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All 125 previous-year questions
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History & Culture · 24
The Gandhi–Irwin Pact was signed in which year?Answer: 1931Signed in March 1931, ahead of the Second Round Table Conference.
The Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) was launched in?Answer: 1930Gandhi began the Dandi March in March 1930, starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Who founded the Arya Samaj in 1875?Answer: Swami Dayananda SaraswatiSwami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 with the call 'Back to the Vedas'.
The 'Bani Thani' style of miniature painting belongs to which school?Answer: Kishangarh schoolBani Thani is the iconic painting of the Kishangarh school of Rajasthani art.
The Indus Valley site of Lothal is best known for its?Answer: DockyardLothal (Gujarat) had a dockyard, indicating Harappan maritime trade.
The Battle of Buxar (1764) was fought between the British and the combined forces of?Answer: The Nawabs of Bengal and Awadh and the Mughal emperorHector Munro defeated the combined armies of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula and Shah Alam II, cementing British power in eastern India.
The First Battle of Panipat (1526), which founded the Mughal empire, was won by?Answer: BaburBabur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526, founding the Mughal empire.
The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by Gandhi in?Answer: 1920The Non-Cooperation Movement began in 1920.
The Simon Commission, met with 'Go back Simon', visited India in?Answer: 1928The all-British Simon Commission arrived in 1928 and was widely boycotted.
The first session of the Indian National Congress (1885) was presided over by?Answer: W. C. BonnerjeeW. C. Bonnerjee presided over the first INC session in Bombay, 1885.
The rock-cut caves of Ajanta are renowned for their?Answer: Buddhist murals and paintingsThe Ajanta caves are famous for Buddhist mural paintings.
The 'Doctrine of Lapse' was a policy associated with?Answer: Lord DalhousieLord Dalhousie used the Doctrine of Lapse to annex princely states.
The Sanchi Stupa was originally commissioned by?Answer: AshokaThe great stupa at Sanchi was originally built during Ashoka's reign.
The Ryotwari system of land revenue was introduced mainly in the?Answer: Madras and Bombay presidenciesUnder Ryotwari, revenue was settled directly with cultivators in the Madras and Bombay presidencies.
The Harappan site of Lothal was famous for?Answer: DockyardLothal in Gujarat had a sophisticated dockyard, indicating maritime trade during the Harappan period.
The 'Doctrine of Lapse' was introduced by?Answer: Lord DalhousieLord Dalhousie introduced the Doctrine of Lapse to annex princely states without a natural heir.
Who founded the Vijayanagara Empire?Answer: Harihara and BukkaThe Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty.
The Bhakti saint Kabir was a disciple of?Answer: RamanandaKabir is traditionally regarded as a disciple of the Bhakti saint Ramananda.
Which Governor-General abolished Sati in 1829?Answer: Lord William BentinckLord William Bentinck abolished the practice of Sati in 1829 with the support of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
The Ajanta caves are primarily associated with which religion?Answer: BuddhismThe Ajanta caves are renowned for Buddhist rock-cut architecture and paintings.
Who was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty?Answer: BrihadrathaBrihadratha was the last Mauryan ruler, assassinated by his general Pushyamitra Shunga.
The 'Poona Pact' of 1932 was signed between?Answer: Gandhi and AmbedkarThe Poona Pact was signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar, providing reserved seats for depressed classes within the general electorate.
Which classical dance form originated in Tamil Nadu?Answer: BharatanatyamBharatanatyam is the classical dance form that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu.
The Gupta period is often called the 'Golden Age' primarily because of?Answer: Advances in art, science and literatureThe Gupta era saw remarkable achievements in mathematics, astronomy, literature and art, earning it the 'Golden Age' title.
Geography · 23
The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?Answer: EightEight: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
Which is the longest river that flows entirely within India?Answer: GodavariThe Godavari, the longest peninsular river, flows wholly within India to the Bay of Bengal.
The Western Ghats are also known as the?Answer: SahyadriThe Western Ghats are called the Sahyadri — a global biodiversity hotspot.
Which Indian state has the longest coastline?Answer: GujaratGujarat has the longest coastline of any Indian state (~1,600 km).
Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish-water lagoon, is located in?Answer: OdishaChilika Lake lies on the east coast in Odisha and is a Ramsar wetland.
The highest mountain peak located entirely within India is?Answer: KangchenjungaKangchenjunga (Sikkim) is the highest peak entirely within India; K2 lies in Pakistan-administered territory.
