Solution of the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012 – GS Paper 1

51. Consider the following statements:
Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone depleting substances, are used
1. in the production of plastic foams
2. in the production of tubeless tyres
3. in cleaning certain electronic components
4. as pressurizing agents in aerosol cans
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A]1,2 and 3 only
[B]4 Only
[C]1,3 & 4 Only
[D]1,2,3 & 4

1, 3 & 4


52. A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory including those from India created the heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus).
What is/are the implication/ implications of the creation of anti-matter?
1. It will make mineral prospecting and oil exploration easier and cheaper.
2. It will help probe the possibility of the existence of stars and galaxies made of anti-matter.
3. It will help understand the evolution of the universe.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
[A]1 Only
[B]2 & 3 only
[C]3 Only
[D]1,2 & 3

2 & 3 only
You may read about it here


53. Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence/ evidences for the ‘continued expansion of universe?
1. Detection of microwaves in space
2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space
3. Movement of asteroids in space
4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
[A]1 and 2
[B]2 Only
[C]1,3 & 4
[D]None

1 and 2
The fourth statement seems correct but is not. The supernova explosions have helped astronomers determine both the distance of the galaxy and the redshift of the galaxy. The astronomers could then compare distance to expansion, and create a kind of ‘expansion history’ of the Universe. This showed that the expansion of universe was “increasing” means “the Universe’s expansion is accelerating”.


54. Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?
[A]The Earth’s magnetic field diverts them towards its poles
[B]Ozone layer around the Earth reflects them back to outer space
[C]Moisture in the upper layers of atmosphere prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth
[D]None of the statements (a), (b) and (e) given above is correct

A is correct answer and is a reason of aurorae too.


55. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?
1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD.
2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD.
3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 and 2 Only
[B]3 and 4 Only
[C]1,3 & 4 Only
[D]1,2,3,4

1,3 & 4 Only
Lets analyze these statements:
1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD.
This is an correct statement. We have been told that in ancient India, it was Sushrut who is known to be the first surgeon. He not only used the S type and U type surgical instruments but also has documented plastic surgery. However, historians have not been able to assign a definite period to Sushruta. The era of Sushrut is most probably BC and definitely it was prior to 1st century AD.
2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD.
Sushruta mentioned the plastic surgery in which the flaps of nose skins were used to replace at other parts. We don’t have (most probably) the sources that write about internal transplant
3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
This is a correct statement and hints towards Aryabhatta’s Surya Siddhanta. Aryabhata has given the sine and versed sine tables familiar to the students of mathematics.
4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
Again this is a correct statement and hints towards Brahamgupta , who gave the formula for the area of the cyclic quadrilateral.
Correct answer of this question should be 1, 3 and 4 only.


56. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 only
[B]2 and 3 only
[C]1 and 3 only
[D]1,2 & 3

2 and 3 only


57. Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of Inclusive Governance?
1. Permitting the Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking
2. Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the districts
3. Increasing the government spending on public health
4. Strengthening the Mid-day Meal Scheme
Choose the correct answer:
[A]1 and 2 only
[B]3 and 4 only
[C]2,3 and 4 only
[D]1,2,3 & 4

2,3 and 4 only
Kindly pay attention to statement 2. You must be aware that in last few years, Government has strengthened the district as the unit of planning in almost all Centrally sponsored programmes. Government has also consciously structured the flagship programmes in a manner that strengthens decentralized management through local institutions. In the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Rural Health Mission, District level Plans are being prepared and funded. In the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, village panchayat level plans are prepared and aggregated at the District level as a District Plan and funds released to executing agencies which happen to be largely the panchayats. Similarly in the urban areas, under JNNURM, 63 cities have evolved medium term development plans for the cities and have been supported with Central Government funds. Each district planning committee has a crucial role in building a thoughtful vision for its district through a participative and inclusive process. This is a correct statement. Option 3 & 4 are also correct. Correct answer is 2,3 & 4 only.


58. The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:
[A]three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
[B]three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified
[C]three main styles of Indian temple architecture
[D]three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India

three main styles of Indian temple architecture
Most of you know even also about Gadag style which is known for ornate columns :)


59. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because:
[A]the Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces
[B]emergence of a left wing’ in the Congress made the working of the ministries impossible
[C]there were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces
[D] None of the statements (a), (b) and (e) given above is correct

None (D)
None of them was a reason. The actual reason was that congress, following its policy of non-cooperation in the war effort had called upon the ministries to
resign. For Jinnah , it was a recipe for organizing the DOD on 22.12.1939


60. Which of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India?
[A]To change the existing territory of a State and to change the name of a State
[B]To pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to make laws in the State List and to create one or more All India Services
[C]To amend the election procedure of the President and to determine the pension of the President after his/her retirement
[D]To determine the functions of the Election Commission and to determine the number of Election Commissioners

To pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to make laws in the State List and to create one or more All India Services
The second part of the given statement in option B is known to almost all of you. First part of this statement is also correct and is as per the article 249., which says 249 (1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, if the Council of States has declared by resolution supported by not less than two thirds of the members present and voting that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest that Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List specified in the resolution, it shall be lawful for Parliament to make laws for the whole or any part of the territory of India with respect to that matter while the resolution remains in force.


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52 Comments

  1. jace

    May 21, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    sir, 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.

