UPSC 2011 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Antarctic Ozone Hole was discovered by British Antarctic Survey scientists Farman, Gardiner and Shanklin in 1985. The formation of the ozone hole in the Antarctic has been an annual occurrence (in the months of September, October and November, due to a set of special meteorological and chemical conditions that arise at the South Pole, such as the presence of strong polar front, polar stratospheric clouds and increasing inflow of human-made chemicals like CFCs, etc.

Explanation

Carbon Credit is a permit that allows the company the right to emit 1 tonne of CO₂ or its equivalent. One credit permits the emission of a mass equal to one ton of carbon dioxide. Statement (a) is correct: The carbon credit system was established as part of the Kyoto Protocol (1997) to allow countries to meet their emission reduction targets via flexible mechanisms such as Carbon Trading, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), etc. Statement (b) is correct: Under Kyoto mechanisms, countries or entities that emit less than their allowed quota can earn carbon credits, which they can then sell to others who are exceeding limits. Statement (c) is correct: The core objective is to create a market-based incentive to limit global greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO₂. Statement (d) is incorrect: Carbon credit prices are not fixed by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). They are determined by market forces in various carbon exchanges, such as the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). UNEP does not set or fix prices.

Explanation

Inflation is the rise in prices of goods and services within a particular economy wherein, the purchasing power of consumers decreases, and the value of the cash holdings erode. Inflation measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time. The opposite and rare fall in the price index of this basket of items is called ‘deflation’. The Cob-web Phenomenon explains fluctuations in food prices, especially for crops like pulses. If prices are high in one year, farmers may plant more of those crops the next season, causing oversupply and a price drop. In the following season, prices may rise again due to reduced supply as farmers cut back on production, creating a cyclical pattern of price fluctuations.

Statement 1 is incorrect: While there has been a shift towards cultivating commercial crops like cotton, sugarcane, and oilseeds, it has not been to the extent of a 30% reduction in food grains cultivation. While commercial crops have gained ground, India’s food grain production remains significant, and a drastic decrease of 30% is not observed.

Statement 2 is correct: As incomes rise, dietary patterns evolve. People tend to consume more protein-rich foods (meat, poultry, fish, dairy), fruits, and vegetables. These items often require more resources to produce (e.g., livestock feed, cold storage) and can contribute to food price increases. As incomes rise, this change in consumption habits adds pressure on food prices.

Statement 3 is correct: India’s food supply chain faces significant inefficiencies like inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation infrastructure, and a fragmented distribution system. These constraints lead to higher costs and wastage leading to higher food prices. Structural inefficiencies make it difficult for supply to keep pace with increasing demand, fueling inflation.

Explanation

The Quit India Resolution was ratified in a Congress meeting at Gowalia Tank on 8th August 1942. Apart from the Quit India Movement, other resolutions involved the Civil Disobedience Movement against British Rule. Mantra of "Do or Die" was adopted in this Session by Gandhiji. The British Govt responded to the call of Gandhi by arresting all major Congress leaders the very next day. Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, etc. were all behind the bars. This left the movement in the hands of the younger leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, besides many regional leaders also rose up to lead this movement in their respective regions.

Explanation

The Quit India Movement was one of the largest anti-colonial movements. It started on August 8, 1942, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The immediate causes were the failure of Cripps mission, hardships caused during World War II and the Japanese knocking at the doors of Indian borders. Even before the movement could formally be launched all major leaders of congress were put behind the bars by the British. In this situation various secret and underground activities under the leadership to younger congress leaders kept the movement going. In this environment, Usha Mehta, a young congress leader started an underground Radio to give fuel to the movement.

Explanation

Artificial satellites are launched into orbit for a variety of purposes, including communications, navigation, Earth imaging, weather observation, and scientific study. In satellites, humans typically experience a sense of weightlessness because the net force acting on our body is practically zero. This is due to the satellite’s centrifugal force, which cancels out the size of the earth’s gravitational pull. On the other hand, the earth’s gravitational pull is required for the satellite to continuously change its direction, giving acceleration for the satellite’s direction-changing process.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Asteroids are primarily composed of rock and metal and are remnants from the early solar system. In contrast, Comets are made of ice, dust, and rocky material and originate from the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Asteroids are predominantly located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets originate from distant regions of the solar system: short-period comets come from the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune, and long-period comets originate from the distant Oort Cloud. They are not typically found between Venus and Mercury.

Statement 3 is correct: As comets approach the Sun, the heat causes their icy components to sublimate, forming a glowing coma and often a visible tail that points away from the Sun due to solar wind. Asteroids, being rocky and lacking volatile materials, do not exhibit such features.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Geostationary Orbit is a type of geosynchronous orbit. The earth rotates in the same direction that satellites do. It lasts for roughly 24 hours and holds its place in relation to the earth.

Statement 2 is correct: The orbit must be nearly circular, ensuring that the satellite’s distance from Earth remains constant throughout its revolution. An elliptical orbit would cause the satellite to move closer and farther from Earth, disrupting its stationary position.

Statement 3 is correct: A Geostationary Orbit (GEO) is a special case of a Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) where the satellite orbits exactly in the Earth’s equatorial plane (0° inclination). This ensures that the satellite appears fixed over a specific point on Earth.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Geostationary orbit is at an altitude of around 35,786 km.

Explanation

Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) encompasses those Government companies in which the direct holding of the Central Government is 51 per cent or more and subsidiaries of such Government companies. The Statutory Corporations set up under Statutes enacted by the Parliament and other companies owned or controlled, directly or indirectly by the Central Government are also categorized as CPSEs.

Statement 1 is incorrect: External debt is the portion of a country’s debt that is borrowed from foreign lenders, including commercial banks, governments, or international financial institutions. The primary objectives of disinvestment in CPSEs are to raise resources for development, reduce fiscal deficits, and promote wider ownership of CPSEs through public participation rather than repaying external debt.

Statement 2 is incorrect: In many cases, the government retains management control by holding a majority stake (more than 50%) even after partial disinvestment. However, in strategic disinvestments, management control may be transferred to private entities. Disinvestment policy is often categorized into strategic disinvestment (selling a majority stake with management control) and minority stake sales. Air India’s strategic disinvestment in 2021 is a notable instance where management control was fully transferred.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Brent crude is a major classification of oil and a key global benchmark for crude oil pricing, widely traded and followed for its significant market influence. Its importance comes from its quality, availability, and location, making it easily transportable to European refineries.

Statement 2 is correct: Brent crude is primarily sourced from the North Sea, specifically the Brent oil field. This region is a major oil producer, and its origin influences the characteristics and market value of Brent crude. While the specific blend of crude oils that make up Brent crude may vary slightly over time, its North Sea origin remains a defining characteristic.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While considered "sweet crude" for its relatively low sulfur content, Brent crude still contains some sulfur. "Sweet" indicates less sulfur compared to "sour" crudes, making it more desirable due to lower refining costs. Sulfur content is an important factor in crude oil pricing because higher sulfur content generally requires more complex and expensive refining processes to meet environmental regulations.