← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions — 2024
Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) includes - 1. Health 2. Education 3. Living standard
A)
Only 1
B)
2 and 3
C)
1 and 2
D)
1,2 and 3
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), measures poverty not just by income, but by overlapping deprivations. It uses three equally weighted dimensions:
1. Health: This includes indicators such as nutrition and child mortality.
2. Education: This includes indicators such as years of schooling and school attendance.
3. Living Standards: This includes indicators such as access to cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, and assets.
Since all three listed components (Health, Education, and Living Standard) are the core dimensions of the MPI, option 'd' is the correct choice.
Who introduced the first budget in India after independence?
A)
Jawaharlal Nehru
B)
John Mathai
C)
Kshitish Chandra Neogy
D)
R.K. Shanmukham Chetty
R.K. Shanmukham Chetty served as the first Finance Minister of independent India. He presented the first budget of the Dominion of India on November 26, 1947.
Analysis of other options:
- Jawaharlal Nehru: He was the first Prime Minister of India, not the Finance Minister.
- John Mathai: He was the second Finance Minister of India and is credited with introducing the first Five-Year Plan framework, but he did not present the first budget.
- Kshitish Chandra Neogy: He served as a Finance Minister later (1950-1952) but was not the first.
Who is called ‘the Father of the Green Revolution’ in India?
A)
Chidambaram Subramaniam
B)
Dilbagh Singh Athwal
C)
M.S. Swaminathan
D)
Norman Borlaug
The Green Revolution in India refers to the period of significant increase in agricultural productivity, particularly wheat and rice, starting in the 1960s.
1. **M.S. Swaminathan (Correct):** He is widely recognized as the 'Father of the Green Revolution in India'. He collaborated with Norman Borlaug to introduce and develop high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds tailored to Indian agro-climatic conditions, transforming India from a food-deficit nation to a food-surplus one.
2. **Norman Borlaug:** While he is the 'Father of the Green Revolution' globally (winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in Mexico and India), the question specifically asks for the father of the revolution *in India*.
3. **Chidambaram Subramaniam:** He was the Union Minister for Food and Agriculture who provided the political will and administrative support to implement the Green Revolution, but he was not the scientific architect.
4. **Dilbagh Singh Athwal:** He was a prominent agricultural scientist who contributed to the implementation and extension of the revolution, but he does not hold the title of 'Father of the Green Revolution'.
Aurobindo describes Reality as -
A)
Sachchidananda
B)
Super mind
C)
Existence
D)
God
Sri Aurobindo's philosophy is centered on the concept of Integral Yoga and the evolution of consciousness. He describes the Ultimate Reality (the Divine) as 'Sachchidananda'. This term is a compound of three Sanskrit words: 'Sat' (Pure Existence), 'Chit' (Pure Consciousness), and 'Ananda' (Pure Bliss). According to Aurobindo, Reality is not just existence or a personal God, but a unified synthesis of these three aspects.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Supermind: The Supermind is not the totality of Reality itself, but rather the 'intermediate' power or the transitional consciousness that links the Divine (Sachchidananda) to the lower realms of Mind and Matter to facilitate evolution.
- c. Existence: While 'Sat' (Existence) is a part of Sachchidananda, describing Reality solely as 'Existence' is incomplete in Aurobindo's framework, as it ignores the essential aspects of Consciousness and Bliss.
- d. God: While Aurobindo believes in a Divine presence, 'Sachchidananda' is the specific philosophical term he uses to define the nature and essence of that Reality.
The arid topography with sand dunes in the Aravali are known as:
A)
Blizzard
B)
Loo
C)
Barkhans
D)
Delta
The question asks for the term used to describe the arid topography characterized by sand dunes in the region of the Aravalis (specifically the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan).
1. **Barkhans (Correct):** Barkhans are crescent-shaped sand dunes. They are a characteristic feature of the Thar Desert in India, where the wind blows predominantly from one direction, shaping the sand into these distinct curves.
2. **Blizzard (Incorrect):** A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds and low visibility; it is a weather phenomenon, not a topographical feature.
3. **Loo (Incorrect):** Loo is a strong, hot, and dry summer wind that blows over the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the desert regions of North India. It is a wind pattern, not a landform.
