← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
The Act of the British government that provided for the establishment of the First Law Commission in India was:
A)
Charter Act of 1813
B)
Charter Act of 1833
C)
Government of India Act of 1858
D)
Indian Council Act of 1909
The Charter Act of 1833 provided for the establishment of the First Law Commission in India to codify Indian laws. Under this Act, the First Law Commission was established in 1834 with Lord Macaulay as its Chairman.
- Option 'a' (Charter Act of 1813) is incorrect because it primarily ended the East India Company's trade monopoly in India (except for tea and trade with China) and promoted education, but did not provide for a Law Commission.
- Option 'c' (Government of India Act of 1858) is incorrect because it transferred the governance of India from the East India Company to the British Crown after the Revolt of 1857.
- Option 'd' (Indian Council Act of 1909) is incorrect because it is known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, which introduced separate electorates for Muslims and expanded legislative councils.
“Sardar@150 Unity March,” to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, spanned for:
A)
Five months
B)
Four months
C)
Three months
D)
Two months
The "Sardar@150 Unity March" was organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This nationwide commemorative march spans for a duration of three months, starting from National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) on October 31, 2024, and concluding on Republic Day, January 26, 2025. Therefore, options a, b, and d are incorrect as they do not represent the official three-month duration of the march.
Robert Prevost, who became the Catholic Pope after the death of Pope Francis will be known as ________.
A)
Pope Leole XIV
B)
Pope Loew XIV
C)
Pope Lowe XIV
D)
Pope Leo XIV
The correct option is 'd' (Pope Leo XIV).
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** In the context of this question (which appears to be a hypothetical or speculative future scenario), Cardinal Robert Prevost is projected to take the regnal name 'Leo XIV'. 'Leo' is a highly traditional and historic papal name, with 13 previous popes having reigned under this name (the last being Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903).
2. **Why other options are incorrect:** Options 'a', 'b', and 'c' ('Leole', 'Loew', and 'Lowe') are incorrect because they are not traditional papal names and serve as orthographic distractors of the name 'Leo'.
The tragic deaths of at least 24 children in Madhya Pradesh in 2025 were linked to which type of medicine?
A)
Anti-virus
B)
Antibiotic injection
C)
Cough syrup
D)
Pain reliever
The correct option is C (Cough syrup). In early 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Madhya Pradesh, India, where the deaths of at least 24 children were linked to toxic contaminants (such as diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol) found in cough syrup. This follows a series of similar global and domestic health alerts regarding contaminated pediatric cough syrups.
- Option A (Anti-virus) is incorrect as there are no reports linking antiviral medications to this specific tragedy.
- Option B (Antibiotic injection) is incorrect because, although injection safety is a concern in rural healthcare, the specific 2025 tragedy involving at least 24 children was linked to contaminated cough syrup.
- Option D (Pain reliever) is incorrect as pain relievers were not the primary medicine identified in this contamination outbreak.
The Ryotwari settlement was introduced in 1820 by Thomas Munro in:
A)
Madras and Bombay presidencies
B)
Bengal and Bihar
C)
Bihar and Orissa
D)
Punjab, North West province and part of central India
The Ryotwari settlement was introduced by Sir Thomas Munro (then Governor of Madras) in 1820 in the Madras and Bombay presidencies, as well as parts of Assam and Coorg. Under this system, the government settled land revenue directly with the individual cultivators (ryots). Other options are incorrect because: Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa (options b and c) were under the Permanent Settlement (Zamindari system) introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793; and Punjab, the North-West Province, and parts of Central India (option d) were under the Mahalwari system introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822.
The slogan ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Delhi Chalo’ was attributed to:
A)
Mahatma Gandhi
B)
Subash Chandra Bose
C)
Ananda Mohan Bose
D)
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
The slogans 'Jai Hind' (Victory to India) and 'Delhi Chalo' (March to Delhi) are attributed to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He gave the call 'Delhi Chalo' in July 1943 to inspire the soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA) to march towards Delhi to overthrow British rule. 'Jai Hind' was popularized by him as a salutation for the INA and later became a national slogan.
- Option a: Mahatma Gandhi is famous for the slogan 'Do or Die' (Karo ya Maro) given during the Quit India Movement in 1942.
- Option c: Ananda Mohan Bose was a prominent social reformer and co-founder of the Indian National Association, but is not associated with these slogans.
- Option d: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the 'Iron Man of India', is famously associated with the Bardoli Satyagraha and the slogan 'Kar Mat Do' (Don't pay tax).
