2015

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (10 December 1878 - 25 December 1972), informally called Rajaji or C.R., was an Indian politician, independence activist, lawyer, writer, historian, and statesman.

Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India, as India soon became a Republic in 1950.

The Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha (at Tanjore coast in the Madras Presidency) was a march started by Indian statesman C. Rajagopalachari, inspired by the Dandi March as Part of the Civil Disobedience Movement in April, 1930.

Statement 1 is correct: Fly ash finds various applications in construction, including brick manufacturing. Its pozzolanic properties improve the strength and durability of bricks. Statement 2 is correct: Fly ash can partially replace Portland cement in concrete mixes. It reacts with the hydration byproducts of cement to form additional cementitious materials, leading to benefits like improved workability, reduced heat of hydration, and enhanced concrete performance. Statement 3 is incorrect: Fly ash primarily consists of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO). However, it may also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and chromium.

IceCube is a particle detector at the South Pole that records the interactions of a nearly massless subatomic particle called the neutrino.

IceCube searches for neutrinos from the most violent astrophysical sources, events like exploding stars, gamma-ray bursts, and cataclysmic phenomena involving black holes and neutron stars.

Statement 1 is correct: IceCube is the world's largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.

Statement 2 is correct: The IceCube telescope is a powerful tool to search for dark matter and could reveal the physical processes associated with the enigmatic origin of the highest energy particles in nature.

Statement 3 is correct: It is buried beneath the surface, extending to about 2,500 meters. Burying it deep in ice is important to enhance the precision of the detector.

In addition to exploring the background of neutrinos produced in the atmosphere, IceCube studies the neutrinos themselves; their energies far exceed those produced by accelerator beams.

Thus, all three statements are correct.

Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India. It is 40 km² in area, the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake.


The national park is characterized by many floating decomposed plant materials locally called phumdis. To preserve the natural refuge of the endangered Manipur Eld's deer or brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi), or sangai also called the dancing deer, listed as an endangered species by IUCN.

The park, which was initially declared to be a sanctuary in 1966, was subsequently declared to be a national park in 1977 through a gazette notification.

Statement 1 is Correct: BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental conservation organizations (NGOs) that strives to conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity. It currently consists of over 100 national partners across the world. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' was originated by British biologist Norman Myers in 1988. The concept was later adopted and promoted by Conservation International (CI), not BirdLife International. Statement 3 is Correct: BirdLife International identifies, monitors, and protects a global network of sites known as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). These sites are critical for the conservation of the world's bird populations and broader biodiversity.

Statement 1 is Correct: The 14th Finance Commission, chaired by Dr. Y.V. Reddy, recommended a significant increase in the devolution of taxes from the Union to the States, raising the share in the central divisible pool from 32% to 42%.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: The commission moved away from the practice of recommending sector-specific grants. It argued that such tied grants restrict the fiscal autonomy of states. Instead, it focused on enhancing unconditional formula-based devolution to allow states the flexibility to spend according to their own priorities, providing grants only for local bodies and disaster management.

The Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) relaxed central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects, thereby clearly defining the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments. While the central and provincial legislatures were authorized to make laws on their respective list of subjects, the structure of government continued to remain unitary and centralized. Additionally, the Act introduced 'Dyarchy' at the provincial level by further dividing provincial subjects into two parts: Transferred subjects (administered by the Governor with the aid of ministers responsible to the Legislative Council) and Reserved subjects (administered by the Governor and his executive council without being responsible to the Legislative Council).

India has sufficient reserves of iron ore, a key raw material for steel production. However, it lacks coking coal, a specific type of coal essential for the steel-making process.

Saltpetre (option A) and rock phosphate (option B) are not directly used in steel production.

* The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is managed by the World Bank.

* The World Bank's Carbon Finance Unit handles the day-to-day operations of the BioCarbon Fund, which includes ISFL. * ISFL itself acknowledges the World Bank as the permanent trustee and a key supporter.

Historical Context (2015): At the time this question was originally asked, Odia was the latest language to be granted Classical status (notified in February 2014). It was the 6th language to receive this honor.

Criteria: To be eligible, a language must have a recorded history of 1500–2000 years, a body of ancient literature, and an original literary tradition not borrowed from another speech community.

