UPSC 2002 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Apatani are a tribal group of people who live in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The Dayak people are indigenous to the island of Borneo, which is divided among Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia. The Dinka people are a Nilotic ethnic group native to South Sudan. Uyghur refers to a Turkic-speaking people of inner Asia living mostly in the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang in northwestern China.

Explanation

List-I (Organisation) List-II (Headquarters) A. International Atomic Energy Agency

4. Vienna B. International Telecommunication Union

2. Geneva C. Council of the European Union 1. Brussels D. Organisation for Ecnomic Cooperation and Development

3. Paris

Explanation

The World Development Report (WDR) is an annual flagship publication of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which is part of the World Bank Group. It provides in-depth analysis of global economic trends, development challenges, and policy recommendations.

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are correct: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that promotes intellectual property (IP) rights globally. The TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement is binding on all WTO members as part of their obligations. Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect: WIPO’s headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland, not Rome. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) were initially given a transition period of 10 years (extendable), but not 20 years from the general date of application. The deadline has been extended multiple times, with the current extension until July 1, 2034 for pharmaceutical patents.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation of India Limited (MMTC) is one of the largest non-oil importers in India, focusing on minerals, metals, and agricultural commodities.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Project and Equipment Corporation of India Limited (PEC) operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not exclusively under the Ministry of Industry. It focuses on project exports, providing project engineering, consultancy, and execution services.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited (ECGC) does not enforce quality control or pre-shipment inspection. Its primary objective is to provide export credit insurance to Indian exporters. This insurance protects exporters against risks like non-payment by foreign buyers, political risks, and other uncertainties associated with international trade. ECGC facilitates exports by reducing these risks, encouraging exporters to venture into new markets.

Explanation

All-India Muslim League, founded in 1906, did not oppose the partition of Bengal and separate electorates. In fact, the League supported these measures. The partition of Bengal in 1905, carried out by the British, was viewed by the Muslim League as a move that would benefit Muslims by providing a separate political identity and more representation in government, especially through separate electorates. Statements (a), (b) and (d) are correct:

Hakim Ajmal Khan was a leader in the Ahrar Movement, which was a nationalist militant movement aiming to oppose British rule. Syed Ahmed Khan felt that the Indian National Congress, with its Hindu majority, would neglect the interests of Muslims, especially in terms of education and hence opposed it. Maulana Barkatullah and Maulana Obeidullah Sindhi both were involved in the formation of a provisional government of India in Kabul during World War I as part of efforts to gain independence through an armed struggle against the British.

Explanation

Weber’s theory of industrial location emphasizes minimizing transportation and production costs as key factors in determining where industries should be located. Industries tend to locate near raw materials (if they are heavy and bulky), energy sources, and markets to reduce transportation costs. Labour availability and cheap energy also influence location choices. The theory also highlights agglomeration, where industries benefit from clustering together to share infrastructure and resources, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Option (b) is correct: The HINDALCO aluminum factory at Renukut, Uttar Pradesh, is primarily located due to the abundant supply of power from the Rihand Dam hydroelectric project. Aluminum production is highly energy-intensive, making proximity to reliable power sources a critical factor.

Explanation

The Khudai Khidmatgars, led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (the Frontier Gandhi), were a nonviolent movement advocating for Pashtun unity and independence from British rule. Inspired by Gandhian principles of non-violence, they focused on social reform and opposed British colonialism. Active in the North-West Frontier Province, they also opposed the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan, as reflected in the 1947 Bannu Resolution, which called for an independent Pashtunistan rather than joining Pakistan. The movement played a key role in the broader Indian independence struggle.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: The 39th Amendment Act primarily dealt with matters related to the elections of the President, Vice President, and disputes concerning the Prime Minister’s election.

Option (b) is incorrect: The 40th Amendment Act expanded the central government’s authority over certain properties and lands, exempting them from state legislative jurisdiction.

Option (c) is incorrect: 42nd Amendment Act also known as the "Mini Constitution introduced significant changes, including emphasizing India’s status as a socialist secular republic.

Option (d) is correct: The 44th Amendment, enacted in 1978 during the Janata Party government, granted the President the authority to return any matter for reconsideration by the Council of Ministers. This amendment significantly reinforced the checks and balances within India’s parliamentary system.

Explanation

The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Bill (2002) was enacted to introduce free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years as a fundamental right.This amendment inserted Article 21A into the Indian Constitution, mandating the state to provide free and compulsory education in this age group.It also made changes to Article 45 and Article 51A(k) to align with the newly introduced right.