UPSC 2018 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Ninth Schedule and Article 31-B of the Indian Constitution was added by the 1st Amendment (1951) to protect the laws included in it from judicial scrutiny on the ground of violation of fundamental rights. A law passed by the Parliament and inserted into the Ninth Schedule receives protection under Article 31-B (validation of certain Acts and Regulations) and is thus exempt from judicial review. However in IR Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu, 2007, the SC ruled that all laws (including those in the Ninth Schedule) would be open to Judicial Review if they violated the basic structure of the constitution.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The mandate of Ninth schedule is to prevent judicial scrutiny but according to the Kesavananda Bharati Case, 1973, any violation with the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution is open to challenge in court of law. Again in IR Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu, 2007, the SC ruled that all laws (including those in the Ninth Schedule) after 24 April 1973 would be open to Judicial Review if they violated the basic structure of the constitution.

Explanation

The concept of ‘Rule of Law’ was propounded by A.V.

Dicey. It is a cornerstone of democratic governance, ensuring that everyone, including government officials, is governed by law.

Statement 1, 2 and 4 are correct: The concept of ‘equality before law’ as enshrined in Article 14 of constitution is aligned with "Rule of Law" whose key features include:

Limitation of Powers: Government authority must be constrained by law to prevent misuse of power. Equality Before the Law: All individuals, irrespective of status, are equal before the law. Liberty and Civil Rights: The Rule of Law protects individual freedoms and rights, ensuring the state cannot infringe on them arbitrarily.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The government is responsible/ accountable to the people. While citizens have duties and responsibilities, the Rule of Law primarily focuses on how power is exercised by the government and how citizens are protected under the law.

Explanation

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution deals with the protection of life and personal liberty. The Right to Privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, ensuring individuals’ autonomy and protection against unwarranted state interference. It was affirmed as a constitutional right by the Supreme Court in the landmark 2017 Puttaswamy judgment.The right may be restricted only by state action that passes each of the three tests:

Such state action must have a legislative mandate; It must be pursuing a legitimate state purpose; and It must be proportionate.

Explanation

Carbon fertilisation is the artificial enrichment of the atmosphere of greenhouses with carbon dioxide, an essential nutrient for plants and vegetables. It also goes by the name of "Carbon Dioxide Fertilization." It can be used to grow nearly any form of vegetable (asparagus, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, aubergines, etc.), greenhouse fruit (strawberries), and ornamental plants, and is especially suited for cold climates.

Option (a) is correct: Carbon fertilisation results in an increase in the instantaneous rate of photosynthesis in C3 plants; and increases the transpiration efficiency of the leaf (C3 and C4 plants). During high concentration of carbon dioxide, plants maintain narrow openings of leaf surface which protects them from water loss. Faster plant growth enhances food production and allows for the sequestration of more carbon dioxide. Plants distribute a greater proportion of photosynthate to roots under high concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The reproductive biomass growth, as well as vegetative biomass growth, is usually increased by elevated carbon dioxide.

Explanation

Birds can act as carriers of plant pathogens. As they move through crops, pathogens may stick to their feathers, beaks, or feet, transferring them from infected plants to healthy ones. Dust particles often carry fungal spores or bacterial cells. When dust is blown by the wind, these pathogens can travel to new areas, causing infections in plants far from the original source. Rainwater, particularly during heavy downpours or storms, can facilitate the spread of pathogens. Raindrops pick up pathogens from infected plants or soil and splash them onto healthy plants, promoting disease transmission. Wind plays a significant role in transporting pathogens such as fungal spores, bacteria, or insect vectors contaminated with viruses. This mechanism allows pathogens to infect plants located far from the initial infection site.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Soil water holding capacity is the amount of water that a given soil can hold for crop use. Soil texture and organic matter are the key components that determine soil water holding capacity. Organic matter influences the physical conditions of a soil in several ways.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Sulphur is one of three nutrients that are cycled between the soil, plant matter and the atmosphere. The sulphur cycle describes the movement of sulphur through the atmosphere, mineral and organic forms, and through living things.

Statement 3 is correct: Salinization is a major problem associated with irrigation, because deposits of salts build up in the soil and can reach levels that are harmful to crops.

Explanation

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no tillage), maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop production. According to FAO’s website there are three principles of Conservation of Agriculture:

1. Minimum mechanical soil disturbance: It refers to low disturbance no-tillage and direct seeding. The disturbed area must be less than 15 cm wide or less than 25% of the cropped area (whichever is lower).

2. Permanent soil organic cover: Three categories are distinguished: 30-60%, >60-90% and >90% ground cover, measured immediately after the direct seeding operation. An area with less than 30% cover is not considered as CA.

3. Species diversification: Rotation/association should involve at least 3 different crop species. The rotation of crops is not only necessary to offer a diverse "diet" to the soil micro organisms, but as they root at different soil depths, they are capable of exploring different soil layers for nutrients.

Explanation

Sthanakvasi is a branch of Svetambara Jainism that was started in 1653 AD by a merchant named Lavaji. It holds that the path to soul purification and achieving Nirvana/Moksha does not include idol worship.

Option (b) is correct:

The Sthanakvasi sect is a reformist sect within Jainism. It emerged in the 15th century CE as a reaction against the perceived ritualism and temple-centric practices of the Murtipujaka (idol-worshipping) Jains.mThe Sthanakvasis emphasize asceticism, non-violence (ahimsa), and meditation. They reject the worship of idols and instead focus on spiritual practices and the study of Jain scriptures.mThe sect derives its name from the term "Sthanak", meaning a place of worship, which is typically a simple hall rather than an ornate temple.

Explanation

A Bodhisattva in Buddhism is an enlightened being who, out of compassion, chooses to remain in the cycle of birth and death (samsara) to help all sentient beings attain liberation. The Bodhisattva path emphasizes the cultivation of perfections (paramitas) like generosity, wisdom, and patience to achieve Buddhahood. According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a Bodhisattva who will appear on earth in future, attain enlightenment and teach pure dharma. He will be the future Buddha. Avalokiteshvara (The Lord Who Looks Down), also called Padmapani (The Lotus-Bearer) and Lokesvara in Sanskrit (The Lord of the World) is believed to hear the cries of suffering beings and assist in their liberation, offering help and comfort. The Bodhisattva is often depicted with multiple arms, symbolizing the ability to reach out and help countless beings simultaneously.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Coral reefs predominantly thrive in warm, shallow waters, typically between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (30°N to 30°S latitude). These tropical regions provide the ideal conditions--such as appropriate temperature, light, and salinity--for coral growth. The warm water temperatures are essential for the symbiotic relationship between coral polyps and the algae (zooxanthellae) that live within their tissues.

Statement 2 is correct: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, along with coral reef systems in Indonesia and the Philippines (part of the Coral Triangle), collectively account for more than one-third of the world’s coral reefs. These regions are globally renowned for their extensive and diverse coral systems.

Statement 3 is correct: Coral reefs are among the most bio-diverse ecosystems on Earth, hosting over 25,000 described species from 32 of the 33 known animal phyla, which is more than the number of animal phyla found in tropical rainforests.