RAS Prelims MCQ Practice

Explanation

The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) was established in 1945 specifically for advanced research in physics and mathematics. Founded by Homi Bhabha with support from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, it was never an agricultural research center. It started at the Indian Institute of Science before moving to Mumbai, eventually becoming the cradle of India’s nuclear and space programs.

Explanation

Chittorgarh is the oldest of the four capitals, Jodhpur was founded in 1459, Udaipur in 1559 and Jaipur in 1727. The order is Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur.

Explanation

The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, introduced reservations for the Economically Weaker Sections by amending Articles 15 and 16.

Explanation

Fateh Sagar Lake in Udaipur has an island with a solar observatory. The lake was rebuilt after a flood, and the embankment was named Connaught Bund after the Duke of Connaught.

Explanation

The Union Public Service Commission focuses on recruitment for All-India Services and various Group A and Group B Central Services. It does not handle recruitment for State Civil Services, as those are the responsibility of the respective State Public Service Commissions, which operate independently within their own state jurisdictions. This division reflects the federal nature of the Indian Constitution. Each state has its own commission to manage its civil service requirements. The Union commission only assists states if specifically requested by the Governor and approved by the President, ensuring clear boundaries between central and state personnel management.

Explanation

Bhabha’s three stages use Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, Fast Breeder Reactors and thorium-based reactors such as the AHWR. Boiling water reactors for desalination are not a stage, so A is the odd one out.

Explanation

Keoladeo National Park is a natural World Heritage Site, and Jantar Mantar and the Pink City of Jaipur are cultural sites. The Hill Forts of Rajasthan were inscribed in 2013 as a cultural site, so D is the incorrect pair.

Explanation

While the commission must be consulted on promotions, transfers on deputation, and legal expense reimbursements, it is not required to be consulted for selections to the chairmanship of various tribunals. The government handles these high-level judicial or quasi-judicial appointments through different procedures often involving the judiciary or specialized committees. The commission’s advisory role is centered on the career management of permanent civil servants. Specialized posts like tribunal chairpersons often require judicial backgrounds or specific domain expertise that falls outside the standard civil service recruitment and promotion frameworks managed by the commission.

Explanation

Declaring an area as a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule mandates the establishment of a Tribes Advisory Council in the state. This council consists of representatives from Scheduled Tribes and advises the Governor on matters pertaining to their welfare and advancement. This provision ensures that tribal communities have a voice in local governance and that their specific cultural and land rights are protected.

Explanation

Homi Bhabha made significant contributions to cosmic ray research, notably developing the cascade theory with Walter Heitler. This theory explains how high-energy cosmic rays from space interact with the Earth’s atmosphere to produce a shower of secondary particles. Their mathematical model accurately described the multiplication and absorption of these particles, providing deep insights into high-energy atmospheric physics processes.