The 2014 Codex
Questions 21 to 30 (Set A)
In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for
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Official Key: (b) village headmen
In early medieval and medieval Indian administration, the basic unit of governance remained the village. The village administration was headed by the village headman, who was variously known by prestigious titles depending on the region.
In North and Central India, the village headman was often called 'Mahattara' (literally "the great one" or elder). In western India (especially Maharashtra and Gujarat regions), the headman was called 'Pattakila', a term which eventually linguistically evolved into the modern surname and title 'Patil'.
Route: [REALM 34: Medieval Administration Terminology]The Village Elders
The Pioneer Partners
Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of
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Official Key: (b) algae and fungi
Lichens are fascinating pioneer species capable of growing on barren, lifeless rocks, slowly breaking them down into soil to initiate primary ecological succession.
A lichen is not a single organism, but a mutualistic symbiotic association between an Alga (or cyanobacterium) and a Fungus. The Fungus provides the structural network, anchors to the rock, and retains water and minerals. In return, the Alga, which contains chlorophyll, performs photosynthesis and provides food for both.
Route: [REALM 141: Ecological Concepts (Symbiosis & Succession)]If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?
1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
3. Sandalwood
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Official Key: (a) 1 and 2 only
The Himalayas exhibit a distinct altitudinal zonation of vegetation.
- 1. Oak & 2. Rhododendron (True): As you travel up the Himalayas into the temperate and alpine zones (approx. 1500m to 3000m), broad-leaved evergreen trees like Oak and beautiful flowering shrubs/trees like Rhododendron are extremely common, naturally growing dominant species.
- 3. Sandalwood (False): Sandalwood (Chandan) requires a completely different tropical climate. It is a dry deciduous forest species naturally growing predominantly in the Deccan plateau of South India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala). You will not find it naturally growing in the freezing Himalayas.
The Altitudinal Flora
The Smelting Exhaust
Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?
1. Oxides of sulphur
2. Oxides of nitrogen
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Carbon dioxide
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Official Key: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
The iron and steel industry is one of the most energy-intensive and heavily polluting industries in the world. The process relies heavily on the combustion of massive amounts of coking coal in blast furnaces to smelt iron ore.
This combustion directly releases immense quantities of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Carbon monoxide (CO). Furthermore, the impurities in the coal and the high-temperature smelting process release significant amounts of Oxides of sulphur (SOx) and Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) into the atmosphere. Thus, all four are major pollutants of the steel industry.
Route: [REALM 152: Industrial Pollution Profiles]Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Official Key: (c) 3 and 4 only
This is a repeat theme for UPSC, mapping the physical footprint of Gautama Buddha's life. He wandered and preached exclusively in the eastern Gangetic plains.
- 3. Kosala (True): The Buddha spent more time here than anywhere else. Sravasti (the capital of Kosala) is where he delivered the majority of his discourses.
- 4. Magadha (True): The Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya (Magadha) and frequented Rajagriha under the patronage of King Bimbisara.
- 1. Avanti & 2. Gandhara (False): Avanti was in central India (Ujjain) and Gandhara in the far northwest (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan). The Buddha never physically visited these kingdoms during his lifetime.
The Gangetic Wanderer
The Central India Saplings
Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
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Official Key: (b) Gond and Korku
This highlights the deep ecological practices of Central Indian tribes.
The Gond and Korku tribes, predominantly inhabiting the forest regions of Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh), traditionally celebrate a month-long ecological festival (often coinciding with the monsoon, like Hari Jiroti). During this period, it is a socio-cultural mandate for the community to actively plant saplings of fruit-bearing and highly useful trees, showcasing an ancient form of sustainable agro-forestry.
Note: Bhutia/Lepcha are from Sikkim. Irula/Toda are from the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu).
Route: [REALM 30: Indigenous Tribes & Culture]The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a
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Official Key: (d) tax imposed and collected by the State Government
Context Note: This question is from 2014, before the implementation of GST (2017).
Under the pre-GST constitutional tax framework, Sales Tax (or VAT - Value Added Tax) on the sale or purchase of goods taking place *within* a state (intra-state sale, like buying toothpaste at a local shop) was a state subject (Entry 54 of the State List). Therefore, it was exclusively imposed and collected by the respective State Government. (Central Sales Tax only applied to inter-state commerce).
Route: [REALM 111: Taxation System (Pre-GST)]The State Exchequer
The Startup Seed
What does venture capital mean?
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Official Key: (b) A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs
Venture Capital (VC) is a form of private equity financing.
It is provided by venture capital firms or funds to new entrepreneurs and early-stage startup companies that are believed to have immense, long-term growth potential. Because these startups are too new to get traditional bank loans, VCs provide this long-term capital in exchange for equity (ownership stake) in the company, absorbing high risks for the chance of massive future returns.
Route: [REALM 113: Financial Markets & Startup Ecosystem]The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is
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Official Key: (d) faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth
This relies on knowing the exact tagline/theme of India's final Five-Year Plan.
The 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) had the core theme "Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth."
The 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-2017) upgraded this to add an explicit environmental focus, setting its exact overarching objective as: "Faster, Sustainable, and More Inclusive Growth."
Route: [REALM 86: Five-Year Plans of India]The Final Plan
The Balance Ledger
With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account?
1. Balance of trade
2. Foreign assets
3. Balance of invisibles
4. Special Drawing Rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Official Key: (c) 1 and 3
The Balance of Payments (BoP) is strictly divided into two main accounts: the Current Account (daily income/expenses) and the Capital Account (assets/liabilities).
- 1. Balance of Trade (True): This is the net difference between the export and import of physical goods (Visibles). It is the primary component of the Current Account.
- 3. Balance of Invisibles (True): This includes trade in services (IT, tourism), net income (interest/dividends), and transfers (remittances from NRIs). This completes the Current Account.
- 2. Foreign Assets (False): Creation or liquidation of foreign assets (like FDI, FII, external commercial borrowings) fundamentally changes a country's asset/liability status. Thus, they belong to the Capital Account.
- 4. Special Drawing Rights (False): SDRs (allocated by the IMF) form part of the country's Official Reserve Assets, which are tracked to balance the overall BoP, acting below the line (Capital/Reserves account).