Timeline of Classical Languages:

2004: Tamil

2005: Sanskrit

2008: Telugu & Kannada

2013: Malayalam

2014: Odia

Note for the Current Exam Cycle (2025-26): While Odia was the correct answer for the 2015 paper, the list was significantly expanded in October 2024. If this question were asked today, Assamese (along with Marathi, Bengali, Pali, and Prakrit) would be the correct answer as the most recent additions to the list.

Avanti: Although Buddhism spread to Avanti during the Mauryan period, it wasn't directly connected to the life of the Buddha. Gandhara: While Gandhara became a significant centre for Buddhist culture and art later in history, it wasn't directly associated with the Buddha's life. Thus, Avanti and Gandhar have no direct relation with Buddha's life.

Kosala: This was the kingdom where the Buddha was born, with his birthplace being Lumbini (present-day Nepal). His mother's family belonged to the Kosala dynasty.

Magadha: Though the Buddha didn't spend a significant amount of time here during his early life, he travelled and taught in Magadha. Notably, the city of Rajgir (present-day Bihar) was an important centre where he interacted with King Bimbisara.


Assessment of crop productivity: IRS satellites capture data that helps assess crop health, growth stage, and potential yield. Locating groundwater resources: Remote sensing allows for studying geological features and identifying potential zones with underground water reserves. Mineral exploration: IRS data can reveal signatures of specific minerals on the Earth's surface, aiding in mineral exploration activities. Telecommunications: IRS satellites are not designed for telecommunication purposes. Geostationary satellites are typically used for this function. Traffic studies: While remote sensing can be used for some traffic studies (e.g., analyzing transportation infrastructure), it's not the primary application of IRS satellites.

Therefore, only 1,2 and 3 are primary applications of IRS satellites.

The unique "Living Root Bridges" are found in Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India.

These bridges are a testament to the ingenuity and sustainable practices of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes who inhabit the region. They train the aerial roots of specific tree species, like the Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree), to grow and intertwine over time, forming strong and resilient bridges across rivers and streams.

Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization focused on human rights.

The organization says it has more than seven million members and supporters around the world . The stated mission of the organization is to campaign for a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.

Statement 1 is correct: The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in Part IV of the Indian Constitution outline the ideals that the government should strive to achieve for its citizens. These principles encompass social justice, economic justice, and political justice, forming the foundation for a socio-economic democracy.

Statement 2 is correct: The DPSPs are not justiciable, meaning they cannot be directly enforced by courts if violated. However, they serve as guidelines for the government in making laws and policies and can be used by the judiciary while interpreting other laws.

The terms 'Agreement on Agriculture', 'Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures', and 'Peace Clause' all appear in the context of the affairs of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Agreement on Agriculture: This agreement regulates trade in agricultural products among WTO member countries. It aims to promote fair trade practices and reduce distortions caused by subsidies and other measures.

Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement): This agreement sets out rules for countries to ensure the safety and quality of food, animals, and plants traded internationally. It helps to prevent the spread of pests and diseases while minimizing unnecessary barriers to trade.

Peace Clause: This provision within the Agreement on Agriculture provides some flexibility for developing countries regarding their agricultural subsidy programs. It allows them to offer certain subsidies to their farmers without facing challenges from other WTO members.

PMJDY is a National Mission on Financial Inclusion encompassing an integrated approach to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion of all households in the country. The plan envisages:

- Universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking account for every household. - Financial literacy. - Access to credit. - Insurance and pension facility.

The Rio+20 Conference, formally known as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012. It marked the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit. The primary objectives were to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development and to assess progress and implementation gaps. The main outcome of the conference was the non-binding document titled 'The Future We Want,' which focused on poverty eradication and the transition to a green economy.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, due to their unique island ecosystem, provide the ideal conditions for all three forest types to coexist:

Mangrove forests: Thrive in the coastal areas with brackish water.

Evergreen forests: Found in the wetter interior regions with high rainfall.

Deciduous forests: Exist in areas with a seasonal climate, experiencing periods of both rain and dryness.

To reduce a persistent budget deficit, the government can take actions that decrease spending or increase revenue.

1. Reducing revenue expenditure (Correct): This involves cutting back on non-essential government spending. This can include areas like administrative costs, travel, or certain subsidies. 2. Introducing new welfare schemes (Incorrect): This would likely increase government spending and worsen the deficit. 3. Rationalizing subsidies (Correct): Subsidies can be a significant source of government expenditure. Reviewing and potentially reducing or reforming subsidies can help control spending. 4. Expanding industries (Depends): While industrial expansion can lead to increased tax revenue in the long run, it might not have an immediate impact on the budget deficit. In the short term, the government might need to invest in infrastructure to support expansion, potentially increasing expenditure.

Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only (Reducing revenue expenditure and Rationalizing subsidies).

Statement 1 is correct: When pure hydrogen reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell, the only byproducts are water and heat. This is an advantage of hydrogen fuel cells, making them a clean energy source with minimal emissions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Fuel cells can be used for various applications, including powering small devices like laptops. Portable fuel cells are being developed for this purpose. While currently less common, they hold promise for the future.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Fuel cells actually produce electricity in the form of Direct Current (DC). In some applications, an inverter might be needed to convert the DC output to AC for compatibility with the electrical grid.

Therefore, the only correct answer is 1 only.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

- The GEAC is responsible for the appraisal of proposals involving the release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.

Statement 1 is correct: The Cabinet Mission (1946) recommended the establishment of a federal government in India with a weak centre controlling only defence, foreign affairs, and communications, and the provinces grouped into sections with autonomy in other matters.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Mission did not propose any changes in the powers of Indian courts; its purpose was to plan the constitutional framework for transfer of power, not judicial reforms.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Mission made no recommendation regarding the Indian Civil Services (ICS) or increasing Indian participation in it.

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014 was presented to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

- It was awarded in recognition of its path-breaking achievements, especially the Mars Orbiter Mission; its significant contributions in strengthening international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space etc.

- The award consists of a trophy made of banded Haematite Jasper, with a portrait of the late Prime Minister in the tradition of Jaipur miniature paintings, a cash award of Rs. 1 Crore and a Citation.

Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were in the news for the outbreak of the Ebola virus.

The most widespread outbreak of the Ebola virus disease began in 2013 and continued until 2016, causing major loss of life and socio-economic disruption in the West African region, mainly in the countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The first cases were recorded in Guinea in December 2013. Later, the disease spread to neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The executive power of the Union is vested in the President, who acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

The Constitution of India vests the executive power in the President (Article 53). However, the President exercises this power on the advice of the Council of Ministers, with the Prime Minister as its head (Article 75).

So, the real executive authority lies with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, but formally it's vested in the President.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Chairperson of the Civil Services Board is the Cabinet Secretary, a senior bureaucrat who leads the bureaucracy of the Government of India.

The correct answer is (C) dollars and other hard currencies

International Liquidity: This refers to a country's ability to meet its short-term external obligations (payments for imports, debt servicing, etc.) It essentially reflects the ease with which a country can access foreign currencies needed for international transactions.

Focus on Hard Currencies: While some transactions might involve other currencies, international reserves are predominantly held in major reserve currencies like the US Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, and British Pound. These currencies are considered "hard" because they are stable, widely traded, and liquid (easily convertible into other currencies).

About Eight Core Sectors: These comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

The eight core sector industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.

Statement 1 is Correct: Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', was a pioneer in the economic critique of British rule. He formulated the 'Drain of Wealth' theory and authored the influential book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (published in 1901), which argued that British policies were the primary cause of India's poverty.

Statement 2 is Correct: G. Subramania Iyer was a prominent journalist and economist who co-founded 'The Hindu'. He criticized colonial economic policies through his writings and his book 'Some Economic Aspects of British Rule in India' (1903), highlighting how British rule led to economic stagnation.

Statement 3 is Correct: Romesh Chandra (R.C.) Dutt was a retired ICS officer who wrote the seminal work 'The Economic History of India' (published in two volumes in 1902 and 1904). He meticulously documented the negative impact of British land revenue systems and trade policies on the Indian economy.

(A) is incorrect: Direct election of the lower house is a feature of Representative Democracy. Many Presidential systems (such as the USA) also have directly elected legislatures; therefore, this is not the distinguishing factor of a Parliamentary system.

(B) is incorrect: The authority to amend the Constitution is a matter of Constitutional Sovereignty. This power exists in various forms of government, including both Parliamentary and Presidential models.

(C) is incorrect: The fact that the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house is a Federal feature intended to maintain the representation of the States. It does not define the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.

(D) is correct: As per Article 75(3) of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This "Collective Responsibility" is the bedrock of the Parliamentary form of government, as the executive's survival depends on the support of the legislature.