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ALL INDIA OPEN TEST – 2

ANSWERS & EXPLANATION
GENERAL STUIDES (P) 2015 (Test Code – 1674)

Q 1.C

• Drinking water has been contaminated due to the rotting of carcasses in village fields. The disappearance
of vultures has allowed other species such as rats and feral dogs to take their place. These newly abundant
scavengers are not as efficient as vultures they become carriers of pathogens.
• These wild dogs carry diseases like Rabies and Anthrax. Vulture play a major role in the final rites of the
Parsi community. The vulture consume the dead body (it is believed that it liberates the soul).

Q 2.D

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• Right of self rule as given to the white colonies was the main demand of Home rule movement.

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Q 3.C

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Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture: 9@
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Buddhism has made a remarkable contribution to the development of Indian culture.

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• The concept of Ahimsa was its chief contribution. Later, it became one of the cherished values of our
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nation.
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• Its contribution to the art and architecture of India was notable. The stupas at Sanchi, Bharhut and Gaya
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are wonderful pieces of architecture. Buddhism takes the credit for the chaityas and viharas in different
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parts of India.
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• It promoted education through residential universities like those at Taxila, Nalanda and Vikramasila.
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• The language of Pali and other local languages developed through the teachings of Buddhism.
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• It had also promoted the spread of Indian culture to other parts of Asia.
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Q 4.B

• Tholkappiyam refers to the five-fold division of lands - Kurinji (hilly tracks), Mullai (pastoral), Marudam
(agricultural), Neydal (coastal) and Palai (desert). The people living in these five divisions had their
respective chief occupations as well as gods for worship.

Q 5.B

• The 'Project Destination Flyways' (launched on World Migratory Bird Day, 2014 "WMBD" on second
weekend of May, every year) is being developed under the leadership of UNWTO, with partners
including UNEP, IUCN and financial assistance for preliminary groundwork from the Federal Ministry
for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany.
• Globally eight project sites along four of the world's flyways have been preselected with partners. For
each site, extensive data collection and identification of the way forward together with local partners are
in progress. As of now preliminary work is almost finished and the project may be launched in full
capacity in 2015.
• Each year, millions of migratory birds set out to travel the world, flying along the same routes, also
known as flyways (not the major international airways of tourist movement).

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 The eight Global sites of the project are as follows:

• Chilika Lake, India

• Seocheon Tidal Flat and Geum Estuary, Republic of Korea
• Korgalzhyn Sate Nature Reserve, Kazakhstan
• Lake Natron, Tanzania
• Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Senegal
• Ras Mohamed National Park, Egypt
• Wadden Sea (Schleswig-Holstein) National Park, Germany
• Four international migratory bird Flyways are:

1. East Atlantic Flyway

2. West Asian-East African Flyway
3. Central Asian Flyway
4. East Asian-Australasian Flyway

List of Endangered Migratory Birds:

1. Sociable Lapwing - from Kazakhstan

2. Siberian Crane - Siberia, visits India in Winter
3. Baer's Pochard
4. Spoon-billed Sandpiper

• The project focuses on formulating strategies for protection of migratory birds through creation of
innovative and sustainable tourism and livelihood options for local communities by providing technical

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and financial assistance to the project sites. In the end projects aims to maintain status of these sites as the

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destination for the migratory birds.

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Note: Themes: WMBD - 2014 - Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism
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2015 - Energy - Make it bird friendly!
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Q 6.B
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• Mistral (cold northerly from central France and the Alps to Mediterranean)
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• Chinook- Warm & dry local winds blowing on leeward side of Rockies in USA
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• Pampero (Argentina), very strong wind which blows in the Pampa

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Southerly Buster(rapidly arriving low pressure cell that dramatically cools Sydney, Australia during
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summer)
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Q 7.C
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• Carbon sequestration, Prevention of soil erosion and Augmentation of groundwater are Regulating
services whereas Fuel wood, fodder, minor timber, medicinal plants, wild edible fruits, manure are
Provisioning services. Recreation comes under Cultural services.

Q 8.A

• Only 4th statement is incorrect - the annual confidential reports of the bureaucrats are never discussed in
the parliament. Rest all are the methods through which Executive controls the administration.

Q 9.A

• Most of the airplanes and even military jets fly in the stratosphere or atleast in the tropopause. The reason
being that the amount of air turbulence flights receive are very less. The winds will flow at high velocities
and this can be advantageous to save fuel. Also, these layers are "Stratified", meaning, they do not mix. If
they mix, they are separated rather quickly. Hence the vertical flow of winds are less in this region. This is
beneficial for the stability of the plane during flight.

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Q 10.B

• The Pallavas had a well-organized administrative system. The Pallava state was divided into Kottams. The
Kottam was administered by officers appointed by the king. The king was at the centre of administration
in which he was assisted by able ministers.

Q 11.C

• The Abhayamudra "gesture of fearlessness" represents protection, peace, benevolence and the dispelling
of fear.
• The gesture was used by the Buddha when attacked by an elephant, subduing it as shown in several
frescoes and scripts.

Q 12.B

• Oversupply of crude oil in the world market has led to near halving of oil drilling activities in North
America in the past four months, thereby affecting the off take of guar gum in India as well.
India is a leading exporter of guar gum, commanding about 80 per cent of global production, followed by
Pakistan.
• Guar gum is derived from guar seeds (cluster beans), a legume crop that grows in semi-arid regions of
Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana.
• Guar gum is used by drilling companies to thicken water that is mixed with sand and pumped through
shale rock cracks to extract gas. It is used for well fracturing.
• Other applications includes use in toothpastes and shampoos as thickeners.

