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Past Questions — 2025
Before entering national politics, in 1917, Gandhi fought the-
A)
Santhal Satyagraha
B)
Harijan Satyagraha
C)
Champaran Satyagraha
D)
Dandi Satyagraha
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the timeline: Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. His first major intervention in Indian politics occurred in 1917.
2. The Event: In 1917, Gandhi visited Champaran in Bihar to support peasants who were being forced by British planters to grow indigo under the oppressive 'Tinkathia' system. This movement is known as the Champaran Satyagraha and marked Gandhi's first use of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) on Indian soil.
3. Evaluation of other options:
- (a) Santhal Satyagraha: The Santhal rebellion occurred much earlier (1855-56) and was not led by Gandhi.
- (b) Harijan Satyagraha: Gandhi's campaigns for the upliftment of Dalits (Harijans) took place much later, primarily in the 1930s.
- (d) Dandi Satyagraha: This occurred in 1930 as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement to protest the salt tax, long after his entry into national politics.
Who has been awarded the 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development?
A)
Michelle Bachelet
B)
Joko Widodo
C)
Dina Boluarte
D)
Claudia Sheinbaum
The 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was awarded to Michelle Bachelet, the former President of Chile and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The prize recognizes her lifelong commitment to human rights, peace, and the empowerment of women.
Analysis of other options:
- Joko Widodo: Former President of Indonesia; not the recipient of this specific award.
- Dina Boluarte: Current President of Peru; not the recipient.
- Claudia Sheinbaum: Current President of Mexico; not the recipient.
Who is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women?
A)
Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar
B)
Archana Majumdar
C)
Uma Devi
D)
Anita Sharma
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body established to protect and promote the interests of women in India. In 2023, the Government of India appointed Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women. She succeeded Rekha Sharma. The other options listed (Archana Majumdar, Uma Devi, and Anita Sharma) are not the current Chairperson of the NCW. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Which among the following is based on the vision of NEP 2020?
A)
Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat
B)
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
C)
FIT India
D)
Integrated Teacher Education Programme
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the professionalization of teaching and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to teacher education. To achieve this, the NEP 2020 envisions the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), which is a dual-degree program (e.g., B.A. B.Ed. or B.Sc. B.Ed.) designed to be the minimum degree qualification for teaching by 2030.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat: Launched in 2017 to celebrate the unity in diversity of India; it predates NEP 2020.
- b. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Launched in 2015 to address the declining child sex ratio and promote girls' education.
- c. FIT India: Launched in 2019 to encourage people to include physical activity and sports in their daily lives.
Therefore, only the Integrated Teacher Education Programme is a direct structural implementation based on the vision of NEP 2020.
The first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress was-
A)
Annie Besant
B)
Sarojini Naidu
C)
Indira Gandhi
D)
Kasturba Gandhi
To answer this question correctly, it is essential to distinguish between the 'first woman' and the 'first Indian woman' to preside over the Indian National Congress (INC).
1. **Annie Besant (Option a):** She was the first woman President of the INC, presiding over the Calcutta session in 1917. However, she was British, not Indian.
2. **Sarojini Naidu (Option b):** She presided over the Kanpur session in 1925. She holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress.
3. **Indira Gandhi (Option c):** While she was the first female Prime Minister of India, she did not serve as the President of the INC during the independence struggle era in the context of this historical milestone.
4. **Kasturba Gandhi (Option d):** Although a prominent figure in the freedom struggle and a leader in her own right, she never served as the President of the INC.
Therefore, the first Indian woman President was Sarojini Naidu.
In which city COP28 or 28" United Nations Climate Change Conference was held?
A)
Dubai
B)
New Delhi
C)
New York
D)
London
The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) took place from November 30 to December 13, 2023. It was hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and held in the city of Dubai. A significant outcome of this conference was the 'UAE Consensus,' which for the first time explicitly called for 'transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems.'
Analysis of other options:
- New Delhi: While India hosts many international summits (like the G20 in 2023), it did not host COP28.
- New York: New York City is the headquarters of the UN and hosts the General Assembly, but the COP summits rotate globally.
- London: London has hosted various climate-related events, but not the COP28 summit.
The All India Muslim League was established in the year-
A)
1905
B)
1906
C)
1907
D)
1908
The All India Muslim League was founded on December 30, 1906, in Dhaka (now in Bangladesh). The organization was established by a group of Muslim leaders, including Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka, Aga Khan III, and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, with the primary objective of protecting the political rights of Muslims in India and promoting loyalty to the British government.
Analysis of other options:
- 1905: This year is significant for the Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon, which created the socio-political environment that led to the formation of the League, but the League itself was not yet formed.
- 1907: This year is notable for the Surat Split in the Indian National Congress, where the party divided into Moderates and Extremists.
