2020

Statement 1 is correct: Germline gene editing involves making genetic changes in the cells that produce eggs or sperms (germ cells). These changes are heritable and can be passed on to future generations. Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 have made this scientifically possible.

Statement 2 is correct: Genome editing can be performed on early-stage embryos (zygotes or blastocysts) before they are implanted in the uterus. This allows for the correction of genetic mutations that cause hereditary diseases at the earliest stages of development.

Statement 3 is correct: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state. Research has successfully demonstrated the injection of these human cells into pig embryos to create 'chimeras'. This technology is used to study organ development and explores the potential of growing human organs for transplantation in the future.

Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Indigo, also known as "Blue Gold", was a highly profitable commodity in the European market during the 19th century. However, by the beginning of the 20th century, its cultivation in India declined significantly.

The main reason for the decline in indigo cultivation was its unprofitability in the world market due to new inventions. Synthetic dyes were invented in the late 19th century, which were cheaper and easier to produce than natural indigo. This led to a drop in the demand for natural indigo, making its cultivation unprofitable.

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: While Rakhmabai was an educated woman who later became one of India's first practicing female doctors, the 1884 legal case itself did not revolve around the right to gain education; it focused on her refusal to live with her husband. Statement 2 is Correct: The case sparked a massive public debate on the practice of child marriage and was instrumental in the passage of the Age of Consent Act, 1891, which raised the age of consent for girls from ten to twelve years. Statement 3 is Correct: The litigation was initiated by Rakhmabai's husband, Dadaji Bhikaji, who filed a petition for the "restitution of conjugal rights" after she refused to live with him and consummate a marriage that took place when she was eleven years old.

* The Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet, and White-throated redstart are all species of birds.

* The Ceylon frogmouth is a species native to the Western Ghats and parts of Sri Lanka. Known for its unique frog-like appearance and nocturnal habits, it thrives in dense forests.

* The Coppersmith barbet is a small, colorful bird found across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It is named after the sound it makes, which resembles the sound of a coppersmith striking metal.

* The Gray-chinned minivet is a species commonly found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This bird is known for its vibrant plumage and its presence in hilly, forested areas.

* The White-throated redstart is a striking bird found in regions of Nepal, Bhutan, central China, and the far northern parts of Myanmar and Northeast India. It is known for its contrasting black and white plumage and bright red tail feathers.

Statement 1 is Correct: Cyber insurance policies for individuals typically cover the costs incurred for restoring the computer system and data if they are corrupted or disrupted by a malware attack.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: Cyber insurance is designed to cover digital risks, liabilities, and financial losses; it does not cover physical damage to hardware or the cost of replacing a computer due to physical vandalism.

Statement 3 is Correct: In the event of cyber extortion (such as ransomware), these policies generally cover the expenses of hiring specialized consultants to investigate the threat and minimize potential losses.

Statement 4 is Correct: Cyber insurance provides coverage for legal defense costs if a third party files a lawsuit against the insured for privacy breaches, data theft, or defamation resulting from a cyber incident.

Pallavas: The Pallava dynasty flourished in South India from around 275 CE to 897 CE. Mahendravarman I ruled from 600 to 630 CE, placing them as the earliest power to rise among the options provided.

Palas: The Pala dynasty ruled in eastern India from roughly 750 to 1161 CE. Gopala's reign is estimated to be between 750 and 770 CE, making them chronologically after the Pallavas.

Pratiharas: The Pratihara dynasty emerged in North India during the 8th century CE. King Bhoja's reign lasted from 836 to 885 CE, placing them later than both the Pallavas and Palas.

Cholas: The Chola dynasty rose to prominence in South India around the 9th century CE. Parantaka I ruled from 907 to 955 CE, making them the latest power to establish themselves among the given options.


Therefore, the correct chronological order is 2-4-1-3.

The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union.

Hence option A is the correct answer.

During the Gupta dynasty (c. 320–550 CE), external trade flourished and several coastal towns emerged as significant maritime centres. Ghantasala and Kadura were located on the eastern coast (Andhra region) and functioned as active ports facilitating overseas commerce, particularly with Southeast Asia and other regions.

Ghantasala: Located in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Ghantasala served as an eastern coastal port actively engaged in maritime trade with Southeast Asia and possibly even with the Roman world.

Kadura: Also located in the Andhra region (eastern coast), Kadura functioned as a significant port under the Gupta-era trade network and handled trade goods like textiles, spices, and ivory.

Chaul: located on the western coast in present-day Maharashtra, acted as a western seaport linking India with Western Asia and was known for trade in cotton textiles and other goods.


