← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepali PM K.P. Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated a direct bus service between which two sacred cities in 2018?
A)
Gorakhpur and Ayodhya
B)
Janakpur and Ayodhya
C)
Janakpur and Gorakhpur
D)
Janakpur and Gaya
In May 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli jointly flagged off a direct bus service between Janakpur (the birthplace of Goddess Sita in Nepal) and Ayodhya (the birthplace of Lord Rama in India). This service was launched to boost religious tourism and strengthen cultural ties between the two nations under the 'Ramayana Circuit' initiative. The other options are incorrect because Gorakhpur (Options a and c) and Gaya (Option d) were not the designated destinations for this specific bilateral direct bus service.
Who was popularly known as ‘Nana Saheb’?
A)
Baji Rao I
B)
Shahu
C)
Baji Rao II
D)
Balaji Baji Rao
Balaji Baji Rao (1720–1761), who succeeded his father Baji Rao I as the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, was popularly known as 'Nana Saheb'. Under his reign, the Maratha empire reached its peak territorial extent. Other options are incorrect because: 'Baji Rao I' (Option a) was his father and a legendary Maratha general; 'Shahu' (Option b) was the Maratha Chhatrapati (Emperor) who appointed Balaji Baji Rao as Peshwa; and 'Baji Rao II' (Option c) was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire (though his adopted son, Dhondu Pant, was also later known as Nana Sahib during the 1857 revolt).
Who was the prominent leader in Lucknow during the Revolt of 1857?
A)
Rani Laxmi Bai
B)
Begum Hazrat Mahal
C)
Tantia Tope
D)
Bahadur Shah Zafar
Begum Hazrat Mahal, also known as the Begum of Awadh, was the prominent leader of the Revolt of 1857 in Lucknow. She took charge of the rebellion in Lucknow, declared her minor son Birjis Qadr as the ruler of Awadh, and actively fought against the British forces.
- Rani Laxmi Bai (Option a) led the revolt in Jhansi.
- Tantia Tope (Option c) was a key leader in Kanpur and Gwalior.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar (Option d) was the Mughal Emperor who led the revolt in Delhi.
What is the correct chronological order of states annexed under the policy of “Doctrine of Lapse”?
A)
Satara > Jaipur > Sambhalpur> Bahat
B)
Jaipur > Satara > Sambhalpur> Bahat
C)
Bahat >Satara > Jaipur > Sambhalpur
D)
Satara > Jaipur > Bahat> Sambhalpur
The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy applied by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India, between 1848 and 1856. The chronological order of the annexation of states under this policy is as follows:
1. **Satara**: Annexed in **1848**
2. **Jaipur** (and Jaitpur): Annexed in **1849**
3. **Sambhalpur**: Annexed in **1849**
4. **Baghat (Bahat)**: Annexed in **1850**
This makes **Option a** (Satara > Jaipur > Sambhalpur > Bahat) the correct chronological sequence.
- **Option b** is incorrect because it places Jaipur before Satara.
- **Option c** is incorrect because it places Bahat (1850) at the beginning.
- **Option d** is incorrect because it places Bahat (1850) before Sambhalpur (1849).
Which of the following countries is elected to the Non-Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council on June 7, 2019?
A)
Singapore
B)
Bangladesh
C)
Nepal
D)
Vietnam
On June 7, 2019, the United Nations General Assembly elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council for a two-year term starting January 1, 2020. Vietnam was elected overwhelmingly, securing 192 out of 193 votes. The other four countries elected alongside Vietnam were Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tunisia. Singapore (a), Bangladesh (b), and Nepal (c) were not elected during this session.
When was Queen Victoria’s Proclamation?
A)
1857
B)
1858
C)
1862
D)
1892
Queen Victoria’s Proclamation was issued on November 1, 1858. It was read by Lord Canning at a Grand Durbar in Allahabad, marking the transfer of the governance of India from the British East India Company directly to the British Crown following the Revolt of 1857. Option 'a' (1857) is incorrect as it was the year of the Indian Rebellion itself. Option 'c' (1862) is incorrect as it is associated with the implementation of the Indian Penal Code and the establishment of High Courts. Option 'd' (1892) is incorrect as it refers to the year of the Indian Councils Act 1892.
