UPSC 2012 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Sufism is a mystic branch of Islam that puts emphasis on the search for God on a spiritual level and rejects materialism.

Statement 1 and 2 are correct: Sufism focuses on love and devotion to God. Devotees used music and dance for expression of their devotion. They also practiced breath-control techniques and meditation. They also used to perform severe ascetic exercises in solitude.

Statement 3 is correct: The practice of Sama is a musical performance that aims to elicit a mystical feeling of ecstasy. Murid, or disciple, must pass through countless phases while engaging in spiritual activities in a lonely setting.

Explanation

Terrestrial Carbon sequestration is the process through which carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees and plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in soil and biomass. Option 3 is correct: Zero Tillage is the process where the crop seed will be sown through drillers without prior land preparation and distributed in the soil where previous crop stubbles are present. Zero tillage not only reduces the cost of cultivation it also reduces the soil erosion, crop duration, irrigation requirement and weed effect which is better than tillage. Zero tillage is environmentally safe because it helps in reducing greenhouse effect through carbon sequestration. Options 1 and 2 are incorrect:

Contour bundling involves the construction of banks along the contours. Terracing and contour bunding divide the hill slope into numerous small slopes, check the flow of water, promote absorption of water by soil and save soil from erosion. Retaining walls of terraces control the flow of water and help in reducing soil erosion. Relay Cropping is the process of growing one crop, then planting another crop (usually a cover crop) in the same field before harvesting the first. This helps avoid competition between the main crop and the intercrop. It also uses the field for a longer time, since the cover crop usually continues to grow after the main crop is harvested.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act/ Rowlatt act gives the notorious power to imprison activists without trial for up to two years, even possession of seditious newspapers is adequate evidence of guilt. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The drain on the Indian economy in the form of cash, kind and loans to the British government came to about 367 million pounds during the WW-I. Rowlatt Act has no direct relation with draining Indian money or economic support to war efforts. The Khilafat Movement (1919-20) was a movement to express Muslim support for the Caliph of Turkey and protect the institution of the Khalifa in Turkey against the allied powers, particularly Britain. The Rowlatt Act was not explicitly aimed at suppressing the Khilafat Movement. Vernacular Press Act, The Newspaper Act and The Indian Press Act were passed in order to impose restrictions on freedom of press. It has no relation with the Rowlatt Act.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress (1929), the resolution on ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or complete independence was passed. The Congress also decided to boycott the First Round Table Conference because the British refused to include Indian demands for a Constituent Assembly and full self-rule.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The rift between the extremists and moderates took place in the Surat Session(1907) and the split was resolved in the Lucknow Session 1916.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Two-Nation Theory, proposed by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and later championed by the Muslim League, argued that Hindus and Muslims in India were two distinct nations with separate religious, cultural, and social identities. But it is not associated with the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: National Investment and Manufacturing Zones(NIMZs) are large areas of land developed as industrial townships with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. They are designed to promote manufacturing investments and boost industrial growth. The Na-tional Manufacturing Policy (2011) proposed the establishment of NIMZs to make India a global manufacturing hub.

Statement 2 is correct: The government has introduced a single window clearance system to simplify and expedite the process of obtaining approvals and clearances for setting up and operating manufacturing units. This reduces bureaucratic delays and improves the ease of doing business.

Statement 3 is correct: The Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF) was established to support the acquisition and development of advanced technologies for the manufacturing sector. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of Indian industries by promoting innovation and technology adoption.

Explanation

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are mentioned under Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution. Directive Principles of State Policy are classified into Socialist, Gandhian and Liberal-Intellectual.

Article 40 of the Constitution deals with Organising Village Panchayats and endows them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government. The idea of Promoting Cottage Industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas is based on Gandhian Principles and is mentioned under Article 43.

Explanation

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Middle Path (Madhyamaka Marga) was a core teaching of Gautama Buddha. He rejected extreme asceticism as well as indulgence in sensual pleasures. Jainism of Mahavira advocated extreme asceticism, including rigorous penance, fasting, and self-mortification.

Statement 2 is Correct: Both Buddhism and Jainism did not accept the Vedas as supreme authority. They rejected the idea that Brahmins had a monopoly on religious knowledge. Buddha and Mahavira promoted rationalism, self-experience, and ethical conduct over scriptural authority.

Statement 3 is Correct: Both religions rejected the efficacy of Vedic rituals and sacrifices and instead emphasized the importance of moral conduct, meditation, and self-discipline. They believed that liberation (nirvana in Buddhism, moksha in Jainism) could not be achieved through rituals but only through personal effort and spiritual practice.

Explanation

Eight Core Industries measures combined and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity. As of 2024 Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). These industries have a major impact on general economic activities and also industrial activities. They significantly impact most other industries as well. The capital basis of the economy is represented by the core sector. The IIP provides the economic growth rates for various industrial categories over a certain time period.

Explanation

Option (1) is correct: Directive Principle of State lays down the provisions of education under:

Article 45: Provides for early childhood care and education. Article 46: Promotes educational and economic interests of weaker sections (SCs, STs, and other disadvantaged groups).

Option (2) is correct: Rural and Urban Local Bodies The Schedule 11 added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, specifies the powers, responsibilities and authority of Panchayat and under Article 243-G the Panchayati Raj Institutions have allowed 29 subjects to work in their local areas and Education is one of them. The Schedule 12 added by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, specifies the powers, responsibilities and authority of Municipalities and under the Article 243-W the Constitution provides for 18 subjects to the Municipalities including education. Options (3) and (4) are correct:

Fifth Schedule: Governs Scheduled Areas and Tribes, ensuring educational development for tribal communities through special provisions. Sixth Schedule: Grants Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the Northeast the power to make laws on primary and secondary education.

Option (5) is correct: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 shifted the education from State list to Concurrent list in Seventh Schedule. Now, Education is in the Concurrent List (Entry 25), meaning both the Centre and States can legislate on it.

Explanation

Mudras in Buddhist iconography are symbolic hand gestures that convey specific spiritual meanings. For example, the Dharmachakra Mudra represents the teaching of the Dharma, while the Bhumisparsha Mudra symbolizes the Buddha’s moment of enlightenment.

Option (b) is correct: The"Bhumisparsha Mudra" hand gesture shown in Lord Buddha’s image symbolizes his calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara. It means ‘touching the earth’ in Sanskrit. This mudra, formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha’s enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Vasundhara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment.