1.

With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are
correct?
1. It recommended a federal government.
2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.
3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None

(a) I only

According to the proposals of the Cabinet Mission announced in May, 1946, the
country could have a Federal government consisting of the British and the Indian
India. The Federation was naturally to look after the national and international
problems like the Defense and communication, the foreign affairs and the
international trade while the provinces were to enjoy complete autonomy in
Provincial subjects like police, agriculture, industries, educational and many
other local problems.

It did not made any recommendation related to courts or ICS. Hence statement 2 and
3 are incorrect.

2. Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from
tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic?
(a) Khangchendzonga National Park
(b) Nandadevi National Park
(c) Neora Valley National Park
(d) Namdapha National Park

(d) Namdapha National Park

In the Namdapha National Park, located in Arunachal Pradesh, the climate varies
from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic. It is tropical and subtropical
in the southern region while it is of arctic type in the northern part of the park.
This question was asked some 8-9 years ago in the Prelims exam. Since then it has
came in many books. For reference, two Google books links are provided

Reference Handbook of National Parks

Discovering the Himalayas

3. Amnesty International is
(a) an agency of the United Nations to help refugees of civil war.
(b) a global Human Rights Movement.
(c)a non-governmental voluntary organization to help very poor people.
(d)an inter-governmental agency to cater to medical emergencies in war-ravaged
regions.

(b) a global Human Rights Movement.

Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty and AI) is a non-governmental

organisation focused on human rights with over 7 million members and supporters
around the world.

4. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among
the following was made earliest?
(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
(d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri

(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

5. With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential
element/elements of the feudal system?
1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or
local political authority.
2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land
3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

(b) 2 and 3 only

Statement 1 is false. In Feudalism, there is no or a weak central authority.

Feudalism is a synonym for politically decentralized. In a centralized kingdom,
the monarch effects strong direct control over his entire state; in a decentralized
kingdom, the monarchs power is limited by the strength of local lords, who have
significant autonomy (even though they are officially subject to the monarchs
rule). The term feudal can therefore be applied to any state that exists as a
collection of significantly autonomous regions.

Statement 2 and 3 are correct. A person became a vassal by pledging political

allegiance and providing military, political, and financial service to a lord. A
lord possessed complete sovereignty over land, or acted in the service of another
sovereign, usually a king. If a lord acted in the service of a king, the lord was
considered a vassal of the king.

As part of the feudal agreement, the lord promised to protect the vassal and
provided the vassal with a plot of land. This land could be passed on to the
vassals heirs, giving the vassal tenure over the land.

6. BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes is managed by the

(a) Asian Development Bank
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) United Nations Environment Programme
(d) World Bank

(d) World Bank

The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is a

multilateral fund, supported by donor governments and managed by the World Bank. It
seeks to promote reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector, from
deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+), and from
sustainable agriculture, as well as smarter land-use planning, policies and
practices.

Reference Official website of Bio Carbon Fund

7. India is a member of which among thefollowing?

1.Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
2.Association of South-East Asian nation
3.East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) India is a member of none of them

(b) 3 only

At present, India is not a member of APEC. It does not belong to the ASEAN group as
well. The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a forum held annually by leaders of, initially,
16 countries in the East Asian region. Membership expanded to 18 countries
including the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011. India is a member
of EAS.

8. In India, the steel production industry requires the import of

a) saltpetre
b) rock phosphate
c) coking coal
d) All of the above
c) coking coal

The coal found in India is manily of non-coking quality, and hence coking coal has
to be imported. 70% of the steel produced today uses coal. Metallurgical coal or
coking coal is a vital ingredient in the steel making process. Coking coal is
converted to coke by driving off impurities to leave almost pure carbon. During the
iron-making process, a blast furnace is fed with the iron ore, coke and small
quantities of fluxes (minerals, such as limestone, which are used to collect
impurities).

Reference Uses of coal in steel

9. The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India
are made in order to
(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
(b) determine the boundaries between States
(c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
(d) protect the interests of all the border States

(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes

The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India deals with administration and
control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes in these areas. The Fifth Schedule
covers Tribal areas in 9 states of India namely Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat,
Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa and Rajasthan.

The Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India contains provisions concerning the
administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and
Mizoram.