Which of the following footballers was named the UEFA Men Player of the Year 2019?
A)
Lionel Messi
B)
Virgil Van Dijk
C)
Christiano Ronaldo
D)
Luka Modric
Virgil van Dijk was named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year for the 2018–19 season on August 29, 2019, following his instrumental role in leading Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League title. Lionel Messi (Option a) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Option c) were the other two finalists but finished second and third in the voting, respectively. Luka Modrić (Option d) won the award in the previous year, 2018.
The Morley-Minto reforms act was enacted in:
A)
1905
B)
1909
C)
1919
D)
1857
The Morley-Minto Reforms, officially known as the Indian Councils Act, were enacted in 1909. Named after Lord Morley (Secretary of State) and Lord Minto (Viceroy), this act introduced a system of separate electorates for Muslims, which was a landmark event in India's constitutional history.
- Option 'a' (1905) is incorrect because it marks the Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon.
- Option 'd' (1857) is incorrect because it is the year of the Indian Rebellion (Sepoy Mutiny).
- Option 'c' (1919) is incorrect because it marks the enactment of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act 1919).
Which among the following Viceroys was associated with the ‘Ilbert Bill Controversy’?
A)
Lord Curzon
B)
Lord Lytton
C)
Lord Ripon
D)
Lord Hardinge
Lord Ripon (Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884) was associated with the 'Ilbert Bill Controversy' of 1883. The bill, introduced by Sir Courtenay Ilbert, aimed to allow Indian judges to try Europeans in criminal cases, seeking to eliminate racial discrimination in the judiciary. This sparked intense opposition and protests from the British community in India, leading to a compromise.
- Lord Lytton (b) is known for reactionary policies like the Vernacular Press Act (1878) and the Arms Act (1878).
- Lord Curzon (a) is primarily associated with the Partition of Bengal in 1905.
- Lord Hardinge (d) is known for shifting the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 and the annulment of the Partition of Bengal.
The pioneer of Communism in India was:
A)
S.A.Dange
B)
M.R.Jayakar
C)
M.N.Roy
D)
Nalin Gupta
M.N. Roy (Manabendra Nath Roy) is widely regarded as the pioneer of Communism in India. He co-founded the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Tashkent in October 1920 and was the first Indian to be elected to the Executive Committee of the Communist International (Comintern).
- Option 'a' (S.A. Dange) was a highly influential early communist leader and trade unionist, but his work followed the pioneering efforts of M.N. Roy.
- Option 'b' (M.R. Jayakar) was a prominent liberal leader, lawyer, and co-founder of the Swaraj Party, having no association with the communist movement.
- Option 'd' (Nalin Gupta) was an early communist revolutionary who worked as an emissary for M.N. Roy, but was not the pioneer of the movement.
One of the major causes of the decline of the Mughal Empire was;
A)
Factionalism
B)
Weak naval power
C)
Weak economy
D)
None of the above
Factionalism among the nobility was one of the most critical internal causes of the decline of the Mughal Empire. After the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal court became a hotbed of conspiracies, divided into rival factions such as the Turanis, Iranis, Afghans, and Hindustanis. This intense infighting weakened the central authority, reduced the emperors to mere puppets, and paralyzed the administration, making the empire vulnerable to internal rebellions and foreign invasions.
- Option B is incorrect because, although the Mughals lacked a strong navy, they were primarily a land-based empire, and this lack of naval power was not the primary driver of their internal political collapse.
- Option C is incorrect because the Mughal economy was historically one of the largest and most prosperous in the world. While financial strain did occur later due to prolonged wars and the Jagirdari crisis, it was a consequence of administrative failure and factionalism rather than an inherent, independent cause of the decline.
Who among the Queens granted the English East India Company a royal charter and the exclusive right to trade in the East on 31st December 1600?
A)
Mary I
B)
Elizabeth I
C)
Anne
D)
Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth I granted a Royal Charter to the English East India Company on 31st December 1600, giving them a 15-year monopoly on English trade in the East Indies. Mary I (Option a) ruled earlier from 1553 to 1558. Queen Anne (Option c) ruled much later from 1702 to 1714. Queen Elizabeth II (Option d) was the monarch of the United Kingdom in the modern era, reigning from 1952 to 2022.
In which of the following regions was the Permanent settlement first introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793?
A)
Mysore and Hyderabad
B)
Bombay and Punjab
C)
Assam and Agra
D)
Bengal and Bihar
The Permanent Settlement (also known as the Permanent Settlement of Bengal) was introduced by Governor-General Lord Cornwallis in 1793 through the Permanent Settlement Act. It was first implemented in the Bengal Presidency, which primarily comprised the regions of Bengal and Bihar (and was later extended to Odisha and Varanasi). Under this system, landlords (Zamindars) were made the owners of the land, and the land revenue was fixed permanently. Other options are incorrect because regions like Bombay, Punjab, and Agra were primarily governed by the Ryotwari and Mahalwari land revenue systems, not the Permanent Settlement.
International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will be hosted by
A)
India
B)
England
C)
Australia
D)
New Zealand
The correct option is 'a' (India). In July 2022, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that India will host the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup. This will be the fourth time India hosts the Women's ODI World Cup, having previously hosted it in 1978, 1997, and 2013.
Other options are incorrect because:
- England (Option b) is scheduled to host the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
- Australia (Option c) is not the host for the 2025 edition.
- New Zealand (Option d) hosted the previous edition of the Women's ODI World Cup in 2022.
What was the nature of the Telengana movement?
A)
Working class movement
B)
Peasant movement
C)
Trade Union movement
D)
Dalit movement
The Telangana Movement (1946–1951) was a historic peasant rebellion against the oppressive feudal system of the Jagirdars and Deshmukhs in the princely state of Hyderabad, ruled by the Nizam. Led by the Communist Party of India (CPI), it was primarily aimed at land reforms, the abolition of forced labor (vetti), and debt relief for poor farmers, making it a peasant movement. It is incorrect to classify it as a working class or trade union movement (options a and c) because its core base and grievances were agrarian rather than industrial. While Dalits and lower castes participated heavily as oppressed agricultural laborers, it was fundamentally an agrarian class struggle rather than a Dalit-centric identity movement (option d).
Pakistan’s inflation climbed to a 47-year high (in August 2022) as indicated by
A)
27.8% Consumer Price Index (CPI)
B)
27.3% Consumer Price Index (CPI)
C)
47% Consumer Price Index (CPI)
D)
23% Consumer Price Index (CPI)
In August 2022, Pakistan's Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation surged to 27.3% year-on-year, marking a 47-year high (the highest since November 1975). This spike was primarily driven by soaring food and energy prices, exacerbated by devastating floods and currency depreciation. Option 'a' (27.8%) and Option 'd' (23%) are incorrect as they do not match the official data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) for that month. Option 'c' (47%) is incorrect because 47 refers to the number of years (47-year high), not the actual inflation rate.
Which country announced a $2.98 billion in aid to Ukraine
A)
Britain
B)
USA
C)
Canada
D)
India
The correct option is 'b' (USA). On August 24, 2022, which marked Ukraine's Independence Day, US President Joe Biden announced a historic security assistance package of approximately $2.98 billion to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This package was aimed at providing long-term defense capabilities, including air defense systems, artillery systems, and munitions. Britain (a) and Canada (c) have provided substantial aid to Ukraine, but not this specific $2.98 billion package. India (d) has maintained a neutral stance, providing humanitarian aid but no military assistance.
Name the permit issued for the purpose of Tax exemption;
A)
Dalam
B)
Daroga
C)
Dastak
D)
Desmukh
The correct option is 'c' (Dastak).
1. **Why it is correct:** A 'Dastak' was a trade permit or transit pass issued by the British East India Company's officials. Under the royal farman of Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1717, it exempted the Company's trade goods from paying customs duties and local taxes in Bengal.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Dalam** is unrelated to tax exemption permits.
- **Daroga** was a term used for a police officer or head of a police station during the Mughal and British administrations.
- **Desmukh** (Deshmukh) was a traditional title for a land revenue official in Maharashtra who was responsible for collecting taxes, rather than a permit for tax exemption.
India recently commemorated 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with Asian country?
A)
Japan
B)
Russia
C)
China
D)
Bangladesh
India and Japan established diplomatic relations on April 28, 1952. Therefore, the year 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, which was commemorated with various events.