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Q 13.D

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• The spleen is an organ that performs several functions related to the health of your blood. First, it filters

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out and destroys old red blood cells. Second, it manufactures some of the white blood cells that form your
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immune system. And finally, it can actually manufacture new red blood cells, especially if the bone
marrow isn't working properly.
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Q 14.A
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• The Labrador current is a cold current in the north Atlantic ocean which flows from the Arctic ocean
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south along the coast of Labrador and passes around Newfoundland continuing south along the east coast
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of Nova Scotia.
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It meets the warm Gulf stream and the grand banks southeast of Newfoundland. The combination of these
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two produce the richest fishing grounds in the world.

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Q 15.D
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FII An investor or investment fund that is from or registered in a country outside of the one in which it is
currently investing. FIIs must register with the Securities and Exchange Board of India to participate in
the market.

Who can get registered as FII?

Following foreign entities / funds are eligible to get registered as FII:

• Pension Funds
• Mutual Funds
• Investment Trusts
• Banks
• Insurance Companies / Reinsurance Company
• Foreign Central Banks
• Foreign Governmental Agencies
• Sovereign Wealth Funds
• International/ Multilateral organization/ agency

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 • University Funds (Serving public interests)
• Endowments (Serving public interests)
• Foundations (Serving public interests)
• Charitable Trusts / Charitable Societies (Serving public interests)

Q 16.C

Two major schools

• Gandhara school of art uses

! Greco-Roman Style
! Found in North West India
! Usage of Stone and stucco

• Madhura

! Indigenous style: exhibiting the spiritual feeling

! In UP and Bihar
! White spotted red sandstone is used

Forms of Brahmanical deities crystallised for the first time in this art form.

Q 17.D

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• All statements are correct.

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• T12, T8 and T5 are naming convention for tubelights where "12" is the thickest and "5" is the slimmest

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tubelight. T12s were quite popular in the past (some 10-15 years back). They were replaced with slimmer

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T8 version, which are the most popular and easily available version today. But T5 is the most efficient
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(energy saving) option that is available in the market today. It is approximately as thick as a thumb. As
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this is a relatively new technology, you may find it difficult to get them in the market.
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Q 18.B
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• Insurance cover under the two social security insurance schemes - Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna
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(PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna (PMJJBY).

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• PMSBY offers accident insurance of Rs 2 lakh at Rs 12 a year. For all Bank account holders whose age is
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between 18 to 70 years.
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• Under PMJJBY, the government is offering a life cover of Rs 2 lakh for a premium of Rs 330 annually to
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savings account holders aged 18-50 in the participating banks.

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Q 19.A

Lithium Ion and Lithium polymer are most commonly used types of rechargeable mobile batteries.Though
Nickel Cadmium batteries were used earlier they are not much in use today. Similarly Nickel metal hybrid
batteries are relatively new technology and not in common use.

So Lithium is the metal which is the most prominently used in batteries.

Advantages

• High energy density - potential for yet higher capacities.

• Does not need prolonged priming when new. One regular charge is all that's needed.
• Relatively low self-discharge - self-discharge is less than half that of nickel-based batteries.
• Low Maintenance - no periodic discharge is needed; there is no memory.
• Specialty cells can provide very high current to applications such as power tools.

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 Limitations

• Requires protection circuit to maintain voltage and current within safe limits.
• Subject to aging, even if not in use - storage in a cool place at 40% charge reduces the aging effect.
• Transportation restrictions - shipment of larger quantities may be subject to regulatory control. This
restriction does not apply to personal carry-on batteries.
• Expensive to manufacture - about 40 percent higher in cost than nickel-cadmium.
• Not fully mature - metals and chemicals are changing on a continuing basis.

Q 20.A

• INA was founded by Mohan Singh in 1942. Subhas Chandra Bose reorganised it.
• Subhash Bose was assisted by Rashbehari Bose and others.
• The Provisional Government was recognized by axis power.

Q 21.C

• The Indian Councils Act of 1861, for the first time introduced Portfolio system. Each member of the
Council of the Governor General was allocated portfolio of a particular department. The Governor
General was authorized to exercise a veto and issue ordinances in a situation of emergency.

Q 22.C

• White Bellied Heron, Pygmy Hog, Slender Billed Vulture, Namdhapa flying Squirrel, Long Billed
Vulture, Malabar Civet, Gharial, Hawksbill Turtle, Red Headed vulture-these belong to the critically

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endangered category.

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• India Wolf, Asian Black Bear, Nilgiri Marten, Gaur,Chiru, Blackbuck, Indian Wolf- these belong to the

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vulnerable category.

Q 23.A
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Regional Rural Banks are local level banking organizations operating in different States of India. They have
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been created with a view to serve primarily the rural areas of India with basic banking and financial services.
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However, RRB's may have branches set up for urban operations and their area of operation may include urban
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areas too. RRB's perform various functions in following heads:

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• Providing banking facilities to rural and semi-urban areas.

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• Carrying out government operations like disbursement of wages of MGNREGA workers, distribution of
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pensions etc.
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• Providing Para-Banking facilities like locker facilities, debit and credit cards.
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Q 24.D

• 1st statement is incorrect - 1929 Lahore Session called for complete independence (Poorna Swaraj).
• 2nd statement is incorrect - 1931 Karachi Session called for economic and fundamental rights.
• 3rd statement is incorrect - because in 1929 there was no such demand for creation of Pakistan.

Q 25.C

• Silappathigaram and Manimegalai are part of the The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature according to
later Tamil literary tradition.
• Manimegalai - this epic describes how Manimekalai, the beautiful daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi,
follower of local deities later included in Hinduism, converts to Buddhism. The epic gives much
information on the history of Tamil Nadu, Buddhism and its place during that period, contemporary arts
and culture, and the customs of the times.
• Silappathigaram - Story of Kanagi. The nature of the book is non-religious, narrative and has a moralistic
undertone. The epic revolves around Kannagi, who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at
the court of the Pandyan Dynasty, wreaks her revenge on his kingdom.