4. **Delta (Incorrect):** A delta is a landform created by the deposition of sediment carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth and enters slower-moving or stagnant water (e.g., the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta). It is associated with water, not arid sand dunes.
The largest mineral based Industry in India.
A)
Alluminium Industry
B)
Cement Industry
C)
Iron and Steel Industry
D)
Fertilizer Industry
The Iron and Steel industry is considered the largest mineral-based industry in India because it serves as the backbone of all other industrial sectors. It requires massive quantities of mineral raw materials, primarily iron ore, coking coal, and limestone. Due to the sheer volume of raw materials consumed and the scale of production (measured in million tonnes), it surpasses other mineral-based industries in terms of size, investment, and economic impact.
Analysis of other options:
- Aluminium Industry: While it is a major mineral-based industry (using bauxite), its scale of production and overall economic footprint are smaller than that of iron and steel.
- Cement Industry: This is a significant mineral-based industry (using limestone), but it is generally categorized as a construction material industry and does not match the industrial scale of steel.
- Fertilizer Industry: This is primarily a chemical-based industry. While it uses minerals like phosphate and potash, it is not classified as the 'largest mineral-based industry' in the same structural sense as the metallurgical sector.
Soils which have been brought down and deposited by rivers are called:
A)
Black soil
B)
Red soil
C)
Laterite soil
D)
Alluvial soil
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. The question asks for the type of soil formed by the deposition of materials brought down by rivers. 2. Alluvial soil is formed by the process of sedimentation, where rivers carry silt, sand, and clay from mountains and erode them, eventually depositing these materials in plains and river deltas. 3. Analysis of other options: (a) Black soil is primarily formed from the weathering of volcanic basalt rocks (lava flows). (b) Red soil is formed from the weathering of crystalline igneous rocks and gets its color from iron oxides. (c) Laterite soil is formed due to intense leaching in tropical areas with high rainfall. Therefore, only Alluvial soil fits the description of being river-deposited.
Last session of existing Lok Sabha, after a new Lok Sabha has been elected is called -
A)
Lame - duck session
B)
Dysfunctional Session
C)
Non-Functional Session
D)
Non-Performing Session
The term 'Lame-duck session' refers to the final session of the existing Lok Sabha (the House of the People) after a new Lok Sabha has been elected but before the current one is formally dissolved. During this period, the members of the outgoing house are referred to as 'lame ducks' because they no longer possess the power to influence future legislation or represent their constituents in the next term, yet they remain in office until the new house takes over.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Dysfunctional Session: This is not a constitutional or parliamentary term; it describes a session that is not working properly due to disruptions.
- c. Non-Functional Session: This is not a recognized parliamentary term.
- d. Non-Performing Session: This is a descriptive phrase, not a formal political or legal term used in the Indian Parliamentary system.
“Swaraj is my birth right and I shail have it.” Who said this?
A)
J.P. Narayan
B)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C)
M.N. Roy
D)
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
The famous slogan 'Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it' was coined by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent leader of the Indian Independence movement and one of the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' triumvirate. He used this phrase to mobilize the masses and demand self-rule (Swaraj) from the British colonial government, shifting the goal of the Indian National Congress from mere petitions to active demand for autonomy.
Analysis of other options:
- J.P. Narayan: A socialist leader and key figure in the 1970s 'Total Revolution' movement, active much later than the origin of this slogan.
- M.N. Roy: A prominent Marxist theorist and founder of the Mexican Communist Party and the Communist Party of India.
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Known as the 'Father of the Indian Renaissance,' he focused on social reforms (like the abolition of Sati) in the early 19th century, long before the Swaraj movement gained momentum.
National Development Council was constituted on -
A)
16 August 1950
B)
18 April 1951
C)
6th August 1952
D)
16 August 1952
The National Development Council (NDC) was established on August 6, 1952, but it was formally constituted and held its first meeting on August 16, 1952. The NDC was created to strengthen and mobilize the effort and resources of the nation in pursuit of the goals set out in the Five-Year Plans. It serves as the highest body for deciding the final priorities and allocating resources of the Five-Year Plans.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 16 August 1950: Incorrect. The Planning Commission was established in 1950, but the NDC came later.