Union Minister of Cooperation, who chaired a “Manthan Baithak”, a meeting with the Ministers of Cooperation of all States and Union Territories in New Delhi on 30.06.2025 to review ongoing schemes to strengthen cooperation movement in the Country was:
A)
Narendra Modi
B)
Amit Shah
C)
Nirmala Sitharaman
D)
Raj Nath Singh
Amit Shah is the Union Minister of Cooperation (in addition to being the Union Minister of Home Affairs) since the creation of the Ministry of Cooperation in July 2021. Therefore, he is the minister who chaired the 'Manthan Baithak' to review schemes to strengthen the cooperative movement. Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman is the Minister of Finance, and Rajnath Singh is the Minister of Defence, making options a, c, and d incorrect.
In which year did the Lucknow Pact between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League take place, signifying a moment of Hindu–Muslim unity?
A)
1920
B)
1916
C)
1906
D)
1910
The Lucknow Pact was an agreement signed between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League at their joint session in Lucknow in December 1916. This pact was a landmark event that fostered Hindu–Muslim unity and presented common political demands to the British government. Other options are incorrect because: (a) 1920 marked the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement; (c) 1906 was the year the Muslim League was founded in Dacca; and (d) 1910 is not associated with any such major pact between the two organizations.
Which of the following proposed the setting up of universities at Culcutta, Bombay and Madras?
A)
Decision of the British government in 1835
B)
Wood’s Despatch, 1854
C)
Hunter Commission, 1882
D)
Universities Act, 1904
Wood’s Despatch of 1854, often referred to as the 'Magna Carta of English Education in India', recommended the establishment of universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras on the model of the University of London. Consequently, these three universities were established in 1857.
- Option 'a' (1835 Decision) refers to Macaulay's Minute, which introduced English as the medium of instruction but did not propose these universities.
- Option 'c' (Hunter Commission, 1882) was appointed to review the progress of education since the Despatch of 1854 and focused primarily on primary and secondary education.
- Option 'd' (Universities Act, 1904) was introduced during Lord Curzon's tenure to bring existing universities under tighter government control, rather than proposing their initial setup.
“A Night of Eternal Gloom for India’’ referred to:
A)
Battle of Plassey, 1757
B)
Battle of Wandiwash, 1760
C)
The Third Battle of Panipat, 1761
D)
Battle of Buxar, 1765
The phrase 'A Night of Eternal Gloom for India' was used by the famous Bengali poet Nabin Chandra Sen to describe the aftermath of the Battle of Plassey (1757). In this battle, the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, defeated the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, due to the betrayal of Mir Jafar. This defeat laid the foundation of British colonial rule in India, marking the loss of India's sovereignty. The other options are incorrect because: the Battle of Wandiwash (1760) decimated French prospects in India; the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) weakened the Marathas; and the Battle of Buxar (1764/1765) consolidated British administrative control, but none of these are historically associated with this specific quote.
A clarion call “Do or Die” was given by Mahatma Gandhi during:
A)
Ahmedabad Mill Strike
B)
Non Co-operation Movement
C)
Civil Disobedience Movement
D)
Quit India Movement
The famous slogan 'Do or Die' (Karo ya Maro) was given by Mahatma Gandhi during his speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay on August 8, 1942, which marked the launch of the Quit India Movement.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option a (Ahmedabad Mill Strike, 1918): This was one of Gandhi's earliest satyagrahas in India, focusing on a dispute between mill owners and workers, where he used his first hunger strike.
- Option b (Non Co-operation Movement, 1920-22): This movement aimed at resisting British rule through non-violent means and was called off after the Chauri Chaura incident.
- Option c (Civil Disobedience Movement, 1930): This movement began with the historic Dandi March to protest against the British salt monopoly.
Why did the development of modern industry in colonial India tend to be more concentrated in areas such as Bombay and Calcutta?
A)
They were completely free from any British commercial influence
B)
They combined access to ports, railways, and existing commercial communities
C)
They had lower colonial taxes compared to the rest of India
D)
These cities were the only places allowed by law to establish factories
Option 'b' is correct because Bombay and Calcutta were the primary presidency towns of British India, serving as major hubs of trade and transport. They offered a unique combination of deep-water ports for international trade, were the focal points of the newly developed railway network connecting the resource-rich hinterlands, and possessed well-established local and British mercantile communities that provided the necessary capital and business networks. Option 'a' is incorrect because these cities were the epicenters of British commercial influence, not free from it. Option 'c' is incorrect because there were no specific tax exemptions that favored these cities over the rest of India. Option 'd' is incorrect because there was no legal ban on establishing factories in other parts of India; the concentration was driven by economic and infrastructural advantages rather than legal monopolies.
