2014

Statement 1 is correct: At such high temperatures, tipping points like widespread forest dieback and permafrost thaw would release vast amounts of stored carbon, causing the land to emit more carbon than it absorbs.

Statement 2 is correct: Scientific consensus indicates that even at 2°C of warming, over 99% of coral reefs are expected to be lost. A 3°C rise would ensure their catastrophic and widespread collapse.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The word "All" is an extreme overstatement. While many wetlands would be severely damaged or lost, it is not scientifically plausible that every single one would disappear permanently.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The term "anywhere" is an exaggeration. While global food production would be devastated, cultivation would not become impossible everywhere; it might shift to new, higher-latitude regions.

Option A is Correct: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) serves as a financial mechanism for several major international environmental conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Option B is Incorrect: The GEF is a financial organization that provides grants and funding for environmental projects; it is not a scientific research body. Scientific research and assessments are typically conducted by organizations like the IPCC or IPBES.

Option C is Incorrect: The GEF is an independent financial organization, not an agency under the OECD. It was established in 1991 and restructured after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to serve as a mechanism for global environmental cooperation.

Option D is Incorrect: Since only statement A is correct, this option is false.

In a leap year, Chaitra has 31 days and Chaitra 1 coincides with March 21. In a normal year Chairta 1 coincides with March 22.

The Saka era calendar, also known as the Shaka calendar or the Indian national calendar, is a solar calendar used alongside the Gregorian calendar in India. It is based on the Saka era, believed to have begun in 78 CE.

Sattriya originated in Sattra, a monastery, as a part of neo-Vaishnavite movement started by Srimanta Sankardev in the 15th Century. He propagated the 'ek sharan Naama dharma' (chanting the name of one God devotedly).

Statement 1 is correct: Sattriya is indeed a combination of music, dance, and drama. It incorporates storytelling through movement and expressions.

Statement 2 is correct: Sattriya has a rich history and is a living tradition practiced for centuries by Vaishnavites of Assam.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While devotional in nature, Sattriya dance is based on compositions by Sankardeva and other Assamese saints, not Tulsidas, Kabir, and Mirabai who belonged to different Bhakti traditions. Sattriya uses its own distinct Ragas and Talas.

Statement 1 is correct: Nanoparticles from industry can pollute air, water, and soil due to their small size and resistance to breakdown. This buildup can harm plants, and animals, and even contaminate drinking water.

Statement 2 is correct: Nanoparticles can be inadvertently ingested by plants or animals, entering the food chain. As they move up the food chain, they can bioaccumulate in organisms, potentially causing harm at higher trophic levels.

Statement 3 is correct: Some nanoparticles can trigger the production of free radicals in cells. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cells and contribute to various health problems, including inflammation and cancer.

Wetlands International is a global organisation that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity.

Statement 1 is incorrect: It is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation, supported by government and NGO membership from around the world.

Statement 2 is correct: Wetlands International is dedicated to maintaining and restoring wetlands for their environmental values as well as for the services they provide to people. It works at the field level to develop and mobilise knowledge and use this practical experience to advocate for better policies.

* Lower Interest rates encourage additional investment spending , which gives the economy a boost in times of slow economic growth.

* Changes in interest rates affect the public's demand for goods and services and, thus, aggregate investment spending.

* A decrease in interest rates lowers the cost of borrowing, which encourages businesses to increase investment spending. * Lower interest rates also give banks more incentive to lend to businesses and households, allowing them to spend more.

The World Economic Outlook (WEO) is a flagship report published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) twice a year, typically in April and October. It provides a comprehensive analysis of global economic developments, short-term and medium-term growth projections, and examines pressing policy issues. Other key reports published by the IMF include the Global Financial Stability Report and the Fiscal Monitor.

Statement 1 is Correct: The steel industry uses coal and coke as fuel and reducing agents; since these contain sulphur, their combustion and the sintering process release oxides of sulphur (SOx). Statement 2 is Correct: High-temperature operations in blast furnaces and heating processes cause atmospheric nitrogen to react with oxygen, leading to the formation of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Statement 3 is Correct: Carbon monoxide (CO) is generated as a byproduct during the reduction of iron ore in the blast furnace and through the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. Statement 4 is Correct: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major emission resulting from the chemical reduction of iron ore (coke reacting with ore) and the combustion of fossil fuels for energy production.

Statement 1 is correct: Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductors (like silicon) — this is a direct conversion of light to electrical energy. Solar Thermal technology uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight to produce heat, which then drives a turbine to generate electricity (an indirect process).

Statement 2 is incorrect: Photovoltaic systems generate Direct Current (DC), which is usually converted into Alternating Current (AC) through an inverter for grid use. Solar Thermal systems generate heat energy, which is used to produce AC electricity through conventional turbines.

