UKPSC Prelims Paper 1 Mock Test - 3 - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) MCQ

IG Drones is utilizing 5G drone technology for the Uttarakhand Metro Rail Project. This advanced technology allows for high-resolution data collection and real-time monitoring of construction progress, ensuring efficiency and precision in the project’s development. Drones have become a vital tool in modern infrastructure projects, offering a cost-effective and detailed approach to site surveying.

The Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve was renamed to Sitabani Conservation Reserve, reflecting its historical and cultural significance associated with ancient temples and the legend of Mother Sita. This change aims to enhance the recognition and preservation of the region's rich heritage linked to Indian mythology.

Global warming significantly impacts the Himalayan region by accelerating glacier melt and diminishing snowfall. As temperatures rise, the delicate ecological balance is disrupted, leading to potential water resource shortages and alterations in local ecosystems.

Uttarakhand is facing significant challenges in managing the large number of tourists, which has increased eight-fold. This surge in visitors places immense pressure on local infrastructure, natural resources, and the environment, prompting the government to seek assistance for effective management.

The correct answer is option (1) i.e. Pithoragarh.

• Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the India’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries and is rightly known as the 'green paradise of India'.
• Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, with altitude range from 600 m (2,000 ft) to 6,905 m (22,654 ft) is located in the Pithoragarh district of Kumaun.
• The River Kali forms the international boundary and separates it from Nepal in the east and to the west it is bounded by West Almora Forest Division, to the north by Tibet and the south by Pithoragarh Forest Division.
• The famous peaks: Panchchuli, Neodhura, Naukana, Chhiplakot, Najirikot.
• The passes: Lipu lekh, Lumpia lekh and Mankshang lekh.
• The religious places: Bhanar, Chiplakot, Niirikot, Panchachuli, Kalapani and Chota Kailash (Adi Kailash) form a part of the Sanctuary.

The correct answer is Kaarnavati.

• Rani Karnavati was known as Nakkati Rani in the history of Uttarakhand.
• Rani Karnavati was the wife of King Mahipati Shah.

Key Points

• Due to the death of his young husband in 1631, Rani Karnavati ruled the Garhwal kingdom.
• On behalf of her seven-year-old son named Prithvipati Shah, Rani Karnavati ruled.
• Rani Karnavati ruled the kingdom for many years.
• The kingdom was successfully defended from invaders by her.
• An attack was made on the kingdom by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan led by Najabat Khan in 1640.
• She had a habit of cutting the nose of invaders.
• It was the time that Rani Karnavati achieved the title of Nak-Kati-Rani.
• Rajpur canal, which is one of the earliest canals of Dehradun was built by her.

The correct answer is 6th.

Key Points

Uttarakhand Forest Area

• ​The state ranks sixth among the other states in terms of the percentage of recorded forest area.
• The top five states in terms of forest cover as a percentage of total geographical area are Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland (73.90%).
• The state has thus varied terrain, a major portion of which is mountainous with unique ecological diversity consisting of high alpine areas to the Sub-tropical and Tropical regions.
• The total Forest cover area in the state is 3.47 million ha constituting 71% of the State’s Geographical area.
• The forest diversity of the state comprises of Tropical Moist Forest (500-1000m) which is Terai and Bhabar belt of Sub Himalayan Tract, Sub-Tropical Pine Forest (1000-2000m), Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (2000-3000m), Sub-Alpine Forests (3400-4000m) and Alpine Forests 4000-5000m).
• Physiographically, the state can be divided into three zones namely, the Himalaya, The Shiwalik and the Tarai Region.
• The state has a temperate climate except in plain areas where the climate is tropical.
• The average annual rainfall is 1550 mm.
• The major wealth of the state is its forests with very rich biodiversity.

The correct answer is Manvendra Shah.

• When India got independence, Manvendra Shah was the king of Tehri.
• ‘The land of celestial beauty is the title which is given to the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttrakhand.

