← Assistant Professor / Lecturer
Past Questions
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, the Government of Nagaland declared Tripura as the 'Partner State.' The purpose of selecting a partner state is to promote cultural exchange, strengthen inter-state ties, and showcase the diverse heritage of the invited state alongside the indigenous tribes of Nagaland. While other North Eastern states like Sikkim, Assam, and Manipur have participated in various capacities in previous years or other festivals, Tripura was specifically designated as the partner state for the 2024 celebrations.
The most flourishing industry in India before the process of De-Industrialization was-
A)
Cotton textile handicrafts Industry
B)
Tea Industry
C)
Juteindustry
D)
Rubber industry
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Understanding 'De-Industrialization': In the context of Indian history, de-industrialization refers to the decline of traditional Indian handicrafts and handloom industries during the British colonial period, primarily due to the influx of machine-made goods from Britain. 2. Analyzing the pre-colonial economy: Before the Industrial Revolution in England and the subsequent colonial policies, India was the world leader in textile production. The cotton textile industry, specifically hand-spun and hand-woven fabrics (like Muslin and Calico), was the most flourishing and globally exported industry. 3. Evaluating options: (a) Cotton textile handicrafts were the backbone of the rural and urban economy before the 19th century. (b) Tea, (c) Jute, and (d) Rubber are 'plantation' or 'modern' industries that were introduced or scaled up by the British during the colonial era, meaning they flourished *during* or *after* the period of traditional de-industrialization, not before it. Therefore, the cotton textile handicraft industry is the only correct answer.
In which District of Mizoram the Government of India implemented the Aspirational District Programme?
A)
Lawnegtlai
B)
Mamit
C)
Siaha
D)
Hnahthial
The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) was launched by the Government of India (NITI Aayog) in January 2018 to transform districts that have shown relatively lower indicators in key social areas. In the state of Mizoram, the Mamit district was identified and selected for this programme due to its need for accelerated development in sectors such as health, nutrition, education, agriculture, and basic infrastructure. While Lawngtlai, Siaha, and Hnahthial are other districts of Mizoram, Mamit is the specific district designated under the Aspirational District framework to receive focused convergence of schemes and monitoring.
Which Union Territory is the first to fully implement all three new criminal laws in India?
A)
Delhi
B)
Chandigarh
C)
Daman and Diu
D)
Puducherry
The three new criminal laws—the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—came into effect across India on July 1, 2024. Chandigarh became the first Union Territory to fully implement these laws, ensuring that all police stations and judicial processes within its jurisdiction were transitioned to the new legal framework. While other Union Territories like Delhi and Puducherry also implemented the laws on the same date, Chandigarh was highlighted in administrative reports and news updates for being the first to complete the full operational rollout and training integration across its UT administration.
Permanent Settlement of Cornwallis 1793 was also known as-
A)
Malguzari Settlement
B)
Mahalwari Settlement
C)
Ryotwari Settlement
D)
Zamindari Settlement
The Permanent Settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 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 peasants and the state, 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 'Malguzars' (village headmen) collected revenue.
- b. Mahalwari Settlement: Introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822, this system focused on the 'Mahal' (village community) as a unit for 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 involved a direct contract between the government and the 'Ryots' (individual cultivators), eliminating the middleman/Zamindar.
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 core issue: The question asks for the social reformer most famously associated with the cause of widow remarriage in India.
2. Evaluating Option (b): Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a towering figure in the 19th-century 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 (the burning of widows on their husband's pyre), which led to the Sati Regulation Act of 1829. While he improved the status of women, Vidyasagar is the specific figure linked to 'remarriage'.
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 widow remarriage.
5. Evaluating Option (d): MG Ranade was a social reformer and economist who worked on various social issues and helped found the Prarthana Samaj, but he is not the primary figure associated with the legal push for widow remarriage compared to Vidyasagar.
Aseries of riots by farmers in 187S-against the government’s revenue policies in the southern part of India was popularly known as the-
A)
South Indian Riots
B)
Malabar Riots
C)
Indigo Riots
D)
Deccan Riots
The question refers to the peasant uprisings of 1875 in the southern/western part of India.
