UPSC 2023: Nexus 81—90

Unearthing the structural logic of the paper. [Set A]

Question 81

Historical Methodology

With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with

(a) archaeological excavations
(b) establishment of English Press in Colonial India
(c) establishment of Churches in Princely States
(d) construction of railways in Colonial India

Official Verdict: (a) archaeological excavations

The Core Concept: These names form the vanguard of colonial-era antiquarianism and archaeology in South India. Walter Elliot famously excavated Amaravati (yielding the "Elliot Marbles"). Robert Sewell wrote "A Forgotten Empire" about Vijayanagara. James Burgess founded the Indian Antiquary and documented western cave temples. A.H. Longhurst excavated Nagarjunakonda, and Alexander Rea did extensive work on Pallava and Chola temples.

Tethered to: REALM 04: Indian Antiquities

Question 82

Ancient Art

Consider the following pairs:

Besnagar: Shaivite cave shrine
Bhaja: Buddhist cave shrine
Sittanavasal: Jain cave shrine

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Official Verdict: (b) Only two

The Core Concept: Besnagar (Vidisha) is famous for the Heliodorus Pillar, a free-standing Garuda standard erected by a Greek ambassador dedicated to Vasudeva (Vishnu). It is a Vaishnavite pillar, not a Shaivite cave shrine. Bhaja in Maharashtra features magnificent early Buddhist rock-cut chaityas. Sittanavasal in Tamil Nadu is renowned for its early Jain rock-cut cave and exquisite frescoes. Thus, two pairs are correct.

Tethered to: REALM 20: Indian Temple Architecture

Question 83

Modern History

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.
Statement-II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (a) Both correct; II explains I

The Core Concept: In 2015, the Government of India explicitly chose August 7th to be designated as National Handloom Day to commemorate the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement on August 7, 1905, at the Calcutta Town Hall. The movement boycotted British goods in favor of Indian hand-woven products. Thus, Statement II is the direct historical reason for Statement I.

Tethered to: REALM 26: Swadeshi & Anti-Partition

Question 84

National Symbols

Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002:

Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm × 400 mm.
Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

The Core Concept: The Flag Code of India dictates that the ratio of the length to the height must always be 3:2 (Statement II is true). While 600x400 mathematically conforms to a 3:2 ratio, the Flag Code strictly specifies nine exact standard sizes (e.g., 900x600, 450x300 mm). 600 mm x 400 mm is not on the official list of designated sizes. Thus, Statement I is technically false.

Tethered to: REALM 05: Salient Features

Question 85

Constitution Making

Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day:

Statement-I: The Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens.
Statement-II: On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

The Core Concept: In 2015, the Government officially declared Nov 26th as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution (Statement I is true). Statement II mixes up the timeline completely. The Drafting Committee was set up on August 29, 1947. Nov 26, 1949, was the day the final draft was formally adopted and enacted by the Assembly.

Tethered to: REALM 03: Constituent Assembly

Question 86

Trade & Reserves

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value.
Statement-II: Switzerland has the second largest gold reserves in the world.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

The Core Concept: Switzerland imports massive amounts of unrefined gold, refines it, and acts as the world's premier transit hub/exporter of refined gold bullion (Statement I is true). However, holding sovereign gold reserves in a central bank is entirely different. The USA holds the largest gold reserves, followed by Germany, the IMF, Italy, and France. Switzerland ranks around 7th or 8th, not second (Statement II is false).

Tethered to: REALM 128: Foreign Trade & Economic Growth

Question 87

Geopolitics & Tech

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'.
Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

The Core Concept: The US and EU did indeed launch the TTC in 2021 to coordinate approaches to critical global trade and tech issues (Statement I is true). The trap is the wording of their "claim" in Statement II. Democracies do not explicitly claim to bring progress "under their control" (a highly authoritarian phrasing). Their stated goal is to ensure technology is developed based on democratic values and to counter China's non-market practices.

Tethered to: REALM 113: Europe → EFTA → EU → IMEC → India

Question 88

Indian Economy

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: India accounts for 3.2% of global export of goods.
Statement-II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India's 'Production-linked Incentive' scheme.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

The Core Concept: India's share of global merchandise (goods) exports is historically low, hovering around 1.8%. It is nowhere near 3.2% (Statement I is false). To boost manufacturing and increase this exact export share, the government launched the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which is successfully being utilized by domestic titans and foreign giants (like Apple suppliers Foxconn/Wistron) operating in India (Statement II is true).

Tethered to: REALM 171: PLI Scheme

Question 89

International Treaties

The 'Stability and Growth Pact' of the European Union is a treaty that

limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union
makes the countries... share their infrastructure facilities
enables the countries... to share their technologies

How many of the above statements are correct?

Official Verdict: (a) Only one

The Core Concept: The SGP is a strict set of fiscal rules designed to prevent members of the Eurozone from spending irresponsibly, which could crash the shared Euro currency. It strictly limits budget deficits to 3% of GDP and national debt to 60% of GDP (1 is true). It has absolutely nothing to do with pooling physical infrastructure (2) or mandatory sharing of technology (3).

Tethered to: REALM 52: European Integration

Question 90

Global Governance

Consider the following statements:

Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the 'Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)'.
The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries.
The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also...

How many of the above statements are correct?

Official Verdict: (d) None

The Core Concept: Not *all* UN countries adopted the GCM (the US, Australia, and several European nations famously backed out), making 1 false. It is explicitly a non-legally binding cooperative framework (making 2 false). And as the title explicitly states, it is for "international migration"—it strictly respects state sovereignty and does not cover internally displaced persons or internal migration (making 3 false).

Tethered to: REALM 83: Global Migration Governance