The great upheaval that took place in 1857 in India had been coined by colonial writers as:
A)
First War of Indian independence
B)
Sepoy Mutiny
C)
Revolt of 1857
D)
Peasants’ rebellion
Colonial British historians and writers referred to the 1857 uprising as the 'Sepoy Mutiny' (or 'Indian Mutiny') to downplay its scale and portray it merely as an unorganized rebellion by a section of disgruntled soldiers, ignoring its widespread popular support. In contrast, 'First War of Indian Independence' (Option a) was coined by Indian nationalist leader V.D. Savarkar to highlight its nationalistic character. 'Revolt of 1857' (Option c) is a neutral, widely accepted historical term, and 'Peasants’ rebellion' (Option d) represents a specific socio-economic perspective rather than the colonial terminology.
Why was the Battle of Buxar (1764) decisive in consolidating British control in northern India?
A)
It ended all resistance from the Marathas
B)
It gave the Company control over Bombay and Madras
C)
It led to the annexation of Punjab and the neighbouring areas giving economic power to the British
D)
It defeated a coalition of major Indian powers, giving the Company political supremacy in the Ganga plain
The Battle of Buxar (1764) was a watershed moment in Indian history. It was fought between the British East India Company and a combined coalition of three major Indian powers: Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (the Mughal Emperor). The decisive British victory dismantled this coalition, leading to the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) which granted the Company 'Diwani' (revenue collection) rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, thereby establishing undisputed British political and economic supremacy over the fertile Ganga plain. Option 'a' is incorrect because Maratha resistance ended much later in 1818 after the Third Anglo-Maratha War. Option 'b' is incorrect as Bombay and Madras were already established presidencies and not the territorial outcomes of this battle. Option 'c' is incorrect because Punjab was annexed much later in 1849 after the Anglo-Sikh Wars.
The first session of Indian National Congress at Bombay in 1885 was attended by:
A)
70 delegates
B)
72 delegates
C)
75 delegates
D)
78 delegates
The first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) was held from 28 to 31 December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. It was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee and was attended by exactly 72 delegates representing different provinces of India. Therefore, option 'b' is correct, while options 'a', 'c', and 'd' are incorrect as they do not represent the historically recorded number of attendees.
Who, among the following leaders was the proclaimed (official) leader of the Revolt of 1857?
A)
Rani Lakshmi Bai
B)
Bahadur Shah Zafar
C)
Tantia Tope
D)
Kunwar Singh
Option B is correct: Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Which of the following countries is not a member of BIMSTEC?
A)
India
B)
Thailand
C)
Bangladesh
D)
Maldives
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Maldives is not a member of BIMSTEC (it is, however, a member of SAARC). Therefore, option 'd' is the correct answer. India, Thailand, and Bangladesh are all active member states of BIMSTEC.
The ‘Downward filtration theory’ referred to the:
A)
Arrogant attitude of the British towards Indians
B)
Expansionist policy of the British in India
C)
British policy of Education in India
D)
Lenient attitude of the British towards princely states of India
The 'Downward filtration theory' was a key aspect of the British policy of Education in India, particularly associated with Lord Macaulay's Minute on Indian Education (1835). Under this theory, the British government decided to spend its limited resources on educating a small section of upper and middle-class Indians. It was believed that modern education, western ideas, and culture would gradually 'filter down' from this elite class to the general masses. Options 'a', 'b', and 'd' are incorrect because they refer to other aspects of British rule, such as racial attitudes, territorial expansion (e.g., Doctrine of Lapse), and political relations with princely states (e.g., Subordinate Isolation), which have no connection to the Downward filtration theory.
Who of the following was appointed by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on January 3, 2026 to become the country’s interim President, after the United States seized President Nicolas Maduro and whisked him out of the country.
A)
Delcy Rodriguez
B)
Cilia Flores
C)
Vladimir Padrino Lopez
D)
Juan Guaido
On January 3, 2026, Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) appointed Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country's interim President. This decision followed a dramatic operation on January 2, 2026, in which United States authorities apprehended President Nicolás Maduro and transported him to the U.S. to face outstanding drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges. Under the Venezuelan Constitution, the Executive Vice President assumes the presidency in the event of the president's permanent absence.
* **Why other options are incorrect:**
* **Cilia Flores (b):** Maduro's wife and a prominent politician, but she was not designated to assume the presidency.
* **Vladimir Padrino López (c):** The long-serving Minister of Defense who remains a key military figure, but was not appointed as interim President.
