UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Exam 2016 Notification is just released by Union Public Service Commission and the candidates are required to understand the requirement of Civil Services Prelims Examination on order to qualify the IAS Prelim Exam. It requires a special focus on the IAS Exam Preparation and endless practice of the Subject Questions and Model Test Papers.
Geography is one of the important components of the IAS Syllabus which covers the major share of the IAS Prelims Questions. The General Studies Paper I of Civil Services IAS Prelims Exam consist of Geography Questions ranges from 15 to 25 every year. So, the Civil Services aspirants have to do Preparation of GS Geography in a manner so, that they can score better in IAS Prelims Exam.
Here, we have provided such practice questions of Physical Geography which will help aspirants to check their level of Preparation of IAS Prelims Exam 2016.
1. Consider the following statements regarding Local Area Planning:
I. Local area planning is a process of planning that is concerned with resolving local level problems and issues.
II. The priorities of local area planning include over all welfare of the people and development of the local area.
III. Maintenance of social services and amenities, promotion in the quality and quantity of local products and services and keeping surroundings and local environment clean and green are some of its continuous concerns.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Local area planning is a process of planning that is concerned with resolving local level problems and issues. Its priorities include over all welfare of the people and development of the local area.
Maintenance of social services and amenities, promotion in the quality and quantity of local products and services and keeping surroundings and local environment clean and green are some of its continuous concerns. In terms of size, it is the smallest planning unit with reference to people and places.
A planning which is carried out through people’s participation turns out to be a dream of real situation reflecting continuous growth and development in the local area.
2. Among which of the following places is known for silk sarees?
a. Kolhapur
b. Varanasi
c. Shivakashi
d. Mysore
Answer: b
Explanation:
Sandles of kolhapur, sandal sticks of Mysore, fireworks of Shivakashi, Naga Shawls, Kashmiri Pashmina, Varanasi silk sarees, Madhubani art, Kuchipuri dance etc. are some of the local area products or specialities that are in great demand both from national as well as international markets.
A well maintained locality with its clean and green environments acts as a source of attraction to the non local people and acts as an ideal for other places to follow.
3. Who among the following has taken up the responsibility of planning for the whole world at global level?
a. United Nations
b. United States of America
c. World Bank
d. IMF
Answer: a
Explanation:
At the global level, planning for the whole world is taken up by the United Nations and countries provide cooperation in the implementation of the planning schemes. Various programmes such as UNEP, UNDP, etc. are initiated to deal with the global issues of environment, poverty, development, and so on.
4. Who among the following at state level is responsible to develop plans for the entire state?
a. Planning Commission
b. NITI Aayog
c. State Planning Board
d. State Cabinet Ministers
Answer: c
Explanation:
At the state level there is a State Planning Board that develops plan for the entire state. This is also known as a regional plan. Chief Minister of the state is the Chairman of the State Planning Board.
5. Consider the following statements regarding the Community Development Blocks:
I. Community Development Blocks are the fourth (micro) level planning units and are responsible for plan implementation down to the village and household levels.
II. Each C.D. Block consists of about 50 villages.
III. Block Development Officer (B.D.O.) is the coordinator of the plan at this level of planning.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Community Development Blocks are the fourth (micro) level planning units. Each C.D. Block consists of about 50 villages. These blocks are responsible for plan implementation down to the village and household levels. Block Development Officer (B.D.O.) is the coordinator of the plan at this level of planning.
Local area planning is meant for small localities like a village, a Basti or Mohalla. The entire community, living and working at the place, is responsible for developing plans and seeking assistance and cooperation from the Governmental Organization, Non-Governmental Organization and others.
6. Consider the following statements regarding the land resources:
I. The land resources are the basis of human settlements and primary activities besides being the base for scenic landscape.
II. The exposed rock surfaces act as natural platforms while its slopes and steps remained the basis for plant growth.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. Both I and III
d. Neither I nor II
Answer: c
Explanation:
The most striking feature of a local area is its rocks and soils. These land resources are the basis of human settlements and primary activities besides being the base for scenic landscape.
The exposed rock surfaces act as natural platforms while its slopes and steps remained the basis for plant growth. The places in such a setup are developed as sites for picnic, parks and natural beauties.
7. Consider the following statements regarding soil, one of the important component of land resources:
I. Soils are the basis for a variety of human activities such as agriculture, animal herding, horticulture, etc.
II. The fertile soils have always been a source of attraction for human civilisations and development.
III. Large scale deforestation and commercial uses of land have caused imbalances in soil setup.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Soils are the basis for a variety of human activities such as agriculture, animal herding, horticulture, etc. The fertile soils have always been a source of attraction for human civilisations and development.
However, this rare gift of nature is threatened by massive erosion and degradation, and is fast converted to wastelands. Large scale deforestation and commercial uses of land have caused imbalances in soil setup.
Since formation of soil, its renewability and replacements require pretty long period, there is an urgent need for soil conservation and maintenance of its natural fertility.
8. Consider the following statements regarding water resources, central to all ecosystem:
I. One of the most basic requirements for life to develop and sustain on long term basis is the availability of water.
II. Most of the early human civilisations developed near water sources especially along fertile river valleys.
III. Water is being used for a variety of purposes like power generation, irrigation, for domestic and industrial uses besides keeping the local area clean and green.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
One of the most basic requirements for life to develop and sustain on long term basis is the availability of water. It is central to all ecosystems. Most of the early human civilisations developed near water sources especially along fertile river valleys.
Both for human activities and settlements water is an essential element. Water is being used for a variety of purposes like power generation, irrigation, for domestic and industrial uses besides keeping the local area clean and green.
9. Consider the following statements regarding the forest resources on earth:
I. Plants or forests are means to livelihood and natural attraction.
II. Due to ever increasing pressure of population, forest cover is fast declining causing serious environmental threats.
III. Tree plantations along highways, railway tracts, hill slopes, canals have developed schemes like social forestry, farm forestry.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Plants are the basic form of life and act as the source of oxygen. They are means to livelihood and natural attraction. Due to ever increasing pressure of population, forest cover is fast declining causing serious environmental threats.
Tree plantations along highways, railway tracts, hill slopes, canals have developed schemes like social forestry, farm forestry and so on.
10. The Panchayati Raj System was introduced for the first time in India in which of the following Five Year Plans?
a. First Five Year Plan
b. Second Five Year Plan
c. Third Five Year Plan
d. Fifth Five Year Plan
Answer: b
Explanation:
The system of Panchayati Raj considered as the oldest system of local government in the Indian Subcontinent. This system of local government is mostly prevalent in South Asian Political system of the countries like India, Pakistan Bangladesh and Nepal.
In India the Panchayati Raj system was introduced during second Five Year Plan for the first time but it was formalised only in year 1992.
The 73rd Amendment 1992 of Indian Constitution added a new Part IX to it and titled “The Panchayats” covering provisions from Article 243 to 243(O); and a new Eleventh Schedule covering 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats.
We hope these questions will be highly helpful for the Indian Geography section of the IAS Exam Syllabus and specifically for the IAS Prelims Exam.
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