SOLVED PAPER 2022 (CDS) (II) (General Studies)

Total Questions: 120

11. Which one of the following processes leads to expansion of certain minerals as they take up water, causing additional stress in the rock?

Correct Answer: (b) Hydration
Solution:Hydration is the process that leads to the expansion of certain minerals as they take up water, causing additional stress in the rock. Minerals in rock can also react with water in a process called hydration. Some minerals can absorb water into their structure, causing their volume to expand and put stress on the rock. Over time, this chemical reaction can lead to a physical weakening of the rock. Rocks can also be subject dissolution, the process by which a mineral completely dissolves in water.

12. The Indian desert also known as Marusthali is believed to be under the sea during which one of the following ears?

Correct Answer: (c) Mesozoic era
Solution:The Indian desert also known as Marusthali is believed to be under the sea during Mesozoic era.

The Indian desert is located to the North-West of the Aravali hills lies the Great Indian Desert. This region receives low rainfall below 150 mm per year; hence, it has arid climate with low vegetation cover. It is because of these characteristic features that this is also known as Marusthali. The region was under the sea during the Mesozoic era which can be established or strengthen as with new evidence available at wood fossils park at Aakal and marine deposits around Brahmsar, near Jaisalmer.

13. Which among the following are Charvaka Schools of Philosophy?

1. Dhurtta
2. Nyaya
3. Sushikshita
4. Vaisheshika

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (d) 1 and 3
Solution:Dhurtta and Sushikshita are the Charvaka Schools of Philosophy.

The Dhrutta held that only the four elements - Earth, water, air and fire existed. They understood the body as composed of a combination of atoms and rejected the idea of a soul. Sushikshita Charvaka, on the other hand, accepted the idea of a soul that was distinct from the body.

However, the soul was not eternal; it was destroyed when the body was destroyed.

14. During the 8th-14th centuries, in the Sanskrit texts and inscriptions, which of the following terms were used to denoted Muslims?

1. Turushka
2. Tajika
3. Parashika
4. Kardamaka

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:During the 8th-14th centuries, in the Sanskrit texts and inscriptions, the terms Turushka, Tajika and Parashika were used to denote Muslims.

The historians who have studied Sanskrit texts and inscriptions from 8th to 14th centuries AD conclude that the term 'Musalman' or 'Muslim' has been used nowhere in the Sanskrit texts and inscriptions of that period. The place or region of birth was considered as main basis of identification. For instance, the Muslims from Turkey were known as Turushkas, from Tajikistan as Tajikas and from Persia as Parashikas.

15. In the citadel and lower-town areas of which one of the following Harappan cities, have several large cisterns and reservoirs been found?

Correct Answer: (c) Dholavira
Solution:In the citadel and lower-town areas of Dholavira, have several large cisterns and reservoirs been found. Dholavira has an impressive walled acropolis (citadel) with an outer court (bailey), both linked to a walled middle town, all surrounded by an open walled area within which, on the eastern side, was a lower town, all surrounded by thick perimeter walis. This unique stone architecture is partly responsible for the preservation of these sectors, all surrounded by gigantic water reservoirs that were cut into the bedrock. Cisterns and reservoirs located in the citadel and lower town would have been filled with rain water. Dholavira shows the principal elements of Indus town-planning in its laid-out roads and special attention to water supply through wells and tanks.

16. Consider the following statements about cavalry warfare in India.

1. The iron stirrup made it possible for the armoured warrior to sit firmly on a horse without falling off.
2. The iron stirrup also allowed a cavalry charge with lances held tightly to the body, without the rider being thrown off by the shock of impact.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Both the statements are correct about the cavalry warfare in India. Cavalry warfare became the principal mode of warfare on account of two inventions. The first was the iron stirrup. The iron stirrup made it possible for a heavily armoured person to ride on a horse without falling off. It also made possible a cavalry charge with lances held tightly to the body, without the rider being thrown off by the shock of the impact. The earlier device was either a wooden stirrup or a piece of rope which only provided a toe-hold. Thus, it was not difficult for infantry to face the charge of heavy cavalry. The second invention was a new type of harness which enabled a horse to draw twice the amount of load it pulled earlier. It is believed that both these inventions came to Europe from the East, possibly from East Asia and that they spread in India from the 10th century onwards.

17. The British policy towards Afghanistan in the first half of the 19ᵗʰ century aimed at

Correct Answer: (b) weakening Russian influence in Afghanistan but not promoting a strong Afghanistan either
Solution:The British policy towards Afghanistan in the first half of the 19th century aimed at weakening Russian influence in Afghanistan but not promoting a strong Afghanistan either.

Throughout the 19th century, the British rulers of India feared that Russia would launch an attack on India through Afghanistan and the North Western frontier of India. They, therefore, wanted to keep Russia at a safe distance from the Indian frontier. Afghanistan was placed in a crucial position geographically from the British point of view. It could serve as an advanced post outside India's frontiers for checking Russia's potential military threat as well as for promoting British commercial interests in Central Asia.

The British wanted to weaken and end Russian influence in Afghanistan, but they did not want a strong Afghanistan. They wanted to keep her a weak and divided country which they could easily control.

18. Recently, the United Nations agreed to change the name of which one of the following countries?

Correct Answer: (d) Turkey
Solution:Recently, United Nations agreed to change the name of Turkey to Turkiye. Turkey began the move to change its internationally recognised official name in English to Turkiye in December after the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan released a memorandum and asked the public to use Turkiye to describe the country. in every language. Turkiye is the best representation and expression of the Turkish people's culture, civilisation and values.

19. The SWIFT (The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) frequently mentioned in news, is essentially a

Correct Answer: (c) global money transfer system
Solution:The SWIFT (The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) frequently mentioned in news, is essentially a global money transfer system.

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is a Belgian cooperative society providing services related to the execution of financial transactions and payments between banks worldwide. The SWIFT messaging network is a component of the global payments system. It acts as a carrier of the "messages containing the payment instructions between financial institutions involved in a transaction".

20. P-75 I (or P-75 India) project refers to manufacture of

Correct Answer: (a) diesel-electric submarines
Solution:P-75 1 (or P-75 India) project refers to manufacture of diesel-electric submarines.

It is a planned class of diesel- electric submarines, which are to be built for the Indian Navy. The P-75 I is a follow on of the P-75 class submarines of the Indian Navy. Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six conventional, diesel-electric attack submarines, which will also feature advanced capabilities- Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), ISR, Special Operations Forces (SOF), Anti-Ship Warfare (ASHW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), land-attack capabilities and other features. They all are expected to be constructed in India under the 'Make in India' initiative.