UPSC Prelims 2004 · General Studies

Question 67: Geography

Consider the following statements:

1.The Islamic Calendar is twelve days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar
2.The Islamic Calendar began in AD 632
3.The Gregorian Calendar is a solar calendar

Which of these statements given above is/are correct?

a1 only

b1 and 2

c1 and 3

d3 only

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Only statement 3 is correct. The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar, based on the earth's year. The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is lunar, about 11 days shorter than the solar year, not twelve, and it begins in AD 622, the year of the Hijra from Mecca to Medina, not 632.

1. The lunar Islamic year is about 11 days shorter, not twelve.
2. The Islamic calendar begins in AD 622 (the Hijra), not 632.
3. The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (b) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The lunar Islamic year is about 11 days shorter, not twelve.

Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Statement 1 is false: the gap is about 11 days.
(b) Statements 1 and 2 are both false.
(c) Statement 1 is false.
(d) Correct: only statement 3 holds.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2004, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.