UKPSC Prelims 2016 General Studies Paper I with Answers & Explanations

Explanation

James Andrew Broun-Ramsay, commonly known as Lord Dalhousie, served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. During his tenure, he introduced the controversial Doctrine of Lapse and oversaw the introduction of passenger railways, the electric telegraph, and uniform postage in India.

Explanation

Lord Canning was the Governor General of India during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He assumed office in 1856 and subsequently became the first Viceroy of India after the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown in 1858.

Explanation

The Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (previously Hindustan Republican Association) was founded in September 1928 at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi by Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and others.

Explanation

Surya Sen was a prominent revolutionary leader based in Bengal who is famous for leading the Chittagong armoury raid in 1930, whereas Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajendra Lahiri, and Ashfaq Ullah Khan were key members of the Hindustan Republican Association actively involved in the Kakori train robbery of 1925.

Explanation

The ancient races of Uttarakhand include the Kol, Kirat, Khas, Sakas, Nag, Yaksha, and Kinnar. The Khasi tribe is an indigenous ethnic group of Meghalaya in Northeast India and is not an ancient race of Uttarakhand.

Explanation

The Battle of Khurbura was fought on May 14, 1804, between the Gorkha forces and the Garhwal King Pradyumna Shah, who was defeated and killed in the battle. This victory established Gorkha rule over the Garhwal region.

Explanation

Badridutt Pande demanded a separate administrative division for the hill region of Kumaon and Garhwal at the Haldwani conference of the Indian National Congress in 1946. This demand was one of the early stepping stones towards the movement for a separate state of Uttarakhand.

Explanation

The Treaty of Sugauli (Sigauli), which ended the Anglo-Nepalese War, was signed on December 2, 1815, and later ratified in March 1816. Therefore, 1815 A.D. is the correct year of the treaty's establishment.

Explanation

The Chipko Movement in Raini village of Chamoli district in 1974 was led by Gaura Devi, who mobilized village women to protect the trees from being felled by hugging them. While Sunder Lal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt were prominent leaders of the overall Chipko Movement, the specific grassroots action in Raini village was headed by Gaura Devi.

Explanation

Kanak Pal is the founder of the Panwar (or Parmar) dynasty of Garhwal, establishing his rule in the region around 888 AD with Chandpur Garhi as his capital.

Explanation

The Andes mountain range is a young fold mountain system formed during the relatively recent Cenozoic era. In contrast, the Ural, Aravalli, and Appalachian mountains are ancient geological formations classified as old fold mountains.

Explanation

A volcanic cone is a basic or initial landform because it is created directly by endogenetic geological forces, specifically volcanic eruptions. In contrast, residual mountains, monadnocks, and erosional waterfalls are sequential landforms formed by the subsequent action of exogenetic erosional processes over time.

Explanation

Waves are the most dominant and continuous force of coastal erosion, constantly breaking against the shoreline and wearing away rocks and sediments through hydraulic action and abrasion. While tides, currents, and tsunamis also contribute to coastal erosion, their cumulative effect is much smaller than that of regular wave action.

Explanation

The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, starting at the Earth's surface and extending up to an average altitude of about 11 to 12 km. It contains approximately 75% of the atmosphere's mass and is where almost all weather phenomena occur.

Explanation

The actual equatorial circumference of the Earth is approximately 40,075 kilometers. Among the given options, 40,000 kilometers is the closest and most accurate approximation.

Explanation

The Canary Current is a wind-driven surface current that is part of the North Atlantic Gyre, making it associated with the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Pacific Ocean. The Kuroshio, California, and Humboldt currents are all located in the Pacific Ocean.

Explanation

The South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) was signed on April 11, 1993, during the Seventh SAARC Summit held in Dhaka, and it entered into force in December 1995. Therefore, the year it was constituted is 1993.

Explanation

A tropical year, a lunar month, and a day are all natural units of time based on astronomical cycles of the Earth and the Moon. Standard time is a man-made convention established for geographical regions to synchronize clocks, making it a artificial or civil unit of time rather than a natural one.

Explanation

Clouds are formed when water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes from a gaseous state to liquid water droplets or ice crystals, a process known as condensation. While evaporation and temperature lapse rates play a role in lifting and cooling the air, the direct physical process that creates clouds is condensation.

