UPSC IAS Prelims 2020 GS Paper 1 Question Paper with Answer Key & Exam Paper Analysis
UPSC IAS Prelims 2020 GS Paper 1 Question Paper with Answer Key With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements : They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body. They can be used in biochemical sensors. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable. Which of the statements given above are correct ? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d)1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer: D 2. Consider the following activities : Spraying pesticides on a crop field Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones ? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d)1, 2 and 3 Answer D 3. “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to (a) Voyager-2 (b) New Horizon (c) LISA Pathfinder (d) Evolved LISA Answer D 4. What is the importance of using ‘ Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India ? These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis. 2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions. Select the correct answer using the code given below : (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer D 5. Consider the following statements : Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent. A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig. Which of thc; statements given above is/are correct ? (a) 1 only’ (b) 2 and 3 only , (C) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3.4 Answer B 6. In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of (a) Digital security infrastructure (b) Food security infrastructure (c) Health care and education infrastructure (d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure Answer A 7. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells ? Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do • Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst an animal cell has many small vacuoles. Select the correct answer using the code given below : (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only , (c)1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer C 8. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution ? Automobile exhaust Tobacco smoke Wood burning Using varnished wooden furniture Using products made of polyurethane Select the correct answer using the code given below : (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Answer D 9. If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give some immunity to India ? Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings Opening up to more foreign banks Maintaining full capital account convertibility Select the correct answer using the code given below : (a)1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer A 10. If you withdraw 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be (a) to reduce it by 1,00,000 (b) to increase it by 1,00,000 (c) to increase it by more than 1,00,000 (d) to leave it unchanged Answer D 11. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘ paramitas’? (a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style (b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas (c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path (d) Powerful merchant guilds of early Medieval South India Answer C 12. In the context Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around women’s right to gain education age of consent restitution of conjugal rights Select the correct answer using the code given below : (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 2 and 3 Answer B 13. Indigo cultivation in India Declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of (a) peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters (b) its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions (c) national leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of indigo d) Government control over the planters Answer B 14. Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta becauge (a) ho was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so (b) he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India (c) he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment ; (d) he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India Answer D 15. With reference to the history of India, Ulgulan the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events ? (a) The Revolt of 1857 (b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921 (c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 (d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 — 1900 Answer D 16. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhanat Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta –
LEMOA- Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement – LEMOA LEMOA, which stands for, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is a tweaked India specific version of Logistics Support Agreement which the US has with several countries that have close military ties.˚˚ The pact gives both countries access to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of refueling and replenishment in primarily four areas — port calls, joint exercises, training, and humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. India and the U.S. already hold a large number of joint exercises during which payments are done each time, which is a long and tedious process. Now there is no need for a separate agreement. Indian Navy, which interacts and exercises the most with foreign Navies can benefit from the agreement. It is one of four foundational agreements with the USA. India has signed three of the four foundational or enabling agreements with the U.S. meant to improve interoperability between the militaries and allow the transfer of high-end military platforms. Four foundational agreements Foundational agreements are meant to build basic groundwork and promote interoperability between militaries by creating common standards and systems. They also guide sale and transfer of high-end technologies. General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), which is for information safety, was signed in 2002. COMCASA, an India-specific version of the Communication and Information on Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA). LEMOA, which stands for, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is a tweaked India specific version of Logistics Support Agreement Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA), which facilitate the exchange of geospatial information between two countries both for military and civilian purposes. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is a scheme of government of India Ministry of Education with the objective of making higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth. The scheme was first conceived by IIT Delhi. It aims to link the Higher Education Institutions with a set of at least (5) villages, so that these institutions can contribute to the economic and social betterment of these village communities using their knowledge base. While in the first stage only premier institute took part in the initiative, UBA 2.0 launched in 2018, will see open and wider participation of all institutions fulfilling certain criteria. It is expected to be a two-way learning process, where institutions share their knowledge with villages and also learn from the wisdom and common sense of rural folk. It create a virtuous cycle between society and an inclusive academic system by providing knowledge and practices for emerging professions while upgrading the capabilities of both the public and the private sectors in responding to the development needs of rural India. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
