4. The terms ‘neutral’, ‘calibrated tightening’, accommodative ; sometimes seen in the news are
related to
related to
choose the best answer
Anonymous Quiz
9%
A. Fiscal policy
72%
B. Monetary policy
13%
C. External trade
6%
D. Inflation
Answer: B
Soln:
● These terms indicate the Central Bank’s monetary policy stance on deciding policy rates
like repo rate.
● “Accommodative” indicates that the central bank is telling the market to expect a rate cut
anytime, “neutral” means that RBI could either increase or reduce repo rates as per
liquidity conditions, “calibrated tightening” means that a cut in the repo rate is unlikely in
the current rate cycle.
Soln:
● These terms indicate the Central Bank’s monetary policy stance on deciding policy rates
like repo rate.
● “Accommodative” indicates that the central bank is telling the market to expect a rate cut
anytime, “neutral” means that RBI could either increase or reduce repo rates as per
liquidity conditions, “calibrated tightening” means that a cut in the repo rate is unlikely in
the current rate cycle.
5. Consider the following statements about Nipah infection
1. It is a zoonotic disease.
2. Fruit bats are considered the natural reservoirs of the Nipah virus.
3. There are currently no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection.
1. It is a zoonotic disease.
2. Fruit bats are considered the natural reservoirs of the Nipah virus.
3. There are currently no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
7%
A. Only one
34%
B. Only two
57%
C. All three
2%
D. None
1. Consider the following statements.
Statement I:
Tidal bores are positive surges.
Statement II:
A tidal bore is a strong tide that pushes up the river, against the current.
Statement I:
Tidal bores are positive surges.
Statement II:
A tidal bore is a strong tide that pushes up the river, against the current.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Anonymous Quiz
49%
A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are cor and Statement-II is the corr explanation of Statement-I
29%
B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are cor and Statement-II is not the cor explan of Statement-I
10%
C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
12%
D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Soln:
● A tidal bore occurs along a coast where a river empties into an ocean or sea.
● A tidal bore is a strong tide that pushes up the river, against the current. A tidal bore is a
true tidal wave. Hence, statement II is correct but it does not explain statement I.
● A tidal bore is a surge. A surge is a sudden change in depth. When a channel suddenly gets
deeper, it experiences a positive surge.
● When a channel suddenly gets shallower, it experiences a negative surge. Tidal bores are
positive surges.Hence, statement I is correct.
● Not all coasts feature tidal bores. In fact, there are few places where tidal bores occur. The
river must be fairly shallow.
● It must have a narrow outlet to the sea. However, the estuary, or place where the river
meets the sea, must be wide and flat.
● The coast’s tidal range—the area between high tide and low tide—must be quite large,
usually at least six meters (about 20 feet). When all of these conditions are met, a tidal bore
is formed.
● There are exceptions. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world. It empties into
the Atlantic Ocean.
● The mouth of the Amazon is not narrow, but the river still has a strong tidal bore. A tidal
bore develops here because the mouth of the river is shallow and dotted by many low-lying
islands and sandbars.
● The tidal bore, called the pororoca, is so strong that the Amazon does not have a delta.
Its sediment is emptied directly into the Atlantic and carried away by fast-moving currents.
● A tidal bore occurs along a coast where a river empties into an ocean or sea.
● A tidal bore is a strong tide that pushes up the river, against the current. A tidal bore is a
true tidal wave. Hence, statement II is correct but it does not explain statement I.
● A tidal bore is a surge. A surge is a sudden change in depth. When a channel suddenly gets
deeper, it experiences a positive surge.
● When a channel suddenly gets shallower, it experiences a negative surge. Tidal bores are
positive surges.Hence, statement I is correct.
● Not all coasts feature tidal bores. In fact, there are few places where tidal bores occur. The
river must be fairly shallow.
● It must have a narrow outlet to the sea. However, the estuary, or place where the river
meets the sea, must be wide and flat.