The Deccan Plateau is flanked on its west and east by the?Answer: Western and Eastern GhatsThe Deccan Plateau is bordered by the Western Ghats (west) and Eastern Ghats (east).
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve lies between India and?Answer: Sri LankaThe Gulf of Mannar lies between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
The Bhakra Nangal Dam is built on which river?Answer: SutlejThe Bhakra Nangal Dam is on the Sutlej river.
The 'Roaring Forties' are?Answer: Strong westerly winds of the Southern HemisphereThe Roaring Forties are strong westerlies around 40°S latitude.
El Niño refers to the periodic warming of?Answer: The central and eastern Pacific OceanEl Niño is the warming of central–eastern equatorial Pacific waters, affecting the monsoon.
Which soil type covers the largest area in India?Answer: Alluvial soilAlluvial soil, in the northern plains and deltas, covers the largest area.
Laterite soil typically forms in regions of?Answer: High rainfall and temperature (leaching)Laterite soils form by intense leaching under high rainfall and temperature.
Which river is known as the 'Dakshin Ganga'?Answer: GodavariThe Godavari is the largest river in peninsular India and is often called the Dakshin Ganga (Ganga of the South).
The Deccan Plateau is bounded by which mountain ranges?Answer: Western and Eastern GhatsThe Deccan Plateau is flanked by the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
Which type of rainfall is associated with the Indian monsoon?Answer: OrographicThe Indian summer monsoon produces mainly orographic rainfall as moist winds rise over mountains like the Western Ghats.
The 'Duns' are found in which mountain system?Answer: HimalayasDuns are longitudinal valleys formed between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shivaliks, e.g., Dehradun.
Which is the largest saltwater lake in India?Answer: ChilikaChilika Lake in Odisha is the largest brackish (coastal) lagoon in India.
Laterite soil is typically found in areas with?Answer: High rainfall and high temperatureLaterite soils form under high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods, causing intense leaching.
The Himalayan rivers are mostly?Answer: PerennialHimalayan rivers are perennial as they are fed by both monsoon rains and glacial melt.
Which state is the largest producer of coffee in India?Answer: KarnatakaKarnataka is the largest coffee-producing state in India, particularly in the Kodagu region.
The El Nino phenomenon is associated with?Answer: Warming of the central PacificEl Nino refers to the abnormal warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, weakening the Indian monsoon.
Which pass connects India with China in Arunachal Pradesh?Answer: BomdilaThe Bomdila Pass in Arunachal Pradesh provides a route towards Tibet (China).
Economy · 20
The term 'Merchant Discount Rate' (MDR) refers to?Answer: A fee a merchant pays for accepting card paymentsMDR is the fee a merchant pays banks for processing debit/credit card payments.
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act was enacted in?Answer: 2003The FRBM Act, 2003 institutionalised fiscal discipline and deficit targets.
The repo rate is the rate at which?Answer: The RBI lends to commercial banksRepo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to banks against securities.
In India, monetary policy is formulated by?Answer: The Reserve Bank of IndiaThe RBI, via its Monetary Policy Committee, formulates and implements monetary policy.
The 'Green Revolution' in India most increased the output of?Answer: Wheat and riceThe Green Revolution greatly boosted wheat and rice production from the late 1960s.
'Operation Flood' is associated with India's?Answer: White (milk) RevolutionOperation Flood drove the White Revolution, making India the world's largest milk producer.
The 'Blue Revolution' refers to the development of?Answer: Fisheries and aquacultureThe Blue Revolution focuses on fisheries and aquaculture.
The repo rate is an instrument of which policy?Answer: Monetary policyThe repo rate is a monetary-policy tool of the RBI.
The Gini coefficient is a measure of?Answer: Income inequalityThe Gini coefficient measures inequality in income or wealth distribution.
'Fiscal consolidation' broadly refers to?Answer: Reducing the fiscal deficitFiscal consolidation means reducing the fiscal deficit and stabilising debt.
Which of the following is a direct tax?Answer: Income taxIncome tax is a direct tax; the others are indirect taxes.
The National Stock Exchange's benchmark index is the?Answer: Nifty 50The Nifty 50 is the NSE's benchmark index; the Sensex belongs to the BSE.
Which body sets the repo rate in India?Answer: Monetary Policy CommitteeThe six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI decides the repo rate to target inflation.
'Fiscal deficit' is best defined as?Answer: Total expenditure minus total receipts excluding borrowingsFiscal deficit is the excess of total expenditure over total receipts excluding borrowings, indicating government borrowing needs.
