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Past Questions — 2025
What is the name of the Al-based app recently launched by the Ministry of Education for providing study materials in regional languages?
A)
Anuvadini
B)
Swayam
C)
Diksha
D)
Bhasini
The Ministry of Education, Government of India, launched 'Anuvadini', an AI-based translation tool designed to remove language barriers in technical, medical, and higher education. It allows for the translation of study materials, textbooks, and courses into various regional Indian languages to promote inclusivity in education.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Swayam: This is an indigenous MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform for providing free online courses to students, not specifically an AI translation app.
- c. Diksha: This is a national digital infrastructure for teachers and students to access educational content and training, acting as a repository rather than a specialized AI translation tool.
- d. Bhasini: While Bhasini is the National Language Translation Mission (an AI-led ecosystem for Indian languages), 'Anuvadini' is the specific application/tool deployed by the Ministry of Education for the purpose of translating academic study materials.
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 neutrality, prompted by the security environment in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Spain: Joined NATO in 1982.
- b. Turkey: Joined NATO in 1952.
- c. Ukraine: While Ukraine has expressed a strong desire to join NATO and is currently a partner, it is not a member as of 2024 due to the ongoing conflict and the alliance's policy of not admitting countries with active territorial disputes.
Therefore, Sweden is the only country among the options that joined in 2024.
Which country won the Men’s Hockey Juniour Asia Cup 2024 title in Muscat, Oman?
A)
Malaysia
B)
India
C)
Pakistan
D)
China
The Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024 was held in Muscat, Oman. In the final match, India faced South Korea (though not listed in the options, the final was against Korea). India won the match 1-0, securing the title. This victory marked India's dominance in the junior category in Asia.
- Option (a) Malaysia: Did not win the title.
- Option (c) Pakistan: Did not win the title.
- Option (d) China: Did not win the title.
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 to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For 2024, the theme is 'Let Communities Lead'. This theme emphasizes the critical role of community-led responses in ending the AIDS epidemic, highlighting that those most affected by the disease are best positioned to lead the efforts in prevention, care, and treatment.
Analysis of other options:
- 'Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right' was the theme for World AIDS Day 2023.
- 'Global Solidarity, Resilient Services' was a theme used in previous years (specifically 2021).
- 'Know Your Status' is a general slogan used in various HIV awareness campaigns but is not the specific theme for 2024.
Who is the current foreign Secretary of India?.
A)
Vikram Misri
B)
Vinay Mohan Kwatra
C)
Harsh Vardhan Shringla
D)
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. The Foreign Secretary is the administrative head of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India.
2. Vikram Misri was appointed as the Foreign Secretary of India in July 2024, succeeding Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
3. Evaluating other options:
- Option b (Vinay Mohan Kwatra): He served as the Foreign Secretary prior to Vikram Misri.
- Option c (Harsh Vardhan Shringla): He is a former Foreign Secretary (served 2020-2022).
- Option d (Subrahmanyam Jaishankar): He is the current Minister of External Affairs (a political appointee/Cabinet Minister), not the Foreign Secretary (a career diplomat/civil servant).
Before entering national politics, in 1917, Gandhi fought the-
A)
Santhal Satyagraha
B)
Harijan Satyagraha
C)
Champaran Satyagraha
D)
Dandi Satyagraha
The correct answer is the Champaran Satyagraha.
1. **Champaran Satyagraha (1917):** This was Mahatma Gandhi's first satyagraha movement in India. He went to Champaran in Bihar to support the peasants who were being forced by British planters to grow indigo under the oppressive 'Tinkathia' system. This movement marked his entry into the Indian political arena.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Santhal Satyagraha:** While there were various tribal uprisings (like the Santhal Rebellion of 1855), there is no major 'Santhal Satyagraha' led by Gandhi in 1917.
- **Harijan Satyagraha:** Gandhi's campaigns against untouchability and for the upliftment of 'Harijans' occurred much later in his political career, primarily in the 1930s.