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Q 26.A

• It can be a superb conductor of both heat and electricity.

• The main disadvantage of graphene as a catalyst is its susceptibility to oxidative environments.

Q 27.D

• The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is a rare bustard species that is very well known for its
mating dance. It is under critically endangered species in IUCN red list.
• Habitat: Grasslands occasionally interspersed with scrublands.
• Distribution: Native to only 3 countries in the world - Cambodia, India and Nepal. In India, it occurs in 3
states, namely Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Threats: Ongoing conversion of the bird’s grassland habitat for various purposes including
agriculture is mainly responsible for its population decline.

Q 28.D

Q 29.A

• Thousands of seals have been discovered, which were made for commercial purpose. The 'Dancing Girl' is
an example of a Bronze Statue made from lost wax technique. Large number of spindles and spindle
whorls have been discovered, which indicates that spinning of cotton and wheel was very common. The
use of gold was known to them. Apart from gold beads, gold necklace and earrings have also been found.

Q 30.C

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• Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico

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• Sinai Peninsula - North eastern Egypt (in news because of conflict in MENA region)

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• Kra Peninsula - Malaysia (Major producer of Tin)
• Iberian Peninsula - Spain 9@
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Q 31.A
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• Its goal is to decrease cell growth and reproduction (cellular metabolism), increase cellular survival,
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decrease inflammation, decrease pain and spasm, promote the constriction of blood vessels
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(vasoconstriction), and when using extreme temperatures, to destroy cells by crystallizing the cytosol,
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which is the liquid found inside cells, also known as intracellular fluid (ICF). The most prominent use of
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the term refers to the surgical treatment, specifically known as cryosurgery. Other therapies that use the
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term are cryogenic chamber therapy and ice pack therapy. It has been used as a training and injury
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rehabilitation centre for many sporting bodies. This Therapy triggers the release of endorphins which
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induce analgesia immediate pain relief.

• Statement 4 is incorrect with respect to this therapy.

Q 32.B

• Based development in the Smart Cities Mission are city improvement (retrofitting), city renewal
(redevelopment) and city extension (greenfield development) plus a Pancity initiative in which Smart
Solutions are applied covering larger parts of the city.
• The implementation of the Mission at the City level will be done by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
created for the purpose.Each smart city will have a SPV which will be headed by a full time CEO and
have nominees of Central Government, State Government and ULB on its Board.
• Government contribution for Smart City is used only to create infrastructure that has public benefit
outcomes.
• The total number of 100 smart cities have been distributed among the States and UTs on the basis of an
equitable criteria. The formula gives equal weightage (50:50) to urban population of the State/UT and the
number of statutory towns in the State/UT. Based on this formula, each State/UT will, therefore, have a
certain number of potential smart cities, with each State/UT having at least one.

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Q 33.A

• The Second phase of the struggle in South Africa began in 1906, was characterized by the use of the
method named Satyagraha.

Q 34.D

• In Harappan Culture, Gold and silver ornaments are found in many places. Pottery remains plain and in
some places red and black painted pottery is found. Beads were manufactured from a wide variety of
semi-precious stones. Specialized groups of artisans include goldsmiths, brick makers, stone cutters,
weavers, boat-builders and terracotta manufacturers. Bronze and copper vessels are the outstanding
examples of the Harappan metal craft.

Q 35.B

• Farm mechanization, Crop specialization and Surplus production are the determinants of commercial
farming.

Q 36.C

• Garuda is an endangered bird according to IUCN RED List. It is a migratory bird. It is a migratory bird of
the stork family. A rescue and rehabilitation centre has been opened in Bhagalpur, Bihar for protection
and conservation of Garuda, especially injured birds.
• This bird like creature (humanoid bird) finds mention in both Hinduism (as vahana of Lord Vishnu) and
Buddhism.

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Q 37.D

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• Pith and substance is a legal doctrine in Canadian constitutional interpretation used to determine under
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which head of power a given piece of legislation falls. The doctrine is primarily used when a law is
challenged on the basis that one level of government (be it provincial or federal) has encroached upon the
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exclusive jurisdiction of another level of government.

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• 1st statement is doctrine of colourable legislation and 2nd statement is doctrine of basic structure.
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Q 38.C
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• The National Population Register (NPR) is a Register of usual residents of the country. It is being
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prepared at the local (Village level), sub District (Tehsil/Taluk level), District, State and National level
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under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of
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National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.

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• As per Section 14A of the Citizenship Act 1955 as amended in 2004, it is compulsory for every citizen of
the country to register in the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC). The creation of the National
Population Register (NPR) is the first step towards preparation of the NRIC. Out of the universal dataset
of residents, the subset of citizens would be derived after due verification of the citizenship status.
Therefore, it is compulsory for all usual residents to register under the NPR.

Q 39.B

• PRAGATI is a unique integrating and interactive platform. The platform is aimed at addressing common
man's grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of
the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments. The PRAGATI platform
uniquely bundles three latest technologies: Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial
technology. It also offers a unique combination in the direction of cooperative federalism since it brings
on one stage the Secretaries of Government of India and the Chief Secretaries of the States. With this, the
Prime Minister is able to discuss the issues with the concerned Central and State officials with full
information and latest visuals of the ground level situation. Such an effort has never been made in India. It
is also an innovative project in e-governance and good governance.

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Q 40.C

The demand for foreign currency depends upon:

• Repayment of International loans.
• Foreign Investment- eg. If investment is to be made in US then, dollars would be demanded.
• Imports or purchase from a foreign country necessitates the demand for foreign currency and NOT the
Exports.
• Grants and Donations (unilateral payments) to a country are often made in terms of the currency of the
country to which it is given.
• Speculative Trading.
• Payment of Incomes.
• Direct purchases made abroad.

