← Assistant Professor / Lecturer
Past Questions
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 justice and sought reforms through legal and peaceful means. Their approach is famously described as the '3Ps': Prayer, Petition, and Protest. They utilized constitutional methods, such as submitting memorandums to the government and sending delegations to England, to demand administrative reforms and greater Indian representation in the government.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) 'Non-Cooperating the British' was the hallmark of the Gandhian era (Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-22), which came much later.
- Option (c) 'Violence' was explicitly rejected by the Moderates, who believed in the rule of law and peaceful agitation.
- Option (d) 'Strikes and protests' (in the sense of mass mobilization and civil disobedience) were more characteristic of the 'Extremists' (like Bal Gangadhar Tilak) and later nationalist movements, whereas Moderates focused on intellectual and legal persuasion.
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 goal 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 political climate that eventually led to the formation of the League.
- 1907: This year is known for the Surat Split, where the Indian National Congress divided into Moderates and Extremists.
- 1908: This year saw the trial and sentencing of Bal Gangadhar Tilak for sedition, but it is not the founding year of the Muslim League.
What isa flagship scheme of the Government of India aimed at providing micro credit/small loans to street vendors?
A)
PM Gati Shakti
B)
PM SVANidhi
C)
PM Suraksha Street
D)
PM SHRI
The PM SVANidhi (Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme was launched by the Government of India to provide affordable working capital loans to street vendors to resume their livelihoods after the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers a collateral-free micro-credit facility starting with an initial loan of ₹10,000, with subsequent loans of higher amounts available upon timely repayment.
Analysis of other options:
- a. PM Gati Shakti: This is a National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity to improve infrastructure and logistics efficiency.
- c. PM Suraksha Street: This is not a recognized flagship government scheme.
- d. PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India): This is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at upgrading schools to provide high-quality education in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
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 perceived purity and glory of the Vedic period. Its central slogan, 'Go back to the Vedas,' indicates a desire to return to the original teachings of the Vedas, stripping away later accretions like idol worship, complex rituals, and the rigid caste system based on birth.
Why other options are incorrect:
- (a) Nationalist: While the Arya Samaj contributed significantly to the growth of Indian nationalism and the freedom struggle, its fundamental 'nature' or ideological core was religious and social reform based on Vedic revivalism.
- (b) Racist: The movement was not based on racial superiority; rather, it focused on spiritual and social reform.
- (d) Lower caste: Although the Arya Samaj opposed the birth-based caste system and worked for the upliftment of the marginalized (through Shuddhi), it was not a 'lower caste movement' in the way that the Dalit movements or the Satyashodhak Samaj were specifically structured.
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.Ed. integrated with a BA or BSc) designed to be the minimum degree qualification for teaching by 2030.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat: Launched in 2015 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; it is a social campaign, not a product of NEP 2020.
- c. FIT India: Launched in 2019 to encourage people to include physical activity and sports in their daily lives; while NEP 2020 promotes sports, the FIT India movement is a separate initiative.
The Indian Railways was introduced during the tenure and under leadership of-
A)
Warren Hastings
B)
Lord Canning
C)
Lord Dalhousie
D)
Lord Curzon
The Indian Railways were introduced under the leadership of Lord Dalhousie, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. He is often regarded as the 'Father of Indian Railways' because he envisioned the railway system as a means to improve administration, facilitate the movement of troops, and expand trade. The first passenger train in India ran from Bombay (Mumbai) to Thane on April 16, 1853.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Warren Hastings (1773–1785): He was the first Governor-General of Bengal and focused on administrative and judicial reforms long before the invention of the steam locomotive.
- Lord Canning (1856–1862): He was the first Viceroy of India and dealt with the aftermath of the 1857 Revolt; while railways expanded during his time, they were introduced by Dalhousie.
- Lord Curzon (1899–1905): He is primarily known for the Partition of Bengal (1905) and administrative reforms at the turn of the 20th century, decades after the railways were established.
The last Maratha Peshwa whose fall led to the permanent defeat of the Maratha Empire was-
A)
Madhav Rao
B)
Baji Rao II
C)
Baji Rao I
D)
Narayan Rao
The Maratha Empire's decline culminated in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818). Baji Rao II was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. Following his defeat by the British East India Company in 1818, the office of the Peshwa was abolished, and Baji Rao II was exiled to Bithoor (near Kanpur) on a pension. This event marked the formal end of the Maratha Confederacy and the Peshwa's authority, leading to the permanent defeat of the empire.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Madhav Rao: He was a capable Peshwa who briefly restored Maratha power after the disaster of Panipat, but he died young in 1772.
- Baji Rao I: He was the great expansionist Peshwa (the 'Rau') who established the Maratha Empire as a dominant power in North India; he died in 1740.
- Narayan Rao: He was the Peshwa who was murdered in 1773 in a palace conspiracy, long before the final fall of the empire.
Who led the English forces in the Battle of Buxar?
A)
Clive
B)
Hector Monro
C)
Vansittart
D)
Lord Ripon
The Battle of Buxar was fought on October 22, 1764. It was a decisive victory for the British East India Company over the combined forces 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.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Robert Clive: While Clive was the primary architect of British power in India and led the forces in the Battle of Plassey (1757), he was not the field commander at Buxar.
- c. Vansittart: Henry Vansittart was a colonial administrator and served as Governor of Bengal, but he did not lead the army in this battle.
- d. Lord Ripon: Lord Ripon was a Viceroy of India (1880–1884), serving over a century after the Battle of Buxar took place.
The expansionist policy over the princely states extensively used by Wellesley was known as-
A)
Ring Fence Policy
B)
Subsidiary Alliance
C)
Doctrine of Lapse
D)
Hand Holding Policy
The expansionist policy used extensively by Lord Wellesley (Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805) was the Subsidiary Alliance. Under this system, an Indian ruler had to disband their own army and instead maintain a British force within their territory, paying for its upkeep. In return, the British promised protection against external attacks and internal rebellions. This effectively turned the princely states into protectorates of the British East India Company, stripping them of their sovereignty and foreign policy independence.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Ring Fence Policy: This was an earlier strategy (associated with Warren Hastings) aimed at creating a 'buffer zone' of friendly states around the Company's core territories to protect them from rivals.
- c. Doctrine of Lapse: This policy was introduced by Lord Dalhousie (not Wellesley). It stated that if a ruler of a dependent state died without a natural male heir, the state would 'lapse' or be annexed by the British.
- d. Hand Holding Policy: This is not a recognized historical term or policy used by the British East India Company for territorial expansion.
Which of the following decision introduced English as the medium of instruction in 1835?
A)
Charter Act
B)
Charles Minute
C)
Macaulay Minute
D)
Anglicists Minute
The decision to introduce English as the medium of instruction in India was formalized through the 'Macaulay's Minute' of February 2, 1835. Thomas Babington Macaulay, a member of the Governor-General's Council, argued that the goal of education should be to create a class of persons 'Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinions, in morals, and in intellect.' This minute settled the long-standing conflict between the 'Orientalists' (who favored traditional Indian languages) and the 'Anglicists' (who favored English). Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India, subsequently accepted the recommendations, leading to the English Education Act of 1835.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Charter Act: These were laws passed by the British Parliament to renew the East India Company's charter (e.g., 1813, 1833, 1853). While they provided the legal framework for governance, they were not the specific 'decision' or document that introduced English as the medium of instruction.
- b. Charles Minute: There is no historically significant 'Charles Minute' associated with the introduction of English education in 1835.
- d. Anglicists Minute: While the 'Anglicists' were the group that advocated for English education, the specific official document that implemented this policy was the Minute written by Macaulay.
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
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. The 'Wood's Despatch' of 1854, sent by Sir Charles Wood (President of the Board of Control), is often referred to as the 'Magna Carta of English Education in India'.
2. One of its primary recommendations was the establishment of universities on the model of the University of London to oversee higher education.
3. Following these recommendations, the Universities of Calcutta (Bengal), Bombay, and Madras were established in 1857.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) The Charter Act of 1813: This act allowed missionaries to come to India and set aside a sum of 1 lakh rupees for education, but it did not establish universities.
