UPSC Prelims 2011 — Every Question with Answer and Explanation

In India, if a religious sect/community is given the status of a national minority, what special advantages is it entitled to? 1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions. 2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha. 3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements: 1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes. 2. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

What was the purpose for which Sir William Wedderburn and W.S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893?

A rapid increase in the rate of inflation is sometimes attributed to the “base effect”. What is “base effect”?

With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report? 1. Complete Independence for India. 2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities 3. Provision of fundamental right for the people of India in the constitution. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways: 1. Soil formation 2. Prevention of soil erosion 3. Recycling of waste 4. Pollination of crops Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices?

With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, “Home Charges” formed an important part of the drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted “Home Charges”? 1. Funds used to support the India Office in London. 2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India. 3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Consider the following statements: In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee 1. Is constituted under the provisions of the constitution of India. 2. Prepares the draft development plans for the metropolitan area. 3. Has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Himalayan Range is very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

The authorization for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India must come from:

The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:

Under the constitution of India, which one of the following is not a fundamental duty?

All revenues received by the Union Government by way of taxes and other receipts for the conduct of Government business are credited to the:

In terms of economy, the visit by foreign nationals to witness the XIX common Wealth Games in India amounted to:

The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to

Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: 1. The orbit is geosynchronous. 2. The orbit is circular. 3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator. 4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

The surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but the water at its bottom is still liquid. What is the reason?

A “closed economy” is an economy in which:

Both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) are related to investment in a country. Which one of the following statements best represents an important difference between the two?

Between India and East Asia, the navigation-time and distance can be greatly reduced by which of the following? 1. Deepening the Malacca straits between Malaysia and Indonesia. 2. Opening a new canal across the Kra isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and Andaman Sea. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Regarding the Indus valley civilization, consider the following statements: 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene. 2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of genes of DNA sequences on a chromosome. How does this knowledge benefit us? 1. It is possible to know the pedigree of livestock. 2. It is possible to understand the causes of all human diseases. 3. It is possible to develop disease-resistant animal breeds. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:

Which one of the following is not a site for the in-situ method of conservation of flora?

La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? 1. La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 2. El Nino has adverse effects on the south-west monsoon of India, but La Niña has no effect on monsoon climate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions?

The formation of ozone hole in the Antarctic region has been a cause of concern. What could be the reason for the formation of this hole?

Which of the following can aid in furthering the Government’s objective of inclusive growth? 1. Promoting Self-Help Groups. 2. Promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. 3. Implementing the Right to Education Act. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity?

Westerlies in the southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why? 1. Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere. 2. Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

When the bark of a tree is removed in a circular fashion all around near its base, it gradually dries up and dies because

In India, which of the following have the highest share in the disbursement of credit to agriculture and allied activities?

Which one of the following statements appropriately describes the “fiscal stimulus”?

Consider the following: 1. Carbon dioxide 2. Oxides of Nitrogen 3. Oxides of Sulphur Which of the above is/are the emission/emissions from coal combustion at thermal power plants?

The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following? 1. Constitution of District Planning Committees. 2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections. 3. Establishment of state Finance Commissions. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

What is a “Virtual Private Network”?

With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts: 1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947 2. Mining and Mineral development (Regulation) Act, 1957 3. Customs Act, 1962 4. Indian Forest Act, 1927 Which of the above Acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

The “Red Data Books” published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource (IUCN) contain lists of 1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots. 2. Threatened plant and animal species. 3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Microfinance is the provision of financial services to people of low-income groups. This includes both the consumers and the self-employed. The service/services rendered under microfinance is/are: 1. Credit facilities 2. Savings facilities 3. Insurance facilities 4. Fund Transfer facilities Select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

The lower Gangetic plain is characterized by a humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region?

Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942?

With reference to the Finance Commission of India, which of the following statements is correct?

If a tropical rainforest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because

Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?

