UPSC 2008 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the officially recognized languages of India. This schedule was expanded in 2003 through the Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, which added four additional languages: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali. This amendment increased the total number of languages in the Eighth Schedule from 18 to 22. The 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act enables reservations for socially and educationally backward classes in admission to educational institutions including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions. The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act limits the number of ministers in the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, to a maximum of 15% of the total members of the Lok Sabha (House of the People)(Similarly it applies to State CoM also.) 90th Constitutional Amendment Act provided for maintaining the erstwhile representation of the Scheduled Tribes in the Assam legislative assembly from the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (Article-332 (6))

Explanation

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the UNFCCC enables developing countries to receive funds from developed nations for adopting technologies that reduce green-house gas emissions. It allows developed countries to invest in emission-reduction projects in developing countries. In return, these developed countries earn carbon credits while promoting sustainable development.

Statement 1 is correct. CDM is indeed one of the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing developed countries to invest in emission-re-duction projects in developing countries.

Statement 2 is incorrect. CDM projects are implemented in developing countries, not in Annex I countries (which are mostly developed nations). The idea is that developed countries (Annex I) can earn carbon credits by funding emission-reducing projects in developing countries (non-Annex I).

Explanation

Selene-1 also known as Kaguya is a lunar orbiter mission launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) using the H-IIA rocket. Its primary objectives were to study the Moon’s origin, evolution, and surface features with unprecedented detail. It mapped the Moon’s mineral composition and gravity anomalies which provided crucial data about its internal structure and geology. As one of the most advanced lunar exploration missions of its time contributing significantly to understanding the Moon’s evolution and mineral distribution.

Explanation

Cristina Kirchner made history by becoming the first elected female President of Argentina, succeeding her husband Nestor Kirchner in 2007. She served as the President of Argentina from 2007 to 2015, leading the country through a period of significant economic and social change.

Explanation

ISRO successfully conducted a rocket test using cryogenic engines at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) located in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu. ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) is equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities necessary for realising the cutting edge propulsion technology products for the Indian space programme. Formerly, IPRC was known as LPSC, Mahendragiri. The IPRC is responsible for developing cryogenic propulsion systems essential for high-performance launch vehicles. A cryogenic engine uses supercooled liquids, typically liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) as propellants. These engines are highly efficient because cryogenic fuels have a higher specific impulse, meaning they provide greater thrust for a given mass of fuel.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Orange Prize, now known as the Women’s Prize for Fiction, is a prestigious international award that recognizes and celebrates outstanding fiction written by women. Established in 1996, this prize acknowledges and promotes exceptional literary works by female authors worldwide.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Pulitzer Prize has a different focus and eligibility criteria. It is an esteemed award that honors exceptional achievements in journalism, literature, and music composition within the United States. Administered by Columbia University in New York City, the Pulitzer Prize is not affiliated with the Commonwealth Foundation, nor is it open to citizens of Commonwealth countries for literary works in English.

Explanation

Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect: Apophis was a near-Earth asteroid named after the Egyptian God of chaos. Spitzer is an infrared space telescope launched by NASA in 2003. TechSar is a reconnaissance satellite equipped with synthetic-aperture radar, used for surveillance and intelligence purposes.

Option (b) is correct: Cassini was a groundbreaking planetary exploration mission led by NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian space agency (ASI). This advanced robotic spacecraft was designed to study Saturn, its rings, and its moons in extraordinary detail. As part of the mission, Cassini carried the ESA-built Huygens probe, which landed on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. During its descent through Titan’s dense atmosphere, Huygens captured remarkable images and data, eventually landing on an icy floodplain damp with liquid methane.

Explanation

The earthquake in 2007 that led to massive radioactive water leakage occurred in Japan. The incident took place at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant (net capacity of 7,965 megawatts), which is the largest nuclear plant in the world.

Explanation

World Summit on Sustainable Development WSSD (Rio+10) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, marking 10 years since the 1992 Earth Summit. It focused on balancing economic development with environmental sustainability. Key Outcomes - Affirmed commitment to Agenda 21 and the Millennium Development Goals, leading to the Johannesburg Declaration for global sustainable development.

Explanation

In June 1945, Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, proposed the Wavell Plan at the Simla Conference to reconstitute the Viceroy’s Executive Council. The plan’s key features included: 1. All members of the Executive Council would be Indian except the governor general and commander-in-chief. 2. Equal representation for Caste Hindus and Muslims. 3. All portfolios, including that of War Members were to be held by the Indians. 4. The Viceroy/Governor-General would retain veto power, but its use would be minimal.