UPSC 2017 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct:

The Indian Constitution adopts the federal system of Government, but with more tilt towards a unitary system of government. So, every state government does not have power of its own. Thus it is considered as a quasi-federal system. The features of a federation are Two level of Government, Division of powers, Written Constitution, Supremacy of Constitution, Rigidity of Constitution, Independent judiciary, Bicameralism, etc Statement (d) is incorrect: The term "Union of States" is used instead of "Federation of States" for two key reasons:

First, unlike the American federation, India’s union is not based on an agreement among states, and second, states cannot secede from the union. While the union is indestructible, states can be reorganized or have their borders changed by the central government. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described it as "an indestructible union of destructible states."

Explanation

The Parliamentary system is also known as the Cabinet Government/ Responsible government/ Westminster model of government. It provides for collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature. The features of parliamentary government in India are:

Presence of nominal and real executives Majority party rule Collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature Membership of the ministers in the legislature Leadership of the prime minister or the chief minister Dissolution of the lower House (Lok Sabha or Assembly).

Explanation

The Kakatiya dynasty ruled in South India. The dynasty governed much of the eastern Deccan region, which includes modern-day Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka and southern Odisha, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Their capital was Orugallu, now called Warangal.

Option (b) is correct: Motupalli was the chief port of the Kakatiyas and this port was visited by the Venetian traveller, Marco Polo. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Kakinada emerged as a significant port much later, after the decline of the Kakatiya dynasty. While Machilipatnam was the main port of Golconda Kingdom, In the thirteenth century, the port town of Nelluru was a part of the Kakatiya kingdom. After a while, it passed back and forth between Kakatiya and Pandyas until Pandyas was vanquished by Prataprudra II. But Motupalli was more important than this.

Explanation

Transfer of pollen grains (shed from the anther) to the stigma of a pistil is termed pollination. Flowering plants have evolved an amazing array of adaptations to achieve pollination. Depending on the source of pollen, pollination is divided into three types, i. e. Autogamy, Geitonogamy and Xenogamy.

Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are important pollinators for many flowering plants. Plant species particularly those that produce brightly colored, scented flowers with deep nectar tubes are adapted to butterfly pollination. A drastic fall in butterfly populations would result in reduced pollination, affecting plant reproduction and possibly leading to a decline in the population of such plant species.

Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no direct link between butterfly populations and fungal infections in cultivated plants. Fungal infections are influenced by factors like humidity, temperature, plant health, and soil conditions rather than by the presence or absence of butterflies.

Statement 3 is correct: Butterflies form a crucial part of the food chain, serving as prey for birds, wasps, spiders, and other insectivores. Many species of small birds (e.g., flycatch-ers, warblers, bee-eaters) depend on butterflies and their larvae (caterpillars) as a major food source. If butterfly populations decline then predators depending on them may suffer a population decline.

Explanation

The preamble to the Indian Constitution assures to all citizens- liberty of thought, liberty of expression, liberty of belief, liberty of faith and worship. However, economic liberty is not directly mentioned in the Preamble. While economic rights and the goal of economic justice are addressed in the Directive Principles of State Policy, the Preamble does not specifically include economic liberty as one of its stated objectives.

Explanation

The Preamble to the Constitution of India reflects the vision and values of the framers, including justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It outlines the objectives of the Constitution, such as ensuring social, economic, and political justice, and promoting unity and dignity. In the Berubari case, the court held that the Preamble was not part of the Constitution’s operative provisions, meaning it did not have legal force in itself, although it could help in interpreting the Constitution’s provisions. The Supreme Court has affirmed its importance in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), where it was recognized as integral to understanding the Constitution makers intent and philosophy, and it overturned opinion in the Berubari case. So, now Preamble stands as part of the constitution.

Explanation

India’s cultural landscape is marked by a wide array of religious traditions that include the Chaliha Sahib Festival (Sindhis), Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra (Garhwalis), Wari-Warkari (Maharashtrians), Baisakhi (Punjabis), Bohag Bihu (Assamese), and Onam (Keralites)

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Chaliha Sahib Festival is a significant religious festival celebrated by the Sindhi community. It is dedicated to Jhulelal the patron saint of the Sindhis and involves 40 days of fasting, prayers, and rituals.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is a major pilgrimage in Uttarakhand associated with Garhwali and Kumaono community, not Gond community. It is a traditional yatra (pilgrimage) that takes place every 12 years, and involves a journey to the Nanda Devi peak.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Wari-Warkari tradition is associated with the Warkari sect of Maharashtra, not the Santhal community. The Warkari sect is a devotional movement centered around the worship of Lord Vitthal (a form of Lord Krishna) and involves an annual pilgrimage to the Pandharpur temple.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is also the primary vector for dengue fever. This mosquito species thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, making it a common carrier for both diseases. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is well-adapted to urban environments and breeds in stagnant water, such as in containers, flower pots, and discarded tires.

Statement 2 is correct: Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual contact unlike other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue or chikungunya. The virus can remain in semen for an extended period even after symptoms have resolved. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects such as microcephaly.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: National Agriculture Market (NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The NAM networks the existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.

Statement 2 is correct: NAM promises more options for sale. The scheme facilitates farmers’ access to a wider market, which can help them get better prices based on the quality of their produce. It eliminates intermediaries and allows farmers to directly connect with buyers.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: The Broad-based Investment Trade and Agreement (BTIA) refers to a trade agreement being negotiated between India and the European Union (EU). The aim of this agreement is to enhance trade relations, investment flows, and cooperation across various sectors between In-dia and the EU.

Option (b) is incorrect: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic union of six Arab countries, but the BTIA is not related to negotiations between India and the GCC. India’s trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is significant, with bilateral trade exceeding $154 billion. The GCC is India’s largest trading bloc and a key supplier of crude oil and natural gas, ensuring energy security. India exports petroleum products, textiles, and machinery to GCC nations, while ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations aim to deepen economic ties.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an international organization focused on economic policy, but BTIA negotiations are specifically between India and the European Union. India has been a Key Partner of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) since 2007, collaborating on areas like anti-corruption, taxation, and trade. Though not a member, India benefits from OECD’s technical expertise and data analysis to support domestic reforms. It also participates in initiatives like the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a multilateral organization, but BTIA is not related to negotiations within the SCO. As a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) since 2017, India focuses on strengthening trade with Central Asia in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. The SCO also serves as a platform for regional cooperation in counterterrorism, economic integration, and addressing strategic challenges.