Q 41.D

All Mammals share a unifying set of characteristics, these are:

(a) Hair: Hair is one of the characteristics that is unique to mammals-no other animals have true hair and all
mammals have hair covering at least part of their body at some time during their life.
(b) Mammary glands: Mammals nurse their young ones with milk produced by mammary glands. These are
also unique to mammals.
(c) Lower jaw made up of a single bone.
(d) Endothermy: mammals are endothermic which means they are capable of regulating their own body
temperature.

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(e) Four chambered Heart: Found in Mammals and birds. Three chambered heart is found in Amphibians and

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Reptiles.

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(f) Some of the Mammals may be aquatic. Eg.Dolphins, Whales, dugongs, Otters, Walruses etc.

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(g) Some mammals may be egg laying. There are only five living egg laying mammals:
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Duck-billed Platypus
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Four Species of Echidna (Also known as spiny ant eaters)
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Q 42.C
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Supply of money is a stock concept. It refers to total stock of money (of all types) held by the people of a
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country at a point of time.

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However, supply of money does not include i) stock of money held by the government and ii) stock of money
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held by the banking system of a country. Because, Govt. and banking system are suppliers of money and the
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stock of money held by the suppliers of money is never treated as a part of the supply of money in the country.
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Thus, Supply of Money includes:

Currency with the public,

Demand deposits with the commercial banks and,

(iii) Other deposits with the RBI, in the form of:

(a) Demand Deposits with the RBI of public financial institutions (like NABARD),
(b) Demand deposits of other Reserve Banks of Foreign Central Banks and Governments with the RBI.
(c) Demand Deposits of International Financial Institutions (like IMF and World Bank).

Q 43.D

• The appointments committee consists of PM,CJI and Lop Of Lok Sabha. The Delhi Special Police
Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2014 adds that leader of largest party can become a member if Lop is
not there in Loksabha.

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Q 44.D

Threats in marine areas:

• Overfishing and decline of species: Industrial fishing, over exploitation of target species, by-catch species
• Pollution and eutrophication: Land-based activities (river run-off), atmospheric deposition, maritime
traffic
• Degradation and destruction of the sea floor: Beam trawling, dredging, sand and gravel extraction
• Alien species introductions: Maritime trade (ballast waters, fouling), leisure navigation, mariculture,
climate change.
• Leisure and tourism: Coastal development, water quality in summer (high population), mechanical beach
cleaning, noise and other perturbations due to the high population

Q 45.A

• The constitution mentions only 1st two grounds for disqualification. Third ground is mentioned in the
Representation of the People Act 1951.

Q 46.A

Earth's major discontinuities:

• Conrad - Outer and Inner Crust

• Mohorovicic - Crust and mantle
• Wichart - Gutenberg - Mantle and core

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• Lehmann - Outer and Inner Core

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• Repitte - Outer and Inner Mantle

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Q 47.B
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• Socialistic principles are the ones which lay down the framework of a democratic socialist state, aim at
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providing social and economic justice and set the path towards welfare state. Thus, going by this
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definition- 2nd and 3rd statements are correct . Whereas, 1st is Gandhian Principle and 4th statements is
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reflection of Liberal-Intellectual principle.

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Q 48.D
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• All statements are correct.

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Q 49.C
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• Statements 1 and 4 come under original jurisdiction of High court.

• Statements 2 and 3 come under original jurisdiction of Supreme court.

Q 50.D

• There are about 600 known species of butterflies in West Bengal and about 1,500 in India. Gorumara
alone accounts for more than half of the species found in the State and about one-fifth found in the
country.
• The park, located in the State's Jalpaiguri district, covers an area of only 80 sq. km., and has recorded at
least four species of butterflies that have never been found in the State before.

Q 51.D

• The mangrove cover of India (2.69% of the global mangrove area and 8% of Asia's mangroves) is home
to umbrella species such as the tiger as well as many threatened species such as the River terrapin,
Gangetic river dolphin, Estuarine crocodile and Fishing cat.

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Q 52.C

Disinvestment and listing of CPSEs on stock exchanges takes the economic reform agenda forward and inter
alia:

• Improves corporate governance: Higher disclosure levels as mandated by SEBI/stock exchanges and
under Company Law bring in greater transparency and accountability
• Develops and deepens the capital market through spread of equity culture: The process of listing of
CPSEs on stock exchanges facilitates development and deepening of capital market and spread of equity
culture.
• Consequent to listing, the CPSEs will be able to approach the capital market to raise resources for their
capital expenditure requirements as is the case among private companies. Thus, the dependence on
Government funding will be reduced.

Raise budgetary resources for the Government.

Q 53.B

• Structural Unemployment: This kind of unemployment happens when the structure of an industry
changes. For example, as the country is tending to move from use of bicycles to motorbikes and cars, the
demand for labour in the cycle industry has continuously fallen in the country. Changes in technology and
changes in tastes are two big reasons for the occurring of structural unemployment in the economy. One
of the reasons why 12th plan focuses on skill development is to address the problem of structural
unemployment in the country.
Cyclical unemployment: This kind of unemployment occurs when all those who want to work cannot be

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employed because there is not enough demand in the market for their work.

