CSAT Questions

Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

In terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State

Indian States

Consider the following States:

Chhattisgarh
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Odisha

With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?

2-3-1-4
2-3-4-1
3-2-4-1
3-2-1-4

Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads'

GS Environment

Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?

The are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

Matching - Wildlife and Naturally found in

Biodiversity

Consider the following pairs:

Wildlife : Naturally found in

Blue-finned Mahseer : Cauvery River
Irrawaddy Dolphin : Chambal River
Rusty-spotted Cat : Eastern Ghats

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Which are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

Biodiversity

Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park
Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park
Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Pyrolysis and plasma gasification

GS Environment

In the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned?

Extraction of rare earth elements
Natural gas extraction technologies
Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles
Waste-to-energy technologies

Use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol

GS Environment

In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?

Creating the artificial rains in some regions
Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
Reducing the global warming

Official poverty lines are higher in some States

Indian Economy

In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because

poverty rates vary from State to State
price levels vary from State to State
Gross State Product varies from State to State
Quality of public distribution varies from State to State

Famous place and River Matching

Ancient History

Consider the following pairs:

Famous place : River

Pandharpur : Chandrabhaga
Tiruchirappalli : Cauvery
Hampi : Malaprabha

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Which plants was domesticated in the 'New World'

World History

Which one of the following groups of plants was domesticated in the 'New World' and introduced into the 'Old World?

Tobacco, cocoa and rubber
Tobacco, cotton and rubber
Cotton, coffee and sugarcane
Rubber, coffee and wheat

On 21st June, the Sun

World Geography

On 21st June, the Sun

does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle
does not set below the horizon at Antarctic Circle
shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator
shines vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn

Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the

Organisations & Policies

Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the

Department of Science and Technology
Ministry of Labour and Employment
NITI Aayog
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Which National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone

Biodiversity

Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?

Manas National Park
Namdapha National Park
Neora Valley National Park
Valley of Flowers National Park

With reference to Mian Tansen

Ancient History

With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?

Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.
Tansen composed songs on his patrons.
Tansen invented many Ragas.

Person and Position held Matching

National Movement

With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:

Person : Position held

Tej Bahadur Sapru : President, All India Liberal Federation
K. C. Neogy : Member, The Constituent Assembly
P. C. Joshi : General Secretary, Communist Party of India

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1 only
1 and 2 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3

With reference to the British colonial rule in India

Modern History

With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:

Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of 'indentured labour'.
In Lord Chelmsford's 'War Conference', Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
Consequent upon the breaking of salt law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in

Medieval History

Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

Chalukya
Chandela
Rashtrakuta
Vijayanagara

With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period

Ancient History

With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?

It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.

Which are the features of Mahayana Buddhism

Ancient History

Consider the following:

Deification of the Buddha
Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' mentioned

Ancient History

In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?

Kanganahalli
Sanchi
Shahbazgarhi
Sohgaura

Which one of the following is not a Harappan site

Ancient History

Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

Chanhudaro
Kot Diji
Sohgaura
Desalpur

Movement or Organization and Leader Matching

Modern History

Consider the following pairs:

Movement/Organization : Leader

All India Anti-Untouchability League : Mahatma Gandhi
All India Kisan Sabha : Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
Self-Respect Movement : E. V. Ramaswami Naicker

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

With reference to Swadeshi Movement

National Movement

With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:

It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Consider the following statements about the Charter Act of 1813

Modern History

Consider the following statements about 'the Charter Act of 1813':

It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the

World Economy

The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the

International Monetary Fund
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
World Economic Forum
World Bank

With reference to land reforms in independent India

Agriculture

With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?

The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

What are the differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar

Modern History

With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?

Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Consider the graph in which the birthrate and death rate of a country

Line Graph

Consider the following graph in which the birthrate and death rate of a country are given, and answer the two items that follow.

1. Looking at the graph, it can be inferred that from 1990 to 2010

population growth rate has increased
population growth rate has decreased
growth rate of population has remained stable
population growth rate shows no trend

It is no longer enough for us to talk about providing for universal access to education

Reading Comprehension L1

It is no longer enough for us to talk about providing for universal access to education. Making available schooling facilities is an essential prerequisite, but is insufficient to ensure that all children attend school and participate in the learning process. The school may be there, but children may not attend or they may drop out after a few months. Through school and social mapping, we must address the entire gamut of social, economic, cultural and indeed linguistic and pedagogic issues, factors that prevent children from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups, as also girls, from regularly attending and complementing elementary education. The focus must be on the poorest and most vulnerable since these groups are the most disempowered and at the greatest risk of violation or denial of their right to education.

Lakshmi, her brother, her daughter and her son are badminton players

Basic LR Sets

Lakshmi, her brother, her daughter and her son are badminton players. A game of doubles is about to begin:

Lakshmi's brother is directly across the net from her daughter.
Her son is diagonally across the net from the worst player's sibling.
The best player and the worst player are on the same side of the net.

Who is the best player?

Her brother
Her daughter
Her son
Lakshmi

In the figures, some parts are shown to change their positions in regular directions

Non Verbal Reasoning

Consider the following figures:

In the figures (I) to (VI) above, some parts are shown to change their positions in regular directions. Following the same sequence, which of the figures given below will appear at (VII) stage?

Which statements is not correct with reference to the graph

Line Graph

Consider the following graph:

Which one of the following statements is not correct with reference to the graph given above?

On 1st June, the actual progress of work was less than expected.
The actual rate of progress of work was the greatest during the month of August.
The work was actually completed before the expected time.
During the period from 1st April to 1st September, at no time was the actual progress more than the expected progress.

Some people believe that leadership is a quality

UPSC Critical Reading

Some people believe that leadership is a quality which you have at birth or not at all. This theory is false, for the art of leadership can be acquired and can indeed be taught. This discovery is made in time of war and the results achieved can surprise even the instructors. Faced with the alternatives of going left or right, every soldier soon grasps that a prompt decision either way is better than an endless discussion. A firm choice of direction has an even chance of being right while to do nothing will be almost certainly wrong.

The author of the passage holds the view that

leadership can be taught through war experience only
leadership can be acquired as well as taught
the results of training show that more people acquire leadership than are expected
despite rigorous instruction, very few leaders are produced

Today, the top environmental challenge is a combination of people

UPSC Critical Reading

Today, the top environmental challenge is a combination of people and their aspirations. If the aspirations are more like the frugal ones we had after the Second World War, a lot more is possible than if we view the planet as a giant shopping mall. We need to get beyond the fascination with glitter and understand that the planet works as a biological system.

Which of the following is the most crucial and logical inference that can be made from the above passage?

The Earth can meet only the basic needs of humans for food, clothing and shelter.
The only way to meet environmental challenge is to limit human population.
Reducing our consumerism is very much in our own interest.
Knowledge of biological systems can only help us save this planet.

A diversity of natural assets will be needed to cope with climate change

Reading Comprehension L1

A diversity of natural assets will be needed to cope with climate change and ensure productive agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. For example, crop varieties are needed that perform well under drought, heat, and enhanced CO₂. But the private-sector and farmer-led process of choosing crops favours homogeneity adapted to past or current conditions, not varieties capable of producing consistently high yields in warmer, wetter, or drier conditions. Accelerated breeding programmes are needed to conserve a wider pool of genetic resources of existing crops, breeds, and their wild relatives. Relatively intact ecosystems, such as forested catchments, mangroves, wetlands, can buffer the impacts of climate change. Under a changing climate, these ecosystems are themselves at risk, and management approaches will need to be more proactive and adaptive. Connections between natural areas, such as migration corridors, may be needed to facilitate species movements to keep up with the change in climate.

'Desertification' is a term used to explain a process of decline

Reading Comprehension L1

'Desertification' is a term used to explain a process of decline in the biological productivity of an ecosystem, leading to total loss of productivity. While this phenomenon is often linked to the arid, semi-arid and sub-humid ecosystems, even in the humid tropics, the impact could be most dramatic. Impoverishment of human-impacted terrestrial ecosystems may exhibit itself in a variety of ways : accelerated erosion as in the mountain regions of the country, salinization of land as in the semi-arid and arid 'green revolution' areas of the country, e.g., Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, and site quality decline - a common phenomenon due to general decline in tree cover and monotonous monoculture of rice/wheat across the Indian plains.