Economic growth is usually coupled with:

A new optical disc format known as the Blu-ray Disc (BD) is becoming popular. In what way is it different from the traditional DVD? 1. DVD supports standard Definition video while BD supports High definition Video. 2. Compared to a DVD, the BD format has several times more storage capacity. 3. Thickness of BD is 2.4 mm while that of DVD is 1.2 mm. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A layer in the Earth’s atmosphere called Ionosphere facilitates radio communication. Why? 1. The presence of ozone causes the reflection of radio waves to Earth. 2. Radio waves have a very long wavelength. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The jet aircraft fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation? 1. There are no clouds or water vapour in the lower stratosphere. 2. There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase marine productivity by bringing the: 1. Decomposer microorganisms to the surface. 2. Nutrients to the surface. 3. Bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Regarding the International Monetary Fund, which one of the following statements is correct?

Recently, “oilzapper” was in the news. What is it?

India is regarded as a country with a “Demographic Dividend”. This is due to:

Why is the Government of India disinvesting its equity in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)? 1. The Government intends to use the revenue earned from the disinvestment mainly to pay back the external debt. 2. The Government no longer intends to retain the management control of the CPSEs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

Among the following States, which one has the most suitable climatic conditions for the cultivation of a large variety of orchids with minimum cost of production, and can develop an export oriented industry in this field?

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the market. It consists of amino acids and provides calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a low-calorie sweetening agent in food items. What is the basis of this use?

India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of the early maritime history of the Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing Solution/Solutions?

Which is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of 1. Its escape into the outer stratosphere. 2. The photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans. 3. The trapping of air in the polar ice caps. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A company marketing food products advertises that its items do not contain trans fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers? 1. The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils. 2. The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils. 3. The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A state in India has the following characteristics: 1. Its northern part is arid and semi-arid. 2. Its central part produces cotton. 3. Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops. Which one of the following states has all of the above characteristics?

There is a concern over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the seawaters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon? 1. Discharge of nutrients from the estuaries. 2. Run-off from the land during the monsoon. 3. Upwelling in the seas. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity: 1. Species richness 2. Vegetation density 3. Endemism 4. Ethno-botanical importance 5. Threat perception 6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?

When the annual Union Budget is not passed by the Lok Sabha:

In the context of Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. The growth rate of GDP has steadily increased in the last five years. 2. The growth rate in per capita income has steadily increased in the last five years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”? 1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry. 2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage. 3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

What could be the main reason/reasons for the formation of the African and Eurasian desert belt? 1. It is located in the sub-tropical high-pressure cells. 2. It is under the influence of warm ocean currents. Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth_______

A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is

What is the difference between “vote-on-account” and “interim budget”? 1. The provision of a “vote-on-account” is used by a regular Government, while an “interim budget” is a provision used by a caretaker Government. 2. A “vote-on-account” only deals with the expenditure in the Government’s budget, while an “interim budget” includes both expenditure and receipts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Why is the offering of “teaser loans” by commercial banks a cause of economic concern? 1. The teaser loans are considered to be an aspect of subprime lending and banks may be exposed to the risk of defaulters in future. 2. In India, the teaser loans are mostly given to inexperienced entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing or export units. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which one of the following is not a feature of “Value Added Tax”?

With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for:

A married couple adopted a male child. A few years later, twin boys were born to them. The blood group of the couple is AB positive and O negative. The blood group of the three sons is A positive, B positive, and O positive. The blood group of the adopted son is

Two important rivers- one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha- merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following could be this?

What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organise a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda? 1. The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought. 2. The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following actions which the government can take: 1. Devaluing the domestic currency. 2. Reduction in the export subsidy. 3. Adopting suitable policies which attract greater FDI and more funds from FIIs. Which of the above action(s) can help in reducing the current account deficit?

What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp? 1. To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semiconductor material. 2. The average lifespan of a CFL is much longer than that of an LED lamp 3. A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an LED lamp. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why? 1. They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates. 2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates. 3. They can be installed in wastewater treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The lowering of Bank Rate by the Reserve Bank of India leads to:

With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced. 2. It is the only means of irrigation in dryland farming. 3. In some areas of farming, the receding of groundwater tables can be checked. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

India has experienced persistent and high food inflation in the recent past. What could be the reasons? 1. Due to a gradual switchover to the cultivation of commercial crops, the area Under cultivation of food grains has steadily decreased in the last five years by about 30%. 2. As a consequence of increasing incomes, the consu- mption patterns of the people have undergone a significant change. 3. The food supply chain has structural constraints. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a “U’’ turn in its course to flow into India. This “U” turn is due to