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Past Questions — 2025
What is the largest organ in the human body?
A)
Heart
B)
Liver
C)
Brain
D)
Skin
The human body's organs are categorized by their size and weight. The skin is the largest organ of the body because it covers the entire external surface of the body, acting as a protective barrier. In an average adult, the skin accounts for approximately 15% of total body weight.
Analysis of other options:
- Heart: A muscular organ responsible for pumping blood, but significantly smaller than the skin.
- Liver: The liver is the largest 'internal' organ, but when considering the body as a whole, the skin is larger.
- Brain: A complex organ for nervous system control, but much smaller in mass and surface area compared to the skin.
The Chipko Movement, an environmental movement in India, was aimed at-
A)
Preventing river pollution
B)
Promoting organic farming
C)
Protecting forests from deforestation
D)
Stopping mining activities
The Chipko Movement was a non-violent social and ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in the Uttarakhand Himalayas during the 1970s. The word 'Chipko' means 'to hug' or 'to cling to' in Hindi; the protesters hugged the trees to prevent contractors from cutting them down. The primary objective was to protect forests from commercial deforestation and to promote community-based forest management.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) is incorrect as river pollution is addressed by movements like the Namami Gange or various water conservation initiatives.
- Option (b) is incorrect as organic farming is the focus of the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) or general sustainable agriculture movements.
- Option (d) is incorrect as stopping mining activities is the primary goal of movements like the Narmada Bachao Andolan (in certain contexts) or specific anti-mining protests in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Which planet is known as the “Red Planet”?
A)
Venus
B)
Mars
C)
Jupiter
D)
Mercury
Mars is known as the 'Red Planet' because its surface is covered in iron oxide (rust), which gives it a distinct reddish appearance when viewed from Earth or in photographs.
Analysis of other options:
- Venus: Often called the 'Morning Star' or 'Evening Star' due to its brightness; it has a thick, yellowish-white atmosphere of sulfuric acid clouds.
- Jupiter: The largest planet in the solar system, known for its Great Red Spot (a giant storm), but the planet as a whole is characterized by bands of beige, brown, and white.
- Mercury: The smallest planet and closest to the Sun, it has a grey, rocky, cratered surface similar to the Moon.
Ala-Uddin Khilji was most famous for his -
A)
Military policy
B)
Land reform
C)
Religious policy
D)
Market control policy
Ala-ud-din Khilji is most renowned in history for his sophisticated and stringent 'Market Control Policy' (Price Control System). He introduced this system to maintain a large standing army to defend the Delhi Sultanate against Mongol invasions without increasing the salaries of the soldiers. He fixed the prices of all essential commodities (grains, cloth, cattle, slaves) and established specialized markets (like the Mandi) overseen by officers called 'Shahna-i-Mandi' to prevent hoarding and cheating.
While he did have a strong military policy (Option a) and introduced land revenue reforms based on measurement (Option b), these were often means to an end. The Market Control Policy remains his most distinctive and unique administrative contribution studied in history. His religious policy (Option c) was relatively secondary to his administrative and military ambitions.
Which organization publishes the Global Hunger Index?
A)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
B)
World Bank
C)
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
D)
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. It is published annually by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Concern Worldwide.
Reasoning for other options:
- a. UNDP: Primarily publishes the Human Development Index (HDI).
- b. World Bank: Focuses on global economic data, poverty lines, and development loans, but does not publish the GHI.
- d. FAO: While the FAO is the lead agency for food security and publishes 'The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World' (SOFI) report, it is not the publisher of the Global Hunger Index.
What is the minimum age required to be a member of the Lok Sabha?
A)
25 years
B)
30 years
C)
35 years
D)
18 years
According to Article 84 of the Constitution of India, a person must be a citizen of India and meet specific age requirements to be a member of Parliament. For the Lok Sabha (the Lower House), the minimum age required is 25 years.
Analysis of other options:
- Option b (30 years): This is the minimum age required to be a member of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House).
- Option c (35 years): This is the minimum age required to be eligible for the office of the President or Vice-President of India.
- Option d (18 years): This is the minimum age for a citizen to be eligible to vote in elections (Universal Adult Suffrage), but not to contest for a seat in the Lok Sabha.
Which of the following refers to a relationship between a cultural group and its natural environment?
A)
Cultural ecology
B)
Cultural convergence
C)
Cultural diffusion
D)
Cultural assimilation
The question asks for the term that describes the relationship between a cultural group and its natural environment.
1. **Cultural Ecology (Option a):** This is the correct answer. Cultural ecology is the study of how human adaptations to social and physical environments lead to the development of specific cultural traits. It examines the reciprocal relationship where the environment influences culture and culture, in turn, modifies the environment.
