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Past Questions
The Mizo village medicine man was called -
A)
Sadawt
B)
Bawlpi
C)
Tlahpawi
D)
Rambhual
In traditional Mizo society, the 'Sadawt' was the village medicine man or traditional healer. They were believed to possess special knowledge of herbs and spiritual rituals to cure ailments and ward off evil spirits.
Analysis of other options:
- Bawlpi: Refers to a specific type of traditional Mizo attire or a style of wrapping cloth.
- Tlahpawi: This is not a recognized term for a medicine man in Mizo cultural history.
- Rambhual: This is not a recognized term for a medicine man in Mizo cultural history.
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(b) of the Constitution of India, the minimum age required to be eligible for election as a member of the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) is 25 years.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 25 years: Correct. This is the constitutional requirement for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly members.
- Option (b) 30 years: Incorrect. This is the minimum age required to be a member of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of Parliament).
- Option (c) 35 years: Incorrect. This is the minimum age required to be eligible for election as the President or Vice-President of India.
- Option (d) 18 years: Incorrect. This is the minimum age for a citizen to be a registered voter (Universal Adult Suffrage), not to be a candidate for election.
Which Indian state has the highest population density as per the latest census?
A)
Maharashtra
B)
Uttar Pradesh
C)
Bihar
D)
West Bengal
Population density is calculated as the number of persons per square kilometer of land area. According to the 2011 Census of India (which remains the latest official census data available for competitive exams), Bihar has the highest population density among all Indian states, with approximately 1,106 persons per square km.
Comparing the options:
- Bihar: ~1,106 persons/sq km (Highest)
- West Bengal: ~1,028 persons/sq km (Second highest)
- Uttar Pradesh: ~829 persons/sq km
- Maharashtra: ~365 persons/sq km
Therefore, Bihar is the correct answer.
Which of the following is a mammal that lays eggs?
A)
Dolphin
B)
Bat
C)
Platypus
D)
Kangaroo
Mammals are generally characterized by giving birth to live young, but there is a small group of mammals called Monotremes that lay eggs. The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a prime example of a monotreme; it possesses mammary glands to feed its young but lays leathery eggs similar to reptiles.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Dolphin: These are placental mammals that give birth to live young.
- b. Bat: These are placental mammals that give birth to live young.
- d. Kangaroo: These are marsupials; they give birth to underdeveloped live young which then continue to develop in a pouch.
What is the longest river in India?
A)
Ganga
B)
Krishna
C)
Brahmaputra
D)
Godavari
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. The question asks for the longest river located within India. 2. The Ganga (Ganges) is the longest river in India, with a total length of approximately 2,525 km. 3. Comparing the options:
- Ganga: ~2,525 km (Longest in India).
- Godavari: ~1,465 km (The longest river in Peninsular India, often called 'Dakshin Ganga', but shorter than the Ganga).
- Krishna: ~1,400 km.
- Brahmaputra: While the Brahmaputra is longer in total length across Asia, its course within the Indian territory is shorter than that of the Ganga.
Therefore, the Ganga is the correct answer.
The official leader of the Revolt of 1857 was -
A)
Tantia Tope
B)
Bahadur Shah Zafar
C)
Rani Lakshmi Bai
D)
Kunwar Singh
The Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Independence, lacked a single centralized military command, but the rebels sought a symbolic and legal head to unify the various regional uprisings. On May 11, 1857, the sepoys from Meerut marched to Delhi and proclaimed the Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, as the 'Shahenshah-e-Hindustan' (Emperor of India) and the official leader of the revolt. This gave the movement a sense of legitimacy and a focal point for national unity.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Tantia Tope: He was a brilliant general and a key lieutenant of Nana Sahib in Kanpur, but he was a military leader, not the official head of the entire revolt.
- Rani Lakshmi Bai: She was the courageous leader of the rebellion in Jhansi, fighting to protect her kingdom, but her authority was regional.
- Kunwar Singh: He was a prominent leader of the revolt in Bihar (Jagdishpur), but like Rani Lakshmi Bai, his leadership was localized to a specific region.
