← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
The most appropriate measure of a country’s economic growth is
A)
GDP
B)
NDP
C)
Per capita real income
D)
NNP
Per capita real income is considered the most appropriate measure of a country's economic growth because it represents the average income of a citizen adjusted for inflation (real) and population growth. It directly reflects changes in the standard of living of the population. While GDP (option a) measures the total economic output, it does not account for population growth; if population grows faster than GDP, the average standard of living declines despite GDP growth. NDP (option b) and NNP (option d) are useful measures of net output and national income respectively, but they also fail to account for population size, making them less accurate indicators of individual economic well-being.
In which year was the new liberalized industrial policy announced in India?
A)
1989
B)
1991
C)
1990
D)
1992
The correct option is 'b' (1991). The New Industrial Policy (NIP) of India was announced on July 24, 1991, by the government of P. V. Narasimha Rao. This landmark policy initiated the economic reforms of Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization (LPG), significantly reducing industrial licensing and opening up the Indian economy to foreign investment. Options 'a' (1989), 'c' (1990), and 'd' (1992) are incorrect because they do not mark the year this historic policy shift was officially introduced.
National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) was launched in
A)
1980
B)
1982
C)
2002
D)
2003
The National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) was launched in October 1980 during the Sixth Five-Year Plan. It replaced the earlier 'Food for Work' programme with the objective of generating additional gainful employment in rural areas and creating durable community assets. In 1989, NREP was merged with the Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP) to form the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY). The other options (1982, 2002, and 2003) are incorrect as they do not represent the launch year of this programme.
Planning Commission was set up by a Resolution of the Government of India in
A)
March 1948
B)
April 1949
C)
March 1950
D)
April 1951
The Planning Commission of India was established on March 15, 1950, by a Cabinet Resolution of the Government of India. It was set up as an extra-constitutional and non-statutory advisory body, with the Prime Minister as its ex-officio Chairman, to formulate India's Five-Year Plans. The other options (March 1948, April 1949, and April 1951) are incorrect because the formal resolution and establishment of the commission did not take place during those times, although the First Five-Year Plan was subsequently launched in 1951.
Who characterize Indian Union as “a federation with a strong centralizing tendency”?
A)
BR Ambedkar
B)
Ivor Jennings
C)
Granville Austin
D)
KC Wheare
Sir Ivor Jennings, a renowned British constitutional expert, characterized the Indian Union as 'a federation with a strong centralizing tendency' because of the significant powers vested in the Central Government by the Constitution.
- Option 'a' (BR Ambedkar) is incorrect because Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized that India is a 'Union of States' to signify that the federation is indestructible and not the result of an agreement among states.
- Option 'c' (Granville Austin) is incorrect because he described Indian federalism as 'cooperative federalism' due to its collaborative nature.
- Option 'd' (KC Wheare) is incorrect because he famously described the Indian Constitution as 'quasi-federal' (unitary in spirit but federal in structure).
The correct Chronological order of the establishments of the following parties is
A)
Hindu Maha Sabha, Communist Party of India, Bharatya Jana Sangh, Swatantra Party
B)
Hindu Maha Sabha, Swatantra Party , Communist Party of India, Bharatya Jana Sangh
C)
Hindu Maha Sabha, , Bharatya Jana Sangh, Swatantra Party, Communist Party of India
D)
Bharatya Jana Sangh , Hindu Maha Sabha, Communist Party of India, , Swatantra Party
To determine the correct chronological order, we look at the establishment years of each political party:
1. **Hindu Mahasabha**: Founded in **1915** by Madan Mohan Malaviya and others.
2. **Communist Party of India (CPI)**: Founded in **1925** (Kanpur conference).
3. **Bharatiya Jana Sangh**: Founded in **1951** by Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
4. **Swatantra Party**: Founded in **1959** by C. Rajagopalachari.
This sequence (1915 -> 1925 -> 1951 -> 1959) corresponds to the order: Hindu Maha Sabha, Communist Party of India, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Swatantra Party, which is represented in option 'a'. All other options list these parties in incorrect chronological sequences.
Which among the following is the most densely populated state of India?
