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UPSC Prelims 2012

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2012 · Q77Indian EconomyMonetary Policy & Money Supplymoderate

Which of the following measures would result in an increase in the money supply in the economy? 1. Purchase of government securities from the public by the Central Bank 2. Deposit of currency in commercial banks by the public 3. Borrowing by the government from the Central Bank 4. Sale of government securities to the public by the Central Bank Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

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

2012 · Q79Indian EconomyExternal Sector & Balance Of Paymentsmoderate

Consider the following statements : The price of any currency in international market is decided by the 1. World Bank 2. demand for goods/services provided by the country concerned 3. stability of the government of the concerned country 4. economic potential of the country in question Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

2012 · Q80Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectoreasy

The basic aim of Lead Bank Scheme is that

  1. (a)big banks should try to open offices in each district
  2. (b)there should be stiff competition among the various nationalized banks
  3. (c)individual banks should adopt particular districts for intensive development
  4. (d)all the banks should make intensive efforts to mobilize deposits
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Official answer(c) individual banks should adopt particular districts for intensive development

2012 · Q82Ancient HistoryTrade & Economymoderate

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. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

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

2012 · Q84Indian EconomyInfrastructure & Industrymoderate

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?

  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(b) 2 and 3 only

2012 · Q85GeographyAstronomy & Earth–Sun Systemeasy

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

  1. (a)direction facing the polestar
  2. (b)direction opposite to the polestar
  3. (c)direction keeping the polestar to his left
  4. (d)direction keeping the polestar to his right
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Official answer(c) direction keeping the polestar to his left

2012 · Q86Science & TechnologyMaterials & Engineeringmoderate

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?

  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 · Q92Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

  1. (a)Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
  2. (b)Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
  3. (c)Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
  4. (d)Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
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Official answer(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass

2012 · Q93Science & TechnologyPhysicsmoderate

Consider the following statements : If there were no phenomenon of capillarity 1. it would be difficult to use a kerosene lamp 2. one would not be able to use a straw to consume a soft drink 3. the blotting paper would fail to function 4. the big trees that we see around would not have grown on the Earth Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

2012 · Q95Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?

  1. (a)Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains
  2. (b)Oryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk
  3. (c)Oryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in north-east India only
  4. (d)None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
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Official answer(a) Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains

2012 · Q100Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationeasy

Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to

  1. (a)the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
  2. (b)a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
  3. (c)scarcity of food available to them
  4. (d)a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
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Official answer(b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle