UKPSC Prelims Paper 1 Mock Test - 9 - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) MCQ

• Total Number of Seats in Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha consists of a total of 545 seats.


• Distribution of Seats: The distribution of seats in Lok Sabha is based on the population of each state.


• Population of Uttarakhand: According to the 2011 Census, the population of Uttarakhand is approximately 10.1 million.


• Calculation: To calculate the number of seats for Uttarakhand in Lok Sabha, we use the formula - (Population of State / Total Population of India) x Total Number of Seats in Lok Sabha.


• Calculation for Uttarakhand: (10.1 million / 1.21 billion) x 545 = 4.54.


• Rounding Off: The number of seats is always rounded off to the nearest whole number. Hence, Uttarakhand gets 5 seats in Lok Sabha.

Key-Points

• Indian Drug and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL) is located in Hrishikesh, Haridwar.
• The plant was commissioned in 1967 and had the largest antibiotics fermentation facility with 44 nos. of Fermentors for penicillin-G, Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, and Streptomycin, etc., and their purification facilities.
• It has a large production capacity for manufacturing of Formulations like tablets and capsules both Beta & Non-Beta lactam.

Hence, we conclude that Hrishikesh is having a manufacturing unit of antibiotic medicine.

The correct answer is Eastern Nayar- Western Nayar.

Key Points

• Dudhatoli Range
  • Dudhatoli is a middle Himalayan mountain range in a north-south direction, starting near Thalisain tehsil of Pauri Gharwal district in Uttarakhand.
  • Dudhatoli mountains are the source of many non-glacial perennial rivers; Nayaar-East, Nayaar-West (merging with each other at Satpuli), and Ramganga (West) being the major ones.
• Eastern Nayar- Western Nayar​
  • Nayar River is a perennial, non-glacial river in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand.
  • The river system is one of the largest non-glacial perennial rivers in the state, second only to Ramganga, and flows entirely in the district of Pauri Garhwal.
  • The two main branches of the river: Nayar East and Nayar West along with Ramganga river, rise in the dense forests and high meadows of Dudhatoli Range.​

Additional Information

• Rupin- Supin
  • Rupin Supin is two Attractive valleys of Garhwal Himalayas.
  • Rupin and Supin valleys are part of the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
  • These are two divine places to explore in one trek.

• ​Mandakini
  • Mandakini is a tributary of the Alaknanda River.​
  • It originates from the Chorabari near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, India.
  • Mandakini is fed by Vasukinganga River at Sonprayag.
  • Mandakini joins Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
• ​Chandrabhaga
  • Chandrabhaga is one of the important rivers in the Amravati district of Maharashtra.
  • It forms a part of the Tapti-Purna river system as a tributary of Purna.
  • The mainstream of the river rises just down the Virat plateau in the Chikhaldarahills and takes an eastward course draining the south slopes of Chikhaldara and Gawilgarh plateaus.

The correct answer is Purushottam Pant.

Key Points

Battle of Gwaldam

• ​There was a fierce fight between the Garhwal Kingdom army and the Chand army led by Purushottam Pant.
• A Padyar commander was leading the Garhwal army.
• Garhwal King declared a reward that whoever brings the head of Purushottam Pant would get all villages from the battlefield to Shrinagar.
• A Padyar threw a spear towards Pursu Pant and Purushottam Pant died instantly.
• The Padyar commander brought the head of Purushottam Pant to Shrinagar. Garhwal King rewarded villages around rod from Gwaldam to Shrinagar.
• After the defeat at Gwaldam, Rudrachandra attacked Sukhaldev, and around 1590-91-or 92, Sukhaldev was killed by the Chand Kingdom army.
• Historians claim that this battle was fought in 1590 A.D. Furthermore, the place saw the rule of several provinces like the Garhwal Kingdom which was then followed by the Chands, Gorkhas, and then finally the Britishers before our country got independent in 1947.

The correct answer is option 1 i.e Dehradun

• Uttarakhand:
  • Governor - Gurmit Singh.
  • Chief Minister- Pushkar Singh Dhami
  • Lok Sabha seats - 5.
  • Rajya Sabha seats - 3.
  • State Animal - Alpine musk deer.
  • State Bird - Himalayan monal.

The correct answer is the Tenth bright lunar day of Jyeshtha.
Key Points

• Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on the Tenth bright lunar day in the month of Jyestha.
• It is a 10-day festival celebrated annually.
• Ganga Dussehra is a major festival of Hindus.
• Goddess Ganga was born on earth on this day.
• The 10th day of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha is called Dashami Dussehra.

