UPSC 2009 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Ecuador was a member of OPEC from 1973 to 1992 and rejoined in 2007 before leaving again in 2020 due to economic reasons.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: ABN Amro Bank is not from the USA; it is a Dutch bank headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Barclays Bank is a British multinational bank headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Kookmin Bank is one of the largest banks in South Korea, not Japan.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) is not based in the USA. It is a German automobile company headquartered in Munich, Germany.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Daimler AG is not based in Sweden. It is a German automotive company headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. It is the parent company of Mercedes-Benz.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Renault S.A. is a French multinational automobile manufacturer. It is headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: Volkswagen AG is a German automotive company headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. It is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.

Explanation

The Emergency (1975-1977) was declared during the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-1979). It was a politically turbulent period marked by restrictions on civil liberties. In 1977, general elections were held, resulting in the defeat of the Congress party and the formation of the Janata Party government, ending Indira Gandhi’s rule.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61) focused on establishing heavy industries such as steel plants, machinery, and chemical plants. It was based on the Mahalanobis model, which aimed at rapid industrialization.

Statement 2 is correct: The Third Five-Year Plan (1961-66) emphasized import substitution, a strategy to reduce dependence on foreign goods by promoting domestic industries. This policy was key to building India’s self-reliant industrial base.

Explanation

Klaus Schwab- a German economist, founded the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 1971. Originally called the European Management Forum, it was later renamed WEF in 1987 to reflect its global focus.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is responsible for recommending the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 23 crops (not 32), which include cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and other crops. These crops include 7 cereals, 5 pulses, 7 oilseeds, and 4 commercial crops.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in 2007-08 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, not by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) aims to increase the production of rice, wheat, and pulses through area expansion, productivity improvement, and restoring soil fertility. It also focuses on creating jobs and boosting the farm economy. From 2014-15, coarse cereals were included in the mission. Key interventions include demonstrations of improved farming practices, seed distribution, farm machinery, efficient water use, plant protection, soil management, and farmer training.

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.