A)
Kerala
B)
Bihar
C)
West Bengal
D)
Uttar Pradesh
According to the 2011 Census of India, Bihar is the most densely populated state in India with a population density of 1,106 people per square kilometer. West Bengal (option c) is the second most densely populated state with a density of 1,028 people per square kilometer. Kerala (option a) has a density of 860 people per square kilometer, and Uttar Pradesh (option d) has a density of 829 people per square kilometer.
With whom is associated the beginning of modern intelligentsia in the form of a new school, welcoming the modernization of the Indian society?
A)
Dadabhai Naoroji
B)
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C)
Dayanand Saraswati
D)
AR Desai
Raja Ram Mohan Roy is widely regarded as the 'Father of the Indian Renaissance' and the pioneer of the modern intelligentsia in India. He was the first to welcome the modernization of Indian society by advocating for Western education, scientific rationalism, and crucial social reforms (such as the abolition of Sati). In contrast, Dadabhai Naoroji (Option a) is primarily known for his economic critique of British rule ('Drain Theory'); Dayanand Saraswati (Option c) led a revivalist movement ('Go back to the Vedas') rather than welcoming Western modernization; and A.R. Desai (Option d) was a sociologist who studied these social movements rather than being the pioneer of the intelligentsia himself.
The words ‘Socialist’ and ‘secular’ were added to the Preamble by
A)
41st Amenmendt
B)
42nd Amendment
C)
44th Amendment
D)
46th Amendment
The correct option is 'b' (42nd Amendment). The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, often referred to as the 'Mini-Constitution', amended the Preamble of India to insert three new words: 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option 'a' (41st Amendment, 1976) raised the retirement age of members of State Public Service Commissions from 60 to 62 years.
- Option 'c' (44th Amendment, 1978) was enacted by the Janata Government to reverse several provisions of the 42nd Amendment, particularly regarding emergency powers and removing the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights.
- Option 'd' (46th Amendment, 1982) amended the constitution to plug loopholes in sales tax assessment and inter-state trade.
Alluvial Soil is mainly found in:
A)
Peninsular area
B)
River valley
C)
Coastal area
D)
Himalayan Mountain
Alluvial soil is formed by the deposition of silt, sand, and clay carried by rivers. Therefore, it is most prominently found in river valleys, floodplains, and deltas where rivers slow down and deposit their sediment load.
- **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Peninsular area (a):** This region is predominantly characterized by black soil (regur) and red and yellow soils.
- **Coastal area (c):** Although coastal plains do contain coastal alluvium, river valleys are the primary and most extensive zones of alluvial soil formation.
- **Himalayan Mountain (d):** Mountainous regions are characterized by forest and mountain soils, which are thin, immature, and acidic.
Maximum Jute mills are located in which among the following states?
A)
West Bengal
B)
Assam
C)
Andhra Pradesh
D)
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal has the maximum number of jute mills in India, with most of them concentrated along the banks of the Hooghly River. This concentration is due to favorable factors such as the availability of raw jute in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, abundant water for processing, cheap labor, and excellent transport facilities. Other states like Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have a very limited number of jute mills compared to West Bengal, which dominates the country's jute industry.
In the Balance of Payment, Trade or Visible account includes
A)
Banking charges and freight
B)
Export and import of goods
C)
FDI and sales of assets
D)
Insurance and remittances
In the Balance of Payments (BoP), the Trade Account (also known as the Visible Account) records the transactions of tangible, physical goods that can be seen, touched, and measured crossing borders. Therefore, the export and import of goods is included in this account.
- Options 'a' (Banking charges and freight) and 'd' (Insurance and remittances) are incorrect because they represent services and unilateral transfers, which are classified under the 'Invisible Account' of the Current Account.
- Option 'c' (FDI and sales of assets) is incorrect because these represent financial and capital flows, which are recorded under the 'Capital Account' of the BoP.
Barak valley in Assam is famous for which among the following?
