Towards an Asian century of prosperity - The Hindu

• EASING TENSION:Progress has been made in the negotiations on the
  boundary question, and the two sides have worked together to maintain
  peace and tranquillity in the border area.

 

 The combination of the world’s factory and the world’s back office
will producethe most competitive production base, writes Xi Jinping ,
President of China

My first visit to this ancient and magic land was 17
years ago, a time when the Indian economy was undergoing reform and
beginning to show new vitality in growth. The market was booming in
Mumbai, the economic centre. Bangalore was becoming increasingly famous
as India’s Silicon Valley. And Bollywood movies and yoga were popular
throughout the world. Its people were full of expectations and the
ancient civilisation was rejuvenated.

Now 17 years
later, I am about to once again visit India, an enchanting and beautiful
land that has captured world attention. India is an emerging economy
and a big developing country. It is Asia’s third largest economy and the
world’s second largest exporter of software and agriculture products. A
member of the United Nations, the G20, the BRICS and other
organisations, India is playing an increasingly important role in the
regional and international arena. The “Story of India” has spread far
and wide. With the new government coming into office, a new wave of
reform and development has been sweeping across India, greatly boosting
the confidence of the Indian people and attracting keen international
interest in its opportunities.

Progress in relations

Relations
between China and India have made significant progress in the new
century. The strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and
prosperity has been established. China has become India’s largest
trading partner, with their bilateral trade volume increasing from less
than US$3 billion early this century to nearly US$70 billion. Mutual
visits reached 8,20,000 last year. We have had close coordination and
cooperation on climate change, food security, energy security and other
global issues and upheld the common interests of our two countries as
well as the developing world as a whole. Progress has been made in the
negotiations on the boundary question, and the two sides have worked
together to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border area.
China-India relations have become one of the most dynamic and promising
bilateral relations in the 21st century.

Our
bilateral relations have reached where they are today as a result of the
following efforts: we have deepened mutual trust by strengthening
strategic dialogue and enhancing political confidence; we have brought
more benefits to each other by expanding the areas of cooperation and
making the pie of common interests bigger; we have forged closer
friendship by encouraging more people-to-people exchanges and cementing
popular support for our bilateral relations; and we have treated each
other with sincerity by respecting and accommodating each other’s
concerns and properly managing problems and differences.

Crucial stage of reform

Both
China and India are now in a crucial stage of reform and development.
The Chinese people are committed to realising the Chinese dream of great
national renewal. We are deepening reform in all sectors. The goal has
been set to improve and develop the socialist system with Chinese
characteristics and advance the modernisation of national governance
system and capability. A total of over 330 major reform measures
covering 15 areas have been announced and their implementation is well
underway.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
leadership, the new Indian government has identified ten priority areas
including providing a clean and efficient administration and improving
infrastructure. It is committed to building a united, strong and modern
India — Shreshtha Bharat. The Indian people are endeavouring to achieve
their development targets for the new era. China and India are both
faced with historic opportunities, and our respective dreams of national
renewal are very much aligned with each other. We need to connect our
development strategies more closely and jointly pursue our common dream
of national strength and prosperity.

As emerging
markets, each with its own strengths, we need to become closer
development partners who draw upon each other’s strengths and work
together for common development. With rich experience in infrastructure
building and manufacturing, China is ready to contribute to India’s
development in these areas. India is advanced in IT and pharmaceutical
industries, and Indian companies are welcome to seek business
opportunities in the Chinese market. The combination of the “world’s
factory” and the “world’s back office” will produce the most competitive
production base and the most attractive consumer market.

As
the two engines of the Asian economy, we need to become cooperation
partners spearheading growth. I believe that the combination of China’s
energy plus India’s wisdom will release massive potential. We need to
jointly develop the BCIM Economic Corridor, discuss the initiatives of
the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and
lead the sustainable growth of the Asian economy.

As
two important forces in a world that moves towards multipolarity, we
need to become global partners having strategic coordination. According
to Prime Minister Modi, China and India are “two bodies, one spirit.” I
appreciate this comment. Despite their distinctive features, the
“Chinese Dragon” and the “Indian Elephant” both cherish peace, equity
and justice. We need to work together to carry forward the Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (the Panchsheel), make the
international order more fair and reasonable, and improve the mechanism
and rules of international governance, so as to make them better respond
to the trend of the times and meet the common needs of the
international community.

As Deng Xiaoping puts it, no
genuine Asian century would come without the development of China,
India and other developing countries. We are ready to shoulder this
mission of our times and work actively to enhance friendship between
China and India. I look forward to an in-depth exchange of views with
Indian leaders on our bilateral relations during the visit, and to
injecting new vitality to our strategic and cooperative partnership for
peace and prosperity.

I am confident that as long as
China and India work together, the Asian century of prosperity and
renewal will surely arrive at an early date.

(Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, is on a three-day visit to India starting today.)

