UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2018 Answer Key Paper 1 

1. Consider the following statements:
1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra party.
2. In the Lok Sabha, a leader of the opposition was recognized for the first time in 1969.
3. In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members its leader cannot be recognized as the leader of the opposition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Ans.

a. 1 and 3 only

b. 2 only

c. 2 and 3 only

d. 1,2 and 3

Explanation:- The Swatantra Party was an Indian liberal-conservative political party that existed from 1959 to 1974. The First Lok Sabha was constituted on 17 April 1952.

Leaders of the opposition in Lok Sabha – refer this wikipedia link

If any party fails to get 10% seats in opposition, the House will not have recognized leader of the opposition. A single party has to meet the 10% seat criteria, not an alliance.

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2. Which of the following leaf modifications occur in the desert areas to inhibit water loss?
1. Hard and waxy leaves
2. Tiny leaves
3. Thorns instead of leaves
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Ans.

a. 2 and 3
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1,2 and 3

Explanation:- Waxy cover — Plants not only lose water through their pores, they also lose it through the cell walls on their leaves. The leaves and stems of many desert plants have a thick covering that is coated with a waxy substance, allowing them to seal in and protect what moisture they already have.

Many desert plants have small leaves or spiny needles so that the surface area of the leaf is smaller. Since these plants have less surface area, when the hot sun beats down on them, they lose less water through the process of transpiration.

Thorns have lesser surface area than leaves. which implies less water lost during evaporation.

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3. As per the NSSO 70th round situation “assessment survey of Agricultural households”, consider the following statements:
1. Rajasthan has the highest Percentage share of Agricultural households among its rural households.
2. Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60% belong to OBCs.
3. In Kerala, a little over 60% of Agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

Ans.

a. 2 and 3
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 3
d. 1,2 and 3

Explanation:- NSSO stands for National Sample Survey office. Refer this PIB article on Key Indicators of Situation of Agricultural Households in India
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4. How is the National green tribunal NGT different from the central pollution control board CPCB?
1. The NGT has been established by an act where as the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts where as the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and well and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

Ans.

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 or 2

Explanation:- National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT) is an Act of the Parliament of India which enables creation of a special tribunal to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues. But the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoE,FCC). An executive order means how this board need to function and work.

Now, some of the Executive Orders can be –
1) Make rules for the minimum selling price for the procurement of the seeds.
2) Who should deliver the seeds to the ration shops.
3) Who should be in-charge of the field operations.

Read here on their main website about the functions and objectives of CPCB.

Read the wikipedia page on NGT about its functions and objectives

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5. In which one of the following states is Pakhui wildlife sanctuary located?

Ans.

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Manipur
3. Meghalaya
4. Nagaland

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6.  “Momentum for change: Climate neutral now” is an initiative launched by

Ans.

1. The intergovernmental panel on climate change
2. The UNEP Secretariat
3. The UNFCCC secretariat
4. The world Meteorological organisation

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7. With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs:
1. Sanskrit college at Banaras – William Jones
2. Calcutta Madarsa – Warren Hastings
3. Fort William college – Arthur Wellesley

Ans.

a. 1 and 2
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 3
d. 3 only

Explanation:- Founder of Sanskrit college at Banaras – Jonathan Duncan
Founder of Fort William college – Richard Wellesley

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8. Consider the following pairs:
1. Catalonia – spain
2. Crimea – hungary
3. Mindanao – philippines
4. Oromia – nigeria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Ans.

a. 1,2 and 3
b. 3 and 4
c. 1 and 3
d. 2 and 4

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9. Why is a plant called prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?
a. Its extract is widely used in cosmetics
b. It tends to reduce the Biodiversity in the area in which it grows
c. Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides
d. None of the above

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10. Consider the following statements:
1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory
2. Barren Island lies about 140 east of the great Nicobar
3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was a 1991 and it has remained inactive since then

Ans.

a. 1 only
b. 2 and 3
c. 3 only
d. 1 and 3

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11. In 1920, which of the following changed its name to Swaraj Sabha?
a. All India Home Rule League
b. Hindu Mahasabha
c. South Indian liberal Federation
d. The servants of Indian society

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12. Which one of the following is an artificial lake?
a. Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu
b. Kolleru Andhra Pradesh
c. Nainital Uttarakhand
d. Renuka Himachal Pradesh

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13. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to safety world?
a. Avalokiteshvara
b. Lokeswara
c. Maitreya
d. Padmapani

Explanation:- According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor to the present Buddha, Gautama Buddha.

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14. Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?
a. Francois Bernier
b. Jean-baptiste Travernier
c. Jaun de Thevenot
d. Abbe Barthelemy Carre

Explanation:- The French traveler Jean Baptiste Tavernier visited the Krishna River diggings in 1665, and estimated that about 60,000 people were mining diamonds.

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15. With reference to the religious practices in India, the Sthanakvasi sect belongs to:
a. Buddhism
b. Jainism
c. Vaishnavism
d. Shaivism

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16. The staple commodity of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century was:
a. Raw cotton, oil seeds and opium
b. Sugar, salt, zinc and lead
c. Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea
d. Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium

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