If RAMON is written as 12345 and DINESH as 675849

Non Verbal Reasoning

If RAMON is written as 12345 and DINESH as 675849, then HAMAM will be written as

92233
92323
93322
93232

If LSJXVC is the code for MUMBAI, the code for DELHI is

Non Verbal Reasoning

If LSJXVC is the code for MUMBAI, the code for DELHI is

CCIDD
CDKGH
CCJFG
CCIFE

Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out

UPSC Critical Reading

Monoculture carries great risks. A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes of the world's food production, an alarming prospect given that its growing and wealthier population will eat 70% more by 2050. The risks are magnified by the changing climate. As the planet warms and monsoon rains intensify, farmlands in Asia will flood. North America will suffer more intense droughts, and crop diseases will spread to new latitudes.

Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?

Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.
Despite great risks, monoculture is the only way to ensure food security in the world.
More and more genetically modified crops only can save the world from impending shortages of food.
Asia and North America will be worst sufferers from climate change and the consequent shortage of food.

The practice of dieting has become an epidemic

UPSC Critical Reading

The practice of dieting has become an epidemic; everyone is looking out for a way to attain that perfect body. We are all different with respect to our ethnicity, genetics, family history, gender, age, physical and mental and spiritual health status, lifestyles and preferences. Thereby we also differ in what foods we tolerate or are sensitive to. So we really cannot reduce so many complexities into one diet or diet book. This explains the failure of diets across the world in curbing obesity. Unless the reasons for weight gain are well understood and addressed and unless habits are changed permanently, no diet is likely to succeed.

What is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

Obesity has become an epidemic all over the world.
A lot of people are obsessed with attaining a perfect body.
Obesity is essentially an incurable disease.
There is no perfect diet or one solution for obesity.

India's educational system is modelled on the mass education system

UPSC Critical Reading

India's educational system is modelled on the mass education system that developed in the 19th century in Europe and later spread around the world. The goal of the system is to condition children as 'good' citizens and productive workers. This suited the industrial age that needed the constant supply of a compliant workforce with a narrow set of capabilities. Our educational institutes resemble factories with bells, uniforms and batch-processing of learners, designed to get learners to conform. But, from an economic point of view, the environment today is very different. It is a complex, volatile and globally interconnected world.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

India continues to be a developing country essentially due to its faulty education system.
Today's learners need to acquire new-age skill-sets.
A good number of Indians go to some developed countries for education because the educational systems there are a perfect reflection of the societies in which they function.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

1 and 3 only
2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Being a member of the WTO, India is bound by the agreements

UPSC Critical Reading

Being a member of the WTO, India is bound by the agreements that have been signed and ratified by its members, including itself. According to Article 6 of the Agriculture Agreement, providing minimum support prices for agricultural products is considered distorting and is subject to limits. The subsidy arising from 'minimal supports' cannot exceed 10 per cent of the value of agricultural production for developing countries. PDS in India entails minimum support prices and public stockholding of food grains. It is possible that, in some years, the subsidy to producers will exceed 10 per cent of the value of agricultural production.

What is the crucial message conveyed by the above passage?

India should revise its PDS.
India should not be a member of WTO.
For India, food security collides with trade.
India provides food security to its poor.

The Arctic's vast reserves of fossil fuel, fish and minerals are now accessible

UPSC Critical Reading

The Arctic's vast reserves of fossil fuel, fish and minerals are now accessible for a longer period in a year. But unlike Antarctica, which is protected from exploitation by the Antarctic Treaty framed during the Cold War and is not subject to territorial claims by any country, there is no legal regime protecting the Arctic from industrialization, especially at a time when the world craves for more and more resources. The distinct possibility of ice-free summer has prompted countries with Arctic coastline to scramble for great chunks of the melting ocean.

Which one of the following is the most important implication of the passage?

India can have territorial claims in the Arctic territory and free access to its resources.
Melting of summer ice in the Arctic leads to changes in the geopolitics.
The Arctic region will solve the world's future problem of resource crunch.
The Arctic region has more resources than Antarctica.

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