2. **Cultural Convergence (Option b):** This refers to the process where different cultures become more similar to one another over time, often due to increased interaction, trade, or globalization. It does not specifically focus on the natural environment.
3. **Cultural Diffusion (Option c):** This is the spread of cultural beliefs, social activities, and traits from one group or society to another. It describes the movement of culture across space, not the relationship between culture and nature.
4. **Cultural Assimilation (Option d):** This is the process by which a minority group or individual gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of a prevailing dominant culture. This is a social process between human groups, not an environmental one.
Which is the largest continent by land area?
A)
NorthAmerica
B)
Africa
C)
Asia
D)
Europe
To determine the largest continent by land area, we compare the approximate surface areas of the options provided:
1. Asia: Approximately 44.58 million square kilometers. It is the largest continent, covering about 30% of Earth's total land area.
2. Africa: Approximately 30.37 million square kilometers. It is the second largest.
3. North America: Approximately 24.71 million square kilometers. It is the third largest.
4. Europe: Approximately 10.18 million square kilometers. It is one of the smaller continents.
Since Asia has the greatest landmass, option (c) is the correct answer.
Thimkual is -
A)
A brass hairpin
B)
Hair comb
C)
Earrings
D)
Necklaces
In Mizo traditional culture, 'Thimkual' refers to a traditional brass hairpin used by Mizo women to secure their hair buns. It is a piece of traditional jewelry that reflects the cultural heritage of the Mizo people.
- Option (b) Hair comb is incorrect as the specific term for a comb is different.
- Option (c) Earrings and (d) Necklaces refer to other categories of traditional Mizo ornaments (such as 'Thihna' or various types of beads/necklaces), but they are not called Thimkual.
The founder of the Gupta Empire was -
A)
Sri Gupta
B)
Samudragupra
C)
Chandragupta II
D)
Skandagupta
The Gupta Empire was established by Sri Gupta in the late 3rd century CE. He is recognized as the founder and the first ruler of the dynasty, although he held a relatively modest position compared to his successors.
Analysis of other options:
- Samudragupta (Option b): He was the son of Chandragupta I and is known as the 'Napoleon of India' for his extensive military conquests, but he was not the founder.
- Chandragupta II (Option c): Also known as Vikramaditya, he expanded the empire further and presided over a golden age of art and science, but he was a later ruler.
- Skandagupta (Option d): He is noted for successfully repelling the Huna invasions, but he came much later in the dynastic timeline.
‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’ Award recently awarded to a leader from India is-
A)
Dr. S. Jaishankar
B)
Narendra Modi
C)
Rajnath Singh
D)
Amit Shah
The 'Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados' is the highest award given by the government of Barbados. It was conferred upon the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his visit to Barbados in 2024 (or as part of diplomatic honors strengthening India-Barbados ties). This award recognizes his leadership and the strengthening of bilateral relations between India and Barbados.
- Option (a) Dr. S. Jaishankar: While he is the External Affairs Minister and manages these relations, he was not the recipient of this specific honor.
- Option (c) Rajnath Singh: He is the Defence Minister and has not received this specific award from Barbados.
- Option (d) Amit Shah: He is the Home Minister and has not received this specific award from Barbados.
The British East India gained the Diwani Rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa after -
A)
The Battle of Buxar 1764
B)
The Battle of Plassey 1757
C)
Regulating Act 1773
D)
Pitts India Act 1784
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **The Event**: The 'Diwani Rights' refer to the right to collect land revenue and decide civil judicial matters.
2. **The Battle of Buxar (1764)**: This was a decisive victory for the British East India Company against the combined forces of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor).
3. **The Treaty of Allahabad (1765)**: Following the victory at Buxar, the Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765. Under this treaty, the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the East India Company.
4. **Analysis of other options**:
- **Option b (Battle of Plassey 1757)**: While this battle established British influence in Bengal, it did not grant legal Diwani rights; it merely installed a puppet Nawab.
- **Option c (Regulating Act 1773)**: This was a British Parliamentary act to regulate the governance of the Company, not a treaty for acquiring territory or revenue rights.
- **Option d (Pitts India Act 1784)**: This act established a Board of Control to manage political affairs in India, occurring long after the Diwani rights were acquired.
Which of the following is the world’s largest exporter of oil?