- Option (b) 18 April 1951: Incorrect. This date does not correspond to the formation of the NDC.
- Option (c) 6th August 1952: While some sources mention the announcement or initiation around this date, the official constitution/first meeting date recognized in standard Indian Polity and Economy textbooks is August 16, 1952.
- Option (d) 16 August 1952: Correct. This is the officially recognized date of the constitution of the NDC.
What type of economy does India have?
A)
Socialist economy
B)
Closed economy
C)
Open economy
D)
Mixed economy
India follows a 'Mixed Economy' model, which is a system that blends elements of both market-based (capitalist) and planned (socialist) economies. In a mixed economy, both the private sector and the public sector (government) coexist. The private sector operates for profit and is driven by market forces, while the public sector manages essential services and strategic industries to ensure social welfare and equitable distribution of resources.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Socialist economy: In a purely socialist economy, the state owns all means of production and there is no private property. India allows private ownership and entrepreneurship.
- b. Closed economy: A closed economy does not engage in international trade. India is heavily involved in global trade (imports and exports).
- c. Open economy: While India is indeed an 'open economy' (meaning it trades with other nations), the term 'Mixed Economy' is the standard and more comprehensive classification used in economics to describe the structural nature of India's ownership and resource allocation system.
Lokayukta submits its report to the -
A)
Chief Minister
B)
Chief Justice of the High Court
C)
Governor
D)
Speaker ofthe Legislative Assembly
The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in Indian states. While the specific rules can vary slightly by state legislation, the general constitutional and administrative framework for the Lokayukta dictates that it submits its annual reports or reports on specific investigations to the Governor of the state. The Governor then typically causes the report to be laid before the State Legislature.
- Option (a) Chief Minister: The Lokayukta is designed to be an independent body to investigate corruption, including that of the executive; therefore, submitting reports to the CM would compromise its independence.
- Option (b) Chief Justice of the High Court: While the Chief Justice is often involved in the appointment process of the Lokayukta, they are not the recipient of the official reports.
- Option (d) Speaker of the Legislative Assembly: While the report is eventually laid before the Assembly, it is formally submitted to the Governor first.
73 Amendment Act,1992 exempted the following states of NE India:
A)
Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram
B)
Tripura only
C)
Assam only
D)
Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which institutionalized the Panchayati Raj System in India, provided for a uniform three-tier structure of local self-government. However, the Act allowed for certain exemptions to protect the traditional social and cultural structures of specific regions.
1. **Exempted States:** The Act did not automatically apply to several states. Specifically, in North East India, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram were exempted from the mandatory application of the Act. This was done to respect the traditional tribal laws and customary practices prevalent in these states.
2. **Analysis of Options:**
- Option (a) correctly lists Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
- Option (b) Tripura is not exempted; it has implemented the Panchayati Raj system.
- Option (c) Assam is not exempted; it has implemented the Panchayati Raj system.
- Option (d) Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have adopted the Panchayati Raj system (though they may have specific modifications, they were not blanketly exempted in the same manner as the three states mentioned in option a).
Therefore, the correct set of exempted North Eastern states is Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
The Chota-Nagpur plateau is famous for its richness on:
A)
Uranium
B)
Plutonium
C)
Coal
D)
Sand
The Chota Nagpur Plateau, located primarily in Jharkhand, with extensions into Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, is known as the 'Mineral Heart of India' due to its immense mineral wealth. It is particularly famous for its vast deposits of Coal (especially in the Damodar Valley region), Iron Ore, Mica, and Bauxite.
Analysis of options:
- a. Uranium: While Uranium is found in the plateau (e.g., Jaduguda mine), the region is far more 'famous' and economically defined by its massive coal reserves.
- b. Plutonium: Plutonium is a synthetic element produced in nuclear reactors; it does not occur naturally in geological deposits.
- c. Coal: Correct. The region contains some of India's largest coal fields (like Jharia and Raniganj), making it the primary hub for coal mining in the country.
- d. Sand: Sand is a common sedimentary material found globally and is not a specialized mineral richness associated with the geological identity of the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Which of the following policies deals with the taxation and expenditure decisions of the government?