Additional Information

• Ganga Dussehra is also known as Gangavatarn.
• It is celebrated in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
• Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Garhmukteshwar, and Patna are the main celebrating areas.
• People perform Aartis on the banks of River Ganga.
• Yamuna River is also worshipped on the same day.
• Kite flying events are organized here.

The development of airfields in Uttarakhand is necessary for enhancing the management of resources near the border with China. This initiative aims to improve logistical capabilities and ensure better connectivity and security in strategically important regions, reflecting the broader goals of national defense and resource management.

The supplementary budget includes a total provision of Rs 749 crore for major construction works in Uttarakhand. This allocation reflects the government’s focus on infrastructure development within the state.

The major rivers flowing through the Corbett Tiger Reserve include the Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain, and Kosi. The Ganges, while an important river in India, does not flow through the Corbett Tiger Reserve area.

The proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand includes a unique aspect where the Scheduled Tribe population, which comprises 2.89% of the state's population, is exempted from its provisions. This exemption acknowledges the cultural practices and legal traditions specific to these communities, while the UCC aims to establish uniform personal laws across different religions and communities.

The Uttarakhand government is proposing to offer job reservations for Agniveers, who are young recruits serving in the Indian Armed Forces under the Agnipath Scheme. This initiative aims to support these individuals by providing them with job opportunities in government departments and the Police Department after their service, thus recognizing their contributions to the nation.

The Uttarakhand Forest Department has established the state’s first bird gallery at the Nature Education Centre in Dehradun. This gallery aims to display high-resolution images of the diverse bird species in Uttarakhand, fostering appreciation and awareness of the region's rich avian biodiversity.

The MGNREGA scheme aims to provide a legal guarantee of employment for rural households, ensuring at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year for those willing to perform unskilled manual work. This initiative is designed to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty by empowering communities through guaranteed work.

The Purnagiri Temple, also known as Punyagiri, is a Shaktipeeth located near the Sharda River in Champawat district. It is revered for its spiritual significance and is believed to be the site where the navel of Sati Mata fell, making it one of the 108 Siddhapeeths.

The new Rs 100 currency note issued by Nepal features a map that includes the Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. This move has heightened tensions between India and Nepal, as both countries claim these areas based on historical treaties. The issue is complex, involving various diplomatic and historical claims, particularly the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.

The Uttarakhand government suspended the manufacturing licenses of 14 products made by Patanjali due to repeated instances of misleading advertisements about their efficacy. This decision reflects the government's commitment to consumer protection and adherence to legal standards regarding product claims. An interesting aspect of this situation is that it highlights the ongoing legal scrutiny faced by companies that make health claims about their products, particularly in the context of traditional medicine.

The budget allocates Rs 5,658 crore specifically for the welfare of the poor. This funding is aimed at initiatives such as housing, food grain distribution, and gas refill schemes, reflecting the government’s commitment to improve the living standards of disadvantaged populations.

The correct answer is Raja Bheemchand.
Key Points

• Khagmara Fort situated in the eastern part of Almora was built by Raja BheemChand of the Katyuri dynasty.
• Bageshwar is the oldest cultural district of the Kumaon region and the state as well.
  • The district carved out of Almora in 1997 is a storehouse of the ancient culture of Katyuri kings of Uttarakhand
  • Katyuri kings ruled the unified region of Uttarakhand before it was divided into Kumaon and Garhwal divisions.

Additional Information
About Uttarakhand (as of Dec 2022)

• Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, state of India, located in the northwestern part of the country.
  • Uttarakhand was carved out from Uttarpradesh on 9 November 2000 as the 27th State of India.
  • It is bordered to the northwest by Himachal Pradesh, to the northeast by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, to the southeast by Nepal, and to the south and southwest by the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Its capital is the northwestern city of Dehra Dun.
  • Governor: Gurmit Singh
  • CM: Pushkar Singh Dhami
  • State flower: Saussurea obvallata
  • State Animal : Alpine musk deer
  • National park: Valley of Flowers National Park (UNESCO sites), Rajaji National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Gangotri National Park, Jim Corbett (1st National park in India).

The crop of Jhangora is Kharif.
Key Points

• The crop of Jhangora is kharif.
• Jhangora is a type of millet that is grown in the Himalayan region.
• It is a species of grass commonly called Barnyard grass or Cockspur grass.
• It is used as a substitute for rice.