- **Dandi Satyagraha (1930):** This was the famous Salt March led by Gandhi to protest the British salt tax, occurring thirteen years after his first movement in Champaran.
Which Country amended its double taxation avoidance agreement with India on March 7, 2024?
A)
Maldives
B)
Mauritius
C)
Bangladesh
D)
Singapore
On March 7, 2024, India and the Maldives signed a protocol to amend their existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The primary objective of this amendment was to eliminate double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. This move was intended to promote bilateral trade and investment between the two nations by providing more clarity and efficiency in tax administration.
Regarding the other options:
- Mauritius and Singapore have had significant DTAA renegotiations in the past (notably around 2016-2017 to curb treaty shopping), but not on March 7, 2024.
- Bangladesh maintains a DTAA with India, but there was no such specific amendment signed on this particular date.
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 has become the first state in India to adopt an 'airshed-based approach' for its clean air initiatives. Unlike traditional city-specific air pollution management (like the National Clean Air Programme - NCAP), an airshed approach recognizes that air pollution does not respect administrative boundaries. It focuses on the entire geographical area (the airshed) over which a particular air pollution source has a significant impact, allowing for coordinated action between multiple districts and neighboring states to manage pollutants more effectively. This approach is being implemented in Gujarat with support from international agencies and the World Bank to tackle industrial and urban emissions more holistically.
The resolution of ‘Purna Swaraj’ was adopted in-
A)
Lahore session 1929
B)
Calcutta session 1933
C)
Lucknow session 1936
D)
Tripuri session 1939
The resolution of 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was formally adopted by the Indian National Congress during its session held in Lahore in December 1929. This session was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru. Prior to this, the Congress had been pursuing 'Dominion Status' (self-governance within the British Empire), but the frustration over the lack of a clear offer from the British government led to the demand for total independence. Following this resolution, January 26, 1930, was celebrated as the first 'Independence Day'.
Analysis of other options:
- b. Calcutta session 1933: This session focused on the need for a National Planning Committee and addressed the economic crisis.
- c. Lucknow session 1936: This session was primarily concerned with the internal reorganization of the party and the approach toward the Government of India Act 1935.
- d. Tripuri session 1939: This session is famous for the electoral conflict between Subhash Chandra Bose and Pattabhi Sitaramayya.
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 Hornbill Festival, the Government of Nagaland declared Tripura as the 'Partner State.' The objective of selecting a partner state is to promote cultural exchange, tourism, and strengthen inter-state ties within the North-Eastern region of India. While Sikkim, Assam, and Manipur are also North-Eastern states and have participated in various cultural exchanges, Tripura was specifically designated as the partner state for the 2024 celebrations.
Royal Indian Navy Mutiny 1946 was responded by the Government with-
A)
Talks
B)
Force and Repression
C)
Peace and Settlement
D)
Promise for better Working conditions
The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny began in February 1946, starting with the ratings of HMIS Talwar in Bombay. The sailors protested against poor food, racial discrimination, and the desire for independence. While there were initial attempts at negotiation, the British Government's primary response was one of force and repression. The British administration used the military to surround the ships and docks, arrested the leaders of the mutiny, and forced the sailors to surrender under the threat of severe military action. The mutiny was suppressed through a combination of intimidation and the use of armed forces to restore order.
Why other options are incorrect:
- (a) Talks: While some low-level discussions occurred, the government did not resolve the crisis through diplomatic talks; they demanded unconditional surrender.
- (c) Peace and Settlement: The resolution was not a peaceful settlement but a forced submission of the ratings.
- (d) Promise for better Working conditions: Although the ratings demanded better food and conditions, the government did not grant these as a solution to end the mutiny; instead, they focused on crushing the rebellion to maintain colonial authority.
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 system was a strategic tool used by the British East India Company, primarily under the Governor-General Lord Wellesley (1798–1805), to establish paramountcy over Indian princely states. Under this system, an Indian ruler had to disband his own army, accept a British contingent within his territory, and pay for its maintenance. In return, the British guaranteed protection against external attacks and internal rebellions.
