1. With reference to Business Ans: b. Correspondent Agents/Bank Mitras under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Although he could not secure an Axis Yojana, which of the following declaration in favour of Indian statements are correct? Independence, his ‘Provisional Government of Free India’ was 1. They offer banking services like cash recognized by many Axis-nations. deposit ,withdrawal and fund transfer 2. They also offer the service of Page 425-426, From Plassey to Partition opening new accounts – Sekhar Bandopadhyay 3. Providing insurance and pension related services too is one of their 3. It is often said that Subhas Chandra Bose tasks died in an air crash. What was his 4. The Business Correspondent planned-destination? Agents/Bank Mitras are also playing a major role in spread of financial a) Soviet Russia literacy b) Manchuria Select the correct answer using the codes c) He was performing a routine sortie given below. which resulted in the fatal crash d) Germany a) 1, 3 and 4 only b) 1,2 and 4 only Ans: a. c) All of the above d) 1 and 4 only The failed Imphal military campaign did not deter Bose’s spirit. He remained Ans: c. optimistic, thought of regrouping, and after Japanese surrendered, http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as contemplated seeking help from Soviet px?relid=127071 Russia. The Japanese agreed to provide him transport up to Manchuria from 2. Consider the following statements with where he could travel to Russia. But on regard to Subhas Chandra Bose: his way, he died in an air crash.
1. He secured from the Axis powers, a So his final destination turned out to be declaration in favour of Indian the heavens, but his planned-destination Independence was Soviet Russia J 2. The ‘Provisional Government of Free India’ established by him was Page 426-427, From Plassey to Partition recognized by Japan as well as – Sekhar Bandopadhyay Germany and Fascist Italy Which of the above statements are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 only d) Neither 1 or 2 4. “The International Migration Outlook” is an annual report released by the
a) World Bank b) United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) c) Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs under the United Nations d) Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Ans: d.
http://www.thehindu.com/data/emigrati on-from-india-rises-but-remains- relatively-low/article7677645.ece
5. Which of the following statements about the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development are incorrect?
1. India is a key partner but not a member 2. Unlike the G20, it has a permanent secretariat Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 Only b) 2 Only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2
Ans: d.
http://www.oecd.org/about/whodoeswh at/ — http://www.thehindu.com/data/emigrati on-from-india-rises-but-remains- relatively-low/article7677645.ece
1. Consider the following statements about d) A and R both are incorrect the Integrated Child Development Scheme: Ans: a.
1. One of its objectives is to improve the A pretty good article on a pretty cool nutritional and health status of phenomenon children in the age-group 0-5 years 2. Private players cannot participate in http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/201509 providing services under this scheme 23-the-sun-creates-space-weather-that- Which of the above statements are affects-us-all correct? 3. Consider the following statements: a) 1 only b) 2 only 1. It is on average an 11-year cycle c) Both 1 and 2 only 2. Its extremes consist of a solar d) Neither 1 or 2 minimum and a solar maximum 3. Extreme solar events can happen at Ans: b. any time during the cycle Which of the above statements about the One of its objectives is to improve the Solar Cycle are correct? nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years. a) 1 and 2 Only b) 2 and 3 Only http://www.thehindu.com/news/national c) 1 and 3 Only /contractor-raj-on-in-nutrition- d) All of the above schemes/article7678350.ece — Ans: d. http://wcd.nic.in/icds.htm http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/201509 2. Consider the following statements: 23-the-sun-creates-space-weather-that- affects-us-all Assertion (A): A big solar event (Coronal Mass Ejections) may cause 4. Which of the following may be Low-Earth-Orbit satellites to be dragged consequences of a Coronal Mass back down to earth Ejection (CME)?
Reasons (R): A big solar event causes 1. Unlike when in ordinary the Earth’s atmosphere to swell up circumstances auroras are visible close only to the north and south Which of the above statements is/are poles, it will trigger auroras true? worldwide 2. It will generate an electrical current a) A and R both are true, and R is the in any conductive material near the correct explanation for A ground b) A and R both are true, and R is the 3. We might lose a lot of money stored NOT the correct explanation for A in banks c) A is correct, R is incorrect 4. The ionosphere thickens and delays http://www.thehindu.com/news/national the transmission of signals back to /uphill-task-for-skill-india- earth mission/article7682136.ece Select the correct answer using codes given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 Only b) 2, 3 and 4 Only c) None of the above d) All of the above
Ans: d.
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/201509 23-the-sun-creates-space-weather-that- affects-us-all
5. Consider the following statements about the World Youth Skills Day (WYSD):
1. It was first celebrated in the year 2015 2. WYSD is in line with the United Nations’ Skill Development Goals (SDGs) 3. The Government of India launched the ‘Skill India’ programme on this day Which of the above statements are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 Only d) All the above
Ans: c.
WYSD is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
http://en.unesco.org/events/world- youth-skills-day — 1. Consider the following statements: a) 1, 2 and 3 only b) 1, 3 and 4 only 1. The Saka calendar is the national c) 1 Only calendar along with the Gregorian d) 4 Only calendar, used by the Government of India for certain official purposes Ans: b. 2. The Kushana emperor Kanishka is alleged to have initiated the Saka era http://www.thehindu.com/features/frida 3. The Vikram Samvat is said to have y-review/religion/religious-discourse- begun with Vikramaditya’s significance-of- accession to the throne in 57 AD bakrid/article7681774.ece Which of the above statements are incorrect? http://islam.about.com/od/hajj/a/adha.ht m a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only 3. Which among the following are ports- c) 1 and 3 only related performance indicators utilized d) 3 Only by the Ministry of Shipping?
Ans: d. 1. Average turnaround time 2. Average pre-berthing time http://www.archive.india.gov.in/knowin 3. Average output per ship berth-day dia/national_symbols.php?id=10 4. Average number of moves per crane- hour http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/ Select the correct answer using the codes kanak-mani-dixit-writes-on-nepals- given below: historic-constitution-apply-panchsheel- on-nepal/article7681981.ece a) 1 and 3 Only b) 2 and 3 Only http://www.britannica.com/topic/chrono c) 1, 2 and 3 Only logy#ref523197 d) All of the above
2. Which of the following statements about Ans: d. Bakrid is/are incorrect? Page 116 Volume 2, Economic Survey 1. It is performed by Muslims to 2014-15 commemorate the willingness of Hazrath Ibrahim to sacrifice his only http://www.performance.gov.in/?q=min goat to feed an emaciated man istry/shipping 2. It is also known as Eid-ul-adha 3. Blood of the goat is used to wash away any sins committed by Muslims 4. Islam permits only goats to be sacrificed during this celebration Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
4. Consider the following statements about 5. Which among the following contributes the United Kingdom’s ‘Equalities Act, the maximum number of troops to the 2010’: United Nations Peacekeeping Operations? 1. It recognizes caste discrimination as an aspect of race discrimination a) India 2. This act was made to tackle, among b) North America others, the menace of race as well as c) Africa caste discrimination, within the UK d) Asia Pacific only Which of the above statements are Ans: c. incorrect? As of August 2015, it is Africa. a) 1 Only b) 2 Only UN troop contribution c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2
Ans: c.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/internat ional/woman-gets-184k-in-uk-caste- bias-case/article7682113.ece
The primary purpose of the Act is to codify the complicated and numerous array of Acts and Regulations, which formed the basis of anti-discrimination law in Great Britain. This was, primarily, the Equal Pay Act 1970, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and three major statutory instruments protecting discrimination in employment on grounds of religion or belief, sexual orientation and age.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equality_ Act_2010
1. With reference to the Gond tribe of India does come under the Ministry of India, consider the following statements: Commerce and Industry.