10. With reference to the Union Government,consider the following statements

1.The Department of Revenue isresponsible for the preparation ofUnion Budget that
is presented to the Parliament
2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the
authorization from the Parliament of India.
3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need the authorization from
the Parliament of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 2 only

The Department of Economic Affairs (and not Revenue) is responsible for the
preparation ofUnion Budget that is presented to the Parliament. The Public Account
of India is operated by executive action, and hence no authorization from
Parliament is needed.

11. Who/Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India?

(a) The President of India
(b) The Prime Minister of India
(c) The Lok Sabha Secretariat
(d) The Supreme Court of India

(d) The Supreme Court of India

There is a confusion between President and Supreme court. Some articles have
mentioned that the President is the Custodian of the constitution. The occupant of
the highest office of the land is also the custodian of the Constitution. Reference

Indian Express

Hindustan Times

However, many other sources have mentioned Supreme Court as the custodian of the
Indian Constitution.
The Supreme Court acts as the custodian of the Constitution through its power of
judicial review. Integrated and relatively powerful judiciary, headed by the
Supreme Court is the custodian of the Constitution.

Lets see what UPSC takes as correct. For now, we are taking SC as the correct
answer.

12. Consider the following statements :

1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to
provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the
development of water-use efficiency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

(b) 2 only

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to

provide financial assistance, to expedite completion of ongoing Major/Medium
Irrigation (MMI) including Extension, Renovation and Modernization (ERM) of
irrigation projects. It was not for providing loan assistance to poor farmers.
The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development
of water-use efficiency and speedier utilization of irrigation potential.

Reference Google Books

13. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the

(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in
the Ministry of Environment and Forests under Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import,
Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or
Cells 1989', under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Reference Official website of MoEF

14. In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the

following is/are not a participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I only
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 5

(c) 1 and 3

The MekongGanga Cooperation (MGC) comprises six member countries, namely India,
Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. They emphasised four areas of
cooperation, which are tourism, culture, education, and transportation linkage.The
organization takes its name from the Ganga and the Mekong, two large rivers in the
region.

15. Basel III Accord or simply Basel 111', often seen in the news, seeks to
(a) develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity
(b) improve banking sectors ability to deal with financial and economic stress and
improve risk management
(c) reduce the greenhouse gas emissions but places a heavier burden on developed
countries
(d) transfer technology from developed countries to poor countries to enable them
to replace the use of chlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration with harmless chemicals

(b) improve banking sectors ability to deal with financial and economic stress and
improve risk management

Basel III is a comprehensive set of reform measures, developed by the Basel

Committee on Banking Supervision, to strengthen the regulation, supervision and
risk management of the banking sector. These measures aim to:
1. improve the banking sectors ability to absorb shocks arising from financial and
economic stress, whatever the source
2. improve risk management and governance
3. strengthen banks transparency and disclosures.

16. Consider the following statements :

1. The winds which blow between 30' N and 60 S latitudes throughout the year are
known as westerlies.
2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India
are part of westerlies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

(b) 2 only

The westerlies generally blow between 30 and 60 latitude in both the Northern
and Southern hemispheres. The higher one travels into the atmosphere, the more
noticeable these westerly winds are. So, they blow between 30 to 60 degree North as
well as 30 to 60 degree south. Statement 1 is saying 30 degree north to 60 degree
south, which is incorrect, as we have trade winds between 30 degree north and 30
degree south.

17. With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (I0R-
ARC), consider the following statements :
I. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and
accidents of oil spills.
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both I and 2
(d) Neither I nor 2

(d) Neither I nor 2

Providing security is not the only objective of IOR ARC. It also works in the field
on economic cooperation, including trade, tourism, education, ICT etc. Therefore,
statement 2 is incorrect. It is not a recently formed organisation, but dates back
to 1997. So statement 1 is also false.

Reference Official website of IOR

18. Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian
National Congress resulting in the emergence of moderates and extremists?
(a) Swadeshi Movement
(b) Quit India Movement
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) Civil Disobedience Movement

(a) Swadeshi Movement

Surat Split is mainly known for separation of congress partymen into moderates and
extremists at the surat session of congress in 26 December 1907. This was the time
of Swadeshi Movement.

19. In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living
trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these bridges
become stronger. These unique living root bridges are found in
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Tamil Nadu

(a) Meghalaya

The living root bridges of Cherrapunji, Laitkynsew, and Nongriat, in the present-
day Meghalaya state of northeast India is a form of tree shaping, which creates
these suspension bridges, they are handmade from the aerial roots of living banyan
fig trees. So, Meghalaya is the answer.

