UPSC Previous Years (Prelims & Mains) Questions

Correct Answer : Option (D) - None

Note : * In September 2016, with Europe overwhelmed by waves of migrants from Africa and West Asia, all 193 UN member states adopted New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants for a comprehensive approach to human mobility and enhanced cooperation at the global level leading to the adoption of a global compact in 2018.

* The New York Declaration included a set of commitments for refugees and migrants, and elements towards the achievement of a Global Compact on Refugees and a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

* Recently, Austria announced that it would not sign the Global Compact on Migration, criticising its pro-migration approach, which represented a danger to Austria's national security. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
The global compact is non-legally binding. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

* The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is the world’s first, intergovernmental negotiated agreement covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Only one

Note : * The Stability and Growth Pact is a political agreement that sets limits on the fiscal deficits and public debt of the Member States of the European Monetary Union (EMU). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

* These guidelines are intended to ensure sound management of public finances within the EMU in order to prevent one Member State’s irresponsible budgetary policies from spilling over and undermining the economic stability of the entire euro area

* The European Union Stability and Trade Pact does not make any provision related to sharing of infrastructure and technology. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are not correct.

Source : Eur-lex.europa

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Note : * According to the recent WTO’S Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, India accounts for 1.8 % of global exports of goods. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

* The ‘Production Linked Initiative’ (PLI) scheme offers companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in India. It aims to attract foreign companies to set up units in India while encouraging local companies to expand their manufacturing units, generate more employment, and reduce the country's reliance on imports. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Note : * Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the Trade and Technology Council’.
* The EU-US Trade and Technology Council serves as a forum for the United States and European Union to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic, and technology issues and to deepen transatlantic trade and economic relations based on these shared values. It was established during the EU-US Summit on 15 June 2021 in Brussels. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
* US and EU discussed TTC work, with a focus on issues such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and information and communication technology services.
* Through the Council, the EU and the US are working together to:

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Note : Statement 1 is correct : Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value. U.S. dollars in 2021. Switzerland is consistently the world's leading gold exporting country based on value.

In addition to being the largest exporter of gold based on value, Switzerland is also consistently the largest importer of gold based on value in the world. This can be explained by the fact that Switzerland refines some 70 percent of the world's gold: Switzerland imports unrefined gold, and exports it in its refined form.

Statement 2 is incorrect : With 1,040 tonnes of gold, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has the seventh largest gold reserves in the world.

Source : Statista

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Note : * It is celebrated on 26th November every year. It is also known as National Law Day. On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India that came into force on 26th January 1950. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

* On 29 August, 1947, the Constituent Assembly set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution for India. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

* On 13 December 1946, the Constituent Assembly formally commenced its task of framing the Constitution of India. Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution, which aimed to declare India as an Independent Sovereign Republic and create a Constitution to govern its future. The Resolution established general principles to guide the work of the Constituent Assembly. On January 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Resolution.

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Note : The standard sizes of national flag shall be as follows:

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

Note : National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7th August with the objective of honouring the handloom weavers and creating awareness about the importance of handloom industry in the social development of the nation and to promote handloom industry. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

August 7 was designated to celebrate National Handloom Day to memorialize the 'Swadeshi' Movement. Therefore, there is a strong connection between National Handloom Day and the Swadeshi Movement. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Only two

Note : * The Heliodorus pillar is a stone column that was erected around 113 BCE in central India in Besnagar (near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh). The pillar was called the Garuda-standard by Heliodorus, referring to the deity Garuda. Hence, 1 is incorrect.

* Bhaja Caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in the city of Pune, India. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau (the division between North India and South India).

* The inscriptions and the cave temple are protected as a Monument of National Importance, by the Archaeological Survey of India per Notification No. 2407-A. It belongs to the Early Buddhist schools in Maharashtra. The caves have a number of stupas, one of their significant features. Hence, 2 is correct.

* Sittanavasal Caves (Arivar Koil): Located 16 km northwest of Pudukkottai town in Tamil Nadu, these famous rock-cut caves are known for the paintings in the Jain temples. Hence, 3 is correct.

Correct Answer :   archaeological excavations

Note : * Alexander Rea, a British archaeologist who worked in India, was known for unearthing a treasure of over 9,000 objects in Adichanallur in 1903-04.

* A. H. Longhurst was an archaeologist associated with the excavation in Chandraketugarh, Bengal.

* Robert Sewell: Robert Sewell (1845 – 1925) was a collector and magistrate in Madras Presidency in colonial India. Like many civil servants turned Indologists of those times, he was a scholar in history. Also in charge for the then archeology department.

* James Burgess: James Burgess was the founder of The Indian Antiquary in 1872 and an important archaeologist of India in the 19th century.

* Walter Elliot: He was a Scottish civil servant in India (based in Madras), archaeologist, numismatist and collector. He excavated at Amaravati in 1845. Some of his excavated pieces remain to this day in the collections of the Govt. Museum at Madras (Chennai).

Source : The Hindu