← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Which sentence best uses the word ‘impartial’?
A)
He was impartial to her feelings.
B)
The referee made an impartial call.
C)
She expressed her impartial love for sweets.
D)
The manager showed impartiality by promoting only her relatives.
The word 'impartial' means unbiased, fair, and treating all parties equally.
1. **Why Option B is correct**: A referee's role is to be neutral and fair. Therefore, making an 'impartial call' is the correct and standard usage of the word.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Option A**: 'Impartial' is incorrect here; the sentence likely means he was 'indifferent' or 'insensitive' to her feelings.
- **Option C**: 'Impartial' means unbiased, whereas the sentence requires 'partial' (having a strong liking for) to make sense.
- **Option D**: Promoting only relatives is an act of favoritism (nepotism), which is the exact opposite of 'impartiality'.
Choose the Correct Word or Phrase to Complete the Sentence: The company’s decision to withdraw from the project was not strategic but rather a result of ___ financial planning.
A)
astute
B)
dispassionate
C)
poor
D)
speculative
The sentence uses the contrast 'not strategic but rather...' to indicate that the withdrawal was a forced consequence of bad planning rather than a calculated move. 'Poor' (meaning inadequate or deficient) fits perfectly here, as 'poor financial planning' directly explains the non-strategic failure. 'Astute' (shrewd) and 'dispassionate' (rational/unbiased) are positive terms that would lead to strategic success, not failure. 'Speculative' (risky) does not fit the contrast as well as 'poor'.
Choose the Correct Word or Phrase to Complete the Sentence: The proposal, though initially appealing, was ultimately rejected due to its ___ assumptions about the market.
A)
arbitrary
B)
objective
C)
hypothetical
D)
flawed
The sentence describes a proposal that was rejected despite being initially appealing. The blank requires a negative adjective that explains the reason for its rejection. 'Flawed' (meaning faulty or incorrect) fits perfectly, as flawed assumptions about the market would naturally lead to a proposal's rejection. 'Objective' is positive and would not lead to rejection. 'Hypothetical' is neutral and redundant since assumptions are inherently hypothetical. 'Arbitrary' means random, which is less logical in a professional market analysis context than 'flawed'.
Choose an appropriate Preposition for the following sentence: She was overcome _____ fatigue and went to bed.
A)
by
B)
to
C)
on
D)
for
The correct preposition to use after the passive verb 'overcome' in this context is 'by'. The phrase 'overcome by' is a standard English idiom meaning to be overwhelmed, defeated, or strongly affected by a feeling, emotion, or physical state (such as fatigue). The other prepositions ('to', 'on', 'for') do not collocate with 'overcome' to express this meaning and are grammatically incorrect in this context.
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.
The resolution of Poorna Swaraj was adopted at which session of the Congress?
A)
Karachi
B)
Haripur
C)
Lahore
D)
Lucknow
The resolution of 'Poorna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was formally adopted by the Indian National Congress during its session held in Lahore in December 1929. The session was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru. This was a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement, as the Congress shifted its demand from 'Dominion Status' to full independence from British rule. Consequently, January 26, 1930, was declared as Independence Day, and the Civil Disobedience Movement was launched shortly after with the Dandi March.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Karachi (1931): This session is famous for adopting resolutions on Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Programme.
- Haripur (1938): This session was presided over by Subhash Chandra Bose and focused on agrarian and labor issues.
- Lucknow (1916): This session is known for the 'Lucknow Pact', which saw a temporary alliance between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
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.
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 Simon Commission was boycotted in India because -
A)
there was no Indian member in the Commission
B)
it supported the Muslim League
C)
Congress felt that people deserved Swaraj
D)
there were differences among the members
The Simon Commission (officially the Indian Statutory Commission) was appointed by the British government in 1927 to review the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest further constitutional reforms. The primary reason for the widespread boycott across India was that the commission consisted of seven British Members of Parliament, and not a single Indian was included. This was seen as a profound insult to the Indians, as it implied that Indians were unfit to determine their own constitutional future. Consequently, the Indian National Congress, the Muslim League, and other political groups adopted a policy of total boycott, leading to the famous 'Simon Go Back' protests.
