Solution of the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012 – GS Paper 1
41. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.
3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members.
Choose the correct option:
[A]1 & 2 Only
[B]3 Only
[C]2 & 3 Only
[D]1,2, & 3
1,2, & 3
This question is based upon a very special reference made by Kautilya in Arthashstra about the registration of Guilds. He had devises the method of regulation of guilds by:
1. Registration of the Guilds
2. Laying down the checks and balances on the activities of the artisans and forming the penal laws to prevent their transgression
3. Appointment of special tribunals to administer the laws.
All statements in this question are correct.
42. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the:
[A]Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
[B]Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
[C]Government of India Act, 1935
[D]Indian Independence Act, 1947
Government of India Act, 1935
As far as legislative powers are concerned, the constitution of India follows a system that is similar to the Canadian Constitution, but Indian Constitution has a more elaborate Concurrent List which was a result of following the Australian Constitution. The scheme of division of legislative powers is almost same as in the Government of India Act 1935. Then, if we talk about the distribution of the taxing power and revenues under the Indian Constitution, we find that it follows the scheme of 1935 act, which was actually based upon the experiences of 65 years since the times of Lord Mayo. Correct answer is C.
43. Despite having large reserves of coal, why does India import millions of tonnes of coal?
1. It is the policy of India to save its own coal reserves for future, and import it from other countries for the present use.
2. Most of the power plants in India are coal-based and they are not able to get sufficient supplies of coal from within the country.
3. Steel companies need large quantity of coking coal which has to be imported.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A]1 Only
[B]2 & 3 Only
[C]1 & 3 Only
[D]1,2, & 3
2 & 3 Only
This question does not need an explanation.
44. A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction but he located the polestar. The most convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the:
[A]direction facing the polestar
[B]direction opposite to the polestar
[C]direction keeping the polestar to his left
[D]direction keeping the polestar to his right
direction keeping the polestar to his left
UPSC has lifted this beautiful question from UPSC Prelims paper 1992. Its easy, the person would walk in the direction, keeping the polestar to his
left.
45. Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called ‘rare earth metals’. Why?
1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.
2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any country.
3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A]1 Only
[B]2 & 3 Only
[C]1 & 3 Only
[D]1,2 & 3
1 & 3 Only
The second statement is not correct. Also note that China has now (day before yesterday) lifted the restrictions :)
46. Biomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in India. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Coconut shells, groundnut shells and rice husk can be used in biomass gasification.
2. The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification consist of hydrogen and carbon dioxide only.
3. The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification can be used for direct heat generation but not in internal combustion engines.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 Only
[B]2 & 3 Only
[C]1 & 3 Only
[D]1,2 & 3
1 Only
The second statement you needed to eliminate because CO is a major concern. Then, third statement is also incorrect.
47. What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems?
1. It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water.
2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water.
3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A]1 Only
[B]2 & 3 Only
[C]1 & 3 Only
[D]1,2 & 3
1 Only
UV does not change the taste, odor or color of the water.
48. Graphene is frequently in news recently. What is its importance?
1. It is a two-dimensional material and has good electrical conductivity.
2. It is one of the thinnest but strongest materials tested so far.
3. It is entirely made of silicon and has high optical transparency.
4. It can be used as ‘conducting electrodes’ required for touch screens, LeOs and organic LEOs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A]1 and 2 only
[B]3 and 4 only
[C]1, 2 and 4 only
[D]1,2,3 & 4
1, 2 and 4 only
All of you must have eliminated the third statement.
49. Lead, ingested or inhaled, is a health hazard. After the addition of lead to petrol has been banned, what still are the sources of lead poisoning?
1. Smelting units
2. Pens and pencils
3. Paints
4. Hair oils and cosmetics
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1,2 & 3 only
[B]1 and 3 only
[C]2 & 4 only
[D]1,2,3 & 4
1 and 3 only
Some people point that all options are correct, one of them citing example of cosmetics such as Sindoor. But Sindoor or Vermilion contains Mercury (HgS) not Lead. Then, UPSC does not expect you to be an expert in chemicals. They simply want to know whether you know that lead pencils are graphite pencils. Then, one reader says that in inks of some pens cause lead pollution. But do you think, it is really a health Hazard. Check applications of lead on wikipedia and you will find that you can not wipe-out lead from our life. In cosmetics, there have been some concerns about lead acetate in Lipstics in US. But in this question, UPSC intentionally does not give a choice to choose 1, 3 & 4. In our view, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only. You can read about the exposure routes here In Our view, the question could bring out more from the aspirants, if UPSC had put an option like Chinese toys,Hunting Bullets etc.
50. With reference to ‘stem cells’ frequently in the news, which of the following statements is / are correct?
1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals only.
2. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs.
3. Stem cells can be used for medical therapies.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 & 2 Only
[B]2 & 3 Only
[C]3 Only
[D]1,2 and 3
2 & 3 Only
jace
May 21, 2012 at 9:45 pmsir, cut off- is it is combined or for Paper I only?