1. **Deccan Riots (1875):** These riots occurred in the Deccan region (primarily Maharashtra and Karnataka). The farmers were protesting against the oppressive revenue policies of the British government and the exploitation by moneylenders (Sahukars) who had seized their lands due to high interest rates and rigid tax demands. This led to the appointment of the Deccan Agriculturalists' Relief Act of 1879.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **South Indian Riots:** This is a generic term and not the specific historical name of the 1875 uprisings.
- **Malabar Riots:** The Malabar Rebellion (Mappila Rebellion) occurred primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (notably 1921) and was characterized by conflicts between tenants and landlords (Jenmis) in Kerala.
- **Indigo Riots:** The Indigo Revolt took place in 1859-60 in Bengal, not in the southern part of India, and was against the forced cultivation of indigo by European planters.
Who among the following was not one of the leaders of the 1857 Rebellion?
A)
Kunwar Singh
B)
Tantia Tope
C)
Bahadur Shah Zafar
D)
Bhagat Singh
The 1857 Rebellion (also known as the First War of Independence) took place in the mid-19th century.
1. Kunwar Singh (Option a) was a prominent leader of the rebellion in Bihar.
2. Tantia Tope (Option b) was a general in the army of Nana Sahib and a key military strategist during the uprising.
3. Bahadur Shah Zafar (Option c) was the last Mughal Emperor and was proclaimed the symbolic Emperor of India by the rebels.
4. Bhagat Singh (Option d) was a revolutionary nationalist who fought against British rule in the 20th century (specifically the 1920s and 30s). He was born in 1907, long after the 1857 rebellion had ended. Therefore, he could not have been a leader of the 1857 Rebellion.
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) 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 (reaching the remotest parts of the country).
2. **Equity**: Providing equal opportunities to learners from diverse backgrounds, including marginalized groups, to access high-quality education.
3. **Quality**: Ensuring that the content provided is of the highest standard, curated by the best faculty from premier institutions (like IITs, IIMs, and UGC).
Comparing this to the options:
- Option (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.
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
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of NEP 2020: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the professionalization of teacher education. One of its key recommendations is to move towards multidisciplinary and integrated teacher education programs to improve the quality of teaching.
2. Evaluating Option (d): The Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) is a direct outcome of the NEP 2020 vision. It is a dual-degree program (e.g., B.A. B.Ed. or B.Sc. B.Ed.) designed to integrate teacher preparation into the multidisciplinary undergraduate education system, aiming to make teaching a more attractive and professional career choice.
3. Evaluating Option (a): 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' was launched in 2015 to celebrate the unity in diversity of our country; it predates NEP 2020.
4. Evaluating Option (b): 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' was launched in 2015 to address the declining child sex ratio and promote girls' education; it predates NEP 2020.
5. Evaluating Option (c): 'FIT India' movement was launched in 2019 to encourage people to remain healthy and fit; while it aligns with holistic education, it is a separate health initiative and not a structural educational program based on the vision of NEP 2020.
Therefore, the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) is the only option that is a specific structural implementation of the NEP 2020 vision.
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 began on May 10, 1857, at Meerut. The spark was the rebellion of sepoys (Indian soldiers) of the British East India Company who refused to use the newly introduced Enfield rifles, which were rumored to have cartridges greased with cow and pig fat. After the sepoys in Meerut revolted and killed their British officers, they marched toward Delhi.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Delhi: While the rebels marched to Delhi and declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Emperor of India, making it the political center of the revolt, the actual outbreak started in Meerut.
- Kanpur: Kanpur became a major center of the revolt under the leadership of Nana Sahib, but it was not the starting point.
- Jhansi: Jhansi became a focal point of the resistance under Rani Lakshmibai later in the conflict, but it was not where the revolt originated.
Vernacular Press Act 1878 was passed by the government to-
A)
Curtail the Indian Press
B)
Legalise the Indian Press
C)
Equalise the English and Vernacular Press
D)
Encourage Vernacular literature with regards to Press
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was enacted by the British colonial government under the administration of Lord Lytton. Its primary objective was to curtail the freedom of the Indian-language (vernacular) press, which had become increasingly critical of British policies.
