← Agri & Allied (CT)
Past Questions — 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The land settlement in the Lushai Hills was introduced by-
A)
L.O.Clarke
B)
B.W. Roy
C)
GH.Loch
D)
J.Shakespeare
The land settlement in the Lushai Hills (modern-day Mizoram) was introduced by L.O. Clarke. During the British administration of the Lushai Hills, the system of land tenure and settlement was formalized to establish administrative control and revenue structures. L.O. Clarke played a pivotal role in implementing these land settlement policies.
Regarding the other options:
- B.W. Roy and GH. Loch were involved in various administrative or military capacities during the colonial era, but they are not credited with the introduction of the land settlement.
- J. Shakespeare was a colonial officer, but the specific historical record for the introduction of land settlement in this region points to L.O. Clarke.
The King who did not allow anybody to laugh in his court was?
A)
Balban
B)
Qutub-ud-din Aibak
C)
Ltutmish
D)
Allauddin Khilji
Ghiyas-ud-din Balban, the Sultan of Delhi (1266–1287), is well-known for introducing a rigid and austere court etiquette to restore the prestige of the monarchy. He introduced the Persian customs of 'Sijda' (prostration) and 'Paibos' (kissing the feet of the Sultan). To maintain an atmosphere of absolute awe, fear, and solemnity, he banned laughing, joking, and casual conversation in the royal court. He believed that the Sultan should be seen as a distant, divine figure rather than a common human, and thus enforced a strict code of conduct where the nobility had to remain silent and solemn in his presence.
Comparison with other options:
- Qutub-ud-din Aibak: Known as 'Lakh Baksh' (giver of lakhs) for his generosity; there is no historical record of him banning laughter.
- Iltutmish: A pragmatic administrator who consolidated the Delhi Sultanate; he did not implement such extreme austerity measures.
- Alauddin Khilji: While he was a ruthless administrator and implemented strict market controls and espionage, his court restrictions were focused more on preventing conspiracies among nobles rather than banning laughter as a matter of royal etiquette.
Judicial Review in India is based on-
A)
Precedents and conventions
B)
Due process of law
C)
Procedure established by law
D)
Rule oflaw
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Judicial Review is the power of the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders.
2. In the Indian Constitution, Article 21 explicitly states that 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.'
3. Historically, India adopted the British concept of 'Procedure Established by Law' rather than the American concept of 'Due Process of Law'. 'Procedure established by law' means that a law is valid if it has been enacted by a competent legislature following the correct legal procedure.
4. While the Supreme Court of India has evolved the concept of 'Due Process' through various judgments (like Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India, 1978) by interpreting 'procedure' to be 'just, fair, and reasonable', the foundational basis written into the Constitution remains 'Procedure established by law'.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): Precedents and conventions are sources of law but not the constitutional basis for the power of judicial review.
- Option (b): 'Due process of law' is a US constitutional doctrine. While Indian courts now apply a similar standard, the formal basis in the text of the Indian Constitution is 'Procedure established by law'.
- Option (d): 'Rule of Law' is a broader legal principle (popularized by A.V. Dicey) that ensures no one is above the law, but it is not the specific technical mechanism upon which judicial review is based in India.
On July 5, 2024, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated how many new biosphere reserves?
A)
10new biosphere reserves
B)
11 new biosphere reserves
C)
12 new biosphere reserves
D)
13 new biosphere reserves
On July 5, 2024, UNESCO officially designated 11 new biosphere reserves across several countries. These designations are part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which aims to promote a balanced relationship between people and nature. The new reserves were added to the existing global network to enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer, while options (a), (c), and (d) provide incorrect numerical counts of the designations made on that specific date.
Which new bill replaced the British-era Criminal Law in India?
