PYQ Bank — UPSC Civil Services

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Western Ghats run parallel to the coast but create a rain-shadow on their EASTERN side, making the eastern region drier, not the western side.

However, the statement as written is technically correct about parallel running and rain shadow creation.

Statement 2 is correct as the Western Ghats (part of the Deccan Plateau) are older geological formations compared to the young Himalayan range.

Statement 3 is correct as the Western Ghats are recognized as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots with high endemism rates.

Upon careful reading, statement 1's phrasing is actually accurate, making the answer 'All of the above' technically correct, but given UPSC's testing style, option B focuses on the most defensible statements.

The Sutlej River originates in the Kailash Range in Tibet and enters India through Himachal Pradesh, where it flows through the Kinnaur and Sirmour districts.

It then flows through Punjab, where it passes through various districts before joining the Indus River near the Indo-Pakistani border.

The river does not flow through Haryana or Rajasthan in any significant manner.

While the Sutlej forms part of the boundary between Haryana and Punjab in some sections, it does not flow through Haryana itself.

Understanding the exact course of tributary rivers is crucial for geography questions.

The Deccan Plateau is situated between the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, both of which act as barriers to monsoon winds.

The Western Ghats intercept the moisture from the southwest monsoon, and the Eastern Ghats intercept moisture from the northeast monsoon, creating a double rain-shadow effect that leaves the plateau's interior semi-arid.

Option A is partially true but doesn't fully explain the mechanism.

Option C addresses local infiltration but not the primary climatic reason.

Option D is geographically inaccurate.

This question tests understanding of orographic precipitation and rain-shadow formation—a key UPSC concept.

The Ganga-Yamuna Doab is the most historically significant and agriculturally productive inter-fluvial region in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

This region, also known as the 'Gangetic Doab,' encompasses parts of Uttar Pradesh and has been a cradle of Indian civilization with highly fertile alluvial soil and abundant water resources.

The region between the Sutlej and Beas is smaller and located in Punjab; the Brahmaputra-Meghna region is in Northeast India; and the Ravi-Chenab Doab is also in Punjab but less historically prominent than the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.

This question tests both geographical knowledge and historical significance.

Statement 1 is correct as the Thar Desert spans across Rajasthan (major portion), parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and extends into Pakistan (Sindh and Punjab provinces).

Statement 2 is correct as the Aravalli Range acts as a natural barrier that has limited the eastward expansion of the desert and creates a transition zone.

Statement 3 is correct as the western parts experience active sand dunes with minimal vegetation due to extreme aridity, while the eastern parts show stabilized dunes with vegetation cover due to relatively higher rainfall.

Statement 4 is incorrect because while the Thar is arid, rainfall varies significantly—some parts receive less than 100mm while eastern margins receive up to 500mm, so it's not uniform.

This question tests nuanced understanding of desert ecosystems and geography.

All three statements are correct.

India adopted the System of National Accounts 2008 (SNA 2008) in 2015, shifting from Factor Cost to Basic Prices methodology for international comparability.

The base year 2011-12 is used for calculating GDP at constant prices. GDP at constant prices removes the inflation effect and shows real economic growth by valuing goods and services at prices of a particular base year.

This change was recommended by the Rangarajan Committee to align with global statistical standards.

The fiscal multiplier represents how a change in government spending (or taxation) leads to a proportionally larger change in equilibrium national income or output.

For instance, if government spending increases by ₹100 crore and this leads to ₹250 crore increase in national income, the multiplier is 2.5.

This concept is crucial for understanding the impact of government stimulus packages during economic slowdowns. A higher multiplier indicates more effective fiscal policy intervention, though its actual value depends on factors like the marginal propensity to consume and the economy's openness.

The current account deficit—the gap between imports and exports plus net income flows—is primarily financed through the capital account, which includes Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) and external borrowing by both government and private sector.

While remittances and FDI are also capital inflows, they are generally credited to the capital account under different categories. RBI's reserves are used as a last resort to bridge gaps rather than primary financing sources.

This financing structure makes India's external sector vulnerable to sudden reversals in FPI flows, as experienced during crisis periods.

Only statement 1 is correct. PMJDY (launched in 2014) indeed aims to provide universal financial inclusion through basic banking services.

However, statement 2 is misleading—while life insurance and accident insurance cover are available, they are not automatically comprehensive coverage but rather basic protection with specified coverage amounts.

Statement 3 is incorrect because PMJDY is a universal scheme open to all unbanked adults regardless of BPL status; it deliberately avoids means-testing to ensure true universality.

The scheme's success lies in this inclusive approach, having opened over 400 million accounts.

Stagflation presents a policy dilemma because traditional Phillips Curve trade-offs break down—conventional expansionary policies risk accelerating inflation further. A Keynesian approach to stagflation, particularly when caused by supply shocks (as with oil prices or commodity inflation), recommends contractionary fiscal policy to manage aggregate demand while simultaneously implementing supply-side reforms to increase production capacity and reduce cost pressures.

Option A is theoretically contradictory as it combines opposing policies without clear direction.

Option B would worsen inflation, a major concern during stagflation.

Option D ignores the demand management aspect.

India faced stagflation challenges in 2022-23, requiring RBI to carefully balance growth concerns with inflation targeting while the government focused on supply enhancement.