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Frictional Unemployment: This kind of unemployment occurs when a person leaves/loses a job and

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starts looking for another one. This search for a job may take a considerable amount of time resulting in
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Seasonal Unemployment: This kind of unemployment is expected to occur at certain parts of the year.
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Q 54.A
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International currency exchange rates display how much one unit of a currency can be exchanged for
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another currency. Currency exchange rates can be floating, in which case they change continually based
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on a multitude of factors, or they can be pegged (or fixed) to another currency, in which case they still
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float, but they move in tandem with the currency to which they are pegged.
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Floating rates are determined by the market forces of supply and demand.
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• There are geopolitical and economic announcements that affect the exchange rates between two countries,
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but a few of the most popular include: interest rate decisions, unemployment rates, inflation reports, gross
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domestic product numbers and manufacturing information.

• Some countries may decide to use a pegged exchange rate that is set and maintained artificially by the
government. Governments of emerging market countries often do this to create stability in the value of
their currencies. In order to keep the pegged foreign exchange rate stable, the government of the country
must hold large reserves of the currency to which its currency is pegged in order to control changes in
supply and demand.

Q 55.D

• The directions of large motions of the atmosphere and oceans are also affected, as the turning planet
makes their paths curve. Our weather systems respond to this phenomenon, which is known as the
Coriolis effect.
• The Earth's rotation combined with the Moon's gravitational pull on the planet creates the rhythmic rise
and fall of the ocean surface i.e. tides.

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Q 56.A

• Baiga villages were relocated from the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. they are a central
Indian tribe. Indira Gandhi Sanctuary is located near Anamalai in Tamil Nadu.
• Maldhari tribes live in and around Gir sanctuary and Banni Grasslands, both in Gujarat.
• Jenu Kuruba tribe lives in Nagarhole Sanctuary region apart from other regions of Western Ghats.

Q 57.C

• The GIB is categorized as 'critically endangered' under the IUCN Red List and listed in Schedule I of the
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• GIBs are birds of grassland and semi-arid habitat. Their habitat is under anthropogenic pressure from
industrialization and conversion to agricultural fields. In most of their former ranges, GIBs have been
wiped out due to the loss of habitat.
• Presently small and fragmented populations of GIBs are found in certain parts of Indian states viz.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

Q 58.D

Inflation primarily occurs due to two sets of factors, the demand-pull factors and the cost-push factors. Both of
them have been explained below in detail:

(a) Demand Pull factors: These are those set of factors due to which there may be an increase in the demand
for goods and services in the economy.

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Some of them are:

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• Increase in government expenditure

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• Rising population
• Black Money 9@
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• Changing consumption patterns

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(b) Cost- Push Factors:

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ra

(i) Rise in wages

ka

(ii) Increase in indirect taxes

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(iii) Increase in administered prices

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(iv) Infrastructural bottlenecks

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Fluctuation due to seasonal and cyclical reasons

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O

Administered prices are not determined by regular market forces of supply and demand. They are considered
undesirable when they cause prices to be higher than a competitive standard, when they are accompanied by
excessive non-price competition (efforts to increase sales without enhancing the value of the product), or
when they add to inflationary tendencies—either by failure to lower prices in response to cost reductions or by
increasing prices to maintain a given margin of profit in the face of rising costs.

Q 59.D

• All the statements are part of Fundamental Duties.

Q 60.B

• Argument 1, 2 and 4 are in favour of power sharing. 3 and 5 are against the power sharing. Primary
motive of any political system is power sharing among various communities and groups.

11 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Q 61.A

• India signed the convention and ratified it on 9th july 1993.

• CEDAW was adopted in 1979 by the UN general assembly and is often described as an international bill
of right for women. It consists of a preamble and 30 articles and defines what constitutes discrimination
against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. BY accepting the
convention,States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against
women in all forms.

Q 62.D

• The INDCs are national policy outlines in which countries determine their contributions in the context of
their national priorities, circumstances and capabilities in accordance with global framework – United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that drives collective action towards a
low-carbon, climate-resilient future. Based on the guidelines issued after COP-20 at Lima, Peru, INDCs
are expected to be submitted ahead of COP-21 in Paris to be held at the end of 2015. These intended
contributions are expected to create a constructive feedback loop between national and international
decision-making on climate change.
• As per the guidelines, INDCs should include: Quantifiable information on the reference point (including a
base year); Scope and coverage (implying gases and sectors); Planning processes (to oversee the
fulfillment of INDCs) and

How the Party considers that its INDC is fair and ambitious, in light of its national
circumstances, and how it contributes towards achieving the objective set out in Article 2 of the
convention. Therefore, mainly they will be focusing on various mitigation and adaptation strategies to

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reduce carbon emissions so that global temperature rise can be contained within 2 0C.

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• India at Lima, has agreed to INDCs, but since the guidelines are not specific in terms of language and
leave much more to the individual interpretation. Therefore, India intends to submit two sets of INDCs,
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one based on what we can achieve solely based on the use of available domestic resources and the other
49

based on the financial and technology support if made available by the developed nations as the cost of
a2

technology (IPRs), is the main issue regarding the adoption of renewable and clean energy resources
iy
ng

which is vital for maintaining pace of economic development while fighting issues related to climate
ra

change.
ka
an

Q 63.A
aj
rr

• The first statement refers to the recommendation of both committees regarding the establishment of Red,
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Orange and Green Category industries in Ecologically Sensitive Areas in Western Ghats. As WGEEP
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under Madhav Gadgil decalred entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive area (Ecologically Sensitive
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Zone [ESZ] 1; ESZ 2 and ESZ 3 - descending order of diversity richness),this committee has
recommended blanket ban on Red and Orange category industries.
• HLWG under Kasturirangan, has divided the Ghats into two main regions – Cultural Landscape (human
settlements, agriculture, livestock rearing regions) and Natural Landscape (forest cover, protected areas -
national parks, sanctuaries - 37% of the entire region) and declared only later region as the Ecologically
Sensitive Area but here also taking into account developmental needs, it has recommended allowing the
establishment of Orange category industries such as fish processing and soft drink manufacturing units in
this area, provide these units fulfill certain specifications and follow the guidelines in order to protect this
region.
• With reference to Western Ghat Ecology Authority, only WGEEP report recommended its statutory
establishment whereas HLWG emphasized strengthening existing regulatory framework for ESAs with
strict monitoring and evaluation along with institutional factors such as training and sensitization of the
officials.