Additional Information

• Kharif Crop:
  • It is sown in June/July and harvested in September/October
  • Example:- rice, jowar, bajra, ragi, maize, cotton and jute
• Rabi Crop:
  • It is sown in October/December and harvested in April/May.
  • Example:- wheat, barley, peas, rapeseed, mustard grains.
• Zyad Crop:
  • They are raised between April/June.
  • Example:- melons, watermelons, cucumbers, leafy and other vegetables.

The correct answer is Bhagirathi River.
Key Points
Harsil valley in Uttarakhand

• ​It lies along the banks of the Bhagirathi river. This valley is on the way to the Hindu pilgrimage, Gangotri.
• It sits at a height of 7,860 ft (2,620 meters) in the Uttarkashi district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The town lies at a distance of 73 km from the district headquarters of Uttarkashi.
• Harsil Valley has a cluster of around eight villages near the India-China border.
• The upper reaches of Harsil are connected to Nelang Valley.
• It is also connected to the Baspa Valley by several passes including the Lamkhaga Pass.

Additional Information
Bhagirathi River

• It is one of the two most important headstreams of the Ganga which meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga
• It rises at the foot of Gangotri Glacier, at Gaumukh, at an elevation of 3892m at the base of Chaukhamba peak in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand
• The upper catchment of the river is glaciated
• It cuts spectacular gorges in its middle course where it has cut through granites and crystalline rocks of the central Himalayan axis
• Gangotri, Uttarkashi, and Tehri are important settlements along the river.

The correct answer is 1880.

• On 18th September 1880, there was a heavy landslide in Nainital (Uttarakhand).
• The landslide killed 153 Britishers and an unknown number of natives. One major landslide also occurred in Nainital in the year 1867.
• The landslides of 1867 and 1880, both initiated in the Sher ka Danda hill.
• The landslide of 1880 occurred in the hill slope to the east of the 1867 slide-in which the old Victoria Hotel was destroyed.

Important Point

• British realized that there was no good drainage system on the hill slopes around Nainital after the 1880 landslide. 79 km of drains were constructed.
• After the landslide Nainital was divided into two zones:
  • The safe zone where construction was permitted.
  • The prohibition zone where construction was not permitted.
• Another heavy landslide occurred in Nainital in 1898.

Additional Information

• Ranikhet is a famous hill station located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 1,829 mts above sea level.
• It is famous for the Gandhi Kuti and the temple of Golu Devta.
• The term 'Ranikhet' means 'Land of the Queen'.
• It is a cantonment town.

The correct answer is Pahadi Ramayana.

Key Points

• Thulo Dhuska is a folklore in the Eastern Kumaon, Uttarakhand.
• It means play of Rama. In this play, the story of Rama is depicted.
• There are 2 different versions of Thulo Khela.
• It has divided version 1 into 15 episodes and version 2 into 11 episodes.
• These two versions are preserved in manuscripts by the families of principal singers called Bakhani.
• Irrespective of caste these stories used to be sung collectively by only male members of society during the Athau festival in the month of Bhadau (mid of August-September) and lasting for eight days.
• The Thulo Khela is sung mainly in three tunes, the principal one is termed Dhuska.
• Dhuska is based on classical music. The other main tunes are termed Khela and Chalali.
• The accompanying musical instruments in the Thulo Khela are hudka and mijara (pair of cymbals).

The correct answer is Dudhatoli.

Key Points

• Dudhatoli is known as Pamir of Uttarakhand.
• Dudhatoli is a middle Himalayan mountain range in a north-south direction, starting near Thalisain tehsil of Pauri Gharwal district in Uttarakhand.
• Dudhatoli mountains are the source of many non-glacial perennial rivers; Nayaar-East, Nayaar-West (merging with each other at Satpuli), and Ramganga (West) being the major ones.

Additional Information

• Ranikhet
  • Ranikhet means "Queen of Fields".
  • It is a hill station in the Almora district of Uttarakhand.
  • Ranikhet Golf Course is one of the highest golf courses in Asia.
• Uttarakhand
  • Foundation Day: 9 November 2000(carved out from Uttar Pradesh on this date and became the 27th state of the Republic of India).
  • Capital: Gairsain(Summer), Dehradun( Winter).
  • State Animal: Alpine Musk Deer.
  • State Bird: Himalayan Monal.
  • State Tree: Buransh.
  • State Flower: Brahma Kamal.