A)
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill
B)
Freedom of Speech and Expression Bilt
C)
Indian Penal Reform Bill
D)
Criminal Justice Reform Bill
The Government of India introduced three new criminal laws to replace the colonial-era laws established by the British. Specifically, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860. Additionally, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the Indian Evidence Act. Option (a) is correct as it identifies the specific bill that replaced the primary substantive criminal law (the IPC). Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they are not the names of the official legislation passed by the Indian Parliament for this purpose.
Which of the following countries is the largest exporter of crude oil?
A)
Russia
B)
Venezuela
C)
USA
D)
Saudi Arabia
To determine the largest exporter of crude oil, we look at the volume of net exports (total production minus domestic consumption).
1. **Saudi Arabia (Option d):** Historically and currently, Saudi Arabia is the world's leading exporter of crude oil. Due to its massive proven reserves and relatively low domestic consumption compared to its production capacity, it maintains the highest export volumes globally.
2. **Russia (Option a):** Russia is a top-tier exporter and often competes for the second or third spot, but its total export volumes generally remain below those of Saudi Arabia.
3. **USA (Option c):** While the USA is currently the world's largest *producer* of crude oil (due to the shale revolution), it also has very high domestic consumption. While it has become a major exporter in recent years, it does not surpass Saudi Arabia in total crude export volume.
4. **Venezuela (Option b):** Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, but due to economic instability, sanctions, and infrastructure collapse, its actual export volumes have plummeted significantly.
Therefore, Saudi Arabia is the correct answer as the largest exporter of crude oil.
Which article of the Indian constitution contains the money bill?
A)
Article 110
B)
Article 111
C)
Article 202
D)
Article 112
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Definition of Money Bill: Under the Indian Constitution, a 'Money Bill' is a specific type of financial bill that deals exclusively with matters like taxation, government borrowing, and expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.
2. Article 110: This article specifically defines what constitutes a 'Money Bill'. It states that a bill is deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions dealing with the imposition of taxes, regulation of borrowing, or appropriation of money.
3. Analysis of other options:
- Article 111: Deals with the 'Assent to Bills' (the process by which the President signs a bill into law).
- Article 112: Deals with the 'Annual Financial Statement' (commonly known as the Budget).
- Article 202: Deals with the 'Annual Financial Statement' at the State level (State Budget).
Therefore, Article 110 is the correct provision that defines the Money Bill.
The term ‘Laffer Curve’:
A)
explains how interest rates effect saving
B)
shows the relationship between inflation and unemployment.
C)
measures inequality
D)
illustrates the relationship between tax rates and tax revenue.
The Laffer Curve is an economic theory developed by economist Arthur Laffer. It posits that there is an optimal tax rate that maximizes total tax revenue for the government.
1. **How it works**: At a 0% tax rate, revenue is zero. At a 100% tax rate, revenue is also theoretically zero because there is no incentive for individuals to work or for businesses to produce if the government takes all the earnings.
2. **The Curve**: The relationship is represented as an inverted U-shaped curve. As tax rates increase from 0%, revenue initially rises. However, after reaching a certain peak (the optimal rate), further increases in the tax rate actually lead to a decrease in total revenue because they discourage economic activity and encourage tax evasion.
**Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option a**: The relationship between interest rates and saving is generally discussed in the context of the Loanable Funds Theory or the Consumption Function.
- **Option b**: The relationship between inflation and unemployment is illustrated by the 'Phillips Curve'.
- **Option c**: Inequality is typically measured using the 'Gini Coefficient' or the 'Lorenz Curve'.
What is the largest saltwater lake in India?
A)
Dal Lake
B)
Wular Lake
C)
Chilika Lake
D)
Loktak Lake
Step-by-step analysis:
1. The question asks for the largest saltwater lake (lagoon) in India.
2. Chilika Lake, located in Odisha, is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. It is a designated Ramsar site and a key wintering ground for migratory birds.
3. Evaluating other options:
- Dal Lake (Jammu & Kashmir): A freshwater lake known for its beauty and houseboats.
- Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir): One of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, fed by the Jhelum River.
- Loktak Lake (Manipur): A freshwater lake famous for its floating islands called 'phumdis'.
4. Since Dal, Wular, and Loktak are all freshwater lakes, Chilika Lake is the only saltwater/brackish water option and the largest of its kind in the country.
Grasslands which do not support any trees are called?
A)
Lanos
B)
Campos
C)
Savanna
D)
Steppes
To solve this, we must distinguish between 'Tropical Grasslands' and 'Temperate Grasslands'.
1. **Savanna (Option c):** These are tropical grasslands. They are characterized by a mix of grasses and scattered individual trees or small clumps of trees. Therefore, they *do* support trees.
2. **Campos (Option b):** These are tropical grasslands found in Brazil. Like Savannas, they often feature scattered shrubs and trees.
3. **Lanos (Option a):** This is likely a misspelling of 'Llanos' (tropical grasslands of Colombia/Venezuela), which also typically feature a mix of grass and scattered trees/shrubs.
4. **Steppes (Option d):** These are temperate grasslands (found in Eurasia). Temperate grasslands are characterized by a climate that is too dry to support forests but wet enough to support grasses. Unlike Savannas, true Steppes are virtually treeless plains because the precipitation levels and soil conditions do not support the growth of trees except along riverbanks.
Therefore, among the given options, Steppes are the grasslands that typically do not support trees.
In the first battle of Panipat, Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated by-
A)
Akbar
B)
Muhammed Lodhi
C)
Bahulal Lodhi
D)
Babar
The First Battle of Panipat took place on April 21, 1526. It was fought between the invading forces of Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur (the founder of the Mughal Empire) and the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, led by Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi. Babur won the battle primarily due to his superior military tactics, the use of field artillery (cannons), and the 'Tulughma' (flanking) strategy, despite being outnumbered. This victory marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Akbar: He was the grandson of Babur and the third Mughal Emperor; he fought the Second Battle of Panipat (1556) against Hemu.
- b. Muhammed Lodhi: He was the predecessor of Ibrahim Lodhi and was not the opponent in the First Battle of Panipat.
- c. Bahulal Lodhi: Bahlul Lodhi was the founder of the Lodi dynasty and died long before the First Battle of Panipat.
Which plateau is known as the ‘Roof of the World’?
A)
Deccan Plateau
B)
Tibetan Plateau
C)
Colorado Plateau
D)
Iranian Plateau
The Tibetan Plateau is widely referred to as the 'Roof of the World' because it is the highest and largest plateau on Earth. With an average elevation exceeding 4,500 meters (14,800 feet) above sea level, it sits atop the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Deccan Plateau: Located in India, it is a large plateau but its elevation is significantly lower than that of the Tibetan Plateau.
- c. Colorado Plateau: Located in the Southwestern United States, it is known for its unique geological formations (like the Grand Canyon) but is not the highest plateau globally.
- d. Iranian Plateau: Located in Southwestern Asia, it is a high plateau, but it does not reach the extreme altitudes associated with the 'Roof of the World' moniker.
The Directive Principles of State Policy are:
A)
Justiciable
B)
Non-justiciable
C)
Part of Fundamental Rights
D)
None of the above
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), contained in Part IV (Articles 36-51) of the Constitution of India, are guidelines given to the federal and state governments.
1. Why 'Non-justiciable' is correct: According to Article 37 of the Indian Constitution, the DPSP are 'non-justiciable,' meaning they are not enforceable by any court. If the government fails to implement a directive principle, a citizen cannot approach the court to compel the state to do so.
2. Why 'Justiciable' is incorrect: Justiciability refers to the ability of a court to hear and decide a matter. Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable, but DPSPs are not.
3. Why 'Part of Fundamental Rights' is incorrect: Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are two distinct parts of the Constitution. While Fundamental Rights protect individual liberties (negative obligations on the state), DPSPs outline the goals for a welfare state (positive obligations on the state).