Q7moderateScope Confusion
Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body ?
(a) They protect the body from environmental allergens.
(b) They alleviate the body's pain and inflammation.
(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
(d) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.
Answer: (a)
Trap: Scope Confusion
Option (d) seems like the obvious correct answer since B cells and T cells are part of adaptive immunity against pathogens. However, UPSC answer is (a). The question asks 'best describes' - B and T cells also respond to allergens (IgE mediated allergic responses involve B cells). This is a debatable answer where (d) is the strong distractor.
Q8moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements :
1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (d) is the most tempting wrong answer. Statement 2 is factually true (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens/cosmetics) and statement 3 is also factually true. Statement 1 is clearly false as nanoparticles exist naturally (volcanic ash, sea spray). The official answer (a) is highly controversial and likely an error in the answer key.
Q9moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements :
DNA Barcoding can be a tool to :
1. assess the age of a plant or animal
2. distinguish among species that look alike.
3. identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (d) appears to be the correct answer as DNA barcoding IS used for distinguishing cryptic species and identifying food adulterants. Statement 1 is false - DNA barcoding identifies species, not age. The official answer (a) is widely considered incorrect by subject experts. This traps students who actually know the topic well.
Q39easy
With reference to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), consider the following statements :
1. They enable the digital representation of physical assets.
2. They are unique cryptographic tokens that exist on a blockchain.
3. They can be traded or exchanged at equivalency and therefore can be used as a medium of commercial transactions.
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
Answer: (a)
Q56moderateAbsolute Qualifier
With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements :
1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties.
2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage.
3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products.
4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 uses 'any alcoholic beverage' - PET is not suitable for all alcoholic beverages (high-proof spirits can leach chemicals). Statement 4 claims 'without causing greenhouse gas emissions' - incineration of PET produces CO2. Both use absolute qualifiers that make them wrong. The trap is accepting these absolutes.
Q61moderate
Consider the following :
1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. DigiLocker
4. DIKSHA
Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Q62moderateAbsolute Qualifier
With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements :
1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data.
2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.
3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
All three statements are generally accepted characteristics of Web 3.0. Statement 2 about blockchain-based social networks is factually correct (e.g., Steemit, Mastodon on blockchain). The official answer (c) excluding statement 2 is debatable. The trap is that students who know Web3 well would pick (d).
Q63moderateAbsolute Qualifier
With reference to "Software as a Service (SaaS)", consider the following statements :
1. SaaS buyers can customise the user interface and can change data fields.
2. SaaS users can access their data through their mobile devices.
3. Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are forms of SaaS.
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
All three statements appear correct. SaaS allows UI customization and data field changes (statement 1), mobile access (statement 2), and email services are classic SaaS examples (statement 3). The official answer (c) excluding statement 2 is puzzling since mobile access is a key SaaS feature. Perhaps UPSC distinguishes between 'access data' and 'use service'.
Q64moderateCommon Misconception
Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the "Fractional Orbital Bombardment System" often talked about in media ?
(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (c) correctly describes FOBS - a weapon system where a nuclear warhead is placed into low orbit and deorbited before completing a full revolution to strike a target. The official answer (b) describes planetary landing, which has nothing to do with FOBS. The word 'bombardment' in the name clearly indicates a weapons system.
Q65easy
Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned ?
(a) Cloud Services
(b) Quantum Computing
(c) Visible Light Communication Technologies
(d) Wireless Communication Technologies
Answer: (d)
Q66moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following communication technologies :
1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network
Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
CCTV can be confused as short-range since cameras are local, but CCTV is not classified as a 'Short-Range Device' in telecom regulatory frameworks. RFID and WLAN (Wi-Fi) are classified as Short-Range Devices by ITU. The trap is including CCTV because it operates locally.
Q67moderatePartial Truth
Consider the following statements :
1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
All three statements are factually correct - biofilms DO form on medical implants, food surfaces, AND exhibit antibiotic resistance (up to 1000x more resistant). The official answer (c) excluding statement 2 contradicts established microbiology. Statement 2 about food processing biofilms is a well-known food safety concern.
Q68moderatePartial Truth
Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics :
1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 1 is true - probiotics include bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) and yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii). Statement 2 is false - probiotic organisms DO naturally occur in our gut. Statement 3 is true - probiotics help digest lactose (milk sugar). The official answer (b) is wrong since statement 2 claims probiotics don't naturally occur in gut, which is false. Options (c) would be more accurate.
Q69easy
In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements :
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
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
Answer: (a)
Q70moderateCommon Misconception
If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ?
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (c) is the factually correct answer. Solar storms affect GPS (1), power grids (3), cause auroras (4), disturb satellite orbits (6), and disrupt shortwave radio (7). They do NOT cause tsunamis (2) or forest fires (5). The official answer (a) including tsunamis and forest fires while excluding power grids, satellite orbits, and radio disruption is widely considered incorrect.