In which states are the Pardhi community primarily found?
A)
Mizoram and Manipur
B)
Bihar and Jharkhand
C)
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
D)
Odisha and Tamil Nadu
The Pardhi community is a nomadic group traditionally known for hunting and gathering. They are primarily concentrated in the central part of India, specifically in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Historically, they were categorized under the Criminal Tribes Act during the British era, which significantly impacted their socio-economic status.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Mizoram and Manipur: These are North-Eastern states where different tribal groups (like the Mizo and Meitei) predominate.
- Option (b) Bihar and Jharkhand: While these states have various nomadic and tribal groups, the Pardhis are not the primary community associated with this region.
- Option (d) Odisha and Tamil Nadu: These states have their own distinct indigenous and nomadic populations, but the Pardhi heartland is central India.
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 to produce energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). While the first stage (glycolysis) occurs in the cytoplasm, the subsequent and most energy-productive stages—the Krebs cycle and the Electron Transport Chain—take place inside the mitochondria. Because of this, mitochondria are widely known as the 'powerhouse of the cell.'
Analysis of other options:
- 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.
What is the basic unit of life?
A)
Organ
B)
Cell
C)
Tissue
D)
Organism
The cell is defined as the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms. According to the Cell Theory, all living things are composed of one or more cells, and the cell is the smallest unit of life capable of performing all the processes necessary for survival.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Organ: An organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function (e.g., the heart). It is a higher level of organization than a cell.
- c. Tissue: A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function. It is composed of cells.
- d. Organism: An organism is an individual living thing. While a unicellular organism is a single cell, multicellular organisms are composed of trillions of cells. Therefore, the organism is the whole, while the cell is the basic unit.
Who has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha?
A)
The President of India
B)
The Prime Minister of India
C)
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
D)
The Chief Justice of India
According to Article 85(2)(b) of the Constitution of India, the President has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha. While the President exercises this power, it is typically done on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. The Prime Minister: While the Prime Minister recommends the dissolution, the formal legal authority to dissolve the House rests with the President.
- c. The Speaker: The Speaker presides over the House and can adjourn or suspend sittings, but does not have the constitutional power to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
- d. The Chief Justice of India: The CJI heads the judiciary and has no role in the dissolution of the legislative body.
Mizo society is a-
A)
Patriarchal society
B)
Matriarchal society
C)
Polyandrous society
D)
Polygamous society
Mizo society is traditionally a patriarchal society. In a patriarchal system, the lineage, inheritance, and family authority are traced through the male line (patrilineal). In Mizo culture, the family name and ancestral property are typically passed from father to son, and the male head of the household traditionally holds the primary decision-making authority.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Matriarchal society: This is a system where power and inheritance are passed through the female line (e.g., the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya), which is not the case for the Mizos.
- c. Polyandrous society: Polyandry is a form of marriage where one woman has multiple husbands. This is not a characteristic of Mizo culture.
- d. Polygamous society: While polygamy (specifically polygyny) may have existed in very ancient or rare historical contexts in various tribal societies, the fundamental structural organization of Mizo society is defined by its patriarchal lineage rather than a system of multiple spouses.
Which of the following is the longest written Constitution in the world?
A)
United States Constitution
B)
Constitution of India
C)
Constitution of Canada
D)
Constitution of Germany
The Constitution of India is recognized as the longest written national constitution of any sovereign country in the world. At its inception, it contained 395 articles divided into 22 parts and 8 schedules; currently, due to various amendments, it has grown significantly in length.
Reasoning for other options:
- a. United States Constitution: It is the shortest written national constitution in the world, designed by the Founding Fathers to be flexible and concise.
- c. Constitution of Canada: While detailed, it is not the longest; it consists of several acts (like the Constitution Act, 1867 and 1982) and is significantly shorter than India's.
- d. Constitution of Germany: The Basic Law (Grundgesetz) is comprehensive but does not match the sheer volume and detail of the Indian Constitution, which includes extensive administrative details and specific provisions for various states and castes.
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 'oil production' and 'oil exportation'.