A)
Petroleum Production
B)
Tea Cultivation
C)
Bamboo Industry
D)
Cottage Industries
Barak Valley, located in the southern region of Assam (comprising Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi districts), is famous for its extensive tea gardens and Tea Cultivation. The valley's climate and soil are highly conducive to growing tea, making it a major hub for the tea industry in India. On the other hand, Petroleum Production (Option a) is primarily concentrated in the Brahmaputra Valley of Upper Assam (such as Digboi and Naharkatiya). While Bamboo (Option c) and Cottage Industries (Option d) exist in the region, they are not the primary prominent economic activities for which the Barak Valley is globally or nationally renowned.
“Planning from below” is a part and parcel of
A)
Consumer choice at the top level
B)
Consumer choice at the Pressure Group level
C)
Grassroot Democracy
D)
None of these
"Planning from below" (or bottom-up planning) is a core feature of Grassroot Democracy. It refers to a decentralized planning process where local communities, local self-governments (such as Panchayats and Municipalities), and citizens at the lowest level of the socio-political hierarchy actively participate in decision-making and development planning. Option 'a' is incorrect because top-level planning represents a centralized, top-down approach, which is the opposite of planning from below. Option 'b' is incorrect because pressure groups represent specific interest groups rather than democratic, community-wide decentralized planning.
Which among the following rivers of Mizoram is not drained into Brahmaputra basin?
A)
Mat river
B)
Langkaih river
C)
Teirei river
D)
Tuivawl river
The Mat River flows in a southerly direction and is a major tributary of the Chhimtuipui (Kaladan) River, which drains into the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar. Therefore, it is not part of the Brahmaputra basin. On the other hand, the Langkaih river (b), Teirei river (c), and Tuivawl river (d) all flow northwards and drain into the Barak River system (either directly or through its tributaries like the Tlawng River), which is part of the Brahmaputra-Meghna river basin.
The term ‘Cabinet’ is mentioned in in which of the following articles of the Constitution?
A)
Art. 74
B)
Art. 75
C)
Art. 352
D)
Not mentioned in the Constitution
1. **Why 'c' is correct**: The term 'Cabinet' was not originally part of the Constitution of India. It was inserted into Article 352 by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978. Article 352(3) states that the President cannot issue a Proclamation of Emergency unless the decision of the Union Cabinet (defined as the Council consisting of the Prime Minister and other Ministers of Cabinet rank appointed under Article 75) has been communicated in writing.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Art. 74** (Option a) and **Art. 75** (Option b) use the term 'Council of Ministers' rather than 'Cabinet'.
- **Option d** is incorrect because the term was officially incorporated into the Constitution via the 44th Amendment in 1978.
The problem of unfavourable balance of payment arise
A)
when imports increase
B)
when exports increase
C)
when exports decrease
D)
when imports are greater than exports
An unfavourable balance of payment (or trade deficit) occurs when a country's total expenditure on imports of goods and services exceeds its total earnings from exports. Therefore, the condition where imports are greater than exports directly defines an unfavourable balance. Options 'a' and 'c' (increase in imports or decrease in exports) can contribute to a deficit but do not guarantee it if exports still exceed imports. Option 'b' (increase in exports) leads to a favourable balance of payment.
Growth with Equity and Distributive Justice was determined as the main goal of :
A)
the ninth five year plan
B)
the sixth five year plan
C)
the second five year plan
D)
the tenth five year plan
The Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) was launched with the primary objective of 'Growth with Equity and Distributive Justice' (often referred to as 'Growth with Social Justice and Equality'). It focused on prioritizing agriculture and rural development, generating productive employment, and eradicating poverty. In contrast, the Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961) focused on rapid industrialization and heavy industries; the Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-1985) targeted poverty eradication ('Garibi Hatao') and technological self-reliance; and the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) aimed to double per capita income and reduce poverty rates.
First Five Year Plan was launched in
A)
1948
B)
1949
C)
1950
D)
1951
The First Five-Year Plan of India was launched in 1951 (covering the period 1951–1956) under the leadership of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was based on the Harrod-Domar model and primarily focused on the development of the agricultural sector. The other options (1948, 1949, and 1950) are incorrect because the Planning Commission itself was established in March 1950, and the actual implementation of the first plan began in the fiscal year 1951.
Which of the following articles deals with the procedure of amendment to the constitution?