MainSure – Mains Test Series for UPSC IAS Exam
CIVILS360’s MAINSURE-2021 Aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination know that the real challenge lies in Mains Exam. Out of the total 2025 Marks in CSE, 1750 Marks are rewarded for Mains alone. The more the margin in which an aspirant clears the Mains, more is the chance for him/her to get into the top of the final rank list. No doubt, Mains is the crucial piece which everyone needs to master to come out with flyingcolours. Decoding the myth around Mains We commonly find that many aspirants fail to clear Mains stage even in multiple attempts while some always clear with consistency. There are certain common mistakes done by the former category. We always try to accumulate maximum knowledge and content. In that process, We undermine the importance of revising the notes. Also most, unfortunately, We neglect the significance of Answer Writing. In the examination hall, such a strategy will backfire as We neither recollect the acquired content nor know how to structure the answer within the word limit. Similarly, we find many failing to clear the Mains stage even after doing answer writing programmes. These are common scenario because the focus is on writing more and more answers but without any focus on improvement in answers. This is where Civils360’s MAINSURE programme stays ahead on its own. View Details For Enquiry and Admission Visit Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Indian Polity for UPSC Mains 2020
Indian Polity for UPSC Mains 2020 Trend of Indian Polity Content Upgradation & Current Affairs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6WOCD9FvdY Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. JOIN NOW
Critical Tiger Habitat CWH
Critical Tiger Habitat CWH Critical Tiger Habitat – As per the report on tiger census that was released ahead of International Tiger Day on July 29 2020-India has seventy percent of the world’s tiger population and 50 tiger reserves in the country presently. Tigers were observed to be increasing at a rate of 6 percent per annum in India from 2006 to 2018 Importance of tiger conservation Tiger is an umbrella species. the only natural habitat for the iconic tiger species- the Bengal Tige promotes ecotourism Tiger needs large healthy forests so tiger conservation leads to forest conservation. Tiger conservation boosts in Biodiversity conservation India Tiger conservation is regarded as a success model in the world. The Indian efforts in this line include National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Tiger census Project Tiger conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) framework extended to all fifty tiger reserves across the country. Providing suitable habitat by declaring Tiger reserves Declaration of Core which has the legal status of Wildlife Sanctuary or National Park. These areas are free of all forestry operations and human activities. Read India-Russia Relations Critical Tiger habitats (CWH) Critical wildlife/Tiger habitats (CWH) are defined under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, critical wildlife habitat means such areas of National Parks and Sanctuaries which are required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of wildlife conservation It is determined and notified by the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests after an open process of consultation by an Expert Committee. Issus with Critical Tiger habitats It dilutes the FRA 2006 New guidelines have superseded free, prior, and informed consent of the gram sabha before declaring Critical Tiger habitats Wayforward Forest rights should be settled before declaring Critical Tiger habitats There should be public consultation like in the case of Ecologically Sensitive areas. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Global Hunger Index 2020
Global Hunger Index 2020 The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool for measuring hunger at global, regional, and national levels. GHI scores are based on the values of four component indicators: undernourishment child wasting child stunting child mortality Based on the values of the four indicators, the GHI determines hunger on a 100-point scale where 0 is the best possible score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst. Each country’s GHI score is classified by severity, from low to extremely alarmingGHI is a joint project of Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. The GHI is calculated annually, and its results appear in a report issued in October each year Key Findings Worldwide hunger is at a moderate level. Africa South of the Sahara and South Asia have the highest hunger and undernutrition levels among world regions 2020 GHI scores do not reflect the impact of Covid-19 on hunger and undernutrition. Indian Scenario India has a level of hunger that is “serious”( score of 27.2)Indias GHI in 2020 & 2019 Year 2020 2019 Rank 94 102 Total Countries 107 117 India features behind Nepal (73), Pakistan (88), Bangladesh (75), Indonesia (70) among others Out of the total 107 countries, only 13 countries fare worse than India including countries like Rwanda (97), Nigeria (98), Afghanistan (99), Liberia (102), Mozambique (103), Chad (107) among others. Why India ranked so low on GHI? India was able to reduce under-five mortality rate drastically, but that alone is not sufficient to reduce the hunger problem in India. India’s child wasting has actually gone up over these years. High prevalence of Stunting and malnutrition among under-five children.Though India have surplus food, most small and marginal holdings farmers are losing access to food. The reasons for hunger in India can be summarised as follows The agriculture output from small