UKPSC Prelims Paper 1 Mock Test - 4 - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) MCQ

Disasters can be classified into several categories such as Water and Climate Disasters, Geological Disasters, Biological Disasters, Industrial Disasters, Nuclear Disasters, and Man-made disasters, but not Festive Disasters.

The correct answer is Fazal Ali Commission.

Key Points

• The Commission for Uttarakhand was the Fazal Ali Commission.
  • In 1940, at the Haldwani Conference, Badri Dutt Pandey raised his voice for the special status of the mountain region of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Anusuya Prasad Bahuguna proposed the formation of Kumaon - Garhwal as separate units from UP.
  • In 1955, the Justice Fazal Ali commission recommended to the Government of India that a separate state should be formed from the Uttar Pradesh hilly region.
  • On 15th August 1996, the former PM H. D. Devgowda announced the formation of the new state.
  • After that various bills are introduced in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and in the UP legislative assembly and finally on 9th November 2000, a new state was formed named Uttaranchal.
  • Now Uttaranchal is known as Uttarakhand.

Additional Information

• About Uttarakhand
  • Capital: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
  • CM: Pushkar Singh Dhami
  • Governor: Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh
  • Famous National Parks: Jim Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park
  • Famous Wildlife Sanctuary: Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bharat Sankalp Yatra aims to develop India in every way by 2047. It encompasses various public welfare schemes across rural and urban areas, indicating a long-term vision for holistic national development and social welfare.

The Gross Environment Product Index aims to evaluate the impact of anthropological pressure on ecosystems and natural resources. It provides a comprehensive method for assessing ecological growth and environmental well-being, highlighting how human actions influence the environment. This index is crucial for sustainable development efforts.

The Rajya Shakti Tilu Rauteli Award is presented each year by the Uttarakhand government to honor women for their remarkable achievements in various fields. This award celebrates the legacy of Tilu Rauteli, a heroine of Uttarakhand, and aims to promote women's empowerment in the state.

Yamunotri Dham is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is located near the river of the same name. The Yamuna is considered the second-most sacred river in India, following the Ganga, and holds deep religious significance for devotees who visit the temple.

The Bharat Gaurav Express train is designed to connect six spiritual destinations in Uttarakhand, such as Rishikesh, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. This initiative aims to facilitate pilgrimage tourism and make it easier for travelers to visit these significant religious sites. Rail transport can play a crucial role in enhancing access to spiritual locations, contributing to both tourism and local economies.

The Uttarakhand government is working on launching subsidized non-stop flights between Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and Kathmandu. This initiative aims to boost inbound tourism and improve connectivity, thereby facilitating cultural and commercial exchanges between India and Nepal. Enhanced international connectivity is vital for tourism development, which can significantly benefit local economies.

The main aim of the International Yoga Festival is to offer a common platform for yoga enthusiasts, trainers, and experts from around the world. This event fosters cultural exchange and the promotion of yoga as a holistic practice. Rishikesh, recognized as a global yoga capital, plays a significant role in this initiative, furthering the global interest in yoga and wellness practices. An interesting fact is that Rishikesh has become synonymous with yoga, attracting practitioners and tourists globally, particularly during events like this festival.

The Correct Answer is "Katyuri".
Key Points
The early medieval history of Kumaon is the history of the Katyuri dynasty.

• The Katyuri kings ruled from the seventh to the 11th century, holding sway at the peak of their powers over large areas of Kumaon, Garhwal, and western Nepal.
• The town of Baijnath near Almora was the capital of this dynasty and a center of the arts.
• Temple building flourished under the Katyuris and the main architectural innovation introduced by them was the replacement of bricks with stone.
• On a hilltop facing east (opposite Almora), is the temple of Katarmal.
• This 900-year-old sun temple was built during the declining years of the Katyuri dynasty.
• Katyuri was the first historical dynasty, which rules over unified Uttarakhand and left some important records in the form of inscriptions and temples.
• In the later period after the downfall of Katyuri’s, it is believed that the Garhwal region was fragmented into more than sixty-four principalities ruled by the Chieftain, one of the principal Chieftainship was Chandpurgarh, which was ruled by descendent of Kanakpal.