A)
Article 368
B)
Article 369
C)
Article 370
D)
Article 311
Article 368 in Part XX of the Constitution of India deals with the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and outlines the procedure for doing so.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Article 369: Grants temporary power to Parliament to make laws with respect to certain matters in the State List as if they were in the Concurrent List.
- Article 370: Contained temporary provisions regarding the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (which was largely abrogated in 2019).
- Article 311: Deals with the dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or a State.
What is true about Fundamental Rights?
A)
They are restrictions imposed upon the state
B)
They are justiciable
C)
They have a legal sanction behind them
D)
All of the above
All the given statements are true regarding Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution:
1. **Restrictions on the State (Option a):** Fundamental Rights operate as limitations on the powers of the State (executive and legislature) to prevent arbitrary and authoritarian rule, thereby protecting individual liberties.
2. **Justiciable (Option b):** They are justiciable in nature, meaning they are enforceable by the courts. Under Article 32 and Article 226, an individual can directly approach the Supreme Court or High Courts if their Fundamental Rights are violated.
3. **Legal Sanction (Option c):** They have the highest legal sanction as they are guaranteed by the Constitution. Under Article 13, any law that is inconsistent with or in derogation of the Fundamental Rights is declared null and void.
Since all three statements are correct, 'All of the above' is the right answer.
The national income estimation is the responsibility of
A)
NSSO
B)
CSO
C)
Finance Ministry
D)
National Income Committee
The Central Statistical Office (CSO), which operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is the official agency responsible for the estimation and publication of National Income in India.
Why other options are incorrect:
- (a) NSSO (National Sample Survey Office) is responsible for conducting large-scale sample surveys on various socio-economic aspects, not for national income estimation.
- (c) Finance Ministry is responsible for formulating fiscal policies, the Union Budget, and managing the country's finances.
- (d) National Income Committee was a temporary committee appointed in 1949 (chaired by P.C. Mahalanobis) to formulate the methodology for national income estimation, but it is not a permanent body.
The concept of five year planning in India was derived from
A)
USSR
B)
UK
C)
USA
D)
China
The concept of Five-Year Plans in India was borrowed from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was deeply influenced by the Soviet model of centralized economic planning, leading to the establishment of the Planning Commission in 1950 and the launch of the First Five-Year Plan in 1951. Other options are incorrect because: the UK (b) and USA (c) are capitalist, market-driven economies that do not use centralized state-directed five-year plans; and while China (d) also implemented five-year plans, its model was itself derived from the USSR, and India did not adopt the concept from China.
The idea of a Constituent Assembly for India was put forward for the first time by-
A)
Rajendra Prasad
B)
M.N Roy
C)
Sardar Vallabhai patel
D)
AO Hume
The idea of a Constituent Assembly for India was put forward for the first time by M.N. Roy in 1934. He was a pioneer of the communist movement in India and an advocate of radical democratism. Following his proposal, the Indian National Congress (INC) officially demanded a Constituent Assembly in 1935.
- Option 'a' (Rajendra Prasad) is incorrect because, although he served as the President of the Constituent Assembly, he did not first propose the idea.
- Option 'c' (Sardar Vallabhai Patel) is incorrect because he was a prominent leader in the assembly and chaired key committees, but was not the originator of the concept.
- Option 'd' (AO Hume) is incorrect because he was a retired British civil servant instrumental in founding the Indian National Congress in 1885, not the Constituent Assembly.
State Bank of India is
A)
Private Sector Bank
B)
Public Sector Bank
C)
Joint Sector Bank
D)
None of the above
State Bank of India (SBI) is a Public Sector Bank. Here is the breakdown of why this is correct:
1. **Why 'b' is correct:** SBI is a public sector bank because the Government of India holds the majority stake (over 50% of the shares) in it. It is the largest public sector bank in India and is a statutory body.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option 'a' (Private Sector Bank):** Incorrect because private sector banks are owned and managed by private individuals or institutions, not the government.
- **Option 'c' (Joint Sector Bank):** Incorrect because joint sector enterprises are jointly owned by the government and private individuals/companies, whereas SBI is classified under the public sector.
- **Option 'd' (None of the above):** Incorrect since option 'b' is the correct answer.