UPSC 2002 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

INSAT or the Indian National Satellite System is a series of multipurpose Geostationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue needs of India.

Statement 1 is correct: The INSAT-series of satellites were launched from foreign stations like Kourou in French Guiana or Kennedy Space Center in the USA.

Statement 2 is correct: The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) was used to launch many of the IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites, which are used for Earth observation.

Statement 3 is correct: India’s first cryogenic engine was used for the third stage of the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) for the first time in the launch of GSLV-D3 in 2010.

Statement 4 is correct: GSAT-1, India’s first geostationary communication satellite, was launched in 2001, and its payloads were designed to provide digital broadcast and communication services, including internet services.

Explanation

A satellite is an object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object. There are two kinds of satellites: natural (such as the moon orbiting the Earth) or artificial (such as the International Space Station orbiting the Earth). Almost every planet having at least one moon. Assertion (A) is true: Satellites are launched in the eastward direction to take advantage of the Earth’s rotational velocity, which gives the rocket an initial boost in speed. This helps the rocket reach the required escape velocity more efficiently. Reason (R) is false: While the Earth’s rotation does provide a velocity boost but it does not directly help the satellite attain escape velocity (the speed needed to break free from Earth’s gravity, approximately 11.2 km/s). Instead, the Earth’s rotation helps the satellite achieve orbital velocity (the speed needed to stay in orbit, approximately 7.8 km/s for low Earth orbit).

Explanation

Ever since the 1857 revolt, to secure princely states as a safeguard against potential political instability and to reward their loyalty the policy of annexation was discontinued. The Government of India Act of 1935 proposed a federal union (that never came to existence) that included both British India and the princely states, which were ruled by Indian monarchs but under British control. The 1935 Act did not aim for direct political control over the princely states. It allowed them autonomy while including them in the federal structure. The British sought to manage relations, not control them completely. The real intention behind including princely states into the proposed federal union, through Government of India Act, 1935, was to ensure that these states would act as a balance against the anti-imperialist nationalist movement.

Explanation

Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani ascended to a prominent position within the Congress Party. He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in November 1946 and steered the organisation through the critical days of the transfer of power and the partition of India in 1947.

Explanation

In the early 1930s, the Indian National Congress (INC) led India’s nationalist movement, while the labour movement grew with workers protesting for better conditions. Despite this, the labour movement had limited involvement in the broader nationalist struggle. They felt the Congress was not adequately addressing the issues important to workers, like social and economic reforms. Assertion (A) is true: The labour movement in the early 1930s was growing, but its participation in the larger Indian nationalist movement was weak. Workers were more focused on their immediate economic struggles, like better wages and working conditions, rather than the broader nationalist cause. Reason (R) is true: Some labour leaders criticised the Indian National Congress (INC) for representing the interests of the middle class and the bourgeoisie rather than the working class. Due to this the effect of labour participation in nationalist upsurge was weak. Thus, Reason (R) explains Assertion (A).

Explanation

The Cabinet Mission reached Delhi on March 24, 1946. The Mission engaged in extensive discussions with Indian leaders from all parties and groups on the following issues: the formation of an interim government, and the principles and processes for drafting a new constitution that would grant India independence. The Cabinet Mission (1946) proposed a federal union for India, with autonomy for provinces and safeguards for minorities. The Cabinet Mission Plan was initially accepted in principle by both the Congress and the Muslim League but disagreements soon emerged, particularly over the grouping of provinces. The Muslim League eventually rejected the plan, and Jinnah called for "Direct Action." This failure to agree on the plan is widely regarded as the last major chance to prevent the partition of India.

Explanation

Below is a table summarizing approximate population figures for the four countries for the years 2002 and 2024:

Country Population (2002) Population (2024) Indonesia ~214 million ~283 million Brazil ~176 million ~212 million Russia ~145 million ~144 million Japan ~127 million ~123 million

Option (c) is correct: Based on the table above, the correct descending order (largest to smallest) for the population of the countries is: Indonesia (2)>Brazil (1)> Russia (4)> Japan (3)

Explanation

As per WB Group "Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life." Literacy rate measures educational attainment and predicts future labor force quality. Currently the world average is 87% while India’s literacy rate in 2023 is 77%.

Option (a) is correct: Below is a table summarizing approximate adult literacy rates (percentage of people aged 15 and above) for the four South Asian countries, based on available data from around 2002 and more recent estimates for 2024:

Country Adult Literacy Rate (2002) Adult Literacy Rate (2024) Sri Lanka ~91% ~93% India ~64% ~77% Bangladesh ~48% ~74% Pakistan ~46% ~58% Based on World Bank Data, the sequence of Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) in 2002 was-Sri Lanka(4) > India(2) > Bangladesh(1) > Pakistan(3).

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Recent studies indicate that more than 83 percent of the area under pulses in India is rainfed. Around 2001-02 "about 90 percent" of pulse cultivation in India was under rainfed cultivation. Pulses are often grown in rainfed areas, meaning they rely on rainfall for irrigation rather than artificial irrigation systems. This makes pulse production vulnerable to variations in rainfall. India is the the largest producer and consumer of pulses (25% of global production and 27% of consumption Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect:

Pulse production has remained stagnant for nearly 40 years. India is the second-largest producer of rice in the world, accounting for about 25-30% of the world’s total rice area. Rice occupies a significant portion of India’s gross cropped area around 23-25% of the gross cropped area in India.

Explanation

HYV seeds played a crucial role in the Green Revolution in India. These varieties, developed by scientists such as Norman Borlaug and further promoted in India by M.S. Swaminathan, are genetically improved to produce significantly higher yields than traditional varieties. They have been instrumental in boosting crop production and achieving food security in the country.

Option (c) is correct:

Arjun is a well-known high-yielding variety of wheat developed in India. It is known for its high yield potential and resistance to certain diseases. Sonalika is another important high-yielding variety of wheat. It is known for its adaptability to different agro-climatic conditions and its relatively shorter growing season. Jaya and Padma are high-yielding variety of rice, not wheat. It was developed in India and played a significant role in the Green Revolution.