UPSC Civil Services Previous Year 2020 Question Papers With Answer Key

1 .

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat"?

A)

Corbett

B)

Ranthambore

C)

Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam

D)

Sunderbans

Correct Answer : Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam

Note :

Tiger Reserve :

* Corbett : 821.99(sq. Km)

* Ranthambore : 1113.364(sq. Km)

* Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam : 2595.72(sq. Km)

* Sunderbans : 1699.62(sq. Km)

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

2 .

Consider the following statements :

1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.

2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.

3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C lesser than that of the surroundings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

2 only

D)

1 and 3 only

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 2 only

Note :

Jet streams are relatively narrow bands of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere. The winds blow from west to east in jet streams but the flow often shifts to the north and south. Jet streams follow the boundaries between hot and cold air.

Since these hot and cold air boundaries are most pronounced in winter, jet streams are the strongest for both the northern and southern hemisphere winters. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

The “eye” of Tropical Cyclone is a roughly circular area of comparatively light winds and fair weather found at the center of a severe tropical cyclone.

The eye is the region of lowest surface pressure and warmest temperatures aloft (in the upper levels) – the eye temperature may be 10°C warmer or more at an altitude of 12 km than the surrounding environment, but only 0-2°C warmer at the surface in the tropical cyclone (Hawkins and Rubsam 1968). Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

The formation of an eye is almost always an indicator of increasing tropical cyclone organisation and strength. Because of this, forecasters watch developing storms closely for signs of eye formation.

But in Extratropical Cyclones or Temperate Cyclones, there is not a single place where winds and rains are inactive (as in case of Tropical Cyclone). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

3 .

Consider the following statements :

1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).

2. CGWA was’ formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.

3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

2 only

D)

1 and 3 only

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 and 3 only

Note :

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under Section 3 (3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of ground water resources in the country. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

India's irrigation is mostly groundwater well based. At 39 million hectares (67% of its total irrigation), India has the world's largest groundwater well equipped irrigation system (China with 19 mha is second, USA with 17 mha is third). Hence, statement 3 is correct.

According to National Compilation of Groundwater Resource of India 2017, the average stage of ground water extraction for the country as a whole works out to be about 63 %. The extraction of ground water for various uses in different parts of the country is not uniform.

Out of the total 6881 assessment units (Blocks/ Mandals/ Talukas/Firkas) in the country, 1186 units in various States (17%) have been categorized as ‘Over-Exploited’ indicating ground water extraction exceeding the annually replenishable ground water recharge. In these areas the percentage of ground water extraction is more than 100 percent.

In addition, 313 units (5%) are ‘Critical’, where the stage of ground water extraction is between 90-100 %. There are 972 semi-critical units (14%), where the stage of ground water extraction is between 70% and 90% and 4310 assessment units (63%) have been categorized as ‘Safe‘, where the stage of Ground water extraction is less than 70 %. Apart from this, there are 100 assessment units (1%), which have been categorized, as ‘Saline’ as major part of the ground water in phreatic aquifers is brackish or saline.

In January 2020, NGT had ordered the Centre to put on hold its new norms on groundwater use. About 20,000 applications are pending before the CGWA. Around 800,000 companies fall in overexploited, critical and semi-critical blocks, representing 36% of 6,881 groundwater assessment units. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

4 .

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs :

Famous Place		Present State
Bhilsa	:	Madhya Pradesh
Dwarasamudra	:	Maharashtra
Girinagar	:	Gujarat
Sthanesvara	:	Uttar Pradesh

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A)

1 and 3 only

B)

1 and 4 only

C)

2 and 3 only

D)

2 and 4 only

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1 and 3 only

Note :

Vidisha (formerly known as Bhilsa) is a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a an archaeologically important site known for inscriptions regarding the ancient history of India. As a general of Sultan Jalaluddin, Alauddin Khalji raided the Paramara city of Bhilsa in 1293 CE. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.

Halebidu (which used to be called Dwarasamudra) was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is located in Hassan District of Karnataka. In late 1310, the Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji sent his general Malik Kafur on an expedition to the southernmost regions of India. In 1311, Malik Kafur besieged the Hoysala capital Dwarasamudra, and the defending ruler Veera Ballala III surrendered without much resistance. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched.

Girnar or Girinagar is a group of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat. This place is sacred to the Jains because it is the place where Lord Niminatha (22nd Jain Tirtankar) went to attain salvation. It is also known for Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts XIV, dating to circa 250 BCE. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.

Sthanesvara site is located at modern-day Thanesar in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. It is a historic town and an important Hindu pilgrimage centre on the banks of the Saraswati River. It was also sacked and many of its temples were destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni. Hence, pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

5 .

Siachen Glacier is situated to the

A)

East of Aksai Chin

B)

East of Leh

C)

North of Gilgit

D)

North of Nubra Valley

Correct Answer : North of Nubra Valley

Note :

Siachen Glacier is one of the world’s longest mountain glaciers, lying in the Karakoram Range system of Kashmir near the India–Pakistan border, extending for 70 km from north-northwest to south-southeast.

It is the source for the 50-mi-long Nubra River, a tributary of the Shyok, which is part of the Indus River system. Siachen Glacier lies to the north of the Nubra valley. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

6 .

With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?

1. It is spread over two districts.

2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.

3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

1 and 3 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 1 and 3 only

Note :

• The Thar Desert or the Desert National Park (DNP) in north-western India is a unique and the only habitat of its type in the Indian subcontinent.

• The Aravalli hills mark the eastern-most boundary limit of the Thar desert while the western limit is defined by the fertile plains of the Indus. The Great Rann of Kutch forms a sharp boundary in the south while its northern limits are formed by the riparian sub-Himalayan plains.