The term 'Blue Economy' refers to?Answer: Sustainable use of ocean resourcesBlue Economy denotes the sustainable use of ocean and marine resources for economic growth while preserving ecosystem health.
Which of the following is a direct tax?Answer: Income taxIncome tax is a direct tax levied on individuals' and companies' income, unlike indirect taxes such as GST.
The 'Priority Sector Lending' norms are prescribed by?Answer: RBIThe RBI prescribes Priority Sector Lending targets, directing credit to agriculture, MSMEs, and weaker sections.
What does 'repo rate' signify?Answer: Rate at which banks borrow from RBIThe repo rate is the rate at which commercial banks borrow funds from the RBI against securities.
Which organisation computes India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?Answer: NSOThe National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI compiles and releases the IIP.
'Disguised unemployment' is most commonly found in which sector?Answer: AgricultureDisguised unemployment, where more people are employed than needed, is prevalent in Indian agriculture.
Polity · 19
The Right to Privacy was recognised as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court as part of which right?Answer: Right to life & personal liberty (Art 21)In K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), privacy was held intrinsic to the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21.
The abolition of untouchability (Article 17) falls under which category of Fundamental Rights?Answer: Right to EqualityArticle 17 abolishes untouchability and sits under the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18).
The 'basic structure' doctrine of the Constitution was propounded in which case?Answer: Kesavananda Bharati caseKesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) held that Parliament cannot alter the Constitution's basic structure.
Which Article empowers the President to proclaim a National Emergency?Answer: Article 352Article 352 covers National Emergency on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) is associated with?Answer: Panchayati Raj institutionsThe 73rd Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj (rural local self-government).
Which Schedule allocates seats in the Rajya Sabha to the States and Union Territories?Answer: Fourth ScheduleThe Fourth Schedule allocates Rajya Sabha seats to States and UTs.
A proclamation of National Emergency must be approved by Parliament within?Answer: One monthAfter the 44th Amendment, it must be approved within one month.
The Finance Commission recommends the distribution of tax revenues between?Answer: The Union and the StatesThe Finance Commission (Art 280) recommends sharing of taxes between the Union and States.
The power of judicial review in India is primarily derived from which Article?Answer: Article 13Article 13 makes laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights void, grounding judicial review.
With reference to the Indian Constitution, the 'Doctrine of Basic Structure' emerged from which case?Answer: Kesavananda Bharati caseIn Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot amend the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.
The 'Right to Education' was added as a Fundamental Right by which amendment?Answer: 86th AmendmentThe 86th Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A, making free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 a fundamental right.
Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A?Answer: To pay taxes honestlyPaying taxes is not listed among the Fundamental Duties in Article 51A, though it is a civic obligation.
The Inter-State Council is established under which Article?Answer: Article 263Article 263 empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council to promote coordination between states.
Who among the following can participate in the impeachment of the President?Answer: Both Houses of ParliamentThe President is impeached by both Houses of Parliament under Article 61 for violation of the Constitution.
The Directive Principles of State Policy are enforceable by which mechanism?Answer: Not enforceable by courtsUnder Article 37, DPSPs are not enforceable by any court but are fundamental in governance.
Which schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha?Answer: Fourth ScheduleThe Fourth Schedule allocates seats in the Rajya Sabha to states and union territories.
The concept of 'Concurrent List' in the Indian Constitution is borrowed from?Answer: AustraliaThe Concurrent List was borrowed from the Constitution of Australia.
Which of the following writs is issued to quash the order of a lower court?Answer: CertiorariCertiorari is issued by a higher court to quash the order already passed by an inferior court or tribunal.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a?Answer: Statutory bodyNHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Environment · 19
The Ramsar Convention is concerned with the conservation of?Answer: WetlandsThe Ramsar Convention (1971) provides for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
How many global biodiversity hotspots are found in India?Answer: FourFour: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, Indo-Burma and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands).
The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the?Answer: Ozone layerThe Montreal Protocol (1987) phases out ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs.
Which is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere?Answer: Water vapourWater vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas and drives much of the natural greenhouse effect.
Project Tiger was launched in India in?Answer: 1973Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to conserve the Bengal tiger and its habitat.
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) committed countries to reduce?Answer: Greenhouse gas emissionsThe Kyoto Protocol set binding targets to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
The Paris Agreement (2015) seeks to limit the global temperature rise to well below?Answer: 2°C above pre-industrial levelsIt aims to keep warming well below 2°C, pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
The 'Save Silent Valley' movement was located in which state?Answer: KeralaThe Silent Valley movement (1970s–80s) protected a rainforest in Kerala.