12 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Q 64.A

• The alluvial soils are yet immature and have weak profiles. They differ in consistency from drift sand to
rich loams and from silts to stiff clays. A few occasional kankar beds are also present. The chemical
composition of the alluvial soils makes this group of soils as one of the most fertile in the world. The
proportion of nitrogen is generally low, but potash, phosphoric acid and alkalies are adequate, while iron
oxide and lime vary within a wide range.

Q 65.B

• Micronutrients of soil: Chlorine, Iron, Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum, Nickel.

• Macronutrients of soil: Nitrogen, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous and Sulphur.

• Micro-nutrients are as important to plant nutrition as primary and secondary nutrients, though plants don't
require as much of them. A lack of any one of the micronutrients in the soil can limit growth, even when
all other nutrients are present in adequate amounts.

Q 66.D

There are four types of chemical weathering processes:

Solution: Soluble rock forming minerals like nitrates, sulphates and potassium are affected by this
process.

Carbonation: Reaction of carbonates and bicarbonates with minerals is a common process which helps in

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the break down of feldspar and carbonate minerals( cave formation is a result of this process), rainwater

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mixes with CO2 in air to produce carbonic acid that reacts with minerals.

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Hydration: it is chemical addition of water. Minerals take up water and expand.This causes an increase
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in volume and the repetition of this process causes fatigue in the rocks and leads to their
49

disintegration. the hydration of anhydrite forms gypsum.

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Oxidation: Combination of minerals with oxygen to form oxides or hydroxides. Occurs where there is
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ready access to oxygenated water and atmosphere.

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ka
an

Q 67.C
aj
rr

• Article 365 says that if any state is failed to comply with directions given by center than president rule can
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be imposed on that state. So option 1 is wrong.

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nl
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• Article 256 says that the executive power of state is so exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws
made by parliament. So option 2 is correct.

• Bills on certain matters (like putting restrictions on inter- state movement of goods) enumerated in the
state list can be introduced in the state legislature only with prior sanction of president. So option 3 is
correct.

Q 68.A

Tank irrigation is practiced (esp in south central India) due to the following reasons:

• The undulating relief and hard rock make it difficult to dig canals and wells.
• There is little percolation of rain water due to hard rock structure and ground water is not available in
large quantity.
• Most of the rivers in this region are seasonal and dry up in summer season.
• There are several streams which become torrential rainy season and the only way to make use of this
water is to impound them by constructing bunds and building tanks.
• The scattered nature of population and agricultural fields also favour tank irrigation.

13 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Q 69.A

• Soils in cold, humid climates typically have high acidity, while in arid climates, soils are typically
alkaline. Acidity can be corrected by applying lime, a compound of calcium, carbon, and oxygen
(CaCO3), which removes acid ions and replaces them with the base calcium.

Q 70.C

• Sere is the sequence of communities succeeding each other during the course of succession.

Q 71.B

Tropical climates, the most extensive, occupy about 36% of Earth's surface, including both ocean and land
areas. The tropical climates straddle the equator from about 20° N to 20° S

These cli- mates truly are winterless. Important causal elements include:

• Consistent day length and insolation input, which produce consistently warm temperatures;
• Effects of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), which brings rains as it shifts seasonally with the
high Sun; and
• Warm ocean temperatures and unstable maritime air masses.
Tropical climates have three distinct regimes: tropical rain - forest (ITCZ present all year), tropical
monsoon (ITCZ present 6 to 12 months), and tropical savanna (ITCZ present less than 6 months).
• Presence of upper-air westerly winds and undulating Jet Streams are the characteristics of microthermal
Climates (mid and high latitudes, cold winters)

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Q 72.D

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• To curb the students participation in Civil Disobedience Movement, Cunningham Circular was
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implemented in 1930 by the British, which played an important role in shaping the Freedom Struggle in
49
Assam.
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• It forced the students and their guardians to furnish assurances of good behaviour and forbade them to
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participate in political activities, and evoked strong response.

ng

• Students quit schools in protest and many Educational Institutions like Kamrup Academy of Guwahati
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and Sibsagar Vidyapeeth were established.

ka
an

Q 73.C
aj
rr
fo

• Option 2 and 3 are sacrifice and a race.

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Option 1 is ceremony/ritual.
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•
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• Option 4 is name of a woman poet.

• Larger kingdoms were formed during the later Vedic period. Many jana or tribes were amalgamated to
form Janapadas or Rashtras in the later Vedic period. Hence the royal power had increased along with the
increase in the size of kingdom. The king performed various rituals and sacrifices to strengthen his
position. They include Rajasuya (consecration ceremony), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice) and Vajpeya
(chariot race). The kings also assumed titles like Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi, (lord of all earth),
Ekrat and Samrat (sole ruler).

Q 74.B

• At equinox, the circle of illumination passes through the North and South Poles. One important feature of
the equinox is that day and night are of equal length everywhere on the globe.
• The seasons arise from the Earth's revolution around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis.
• At the summer (June) solstice, the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. At the winter (December)
solstice, the southern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. At the equinoxes, day and night are of equal
length.

14 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Q 75.A

• Bhand Pather is a theatre form of Kashmir. Satire and parody are the underlying technique. It combines
dance, music and acting.
• Bhaona is a theatre form of Assam while Bhavai is a form of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Sutradhar starts the
play in Bhaona in Sanskrit language then in Brajboli or Assamese.
• Tamasha is theatre form of Maharashtra while Nautanki and Rasleela are of Uttar Pradesh. Female actress
is the chief exponent of dance in the play, she is known as Murki.