* **Juan Guaidó (d):** The former opposition leader who previously claimed the interim presidency in 2019, but has no role in this 2026 transition of power.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 16.12.2025 extended the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry probing the 2023 Manipur violence, allowing it time until May 20, 2026 to submit its report. The Commission is headed by former Gauhati High Court Chief Justice:
A)
Vijay Bishnoi
B)
Sandeep Mehta
C)
Ajai Lamba
D)
R. M. Chhaya
The correct option is 'c'. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs appointed a three-member Commission of Inquiry in June 2023 to investigate the ethnic violence in Manipur, which is headed by Justice Ajai Lamba, the former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. The other options are incorrect because: (a) Vijay Bishnoi is a former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court appointed in 2024; (b) Sandeep Mehta is a Supreme Court Judge and former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court; and (d) R. M. Chhaya is also a former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, none of whom head this specific inquiry commission.
As a result of Chauri Chaura incident, Gandhiji suspended:
A)
Champaran Satyagraha
B)
Ahmedabad Mill Strike
C)
Non Cooperation Movement
D)
Civil Disobedience Movement
The correct option is 'c' (Non Cooperation Movement). On February 4, 1922, a violent clash occurred at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district (Uttar Pradesh), where a crowd of protesters set fire to a police station, killing 22 policemen. Mahatma Gandhi, a staunch believer in non-violence (Ahimsa), was deeply shocked by this violence and decided to immediately suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement on February 12, 1922. Other options are incorrect because: (a) Champaran Satyagraha took place in 1917 to address the grievances of indigo farmers; (b) Ahmedabad Mill Strike occurred in 1918 over a dispute regarding wages; and (d) Civil Disobedience Movement was launched much later in 1930 and was temporarily suspended in 1931 due to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
Which reformer is correctly matched with the socio-religious organisation he led or inspired, and what was one major focus of that organisation?
A)
Jyotiba Phule – Satyashodhak Samaj; challenging caste oppression and promoting education among lower castes
B)
Swami Vivekananda – Aligarh Movement; advocating Western-style scientific education for Muslims
C)
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan – Ramakrishna Mission; preaching a synthesis of Vedanta and devotion
D)
Keshab Chandra Sen – Arya Samaj; promoting exclusive Vedic ritualism
Option 'a' is correct because Jyotiba Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in Maharashtra in 1873. The primary objective of this society was to challenge caste-based discrimination, liberate lower castes from Brahmanical dominance, and promote education among women and lower castes. The other options are incorrectly matched: Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission (not the Aligarh Movement); Sir Syed Ahmad Khan led the Aligarh Movement (not the Ramakrishna Mission); and Keshab Chandra Sen was a prominent leader of the Brahmo Samaj, whereas the Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
Why did British policies encourage the cultivation of cash crops like indigo, opium, and cotton in many parts of India?
A)
To promote small-scale subsistence farming across all regions
B)
To ensure local food security and reduce dependence on imports
C)
To reduce India’s participation in international commerce
D)
To supply raw materials and specific goods required by British industries
Option 'd' is correct because British colonial agricultural policies in India were driven by the economic interests of the home country. The British encouraged the cultivation of cash crops like cotton to feed the textile mills of Lancashire, indigo to dye British textiles, and opium to trade with China to balance Britain's trade deficit. Option 'a' is incorrect because the British discouraged subsistence farming in favor of commercial agriculture. Option 'b' is incorrect because the shift from food crops to cash crops severely undermined local food security, contributing to several devastating famines. Option 'c' is incorrect because these policies actively integrated India into the global capitalist economy as a supplier of raw materials and a consumer of finished British goods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali 2025 with Navy Personnel onboard on:
A)
INS Chennai
B)
INS Vikramaditya
C)
INS Vikrant
D)
INS Kolkata
Option C is correct: INS Vikrant.
The legislation of Widow Remarriage Act, 1856 owed a credit to:
A)
Iswar Chandra Vidhyasagar
B)
Sawmi Vevekenanda
C)
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
D)
Henry Vivan Derazio
The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856, was passed mainly due to the relentless efforts and campaigning of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He petitioned the Legislative Council and used ancient Hindu texts to prove that widow remarriage was sanctioned by Vedic scriptures.
- Option 'b' (Swami Vivekananda) is incorrect because he was a spiritual leader born in 1863, after the act was passed.
- Option 'c' (Raja Ram Mohan Roy) is incorrect because he is primarily credited with the abolition of Sati (Sati Regulation Act of 1829).
- Option 'd' (Henry Vivian Derozio) is incorrect because he was the leader of the Young Bengal Movement, focusing on radical free-thinking and intellectual reform, rather than the legislation of widow remarriage.