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Past Questions
In India, which body releases the Poverty Line estimates?
A)
NITI Aayog
B)
Reserve Bank of India
C)
Ministry of Finance
D)
National Statistical Office
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Historically, poverty estimates in India were conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) based on consumption expenditure surveys.
2. In 2019, the Government of India merged the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) and the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to form a single entity called the National Statistical Office (NSO).
3. The NSO, which operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is now the official body responsible for collecting data and releasing the estimates used to determine the poverty line in India.
Why other options are incorrect:
- NITI Aayog: While NITI Aayog (formerly the Planning Commission) used to formulate the poverty line based on data provided by the NSSO, the actual data collection and estimation process is handled by the statistical office.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI): The RBI is India's central bank and focuses on monetary policy, banking regulation, and currency management, not on poverty estimation.
- Ministry of Finance: While it manages the budget and fiscal policy, it does not conduct the primary statistical surveys required to estimate the poverty line.
Which of the following is the main cause of ocean acidification?
A)
Excess oxygen in water
B)
Carbon dioxide absorption by seawater
C)
Oilspills
D)
Marine biodiversity loss
Ocean acidification is a direct result of the ocean absorbing increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it reacts with water (H2O) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This acid then dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. The increase in hydrogen ions lowers the pH of the water, making it more acidic. This process reduces the availability of carbonate ions, which are essential for calcifying organisms (like corals and mollusks) to build their shells and skeletons.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): Excess oxygen does not cause acidification; in fact, low oxygen levels (hypoxia) are a separate environmental issue.
- Option (c): Oil spills cause severe toxic pollution and physical damage to marine life, but they do not change the chemical pH of the global ocean on a systemic scale.
- Option (d): Marine biodiversity loss is a consequence (effect) of ocean acidification and other stressors, not the cause of the acidification itself.
The Ramsar Convention is related to the conservation of-
A)
Rainforests
B)
Deserts
C)
Wetlands
D)
Mangroves
The Ramsar Convention, formally known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is an international treaty signed in the city of Ramsar in Iran on February 2, 1971. Its primary objective is the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Rainforests: While critical for biodiversity, rainforests are not the specific focus of the Ramsar Convention (they are often covered under broader biodiversity frameworks like the CBD).
- b. Deserts: Deserts are arid regions and are not the target of this specific water-centric treaty.
- d. Mangroves: While mangroves are a type of wetland and are protected under the Ramsar Convention, the convention covers ALL types of wetlands (including marshes, fens, peatlands, lakes, rivers, and coral reefs), making 'Wetlands' the most comprehensive and correct answer.
The term ‘Sixth Mass Extinction’ refers to-
A)
A geological phenomenon
B)
A period of increased volcanic activity
C)
Human-induced loss of species
D)
The end of the Ice Age
The 'Sixth Mass Extinction' (also known as the Holocene or Anthropocene extinction) refers to the ongoing extinction event occurring during the present epoch. Unlike the previous five mass extinctions, which were caused by natural phenomena such as asteroid impacts, massive volcanic eruptions, or drastic climate shifts, the current crisis is driven primarily by human activities. These include habitat destruction, overexploitation of species, pollution, the introduction of invasive species, and anthropogenic climate change.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because while extinction is recorded in the geological record, the 'Sixth' specifically refers to the biological loss caused by humans, not a general geological phenomenon.
- Option (b) is incorrect because volcanic activity was a primary driver of previous extinctions (like the Permian-Triassic extinction), but not the current one.
- Option (d) is incorrect because the end of the Ice Age refers to the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene, which is a climatic shift rather than the defining cause of the current mass extinction event.
Which among the following is the supreme law of the land in India?
A)
Indian Penal Code
B)
Constitution of India
C)
Fundamental Rights
D)
Directive Principles of State Policy
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the land. It is the foundational legal document that defines the political framework, establishes the structure of government (Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary), and outlines the relationship between the state and its citizens. Any law passed by the Parliament or State Legislatures that contradicts the provisions of the Constitution can be declared null and void by the judiciary through the power of Judicial Review.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Indian Penal Code: This is a statutory law (a code) created by the legislature to define crimes and punishments; it is subordinate to the Constitution.
- c. Fundamental Rights: These are essential rights guaranteed to citizens, but they are a PART of the Constitution, not the supreme law itself.
- d. Directive Principles of State Policy: These are guidelines for the government to follow while making laws; they are non-justiciable and are also a PART of the Constitution.
The Paris Agreement aims to-
A)
End all fossil fuel use immediately
B)
Limit global temperature rise to below 2°C
C)
Reduce population growth
D)
Increase greenhouse gas emissions
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris on 12 December 2015. Its primary goal is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because the agreement focuses on a transition to low-carbon economies and 'phasing down' or 'phasing out' fossil fuels over time, rather than an immediate total end, which would be economically and logistically impossible.