Additional Information
Gurkhas :

• "Gurkha" and "Gorkhali" were synonymous with "Nepali", which originates from the hill principality the Gorkha Kingdom, from which the Kingdom of Nepal expanded under Prithivi Narayan Shah.
• The name may be traced to the medieval Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath who has a historic shrine in Gorkha District.
• The word itself derived from Go-Raksha, Raksha becoming Rakha.
• Rakhawala means 'protector' and is derived from Raksha as well.

Parmar :

• Parmar is a Jat, Rajput, and Gurjar clan found in Northern India, especially in Rajasthan, Kutch and Sindh.
• There are multiple variants of the name, including Pramar, Panwar, Pawar, Powar, Puwar, Punwar and Puar.
• The Soorma dynasty of medieval India was ruled by Parmar Rajputs known as the Soomro caste.
• The name of the dynasty derives from Soomro and Vegho, two Parmar Rajput Hindu brothers who were appointed to rule the region; while Vegho remained Hindu, Soomro converted to Islam.

Chand :

• The Chand Kings were a Hindu ruling clan of Kumaon, which ruled the region after the decline of Katyuri Kings in the 11th century AD.
• The Chand kingdom was established by Som Chand in the 10th century, by displacing the Katyuri Kings, who had been ruling the area from the 7th century AD.
• He continued to call his state Kurmanchal, and established its capital in Champawat in Kali Kumaon, called so, due to its vicinity to river Kali.

The correct answer is Tharu Tribe.

• Ujali or Aneri Holi is associated with the Tharu Tribe.

Key Points

• Tharu Tribe:
  • The word Tharu is derived from sthavir, which means the followers of Theravada Buddhism.
  • The Tharu tribe belongs to the Terai lowlands between the Shivaliks.
  • The tribe can be found in both India and Nepal.
  • In India, they are found in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
  • Aneri Holi is a festival of Tharu tribe.
    • The word Aneri means extraordinary.

Additional Information

• Jaunsari Tribe is found in the foothills of the western Himalayas.
  • In Uttarakhand, Jaunsari tribes reside in the Jaunsar-Bawar region.
• Bhotia Tribe is found in the Garhwal (Jadh, Mana and Niti) and Kumaon division (Johar, Darma, Byans and Chaudans).
• Raaji Tribe is found in the eastern part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.

The correct answer is 2000.

• Chhattisgarh 1 November 2000 was created out of eastern Madhya Pradesh.
• Chhattisgarh included seven districts of the old state and is rich in mineral wealth and a substantial rice-producer.
• The basis for the creation of these states is said to be socio-political and not linguistic.
• Uttarakhand 9 November 2000, which was later renamed Uttarakhand, was created out of the mountainous districts of northwest Uttar Pradesh.
• The formation of Uttarakhand fulfilled the long-voiced demands of the tribal of Kumaon and Garhwal.
• Uttarakhand was formed out of the 11 hill districts and 2 plains districts.
• Jharkhand Formation done on 15 November 2000.
• Jharkhand was carved out of the 18 districts of southern Bihar. This state encompasses around 35 percent of Bihar’s population. It also constitutes 65 percent of the state’s revenue generated by the coal mines and the steel mills.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary.