1. Their language, ‘Gondi’, lacks a http://www.thehindu.com/business/Indu working script stry/centre-plans-to-liberalise-tea- 2. ‘Gondwana’ is a derived from this act/article7686113.ece tribe’s name, and it means ‘Land of the Gonds’ 3. Which among the following are 3. They venerate Ravana (from the mentioned in List-III of the Seventh Hindu literature – Ramayana), and Schedule in the Indian Constitution? worship Him Which of the above statements are 1. Criminal Law incorrect? 2. Criminal Procedure 3. Markets and fairs a) 1 and 2 only 4. Population Control and family b) 1 and 3 only planning c) All of the above 5. Elections to the Legislature of the d) None of the above State, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament Ans: d. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /other-states/on-the-margins- a) 1, 2 and 3 only championing-gond- b) 3, 4 and 5 only culture/article7686156.ece c) 1, 2 and 4 Only d) 2, 3 and 5 only 2. Consider the following statements: Ans: c. 1. Tea Board of India comes under the Department of Plantations, Ministry List III is the Concurrent List. of Commerce and Industry 2. The Plantations Labour Act, 1951 is From one of our earlier questions, you applicable to the tea plantations as would know that Statement 5 is a subject well from the State List. Here itself two Which of the above statements are options get eliminated. The Centre is incorrect? unable to deal with faults in agricultural markets in a concrete manner because of a) 1 only the subject in Statement 3 being a state b) 2 only subject. Here, option a) gets eliminated. c) Both 1 and 2 You are left only with c). d) Neither 1 or 2 http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi- Ans: a. english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss( 35).pdf There is no such ‘Department of Plantations’. However, the Tea Board of http://www.thehindu.com/news/national a) 1 Only /centre-clears-controversial-antiterror- b) 1 and 2 only bill-of-gujarat/article7686664.ece c) 1 and 3 Only d) All of the above 4. Consider the following statements about the India-Africa Forum Summit: Ans: b.
1. The first such summit will be held in Magnetometer is aboard the MAVEN. New Delhi in 2015 2. This biennial summit is to be held on http://www.isro.gov.in/pslv-c25-mars- a rotational basis between India and orbiter-mission/payloads Africa Which of the above statements are http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as incorrect? px?relid=127146
a) 1 Only 6. Consider the following statements b) 2 Only associated with the diesel engine: c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2 1. It is an internal combustion engine which utilizes spark plugs for fuel Ans: c. ignition 2. The United Nations Health Agency Mr. Akbaruddin has been entrusted with has classified its exhaust as bringing together the heads of 54 ”carcinogenic to humans” African nations to the India-Africa 3. Not only does it emit Carbon summit in Delhi on October 26. Monoxide, it also emits Diesel Particulate Matter http://www.thehindu.com/news/national 4. Diesel has a higher boiling point than /foreign-secretary-jaishankar-puts-his- that of water imprint-in-mea-team- Which of the above statements are reshuffle/article7686187.ece correct?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India%E2 a) 1 and 3 Only %80%93Africa_Forum_Summit b) 2 and 4 Only c) 1, 2 and 3 only 5. Consider the following statements: d) 2, 3 and 4 Only
1. It consists of a Methane Sensor Ans: d. 2. A ‘Lyman Alpha Photometer’ which will help us understand the loss- http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp process of water from the planet ?NewsID=42204#.VgY8xRGqqko 3. A Magnetometer which will measure ionosphere magnetic field https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_ex characteristics haust#Particulate_matter Which of the statements is/are associated with the Mars Orbiter http://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel.ht Mission and is/are true? m 1. With reference to the Flag Code of India, revolution’ which played a big role in which of the following statements is/are increasing milk production in the incorrect? country.
1. It contains a general description of http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as the National Flag px?relid=111173 2. Any Indian citizen can display the National Flag at his or her residence The following is only an informal 3. The Flag can be used as a covering proposal by India at the international for a statue prior to its unveiling, platform as of now (besides, even if provided the statue is placed on a accepted, it would not be led as such by pedestal any one country): Select the correct answer using codes given below: At the special summit of UN, Mr. Modi also introduced an idea of the “Blue a) 1 and 2 only Revolution,” which he elaborated as a b) 2 and 3 only special effort to preserve the oceans and c) 2 Only ensure the sustenance and prosperity of d) 3 Only island nations, particularly the smaller ones that face the brunt of climate Ans: d. change.
Appendix IX, Flag Code of India – Keep yourself aware of any further Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth developments on ‘Blue Revolution’.
2. What is the ‘Blue Revolution’ as 3. Consider the following statements: envisaged by the Government of India? 1. His philosophy of Integral a) Transformation of the fisheries Humanism is a synthesis of the sector with increased investment, better material and the spiritual training and development of 2. He started a weekly ‘Panchajanya’ infrastructure and a daily ‘Swadesh’ b) Transformation of Indian trade and 3. He founded the Sanatan Dharma commerce through ports-led College development Which of the above statements about c) A special effort to be led by India to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya are true? protect and preserve the five oceans of the world a) 1 and 2 only d) A special effort to rejuvenate the b) 2 and 3 only rivers of India c) 1 and 3 Only d) All the above Ans: a. Ans: a. Union Minister for Agriculture Radhamohan Singh has said that the http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2 government is all set to launch the ‘blue 015/sep/p201592501.pdf revolution’ on the lines of the ‘white 4. Which of the following statements associated with Rani Gaidinliu are incorrect?
1. She belonged to an ethnic Naga tribe 2. By her followers, she was considered to be an incarnation of a goddess 3. She joined the ‘Tharewukara Reformist Religious Movement’ (TRRM) which steadfastly turned out to be a political movement against the British Raj 4. TRRM recognizes supremacy of one God who is behind creation of nature be it air, water or earth Select the correct answer using codes given below:
a) 1 and 3 Only b) 2, 3 and 4 Only c) 3 and 4 Only d) 1,3 and 4 Only
Ans: c.
There is no ‘Tharewukara movement’!
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?re lid=127060 1. Consider the following statements: going through a phase of disinflation….” 1. The CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) has been established http://www.thehindu.com/business/rea under the Kyoto Protocol dy-reckoner-what-isdeflation-and-is-it- 2. Parties participating in the second bad/article7692832.ece commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol represent only 12 per cent 3. With reference to commitments by of global emissions different countries towards emissions’ Which of the above statements are reduction, consider the following correct? statements:
a) 1 Only 1. India has already set a voluntary b) 2 Only goal of reducing the emissions c) Both 1 and 2 intensity of its GDP (excluding d) Neither 1 or 2 emissions from agriculture) by 20- 25 per cent by 2020 as compared to Ans: c. the base year of 2005 2. The United States of America Pg 128, Economic Survey 2014-15 intends to reduce by 2030 its Volume 2 emission of greenhouse gases by 26 per cent to 28 per cent below its http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.a 2005 level spx?relid=128224 3. China intends to peak its emissions of carbon dioxide in 2030, if not 2. If potatoes cost Rs.100 per kg in August earlier 2014, Rs.110 per kg in August 2015 and Which of the above statements is/are Rs.120 per kg in August 2016, which correct? two processes in these two periods, in the context of rise and fall of prices, are a) 1 and 2 only respectively taking place? b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 Only a) Inflation and Inflation d) 3 Only b) Inflation and Disinflation c) Inflation and Deflation Ans: c. d) Hyperinflation and Inflation The United States of America intends to Ans: b. reduce by 2025 its emission of greenhouse gases by 26 per cent to 28 Rate of increase from Aug 2014 to Aug per cent below its 2005 level. 2015 = 10% Rate of increase from Aug 2015 to Aug Pg 122-123, Economic Survey 2014-15 2016 = less than 10% Volume 2
“…looking at the Consumer Price http://www.thehindu.com/news/interna Index, India is currently technically tional/world/climate-change-us-china- unveil-ambitious-goals-to-cut- Which of the above statements are pollution-levels/article6589412.ece incorrect? http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation al/india-to-announce-climate- a) 1 only commitments-on-gandhi- b) 2 only jayanti/article7692846.ece c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2 4. The ‘Global Innovation Index’, a leading benchmarking tool for anyone Ans: a. seeking insight into the state of innovation of a country, is co-published http://www.britannica.com/topic/Myso by? re-Wars http://www.britannica.com/biography/ 1. World Bank Tippu-Sultan 2. Cornell University http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation 3. INSEAD (European Institute of al/karnataka/tipu-sultan-a-secular- Business Administration) internationalist-not-a- 4. Innovation International bigot/article7692879.ece 5. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO, an agency of 6. Which of the following statements about the United Nations) INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art 6. Organisation for Economic and Cultural Heritage) is/are true? Cooperation and Development Select the correct answer using the 1. It is under the Ministry of Culture, codes given below: Government of India 2. It’s mission is in line with the a) 1, 4 and 5 only fundamental duty of preserving the b) 2,3 and 5 Only rich heritage of our composite c) 1,2 and 6 Only culture d) 4, 5 and 6 only Select the correct answer using the codes given below: Ans: b. https://www.globalinnovationindex.org a) 1 Only /content/page/GII-Home b) 2 Only http://www.thehindu.com/todays- c) Both 1 and 2 paper/tp-national/techies-want- d) Neither 1 0r 2 innovation-fewer-regulatory- hassles/article7693293.ece Ans: b.