1. Why Option (d) is 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. Why other options are incorrect:
- Nawab of Oudh: The Nawab of Awadh (Oudh) entered into the alliance later, in 1801.
- Peshwa Baji Rao: The Peshwa (specifically Baji Rao II) entered into the Treaty of Bassein in 1802, which was a form of subsidiary alliance, but it occurred after the Nizam.
- Bhonsle: The Maratha chiefs, including the Bhonsle of Nagpur, signed the alliance later (around 1803) following their defeat in the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Which of the following was known as the Partition Plan of India?
A)
Cripps Mission Plan
B)
Cabinet Mission Plan
C)
Wavell Plan
D)
Mountbatten Plan
The Mountbatten Plan, announced on June 3, 1947, is formally known as the '3rd June Plan'. It was the final blueprint for the partition of British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, proposed this plan to resolve the deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Cripps Mission Plan (1942): Proposed by Sir Stafford Cripps to secure Indian cooperation in WWII in exchange for dominion status after the war; it did not propose partition.
- b. Cabinet Mission Plan (1946): Aimed to keep India united through a three-tier federation structure and rejected the demand for a separate Pakistan initially.
- c. Wavell Plan (1945): Proposed during the Simla Conference to form an Executive Council with equal representation for major communities to transition toward independence, but it did not outline a partition plan.
Which Country recently banned the use of Whatsapp and Google Drive in Government Departments?
A)
Vietnam
B)
Thailand
C)
Hong Kong
D)
Singapore
The government of Singapore has implemented strict guidelines regarding the use of third-party communication and storage applications within its government departments to ensure data security and sovereignty. Specifically, the use of platforms like WhatsApp and Google Drive for official government business is restricted or banned in favor of secure, government-approved communication channels (such as the Government on Commercial Cloud or internal secure messaging systems) to prevent the leakage of sensitive state information and to comply with data protection regulations. While other countries like Vietnam or Thailand have various internet censorship laws, the specific policy regarding the ban of these tools for government administrative use is a notable security measure associated with Singapore's digital governance framework.
Which country won the Men’s Hockey Juniour Asia Cup 2024 title in Muscat, Oman?
A)
Malaysia
B)
India
C)
Pakistan
D)
China
The Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024 was held in Muscat, Oman. In the final match, India faced South Korea (though not listed in the options, they were the finalists). India won the match 1-0, securing the title. This victory marked India's dominance in the junior category of Asian hockey. Malaysia, Pakistan, and China participated in the tournament but did not win the final title.
What is the highest National Award of Guyana conferred to the Prime Minister of India?
A)
The Order of Valor
B)
The Crown Jewel Honor
C)
The Grand Cross of the Order
D)
The Order of Excellence
In November 2023, during the 2nd India-Guyana Summit, the Government of Guyana conferred its highest national award, 'The Order of Excellence', upon the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. This honor was bestowed in recognition of his leadership and the strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Guyana.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) The Order of Valor: Not the highest national award of Guyana conferred to the PM.
- Option (b) The Crown Jewel Honor: This is not a recognized national award of Guyana.
- Option (c) The Grand Cross of the Order: While 'Grand Cross' is a common rank in many international orders, it is not the specific name of the highest award conferred in this instance.
- Option (d) The Order of Excellence: This is the correct and official name of the highest honor awarded by Guyana to the Prime Minister of India.
The Surat Split occurred in 1907 as a result of misunderstanding between-
A)
The Muslims and the Hindus
B)
The British officials and leaders of the Indian National Congress
C)
The Moderates and the Extremists
D)
The Bengalis and the British
The Surat Split of 1907 was a pivotal event in the history of the Indian National Congress (INC). It represented the formal division between two ideological factions: the Moderates (led by figures like Gopal Krishna Gokhale) and the Extremists (led by the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio: Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal).
