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Past Questions — 2024
The Alkire-Foster methodology of the multidimensional poverty index has three equally weighted dimensions as follows :
A)
Health, education, and standard of living
B)
Income, literacy, and absolute poverty
C)
Income, health, and standard of living
D)
Health, income, and education
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) using the Alkire-Foster method, moves beyond income-based measures of poverty. It identifies multiple deprivations at the household and individual level. The MPI is based on three equally weighted dimensions:
1. Health: Measured by indicators such as nutrition and child mortality.
2. Education: Measured by indicators such as years of schooling and school attendance.
3. Standard of Living: Measured by indicators such as cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, floor, and assets.
Options b, c, and d are incorrect because they include 'Income'. The core purpose of the Alkire-Foster MPI is to provide a non-income-based measure of poverty, recognizing that poverty is not just a lack of money but a lack of basic capabilities and services.
16th August, 1946 was declared as “Direct Action Day” by :
A)
The Congress
B)
The Muslim League
C)
Mahatma Gandhi
D)
The Communist Party of India
Direct Action Day was called by the All-India Muslim League on August 16, 1946. This was a response to the failure of the Cabinet Mission Plan and the disagreement between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League over the grouping of provinces and the demand for a separate sovereign state (Pakistan). Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League, declared this day to demonstrate the strength of Muslim sentiment for Pakistan. The call led to widespread communal violence, most notably the 'Great Calcutta Killings' in August 1946, which triggered a chain of riots across other parts of India.
Why other options are incorrect:
- (a) The Congress: The Indian National Congress advocated for a united India and opposed the partition; they did not call for Direct Action Day.
- (c) Mahatma Gandhi: Gandhi was a proponent of non-violence (Ahimsa) and spent much of 1946 attempting to mediate peace between the Congress and the League.
- (d) The Communist Party of India: While active in the political landscape, the CPI was not the architect of this specific communal mobilization effort.
The original Constitution of India contained :
A)
395 Articles, eight Schedules and 22 Parts
B)
395 Articles, eight Schedules and 23 Parts
C)
395 Articles, nine Schedules and 21 Parts
D)
None of these
The original Constitution of India (1950) had 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, and 22 Parts.
Which committee recommended for three language formula?
A)
Raj Committee
B)
Kothari Committee
C)
Rajamannar Committee
D)
Dutt Committee
The Three-Language Formula was recommended by the Kothari Commission (1964-66), headed by Daulat Singh Kothari. The commission proposed a formula to balance the needs of regional languages, Hindi, and English in Indian schools to promote national integration and linguistic harmony. The formula generally suggests: 1. The mother tongue or regional language, 2. Hindi (in non-Hindi speaking states) or another modern Indian language (in Hindi speaking states), and 3. English.
Analysis of other options:
- Raj Committee: Not associated with the primary recommendation of the three-language formula.
- Rajamannar Committee: This was a committee appointed by the Tamil Nadu government in 1967 to examine the language issue, but it was not the body that originated the Three-Language Formula.
- Dutt Committee: Not the authority responsible for this educational language policy.
An economic activity dominated by temporary or short-term contractual or freelance workers to perform jobs typically in the service sector is called :
A)
Digital economy
B)
Gig economy
C)
Economy led by young entrepreneurs
D)
Plug and play model economy
A 'Gig economy' is a free-market labor system characterized by temporary, flexible, and short-term contractual or freelance jobs, especially prevalent across modern service and digital sectors.
Which country recently launched the World’s first dedicated Drone Carrier?
A)
USA
B)
Russia
C)
China
D)
Turkey
China recently launched the world's first dedicated drone carrier, which is a specialized vessel designed specifically to launch, recover, and maintain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at sea. Unlike traditional aircraft carriers that are modified to carry drones, this vessel is purpose-built for drone operations to enhance maritime surveillance and strike capabilities. While the USA, Russia, and Turkey are leaders in drone technology (especially Turkey with the Bayraktar series), they utilize conventional aircraft carriers or land-based stations rather than a dedicated, purpose-built drone carrier ship.
Which country on June 2024 calls India as the second biggest foreign threat to its democracy after China?
A)
Sri Lanka
B)
Maldives
C)
Canada
D)
Pakistan
In June 2024, a report by Canada's National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) cited India as the second biggest foreign threat to Canadian democracy after China.
The sufis used to organize communities around the hospice called :
A)
Pir
B)
Khalifa
C)
Murshid
D)
Khangah
A Khanqah (or Khangah) was a hospice/monastery designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi order, serving as a center for communal living, spiritual retreat, and moral teachings.
The International Day for Biological Diversity falls on :
A)
22nd April
B)
23rd April
C)
22nd May
D)
23rd May
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
The world’s first conversational AI with emotional intelligence is :
A)
AI Robot
B)
Gemini AI
C)
Hume AI
D)
Humanoid Robot
Hume AI introduced the Empathic Voice Interface (EVI), recognized as the world's first conversational AI with emotional intelligence.
According to tradition and epigraphic evidence, who founded the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336?
A)
Harihara and Bukka
B)
Krishnadeva Raya
C)
Rama Raya
D)
Colin Mackenzie and Thomas Hickey
According to epigraphic and literary records, two brothers, Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, founded the Vijayanagara Empire on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in 1336.
Which of the following Constitutional Amendments has been described as a “Mini Revision of the Constitution”?
