s importance in the international copper trade. Reason (R) is true: Chile possesses exceptionally large deposits of porphyry copper, a type of ore deposit that is a primary source of copper globally. These deposits are characterized by their large size and relatively low-grade ore, but their sheer scale makes them economically viable for large-scale mining operations. The abundance of porphyry copper deposits in Chile is the fundamental reason for its substantial copper production and its leading role in the world market. The geological endowment of this resource directly explains Chile’s capacity to produce such significant quantities of copper. Thus, both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.