UPSC 2018 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

GPS technology uses a network of satellites to pinpoint a user’s location on Earth. By receiving signals from multiple satellites, GPS devices can calculate precise latitude, longitude, and altitude coordinates. This technology has revolutionized navigation, transportation, and many other fields. Options 1 is correct: Smartphones use GPS to determine the user’s precise location which enables location-based services such as navigation, ride-sharing apps, geotagging, and emergency location tracking. Option 2 is correct: Financial institutions use GPS-derived time stamps to record the exact time of transactions, aiding in audit trails and fraud detection. GPS ensures that banking systems across different locations operate in sync, which is crucial for real-time processing and settlements. Options 3 is correct: GPS provides precise time references that are vital for synchronizing the operations of power grids, helping in load balancing and efficient energy distribution.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The scenario described is a classic example of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to a network of interconnected devices that communicate and exchange data with each other to automate tasks and improve efficiency. The smartphone, geyser, smart mirror, refrigerator, and car are all IoT devices.

Option (a),(c) and (d) are incorrect:

Border Gateway Protocol is used to manage how data packets are routed across the internet between different autonomous systems (networks). It is primarily used by internet service providers (ISPs) and large organizations to ensure efficient data routing. Internet Protocol (IP) is a fundamental communication protocol used for transmitting data over the internet. It provides the addressing system (IP addresses) that allows devices to communicate. Virtual Private Network is a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet to protect user privacy and data. It is commonly used to access restricted networks or hide online activity.

Explanation

Sand mining is the extraction of sand, mainly through an open pit (or sandpit) but sometimes mined from beaches and inland dunes or dredged from ocean and river beds.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Sand mining typically does not directly affect the salinity of the river. Salinity is more influenced by factors like the influx of seawater in coastal areas, evaporation rates, and the presence of saline minerals in the riverbed.

Statement 2 is correct: The amount of suspended particles in the water at the excavation site and downstream increases due to increased riverbed and bank erosion. This process stirs up the sediments and increases the chance of contamination of groundwater.

Statement 3 is correct: Heavy sand mining causes removal of sand and gravels from the riverbed. Due to this the groundwater table drops leaving the drinking water wells on the embankments of these rivers dry. Alteration of rivers, damage to river biodiversity, altered sediment budget lead to poor water quality, worsen water scarcity threat to coastal communities, damage to public and private property.

Explanation

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a French traveler and gem merchant who traveled extensively in India during the 17th century. He was an independent traveller and trader who, between the years of 1630 and 1668, made travels to Persia and India in the courts of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. He is well-known for his detailed accounts of the diamonds and diamond mines of India, particularly the famous Golconda mines. Tavernier provided extensive information on the diamond trade, the mines in places like Golconda, and the prized diamonds, such as the Koh-i-Noor.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Puthukkuli shawls are a traditional craft of the Toda tribe in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. The shawls are adorned with intricate Toda embroidery, locally called "Pugur," meaning flower. This craft has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status and is a significant cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Sujni embroidery originates from Bihar, not Maharashtra. It is a traditional form of embroidery from the Bhusura village in Bihar, often used to create quilts and other textile products. It has also received a GI tag.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Uppada Jamdani saris are woven in Uppada, East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, not Karnataka. These saris are known for their fine silk and intricate weaving patterns and have been granted a GI tag.

Explanation

The "Sixth mass extinction" refers to the ongoing, human-driven loss of biodiversity, characterized by a rapid decline in species across the planet. This extinction event is primarily driven by human activities such as over-exploitation of resources, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.

Explanation

The terms WannaCry, Petya, and EternalBlue are associated with cyber attacks. These are names of malware and exploits that have caused significant global cybersecurity breach-es.

Option (c) is correct: Wanna Cry (2017) and Petya (2016) are types of ransomware attacks that exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, with EternalBlue being the exploit used in these attacks. These cyber attacks caused widespread disruption across businesses and governments globally by encrypting data and demanding ransom. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Exoplanets refer to planets located outside our solar system and have no relation with WannaCry, Petya, or EternalBlue. Cryptocurrency involves digital currencies like Bitcoin, and while cyber attacks can target cryptocurrency platforms, the mentioned terms are directly associated with malicious software, not digital currencies. Mini satellites are small satellites used in space technology, and are unrelated to these cybersecurity threats.

Explanation

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an American anti-missile system developed by the U.S. to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight.

Option (a) is incorrect: An Israeli radar system refers to systems like the Iron Dome, which is developed by Israel for intercepting short-range threats, but THAAD is an American system.

Option (b) is incorrect: India’s indigenous anti-missile programme refers to systems like the Aakash missile system, but THAAD is a U.S.-developed system, not an Indian one.

Option (c) is correct: THAAD is designed to counter missile threats and is part of the U.S. missile defense strategy. It works by using powerful radar systems to detect and track incoming missiles and then using interceptors to destroy them mid-flight.

Option (d) is incorrect: A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea refers to missile defense collaborations, but THAAD is specifically an American-developed system, not a bilateral project between Japan and South Korea.

Explanation

General theory of relativity, is a geometric theory related to gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1915 and currently defines gravitation in modern physics. A coherent account of gravity as a geometric property of space and time, or four-dimensional spacetime, is provided by general relativity, which generalises special relativity and improves Newton’s law of universal gravitation. In particular, the energy and momentum of all matter and radiation present have a direct relationship to the curvature of spacetime.

Statement 1 is correct: According to General Relativity, light travels along the curved spacetime shaped by the gravity of massive objects. This phenomenon, known as gravitational lensing, has been observed in effects such as Einstein’s Cross and the bending of starlight around the Sun.

Statement 2 is correct: General Theory of Relativity showed that space and time are malleable or flexible, and predicted that our universe was ever expanding.

Statement 3 is correct: The theory of relativity states that massive objects distort spacetime around it. And since photons travel the shortest distance between two points, light appears to be bent when it travels through the distorted spacetime of a massive object.

Explanation

Option (1) is incorrect: The Digital India plan does not focus on forming India’s own internet companies like China did. Instead, it is more about enhancing infrastructure and accessibility to digital services across India.

Option (2) is incorrect: While data sovereignty is a key issue, the Digital India initiative does not specifically aim to encourage multinational corporations to build large data centers within In-dia’s boundaries. However, it does encourage data protection and localization policies.

Option (3) is correct: Connecting villages to the Internet and bringing Wi-Fi to schools, public places, and tourist centers is a major goal of the Digital India plan. This includes providing broadband connectivity to rural areas and ensuring access to government services through digital platforms.

Option (c) is incorrect: because while option 3 is correct, options 1 and 2 are not part of the Digital India goals.