← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Which British land revenue settlement fixed land revenue demand on zamindars in perpetuity, turning them into hereditary landowners?
A)
Permanent Settlement
B)
Ryotwari Settlement
C)
Mahalwari Settlement
D)
Malguzari Settlement
The Permanent Settlement (also known as the Permanent Settlement of Bengal) was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. Under this system, the land revenue demand was fixed in perpetuity (permanently), and zamindars were recognized as the hereditary owners of the land, provided they paid the fixed revenue to the British government on time. In contrast, the Ryotwari Settlement (option b) made agreements directly with individual cultivators (ryots) with periodic revenue revisions. The Mahalwari Settlement (option c) settled revenue with the entire village community (mahal) collectively, also subject to periodic revision. The Malguzari Settlement (option d) was implemented in the Central Provinces and did not fix revenue in perpetuity.
The system that allowed the British to annex states where the ruler died without a natural heir was:
A)
Ring fence Policy
B)
Doctrine of Lapse
C)
Subsidiary Alliance
D)
Rule of Law
The correct answer is 'Doctrine of Lapse' (option b). This annexation policy was widely applied by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. Under this doctrine, any princely state under the direct or indirect control of the British East India Company where the ruler died without a legal male heir would automatically be annexed to the British empire, forbidding the long-standing custom of adopting an heir.
Why other options are incorrect:
- 'a' (Ring fence Policy): Devised by Warren Hastings, this policy aimed to defend the British territories by creating buffer zones around them using the borders of friendly neighboring states.
- 'c' (Subsidiary Alliance): Introduced by Lord Wellesley, this was a treaty system where Indian rulers had to accept British troops in their territory and surrender their foreign relations in exchange for British protection.
- 'd' (Rule of Law): This is a general constitutional principle stating that law should govern a nation, rather than arbitrary decisions by individual government officials; it is not an annexation policy.
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.
The first permanent British factory set up by the East India Company in 1613 was located in:
A)
Bombay
B)
Surat
C)
Calcutta
D)
Madras
The correct option is 'b' (Surat). In 1612, Captain Thomas Best defeated the Portuguese fleet in the Battle of Swally near Surat. Impressed by this victory, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir issued a farman in early 1613 allowing the English East India Company to establish its first permanent factory at Surat.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Bombay (a): It was acquired by the British Crown from the Portuguese as a royal dowry in 1661 and leased to the East India Company later in 1668.
- Calcutta (c): The British settlement in Calcutta (Kolkata) was established much later, around 1690, by Job Charnock.
- Madras (d): The British established their factory and built Fort St. George in Madras in 1639-40 after securing land from the local Nayak ruler.
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 system of separate electorate, giving separate representation to the Muslim was introduced by:
A)
The Indian Council Act of 1892
B)
The Indian Council Act of 1909
C)
The Government of India Act of 1919
D)
The Government of India Act of 1935
The Indian Council Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced a system of separate electorates for Muslims. Under this act, Muslim members were to be elected only by Muslim voters, thereby legalizing communalism in Indian politics.
- Option a (The Indian Council Act of 1892) is incorrect because it introduced the principle of representation and increased the number of non-official members in the legislative councils, but did not introduce separate electorates.
- Option c (The Government of India Act of 1919) is incorrect because it extended the system of separate electorates to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans, rather than introducing it for Muslims.
- Option d (The Government of India Act of 1935) is incorrect because it further extended separate electorates to depressed classes (scheduled castes), women, and labor (workers).
Under the ‘ Old Guarantee System’, the Companies investing in Railway construction in India were assured a guaranteed dividend of:
A)
3 %
B)
5 %
C)
7 %
D)
10 %
Under the 'Old Guarantee System' (1849–1869), the British Government of India guaranteed a minimum return of 5% per annum on the capital invested by private British railway companies to encourage investment in Indian railway construction. If the profits fell short of this 5% mark, the deficit was paid from the Indian revenues. Therefore, 5% is the correct guaranteed dividend, making options a, c, and d incorrect.
‘One Nation One Subscription’ is sponsored by Government of India, ________.
A)
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAFP)
B)
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)
C)
Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD)
D)
Ministry of Education (MOE)
The 'One Nation One Subscription' (ONOS) is a landmark initiative sponsored by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. It aims to provide country-wide access to prestigious international scientific journals and databases to all higher education and research institutions in India. The other ministries (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; and Ministry of Women and Child Development) are incorrect as their mandates do not cover academic and scientific research subscriptions.
What was the major administrative consequence of the Regulating Act of 1773 for British rule in India?
A)
It granted full independence to the East India Company from British parliamentary control.
B)
It abolished the East India Company and transferred power directly to the British Crown.
C)
It introduced universal adult franchise in Company territories.