- Option (c) is incorrect as population growth is not a direct mandate or goal of the Paris Agreement.
- Option (d) is incorrect because the agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the temperature goals, not increase them.
The custom of ‘Mitthirawp lam’ belongs to -
A)
Ralte and Lusei clan
B)
Ralte, Lusei, Paite and Hmar clans
C)
All the Mizo tribes
D)
Lusei only
The 'Mitthirawp lam' is a traditional Mizo dance. In the context of Mizo cultural history and ethnographic studies, this specific dance is associated primarily with the Ralte and Lusei clans. While many Mizo dances are shared across various tribes, the Mitthirawp lam is specifically attributed to these two groups. Options b and c are incorrect because they include tribes (like Paite and Hmar) or 'all Mizo tribes' for whom this specific custom is not a primary cultural marker. Option d is incorrect because it excludes the Ralte clan, who also practice this custom.
Which of the following is the longest bone in the human body?
A)
Femur
B)
Tibia
C)
Humerus
D)
Radius
The human skeleton consists of 206 bones, categorized by size, shape, and location.
1. **Femur (Thigh Bone):** This is the longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the human body. It extends from the hip to the knee and is essential for supporting the weight of the body during standing and locomotion.
2. **Tibia (Shin Bone):** This is the second longest bone in the body, located in the lower leg. While large, it is shorter than the femur.
3. **Humerus:** This is the longest bone of the upper limb (arm), extending from the shoulder to the elbow, but it is significantly shorter than the femur.
4. **Radius:** This is one of the two bones in the forearm (alongside the ulna). It is much shorter than the femur, tibia, and humerus.
Therefore, the femur is correctly identified as the longest bone.
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.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in -
A)
Meghalaya
B)
Darjeeling
C)
Assam
D)
Manipur
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the state of Assam, India. It is renowned for having the highest density of one-horned rhinoceroses in the world. It is situated on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river.
Analysis of other options:
- Meghalaya: Known for sanctuaries like Nokrek and Balpakram, but not Pobitora.
- Darjeeling: This is a district in West Bengal, known for the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, not Pobitora.
- Manipur: Known for Keibul Lamjao National Park (the only floating park in the world), but not Pobitora.
Which of the following best describes ‘Social Protection’?
A)
Policies aimed at reducing budget deficits
B)
Programs that provide security against economic risks and vulnerabilities
C)
Privatization of social services
D)
Measures to encourage international trade
Option B is correct: Programs that provide security against economic risks and vulnerabilities.
An earthen pot used for sacrificial purposes is -
A)
Haite
B)
Dumbur
C)
Lampei
D)
Paihper
Option A is correct: Haite.
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
Option C is correct: Protecting forests from deforestation.
What is the primary source of energy for the Earth?
A)
The Moon
B)
The Sun
C)
Fossil fuels
D)
Wind
Option B is correct: The Sun.
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
Option B is correct: To vote in elections.
Which of the following is NOT a dimension of Human Development Index (HDI)?
A)
Health
B)
Education
C)
Income
D)
Environmental sustainability
Option D is correct: Environmental sustainability.
What is the primary aim of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)?
A)
Promoting digital transactions
B)
Providing access to financial services for all
C)
Encouraging entrepreneurship
D)
Reducing direct taxes
Option B is correct: Providing access to financial services for all.
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)
Option A is correct: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
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)
Option C is correct: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
The first Chief Executive Member in the Lushai Autonomous District Council was-
A)
Hrangaia
B)
Lalsawia
C)
R. Vanlawma
D)
Dr. Rosiama
Option A is correct: Hrangaia.
Which of the following gases is primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
A)
Oxygen
B)
Carbon dioxide
C)
Nitrogen
D)
Helium
Option B is correct: Carbon dioxide.
The term ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’ was coined by-
A)
E.O. Wilson
B)
Norman Myers
C)
Charles Darwin
D)
Rachel Carson
Option B is correct: Norman Myers.
Which of the following is NOT a social sector initiative in India?
A)
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
B)
Stand-Up India
C)
Ujjwala Yojana
D)
Startup India
Option D is correct: Startup India.
The first step of jhumming cultivation is
A)
Clearing of land
B)
Demarcation of land
C)
Selection of land
D)
Burning of dried trees
Option C is correct: Selection of land.
The custom of ‘Mitthirawp lam’ belongs to -
A)
Ralte and Lusei clan
B)
Ralte, Lusei, Paite and Hmar clans
C)
All the Mizo tribes
D)
Lusei only
Option B is correct: Ralte, Lusei, Paite and Hmar clans.