I look forward to injecting new vitality to our strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity

Federalism in judicial appointments - The Hindu

 

A clean judiciary is a constitutional imperative for any working democracy

States should have a say in any major constitutional amendment concerning the judiciary

EQUAL ROLE:It is erroneous to conceive the issue of judicial appointment
as a tussle between the executive and the judiciary for a final say in
the process of selection to the higher judiciary. Picture shows the
Madras High Court.— PHOTO: V. GANESAN

The Supreme Court has dismissed a few writ petitions
challenging the constitutional validity of the Constitution (99th
Amendment) Bill and the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill,
2014 (NJAC Bill). The judgment is correct, but not for the reason that
the Bills are faultless. The Bills are yet to attain the status of law
as defined under Article 13 of the Constitution. A premature opposition
to the legislative move is antithetical to the facets of deliberative
democracy. Article 111 of the Constitution empowers the President to
return the Bills for reconsideration, which implies the possibility for
modifications. Article 368 says an amendment of the Constitution could
be done generally when a Bill is passed by “a majority of not less than
two thirds of the members present and voting” in each House. Proviso to
Article 368(2) clarifies that in certain cases, ratification by the
legislatures of at least one half of the states is mandatory. The Union
judiciary and the High Courts in the States come within the ambit of
this proviso. This would mean that in a federal system, despite the
clearance by Parliament, States do have a say in any attempt for a major
constitutional amendment concerning the judiciary. It is therefore
incorrect to think that the Bills mark an end in themselves. As such,
there is scope for further debate and a need for it.

A failed experiment

The
collegium is not just a failed experiment, but has also been
undemocratic. Therefore, the real issue is whether the proposed
amendment by way of Article 124A, B and C would really democratise the
method of appointment. It is erroneous to conceive the issue of judicial
appointment as a tussle between the executive and the judiciary for a
final say in the process of selection to the higher judiciary. The
present Bill is designed in such a way that both the judiciary and the
executive have a role in the process. It is generally perceived that
just two members can veto the majority decision in the NJAC and
therefore the mechanism is defective. I would, however, say that this is
a scientific device to oust the ineligible — provided the system is
fair and transparent.

But the system is not supposed
to be transparent, going by the text of the proposed amendment.
Functionally and structurally, the NJAC would perpetuate many of the
basic deficits and perils of the collegium in a different manner. A
secret process without any benchmark that does not even accept the need
for assessment of
inter se
merit would be constitutionally legitimised. No discussions, no
notifications, no applications, no interviews, no consultations and
ultimately no democratisation either in the process or in the
institution. Openness and transparency are the
sine qua non
for any fair method of selection.

Conceptual flaws

There
is a serious conceptual flaw with the present legislative design. An
uncomfortable dichotomy between the constitutional provision and
statutory scheme emerges through the new move. While the 99th
Constitution Amendment Act would create space for the new NJAC, its
composition and voting pattern are designed not by the amended
Constitution, but by a statute, namely the NJAC Act. This would indicate
that even the sole advantage of the NJAC i.e., the requirement for
support of five out of the six members for a valid selection is
vulnerable to statutory amendment by a simple majority in Parliament.
Thus, even without a constitutional amendment, the limited virtues of
the proposed NJAC would be taken away.

Federalism is a
basic feature of the Indian Constitution as held by the Supreme Court
in S.R. Bommai (1994). On account of the NJAC, it is not the “basic
feature” of judicial independence that is endangered, as is widely
misconceived. The judiciary and the executive at the centre will
annihilate even the limited role for the States in the selection process
in the High Courts. Going by the text of Article 217 of the
Constitution, even after its alteration by the Supreme Court in the
Second Judges case (1993) and Third Judges case (1998), the Governor of
the State and the collegium at the High Court level have a participative
role in selection of judges in the High Courts. In the system now
proposed, the NJAC or the President of India is not bound by the
recommendation of the Chief Justices of the High Courts or the
Governors. Section 6(4) of the NJAC Bill envisages consultation with
senior-most judges and eminent advocates in the High Courts. But their
opinion is not binding on the NJAC. Section 6(7) says the views of the
Governor will be elicited but, again, those are not binding. Thus those
at the Centre, through the NJAC, will select the High Court Judges,
despite their lack of familiarity with the institutions of High Courts
and lack of State-level mechanism for an open system for assessment of
individual merit. This nullifies the constitutionally guaranteed federal
traits in the realm of judicial appointments.

The
NJAC thus needs to be restructured and its procedure revamped. Before
ratifying the Bills mechanically, it is for the State legislatures to
seriously ponder over the matter, for the issues are closely associated
with the state’s role in the appointment process.

The
illustrative case of the U.K. needs to be emphasised in the Indian
scenario, for it shows how the federalist values are incorporated both
in the structure of the Commission and in the procedures adopted. The
Constitutional Reforms Act (CRA), 2005 in the U.K. was substantially
altered by way of the Amendment in 2013. At present, there is a
15-member Commission doing the job of selection of judges to the higher
judiciary and tribunals. Selection commences with an open vacancy
notification.