and marginal holdings are either stagnant or declining. The relative income of one section of people has been on the decline. lack of income opportunities other than farm sector has contributed heavily to the growing joblessness in rural areas poor implementation and accessibility of Public Distribution Systems. The soiled approach in tackling malnutrition Lack of safe drinking water, which results in acute malnutrition Certain illnesses and infections, such as tuberculosis, measles, and diarrhea are directly linked to acute malnutrition In 30 years, the number of natural disasters — droughts, cyclones, floods, etc. — linked to climate change has increased substantially. This results in decline in agricultural production either directly or indirectly Initiatives by Government of India Mission Indradhanush Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme National Food Security Act, 2013 Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: POSHAN Abhiyaan MNREGA National Health Mission (NHM) Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme Annapurna Scheme etc Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Cyber security and Cyber Crime
Cyber security and Cyber Crime Cybersecurity spends in India is rising rapidly because of the massive digitization movement, especially in payments, and the case of internet use on mobile. Cybersecurity means securing cyberspace from attack and economic espionage. Cybersecurity Cyber Space: Cyber Space is interconnected of IT infrastructure such as the Internet, Telecom network, Computer systems, etc. In 3rd Global Security Index released by the ITU,India slipped to 47th rank in 2018 from 23rd in 2017. Cybersecurity framework Cyber Crime: Gambling:In India are entitled to formulate laws for gambling activities. Illegal articles: Sales of illegal articles such as narcotics drugs, weapons, wildlife,etc..is being facilitated by the internet. Email Spamming: Unsolicited message sent in bulk by email. Cyber Warfare:India was one of the most cyber-targeted countries in the world in 2019 with over 50,000 cyber- attacks from china alone. Digital Forejery: The process of manipulating documents or images for the intent of financial, social or political gain. Cyber Defamation:It is an act of intentionally insulting, defaming or offending another individual or a party through a virtual medium. Need for Cyber Security: Prevent Economic loss: The estimated cost of cyber-attacks in India stands at $4 billion which is expected to reach $20 billion in the next 10 years. Increasing Internet users: India ranks 3rd in terms of the highest number ofinternet users in the world after the USA and China, thethe number has grown 6-fold between 2012-2017 with athe compound annual growth rate of 44%. Cyber Terrorism: The use of the Internet to conduct violent acts that result in, or threaten, loss of life or significant bodily harm, in order to achieve political or ideological gains through threat or intimidation. Government Digital Push: Various Programs of government such as Bharat Net, Aadhaar, MyGov, etc Are prompting a large number of citizens, companies Government agencies to transact online. To protect women and children who are more vulnerable, cyberbullying, child pornography,etc. Challenges to Cyber Security: Digital illiteracy: It makes Indian citizens highly susceptible to cyber fraud, cyber theft, etc.. Lack of adoption of new technology: Anonymity: Lack of coordination among various agencies: Increased cyberspace by terrorists. Cyberspace has inherent vulnerabilities that cannot be removed The proliferation of the internet of things(IoT)and lack of proper security infrastructure in some devices Tools to Protect Against Cyber Threats: Digital signature: Digital signatures are like electronic “fingerprints.” In the form of a coded message, the digital signature securely associates a signer with a document in a recorded transaction. Encryption: Encryption is a process that encodes a message or file so that it can be only be read by certain people Cyberforensics: is a branch of digital forensic science pertaining to evidence found in computers and digital storage media. Security audit: A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of a company’s information system by measuring how well it conforms to a set of established criteria. Traditional tool: Importance of use of antivirus, strong passwords, secure Wi-fi connection,etc..need to emphasized. National cybersecurity policy,2013: To protect information and information infrastructure in cyberspace, build capabilities to prevent and respond to cyber threats, reduce vulnerabilities and minimize damage from cyber incidents through a combination of institutional structures, people, processes, technology and cooperation. To build a secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens, businesses and Government. Recent Steps were taken by Government: Cyber Swachhta Kendra: In 2017, this platform was introduced for internet users to clean their computers and devices by wiping out viruses and malware. The Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children scheme. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre(NCIIPC)to Battle cybersecurity threats in the strategic area such as air control,nuclear and space. National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC): In 2017, the NCCC was developed. Its mandate is to scan internet traffic and communication metadata (which are little snippets of information hidden inside each communication) coming into the country to detect real-time cyber threats. Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative: It was launched in 2018 with an aim to spread awareness about cybercrime and building capacity for safety measures for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT staff across all government departments. Way forward The proposed project NETRA for internet surveillance should be taken up. Concerns about privacy and freedom of expression have to be taken care of. National Cyber Security Policy should be amended according to the changing times and need. State Governments should also be taken up operations for Cybersecurity. FOR Example SHE Team of Telangana Government has been successful in protecting women from online harassment and cybercrimes. Similar initiatives could be taken up by other states as well. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
India UN Relations
