Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) Previous Years Questions and Answers

1 .

Consider the following pairs :

S.No	Sea Bordering	Country
1	Adriatic Sea	Albania
2	Black Sea	Croatia
3	Caspian Sea	Kazakhstan
4	Mediterranean Sea	Morocco
5	Red Sea	Syria

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A)

1, 2 and 4 only

B)

1, 3 and 4 only

C)

2 and 5 only

D)

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

2 .

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

A)

China

B)

India

C)

Myanmar

D)

Vietnam

Correct Answer : Option (B) - India

Note : India became the largest rice exporter in 2015 and maintained the position since then in the specific years of 2016-17 and 2017-18. Hence, average is taken down on India as the largest exporter of rice in last 5 years.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

3 .

Consider the following pairs:

S.No	Glacier	River
1	Bandarpunch	Yamuna
2	Bara Shigri	Chenab
3	Milam	Mandakini
4	Siachen	Nubra
5	Zemu	Manas

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A)

1, 2 and 4

B)

1, 3 and 4

C)

2 and 5

D)

3 and 5

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1, 2 and 4

Note :

Mandakini River originates from Choribari glacier. Zemu Glacier is the largest glacier in the Eastern Himalaya. It is about 26 kilometres in length and is located at the base of Kangchenjunga in the Himalayan region of Sikkim.

The Manas River is a transboundary river in the Himalayan foothills between southern Bhutan and India. It is the largest river system of Bhutan.

Besides, Nubra and Yamuna originates from the respective glaciers i.e., Siachen and Bandarpunch.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

4 .

In India, the use of carbofuran, methylparathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as

A)

pesticides in agriculture

B)

preservatives in processed foods

C)

fruit-ripening agents

D)

moisturising agents in cosmetics

Correct Answer : Option (A) - pesticides in agriculture

Note : These are used as pesticides in India and are used to control insects in a wide variety of field crops. These are systemic insecticides, which mean that the plant absorbs it through the roots, and from here the plant distributes it throughout its organs where insecticidal concentrations are attained. These are highly toxic for vertebrates, particularly to birds.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

5 .

Consider the following statements :

1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.

2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.

3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

3 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

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

Note :

The Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Under the â€• three pillarsâ€– of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to work towards the wise use of all their wetlands; designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the â€• ‘Ramsar List’) and ensure their effective management; cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.

Thus, it doesn‘t talk about 'all' wetlands in the territory of a country.

The convention entered into force in India on 1 February 1982.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

6 .

Consider the following statements :

1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.

2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.

3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

A)

1 and 3 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

2 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 1, 2 and 3

Note :

Agricultural soils represent a very large, and growing, global source of nitrous oxide. Current estimates for annual emissions from this source range from 2 to about 4 million tonnes of nitrous oxide-N globally.

Across the globe, livestock spew 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases) released in the environment, and over half that comes specifically from cows, according to a United Nations report.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

7 .

What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?

A)

Recently discovered uranium deposits

B)

Tropical rain forests

C)

Underground cave systems

D)

Water reservoirs

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Water reservoirs

Note :

* All three are water reservoirs.

* Aliyar Dam is a charming location surrounded by Annamali Hills with wonderful natural views. It is located between Pollachi and Valparai.

* Isapur Dam is an earth field dam on Penganga river in the state of Maharashtra.

* Kangasabati Dam is the second largest earthen dam of India in the state of West Bengal.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

8 .

In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements:

1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.

2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.

3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.

4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

4 only

D)

1, 2, 3 and 4

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

Note :

HCNG reduces emissions of Carbon Monoxide up to 70% but does not eliminate it. It enables up to 5 % savings in fuel. Thus statement 1 is incorrect.

The ratio of natural gas to Hydrogen in Hydrogen-CNG (H-CNG) is 80 percent natural gas and 20 percent hydrogen by volume. This has been determined to be the best ratio when all factors such as emissions reduction, cost, and storage capacity are considered.

With reduced part of CNG in H-CNG and improved mileage, reduces the emission of carbon dioxide and Hydrocarbon.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

9 .

Why are dewdrops not formed on acloudy night?

A)

Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth's surface.

B)

Clouds reflect back the Earth's radiation.

C)

The Earth's surface would have low temperature on cloudy nights.

D)

Clouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Clouds reflect back the Earth's radiation.

Note : Because on a cloudy night, the clouds send the heat back to the ground so the ground never gets cold enough for the dew to be formed.

Dew drops are formed due to condensation of water vapours. Air around us contains water vapours which we call moisture or humidity. Hot air contains more moisture as compared to cold air.

During the night when the hot air comes into contact with some cold surface due to the reflection of earth radiation by clouds, water vapour present in it condenses on the cold surface in the form of droplets. These tiny drops of water are called dew drops.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

10 .

With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements :

1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest.

2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds.

3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane.

4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A)

1 and 3 only

B)

2, 3 and 4 only

C)

2 and 4 only

D)

1, 2, 3 and 4

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

Note :

1. Area under rice cultivation in India, in 2014 was 44.14 millionhectares. In 2017 it became 43.19 millionhectares which is highest amongst all.

2. Area under jowar cultivation annually 17 to 18 million hectares. And oilseed area – 28 million hectares (2013-14), 26.1 million hectares (2015-16). Hence area under oilseed cultivation is more than jowar cultivation.

3. Area under sugarcane cultivation 4.95 million hectare (2013-14), 5.066 million hectares (2014-15), 4.953 million hectares (2015-16). Hence it has not a steady decrease for sugarcane.

4. Area under cotton cultivation—11.9 million hectares (2013-14), 12.81 million hectare (2014-15) and 11.72 million hectares (2015- 16). Hence area under cotton cultivation is more than sugar cultivation.

(Annual report 2016-17, Ministry of Agriculture) Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography