Insights Mock Tests – 2015: Test – 26 Solutions

Insights Mock Tests – 2015: Test – 26 Solutions

http://www.insightsonindia.com INSIGHTS Page 1

1. Solution: b)

Article 123 of the constitution gives legislative power to President. He can issue

ordinances when Parliament is in recess i.e. not in session if there is urgent need to

have a law on some urgent public matter. The promulgated ordinance has similar

effect to an act of parliament. However, every ordinance must be laid and approved

by both houses of the parliament within 6 weeks from the reassembling. If not

placed and approved by both houses of the parliament after reassembling it becomes

invalid or lapses.

2. Solution: c)

WNTD is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the WHO.

The FCTC, one of the most quickly ratified treaties in United Nations history, is a

supranational agreement that seeks "to protect present and future generations from

the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco

consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke" by enacting a set of universal

standards stating the dangers of tobacco and limiting its use in all forms worldwide.

Even though it talks about regulating the use of tobacco, it does not provide for a

tobacco ban; neither about alternative livelihoods for farmers.

3. Solution: a)

Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UP FDA) had recently asked

Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles from the market after they had

found that it contained high level of lead and Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a taste

enhancer.

Monosodium glutamate is a kind of amino acid. It occurs naturally in many

agricultural products. Monosodium glutamate is added artificially to packaged food

to enhance flavour. Large doses of MSG can cause headaches and other feelings of

discomfort collectively known as Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.

4. Solution: a)



Recently, Nobel peace prize winning organisation OPCW (Organisation for the

Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) has achieved major milestone of destroying 90

per cent of the global chemical weapons stockpile.

OPCW promotes, administers and verifies the adherence to the Convention on the

Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical

Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC).

This convention outlaws the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons

and their precursors. 190 member-states have signed and ratified this convention

including India. Six states- Angola, Egypt, Israel, Myanmar, North Korea and South

Sudan are still outside the CWC.

5. Solution: c)

AFSPA initially empowered only the Governors of the States and the Administrators

of the Union Territories to declare areas in the concerned State or the Union

Territory as 'disturbed'. But, since 1972 AFSPA can be enforced by the Central

government too.

The Act gives the military special powers over ‗disturbed areas‘ where it can use

force (without formal prosecution etc.) if it deems necessary.

The Act has received criticism from several sections for alleged concerns about

human rights violations in the regions of its enforcement alleged to have happened.

Hence, the Tripura government has decided to withdraw the Armed Forces Special

Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 from the remaining areas of the state. Consent of military

is not required to withdraw the act from disturbed areas.

6. Solution: d)

The rate of disappearance will depend on how much greenhouse-gas emissions

continue to rise and indirectly will affect temperature, snowfall and rainfall in this

region. Increased temperatures due to global warming will not only increase the

rates of snow and ice melt, but can also result in a change of precipitation from snow

to rain at critical elevations, where glaciers are concentrated. It will greatly affect the

farming and hydropower generation downstream of the Himalayan peaks. While,



avalanches and earthquakes in this region also can breach the dams, causing

catastrophic floods. It can also result in the creation and growth of lakes dammed by

glacial debris.

Albedo is the fraction of solar energy (shortwave radiation) reflected from the Earth

back into space. It is a measure of the reflectivity of the earth's surface. Ice, especially

with snow on top of it, has a high albedo: most sunlight hitting the surface bounces

back towards space.

7. Solution: d)

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) is a national agency of Government

of India, with the remit to consider and recommend foreign direct investment (FDI)

which does not come under the automatic route. It provides a single window

clearance for proposals on FDI in India.

It comprises of secretaries of different ministries with Secretary, Department of

Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance being the chairman.

In a significant move aimed at expediting flow of foreign investment into the

country, the Union Cabinet liberalised the FDI policy further by allowing the FIPB to

clear proposals from overseas entities worth up to ₹30 billion, against the existing

limit of ₹12 billion. Recommendations of FIPB for proposals up to ₹30 billion are

approved by Minister of Finance. While recommendations for proposals of more

than ₹3000 crore need to be approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs

(CCEA).

8. Solution: d)

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/blu-ray2.htm

Blu-ray discs are almost as thick as DVDs.

9. Solution: c)

Poona Pact, (Sept. 24, 1932), agreement between Hindu leaders in India granting

new rights to untouchables (low-caste Hindu groups). The pact, signed at Poona

(now Pune, Maharashtra), resulted from the communal award of Aug. 4, 1932, made

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/blu-ray2.htm



by the British government on the failure of the India parties to agree, which allotted

seats in the various legislatures of India to the different communities. Mahatma

Gandhi objected to the provision of separate electorates for the Scheduled (formerly

―untouchable‖) Castes, which in his view separated them from the whole Hindu

community. Though in prison, Gandhi announced a fast unto death, which he began

on September 18.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the untouchable leader, who felt that his group‘s special

interests might be advanced by the government‘s system, resisted concessions until

Gandhi was near death. He and the Hindu leaders then agreed to the pact, which

withdrew separate electorates but gave increased representation to the Scheduled

Castes for a 10-year period.

10. Solution: c)

They are extra-constitutional in emergence. In other words, they are not mentioned

in the Constitution. However, the Rules of Business provide for their establishment.

They are of two types—standing and ad hoc. They are set up by the Prime Minister

according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation.

They not only sort out issues and formulate proposals for the consideration of the

Cabinet, but also take decisions. However, the Cabinet can review their decisions.

11. Solution: a)

Triticale, Wheat-rye hybrid that has a high yield and rich protein content. The first

cross was reported in 1875, the first fertile cross in 1888. The name triticale first

appeared in scientific literature in 1935 and is attributed to Erich Tschermak von

Seysenegg. In favourable environmental conditions its yield equals that of wheat;

under poor conditions its yield exceeds that of wheat. Its flour is not very suitable for

breadmaking but can be blended with wheat flour. Major producers are Russia, the

U.S., and Australia.

12. Solution: a)

The most remarkable among Mauryan Art is the highly polished monolithic lion-

capital found at Sarnath, which is now the Emblem of the Government of India. It



represents four roaring lions back to back facing the four cardinal directions. The

round abacus is decorated with four dharmachakras or wheels of law, alternating

with an elephant, a bull, a horse and a lion, all carved with masterly skill. The abacus

is supported by a bell-shaped base consisting of a lotus with dharmachakra, which

perhaps symbolized the victory of righteousness over physical force. The superb

modelling of the figures executed in a realistic manner with a certain stylization, is

invested with a great power and dignity, and reveals the aristocratic and

international nature of Mauryan art.

13. Solution: b)

Here, no definition is absolutely appropriate. UPSC will often give such options to

confuse you.

Best approach would be to eliminate and select. Option A is a very general

statement, and thus cannot be true.

Option C and D can be true for any of the sectors of the economy.

So, option B is the most appropriate choice here.

Right definition would be - The primary sector of the economy is the sector of an

economy making direct use of natural resources. This includes agriculture, forestry,

fishing and mining. This is contrasted with the secondary sector, producing

manufactured goods, and the tertiary sector, producing services.

14. Solution: a)

Renowned American mathematician and Nobel laureate John Nash passed away

recently. He was renowned for works in game theory.

Game theory is the study of strategic decision making. Specifically, it is "the study of

mathematical models of conflict and cooperation between intelligent rational

decision-makers." An alternative term suggested "as a more descriptive name for the

discipline" is interactive decision theory.

Game theory is mainly used in economics, political science, and psychology, as well

as logic, computer science, and biology. The subject first addressed zero-sum games,

such that one person's gains exactly equal net losses of the other participant or

participants. Today, however, game theory applies to a wide range of behavioral



relations, and has developed into an umbrella term for the logical side of decision

science, including both humans and non-humans (e.g. computers, animals).

15. Solution: a)

During the past one year, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has provided agro-

meteorological advisories through mobile phones to 7.1 million farmers in 505

districts, launched customized weather forecast service for the holy yatra to

Amarnath Cave and commissioned a weather forecasting system at the heliport

serving pilgrim going to Vaishnodevi.

In addition, a SMS-based disaster alert system for cyclones, storms and heavy rains

was also developed for the nation and two mobile applications for android phones

and tablets called India weather` and SAFAR-Air‘ has been launched. India Weather

is designed to give current day and four-days advance forecast of weather in 310

cities across the country, while Safar-Air provides air quality information for the

metro cities in the country.

16. Solution: c)

After Alexander's invasion of India in 326 B.C., the Indo-

Greek, Indo Scythian and Kushan kings ruled over its

north-western territories and under their patronage

emerged a distinct style of sculpture, popularly known as

the Greco-Roman, Buddhist or Gandhara art. It was a

product of the combination of Hellenistic, West Asiatic

and native elements. Greek and Roman techniques,

modified according to Indian requirements, were

employed in fashioning the Gandhara sculpture which

truly represents Indian culture in a Western garb. The

subject-matter treated is predominantly Buddhist. Its area

extended from Takshila in India to the Swat Valley in

Pakistan and northwards to areas in Afghanistan.

The first century of the Christian era's revolutionary

change, had far-reaching effects, not only on the art of

India, but also on the artistic development of Buddhist

Head of Buddha,

Gandhara period, 2nd

century A.D., Uttar

Pradesh



countries of Asia. Buddha who was hitherto designated

only by a symbol, was conceived in human form. His

person was given some of the 32 suspicious bodily signs

associated with the Mahapurushalakshana, such as the

protuberance of the skull, the hair-knot, bindi between the

eyebrows and elongated ears. This change came about as a

result of the new changes that had crept into the religious

outlook of Buddhism due to the influence of the

Devotional School of Hindu Philosophy, requiring the

worship of personal gods. It must have exercised profound

influence on the religious approach of the masses towards

Buddhism. The image becomes henceforth the main

element of sculpture and worship. Possibly, the emergence

of the image of Buddha in Gandhara and in Mathura was a

parallel development. In each case, it was produced by the

local artist craftsmen working in the local tradition. At

Mathura it clearly emerges from the Yaksha tradition. The

Gandhara image might seem to resemble Apollo in some

extraneous forms and does look characteristically Greco-

Roman in drapery, but even there most of the images

represent Buddha as seated in the typically Indian Yogic

posture, a feature completely unknown to the Hellenistic

tradition of art.

17. Solution: a)

Enzymes are biological substances that help break down proteins. Basically they are

natural catalysts for control of metabolism and growth. Enzymes can be produced in

an artificial way and added to all kinds of biological processes in orer to control the

rate in which chemical reactions occur.

A common use of enzymes is in washing powder, as washing clothes often involves

removing biological dirt like sweat, blood or other human excrements. International

rehabilitation and soil stabilisation services (IRASSS) has found a way to use

enzymes to clean soil and water on a large scale, like cleaning golf courses and lakes.

Exotic fishes would only introduce more competition for resources in the lake. This

may further affect the biodiversity of the lake.



18. Solution: d)

RBI lays down the working norms for banks in India.

To ensure that its policies and schemes are being operated correctly, RBI asks

information from banks on periodic intervals.

To ensure that priority sector lending norms are not being violated, banks have to

show amount of credit and customers.

Similarily, information on interest rate allows RBI to check whether banks are

lending much below or much above the prescribed interest rates.

To enforce CRR and SLR norms, RBI asks information on deposits.

19. Solution: c)

The Three Jewels of Jainism

The aim of Jain life is to achieve liberation of the soul.

This is done by following the Jain ethical code, or to put it simply, living rightly by

following the three jewels of Jain ethics.

There are three parts to this: right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. The first

two are very closely connected.

Right faith - Samyak darshana

This doesn't mean believing what you're told, but means seeing (hearing, feeling,

etc.) things properly, and avoiding preconceptions and superstitions that get in the

way of seeing clearly.

Some books call samyak darshana "right perception". You can't achieve this unless

you are determined to find the truth, and distinguish it from untruth.

Right knowledge - Samyak jnana

This means having an accurate and sufficient knowledge of the real universe - this

requires a true knowledge of the five (or six) substances and nine truths of the

universe - and having that knowledge with the right mental attitude.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/beliefs/universe_1.shtml



One writer puts it like this: "if our character is flawed and our conscience is not clear,

knowledge alone will not help us achieve composure and happiness".

Today this means having a proper knowledge of the Jainscriptures.

Some writers describe right knowledge as meaning having a pure soul; a soul that is

free from attachment and desire... others say that a person who has right knowledge

will naturally free themselves from attachment and desire, and so achieve peace of

mind.

Right conduct - Samyak charitra

This means living your life according to Jain ethical rules, to avoid doing harm to

living things and freeing yourself from attachment and other impure attitudes and

thoughts.

Jains believe that a person who has right faith and right knowledge will be

motivated and able to achieve right conduct.

Many Jains believe that a person without right faith and right knowledge cannot

achieve right conduct - so it's no use following scripture and ritual for the wrong

reasons (e.g. so that other people will think you are a good person). Not all Jains

hold this view. (Source – BBC)

20. Solution: a)

As honey bees gather pollen and nectar for their survival, they pollinate crops such

as apples, cranberries, melons and broccoli. Some crops, including blueberries and

cherries, are 90-percent dependent on honey bee pollination; one crop, almonds,

depends entirely on the honey bee for pollination at bloom time.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/united-states-environmental-body-

proposes-temporary-pesticide-free-zones-protect-honeybees

21. Solution: c)

Pankhida, Rajasthan Sung by the peasants of Rajasthan while doing work in the

fields, the peasants sing and speak while playing algoza and manjira. The literal

meaning of the word ‗Pankhida‘ is lover.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/texts/texts.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/beliefs/soul.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/living/layjaincode.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/living/ahimsa_1.shtml

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/united-states-environmental-body-proposes-temporary-pesticide-free-zones-protect-honeybees

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/united-states-environmental-body-proposes-temporary-pesticide-free-zones-protect-honeybees



Lotia, Rajasthan ‗Lotia‘ is sung in the chaitra month during the festival - ‗Lotia‘.

Women bring lotas (a vessel to fill water) and kalash (a vessel considered to be

auspicious to fill water during worship) filled with water from ponds and wells.

They decorate them with flowers and come home.

22. Solution: d)

Plant growth, as well as its physiological and developmental processes are all

affected negatively. These include the way plants form, timing of development and

growth, distribution of plant nutrients and metabolism, etc. These changes can have

important implications for plant competitive balance, animals that feed on these

plants, plant diseases, and biogeochemical cycles.

Phytoplankton form the foundation of aquatic food webs. These usually grow closer

to the surface of water, where there is enough sunlight. Changes in UV levels is

known to affect the development and growth of phytoplankton, and naturally, the

fish that feed on them. UV radiation is also know to have affect the development

stages of of fish, shrimp, crab, amphibians and other animals. When this happens,

animals in the upper food chain that feed on these tiny fishes are all affected.

The power of higher UL levels affect the natural balance of gasses (and greenhouse

gases) in the biosphere: e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbonyl

sulfide (COS) and ozone. Changes in UV levels can cause biosphere-atmosphere

feedback resulting from the atmospheric buildup of these gases.

You can read more about this at http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-

and-effects-of-ozone-hole.php

23. Solution: d)

The tall buildings within many urban areas provide multiple surfaces for the

reflection and absorption of sunlight, increasing the efficiency with which urban

areas are heated. This is called the "urban canyon effect". Another effect of buildings

is the blocking of wind, which also inhibits cooling by convection and pollution from

dissipating.

Read this properly in detail here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_heat_island#Causes

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-ozone-hole.php

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-ozone-hole.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_heat_island#Causes



Implications - http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/heat-wave-death-toll-

nears-2000-andhra-telangana-0

24. Solution: b)

Unlike the things that were used as money earlier, modern currency is not made of

precious metal such as gold, silver and copper. And unlike grain and cattle, they are

neither of everyday use. The modern currency is without any use of its own.

It is accepted as a medium of exchange because the currency is authorised by the

government of the country.

25. Solution: a)

Indian traders, especially from south India, have started importing wheat from

Australia and other parts of world in the wake of poor yields in India and lower

international price.

Officials in the agriculture ministry say the government is closely watching

international wheat prices.

Read this article to understand the whole situation.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/will-india-s-wheat-imports-lead-global-

food-crisis

26. Solution: c)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarojini_Naidu

27. Solution: b)

In conservation and energy economics, the rebound effect (or take-back effect) is the

reduction in expected gains from new technologies that increase the efficiency

of resource use, because of behavioral or other systemic responses. These responses

usually tend to offset the beneficial effects of the new technology or other measures

taken.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/heat-wave-death-toll-nears-2000-andhra-telangana-0

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/heat-wave-death-toll-nears-2000-andhra-telangana-0

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/will-india-s-wheat-imports-lead-global-food-crisis

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/will-india-s-wheat-imports-lead-global-food-crisis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarojini_Naidu



For instance, if a 5% improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency results in only a 2% drop

in fuel use, there is a 60% rebound effect (since (5-2)⁄5 = 60%). The 'missing' 3% might

have been consumed by driving faster or further than before.

28. Solution: c)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Panipat#Aftermath

29. Solution: c)

A recently released data by the Central Statistics Office shows that India‘s economy

grew by 7.3% during 2014-15. Gross fixed capital formation – a barometer for

investments – slowed for the second straight year.

The manufacturing sector grew by 7.1% against the 2013-14 growth of 5.3%.

The prime drivers of the growth were the significantly stronger performance of

‗manufacturing‘, ‗electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services‘ and the

‗financial, real estate and professional services‘.

30. Solution: b)

An international consortium of researchers led by the Institute for Health Metrics

and Evaluation at the University of Washington, in its recently released data, has

said that the incidence of cancer has grown over the last decade in India although

the rate of mortality has fallen. The study is named ―The Global Burden of Cancer

2013‖.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Panipat#Aftermath



31. Solution: d)

The Kasturirangan panel was set up to study the Gadgil committee report on the

Western Ghats. The Gadgil panel report had faced unanimous opposition from state

governments for recommending that almost three-fourth of the hills, including

plantations, cultivated lands and large habitations, be turned into a restricted

development zone with an over-arching authority to regulate the region superseding

the elected authorities‘ role.



Read the recommendations here http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/37-of-

Western-Ghats-ecologically-sensitive-Kasturirangan-panel-

report/articleshow/19607237.cms

32. Solution: c)

Every loan agreement specifies an interest rate which the borrower must pay to the

lender along with the repayment of the principal. In addition, lenders may demand

collateral (security) against loans.

Collateral is an asset that the borrower owns (such as land, building, vehicle,

livestocks, deposits with banks) and uses this as a guarantee to a lender until the

loan is repaid.

If the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender has the right to sell the asset or

collateral to obtain payment. Property such as land titles, deposits with banks,

livestock are some common examples of collateral used for borrowing.

33. Solution: c)

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has called for making Yoga a mass

movement, connecting people and strengthening the bonds of humanity.

Hatha Yoga is known for the asanas or postures. Ha and tha, the sun and moon,

refer to the two opposite currents that regulate all processes in our body.

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika names āsana as the first accessory and its benefits as the

attainment of steadiness, freedom from disease, and lightness of body.

Traditional Hatha Yoga consists of: Asanas (postures); Shat Karmas (six cleansing

techniques, also known as Shat Kriyas); Pranayama (control of breathing with

retention); Bandhas (locks) and Mudras (seals) for the regulation of Prana (life-force)

and kundalini; and Samadhi (Union with God, realization of the Self, ecstasy,

nirvana).

34. Solution: c)

Read the link carefully. The concept of car protection has been explained beautifully.

http://www.weather.com/storms/tornado/news/what-happens-when-lightning-

hits-car-20140625

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/37-of-Western-Ghats-ecologically-sensitive-Kasturirangan-panel-report/articleshow/19607237.cms



http://www.weather.com/storms/tornado/news/what-happens-when-lightning-hits-car-20140625

http://www.weather.com/storms/tornado/news/what-happens-when-lightning-hits-car-20140625



35. Solution: c)

When a protein in its native form, is subjected to physical change like change in

temperature or chemical change like change in pH, the hydrogen bonds are

disturbed.

Due to this, globules unfold and helix gets uncoiled and protein loses its biological

activity. This is called denaturation of protein.

The coagulation of egg white on boiling is a common example of denaturation.

Another example is curdling of milk which is caused due to the formation of lactic

acid by the bacteria present in milk.

36. Solution: c)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Highway_3_(India)(old_numbering)

National Highway 3, or NH 3, commonly referred to as the Mumbai–Agra Highway

or AB Road, is a major Indian National Highway that runs through the states of

Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in India.

37. Solution: d)

He is the guardian of powers and privileges of the members, the House as a whole

and its committees. He is the principal spokesman of the House, and his decision in

all Parliamentary matters is final. He is thus much more than merely the presiding

officer of the Lok Sabha. In these capacities, he is vested with vast, varied and vital

responsibilities and enjoys great honour, high dignity and supreme authority within

the House.

He is the final interpreter of the provisions of (a) the Constitution of India, (b) the

Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha, and (c) the parliamentary

precedents, within the House.

He appoints the chairman of all the parliamentary committees of the Lok Sabha and

supervises their functioning. He himself is the chairman of the Business Advisory

Committee, the Rules Committee and the General Purpose Committee.

38. Solution: d)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Highway_3_(India)(old_numbering)



If high quantity of organic matter is added to water, all the available oxygen is used

up. This causes oxygen dependent aquatic life to die.

Thus, anaerobic bacteria (which do not require oxygen) begin to break down the

organic waste and produce chemicals that have a foul smell and are harmful to

human health. Aerobic (oxygen requiring) bacteria degrade these organic wastes and

keep the water depleted in dissolved oxygen.

They also produce carbon dioxide which can be released in the atmosphere. High

organic matter may also contain nutrients supportive of eutrophication of the water

body.

39. Solution: d)

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/wholesale-price-index-based-

inflation-dips-to-record-low/article7105132.ece

40. Solution: d)

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/wholesale-price-index-based-inflation-dips-to-record-low/article7105132.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/wholesale-price-index-based-inflation-dips-to-record-low/article7105132.ece



There are several forms of dance-drama or folk theatre, such as the Nautanki of

Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Bhavai of Gujarat, the irreverent Tamasha of

Maharashtra , the Bengali Jatra, the spectacular Yakshagana of Karnataka and

Theyyam of Kerala, all of which narrate legends of local heroes, kings and deities.

41. Solution: b)

India now measures GDP by market prices instead of factor costs, to take into

account gross value addition in goods and services as well as indirect taxes. The base

year has been shifted to 2011/12 from 2004/05 earlier.

The government‘s statistics department says the new method is more in line with

global practices and gives a better picture of economic activity.

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/xziKtmtOxBJntZb41p2hDL/India-GDP-seen-

surging-74-in-data-that-has-puzzled-economi.html

42. Solution: d)

To cure acidity you would need to take a base. All options except antacid are acids.

Amla is a citrous fruit.

Curd contains lactic acid. And spinach contains oxalic acid.

All these acids occur in nature.

43. Solution: c)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankim_Chandra_Chattopadhyay

44. Solution: c)

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/xziKtmtOxBJntZb41p2hDL/India-GDP-seen-surging-74-in-data-that-has-puzzled-economi.html

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/xziKtmtOxBJntZb41p2hDL/India-GDP-seen-surging-74-in-data-that-has-puzzled-economi.html



Noncooperation movement, (September 1920–February 1922), unsuccessful attempt,

organized by Mohandas Gandhi, to induce the British government of India to grant

self-government, or swaraj, to India. It arose from the outcry over the massacre at

Amritsar in April 1919, when the British killed several hundred Indians, and from

later indignation at the government‘s alleged failure to take adequate action against

those responsible. Gandhi strengthened the movement by supporting (on nonviolent

terms) the contemporaneous Muslim campaign against the dismemberment of

Turkey after World War I.

The movement was to be nonviolent and to consist of the resignations of titles; the

boycott of government educational institutions, the courts, government service,

foreign goods, and elections; and the eventual refusal to pay taxes. Noncooperation

was agreed to by the Indian National Congress at Calcutta (now Kolkata) in

September 1920 and launched that December. In 1921 the government, confronted

with a united Indian front for the first time, was visibly shaken, but a revolt by the

Muslim Moplahs of Kerala (southwestern India) in August 1921 and a number of

violent outbreaks alarmed moderate opinion. After an angry mob murdered police

officers at Chauri Chaura (February 1922), Gandhi himself called off the movement;

the next month he was arrested without incident. The movement marks the

transition of Indian nationalism from a middle-class to a mass basis.

45. Solution: d)

The CAG is appointed by the president of India by a warrant under his hand and

seal. The recommendation is passed by the Council of Ministers.

Recently, The Supreme Court rejected a plea seeking to quash appointment of Shashi

Kant Sharma as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on the

grounds of conflict of interest.

Read this important article.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/cag-appointment-2-966864.html

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/cag-appointment-2-966864.html



46. Solution: c)

It is a quasi-judicial body since it decides and disposes complaints relating to the RTI

Act.

It does not do delegated legislation because that would mean it is framing rules and

regulations. It only enforces the existing rules and regulations pertaining to the RTI

act.

It is also an administrative body as it provides information services to citizens of

India.

47. Solution: b)

Since the

Chief Minister is the head of the council of ministers, his resignation or death

automatically dissolves the council of ministers. The resignation or death of any

other minister, on the other hand, merely creates a vacancy, which the Chief Minister

may or may not like to fill.

Even though the ministers may be appointed from any of the houses, only by the

dissolution of the assembly does the council of minister dissolves. The Legislative

council is a permanent body is never dissolved.

48. Solution: c)

Satyagraha, ( Sanskrit and Hindi: ―holding onto truth‖) concept introduced in the

early 20th century by Mahatma Gandhi to designate a determined but nonviolent

resistance to evil. Gandhi‘s satyagraha became a major tool in the Indian struggle

against British imperialism and has since been adopted by protest groups in other

countries. According to this philosophy, satyagrahis—practitioners of satyagraha—

achieve correct insight into the real nature of an evil situation by observing a

nonviolence of the mind, by seeking truth in a spirit of peace and love, and by

undergoing a rigorous process of self-scrutiny. In so doing, the satyagrahi

encounters truth in the absolute.



By refusing to submit to the wrong or to cooperate with it in any way, the

satyagrahi asserts that truth. Throughout the confrontation with evil, the satyagrahi

must adhere to nonviolence, for to employ violence would be to lose correct insight.

Satyagrahis always warn their opponents of their intentions; satyagraha forbids any

tactic suggesting the use of secrecy to one‘s advantage. Satyagraha includes more

than civil disobedience. Its full range of application extends from the details of

correct daily living to the construction of alternative political and economic

institutions. Satyagraha seeks to conquer through conversion: in the end, there is

neither defeat nor victory but rather a new harmony.

49. Solution: b)

Recently, a Muslim MBA grad was denied a job in a diamond firm in Mumbai. The

question has been framed in that regard only.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Adani-hires-MBA-grad-who-was-

denied-job-for-being-a-Muslim/articleshow/47486173.cms

50. Solution: a)

Such a resolution must be supported by two-thirds of the members present and

voting. The resolution remains in force for one year; it can be renewed any number

of times but not exceeding one year at a time. The laws cease to have effect on the

expiration of six months after the resolution has ceased to be in force.

This provision does not restrict the power of a state legislature to make laws on the

same matter. But, in case of inconsistency between a state law and a parliamentary

law, the latter is to prevail.

51. Solution: c)

Gandhi felt an irresistible attraction to a life of simplicity, manual labour, and

austerity. In 1904—after reading John Ruskin‘s Unto This Last, a critique of

capitalism—he set up a farm at Phoenix near Durban where he and his friends could

live by the sweat of their brow. Six years later another colony grew up under

Gandhi‘s fostering care near Johannesburg; it was named Tolstoy Farm for the

Russian writer and moralist, whom Gandhi admired and corresponded with. Those

two settlements were the precursors of the more-famous ashrams (religious retreats)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Adani-hires-MBA-grad-who-was-denied-job-for-being-a-Muslim/articleshow/47486173.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Adani-hires-MBA-grad-who-was-denied-job-for-being-a-Muslim/articleshow/47486173.cms



in India, at Sabarmati near Ahmedabad (Ahmadabad) and at Sevagram near

Wardha. (Source: Britannica)

52. Solution: d)

53. Solution: c)

Take the weight of the person in kg. Then take the height in metres.

Divide the weight by the square of the height. If this figure is less than 18.5 then the

person would be considered undernourished. However, if this BMI is more than 25,

then a person is overweight.

Do remember that this criterion is not applicable to growing children.

54. Solutions: d)



Round Table Conference, (1930–32), in Indian history, a series of meetings in three

sessions called by the British government to consider the future constitution of India.

The conference resulted from a review of the Government of India Act of 1919,

undertaken in 1927 by the Simon Commission, whose report was published in 1930.

The conference was held in London.

The first session (Nov. 12, 1930–Jan. 19, 1931) had 73 representatives, from all Indian

states and all parties except the Indian National Congress, which was waging a civil

disobedience campaign against the government. Its principal achievement was an

insistence on parliamentarianism—an acceptance by all, including the princes, of the

federal principle—and on dominion status as the goal of constitutional development.

The second session (September–December 1931) was attended by Mahatma Gandhi

as the Congress representative; it failed to reach agreement, either constitutionally or

on communal representation. The third session (Nov. 17–Dec. 24, 1932) was shorter

and less important, with neither the Congress nor the British Labour Party attending.

The result of these deliberations was the Government of India Act, 1935, establishing

provincial autonomy and also a federal system that was never implemented.

55. Solution: d)

For the growth of the tertiary sector in India, there can be many reasons.

First, in any country several services such as hospitals, educational institutions, post

and telegraph services, police stations, courts, village administrative offices,

municipal corporations, defence, transport, banks, insurance companies, etc. are

required. These can be considered as basic services. In a developing country the

government has to take responsibility for the provision of these services.

Second, the development of agriculture and industry leads to the development of

services such as transport, trade, storage and the like, as we have already seen.

Greater the development of the primary and secondary sectors, more would be the

demand for such services.

Third, as income levels rise, certain sections of people start demanding many more

services like eating out, tourism, shopping, private hospitals, private schools,

professional training etc. You can see this change quite sharply in cities, especially in

big cities.

Fourth, over the past decade or so, certain new services such as those based on

information and communication technology have become important and essential.



56. Solution: a)

Consider a firm which has employed more than required number of labour.

Each labour is doing some work but no one is fully employed. This is the situation of

underemployment, where people are apparently working but all of them are made

to work less than their potential.

This kind of underemployment is hidden in contrast to someone who does not have

a job and is clearly visible as unemployed. Hence, it is also called disguised

unemployment.

Over employment is the exact opposite of this situation. Workers are doing overtime

work here and producing more than they can in an ideal case. They are even ready

to sacrifice their income for some leisure.

57. Solution: b)

The majority of the provisions in the Constitution need to be amended by a special

majority of the Parliament, that is, a majority (that is, more than 50 per cent) of the

total membership of each House and a majority of two-thirds of the members of each

House present and voting.

Those provisions of the Constitution which are related to the federal structure of the

polity can be amended by a special majority of the Parliament and also with the

consent of half of the state legislatures by a simple majority.

58. Solution: b)

Gallium nitride is used in Blue LED whereas gallium phosphide is used in preparing

Red and Green LED.

http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/why-blue-led-worth-nobel-prize

59. Solution: b)

The Godavari River has a drainage area of 312,812 km2 (120,777 sq mi), which is

nearly one-tenth of the area of India and is greater than the areas of England and

http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/why-blue-led-worth-nobel-prize



Ireland put together. Major tributaries of the river include the Purna (South),

Pravara, Indravati, Manjira River, Bindusara River, Sabari River, Wainganga, and

Wardha River.

60. Solution: a)

The various types of loans can be conveniently grouped as formal sector loans and

informal sector loans. Among the former are loans from banks and cooperatives. The

informal lenders include moneylenders, traders, employers, relatives and friends,

etc.

So, formal credit is more than the informal credit.

61. Solution: a)

The provisions of the act can be grouped into two categories—compulsory and

voluntary. The compulsory (mandatory or obligatory) provisions of the act have to

be included in the state laws creating the new panchayati raj system. The voluntary

provisions, on the other hand, may be included at the discretion of the states. Thus

the voluntary pr-ovisions of the act ensure the right of the states to take local factors



like geographical, politico–administrative and others, into consideration while

adopting the new panchayati raj system.

62. Solution: c)

Lucknow Pact 1916, IndiaREAD VIEW HISTORY EDIT FEEDBACK Lucknow Pact,

(December 1916), agreement made by the Indian National Congress headed by

Maratha leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the All-India Muslim League led by

Muhammad Ali Jinnah; it was adopted by the Congress at its Lucknow session on

December 29 and by the league on Dec. 31, 1916. The meeting at Lucknow marked

the reunion of the moderate and radical wings of the Congress. The pact dealt both

with the structure of the government of India and with the relation of the Hindu and

Muslim communities.

On the former count, the proposals were an advance on Gopal Krishna Gokhale‘s

―political testament.‖ Four-fifths of the provincial and central legislatures were to be

elected on a broad franchise, and half the executive council members, including

those of the central executive council, were to be Indians elected by the councils

themselves. Except for the provision for the central executive, these proposals were

largely embodied in the Government of India Act of 1919. The Congress also agreed

to separate electorates for Muslims in provincial council elections and for weightage

in their favour (beyond the proportions indicated by population) in all provinces

except the Punjab and Bengal, where they gave some ground to the Hindu and Sikh

minorities. This pact paved the way for Hindu-Muslim cooperation in the Khilafat

movement and Mohandas Gandhiji‘s noncooperation movement from 1920.

63. Solution: d)

The tribal areas in the four states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram have

been constituted as autonomous districts. But, they do not fall outside the executive

authority of the state concerned. The district and regional councils within their

territorial jurisdictions can constitute village councils or courts for trial of suits and

cases between the tribes. They hear appeals from them.

The jurisdiction of high court over these suits and cases is specified by the governor.



64. Solution: d)

When you buy garments, you will find information on ‗instructions for washing‘.

When we buy medicines, on the packets, you might find ‗directions for proper use‘

and information relating to side effects and risks associated with usage of that

medicine.

Rules have been made so that the manufacturer displays this information. It is

because consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and

services that they purchase. Consumers can then complain and ask for compensation

or replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner.

65. Solution: b)

It is given by the World Food Prize Foundation.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/74242/Norman-Ernest-Borlaug

66. Solution: d)

Interests received can be inside the country (i.e., internal lending) or outside the

country (i.e., external lending). It means this income might be in both domestic and

foreign currencies.

Fiscal services also generate incomes for the government, i.e., currency printing,

stamp printing, coinage and medals minting, etc.

General Services also earn money for the government as the power distribution,

irrigation, banking, insurance, community services, etc.

Fees, Penalties and Fines received by the government also form a part of non-tax

revenue receipt.

67. Solution: c)

Uniform civil code in India is the debate to replace the personal laws based on the

scriptures and customs of each major religious community in the country with a

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/74242/Norman-Ernest-Borlaug



common set governing every citizen. These laws are distinguished from public law

and cover marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance.

The laws already apply similarly for both men and women. In specific cases of

property inheritance etc., a uniform civil code will have no effect. However, there

will be a common law for all the communities in India.

68. Solution: d)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachigam_National_Park

69. Solution: b)

Cooking results in the loss of certain nutrients. Many useful proteins and

considerable amounts of minerals are lost if excess water is used during cooking and

is then thrown away.

Vitamin C gets easily destroyed by heat during cooking.

Repeated washing and peeling off of the skin also lead to loss of nutrients.

70. Solution: a)

Usually crops require a lot of nitrogen to make proteins. After the harvest, the soil

becomes deficient in nitrogen. Though nitrogen gas is available in plenty in the air,

plants cannot use it in the manner they can use carbon dioxide. They need nitrogen

in a soluble form.

The bacterium called Rhizobium can take atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a

soluble form. But Rhizobium cannot make its own food. So it lives in the roots of

gram, peas, moong beans and other legumes and provides them with nitrogen. Most

of the pulses (dals) are obtained from leguminous plants. In return, the plants

provide food and shelter to the bacteria. They have a symbiotic relationship.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachigam_National_Park



71. Solution: d)

Unlike the SC, in the appointment to HC judges, the Governor of the state is also

consulted.

HCs can issue writs for legal rights as well as fundamental rights. The SC can issue

writs only for enforcing fundamental rights.

Both can interpret the constitution, but the version of the SC will prevail over the

HCs.

Both can review central as well as state laws. Even here the view of the SC will

prevail over HCs.

72. Solution: c)

Khilafat movement, force that arose in India in the early 20th century as a result of

Muslim fears for the integrity of Islam. These fears were aroused by Italian (1911)

and Balkan (1912–13) attacks on Turkey—whose sultan, as caliph, was the religious

head of the worldwide Muslim community—and by Turkish defeats in World War I.

They were intensified by the Treaty of Sèvres (August 1920), which not only

detached all non-Turkish regions from the empire but also gave parts of the Turkish

homeland to Greece and other non-Muslim powers.

A campaign in defense of the caliph was launched, led in India by the brothers

Shaukat and Muḥammad ʿAlī and by Abul Kalam Azad. The leaders joined forces

with Mahatma Gandhi‘s noncooperation movement for Indian freedom, promising

nonviolence in return for his support of the Khilafat movement. In 1920 the latter

movement was marred by the ḥijrat, or exodus, from India to Afghanistan of about

18,000 Muslim peasants, who felt that India was an apostate land. It was also

tarnished by the Muslim Moplah rebellion in south India (Malabar) in 1921, the

excesses of which deeply stirred Hindu India. Gandhi‘s suspension of his movement

and his arrest in March 1922 weakened the Khilafat movement still further. It was

further undermined when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk drove the Greeks from western

Asia Minor in 1922 and deposed the Turkish sultan in the same year; it finally

collapsed when he abolished the caliphate altogether in 1924.



73. Solution: a)

The winds would have flown in the north-south direction from north to south, or

from south to north. A change in direction is however, caused by the rotation of the

earth which results in the generation of the coriolis force.

74. Solution: c)



Some toilets use earthworms to decompose faecal matter and kitchen organic waste.

A design of this toilet in which humans excreta is treated by earthworms has been

tested in India.

It has been found to be a novel, low water-use toilet for safe processing of human

waste. The operation of the toilet is very simple and hygienic. The human excreta is

completely converted to vermi cakes — a resource much needed for soil.

There is no heating element and the system is not intended to operate above 35 °C, to

protect the worms.

75. Solution: a)

Earthworms and microbes present in the soil are friends of the farmer since they

further turn and loosen the soil and add humus to it.

In addition, dead plants and animals get decomposed by soil organisms. In this way,

various nutrients held in the dead organisms are released back into the soil. These

nutrients are again absorbed by plants.

76. Solution: a)



In this diagram, all the factors that can possibly affect the transmission of the EM

waves are given.

77. Solution: d)

Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions. These ions form insoluble

calcium and magnesium soaps respectively when sodium or potassium soaps are

dissolved in hard water.

These insoluble soaps separate as scum in water and are useless as cleansing agent.

In fact these are hinderance to good washing, because the precipitate adheres onto

the fibre of the cloth as gummy mass. Hair washed with hard water looks dull

because of this sticky precipitate. Dye does not absorb evenly on cloth washed with

soap using hard water, because of this gummy mass.

78. Solution: a)

The rate of biomass production is called productivity. It can be divided into gross

primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP). Gross primary

productivity of an ecosystem is the rate of production of organic matter during

photosynthesis. A considerable amount of GPP is utilised by plants in respiration.

Gross primary productivity minus respiration losses (R), is the net primary

productivity (NPP).

Net primary productivity is the available biomass for the consumption to

heterotrophs (herbiviores and decomposers).

Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by

consumers.

79. Solution: c)

For the purpose of holding direct elections to the Lok Sabha, each state is divided

into territorial constituencies. In this respect, the Constitution makes the following

two provisions:



Each state is allotted a number of seats in the Lok Sabha in such a manner that

the ratio between that number and its population is the same for all states.

This provision does not apply to a state having a population of less than six

millions.

Each state is divided into territorial constituencies in such a manner that the

ratio between the population of each constituency and the number of seats

allotted to it is the same throughout the state.

80. Solution: d)

For a list (and some basic info) on all critically endangered animal species of India,

please refer to this document prepared by the MoEF. Its very comprehensive.

http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-

information/critically_endangered_booklet.pdf

For fishes/birds/reptiles etc. refer to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_animals_in_India#Critically_en

dangered

81. Solution: c)

The trophic level represents a functional level, not a species as such. A given species

may occupy more than one trophic level in the same ecosystem at the same time; for

example, a sparrow is a primary consumer when it eats seeds, fruits, peas, and a

secondary consumer when it eats insects, worms etc.

In most ecosystems, all the pyramids, of number, of energy and biomass are upright,

i.e., producers are more in number and biomass than the herbivores, and herbivores

are more in number and biomass than the carnivores. Also energy at a lower trophic

level is always more than at a higher level.

There are exceptions to this generalisation: The pyramid of biomass in sea is

generally inverted because the biomass of fishes far exceeds that of phytoplankton.

82. Solution: a)

http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/critically_endangered_booklet.pdf

http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/critically_endangered_booklet.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_animals_in_India#Critically_endangered

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_animals_in_India#Critically_endangered



The most typical and the most well known

building in Indo – Islamic is Panch Mahal, the

highest and the most impressive structure,

called the palace of five storeys. It is based on

the Hindu system of trabeate structure,

consisting of pillar, architrave, and brackets,

with the only exception of the topmost domed

pavilion, purposefully thrown out of the centre

that crowns the entire building. The tower was

perhaps used for recreation by the emperor

and members of the royal household. The idea

behind this impressive structure of

diminishing storeys, one on top of the other,

consisting of open, terraces in front of the

covered areas, was comfort, shade and airy

open pillared verandahs provided by

perforated railings, constructed with an eye to

providing shade and fresh air, to the

inhabitants seated on the cool floors.

The Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience,

is of a unique design. It is a square chamber

with three openings on each side and a richly

carved column in the centre supporting a

magnificent flower shaped capital. Thorough

ventilation is provided by placing on all sides

perforated windows opposite each other on

every wall. The charming balcony supported

by a circular top capital, runs round the halls

whole length of the 4 sides on the first floor

level, supported by brackets. It is believed that

the central place was occupied by the

Emperor's throne while his Ministers sat at the

corners or on the peripheral passage.

The Turkish Sultana's house consists of a small

chamber surrounded by a verandah. It is

beautifully carved both on the outside and

inside; particularly remarkable being the wide

dado carved with panels, portraying jungle

Panch Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri,

Agra, Uttar Pradesh



scenes with animals, birds and trees. It is the

most ornamented building in a "gigantic jewel

casket" says Fergusson.

83. Solution: b)

The individual transitional communities are termed seral stages or seral

communities.

In the successive seral stages there is a change in the diversity of species of

organisms, increase in the number of species and organisms as well as an increase in

the total biomass.

The present day communities in the world have come to be because of succession

that has occurred over millions of years since life started on earth. Actually

succession and evolution would have been parallel processes at that time.

84. Solution: c)

Moreover, when rocks are weathered, minute amounts of these phosphates dissolve

in soil solution and are absorbed by the roots of the plants.

Herbivores and other animals obtain this element from plants. The waste products

and the dead organisms are decomposed by phosphate-solubilising bacteria

releasing phosphorus.

So, unlike carbon cycle, there is no respiratory release of phosphorus into

atmosphere.

85. Solution: d)



Healthy ecosystems are the base for a wide range of economic, environmental and

aesthetic goods and services. The products of ecosystem processes are named as

ecosystem services, for example, healthy forest ecosystems purify air and water,

mitigate droughts and floods, cycle nutrients, generate fertile soils, provide wildlife

habitat, maintain biodiversity, pollinate crops, provide storage site for carbon and

also provide aesthetic, cultural and spiritual values.

Though value of such services of biodiversity is difficult to determine, it seems

reasonable to think that biodiversity should carry a hefty price tag.

86. Solution: d)

Biological magnification often refers to the process whereby certain substances such

as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain, work their way into rivers or

lakes, and are eaten by aquatic organisms such as fish, which in turn are eaten by

large birds, animals or humans. The substances become concentrated in tissues or

internal organs as they move up the chain.

Bio-accumulants are substances that increase in concentration in living organisms as

they take in contaminated air, water, or food because the substances are very slowly

metabolized or excreted.

The following is an example showing how bio-magnification takes place in nature:

An anchovy eats zoo-plankton that have tiny amounts of mercury that the zoo-

plankton has picked up from the water throughout the anchovies lifespan. A tuna

eats many of these anchovies over its life, accumulating the mercury in each of those

anchovies into its body. If the mercury stunts the growth of the anchovies, that tuna

is required to eat more little fish to stay alive. Because there are more little fish being

eaten, the mercury content is magnified

87. Solution: b)

Purchasing power parity is used worldwide to compare the income levels in

different countries. PPP thus makes it easy to understand and interpret the data of

each country.

Let's say that a pair of shoes costs Rs 2500 in India. Then it should cost $50 in

America when the exchange rate is 50 between the dollar and the rupee.



The theory aims to determine the adjustments needed to be made in the exchange

rates of two currencies to make them at par with the purchasing power of each other.

88. Solution: d)

It is known that every individual has unique fingerprints. These occur at the tips of

the fingers and have been used for identification for a long time but these can be

altered by surgery.

A sequence of bases on DNA is also unique for a person and information regarding

this is called DNA fingerprinting. It is same for every cell and cannot be altered by

any known treatment. DNA fingerprinting is now also used in forensic laboratories

for identification of criminals.

89. Solution: c)

Above the troposphere, between 10 and 50 km above sea level lies stratosphere.

Troposphere is a turbulent, dusty zone containing air, much water vapour and

clouds. This is the region of strong air movement and cloud formation. The

stratosphere, on the other hand, contains dinitrogen, dioxygen, ozone and little

water vapour.

Atmospheric pollution is generally studied as tropospheric and stratospheric (also

because of the presence of ozone) pollution.

90. Solution: c)

Just as the glass in a greenhouse holds the sun‘s warmth inside, atmosphere traps

the sun‘s heat near the earth‘s surface and keeps it warm. This is called natural

greenhouse effect because it maintains the temperature and makes the earth perfect

for life.

In a greenhouse, visible light passes through the transparent glass and heats up the

soil and the plants. The warm soil and plants emit infrared radiations. Since glass is



opaque to infrared (heat) radiations, it partly reflects and partly absorbs these

radiations. This mechanism keeps the energy of the sun trapped in the greenhouse.

91. Solution: c)

The air around the city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, contains fairly high

levels of sulphur and nitrogen oxides. This caused heavy acid rains.

The Government of India announced an action plan that aimed at clearing the air in

the ‘Taj Trapezium’– an area that includes the towns of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura

and Bharatpur. Under this plan more than 2000 polluting industries lying inside the

trapezium would switch over to the use of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas

instead of coal or oil. A new natural gas pipeline would bring more than half a

million cubic metres of natural gas a day to this area.

People living in the city will also be encouraged to use liquefied petroleum gas in

place of coal, kerosene or firewood. Vehicles plying on highways in the vicinity of

Taj would be encouraged to use low sulphur content diesel.

92. Solution: a)

The word smog is derived from smoke and fog.

This is the most common example of air pollution that occurs in many cities

throughout the world.

Photochemical smog occurs in warm, dry and sunny climate. The main components

of the photochemical smog result from the action of sunlight on unsaturated

hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides produced by automobiles and factories.

Photochemical smog has high concentration of oxidising agents and is, therefore,

called as oxidising smog.

93. Solution: d)

Many techniques are used to control or reduce the formation of photochemical

smog. If we control the primary precursors of photochemical smog, such as NO2 and

hydrocarbons, the secondary precursors such as ozone and PAN, the photochemical

smog will automatically be reduced.



Usually catalytic converters are used in the automobiles, which prevent the release

of nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons to the atmosphere. Certain plants e.g., Pinus,

Juniparus, Quercus, Pyrus and Vitis can metabolise nitrogen oxide and therefore,

their plantation could help in this matter.

94. Solution: a)

A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a

process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new

technical solution to a problem.

To get a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the

public in a patent application.

In principle, the patent owner has the exclusive right to prevent or stop others from

commercially exploiting the patented invention. In other words, patent protection

means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported

or sold by others without the patent owner's consent.

95. Solution: d)

The Constitution of India establishes a federal system of government. It contains all

the usual features of a federation, viz., two government, division of powers, written

Constitution, supremacy of Constitution, rigidity of Constitution, independent

judiciary and bicameralism.

However, the Indian Constitution also contains a large number of unitary or non-

federal features, viz., a strong Centre, single Constitution, single citizenship,

flexibility of Constitution, integrated judiciary, appointment of state governor by the

Centre, all-India services, emergency provisions, and so on.

But, all these do not mean that state governments draw power from Central

government or are subservient to the Union government. The Union government is

ultimately responsible for the overall development of the nation; its unity, territorial

integrity, and security. Hence, it has been given more powers than the state

governments.

96. Solution: a)



Plants absorb mineral nutrients and water from the soil. Not all the water absorbed

is utilised by the plant. The water evaporates through the stomata present on the

surface of the leaves by the process of transpiration.

The evaporation of water from leaves generates a suction pull (the same that you

produce when you suck water through a straw) which can pull water to great

heights in the tall trees. Transpiration also cools the plant.

97. Solution: a)

The Mission has been conceptualized and evolved keeping in view the ever

increasing computing demand of the scientific and academic community in the

country, international technology trends and roadmaps of leading countries in the

area, strategic importance and emergence of supercomputing as a benchmark for

Scientific & Technological advancements. Two key departments of the Government

of India, DeitY and DST will be implementing the mission jointly through two

leading organizations. These are the Centre for Development of Advanced

Computing (C-DAC) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

The Mission envisages empowering our national academic and R&D institutions

spread over the country by installing a vast supercomputing grid comprising of

more than 70 high-performance computing facilities. These supercomputers will also

be networked on the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge

Network (NKN). The NKN is another programme of the government which

connects academic institutions and R&D labs over a high speed network. Academic

and R&D institutions as well as key user departments/ministries would participate

by using these facilities and develop applications of national relevance. The Mission

also includes development of highly professional High Performance Computing

(HPC) aware human resource for meeting challenges of development of these

applications.

98. Solution: a)



Women writers like Ghosha, Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala, Romasha

Brahmavadini, etc., right from the days of the Vedas (6000 B.C. – 4000 B.C.), focused

on the image of women in mainstream Sanskrit literature.

99. Solution: a)

The Supreme Court has been consistently in news for its heightened activism since

last few years. While this question may seem very factual, but UPSC is very

unpredictable and such questions can be very easily expected in the examination.

Moreover, Regulating Act of 1773 is of great constitutional importance as (a) it was

the first step taken by the British Government to control and regulate the affairs of

the East India Company in India; (b) it recognised, for the first time, the political and

administrative functions of the Company; and (c) it laid the foundations of central

administration in India.

100. Solution: b)

The Dhamekh stupa at Sarnath is an imposing

cylindrical structure (ht. 43.5 m., dia at base 28.3 m.) of

the Gupta age, partly built of stone and partly of brick.

Its stone basement has eight projecting faces with large

niches for statuary and is further adorned with

delicately-carved floral and geometrical patterns.

Making the holy spot of the enlightenment of the

Master, this site is looked upon with, greatest sanctity

and became a flourishing Buddhist establishment with

numerous temples, stupas and monasteries. According

to tradition a large number of shrines and memorials

were created at the site to commemorate the incidents

before and after enlightenment.

The main brick built shrine known as the Mahabodhi

temple which appears to have been originally erected

in circa 2nd century A.D. is encumbered with heavy

renovation, the four corner-towers being an arbitrary

addition of circa 14th century A.D. Its central tower,

Dhamekh Stupa at

Sarnath,

Utter Pradesh



standing on a high plinth, is about 55m. high and is a

straight-edged pyramid of seven storeys, by pilasters

and chaitya niches.

Documents

Insights Mock Tests – 2015: Test – 26 Solutions