Key Points

• It is believed that Vedas, shastras, and Mahabharta were written in Garhwal.
• In Garhwal, Kanak Pal was the first ruler.
• There was no influence of mighty Mughals in the Garhwal region.
• The region emerged as an independent kingdom.
• The kings of the Garhwal region maintained diplomatic relations with the Mughals.
• Later, the Pala rulers were called Shahs.
• The title of Shah was given by Mughal rulers.
• For massive physical strength, the ruler Balbhadra Pal was famous.

• Cloudburst is defined as short-term intense torrential rainfall that may last from few minutes to few hours.
• Cloubursts occur if an air mass with high humidity is stuck at a place.
• This leads to flash floods that can cause considerable damage to lives and property.
• Cloudbursts are seen in Jammu and Kashmir, Himacahal Pradesh, Uttarakhand etc.

The correct answer is ​Uttarakhand Ayurveda University.

Key Points

• The Ministry of AYUSH on 16 Dec'21 announced to build a 'Marma Chikitsa' training centre in the Uttarakhand Ayurveda University as the nodal centre for the country.
• It will help students from across the country and world to specialize themselves in Ayurveda.
• This was announced under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme in order to promote Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, herbal medicines.

Additional Information

• About National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme:
  • ​In July 2021, the central government decided to continue the National Ayush Mission (NAM) as a centrally sponsored scheme till 2026.
  • Under this scheme, subsidies at 30%, 50% and 75% of cultivation cost of specific plant species are provided for cultivation of 140 medicinal plants.
  • The support is provided for the cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants on farmer’s land and the establishment of nurseries with backward linkages for raising and supply of quality planting material.​

The correct answer is 17th.

• The literacy rate of Uttarakhand stands at 78.82%.
• Uttarakhand stands at 17th position, in terms of literacy rate, as per the 2011 census.

Key Points

• This literacy rate of the state is above the national average of 74.04%.
• The male literacy rate of the state is 87.40%.
• The female literacy rate of the state is 70.01%.
• Male and female literacy rates, both have increased from the literacy rate in 2001.
• 6,880,953 is the total number of literates in the state in 2011.
• Dehradun has a literacy rate of about 84.25%.
• Nainital has a literacy rate of about 83.88%.

The correct answer is Nainital.
Key Points

• Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Ramnagar, located in the district of Nainital, Uttarakhand.
  • Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the heart of Corbett National Park.
  • Due to its large area, this wildlife zone can be accessed from different gates of Corbett.
  • Sonanadi Sanctuary is spread over 301.18 sqkm of prime forests of the Shiwalik Terai biotic province.
  • Historically, it was carved out of Kalagarh Forest Division.
  • It was brought under the umbrella of Project Tiger and became a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in 1991 and also a part of Project Elephant.

Important Points

Additional Information
Uttarakhand -

• Chief Minister - Pushkar Singh Dhami
• Governor - Gurmit Singh
• State animal - musk deer
• Lok Sabha seats - 5
• Rajya Sabha seats - 3

The correct answer is Phool Dei.
Key Points

• Phool Dei festival is the harvest festival celebrated in Uttarakhand.
• ​​Phool Dei is an auspicious folk festival celebrated to welcome the spring season.
• The festival is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month, Chaitra.
• During this festival young girls gather together and go to every house in their village/towns with plates full of rice, jaggery, coconut, green leaves, and flowers and sing their folk songs.

Additional Information

• A pudding made from jaggery is the key dish of the festival.
• This festival showcases the inner connection between the communities living in the hills

The correct answer is ​Brahmakamal.
Mistake Points

• At present, Palas is the state flower of Uttar Pradesh.
• Before the bifurcation of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, Brahmakamal is the state flower of Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• Brahmakamal​
  • The scientific name of Brahmakamal is Saussurea obvallata.
  • It is the state flower of Uttarakhand.
  • Blooming at a height of more than 14,000 feet only once a year.
  • It is part of the flora of the Himalayan region.