● The coast’s tidal range—the area between high tide and low tide—must be quite large,
usually at least six meters (about 20 feet). When all of these conditions are met, a tidal bore
is formed.
● There are exceptions. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world. It empties into
the Atlantic Ocean.
● The mouth of the Amazon is not narrow, but the river still has a strong tidal bore. A tidal
bore develops here because the mouth of the river is shallow and dotted by many low-lying
islands and sandbars.
● The tidal bore, called the pororoca, is so strong that the Amazon does not have a delta.
Its sediment is emptied directly into the Atlantic and carried away by fast-moving currents.
2. Tall and uniquely shaped Baobab trees are found in many states of India. In which of the
following states, one can find these trees?
1. Telangana
2. Andhra Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Gujarat
5. Uttar Pradesh
following states, one can find these trees?
1. Telangana
2. Andhra Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Gujarat
5. Uttar Pradesh
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
Anonymous Quiz
16%
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
16%
B. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
22%
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
46%
D. All the above.
New Initiative for Aspirants!
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CSAT PYQs – Time to put your skills to the test!
No Google help (we’re watching! 👀).
Got the answer? Drop it in the comments below!
Let’s see who’s got the sharpest mind in the game!
#CSATChallenge #UPSCAspirants #CSATPYQ #UPSCPreparation #CivilServicesExam #UPSC2025 #BrainTeasers #NoGoogleChallenge #UPSCMotivation #OfficersIASAcademy #CSATQuiz #UPSCJourney #CompetitiveExams #MindGames #CrackCSAT #upscexamprep
Answer: D
Soln:
Baobab Trees:
● Baobab trees are tall and uniquely-shaped deciduous trees.
● The trees belong to the genus Adansonia, which comprises eight distinct species (most of
them are endemic to Madagascar).
● Also known as the “mother of the forest”, Baobabs are known for their great heights, with
some extending up to 50 metres.
● These trees have exceptionally long lifespans going upto 2,000 years.
Distribution in India:
● Mandu, in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh is the only place in India where baobab trees
are found in abundance.
● Aside from Mandu, baobab trees have been recorded in some places of Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra,Telangana, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Hence,
all options are correct.
Soln:
Baobab Trees:
● Baobab trees are tall and uniquely-shaped deciduous trees.
● The trees belong to the genus Adansonia, which comprises eight distinct species (most of
them are endemic to Madagascar).
● Also known as the “mother of the forest”, Baobabs are known for their great heights, with
some extending up to 50 metres.
● These trees have exceptionally long lifespans going upto 2,000 years.
Distribution in India:
● Mandu, in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh is the only place in India where baobab trees
are found in abundance.
● Aside from Mandu, baobab trees have been recorded in some places of Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra,Telangana, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Hence,
all options are correct.
3. Consider the following statements.
1. Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that
can have an economic effect on international trade in goods.
2. At the international level, NTMs are governed by the recently concluded Agreement on
Agriculture.
1. Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that
can have an economic effect on international trade in goods.
2. At the international level, NTMs are governed by the recently concluded Agreement on
Agriculture.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
54%
A. 1 only
10%
B. 2 only
31%
C. Both 1 and 2
4%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
4. Consider the following statements about Genome Sequencing.
1. It is a method of finding uniform patterns of gene arrangement in different organisms.
2. In humans, the technique can help in predicting inherited diseases.
3. The technique has potential to help in developing new crop varieties.
1. It is a method of finding uniform patterns of gene arrangement in different organisms.
2. In humans, the technique can help in predicting inherited diseases.
3. The technique has potential to help in developing new crop varieties.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
9%
A. Only one
31%
B. Only two
58%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
Answer: A
Soln:
Non-Tariff Measures
● The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) defines Non-tariff measures (NTMs) as policy
measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can potentially have an economic
effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Examples of NTMs
1. Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures
● Measures that are applied to protect human or animal life from risks arising
from: additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-causing organisms in food.