Statement 3 is incorrect: India has a manufacturing base for solar photovoltaics (PV) — including solar cells, modules, and panels (e.g., companies like Adani Solar, Vikram Solar, and Tata Power Solar). The solar thermal manufacturing base in India is limited and largely focused on small-scale applications like water heating.

The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands (specifically Little Andaman) from the Nicobar Islands (specifically Car Nicobar) at the 10°N latitude in the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately 150 km wide and serves as a significant maritime boundary between these two island groups.

Context for other options: - Nicobar and Sumatra: These are separated by the Great Channel (also known as the Six Degree Channel). - Maldives and Lakshadweep: The Eight Degree Channel separates the Maldives from Minicoy Island (the southernmost part of Lakshadweep), while the Nine Degree Channel separates Minicoy from the rest of the Lakshadweep archipelago. - Sumatra and Java: These Indonesian islands are separated by the Sunda Strait, which connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean.

National Highway 4 or NH 4: It is 230.7 km in length. This highway is known as the Andaman Trunk Road (The Great Andaman Trunk Road).

Pair 1 is incorrect: A stretch of national highway from Mumbai to Pune to Hubli to Bangalore to Chennai was earlier called NH 4 before the renumbering of national highways in the year 2010. The former NH 4 is now renumbered as NH 48.

Pair 2 is incorrect: National Highway 6 is a national highway in India running from Jorabat in Meghalaya to Selling in Mizoram. The highway passes through the Indian states of Meghalaya, Assam, and Mizoram.

Pair 3 is incorrect: National Highway 15 (NH 15) starts from Baihata in Assam and terminates at Wakro in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Statement 1 is correct: Prevention of soil runoff IWDP promotes practices that reduce soil erosion, protecting valuable topsoil and improving land fertility.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Linking perennial and seasonal rivers While water resource management is a part of IWDP, it doesn't focus on physically linking separate river systems. The National River Linking Project is a separate project to interlink rivers.

Statement 3 is correct: Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge IWDP encourages rainwater conservation techniques, allowing more water to infiltrate the ground and replenish aquifers.

Statement 4 is correct: Regeneration of natural vegetation IWDP often involves planting trees and promoting sustainable land management practices, leading to increased vegetation cover.

Statement 1 is Correct: SSI uses single-bud chips raised in nurseries rather than traditional heavy setts, reducing the seed requirement from approximately 3 tonnes per acre to just 75 kg, which significantly lowers the seed cost.

Statement 2 is Correct: The wide spacing and precise planting method in SSI allow for the highly effective use of drip irrigation, which helps in maintaining optimum moisture levels rather than the traditional flood irrigation.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: While SSI encourages organic methods and the use of bio-fertilizers to improve soil health, it does not mandate the total exclusion of chemical or inorganic fertilizers; it focuses on their optimal and efficient application.

Statement 4 is Correct: SSI involves wider spacing between rows (typically 4 to 5 feet) compared to conventional methods, which provides ample space and sunlight for successful intercropping with crops like pulses, vegetables, or oilseeds.

Pair 1 is incorrect: Kinnaur (Himachal) is famous for apples, while Arecanut is grown mainly in the southern region.

Pair 2 is incorrect: Mewat is a region in Haryana, while mango is grown in central and southern India.

Pair 3 is incorrect: Coromandel (TN-Andhra) is known for rice cultivation, while soybean is predominantly in central India.

Thus, none of the given pairs is correctly matched. Hence, the correct answer is 'D'.

The correct sequence of the cities from south to north is

- Jakarta - Indonesia (Southernmost city) - Singapore - Island nation south of Malaysia - Bangkok - Thailand - Hanoi - Northernmost city in Vietnam (farthest north)

So the correct sequence is 3-4-1-2.

Turkey is a transcontinental country located between the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean Sea to the west, Mediterranean Sea to the south


 1. Cardamom Hills - Coromandel Coast (Incorrect): - The Cardamom Hills are located in the southern Western Ghats of India, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu. - The Coromandel Coast refers to the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula, bordering the Bay of Bengal.

2. Kaimur Hills - Konkan Coast (Incorrect): - The Kaimur Hills are located in central India, bordering Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand. - The Konkan Coast lies on the western Indian peninsula along the Arabian Sea, far from the Kaimur Hills.

3. Mahadeo Hills - Central India (Correct): - The Mahadeo Hills are part of the Satpura Range located in central India, primarily in Madhya Pradesh.

4. Mikir Hills - North-East India (Correct): - The Mikir Hills, now referred to as the North Cachar Hills, are located in Assam, a state in northeastern India.


Barak: The Barak River is important in Manipur and Mizoram, but it does not flow through Arunachal Pradesh.

Lohit: The Lohit River originates in the eastern end of the Himalayas in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh and flows through the districts of Anjaw, Lohit, and Dibrugarh in Arunachal Pradesh.

Subansiri: The Subansiri River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River and flows through Arunachal Pradesh.

Therefore, only the Lohit and Subansiri rivers flow through Arunachal Pradesh.

Option (B) 2 and 3 only

The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of a monsoon climate.

Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring predictable patterns of rainfall. In summer, warm, moist air blows inland from the ocean, bringing heavy rainfall. In winter, the winds blow offshore, bringing dry conditions. This seasonal reversal of winds is what defines a monsoon climate.

1. Terrace cultivation: This is a soil conservation technique used on sloping land. It involves creating leveled steps or terraces to reduce water runoff and soil erosion.

2. Deforestation: When trees are cut down, the soil loses the protection provided by their roots. This exposes the soil to wind and rain, making it more susceptible to erosion. Deforestation is a major driver of soil erosion in India.

3. Tropical climate: While heavy rainfall in tropical regions can contribute to soil erosion, it's not the sole factor. Deforestation and poor land management practices exacerbate the issue.

Thus, the correct answer is '2 only'.

Major reef formations in the Indian Seas occur in: - Gulf of Mannar, - Palk Bay, - Gulf of Kutch, - the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and - Lakshadweep.


Coral reefs are marine ecosystems and cannot exist in the Sundarbans, which is a mangrove forest in the Ganges Delta and a brackish water ecosystem.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Changpa community is not found primarily in Uttarakhand. They are mainly concentrated in the Changtang region, a high-altitude plateau that stretches across parts of Ladakh (India) and the Tibet Autonomous Region (China).

Statement 2 is correct: The Changpa are traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists. They are well-known for rearing Changthangi goats, a special breed known for their fine wool, also called Pashmina. This wool is prized for its warmth, softness, and luxury.

Statement 3 is correct: The Changpa community is indeed recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India. This classification provides them with certain social and legal protections under the Indian Constitution.

Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Coal bed methane is indeed pure methane gas extracted from coal seams. However, shale gas is not a mixture of propane and butane only. Shale gas is primarily composed of methane, similar to coal bed methane, and can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks, specifically shale formations. So, the first part of the statement is correct, but the second part is incorrect.

Statement 2 is incorrect: It's not accurate to say that no shale gas sources have been found in India. While it's true that coal-bed methane sources are abundant in India, shale gas sources have also been identified, although their exploitation is at a nascent stage compared to coal-bed methane.

Therefore, neither of the statements is entirely correct.

Pair 1 is correct: Chechnya is a republic located in the northern part of the Caucasus Mountains, and it is a part of Russia.

Pair 2 is incorrect: Darfur is a region located in western Sudan, not Mali.

Pair 3 is incorrect: Swat Valley is located in the northwestern part of Pakistan, not Iraq.


Statement 1 is correct: Volcanic action releases carbon dioxide trapped within the Earth's crust and mantle.

Statement 2 is correct: Respiration releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct of cellular respiration in living organisms.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to create organic molecules.


Statement 4 is correct: The decay of organic matter releases carbon dioxide as decomposers break down dead plants and animals. This process returns carbon stored in organic matter back to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Continental drift: The movement of continents over millions of years has led to changes in the distribution of landmasses, altering habitats and creating opportunities for species to migrate, adapt, and diversify. It has influenced speciation events by creating barriers to gene flow and promoting allopatric speciation.

Glacial cycles: Fluctuations in global climate associated with glacial-interglacial cycles have had profound effects on ecosystems and species distributions. Periods of glaciation have resulted in the expansion and contraction of ice sheets, leading to changes in sea levels, habitats, and the distribution of flora and fauna. These environmental changes have driven evolutionary processes such as adaptation, migration, and extinction.

Therefore, both continental drift and glacial cycles have played significant roles in shaping the evolution of organisms.

Statement 1 is correct: Sending a report to the President recommending imposition of President's Rule (Article 356) is a discretionary power of the Governor. The Governor can act independently if they believe the constitutional machinery in the state has failed.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The appointment of Ministers is done by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, not at their discretion (Article 164).

Statement 3 is correct: The Governor has the discretionary power to reserve certain bills passed by the State Legislature for the President's consideration (Article 200).

Statement 4 is incorrect: The rules for the conduct of business of the State Government are made by the Governor on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 166), not at their discretion.

Statement 1 is correct: According to Article 77 of the Constitution of India, the President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 53 of the Indian Constitution deals with the Executive power of the Union. The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President ( and not the Prime Minister) and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution.