UPSC 1999 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

While regular remuneration for Panchayat members was encouraged in some cases, it was not mandatory under the 73rd Amendment. The Act does not explicitly mandate regular pay for members but rather focuses on ensuring their participation and responsibilities. Some states have implemented this provision, but it is not a constitutional requirement under the 73rd Amendment. Options (a), (b) and (c) are correct:

The 73rd Amendment did indeed assign additional responsibilities to Panchayats, including areas like agriculture, rural development, primary education, and social forestry. The 73rd Amendment mandated that elections be held at regular intervals and that all posts in Panchayats, including the posts of Sarpanch and Ward Members, must be filled through elections. The 73rd Amendment introduced reservation for women in Panchayats, ensuring that one-third of the seats are reserved for women, which was a landmark provision to promote gender equality.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The filament in a light bulb is typically made of tungsten. When the filament is not uniform, the thinner sections tend to heat up more, leading to higher temperatures and stress, which can cause premature failure.

Statement 2 is correct: Light bulbs typically contain an inert gas, like argon, to prevent oxidation of the filament and improve lifespan. Complete evacuation of the bulb is not possible. A small quantity of gases left behind which expands on heating by heat through filament. If the bulb is not evacuated properly, the filament would burn out quickly causing the bulb to have a short life.

Statement 3 is correct: The wires supporting the filament are designed to withstand high temperatures. However if they are not robust enough or if the filament heats up too much, and they can melt, causing the bulb to fail.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Most car batteries are 12-volt lead-acid batteries. This is the standard voltage for automotive applications as it provides sufficient power for starting the engine and running electrical systems in vehicles.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The electrolyte used in a car battery is sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), not hydrochloric acid. Sulfuric acid is mixed with distilled water to create the electrolyte solution, which facilitates the electrochemical reactions in the battery.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The electrodes in a car battery are made of lead (Pb) and lead dioxide (PbO), not copper. The negative electrode (anode) is made of pure lead, and the positive electrode (cathode) is made of lead dioxide.

Statement 4 is correct: The capacity of a car battery is expressed in ampere-hours (Ah). This unit measures the amount of charge a battery can deliver over time. For example, a 50 Ah battery can theoretically deliver 1 ampere of current for 50 hours or 5 amperes for 10 hours.

Explanation

The statement in Option (c) is incorrect. Navanna is a play written by Nabin Chandra Das, but it is not based on the famine of Bengal. It is a social drama that depicts the conflict between tradition and modernity in Bengali society. Statements in Options (a), (b) and (d) are correct:

Neel Darpan was a play based on the exploitation of Indigo farmers in Bengal by the British planters, written by Dinbandhu Mitra. Ghashiram Kotwal was a famous Marathi play, written by Vijay Tendulkar, which deals with the issues of corruption and power in the context of the Maratha empire. The Parsi theatre influenced the development of Urdu theatre, which gained prominence in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Explanation

A is matched with 4: The First Indian War of Independence was written by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It is a seminal work that describes the 1857 revolt as the first war of Indian independence. B is matched with 3: Anand Math was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. It is a famous Bengali novel that inspired the Swadeshi movement and features the iconic patriotic song Vande Mataram. C is matched with 2: Life Divine was written by Sri Aurobindo. The Life Divine explores the evolution of consciousness and the integration of spiritual and material life. D is matched with 1: Sadhana was written by Rabindranath Tagore. It is a collection of essays that reflects his thoughts on humanism and spirituality.

Explanation

In 1904, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh founded the Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society) as a secret organization during India’s struggle for independence. The organization was inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy and aimed to overthrow British rule in India through armed revolution. Initially started as "Mitra Mela" in Nashik while Savarkar was a student, it was involved in assassinations of British officials. The group aimed to overthrow British rule. In 1904, Vinayak Savarkar named it Abhinav Bharat, inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy. Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose were associated with Jugantar Party (Bengal Revolutionaries) Bhagat Singh was a member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

Explanation

A is matched with 2: Shyamji Krishna Varma is associated with the journal Indian Sociologist, which advocated for India’s independence. B is matched with 3: Madame Bhikaji Cama is linked with The Talwar, a journal promoting nationalist ideas. C is matched with 4: Annie Besant published the Commonweal to support the Indian independence movement. D is matched with 1: Aurobindo Ghosh is known for the journal Bande Mataram, which was a platform for nationalist activism.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Information technology (IT) has become a key sector in India’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, exports, and employment. The growth of IT services, software development, and business process outsourcing (BPO) has positioned India as a global leader in the industry. Government initiatives, a large English-speaking work-force, and cost advantages have further boosted IT expansion. Reason (R) is false: While software exports are indeed a major component of India’s IT sector, the country has not traditionally had a strong base in hardware manufacturing. Unlike software, which flourished due to outsourcing, India’s hardware sector has remained underdeveloped due to import dependency, lack of infrastructure, and high production costs. Only in recent years have initiatives like "Make in India" and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme sought to strengthen domestic hardware manufacturing.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Devaluation reduces the value of a country’s currency relative to foreign currencies, making its exports cheaper and more competitive in the global market. This can lead to an increase in the demand for exports. Reason (R) is true: As the local currency weakens against foreign currencies, goods from the devaluing country become cheaper for foreign buyers. This effectively reduces the inter-national price of these goods, resulting in increased demand for exports. For instance, after India’s 1991 devaluation, exports surged as Indian goods became more competitive globally. The Economic Survey (1991-92) confirmed that devaluation played a crucial role in boosting exports and improving India’s trade balance. Thus, Reason R correctly explains Assertion A.

Explanation

The paintings of Abanindranath Tagore, a prominent figure in the Bengal School of Art, are classified as revivalistic because they aimed to revive Indian cultural and artistic traditions during British rule. He drew inspiration from Mughal miniatures, Ajanta frescoes, and Japanese wash techniques, moving away from Western realism and promoting a distinctly Indian art style. Abanindranath Tagore’s works, such as Bharat Mata symbolized national pride and cultural heritage, blending art with India’s freedom movement.