Key Points

• ​Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary (269.85 sq. km)
  • One of the newest tiger reserves of the state, Nandhaur was declared a sanctuary in 2012 and opened its gates to visitors in 2015.
  • Sprawled over an area of 270 sq km, it is home to tiger, wild elephant, leopard, jungle cat, nilgai, small Indian civet, jackal, wild boar, flying foxes, and sloth bears, as well as over 200 species of birds.
• Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary (958 sq. km)
  • The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary or Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary are located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
  • Established in 1955 the sanctuary covers an area of 958 sq km and includes mountains like Swargarohini, Black Peak, and Bandarpunch.
  • The place is a popular tourist destination, mainly because of the beauty of its snow-clad peaks and glaciers.
• Askot Wildlife Sanctuary (599.96 sq. km)
  • Established in 1986, the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary was created in order to protect the endangered Musk Deer and its habitat.
  • Perched at an elevation of 1600 meters, Askot Sanctuary has a sprawling area of 600 sq km which is blessed with innumerable species of flora and fauna.
  • The sanctuary is located at Askot, which is a small hamlet situated some 54 km from the Pithoragarh town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.
• Sona Nadi Wildlife Sanctuary (301.18 sq. km)
  • Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is tucked between the two grandiose sanctuaries namely Corbett and Rajaji National Park, the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary or Sona Nadi Wildlife Sanctuary also known as ‘Sonandai’ has come up as a popular tourist attraction in Uttarakhand.
  • Sonanadi that literally suggests ‘the river of gold’ received its name from the gold panning that was carried in the river, before the area became a sanctuary.

The correct answer is 1804-1815.

Key Points

Gurkhas rule

• ​The Gorkhas became the masters of the entire Garhwal in 1804 and ruled the territory for twelve years. Gorkha's rule in the Garhwal area ended in 1815 when the British drove the Gorkhas to the West of the Kali river, despite stiff resistance offered by them.
• From 1804 to 1815, the Gorkhas occupied the kingdom without opposition, until a series of encroachments by the Gorkhas on British land sparked the Anglo-Nepalese War in 1814.
• Sudarshan Shah, the son, and heir of the vanquished ruler of the Kingdom of Garhwal who was exiled in British territory saw an opportunity in 1812 and formed an alliance with the British.
• He joined forces with them in the conquering of the hill lands when the expected war broke out.
• The Treaty of Sugauli annexed half of the Kingdom of Garhwal (Pauri Garhwal) and converted the other half (Tehri Garhwal) into a satellite princely state after the end of the war on April 21, 1815.

Additional Information

Treaty of Sugauli

• ​The Treaty of Sugauli concluded between British India and the Kingdom of Nepal in the year 1816, maps the Makhali river as the western boundary with India but different British maps showed the source of the tributary at different places which were mainly due to underdeveloped and less-defined surveying techniques used at that time.
• The discrepancy in locating the source of the river led to boundary disputes between India and Nepal, with each country producing maps supporting its own claims.

The correct answer is 1967 A. D.

Key Points

• Separation of Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand Hill State Council:
  • The demand for a separate Uttarakhand state was first raised at a special session of the Indian National Congress in 1938.
  • The Hill State Council was formed in Ramnagar in June 1967.
  • In the session, Sridev Suman formed an organization of called Gadeshdesh Seva Sangh in Delhi, and later its name was changed to ‘Himalaya Seva Sangh‘.
  • Kumao National Front was formed by PC Joshi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India on 3 October 1970.
  • In the year 1976 Uttarakhand Youth Council was formed.
  • In the year 1979, Uttaranchal State Council was established under the leadership of Janata Party Member of Parliament Trapan Singh Negi.

The correct answer is Rung tribe.

Key Points

Kangdali Festival

• ​Kangdali Festival is one of the important festivals of the Kumaon Region and is celebrated in the Pithoragarh District.
• The women of the Rung Tribals of Chaundas Valley begin the procession where they uproot the plants with rills followed by the men and children carrying their swords.
• This festival falls between the months of August and October and is celebrated in the Chaundas Valley every 12 years along with the blooming of the Kangdali plant.
• The uprooted plants are taken back as the mars of the war.

Additional Information

Rung tribe

• ​The Rang community (sometimes called the Rung community) is an indigenous group who live in the higher reaches of India's Johar and Darma valleys, as well as Nepal's Mahakali valley. Some of these can be found in Nepal's Chameylia valley. They are also known as the Shauka in Nepal.
• Transhumance is a traditional practice among the Rang/Shauka people. In India and Nepal, the community is classified as an indigenous tribe.
• The Rungs were previously active in Indo-Tibet border trade, but this ceased after the 1962 conflict between India and China, forcing community members to seek work in cities.

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 option (3) i.e. 13.

• Uttarakhand is mainly separated into two regions, Garhwal and Kumaon, consisting of 13 districts.
• The districts under the Garhwal region are Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi.
• Under the Kumaon region: Almora, Champawat, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital come.
• Uttarakhand was formed on 9th November 2000 as the 27th State of India, when it was carved out of northern Uttar Pradesh. Located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain ranges, it is largely a hilly State, having international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east.
• On its north-west lies Himachal Pradesh, while on the south is Uttar Pradesh.

The correct answer is option 2 i.e Berro

• It is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
• Nainital is the judicial capital of Uttarakhand,
• The hill station town of Naini Tal was founded in 1841, with the construction of the first European house by P. Barron

Additional Information

• 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 amended reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir increased the overall reservation in government jobs from 43% to 70%. This substantial increase includes new provisions for the Pahari community to receive Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Such changes have sparked significant debate regarding the implications for various social groups and compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on reservations. Interestingly, the adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to address historical injustices while managing the diverse interests of different communities within the region.

The main objective of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between India and the United States is to double the bilateral trade in goods and services to USD 500 billion by the year 2030. This ambitious target reflects the desire of both nations to enhance their economic relationship significantly. By focusing on trade volume, the agreement aims to create a more balanced and mutually beneficial economic interaction, which is crucial for both countries as they navigate global trade dynamics.

"Waqf by user" refers to properties that are deemed waqf due to their continuous use for religious purposes, even if they have not been formally registered as such. This concept was highlighted by the Supreme Court, which indicated that properties historically recognized as waqf should retain that status under the new law. This ensures that long-standing practices and usage are respected, reinforcing the significance of community traditions in the management of religious properties. It reflects the importance of preserving cultural heritage and religious significance in property management.

The concern for India regarding the Chinese presence in Sri Lanka revolves around strategic encirclement, primarily due to China's Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative involves significant infrastructure investments in Sri Lanka, which India perceives as a potential threat to its regional influence and security. The presence of Chinese investments and projects could limit India's strategic options in the Indian Ocean region, highlighting the geopolitical competition between the two nations. An interesting fact is that the Indian Ocean is increasingly viewed as a critical area for global trade, making the dynamics between regional powers like India and China particularly significant.

Key Points

• The CM Solar Self-Employment Scheme in Uttarakhand is designed to promote self-employment through the installation of solar plants.
• The scheme allows the installation of solar plants with a capacity range of 20 to 200 kW.
• This initiative supports Uttarakhand's goal of boosting renewable energy production and reducing dependency on traditional energy sources.
• Participants in the scheme can generate income by selling the surplus power generated to the grid.
• The scheme is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable development and energy security in the region.

Additional Information

• Solar Energy:
  • Solar energy is a renewable source of energy harnessed from the sun's radiation.
  • It can be converted into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells or concentrated solar power (CSP) systems.
• Photovoltaic Cells:
  • Photovoltaic cells are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity.
  • They are commonly used in solar panels to generate electricity for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
• Grid-tied Solar Systems:
  • Grid-tied solar systems are connected to the local utility grid, allowing excess power to be fed back into the grid.
  • These systems can reduce electricity bills and provide a source of revenue through net metering or feed-in tariffs.
• Renewable Energy Policies:
  • Various governments around the world are implementing policies and incentives to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources.
  • These policies may include tax credits, grants, subsidies, and favorable tariffs for renewable energy projects.
• Sustainable Development:
  • Sustainable development involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
  • Promoting renewable energy is a key component of sustainable development, as it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Teelu Rauteli is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Jhansi’ of Garhwal due to her extraordinary bravery and leadership in battle at a very young age.

About Teelu Rauteli:

• Born in the 17th century in Garhwal, Uttarakhand.
• Fought seven major battles between the ages of 15 to 22, mainly against the Katyuri and Doti invaders.
• She is celebrated for:
  • Defending her homeland.
  • Leading an all-women army.
  • Avenging the death of her father and brothers.
  • Despite social constraints of the time, she picked up the sword to protect her people — much like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.