Explanation

Devariya Tal is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, not in the Tehri district. All the other lakes are correctly matched with their respective districts.

Explanation

Khatling glacier is located in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand and serves as the source of the Bhilangna River.

Explanation

Eastern Dhauliganga is a major tributary of the Kali River, which it joins at Tawaghat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. In contrast, the Western Dhauliganga is a tributary of the Alaknanda River, joining it at Vishnuprayag.

Explanation

Rajaji National Park was officially declared as India's 48th tiger reserve and brought under the Project Tiger Scheme in April 2015, making it the second tiger reserve in the state of Uttarakhand after Corbett National Park.

Explanation

The Kaliasuram (or Kaliasaur) landslide zone is a notorious and highly active landslide area located on National Highway 58 between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand.

Explanation

The correct geographical sequence of these sanctuaries from west to east in Uttarakhand is Kedarnath (Rudraprayag/Chamoli), Nanda Devi (Chamoli), Binsar (Almora), and Askot (Pithoragarh, near the eastern border with Nepal).

Explanation

Bist Doab is located between the Beas and Sutlej rivers, while Bari Doab lies between the Ravi and Beas rivers. Rachan Doab is situated between the Ravi and Chenab rivers, and Chaj Doab lies between the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. This matches the sequence iii, ii, i, iv, which corresponds to option a.

Explanation

The Western Ghats is recognized as one of the major biodiversity hotspots in India, characterized by high levels of species richness and endemism. The other regions listed, such as the Aravalli hills, Eastern Ghats, and Indo-Gangetic plain, do not have this official designation.

Explanation

According to Koeppen's climate classification of India, North-East India including North Bengal falls under the Humid sub-tropical climate with dry winter (Cwg) zone. This region experiences dry winters and hot summers with most of the rainfall occurring during the monsoon season.

Explanation

The Cauvery river originates in the Brahmagiri hills, the Jhelum river originates from the Verinag Spring, the Krishna river originates near Mahabaleshwar, and the Subarnarekha river originates in the Chota Nagpur Plateau. This perfectly matches the sequence i, ii, iii, iv, which corresponds to option B.

Explanation

The Godavari is the longest river in Peninsular India, with a total length of about 1,465 kilometers. It is often referred to as the Dakshin Ganga due to its size and significance.

Explanation

Punjab has the highest percentage of net irrigated area to net sown area in India, which stands at approximately 99 percent. It is followed by Haryana, which has about 91 percent of its area irrigated.

Explanation

The Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) is a series of multipurpose geostationary satellites launched by ISRO for telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations. In contrast, Rohini is an experimental satellite series, while IRS and CARTOSAT are earth observation and remote sensing satellites.

Explanation

Dakshin Gangotri was the first Indian scientific research base station established in Antarctica in 1983-84. It was later abandoned in 1990 after it became submerged in ice, being succeeded by the Maitri station.

Explanation

The sea coast of Tamil Nadu is known as the Coromandel Coast (spelled as Coromandal in the options), which extends along the eastern coast of the Indian subcontinent from the mouth of the Krishna River to Point Calimere. In contrast, the Malabar coast lies on the western side (Kerala), the Konkan coast is along Maharashtra and Goa, and the Northern Circars coast lies along Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Explanation

The Bhakra-Nangal project is a joint venture of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, which are the primary beneficiary states receiving water and power from this multi-purpose project.

Explanation

Article 164 of the Constitution of India provides that the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Explanation

Uttarakhand is represented by 5 members in the Lok Sabha, representing the five parliamentary constituencies of the state: Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, and Haridwar. Thus, option B is the correct answer.

Explanation

In 2016, the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly consisted of 71 members, out of which 70 were directly elected and 1 member from the Anglo-Indian community was nominated by the Governor under Article 333 of the Constitution of India. This nomination provision was later abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act in 2020.

Explanation

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, which trains civil servants of the Indian Administrative Service, is located in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. It was established there in 1959.

Explanation

The first Chairman of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) was Shri N.P. Navani, who assumed office on May 15, 2001. Option A is the intended correct answer despite the minor typographical error in the initials.

Explanation

Margaret Alva served as the Governor of Uttarakhand from August 2009 to May 2012, making her the first woman to hold this office in the state. The other individuals listed served as governors of different Indian states.

