UPSC 2009 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

As of 2009, Jupiter had the highest number of known moons (63 at that time). Jupiter’s large number of moons is attributed to its massive size and strong gravitational pull, which allows it to capture a variety of objects into its orbit. However in future years Saturn has since been found to have more moons than Jupiter.

Explanation

The date 16th October 1905 is historically significant as it marks the Partition of Bengal, a controversial administrative decision by Viceroy Lord Curzon. The Partition of Bengal in 1905 aimed ostensibly for administrative efficiency divided the province along religious lines, with East Bengal primarily Muslim and West Bengal predominantly Hindu. It was met with widespread protests and ignited a strong nationalist movement. While the partition was annulled in 1911, it left a lasting impact fueling the Swadeshi and Boycott movements.

Explanation

The English East India Company set up its first factory in Surat in 1613 with the permission of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir, who ruled from 1605 to 1627, granted the English the permission to establish a trading post, and this marked the beginning of English trading activities in India. This significant development was achieved through the diplomatic efforts of Sir Thomas Roe, who was sent as an ambassador by King James I of England to Jahangir’s court.

Explanation

The Rowlatt Act was officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919. Popular indignation arose because it allowed the government to detain individuals suspected of anti-government activities without trial for up to two years, violating basic civil rights. The Rowlatt Act (1919) was unrelated to religion. Its primary focus was on curbing political activities, particularly revolutionary movements against British rule. The Act did not address education in any form. Its provisions targeted political dissent and civil liberties rather than cultural or educational systems. The Act was not specifically aimed at trade unions. Its focus was on political repression, targeting freedom fighters and those involved in revolutionary activities.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association in 1920 to improve the working and living conditions of textile workers in Ahmedabad. The association emphasized non-violent methods and arbitration to resolve labour disputes, aligning with Gandhian principles. N.M. Joshi was labour leader and founder of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920 but unrelated to this association.

Explanation

Jainism is based on two main philosophical principles:

Anekantavada and Syadvada.Additionally, Jainism emphasizes karma, the moral law of cause and effect, and the goal of achieving liberation (moksha) through non-violence (ahimsa) and self-discipline.

Option (b) is correct: Anekantavada is a fundamental doctrine of Jainism, meaning "the theory of manifold perspectives." It advocates that reality is multifaceted and cannot be fully understood from a single viewpoint, which aligns with Jain teachings of tolerance and non-absolutism. This philosophical approach is unique to Jainism and is not part of the core concepts in Buddhism, Sikhism, or Vaishnavism. Jain Syadvada, the theory of conditional predication suggests that statements about reality are context-dependent.

Explanation

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been operational since the 7th century AD. It is a prime example of Vijayanagara architecture built by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under King Deva Raya II and features intricate carvings, sculptures, and towering Gopuras adorned with Hindu mythological scenes. The temple’s central shrine houses Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva. Surrounding the temple are smaller shrines, mandapas (pillared halls), and a spacious courtyard. Over the centuries, various dynasties have contributed to its expansion and preservation. Beyond its religious significance, the temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, which showcases the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Explanation

Indian temple architecture is categorized into three styles. The Nagara Style (North) features beehive-shaped Shikharas and intricate carvings, as seen in the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple and Konark Sun Temple. The Dravida Style (South) is known for pyramid-like structures and towering Vimanams, exemplified by the Brihadeshwara and Meenakshi Temples. The Vesara Style blends Nagara and Dravida elements, seen in the Chenna-Keshava Temple at Somanathapura.

Option (a) is correct: The correct pairings are as follows:

Vidyashankara Temple, located in Sringeri, Karnataka, is a 14th-century temple that showcases ancient Indian astronomy and architecture. Built in 1338 AD, it combines Hoysala and Dravidian styles, with a shrine honoring Sri Vidyathirtha, a key figure in Vijayanagara history. Rajarani Temple is situated in Bhubaneswar, Orissa is famous for its exquisite Kalinga architecture and temple built with red and yellow coloured sandstone, which referred as Rajarani in local language Kandariya Mahadeo Temple is one of the largest and most artistically important Hindu temples, found in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Bhimesvara Temple is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and its architecture dates back to the Eastern Chalukya period characterized by Dravidian and Vesara elements.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: 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). The limit was imposed to keep the size of the cabinet in check and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic expansion, ensuring that the government remains efficient and effective. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect: 90th Amendment concerns the reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the legislatures of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh The 92nd Amendment deals with the addition of languages to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 93rd Amendment 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

Explanation

Below the mantle, the core is divided into two main parts: the outer core and the inner core. Outer Core: This layer is in a liquid state and is primarily composed of iron mixed with nickel and small amounts of other elements. The movement of this liquid iron alloy is responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field. Inner Core: At the center of the Earth lies the inner core, a solid sphere predominantly made up of iron. Its high density and the immense pressure it is subjected to keep it in a solid state despite the high temperatures.