○ Eg: A sample test on imported oranges to check for the residue level of
pesticides.
2. Technical Barriers to Trade
● Measures referring to technical regulations, and procedures for assessment of
conformity with technical regulations and standards.
○ Eg: Refrigerators need to carry a label indicating their size, weight and
electricity consumption level.
3. Pre-shipment Inspection and Other Formalities
● These include mandatory inspections for quality, quantity, and price verification
before goods are shipped, and other customs-related requirements.
○ Eg: Live animals need to be cleared at a designated customs office for
inspection.
4. Contingent Trade-protective Measures
● Measures implemented to counteract particular adverse effects of imports in the
market of the importing country contingent upon the fulfilment of certain
procedural and substantive requirements.
○ Eg: Country A imposes an anti-dumping duty on imports of biodiesel
products from country B, to offset an injurious dumping by country B found
to exist via an investigation.
5. Quota, Prohibitions, Quality Control
● Control measures generally aimed at restraining the quantity of goods that are
imported.
○ Eg: A quota of 100 tons of tuna fish can be imported any time of the year.
6. Price-control Measures
● Measures implemented to control or affect the prices of imported goods.
○ Eg: A minimum import price is established for fabric and apparel.
Regulations
● At the international level, NTMs are governed by two World Trade Organization (WTO)
agreements: the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and the
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● The SPS Agreement entered into force in 1995. The Agreement pursues two main
objectives.
○ First, it recognizes the sovereign rights of WTO members to provide the level of
health protection they deem appropriate.
○ Second, it ensures that NTMs are not used as disguised restrictions on
international trade.
● The TBT Agreement, which entered into force in 1995, is the multilateral successor to the
Standards Code, signed in 1979.
● The purposes of the TBT Agreement can be broadly described as:
○ (1) assuring that technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment
procedures, do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade,
○ while (2) leaving Members adequate regulatory discretion to protect human,
animal and plant life and health, national security, the environment, consumers, and
other policy interests.
Soln:
Non-Tariff Measures
● The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) defines Non-tariff measures (NTMs) as policy
measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can potentially have an economic
effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Examples of NTMs
1. Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures
● Measures that are applied to protect human or animal life from risks arising
from: additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-causing organisms in food.
○ Eg: A sample test on imported oranges to check for the residue level of
pesticides.
2. Technical Barriers to Trade
● Measures referring to technical regulations, and procedures for assessment of
conformity with technical regulations and standards.
○ Eg: Refrigerators need to carry a label indicating their size, weight and
electricity consumption level.
3. Pre-shipment Inspection and Other Formalities
● These include mandatory inspections for quality, quantity, and price verification
before goods are shipped, and other customs-related requirements.
○ Eg: Live animals need to be cleared at a designated customs office for
inspection.
4. Contingent Trade-protective Measures
● Measures implemented to counteract particular adverse effects of imports in the
market of the importing country contingent upon the fulfilment of certain
procedural and substantive requirements.
○ Eg: Country A imposes an anti-dumping duty on imports of biodiesel
products from country B, to offset an injurious dumping by country B found
to exist via an investigation.
5. Quota, Prohibitions, Quality Control
● Control measures generally aimed at restraining the quantity of goods that are
imported.
○ Eg: A quota of 100 tons of tuna fish can be imported any time of the year.
6. Price-control Measures
● Measures implemented to control or affect the prices of imported goods.
○ Eg: A minimum import price is established for fabric and apparel.
Regulations
● At the international level, NTMs are governed by two World Trade Organization (WTO)
agreements: the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and the
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
● The SPS Agreement entered into force in 1995. The Agreement pursues two main
objectives.
○ First, it recognizes the sovereign rights of WTO members to provide the level of
health protection they deem appropriate.
○ Second, it ensures that NTMs are not used as disguised restrictions on
international trade.
● The TBT Agreement, which entered into force in 1995, is the multilateral successor to the
Standards Code, signed in 1979.