5. Consider the following statements: http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation al/karnataka/governments-urged-to- 1. The ‘Mysore Wars’ refer to four safeguard-monuments-at-gulbarga- military confrontations between the fort/article7693558.ece Marathas and rulers of Mysore 2. Tipu Sultan’s negotiations with the http://www.intach.org/about- French served the British a pretext to mission.php launch the fourth Mysore War 1. Which of the following statements about a) 1 Only ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ b) 1 and 3 Only (SDGs) is/are incorrect? c) 3 Only d) 2 and 3 Only 1. It is a set of 17 goals which will cover a period of 17 years Ans: c. 2. These are applicable to all members of the United Nations and not only http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as the developing px?relid=127001 Select the correct answer using the codes given below: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razakars_ (Hyderabad) a) 1 Only b) 2 Only 3. Consider the following list of states: c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2 1. Travancore 2. Jodhpur Ans: a. 3. Junagadh 4. Hyderabad action plan to end global poverty 5. Bhopal Which of the above states acceded to the Indian Union before Independence?
a) 1, 2 and 3 only b) 3, 4 and 5 only c) 1, 2 and 5 Only d) 2, 3 and 5 Only
Ans: c.
Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir were the only states which acceded to the Indian Union after Independence. 2. Which of the following statements about the ‘Razakars’ is/are incorrect? India after Gandhi, Chapter 3: Apples in the basket 1. They resisted the integration of Hyderabad State into the Dominion http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as of India px?relid=127001 2. They were once led by Qasim Razvi 3. This regiment captured areas around https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_i Lahore in the Indo-Pakistani War of ntegration_of_India#The_accession_pr 1965 ocess Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
4. Consider the following statements about Page 21, Fine Art (NCERT Class XI) stupas:
1. They are unique to Buddhism http://www.thehindu.com/news/internat 2. The stupa at Sanchi was built during ional/ashoka-stupa-restored-in- the time of Ashoka china/article7663044.ece 3. Royal patronage was the sole form of patronage for their construction in 5. Consider the following statements: ancient India Which of the above statements is/are 1. The ‘Chakmas’ are also known as the incorrect? ‘Daingnet people’ 2. Hajongs have been notified as a a) 1 only Scheduled Tribe (ST) in some Indian b) 1 and 2 Only states c) 3 Only 3. Chakmas have also been notified as a d) 1 and 3 only ST in some Indian states Which of the above statements are Ans: d. correct?
Stupa, vihara and chaitya are part of a) 1 and 2 only Buddhist and Jaina monastic complexes b) 2 and 3 only but the largest number belongs to the c) 1 and 3 Only Buddhist religion. One of the best d) All the above examples of the structure of a stupa in the third century BCE is at Bairat in Ans: d. Rajasthan. It is a very grand stupa having a circular mound with a http://tribal.nic.in/content/list%20of%2 circumambulatory path. The great stupa 0scheduled%20tribes%20in%20India.a at Sanchi (which will be discussed later) spx was built with bricks during the time of Ashoka and later it was covered with http://www.northeasttoday.in/sc-grant- stone and many new additions were citizenship-rights-to-chakmas-hajongs- made. Subsequently many such stupas in-arunachal/ were constructed which shows the popularity of Buddhism.
From the second century BCE onwards, we get many inscriptional evidences mentioning donors and, at times, their profession. The pattern of patronage has been a very collective one and there are very few examples of royal patronage. Patrons range from lay devotees to gahapatis and kings. Donations by the guilds are also mentioned at several sites.
6. Which of the following life-threatening diseases does the Pentavalent vaccine provide immunization from?
1. DPT (Diptheria, Pertusis and Tetanus) 2. DPT (Diptheria, Polio and Tetanus) 3. Hepatitis B 4. Haemophilus Influenza Type B 5. Measles Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 and 4 Only b) 3 and 4 Only c) 1, 2 and 4 Only d) 1,3 and 4 Only
Ans: d.
http://www.searo.who.int/india/topics/r outine_immunization/Pentavalent_vacci ne_Guide_for_HWs_with_answers_to_ FAQs.pdf
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /kerala/malappuram-children-under- observation-for- diphtheria/article7663971.ece 1. The Aegean Sea lies in-between 3. Lake Chad is surrounded by which of the following countries? a) Italy and Croatia b) Italy and Greece 1. Chad c) Turkey and Greece 2. Nigeria d) Turkey and Egypt 3. Niger 4. Cameroon Ans: c. Select the correct answer
aegean sea a) 1 only b) 1 and 2 only c) 1, 2 and 3 Only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: d.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa- 34289474
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Cha d
2. Consider the following statements about 4. Arrange the following military units in the Indian Evidence Act: order of increasing number of military men among them: 1. It was framed during the time of British Raj 1. Company 2. The same law exists today, with an 2. Division amendment having been passed only 3. Battalion once due to the rapid increase in 4. Brigade ownership of mobile phones Select the correct answer using the codes Which of the above statements are true? given below:
a) 1 Only a) 1-2-3-4 b) 2 Only b) 1-3-4-2 c) Both 1 and 2 c) 3-2-1-4 d) Neither 1 or 2 d) 3-1-2-4
Ans: a. Ans: b.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national With respect to the 1965 Indo-Pak War, /evidence-act-likely-to-be- “…the armed forces had begun a amended/article7665770.ece command restructuring, force expansion and doctrinal shift process which had given its rank and file new confidence. Indian commanders were new to handling brigade and division-sized forces in battles. Indian commanders 6. Consider the following statements about thus far had experience as battalion pensions in India: commanders in 1948 in Jammu and Kashmir and in 1962…” 1. The Government of India treats it as salary, and hence is taxed http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/ 2. Dearness allowance on basic pension 1965-a-war-with-no- is given to mitigate the impact of winners/article7665654.ece inflation, and is thus not taxed Which of the above statements is/are https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_o correct? rganization#Armies a) 1 Only 5. Which of the following schemes are b) 2 Only administered by the Ministry of c) Both 1 and 2 Textiles? d) Neither 1 or 2
1. North East Region Textile Ans: a. Promotional Scheme 2. West Himalayan Wool Development http://www.thehindu.com/business/Eco Scheme nomy/a-rate-cut-will-add-to-the- 3. Technology Upgradation Fund misery/article7695086.ece Scheme Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 Only d) All the above
Ans: c.
