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UPSC Previous Years (Prelims & Mains) Questions
1 .
With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements :

  (1) The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
  (2) The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.

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

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 only

Note :

Water in groundwater is 0.62% while in lakes and rivers it is 0.008 (Salt lakes)+0.009(freshwater lakes) + 0.0001(rivers)=0.0171. So, the statement 1 is not correct.

Water in polar ice caps and glaciers is 2% while in groundwater it is 0.62%. So, the statement 2 is correct.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
2 .
Consider the following statements:

  (1) Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree
  (2) Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia
  (3) In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce
  (4) India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa
  (5) Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels

Which of the statements given above are correct?
A)
1, 2, 4 and 5
B)
3, 4 and 5
C)
1, 3 and 4
D)
1, 2, 3 and 5

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 3, 4 and 5

Note :

• It can be evergreen or semi-deciduous. Because of which is is extensively eing grown in semi-arid regions in India. So, statement 1 is not correct.

• It is native to Africa or Indian-sub continent and grown in South-east Asia and Africa as well. So, statement 2 is not correct.

• Most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. So, the statement 3 is correct.

• India is one of the largest exporters of both Tamarind and Seed of Moringa. So, Statement 4 is correct.

• Seeds of Moringa and Tamarind can be used for biofuel production. So, statement 5 is correct.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
A)
Brown forest soil
B)
Fissure volcanic rock
C)
Granite and schist
D)
Shale and limestone

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Fissure volcanic rock

Note : Black soil is formed sue to weathering or basalt rock or volcanic rocks. While other rocks don’t have the properties found in black soil.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
4 .
With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements :

  (1) Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines
  (2) Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors

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

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1 only

Note :

They are genetically modified and involve use of genetic engineering to mimic the actual virus for which the vaccine is being produced. So, statement 1 is correct.

Viruses and not bacteria are used as vectors to produce the vaccine and hence this statement is wrong. So, statement 2 is not correct.
 

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
5 .
In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements :

  (1) Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilisation of egg.
  (2) A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from mother and not from father. 

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

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1 only

Note :

The mitochondrial replacement therapy can be done either before or after in vitro fertilization. Two mitochondrial replacement techniques have been developed, maternal spindle transfer and pronuclear transfer. In maternal spindle transfer, the chromosome spindle apparatus of the carrier mother is removed from her unfertilized oocyte and inserted into the donor mother’s unfertilized and enucleated oocyte that contains normal mtDNA. The hybrid oocyte is then fertilized in vitro by the father’s sperm and implanted into the carrier mother by standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. In pronuclear transfer, both carrier mother’s and donor mother’s oocytes are first fertilized in vitro. The carrier mother’s pronucleus is inserted into the donor mother’s enucleated oocyte containing normal mtDNA, and the embryo is implanted into the carrier mother by IVF. The mitochondrial replacement approach is generic; instead of targeting a specific mutation, MRTs replace nearly all mitochondria and their resident mtDNA and so could be applied to any inherited mtDNA disease. So, statement 1 is correct.

In most people, primary mitochondrial disease is a genetic condition that can be inherited (passed from parents to their children) in several ways. Under normal circumstances, a child inherits genes in pairs -- one gene from the mother and one from the father. A child with a mitochondrial disease does NOT receive a normal pair of genes from the parents. The gene has mutated – meaning it has become defective (changed). Learning the way a mitochondrial disease has been inherited helps predict the chance of passing on the disease(s) to future children. So, statement 2 is not correct.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
A)
Clonal propagation of crop plants
B)
Developing genetically modified crop plants
C)
Production of plant growth substances
D)
Production of bio-fertilisers

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Developing genetically modified crop plants

Note : Bollgard I and Bollgard II are technologies to produce genetically modified crop plants for example BT cotton. So, other can be easily eliminated.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
7 .
In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the followings?

  (1) Area of the hole in the lid
  (2) Temperature of the flame
  (3) Weight of the lid

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 (A) - 1 and 2 only

Note :

• The larger hole will lead to increase in the steam going out leading to greater reduction in temperature. So, statement 1 is correct.
• As the temperature increases of the flame the temperature inside will also increase. So, statement 2 is correct.
• Weight of the lid has nothing to do with the temperature inside the pressure cooker. So, statement 3 is not correct.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
8 .
Consider the following :

  (1) Bacteria
  (2) Fungi
  (3) Virus

Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?
A)
1 and 2 only
B)
2 and 3 only
C)
1 and 3 only
D)
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1 and 2 only

Note :

• Some bacteria can be grown in artificial medium but some cannot. So, statement 1 is correct.
• Fungi can be grown in artificial medium. So, statement 2 is correct.
• Unlike bacteria and fungi, viruses need living host to grow. So, statement 3 is not correct. 

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
9 .
Consider the following statements :

  (1) Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
  (2) Common cold is sometime caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus. 

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

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 only

Note :

It is actually the opposite the statement given. Adenoviruses have double stranded DNA genomes while Retroviruses have single stranded DNA genomes. So, statement 1 is not correct.
 
Common cold can sometimes be caused by adenoviruses while AIDS is caused by retrovirus. So, statement 2 is correct.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies
10 .
Consider the following statements :

  (1) ‘Right to the City’ is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
  (2) ‘Right to the City’ gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city.
  (3) ‘Right to the City’ means that the State cannot deny any public service of facility to the unauthorized colonies in the City.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)
1 only
B)
3 only
C)
1 and 2
D)
2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 1 and 2

Note :

The right to the city is a new paradigm that provides an alternative framework to rethink cities and urbanization. It envisions the effective fulfilment of all internationally agreed human rights, sustainable development objectives as expressed through the Sustainable Development Goals, and the commitments of the Habitat Agenda. Local governments and their local, national and global association, civil society organizations, and specific United Nations organizations (UNHCR - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, OHCHR - the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UN-Habitat) should be the ones in charge for monitoring the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. So, statement 1 is correct.
 
The right to city also means “the right of people to a safe and healthy habitat, and to adequate and decent housing regardless of their social and economic status” and “to fully enjoy the city and its public spaces on the basis of the principles of sustainability, social justice, respect for different urban cultures, and a balance between the urban and the rural. Exercising the right to the city is [further] based on the democratic management of the city, on the social and environmental function of property and of the city, and on the full exercise of citizenship. So, statement 2 is correct.
 
The right to the city envisions a socially and spatially just distribution and planning of material resources, ensuring good living conditions across the human settlement continuum. These resources, accessible in both formal and informal sectors and areas, are defined by acceptable quality standards, and include: public space and the urban commons; investments in basic infrastructures and services (e.g. water, electricity, waste, and sanitation); appropriate, accessible and affordable transportation options; appropriate and dignified housing and settlements; equitable livelihoods, opportunities, and decent jobs, including solidarity and circular economy initiatives; education; healthcare; and investments in the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, and in climate change protection. This pillar envisions all inhabitants, particularly women, as caretakers and as protagonists in the delivery and enjoyment of these resources for a full life. In this respect, it also requires recognition and specific measures targeting marginalized groups (e.g. young people, migrants and refugees, informal workers, and the differently abled). So, statement 3 is not correct.

Year : 2021
Category : General Studies