Environment & ICT Course Questions in Civil Services Prelims Exam

Hi Students,

The UPSC civil service prelims exam 2018 was conducted on June 3. Some of you would have attempted the exam this year or are civil service aspirants.

From analysis of the paper, we came to know that a good number of 18 questions in this paper came directly from what we have covered in the video lectures of Environment and ICT. We are happy to inform you the same. This shows the growing importance of these two topics in the competitive exams and it justifies our effort to be in line with the expectations of the UPSC.

You can find the list below

UPSC 2018 Prelims SET A
Environment

2) Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhabit water loss?
Hard and waxy leaves
Tiny leaves
Thorns instead of leaves
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
2 and 3 only
2 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3
Video:1.5.5 Desert biome

4) How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?
The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Video: 5.3.12 The National Green Tribunal; 2.4.16 Control & prevention – legal measures

63) With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :
GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agric It al University.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c)2 and 3
(d)1, 2 and 3
Video:5.3.5 Genetically Modified Organisms

65) Which of the following statements best describes “carbon fertilization” ?
(a) Increased plant growth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(b) Increased temperature of Earth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(c) Increased acidity of oceans as a result of increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(d) Adaptation of all living beings on Earth to the climate change brought about by the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Video:1.3.1 Biogeochemical Cycles and Carbon Cycle Part -1;1.3.2 Carbon Cycle Part -2

77) Which one of the following is an ‘artificial lake‘?
(a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)
(b) Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh)
(c) Nainital (Uttarakhand)
(d) Renuka (Himachal Pradesh)
Video:1.5.13 Wetlands of India

81) Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds ?
Decreased salinity in the river
Pollution of groundwater
Lowering of the water-table
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Video:2.7.1 Degradation of different ecosystems

82) With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements :
A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity.
Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle.
Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Video : 1.3.5 Sulphur cycle; 2.5.10 Prevention & Control

83) The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanim to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at
(a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
(b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
(c) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
(d) The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi
Video : 5.2.3 The Earth Summits

87) Consider the following statements :
Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
More than one—third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Video: 1.5.8 Estuary & Coral ecosystems

86) Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?
(a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
(b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
(c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
(d) None of the above
Video: 1.6.3 Threats to Biodiversity

ICT

17) The identity platform ‘Aadhaar‘ provides open “Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)”. What does it imply?
It can be integrated into any electronic device.
Online authentication using iris is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Video: 1.3.11 Web APIs

28) With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements:
BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account.
While a chip-pin debit card has four factors authentication, BHIM app has only two factors of authentication.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Video: 3.3.7 Digital Economy – Retail Payments; 3.3.8
Aadhaar based payments and other initiatives

36) Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India ?
1. Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centres.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Video: 3.2.1 Digital India – Scheme and Scope

55) In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used ?
1. Mobile phone operations
2. Banking operations
3. Controlling the power grids
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Video: 1.4.12 GPS, A-GPs & S-GPS;2.1.11 Location recognition – GAGAN, Telematics

58) The terms WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue’ sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to
(a) Exoplanets
(b) Cryptocurrency
(c) Cyber attacks
(d) Mini satellites
Video: 5.1.5 Malwares; 5.1.4 Cyber Crimes

61) With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements
1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) None
Video: 1.4.11 Navigation Satellite Systems

66) When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day’s weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step’ out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about
traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly.
In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario?
(a)Border Gateway Protocol
(b) Internet of Things
(c) Internet Protocol
(d) Virtual Private Network
Video: 1.4.26 IOT Part-1

84) “3D printing” has applications in which of the following?
Preparation of confectionery items
Manufacture of bionic ears
Automotive industry
Reconstructive surgeries
Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 5 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Video: 1.2.12 3D Printing Technologies