UPSC 2015 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms which became the Government of India Act in 1919, defined the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments. It introduced dyarchy in eight provinces, where executive powers were shared between the Governor and elected ministers. Subjects were divided into ‘reserved’ (e.g., law, finance) managed by the Governor and his council, and ‘transferred’ (e.g., education, health) handled by ministers from the legislative council, increasing provincial authority.

Explanation

The custodian of the Constitution of India refers to the body or entity responsible for interpreting and upholding the provisions of the Constitution. This includes the interpretation of laws, the protection of fundamental rights, and ensuring that the government acts in accordance with the Constitution. Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court the power to enforce the fundamental rights of citizens through writ jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is considered the final interpreter and guardian of the Constitution. It can examine the constitutionality of laws and actions taken by the Parliament or State Legislatures and can strike down any law that it finds to be unconstitutional.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Dugongs, or "sea cows," are marine mammals that graze on seagrasses in shallow coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. As the only herbivorous mammal living exclusively in the sea, including in India, dugongs are crucial for maintaining healthy seagrass ecosystems, which support marine biodiversity.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The dugong is not found along the entire coast of India. It is mainly found in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and in the waters of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species has a restricted distribution and is not widespread along India’s entire coastline..

Statement 3 is correct: The dugong is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides it with the highest level of protection in India. As a protected species, hunting, poaching, or harm to the dugong is illegal.

Explanation

The Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is India’s National Aquatic Animal. It is native to the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, which span Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the Gangetic dolphin belongs to the Platanistidae family and is one of only four freshwater dolphin species globally. Recognized by its triangular dorsal fin and long, slender beak, this stocky, gray or brown dolphin can grow up to 2.5 meters. Adapted to murky freshwater environments, it uses echolocation to navigate and is locally known as ‘susu.’

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, Ranade, Gokhale, and G. Subramania Iyer were among the moderate leaders who established Indian nationalism on the principles of anti-imperialism by formulating the first comprehensive economic critique of colonialism.

Option (d) is correct: Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand Old man of India) in "Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India" propounded Drain of Wealth Theory. Romesh Chandra Dutta in "The Economic History of India" pointed to the absence of protection for India’s infant industries, and the negative implications of even constructive efforts like the railways which facilitated the import of British manufactured goods.G. V. Joshi pointed out that the development in India was like a subsidy to the British Industries. Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, G. Subramaniam Iyer, G.K. Gokhale etc. examined every facet of the economy and subjected the entire range of economic issues and colonial economic policies to minute scrutiny.

Explanation

Teak(Tectona grandis) is a dominant tree species of Tropical moist deciduous forest. Tropical moist deciduous forests are found in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Odisha, and on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Also known as Monsoon Forests, annual rainfall in these forests is in the range of 100 to 200 cm Characteristics of Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests Rainfall: 1000-2000 mm annually Temperature: 24-32°C Seasonality: Distinct wet and dry seasons, leading to partial shedding of leaves during dry months Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained alluvial and lateritic soils Main Trees are Teak (Tectona grandis), Sal (Shorea robusta), Sandalwood, Rosewood, Indian Laurel, Mahua, etc.

Explanation

The Godavari is India’s second longest and third-biggest river, after the Ganga. Through a vast network of tributaries, the river eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari is the greatest river in peninsular India in terms of length, catchment area, and flow, and has been nicknamed the Dakshina Ganga, or "Southern Ganga." It originates from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra. Options 2 and 3 are correct:

Indravati River is one of the most significant tributaries of the Godavari, originating from the Dandakaranya Plateau in Kalahandi district, Odisha. It flows westward through Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra before joining the Godavari near Bhadrachalam, Telangana. It plays a crucial role in the region’s hydrology by supporting the Indravati Hydroelectric Project, one of India’s largest hydroelectric power projects. Pranahita River is another major tributary of the Godavari formed by the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers in Maharashtra. It flows southward through Maharashtra and Telangana and eventually merges into the Godavari. Pranahita is considered one of the largest tributaries of Godavari in terms of water volume and significantly contributes to the river’s flow, especially during the monsoon. Other tributaries of Godavari include Manjra, Pravara, Purna, and Kinnerasani. Options 1 and 4 are incorrect:

The Vamsadhara River rises in the Durgakangar Hills of the Eastern Ghats in the Kalahandi district of Odisha. It flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal. The Pennar rises in the Chennakesava hill of the Nandidurga range, in Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka and flows eastward eventually draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Living root bridges (Jing Kieng Jri) in Meghalaya are crafted by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes using aerial roots of Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree). These eco-friend-ly, self-sustaining bridges grow stronger over time, resist floods, and support heavy loads. The Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge is a famous example of this sustainable engineering. Living root bridges require high humidity, evergreen forests, and tree species like Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree) which thrive in tropical climates.

Explanation

Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are characterized by high rainfall (typically over 2500 mm annually), high humidity(over 77 perecent) and warm temperatures(over 25°C) throughout the year. They are dense, multi-layered forests with a great diversity of plant and animal life. The trees in these forests are evergreen, meaning they do not shed their leaves simultaneously due to the high heat and humidity. The important species of these forests are mahogany, mesua, white cedar, jamun, canes, bamboo, etc.

Option 1 and 3 are correct: In India, tropical wet evergreen forests are found on the eastern and western slopes of the Western Ghats in such states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra. They are also found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Option 2 is incorrect: Himachal Pradesh comes under the Montane type of forest. The Montane Forests are characterized by the decrease in temperature with increasing altitude that leads to a corresponding change in natural vegetation. As such, there is a succession of natural vegetation belts in the same order as observed from the tropical to the tundra region.

Explanation

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands uniquely house a combination of mangrove, evergreen, and deciduous forests, making them one of India’s most ecologically diverse regions. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a tropical rainforest canopy. The Middle Andamans harbours mostly moist deciduous forests. North Andamans is characterised by the wet ever-green type, with plenty of woody climbers. The coastal regions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have mangrove forests.