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Indu stry/concern-over-fall-in-textile- exports/article7665650.ece
http://texmin.nic.in/policy/policy_sche me.htm
1. Consider the following statements: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wor ld_Order_(conspiracy_theory) Assertion (A): Wild fluctuations and alleged irregularities have remained http://www.thehindu.com/news/internat untamed in the commodities markets ional/911-was-manipulated-so-that- west-could-blame-osama- Reasons (R): The Forward Markets corbyn/article7695008.ece Commission was the regulator of commodities markets until recently 3. Consider the following statements about the Green Highways Policy which was Select the correct answer using the codes recently launched: given below: 1. 1% of the total project cost of all a) A and R both are true, and R is the highways projects will be kept aside correct explanation for A for the highway plantation and its b) A and R both are true, and R is the maintenance NOT the correct explanation for A 2. Its implementation can help bridge c) A is correct, R is incorrect the gap between notified forest cover d) A and R both are incorrect and National Forest Policy- envisaged forest cover Ans: b. 3. This policy will generate employment opportunities for people FMC has been regulating commodities from rural areas markets since 1953, but lack of powers Which of the above statements is/are has led to wild fluctuations and alleged incorrect? irregularities remaining untamed in this market segment. a) 1 and 2 only b) 1 and 3 only 2. Which among the following statements c) 3 Only best describe the ‘New World Order’? d) None of the above
a) As a conspiracy theory, it refers to Ans: d. the emergence of a totalitarian world government http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as b) It refers to a backdoor-agreement to px?relid=128298 be struck by the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council 4. Consider the following statements: with the G4 c) It refers to a proposed idea of an Assertion (A): India has been relatively alternative to the United Nations, by the resilient in coping with the sluggish G4+1 global demand (which owes a great d) It is the blueprint created by Western extent to the weakness in the Eurozone) nations involved in the wars/battles of West Asia since early 2000s Reason (R): There has been significant market diversification in India’s trade in Ans: a. recent years
Select the correct answer using the codes Ans: b given below: Who said China is the anchor economy a) A and R both are true, and R is the of South-Asia? J correct explanation for A b) A and R both are true, and R is the NAFTA is an agreement signed by NOT the correct explanation for A Canada, Mexico, and the United States, c) A is correct, R is incorrect creating a trilateral rules-based trade d) A and R both are incorrect bloc in North America.
Ans: a. http://www.thehindu.com/business/sout h-asia-important-for-india- Page 15, Volume 2, Economic Survey geopolitically-but-not-economically- 2014-15 cea/article7702915.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/business/sout 6. Which among the following best h-asia-important-for-india- describes ‘Accommodative Monetary geopolitically-but-not-economically- Policy’? cea/article7702915.ece a) When a central bank takes into 5. Which of the following reasons is/are consideration growth as well as inflation incorrect and/or cannot be considered as trends while deciding whether to expand valid with respect to having a trade bloc or contract money supply in an economy in South Asia, similar to the North b) When a central bank attempts to Atlantic Free Trade Agreement expand the overall money supply to (NAFTA)? boost the economy, when growth is slowing (as measured by GDP) 1. Levels of development among c) When a central bank pays heed to countries in the two regions are demands of the Finance Ministry of the different Government 2. The USA, a democratic nation, is the d) When a central bank and the Finance anchor economy for NAFTA, but Ministry of the Government together China, the anchor economy for South decide on repurchase-agreement rates Asia, is a single-party state 3. Unlike NAFTA, which is a Ans: b. partnership only between Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, USA and http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/a Greenland, a similar trade ccomodativemonetarypolicy.asp partnership in South Asia would include a larger number of members While the RBI’s stance will continue to Select the correct answer using the codes be accommodative, Dr. Rajan said, the given below: focus of monetary action for the near term will shift to working with the a) 1 and 2 only Government to ensure that impediments b) 2 and 3 only to banks passing on the bulk of the c) 1 and 3 Only cumulative 125 basis points cut in the d) All the above policy rate are removed. 1. Consider the following statements about Ans: c. the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA): As in the case of Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan, the Astrosat telescope will 1. It is an autonomous body, a think- have no immediate commercial or tank on strategic affairs societal implications. The only reason 2. It is funded by the Indian Ministry of such programmes exist and are funded Defense by the Government is because of the 3. It was established in 1965 potential for positive change they have Which of the above statements are in the future. correct? 3. With reference to the Comptroller and a) 1 and 2 Only Auditor General (CAG) of India, which b) 2 and 3 Only of the following statements is/are c) 1 and 3 Only incorrect? d) All are correct 1. Its reports are submitted to the head Ans: d. of the executive who then lays them before both Houses of the Parliament http://www.thehindu.com/news/national 2. Its reports must be tabled by the /jayant-prasad-is-idsa- executive in the legislature in a time- directorgeneral/article7703445.ece bound manner 3. The CAG is responsible only to the http://www.idsa.in/ Parliament Select the correct answer using the codes 2. Which of the following statements about given below: the Astrosat are correct? a) 1 only 1. Indian researchers will no longer b) 1 and 2 only have to rely on other space agencies c) 2 Only for X-ray data d) 2 and 3 Only 2. As in the case of Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan, the Astrosat telescope Ans: b. will have no commercial or societal implications Page 17.14, 45.2-45.3 – Indian Polity by 3. Only one among five of its payloads M Laxmikanth 4th Edition has been made by ISRO, the rest comes from scientific institutions CAG submits its reports to the President. based in India The President is the head of state but not Select the correct answer using the codes of the executive. given below: The CAG’s reports on quite a few a) 1 and 2 Only occasions were not being presented to b) 3 Only the legislatures concerned on time, as c) 1 and 3 Only they were deemed inconvenient by the d) All of the above government of the day, aborting the scope for timely legislative scrutiny and follow-up remedial action, including a fixing of responsibility on the http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/ functionaries concerned. Thus, there empower-not-weaken-the- was a clear undermining of the cag/article7703141.ece constitutional system, impeding the accountability of the executive to the 5. Consider the following statements: legislature by not allowing the CAG to perform his or her constitutionally Assertion (A): The immediate past, mandated role and serve Parliament present and next G20 Chair constitute a adequately in the area of financial ‘troika’ oversight. Reason (R): The G20 does not have any http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/ permanent secretariat or management empower-not-weaken-the- and administrative structure cag/article7703141.ece Which of the above statements is/are 4. Consider the following statements: true?
Assertion (A): The Public Accounts a) A and R both are true, and R is the Committee (PAC) consists of members correct explanation for A only from the Lok Sabha b) A and R both are true, and R is the NOT the correct explanation for A Reason (R): The function of the PAC is c) A is correct, R is incorrect to examine annual audit reports of the d) A and R both are incorrect CAG which seek to ensure financial accountability of the executive to the Ans: a. Lok Sabha The G20 operates as a forum and not as Select the correct answer using the codes an organisation. Therefore, it does not given below: have any permanent secretariat or management and administrative a) A and R both are true, and R is the structure. One of the G20 countries is correct explanation for A selected to hold the Chair in rotation, b) A and R both are true, and R is the also known as ‘G20 presidency’. NOT the correct explanation for A c) A is correct, R is incorrect The presidency establishes a temporary d) A and R both are incorrect secretariat for the duration it holds the Chair. The secretariat coordinates all Ans: d. work and organises G20 meetings.
Annual audit reports of the CAG seek to The immediate past, present and next ensure financial accountability of the Chair constitute a ‘troika’ and ensure executive to the Parliament (both continuity in the G20 work. houses, not only the Lok Sabha).
Page 23.3 – Role of the CAG – Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth 4th Edition 6. With reference to the ‘G20 Sherpa’, consider the following statements:
1. He is the personal representative of a head of state or government at an international summit 2. They are generally quite influential 3. They generally lack the authority to independently make final decisions 4. The name is derived from the Sherpa people, a Nepalese ethnic group, who serve as guides and porters in the Himalayas Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
a) 1 and 2 Only b) 2 and 3 Only c) 1 and 3 Only d) All the above
Ans: d.
http://g20watch.edu.au/what-sherpa
India recently announced the appointment of NITI Aayog Vice- Chairman Arvind Panagariya as its G20 Sherpa. 1. Which of the following statements about 3. ‘Operation Muskaan’ and ‘Operation ‘PRAGATI’ is/are correct? Smile’ were campaigns recently launched by the 1. It stands for ‘Pro-Active-Governance aimed at Transformation of India’ a) Ministry of Women and Child 2. It brings on one stage the Secretaries Development of Government of India and the Chief b) Ministry of Home Affairs Secretaries of the States c) Ministry of Health and Family Select the correct answer using codes Welfare given below: d) Ministry of Minority Affairs
a) 1 Only Ans: b. b) 2 Only c) Both 1 and 2 http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as d) Neither 1 or 2 px?relid=128316
Ans: b. 4. Consider the following statements:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as 1. As of 2013, insurance penetration px?relid=128347 (both, life and non-life) stood at 3.9% in India http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as 2. The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan px?relid=117685 Yojana provided a life insurance cover, to those who met the criteria, 2. ‘Global Competitiveness Report’ is during the initial period following its released by the launch Which of the above statements are a) World Bank incorrect? b) World Economic Forum c) Organisation for Economic a) 1 Only Cooperation and Development b) 2 Only d) World Trade Organisation c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2 Ans: b. Ans: d. http://www.thehindu.com/business/Eco nomy/india-climbs-16-places-in-wefs- Page 45, 48: Economic Survey 2014-15, global- Volume 2 competitivenessindex/article7708043.ec e http://www.thehindu.com/business/Indu stry/life-insurance-penetration-should- be-through-banks- report/article7708040.ece
This article states, “…As compared to global average penetration and density level of 3.4 per cent and $368, India’s insurance penetration and density levels are much lower at 2.6 per cent and $44….” However, it is safe for us to assume that the penetration of life insurance in India is actually 3.1%, as mentioned in the survey.