  2. prash

    May 21, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    sir, 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..

  3. ravi

    May 21, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    for qn 6.in case of cnstinal amendmt bill both houses have equal authority

  4. Sai Akhilesh

    May 21, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Q.No. 64

    Single window policy is introduced prior to this policy. It is not anew initiative.

    http://india.gov.in/allimpfrms/alldocs/16395.pdf

  5. Avishek

    May 21, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    For 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.

  6. ravikvarma

    May 21, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    score ranging from 215 to 230…according to gktoday key..it is 217…is it in a comfortable margin?

  7. Avishek

    May 21, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    For 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 :)

  8. thiyam surjakumar singh

    May 21, 2012 at 11:51 pm

    im greatly delighted with your work sir
    thank you for your great work
    thanks………..

  9. Vikas

    May 21, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Thank you Sir..most accurate

  10. Kamal

    May 21, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Hi,
    Thanks a ton for the keys.!!

    The cutoff 168-170 you are expecting is the combined marks of paper 1 & 2 right?

  11. sukumaran

    May 22, 2012 at 12:00 am

    in q 13 bt brinjal gene from bacterium

  12. Tigin kalistus

    May 22, 2012 at 12:08 am

    Is 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.

  13. anwer

    May 22, 2012 at 12:58 am

    the cutoff is for 1st paper only and for both paper combined.please clarify

  14. Gayathri

    May 22, 2012 at 1:20 am

    Sir,

    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.

  15. Johnny Prince

    May 22, 2012 at 1:24 am

    Having 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.

  16. mynk.ngm

    May 22, 2012 at 1:42 am

    sirji this cut off is for GS1 and 2 combined right.. else im afraid only the paper setters and few others will make it..

  17. saurabh

    May 22, 2012 at 9:11 am

    In question 13, gene from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is used and not soil fungus. Option A seems to be incorrect.

  18. viswanadhas

    May 22, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Hi , is 170 an individual cutoff or combined ? If combined is there are min cut off on each paper. Plz advice. Thx

  19. killer

    May 22, 2012 at 10:08 am

    in gram sabha question they substituted ‘minor minerals ‘ with ‘any minerals’….itna specific …

  20. amit13226

    May 22, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Sir,
    As per ministry report,
    Coastal wetland area is smaller than inland.please confirm which data is to be followed.

  21. saurabh

    May 22, 2012 at 11:24 am

    In Q.57, NBFCs provide microfinance which promotes inclusive growth. Statement 1 seems to be correct too.

  22. saurabh

    May 22, 2012 at 11:54 am

    Q. 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.

  23. Amit kumar

    May 22, 2012 at 11:57 am

    qn:-95….I think DPSP also contain

    art 44:-uniform civil code for the citizens
    then what should be the answer of qn. 95.

  24. Avishek

    May 22, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    There 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

  25. hemant

    May 22, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    can u plz tell me, wht would be the cutt of list for ias pre and csat

  26. Jitendra Gupta

    May 22, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    Hi 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

  27. Adnan

    May 22, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    thank you very much sir. please make pdf available within a single link instead of 10

  28. Nanda

    May 22, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    Kudoos gktoday for answering all then questions with explanations . & waiting for the pdf to d/w ..

  29. dharmesh

    May 23, 2012 at 7:31 am

    how 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

  30. sundaravathanan

    May 23, 2012 at 10:54 am

    checking your key was like discussing question paper with a friend :) thanks a lot!!

  31. Sidharth

    May 23, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Will there be individual cur-off for each paper? If yes, what will be the cut-off for paper 1 and also for Paper 2

  32. neeraj

    May 24, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    sir 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

  33. Anurag

    May 24, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Will 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..

  34. nishant

    May 26, 2012 at 2:24 am

    Dear 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 …

  35. Mukesh kumar ray

    May 26, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    Sir, my series is (c) prelims 2012 plz send me solved question..

  36. viptip

    May 27, 2012 at 9:38 am

    BT seads are terminator

    http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article3427.html

  37. samm

    May 27, 2012 at 10:41 am

    hey 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

  38. shobhit777

    May 29, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Thanks 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….

  39. Hgiue_980

    May 30, 2012 at 9:57 am

    Question 57: Could you please clarify why permitting NBFC to do banking is not an Inclusive Governance? Thanks

  40. Hgiue_980

    May 30, 2012 at 10:01 am

    Question 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

  41. Hgiue_980

    May 30, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Question 95: Why Article 44 is not included in the answer? Thanks

  42. dileep

    May 31, 2012 at 1:05 am

    Sir,

    (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.

  43. sandy123

    June 7, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    A 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 ?

  44. vats

    June 16, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    Sir,
    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?

  45. kesari.meena00

    July 12, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    SIR

    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

  46. samm

    August 18, 2012 at 9:13 am

    how can we find our marks in this paper
    can we send rti for it…..

  47. DEBOJYOTI ROY

    January 6, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Sir,i would like to get prelis 2nd paper questions.Is there any seat conservation for s/c?

  48. aman

    January 26, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    why pdf download is not available?
    pls provide

  49. sushma Pandey

    March 20, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    sir, 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,

  50. rashi

    April 26, 2013 at 8:50 am

    sir 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

  51. sk

    August 13, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Its very helpful to go through specially for me where I can continue even in my work free time. Thanks a lot.

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