UPSC 2004 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

(A-4) Anil Kakodkar - He was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India and the Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy in 2004. Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty is the current chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. (B-1) Raman Puri - He served as the Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (CIDS) in 2004, responsible for coordinating India’s three armed forces. Lt General Johnson P Mathew is the current CIDS. (C-2) M. Jagannatha Rao - He was appointed as the Chairman of the 17th Law Commission of India, which was tasked with legal reforms. The 23rd Law Commission was recently announced. The Chairman of 22nd Law Commission is Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi. (D-3) G. Madhavan Nair - He was the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 2003 to 2009 and led key space missions, including the Chandrayaan-1 mission. Dr. V. Narayanan is the current chairman of ISRO.

Explanation

The Deccan Odyssey is a luxury tourist train in India that was launched in 2004 by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in collaboration with the Indian Railways. It is often called the "Palace on Wheels of Maharashtra" and provides a journey through various destinations in Maharashtra.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Hema Malini served as the Chairperson of the Children’s Film Society, India (CFSI) from 1999 to 2002.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Yash Chopra was never appointed as the Chairman of the CBFC in India. Prasoon Joshi is the current Chairman of the CBFC of India.

Statement 3 is correct: Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand have all been recipients of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Dilip Kumar received it in 1994, Raj Kapoor in 1987, and Dev Anand in 2002.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy tear production and eye lubrication. Its deficiency can cause xerophthalmia, leading to dryness in the conjunctiva and cornea due to impaired lacrimal gland function. If left untreated, it can result in severe eye damage and vision impairment.

Statement 2 is correct: Vitamin B1 (thiamine) plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and nerve function. Its deficiency leads to beriberi, which occurs in two forms:

Wet beriberi affects the cardiovascular system, potentially causing heart enlargement, rapid heartbeat, and heart failure. Dry beriberi impacts the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness, nerve damage, and digestive issues such as indigestion.

Statement 3 is correct: A lack of Vitamin C results in scurvy, characterized by muscle pain, joint discomfort, and fatigue. Since Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis and its deficiency weakens connective tissues, leading to pain, fragile blood vessels, and slow wound healing.

Statement 4 is correct: Vitamin D is vital for calcium absorption in the intestines. Due to its deficiency calcium absorption decreases which leads to low blood calcium levels. The body compensates by increasing parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion which draws calcium from bones. Without sufficient Vitamin D the kidneys may excrete more calcium in urine, leading to weakened bones and risk of osteoporosis.

Explanation

Insulin is a protein-based hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas, specifically in the Islets of Langerhans. It consists of two peptide chains (A and B) connected by disulfide bonds and plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels. By promoting glucose uptake in cells, it helps maintain energy balance and prevents hyperglycemia. Insulin was first discovered by Frederick Banting and Charles Best in 1921. It is the first recombinant DNA-based drug approved for human use.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Pangolins (scaly anteaters) are fascinating toothless mammals covered in protective keratin scales. They use their long, sticky tongues to capture ants and termites, making them nature’s pest controllers. India is home to two species of pangolins:

Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is found across most parts of India, except for the northeastern states. Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) inhabits the forests of northeast India, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world due to demand for their scales and meat.

Statement 2 is correct: Hoolock Gibbon is India’s only ape species and is a true acrobat of the rainforest. Unlike monkeys, gibbons lack tails and move gracefully through the trees using brachiation (swinging from branch to branch). These lesser apes are found in Northeast India, especially in Assam (Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary) Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura. Hoolock gibbons are known for their melodious calls, which echo through the dense forests. Sadly, habitat destruction and deforestation have put them at risk.

Explanation

The term "long bone" refers to bones that are longer than they are wide such as the femur and humerus. The bone marrow within these long bones is a primary site for lymphocyte production. This process is known as lymphopoiesis and involves the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into various lymphocyte types such as B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The femur, or thigh bone is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. It stretches from the hip to the knee and provides crucial support and stability, allowing us to walk, run, and jump. The femur can withstand forces up to 816-1,134 kg before breaking, making it one of the strongest structures in our skeletal system.

Statement 2 is correct: Cholera is a severe bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. It spreads mainly through contaminated water or food, leading to acute diarrhea and dehydration. In extreme cases a person with can lose up to 20 liters of fluid per day making rapid treatment with rehydration therapy essential.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Athlete’s foot (Tinea Pedis) is not caused by a virus, but by fungal infection. Dermatophyte fungi thrive in warm, damp environments like locker rooms, swimming pools, and sweaty shoes. The infection causes itchy, peeling, and cracked skin between the toes, making it a common concern among athletes and hence the name.

Explanation

Malaysia is not part of the Mekong River basin. The river does not flow through Malaysia at any point. Malaysia’s major rivers include the Rajang River and Kinabatangan River. The Mekong River is one of the longest rivers in Asia (about 4,350 km long). It originates in China’s Tibetan Plateau and flows through six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam before emptying into the South China Sea.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Latvia is a Baltic country in Northern Europe, bordered by four countries: Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Belarus to the southeast, and Lithuania to the south. It also has a western coastline along the Baltic Sea. Latvia does not share a border with Poland. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Latvia shares a border with Russia to the east, specifically in the Pskov and Leningrad regions. Latvia is directly north of Estonia, and both countries share a common border. Lithuania borders Latvia to the south, making this option incorrect.