110. Which assertion is correct:
(1) the EU and USA launched a Trade and Technology Council;
(2) its stated purpose was to control world technological progress?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I — 2023]
(A) Both and 2 explains 1
(B) Both but 2 does not explain 1
(C) Only 1 correct
(D) Only 2 correct
Answer: (C) Only 1 correct
Explanation: The EU–US Trade and Technology Council coordinates discussions about technology standards, supply chains and trade. Its proclaimed purpose was cooperation, not global control of technology. India subsequently established a separate Trade and Technology Council with the European Union.
109. How many of affordable housing, mass rapid transport, healthcare and renewable energy are UNOPS S3i investment focus areas?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I — 2023]
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) Four
Answer: (C) Three
Explanation: The UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation initiative focused on affordable housing, renewable energy and healthcare infrastructure. Mass rapid transit was not one of the three designated focus categories. The initiative aimed to channel private capital into development infrastructure.
108. Which assertion is correct:
(1) Switzerland is a leading exporter of gold by value;
(2) Switzerland holds the second-largest official gold reserve?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I — 2023]
(A) Both and 2 explains 1
(B) Both but 2 does not explain 1
(C) Only 1 correct
(D) Only 2 correct
Answer: (C) Only 1 correct
Explanation: Switzerland refines and trades substantial quantities of gold, making it a major exporter by value. Its central-bank gold stock is not the second-largest worldwide. Trading volume must be distinguished from the amount of gold held in official reserves.
107. Where is the WTO Appellate Body based?
[WBCS Executive Prelims — 2023]
(A) New York
(B) Geneva
(C) Paris
(D) The Hague
Answer: (B) Geneva
Explanation: The WTO’s dispute-settlement institutions are based in Geneva, Switzerland, the organisation’s headquarters. The Appellate Body was created under the WTO dispute-settlement rules in 1995. Its institutional difficulties in recent years do not alter its headquarters location.
106. What was the latest completed population census of India at the time of this examination?
[WBCS Mains, Polity & Economy — 2023]
(A) 2011
(B) 2021
(C) 2022
(D) 2010
Answer: (A) 2011
Explanation: The most recent completed all-India population census at the time was the 2011 exercise. Census 2021 was postponed and not conducted. The distinction between a scheduled exercise and an actual enumeration is essential when answering demographic questions.
105. Arrange Anuppur, Betul, Chhindwara and Mandsaur by increasing decadal population growth, 2001–2011.
[MPPSC State Services Prelims GS-I — 2023]
(A) Anuppur, Mandsaur, Betul, Chhindwara
(B) Anuppur, Betul, Chhindwara, Mandsaur
(C) Betul, Chhindwara, Mandsaur, Anuppur
(D) Betul, Anuppur, Chhindwara, Mandsaur
Answer: (B) Anuppur, Betul, Chhindwara, Mandsaur
Explanation: The respective Madhya Pradesh districts recorded increasing decadal population growth in the order Anuppur, Betul, Chhindwara and Mandsaur. District-based census comparisons must use the same reference decade and administrative boundaries to avoid misleading rankings.
104. What was India’s population density in Census 2011?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (25 July, Shift 1) — 2023]
(A) 822 persons/km²
(B) 382 persons/km²
(C) 328 persons/km²
(D) 282 persons/km²
Answer: (B) 382 persons/km²
Explanation: The 2011 Census recorded a national density of 382 people per square kilometre, compared with 324 in 2001. Population density divides resident population by land area. It does not indicate how evenly people are distributed within the country.
103. Which census used the slogan “Our Census, Our Future”?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (19 July, Shift 4) — 2023]
(A) 1981
(B) 2011
(C) 2001
(D) 1991
Answer: (B) 2011
Explanation: The 2011 Census of India used the slogan “Our Census, Our Future.” Census results guide planning for public services and representation by describing age, sex, literacy, settlement and other attributes across the country.
102. Which was India’s most populous state according to Census 2011?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (19 July, Shift 1) — 2023]
(A) Bihar
(B) West Bengal
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Maharashtra
Answer: (C) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh was the most populous state in Census 2011, with almost 200 million inhabitants. Maharashtra ranked second, followed by Bihar and West Bengal. The ranking concerns population totals, not population density or area.
101. Which two states had the largest populations under Census 2011?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (20 July, Shift 1) — 2023]
(A) Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra
(B) Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur
(C) Maharashtra and Bihar
(D) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Answer: (A) Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra
Explanation: Census 2011 placed Uttar Pradesh first and Maharashtra second in total residents. Bihar ranked third. Pairwise questions test an understanding of absolute population counts rather than growth rates or concentrations per square kilometre.
