UPSC 2005 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 3: The Thal Heavy Water Plant, located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, is a crucial facility for the production of heavy water. Heavy water (deuterium oxide) is essential in nuclear reactors as a moderator and coolant. The Thal plant uses a process involving ammonia-hydrogen exchange to enrich deuterium from natural water. It’s a vital component of India’s nuclear program. B is correctly matched with 1: The Manuguru Heavy Water Plant is situated in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana (it was formerly in Andhra Pradesh before the state bifurcation). It houses a Heavy Water Plant (HWP) that plays a crucial role in supplying heavy water for pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs) in India. C is correctly matched with 2: The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) is located near Kakrapar village in the Surat district of Gujarat. It houses two units of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). These reactors use heavy water as a moderator and coolant and natural uranium as fuel. KAPS is an important source of nuclear power in India and is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). D is correctly matched with 5: The Kaiga Generating Station is a nuclear power plant located near Kaiga village in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It also consists of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). It consists of four PHWR reactors, each generating 220 MW of electricity.

Explanation

The State of Uttar Pradesh shares its boundaries with eight Indian states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. These adjacent states include Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Uttar Pradesh shares an inter-national border with the nation of Nepal. Punjab situated in the northwest shares its boundaries with Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory), Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. Chhattisgarh located in central India is surrounded by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Jharkhand in the east, shares borders with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Rajasthan in the west, is bordered by Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 1: Kothagudem, a city in Telangana (earlier part of Andhra Pradesh), India, is the administrative center of the Bhadradri Kothagudem district. With historical roots in the Nizam’s dominion, it is geographically situated with an average elevation of 89 meters. As of the 2011 census, its population was 119,501. The city is a crucial hub for coal reserves, featuring the Singareni Collieries Company, and houses a thermal power station along with an ITC paperboard factory. Culturally significant, it’s located near the revered Bhadrachalam Temple, making it a blend of industrial and cultural importance. The Kothagudem Thermal Power Station, located in Palwan-cha, Telangana, is a major coal-based power plant operated by TSGENCO. B is correctly matched with 3: Raichur, the administrative center of its namesake district in Karnataka, India, lies between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. With a history spanning from the Mauryan era and subsequent rule by various empires, Raichur boasts the historic Raichur Fort. Its economy is primarily agricultural, earning it the nickname "Rice Bowl of Karnataka," though it also has some industry and gold resources. Culturally diverse, Raichur blends Hindu and Muslim influences, and is well-connected by road and rail, featuring a major railway junction. Located at Shaktinagar in Karnataka’s Raichur district, the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) is a coal-fired power plant operated by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). Commissioned in stages starting in 1985, RTPS, Karnataka’s first thermal power plant, is situated 18km from Raichur City and its nearest railway station. It generates approximately 70% of the state’s total electricity, making it a crucial power source for Karnataka. C is correctly matched with 4: Mettur, a town in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, is renowned for the massive Mettur Dam, one of India’s largest. Built on the Cauvery River, the dam provides crucial irrigation and drinking water, generates hydroelectric power, and forms the Stanley Reservoir. Beyond the dam, Mettur is an industrial hub with chemical and aluminium production. The dam and surrounding areas also make it a popular tourist destination. The Mettur Thermal Power Station, operated by TANGEDCO in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, is a major coal-fired power plant. With a total installed capacity of 1,440 MW across multiple units commissioned since 1987, it plays a vital role in meeting Tamil Nadu’s energy needs. D is correctly matched with 2: Wanakbori, in Gujarat, In-dia, is primarily known for its major coal-fired Wanakbori Thermal Power Station. Operated by GSECL, this plant boasts a capacity exceeding 2,000 MW across multiple units, including a large 800 MW unit. Using coal as fuel, it’s a crucial electricity source for Gujarat, significantly contributing to the state’s indus-trial and economic growth.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Global Trust Bank (GTB) was merged with Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) on 14th August 2004, not Punjab National Bank (PNB), after financial instability.

Statement 2 is correct: The 2003 Kelkar Committee report retained its tax reform recommendations, including abolishing housing loan tax exemptions. However they were not fully implemented due to opposition from various stakeholders.

Explanation

The Investment Commission was formed in December 2004 by the Government of India to promote and facilitate investment in the country. It had three members Ratan Tata (Chairman), Deepak Parekh, Ashok Ganguly.

Explanation

Kakinada - Known for its biodiesel plant. In 2005, Naturol Bioenergy Limited announced plans to set up a 300 tons per day biodiesel plant in Kakinada. Dundigal - Home to the Indian Air Force Academy. The Air Force Academy is located in Dundigal, near Hyderabad. Margao - Associated with the Sky Bus Metro rail test-run. The Sky Bus Metro project was tested in Margao, Goa. Bhadrachalam - Location of an ITC paper board unit. ITC has a significant paperboard manufacturing facility in Bhadrachalam.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Second World Buddhist Summit was held in in Lumbini, Nepal, from November 30 to December 2, 2004. The first summit was held in Thailand in November 2000.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The World Punjabi Conference in December 2004 was conducted in Haryana (Kurukshetra, Ambala, and Panipat) from December 11.

Statement 3 is correct: The 4th Meeting of the SAARC Trade Ministers was held in Islamabad in November 2004.

Explanation

A - 4 (V.R.S. Natrajan - Bharat Earth Movers Limited) V.R.S. Natrajan was the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BEML. BEML is a public sector company that manufactures railway coaches, defense equipment, and heavy machinery for mining and construction. B - 1 (A.K. Puri - Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) A.K. Puri served as the CMD of BHEL, India’s largest power generation equipment manufacturer. BHEL plays a key role in the energy sector, producing turbines, boilers, and transformers for thermal, hydro, and nuclear power plants. C - 2 (V. Thulasidas - Air India) V. Thulasidas was the CMD of Air India, India’s national airline. D - 3 (Jagdish Khattar - Maruti Udyog Limited) Jagdish Khattar was the Managing Director of Maruti Udyog Limited (now Maruti Suzuki), India’s leading car manufacturer. He played a crucial role in Maruti’s expansion, launching new models like the Swift, and improving customer service standards.

Explanation

In 2005, Onkar S. Kanwar, Chairman of Apollo Tyres Ltd., served as the President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Harsha Vardhan Agarwal is the current President of FICCI.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: India’s foreign exchange reserves did exceed the $125 billion mark during 2004. According to the Economic Survey 2004-2005, the reserves stood at $128.9 billion on February 4, 2005, indicating that they surpassed $125 billion in 2004.

Statement 2 is correct: The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) series with the base year 1993-94=100 was introduced in April 2000, replacing the previous 1981-82 base year series.