Statement 1 is correct. Blockchain technology operates as a decentralized and transparent ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. The ledger is publicly accessible, allowing anyone to inspect the transactions recorded on it. Additionally, no single user or entity has control over the entire blockchain network, as it is distributed among multiple nodes.

Statement 2 is incorrect. While blockchain technology is best known for its association with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the blockchain itself is capable of recording various types of data beyond just financial transactions. Blockchain can be used to record and verify any type of digital information, such as contracts, identity documents, supply chain data, and more.

Statement 3 is correct. Blockchain technology enables the development of decentralized applications (DApps) that can operate without the need for central authority or permission. Developers can create applications that utilize the basic features of blockchain, such as transparency, immutability, and decentralization, without requiring approval from a central entity.

Statement 1 is correct. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs) are effective in preventing several serious diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. This includes pneumonia, meningitis (inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord), and sepsis (a life-threatening blood infection).

Statement 2 is also correct. The growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major concern. PCV vaccination helps reduce dependence on antibiotics, particularly for these resistant strains. This lowers the risk of antibiotic overuse and emergence of further resistance.

Statement 3 is incorrect. While most people experience no serious side effects with PCV vaccines, there can be mild reactions like redness, swelling, or soreness at the injection site. Serious allergic reactions are rare.

Biochar is a solid product obtained during the pyrolysis of biomass. It is a porous, carbon-rich material that has a wide range of uses, with soil improvement, remediation, and pollution control playing the most significant roles. In agriculture, biochar is primarily used to increase crop nutrition, plant growth, and soil fertility.

Statement 1 is correct. Biochar can indeed be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. It helps in improving the soil structure and fertility, thereby promoting plant growth.

Statement 2 is correct. Biochar promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. These microorganisms play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.

Statement 3 is correct. Biochar also enables the growing medium to retain water for a longer time. Its porous nature allows it to hold onto water and nutrients, making them readily available for plant roots.

Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Statement 1 is correct. Visible Light Communication (VLC) utilizes the electromagnetic spectrum within the visible light range, which is roughly between 375 nm (violet) and 780 nm (red).

Statement 2 is incorrect. VLC is not considered long-range communication compared to other optical wireless technologies like fibre optics. Its range is typically limited to shorter distances due to factors like signal power and signal degradation.

Statement 3 is correct. VLC has the potential to transmit large amounts of data at high speeds, often faster than Bluetooth technology, especially in scenarios where high data transfer rates are required.

Statement 4 is also correct. VLC does not use radio frequencies (RF) like traditional wireless communication technologies, and therefore, it does not suffer from electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can affect RF-based systems.

Statement 1 is Correct: AI-driven automation and smart sensors optimize energy use in industrial units by predicting demand, monitoring equipment health, and adjusting operations in real-time to reduce waste.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: At the time of the 2020 UPSC examination, creating truly meaningful short stories and songs — possessing coherent narrative structure, genuine emotional depth, and creative intent — was considered beyond the effective reach of AI. The ability to produce such content meaningfully and autonomously, rather than through pattern recombination, had not been demonstrated at a level considered reliable or effective.

Statement 3 is Correct: AI is highly effective in medical diagnostics, particularly in analyzing medical imagery such as X-rays and MRIs to detect diseases like cancer, pneumonia, and diabetic retinopathy with high precision.

Statement 4 is Correct: Text-to-Speech conversion is a mature and well-established application of AI that utilizes natural language processing and neural networks to synthesize human-like speech from written text.

Statement 5 is Incorrect: Wireless transmission of electrical energy is a physical engineering process based on electromagnetic induction or microwaves. This is a function of physics and hardware, and not a task performed by Artificial Intelligence.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was a significant agreement reached between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, in March 1931.

Statement 1 is correct: As part of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, the British government agreed to invite the Indian National Congress to participate in the Second Round Table Conference held in London.

Statement 2 is correct: Another key aspect of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was the agreement to withdraw repressive ordinances that had been promulgated by the British government in response to the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Gandhi. This withdrawal was seen as a gesture of goodwill towards the Indian National Congress.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While issues of police excesses were discussed during negotiations, there was no explicit agreement in the pact regarding such an inquiry.

Statement 4 is correct: One of the conditions of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was the release of political prisoners who had been arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement, provided they had not been charged with violence.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1, 2, and 4.

1. Parivrajaka: The term refers to a wandering ascetic or religious mendicant who has renounced worldly life and possessions to lead a life of spiritual pilgrimage. Thus, Pair 1 is correctly matched.

2. Shramana: This term refers to 'one who strives' or performs acts of austerity. Shramanas were practitioners of asceticism and seekers of liberation in traditions like Buddhism, Jainism, and the Ajivika sect. They were distinct from and often opposed to the Vedic Brahmanical priests and their social hierarchy. Thus, Pair 2 is incorrectly matched.

