← Assistant Professor / Lecturer
Past Questions — 2025
Who among the following is famously known for the cause of widow remarriage?
A)
Ram Mohan Roy
B)
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
C)
Maulana Azad
D)
MG Ranade
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the Goal: The question asks for the individual most famously associated with the cause of widow remarriage in Modern Indian History.
2. Evaluating Option (b): Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a towering figure of the Bengal Renaissance. He campaigned tirelessly against the plight of widows and used ancient Hindu scriptures to prove that widow remarriage was permitted. His efforts were instrumental in the passing of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act of 1856.
3. Evaluating Option (a): Raja Ram Mohan Roy is primarily known for his crusade against the practice of Sati (which led to the Sati Regulation Act of 1829) and for founding the Brahmo Samaj. While he advocated for women's rights, the specific cause of widow remarriage is most strongly linked to Vidyasagar.
4. Evaluating Option (c): Maulana Azad was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement and the first Minister of Education in independent India; his contributions were primarily political and educational rather than focused on social reform regarding widow remarriage.
5. Evaluating Option (d): M.G. Ranade was a social reformer and economist who founded the Prarthana Samaj. While he worked for social upliftment, he is not the primary figure associated with the legislative success of widow remarriage.
Conclusion: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is the correct answer due to his direct role in the 1856 Act.
What does IREDA stand for?
A)
Indian Railway Enterprise Development Agency Limited
B)
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited
C)
Indian Railway Export Development Agency Limited
D)
Indian Riverine Export Development Agency Limited
IREDA stands for the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited. It is a government-owned non-banking financial company (NBFC) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. Its primary objective is to promote, develop, and finance projects related to renewable and energy efficiency.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect as IREDA is not associated with the Indian Railways.
- Option (b) is correct as it accurately reflects the agency's full name and purpose.
- Option (c) is incorrect as the agency does not focus on railway exports.
- Option (d) is incorrect as the agency does not deal with riverine exports.
The first Jute Mill in India was started in?
A)
1855
B)
1863
C)
1865
D)
1870
The first jute mill in India was established in 1855 at Rishra in West Bengal. It was started by George Acland. This marked the beginning of the organized jute industry in India, leveraging the high quality of jute grown in the Bengal region and the demand for gunny bags and sacking in the global market.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 1855: Correct. This is the historically documented year of the first jute mill's establishment.
- Option (b) 1863: Incorrect. While the industry expanded during this decade, the first mill was already operational.
- Option (c) 1865: Incorrect. This date does not correspond to the inception of the jute industry.
- Option (d) 1870: Incorrect. By this time, the jute industry was already well-established with multiple mills operating in the Hooghly river basin.
What is the name of the scheme recently approved by the Union Cabinet to promote natural farming in India?
A)
National Agricultural Development Scheme
B)
National Mission on Natural Farming
C)
Green Revolution 2.0
D)
Sustainable Agriculture Promotion Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved the 'National Mission on Natural Farming' (NMNF) to promote chemical-free agriculture and sustainable farming practices across India. The mission aims to reduce the dependence of farmers on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, improve soil health, and increase farmer income by promoting natural farming techniques.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) National Agricultural Development Scheme: This is a generic term and not the specific name of the recently approved mission for natural farming.
- Option (c) Green Revolution 2.0: While there are discussions about a 'Second Green Revolution' focusing on sustainability, it is not the formal name of the approved government scheme for natural farming.
- Option (d) Sustainable Agriculture Promotion Scheme: While the goal is sustainable agriculture, this is not the official title of the approved Union Cabinet scheme.
The Revolt of 1857 started at-
A)
Delhi
B)
Kanpur
C)
Jhansi
D)
Meerut
The Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Independence, officially broke out on May 10, 1857, at Meerut. The spark was the refusal of sepoys of the 3rd Native Cavalry to use the newly introduced Enfield rifles, which were rumored to have cartridges greased with cow and pig fat. After the mutiny in Meerut, the soldiers marched to Delhi to proclaim the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Emperor of India.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Delhi: While Delhi became the political center of the revolt and was captured shortly after the Meerut uprising, it was not the starting point.
- Kanpur: Kanpur was a major center of the revolt led by Nana Sahib, but the uprising there occurred after the events in Meerut and Delhi.
- Jhansi: Jhansi became a focal point of the resistance under Rani Lakshmibai later in the conflict, but it was not where the revolt began.
The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development pertains to
A)
Prevention of Child Labour
B)
Reduction of Infant Mortality
C)
Prevention of Child Marriage
D)
Prevention of Sexual Harassment
The 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' (Child Marriage Free India) campaign is a strategic initiative launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. The term 'Bal Vivah' literally translates to 'Child Marriage' in Hindi. The primary objective of this campaign is to eliminate the practice of child marriage through community mobilization, awareness programs, and the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Prevention of Child Labour: This is primarily addressed through the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and schemes by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- Option (b) Reduction of Infant Mortality: This is a healthcare goal addressed through schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana and the National Health Mission.