● The purposes of the TBT Agreement can be broadly described as:
○ (1) assuring that technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment
procedures, do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade,
○ while (2) leaving Members adequate regulatory discretion to protect human,
animal and plant life and health, national security, the environment, consumers, and
other policy interests.
Answer: B
Soln:
Genome Sequencing:
● Genome sequencing is a laboratory technique used to determine the complete DNA
sequence of an organism's genome. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
○ A genome is the complete set of an organism's genetic material, encompassing
all of its DNA sequences.
○ In humans, the genome comprises approximately 3.2 billion base pairs of DNA,
organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes within the cell nucleus.
● This process involves identifying the precise order of the four chemical building
blocks—adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T)—that make up the DNA
molecule.
● The resulting sequence provides a comprehensive map of an organism's genetic
information.
● Genomic information has been instrumental in identifying inherited disorders,
characterizing the mutations that drive cancer progression, and tracking disease
outbreaks. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Genome sequencing helps identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought
tolerance in crops, accelerating the development of new varieties. It also aids in
understanding host-pathogen relationships in plants. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Soln:
Genome Sequencing:
● Genome sequencing is a laboratory technique used to determine the complete DNA
sequence of an organism's genome. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
○ A genome is the complete set of an organism's genetic material, encompassing
all of its DNA sequences.
○ In humans, the genome comprises approximately 3.2 billion base pairs of DNA,
organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes within the cell nucleus.
● This process involves identifying the precise order of the four chemical building
blocks—adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T)—that make up the DNA
molecule.
● The resulting sequence provides a comprehensive map of an organism's genetic
information.
● Genomic information has been instrumental in identifying inherited disorders,
characterizing the mutations that drive cancer progression, and tracking disease
outbreaks. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Genome sequencing helps identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought
tolerance in crops, accelerating the development of new varieties. It also aids in
understanding host-pathogen relationships in plants. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
5. Consider the following statements.
1. Chilika lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia.
2. It is one of the natural habitats of Irrawaddy Dolphins.
3. Chilika lake is listed on the Montreux Record.
1. Chilika lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia.
2. It is one of the natural habitats of Irrawaddy Dolphins.
3. Chilika lake is listed on the Montreux Record.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
15%
A. Only one
63%
B. Only two
19%
C. All the three
3%
D. None of the above
Answer: B
Soln:
Chilika lake:
● Chilika Lake, located in Odisha, spans over 1,100 square kilometers, making it the largest
brackish water lagoon in Asia and the second-largest coastal lagoon in the world.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It serves as the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl in the Indian
subcontinent, attracting over a million migratory birds annually.
● The lake is also one of the few places where the Irrawaddy dolphin can be observed in its
natural habitat. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Recognizing its ecological significance, Chilika Lake was the first Indian wetland
designated as a Ramsar site of international importance.
● It became the first Asian wetland to be removed from the Montreux Record, which lists
Ramsar sites undergoing ecological changes. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● To restore the lake’s ecosystem, the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) implemented
various conservation measures, including the opening of a new mouth to the sea, which
significantly improved water exchange and salinity levels.
Soln:
Chilika lake:
● Chilika Lake, located in Odisha, spans over 1,100 square kilometers, making it the largest
brackish water lagoon in Asia and the second-largest coastal lagoon in the world.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It serves as the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl in the Indian
subcontinent, attracting over a million migratory birds annually.
● The lake is also one of the few places where the Irrawaddy dolphin can be observed in its
natural habitat. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● Recognizing its ecological significance, Chilika Lake was the first Indian wetland
designated as a Ramsar site of international importance.
● It became the first Asian wetland to be removed from the Montreux Record, which lists
Ramsar sites undergoing ecological changes. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● To restore the lake’s ecosystem, the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) implemented
various conservation measures, including the opening of a new mouth to the sea, which
significantly improved water exchange and salinity levels.