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UPSC Prelims 2012

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2012 · Q26Current AffairsIndian Government Schemes & Initiativesmoderate

With reference to National Rural Health Mission, which of the following are the jobs of 'ASHA', a trained community health worker? 1. Accompanying women to the health facility for antenatal care checkup 2. Using pregnancy test kits for early detection of pregnancy 3. Providing information on nutrition and immunization 4. Conducting the delivery of baby Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 and 4 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

2012 · Q27Modern HistoryConstitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)moderate

Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces 2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims 3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2012 · Q28Modern HistorySocial & Religious Reform Movementsdifficult

During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?

  1. (a)Different social reform groups or organizations of Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare appropriate petitions/representations to the government
  2. (b)Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose
  3. (c)Behramji Malabari and M. G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization
  4. (d)None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
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Official answer(b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose

2012 · Q30Indian PolityParliament & State Legislaturesmoderate

Which of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India?

  1. (a)To change the existing territory of a State and to change the name of a State
  2. (b)To pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to make laws in the State List and to create one or more All India Services
  3. (c)To amend the election procedure of the President and to determine the pension of the President after his/her retirement
  4. (d)To determine the functions of the Election Commission and to determine the number of Election Commissioners
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Official answer(b) To pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to make laws in the State List and to create one or more All India Services

2012 · Q31Indian EconomyHuman Development, Poverty & Employment Schemesmoderate

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 agribusiness 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 :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2012 · Q32Indian EconomyHuman Development, Poverty & Employment Schemesmoderate

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 :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2012 · Q33Indian EconomyFiscal Policy & Budgetdifficult

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 :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2012 · Q34Indian EconomyInfrastructure & Industrymoderate

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 :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2012 · Q35Indian PolityParliament & State Legislaturesmoderate

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-on-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 :

  1. (a)1, 2, 3 and 5 only
  2. (b)1, 2 and 4 only
  3. (c)3, 4 and 5 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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Official answer(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

2012 · Q39Indian EconomyInfrastructure & Industryeasy

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 :

  1. (a)1 and 5 only
  2. (b)2, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)1, 2, 3 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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Official answer(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

2012 · Q41Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

Government of India encourages the cultivation of 'sea buckthorn'. What is the importance of this plant? 1. It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. 2. It is a rich source of biodiesel. 3. It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes. 4. Its timber is of great commercial value. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2012 · Q43GeographyBiogeography & Natural Vegetationmoderate

A particular State in India has the following characteristics : 1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan. 2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover. 3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State. Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?

  1. (a)Arunachal Pradesh
  2. (b)Assam
  3. (c)Himachal Pradesh
  4. (d)Uttarakhand
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Official answer(a) Arunachal Pradesh

2012 · Q46Environment & EcologyWater & Wetland Conservationmoderate

With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements : 1. The country's total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States. 2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2012 · Q50Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? 1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected. 2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected. 3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected. 4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(a) 1, 2 and 3 only