- Option (d) Prevention of Sexual Harassment: This is governed by the POSH Act (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013).
Which India temple received the 2023 UNESCO Award of Distinction for its conservation?
A)
Abathsahayeswarar Temple
B)
Mahabodhi Temple
C)
Golden Temple
D)
Kamakhya Temple
The Abathsahayeswarar Temple, located in Thiruvenkadu, Tamil Nadu, was honored with the 2023 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation (Award of Distinction). The award recognized the meticulous restoration and conservation efforts undertaken to preserve the temple's structural integrity and artistic heritage.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Mahabodhi Temple: While it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, it did not receive this specific conservation award in 2023.
- Golden Temple: It is a premier religious site but was not the recipient of the 2023 UNESCO Award of Distinction for conservation.
- Kamakhya Temple: It is a significant Shakti Peetha but was not the recipient of this specific award in 2023.
Who applied the Doctrine of Lapse to the Indian states?
A)
Lord Hastings
B)
Lord Dalhousie
C)
George Canning
D)
Lord Wellesley
The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy applied by the British East India Company in India. It stated that any princely state under the suzerainty of the British would be annexed if the ruler was 'natural' (died without a male heir), and the ruler could not adopt an heir. This policy was aggressively implemented by Lord Dalhousie, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. Notable states annexed under this doctrine include Satara (1848), Jaitpur and Sambalpur (1849), Baghat (1850), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854).
Analysis of other options:
- Lord Hastings (1813-1823): Known for the policy of non-intervention and the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
- George Canning (1856-1862): He succeeded Dalhousie and actually withdrew the Doctrine of Lapse to appease Indian princes after the Revolt of 1857.
- Lord Wellesley (1798-1805): Known for the 'Subsidiary Alliance' system, which was different from the Doctrine of Lapse.
Where was the first meeting of All India National Congress held?
A)
Ahmedabad
B)
Bombay
C)
Delhi
D)
Lahore
The first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) was held from December 28 to December 31, 1885. It took place at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai). The session was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee and was attended by 72 delegates from across India.
Analysis of other options:
- Ahmedabad: While a significant center for the freedom struggle (especially during the Satyagrahas), it did not host the first INC meeting.
- Delhi: Delhi became the capital later in 1911; it was not the venue for the inaugural session.
- Lahore: Lahore hosted several important sessions later, most notably the 1929 session where the 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) resolution was passed.
Who won the Nobel Prize for Literature, 2024?
A)
Chan Guangcheng
B)
David Baker
C)
Han Kang
D)
Nihon Hidankyo
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2024 was awarded to Han Kang, a South Korean author, 'for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.' She is the first South Korean writer to receive this prestigious award.
Analysis of other options:
- David Baker won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 for computational protein design.
- Nihon Hidankyo (a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors) won the Nobel Peace Prize 2024.
- Chan Guangcheng is a Chinese civil rights activist and is not a recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize.
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 characterized by the '3Ps': Petitions, Prayers, and Protests. They used constitutional methods, such as submitting memorandums and petitions to the British government, to demand administrative reforms and greater Indian representation in government.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) 'Non-Cooperating the British' was the hallmark of the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920-22, long after the Moderate phase.
- Option (c) 'Violence' was rejected by the Moderates; even the later 'Extremists' (like Tilak) generally advocated for passive resistance or swadeshi, though some revolutionary groups did turn to violence.
- Option (d) 'Strikes and protests' (in the sense of mass agitation and labor strikes) were more characteristic of the Extremist phase and the later Gandhian era, whereas Moderates focused on intellectual and legal persuasion.
The most prominent provision of the Morley-Minto Reforms 1909 was-
A)
Creation of separate electorates for the Muslims
B)
Creation of All India Federation
C)
Introducing Separation of the Executive and the Judiciary
D)
Co-operating the Indian National Congress to the maximum
The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 (officially known as the Indian Councils Act 1909) were introduced by John Morley (Secretary of State for India) and Lord Minto (Viceroy of India). The most significant and controversial provision of this act was the introduction of 'Separate Electorates' for Muslims. This meant that Muslim members of the legislative councils were to be elected only by Muslim voters, rather than by a general electorate. This policy is widely regarded by historians as a 'Divide and Rule' strategy by the British to create a communal rift between Hindus and Muslims to weaken the growing Indian Nationalist movement.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option b: The 'All India Federation' was a proposal discussed in the Government of India Act 1935, not in 1909.
