APPSC Group-I Prelims 2010

382 questions from the 2010 papers, each with the official answer and an explanation.

A question repeated across years is listed once, under one of the years it appeared.

361. Q361Events, summits and observances

     The fifteenth summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in:

     • aCuba
     • bEgyptAnswer
     • cSri Lanka
     • dIndia
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because Egypt hosted the 15th Non-Aligned Movement Summit at Sharm El Sheikh in July 2009 under the theme International Solidarity for Peace and Development. 14th NAM Summit: Havana, Cuba (2006) 15th NAM Summit: Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (2009) 16th NAM Summit: Tehran, Iran (2012) Option A: Cuba hosted the 14th summit in 2006, not the 15th. Option C: Sri Lanka hosted the 5th summit in Colombo in 1976. Option D: India hosted the 7th summit in New Delhi in 1983.

362. Q362Events, summits and observances

     Where did the United Nations conference on climate change held in 2009 conclude?

     • aPoland
     • bDenmarkAnswer
     • cChina
     • dJapan
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, formally known as COP 15, concluded in Copenhagen, Denmark, producing the Copenhagen Accord. Option A: Poland hosted the climate conference COP 14 in Poznan in 2008 and COP 19 in Warsaw in 2013, not the 2009 session. Option C: China hosted preparatory meetings in Tianjin in 2010, but not the 2009 conference. Option D: Japan hosted COP 3 in Kyoto in 1997, where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, not the 2009 conference.

363. Q363Events, summits and observances

     Which of the following organizes 'Earth Hour' worldwide?

     • aBureau of Energy Efficiency
     • bUnited Nations
     • cEuropean Union
     • dWorld Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife FundAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because Earth Hour is organized globally by the World Wide Fund for Nature as an annual event to encourage individuals and organizations to turn off non-essential lights for one hour to demonstrate environmental commitment. Option A: Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an Indian statutory body under the Ministry of Power that promotes domestic energy efficiency, not global events. Option B: United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that supports environmental goals but does not organize Earth Hour. Option C: European Union is a regional political and economic union of European nations, not an environmental non-governmental organization.

364. Q364Events, summits and observances

     The worldwide campaign '350' observed as International Day of Environmental Struggle on:

     • aOctober 2009
     • b30 October 2009
     • c14 October, 2009
     • d24 October, 2009Answer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because the global grassroots climate campaign organized by 350.org held the International Day of Climate Action on 24 October 2009 to call for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million. Foundation of 350.org: 2008 by Bill McKibben Global Day of Climate Action: 24 October 2009 Option A: October 2009 merely names the month rather than the specific designated day. Option B: 30 October 2009 was six days after the scheduled day of action. Option C: 14 October, 2009 was ten days prior to the international mobilization date.

365. Q365Events, summits and observances

     Earth Hour is a global event organised by:

     • aBureau of Energy Efficiency
     • bUnited Nations
     • cEuropean Union
     • dWorld Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife FundAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because Earth Hour is an annual global grassroots movement organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to encourage individuals and communities to turn off non-essential lights for one hour. First Earth Hour event: March 2007 (Sydney, Australia) Organising body: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Option A: Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an Indian statutory body under the Ministry of Power, not the global organiser of Earth Hour. Option B: United Nations supports environmental awareness but is not the founding or organising agency of Earth Hour. Option C: European Union is a regional political and economic union, not the organiser of this worldwide campaign.

366. Q366Events, summits and observances

     British Prime Minister David Cameron belonged to which of the following?

     • aLabour Party
     • bLiberal Democratic Party
     • cConservative PartyAnswer
     • dDemocratic Party
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because David Cameron served as the leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016 and led a coalition government as Prime Minister starting in 2010. Option A: Labour Party was the primary political opponent of David Cameron's party during his tenure. Option B: Liberal Democratic Party was the junior coalition partner from 2010 to 2015, led by Nick Clegg. Option D: Democratic Party is a major political party in the United States, not the United Kingdom.

367. Q367Events, summits and observances

     Date of general elections held in Britain:

     • a5 May, 2010
     • b6 May, 2010Answer
     • c7 May, 2010
     • d8 May, 2010
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the 2010 United Kingdom general election took place on Thursday, 6 May 2010, resulting in a hung parliament and the formation of the Cameron-Clegg coalition government. Date of 2010 UK general election: 6 May 2010 Option A: 5 May, 2010 is incorrect as this was the day before polling day. Option C: 7 May, 2010 is incorrect as it was the day election results were declared. Option D: 8 May, 2010 is incorrect because voting had already concluded two days earlier.