1. **The Conflict**: The Moderates believed in constitutional agitation, petitions, and gradual reform. In contrast, the Extremists advocated for 'Swaraj' (self-rule) through more aggressive methods, including boycotts of British goods and non-cooperation.
2. **The Trigger**: The tension peaked during the 1907 session in Surat over the presidency of the session and the extension of the Swadeshi and Boycott movements beyond Bengal.
3. **The Outcome**: The disagreement led to a chaotic session and a formal split, which weakened the national movement until the two groups were reunited in 1916 at the Lucknow Session.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): While communal tensions existed, the Surat Split was an internal political conflict within the Congress, not a religious conflict.
- Option (b): The split was an internal organizational failure of the INC, not a direct misunderstanding between the Congress and the British.
- Option (d): While the Partition of Bengal (1905) was the catalyst for the rise of the Extremists, the 'Surat Split' specifically refers to the internal divide within the Congress leadership.
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 Year for You Much) is an integrated platform for online courses developed by the Government of India. The primary objective of the SWAYAM initiative is to achieve the three cardinal principles of education policy:
1. Access: Ensuring that learning resources are available to all students, regardless of their geographical location.
2. Equity: Providing equal opportunities for all learners to access high-quality education, bridging the digital and social divide.
3. Quality: Ensuring that the content provided is of the highest standard, curated by the best faculty from premier institutions.
Comparing this to the options:
- Option (a) mentions Equality instead of Access.
- Option (b) mentions Equality instead of Quality.
- Option (d) mentions Equality instead of Equity.
While 'Equity' and 'Equality' are related, the official government documentation for SWAYAM specifically lists 'Access, Equity, and Quality' as the three pillars.
What was the national song during the anti-partition movement in Bengal?
A)
Vande Mataram
B)
Sare Jahan Se
C)
Milke Chalo
D)
Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna
The anti-partition movement in Bengal (Swadeshi Movement) occurred between 1905 and 1911 after Lord Curzon announced the partition of Bengal. During this period, the song 'Vande Mataram' (meaning 'I bow to thee, Mother'), written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in his novel 'Anandamath', became the rallying cry and the unofficial national song of the movement. It served as a powerful symbol of nationalism and unity against British colonial rule.
Analysis of other options:
- 'Sare Jahan Se' (Sare Jahan Se Achha) was written by Muhammad Iqbal in 1904, but it did not serve as the primary anthem of the anti-partition movement in Bengal.
- 'Milke Chalo' is not a recognized national song of that specific historical movement.
- 'Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna' was a popular revolutionary poem/song associated with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and figures like Ram Prasad Bismil and Bhagat Singh in a later phase of the freedom struggle.
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 government in 1915. However, in 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place in Amritsar, where British troops under General Dyer fired upon a peaceful gathering of civilians. Deeply moved and outraged by the brutality of this event and the subsequent response of the British administration, Tagore renounced his Knighthood as a mark of protest. He wrote a formal letter to the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford, stating that the 'time has come when awards and decorations make our shame glaring in the eyes of the world.'
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): This occurred much later than Tagore's renunciation of his Knighthood.
- d. Brutal suppression of Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): This occurred well after the 1919 events that prompted Tagore's decision.
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 (INC) in its early years was divided into two main ideological groups: the Moderates and the Extremists.
1. **Extremists (Garam Dal):** These leaders believed in 'Passive Resistance', 'Swadeshi', and 'Boycott' to achieve self-rule (Swaraj). The most prominent trio was known as 'Lal-Bal-Pal' (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal). Aurobindo Ghosh was also a key figure in this movement.
2. **Moderates (Naram Dal):** These leaders believed in constitutional methods, petitions, and prayers to the British government to achieve reforms. W.C. Banerjee (Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee) was one of the founding members of the INC and served as its first president in 1885. He belonged to the Moderate faction.
Analysis of options:
- (a) Bipin Chandra Pal: An extremist leader (part of Lal-Bal-Pal).
- (b) Aurobindo Ghosh: An extremist leader and philosopher.
- (c) Lala Lajpat Rai: An extremist leader (part of Lal-Bal-Pal).
