Consider the following statements:

  1. The winds which blow between 30°N and 60°S latitude throughout the year are known as westerlies.
  2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  • The westerlies are prevailing winds that flow from the west towards the east and are considered permanent winds. They occur between the latitudes of 30°N-60°N and 30°S-60°S.
  • In the Northern Hemisphere, they blow from southwest to northeast, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they blow from northwest to southeast.
  • The westerlies are also known as anti-trade winds as they originate from high-pressure areas known as Horse latitudes and flow towards low-pressure areas near the poles.
  • They are stronger in the Southern Hemisphere due to the vast expanse of ocean and less land.
  • The westerlies are best observed between 40 to 60 degrees latitude, which are also known as the Roaring forties, Furious fifties, and Shrieking sixties.
  • The westerlies exhibit fluctuations in the subpolar region, resulting in wet spells and variations in weather.
  • Moist air masses associated with Western disturbances, originating from the Mediterranean Sea, often cause winter rains in the north-western region of India. Hence, statement 1 is not correct, while statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements:                                                                   The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgement can be made on it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:                                               

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Consider the following statements:                                                         The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgement can be made on it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:                                               

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