368. Q368Reports, indices and rankings

     India's rank in the Global Hunger Index 2008 was

     • a66Answer
     • b44
     • c32
     • d88
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because India was ranked 66th out of 88 developing and transitioning countries assessed in the Global Hunger Index 2008 published by the International Food Policy Research Institute. Total countries ranked in 2008: 88 India rank: 66 India classification: Alarming hunger category Option B: 44 is significantly higher than India actual position in the 2008 report. Option C: 32 was a rank held by countries experiencing much lower levels of hunger. Option D: 88 was the total number of evaluated countries and the bottom-most position, not India specific rank.

369. Q369Reports, indices and rankings

     Date of commencement of India's Census 2011

     • a1 January, 2010
     • b1 February, 2010
     • c1 March, 2010
     • d1 April, 2010Answer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because the 15th National Census of India officially began on 1 April, 2010 with the start of the first phase, the Houselisting and Housing Census. First phase commencement: 1 April, 2010 Second phase (Population Enumeration): 9 February to 28 February, 2011 Option A: 1 January, 2010 is three months before the official rollout of the houselisting operations. Option B: 1 February, 2010 was prior to the notified launch date of the first phase. Option C: 1 March, 2010 was a month ahead of the actual national start date.

370. Q370Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Until when will the Sarvatrika Bharat Scheme introduced by the Government of India be in effect?

     • aMarch, 2011
     • bMarch, 2012Answer
     • cMarch, 2015
     • dMarch, 2020
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the Sarvatrika Bharat Scheme, aligned with the telecommunication rollout targets under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, was scheduled to conclude in March 2012. Option A: March, 2011 was one year prior to the terminal year of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. Option C: March, 2015 marked the midpoint of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan rather than this scheme's operational deadline. Option D: March, 2020 refers to the timeline associated with later infrastructure initiatives such as BharatNet phase targets.

371. Q371Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     From when did the 'Unique Identification Authority of India' announce that the first prepared identification numbers would be issued?

     • aFrom February, 2011Answer
     • bFrom July, 2011
     • cFrom January, 2012
     • dFrom June, 2012
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because the Unique Identification Authority of India initially notified and planned that the first batch of 12-digit unique identification numbers would be rolled out by February 2011. Option B: July 2011 was not the projected timeframe announced by UIDAI for the initial issuance. Option C: January 2012 fell well after the targeted initial launch phase. Option D: June 2012 was much later than the planned first rollout timeline.

372. Q372Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     In India, the 'Model e-Court' was launched for the first time on February 8, 2009 by:

     • aKarnataka High Court
     • bRajasthan High Court
     • cGujarat High CourtAnswer
     • dAndhra Pradesh High Court
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan inaugurated India's first Model e-Court at the City Civil Court campus under the High Court of Gujarat on February 8, 2009. Option A: Karnataka High Court introduced several electronic registry systems later and did not inaugurate the model e-court on that date. Option B: Rajasthan High Court was not the institution where the initial model e-court was launched. Option D: Andhra Pradesh High Court did not host the inaugural model e-court launch on February 8, 2009.

373. Q373Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which is the first Panchayat in India to achieve computer literacy?

     • aPalai, Kerala
     • bNilamber, Kerala
     • cPakkam, Kerala
     • dVelland, KeralaAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because Vellanad (spelled Velland in the question) Grama Panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala became India's first fully computer-literate panchayat through an intensive grassroots literacy campaign. Option A: Palai is a municipality in Kottayam, not the first computer-literate village panchayat. Option B: Nilambur is a municipality in Malappuram and was not the first panchayat to hold this distinction. Option C: Pakkam in Kasaragod did not claim this specific administrative first.

374. Q374Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The country that held a cabinet meeting underwater for the first time in the world:

     • aMalaysia
     • bSri Lanka
     • cMaldivesAnswer
     • dThailand
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because the Maldives conducted the world's first underwater cabinet meeting in October 2009 off Girifushi island, chaired by President Mohamed Nasheed, to highlight the danger of rising sea levels to low-lying island nations. Option A: Malaysia has never conducted a cabinet meeting underwater. Option B: Sri Lanka has not held any ministerial cabinet meetings underwater. Option D: Thailand has never convened its cabinet underwater.

