UPSC 2007 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

In the latter half of 2006, a significant political event unfolded in Thailand:

On 19 September 2006, the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against PM Thaksin Shinawatra, dissolving parliament, banning protests, and imposing martial law. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin led the coup, forming the Council for National Security (CNS) and appointing Surayud Chulanont as interim PM. Elections were held on 23 December 2007 after Thaksin’s party was dissolved.

Explanation

In December 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, orchestrated a coup that ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and President Josefa Iloilo. The 2006 Fijian coup stemmed from tensions over proposed legislation favoring indigenous Fijians, exacerbating existing ethnic divisions. Military leader Bainimarama seized power, ousting the government and prompting international condemnation. Fiji faced suspension from the Commonwealth and further isolation due to the coup and subsequent actions. The coup highlighted deep-rooted issues of land ownership, resource allocation, and political power between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians.

Explanation

Leander Paes won the 2006 US Open Men’s Doubles title alongside Martin Damm. An Indian tennis player renowned for his doubles skills, Paes partnered with Czech player Martin Damm for the tournament. The duo showcased impressive teamwork and had a strong campaign leading up to the final. On September 10, 2006, they faced Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi in the championship match. Paes and Damm secured victory in straight sets, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. This triumph marked Paes’s fourth Grand Slam men’s doubles title and Damm’s first.

Explanation

Bangkok (Thailand) - Hosted the event four times: 1966, 1970, 1978, and 1998. The city’s strong infrastructure and experience in organizing major international events contributed to its repeated selection.

Explanation

Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Prize-winning Kenyan activist, made a lasting impact on sustainable development. Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist and activist, founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, focusing on tree planting, conservation, and women’s empowerment to combat deforestation and resource scarcity in Kenya’s rural areas. Her movement planted millions of trees, restoring biodiversity and promoting sustainable resources, while also empowering women through education and leadership. In 2004, Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for linking sustainability, democracy, and social justice, leaving a lasting global impact.

Explanation

Population density is defined as the number of persons per square kilometer. It is calculated by dividing the total population of a state by its total area. The Census of India is conducted every ten years, providing comprehensive data on population distribution and density. The following table presents the population density (persons per square kilometer) of Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim as per the Census data of 2001 and 2011:

Option (c) is correct:

State 2011 Census Density 2001 Census Density Himachal Pradesh 123 109 Meghalaya 132 103 Arunachal Pradesh 17 13 Sikkim 86 76 As per the Census of India 2001, Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density among the states of India, primarily due to its large geographical area and relatively low population, coupled with its hilly terrain and low urbanization.

Explanation

In 2007, Foodgrains output touched 230.67 million tonnes (MT) mark, comprising record output of wheat (78.4 MT), rice (96.43 MT) and pulses (15.11 MT). Coarse cereals production was an all-time-high of 40.73 MT, along with oilseeds at 28.82 MT. Thus the sequence in option (d) is correct.

Explanation

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer and the highest authority of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India. The Speaker is elected generally in the first meeting of the Lok Sabha following general elections and is responsible for conducting the business in the house and maintaining discipline and decorum. G.V. Mavalankar served as the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, from 1952 until his death in 1956.

Explanation

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was established in 1921, following its initial mention in the Government of India Act, 1919. The committee scrutinizes reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to identify irregularities or inefficiencies in government spending. It is reconstituted annually under Rule 308 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.

Statement 1 is correct: Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are elected annually by Parliament through proportional representation using a single transferable vote, ensuring fair representation for all parties. The Speaker appoints the Chairman from among its members.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The committee consists of 22 members-15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha. Generally, the Chairman is appointed from the opposition party. It does not comprise any eminent personalities from industry and trade.

Explanation

The National Housing Bank (NHB) was established on July 9, 1988, under the National Housing Bank Act of 1987. Initially, it functioned as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which contributed the entire paid-up capital. However, in 2019, the ownership structure of NHB underwent a significant change. The Government of India acquired the entire stake from the RBI, making NHB a wholly-owned entity of the Government. Given that the question pertains to the year 2007, at that time, the correct answer is Reserve Bank of India. Functions of NHB The institution plays a crucial role in supervision and grievance redressal by monitoring and regulating Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), addressing complaints, and ensuring compliance with financial norms. In terms of financing, it provides refinance support to banks and housing finance institutions, thereby improving credit availability for affordable housing projects. Additionally, it focuses on promotion and development by encouraging innovations in housing finance and rural housing development, while also implementing government housing schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).