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Past Questions
‘Financial Inclusion’ aims to: I. Provide banking services to the unbanked population. II. Promote literacy in the stock market only. III. Ensure access to affordable financial products like insurance and credit. Select the correct answer:
A)
I only
B)
I and III only
C)
II and III only
D)
I, II and III
Financial Inclusion is the process of ensuring access to appropriate financial products and services needed by all sections of society, especially vulnerable groups, at an affordable cost in a fair and transparent manner.
1. Statement I is correct: A primary goal of financial inclusion is to bring the 'unbanked' population (those without a bank account) into the formal banking system to facilitate savings and government transfers.
2. Statement II is incorrect: While financial literacy is a part of financial inclusion, it is not limited to the 'stock market only.' In fact, basic banking, savings, and credit literacy are far more critical for the target population than stock market trading.
3. Statement III is correct: Financial inclusion extends beyond just bank accounts to include access to affordable insurance (risk mitigation) and credit (loans for productivity), which prevents the poor from relying on predatory informal moneylenders.
Therefore, only statements I and III are correct.
What is the name of the tropical cyclones in the China Sea?
A)
Hurricanes
B)
Tornado
C)
Typhoon
D)
Twister
Tropical cyclones are large-scale air masses that rotate around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. While the physical phenomenon is the same, they are named differently based on the region where they occur:
1. **Typhoons**: These occur in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, which includes the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
2. **Hurricanes**: These occur in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Northeast Pacific Ocean (affecting the Americas).
3. **Cyclones**: This term is generally used for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Regarding the other options:
- **Tornadoes** (and **Twisters**) are not tropical cyclones; they are violent, rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. They are much smaller in scale and form over land, unlike tropical cyclones which form over warm ocean waters.
Which northeastern state recently became India’s first ODF Plus state?
A)
Mizoram
B)
Sikkim
C)
Arunachal Pradesh
D)
Nagaland
Mizoram became the first state in Northeast India to achieve 'ODF Plus' (Open Defecation Free Plus) status. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, ODF Plus status is granted to a state or village when it not only ensures that no one defecates in the open but also implements sustainable solid and liquid waste management systems. Mizoram's achievement was recognized for its comprehensive approach to sanitation and waste management across its districts. While other northeastern states like Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have made significant strides in sanitation, Mizoram was the first in the region to be officially certified as an ODF Plus state.
As of November 2024, the state having the highest Mutual Fund Asset Under Management (MFAUM) is-
A)
Delhi
B)
Gujarat
C)
Maharashtra
D)
Tamil Nadu
Mutual Fund Assets Under Management (AUM) are typically concentrated in states with high urbanization, high per capita income, and a strong presence of financial hubs. Maharashtra, specifically Mumbai, serves as the financial capital of India. Most Asset Management Companies (AMCs), stock exchanges (BSE and NSE), and the headquarters of major banks and financial institutions are located in Mumbai. Consequently, Maharashtra consistently records the highest Mutual Fund AUM in India due to the high density of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), corporate investments, and the physical presence of the financial industry's infrastructure. While states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and the union territory of Delhi have significant investment activities, they do not match the scale of Maharashtra's financial ecosystem.
The first Mizo Novel is-
A)
Hawilopari
B)
Lal hlaulo thi
C)
Zoram khawvel
D)
Zorami-A redemption song
In the history of Mizo literature, 'Hawilopari' is widely recognized as the first novel written in the Mizo language. It was authored by V. Liana. While Mizo literature has a rich tradition of oral poetry and hymns, the transition to the novel form began with this work.
Analysis of other options:
- 'Lal hlaulo thi' is not recognized as the first novel.
- 'Zoram khawvel' refers to general themes of the Mizo world/society rather than the pioneering novel.
- 'Zorami-A redemption song' is a more contemporary work and does not hold the status of the first novel.
The only president of India who was elected as an independent candidate is-
A)
Neelam S Reddy
B)
Dr Zakir Hussain
C)
DrS Radhakrishnan
D)
V.V.Giri
V.V. Giri (Varahagiri Venkata Giri) is the only President of India to have been elected to the office as an independent candidate. He served as the 4th President of India from 1969 to 1974. He contested the 1969 presidential election against Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, who was the official candidate of the Indian National Congress. V.V. Giri won the election with the support of a coalition of opposition parties and a section of Congress MPs who voted against the official party line.