It is again a paradox that despite the
promise for equality of opportunity in public employment guaranteed
under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, an eligible person in
India cannot apply for judgeship in higher judiciary. Nor is there any
system of open nomination. In the U.K., the concept of equal opportunity
is not alien to judicial appointments. The notification is followed by a
series of statutory consultations. The criteria for appointment as a
Supreme Court judge are indicated in Sections 50 to 52 of the statute.
The Appointment Commission has a participative, representative and a
democratic character. England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
are properly represented in the process of consultation.

Federalism
is, therefore, not just a matter of Centre-State relation. It is, on
the other hand, a device to ensure participative role for the
representatives of the States constituting the nation, in the
decision-making process. The larger the body, the greater the democratic
content. In a vast country like ours, a six-member committee is
undemocratic due to its centralist features. Even the laymen are part of
the Commission in the U.K. It is no more an employment generation
scheme. Continued and repeated consultations and screening in the
British system ensure that no ineligible hand is inducted to the higher
judiciary. The only valid criticism against the method in the U.K is
that selection becomes a time-consuming process. But there is no
allegation of judicial corruption. Nor is there allegation of sycophancy
or nepotism. India too can afford such procedural fairness, for the
same would ensure a clean judiciary, which is a constitutional
imperative for any working democracy. But the Bills in their present
form are conceptually sterile and incapable of bringing in radical
reforms. This situation calls for dynamic legislative activism at all
levels.

Tides ( Moon and Earth's phenomenal changes )

“I derive from the celestial phenomena the forces of gravity with which bodies tend to the
sun and several planets. Then from these forces, by other propositions which are also
mathematical, I deduce the motions of the planets, the comets, the moon, and the sea.”                                                                                                   —SIR ISAAC NEWTON

Tides are the periodic raising and lowering of average sea level that occurs throughout the ocean. As sea level rises and falls, the edge of the sea slowly shifts landward and seaward daily, often destroying sand castles built during low tide. Knowledge of tides is important in many coastal activities, including tide pooling, shell collecting, surfing, fishing, navigation,and preparing for storms. Tides are so important that accurate records have been kept at nearly every port for several centuries and there are many examples of the term tide in everyday vocabulary (for instance, “to tide someone over,” “to go against the tide,” or to
wish someone “good tidings”).

Firstly, early coastal peoples noticed the tides yet the earliest written record of tides is in about 450 B.C. Even the earliest sailors knew the Moon had some connection with the tides because both followed a similar cyclic pattern. However, it wasn’t until Isaac Newton (1642–1727) developed the universal law of gravitation that the tides could adequately be explained.

Although the study of the tides can be complex, tides are fundamentally very long and regular shallow-water waves. Their wavelengths are measured in thousands of kilometers and their heights range to more than 15 meters (50 feet).

*Interesting Fact : 

     1."16.27 metres (or 53.38 feet) between high and low tide at Burncoat Head in the Bay of Fundy's Minas Basin, Nova Scotia is the highest tidal point in the world." 

     2.High tides happen every 12 hours and 25 minutes (or nearly an hour later each day) because of the changing position of the Moon in its orbit around the Earth. 

     3.At mid-tide, the flow in Minas Channel north of Blomidon equals the combined flow of all the rivers and streams on Earth!

What Causes the Tides? 

Simplistically, the gravitational attraction of the Sun and Moon on Earth creates ocean tides. In a more complete analysis, tides are generated by forces imposed on Earth that are caused by a combination of gravity and motion among Earth, the Moon,and the Sun.

  

Characteristics of Tides:

Tidal changes proceed via the following stages:

• Sea level rises over several hours, covering the intertidal zone; flood tide.
• The water rises to its highest level, reaching high tide.
• Sea level falls over several hours, revealing the intertidal zone; ebb tide.
• The water stops falling, reaching low tide.

 

Types of Tides:  

There are different types of Tides on the basis of movements of Moon,Earth & Sun:- 

1.Spring Tide-

When the gravitational effects of the Sun and the Moon combine, we get spring tides, which have nothing to do with the season of spring. The term refers to the action of the seas springing out and then springing back. These are times of high high tides and low low tides.

In this phase position of Earth, Moon and Sun will be in a straight line . There is two cases - one is when Moon is in between Sun and Earth and the second is in which Earth is in between Moon and Sun .That means the angle between all three will be 180 degree .

Higher tides occur during these Moon phases because the Sun also exerts a gravitational pull on our oceans, although it is only 46 percent as strong as the Moon's.

 A. Case - 1 : Full Moon : When the Earth will be in line with Moon and Sun and also in between the Moon and Sun then it will be called as Full Moon .

 B. Case - 2 : New Moon : When the opposite will happen i.e the Moon will be in between the Earth and Sun then it is called as New Moon phenomenon.

2.Neap Tide-

A tide in which the difference between high and low tide is the least.Neap tides

occur twice a month when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to the Earth.

When this is the case, their total gravitational pull on the Earth's water is weakened because it comes from two different directions.