Explanation

All the mentioned institutions, including the Inter-State Councils, National Development Council, Finance Commission, Regional Councils, Unitary Judicial System, and All India Services, play a crucial role in fostering cooperation, resolving conflicts, and maintaining administrative and financial integration between the Centre and the States, thereby promoting unity in diversity within the Indian federal structure.

Explanation

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution provided special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This article, which was transitionally incorporated into the Constitution, restricted the Indian Parliament's legislative powers over the state until its provisions were rendered inoperative in August 2019.

Explanation

Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India empower the State to make special provisions and reservation in educational institutions and public employment for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens (OBCs). These articles serve as the constitutional basis for OBC reservations.

Explanation

Article 21 of the Constitution of India provides for the protection of life and personal liberty, stating that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This fundamental right is guaranteed to every person, citizen or alien alike.

Explanation

The separate National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established under Article 338-A of the Constitution of India, which was inserted by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003. Article 338 covers the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, whereas Article 338-A specifically governs the separate Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

Explanation

The demand for democratization of the United Nations is primarily focused on the Security Council, as critics argue that its current structure, particularly the veto power of the five permanent members, is outdated and does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the modern world. Reforms aim to expand its membership to make it more representative and democratic.

Explanation

The second SAARC Summit, which was the first to be hosted by India, was held in Bengaluru on November 16-17, 1986. The first SAARC summit was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1985.

Explanation

The 1997 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 3) was held in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997. This historic conference led to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Explanation

India's nuclear doctrine, formally adopted in 2003, is built on the pillars of "No First Use" and maintaining a "Credible Minimum Deterrence". Additionally, India has maintained a voluntary, unilateral moratorium on further nuclear explosive testing since the 1998 tests, making all the given options correct.

Explanation

Jim O'Neill, a British economist and former chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, coined the acronym 'BRIC' in 2001 to describe the fast-growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, which later became 'BRICS' with the inclusion of South Africa.

Explanation

The first phase of economic liberalization in India was initiated in 1985 under the regime of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, which focused on relaxing industrial licensing, encouraging import of technology, and reforming the tax system. Although the major, comprehensive LPG reforms were launched in 1991 under P.V. Narasimha Rao, the foundational first phase began in the mid-1980s.

Explanation

In September 2016, the Election Commission of India recognized the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) as a national party. This status was granted because the TMC met the required criteria by being recognized as a state party in at least four states: West Bengal, Tripura, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Explanation

Rajni Kothari, a renowned political scientist, described the Indian party system during the early decades of independence as a "one-party dominant system" (often referred to as the Congress system). He analyzed how the Congress party maintained dominance while accommodating various factions and interests within itself.

Explanation

The Election Commission of India is the constitutional authority responsible for registering and recognizing political parties as national or state-level parties based on their electoral performance under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

Explanation

The Ashok Mehta Committee, which submitted its report in 1978, recommended the creation of Nyaya Panchayats as separate bodies from development panchayats to be presided over by a qualified judge. This was aimed at keeping judicial functions distinct from developmental activities at the grassroots level.

Explanation

The system of Panchayat Raj, which comes under local government, is a subject mentioned in Entry 5 of the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. This gives the state legislatures the power to legislate on matters relating to local self-government.

Explanation

The maintenance of public order is a state subject under the Constitution of India, handled directly by the state government and the police department, whereas public health, sanitation, and public utility services are functions devolved to Local Self Governments.

Explanation

Article 243D of the Constitution of India provides for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in every Panchayat. Article 243A deals with Gram Sabha, 243B with the constitution of Panchayats, and 243C with the composition of Panchayats.

Explanation

The concept of Right to Service originated in Great Britain in 1991 under the Citizen's Charter initiative introduced by Prime Minister John Major. This initiative aimed at ensuring systematic delivery of public services to citizens within a specified time limit.

Explanation

In the Uttarakhand State Budget for the year 2016-17, the highest allocation among the given sectors was made to School Education, which received over 6,000 crore rupees. This allocation was significantly larger than those for agricultural development, industrial development, and roads construction.