Analysis of other options:
- Neelam S Reddy (Neelam Sanjiva Reddy): He was the official candidate of the Congress party in 1969 (and lost) and later became the 6th President in 1977 unopposed, but not as an independent.
- Dr. Zakir Hussain: He was the 3rd President and was supported by the ruling party.
- Dr. S Radhakrishnan: He was the 2nd President and was supported by the ruling party.
The Iqta system, introduced in the Delhi Sultanate, was primarily related to:
A)
Religious matters
B)
Land revenue and military administration
C)
Temple management
D)
Maritime trade
The Iqta system was a grant of the right to collect land revenue from a specified territory (an 'Iqta') given by the Sultan to his officers or nobles (known as Iqtadars or Muqtis).
1. Why Option (b) is correct: The primary purpose of the Iqta system was twofold: first, to ensure the efficient collection of land revenue for the state, and second, to maintain a standing army. The Iqtadar used a portion of the revenue to pay themselves and their soldiers, thereby decentralizing military administration while keeping the nobility dependent on the Sultan.
2. Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): While the Sultanate was an Islamic state, the Iqta system was a fiscal and administrative tool, not a religious one.
- Option (c): Temple management was not the purpose of the Iqta system; in fact, the system focused on state revenue and military control.
- Option (d): Maritime trade was managed through ports and customs duties, not through the land-grant based Iqta system.
Which of the following banks is not one among the three banks identified as Domestic Systematically Important Banks (D-SIBs) by the Reserve Bank of India?
A)
State Bank of India
B)
ICICI Bank
C)
HDFC Bank
D)
Axis Bank
Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) are banks whose size, structure, and interconnectedness are such that their failure would cause significant disruption to the domestic financial system. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) identifies these banks to ensure they are subject to more stringent regulatory oversight and higher capital requirements (the 'too big to fail' category).
As per the RBI's current framework and latest notifications, the three banks identified as D-SIBs are:
1. State Bank of India (SBI)
2. ICICI Bank
3. HDFC Bank
Comparing this list to the options provided:
- Option (a) State Bank of India is a D-SIB.
- Option (b) ICICI Bank is a D-SIB.
- Option (c) HDFC Bank is a D-SIB.
- Option (d) Axis Bank, while being a major private sector bank, has not been identified as a D-SIB by the RBI.
Therefore, Axis Bank is the correct answer as it is not among the three identified D-SIBs.
Capt. T.H.Lewin wrote a famous book called-
A)
The Hill Tracts of Chittagong and The Dwellers Therein
B)
A Grammar of Lushai Language
C)
Progressive Colloquial Exercise in Lushai Dialect of the ‘Dzo’
D)
Mizo Chanchin
Captain T.H. Lewin was a British officer who served in the Lushai Hills (now Mizoram) and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He is widely recognized for his detailed ethnographic and geographical accounts of the region. His most famous work is 'The Hill Tracts of Chittagong and The Dwellers Therein', published in 1869, which provided early Western readers with insights into the culture and geography of the area.
Regarding the other options:
- Option (b) 'A Grammar of Lushai Language' and Option (c) 'Progressive Colloquial Exercise in Lushai Dialect' are typically associated with early missionaries (such as J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge) who worked on the linguistic codification of the Mizo language.
- Option (d) 'Mizo Chanchin' refers to Mizo history/news in general and is not a specific book authored by Capt. Lewin.
The first Mizo Kristian song is-
A)
Tlang Thim chhak lam kei ka en ang
B)
Isua Vanahaawma
C)
Lal ber hmaah kan ding ang
D)
Lal ber sipai kan ni
In the history of Christianity in Mizoram, the first Mizo hymn (Kristian hla) was composed by the early missionaries and local converts. 'Tlang Thim chhak lam kei ka en ang' is recognized as the first Mizo Christian song. It was translated/composed during the early stages of the mission work by the Welsh Presbyterian Missionaries (such as J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge) to introduce the gospel through music to the Mizo people. Options b, c, and d are later hymns or songs that became popular in the Mizo church but do not hold the distinction of being the first.