Q 76.A

• Dr. Kamal Bawa received Midori Prize, 2014 for his contributions to research in ecology of tropical
forests, sustainable use of tropical forests, climate change in the Himalaya; for promoting engagement of
civil society in conservation efforts and for his leadership role in setting up Ashoka Trust for Research in
Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
• Pramod Patil for community conservation of the great Indian bustard in the Thar Desert, India and
Ananda Kumar for developing communication systems to reduce human-elephant conflict in southern
India won the Whitley Awards, 2015.
• Rajendra Singh of India is named the 2015 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, for his innovative water
restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and
determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need.

Q 77.D

Climatic conditions for growing tea:

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Temperature: 21°C to 29°C is ideal for the production of tea. High temperature is required in summer. The

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lowest temperature for the growth of tea is 16°C.

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Rainfall: 150-250 cm of rainfall is required for tea cultivation. 9@
49
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Soil: Tea shrubs require fertile mountain soil mixed with lime and iron. The soil should be rich in humus.
iy
ng

Land: Tea cultivation needs well drained land. Stagnation of water is not good for tea plants. Heavy rainfall
ra

but no stagnancy of water, such mountain slopes are good for tea cultivation.
ka
an

Q 78.D
aj
rr
fo

• The most commonly observed goods and services (direct benefits) that seagrass beds provide include
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fisheries production, nursery grounds, and marine biodiversity protection. Indirect services include
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nutrient cycling, coastal protection, water filtration, carbon cycling, and carbon sinks. Over and above
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this, economic value can also be determined through a consideration of 'replacement costs' for restoring or
rehabilitating destroyed resources.

Q 79.C

• Promotion of financial literacy is not the PRIME objective of Lead Bank Scheme.
• Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) was introduced in 1969, based on the recommendations of the Gadgil Study
Group. The basic idea was to have an "area approach" for targeted and focused banking.
• Under the Scheme, each district had been assigned to different banks (public and private) to act as a
consortium leader to coordinate the efforts of banks in the district particularly in matters like branch
expansion and credit planning.
• The Lead Bank was to act as a consortium leader for co-ordinating the efforts of all credit institutions in
each of the allotted districts for expansion of branch banking facilities and for meeting the credit needs of
the rural economy.

15 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Q 80.B

• Statement B is incorrect because CAG is removed on the grounds as a Judge of Supreme Court In India.
• Art 149 of the Constitution empowers CAG to audit the accounts of Union, States and other bodies as
prescribed by any law of parliament. Accordingly, CAG audits following accounts:
• Consolidated funds of Union, States and UT with legislative assemblies
• Contingency and Public Accounts of Union and States.
• Departmental undertakings, Government companies and other bodies financed by Union or State.
• The SC verdict has expended the scope of Art.149 in following manner:
• Natural resources such as spectrum, oil, gas and minerals- belong to people.
• Whenever Union, State, Local bodies or private entities are exploiting natural resources, they're
accountable to people via Parliament.
• Although CAG doesn't have powers to audit any private sector companies under Companies act.
• But when private sector is exploiting natural resources under PPP or revenue sharing agreements, every
unlawful gain by company is a loss to consolidated fund of India.
• Therefore, CAG has right to audit the receipts of private sector companies that share revenue with the
government for use of spectrum.

Q 81.C

The objective of this Scheme is to encourage skill development for youth by providing monetary rewards for
successful completion of approved training programs. Specifically, the Scheme aims to:

• Encourage standardization in the certification process and initiate a process of creating a registry of skills

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Enable and mobilize a large number of Indian youth to take up skill training and become employable and

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earn their livelihood.

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Increase productivity of the existing workforce and align the training and certification to the needs of the

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country.
•
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Provide Monetary Awards for Skill Certification to boost employability and productivity of youth by
49

incentivizing them for skill trainings Reward candidates undergoing skill training by authorized
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institutions at an average monetary reward of Rs. 8,000 (Rupees Eight Thousand) per candidate.
iy
ng

Benefit 24 lakh youth at an approximate total cost of Rs. 1,500 Crores.

ra
ka

Q 82.A
an
aj
rr

• 1st and 3rd statements are correct.

fo

• 2nd statement is incorrect: Constitution does not debars the retiring Chief Election Commissioner from
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any further appointment by the government.

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• 4th statement is incorrect: the Constitution does not prescribes the qualification of the members of
Election Commission.

Q 83.C

Q 84.D

• The Asiatic Wild ass is restricted to the Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat and its surrounding areas.
• Listed as Vulnerable (IUCN 2013) and protected under Schedule I of the WPA, 1972, dugong occurs in
the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kachchh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Whale sharks and coral reefs are found in the Gulf of Kachchh.
• The Great Indian Bustard is found in dry and semi arid regions including Rann of Kachchh.

Q 85.B

• In Champaran, he opposes Tinkathia system in which the peasants were forced to grow indigo and other
cash crops instead of the food crops which was necessary for their survival.
• The chronological order of these movements is Champaran, Ahmadabad and Kheda,

16 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Q 86.D

• Ground water and surface water are essentially one resource, physically connected by the hydrological
cycle. Although surface water and groundwater are considered as separate resources they are functionally
inter dependent.
• If ground water is in physical contact with the surface water it is called a hydraulically connected system.
And if it is not in contact it is called hydraulically disconnected systems.
• Exchange of water between the groundwater system and a stream is controlled by the difference in
elevation between groundwater table and the water level in the stream.