When the Moon is at first quarter or third quarter, the sun and Moon are separated by 90° when viewed from the Earth, and the solar tidal force partially cancels the Moon's. At these points in the lunar cycle, the tide's range is at its minimum.

Best pdf on Tides ... Must read ... Click here to download .......

Importance of Tides:

1.Fishing : Fish may concentrate during ebb tides. Commercial fishermen follow the tides and learn to fish during levels of highest concentration to improve their economic investment and to make more efficient use of their time. Recreational fishermen may also fish during ebb tides because the concentrations of smaller fish attract the larger trophy fish. Tides affect other aspects of oceanic life, including the reproductive activities of fish and ocean plants. Floating plants and animals ride the tidal currents between the breeding areas and deeper waters. The tides help remove pollutants and circulate nutrients ocean plants and animals need to survive. 

2.Tidal Zone Foods:Crabs, mussels, snails, seaweed and other edible sea life inhabit the tidal zone. Small tide pools may also contain small fish and sea vegetables. The sea life found in these regions are often harvested for food. Without the regular washing of the tides, these complex and abundant creatures would die and food resources would diminish.

 

3.Navigation:Tides affect the depth and currents in and around coastal areas. Ships may need to navigate the waters during high tide in some areas or risk running aground. Pilots take into consideration the water level, width of channels and direction of the water flow to determine the best time to travel. Pilots may choose to travel when tides are at ebb in order to get tall loads under bridges.Tidal flows can also help or impede the progress of a ship in the water. Pilots can take advantage of the current to get the craft where it needs to go. A thorough understanding of how tides affect navigation and how to use the tides in navigation can improve the productivity of marine and inland shipping. 

4.Weather:Tides and tidal currents affect the weather by stirring the ocean waters. The tides and tidal currents mix arctic water that can't absorb lots of sunlight with warmer topic water that does. The stirring produces more predictable and habitable climate conditions and balances temperatures on the planet. 

5.Tidal Energy:Two high tides and two low tides occur during every 24-hour period. The predictability of the tides, fast movement of water during the inflow and outflow can provide a source of renewable energy to communities living along the coast. Hydroelectric plants can exploit the water flow in ways similar to those used on rivers.

1.  fish.
   • Tides affect other aspects of oceanic life, including the reproductive activities of fish and ocean plants. Floating plants and animals ride the tidal currents between the breeding areas and deeper waters. The tides help remove pollutants and circulate nutrients ocean plants and animals need to survive.

   Tidal Zone Foods

   • Crabs, mussels, snails, seaweed and other edible sea life inhabit the tidal zone. Small tide pools may also contain small fish and sea vegetables. The sea life found in these regions are often harvested for food. Without the regular washing of the tides, these complex and abundant creatures would die and food resources would diminish.
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   Navigation

   • Tides affect the depth and currents in and around coastal areas. Ships may need to navigate the waters during high tide in some areas or risk running aground. Pilots take into consideration the water level, width of channels and direction of the water flow to determine the best time to travel. Pilots may choose to travel when tides are at ebb in order to get tall loads under bridges.
     Tidal flows can also help or impede the progress of a ship in the water. Pilots can take advantage of the current to get the craft where it needs to go. A thorough understanding of how tides affect navigation and how to use the tides in navigation can improve the productivity of marine and inland shipping.

   Weather

   • Tides and tidal currents affect the weather by stirring the ocean waters. The tides and tidal currents mix arctic water that can't absorb lots of sunlight with warmer topic water that does. The stirring produces more predictable and habitable climate conditions and balances temperatures on the planet.

   Tidal Energy

   • Two high tides and two low tides occur during every 24-hour period. The predictability of the tides, fast movement of water during the inflow and outflow can provide a source of renewable energy to communities living along the coast. Hydroelectric plants can exploit the water flow in ways similar to those used on rivers.

Sponsored Links

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_7751713_importance-tides.html

Fishing

• Fish may concentrate during ebb tides. Commercial fishermen follow the tides and learn to fish during levels of highest concentration to improve their economic investment and to make more efficient use of their time. Recreational fishermen may also fish during ebb tides because the concentrations of smaller fish attract the larger trophy fish.
  Tides affect other aspects of oceanic life, including the reproductive activities of fish and ocean plants. Floating plants and animals ride the tidal currents between the breeding areas and deeper waters. The tides help remove pollutants and circulate nutrients ocean plants and animals need to survive.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_7751713_importance-tides.html

1. Fishing

   • Fish may concentrate during ebb tides. Commercial fishermen follow the tides and learn to fish during levels of highest concentration to improve their economic investment and to make more efficient use of their time. Recreational fishermen may also fish during ebb tides because the concentrations of smaller fish attract the larger trophy fish.
     Tides affect other aspects of oceanic life, including the reproductive activities of fish and ocean plants. Floating plants and animals ride the tidal currents between the breeding areas and deeper waters. The tides help remove pollutants and circulate nutrients ocean plants and animals need to survive.