Which article of the Indian constitution contains Impeachment of the President of India?
A)
Article 52
B)
Article 55
C)
Article 61
D)
Article 72
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. The Constitution of India provides a specific procedure for the removal of the President from office, known as 'Impeachment'.
2. Article 61 explicitly details the procedure for impeachment, which can only be initiated on the grounds of 'violation of the Constitution'.
3. Analysis of other options:
- Article 52: States that 'There shall be a President of India'.
- Article 55: Describes the manner of election of the President.
- Article 72: Deals with the power of the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment.
Therefore, Article 61 is the correct provision for the impeachment of the President.
Which mountain range separates northern India from the Deccan Plateau?
A)
Himalayas
B)
Vindhyas
C)
Satpura
D)
Aravallis
The Vindhya Range is a complex system of hills and mountains in central India that acts as a traditional geographical barrier separating the Indo-Gangetic plains (Northern India) from the Deccan Plateau (Southern India).
Analysis of options:
- a. Himalayas: These are located in the far north and separate the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau.
- b. Vindhyas: Correct. They form the northern boundary of the Deccan Plateau and separate it from the North Indian plains.
- c. Satpura: These run parallel to the Vindhyas to the south, separating the Narmada and Tapti river valleys.
- d. Aravallis: These are located in the northwest (primarily Rajasthan) and run diagonally, not serving as the primary divider between the North and the Deccan Plateau.
Which country is popularly known as ‘Coffee pot of the world’?
A)
Chile
B)
Brazil
C)
China
D)
Argentina
Brazil is popularly known as the 'Coffee pot of the world' because it has been the world's largest producer of coffee for over 150 years. The country possesses ideal climatic conditions (tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons) and vast areas of fertile land suitable for the cultivation of both Arabica and Robusta coffee beans.
Analysis of other options:
- Chile: While Chile is known for its copper production and wine, it is not a major global coffee producer.
- China: China is a leader in tea production and various industrial crops, but not coffee.
- Argentina: While Argentina produces coffee and other agricultural goods, its scale of production is negligible compared to Brazil.
What is the primary purpose of gender inclusion policies?
A)
To reduce government spending
B)
To encourage urban migration
C)
To ensure equal opportunities for all genders in the social, economic, and political sphere
D)
To prioritize men’s participation in the workforce
Gender inclusion policies are designed to dismantle systemic barriers and biases that prevent individuals of any gender from accessing resources, rights, and opportunities.
1. Why option 'c' is correct: The core objective of gender inclusion is equity and equality. By ensuring that women, men, and non-binary individuals have equal access to education (social), employment and wages (economic), and decision-making roles (political), society can achieve sustainable development and social justice.
2. Why other options are incorrect:
- Option 'a': Gender inclusion often requires initial investment in infrastructure (like childcare or safety) and does not aim to reduce government spending as its primary goal.
- Option 'b': Urban migration is a demographic trend and is not the primary objective of gender-based policy frameworks.
- Option 'd': Prioritizing one gender over others is the opposite of 'inclusion'; inclusion seeks to remove the historical prioritization of one group to create a level playing field for all.
Writer of the novel ‘Nunna kawng thuampuiah’:
A)
Lalrammawia Ngente
B)
K.C. Lalvunga
C)
James Dokhuma
D)
Lalhmingliana Saiawi
The novel ‘Nunna kawng thuampuiah’ is a well-known work in Mizo literature written by Lalrammawia Ngente. He is recognized for his contributions to Mizo prose and storytelling. The other options listed (K.C. Lalvunga, James Dokhuma, and Lalhmingliana Saiawi) are also figures associated with Mizo writing or intellectual contributions, but they are not the authors of this specific novel.
Which Article of the Indian constitutional cannot be suspended during the proclamation of national emergency by the President?