D)
It made the Governor of Bengal the Governor-General of Bengal with supervisory authority over other presidencies.
The Regulating Act of 1773 was a landmark reform that laid the foundations of central administration in India. It designated the Governor of Bengal as the 'Governor-General of Bengal' (with Warren Hastings being the first) and subordinated the Governors of Bombay and Madras presidencies to his authority. Option 'a' is incorrect because the Act initiated British parliamentary control over the East India Company rather than granting it independence. Option 'b' is incorrect because the abolition of the Company and direct transfer of power to the Crown occurred much later through the Government of India Act 1858. Option 'c' is incorrect as universal adult franchise was not introduced during the Company's rule.
The Indian nationalist who started using the traditional religious Ganpati festival to propagate nationalist ideas was:
A)
Lala Lajpat Rai
B)
Bipan Chandra Pal
C)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D)
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Bal Gangadhar Tilak introduced the public celebration of the traditional Ganpati festival in 1893 (and the Shivaji festival in 1895) to bypass British restrictions on political gatherings and to foster a sense of national unity and patriotism among the masses. Lala Lajpat Rai (a) and Bipan Chandra Pal (b), though part of the same extremist trio (Lal-Bal-Pal), were not the initiators of this festival. Gopal Krishna Gokhale (d) was a moderate leader who favored constitutional methods over religious mobilization.
What is India’s highest civilian honour for children recently received by Esther Hnamte on 26th December 2025 in New Delhi?
A)
Eklavya Award
B)
Bal Kalyan Puraskar
C)
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
D)
Indira Gandhi Bal Puraskar
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is India's highest civilian honour for children under the age of 18, awarded annually by the President of India to recognize exceptional achievements in fields such as Art & Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Scholastic, Social Service, and Sports. Esther Hnamte, a young singing prodigy from Mizoram, received this prestigious award for her outstanding contribution to Art and Culture.
- Option 'a' (Eklavya Award) is a state-level sports award given to outstanding junior athletes, not a national civilian honour for children.
- Option 'b' (Bal Kalyan Puraskar) is awarded to individuals and institutions that make outstanding contributions to child welfare and development, rather than to children themselves.
- Option 'd' (Indira Gandhi Bal Puraskar) is not a recognized national civilian award for children's individual achievements.
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 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.
How did the need to pay land revenue in cash contribute to rural indebtedness?
A)
It ensured that the colonial state always waived revenue in years of bad harvest
B)
It allowed peasants to easily save surplus money in banks instead of borrowing
C)
It completely eliminated the role of moneylenders from rural society
D)
It forced peasants to borrow from moneylenders when crops failed or prices fell
The requirement to pay land revenue strictly in cash and on fixed dates, regardless of harvest conditions, was a major cause of rural indebtedness under colonial rule. When crops failed or market prices fell, peasants could not generate enough cash from selling their produce. To prevent their land from being confiscated and auctioned by the state, they were forced to borrow cash from local moneylenders at high interest rates. Option 'a' is incorrect because the colonial state rarely waived revenue, even during famines. Option 'b' is incorrect because peasants lived at subsistence levels and had no surplus to save. Option 'c' is incorrect because this system actually empowered and expanded the role of moneylenders rather than eliminating them.
With reference to the 2026 Winter Olympics, which of the following statement is correct?
A)
An upcoming international multi-sport event is scheduled to take place from 16 to 28 February, 2026.
B)
2026 Winter Olympics is the XXVI edition of Winter Olympic Games.
C)
It is commonly known as Milano Cortinha 2026.
D)
The Games will be the first Olympic Games under the IOC presidency of Kirsty Coventry.
1. **Why Option C is correct**: The 2026 Winter Olympics is officially known as the XXV Olympic Winter Games and is commonly known as **Milano Cortina 2026** (spelled as "Milano Cortinha 2026" in the option due to a minor typographical error). It will be jointly hosted by the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Option A is incorrect**: The games are scheduled to take place from **6 to 22 February, 2026**, not 16 to 28 February.
- **Option B is incorrect**: The 2026 Games will be the **XXV (25th)** edition of the Winter Olympics, not the XXVI (26th) edition.
- **Option D is incorrect**: The election for the next IOC President will take place in March 2025. While Kirsty Coventry is one of the candidates, she has not been elected, making this statement speculative and incorrect.
Which early 19th century social reform is most closely associated with the joint efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and the British administration under Lord William Bentinck?