CITES is an international agreement that regulates?Answer: Trade in endangered speciesCITES regulates international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
The concept of tradable 'carbon credits' originates from which agreement?Answer: The Kyoto ProtocolCarbon-credit market mechanisms originate from the Kyoto Protocol.
The Chipko movement is historically associated with which region?Answer: Uttarakhand (Himalayan foothills)The Chipko movement began in the Himalayan region of present-day Uttarakhand.
The Ramsar Convention relates to the conservation of?Answer: WetlandsThe Ramsar Convention (1971) is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Which gas is primarily responsible for global warming?Answer: Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide is the major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming, mainly from fossil fuel combustion.
The 'Western Ghats' are recognised as a?Answer: UNESCO World Heritage biodiversity hotspotThe Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
Which convention deals with the trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes?Answer: Basel ConventionThe Basel Convention controls the trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
The 'Project Tiger' initiative began in which year?Answer: 1973Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitats.
Eutrophication of water bodies is mainly caused by?Answer: Excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphatesEutrophication results from nutrient enrichment (nitrates, phosphates), causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
Which of these is a 'Critically Endangered' species in India?Answer: Great Indian BustardThe Great Indian Bustard is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with very few individuals remaining.
The 'carbon sink' capacity is highest in which ecosystem?Answer: Oceans and forestsOceans and forests are the largest natural carbon sinks, absorbing large amounts of atmospheric CO2.
Sci & Tech · 18
The 'eLISA' project is associated with the detection of?Answer: Gravitational waveseLISA is a planned space-based observatory to detect gravitational waves.
Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made a soft landing near which region of the Moon?Answer: South PoleChandrayaan-3 landed near the lunar south pole in August 2023 — a first for any country.
PSLV and GSLV are India's?Answer: Satellite launch vehiclesPSLV and GSLV are ISRO's satellite launch vehicles for different orbits and payloads.
Mission Indradhanush is associated with?Answer: Immunisation of children and pregnant womenLaunched in 2014, it aims to fully immunise children under two years and pregnant women.
India's Mars Orbiter Mission was notable for reaching Mars orbit on its?Answer: First attemptIndia became the first nation to reach Mars orbit on its very first attempt (2014).
India's first nuclear power station, Tarapur, is located in?Answer: MaharashtraThe Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India's first, is in Maharashtra.
The Higgs boson, discovered at CERN, is associated with?Answer: The origin of massThe Higgs boson relates to the mechanism that gives particles mass.
Antibiotics are effective against?Answer: BacteriaAntibiotics target bacterial infections, not viral ones.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) relies primarily on a constellation of?Answer: SatellitesGPS uses a constellation of satellites to determine location.
ISRO's reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator is called?Answer: RLV-TDThe RLV-TD (Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator) is ISRO's effort towards reusable space transport.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology used for?Answer: Gene editingCRISPR-Cas9 is a precise gene-editing tool used to modify DNA sequences in living organisms.
Which particle gives mass to other particles according to the Standard Model?Answer: Higgs BosonThe Higgs Boson, discovered in 2012, is associated with the field that gives mass to fundamental particles.
'Quantum supremacy' refers to?Answer: A quantum computer outperforming classical ones on a taskQuantum supremacy is the point where a quantum computer solves a problem infeasible for classical computers.
Which Indian mission aimed to study the Sun?Answer: Aditya-L1Aditya-L1 is ISRO's mission to study the Sun from the L1 Lagrange point.
mRNA vaccines work by?Answer: Instructing cells to make a viral protein to trigger immunitymRNA vaccines deliver genetic instructions for cells to produce a viral protein, prompting an immune response.
Which technology underlies cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin?Answer: BlockchainBlockchain is a distributed ledger technology that records transactions securely across many computers.
The 'Green Hydrogen' is produced using?Answer: Electrolysis of water using renewable energyGreen hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy, emitting no carbon.
India's indigenous navigation satellite system is called?Answer: NavICNavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is India's regional satellite navigation system developed by ISRO.
Current Affairs · 2
The 44th Chess Olympiad (2022), the first ever hosted by India, was held in which city?Answer: ChennaiHeld in Chennai (Mahabalipuram), Tamil Nadu — India's first time hosting it. Mascot: 'Thambi'.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is headquartered in?Answer: Washington, D.C.The IMF is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA.
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