← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
The biggest public sector undertaking in the country is
A)
Railway
B)
Iron & Steel plants
C)
Airways
D)
Shipping
Indian Railways is the largest public sector undertaking (PSU) in India. It is one of the world's largest railway networks under a single management and is the single largest employer in the country, employing over a million people. While other options like Iron & Steel plants (e.g., SAIL), Airways, and Shipping (e.g., Shipping Corporation of India) are significant public sector entities, they are much smaller in terms of workforce, asset size, and overall scale of operations compared to the Indian Railways.
The main focus in the first Five Year Plan was
A)
on the agricultural development of the country
B)
on the industrial development of the country
C)
promotion of public sectors
D)
export promotion
The First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) was launched in the backdrop of independence and partition, which had severely disrupted the agricultural sector and led to acute food shortages. Consequently, the primary focus of this plan was on agricultural development, including major irrigation and dam projects like the Bhakra-Nangal Dam. In contrast, industrial development (option b) was the main focus of the Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961), while the promotion of public sectors (option c) and export promotion (option d) were not the primary objectives of the first plan.
Which of the following countries shares the largest border length with India?
A)
Bangladesh
B)
Pakistan
C)
China
D)
Nepal
India shares its longest international land border with Bangladesh, which is approximately 4,096.7 kilometers long. The border lengths with the other options are shorter: China shares approximately 3,488 km (second longest), Pakistan shares approximately 3,323 km, and Nepal shares approximately 1,751 km.
If the states fail to carry out directives of the Union Government, the President can-
A)
Send reserve police to the state
B)
Impose President’s rule on the state
C)
direct the Governor to dismiss the State Council of Ministers
D)
send army for their implementation
According to Article 365 of the Constitution of India, if a State fails to comply with or give effect to any directions given by the Union Government, it is lawful for the President to hold that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. This enables the President to invoke Article 356 and impose President's Rule on the state. Options 'a' and 'd' are incorrect because deploying the police or army is not the constitutional remedy for non-compliance with Union directives. Option 'c' is incorrect because the Governor cannot be directly instructed to dismiss the Council of Ministers outside the constitutional framework of President's Rule under Article 356.
The chief defect in Universal Adult Franchise is that-
A)
It gives a chance to a common man to be associated with the decisions of the government.
B)
It leads to rule by ignorants
C)
It lays emphasis on the principle of equality
D)
It protects the rights of the individuals
The chief defect or criticism of Universal Adult Franchise is that it grants the right to vote to all citizens, including those who may be illiterate, politically unaware, or uneducated. Critics (such as J.S. Mill) argue that this can lead to 'rule by ignorants' because voters might make uninformed choices or be easily swayed by demagogues. In contrast, options 'a', 'c', and 'd' are widely recognized as major merits or advantages of Universal Adult Franchise, as they promote democratic participation, political equality, and the protection of individual rights.
The state in India which produces the largest quantity of common salt is
A)
Gujarat
B)
Maharastra
C)
Kerala
D)
Punjab
Gujarat is the largest producer of common salt in India, accounting for more than 75% of the country's total salt production. This is due to its extensive coastline of about 1,600 km, dry climate, and high rate of evaporation. Maharashtra (option b) also produces salt but in much smaller quantities compared to Gujarat. Kerala (option c) has high rainfall and humidity, which are unfavorable for large-scale solar salt production. Punjab (option d) is a landlocked state with no coastline, making marine salt production impossible.
India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves (Forex reserves) comprise
A)
Foreign currency assets and gold reserves only
B)
Foreign currency assets, gold reserves, special drawing rights and reserve tranche position in the IMF
C)
Foreign currency and special drawing rights in the IMF
D)
Foreign currency assets held in the RBI
India's Foreign Exchange Reserves (Forex reserves) are managed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and are composed of four distinct components: 1. Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) (like US Dollars, Euros, Pounds, etc.), 2. Gold Reserves, 3. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and 4. Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) in the IMF. Therefore, option 'b' is correct as it lists all four components. Options 'a', 'c', and 'd' are incorrect because they are incomplete and omit one or more of these essential components.
