Solution of the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012 – GS Paper 1
61. How does the National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor?
1. By setting up a large number of new manufacturing industries and agri-business centres in rural areas
2. By strengthening ‘self-help groups’ and providing skill development
3. By supplying seeds, fertilizers, diesel pump-sets and micro-irrigation equipment free of cost to farmers
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 & 2
[B]2 Only
[C]1 & 3 Only
[D]1, 2 & 3
2 Only
The objective of the Mission is to reduce poverty among rural BPL by strengthening ‘self-help groups’ and providing skill development and promoting diversified and gainful self-employment and wage employment opportunities which would lead to an appreciable increase in income on sustainable basis. In the long run, it will ensure broad based inclusive growth and reduce disparities by spreading out the benefits from the islands of growth across the regions, sectors and communities.
62. The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative with UNDP support covers which of the following?
1. Deprivation of education, health, assets and services at household level
2. Purchasing power parity at national level
3. Extent of budget deficit and GDP growth rate at national level
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 Human Development Index measures the Standard of living, as indicated by the natural logarithm of gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity. The Multidimensional Poverty Index measures the standard of living on the basis of deprivation of Cooking fuel, Toilet, Water, Electricity, Floor, Assets. Correct Answer is 1 Only.
63. Which of the following is / are among the noticeable features of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission?
1. A design for the Goods and Services Tax, and a compensation package linked to adherence to the proposed design
2. A design for the creation of lakhs of jobs in the next ten years in consonance with India’s demographic dividend
3. Devolution of a specified share of central taxes to local bodies as grants
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 & 3 Only
The 13FC report has an elaborate design for the GST. Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Report basically discusses the improved implementation of the existing schemes. The third statement is correct. The report in its para 10.144 mentions: “Taking into account the demand of local bodies that they be allowed to benefit from the buoyancy of central taxes and the Constitutional design of supplementing the resources of panchayats and municipalities through grants-in-aid, we recommend that local bodies be transferred a percentage of the divisible pool of taxes (over and above the share of the states), as stipulated by us, after converting this share to grant-in-aid under Article 275.”
64. What is/are the recent policy initiative(s) of Government of India to promote the growth of manufacturing sector?
1. Setting up of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones
2. Providing the benefit of ‘single window clearance’
3. Establishing the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund
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, 2 & 3
All three are parts of National Manufacturing Policy . You may read about the policy here
65. Which of the following are the methods of Parliamentary control over public finance in India:
1. Placing Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament
2. Withdrawal of moneys from Consolidated Fund of India only after passing the Appropriation Bill
3. Provisions of supplementary grants and vote-an-account
4. A periodic or at least a mid-year review of programme of the Government against macroeconomic forecasts and expenditure by a Parliamentary Budget Office
5. Introducing Finance Bill in the Parliament
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
[A]1, 2, 3 & 5 Only
[B]1, 2 & 4 only
[C]3, 4 & 5 Only
[D]1, 2, 3 , 4 & 5 Only
1, 2, 3 & 5 Only
The statement 1, 2, 3 & 5 are as per various provisions in the constitution of India. Kindly pay attention to statement 4. The review of programme of the Government against macroeconomic forecasts and expenditure is NOT done by a Parliamentary Budget Office but is done by the central government (Finance Ministry) which is as per the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003. This act requires that review in trend of receipts and expenditure be undertaken in relation to the budget on a quarterly basis (and not periodic or at least mid-year as the statement says). The rules prescribe the form for the quarterly review of the trends of receipts and expenditures. The rules mandate the Central Government to take appropriate corrective action in case of revenue and fiscal deficits exceeding 45 per cent of the budget estimates, or total non-debt receipts falling short of 40 per cent of the budget estimates at the end of first half of the financial year.
66. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because:
[A]Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations
[B]Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion
[C]Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award
[D]None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award
On August 17, 1932, Ramsay MacDonald had announced his communal award, reserving seats for the “Depressed Classes” as well as Muslims and Sikhs. Gandhi , on the very next day had written to MacDonald – “I have to resist your decision with my life”. He declared fast unto death against the Communal Award. Thus option C is correct.
67. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the statements :
1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government.
2. The Government gave Pattas to the Ryats.
3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A]1 Only
[B]1 & 2 Only
[C]1, 2 & 3
[D]None
1, 2 & 3
In the Ryotwari Settlement, it was theoretically proposed that annual agreements would have to be made with the cultivators. If the cultivators would agree, they would get Pattas. As per the system, Government was the Supreme landlord and the peasants were Land Owners, who obtained the title / patta by paying annual cash rents ot revenue assessment directly to the Government. Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is also correct. Please note that a special state fee called Nazarana was charged for giving occupancy rights ot Pattas.
The third statement is also correct. In the Ryotwari System, the land revenue was assessed according to the fertility of land. The average assessment payable in cash was around Re. 1 per acre. However, practically, this was not done. If the system were efficient by making the surveys and assessment of the lands, the Ryotwari System would not have failed probably. The lands were taxes on guesswork and that is why peasants came under stress. This was the major reason of failure of Ryotwari System.
68. Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic development:
1. Low birth rate with low death rate
2. High birthrate with high death rate
3. High birthrate with low death rate
Select the correct order of the above stages using the codes given below :
[A]1 2 3
[B]2 1 3
[C]2 3 1
[D]3 2 1
2 3 1
This is a very easy question. Economic Development means improved living conditions. Improved living conditions means low birth rate and low death rate. For example, we can say that India has achieved impressive demographic transition owing to the decline of crude birth rate, crude death rate, total fertility rate and infant mortality rate. Now, to arrange the above three, you may look at the following chart: 
Accordingly the correct answer would be 2 3 1
69. In India, in the overall Index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core Industries have a combined weight of 37.90%. Which of the following are among those
Eight Core Industries?
1. Cement
2. Fertilizers
3. Natural gas
4. Refinery products
5. Textiles
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 & 5 Only
[B]2, 3 & 4 Only
[C]1, 2 3 & 4 Only
[D]1, 2, 3 4 & 5
1, 2, 3 & 4 Only
The Eight core industries have a combined weight of 37.90 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). They are as follows:
Coal
Crude Oil
Natural Gas
Petroleum Refinery Products
Fertilizers
Steel (Alloy + Non-Alloy)
Cement
Electricity
70. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education?
1. Directive Principles of State Policy
2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies
3. Fifth Schedule
4. Sixth Schedule
5. Seventh Schedule
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A]1 & 2 Only
[B]3, 4, & 5 Only
[C]1, 2 & 5 only
[D]1, 2, 3 ,4 & 5
1, 2 & 5 only
DPSP:
41. The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to
public
assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want.
45: The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all
children until they complete the age of fourteen years.
Rural & Urban Local Bodies: ]
Article 350A: It shall be the endeavour of every State and of every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-
tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups; and the President may issue such directions to any State as
he considers necessary or proper for securing the provision of such facilities.
Fifth Schedule: ___
Sixth Schedule: Additional powers of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council to make lawslaws.—(1)
Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 3, the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council within their
respective districts, shall have power to make laws with respect to—
(a) industries, subject to the provisions of entries 7 and 52 of List I of the Seventh Schedule; (b) communications, that is to say, roads, bridges, ferries and
other means of communication not specified in List I of the Seventh Schedule; municipal tramways, ropeways, inland waterways and traffic thereon subject
to the provisions of List I and List III of the Seventh Schedule with regard to such waterways; vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles; (c)
preservation, protection and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases; veterinary training and practice; cattle pounds; (d) primary and
secondary education;
Seventh Schedule:
State List : 25. Education, including technical education, medical education and universities, subject to the provisions of entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I;
vocational and technical training of labour.’
In our view, the correct answer should be 1, 2, 4 & 5. However, we have ot been given this option. So correct option may be 1, 2 & 5 (Option C) provided
UPSC accepts it as a correct answer.
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.