Explanation

The Tehri Project, with an ultimate capacity of 2400 MW (including the 1000 MW Tehri Dam, 1000 MW Pumped Storage Plant, and 400 MW Koteshwar Dam) on the Bhagirathi River, is the largest hydroelectric project in the state of Uttarakhand. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Explanation

The Harela festival of Uttarakhand is celebrated to mark the beginning of the monsoon season and is highly associated with nature, agriculture, and prosperity. On this day, people plant saplings, making it directly related to plantation and environmental conservation.

Explanation

Jolly Grant Airport, also known as Dehradun Airport, is the primary and busiest airport in Uttarakhand, handling the vast majority of commercial flights and passenger traffic in the state. Other airports like Pantnagar, Gauchar, and Bharkot have much more limited or irregular operations.

Explanation

According to official statistics of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board for the year 2015, Badrinath received the highest number of pilgrims among the Char Dham shrines, with over 3.6 lakh visitors, compared to around 1.54 lakh for Kedarnath.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census, Rudraprayag is the least populated district in Uttarakhand with a population of 242,285, followed by Champawat with a population of 259,648. Therefore, Rudraprayag has the lowest population among all the districts of the state.

Explanation

During the fiscal year 2015-16, China was India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade between the two nations exceeding 70 billion USD. This trend continued into 2016-17, making China the correct answer for the exam year 2016.

Explanation

The National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was introduced in India during the Rabi season of 1999-2000 to protect farmers against crop failures caused by natural calamities, pests, and diseases. It replaced the earlier Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS) to provide wider coverage and better risk mitigation.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census, Haryana has the lowest sex ratio among all Indian states, with 879 females per 1,000 males. In comparison, Punjab has a sex ratio of 895, Rajasthan has 928, and Odisha has 979.

Explanation

Non-monetised consumption, especially in rural and subsistence sectors where goods and services are exchanged without the use of money or consumed directly by producers, poses a major challenge in accurately estimating National Income in India. Other options like inflation and under-employment are macroeconomic issues rather than direct measurement hurdles.

Explanation

NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) is the apex development bank in India established to provide refinance for agriculture and rural development. It is the main institution responsible for policy, planning, and operations in the field of credit for agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas.

Explanation

The 14th Finance Commission recommended an increase in the share of states in the net proceeds of shareable Central taxes from 32 percent to 42 percent. This recommendation was accepted by the Union Government to enhance fiscal federalism and give states greater flexibility in spending.

Explanation

The services sector, which includes banking, insurance, outsourcing, R | D, technology, and other non-financial business services, historically and consistently attracts the highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows in India. According to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), it leads cumulative FDI inflows, followed by sectors like computer software/hardware and telecommunications.

Explanation

Urjit Patel assumed office as the 24th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on September 4, 2016, succeeding Raghuram Rajan. Therefore, for the exam year 2016, Urjit Patel is the correct answer.

Explanation

The Human Development Index is a composite index that measures average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), knowledge (measured by educational attainment), and a decent standard of living (measured by per capita income).

Explanation

According to the Agriculture Census of India, marginal land holdings are defined as operational agricultural land holdings of size less than 1 hectare (2.47 acres). Holdings between 1 and 2 hectares are classified as small holdings, while those above are categorized as semi-medium, medium, and large.

Explanation

The BRIC grouping was officially renamed BRICS after South Africa was formally invited to join the group in December 2010. South Africa then participated as a full member in the third summit held in Sanya, China, in April 2011.

Explanation

According to the World Trade Organization (WTO) International Trade Statistics 2015, India was the 8th largest exporter of commercial services in the world in 2014, with exports valued at approximately USD 154 billion (representing a 3.2% share of the global market).

Explanation

The primary objective of OPEC is to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries, which is achieved by regulating petroleum production levels to stabilize and influence global oil prices. Thus, both the production of petroleum and control over its prices are central to OPEC's emphasis.

Explanation

Globalization refers to the integration of the domestic economy with the global economy through trade liberalization, reduction of tariffs, and the free flow of capital and services. Disinvestment of public sector equity is a policy associated with privatization rather than globalization. Therefore, disinvestment does not fall under the scope of globalization.

Explanation

The World Bank, specifically the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), currently has 189 member countries, with Nauru joining as the 189th member in April 2016.

Explanation

The World Economic Forum publishes the Global Competitiveness Index report annually. This index assesses the competitiveness landscape of various economies, providing insights into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity.

Explanation

The Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute (IGMRI) is located in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. It is a premier institute under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution that provides training on post-harvest management and scientific storage of food grains to national and international participants, including those from SAARC countries.

Explanation

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act was enacted in the year 2002 but it actually came into force on July 1, 2005. Therefore, the year it came into force in India is 2005.

Explanation

TRIMs stands for Trade Related Investment Measures, which is an agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO) that rules on investment measures that can have restrictive and distorting effects on trade.

Explanation

A gene is molecularly defined as a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or RNA molecule. Histones are structural proteins around which DNA winds, but they are not part of the gene itself.

Explanation

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by the body producing abnormal or inadequate amounts of hemoglobin, which is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Therefore, it primarily affects the blood.

Explanation

The term nanotechnology was first coined and defined by Norio Taniguchi in 1974 to describe semiconductor processes and other research at the nanometer scale. Richard Feynman conceptualized the field in 1959 but did not use the actual term.

Explanation

The training centre of the Uttarakhand Livestock Development Board is located at Pashulok in Rishikesh, which is in the Dehradun district. Therefore, Rishikesh is the correct and most specific option.

Explanation

The primary greenhouse gases responsible for the greenhouse effect in Earth's atmosphere are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Option C correctly identifies this most important set of greenhouse gases, whereas the other options contain gases like chlorine, sulphur dioxide, or carbon monoxide which are not primary greenhouse gases.

Explanation

Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries are rechargeable batteries that are widely used in a variety of portable devices, including calculators, cordless electronic appliances (such as cordless phones and power tools), and transistor radios. Therefore, all of the given options are correct applications of Ni-Cd batteries.

Explanation

Energy generation in stars is powered by nuclear fusion, where hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium under extremely high temperature and pressure, rather than nuclear fission. The other options describe processes that are directly associated with nuclear fission.

Explanation

Both cellulose and starch are polymeric polysaccharides made up of glucose units. Specifically, they are composed of D-glucose, which is dextrorotatory and represented as (+)-glucose.

Explanation

Sound waves are mechanical waves because they require a material medium, such as air, water, or solids, to propagate. Radio waves, X-rays, and light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum.

Explanation

With the rise of temperature, the kinetic energy of the molecules in a liquid increases, which overcomes the intermolecular cohesive forces. This weakening of cohesive forces results in a decrease in the viscosity of the liquid.

Explanation

One nanometer is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one-billionth of a meter, which is mathematically represented as 10⁻⁹ meters. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Explanation

A geostationary satellite orbits the Earth at the same rate that the Earth rotates on its axis. Therefore, its time period of revolution is equal to one sidereal day, which is approximately 24 hours.

Explanation

Teflon is the brand name of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene used in non-stick coatings and various industrial applications.

Explanation

Brass is an alloy composed of copper and zinc, while bronze is an alloy composed of copper and tin. Both are well-known alloys that contain copper as their primary component.

Explanation

Electric conduction in semiconductors occurs due to the movement of both free electrons in the conduction band and holes in the valence band. When an electric field is applied, both of these charge carriers contribute to the total current flow.

Explanation

The Red Data Book, which documents rare and endangered species of plants, animals, and fungi, is published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This global authority assesses the conservation status of species on a regular basis.

Explanation

In Uttarakhand, Oak (specifically Banj oak) and Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum) are the dominant and characteristic species of the montane temperate forests, typically found at altitudes between 1500 and 3000 meters. Sub-alpine forests, which occur at higher altitudes, are dominated by birch and fir.

Explanation

In-situ conservation refers to the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats, and the maintenance of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings. Since National Parks are protected natural habitats where species are conserved in their wild state, they are prime examples of in-situ conservation.

Explanation

Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park in Uttarakhand, is the oldest and first national park in India. This makes option B the correct choice.

Explanation

Wheat and Mustard is a classic example of parallel cropping because they have different growth habits and nutrient requirements, resulting in zero competition between the two crops. This allows them to utilize resources efficiently and express their full yield potential when grown together.

Explanation

UNIX is a multi-user, multitasking operating system originally developed in the late 1960s at Bell Labs. The other options represent a programming language (Java), a database management system (Oracle), and an application suite (MS-Office).