India has adopted Rule of law on the pattern of-
A)
USA
B)
Japan
C)
France
D)
Britain
The correct option is d. The concept of the 'Rule of Law' is a fundamental feature of the Indian Constitution, which has been borrowed from the British Constitution. It was popularized by the British jurist A.V. Dicey and implies that no one is above the law and everyone is equal before the law.
Why other options are incorrect:
- USA (Option a): The Indian Constitution borrowed features like Judicial Review, Fundamental Rights, and the Preamble from the USA, but not the concept of the Rule of Law.
- France (Option c): The ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in the Preamble were borrowed from the French Constitution.
- Japan (Option b): The concept of 'Procedure established by Law' was borrowed from the Japanese Constitution.
The oldest stock exchange of India is
A)
Bombay stock exchange
B)
National stock exchange
C)
Hyderabad stock exchange
D)
Bangalore stock exchange
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) is the oldest stock exchange in India and Asia. It was established in 1875 as 'The Native Share & Stock Brokers' Association'. The other options are incorrect because: the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was established much later in 1992; the Hyderabad Stock Exchange was established in 1943; and the Bangalore Stock Exchange was established in 1963.
Koderma in Jharkhand is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals
A)
Bauxite
B)
Mica
C)
Iron ore
D)
Copper
Koderma in Jharkhand is widely known as the 'Mica Capital of India' because it is the leading producer of high-quality mica (specifically ruby mica) in the country.
- **Bauxite (a):** Lohardaga is the major bauxite-producing district in Jharkhand, not Koderma.
- **Iron ore (c):** The Singhbhum belt (including Noamundi and Gua) is the primary region for iron ore mining in Jharkhand.
- **Copper (d):** Ghatsila in the East Singhbhum district is famous for copper mining and smelting, not Koderma.
Right to form Association is a-
A)
Natural Right
B)
Legal right
C)
Civil Right
D)
Political right
The 'Right to form Association' is a Civil Right. Civil rights are basic rights and freedoms guaranteed to citizens by the state to ensure social and civil liberty. In India, this is a Fundamental Right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution.
- **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Natural Right (a):** These are inherent rights that belong to all humans by nature (like the right to life) and do not depend on any government or laws.
- **Legal Right (b):** While protected by law, calling it merely a legal right understates its status as a fundamental civil liberty.
- **Political Right (d):** These are rights related to participation in the administration of government, such as the right to vote or contest in elections.
Which of the following can play a vital role in removing regional disparity?
A)
Bureaucracy
B)
Civil Servants
C)
State
D)
Judiciary
The 'State' (representing the government and its policy-making organs) plays the most vital role in removing regional disparity because it possesses the constitutional authority, financial resources, and policy-making power to plan and implement balanced regional development. It does this through targeted resource allocation, fiscal policies, and developmental programs. While 'Bureaucracy' and 'Civil Servants' (Options a and b) are crucial, they are merely the administrative instruments that execute the policies formulated by the State. The 'Judiciary' (Option d) focuses on interpreting laws and administering justice, rather than socio-economic planning and resource distribution.
Thermal Power Plant of Bokaro is located in:
A)
Jharkhand
B)
Andra Pradesh
C)
Odhisa
D)
Madhya Pradesh
The Bokaro Thermal Power Station (BTPS) is located in the Bokaro district of Jharkhand. It is owned and operated by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and was one of the earliest coal-fired thermal power plants in India. The other options (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh) are incorrect because Bokaro is geographically situated in the state of Jharkhand.