   Tidal Zone Foods

   • Crabs, mussels, snails, seaweed and other edible sea life inhabit the tidal zone. Small tide pools may also contain small fish and sea vegetables. The sea life found in these regions are often harvested for food. Without the regular washing of the tides, these complex and abundant creatures would die and food resources would diminish.
   • Sponsored Links
     

     • Online Term Insurance
       1 Cr @ Rs 5410 OR 50 Lac @ Rs 3037 Per year, Upto 35 Yr Policy Term
       www.reliancelife.com

   Navigation

   • Tides affect the depth and currents in and around coastal areas. Ships may need to navigate the waters during high tide in some areas or risk running aground. Pilots take into consideration the water level, width of channels and direction of the water flow to determine the best time to travel. Pilots may choose to travel when tides are at ebb in order to get tall loads under bridges.
     Tidal flows can also help or impede the progress of a ship in the water. Pilots can take advantage of the current to get the craft where it needs to go. A thorough understanding of how tides affect navigation and how to use the tides in navigation can improve the productivity of marine and inland shipping.

   Weather

   • Tides and tidal currents affect the weather by stirring the ocean waters. The tides and tidal currents mix arctic water that can't absorb lots of sunlight with warmer topic water that does. The stirring produces more predictable and habitable climate conditions and balances temperatures on the planet.

   Tidal Energy

   • Two high tides and two low tides occur during every 24-hour period. The predictability of the tides, fast movement of water during the inflow and outflow can provide a source of renewable energy to communities living along the coast. Hydroelectric plants can exploit the water flow in ways similar to those used on rivers.

Sponsored Links

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_7751713_importance-tides.htm

Civil Services Preliminary 2014 - General Studies Question Paper with Answer Key

The IAS Prelims General Studies Paper I conducted on 24 August 2014. Around Six to Eight Lakh Students have filled the form for IAS Prelims 2014. The anticipated number of Candidates appearing for this year is around 4 to 5 Lakhs due to the large number of Seats Notified and the relaxation in the age criteria notified by the Government and later by Union Public Service Commission.

The candidates can see the Question Paper of IAS Prelims 2014 here.


CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ANSWER KEYS:
1.PAPER 1 
2.PAPER 2

Civil Services Preliminary 2014 Solution on 24 August,2014

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 1

SERIES ‘A’

1.     What are the significance of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as ‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative?

1.     Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

2.     Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this,

3.     There is no application of  chemical / inorganic fertilizers at all in this.

4.     The scope for inter-cropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only               (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only          (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans:- (b)

2.     If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?

(a)   Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference

(b)   The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometers from the edge of the wetland

(c)   The survival of the wetland of depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed

(d)   It is given the status of “World Heritage Site’

Ans. (a)

 3.     Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the Ten Degree Channel?

(a)   Andaman and Nicobar

(b)   Nicobar and Sumatra

(c)   Maldives and Lakshadweep

(d)   Sumatra and Java

Ans:- (a)

4.     Consider the following pairs :

  Programme/Project                                             Ministry

1.     Drought-Prone                                   Ministry of Agriculture

Area Programme

2.     Desert Development         Ministry of Environment and Forests

Programme

3.     National Watershed                           Ministry of Rural

Development Project

for Rainfed Areas                                              Development

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3          (d) None

Ans.(c)

 5.     With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements :

1.     It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

2.     It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness.

3.     It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only   (b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

6.     With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a)   It serves as financial mechanism for ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ and ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’

(b)   It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level

(c)   It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their environment

(d)   Both (a) and (b)

Ans.(d)

7.     With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements :

1.     ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.

2.     Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).

3.     India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only              (b) and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3       (d) None

Ans.(c)

8.     Consider the following languages :

1. Gujarati

2. Kannada

3. Telugu

Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language/Languages’ by the Government?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only   (d) 1 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

9.     Consider the following pairs :

1.  Dampa Tiger Reserve              Mizoram

2.  Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary     Sikkim

3.  Saramati Peak                              Nagaland

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only                  (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

10.   With reference to a conservation organization called ‘Wetlands Inter-national’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.     It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention.

2.     It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                    (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2     (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(b)

11.   With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements :

1.     The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.

2.     South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only                  (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(b)

12.   Consider the following diseases :

1. Diphtheria        2. Chickenpox

3. Smallpox

Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3         (d) None

Ans.(b)

13.   Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?

1.     Continental drift

2.     Glacial cycles

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                 (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(c)

14.   Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?

1.     Construction of dams and barrages on rivers

2.     Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers

3.     Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally

4.     Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1,3 and 4 only            (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(c)

15.   The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to

(a)   solve the problem of minorities in India

(b)   give effect to the Independence Bill

(c)   delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan

(d)   enquire into the riots in East Bengal

Ans.(c)

16.   Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use?

1.     They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment.

2.     They are able to accumulate in humans and animals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                  (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(c)

17.   Consider the following

1. Bats                 2. Bears

3. Rodents

The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

(a)   1 and 2 only

(b)   2 only

(c)   1, 2 and 3

(d)   Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above

Ans.(c)

 

18.   Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

(a)   The Committee on Public Accounts

(b)   The Committee on Estimates

(c)   The Committee on Public Undertakings

(d)   The Committee on Petitions

Ans.(b)

19.   Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?