A)
Fiscal policy
B)
Labour Market policy
C)
Monetary policy
D)
Trade policy
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Definition of Fiscal Policy**: Fiscal policy refers to the use of government spending (expenditure) and tax collection (taxation) to influence the economy. It is managed by the government (Ministry of Finance in India) to achieve goals such as price stability, full employment, and economic growth.
2. **Analyzing the Question**: The question specifically asks for the policy dealing with 'taxation' and 'expenditure decisions'. This aligns perfectly with the definition of Fiscal Policy.
3. **Evaluating Other Options**:
- **Labour Market policy (b)**: Deals with employment laws, minimum wages, and workforce regulations, not government taxation or spending.
- **Monetary policy (c)**: Managed by the Central Bank (e.g., RBI in India). It deals with the money supply, interest rates, and banking regulations to control inflation and stabilize the currency.
- **Trade policy (d)**: Deals with tariffs, quotas, and trade agreements between nations to regulate imports and exports.
Therefore, option (a) is the only correct answer.
The geographical area of Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram is:
A)
50sq.km.
B)
250 sq. km.
C)
500 sq. km.
D)
750 sq. km.
The Dampa Tiger Reserve is located in the western part of Mizoram. It is one of the most significant protected areas in the state, known for its rich biodiversity and dense tropical rainforests. According to official records from the Government of Mizoram and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the total geographical area of the Dampa Tiger Reserve is approximately 750 square kilometers.
Comparing this to the options:
- Option (a) 50 sq. km. is far too small for a tiger reserve.
- Option (b) 250 sq. km. and Option (c) 500 sq. km. are incorrect as they do not match the official designated area of the reserve.
- Option (d) 750 sq. km. is the accurate measurement of the reserve's area.
What is the largest Commercial bank in India?
A)
Bank of Baroda
B)
ICICI
C)
Punjab National Bank
D)
State Bank of India
The State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest commercial bank in India in terms of assets, deposits, branches, and employees. It is a public sector bank and a Fortune 500 company.
Analysis of options:
- State Bank of India (SBI): The largest public sector bank and the largest overall commercial bank in India.
- ICICI Bank: One of the largest private sector banks, but smaller than SBI in total assets and reach.
- Punjab National Bank (PNB): A major public sector bank, but significantly smaller than SBI.
- Bank of Baroda: Another leading public sector bank, but it does not match the scale of SBI.
Recognition of Political parties in India is accorded by the -
A)
Election Commission of India
B)
State Legislative Assembly
C)
Parliament
D)
President of India
In India, the recognition of political parties and the allotment of election symbols are handled by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI grants the status of a 'National Party' or a 'State Party' based on specific criteria related to the percentage of votes polled and the number of seats won in the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly elections.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. State Legislative Assembly: This is a legislative body that makes laws for the state; it does not have the constitutional authority to recognize political parties.
- c. Parliament: While Parliament makes laws governing elections (such as the Representation of the People Act), it does not perform the administrative task of recognizing individual parties.
- d. President of India: The President is the head of state and acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers; the President does not manage the registration or recognition of political parties.
Reserve Bank of India was established on -
A)
1st January, 1935
B)
1 April, 1935
C)
1st January, 1949
D)
1st April, 1949
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. It was initially established as a shareholders' bank. It is important to distinguish between its establishment date (1935) and its nationalization date; the RBI was nationalized on January 1, 1949, transitioning from a private entity to a government-owned institution. Therefore, Option (b) is the correct date of establishment, while Option (c) refers to its nationalization.
At present, which of the following states is the highest producer of rice in India?
A)
Andra Pradesh
B)
Punjab
C)
West Bengal
D)
Tamil Nadu
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Rice is the staple food crop of India and requires high temperature, high humidity, and heavy rainfall. 2. West Bengal is the leading producer of rice in India due to its fertile alluvial soil (Gangetic plains) and favorable climatic conditions, including high rainfall and the ability to grow multiple crops of rice per year (Aus, Aman, and Boro). 3. While Punjab (Option b) is a major producer and has high productivity per hectare due to the Green Revolution and irrigation, its total production volume is lower than that of West Bengal. 4. Andhra Pradesh (Option a) and Tamil Nadu (Option d) are significant producers in South India, but they do not surpass West Bengal in total output. Therefore, West Bengal is consistently the highest producer of rice in India.