- Option (c) Hunter Commission 1882: This commission focused primarily on the expansion and improvement of primary and secondary education, rather than the initial establishment of universities.
- Option (d) Kothari Commission 1964-66: This was a post-independence commission that aimed to modernize the Indian education system and create a national pattern of education.
Which city hosted the 23 mecting 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 assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO for the year 2024-2025, leading to the hosting of this high-level meeting to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and trade among member states.
Analysis of other options:
- Shanghai (China): While the organization is named after this city, it does not host every meeting.
- Beijing (China): Beijing frequently hosts SCO summits, but not the 23rd CHG meeting.
- Dhaka (Bangladesh): Bangladesh is not a member state of the SCO, and therefore does not host its Council of Heads of Government meetings.
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 government under the administration of Lord Lytton. The primary objective of this act 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 prohibit the publication of any newspaper that published 'seditious' material. It specifically targeted vernacular newspapers while exempting English-language newspapers, thereby restricting the ability of native Indians to mobilize public opinion against colonial rule.
2. Why Option (b) is incorrect: The Act did not 'legalise' the press; rather, it imposed severe restrictions and legal hurdles on its operation.
3. Why Option (c) is incorrect: The Act was intentionally discriminatory. It created a legal disparity by applying strict censorship to vernacular languages while leaving the English press relatively free, thus doing the opposite of 'equalising' them.
4. Why Option (d) is incorrect: The Act was a tool of repression, not encouragement. It aimed to suppress political consciousness, not promote literature.
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 technology underlying cryptocurrencies.
1. **Blockchain** is a distributed, decentralized digital ledger. It records transactions across many computers (nodes) in a way that the registered transactions cannot be altered retroactively. Data is stored in 'blocks' that are cryptographically 'chained' together, ensuring transparency and security.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Bitcoin (a):** This is a specific type of cryptocurrency (the first one), not the ledger technology itself. Bitcoin *uses* blockchain technology.
- **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 standard technical term for the distributed ledger technology used in cryptocurrencies.
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 a Managing Director at the ADB but was not elected as the 11th President.
- Takehiko Nakao: He served as the 9th President of the ADB (2008–2016), not the 11th.
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 between 1857 and 1858.
1. Kunwar Singh (Option a) was a prominent leader of the rebellion in Bihar, leading the revolt in Jagdishpur.
2. Tantia Tope (Option b) was a key general of Nana Sahib and a brilliant guerrilla tactician during the uprising in Kanpur and Gwalior.
3. Bahadur Shah Zafar (Option c) was the last Mughal Emperor and was proclaimed the symbolic Emperor of India by the rebels, serving as the figurehead of the movement.
4. Bhagat Singh (Option d) was a revolutionary nationalist who was active in the 1920s and 1930s. He was executed by the British in 1931, roughly 74 years after the 1857 Rebellion. Therefore, he could not have been a leader of the 1857 Rebellion.
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 (also 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 during 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 on expanding the size of legislative councils and the electoral process.
- Option d: The British government did not aim to cooperate with the Indian National Congress to the maximum; in fact, the Morley-Minto reforms were designed to appease moderates while simultaneously creating divisions (via separate electorates) to neutralize the Congress's influence.
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 in India. In 2024, the Government of India appointed Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women. She succeeded the previous chairperson to lead the commission in safeguarding and promoting the rights of women in India. Options b, c, and d do not correspond to the current Chairperson of the NCW.
The first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress was-
A)
Annie Besant
B)
Sarojini Naidu
C)
Indira Gandhi
D)
Kasturba Gandhi
To identify the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress (INC), we must distinguish between the first woman president and the first Indian woman president:
1. **Annie Besant**: She was the first woman to serve as the President of the INC (at the Calcutta session in 1917). However, she was British, not Indian.
2. **Sarojini Naidu**: She presided over the Kanpur session of the INC in 1925, making her the first Indian woman to hold the position of President.
