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UPSC Prelims 2012

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2012 · Q51Indian PolityConstitutional & Statutory Bodiesmoderate

In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)? 1. CAG exercises exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of India declares national emergency/financial emergency. 2. CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are discussed by the Public Accounts Committee. 3. Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to press charges against those who have violated the law while managing public finances. 4. While dealing with the audit and accounting of government companies, CAG has certain judicial powers for prosecuting those who violate the law. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1, 3 and 4 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 2 and 3 only

2012 · Q53Indian PolityUnion & State Executiveeasy

The Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment

  1. (a)need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament but must become a member of one of the Houses within six months
  2. (b)need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament but must become a member of the Lok Sabha within six months
  3. (c)must be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament
  4. (d)must be a member of the Lok Sabha
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Official answer(a) need not necessarily be a member of one of the Houses of the Parliament but must become a member of one of the Houses within six months

2012 · Q54Indian PolityElections & Electoral Reformsmoderate

With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements : 1. The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law. 2. When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are laid before the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modifications in the orders. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2012 · Q56Indian PolityUnion & State Executivemoderate

According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to cause to be laid before the Parliament which of the following? 1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission 2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee 3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General 4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 4 only
  3. (c)1, 3 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

2012 · Q58Indian EconomyAgriculture & Rural Developmentmoderate

How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India? 1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country. 2. DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures. 3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes. 4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)3 and 4 only
  3. (c)4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(b) 3 and 4 only

2012 · Q59Indian PolityFundamental Dutieseasy

Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution? 1. To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture 2. To protect the weaker sections from social injustice 3. To develop the scientific temper and spirit of inquiry 4. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1, 3 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

2012 · Q60Indian PolityJudiciarymoderate

What is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India? 1. While appointing the Supreme Court Judges, the President of India has to consult the Chief Justice of India. 2. The Supreme Court Judges can be removed by the Chief Justice of India only. 3. The salaries of the Judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India to which the legislature does not have to vote. 4. All appointments of officers and staffs of the Supreme Court of India are made by the Government only after consulting the Chief Justice of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)3 and 4 only
  3. (c)4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(a) 1 and 3 only

2012 · Q61Science & TechnologyEnergy & Environmentmoderate

To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium? 1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium. 2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium. 3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2012 · Q64Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticsmoderate

What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India? 1. Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome. 2. The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies. 3. There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health. 4. There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 3 and 4 only

2012 · Q65Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticsmoderate

Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? 1. To enable them to withstand drought 2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce 3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations 4. To increase their shelf life Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)3 and 4 only
  3. (c)1, 2 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

2012 · Q66Modern HistoryKey Personalities & Ideologieseasy

Consider the following statements : The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he 1. exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British 2. interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians 3. stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2012 · Q67Art & CultureMusicmoderate

With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? 1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period. 2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music. 3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1, 2 and 3
  4. (d)None of the above is correct
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2012 · Q68Art & CultureClassical Dance Formsmoderate

How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances? 1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam. 2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2012 · Q71Modern HistoryGandhian Mass Movements (1915-1942)moderate

The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because 1. the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence 2. the rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session 3. a resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3
  3. (c)1 and 3
  4. (d)None of the above
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2012 · Q72Art & CultureSculpture & Iconographyeasy

Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes

  1. (a)Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Māra and to prevent Māra from disturbing his meditation
  2. (b)Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Māra
  3. (c)Buddha's reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
  4. (d)Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
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Official answer(b) Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Māra