Additional Information

• ​Palash
  • The scientific name of Palash is Butea monosperma.
  • ​It is the state flower of Uttar Pradesh.
    • It is also the state flower of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
  • It is commonly known as “bastard teak”.
  • It is also known as the “Flame of the Forest”.
  • It is a deciduous tree species native to the Indian sub-continent.
  • It can be used to manage diarrhea as it has antimicrobial and astringent properties.
  • It also helps to manage liver disorders due to its antioxidant properties.

​

• Foxtail Orchid
  • ​It is the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Its Scientific name is Rhynchostylis.

The correct answer is Vishnu Prayag.
Key Points

• Vishnu Prayag
  • It is one of the Panch Prayags lies at the confluence of Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga river, in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand.
  • It derives its name from Vishnu.
  • The Badrinath temple is the main attraction in the town.
• Dhauliganga River
  • It originates from the Niti Pass at Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
  • The river has a length of 94 km.
  • It is one of the important tributaries of Alaknanda, the other being the Mandakini, Pindar, and Bhagirathi.
  • It is joined by the Rishiganga river at Raini and merges with the Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag.
• Alaknanda River
  • The source of the Alaknanda River is the confluence of Satopanth Glacier and Bhagirathi Kharak glacier.
  • The length of the Alaknanda River is 190 km.
  • It is considered the source stream of the Ganga River.
  • Alaknanda meets Dhauliganga River at Vishnu Prayag, Nandakini River at Nanda Prayag, Pindari River at Karnaprayag, Mandakini River at Rudraprayag, then it meers Bhagirathi River at Devprayag, where it officially becomes Ganga River.
  • 

Additional Information

• Nand Prayag
  • It is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Chamoli district in the Indian state of Uttarkhand.
  • Nandaprayag is one of the Panch Prayag of Alaknanda River and lies at the Alaknanda River and Nandakini River.
  • Nandaprayag was once the capital of the Yadu Kingdom.
• Karna Prayag
  • Karnaprayag is a city and municipal board in the Chamoli District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
  • Karnaprayag is one of the Panch Prayag, situated at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar River.
• Rudra Prayag
  • Rudra Prayag is a town and a municipality in the Rudraprayag district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
  • It is one of the Panch Prayag of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini.
• Panch Prayag
  • It is an expression in Hindu religious ethos used to connote the five sacred river confluences.
  • Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag are the five Panch Prayags.

The correct answer is Almora.

Key Points

• Almora was founded in 1568 by King Kalyan Chand, however there are accounts of human settlements in the hills and surrounding region in the Hindu epic Mahabharata in the 8th and 9th century BCE.
• Almora was the seat of Chand kings that ruled over the Kumaon Kingdom. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
• This place got its name from "Bhilmora", a kind of sorrel,(although some have tried to derive it from Berberis "kilmora" a short plant commonly found there.
• It is surrounded by thick forests of pine and fir trees. Flowing alongside the city are rivers of Suyal (Salmale) and Koshi (Kaushiki).
• Almora has many notable temples, including Nanda Devi, Doli Daana, Shyayi Devi, Khakmara, Asht Bhairav, Kasar Devi, Jakhandevi, Katarmal (Sun Temple), Pataal Devi, Chitai, Jageshwar, Binsar Mahadev, Garhnath, Raghunath Mandir, Badreshwar, Banari Devi, and Baijnath.

The correct answer is 2000.

• The Uttarakhand State was carved out from the erstwhile State of Uttar Pradesh on 09/11/2000. At the time of the creation of the State, the High Court of Uttarakhand was also established on the same day at Nainital.
• The High Court is functioning in an old building situated in Mallital Nainital which was known as the old Secretariat.
• The building of the High Court is a very magnificent and was constructed in 1900 A.D.
• There is a park in front of the building and Naina Peak, the highest peak in Nainital, in the background, which makes the building more picturesque.
• Hon'ble Mr Justice Ashok A. Desai was the founder Chief Justice of the High Court who was transferred from High Court of Allahabad along with Hon'ble Mr Justice P.C.Verma, the Senior Judge and Hon'ble Mr Justice M.C.Jain.
• The sanctioned strength of Judges at the time of creation was 7 which has been increased to 9 in 2003.

The correct answer is Plantation.

Key Points

• Harela is celebrated as a festival of greenery, peace, prosperity and environmental conservation in Uttarakhand.
• It is celebrated in the month of Shravan.
• People of the Kumaun region, associate greenery with prosperity.
  • While people of Garhwal link it to the Barahnaza system (12 types of crops).
  • Barahnaza system: It is a crop diversification technique followed in the region.
• The seeds of five to seven types of crops: maize, til (sesame), urad (black gram), mustard, oats are sown in donas (bowl made of leaves) yup
• nine days before the festival.
• They are harvested on the ninth day.
• The flourish of the crops symbolises prosperity in the year ahead.
• People make clay statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, known as Dikare, and worship them a day before the festival.

Additional InformationOther festivals in Uttarakhand:

• Phool Dei Festival,
• Bhitauli Festival,
• Ganga Dussehra Festival,
• Hill Jatra,
• Kangdali Festival,
• Nanda Devi Raj Jat.

Famous Fairs of Uttarakhand:

• Uttaryani Mela,
• Bissu Mela,
• Nandadevi Mela,
• Purnagiri Mela,
• Syalde Bikhauti Mela.

The mascot of the 38th National Games is Mouli, inspired by Uttarakhand’s state bird, the Monal, reflecting the region’s natural beauty and cultural diversity. The other options are not associated with the games’ mascot.

The Bombay High Court expressed concern that granting temporary permission for surrogacy to a divorced woman could lead to broader implications, particularly the commercialization of surrogacy. This concern stems from the belief that allowing surrogacy for individuals who do not fit the established criteria could undermine the regulatory framework designed to protect against exploitation and unethical practices in the surrogacy industry. An interesting fact is that surrogacy laws vary significantly across countries, with some nations completely prohibiting commercial surrogacy to safeguard women and children involved in the process.

The use of M4 carbine assault rifles by terrorist groups in Kashmir raises significant security concerns, particularly regarding their acquisition through black markets. The proliferation of such advanced weaponry indicates a troubling trend where terrorist organizations can access sophisticated firearms, which enhances their capability to conduct lethal attacks. This situation underscores the need for enhanced security measures and international cooperation to combat the spread of arms in conflict zones.

The primary concern regarding the drought conditions affecting the Krishna River is its early drying up. This phenomenon is severely impacting agriculture and drinking water supplies in northern Karnataka. The early depletion of the river's water not only threatens crop yields but also raises urgent demands for water from neighboring states to mitigate the crisis. Droughts like this can lead to long-term socio-economic challenges, including food insecurity and conflicts over water resources.

The primary constitutional mandate for the election of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is that they must be elected by a simple majority of the members present and voting. This process ensures that the Deputy Speaker has the support of the majority, which is crucial for maintaining order and balance in legislative proceedings. Interestingly, the election can occur during any session of the Lok Sabha, although it typically takes place during the second session.

The Tiangong space station is expected to operate until at least 2028, reflecting China's long-term commitment to space exploration. Unlike the ISS, which has 16 modules, Tiangong has three modules, making it smaller but still equipped with independent systems for power, propulsion, and life support. This operational timeline allows for ongoing scientific research and international collaboration in various fields of study. Interestingly, the Tiangong station's modular design enables future expansions and upgrades, showcasing the adaptability of modern space infrastructure.

The main criticism of the Waqf Amendment Act of 2025 is that it allows district collectors to determine the status of waqf properties, which critics argue undermines the authority of the judiciary. This provision raises concerns about the separation of powers and the integrity of judicial oversight, as it places significant authority in the hands of administrative officials rather than the courts. An interesting fact is that the Act has sparked over 70 petitions from various groups, indicating widespread concern about its implications for religious freedoms.