1.     Volcanic action

2.     Respiration

3.     Photosynthesis

4.     Decay of organic matter

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only                (b) 2 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only           (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(d)

20.   If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?

1.     Painted Stork

2.     Common Myna

3.     Black-necked Crane

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2           (b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3           (d) 3 only

Ans.(c)

21.   In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for

(a)   military officers

(b)   village headmen

(c)   specialists in Vedic rituals

(d)   chiefs of craft guilds

Ans.(b)

22.   Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

(a)   algae and bacteria

(b)   algae and fungi

(c)   bacteria and fungi

(d)   fungi and mosses

Ans.(b)

23.   If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?

1.     Oak

2.     Rhododendron

3.     Sandalwood

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(d)

24.   Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?

1.     Oxides of sulphur

2.     Oxides of nitrogen

3.     Carbon monoxide

4.     Carbon dioxide

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(d)

25.   Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

1. Avanti              2. Gandhara

3. Kosala              4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3       (b) 2 and

(c) 1, 3 and 4       (d) 1, 3 and 4

Ans.(d)

26.   Every year, a month long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/ tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

(a)   Bhutia and Lepcha

(b)   Gond and Korku

(c)   Irula and Toda

(d)   Sahariya and Agariya

Ans.(b)

27.   The sales tax you pay while purchasing a toothpaste is a

(a)   tax imposed by the Central Government

(b)   tax imposed by the Central Government but collected by the State Government

(c)   tax imposed by the State Government but collected by the Central Government

(d)   tax imposed and collected by the State Government

Ans.(d) 

28.   What does venture capital mean?

(a)   A short-term capital provided to industries

(b)   A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs

(c)   Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses

(d)   Funds provided for replacement and renovation of industries

Ans.(b)

29.   The main objective of the 12th Five-Year Plan is

(a)   inclusive growth and poverty reduction

(b)   inclusive and growth sustainable

(c)   sustainable and inclusive growth to reduce unemployment

(d)   faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth

Ans.(d)

30.   With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account?

1.     Balance of trade

2.     Foreign assets

3.     Balance of invisibles

4.     Special Drawing Rights

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3           (d) 1, 2 and 4

Ans.(c)

31.   The terms ‘Marginal Standing Facility Rate’ and ‘Net Demand and Time Liabilities’, sometimes appearing in news, are used in relation to

(a)   banking operations

(b)   communication networking

(c)   military strategies

(d)   supply and demand of agricultural products

Ans.(a)

32.   What is/are the facility/facilities the beneficiaries can get from the services of Business Correspondent (Bank Saathi) in branchless areas?

1.     It enables the beneficiaries to draw their subsidies and social security benefits in their villages.

2.     It enables the beneficiaries in the rural areas to make deposits and withdrawals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                 (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(c)

33.   In the context of Indian economy, which of the following is/are the purpose/purposes of ‘Statutory Reserve Requirements?

1.     To enable the Central Bank to control the amount of advances the banks can create

2.     To make the people’s deposits with banks safe and liquid

3.     To prevent the commercial banks from making excessive profits

4.     To force the banks to have sufficient vault cash to meet their day-to-day requirements

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                (b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(b)

34.   Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from

(a) Egypt              (b) Lebanon

(c) Syria               (d) Tunisia

Ans.(d)

35.   Consider the following countries :

1.     Denmark

2.     Japan

3.     Russian Federation

4.     United Kingdom

5.     United States of America

Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council?

(a) 1, 2 and 3       (b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 4 and 5       (d) 1, 3 and 5

Ans.(d)

36.   Consider the following pairs :

       Region often in news      Country

1.    Chechnya                                Russian

Federation

2.    Darfur                                          Mali

3.    Swat Valley                              Iraq

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

Ans.(a) 

37.   With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.     It is a surface-to-surface missile.

2.     It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.

3.     It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(a)

38.   With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements :

1.     Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.

2.     In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(a)

39.   With reference to ‘Changpa’ f community of India, consider the following statements:

1.     They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.

2.     They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool.

3.     They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only             (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(b)

40.   In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?

(a)   The oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics

(b)   The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas

(c)   The leaf extract of this plant has the properties of anti-histamines

(d)   It is a source of high quality biodiesel

Ans.(b) 

41.   Which of the following have coral reefs?

1.     Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2.     Gulf of Kachchh

3.     Gulf of Mannar

4.     Sunderbans

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) l, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(a)

42.   In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?

1. Terrace cultivation

2. Deforestation

3. Tropical climate

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(b)

43.   The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of

(a)   Equatorial climate

(b)   Mediterranean climate

(c)   Monsoon climate

(d)   All of the above climates

Ans.(c)

44.   With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to

(a)   an assembly of village elders

(b)   a religious sect

(c)   a style of temple construction

(d)   an administrative functionary

Ans.(c)

45.   Consider the following rivers :

1. Barak

2. Lohit

3. Subansiri

Which of the above flows/flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(b)

46.   Consider the following pairs :

Wetlands of rivers                                                           Confluence

1.     Harike Wetlands                                           Confluence of Beas and  Satluj/Sutlej

2.     Keoladeo Ghana  National                    Confluence of Banas and Park Chambal

3.     Kolleru Lake                                                      Confluence of Musiand  Krishna

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(a)

47.   Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systenis of Indian Philosophy?