- 1908: This year is associated with various revolutionary activities and the trial of leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, but not the founding of the Muslim League.
Which among the following joined NATO in 2024?
A)
Spain
B)
Turkey
C)
Ukraine
D)
Sweden
Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on March 7, 2024, becoming the 32nd member of the alliance. This decision followed a historic shift in Sweden's long-standing policy of military non-alignment, prompted by the security environment in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Spain: A founding member of NATO (joined in 1982).
- b. Turkey: A long-standing member of NATO (joined in 1952).
- c. Ukraine: While Ukraine has expressed a strong desire to join NATO and is supported by many members, it is not currently a member and did not join in 2024 due to the ongoing conflict and NATO's membership requirements.
Which of the following is not included in the list of crops to be supported by minimum support price by the Government of Mizoram from January 2025?
A)
Ginger
B)
Broom
C)
Turmeric
D)
Rice
The Government of Mizoram, in an effort to promote local produce and ensure fair pricing for farmers, announced a state-specific Minimum Support Price (MSP) for several key horticultural and non-traditional crops starting from January 2025. The list of crops specifically targeted for this state-level support includes Ginger, Turmeric, and Broom grass, among others. Rice, however, is already covered under the Central Government's (Government of India) MSP framework and procurement schemes, and thus is not part of the specific new list of crops to be supported by the Mizoram State Government's independent MSP initiative for 2025. Therefore, Rice is the correct answer as it is not included in the state-specific list.
Which Ministry launched the Civil Registration System (CSR) mobile application to integrate technology with governance?
A)
Ministry of Information Technology
B)
Ministry of Defense
C)
Ministry of Home Affairs
D)
Ministry of Urban Development
The Civil Registration System (CRS) is the primary mechanism for recording vital events such as births and deaths. In India, the registration of births and deaths is managed by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI), which falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The launch of the CRS mobile application is part of the government's digital transformation initiative to streamline the registration process, reduce manual paperwork, and integrate technology into governance for better data accuracy and accessibility.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Ministry of Information Technology: While they provide the technical infrastructure and policy framework for 'Digital India', they do not own the specific domain of civil registration.
- Ministry of Defense: This ministry handles national security and armed forces, which is unrelated to civil registration.
- Ministry of Urban Development: While urban local bodies (ULBs) act as the ground-level registration agencies, the overarching policy and the application system are governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Rabindra Nath Tagore gave up his Knighthood because of-
A)
Chauri Chaura incident
B)
Execution of Bhagat Singh
C)
Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy
D)
Brutal suppression of Civil Disobedience Movement
Rabindranath Tagore was awarded a Knighthood by the British Crown in 1915. However, in 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred in Amritsar, where British troops under General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering of civilians. Deeply shocked and outraged by the brutality of the massacre and the subsequent reaction of the British government, Tagore renounced his Knighthood as a mark of protest. In his letter to the Viceroy, he stated that the time had come when honors passed on by the British were no longer acceptable.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Chauri Chaura incident (1922): This event led Mahatma Gandhi to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement, but it was not the reason for Tagore's renunciation of his title.
- b. Execution of Bhagat Singh (1931): While this caused widespread national grief and anger, Tagore had already given up his Knighthood over a decade prior.
- d. Brutal suppression of Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): This occurred much later than the 1919 events that prompted Tagore's decision.
Which city will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
A)
Glasgow
B)
London
C)
Shanghai
D)
Sydney
The 2026 Commonwealth Games were originally awarded to Victoria, Australia. However, due to significant cost concerns and budget overruns, the Victorian government withdrew as the host city in July 2023. Following this, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) sought an alternative host to ensure the games could still take place. In late 2023/early 2024, it was officially confirmed that Glasgow, Scotland, would step in to host the 2026 Games, though in a scaled-back format to reduce costs.
Analysis of other options:
- London: Hosted the games in 2012.
- Shanghai: Has not hosted the Commonwealth Games.
- Sydney: Hosted the games in 2000.
Which city hosted the 23 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of Government?
A)
Shanghai
B)
Beijing
C)
Islamabad
D)
Dhaka
The 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) was hosted by Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government for the year 2024-2025. The meeting focuses on enhancing regional connectivity, trade, and security cooperation among member states.
- Option (a) Shanghai: While the organization is named after the city, it does not host every meeting.
- Option (b) Beijing: China is a founding member and frequent host, but not for the 23rd CHG meeting.
- Option (d) Dhaka: Bangladesh is not a member state of the SCO, therefore it cannot host the Council of Heads of Government meeting.
What is the theme for World AIDS Day 2024?
