UPSC 2021 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Option 1 is correct: Hedgehogs are small mammals with short limbs and a body low to the ground. Their most distinctive characteristic is the thousands of stiff, sharp spines -harder and sharper than those of a porcupine - that cover the animal’s back and sides, like a pincushion filled with needles. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators.

Option 2 is incorrect: Marmot are any of 14 species of giant ground squirrels found primarily in North America and Eurasia. Marmots are well suited for life in cold environments and have small fur-covered ears, short, stocky legs, and strong claws for digging. Marmots do not roll up and protect their vulnerable parts. They often use their sharp teeth and powerful jaws to defend themselves.

Option 3 is correct: Pangolin, also called scaly anteaters be-cause of their preferred diet. They are the most trafficked mammal in the world. If touched or grabbed it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: Filter feeders are a subgroup of suspension feeding animals that feed by straining suspended matter and food particles from water, typically bypassing the water over a specialised filtering structure. Clams, krill, sponges, oysters, etc are among the creatures that rely on this way of feeding (including some sharks). Filter feeders include some birds like flamingos and several varieties of duck. Filter feeders are regarded as ecosystem engineers since they might be crucial in the clarification of water. They serve as indicator organisms and are crucial in bioaccumulation.

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

Catfish are bottom-dwellers that feed on a variety of food sources, including insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Octopuses are predators that feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. Pelicans are birds that feed on fish and other aquatic animals.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Oil palm trees are native to West Africa but were brought to South-East Asia over 100 years ago as an ornamental tree crop. Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, is the largest producer of palm oil.

Statement 2 is correct: Non-food applications of Palm oil are Cosmetics, toiletries, soaps and detergents. Oleochemical industry, as a base material for laundry detergents, household cleaners and cosmetics.

Statement 3 is correct: Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel, which can be used in compression ignition engines, i.e., diesel engines without any modifications.

Explanation

Leguminous plants have small pockets or nodules in their roots that host a specific type of bacteria known as nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect: Moringa is a rapidly growing, drought-tolerant tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It is found naturally in the sub-Himalayan regions of Northern India and is now cultivated globally in tropical and subtropical climates. Unlike leguminous plants, Moringa is not a legume and is deciduous, shedding its leaves seasonally. On the other hand, tamarind, a leguminous tree known for its edible fruit, is native to tropical Africa, not South Asia. Statements 3 and 4 are correct: In India most of the Tamarind is collected as Minor Forest Produce with Minimum Support Price. Tamarind is also actively exported from India.

Statement 5 is correct: Biodiesel is derived from the tamarind seed through the transesterification process as potential alternative feedstock for the diesel engine. Seeds of Moringa too can be used for biodiesel production.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: As per Article 128 of the Constitution, the Chief Justice of India may, at any time, with the previous consent of the President, can request a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a retired judge of a High Court to sit and act as a Judge of the Supreme Court for a temporary period. Such a judge is entitled to such allowances as the president may determine. He will also enjoy all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges of a judge of the Supreme Court.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Supreme Court possesses of the Constitution. In contrast, High Courts do not have a similar constitutional provision; their power to review their own judgments arises from statutory provisions--specifically, Section 114 and Order 47 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC). These statutory powers are limited in scope compared to the constitutional authority of the Supreme Court. Therefore, equating the review powers of High Courts with those of the Supreme Court is not technically accurate. Moreover, the Supreme Court has also evolved the concept of a curative petition, which extends its review jurisdiction and is not available to High Courts. Note: UPSC has given its official answer as (a).

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: An increase in the CRR means banks have to keep a larger portion of their deposits with the Re-serve Bank of India (RBI), reducing the funds available for lending. This leads to a decrease in the money multiplier.

Option (b) is incorrect: An increase in the SLR requires banks to hold a higher percentage of their deposits in the form of liquid assets like government securities, reducing their ability to lend. This also leads to a decrease in the money multiplier.

Option (c) is correct: When more people prefer banking and keep their money in banks instead of holding cash, it increases deposits in the banking system. This boosts banking activities like lending, which leads to a higher money multiplier as the deposits circulate through the system.

Option (d) is incorrect: While an increase in population may lead to more economic activity, it does not directly affect the money multiplier unless it translates into higher banking habits or changes in monetary policy.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Chenab River originates from Bara Lacha Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It is formed by the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Himachal Pradesh, flows through Jammu and Kashmir and enters Pakistan. The Chenab does not join the Indus directly. It merges with the Sutlej River in Pakistan.

Option (b) is incorrect: Jhelum River originates from Verinag Spring in Jammu and Kashmir. It flows through the Kashmir Valley and enters Pakistan. Jhelum joins Chenab, which later merges with Sutlej before reaching the Indus. Jhelum does not directly join Indus.

Option (c) is incorrect: Ravi River originates from Bara Bhan-gal in Himachal Pradesh. It flows through Punjab before entering Pakistan. Ravi joins the Chenab River, which later merges with the Sutlej before meeting the Indus.

Option (d) is correct: Sutlej River originates from Rakshastal, near Lake Mansarovar, Tibet. It flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before entering Pakistan. Sutlej is the only river that directly joins the Indus River at Mithankot, Pakistan. Thus, it is the only Satluj river in the Indus valley system which receives water from three rivers of the system and joins Indus directly. The Indus River System:

Fig: Map of the Indus River System

Explanation

A salt lake or saline lake is a landlocked body of water that has a concentration of salts and other dissolved minerals significantly higher than most lakes. These lakes are characterized by their high salt content, often due to the arid or semi-arid climate and the lack of outflowing rivers leading to the evaporation of water and the concentration of salts. Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are saline lakes of Rajasthan.

Explanation

Option 1 is incorrect: The Brahmani River does not originate in the Eastern Ghats. The Brahmani River is formed by the confluence of the South Koel and Sankh rivers in Jharkhand. The South Koel originates near Nagri in Jharkhand, while the Sankh River originates in the Chotanagpur Plateau. After the confluence, it flows through the Eastern Ghats in Sundar-garh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, and Jajpur districts.

Option 2 is correct: The Nagavali River originates in the Eastern Ghats near Lakhbahal in the Kalahandi district of Odisha. It flows through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Option 3 is incorrect: The Subarnarekha River originates near Nagri in the Chotanagpur Plateau of Jharkhand. It flows through Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Chotanagpur Plateau is part of the Deccan Plateau, not the Eastern Ghats.

Option 4 is correct: 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.

Explanation

Black money refers to income or wealth that is generated through illegal means or through legitimate activities that are not reported to the authorities for the purpose of avoiding taxes. It typically exists in the form of undeclared or unaccounted money, which is not taxed by the government.

Option (a) is incorrect: While this is a consequence of black money, it is not the primary concern. The real estate market may become inflated due to investments made with black money, but this diversion of funds does not directly impact the government’s ability to generate revenue through taxation. However, it can lead to inefficient allocation of resources.

Option (b) is incorrect: Black money often gets invested in unproductive assets like gold, precious stones, and luxury items. Al-though this can lead to economic inefficiencies, it does not directly cause a loss of government’s ability to generate revenue. The main problem lies in the undocumented nature of these transactions, leading to tax evasion.

Option (c) is incorrect: Black money can be funneled into undocumented political donations and may contribute to regional political growth. However, the core issue remains the loss of tax revenue rather than the political consequences.

Option (d) is correct: The main issue with black money is tax evasion, resulting in a significant loss of revenue for the government. Without the full collection of taxes, the government faces challenges in funding essential public services and development projects, which is the biggest concern for India’s economic health.