Explanation

Cache memory is a high-speed, small-capacity memory positioned between the CPU and the main memory to facilitate faster data access and processing. It stores frequently used instructions and data so the CPU can access them quickly.

Explanation

Television transmission is a unidirectional communication system where the signal flows in only one direction from the transmitter to the receiver. Since the receiver cannot send any data back to the transmitter, it is a classic example of simplex communication.

Explanation

The TCP/IP suite, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, is the fundamental set of communication protocols used to connect network devices and govern data transmission across the internet. Other options like CSMA/CD and FDDI are specific technologies used in local area networks rather than the internet-wide standard.

Explanation

The standard service models of cloud computing are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Hardware as a Service (HaaS) is not recognized as one of these standard, independent cloud computing service layers.

Explanation

The princely state of Tehri Garhwal was merged into the Union of India on 1st August, 1949, and became a district of the then United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).

Explanation

In the Mahabharata, the Kuninda kings of the ancient Himalayan region are referred to as Dwij Srestha, which means the best of the twice-born. This term highlighted their high social, spiritual, and ruling status during that period.

Explanation

The historical name of Uttarkashi is Barahat, which literally means a large marketplace. It has also been referred to as Saumya Kashi in ancient scriptures like the Kedarkhand.

Explanation

Kingri-Wingri, Niti, and Mana are important mountain passes located in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India, connecting India with Tibet. Therefore, the correct option is passes.

Explanation

Chirag Sen is an Indian badminton player, who represents the country in international tournaments and is the elder brother of fellow badminton player Lakshya Sen.

Explanation

The Mauna-fair, traditionally known as Maun Mela, is an ancient fishing festival celebrated in the Aglar River valley. This cultural fair brings together communities from the regions of Palipachau, Jaunsar, and Rawai in Uttarakhand.

Explanation

The Tehri Rajya Praja Mandal was founded on January 23, 1939, in Dehradun by Sri Dev Suman along with other nationalists to protest against the monarchy of the Tehri princely state. Sri Dev Suman was the key leader and convener of this organization.

Explanation

The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is being established in the Bodi West Hills of the Theni district in Tamil Nadu. This project is a collaborative effort to study atmospheric neutrinos.

Explanation

Deepa Malik won the silver medal in the women's shot put F53 event at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal.

Explanation

The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft was a joint mission by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency sent to study the planet Saturn, its rings, and its natural satellites. Launched in 1997, it entered Saturn's orbit in 2004 and active research continued until its planned destruction in Saturn's atmosphere in 2017.

Explanation

The Collegium System was established by the Supreme Court of India in 1993 through its majority judgment in the Second Judges Case (Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India). This ruling gave primacy to the opinion of the Chief Justice of India in judicial appointments and transfers, effectively creating the collegium system.

Explanation

China has the world's longest high-speed railway (bullet train) network, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the world's total high-speed rail tracks. This extensive network connects major metropolitan areas and has been rapidly expanding since its inception in the late 2000s.

Explanation

Abraham Verghese, a prominent Indian-American physician and author, was awarded the 2015 National Humanities Medal by U.S. President Barack Obama in September 2016. He was honored for his efforts in cultivating empathy in medicine and his contributions as a writer.

Explanation

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the first paramilitary force in India to raise an all-women battalion, with the 88th Mahila Battalion being commissioned in 1986. This was also a historic first for any paramilitary force globally.

Explanation

The Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI) is a collaborative transboundary program launched by China, India, and Nepal. Facilitated by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), it aims to promote conservation and sustainable development in the region surrounding Mount Kailash.

Explanation

ICICI Bank became the first bank in India to deploy Software Robotics in 2016, automating over 200 business processes across various functions to reduce response time and increase efficiency.

Explanation

Masala Bonds are rupee-denominated bonds issued by Indian entities in overseas markets, allowing them to raise funds in Indian Rupees rather than local foreign currency. This shifts the currency risk from the Indian issuer to the foreign investor.

Explanation

Captain Radhika Menon, the first female captain of the Indian Merchant Navy, became the first woman in the world to receive the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea in 2016 for rescuing seven fishermen from a sinking fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the Chief Guest at India's 68th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2017.

