UPSC Prelims 2012 MCQs

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. What does it symbolise?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] The religion of the early Vedic Aryans was primarily one of what?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Regarding the Brahmo Samaj: (1) it opposed idolatry; (2) it denied the need for a priestly class to interpret religious texts; (3) it popularised the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible. Which is/are correct?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as a 'bankers' bank'. This implies: (1) other banks keep their deposits with the RBI; (2) the RBI lends to commercial banks in times of need; (3) the RBI advises commercial banks on monetary matters. Which is/are correct?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Under which of the following circumstances may 'capital gains' arise: (1) an increase in the sales of a product; (2) a natural increase in the value of property owned; (3) an increase in the value of a purchased painting due to growing popularity?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Which of the following measures would increase 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?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Which of the following would count as Foreign Direct Investment in India: (1) subsidiaries of foreign companies in India; (2) majority foreign equity holding in Indian companies; (3) companies exclusively financed by foreign companies; (4) portfolio investment?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] The price of a currency in the international market is decided chiefly by which factors: (1) the World Bank; (2) demand for goods/services provided by the concerned country; (3) stability of the concerned government; (4) economic potential of the country?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] What is the basic aim of the Lead Bank Scheme?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Consider: (1) assessment of land revenue based on soil nature and crop quality; (2) use of mobile cannons in warfare; (3) cultivation of tobacco and red chillies. Which of these was/were introduced into India by the English?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Regarding the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India: (1) every guild was registered with the central state authority, with the king as chief administrative authority; (2) wages, work rules, standards and prices were fixed by the guild; (3) the guild had judicial powers over its own members. Which is/are correct?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in which act?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Despite having large coal reserves, why does India import millions of tonnes of coal: (1) India saves its own reserves for the future and imports for present use; (2) most Indian power plants are coal-based and cannot get sufficient domestic supply; (3) steel companies need large quantities of coking coal that must be imported?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] A person stood alone in a desert at night, wanting to reach his village 5 km east, with no instruments except a view of the polestar. What is the most convenient way to reach the village?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] There has been concern over the short supply of 'rare earth metals'. Why: (1) China, the largest producer, has restricted their export; (2) apart from China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are found in no other country; (3) rare earth metals are essential for various electronic items with growing demand?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Biomass gasification is considered a sustainable power solution. Regarding it: (1) coconut shells, groundnut shells and rice husk can be used; (2) gases generated consist only of hydrogen and carbon dioxide; (3) gases generated can only be used for direct heat, not in internal combustion engines. Which is/are correct?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in water purification systems: (1) it inactivates/kills harmful microorganisms; (2) it removes undesirable odours from water; (3) it quickens sedimentation and improves clarity?

[UPSC Prelims 2012] Graphene is frequently in the news. Regarding its importance: (1) it is a two-dimensional material with good electrical conductivity; (2) it is one of the thinnest yet strongest materials tested so far; (3) it is made entirely of silicon with high optical transparency; (4) it can be used as conducting electrodes for touch screens and LEDs. Which are correct?