UPSC 2012 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Dhrupad is derived from ‘Dhruva’ (fixed star) and ‘Pada’ (song), is an ancient form of classical music that emerged from early vocal traditions. It is performed with tanpura and pakhawaj, its lyrics in Braj Bhasha often reflect devotion and heroism, expressing emotions like veera and sringar. Key gharanas include Dagarvani, Bishnupur, Darbhanga, and Mallik.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Dhrupad traces its roots back to the ancient text Sama Veda. Its modern form evolved during the 15th and 16th centuries particularly in the courts of the Rajput kingdoms and the Mughal emperors. The Rajput kings such as Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior were great patrons of Dhrupad. Dhrupad flourished under the patronage of emperors like Akbar, who admired musicians like Tansen.

Statement 2 is correct: Dhrupad is deeply rooted in spirituality and devotion. It often incorporates themes from Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas, and is traditionally performed in temples and royal courts. The lyrics of Dhrupad compositions (called prabandhas) are usually in praise of deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga.

Statement 3 is correct: The Dhrupad alap, which is the slow, improvisational opening section of a performance, often uses Sanskrit syllables from mantras and is rooted in spiritual tradition. These syllables, known as "Bol Alap", are often derived from ancient Vedic chants and mantras.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Kuchipudi dance form originates from Andhra Pradesh and is known for its dramatic elements. Dancers often incorporate spoken dialogues (Vachika Abhinaya) as part of the performance, especially in dance-dramas like Bhama Kalapam. The traditional Sutradhara (narrator) or lead performer in Kuchipudi often delivers dialogues. Bharatanatyam originates from Tamil Nadu and is primarily a silent dance form where expressions are conveyed through gestures (Mudras), facial expressions (Abhinaya), and body movements. Spoken dialogues are not part of traditional Bharatanatyam performances.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Dancing on a brass plate (Tarangam) is a signature feature of Kuchipudi, not Bharatanatyam. In Kuchipudi the dancer balances on the edges of a brass plate while moving gracefully and often with a pot of water on the head (symbolizing control and balance). Bharatanatyam focuses more on structured footwork, linear movements and geometric postures.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The National Biodiversity Authority(NBA) plays a crucial role in preventing biopiracy which is the unauthorized use of biological resources or traditional knowledge without fair compensation or consent. The NBA ensures that access to India’s biological resources (including agricultural crops, medicinal plants, and traditional knowledge) is regulated. This helps protect India’s indigenous and traditional genetic resources from exploitation by foreign entities or corporations.

Statement 2 is incorrect: NBA does not directly supervise scientific research on genetic modification (GM) of crops. The regulation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops falls under the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) which functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Statement 3 is correct: The NBA’s approval is mandatory before filing any Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) application for patents related to biological resources originating in In-dia. This prevents foreign companies from claiming patents on Indian plants, seeds, and traditional medicines without sharing benefits with local communities.

Explanation

Indian Social Conference (1887) was formed by M. G.

Ranade and Raghunath Rao in Madras. It was a separate social reform organ of the Indian National Congress as they did not want to include social reforms in their deliberations. It advocated inter-caste marriage, opposed polygamy and kulinism and launched "Pledge Movement to pledge against Child Marriage"

Explanation

In the troposphere (near earth surface), temperature usually decreases as altitude rises. This is called the lapse rate. On average, the temperature drops by 1°C for every 165 meters of height. This equals about 6.5°C for every kilometer.

Statement 1 is correct: The Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation and then re-radiates it as heat. The air in contact with the surface warms up and transfers heat to the layers above through conduction, convection, and radiation. Since the primary heat source is the Earth’s surface, higher altitudes receive less heat, leading to a drop in temperature.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Moisture content (water vapor) which accounts for around 1% of air varies greatly in the troposphere, decreases significantly with altitude, as most water vapor is found near the Earth’s surface. The upper atmosphere is drier, not more moist.

Statement 3 is correct: As altitude increases, air pressure and density decrease. Less dense air holds less heat, contributing to a decrease in temperature with height.

Explanation

The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, was a reformist movement aimed at promoting monotheism, social equality, and the abolition of social evils like Sati and child marriage. It sought to reform Hinduism by advocating for reason, rationality, and rejection of idol worship and caste discrimination.

Statement 1 is correct: Brahmo Samaj vehemently opposed idolatry or idol worship.

Statement 2 is correct: The chief aim of Brahmo Samaj was the worship of the eternal God. It was against priesthood, rituals and sacrifices.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Brahmo Samaj spread the religious treasure and teachings of Vedas but never claimed that Vedas are infallible.

Explanation

The Tropical Savannah climate is characterized by a definite dry and wet season. This climate type is found in regions like parts of Africa, South America, and Australia. The distinguishing feature is the seasonal variation between a wet season (characterized by heavy rainfall) and a dry season (with very little or no rainfall).

Explanation

Biopesticides are various biologically active natural substances that exist in nature and have inhibitory effects on crop diseases and insect pests. In general, the creation of biopesticide depends to a large extent on biological resources.

Option (d) is correct:

Three major classes of biopesticides are:

Class of Biopesticides Description Examples Microbial Pesticides Consist of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa) as active ingredients for pest control. These may be naturally occurring, dead or alive, or genetically engineered. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) - produces toxins harmful to specific insects. Fungal Biopesticides Some fungi act as biopesticides by infecting and killing pests. Entomopathogenic fungi target insects, while others combat plant pathogens. Entomopathogenic fungi - infect and kill insects. Plant-Incorporated-Protectants (PIPs) Pesticidal substances that plants produce from inserted genetic material. Genetically modified corn and cotton, Neem oil (Azadirachta indica) - possesses insecticidal properties.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation effectively neutralizes harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. It damages their DNA by disrupting the thymine bases, preventing reproduction and rendering them harmless.

Statement 2 is incorrect: UV radiation does not remove chemical compounds or gases that cause undesirable odors in water. These require additional processes like activated carbon filtration or oxidation techniques.

Statement 3 is incorrect: UV radiation does not affect solid particles, turbidity, or water clarity. These issues require mechanical filtration or sedimentation processes, such as sand filters or coagulation methods.

Explanation

A stem cell is a special type of cell that can develop into different cell types and has the ability to self-renew, helping in growth, repair, and regeneration of tissues in the body.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Stem cells are not exclusive to mammals. They can be derived from a variety of organisms, including plants, non-mammalian animals, and other sources. For instance, plants have meristematic cells (responsible for the root and shoot growth of plants), which function similarly to stem cells in animals.

Statement 2 is correct: Stem cells, especially induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells, are used in drug screening and toxicity testing. They help in assessing drug responses in a controlled laboratory setting.

Statement 3 is correct: Stem cells have significant applications in regenerative medicine, including treatments for blood disorders (like leukemia), neurodegenerative diseases, and tissue repair. Bone marrow transplants, for example, rely on hematopoietic stem cells.