Explanation

Bathukamma is a colourful floral festival celebrated predominantly by Hindu women in the state of Telangana. It is observed during the Navarathri period and symbolizes the cultural identity of the state.

Explanation

The book "Ace Against Odds" is the 2016 autobiography of the Indian professional tennis player Sania Mirza, co-authored by Shivani Gupta and Imran Mirza. It chronicles her journey to becoming one of India's most successful tennis players and her rise to the top of the doubles rankings.

Explanation

Odia (Odiya) was officially declared as India's sixth classical language by the Union Cabinet in February 2014. It met the criteria of having a rich literary heritage and a documented history stretching back over 1,500 years.

Explanation

At the time this question was asked in 2016, India was officially scheduled to chair the G-20 forum in the year 2018. Although the hosting schedule was subsequently revised, 2018 remains the correct answer as per the active plans during the period of the examination.

Explanation

Jim O'Neill is a prominent British economist who coined the acronym BRIC (which later became BRICS) in 2001 while working for Goldman Sachs, in a paper analyzing the growth prospects of the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

Explanation

Dr. C.V. Raman is the Indian scientist who received both the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 and the Bharat Ratna in 1954.

Explanation

Indra was the most prominent deity in the Rigvedic period and was revered as the god of war, strength, and thunder. He is frequently referred to as Purandara, which means the destroyer of forts, highlighting his role as a warrior god who led the Aryans to victory.

Explanation

Mahapadma Nanda was the founder of the Nanda dynasty of Magadha, establishing his rule in the 4th century BCE after overthrowing the Shishunaga dynasty. He is described in Puranic texts as the destroyer of all Kshatriyas and a powerful emperor who expanded the Magadha empire significantly.

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The Greek historian Justin and other classical Greek writers referred to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire, as Sandrocottos (or Sandrokottos). This identification was first established by the scholar Sir William Jones, which helped in aligning Indian chronology with Greek history.

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Taxila was an ancient center of learning that flourished from around the 6th century BCE until its destruction in the 5th century CE, which predates the early medieval period. In contrast, Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Uddantapur were active and prominent centers of learning during the early medieval era.

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The founder of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy is Aksapada Gautama, also known simply as Gautama or Gotama. He is credited with authoring the Nyaya Sutras, the foundational text of this philosophical system.

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The Alai Darwaza, built by Alauddin Khalji in 1311 AD as the southern gateway to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, is the first monument in India to employ a true horse-shoe arch in its architecture.

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Hazrat Nizam-ud-din Auliya, a prominent Sufi saint of the Chishti Order in India, was popularly known as Mahboob-i-Ilahi, which means the Beloved of God.

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Alauddin Khilji was the first Delhi Sultan to fix the land revenue (Kharaj) at fifty percent of the produce. This measure was part of his agrarian reforms aimed at increasing state treasury revenues to maintain a large standing army.

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The Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri, constructed under the patronage of Mughal Emperor Akbar, is historically known as 'Shan-i-Fatehpur' or the 'Glory of Fatehpur'.

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Tabaqat-i-Akbari is a detailed historical text on the Mughal Empire and the reign of Emperor Akbar, authored by Khwaja Nizam-ud-din Ahmad. He served as the Mir Bakshi in Akbar's administration, making his account highly reliable and significant.

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Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, created the Khalsa panth in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, transforming the Sikhs into a community of warrior-saints. This initiation marked a significant turning point in the history of Sikhism by establishing a distinct identity and code of conduct for Sikhs.

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Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy in India, initiated the Blue Water policy, which aimed to establish Portuguese supremacy over the Indian Ocean by focusing on powerful naval dominance rather than building a land-based empire.

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The Battle of Wandiwash was a decisive battle fought in 1760 between the French and the British in India, where the French forces commanded by Comte de Lally were defeated by the British army led by Sir Eyre Coote. This defeat severely weakened the French presence in India and established British supremacy.

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The Charter Act of 1813 abolished the East India Company's monopoly over trade in India, opening up trade to all British merchants, although the company retained its monopoly over tea trade and trade with China.

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Sir Arthur Cotton is widely regarded as the pioneer of irrigation works in South India for his engineering masterpieces, including the construction of the Dowleswaram Barrage on the Godavari River and the Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna River, which revolutionized agriculture in the region.