- **Russia (Option b):** Diplomatic relations were established in April 1947, making 2022 the 75th anniversary.
- **China (Option c):** Diplomatic relations were established in April 1950, making 2020 the 70th anniversary.
- **Bangladesh (Option d):** Diplomatic relations were established in December 1971, making 2021 the 50th anniversary (celebrated as Maitri Diwas).
Who wrote the song Bande Mataram?
A)
Chiplunkar
B)
Rabindranath Tagore
C)
Bankim Chandra Chatarjee
D)
Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar
The song 'Bande Mataram' (Vande Mataram) was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s and was later included in his famous 1882 Bengali novel 'Anandamath'. It played a vital role in the Indian independence movement. Rabindranath Tagore (option b) composed the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and was the first to sing 'Vande Mataram' at the 1896 Indian National Congress session. Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar (option d) was a renowned social reformer and educator, while Vishnushastri Chiplunkar (option a) was a Marathi writer and activist; neither wrote the song.
Who took the most drastic and unpopular measure of partitioning Bengal in 1905?
A)
Lord Lytton
B)
Lord Dufferin
C)
Lord Curzon
D)
Lord Linlithgow
Lord Curzon served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905 and was responsible for the highly unpopular decision to partition Bengal in 1905, which triggered the Swadeshi Movement. Lord Lytton (1876–1880) is known for the Vernacular Press Act of 1878. Lord Dufferin (1884–1888) was the Viceroy when the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Lord Linlithgow (1936–1943) was the Viceroy during the launch of the Quit India Movement.
Which of the following socio-religious reform movements raised the slogan ‘India for Indians’?
A)
Arya Samaj
B)
Satya Shodhak Samaj
C)
Brahmo Samaj
D)
Prarthana Samaj
The slogan 'India for Indians' was first raised by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj. Established in 1875, the Arya Samaj was a Hindu reform movement that advocated for the infallible authority of the Vedas and promoted social reforms alongside a strong sense of national pride and self-rule (Swaraj).
- Brahmo Samaj (Option c), founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, focused on monotheism and social reforms like the abolition of Sati, but did not coin this slogan.
- Satya Shodhak Samaj (Option b) was founded by Jyotirao Phule in 1873 to fight caste oppression and uplift the lower castes and women.
- Prarthana Samaj (Option d) was founded by Atmaram Pandurang in 1867, focusing on rational worship and social reforms in Maharashtra.
The foundation of international space law was laid by
A)
The Celestial Bodies Exploration Treaty
B)
The Exploration of Outer Space Treaty
C)
The Outer Space Treaty
D)
The Final Frontier Treaty
The Outer Space Treaty (formally the 'Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies'), which entered into force in 1967, is widely recognized as the foundation of international space law. It established key principles such as prohibiting the placement of weapons of mass destruction in space, limiting the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes, and declaring that space is free for exploration by all nations. Options a, b, and d are incorrect as they are fabricated names of treaties that do not exist in international law.
Who engineered the system of Diarchy in Bengal?
A)
Robert Clive
B)
Warren Hastings
C)
Lord Dalhousie
D)
Lord Wellesley
The system of Diarchy (Dual Government) in Bengal was engineered by Robert Clive in 1765 following the Treaty of Allahabad. Under this system, the administration of Bengal was divided into Diwani (revenue collection, held by the British East India Company) and Nizamat (administrative and judicial powers, retained by the Nawab of Bengal). This allowed the Company to enjoy power without any responsibility. Warren Hastings (Option b) abolished this system in 1772. Lord Dalhousie (Option c) is famous for the Doctrine of Lapse, and Lord Wellesley (Option d) is known for the Subsidiary Alliance system.
Commonwealth Games 2026 will be hosted by
A)
Birmingham, England
B)
Victoria, Australia
C)
Glasgow, Scotland
D)
Victoria, Canada
The correct option is 'c' (Glasgow, Scotland). Originally, Victoria, Australia was selected to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but they withdrew in July 2023 due to escalating costs. In September 2024, Glasgow, Scotland was officially confirmed as the new host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option 'a' (Birmingham, England) hosted the previous edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
- Option 'b' (Victoria, Australia) was the initial host selected but withdrew in 2023.
- Option 'd' (Victoria, Canada) hosted the Commonwealth Games way back in 1994.