The correct answer is 7th July 2016 A. D. - Haridwar.

• 'Namami Gange Yojana' was started on 7th July 2016 in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

Key Points

• Namami Gange Yojana:
  • It is an Integrated Conservation Mission to accomplish the objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga.
  • It was launched in June 2014.
  • The project is being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • In Uttarakhand, the project was launched on 7th July 2016 from Haridwar.
  • The state counterpart organizations of NMCG are the State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
  • The program centrally-funded scheme of Rs. 20,000-crore non-lapsable corpus and consists of nearly 288 projects.
  • The main pillars of the program are:
    • Creating Sewage Treatment Infrastructure
    • River-Front Development
    • River-Surface Cleaning
    • Biodiversity conservation
    • Afforestation
    • Public Awareness
    • Industrial Effluent Monitoring
    • Ganga Gram

Additional Information

• Ganga
  • ​The left bank tributaries of the Ganga are Ramganga, Ghagra, Kali or Sharda, Gandhak, Kosi.
  • The right bank tributaries of the Ganga are Yamuna and Son.

The correct answer is 6.

• The newly formed state of Uttarakhand is renowned for its unique biodiversity.
  • Due to biodiversity present in the state, 12 percent of the total geographical area is protected areas which include 6 National Park, 7 Wildlife Sanctuary, 4 Conservation Reserve & 1 Biosphere Reserve.

Key Points

• There are 6 National Parks in Uttarakhand, namely :
  • Jim Corbett National Park.
  • Nanda Devi National Park.
  • Rajaji National Park.
  • Valley of Flowers National Park.
  • Gangotri National Park.
  • Govind National Park.​

Additional Information

• Gangotri National Park
  • Gangotri National Park established in 1989, is situated in Uttarkashi district in the upper catchment of the Bhagirathi river.
• Jim Corbett National Park
  • It is the oldest national park in India.
  • It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal Tiger.
  • It is located in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand.
• Rajaji National Park
  • It is both a national park and a tiger reserve.
  • It is located in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas.
  • It was established in 1983 after three sanctuaries (Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji) were merged into Rajaji National Park.
  • It has been named after C. Rajagopalachari, a freedom fighter and last Governor-General of Independent of India.
• Nanda Devi National Park
  • The Nanda National Park is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas located in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand.
  • The park was established as Sanjay Gandhi National Park in 1982 and was later renamed Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park in 2005.
  • It was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

The correct answer is Chhau.

Key Points

• Chhau is a semi-classical Indian dance that incorporates martial arts steps and techniques along with dance.
• The dance form is known to originate in the states of Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.
• Chhau dance is a traditional dance form performed by men from Eastern India that enacts episodes from epics including Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• The main objective of this dance form is to celebrate martial arts.
• Chhau dance can be classified into three divisions based on the place it is performed; Mayurbhanj Chau of Odisha, Seraikella Chau of Jharkhand, and Purulia Chau of Bengal.

Additional Information

• Jhora:
  • Jhora dance belongs to the state of Uttarakhand.
  • It originated in the Kumaon region.
  • This magical folk dance form binds people of all castes. Everyone enjoys the dance with a peaceful mind.
  • Jhora dance is usually seen in the evening at weddings or fairs.
  • As the dancers perform, everyone watching fills up with energy.
  • Everyone jumps up to join the dance. It is generally performed in the spring season.
  • People from all around the country come to witness this magnificent folk dance form.
  • Jhora dance is incomplete without the famous traditional drum known as "Hurka".
  • Imagine the drum beating in the background and a large group of people dancing their feet on the beats.
  • The beats are different from traditional Indian drums.
• Bharatnatyam :
  • It is the traditional dance of the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Ghoomar:
  • It is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, India, and Sindh, Pakistan.
  • The dance is chiefly performed by veiled women who wear flowing dresses called Ghaghara.
  • The dance typically involves performers pirouetting while moving in and out of a wide circle.
  • The word ghoomna describes the twirling movement of the dancers and is the basis of the word Ghoomar.
  • Ghoomar is often performed on special occasions, such as at weddings and during Holi, and sometimes lasts for hours.

The correct answer is Selaqui.

Key Points

• Centre for Aromatic Plants in Uttarakhand(CAP)
  • Centre for Aromatic Plants was established by the Government of Uttarakhand in 2003 in the industrial area Selaqui, Dehradun.
  • CAP is a complete business incubator centre for the development of the aromatic sector in Uttarakhand.
  • Vision: To establish Uttarakhand's identity in aromatic oils at the National and international level and to establish objective leadership in mountain-specific production, value addition, and marketing.
• ​Selaqui
  • Selaqui is known for its industrial area.
  • It is situated on the outskirts of Dehradun.
  • It is the much-crowded area in Dehradun and is very out from the main city area.

Additional Information

• Gopeshwar
  • Gopeshwar is a town in Garhwal hills and a municipal board within the Chamoli district.
  • It is the administrative headquarters of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
  • Gopeshwar is surrounded by four famous temples- Tungnath, Anusuya Devi Temple, Rudranath, and Badrinath.
• ​Muni ki Reti
  • Muni ki Reti is a town and a municipal council in Tehri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
  • Muni ki Reti is traditionally considered the gateway for the Char Dham pilgrimage- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamnotri.
  • It is also known as the place where king Bharata of Ramayana did penance.
• Pantnagar
  • ​Pantnagar is a town and a university campus in Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand.
  • The town is home to the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, the first agricultural university of India which was established on 17 November 1960.
  • It is known for being an industrial town and houses.

The correct answer is Sudarshan Shah.

Key Points

• Sudarshan Shah, also known as Raja Sudarshan Shah of Garhwal Kingdom, was the ruler and the founder of the modern-day New Tehri city of Tehri district.
  • He reigned the kingdom from 1804-1859.
  • British army aided the king to reign the territory after the royal army defeated Gorkha forces during the Battle of Khurbura.
  • Sudarshan was a wise ruler and he shifted his capital from Srinagar, Uttarakhand to Tehri which is covered by hills and rivers.
  • Before the establishment of the new capital, there were no buildings in the area.
  • He constructed the first building called "Purana Durbar Hall" where he used to carry out administrative reforms.

Additional Information

• Mahipati
  • King Mahipati Shah of Garhwal was a battle-loving ruler who did believe in stiff opposition to any invasion.
  • When Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor was crowned on 14th February 1628 at Agra, rulers from all over the subcontinent visited his coronation, but King Mahapati denied the invitation.
• Pradyuman Shah
  • Pradyuman Shah is the king of Garhwal, Before ruling the Garhwal, he was crowned as the king of Kumaon from 1779 to 1786.
• Balbhadra Shah
  • ​The Garhwal Kingdom was an independent Himalayan kingdom in the current north-western Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

The correct answer is 2005.

Key Points

• The Disaster Management Act in India was enacted in 2005.

Additional Information

• The Disaster Management Act 2005
  • It was passed to manage disasters, including the preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building, and more.
  • It defines a disaster as a catastrophe, mishap, calamity, or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes.
  • The Act designates the Ministry of Home Affairs as the nodal ministry for steering the overall national disaster management.
  • It puts into place a systematic structure of institutions at the national, state, and district levels.
    • It puts in place the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
      • The NDMA is tasked with laying down disaster management policies and ensuring timely and effective response mechanisms.
    • It also provides for the National Executive Committee (NEC).
      • The NEC is responsible for the preparation of the National Disaster Management Plan for the whole country and to ensure that it is “reviewed and updated annually.
    • It makes provision for a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
      • The NDRF refers to trained professional units that are called upon for specialized response to disasters.
  • The act contains the provisions for financial mechanisms such as the creation of funds for emergency response, the National Disaster Response Fund, and similar funds at the state and district levels.
  • The Act also devotes several sections to various civil and criminal liabilities resulting from a violation of provisions of the act.
    • Anyone refusing to comply with orders is liable for punishment with imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or both.
    • In case this refusal leads to the death of people, the person liable shall be punished with imprisonment up to two years.
• Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response, and recovery to lessen the impact of disasters.
• It includes prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.

The correct answer is Natti.

Key Points

• Natti Dance:
  • In the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, the villagers perform the ritualistic ‘Natti Dance’ for nine days after worshipping Lord Raghunath (another name for Rama).
  • Nati is a traditional folk dance practised in the Western and Central Hills of the Indian subcontinent.
  • It is primarily native to the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand.
  • Nati is traditionally performed in the Kullu, Shimla, Sirmaur, Chamba, Kinnaur, Uttarkashi, Dehradun (Jaunsar-Bawar) and Tehri Garhwal districts however, due to the high immigration of ethnic Paharis in the plains, this dance has been made popular in the plains too.
  • Traditionally, locals dance to the beats of percussion instruments called Dhol-Damau.
  • The dance is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest folk dance.