A)
Article 17
B)
Article 18
C)
Article 19
D)
Article 21
Under the Indian Constitution, when a National Emergency is proclaimed by the President under Article 352, certain Fundamental Rights can be suspended. However, the 44th Amendment Act of 1978 introduced a critical safeguard to prevent the misuse of emergency powers. It stipulated that the enforcement of the guarantees provided by Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency.
- Article 21 guarantees the 'Protection of life and personal liberty'.
- Article 20 provides protection in respect of conviction for offences.
Analyzing the options:
- Option a (Article 17): Abolition of Untouchability. This is not the specific article protected from suspension under the 44th Amendment.
- Option b (Article 18): Abolition of titles. This is not the specific article protected from suspension under the 44th Amendment.
- Option c (Article 19): Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc. These rights are automatically suspended when a National Emergency is declared on grounds of war or external aggression (under Article 358).
- Option d (Article 21): As per the 44th Amendment, this article cannot be suspended, making it the correct answer.
The single largest source of income for the government of India during 2023-24 is -
A)
Excise Duties
B)
Customs Duties
C)
Income Tax
D)
Corporate Tax
Based on the Union Budget estimates and revised estimates for the financial year 2023-24, the government of India's revenue is derived from various direct and indirect taxes. Among the options provided:
1. Income Tax (which includes personal income tax) consistently remains one of the highest contributors to the central exchequer.
2. Corporate Tax is also a major source, but in recent budget cycles (including 2023-24), the growth and total collection from Income Tax (Personal) have often surpassed Corporate Tax due to a wider tax base and increased compliance.
3. Excise Duties and Customs Duties are indirect taxes; while significant, they are generally lower than the combined direct tax receipts from Income and Corporate taxes.
According to the budget data for 2023-24, Income Tax (Personal) emerged as the single largest individual tax revenue source for the Central Government, reflecting a shift toward a more robust direct tax collection regime.
Pure water freezes at what temperature?
A)
0°F
B)
20°F
C)
32°F
D)
42°F
The freezing point of pure water is the temperature at which it changes state from a liquid to a solid under standard atmospheric pressure. In the Celsius scale, this is defined as 0°C. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, the formula used is: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. Substituting 0°C into the formula: (0 × 9/5) + 32 = 32°F. Therefore, pure water freezes at 32°F. Options a (0°F), b (20°F), and d (42°F) are incorrect as they do not correspond to the standard freezing point of water.
Through which one among the following materials does sound travel fastest?
A)
Air
B)
Solids
C)
Water
D)
Wood
Sound is a mechanical wave that propagates through the vibration of particles in a medium. The speed of sound depends primarily on the elasticity (stiffness) and the density of the medium.
1. **Elasticity and Density**: In solids, atoms and molecules are packed much more closely together and are held by stronger intermolecular bonds compared to liquids and gases. This high elasticity allows the vibrational energy to be transferred from one particle to the next much more rapidly.
2. **Comparison**:
- **Air (Gas)**: Particles are far apart; sound travels slowest (approx. 343 m/s).
- **Water (Liquid)**: Particles are closer than in air; sound travels faster than in air (approx. 1,480 m/s).
- **Solids**: Particles are most tightly packed; sound travels fastest (e.g., in steel, it is approx. 5,960 m/s).
While 'Wood' (option d) is a solid, 'Solids' (option b) is the more comprehensive and correct category, as sound travels fastest in the solid state of matter generally, and specifically in dense, elastic solids like metals.
In the recently concluded US Presidential election, the number of electoral college votes won by Donald Trump is-
A)
270
B)
293
C)
312
D)
323
In the 2024 US Presidential Election, Donald Trump secured a decisive victory by winning 312 electoral votes, surpassing the required threshold of 270 to win the presidency. Kamala Harris received 226 electoral votes.
Breakdown of options:
- a. 270: This is the minimum number of electoral votes required to win the presidency, not the specific number Trump won.
- b. 293: This is an incorrect figure.
- c. 312: This is the correct total of electoral votes won by Donald Trump.
- d. 323: This is an incorrect figure.
What is the correct name of a ‘Shooting star’?