Q 87.D

• In the Golaknath case Supreme court ruled that the Fundamental rights are given a transcendental and
immutable position and hence the parliament cannot abridge or take away any of the fundamental rights.
• In the Kesavananda Bharati case the Supreme court overruled its judgement in the Golaknath case and
stated that the Parliament is empowered to abridge or take away any of the fundamental rights. At the
same time, it laid down a new doctrine of basic structure of the constitution.

Q 88.C

• Guilds were organizations of people following the same profession. Guild were economic institutions and
caste are social groups.
• The guilds loaned money to artisans and merchants and epigraphical evidence shows that even the royalty
deposited money with them.

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• Guild worked to alleviate distress and undertook works of piety and charity as a matter of duty.
Guilds could try their member for offenses in accordance with their own customs. A guild member has to

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•

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abide by to both state and guild laws. However the jurisdiction of guild courts was confined to civil cases

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alone.
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Q 89.C
49
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• In 1940 he was chosen by Gandhi to be the first individual Satyagrahi against the British rule. The second
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was Nehru.
ra
ka

Q 90.B
an
aj

• Gender Mainstreaming is the public policy concept of assessing the different implications for men and
rr

women of any planned policy action, including legislation and programmes, in all areas and levels.
fo

• This Idea was formally featured in 1995 at the fourth World Conference on women in Beijing. And was
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cited in the document that resulted from the conference, that si, the Being Platform for Action.
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• CEDAW was adopted in 1979 much before the concept of Gender Mainstreaming came to be known
hence statement 2 is wrong.

Q 91.D

• Irradiation is a cold process and can be used to pasteurize and sterilize foods without causing changes in
freshness and texture of food unlike heat. Unlike chemical fumigants, irradiation does not leave any
harmful toxic residues in food and is more effective. It is efficient and can be used to treat prepacked
commodities. Irradiation produces very little chemical changes in food. None of the changes known to
occur have been found to be harmful. The radiological products and free radicals produced are identical to
those present in foods subjected to treatment such as cooking, canning etc.
• X rays, Gamma rays and electron beams can be used for irradiation process.

Q 92.B

17 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Q 93.A

• Chrondocytes: these are fixed cells of connective tissue. They are matrix secreting cells of cartilage.
• there are three types of fibres secreted by connective tissue cells:

! Collagen fibres
! Reticular fibres and
! Elastic fibres.

The most common type is the collagen fibers. These are flexible fibres with high tensile strength.

Q 94.C

• Chlorofluorocarbon: Contribute to Ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere, the manufacture of CFCs
has been phased out under the Montreal Protocol
• Carbon dioxide: 72% of the globally emitted greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide. They are the most
important cause of global warming. It remains in the atmosphere for almost 100 to 200 years. This leads
to increasing concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere, which in turn causes the average temperature to
rise.

Q 95.C

• Natural wetlands in India consists of the high-altitude Himalayan lakes, followed by wetlands situated in
the flood plains of the major river systems, saline and temporary wetlands of the arid and semi-arid
regions, coastal wetlands such as lagoons, backwaters and estuaries, mangrove swamps, coral reefs and

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marine wetlands, and so on.

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• In fact with the exception of bogs and fens, Indian wetlands cover the whole range of the ecosystem types

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found.

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• A fen is one of the main types of wetland, the others being grassy marshes, forested swamps, and peaty
bogs. 9@
49

• Along with bogs, fens are a kind of mire. Fens are usually fed by mineral-rich surface water or
a2

groundwater. They are characterized by their water chemistry, which is pH neutral or alkaline, with
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relatively high dissolved mineral levels but few other plant nutrients.
ng
ra
ka

Q 96.C
an

• Assertion is correct.
aj

• A species declared animal vermin can be killed. So reason is false.

rr
fo

Q 97.C
y
nl
O

• In the visible wavelengths, darker colors have lower albedos, and lighter colors higher albedos. On water
surfaces, the angle of the solar rays also affects albedo values: Lower angles produce a greater reflection
than do higher angles. In addition, smooth surfaces increase albedo, whereas rougher surfaces reduce it.
• Earth and its atmosphere reflect 31% of all insolation when averaged over a year. By comparison, a full
Moon, which is bright enough to read by under clear skies, has only a 6%-“8% albedo value.
Thus,earthshine being four times brighter than moonlight

Q 98.C

• 1st and 3rd statements are correct - Section 22 of the RBI Act 1934 makes provided that RBI has the sole
right to issue Bank notes of all denominations. Thus, Reserve Bank is responsible for the design,
production and overall management of the nation's currency, with the goal of ensuring an adequate supply
of clean and genuine notes.
• In consultation with the Government, the Reserve Bank routinely addresses security issues and targets
ways to enhance security features to reduce the risk of counterfeiting or forgery of currency notes.
• At present, paper currency notes in India are issued in the denomination of Rs. 5, Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.
100, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000. The printing of Rs. 1 and Rs. 2 denominations has been discontinued, though
the notes in circulation are valid. Reserve Bank of India has been authorized to issue notes of Rs. 5000

18 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

 and Rs. 10000 also. In fact, as per RBI act, RBI can issue any note of any denomination but NOT
exceeding Rs. 10,000. The notes denomination is notified by Government and RBI acts accordingly.
• 2nd statement is incorrect - The distribution of Coins is undertaken by RBI as an agent of the Government,
(coins are minted by the Government and not by RBI). Coins up to 50 paisa are called "small coins" and
coins of Rupee one and above are called "Rupee coins".

Q 99.C

• All the statements are correct with respect to Gujarat State.

Q 100.A

• The laser-firing Chemistry & Camera (ChemCam) and Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) of Curiosity
shows elevated amounts of silicon and hydrogen. High levels of silica in the rock could indicate ideal
conditions for preserving ancient organic material.

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