3. **Indira Gandhi**: While she served as the Prime Minister of India, she was never the President of the Indian National Congress during the independence struggle era in the context of this historical milestone.
4. **Kasturba Gandhi**: She was a prominent leader and activist in the Indian independence movement, but she never served as the President of the INC.
Therefore, while Annie Besant was the first woman, Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman.
Who spoke on behalf of the Hindu religion in the “Congress of Religions” in Chicago 1893?
A)
Dadabhai Naoroji
B)
Swami Vivekananda
C)
Swami Brijanand
D)
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
The 'Parliament of the World's Religions' (often referred to as the Congress of Religions) was held in Chicago in September 1893. Swami Vivekananda represented Hinduism and delivered a historic speech that began with the words 'Sisters and Brothers of America,' which earned him a standing ovation and brought global recognition to Indian philosophy and Vedanta.
Analysis of other options:
- Dadabhai Naoroji: Known as the 'Grand Old Man of India,' he was a political leader and economist, not a religious representative at this event.
- Swami Brijanand: While he was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and accompanied Vivekananda to the US, he was not the primary speaker who represented the Hindu religion at the Parliament.
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A great social reformer and educator from Bengal, but he did not attend the 1893 Chicago Parliament.
The English East India Company arrived in India in the year-
A)
1498
B)
1608
C)
1717
D)
1757
The English East India Company (EIC) was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600. However, the first English ship, the 'Hector', commanded by Captain William Hawkins, actually arrived at the port of Surat in India in 1608.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) 1498: This is the year Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, reached Calicut, marking the beginning of European maritime contact with India, but it was not the English East India Company.
- Option (c) 1717: This year is significant because Emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a royal 'farman' (decree) granting the East India Company trade concessions and the right to mint coins in Bombay.
- Option (d) 1757: This is the year of the Battle of Plassey, which established the political foothold of the British in India, long after their initial arrival.
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 new Enfield rifle cartridges, which were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat. After the sepoys in Meerut revolted and killed their British officers, they marched toward 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 rebellion under Rani Lakshmibai, but the revolt reached Jhansi later in the timeline of 1857.
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 announced 'Brain Rot' as the Word of the Year for 2024. The term is primarily used to describe the perceived decline of cognitive function or mental quality resulting from the excessive consumption of low-quality, short-form digital content (such as TikToks or Reels). While other options like 'Neuro Spicy' (a slang term for neurodivergence) or 'Heat Dome' (a meteorological term) are contemporary terms, they were not selected as the official Oxford Word of the Year for 2024.
The British were able to finally subjugate Mysore in 1799 after the fall of-
A)
Hyder Ali
B)
Balaji Baji Rao
C)
Tipu Sultan
D)
Ranjit Singh
The subjugation of Mysore by the British occurred through a series of four Anglo-Mysore Wars. The final conflict, the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799), culminated in the Siege of Seringapatam. Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore and son of Hyder Ali, died defending his capital, Seringapatam, on May 4, 1799. Following his death, the British established a subsidiary alliance with the Mysore state, effectively bringing it under British control.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Hyder Ali: He was the father of Tipu Sultan and a formidable opponent of the British, but he died in 1782 during the Second Anglo-Mysore War, long before the final subjugation in 1799.
- b. Balaji Baji Rao: He was the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, not the ruler of Mysore. His influence was centered in Pune.
- d. Ranjit Singh: He was the founder and ruler of the Sikh Empire in the Punjab region and was not involved in the conflicts regarding the state of Mysore.
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' is a convergence of the Poshan 2.0 and the Saksham Anganwadi scheme. It is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). The primary objective of this scheme is to combat malnutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight) among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. It focuses on strengthening the delivery of nutrition services through Anganwadi centers, utilizing technology for real-time monitoring (via the Poshan Tracker), and improving the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution focuses on food security and price stabilization (e.g., NFSA).
- Option (b) Ministry of Food Processing Industries focuses on the value addition of agricultural produce.
- Option (c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment focuses on the welfare of marginalized sections, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, but not specifically on the maternal and child nutrition framework managed by Anganwadis.