A)
Moon
B)
Meteor
C)
Asteroid
D)
Little star
A 'shooting star' is a common name for a meteor. A meteor is a streak of light that occurs when a meteoroid (a small piece of rock or dust from space) enters Earth's atmosphere at high speed. The friction between the meteoroid and the atmospheric gases generates intense heat, causing the object to vaporize and create a glowing trail of ionized gas, which appears as a falling star to an observer on the ground.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Moon: The Moon is Earth's natural satellite, a large celestial body that orbits the Earth; it does not 'shoot' across the sky.
- c. Asteroid: Asteroids are large rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. While a piece of an asteroid can become a meteoroid, the 'shooting star' effect specifically refers to the atmospheric entry (the meteor).
- d. Little star: This is a descriptive term, not a scientific name. Shooting stars are not actually stars (which are massive balls of plasma), but small debris particles.
A crop insurance scheme that covers risks like yield losses, prevented sowing, post-harvest losses, and localized calamities-
A)
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PK VY)
B)
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
C)
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PMKMY)
D)
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
The question describes a comprehensive crop insurance scheme.
1. **Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)** is a government-sponsored crop insurance scheme that provides insurance coverage to farmers against crop failure. It specifically covers:
- **Yield losses** due to non-preventable natural calamities.
- **Prevented sowing** (when a farmer cannot sow the crop due to adverse weather).
- **Post-harvest losses** (coverage for a specific period after harvesting).
- **Localized calamities** (such as landslides, hailstorms, inundation, etc., which may not affect the entire area but cause significant loss to individual farmers).
**Why other options are incorrect:**
- **a. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PK VY):** This is a scheme focused on promoting organic farming through a cluster-based approach; it is not an insurance scheme.
- **c. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PMKMY):** This is a pension scheme for small and marginal farmers to provide old-age income security; it does not cover crop losses.
- **d. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN):** This is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme providing income support of ₹6,000 per year to land-holding farmer families; it is not an insurance product.
Which article of the Indian Constitution allows the President to declare a National Emergency?
A)
Article 352
B)
Article 356
C)
Article 360
D)
Article 370
The Indian Constitution provides for three types of emergencies.
1. **Article 352 (National Emergency):** This allows the President to declare a National Emergency when the security of India or any part of it is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion. This is the correct answer.
2. **Article 356 (President's Rule):** This allows the President to impose emergency rule in a specific state if the constitutional machinery in that state fails (State Emergency).
3. **Article 360 (Financial Emergency):** This allows the President to declare a Financial Emergency if the financial stability or credit of India is threatened.
4. **Article 370:** This was a temporary provision regarding the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (largely abrogated in 2019) and is not related to the declaration of emergencies.
In which of the following part of human body, red blood cells are produced?
A)
Bone Marrow
B)
Liver
C)
Muscles
D)
Pancreas
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are produced through a process called erythropoiesis. In adults, this process primarily occurs in the red bone marrow, which is found in the cavities of certain bones such as the pelvis, ribs, sternum, and the ends of long bones.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Liver: While the liver is the primary site of hematopoiesis (blood cell production) during fetal development, it ceases this function in healthy adults, focusing instead on detoxification and protein synthesis.
- c. Muscles: Skeletal muscles are composed of muscle fibers and connective tissue; they do not have the hematopoietic capacity to produce blood cells.
- d. Pancreas: The pancreas is a glandular organ responsible for secreting digestive enzymes (exocrine) and hormones like insulin and glucagon (endocrine), not for blood cell production.
What is a Dastak?
A)
Exemptions from payment of land revenue
B)
Exempting the English East India Company from paying customs duties
C)
Exemptions from payment of house tax
D)
All ofthe above
A 'Dastak' was a trade permit or pass issued by the Mughal Empire to the English East India Company. Under the Farman granted by Emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1717, the Company was granted the right to trade duty-free in Bengal. The Dastak served as the official document to exempt the Company's goods from paying customs duties (transit duties) at various checkpoints. This privilege became a major point of contention between the Company and the Nawabs of Bengal, as Company officials began using Dastaks for their private trade, leading to significant revenue losses for the local treasury and eventually contributing to the conflict that led to the Battle of Plassey (1757). Options 'a' and 'c' are incorrect because Dastaks were specifically related to trade and customs duties, not land revenue or house taxes.