IAS Main 2009: General Studies 2 Markers Question Answers

UPSC Main Exam General Studies Paper - II
(Two Marker Question's Sample Answers)

Write brief but precise notes on any six of the following. Your answer should not exceed 50 words in each case


(a) Transhumance in India: Transhumance is the seasonal movement of people with their livestock over relatively short distances, typically to higher pastures in summers and to lower valleys in winters.
In India it is still practised in areas of Siwalik range, Nilgiris and also Ladakh. It enables the pastoralists to supplement their incomes, for example in case of Bhotiyas of Sikkim it enabled them together rare mountain herbs in winters which were traded across to Tibet and also cultivate agricultural land in summers.
However off late transhumance is declining due to subtle changes in livelihood patterns among the nomadic communities resulting from severance of trade with Tibet and secondly the lure of govt. jobs in form of reservation an outcome of the scheduled tribe status granted to them.

(b) Frontogenesis and Frontolysis: Frontogenesis refers to the formation or strengthening of a weather front. During frontogenesis the temperature gradient fightens and as a result the thermal wind becomes imbalanced. To maintain balance, the geostrophic wind above and below adjust, so that regions of divergence/convergence are formed. Thus a vertical transport of air along the could front where the lower pressure is present, take place.
It is the opposite of frontogenesis and refers to the weakening of the weather front or weakening of the temperature gradient i.e. low pressure is released and dissipation of air takes place.

(c) Golden Revolution: It refers to the increase in the production of fruits and vegetables. Horticulture in India now contributes 30.4% of GDP of agriculture. There has been a phenomenal increase in the production of fruits and vegetables in India since 1950s, but still there is lot of potential which could be developed. It calls for research and priorities are of genetic resource enhancing the efficiency of production and reducing the losses in an environment friendly manner. Horticulture also has tremendous potential in improving the per capita incomes of small farmers in rural areas.

(d) Causes for dominant dendritic pattern of drainage in the Gangetic plains: Major causes of dendritic pattern of drainage in the Gangetic plain follows the slope of the terrain i.e. from west to east. It is also because of the monotonous and featureless character of the vast alluvial plain where rivers easily make their course in the direction of the slope of the terrain. Besides, Gangetic plain rivers originate in the Himalayan mountains and hills of peninsular plateau like Aravalli, Vindyan Ranges. Because of the hard rocks of these mountains most of the rivers follows almost straight path in the direction of the slopes of the mountain.

(f) Legislative powers assigned to the Rajya Sabha under Article 249 and Article 312 of the constitution: According the article 249, the Rajya Sabha is empowered, to declare by a resolution, supported by not two-third of the members present and voting that the Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter given in the state list. This kind of resolution remains in force for a specified period, not exceeding one year. While according to Article 312, the Rajya Sabha, declares by resolution, supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting, that in the national interest, it is necessary that the Parliament should create one or more All India Services, including All India Judicial Services, common to the Union and States, and also to regulate the recruitment and conditions of the services of persons appointed to such services.

(g) ‘Break-of-Bulk’ towns: The places where goods have to be unloaded are called ‘Break-of-Bulk’ towns, e.g. a port. There can be many criteria which could determine whether or not a town is break of bulk town. For example, situated amidst the Siwalik range, the flat-floored structural valley of Dehradun has long since acted as the break-of-bulk town between the Himalayan region in the north and the Ganga plains of Uttar Pradesh in the south.

Similarly, Cargo ports handle cargo, which has to be loaded and unloaded by different mechanical me The port may handle one particular type of cargo or it may handle numerous cargoes, such as grains, liquid fuels, liquid chemicals, wood, automobiles, etc. Such Ports are known as ‘Break-of-Bulk’ ports, e.g. Haldia. Many cities can historically grow at so called “Break-of-Bulk” points along navigable rivers, where a local obstacle such as rapids required trade goods to be trans-shipped from larger boats to smaller boats, for example, Chicago, Montreal. Even transportation cities can perform break-of-bulk and allied functions for larger regions.

Write brief notes on each of the following in about 20 words each


(a) Contribution of Latika Ghosh to the freedom struggle: Latika Ghosh was an oxford scholar. She set up Mahila Rashtriya Sangha in 1928. She worked closely with the Indian National Congress and entailed 300 women students in her mission by 1928.

(b) Bhai Maharaj Singh as a free fighter: Bhai Maharaj Singh was the spiritual leader and sikh nationalist. He is known as the first freedom fighter of India who took up weapons against the British rule in 1847 after the first Anglo-sikh war. He was imprisoned in Outram Jail Singapore where he died.

(c) Chandrayaan – II: Chandrayaan – II is an extension of chandrayaan – I. This is a joint lunar exploration mission of the India space Research Organisation and Russian federal space agency and has a projected cost of Rs. 425 crore, to be launched in 2013 by a GSLV. The lander will be developed by Russia.

(d) Agni – V: Agni – V is a three stage solid fueled missile with a range upto 6000 km. Agni – V will be able to carry multiple war heads, including nuclear warheads and will have counter measures against Anti Ballistic Missile Systems.

(e) Babli Project: The Babli irrigation project is a barrage being built by Maharashtra across the Godavari in the Pochampad dam area. It is a bone of contention between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

(f) Swavalamban Scheme: Swavalamban scheme was launched in September 2010, is applicable to all citizens in the unorganized sector who join the New Pension System. Under the scheme, Government will contribute Rs. 1000 per year to each NPS account opened in the year 2010-11 for the next three years.

(g) National Investment Fund: National Investment Fund was launched in 2007. This fund is maintained outside the consolidated fund of India to which all proceeds from central public sector enterprises disinvestment will be routed. Out of entire yearly corpus fund, 25% will be expended to meet up capital investment needs of profitable and revivable PSEs, while 75% will be utilized to finance social sector strategies.

(h) ‘Aerostat’ ballon: An ‘Aerostat’ ballon is a light weight structure that remains aloft primarily through the use of buoyant lighter than air gases. Aerostat helium gas ballon was the star attraction in the commonwealth Games, Delhi. It is a 70 crore Rupees Ballon and largest in any games ever used.

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