5. The Caracal has been classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as
a) Critically Endangered b) Endangered c) Vulnerable d) Least concern
Ans: d.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3847/ 0
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op- ed/lost-in-a-forest-of-bad- ideas/article7707959.ece
The article in the Hindu mentions caracal to be endangered but IUCN lists it as ‘least concern’ 1. The Mid-day Meal Scheme is http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/edito administered by the rial/the-archives- beckon/article7712680.ece a) Ministry of Human Resource Development 3. Consider the followings statements b) Ministry of Health and Family about the ‘Official Secrets Act’: Welfare c) Ministry of Women and Child 1. Classification of files is done under Development its provisions d) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food 2. Any breach of the ‘Manual of and Public Distribution Departmental Security Instructions’ could attract its provisions Ans: a. Which of the above statements are correct? http://mdm.nic.in/ a) 1 Only http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india b) 2 Only /20-years-after-its-launch-Mid-Day- c) Both 1 and 2 Meals-become-a-childs- d) Neither 1 or 2 right/articleshow/49190327.cms Ans: b. 2. The ‘Manual of Departmental Security Instructions, 1994’ was issued by The classification of files is not done under the provisions of the Official a) A Union Cabinet resolution Secrets Act. The classification or b) The Ministry of Home Affairs declassification of files is done by each c) The Ministry of Law and Justice Ministry/ Department of the d) The Ministry of Defense Government as per their requirement in terms of the Manual of Departmental Ans: b. Security Instructions, 1994. These instructions are reviewed by the The Ministry of Home Affairs had Ministry of Home Affairs from time to issued the ‘Manual of Departmental time and reiterated to all the Security Instructions, 1994’ which Ministries/Departments for compliance. provides for a comprehensive set of instructions regarding classification of http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/edito documents, the procedure for dealing rial/the-archives- with the same as also the responsibility beckon/article7712680.ece of Government servants. These instructions are already available with all the Ministries/Departments. These instructions are also reiterated from time to time to all Ministries/Department by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as px?relid=117184 4. Which of the following sections of the 5. Consider the following statements about Right to Information Act, 2005 provides ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of the means to government departments to India): decline information sought by an individual? 1. It comes under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public a) Section 6 Distribution b) Section 7 2. Any consumer can lodge complaints c) Section 8 (with ASCI) on what they may d) Section 9 consider to be misleading advertisements Ans: c. Which of the above statements are incorrect? http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/edito rial/the-archives- a) 1 only beckon/article7712680.ece b) 2 Only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2
Ans: a.
ASCI is a voluntary, self-regulatory body. It has partnered with the Department of Consumer Affairs to tackle misleading advertisements.
http://www.ascionline.org/
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Indu stry/asci-finds-airtel-4g-ad-misleading- teleco-to-seek- review/article7712821.ece
1. With reference to Dengue, which of the 2. Consider the following statements following statements are incorrect? associated with India’s INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution): 1. A drop in platelet count is proof that the person has dengue fever 1. It contains sector-specific targets 2. Recovery from infection by one 2. Currently, the installed power serotype provides lifelong immunity capacity from non-fossil fuel-based against other serotypes energy sources is around 30% Select the correct answer using the codes Which of the above statements are given below: incorrect?
a) 1 only a) 1 only b) 2 only b) 2 Only c) Both c) Both d) None d) None
Ans: b. Ans: a.
In a number of viral infections the http://www.business- platelet count drops but that in itself is standard.com/article/economy- not an indication of an emergency and policy/india-announces-new-climate- the majority of dengue cases can be change-targets-115100200124_1.html managed at home with the standard treatment being adequate hydration 3. Consider the following statements about through ingestion of fluids. Rabies infection:
There are 4 distinct, but closely related, 1. It is caused only by dogs (usually due serotypes of the virus that cause dengue to dog bites) (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4). 2. In rare cases, rabies can be spread Recovery from infection by one when infected saliva gets into an provides lifelong immunity against that open wound or the mucous particular serotype. However, cross- membranes, such as the mouth or immunity to the other serotypes after eyes recovery is only partial and temporary. Which of the above statements are Subsequent infections by other correct? serotypes increase the risk of developing severe dengue. a) 1 Only b) 2 Only c) Both d) None
Ans: b.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/rabies/basics/causes/con- 20019900
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /kerala/needed-better-urban-planning- Ans: c. not-mass-culling-of- dogs/article7720743.ece http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /cold-war-is-back-peace- 4. Which among the following list are activist/article7720749.ece security features, which facilitate the detection of genuine notes vis-à-vis forgeries, present on Indian bank-notes? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Curt ain 1. Virtual Image 2. Intaglio Printing 6. Consider the following list of countries: 3. Check Mark 4. Micro-lettering 1. India 5. See through Register 2. Germany Select the correct answer using the codes 3. Russia given below: 4. Afghanistan 5. Nepal a) 1, 2 and 4 only 6. United Kingdom b) 3 and 5 only 7. Myanmar c) 2, 4 and 5 only The proposed INSPA (International d) All of the above Agency for Solar Policy & Application) will comprise which of the above list of countries? Ans: c. a) 1, 2, 3 and 6 only https://www.rbi.org.in/currency/Securit b) 1, 4, 5 and 7 only y%20Features.html c) 1 and 7 only d) All of the above http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /nia-team-for-bangladesh-to-probe- Ans: c. fake-currency-case/article7720759.ece India has also decided to anchor a global 5. With reference to the ‘Iron Curtain’, solar alliance, INSPA (International which of the following statements is/are Agency for Solar Policy & Application), correct? of all countries located in between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of 1. The Berlin wall formed a part of it Capricorn. 2. The curtain fell around the time of disintegration of the Soviet Union Stay updated on this – there are chances Select the correct answer using the codes that the membership criteria may change given below: later on.