A)
Forty-Second Ammendment Act, 1976
B)
Forty-Fourth Ammendment Act, 1978
C)
Fifty-Second Ammendment Act, 1985
D)
Forty-Eighth Ammendment Act, 1987
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 made extensive and sweeping changes to various parts of the Indian Constitution (including the Preamble, Seventh Schedule, and adding Fundamental Duties), earning it the description 'Mini-Constitution' or 'Mini Revision of the Constitution'.
Who acts as the President of India when neither the President nor the Vice President is available?
A)
Chief Election Commissioner of India
B)
Chief Justice of India
C)
Auditor General of India
D)
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
As per the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969, the Chief Justice of India acts as the President if both the offices are vacant.
Player of the Season in the recently concluded UEFA Champions League 2023-24 is :
A)
Jude Belligham
B)
Kylian Mbappe
C)
Vinicius Junior
D)
Erling Haaland
Vinicius Junior was named the official Player of the Season for the UEFA Champions League 2023-24 following his outstanding performances and title-winning goal in the final for Real Madrid.
What are the two basic principles of promotion in civil service?
A)
Principles of seniority and examination for promotion to the next higher post.
B)
Principles of seniority and merit.
C)
Principles of merit only.
D)
Principles of seniority and higher qualification.
In public administration and civil service systems, the two fundamental principles governing promotions are the Principle of Seniority and the Principle of Merit.
‘Barbie’ movie released in 2023 made history, becoming the first Billion-Dollar movie directed solely by a woman, and was directed by :
A)
Jane Campion
B)
Sofia Coppola
C)
Kathryn Bigelow
D)
Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig directed the 2023 film 'Barbie', which became the first billion-dollar movie directed solely by a woman.
The largest physiographical unit of India is :
A)
The Himalayan region
B)
The Gangetic plains
C)
The Peninsular plateau
D)
The Coastal plain
The Peninsular Plateau covers an area of approximately 16 lakh sq km, making it the largest physiographical unit of India.
The largest biodiversity area in India is :
A)
North-Eastern region
B)
Deccan Plateau
C)
Southern Peninsula
D)
Western Ghats
India is divided into several biodiversity hotspots. While the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas are both recognized as global biodiversity hotspots, the North-Eastern region (which encompasses the Eastern Himalayas and the Indo-Burma region) is considered the largest biodiversity area in terms of species richness and variety. This region serves as a transition zone between the Palearctic and Indo-Malayan realms, leading to an exceptionally high concentration of endemic species of flora and fauna.
Comparing the options:
- North-Eastern region: Contains the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma hotspots, boasting the highest species diversity in India.
- Deccan Plateau: While ecologically significant, it does not possess the same level of biodiversity or endemism as the North-East.
- Southern Peninsula: Contains diverse ecosystems, but is less diverse than the North-East.
- Western Ghats: This is a major biodiversity hotspot, but in terms of overall area and the sheer variety of species (especially avian and botanical), the North-Eastern region is superior.
The growth rate of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) according to the provisional estimate of the National Statistic Organisation (NSO) in the financial year 2023-24 is :
A)
7.2 per cent
B)
7.5 per cent
C)
8 percent
D)
8.2 per cent
According to the provisional estimates released by the National Statistical Organisation (NSO), India's GDP growth rate for the financial year 2023-24 was estimated at 8.2 per cent.
Consider the following statements and identify the correct points related to the recently concluded Lok Sabha General Election, 2024. 1. Counting of votes was held on 4th June 2024. 2. BJP won 240 seats. 3. Indian National Congress Won 99 seats. 4. Telegu Desam Party Won 16 seats.
A)
1 & 2 only
B)
1 & 3 only
C)
1,2 & 3 only
D)
1,2,3 & 4
All four statements regarding the 2024 Lok Sabha General Elections are factually correct: (1) Vote counting was held on June 4, 2024; (2) The BJP won 240 seats; (3) The Indian National Congress won 99 seats on counting day; and (4) The Telugu Desam Party won 16 seats in Andhra Pradesh.
Which biome is characterised by the presence of mosses, lichens and herbs with underlying permafrost?
A)
Taiga
B)
Desert
C)
Tundra
D)
Savanna
The Tundra biome is characterized by low-growing vegetation such as mosses, lichens, and grasses, accompanied by a permanently frozen subsoil layer (permafrost).
The Indian National Congress was founded in which year?
A)
1857
B)
1885
C)
1905
D)
1925
The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885.
Which of the following economists held the view that nature will check population growth?
A)
Thomas Robert Malthus
B)
Adam Smith
C)
JS Mill
D)
David Ricardo
Thomas Robert Malthus posited that unchecked population growth is inevitably curtailed by 'positive checks' imposed by nature, such as famine, disease, and war.
Seventy Fourth Amendment Act, 1992 of the Constitution deals with :
A)
Municipality
B)
Panchayati Raj
C)
Non-territorial Council
D)
Village empowerment
The 74th Amendment Act, 1992, gives constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities).
On which occasion was Bombay handed over to the British by the Portuguese?
A)
Liberation of Portuguese from Spanish control.
B)
Charles II marriage with princess Catherine.
C)
The defeat of Spanish Armada in 1588.
D)
None of the above
In 1661, Bombay was given to the British Crown as part of the dowry of the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza, who married King Charles II of England.