A)
Know Your Status
B)
Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right
C)
Global Solidarity, Resilient Services
D)
Let Communities Lead
World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1st. For the year 2024, the theme is 'Let Communities Lead'. This theme emphasizes the critical role of community-led responses in ending the AIDS epidemic, highlighting that people living with HIV and affected communities are best positioned to identify gaps in services and drive the necessary changes for health equity.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) 'Know Your Status' is a general awareness slogan used in various campaigns but not the specific 2024 theme.
- Option (b) 'Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right' was the theme for World AIDS Day 2023.
- Option (c) 'Global Solidarity, Resilient Services' was the theme for World AIDS Day 2021.
Who among the following were not among the extremist leaders?
A)
Bipin Chandra Pal
B)
Aurobindo Ghosh
C)
Lala Lajpat Rai
D)
W.C. Banerjee
The Indian National Congress was divided into two main ideological groups in the late 19th and early 20th centuries: the Moderates and the Extremists.
1. The Extremists (Garam Dal) believed in direct action, boycotts, and swadeshi to achieve self-rule (Swaraj). The most prominent trio of this group was known as 'Lal-Bal-Pal', consisting of Lala Lajpat Rai (Option c), Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal (Option a). Aurobindo Ghosh (Option b) was also a key intellectual and leader of the extremist wing.
2. The Moderates (Naram Dal) believed in constitutional methods, petitions, and prayers to the British government. W.C. Banerjee (Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee) was a prominent Moderate leader and served as the first President of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
Therefore, W.C. Banerjee was not an extremist leader, making option 'd' the correct answer.
Who led the English forces in the Battle of Buxar?
A)
Clive
B)
Hector Monro
C)
Vansittart
D)
Lord Ripon
The Battle of Buxar took place on October 22, 1764. The English East India Company forces were led by Major Hector Munro. They fought against a combined alliance consisting of Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (the Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (the Mughal Emperor). The victory of the British forces solidified their control over Bengal and Bihar.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Robert Clive: While Clive was a key figure in the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the subsequent Treaty of Allahabad, he was not the field commander at Buxar.
- c. Vansittart: Henry Vansittart was a diplomat and administrator who played a role in the negotiations following the battle, but he did not lead the military forces.
- d. Lord Ripon: Lord Ripon served as the Viceroy of India much later (1880–1884) and was not involved in the 18th-century battles for territorial control.
Which state has been declared as the partner state for Hornbill Festival 2024?
A)
Sikkim
B)
Assam
C)
Manipur
D)
Tripura
The Hornbill Festival is an annual cultural event held in Nagaland, often referred to as the 'Festival of Festivals.' For the 2024 edition of the festival, the Government of Nagaland declared Sikkim as the 'Partner State.' The objective of selecting a partner state is to promote cultural exchange, tourism, and strengthen inter-state relations within the Northeast region of India. While Assam, Manipur, and Tripura are also neighboring Northeastern states, they were not the designated partner state for the 2024 celebration.
Who fought the English in the Battle of Plassey?
A)
Mir Qasim
B)
Shuja-ud-Daula
C)
Mir Jafar
D)
Siraj-ud-Daula
The Battle of Plassey took place on June 23, 1757. It was fought between the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula. Siraj-ud-Daula fought the English to stop their unauthorized fortification of Calcutta and their misuse of trade privileges. He was defeated primarily due to the betrayal of his commander-in-chief, Mir Jafar, who entered into a secret pact with the British.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Mir Jafar (Option c): While he was present at the battle, he betrayed Siraj-ud-Daula and did not actually fight for the Nawab; he helped the English win in exchange for being made the next Nawab.
- Mir Qasim (Option a): He was the Nawab of Bengal later (installed after Mir Jafar) and fought the English in the Battle of Buxar (1764), not Plassey.
- Shuja-ud-Daula (Option b): He was the Nawab of Awadh and fought the English in the Battle of Buxar (1764), not Plassey.
Members of the Simon Commission arrived India in the year-
A)
1922
B)
1927
C)
1928
D)
1930
The Simon Commission (officially the Indian Statutory Commission) was appointed by the British government in November 1927 to review the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest constitutional reforms. However, the commission, led by Sir John Simon, actually arrived in India in February 1928. Its arrival was met with widespread protests and the famous slogan 'Simon Go Back' because the commission consisted entirely of British members and did not include a single Indian representative, which was seen as an insult to Indians' right to determine their own constitutional destiny.
Analysis of other options:
- 1922: This year is associated with the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement following the Chauri Chaura incident.
- 1927: This is the year the commission was appointed/announced, but not the year they arrived in India.
- 1930: This year is associated with the start of the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Dandi March.
Which Organization released the State of the Climate 2024 Report?