Analysis of other options:
- Option b is incorrect because the boycott was a unified front involving both the Congress and the Muslim League; the commission did not specifically 'support' the League over others.
- Option c is a general political goal of the time, but the specific trigger for the boycott of this particular commission was its composition.
- Option d is incorrect as the internal dynamics of the British members were not the cause of the Indian boycott.
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'.
Which State is greatly benefitted from Indira Gandhi Canal Irrigation?
A)
Orissa
B)
Assam
C)
Rajasthan
D)
Tamil Nadu
The Indira Gandhi Canal (formerly known as the Rajasthan Canal) is one of the largest canal projects in India. It was designed to bring water from the Harike Barrage (at the confluence of the Satluj and Beas rivers in Punjab) to the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. The primary objective of the canal is to provide irrigation to the Thar Desert, transforming vast stretches of wasteland into productive agricultural land and improving the socio-economic conditions of the people in western Rajasthan.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Orissa (Odisha): Located on the eastern coast, it relies on different river systems (like the Mahanadi) and monsoon rainfall.
- Assam: Located in the Northeast, it is one of the highest rainfall regions in India and relies on the Brahmaputra river system.
- Tamil Nadu: Located in the south, it utilizes different irrigation systems and river basins (like the Kaveri) and is not the target area for the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Operation Flood, launched in 1970 is associated with which of the following?
A)
Milk Production
B)
Poultry Production
C)
Rice Production
D)
Wheat Production
Operation Flood, launched in 1970, is the world's largest dairy development program. It was implemented by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and was designed to make India a self-sufficient producer of milk and to increase the income of milk producers. It adopted the 'Anand pattern' of dairy cooperatives (the Amul model), creating a nationwide milk grid.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Poultry Production: There is no specific large-scale national program called 'Operation Flood' for poultry.
- c. Rice Production and d. Wheat Production: These crops were the primary focus of the 'Green Revolution' (launched in the 1960s), not Operation Flood. The Green Revolution focused on high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and irrigation to increase cereal production.
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.
Which agency is responsible for procurement, distribution, and storage of foodgrains production in India?
A)
Food Corporation of India
B)
Ministry of Agriculture
C)
NAFED
D)
TRIFED
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a statutory body established under the Food Corporations Act, 1964. Its primary mandate is to ensure food security in India by managing the procurement of foodgrains (primarily wheat and rice) from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), storing these grains in warehouses to maintain a buffer stock, and distributing them through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food availability for the underprivileged.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Ministry of Agriculture: This is a government ministry responsible for policy formulation, agricultural research, and overall governance of the sector, but it does not handle the physical procurement and storage operations of foodgrains.
- c. NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India): While NAFED is involved in the procurement of certain crops (like pulses and oilseeds) to stabilize prices, it is not the primary agency responsible for the nationwide storage and distribution of staple foodgrains.
- d. TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India): TRIFED focuses specifically on the marketing and development of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and products from tribal artisans, not the general procurement and distribution of foodgrains.
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.
The Silent Valley which is home to rare plants and animals is located in which of the following State?
A)
Meghalaya
B)
Jammu and Kashmir
C)
Kerala
D)
Gujarat
The Silent Valley National Park is located in the Nilgiri Hills of the state of Kerala, India. It is renowned for its untouched tropical evergreen rainforests and is a critical habitat for the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque. The area is called 'Silent Valley' because of the perceived absence of noisy cicadas, which are common in other forests of the region.
Analysis of other options:
- Meghalaya: Known for its living root bridges and high rainfall, but not the location of Silent Valley.
- Jammu and Kashmir: Characterized by alpine and coniferous forests in the Himalayas.
- Gujarat: Known for the Gir National Park (home to Asiatic lions) and arid/coastal ecosystems, not tropical rainforests like Silent Valley.
Who is known as the Humanistic critique of Marxism?
A)
Subhash Chandra Bose
B)
MLN. Roy
C)
Lohia
D)
E.M.S
M.N. Roy (Manabendra Nath Roy) is widely recognized for his 'Humanistic' critique of Marxism. While he began his political career as a staunch Marxist and a leader in the Communist International (Comintern), he later evolved his philosophy into 'Radical Humanism'. He critiqued the orthodox Marxist view of historical materialism and economic determinism, arguing that it reduced human beings to mere products of social and economic forces. Roy emphasized the primacy of the individual, human reason, and freedom, asserting that a social revolution must be preceded by a mental or intellectual revolution.
Analysis of other options:
- Subhash Chandra Bose: While he integrated socialist ideas into his struggle for independence, he is not known as a theoretical 'Humanistic critique' of Marxism.
- Lohia (Ram Manohar Lohia): He developed 'Socialist' theories tailored to the Indian context (focusing on caste and decentralization), but his work is categorized as Socialist/Gandhian rather than a specific 'Humanistic critique' of Marxism in the philosophical sense Roy provided.
- E.M.S (E.M.S. Namboodiripad): He was a prominent Marxist leader and theoretician who largely adhered to and propagated Marxist-Leninist ideology in India, rather than critiquing it from a humanistic perspective.
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.
Which of the following reflects the standard of living in a country?
A)
Poverty ratio
B)
Per Capita Income
C)
National Income
D)
Unemployment rate
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Definition of Standard of Living**: The standard of living refers to the level of wealth, comfort, material goods, and necessities available to a certain socioeconomic class or a geographic area. In economic terms, it is often measured by the average income available to each person in a country.
2. **Analyzing Per Capita Income (Option b)**: Per Capita Income is calculated by dividing the total National Income of a country by its total population. It provides an average measure of the income earned per person, which serves as a primary proxy for the average material well-being and purchasing power of the citizens, thus reflecting the general standard of living.
3. **Analyzing National Income (Option c)**: National Income is the total value of all goods and services produced by a country. While it indicates the size of the economy, it does not reflect the standard of living because a country could have a very high National Income but a very small population (leading to high living standards) or a very large population (leading to low living standards per person).
4. **Analyzing Poverty Ratio (Option a)**: The poverty ratio measures the proportion of the population living below the poverty line. While it indicates the extent of deprivation, it does not reflect the overall average standard of living for the entire population.
5. **Analyzing Unemployment Rate (Option d)**: This measures the percentage of the labor force that is jobless. While unemployment affects the standard of living, the rate itself is a measure of labor market efficiency, not a direct measure of the overall standard of living.
Conclusion: Per Capita Income is the most appropriate indicator among the choices to reflect the general standard of living.
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.
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.
Which schedule of the Indian Constitution contains provisions regarding Anti-Defection Act?
A)
9th Schedule
B)
10 Schedule
C)
11 Schedule
D)
12th Schedule
The Anti-Defection Law in India is contained in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. It was inserted by the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 to prevent political defections (switching parties) by elected members of Parliament or State Legislatures, thereby ensuring stability in the government.
Analysis of other options:
- 9th Schedule: Originally added to protect land reform laws from judicial review.
- 11th Schedule: Contains the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats (added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992).
- 12th Schedule: Contains the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Municipalities (added by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992).
To be officially recognised by the Speaker of Lok Sabha as an Opposition Group, a party or coalition of parties must have at least:
A)
50 members
B)
60 members
C)
55 members
D)
1/3 of total members of the Lok Sabha
In the Indian Parliamentary system, for a political party or a coalition of parties to be officially recognized as an 'Opposition Group' (and for its leader to be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition), it must command at least 10% of the total strength of the House. The Lok Sabha has a maximum strength of 543 elected members. 10% of 543 is 54.3, which is rounded up to 55 members.
- Option (a) 50 members: This does not meet the 10% threshold.
- Option (b) 60 members: While this exceeds the threshold, the minimum requirement is 55.
- Option (d) 1/3 of total members: This is far higher than the required 10% threshold and is not a rule for recognition as an opposition group.
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.
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.