(a)   Mimamsa and Vedanta

(b)   Nyaya and Vaisheshika

(c)   Lokayata and Kapalika

(d)   Sankhya and Yoga

Ans.(c)

 48.   Consider the following pairs :

Hills                                                   Region

1.   Cardamom Hills     Coromandel Coast

2.   Kaimur Hills                  Konkan Coast

3.   Mahadeo Hills              Central India

4.   Mikir Hills                    North-East India

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2           (b) 1 and 3

(c) 3 and 4           (d) 2 and 4 1

Ans.(c)

49.   Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

(a) Second Schedule

(b) Fifth Schedule

(c) Eighth Schedule

(d) Tenth Schedule

Ans.(d)

50.   The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

(a)   biosphere reserves

(b)   botanical gardens

(c)   national parks

(d)   wildlife sanctuaries

Ans.(a)

51.   Turkey is located between

(a)   Black Sea and Caspian Sea

(b)   Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea

(c)   Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea

(d)   Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

Ans.(b)

52.   What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north?

1. Bangkok          2. Hanoi

3. Jakarta            4. Singapore

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 4-2-1-3           (b) 3-2-4-1

(b) 3-4-1-2           (d) 4-3-2-1

Ans.(c)

53.   The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2°C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 30C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?

1.     Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source.

2.     Widespread coral mortality will occur.

3.     All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.

4.     Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                     (b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only           (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(b)

54.   The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

(a) Katha Upanishad

(b) Chandogya Upanishad

(c) Aitareya Upanishad

(d) Mundaka Upanishad

Ans.(d)

55.   In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

(a)   Preamble to the Constitution

(b)   Directive Principles of State

(c)   Fundamental Duties

(d)   Ninth Schedule

Ans.(b)

56.   What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme?

1.     Prevention of soil runoff

2.     Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers

3.     Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table

4.     Regeneration of natural vegetation

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 3 and 4 only   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(c)

57.   Which of the following are associated with Planning’ in India?

1.     The Finance Commission

2.     The National Development Council

3.     The Union Ministry of Rural Development

4.     The Union Ministry of Urban Development

5.     The Parliament

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans.(c)

58.   Which of the following is/are the \ /function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?

1.     Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings

2.     Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees

3.     Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                 (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

59.   Consider the following statements :

A Constitutional Government is one which

1.     places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority

2.     places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only                 (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(c)

60.   Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?

1.     Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule

2.     Appointing the Ministers

3.     Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India

4.     Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only               (b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only           (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans.(b)

61.   If the interest rate is decreased in an economy, it will

(a)   decrease the consumption expenditure in the economy

(b)   increase the tax collection of the Government

(c)   increase the investment expenditure in the economy

(d)   increase the total savings in the economy

Ans.(b)

62.   Consider the following statements :

1.     The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.

2.     All executive actions of the Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only                  (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(d)

63.   Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India:

1.     There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.

2.     A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(b)

64.   With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements :

1.     Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.

2.     Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.

3.     Neem oil has applications in pharmaceutical industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) I and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

65.   Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

(a)   Potential energy is released to form free energy

(b)   Free energy is converted into potential energy and stored

(c)   Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water

(d)   Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapour are given out

Ans.(b)

66.   In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of the following can be used in the biornetric identification of a person?

1.     Iris scanning

2.     Retinal scanning

3.     Voice recognition

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(d)

67.   Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants?

1.     Vegetative propagation produces clonal population.

2.     Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.

3.     Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

68.   Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?

Spacecraft                                                                        Purpose

1.     Cassini Huygens Earth                Orbiting the Venus and                                                                                                      transmitting data to the

2.     Messenger investigating          Mapping and  the Mercury

3.     Voyager 1 and 2                               Exploring the outer solar system

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only             (b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(b)

69.   Consider the following pairs :

        Region                Well-known for the production of

1. Kinnaur                Areca nut

2. Mewat                   Mango

3. Coromandel     Soya bean

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only           (b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3       (d) None

Ans.(d) 

70.   Which of the following is/are the exam pie/examples of chemical change?

1.     Crystallization of sodium chloride

2.     Melting of ice

3.     Souring of milk

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3       (d) None

Ans.(b)

71.   The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

(a)   advisory jurisdiction

(b)   appellate jurisdiction

(c)   original jurisdiction s

(d)   writ jurisdiction

Ans.(c)

72.   Consider the following techniques/ phenomena :

1.     Budding and grafting in fruit plants

2.     Cytoplasmic male sterility

3.     Gene silencing

Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?