a) 1 Only http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as b) 2 Only px?relid=128403 c) Both 1 & 2 d) None 1. Consider the following statements about http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as ‘Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)’: px?relid=128406
1. It is an independent French medical 3. Curcumin is humanitarian organisation 2. It delivers emergency aid to people a) Another name for Cumin (Jeera), only in areas affected by armed which is beneficial against a wide set of conflict ailments Which of the above statements is/are b) A new spice discovered in Munnar correct? (Kerala), and is regarded as a member of the Cumin (Jeera) family a) 1 only c) A component of turmeric, which is b) 2 only beneficial against a wide set of ailments c) Both d) A locally known and used spice in d) None Munnar (Kerala), recently discovered to be a cure for dengue fever Ans: d. Ans: c. http://www.msf.org/about-msf http://www.thehindu.com/sci- http://www.thehindu.com/todays- tech/health/medicine-and- paper/tp-international/msf-withdraws- research/curcumin-a-wonder-drug-in- operations-in- waiting/article7719513.ece kunduz/article7724336.ece 4. Consider the following statements: 2. Which of the following Government initiatives (act/schemes/campaigns) are Assertion (A): There are numerous thin associated with pest management? copper strands inside an electric wire instead of a single thick copper strand 1. ‘Grow Safe Food’ campaign 2. “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at Reason (R): Alternating current (AC) National Level” scheme has a tendency to flow along the surface 3. “Strengthening and Modernization of of any conductor rather than uniformly Pest Management Approach in across the cross-section of a conductor India” scheme 4. Insecticide Act, 1968 Which of the above statements is/are Select the correct answer using the codes true? given below: a) A and R both are true, and R is the a) 1,2 and 3 only correct explanation for A b) 2,3 and 4 Only b) A and R both are true, and R is the c) 1,2 and 4 Only NOT the correct explanation for A d) All the above c) A is correct, R is incorrect d) A and R both are incorrect Ans: d. Ans: a.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci- 6. Which of the following statements about tech/science/why-are-there-numerous- India’s new gas pricing policy is/are thin-copper-strands-inside-an-electric- correct? wire-instead-of-a-single-copper-strand- that-is-as-thick/article7719517.ece 1. The domestic gas price is the weighted average price of four global 5. Consider the following statements about benchmarks, one of which is the US- the ‘Swiss challenge method’: based Henry hub 2. The gas pricing formula does not 1. The Supreme Court of India has apply to those of us who use LPG approved it as a way of awarding cylinders contracts Select the correct answer using the codes 2. This method can be applied also for given below: sectors that are not covered under the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) a) 1 only framework b) 2 only 3. The original proposer has the right of c) Both 1 and 2 first refusal d) Neither 1 or 2 Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? Ans: c.
a) 1 Only http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/edito b) 1 and 2 Only rial/gas-pricing-and-some- c) 2 and 3 Only issues/article7723290.ece d) All are correct http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/o Ans: d. pinion/columns/all-you-wanted-to- know-about-gas-pricing- http://www.business- formula/article7074268.ece standard.com/article/economy- policy/indian-islands-to-be-developed- under-swiss-challenge-model- 115100500050_1.html
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/HOC SnmCWarO4hpYglBsHBP/What-is- the-Swiss-Challenge-Method.html
1. Which of the following statements http://www.thehindu.com/news/national associated with ‘Minorities’ (or /minorities-panel-sends-notice-on- ‘Minority’) in India are incorrect? dadri-lynching/article7723354.ece
1. Their rights have been spelt out in the The Union Government set up the Constitution National Commission for Minorities 2. The Constitution does not define the (NCM) under the National Commission term for Minorities Act, 1992. Six religious 3. Directive Principles of State Policy communities, viz; Muslims, Christians, includes provisions that have Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) significant implications for them and Jains have been notified as minority Select the correct answer using the codes communities by the Union Government. given below: 3. Which of the following are components a) 1 and 2 only of the National Crop Insurance b) 2 only Programme? c) 3 Only d) All are correct 1. Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme Ans: d. 2. Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme http://www.thehindu.com/news/national 3. Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme /minorities-panel-sends-notice-on- 4. National Agricultural Insurance dadri-lynching/article7723354.ece Scheme Select the correct answer using the codes http://ncm.nic.in/Constitutional_provisi given below: ons.html a) 1,2 and 3 Only 2. Which of the following statements about b) 2,3 and 4 Only the National Commission for Minorities c) 1,2 and 3 Only is/are correct? d) All are correct
1. It is a statutory body Ans: a. 2. Only 5 communities, viz. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, A new central sector scheme, ‘National Zoroastrians (Parsis) have been Crop Insurance Programme’ (NCIP) notified as minority communities was introduced by merging Modified Select the correct answer using the codes National Agricultural Insurance Scheme given below: (MNAIS), Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) and a) 1 only Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) b) 2 Only throughout the country from Rabi 2013- c) Both 14. d) None http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as Ans: a. px?relid=124296
5. ‘GIAN’ or ‘Global Initiative for http://www.thehindu.com/todays- Academics Network’ is an initiative to paper/tp-national/drones-to-help-gauge- crop-damage/article7727876.ece a) Attract the best foreign academics to Indian Universities of Excellence 4. Consider the following statements about b) Provide top-performing students ‘Crop Cutting Experiments’ associated from Indian Universities the opportunity with Crop Insurance: to interact with academics from the USA c) Promote student-exchange 1. It is a sample survey approach, which programmes between Indian and provides an estimate of crop yield in German Universities an area (it can be the area of a state or d) Promote teachers from Indian the entire country) Universities to develop pedagogical 2. Adoption of this method has resulted methods like their western counterparts in delayed payment of claims to farmers Ans: a. Which of the above statements are incorrect? The Union Cabinet has approved a program titled Global Initiative of a) 1 Only Academic Networks (GIAN) in Higher b) 2 Only Education aimed at tapping the talent c) Both 1 and 2 pool of scientists and entrepreneurs, d) Neither 1 or 2 internationally (and not only ‘western’ or a specific country) to encourage their Ans: d. engagement with the institutes of Higher Education in India so as to augment the http://www.thehindu.com/todays- country’s existing academic resources, paper/tp-national/drones-to-help-gauge- accelerate the pace of quality reform, crop-damage/article7727876.ece and elevate India’s scientific and technological capacity to global This definitely does not have to be read, excellence. but statement 1 has been framed using information from this link: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /german-to-be-taught-again-in-central- http://www.iasri.res.in/ebook/TEFCPI_ schools/article7727600.ece sampling/DEMONSTRATION%20OF %20CROP%20CUTTING%20EXPERI http://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mh MENT%20ON%20A%20FARMER%E rd/files/PRESS_RELEASE_31-12- 2%80%99S%20FIELD.pdf 2014.pdf
6. Which of the following statements associated with subsidies in India are true?
1. There are subsidized services as well 2. Minimum Support Prices (for crops) can hurt poor households 3. Cross-subsidisation in the railways has contributed to increased traffic congestion and emissions Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 and 3 only b) 1 and 2 only c) 2 and 3 Only d) All the above
Ans: d.
Statement 3 confirms that statement 1 is true. You can eliminate option b at least. For understanding how the other two statements are correct (statement 2 and the assertion in statement 3), refer to page 55: Economic Survey 2014-15, Volume 1
http://www.thehindu.com/business/subs idies-slide-to-16-per-cent-of- gdp/article7727208.ece
1. Consider the following statements about a) 1 only ‘vertical farming’: b) 2 and 3 Only c) 1 and 3 Only 1. Only climbers and creepers can be d) 3 Only grown in this type of farming 2. Crop yield is greater when compared Ans: d. to yield through conventional farming over the same area Neutrinos are the second most bountiful Which of the above statements are particles after photons, which carry incorrect? light, with trillions of them streaming through our bodies every second, but a) 1 only their true nature has been poorly b) 2 only understood. c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2 They rarely interact with particles of other matter. Ans: a. http://www.bbc.com/news/science- Wheat, maize and rice – these things that environment-34443695 provide the bulk of our calories- will be very difficult to grow on a vertical farm 3. ‘Neutrino Oscillations’ is because you need to accumulate a massive biomass for those crops – you a) The movement of neutrinos in a might expect typically anything between back-and-forth motion, a pendulum-like 5 and 12 tonnes per hectare of grain from manner through space while travelling something like wheat, but to do that you b) The flipping of neutrinos from one have to accumulate upwards of 20 type to another during flight tonnes per hectare of dry weight of plant. c) The flipping of a neutrino from So it’s the weight of the plant which electron to proton and/or vice versa in determines whether or not it can be any atom cultivated in vertical farming. The crops d) None of the above that are likely to be grown are high-value nutritious crops – like tomatoes, lettuces, Ans: b. green crops. http://www.bbc.com/news/science- environment-34443695 2. Which of the following statements about neutrinos is/are incorrect? 4. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority 1. Trillions of neutrinos pass through (APEDA) is under the our body every second 2. They are created in nuclear reactions a) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food 3. They never interact with particles of and Public Distribution other matter b) Ministry of Agriculture Select the correct answer using codes c) Ministry of Food Processing given below: Industries d) None of the above 6. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is Ans: d. celebrated every year on January 9th to mark APEDA is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. a) The date of return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa for good http://www.thehindu.com/news/national b) The date of departure of Mahatma /govt-to-step-up-vigil-at-ports-to-check- Gandhi to South Africa from India export-of-cow-meat/article7731341.ece c) The date when Independent India first received a Non-Resident Indian’s 5. Which of the following statements about remittance ‘barefoot’ technicians, associated with d) The date of return of indentured the Ministry of Rural Development, labourers from the Caribbean in 1948 is/are correct? Ans: a. 1. To become one, any person above the age of 21 is eligible for training http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as 2. He/She can selected from the local px?relid=128468 SC/ST MGNREGA worker households only http://www.pbd-india.com/about.html Select the correct answer using codes given below:
a) 1 only b) 2 Only c) Both d) None
Ans: b.