India-UN India was among the select members of the United Nations that signed the Declaration by United Nations at Washington on 1 January 1942. As a founding member of the United Nations, India strongly supports the purposes and principles of the UN and has made significant contributions to implementing the goals of the Charter, and the evolution of the UN’s specialized programmes and agencies. India is steadfast in its efforts to work with the committee of Nations in the spirit of multilateralism to achieve comprehensive and equitable solutions to all problems facing us including development and poverty eradication, climate change, terrorism, piracy, disarmament, peace building and peacekeeping, human rights. Sustainable development goals: UN Priority Areas in India Poverty And Urbanisation: Nutrition And Food Security: Education And Employability Health, Water And Sanitation Skilling, Entrepreneurship And Job Creation Climate Change, Clean Energy And Disaster Resilience Gender Equality And Youth Development North-East UN Organisations in India Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT): APCTT is a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) servicing the Asia-Pacific region. The Centre focuses on activities related to technology information, technology transfer and innovation management which are SME-oriented, driven by IT and also environmentally responsible and gender conscious. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts. FAO’s mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Its focus is on country-specific solutions, which can involve increasing the access of rural poor people to financial services, markets, technology, land and other natural resources. International Labour Organization (ILO): The ILO was founded in 1919 to bring governments, employers and workers together for the cause of social justice and better living conditions everywhere. ILO’s mandate of social justice, as the basis for peace, is expressed today as Decent Work for all. World Health Organization (WHO): The World Health Organization is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. World Food Programme (WFP): WFP is the food aid arm of the United Nations system. Food aid is one of the many instruments that can help to promote food security, which is defined as the access of all people at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life. UN Women: UN Women in India works closely with the Government and civil society to set national standards for achieving gender equality. It works to strengthen the economic empowerment of women, end violence in all its forms, promote greater participation of women in politics and decision-making and ensure that policies and budgets reflect the needs of women. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): The mandate of UNODC is enshrined in UN Conventions and Protocols, the universal instruments against terrorism and UN standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice. With the help of these instruments, UNODC helps Member States address illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): UNICEF advocates for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children, whether victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, violence and exploitation and those with disabilities. India’s Contribution to UN Indian Contribution to United Nations Peacekeeping: India has a long and distinguished history of service in UN peacekeeping, having contributed more personnel than any other country. To date, more than 244,500 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948. Currently, there are 6,178 troops & police from India who have been deployed to UN peacekeeping missions, the fourth highest amongst troop-contributing countries. India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission. Familiarization visits to India Indians at United Nations:(1) Mrs. Lakshmi Menon, India’s delegate to the Third Committee in 1948, argued forcefully in favour of non-discrimination based on sex and “the equal rights of men and women” in the in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (2) Mr. Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar was India’s delegate to the San Francisco Conference leading to the creation of the United Nations. He also had distinction of serving as the first President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946. Representation in UN Bodies India has continued its successful run at the elections to various UN bodies. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) It is the UN’s main executive body with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. However, the veto powers possessed by the UNSC’s five permanent members are used as an instrument to shore up their geopolitical interests, regardless of the disastrous consequences for the victims of armed conflict. As it can be seen in Syria, Iraq, etc. Further, It does not reflect today’s distribution of military and economic power, nor a geographical balance. Thus, the structure of the 15-member Security Council ought to be more democratic and representative. This has been long overdue on the demand, especially from the so-called Group of 4 (G4) countries — Brazil, Germany, India and Japan — which advocate a permanent seat for all of them. India and UNSC India recently got elected as a non-permanent of the UNSC. India has the world’s second-largest population. World largest liberal democracy World twelfth largest economy One of the main contributors to the UN regular budget. 3rd largest armed force Significant Achievements Major Initiatives: The first evert single-country South-South cooperation initiative at the UN was launched in June 2017 through the “India-UN Development Partnership Fund”, a $100 million fund facility to undertake projects across the developing world. In April 2018, a US$50 Million Commonwealth window was created under the Fund to support SDG
Dasara Festival Mysore
Dasara Festival Mysore Dasara is the “Nadahabha” or the state festival of the state of Karnataka.It is celebrated for 10 days and concludes with Vijayadashami. COVID-19 was the running theme of this year’s mysuru Dasara. The world famous Jamboo Savari (Mysore Dasara procession)is held on the street of Mysore city on Vijayadashami. It starts from the Mysore palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap. The idol of the Goddess chamundeshwari, which is placed on a golden mantapa on the top of a decorated elephant. The first Dasara for tusker Abhimanyu in Mysuru, in the company of ‘Kumki’ elephants Kaveri and Vijaya,was a short affairs as he had to travers just 270m rather than the usual 5KM. Jamboo savari was limited to the palace in the past too. In 1994 due to the surat plague and in 2002 due to the severe drought. There is a special music concert performed by the Yuva or Youth icons during Dasara. Read Also India-Afghanistan Relati https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWFfwVaqdyw&t=5s Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