375. Q375Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The first 'Model e-Court' in India was launched in February 2009 by:

     • aGujarat High CourtAnswer
     • bTamil Nadu High Court
     • cHimachal Pradesh High Court
     • dAndhra Pradesh High Court
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because the Gujarat High Court inaugurated India's first Model e-Court at the City Civil and Sessions Court in Ahmedabad in February 2009 to facilitate digital case management and paperless functioning. Option B: Tamil Nadu High Court was not the high court that established the first Model e-Court in February 2009. Option C: Himachal Pradesh High Court did not set up the first Model e-Court. Option D: Andhra Pradesh High Court launched its first e-court much later, in July 2016 at Hyderabad.

376. Q376Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which of the following manuscripts is included in UNESCO's 'Memory of the World Register'?

     • aMahabharata
     • bRamayana
     • cRigvedaAnswer
     • dAbhidhamma Pitaka
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because 30 manuscripts of the Rigveda preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune were inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2007. Option A: Mahabharata manuscripts as a collection have not been inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Option B: Ramayana manuscripts are not listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Option D: Abhidhamma Pitaka manuscripts are not among the Indian entries included in this register.

377. Q377Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The day a total solar eclipse occurred in the 21st century:

     • a20 July, 2009
     • b21, 2009
     • c22, 2009Answer
     • d23, 2009
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century occurred on 22 July 2009, with totality lasting up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Date of the total solar eclipse: 22 July 2009 Duration of maximum totality: 6 minutes and 39 seconds Option A: 20 July 2009 had no solar eclipse; it was two days prior to the event. Option B: 21 July 2009 was the day preceding the solar eclipse. Option D: 23 July 2009 was the day following the eclipse.

378. Q378Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The day the largest solar eclipse in a thousand years occurred:

     • a15 January, 2010Answer
     • b16 January, 2010
     • c17 January, 2010
     • d18 January, 2010
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because on 15 January 2010, the longest annular solar eclipse of the third millennium occurred, having a maximum annularity duration of 11 minutes and 7.8 seconds, a record duration that will not be exceeded until the year 3043. Option B: No eclipse occurred on 16 January 2010. Option C: 17 January 2010 did not experience an eclipse event. Option D: 18 January 2010 had no solar eclipse.

379. Q379Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The spacecraft launched by 'NASA' in November 2009:

     • aAtlantisAnswer
     • bChallenger
     • cColumbia
     • dDiscovery
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because NASA launched the Space Shuttle Atlantis on November 16, 2009, on mission STS-129 to deliver critical spare parts and equipment to the International Space Station. Launch date: November 16, 2009 Mission: STS-129 Orbiter: Space Shuttle Atlantis Destination: International Space Station Option B: Challenger was lost in a tragic launch accident in January 1986 and was no longer operational. Option C: Columbia broke apart during atmospheric re-entry in February 2003 and was out of service. Option D: Discovery flew in August 2009 and April 2010, but was not launched during November 2009.

380. Q380Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Tiyanhe, a super computer has been developed by:

     • aJapan
     • bMalaysia
     • cThailand
     • dChinaAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because the Tianhe supercomputer series, including Tianhe-1 and Tianhe-2, was developed by the National University of Defense Technology in China. Option A: Japan developed supercomputers such as Fugaku and the K computer, not Tianhe. Option B: Malaysia does not have a supercomputer program named Tianhe. Option C: Thailand did not develop the Tianhe supercomputer.

381. Q381Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The maximum range of the Agni-3 missile tested in February, 2010:

     • a3300 km
     • b3500 kmAnswer
     • c3700 km
     • d3900 km
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because Agni-3 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by DRDO with an officially stated strike range of 3500 km. Agni-1 strike range: 700 to 900 km Agni-2 strike range: 2000 to 2500 km Agni-3 strike range: 3500 km Agni-4 strike range: 3500 to 4000 km Agni-5 strike range: 5000 km or more Option A: 3300 km is lower than the designated operational range of Agni-3. Option C: 3700 km exceeds the standard baseline range of Agni-3. Option D: 3900 km falls within the operational envelope of Agni-4 rather than Agni-3.

382. Q382Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Range of the Agni-1 missile tested in March, 2010:

     • a300 km
     • b500 km
     • c700 kmAnswer
     • d900 km
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Agni-1 is a single-stage, solid-fuel, short-range ballistic missile with an established operational strike range of 700 km, successfully tested at that capability from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast in March 2010. Option A: 300 km represents the range category of the Prithvi-II missile, not Agni-1. Option B: 500 km falls well short of the operational range of the Agni-1 system. Option D: 900 km represents the upper limit with lighter payloads, but the baseline operational rating of Agni-1 tested in this trial is 700 km.