A)
United States
B)
Russia
C)
Saudi Arabia
D)
Iraq
To determine the world's largest exporter of oil, it is important to distinguish between 'production' and 'net exports'. While Saudi Arabia is often the largest exporter of crude oil specifically, the United States has become the world's largest overall exporter of petroleum (including crude oil, refined petroleum products, and natural gas liquids) due to the shale revolution and increased refining capacity. According to recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and international trade statistics, the U.S. consistently leads in total petroleum exports.
- Option (a) United States: Correct. It is currently the top global exporter of total petroleum products.
- Option (b) Russia: A major exporter, but its volumes have been impacted by geopolitical sanctions and shifts in trade routes.
- Option (c) Saudi Arabia: The leader in crude oil exports and the largest producer, but when including refined products, it often ranks behind the U.S.
- Option (d) Iraq: A significant exporter, but its total volume is substantially lower than the U.S., Russia, or Saudi Arabia.
A bilateral naval exercise called Exercise Varuna is between India and which country?
A)
Australia
B)
USA
C)
France
D)
Germany
Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. It was initiated in 1993 to enhance interoperability and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Analysis of other options:
- Australia: India conducts exercises such as 'AUSINDEX' with Australia.
- USA: India conducts major exercises such as 'Malabar' (which is also multilateral) and 'SIMBEX' (with Singapore, though USA is a key partner in Malabar).
- Germany: India conducts exercises such as 'Exercise LINEX' with Germany.
The Sunderbans delta is formed by the confluence of which rivers?
A)
Ganga and Yamuna
B)
Ganga and Brahmaputra
C)
Brahmaputra and Barak
D)
Godavari and Krishna
The Sunderbans Delta is the largest river delta in the world, located in the Bay of Bengal. It is formed by the confluence of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers (along with the Meghna river in Bangladesh). These rivers carry massive amounts of sediment from the Himalayas, which are deposited as they slow down upon reaching the coast, creating the vast mangrove forest region known as the Sunderbans.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Ganga and Yamuna: These rivers meet at Prayagraj (Allahabad) to form the combined Ganga river, but they do not form the Sunderbans delta directly.
- Option (c) Brahmaputra and Barak: While these are part of the same larger river system in the east, they are not the primary pair responsible for the Sunderbans delta.
- Option (d) Godavari and Krishna: These are peninsular rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal separately and form their own smaller deltas, not the Sunderbans.
Germany and which country jointly developed the Taurus KEPD-350 missile?
A)
China
B)
India
C)
Russia
D)
Sweden
The Taurus KEPD-350 is a long-range, precision-strike cruise missile. It was developed as a joint venture between Germany and Sweden. Specifically, it was created by a consortium consisting of MBDA (a European missile systems company) and Taurus Systems GmbH, with significant contributions from the German and Swedish defense industries to meet the requirements of the German and Swedish air forces.
Analysis of other options:
- a. China: China develops its own indigenous missile systems (e.g., DF series) and does not collaborate with Germany on cruise missiles.
- b. India: India has its own cruise missile programs (e.g., BrahMos with Russia) and was not involved in the Taurus project.
- c. Russia: Russia is a geopolitical rival to the NATO members (Germany and Sweden) and would not jointly develop a strategic weapon system like the Taurus.
The chief guest in Chapchar Kut is known as -
A)
Kit Pa
B)
Khual lian
C)
Kut thlengtu
D)
Khual tha
Chapchar Kut is the most significant spring festival of the Mizo people, celebrated after the completion of 'jhum' clearing. In the traditional celebration of Kut festivals, the chief guest or the guest of honor is referred to as the 'Khual lian'. The term 'Khual' means guest and 'lian' implies greatness or seniority, thus 'Khual lian' translates to the 'great guest' or chief guest. Other options like 'Kit Pa' or 'Khual tha' do not hold this specific cultural designation in the context of the Chapchar Kut festivities.
The ‘Four Asian Tigers’ are:
A)
Japan, India, Hong Kong, South Korea
B)
Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan
C)
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines
D)
Japan, South Korea, North Korea, China
The term 'Four Asian Tigers' (or Four Asian Tigers economies) refers to the high-growth economies of East Asia that underwent rapid industrialization and maintained exceptionally high growth rates between the early 1960s and 1990s. These four economies are Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Their growth was characterized by export-oriented industrialization and heavy investment in education and infrastructure.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because Japan and India are not part of the 'Four Tigers' group (Japan is a developed G7 economy; India is an emerging economy).
- Option (c) refers to the 'Tiger Cub Economies' (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam), which are second-generation fast-growing economies in Southeast Asia.
- Option (d) is incorrect because North Korea and China are not part of this specific economic grouping.
In which part of the cell does respiration occur?
A)
Nucleus
B)
Mitochondria
C)
Ribosome
D)
Chloroplast
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose and other nutrients to produce energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). While the first stage (glycolysis) occurs in the cytoplasm, the most critical aerobic stages—the Krebs cycle and the Electron Transport Chain—take place within the mitochondria. Because they are the primary site of ATP production, mitochondria are widely known as the 'powerhouse of the cell.'
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Nucleus: This is the control center of the cell containing genetic material (DNA); it does not perform respiration.
- c. Ribosome: These are the sites of protein synthesis (translation).
- d. Chloroplast: These are found in plant cells and are the sites of photosynthesis (converting light energy to chemical energy), which is essentially the opposite process of respiration.
The Earth’s core is mainly composed of which two elements?
A)
Oxygen and Nitrogen
B)
Iron and Nickel
C)
Carbon and Hydrogen
D)
Silicon and Magnesium
The Earth's interior is divided into three main layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core. The core is the innermost part of the Earth and is primarily composed of heavy metals. Specifically, it consists mainly of Iron (Fe) and Nickel (Ni), which is why it is often referred to as the 'NiFe' layer. The inner core is solid due to immense pressure, while the outer core is liquid.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Oxygen and Nitrogen: These are the primary components of the Earth's atmosphere, not its core.
- Option (c) Carbon and Hydrogen: These are organic elements common in living organisms and hydrocarbons, but they do not make up the bulk of the Earth's core.
- Option (d) Silicon and Magnesium: These elements are primary components of the Earth's mantle (peridotite) and crust (silicates), but they are too light to sink to the center of the Earth during planetary differentiation.
An earthen pot used for sacrificial purposes is -
A)
Haite
B)
Dumbur
C)
Lampei
D)
Paihper
In traditional Mizo culture, a 'Dumbur' is a specific type of earthen pot used primarily for sacrificial purposes or ritualistic offerings.
Analysis of options:
- Haite: Not a term for a sacrificial pot.
- Dumbur: Correct. It refers to the ritualistic earthen pot used in traditional Mizo ceremonies.
- Lampei: This refers to a traditional Mizo dance or a specific type of rhythmic movement/song, not a pot.
- Paihper: Not the term for a sacrificial earthen pot.
Therefore, based on Mizo cultural terminology, the Dumbur is the correct answer.
According to RBI’s ‘State of the Economy’ report, India’s growth rate in 2025-2026 is projected at-
A)
7%
B)
8%
C)
6.7%
D)
7.7%
RBI’s ‘State of the Economy’ report projected India’s growth rate for 2025–26 at 6.7%, so option (c) is correct. The other options are incorrect because 7%, 7.7%, and 8% do not match the RBI’s stated projection for that year.
The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of-
A)
Only members of Lok Sabha
B)
Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
C)
Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States
D)
Members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States
According to Article 54 of the Constitution of India, the President is elected by an electoral college. This electoral college consists of:
1. The elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
2. The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (Vidhan Sabhas).
3. The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry (added via the 70th Amendment Act, 1992).
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because it excludes the Rajya Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Option (b) is incorrect because it excludes the State Legislative Assemblies.
- Option (c) is incorrect because it excludes the members of Parliament.
- Option (d) is correct as it encompasses the primary components of the electoral college as mandated by the Constitution.
Who was the last Mizo chief who united the Mizo chiefs and launch an open rebellion against the British?
A)
Dothanga
B)
Zataia
C)
Seipuia
D)
Kairuma
Chief Dothanga is historically recognized as the last great Mizo chief who attempted to unite the various fragmented Mizo clans to launch a coordinated open rebellion against the British administration. This resistance culminated in the late 19th century. While other chiefs like Zataia were influential, Dothanga's efforts were specifically characterized by the attempt to unify the chiefs for a collective military uprising. After the failure of these rebellions and the subsequent British military expeditions, the traditional system of chieftainship was gradually dismantled and replaced by the British administrative system.
Who was the leader of the Aligarh Movement?
A)
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
B)
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
C)
Allama Iqbal
D)
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
The Aligarh Movement was a 19th-century socio-educational reform movement among the Muslims of South Asia. It was led by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who aimed to modernize Muslim society by promoting Western education and scientific thought while maintaining Islamic values. The movement's crowning achievement was the establishment of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, which later became the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Why other options are incorrect:
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah: He was a key political leader and the founder of Pakistan, active much later than the inception of the Aligarh Movement.
- Allama Iqbal: He was a philosopher and poet who provided the ideological basis for a separate Muslim state, but he was not the founder/leader of the Aligarh Movement.
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: He was a prominent scholar and a leader of the Indian National Congress who advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity and opposed the partition of India.