What is the oldest large scale industry in India?
A)
Cotton textiles
B)
Iron and steel
C)
Jute
D)
Paper
The cotton textile industry is recognized as the oldest large-scale industry in India. The first modern cotton mill was established in 1818 in Fort Gloster, near Kolkata, although it was not commercially successful. The first successful modern cotton textile mill was established in 1854 in Bombay (now Mumbai).
Comparing the options:
- Cotton textiles: Started in the early 19th century (1818/1854).
- Jute: The first jute mill was established in Rishra, West Bengal, in 1855, shortly after the successful cotton mills.
- Iron and steel: Large-scale production began much later, most notably with the establishment of TISCO (Tata Iron and Steel Company) in 1907.
- Paper: While paper making existed in cottage forms, the large-scale industrialization of paper occurred later than the textile boom of the mid-19th century.
Economic Planning is a subject of -
A)
Union list
B)
State list
C)
Concurrent list
D)
Not in a particular list
Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, which distributes legislative powers between the Union and the States, 'Economic and Social Planning' is explicitly listed as Entry 20 in the Concurrent List (List III). This means that both the Parliament of India and the State Legislatures have the power to make laws regarding economic planning. If there is a conflict between a central law and a state law on this subject, the central law generally prevails.
- Option (a) Union List: While the central government historically led planning through the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog), the legislative subject itself is in the Concurrent List.
- Option (b) State List: While states implement planning, they do not have exclusive jurisdiction over it.
- Option (d) Not in a particular list: This is incorrect as the Seventh Schedule clearly categorizes it.
Which is the largest railway zone in India?
A)
Southern railway
B)
Northern railway
C)
South Central railway
D)
North Central railway
The Indian Railways is divided into several zones for administrative efficiency. The Northern Railway (NR), headquartered in New Delhi, is the largest railway zone in India in terms of route kilometers and network extent. It covers a vast area including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
- Option (a) Southern Railway is significant but smaller in route length compared to the Northern Railway.
- Option (c) South Central Railway and Option (d) North Central Railway are smaller administrative zones created later to decentralize the management of the larger zones.
Poverty estimation in India is carried out by -
A)
CSO
B)
NSSO
C)
NITI Aayog’s task force
D)
RBI
Poverty estimation in India has historically been based on consumption expenditure data. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), which was formerly a wing of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and is now part of the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is the primary agency responsible for conducting the large-scale household surveys required to estimate poverty levels.
Here is why the other options are incorrect:
- a. CSO (Central Statistics Office): While the CSO handles national accounts and indices, the actual field data collection for poverty (consumption expenditure) is the specific mandate of the NSSO.
- c. NITI Aayog’s task force: NITI Aayog may form committees or task forces to suggest policy changes or review poverty lines (like the Tendulkar or Rangarajan committees), but it does not carry out the primary data collection or estimation process itself.
- d. RBI (Reserve Bank of India): The RBI is India's central bank focused on monetary policy, banking regulation, and currency management, not on socio-economic surveys like poverty estimation.
A party is recognised as a National Party if any of the following conditions is fulfilled: 1. If it secures six percent of valid votes polled in any four or more state at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the Legislative Assembly. 2. If it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any State or States. 3. If it wins two percent of the seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election and these candidates are elected from three States. 4. If it is recognised as a State party at least in 8 States. Which of the above statement is/are correct?
A)
1,2 and 4
B)
Only 4
C)
1 and 3
D)
1,2 and 3
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a political party is recognized as a National Party if it fulfills any one of the following conditions:
1. **Statement 1 is Correct**: If it secures at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in any four or more states in a general election to the Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assembly and in addition, it wins 4 seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.
2. **Statement 2 is Incorrect**: Winning 4 seats in the Lok Sabha alone is not sufficient. It must be combined with the 6% vote share condition mentioned above.
3. **Statement 3 is Correct**: If it wins 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha (11 seats out of 543) and these members are elected from at least three different states.
4. **Statement 4 is Incorrect**: A party is recognized as a National Party if it is recognized as a State party in at least 4 states, not 8 states.
Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are correct based on the ECI criteria.