Reference Living Roots

20. Tides occur in the oceans and seas due to which among the following?
I. Gravitational force of the Sun
2. Gravitational force of the Moon
3. Centrifugal force of the Earth
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) I and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

The tide-raising forces at the earths surface thus result from a combination of
basic forces: (1) the force of gravitation exerted by the moon (and sun) upon the
earth; and (2) centrifugal forces produced by the revolutions of the earth and moon
(and earth and sun) around their common center-of-gravity (mass) or barycenter.

With the Earth-Moon system, gravity is like a rope that pulls or keeps the two
bodies together, and centrifugal force is what keeps them apart. Because the
centrifugal force is greater than the Moons gravitational pull, ocean water on the
opposite side of the Earth bulges outward.

The Suns gravity pulls ocean water toward the Sun, but at the same time, the
centrifugal force of the combined Earth-Sun revolution causes water on the opposite
side of Earth to bulge away from the Sun. However, the effect is smaller than the
Moon, even given the greater mass of the Sun (greater mass means greater
gravitational force). Why? Simply because The Sun is so far away over 380 times
farther away from the Earth than the Moon.

Reference Tide producing forces

Ocean tides explained

21. In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites
used?
I. Assessment of crop productivity
2. Locating groundwater resources
3. Mineral exploration
4. Telecommunications
5. Traffic studies
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a)1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 4 and 5 only
(c) I and 2 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

(a)1, 2 and 3 only

Remote sensing sateliites are not used for telecommunications or traffic studies.

Reference Indian IRS

22. Consider the following States :
1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram
In which of the above States do Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests occur?
(a) I only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3 only

Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are typical rain forests which grow in those areas
where the annual rainfall exceeds 250 cm, the annual temperature is about 25-27C
the average annual humidity exceeds 77 per cent and the dry season is distinctly
short.

The true evergreen forests are found along the western side of the Western Ghats
(between 500 to 1370 metres above sea level) south of Mumbai, in a strip running
from north-east to south-west direction across Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Assam,
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura upto a height of 1070 metres and in the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

So, they are not found in Himachal Pradesh.

23. The term lndARC, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of
(a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence
(b) Indias satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim
(c) a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region
(d) Indias underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

(d) Indias underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

The deployment of IndARC, the countrys first underwater moored observatory in the
Kongsfjorden fjord, half way between Norway and the North Pole, represents a major
milestone in Indias scientific endeavours in the Arctic region.

Data collected by IndARC would be used for climate modelling studies to understand
the influence of the Arctic processes on the Indian monsoon system.

Reference The Hindu

24. With reference to Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, which of the following
statements is/are correct?
1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and
indigenous peoples.
2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and
institutions involved in
scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation
technologies for sustainable forest management.
3. It assists the countries in their REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation
and Forest Degradation+) efforts by providing them with financial and technical
assistance.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3 only

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a World Bank programme and
consists of a Readiness Fund and a Carbon Fund. The FCPF was created to assist
developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation,
enhance and conserve forest carbon stocks, and sustainably manage forests (REDD+).

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility assists developing countries in their

efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and foster
conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon
stocks (all activities commonly referred to as REDD+) by providing value to
standing forests.

So, statement 2 is false as it does not provide funds to universities, individuals

or institutes.

Reference Official website of FCPF

25. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?
(a) Odia
(b) Konkani
(c) Bhojpuri
(d) Assamese

(a) Odia

Odia became the sixth language of India in February 2014 to get classical
language status putting it in the same league as Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada
and Malayalam.

Once a language is declared classical, it gets financial assistance for setting up

a centre of excellence for the study of that language and also opens up an avenue
for two major awards for scholars of eminence. Besides, the University Grants
Commission can be requested to create to begin with at least in Central
Universities a certain number of professional chairs for classical languages for
scholars of eminence in the language.

The criteria for declaring a language as classical mandates high antiquity of its
early texts/recorded history over a period of 1,500-2,000 years, a body of ancient
literature/texts which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers
and a literary tradition that is original and not borrowed from another speech
community. Also since the classical language and literature is distinct from the
modern, there can also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its
later forms or its offshoots.