Q1. With reference to the Lipulekh Pass, consider the following statements:
- It is located at the tri-junction of India, Nepal, and China.
- It connects India directly to Xinjiang province of China.
- It is an important route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — Lipulekh lies near the India–Nepal–China tri-junction, making it geopolitically sensitive in Himalayan border dynamics.
- Statement 2: Incorrect — The pass provides access to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, not Xinjiang (a common UPSC trap mixing western and eastern Chinese regions).
- Statement 3: Correct — It is one of the official routes for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, linking Uttarakhand with Tibet.
Q2. Which of the following states has passed a resolution supporting a separate Sarna religion code?
A. Odisha
B. Bihar
C. Jharkhand
D. Chhattisgarh
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Jharkhand Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in 2020 demanding a separate Sarna religion code.
- This reflects assertion of tribal identity and demand for accurate census classification under “religion” instead of being grouped under “Others”.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding childhood diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes in children is primarily caused by insulin resistance due to lifestyle factors.
- It requires lifelong insulin therapy for survival.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Incorrect — Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body destroys insulin-producing beta cells; lifestyle factors are linked to Type 2 diabetes.
- Statement 2: Correct — Since the body cannot produce insulin, lifelong external insulin administration is essential for survival.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR):
- It uses microwave signals to capture images.
- It is affected by cloud cover and atmospheric conditions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — SAR actively emits microwave signals and measures their return, enabling imaging independent of sunlight.
- Statement 2: Incorrect — Microwaves can penetrate clouds, smoke, and rain, allowing all-weather and day-night imaging capability.
Q5.
Assertion (A): Dual-use satellites blur the distinction between civilian and military targets in outer space.
Reason (R): Many commercial satellites provide services that can be used for military communication and intelligence.
A. Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is correct, but R is incorrect
D. A is incorrect, but R is correct
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Assertion: Correct — The traditional distinction under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) between civilian and military objects becomes unclear in space.
- Reason: Correct — Commercial satellites (e.g., communication, navigation) are increasingly used for military purposes such as surveillance, targeting, and coordination.
- Link: Because the same satellite serves both civilian and military roles, it becomes a legitimate target, thereby blurring the distinction.