3. Upasaka: This term refers to the lay followers of Buddhism (and Jainism) who did not enter the monastic order (Sangha) as monks or nuns but followed the teachings of the Buddha in their daily lives. Thus, Pair 3 is correctly matched.

Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature and is a well-known environmental pollutant. It is widely present in the environment due to various natural and human-made sources..

1. Automobiles, especially those running on petrol, are a significant source of benzene pollution. Since benzene is a component of petroleum products, including motor fuels, its combustion in vehicle engines releases benzene into the air, contributing significantly to air pollution.

2. Tobacco smoke is a source of benzene exposure. Both active smoking and passive smoking introduce benzene into the body, as tobacco smoke contains benzene. Prolonged exposure to such smoke increases health risks.

3. Wood burning releases benzene and other pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to incomplete combustion. Hence, wood burning is a source of benzene pollution.

4. Varnished wooden furniture can be a source of benzene exposure but it is less direct and typically with lower exposure levels once the varnish has cured. Therefore, it is not considered a significant source of benzene pollution.

5. Polyurethane-based products do not contribute significantly to benzene pollution. They are more associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals rather than benzene itself.

Thus, the major contributors to benzene pollution are automobile emissions, tobacco smoke, and wood burning . Hence the correct answer is A. 1, 2 and 3 only.

Pair 1 is Correct: The Alma-Ata Declaration was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care in September 1978 (6-12 September) in Kazakhstan, identifying primary health care as the key to attaining the goal of health for all.

Pair 2 is Incorrect: The Hague Convention (1980) focuses on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Biological and chemical weapons are primarily regulated by the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

Pair 3 is Correct: The Talanoa Dialogue is a process mandated by the UNFCCC to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to address global climate change.

Pair 4 is Incorrect: The Under2 Coalition is a global community of state and regional governments committed to climate action in line with the Paris Agreement, aiming to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C.

Southern swamp deer/ hard ground swamp deer, a unique sub-species of Barasingha, also known as the Indian swamp deer, is a herbivorous species that feeds exclusively on grasses (graminivorous) and is well adapted to is adapted to hard ground in open sal forest.


Kanha National Park is well-known for the conservation of hard ground swamp deer. Conservation efforts by the park have helped revive its numbers from near extinction.

Therefore, the correct answer is Kanha National Park.

Nagarhole National Park is located in the Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is indeed located in the Cauvery basin.

Papikonda National Park is not located in the Cauvery basin. It is actually located in the Godavari basin.

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve lies on the banks of the River Bhavani, a tributary of the River Cauvery in the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. So, it is located in the Cauvery basin.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: The Kabini river, a tributary of the Cauvery river, flows through the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence, it is also located in the Cauvery basin.

So, the correct answer includes Nagarhole National Park, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

The book "Desher Katha" written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar was a significant contribution to the Indian freedom struggle.

Statement 1 is correct. The book indeed warned against the Colonial State's hypnotic conquest of the mind. Deuskar was a staunch nationalist and vehemently opposed the colonial rule in India. His book was a critique against the colonial rule.

Statement 2 is also correct. Deuskar's work inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs. His writings were influential in promoting the Swadeshi movement.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The use of 'desh' by Deuskar was not in the specific context of the region of Bengal. Deuskar, though of Marathi origin, was brought up in a Bengali set-up and acted as a bridge between Maharashtra and Bengal's renaissance. His use of 'desh' was more in the context of the nation as a whole, rather than specifically Bengal.

Therefore, the correct answer is that statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Statement 1 is Correct: Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are widely used in precision agriculture for the targeted spraying of pesticides and liquid fertilizers, which helps in reducing chemical waste and minimizing human exposure to toxins. Statement 2 is Correct: Drones equipped with thermal cameras and gas sensors are used to inspect the craters of active volcanoes, allowing scientists to gather data from hazardous environments that are inaccessible or too dangerous for humans. Statement 3 is Correct: Researchers use specialized drones (such as the 'SnotBot') to fly through the blow (breath) of spouting whales to collect biological samples containing DNA, hormones, and microbiomes for non-invasive health monitoring.

The term 'Social Cost of Carbon' is a measure of the economic damages, in dollars, that would result from emitting one additional ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

It is used to value the climate impacts of rulemakings and helps policymakers understand the economic impacts of decisions that would increase or decrease emissions.

Therefore, it is best described as the long-term damage done by a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions in a given year.

The description mentions three spacecraft in an equilateral triangle formation with million-kilometre sides using lasers for measurement. This matches the design of the Evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA) mission. eLISA is a proposed space observatory aiming to detect gravitational waves using precisely positioned spacecraft.