- Option c: The separation of the Executive and Judiciary is a general principle of governance and not the 'prominent provision' of the 1909 reforms, which focused primarily on expanding the size of legislative councils and the electoral process.
- Option d: The British government did not seek to cooperate with the Indian National Congress to the maximum; in fact, the reforms were designed to appease moderates while isolating extremists and fostering communal divisions.
In crypto-currency, a ledger that stores data and records of transactions which are linked together across computers is called
A)
Bitcoin
B)
UPI payment block
C)
Virtual payment ledger
D)
Blockchain
The question describes the fundamental architecture of cryptocurrency.
1. **Blockchain** is a distributed, decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across many computers (nodes). Each 'block' of data is cryptographically linked to the previous one, forming a 'chain.' This ensures that the data is immutable and transparent, as changing one record would require changing all subsequent blocks across the majority of the network.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Bitcoin (a):** Bitcoin is a specific *type* of cryptocurrency that *uses* blockchain technology, but it is not the name of the ledger system itself.
- **UPI payment block (b):** UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a real-time payment system developed by NPCI in India. It operates on centralized banking servers, not on a distributed blockchain ledger.
- **Virtual payment ledger (c):** This is a generic term and not a technical standard or specific technology used to link records across computers in the context of cryptocurrency.
What word has been selected as the Oxford Word of the year 2024?
A)
Neuro Spicy
B)
Dumpster
C)
Heat Dome
D)
Brain Rot
The Oxford University Press officially announced 'Brain Rot' as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024. The term is used to describe the perceived decline of cognitive function or mental quality caused by consuming vast amounts of low-quality, short-form digital content (such as TikToks or Reels). It reflects the intersection of internet culture and concerns over digital mental health.
- Option (a) 'Neuro Spicy' is a slang term used to describe neurodivergence, but it was not the Word of the Year.
- Option (b) 'Dumpster' is a common noun and not a designated word of the year for 2024.
- Option (c) 'Heat Dome' is a meteorological term used frequently during climate events, but it was not selected as the Word of the Year.
In 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, flying buttresses, and stained-glass rose windows.
Analysis of other options:
- Rome (a): Home to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican, but not Notre Dame.
- London (c): Home to Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral.
- Frankfurt (d): Home to the Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus), but not the famous Notre Dame.
Which organization released the International Debt Report 2024?
A)
World Bank
B)
International Monetary Fund
C)
World Trade Organization
D)
Asian Development Bank
The International Debt Report (IDR) is a comprehensive publication released annually by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The 2024 report provides detailed data on the public and publicly guaranteed external debt of low- and middle-income countries, analyzing trends in debt levels and sustainability.
Why other options are incorrect:
- World Bank: While the World Bank tracks debt through the 'International Debt Statistics' (IDS), the specific 'International Debt Report' is an IMF product.
- World Trade Organization (WTO): The WTO focuses on the rules of trade between nations and does not publish global debt reports.
- Asian Development Bank (ADB): The ADB focuses on regional development and debt in Asia and the Pacific, rather than a global International Debt Report.
Who among the following is not a High Court Judge?
A)
KL Liana
B)
Michael Zothankhuma
C)
Nelson Sailo
D)
Marli Vankung
This question pertains to the judiciary of the state of Mizoram. Justice KL Liana, Justice Michael Zothankhuma, and Justice Nelson Sailo are recognized members of the judiciary (specifically associated with the Gauhati High Court's Mizoram Bench or the High Court of Mizoram). Marli Vankung is not a judge of the High Court. In competitive exams focusing on regional polity and current affairs, identifying the specific names of sitting or retired judges of the state's High Court is a common testing pattern.
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 under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon. Its purpose was to review the working of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest further constitutional reforms. Although appointed in 1927, the commission actually arrived in India in February 1928. Upon their arrival, they were met with widespread protests and black flags with the slogan 'Simon Go Back' because the commission consisted entirely of British members and lacked any Indian representation.
Analysis of other options:
- 1922: This year is associated with the aftermath of the Non-Cooperation Movement and 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.
What was the nature of Arya Samaj movement?
A)
Nationalist
B)
Racist
C)
Revivalist
D)
Lower caste
The Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875, is characterized as a 'Revivalist' movement because its primary objective was to 'revive' the Vedic period of Hinduism. Dayananda Saraswati's slogan 'Back to the Vedas' emphasized returning to the original purity of the Vedas, which he believed were the source of all true knowledge, while rejecting later accretions like idol worship, ritualism, and the rigid caste system based on birth.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Nationalist: While the Arya Samaj contributed significantly to the growth of Indian nationalism and the freedom struggle, its fundamental 'nature' as a socio-religious movement was revivalist.
- Racist: The movement was not based on racial superiority; rather, it focused on spiritual and social reform within the Hindu fold.