Only an educated individual is eligible to become a barefoot technician, not ‘any’ person.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as px?relid=128470
1. Which of the following is/are NOT some http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as of the recommendations made by the px?relid=128488 Bibek Debroy Committee in its report on Indian Railways? http://www.nioh.org/projects.html
1. Accounting reforms 3. Which article in the Indian Constitution 2. Streamlining recruitment processes prohibits trafficking in human beings? 3. It must distance itself from non-core activities such as running schools and a) Article 21 hospitals b) Article 23 Select the correct answer using the codes c) Article 43 given below: d) There is no such article in the Indian Constitution a) 1 Only b) 1 and 2 Only Ans: b. c) 3 Only d) All are recommendations by the 4. Which of the following laws do not have committee provisions associated with human trafficking? Ans: d. 1. The Minimum Wages Act http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as 2. The Protection of Children from px?relid=128524 Sexual Offences Act 3. The Juvenile Traffic (Prevention) http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes Act .com/2015-04- 4. The Sexual harassment of Women at 02/news/60756506_1_indian-railways- Workplace (Prevention , Prohibition interim-report-services/2 and Redressal) Act Select the correct answer using the codes 2. Which of the following can be classified given below: as ‘Occupational Diseases’? a) 1 and 2 only 1. Sleep disorder due to noise pollution b) 1, 2 and 3 Only 2. Silicosis c) 2, 3 and 4 Only 3. Asbestosis d) 3 Only 4. Pneumoconiosis Select the correct answer using the codes Ans: d. given below: There is no ‘Juvenile Traffic a) 1, 2 and 3 only (Prevention) Act’. And you certainly b) 2 and 3 only don’t have to go through all the laws! c) 2 and 4 Only This is an important issue today in India d) All the above and worldwide, so having a general idea about provisions associated with it Ans: d. would be of benefit. You can go through the link provided below for the list of laws associated with trafficking. 6. Which among the following are some of You can guess that the 2nd law the flaws in the existing design of mentioned above could have provisions Public-Private-Partnerships? associated with trafficking. There you can eliminate 3 options. You will be left 1. Unmanageable risks, e.g., traffic risk only with option d. in highways, are transferred to concessionaires http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as 2. Compulsory allocation of both, px?relid=128489 construction and maintenance responsibilities to the concessionaire http://stophumantrafficking- 3. The Government has no leverage in mha.nic.in/forms/Sublink1.aspx?lid=25 case of non-performance by 6 concessionaire 4. There are no ex-post structures for re- 5. “The balance sheet syndrome with negotiation of contracts Indian characteristics” creates a web of Select the correct answer using the codes difficult challenges that could hold back given below: private investment. In this context, consider the following statements: a) 1 and 2 only b) 1 and 3 Only 1. Unlike many other countries with c) 2 and 4 Only high debt to equity ratios currently, d) All of the above India’s debt is almost exclusively financed by public sector banks Ans: b. 2. Public sector in India is exposed to corporate risk There are no ex-ante structures for re- Which of the above statements are negotiation of contracts. incorrect? Even if you haven’t read the information a) 1 Only in Box 4.1, Volume 1 of the Economic b) 2 Only Survey (2014-15), you can hazard a c) Both 1 and 2 guess. Statement 2 can be eliminated, d) Neither 1 or 2 and you will be left only with option b.
Ans: d. “It is better to continue combining construction and maintenance Page 72: Economic Survey 2014-15, responsibilities to incentivise building Volume 1 quality. In many projects, especially highways, maintenance costs depend http://www.thehindu.com/news/national significantly on construction quality. If a /banks-killed-road-sector- single entity is responsible for both official/article7735927.ece construction and maintenance, it takes lifecycle costs into account. Separating these responsibilities provide an incentive to increase profits by cutting corners during construction. Suggestions to let the public sector build assets and have the private sector 8. Which of the following statements about maintain and operate them ignore this the ‘Micro Solar Dome’ is/are correct? linkage.” 1. It is a zero-fuel device requiring http://www.thehindu.com/news/national maintenance, the frequency of which /banks-killed-road-sector- depends upon its usage official/article7735927.ece 2. It captures sunlight which can be transmitted through Polyvinyl 7. Consider the following statements about Chloride pipes the 1951 United Nations Convention Choose the correct answer using the relating to the status of refugees: codes given below:
1. It is the key legal document in a) 1 Only defining who is a refugee, their rights b) 2 Only and the legal obligations of states c) Both 1 and 2 2. India is not a signatory to the d) Neither 1 or 2 convention Which of the above statements are Ans: b. correct? http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as a) 1 only px?relid=128557 b) 2 Only c) Both 1 and 2 http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/k d) Neither 1 or 2 olkata/trapping-sunshine-letting-it- flow-in-dark-homes/article7096493.ece Ans: c.
Though India offers asylum to a large number of refugees, it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention.
“India to oppose uniform migration policy at BRICS meet in Sochi” – Page 15, The Hindu (8th September)
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49da0e466 .html
1. The Central Government has recently 2. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship given tax sops to sugar mills in order to of 1950 between India and Nepal is boost ethanol production. With still in force reference to ethanol, which of the Which of the above statements are following statements are incorrect? correct?
