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Exam Year: 2022

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    Ocean currents are continuous, directed movements of seawater generated by a combination of physical, climatic, and planetary forces. They regulate heat distribution, nutrient circulation, marine productivity, and global climate.

    Forces Influencing Ocean Currents

    Solar Energy- Differential heating at the equator causes water to expand and rise slightly, creating a gradient that initiates water flow. Eg- Gulf Stream transporting warm water to Europe.

    Temperature Gradients- Cold water is denser and sinks, while warm water is lighter and rises, driving vertical circulation.

    Planetary winds – Trade winds and westerlies drive surface currents. Eg- North Equatorial Current driven by trade winds.

    Coriolis Force- Earth’s rotation deflects moving water to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and the left in the Southern Hemisphere, forming massive circular Gyres.

    Salinity Variations- High salt content increases water density. The interplay of temperature and salt creates the Thermohaline Circulation (The Global Conveyor Belt).

    Continental Configuration- Landmasses deflect currents. Eg- the Brazilian coast bifurcates the Atlantic South Equatorial Current.

    Gravitational pull of Moon and Sun – Generates tidal currents. Eg- Strong tidal currents in Bay of Fundy.

    Ocean basin topography – Submarine ridges and basins redirect flows. Eg- Mid-Atlantic Ridge influencing deep circulation.

    Atmospheric pressure systems – Cyclones and anticyclones alter local currents. Eg- Seasonal reversal in Indian Ocean currents.

    Role of ocean currents in the fishing industry

    Convergence of warm and cold currents – Enhances plankton growth. Eg- Grand Banks (Labrador + Gulf Stream).

    Nutrient redistribution – Currents spread plankton across oceans. Eg- North Sea fisheries supported by Atlantic Drift.

    Temperature regulation – Determines species distribution. Eg- Tuna migration along warm Kuroshio Current.

    Oxygenation of waters – Supports marine biodiversity. Eg- Upwelling off Namibia (Benguela Current).

    Transport of fish larvae – Currents aid breeding and dispersal. Eg- Japanese fisheries influenced by Oyashio Current.

    Formation of rich continental shelf fisheries – Interaction of currents with shallow waters. Eg- Dogger Bank in the North Sea.

    Climate moderation for fishing communities – Eg- Gulf Stream moderating European coasts.

    Fishermen follow current-driven seasonal fish migration patterns. Eg- Monsoon-linked fishing cycles in Arabian Sea.

    El Niño impacts – Disrupts upwelling and fish stocks. Eg- Collapse of Peruvian fisheries during strong El Niño years.

    Climate variability and disruptions like El Niño increasingly threaten these systems, highlighting the need for sustainable and climate-resilient fisheries management.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    In Indian society, sect refers to a religious-spiritual subgroup organised around a shared doctrine, deity, guru, or ritual practice. Unlike caste, region, and religion, which are largely ascriptive identities, sects are voluntary and belief-based.

    Salience of Sect in Indian Society

    Sect vis-a-vis Caste

    Transcending caste boundaries – Eg- Bhakti sects like Kabir Panth rejecting caste distinctions.

    Alternative social identity – Provides dignity to marginalised castes. Eg- Ravidassia sect among Dalits.

    Avenue for Social Mobility- Eg- Many lower-caste groups in North India joined the Arya Samaj to gain social respectability through Vedic education.

    Sects bridge the divide between different castes by focusing on a shared devotion to a guru or deity.

    However, caste infiltration persists. Eg- Vaishnava sects dominated by upper castes in leadership roles.

    Sect vis-a-vis Religion

    Sub-religious pluralism – Sects allow diversity within a single religion.

    Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakti and Smartism within Hinduism

    Sunni-Shia within Islam.

    Himayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana within Buddhism

    Digambara and swetambara within Jainism

    Personalised spirituality – Emphasis on devotion rather than dogma. Eg- Bhakti and Sufi sects focusing on bhakti and ishq.

    Instrument of reform – Challenges orthodoxy and ritualism. Eg- Buddhism and Jainism emerging as sect-like reform movements.

    Charismatic Leadership (Guru-Cults) – sects are often centered around a living or historical spiritual guide. Eg- Raja Rammohan Roy (Brahmo Samaj)

    Sectarian identity can sometimes create friction. Eg- Friction between Thenkalai and Vadakalai sects over the prayers offered at the Sri Devarajaswamy Temple in Kanchipuram.

    Modern “New Age” sects help urbanites reconnect with their religion in a contemporary, simplified way. Eg- ISKCON (Hare Krishna movement)

    Sect vis-a-vis Region

    Regional localisation of sects – Sects adapt to local languages and cultures. Eg- Varkari sect in Maharashtra, Lingayat sect in Karnataka.

    Cultural integration – Sect strengthens regional identity while retaining pan-Indian appeal. Eg- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Vaishnavism in Bengal.