- Lower caste: Although the Arya Samaj opposed the birth-based caste system and promoted the upliftment of the marginalized through education and 'Shuddhi' (purification), it was not a movement 'of' or 'for' the lower castes in the same way the Dalit movements (like those led by Jyotirao Phule or B.R. Ambedkar) were.
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, through the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has introduced a state-specific Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism to protect farmers of high-value commercial crops and non-traditional crops. For the period starting January 2025, the focus is on promoting and supporting crops like Ginger, Turmeric, and Broom, which are significant to the local economy and often suffer from price volatility. Rice, however, is already covered under the Central Government's MSP framework (administered by the Food Corporation of India - FCI) and the National Food Security Act. Therefore, it is not part of the specific new list of state-supported MSP crops introduced by the Mizoram government for this particular initiative, as it is already managed under a separate, larger national procurement system.
Who is the first Indian archer to win a gold medal in Paralympic?
A)
Sumit Antil
B)
Manish Narwal
C)
Harvinder Singh
D)
Nishad Kumar
Harvinder Singh made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games by winning the gold medal in the Men's Compound Open recurve event. This achievement made him the first Indian archer to ever win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games.
Analysis of other options:
- Sumit Antil: He is a javelin thrower who has won gold medals in the Paralympics (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), not an archer.
- Manish Narwal: He is a javelin thrower who won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, not an archer.
- Nishad Kumar: He is a discus thrower who won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, not an archer.
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. It was fought between the British East India Company and a combined alliance of Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (the Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (the Mughal Emperor). The English forces were led by Major Hector Munro, who secured a decisive victory for the British, effectively establishing the Company's dominance over Northern India.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Robert Clive: While Clive was a key figure in the Battle of Plassey (1757) and negotiated the Treaty of Allahabad following Buxar, he was not the field commander during the Battle of Buxar.
- c. Vansittart: Henry Vansittart was a diplomat and official who served in India, but he did not lead the forces at Buxar.
- d. Lord Ripon: Lord Ripon was a Viceroy of India (1880–1884), serving over a century after the Battle of Buxar occurred.
The founder of the Arya Samaj and champion of the Suddhi Movement was-
A)
RajaRammohan Roy
B)
Dayanand Saraswati
C)
Swami Vivekananda
D)
Henry Vivian Derozio
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Identification of Arya Samaj**: The Arya Samaj was a Hindu reform movement founded in 1875. Its primary goal was to return to the original purity of the Vedas ('Back to the Vedas') and eliminate social evils like idol worship and the caste system based on birth.
2. **Identification of the Founder**: Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1875. He authored the 'Satyarth Prakash' and advocated for Vedic education.
3. **The Suddhi Movement**: Dayanand Saraswati championed the 'Suddhi' (purification) movement, which aimed at converting people who had converted to other religions (like Islam or Christianity) back to Hinduism.
Analysis of other options:
- **Raja Rammohan Roy**: Known as the 'Father of Modern India', he founded the Brahmo Samaj, not the Arya Samaj.
- **Swami Vivekananda**: A disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, he founded the Ramakrishna Mission and focused on the universal brotherhood of man.
- **Henry Vivian Derozio**: A leader of the Young Bengal movement, who encouraged free thinking and rationalism among students in Calcutta.
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 its early years: the Moderates and the Extremists.
1. The Extremists (Garam Dal) believed in direct action, boycotts, and swadeshi to achieve self-rule. 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 figure and intellectual leader of the extremist wing.
2. The Moderates (Naram Dal) believed in constitutional methods, petitions, and prayers to the British government. W.C. Bonnerjee (Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee), who was the first President of the Indian National Congress in 1885, belonged to the Moderate faction.
Since the question asks who was NOT among the extremist leaders, W.C. Banerjee is the correct answer.
Who among the following signed the first Subsidiary Alliance in India?
A)
Nawab of Oudh
B)
Peshwa Baji Rao
C)
Bhonsle
D)
Nizam of Hyderabad
The Subsidiary Alliance was a strategic system introduced by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India (1798–1805), to establish British hegemony over Indian princely states. Under this system, an Indian ruler had to disband their own army and maintain a British force within their territory, paying for its upkeep. In return, the British promised protection against external attacks and internal rebellions.
1. **Nizam of Hyderabad (Correct):** The Nizam of Hyderabad was the first Indian ruler to enter into a Subsidiary Alliance with the British in 1798. This set the precedent for other states to follow.
2. **Nawab of Oudh:** The Nawab of Oudh signed the alliance later, in 1801.
3. **Bhonsle and Peshwa Baji Rao:** The Maratha chiefs, including the Peshwa and the Bhonsle of Nagpur, were forced into similar arrangements much later, primarily following the Second Anglo-Maratha War (around 1802-1803).
Therefore, the Nizam of Hyderabad is the correct answer as the first signatory.