GKToday
May 21, 2012 at 9:46 pm@ jace,
Cut off is combined, there is no individual cut off.
prash
May 21, 2012 at 10:03 pmsir, i am a great fan of gktoday.. thank u very much for ur efforts to make information transparent, free and authentic..
i had a doubt regarding cut off.. 168-170 is a combined cut-off of paper I and II or GS alone..
it cant b so less for combined or so much for GS alone.. ppl , including me, think that it might go somewhere between 200-210..
plz clarify the same..
thank u sir..
ravi
May 21, 2012 at 10:22 pmfor qn 6.in case of cnstinal amendmt bill both houses have equal authority
Sai Akhilesh
May 21, 2012 at 10:40 pmQ.No. 64
Single window policy is introduced prior to this policy. It is not anew initiative.
http://india.gov.in/allimpfrms/alldocs/16395.pdf
Avishek
May 21, 2012 at 11:25 pmFor Q13 – BT Brinjal one ..statement 1 is incorrect as the gene used is not that of soil fungus but of soil bacteria :) ….as there is no option containing 2 3 4 ….so ans has to be 3 and 4 only.
ravikvarma
May 21, 2012 at 11:28 pmscore ranging from 215 to 230…according to gktoday key..it is 217…is it in a comfortable margin?
Avishek
May 21, 2012 at 11:39 pmFor Q71 – Seabuckthorn — its also used as biodiesel..though its use as of now is limited, but then it has great potential. Searching in google for Seabuckthorn as biodiesel……reveals many websites that says about it …so correct option should be D – all 1,2,3,4 . Seabuckthorn timber also has great value . Source : google :)
thiyam surjakumar singh
May 21, 2012 at 11:51 pmim greatly delighted with your work sir
thank you for your great work
thanks………..
Vikas
May 21, 2012 at 11:57 pmThank you Sir..most accurate
Kamal
May 21, 2012 at 11:57 pmHi,
Thanks a ton for the keys.!!
The cutoff 168-170 you are expecting is the combined marks of paper 1 & 2 right?
sukumaran
May 22, 2012 at 12:00 amin q 13 bt brinjal gene from bacterium
Tigin kalistus
May 22, 2012 at 12:08 amIs the ‘cutoff marks’as predicted here is for ‘Paper-1’ or combined? I presume it is for combined but then cannot fathom out the criteria adopted in arriving at such a low cuttoff, if it is so.
anwer
May 22, 2012 at 12:58 amthe cutoff is for 1st paper only and for both paper combined.please clarify
Gayathri
May 22, 2012 at 1:20 amSir,
I would like to know if the cut off mentioned above(165-170) is the sum of both the papers. And also is there any separate cut off marks for each paper?
Please do reply.
Thanks.
Johnny Prince
May 22, 2012 at 1:24 amHaving doubt in the 86th Qn.. The Snow Leopard does exist naturally in the mountain ranges of Kashmir, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.. Kindly correct me if I’m wrong.
mynk.ngm
May 22, 2012 at 1:42 amsirji this cut off is for GS1 and 2 combined right.. else im afraid only the paper setters and few others will make it..
saurabh
May 22, 2012 at 9:11 amIn question 13, gene from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is used and not soil fungus. Option A seems to be incorrect.
viswanadhas
May 22, 2012 at 10:04 amHi , is 170 an individual cutoff or combined ? If combined is there are min cut off on each paper. Plz advice. Thx
killer
May 22, 2012 at 10:08 amin gram sabha question they substituted ‘minor minerals ‘ with ‘any minerals’….itna specific …
amit13226
May 22, 2012 at 10:31 amSir,
As per ministry report,
Coastal wetland area is smaller than inland.please confirm which data is to be followed.
saurabh
May 22, 2012 at 11:24 amIn Q.57, NBFCs provide microfinance which promotes inclusive growth. Statement 1 seems to be correct too.
saurabh
May 22, 2012 at 11:54 amQ. 28, 1 & 3 both are correct. Since air is more dense close to the earh it can hold more heat than upper altitudes where air is thinner.
Amit kumar
May 22, 2012 at 11:57 amqn:-95….I think DPSP also contain
art 44:-uniform civil code for the citizens
then what should be the answer of qn. 95.
Avishek
May 22, 2012 at 12:44 pmThere r many articles which have written about possible effects on biodiversity of Bt brinjal…and the langauge of statement 4 – there is SOME concern that bt brinjal MAY have adverse—– ….so statement 4 cannot be rules out . About the report of expert committee, yes they have said it, but there r numerous other reports, most recently buy greenpeace which says about adverse effects on biodiversity. Statement 2 ..about TERMINATOR SEEDS ..is not fully correct ..check this link please – http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/article317940.ece
hemant
May 22, 2012 at 2:54 pmcan u plz tell me, wht would be the cutt of list for ias pre and csat
Jitendra Gupta
May 22, 2012 at 3:47 pmHi Sir,
Thanks for your excellent support to the aspirants.
One favor I would like to ask. In the view of this year’s pattern of GS Paper-I, It needs a very good understanding of the topics for the best guess. If you could provide section-wise quiz like dividing Modern History in periods, or dividing Geography of India in Physical Geo, Human Geo, Climatology & atmospheric variations etc., it will help us in concentrating on the very topic and a better assessment of the preparation.