- (d) W.C. Banerjee: A Moderate leader.
Therefore, W.C. Banerjee was not among the extremist leaders.
Which space agency launched the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme?
A)
SpaceX
B)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
C)
European Space Agency
D)
China National Space Administration
The Moonlight programme is an initiative by the European Space Agency (ESA) designed to establish a lunar communications and navigation system. Much like GPS works on Earth, the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) will provide satellite-based connectivity and positioning services for spacecraft, rovers, and astronauts on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit. This infrastructure is critical for supporting future lunar exploration missions, including the Artemis program.
Why other options are incorrect:
- SpaceX (a) is a private aerospace company, not a government space agency, and while it provides launch services, it does not lead the Moonlight programme.
- NASA (b) is the US space agency; while it collaborates with ESA, the Moonlight programme is specifically an ESA-led initiative.
- China National Space Administration (d) has its own lunar exploration programs (Chang'e), but it is not the architect of the Moonlight LCNS.
Rural indebtedness refers to the phenomenon where-
A)
Banking business failed in the rural areas
B)
Agricultural failure because of famine and drought
C)
Majority of Indian farmers live in debt
D)
Indian indigenous bankers were in debt
Rural indebtedness is a socio-economic condition where a significant portion of the rural population, primarily farmers, are unable to repay loans taken from various sources. In the context of Modern Indian History, this became a critical issue during the British colonial period due to high land revenue demands, the commercialization of agriculture, and the exploitative nature of moneylenders (Sahukars/Mahajans).
Step-by-step analysis of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because rural indebtedness is about the borrowers (farmers), not the failure of the banking business itself.
- Option (b) is incorrect because while famine and drought are 'causes' or 'triggers' that lead to indebtedness, they are not the definition of the phenomenon itself.
- Option (c) is correct as it accurately describes the state of the rural peasantry being trapped in a cycle of debt.
- Option (d) is incorrect because indigenous bankers were typically the lenders (creditors), not the ones in debt.
The Lucknow session of the Congress is known for-
A)
Split in the Congress
B)
Adopting Swadeshi
C)
Reunification of Indian National Congress
D)
Condemning the Muslim League
The Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress took place in 1916 and is historically significant for two major reasons:
1. The Reunification of the Congress: The party had split into two factions—the 'Moderates' and the 'Extremists'—during the Surat Split of 1907. In 1916, under the leadership of Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, these two groups reunited.
2. The Lucknow Pact: This session also saw a landmark agreement between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League to work together for the cause of self-government.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because the split occurred at the Surat Session (1907), not Lucknow.
- Option (b) is incorrect because the Swadeshi movement was formally adopted/launched around 1905 in response to the Partition of Bengal.
- Option (d) is incorrect because the Lucknow session was characterized by cooperation with the Muslim League, not condemnation.
Permanent Settlement of Cornwallis 1793 was also known as-
A)
Malguzari Settlement
B)
Mahatwari Settlement
C)
Ryotwari Settlement
D)
Zamindari Settlement
The Permanent Settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, primarily in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. Under this system, the local landlords (Zamindars) were recognized as the owners of the land, provided they paid a fixed amount of revenue to the British East India Company. Because the Zamindars acted as the intermediaries between the state and the peasants, it is widely known as the Zamindari Settlement.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Malguzari Settlement: This was a variation of the land revenue system (often associated with the Mahalwari system in certain regions) where the 'Malguzar' (revenue collector) was responsible for payment, but it is not the primary name for the 1793 Cornwallis act.
- b. Mahalwari Settlement: Introduced later (1822) by Holt Mackenzie, this system focused on the 'Mahal' (village community) as a unit of revenue assessment rather than individual landlords.
- c. Ryotwari Settlement: Introduced by Thomas Munro and Alexander Read in the early 19th century (primarily in Madras and Bombay), this system established a direct agreement between the government and the 'Ryots' (individual cultivators), bypassing the Zamindars entirely.