UPSC 2006 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Pair (1) is correctly matched: Sir Christopher Cockerell, a British engineer, is credited with the invention of the hovercraft. His innovative design utilized a cushion of air to lift the craft above the surface of both land and water, allowing for high-speed travel.

Pair (2) is correctly matched: David Bushnell, an American inventor, designed and built an early submarine known as the Turtle during the American Revolutionary War. This vessel, while rudimentary by modern standards, was a significant advancement in underwater technology.

Pair (3) is incorrectly matched: J. C. Perrier, a self-taught French engineer and businessman who, with his brother, founded the Compagnie des eaux de Paris doing a period of great stock market speculation under Louis XVI. He is known for having introduced James Watt’s steam engine to France in 1779 and for having built the first double-acting engine in 1789.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Amoghavarsha I (814-878 CE) was one of the greatest rulers of the Rashtrakuta Empire, he was known for his negotiations and peace treaty with the Gangas and other southern powers and for his immense contributions to literature. He authored Kavirajamarga, the earliest known Kannada literary work, and shifted the capital to Manyakheta.

Option (b) is correct: Dantidurga is considered to be the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire in the Deccan region of India, during the late 8th century. He overthrew the rule of the Chalukya dynasty and laid the foundation for what became a powerful empire in India.

Option (c) is incorrect: Dhruva was also a ruler of the Rashtrakuta Empire, notably crushing the revolt in Gujarat and effectively dealing with invasions from the Arab world.

Option (d) is incorrect: Krishna I was another significant ruler from the Rashtrakuta dynasty, known particularly for the construction of the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora.

Explanation

Davos, the venue of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, is located in Switzerland. It is a town nestled in the Swiss Alps, specifically within the canton of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland. It’s renowned for its picturesque setting, surrounded by majestic mountains and offering stunning views.

Explanation

Tukaram, a renowned Bhakti saint from Maharashtra, lived in the early 17th century, making him a contemporary of Jahangir (reign:1605-1627 AD). He is remembered for his devotional poetry (Abhangas) dedicated to Lord Vitthal, promoting equality, devotion, and moral values. His life and works contributed significantly to the Warkari tradition, which emphasized collective worship and a simple, ethical life.

Explanation

Statement (1) is correct: The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale. An increase of 1 unit in magnitude corresponds to 10 times the increase in amplitude of seismic waves.

Statement (2) is incorrect: The energy released in an earthquake increases approximately by a factor of 32 for each 1 unit increase in magnitude, not 100 times.

Explanation

The United Kingdom is not a member of the Nordic Council.

Explanation

Estonia, along with Latvia and Lithuania (Baltic States), never joined the CIS. These countries prioritized European Union (EU) and NATO membership over integration with former Soviet states. Estonia officially joined the EU and NATO in 2004, distancing itself from Russian influence. Armenia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Belarus is a founding member of the CIS and remains one of its strongest supporters. Georgia Joined CIS in 1993 but officially left in 2009 due to tensions with Russia (after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War).

Explanation

Bangladesh is not a member of ASEAN. The current members of ASEAN are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Explanation

Chandra Kochhar was a prominent banker and former CEO of ICICI Bank, one of India’s largest private banks. Amrita Patel is known for her work in dairy development and served as the chairperson of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Indra Nooyi is the former CEO of PepsiCo, a global food and beverage company. Piyush Pandey is a renowned figure in the field of advertising and serves as the Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy India.

Explanation

The Al lahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti), composed by Harishena, highlights Samudragupta’s conquests and administrative capabilities. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Mahapadma Nanda predated the inscription’s composition. There is no connection between Chandragupta Maurya and this inscription. Ashoka built many pillars but did not contribute to this inscription.