Regards,
Jitendra
Adnan
May 22, 2012 at 8:58 pmthank you very much sir. please make pdf available within a single link instead of 10
Nanda
May 22, 2012 at 10:20 pmKudoos gktoday for answering all then questions with explanations . & waiting for the pdf to d/w ..
dharmesh
May 23, 2012 at 7:31 amhow can someone read so many standard UPSC csat exam questions at one go directly from internet, it can only be worth yo read if there be a pdf version provided of question with answer to read them later nor from internet directly and can be print if required. providing so many questions to read from net is not yet worthy when exams are still offline and internet not have that much reach you must provide pdf version of questions with answers
sundaravathanan
May 23, 2012 at 10:54 amchecking your key was like discussing question paper with a friend :) thanks a lot!!
Sidharth
May 23, 2012 at 11:28 amWill there be individual cur-off for each paper? If yes, what will be the cut-off for paper 1 and also for Paper 2
neeraj
May 24, 2012 at 12:13 pmsir i think i will get 149 marks in aptitude but in gk i think it is not more than 35
what should i do
pls help me
Anurag
May 24, 2012 at 2:20 pmWill GKtoday upload the solutions for CSAT too…… Please do it as your answers are the most authentic ones…..Anxiously waiting fr the CSAT solutions, do post soon ….and many many thanks for the informative solutions of GS Section. Thank You..
nishant
May 26, 2012 at 2:24 amDear Admin
I am very much thankful for giving such a beautiful insights to clear our confusion..As for me now I see that I get 60 marks in paper-1 and I think I will get 150 in 2nd paper.which makes it 210..Do I have chance and should I start preparing? Is it true that UPSC has separate cut-off for both papers..PLZ let me know if any …
Mukesh kumar ray
May 26, 2012 at 9:19 pmSir, my series is (c) prelims 2012 plz send me solved question..
viptip
May 27, 2012 at 9:38 amBT seads are terminator
http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article3427.html
samm
May 27, 2012 at 10:41 amhey bro
i think u will be selected
as ur total is approx 184
and i knew a person who got same marks in previous year and got selected
and this would be happen same in this year
so start prepare for mains
wish u all the best
shobhit777
May 29, 2012 at 11:24 amThanks for the great job…..are sure of the answers you provided for Sufi, Lead Poisoning and RBI question. Most of the other keys are showing different answers. Pls Reply….
Hgiue_980
May 30, 2012 at 9:57 amQuestion 57: Could you please clarify why permitting NBFC to do banking is not an Inclusive Governance? Thanks
Hgiue_980
May 30, 2012 at 10:01 amQuestion 65: The option 2 states, withdrawal of money ONLY after the Appropriation Bill is passed. What about the VOTE ON ACCOUNT, which allows to withdraw even before the Appropriation Bill is passed? Please clarify. Thanks
Hgiue_980
May 30, 2012 at 10:12 amQuestion 95: Why Article 44 is not included in the answer? Thanks
dileep
May 31, 2012 at 1:05 amSir,
(Reg: Question No: 28)
Could you please elaborate why you rejected 3rd statement? Many articles on internet have given that 3rd statement is also correct. Would be grateful if you could provide further support to your answer.
sandy123
June 7, 2012 at 10:43 pmA piece of info….. this year more than 5.50 lacs candidates registered for CSP….dunno how many actually appeared….talked to UPSC today…..last year this was 4.7 lacs….so wats the take on cutoff ?
vats
June 16, 2012 at 10:51 pmSir,
why is banking by nbfc not included in inclusive governance?isnt the recent recommendations by the Y.H Malegam committee, a reference in this regard, as the NBFC -MFI is thought to provide financial inclusion?
kesari.meena00
July 12, 2012 at 5:45 pmSIR
I AM A ST GUY AND I AM GETTING 171 MARKS IN IAS PRE.
PAPER-1 46
PAPER-2 125
WHAT ARE MY CHANCE FOR MAINS AND WHAT WAS THE CUTOFF OF LAST YEAR.
THANKS
samm
August 18, 2012 at 9:13 amhow can we find our marks in this paper
can we send rti for it…..
DEBOJYOTI ROY
January 6, 2013 at 12:36 amSir,i would like to get prelis 2nd paper questions.Is there any seat conservation for s/c?
aman
January 26, 2013 at 9:55 pmwhy pdf download is not available?
pls provide
sushma Pandey
March 20, 2013 at 7:11 pmsir, i am preparing for panchayat secretary ,which will
be held within next week.Kindly send some very
important & detailed article under our constitution for
panchayat & Rural development.Kindly send and guide me
soon .
with regards,
rashi
April 26, 2013 at 8:50 amsir did u provide notes for entire gs pre and mains both if yes how can i get it i am preparing for upsc 2014 give me ur num so tht if any query i can talk to u
sk
August 13, 2014 at 11:10 amIts very helpful to go through specially for me where I can continue even in my work free time. Thanks a lot.