A)
Introduction of widow remarriage
B)
Abolition of untouchability
C)
Raising the age of consent for girls
D)
Abolition of sati
Option 'd' is correct because Raja Ram Mohan Roy campaigned tirelessly against the practice of Sati (widow burning). His advocacy, combined with the administrative action of Governor-General Lord William Bentinck, led to the passage of the Bengal Sati Regulation Act in 1829, which declared the practice illegal and punishable by law. Option 'a' is incorrect because the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act of 1856 was championed by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Option 'b' is incorrect because the abolition of untouchability was a 20th-century reform led by B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, later codified in the Indian Constitution (Article 17) in 1950. Option 'c' is incorrect because the Age of Consent Act was passed in 1891, largely due to the efforts of Behramji Malabari.
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).
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.
With reference to Lokmat Parliamentary Awards 2025, which of the following statement is wrong?
A)
Lifetime Achievement Award (Lok Sabha) : Digvijay Singh
B)
Best Parliamentarian Award (Lok Sabha) : Jagdambika Pal
C)
Best Parliamentarian Award (Rajya Sabha) : Sanjay Singh
D)
Best Woman Parliamentarian Award (Rajya Sabha) : Dola Sen
Statement (a) is incorrect because veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Rajya Sabha, not the Lok Sabha. The Lifetime Achievement Award for the Lok Sabha was conferred upon DMK MP T.R. Baalu.
The other options are correct statements regarding the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards 2025:
- Best Parliamentarian Award (Lok Sabha) was awarded to Jagdambika Pal (BJP).
- Best Parliamentarian Award (Rajya Sabha) was awarded to Sanjay Singh (AAP).
- Best Woman Parliamentarian Award (Rajya Sabha) was awarded to Dola Sen (TMC).
In December 2025, MIZOFED and NCEL signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) mainly to support:
A)
Urban infrastructure development in Mizoram.
B)
Local cooperative societies in marketing and export of products.
C)
Education and skill development programs in rural areas.
D)
Healthcare facilities and medical research in Mizoram.
The correct option is 'b'. MIZOFED (Mizoram State Cooperative Marketing Federation) and NCEL (National Cooperative Exports Limited) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote, facilitate, and support local cooperative societies in Mizoram by marketing and exporting their unique agricultural and handloom products to national and international markets. NCEL is specifically mandated to boost exports from the cooperative sector. Options 'a', 'c', and 'd' are incorrect because urban infrastructure, education/skill development, and healthcare are outside the organizational mandates of both MIZOFED (a marketing federation) and NCEL (an export cooperative).
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.
At the 2025 Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) jointly organized by Mizoram State Child Protection Society and Medhavi Foundation, Shephard Zomuani was adjudged:
A)
Iconic star of Tomorrow
B)
Young Ambassador
C)
Star of Tomorrow
D)
Star Ambassador
At the 2025 Youth Empowerment Summit (YES), jointly organized by the Mizoram State Child Protection Society (MSCPS) and the Medhavi Foundation, Shephard Zomuani was adjudged the 'Star of Tomorrow' for demonstrating outstanding potential and talent. The other options ('Iconic star of Tomorrow', 'Young Ambassador', and 'Star Ambassador') are incorrect as they are not the official titles awarded to Shephard Zomuani at this event.
With reference to the 17th BRICS Summit, 2025, which of the following is not correct?
A)
It was held on July 7, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro
B)
The Summit welcomed India’s candidacy to host COP33 in 2027.
C)
In a strong show of support, the BRICS leaders reiterated backing for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
D)
India has received unanimous backing from BRICS nations to chair the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.
Statement (a) is incorrect. The 17th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be hosted by Brazil in 2025, but the specific date and details mentioned in option (a) are incorrect. The key outcomes mentioned in the other options were agreed upon during the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia (October 2024), in preparation for the upcoming summits.
- Statement (b) is correct: The BRICS nations officially welcomed India's bid to host the COP33 climate summit in 2027.
- Statement (c) is correct: BRICS leaders reiterated their strong support for the aspirations of India, Brazil, and South Africa to play a greater role in the UN, including permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.
- Statement (d) is correct: India has received unanimous backing from the member nations to host and chair the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.
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.
In what way did British educational policies unintentionally contribute to the rise of Indian nationalism?
A)
By prohibiting any discussion of politics or public affairs in educational settings
B)
By ensuring that only British citizens could receive higher education in India
C)
By creating an educated public that used Western ideas of rights and liberty to criticize colonial rule
D)
By teaching Indian history from a nationalist perspective
Option c is correct because the introduction of Western education by the British aimed to create a class of loyal, English-educated Indian clerks. However, it unintentionally exposed Indian students to Western liberal philosophies, ideas of democracy, liberty, and self-determination. This educated class used these very concepts to critique British imperialism and organize the nationalist movement. Option a is incorrect because political consciousness grew despite colonial restrictions. Option b is incorrect because higher education was open to Indians, not just British citizens. Option d is incorrect because the British curriculum taught history from a Eurocentric, pro-colonial perspective rather than an Indian nationalist one.