A)
Food and Agriculture Organization
B)
World Meteorological Organization
C)
United Nations Environment Programme
D)
Citizens’ Climate Lobby
The 'State of the Climate' report is a flagship annual publication released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The 2024 report provides a comprehensive analysis of global climate indicators, including greenhouse gas concentrations, surface temperatures, ocean heat, and sea-level rise, often highlighting that the world is facing unprecedented climate extremes.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Focuses on food security, agriculture, and nutrition, not global meteorological climate reporting.
- c. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): While they publish the 'Emissions Gap Report', the specific 'State of the Climate' series is the mandate of the WMO.
- d. Citizens’ Climate Lobby: This is a non-profit advocacy group, not an intergovernmental scientific organization capable of producing an official global state-of-the-climate report.
What are the three principles of education policy to be achieved under SWAYAM?
A)
Equity, Equality and Quality
B)
Equity, Access and Equality
C)
Access, Equity and Quality
D)
Access, Quality and Equality
SWAYAM (Study Websites Another World for Asynchronous Learning in Text Electronically) is an initiative of the Government of India designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of education policy: Access, Equity, and Quality.
1. **Access**: By providing online courses, it ensures that learning materials reach the remotest parts of the country, removing geographical barriers.
2. **Equity**: It provides equal opportunities for all learners, regardless of their socio-economic background or location, to access high-quality education from the best teachers.
3. **Quality**: By leveraging the expertise of the best faculty from premier institutions (like IITs, IIMs, and UGC), it ensures that the content delivered is of the highest academic standard.
Options a, b, and d are incorrect because they substitute 'Access' or 'Quality' with 'Equality'. While equality is a broad social goal, the specific policy framework for SWAYAM explicitly lists 'Access, Equity, and Quality' as its three pillars.
The early nationalists also referred as the moderate leaders use the method of-
A)
Non-Cooperating the British
B)
Constitutional methods
C)
Violence
D)
Strikes and protests
The early nationalists, known as the Moderates (roughly 1885 to 1905), believed in the inherent fairness of British institutions and sought reforms through legal and peaceful means. Their approach is often summarized as the '3Ps': Petitions, Prayers, and Protests. They used constitutional methods such as submitting memorandums, sending delegations to England, and writing articles in newspapers to persuade the British government to grant administrative and political reforms.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) Non-Cooperating the British: This was the hallmark of the Gandhian era (e.g., the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920-22), which came much later than the Moderate phase.
- Option (c) Violence: The Moderates strictly avoided violence and believed in the rule of law. Revolutionary terrorism emerged later as a reaction to the failure of moderate and extremist methods.
- Option (d) Strikes and protests: While they did 'protest', the organized use of mass strikes and civil disobedience was a characteristic of the Extremists (like Tilak) and later the Gandhian movements, rather than the early Moderate leaders.
Which State is the first in India to adopt an airshed-based approach for a clean air project?
A)
Gujarat
B)
Haryana
C)
Rajasthan
D)
Uttar Pradesh
Gujarat is the first state in India to adopt an 'airshed-based approach' for air pollution management. Unlike traditional city-specific plans, an airshed approach recognizes that air pollution does not follow administrative boundaries; it considers the entire geographical area (the airshed) where pollutants are emitted, transported, and dispersed. This initiative is part of a clean air project aimed at creating a more holistic and scientific framework to combat air pollution by coordinating efforts across multiple districts and industrial clusters within the same atmospheric zone. Options b, c, and d are incorrect as they have not pioneered this specific systemic shift to airshed-based management on a state-wide project scale before Gujarat.
The leader of the Home Rule movement borrowed the term ‘Home Rule’ from similar movement in-
A)
Ireland
B)
Scotland
C)
USA
D)
Mexico
The Home Rule movement in India was launched in 1916 by Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The concept and the term 'Home Rule' were directly borrowed from the Irish Home Rule League. In Ireland, the movement was led by Isaac Butt and later by Charles Stewart Parnell, aiming for self-government (autonomy) for Ireland within the British Empire. Annie Besant, who had strong ties to the Irish nationalist movement, adapted this model to the Indian context to demand self-government for India under the British Crown.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Scotland: While Scotland had movements for autonomy, the specific 'Home Rule' terminology and organizational structure used by Besant and Tilak were modeled after the Irish experience.
- USA: The USA fought a war of independence for complete separation from Britain, rather than 'Home Rule' (which implies autonomy within the empire).
- Mexico: Mexico's struggle for independence was against Spanish colonial rule and followed a different political trajectory entirely.
ln which city is the Notre Dame Cathedral located?
A)
Rome
B)
Paris
C)
London
D)
Frankfurt
The Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris) is a world-famous medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité in the center of Paris, France. It is renowned for its French Gothic architecture, stunning stained glass, and its significance in French history.
Analysis of other options:
- Rome: Home to St. Peter's Basilica and other Vatican landmarks, but not Notre Dame.
- London: Home to Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral.
- Frankfurt: Known for the Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus), but not the Notre Dame.