‘The Prince of Indian thinkers’ is given by Roman Rolland to-
A)
Jawharlal Nehru
B)
BR Ambedkar
C)
Aurobindo
D)
MK Gandhi
The correct option is 'c' (Aurobindo). The French Nobel laureate and writer Romain Rolland described Sri Aurobindo as 'the prince of Indian thinkers' and praised him as 'the most complete synthesis that has been realized to this day of the genius of Asia and of the genius of Europe.' Jawaharlal Nehru (option a), B.R. Ambedkar (option b), and M.K. Gandhi (option d) are incorrect because, while they were highly respected by global contemporaries, Romain Rolland did not bestow this specific title upon them. Rolland wrote extensively about Gandhi, but referred to him primarily as an apostle of non-violence rather than the 'prince of Indian thinkers'.
The most essential feature of a federal Government is-
A)
Supremacy of Parliament
B)
Supremacy of Judiciary
C)
Single Citizenship
D)
Division of powers between the Federal and State Governments
The most essential feature of a federal government is the division of powers between the central (federal) government and the state (provincial) governments, usually guaranteed by a written constitution. Without this division of authority, a state cannot be considered federal. Option 'a' (Supremacy of Parliament) is a key feature of a unitary system like the UK. Option 'b' (Supremacy of Judiciary) is a supporting feature to resolve disputes but not the defining characteristic of federalism itself. Option 'c' (Single Citizenship) is a unitary feature, as classic federations (like the USA) often have dual citizenship.
Which among the following body regulates Mutual Funds in India?
A)
RBI
B)
SEBI
C)
NABARD
D)
AMFI
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the primary regulatory body for mutual funds in India. It formulates policies, sets guidelines, and monitors mutual funds to protect the interests of investors.
- RBI (Option a) is the central bank of India and regulates the banking sector and monetary policy.
- NABARD (Option c) is an apex development bank focused on agriculture and rural development.
- AMFI (Option d) is an association of mutual fund houses in India; it is an industry body and not a statutory regulatory authority.
Which of the following system as followed for collecting land revenue during British period?
A)
Zamindari system
B)
Royattwari system
C)
Mahalwari system
D)
All the system
During the British rule in India, three major land revenue systems were implemented to collect revenue:
1. **Zamindari System (Permanent Settlement):** Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, where zamindars acted as intermediaries to collect land revenue.
2. **Ryotwari System (Royattwari):** Introduced by Thomas Munro in 1820 in Madras, Bombay, and Assam, where revenue was collected directly from the individual cultivators (ryots).
3. **Mahalwari System:** Introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822 in Punjab, Central Provinces, and North-West Frontier, where revenue was collected from the village community (mahal) collectively.
Since all three systems (a, b, and c) were actively followed during the British period, option d ('All the system') is the correct answer.
Mangroves forests are found in an area of:
A)
High altitude with less rainfall
B)
Coastal area with saline water
C)
Plain area with alluvial soil
D)
Desert area with less rainfall
Mangrove forests are specialized halophytic (salt-tolerant) plant communities that thrive in intertidal coastal zones, estuaries, and river mouths. They are uniquely adapted to survive in waterlogged, saline soils and brackish water under tidal influences. High-altitude areas (option a) support montane or alpine vegetation; plain areas with alluvial soil (option c) typically support tropical deciduous or evergreen forests; and desert areas (option d) support xerophytic vegetation like cacti and thorny shrubs due to extreme aridity.
Which three year period was observed as a ‘plan holiday’ in the country?
A)
1965-68
B)
1966-69
C)
1968-71
D)
1969-72
The correct option is 'b' (1966-69). The period from 1966 to 1969 is known as the 'Plan Holiday' in India's planning history. Following the failure of the Third Five-Year Plan (due to the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Indo-Pak War of 1965, and severe droughts in 1965-66), the government was forced to declare a 'Plan Holiday' and implement three annual plans instead of a regular Five-Year Plan. Options 'a' (1965-68), 'c' (1968-71), and 'd' (1969-72) are incorrect because they do not align with this official three-year gap in the Five-Year Plans, as the Fourth Five-Year Plan was launched in 1969.
The doctrine that Fundamental rights cannot be amended under Art 368 was propounded by the Indian Supreme Court in-
A)
Golak Nath Vs State of Punjab
B)
Gopalan Vs State of Madras
C)
Maneka Vs Union of India
D)
Keshavanand Vs State of Kerala
1. **Why Option 'a' is correct:** In the landmark case of *Golak Nath Vs State of Punjab* (1967), an 11-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament cannot amend or abridge Fundamental Rights under Article 368. The Court held that Fundamental Rights have been given a transcendental and immutable position in the Constitution, and any amendment that takes away or abridges these rights would be void under Article 13(2).
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option 'b' (Gopalan Vs State of Madras, 1950):** This case is associated with a narrow interpretation of Article 21, where the Court held that 'procedure established by law' meant only the procedure enacted by a validly passed law, not 'due process of law'.
- **Option 'c' (Maneka Vs Union of India, 1978):** This case expanded the scope of Article 21, establishing that the procedure depriving a person of life or personal liberty must be 'just, fair, and reasonable' (substantive due process).
- **Option 'd' (Keshavanand Vs State of Kerala, 1973):** This case overruled the *Golak Nath* judgment. The Supreme Court held that Parliament *can* amend Fundamental Rights, but introduced the 'Basic Structure Doctrine', stating that such amendments cannot alter or destroy the basic structure of the Constitution.
Second five-year plan is based on which model?
A)
Nehru-Mahalanobis
B)
Harrod–Domar model
C)
Kaldor model
D)
Solow model
The Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961) was based on the Nehru-Mahalanobis model, formulated by the statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. This model emphasized rapid industrialization with a particular focus on development of heavy and basic industries.
- Option 'b' (Harrod–Domar model) is incorrect because it was the basis of the First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956), which focused on agricultural development.
- Options 'c' (Kaldor model) and 'd' (Solow model) are incorrect as they are theoretical macroeconomic growth models that were not used as the foundational framework for India's Second Five-Year Plan.
Those who are fully oriented towards politics and participate in the struggle for power are:
A)
Apathetics
B)
Politists
C)
Auxiliaries
D)
Peripherals
In political science, particularly in the study of political participation and stratification (often associated with scholars like Robert Dahl), individuals are categorized based on their level of involvement in politics. 'Politists' (Option b) refers to the active political stratum consisting of individuals who are highly interested, fully oriented towards political affairs, and actively participate in the struggle for power. In contrast, 'Apathetics' (Option a) are those who are completely indifferent and disengaged from politics. 'Auxiliaries' (Option c) and 'Peripherals' (Option d) represent those with limited, occasional, or marginal involvement in political activities, rather than a full orientation towards the struggle for power.
Which of the following rivers does not flow into the Arabian Sea?
A)
Tungabhadra
B)
Sabarmati
C)
Mandovi
D)
Narmada
Tungabhadra is a major tributary of the Krishna River. It flows eastwards through the states of Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, ultimately emptying into the Bay of Bengal. On the other hand, the Sabarmati (b), Mandovi (c), and Narmada (d) are all west-flowing rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea.
Under which Article is it possible to appoint the same person as the Governor of two or more States?
A)
Article 153
B)
Article 163
C)
Article 173
D)
Article 183
Article 153 of the Constitution of India states that there shall be a Governor for each State. The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 added a proviso to this Article, which makes it possible to appoint the same person as Governor for two or more States.
- Article 163 deals with the Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Governor.
- Article 173 lays down the qualifications for membership of the State Legislature.
- Article 183 deals with the vacation, resignation, and removal from the offices of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council.
In which state Kolar Gold mine is located:
A)
Kerala
B)
Tamil Nadu
C)
Jharkhand
D)
Karnataka
The Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) are located in the Kolar district of the state of Karnataka. It was one of the major gold-producing mines in India before it was closed in 2001 due to high production costs and depleting gold reserves. Other options are incorrect because: Kerala (a) is known for placer gold in river beds but not the Kolar mines; Tamil Nadu (b) is a neighboring state but does not house these fields; Jharkhand (c) is rich in minerals like coal and iron ore, and while it has some gold deposits (e.g., Kundrukocha), it is not the location of the Kolar Gold mine.