• The Desert National Park (DNP) covers an area of 3162 km² of which 1900 km² is in Jaisalmer district and remaining 1262 km² is in Barmer district of Rajasthan State. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

• The Thar desert is the most thickly populated desert in the world with an average density of 83 persons/km² (compared to 7km² of other deserts). However, the human population within the DNP is low (4-5 persons per km²). There are 73 villages and also settlements or Dhanis existing within the Park. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

• The area falls in the extreme hot and arid region of very low rainfall zone (<100mm) of the country. DNP was gazetted in the year 1980.

• DNP is a home to Great Indian Bustard (locally called Godawan) along with more than 100 species of birds. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

7 .

With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements :

1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.

2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.

3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for Phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

2 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 and 3 only

Note : The Government of India subsidizes fertilizers to ensure that fertilizers are easily available to farmers and the country remains self-sufficient in agriculture. The same has been achieved largely by controlling the price of fertilizer and the amount of production. The urea is being provided to the farmers at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price (MRP). Under the NBS Policy, the Government announces a fixed rate of subsidy (in Rs. per Kg basis), on each nutrient of subsidized fertilizers, namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S), on annual basis. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Synthetic ammonia (NH3) refers to ammonia that has been synthesized (Standard Industrial Classification 2873) from natural gas. Natural gas molecules are reduced to carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is then purified and reacted with nitrogen to produce ammonia. Approximately 75 percent of the ammonia produced is used as fertilizer, either directly as ammonia or indirectly after synthesis as urea, ammonium nitrate, and mono-ammonium or diammonium phosphates. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Sulphur is a major by-product of oil refining and gas processing. Most crude oil grades contain some sulphur, most of which must be removed during the refining process to meet strict sulphur content limits in refined products. This is typically done through hydrotreating and results in production of H2S gas, which is converted into elemental sulphur in the sulphur recovery unit. The resultant elemental sulphur is in a molten state and can either be sold as a heated liquid or (more commonly) converted to solid form as blocks or pellets. Most of the sulphur produced by refineries is sold into the petrochemicals market where it is used to make sulfuric acid. Commercial phosphoric acid is produced by applying an excess of sulphuric acid to ground rock phosphate. This phosphoric acid is usually applied to an additional amount of phosphate rock to make concentrated superphosphate. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

8 .

With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January — March.

2. OMT collected during January — March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

A)

1 only

B)

2 only

C)

Both 1 and 2

D)

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 only

Note :

• Sea surface temperature (SST) is routinely used for predicting whether the total amount of rainfall that India receives during the monsoon season will be less or more than the long-term mean of 887.5 mm.

• Now, scientists from Pune’s Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) find that Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) has better ability to predict this than the Sea Surface Temperature. Compared with SST which has 60% success rate of predicting the Indian summer monsoon, OMT has 80% success rate.

• OMT is analysed by measuring the ocean thermal energy during the period from January to March. Using OMT data, scientists are able to predict with 80% probability the monsoon of any year. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

• SST is restricted to a few millimetres of the top ocean layer, whereas OMT which is measured up to a depth of 26 degree C isotherm, is more stable and consistent, and the spatial spread is also less. The 26 degree C isotherm is seen at depths varying from 50–100 metres. During January–March, the mean 26 degree C isotherm depth in the Southwestern Indian Ocean is 59 metres. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

9 .

Consider the following minerals :

1. Bentonite

2. Chromite

3. Kyanite

4. Sillimanite

In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

4 only

C)

1 and 3 only

D)

2, 3 and 4 only

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 2, 3 and 4 only

Note :

Major minerals are those specified in the first schedule appended in the MMDR Act. There is no official definition for “major minerals” in the MMDR Act. Hence, whatever is not declared as a “minor mineral” may be treated as the major mineral.

The central government has the power to notify “minor minerals” under section 3 (e) of the MMDR Act, 1957. On the other hand, as per Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957 State Governments have complete powers for making Rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals and levy and collection of royalty on minor minerals.

Thus, “Minor Minerals” are building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purposes etc. Therefore, Chromite, Kyanite and Sillimanite are major minerals, whereas Bentonite is a minor mineral.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies

10 .

What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?

1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.

2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.

3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.

4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

A)

1, 2 and 3 only

B)

1, 2 and 4 only

C)

1, 3 and 4 only

D)

2, 3 and 4 only

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 1, 3 and 4 only

Note :

Fertigation is a process in which fertilizer is dissolved and distributed along with water in your drip or spray irrigation system. There is abundant research available that supports the superiority of fertigation as compared to traditional fertilizing techniques.

Advantageous of fertigation :

• Improves efficiency of fertilizer use

• Increases nutrient availability (Hence, statement 3 is correct)

• Saves 20-40% fertilizer without affecting growth and yield

• Saves labour and energy in application of fertilizer

• Reduce environmental contamination through fertilizer run-offs

• Reduces leaching of nutrients (Hence, statement 4 is correct)

• Allows to alter the pH of the irrigation water (Hence, statement 1 is correct)

Disadvantages of fertigation :

• Uneven nutrient distribution occurs when the irrigation system is faulty. It leads to over fertilization or leaching of nutrients when excess water is applied to crops.

• Chemical reactions of fertilizer with calcium and magnesium, bicarbonates in water, which can lead to chemical clogging.

• Suitable for readily soluble or liquid fertilizers. Phosphatic fertilizer and some micronutrients may precipitate in micro-irrigation system. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. (statement 2 can be eliminated from the given options)

• Corrosion resistant fertigation equipments are needed.

• Potential chemical backflow into the water supply source.

Year : 2020

Category : General Studies