1. Why Option (a) is correct: The Act gave the government the power to confiscate the printing press and demand a bond from the printer and publisher to ensure they would not publish 'seditious' material. It was specifically designed to muzzle the local language newspapers that were mobilizing the public against colonial rule.
2. Why Option (b) is incorrect: The Act did not 'legalise' the press; rather, it imposed restrictive legal hurdles and penalties on it.
3. Why Option (c) is incorrect: The Act was intentionally discriminatory. It applied only to vernacular newspapers and not to English-language newspapers, thereby creating an inequality rather than equalising them.
4. Why Option (d) is incorrect: The Act was a repressive measure; it aimed to suppress, not encourage, vernacular literature and journalism.
Yuva Sangam is a flagship initiative launched by which Ministry?
A)
Ministry of Education
B)
Ministry of Science and Technology
C)
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
D)
Ministry of Defense
Yuva Sangam is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is implemented through the National Educational Alliance for Technical Education (NEAT) and is designed to promote 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. The program facilitates student exchange between different states and union territories to foster national integration, cultural exchange, and a deeper understanding of India's diverse heritage among the youth.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Ministry of Science and Technology focuses on R&D and scientific advancement, not cultural exchange programs for students.
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs focuses on the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
- Ministry of Defense manages the nation's security and armed forces, which is unrelated to the educational and cultural objectives of Yuva Sangam.
What is a flagship scheme of the Government of India aimed at providing micro credit/small loans to street vendors?
A)
PM Gati Shakti
B)
PMSVANidhi
C)
PM Suraksha Street
D)
PM SHRI
The correct answer is PMSVANidhi.
1. **PMSVANidhi (PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi):** This is a flagship scheme launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to provide affordable working capital loans to street vendors to help them resume their livelihoods after the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers an initial loan of ₹10,000, with subsequent loans of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 available upon timely repayment.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **PM Gati Shakti:** This is a National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity to improve infrastructure and logistics efficiency across India.
- **PM Suraksha Street:** This is not a recognized flagship scheme of the Government of India.
- **PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India):** This is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at upgrading schools to showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Which Union Ministry implemented the ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 Scheme’?
A)
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
B)
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
C)
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
D)
Ministry of Women and Child Development
The 'Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0' scheme is a comprehensive program launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India. It is an evolution of the previous Poshan Abhiyaan, aimed at strengthening the delivery of nutrition and early childhood education services through Anganwadi centers. The scheme focuses on reducing stunting, wasting, and anemia among children, adolescent girls, and pregnant/lactating women by leveraging technology (like the Poshan Tracker app) and improving the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: This ministry handles food security and distribution (like NFSA), but not the specific operational management of Anganwadi centers.
- Option (b) Ministry of Food Processing Industries: This ministry focuses on the industrial processing of food products to reduce wastage and increase value addition.
- Option (c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: While this ministry works for marginalized groups, the specific mandate for child nutrition and maternal health falls under the MWCD.
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 the inhabitants of rural areas, primarily farmers, are unable to repay loans taken from various sources. In the context of Indian history (especially during the colonial period), this became a systemic crisis due to high land revenue demands, the commercialization of agriculture, and the exploitation by moneylenders (Sahukars).
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 population being trapped in a cycle of debt.
- Option (d) is incorrect because indigenous bankers (moneylenders) were the creditors (lenders), not the ones in debt; they profited from the indebtedness of the farmers.
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-CARICOM 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' is not the highest national award of Guyana.
- Option (b) 'The Crown Jewel Honor' is a fictional or incorrect term in this context.
- Option (c) 'The Grand Cross of the Order' is a common title for awards in various European or Latin American systems, but not the specific highest award of Guyana conferred to the PM.
- Option (d) 'The Order of Excellence' is the correct official designation of the award given to PM Modi.
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. India won the match 1-0, securing the title. This victory marked India's dominance in the junior category of Asian hockey.
- Option (a) Malaysia: Did not win the title.
- Option (c) Pakistan: Did not win the title.
- Option (d) China: Did not win the title.
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 makes 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.