(a) only                (b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3           (d) None

Ans.(c)

73.   Consider the following statements :

1.     Maize can be used for the production of starch.

2.     Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.

3.     Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only             (b) and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(d) 

74.   Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?

(a) Crab               (b) Mite

(c) Scorpion         (d) Spider

Ans.(b)

75.   The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

(a)   the President of India

(b)   the Parliament

(c)   the Chief Justice of India

(d)   the Law Commission

Ans.(b)

76.   Consider the following towns of India :

1.     Bhadrachalam

2.     Chanderi

3.     Kancheepuram

4.     Karnal

Which of the above are famous for the production sarees/fabric?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3       (d) 1, 3 and 4

Ans.(b)

77.   Consider the following pairs :

National Highway             Cities connected

1. NH 4                                  Chennai and Hyderabad

2. NH 6                                   Mumbai and Kolkata

3. NH 15                            Ahmedabad and Jodhpur

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly,, matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3       (d) None

Ans.(d)

78.   Consider the following international agreements :

1.     The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

2.     The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

3.     The World Heritage Convention

Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only           (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(d)

79.   Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’ :

1.     It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.

2.     It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.

3.     It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only   (b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

80.   Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?

(a)   Diatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings

(b)   Crustaceans-Diatoms-Herrings

(c)   Diatoms-Herrings-Crustaceans

(d)   Crustaceans-Herrings-Diatoms

Ans.(a)

81.   The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

(a)   the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended

(b)   King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911

(c)   Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement

(d)   the Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan

Ans.(b)

82.   The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the

(a)   attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress

(b)   attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress

(c)   Non-Cooperation Movement was launched

(d) decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken

Ans.(b)

83.   With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements :

1.     Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.

2.     It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.

3.     It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only             (b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(b)

84.   Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?

(a)   22nd March (or 21st March)

(b)   15th May (or 16th May)

(c)   31st March (or 30th March)

(d)   21st April (or 20th April)

Ans.(a)

85.   With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs :

Famous work of sculpture                                                                            Site

1.  A grand image of Mahaparinirvana with                                   Ajanta

numerous celestial musicians above and the

sorrowful figures of his followers below

2.  A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation)       Mount Abu

of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the

deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock

3. “Arjuna’s Penance” “Descent  of Ganga”                    Mamallapuram

sculpted on the surface of huge boulders

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

86. The Ghadar (Ghadar) was a

(a)   revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco

(b)   nationalist organization operating from Singapore

(c)   militant organization with headquarters at Berlin

(d)   communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent

Ans.(a)

87.   With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu?

(a)   It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India

(b)   It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area

(c)   It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar

(d)   It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition-in some parts of South India

Ans.(d)

88.   Consider the following pairs :

1.      Garba                    :       Gujarat

2.      Mohiniattam    :       Odisha

3.      Yakshagana    :       Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a)   1 only                       (b) 2 and 3 only

(c)   1 and 3 only         (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(c)

89.   With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in Intiia, consider the following pairs :

Famous shrine                                 Location

1.  Tabo monastery                    Spiti Valley

and temple complex

2. Lhotsava Lhakhang         Zanskar Valley

temple, Nako

3. Alchi temple complex            Ladakh

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only                     (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only        (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(a)

90.   Consider the following statements :

1.     ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal,

2.     The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only                 (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(d)

91.   A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their

(a)   martial arts in North-East India

(b)   musical tradition in North-West India

(c)   classical vocal music in South India

(d)   pietra dura tradition in Central India

Ans.(b)

92.   What was/were the object /objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?

1.     To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States

2.     To place the Indian administration under the British Crown

3.     To regulate East India Company’s trade with India

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(a)

93.   Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was

(a)   the mosque for the use of Royal Family

(b)   Akbar’s private prayer chamber

(c)   the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions

(d)   the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs

Ans.(c)

94.   In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider/greater implementation?

1.     There is no National Seeds Policy in place.

2.     There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.

3.     There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2           (b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3           (d) None

Ans.(b)

95.   With reference to ‘Eco- Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.     Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

2.     The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only                  (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans.(d)

96.   Consider the following statements :

1.     Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

2.     National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.

3.     National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only             (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only             (d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.(b)

97.   Consider the following pairs :

Vitamin                       Deficiency disease

1. Vitamin C         :           Scurvy

2. Vitamin D         :           Rickets

3. Vitamin E         :           Night blindness

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3          (d) None

Ans.(a)

98.   There is some concern regarding the nano particles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?

1.     They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil,

2.     They can enter the food chains.

3.     They can trigger the production of free radicals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only   (b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only   (d) 1,2 and 3

Ans.(d)

99.   Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as ‘World Economic Outlook?

(a)   The International Monetary Fund

(b)   The United Nations Development Programme

(c)   World Economic Forum

(d)   The World Bank

Ans.(a)

100. With reference to Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure?

1.     Defence expenditure

2.     Interest payments

3.     Salaries and pensions

4.     Subsidies

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only               (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4   (d) None

Ans.(c)