    Sect builds social cohesion and strong community bonds within a region. Eg- Sikh Panth.

    Sect as a tool of political and social mobilization within a specific region. Eg- Lingayat movement seeking minority religion status.

    The sect occupies a unique intermediate position in Indian society, less rigid than caste, more flexible than religion, and more fluid than region. It has played a crucial role in spiritual democratisation and social cohesion.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    The expansion of the British East India Company was a triumph of institutional organization over feudalism.

    Major wins of the British East India Company army

    Battle of Plassey (1757)

    Battle of Buxar (1764)

    Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767-1799)

    Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818)

    Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845-1849)

    Reasons behind consistent wins of British East India company army

    Political Factors

    Fragmented Indian polity – Eg- Marathas, Nizam, and Awadh failed to form a sustained anti-British alliance.

    Diplomacy – Company isolated enemies before military confrontation. Eg- Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance system neutralised Indian rulers politically.

    Economic Factors

    Superior financial resources – Eg- Diwani rights (1765) funded continuous military expansion.

    Commercial-military synergy – Trade profits sustained long wars without fiscal collapse.

    Technological Factors

    Standardised firearms and artillery – Eg- Effective use of field artillery at Buxar overwhelmed numerically superior forces of Awadh, Mughal, and Bengal Nawab.

    Military innovations – Better logistics, military engineering, and disciplined infantry formations.

    Leadership and Organisation

    Professional military leadership – Officers trained in European warfare doctrines. Eg- Clive and Eyre Coote employed coordinated infantry-artillery tactics.

    Unified command structure – Clear hierarchy ensured swift decision-making unlike feudal Indian armies.

    Social Divisions within Indian Armies

    Feudal composition of Indian forces – Loyalty based on personal allegiance, not the state. Eg- Defection of Mir Jafar at Plassey.

    Caste and regional divisions – Eg- Mahar regiment fighting against Peshwa army in Anglo-Maratha wars

    Ideological and Psychological Factors

    Absence of nationalism – Indian soldiers fought for rulers, not a national cause.

    Company’s corporate discipline – Soldiers motivated by regular pay, promotion, and military professionalism.

    The European conquest of India was not just a conquest of territory but a conquest of the Indian soul, changing the very ethos of Indian society.” – Rabindranath Tagore

    Section Specific

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements :
    1. An increase in Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) indicates the appreciation of rupee.
    2. An increase in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) indicates an improvement in trade competitiveness.
    3. An increasing trend in domestic inflation relative to inflation in other countries is likely to cause an increasing divergence between NEER and REER.
    Which of the above statements are correct ?

    (a)

    1 and 2 only

    (b)

    2 and 3 only

    (c)

    1 and 3 only

    (d)

    1, 2 and 3

    Correct Answer:

    (c)

  • ,

    With reference to India, consider the following statements :
    1. Monazite is a source of rare earths.
    2. Monazite contains thorium.
    3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
    4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
    Which of the statements given above are correct ?

    (a)

    1, 2 and 3 only

    (b)

    1, 2 and 4 only

    (c)

    3 and 4 only

    (d)

    1, 2, 3 and 4

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following pairs :
    Reservoirs – States
    1. Ghataprabha — Telangana
    2. Gandhi Sagar — Madhya Pradesh
    3. Indira Sagar — Andhra Pradesh
    4. Maithon — Chhattisgarh
    How many pairs given above are not correctly matched ?

    (a)

    Only one pair

    (b)

    Only two pairs

    (c)

    Only three pairs

    (d)

    All four pairs

    Correct Answer:

    (c)

  • ,

    With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements :
    1. If the inflation is too high, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy government securities.
    2. If the rupee is rapidly depreciating, RBI is likely to sell dollars in the market.
    3. If interest rates in the USA or European Union were to fall, that is likely to induce RBI to buy dollars.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    (a)

    1 and 2 only

    (b)

    2 and 3 only

    (c)

    1 and 3 only

    (d)

    1, 2 and 3

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following pairs :
    Country – Important reason for being in the news recently
    1. Chad — Setting up of permanent military base by China
    2. Guinea — Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
    3. Lebanon — Severe and prolonged economic depression
    4. Tunisia — Suspension of Parliament by President
    How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

    (a)

    Only one pair

    (b)

    Only two pairs

    (c)

    Only three pairs

    (d)

    All four pairs

    Correct Answer:

    (c)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements :
    1. A Bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the President of India.
    2. When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India, it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent.
    3. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and there is no provision for joint sitting.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    (a)

    1 and 2 only

    (b)

    2 and 3 only

    (c)

    1 and 3 only

    (d)

    1,2 and 3

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following :
    1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
    2. Missile Technology Control Regime
    3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
    India is a member of which of the above ?

    (a)

    1 and 2 only

    (b)

    3 only

    (c)

    2 and 3 only

    (d)

    1, 2 and 3

    Correct Answer:

    (d)