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 communication and positioning services for future lunar missions, enabling rovers, landers, and astronauts to navigate the Moon's surface and communicate with Earth more efficiently.
Why other options are incorrect:
- SpaceX (a) is a private aerospace company, not a government space agency, and while it partners with NASA, it does not lead the Moonlight programme.
- NASA (b) has its own lunar initiatives (such as the Artemis program and the LunaNet framework), but Moonlight is specifically an ESA project.
- China National Space Administration (d) leads the Chang'e missions and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which are separate from the ESA's Moonlight initiative.
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 Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was hosted by Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan held the rotating chairmanship of the SCO for the year 2024-2025. The meeting focused on enhancing regional cooperation, economic connectivity, and security 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, and therefore does not host its official Council meetings.
The first three Universities on modern lines were established in Bengal, Bombay and Madras following the recommendations of
A)
The Charter Act of 1813
B)
Woods Dispatch 1854
C)
Hunter Commission 1882
D)
Kothari Commission 1964-66
The establishment of universities in India on modern lines was a direct result of the 'Wood's Despatch' of 1854. Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control, sent a comprehensive dispatch to Lord Dalhousie outlining a systematic plan for education in India. This document is often referred to as the 'Magna Carta of English Education in India'. It recommended the creation of universities in the presidency towns of Calcutta (Bengal), Bombay, and Madras to serve as affiliating bodies for colleges. Consequently, the Universities of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras were established in 1857.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. The Charter Act of 1813: This act provided a sum of 1 lakh rupees for the promotion of education but did not establish a university system.
- c. Hunter Commission 1882: This commission focused primarily on the improvement of primary and secondary education, rather than the initial establishment of universities.
- d. Kothari Commission 1964-66: This was a post-independence commission that focused on a national pattern of education and the 10+2+3 structure.
Who has been elected as the 11" President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)?
A)
Bhargav Dasgupta
B)
Masato Kanda
C)
Masatsugu Asakawa
D)
Takehiko Nakao
The Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) elected Masato Kanda as the 11th President of the ADB. Masato Kanda, a seasoned Japanese diplomat and former Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, succeeded the previous president.
Analysis of other options:
- Bhargav Dasgupta: Not associated with the ADB Presidency.
- Masatsugu Asakawa: He has served as the Managing Director of the ADB, but not as the 11th President.
- Takehiko Nakao: He served as the 10th President of the ADB (2013–2018), not the 11th.
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' campaign is a strategic initiative launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India. The term 'Bal Vivah' literally translates to 'Child Marriage' and 'Mukt Bharat' means 'Free India'. Therefore, the campaign's primary objective is to eliminate child marriage across the country through awareness, community mobilization, and the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Prevention of Child Labour: This is primarily handled through the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
- Option (b) Reduction of Infant Mortality: This falls under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (e.g., through programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana).
- Option (d) Prevention of Sexual Harassment: This is governed by the POSH Act (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013) and various legal frameworks, rather than a specific 'Bal Vivah' campaign.
Who was associated with ‘Ring fence’ policy in India?
A)
Henry Lawrence
B)
Dalhousie
C)
Lord Hastings
D)
Warren Hastings
The 'Ring Fence' policy was a strategic diplomatic and military approach adopted by the British East India Company to protect its own territories by creating a series of 'buffer states' around its borders. This policy aimed to prevent direct conflict with powerful neighboring states and to ensure that any external aggression would be absorbed by these buffer states before reaching British territory. This policy is most strongly associated with Lord Hastings (Governor-General from 1813 to 1823), who implemented it to secure the frontiers of British India, particularly in the context of the Pindaris and the Marathas.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Henry Lawrence: He was a military officer and administrator known for his work in the Punjab, but not the architect of the Ring Fence policy.
- b. Dalhousie: Lord Dalhousie is famous for the 'Doctrine of Lapse', which was an expansionist policy (annexation), the opposite of creating buffer states.
- d. Warren Hastings: While he dealt with early conflicts (like the First Anglo-Maratha War), the formalized 'Ring Fence' strategy as a systemic frontier policy is attributed to the later period of Lord Hastings.