Voyager-2 and New Horizons are single spacecraft on exploration missions, not designed for gravitational wave detection.

LISA Pathfinder was a precursor mission to test technologies for eLISA, not the full mission itself.

Therefore, based on the details provided, the experiment refers to the Evolved LISA mission.

Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the report National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2017 of CGWA, out of the total 6881 assessment units (Blocks/Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 1186 units in various States (17%) have been categorized as Over-Exploited, 313 units (5%) as Critical, and 972 units (14%) as Semi-Critical.

Statement 2 is correct: The CGWA was established in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and manage groundwater resources.

Statement 3 is correct: India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. This is due to the country's heavy reliance on agriculture, which is predominantly rain-fed.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. 2 and 3 only.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Jet streams occur in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They are fast-moving air currents found at high altitudes, typically around 10-15 kilometers above the Earth's surface, and exist in both hemispheres.

Statement 2 is correct: Not all cyclones develop an eye. Only certain strong cyclones, especially intense hurricanes or typhoons, develop a well-defined eye—a calm, low-pressure area at the center of the cyclone surrounded by the strongest winds.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The temperature in the eye can be several degrees Celsius warmer (typically 2–10°C) than the outer regions of the storm. This warmth is due to subsiding (sinking) air in the eye, which compresses and heats up adiabatically. Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is not correct. The Government of India subsidizes fertilizers to ensure that fertilizers are easily available to farmers and the country remains self-sufficient in agriculture. This has been achieved largely by controlling the price of fertilizer and the amount of production. For example, as per the New Urea Policy of 2015, the government fixes the market price of urea.

Statement 2 is correct. Fertilizer production uses 1.2% of the world's total energy out of which 90% is used for ammonia production, which is a key ingredient in the production of nitrogen fertilizers. Ammonia can be produced from natural gas.

Statement 3 is correct. Sulfur is a major by-product of oil refining and gas processing. Most crude oil grades contain some sulfur, most of which must be removed during the refining process to meet strict sulfur content limits in refined products. Also, Sulphur is used in phosphoric acid fertilizer (There is a process known as 'The Wet Process' for producing the same).

Hence, option B is the correct answer.

Option A is incorrect. Aksai Chin is located to the east of Ladakh, whereas the Siachen Glacier is situated to the northwest of it.

Option B is incorrect. Leh is located to the south of the Siachen Glacier. The glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram range, far north of Leh.

Option C is incorrect. Gilgit is in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, which is west of the Siachen Glacier. The glacier is not located to the north of Gilgit.

Option D is correct. The Siachen Glacier is located north of the Nubra Valley in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas. It is the world's highest battlefield, where India maintains a military presence.


Hence, option D is the correct answer

Statement 1 is Incorrect: While OMT is measured up to the depth of the 26°C isotherm ($D_{26}$), this depth is approximately 59 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March, not 129 meters. Statement 2 is Correct: OMT is a more stable and reliable indicator of the upper ocean's heat content than Sea Surface Temperature (SST). Research by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has shown that OMT data collected from January to March can be used to predict whether the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) will be above or below the long-term mean with greater accuracy than SST.

Statement 1 is correct: Fertigation is a method of delivering fertilizers to crops through an irrigation system. It involves the precise application of water-soluble or liquid fertilizers directly to the root zone of plants during the irrigation process. This technique allows for the controlled release of nutrients, ensuring that plants receive the right amount at the right time. Fertigation allows for the control of the pH of the irrigation water, which can be adjusted to the optimal level for nutrient absorption by the plants.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While fertigation does allow for the efficient application of many types of fertilizers, rock phosphate is not water-soluble and therefore cannot be applied efficiently through fertigation.

Statement 3 is correct: Because fertigation delivers nutrients directly to the root zone of plants, it increases the availability of nutrients to the plants.

Statement 4 is correct: Fertigation allows for the precise application of nutrients, which reduces the risk of nutrient leaching.

Therefore, options 1, 3, and 4 are correct.

Major minerals are those specified in the first schedule appended in the MMDR Act. There is no official definition for major minerals in the MMDR Act.

1. Bentonite is a minor mineral. It is used in drilling mud, foundry sand, and civil engineering applications.

2. Chromite is a major mineral. It is the only ore of chromium, essential for stainless steel and alloy manufacturing.

3. Kyanite is a major mineral. It is a refractory mineral used in ceramics and high-temperature industries.

4. Sillimanite is a major mineral. It is also a refractory mineral with applications in metallurgy and industrial furnaces.

Therefore, Chromite, Kyanite and Sillimanite are major minerals, whereas Bentonite is a minor mineral.

Therefore, the correct answer is D.