1. **Saudi Arabia (Option c):** According to current global trade data (including 2024 statistics), Saudi Arabia remains the world's top single exporter of crude oil. While other nations may produce more, Saudi Arabia's infrastructure and economic strategy are heavily geared toward the export market.
2. **United States (Option a):** The US is currently the world's largest oil *producer* (producing over 20 million barrels per day), but because it consumes a vast majority of its own production domestically, it does not export as much total volume as Saudi Arabia.
3. **Russia (Option b) and Iraq (Option d):** Both are major global exporters and typically rank behind Saudi Arabia in terms of total crude oil export volume.
Therefore, based on the provided reference context and global economic data, Saudi Arabia is the correct answer.
Which Govt. of India scheme aims to provide housing to all?
A)
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
B)
Smart Cities Mission
C)
National Urban Livelihoods Mission
D)
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a flagship mission of the Government of India launched with the objective of providing 'Housing for All'. It is divided into two components: PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U) and PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G), targeting the urban poor and rural households respectively.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Smart Cities Mission: Focuses on promoting cities that provide core infrastructure and a decent quality of life through 'Smart' solutions, not specifically on universal housing.
- c. National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM): Aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability of urban poor households by enabling them to diversify their livelihoods.
- d. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Focuses on establishing infrastructure that could ensure robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation, rather than housing construction.
The rank of India in the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 20235 is -
A)
4h
B)
st
C)
6%
D)
8%
The correct option is **b**. India’s rank in the **Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2023** is **8th**. The CRI ranks countries based on the impacts of extreme weather events, and India is placed at **8th position** in the 2023 index. The other options are incorrect because **4th**, **6th**, and **8%** are not the reported rank; only **8th** matches the official CRI 2023 ranking for India.
An earthen pot used for sacrificial purposes is -
A)
Haite
B)
Dumbur
C)
Lampei
D)
Paihper
In traditional Mizo culture, different types of earthen pots were used for specific purposes. A 'Dumbur' is a specific type of earthen pot traditionally used for sacrificial purposes or ritualistic offerings.
Analysis of other options:
- Haite: Not a recognized term for a sacrificial pot in Mizo culture.
- Lampei: Generally refers to a type of traditional dance or specific cultural performance/instrument context, not a pot.
- Paihper: Not the standard term for a sacrificial earthen pot.
Drain of Wealth Theory was propounded by-
A)
RP Dutt
B)
Dadabhai Naoroji
C)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D)
Mahatma Gandhi
The 'Drain of Wealth' theory was propounded by Dadabhai Naoroji, often referred to as the 'Grand Old Man of India'. In his seminal work, 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India', Naoroji argued that a significant portion of India's national wealth was being exported to Britain through various channels (such as salaries, pensions, and trade imbalances) without any equivalent economic return to India. This theory provided an economic critique of British colonialism and helped fuel the early Indian nationalist movement.
Why other options are incorrect:
- RP Dutt: While he wrote 'India Today' and analyzed the economic impact of colonialism from a Marxist perspective, he did not originate the Drain of Wealth theory.
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak: He was a prominent leader of the 'Extremist' wing of the Congress and focused more on political self-rule (Swaraj) and cultural revival.
- Mahatma Gandhi: He focused on the philosophy of Satyagraha, Ahimsa, and the promotion of Khadi (self-reliance), but the economic framework of the 'Drain Theory' predates his primary leadership phase.
Which of the following is not a Fundamental Duty?
A)
To abide by the Constitution
B)
To vote in elections
C)
To protect the sovereignty of India
D)
To protect the environment
Fundamental Duties are listed under Article 51A of the Indian Constitution (Part IV-A), added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
1. Option (a) 'To abide by the Constitution' is a Fundamental Duty: Article 51A(a) states it is the duty of every citizen to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions.
2. Option (c) 'To protect the sovereignty of India' is a Fundamental Duty: Article 51A(c) mandates citizens to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
3. Option (d) 'To protect the environment' is a Fundamental Duty: Article 51A(g) mandates citizens to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
4. Option (b) 'To vote in elections' is a legal and civic right/responsibility, but it is NOT listed as a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A of the Constitution. Therefore, it is the correct answer to the question 'Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty?'
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 metallic elements. Specifically, it consists mainly of Iron (Fe) and Nickel (Ni), which is why it is often referred to as the 'NiFe' layer.
Breakdown of options:
- Option (a) Oxygen and Nitrogen: These are the primary components of the Earth's atmosphere, not the core.
- Option (b) Iron and Nickel: Correct. These dense metals sank to the center of the Earth during the process of planetary differentiation.
- Option (c) Carbon and Hydrogen: These are organic building blocks and common in the universe, but they do not make up the bulk of the Earth's core.
- Option (d) Silicon and Magnesium: These are the primary components of the Earth's mantle (peridotite) and crust (silicates), but not the core.
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
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the Question**: The question asks for the term that describes the relationship between a cultural group and its natural environment.
2. **Evaluate Option (a) Cultural ecology**: By definition, cultural ecology is the study of how human cultures adapt to their physical environment and how they, in turn, modify that environment. It focuses specifically on the interaction between culture and nature. This matches the question perfectly.
3. **Evaluate Option (b) Cultural convergence**: This refers to the process where different cultures become more similar to one another as they interact (often due to globalization), not the relationship with the natural environment.
4. **Evaluate Option (c) Cultural diffusion**: This is the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another (e.g., the spread of a religion or language), which is a social process rather than an environmental one.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) Cultural assimilation**: This occurs when a minority group or individual gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of a prevailing dominant culture, losing their original cultural identity in the process.
Conclusion: Only 'Cultural ecology' addresses the man-nature relationship.
Which is the largest planet in the Solar System?
A)
Saturn
B)
Earth
C)
Neptune
D)
Jupiter
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. The Solar System consists of eight major planets. 2. To determine the largest planet, we compare their equatorial diameters. 3. Jupiter is a gas giant with a mean radius of approximately 69,911 km, making it the largest planet in our solar system. 4. Comparing the options: Saturn is the second largest, Neptune is the fourth largest, and Earth is the fifth largest. Therefore, Jupiter is the correct answer.
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 founded and led by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who aimed to modernize Muslim society by promoting Western education and scientific thought while maintaining Islamic values. His most significant contribution 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 start 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 of the Aligarh Movement.
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: He was a prominent scholar and the first Education Minister of independent India, known for his opposition to the partition of India.
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 is designed to enhance interoperability, promote maritime security, and strengthen the strategic partnership between India and France.
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: While India maintains defense ties with Germany, 'Varuna' is specifically the designated exercise for France.
The term ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’ was coined by-
A)
E.O. Wilson
B)
Norman Myers
C)
Charles Darwin
D)
Rachel Carson
The term 'Biodiversity Hotspot' was coined by the British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988. He defined these regions as biogeographic areas that possess exceptional levels of plant endemism (species found nowhere else) and are under significant threat of habitat loss. To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it must have lost at least 70% of its original native vegetation.
Analysis of other options:
- E.O. Wilson: While he is known as the 'father of biodiversity' and contributed immensely to the study of sociobiology and conservation, he did not coin the specific term 'Biodiversity Hotspot'.
- Charles Darwin: He is the father of evolutionary biology and proposed the theory of natural selection, long before the modern concept of biodiversity hotspots was established.
- Rachel Carson: She was a marine biologist and conservationist best known for her book 'Silent Spring', which alerted the world to the dangers of pesticides (DDT), but she did not coin this term.
Alexander the Great conquered India inthe year-
A)
326 BC
B)
327 BC
C)
326 BC
D)
325 BC
Alexander the Great, the King of Macedonia, invaded the Indian subcontinent in 326 BC. His most significant engagement in India was the Battle of the Hydaspes, fought in 326 BC against King Porus of the Paurava kingdom. Although he won the battle, his army eventually refused to advance further east toward the Ganges plain due to exhaustion and fear of the powerful Nanda Empire, leading to his retreat. Note: In the provided options, 'a' and 'c' are identical (326 BC), but 326 BC is the historically accurate date for his entry and major conquest in India.