1. Ethanol can be derived not only from a) 1 only sugarcane, but also corn and sorghum b) 2 only 2. In India, 10 per cent blending of c) Both ethanol with petrol is mandatory d) None 3. Bootleggers mix it with country- made liquor to increase its potency Ans: c. Select the correct answer using codes given below: Aug 2014: The two Prime Ministers agreed to review, adjust and update the a) 1 and 2 Only Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 b) 2 and 3 Only and other bilateral agreements. Both c) 1 and 3 Only sides agreed that the revised Treaty d) All are correct should better reflect the current realities and aim to further consolidate and Ans: b. expand the multifaceted and deep rooted relationships in a forward looking Ethanol is a renewable, domestically manner. produced alcohol fuel made from plant material, such as corn, sugar cane, or http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as grasses. In India, up to 10 per cent px?relid=122516 blending of ethanol with petrol is allowed. “Although 10 per cent blending http://www.thehindu.com/news/internat of ethanol with petrol is allowed, oil ional/nepals-crisis-is-an-outcome-of-its- marketing companies (OMCs) will internal-discord- achieve 3.5 per cent in 2014-15 season.” india/article7739462.ece
Bootleggers mix methanol with country- 3. It is known that agroforestry can not made liquor to increase its potency. only alleviate poverty and reduce malnutrition, but also help develop http://mrunal.org/2012/10/economy- resilience to climate change. With ethanol-blending-in-petrol.html#19 reference to agroforestry in India, consider the following statements: http://www.thehindu.com/business/tax- sops-on-molasses/article7739457.ece 1. India is the first nation in the world to have adopted an agroforestry policy 2. Consider the following statements: 2. Various elements of agroforestry lie scattered across various existing 1. India, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh missions, programme and schemes have recently signed a Motor under different ministries Vehicles Agreement 3. All policies on agroforestry will be a) 1 only subsumed under the National b) 2 Only Agroforestry Policy c) Both Which of the above statements is/are d) None incorrect? Ans: c. a) 1 Only b) 2 Only http://mrunal.org/2014/11/national- c) 3 Only agroforestry-policy-2014-salient- d) None features-benefits.html#89
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /involve-farmers-in-fight-against- Ans: c. climate-change/article7739732.ece
The National Agroforestry Policy is the 5. The Supreme Court recently decided to first and only policy on Agroforestry in set up another Constitution Bench to India. However, various elements of have a relook at the question whether agroforestry lie scattered across various right to privacy is a fundamental right or existing missions, programme and not. Consider the following statements schemes under different ministries – about the Constitution Bench: Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. 1. The minimum number of Judges who are to sit in it shall be five http://www.thehindu.com/news/national 2. Article 32 of the Constitution /involve-farmers-in-fight-against- contains a provision dealing with climate-change/article7739732.ece setting up of the Constitution Bench Which of the above statements are http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/in incorrect? dia-becomes-first-country-to-adopt-an- agroforestry-policy-43518 a) 1 Only b) 2 Only 4. It is said that India has the most c) Both 1 and 2 progressive agroforestry policy in the d) Neither 1 or 2 world. Which of the following statements about India’s ‘National Ans: b. Agroforestry Policy’ is/are correct? Article 145 has a provision dealing with 1. Its ‘National Agroforestry Board’ setting up of the Constitution Bench. To will be under the Ministry of be specific, it is Article 145(3). Agriculture 2. Apart from promoting agroforestry http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1537130/ research, it also seeks to usher in land reforms http://www.thehindu.com/todays- Select the correct answer using the codes paper/tp-national/after-60-years-sc-to- given below: take-a-relook-at-right-to- privacy/article7740412.ece 1. Consider the following statements 3. The ASEM summit is a biennial associated with the plant ‘Opium meeting Poppy’: Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 1. India is sandwiched between two producing regions of it – the Golden a) 1 and 2 Only Triangle and the Golden Crescent b) 2 and 3 Only 2. Its seeds are used in Indian cuisine c) 1 and 3 Only Which of the above statements are d) All are correct incorrect? Ans: d. a) 1 Only b) 2 Only http://www.aseminfoboard.org/about c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2 http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as px?relid=128593 Ans: d. 3. Gazette of India notifications are Opium is the source of many drugs, published by including morphine. For curiosity’s sake: In Indian cuisine white poppy a) Press Information Bureau, Ministry seeds are added for thickness, texture of Information and Broadcasting and also give added flavor to the recipe. b) Publications Division, Ministry of Commonly used in the preparation of Information and Broadcasting korma, ground poppy seed, along with c) The Department of Publication, coconut and other spices, are combined Ministry of Urban Development as the masala to be added at the end of d) Publications Division, Ministry of the cooking step. It is quite hard to grind Statistics and Programme them when raw, so they are normally dry Implementation fried, and then mixed with a little water to get the right paste consistency. Ans: c.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as http://egazette.nic.in/Aboutus.aspx px?relid=128547 http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_T px?relid=128570 riangle_(Southeast_Asia) 4. With reference to the ‘High Risk Area’ 2. Which of the following statements about (HRA) in the Indian Ocean, consider the the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) are following statements: correct? Assertion (A): Additional War Risk 1. India is a not a founder member Premiums imposed by Insurance 2. The ASEM dialogue addresses not providers on vessels carrying Indian only economic, but also political and EXIM (export-import) along the west cultural issues coast are set to reduce, resulting in lower costs to consumers a) 1 only Reason (R): International Chamber of b) 2 Only Shipping and other international bodies c) 1, 2 and 3 have agreed to push back the HRA from d) The frequency of cyclones remains 78° W longitude to the to the 65° W the same (AS cyclones make landfall in longitude West Asia while BB cyclones, along the East Coast of India) Select the correct answer using codes given below: Ans: c.
a) A and R both are true, and R is the http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dy correct explanation for A namic/faq/FAQP.htm#q25 b) A and R both are true, and R is the NOT the correct explanation for A http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as c) A is correct, R is incorrect px?relid=128566 d) A is incorrect, R is correct 6. Consider the following statements about Ans: c. the ‘Territorial Army’ of India:
Beware of such traps. India lies in the 1. It is a part of the regular army Eastern Hemisphere. International 2. They also known as the ‘Green Chamber of Shipping and other Army’ due to their pioneering role in international bodies have agreed to shift preservation of the nation’s the HRA from 78° E longitude to the to biodiversity the 65° E longitude. Which of the above statements is/are correct? Note: Both statements mentioned above will be in past tense by the August 2016. a) 1 Only b) 2 Only http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as c) Both 1 and 2 px?relid=128577 d) Neither 1 or 2
5. Why are there fewer cyclones over the Ans: a. Arabian Sea (AS) as compared to the Bay of Bengal (BB)? They are not known as the ‘Green Army’, but they have played a 1. AS is relatively colder than BB pioneering role in preservation of 2. Majority of the cyclones over BB ecosystem and the nation’s biodiversity. weaken over land after landfall 3. In addition to cyclones which http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as develop in-situ, BB gets an increased px?relid=128567 quota of them due to high frequency of cyclones over the Northwest http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemp Pacific lete/frmTemp1PLT3C.aspx?MnId=7Zl Select the correct answer using the codes ke2QlpgL2YScSgUtUsg==&ParentID= given below: gmqe2Bk/dm5xsuTmf4xsyg==&flag= Rmpgcjbyjq3NGC0+ 1. Consider the following pairs: 2. Consider the following statements: Directions Neighbouring State/Country 1. The Agricultural Produce Market 1. East Bangladesh Committee (APMC) Act controls 2. West Bangladesh only the first sale of the agricultural 3. South Myanmar produce 4. North Meghalaya 2. The Essential Commodities (EC) Act empowers the central and state With reference to borders shared by the governments concurrently to control Indian state of Tripura, which of the the production of certain above pairs are correctly matched? commodities 3. EC Act also covers commodities a) 1 and 2 Only such as coal and textiles b) 2 and 3 Only Which of the above statements are c) 2,3 and 4 Only incorrect? d) 1,3 and 4 Only a) 1 Only Ans: a. b) 1 and 3 Only c) 3 Only http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as d) All statements are correct px?relid=128579 Ans: d. “Even though being the third smallest State in the country, Dr. Jitendra Singh Page 118-119: Economic Survey 2014- said, Tripura has its own strategic 15, Volume 1 importance and shares its borders with Bangladesh in North, South and West, http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as and can thus become an important exit px?relid=128585 point of export and trade with the countries on the eastern border” 3. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1953 Take a look at the political map of India. Tripura is not square-shaped. A portion a) Urges all States, including non-State of its eastern borders too are shared by Parties to the International Criminal Bangladesh, rest being shared by Court (ICC) to cooperate fully with the Mizoram and a very small portion by ICC Assam. b) Affirms the “urgent need” to reach within 12 months a peaceful solution to the situation in the Middle East c) Paved the way for the Palestinian flag to be raised at the United Nations d) None of the above
Ans: d.
Trick question! Those who had a vague 5. The transfer of which of the following idea of this article’s contents, may have non-tangible goods/services can be selected option a. classified as ‘invisible trade’?
“It is important to note that United 1. Customer services Nations Security Council resolution 2. Intellectual property 1593 urged all States, including non- 3. Consulting States Parties to the ICC as well regional 4. Tourism and other international organisations, to 5. Shipping services cooperate fully with the ICC. This Select the correct answer using codes includes arresting Mr. Al-Bashir” given below:
UNSC resolution 1953 deals with a) 1, 2 and 5 only Cyprus, reaffirming all resolutions on b) 1,3 and 4 Only the situation there – as of now, there is c) 2,4 and 5 Only no reason for you to know this. d) All of the above
4. India was recently asked by the Ans: d. International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest one of the guests expected to ‘Invisible trade’ has been indirectly attend the India-Africa Summit. With defined in the question itself! This reference to the ICC, which of the article also appeared in the Hindu. following statements is/are incorrect? http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/in 1. It is independent of the United visible-trade.asp Nations 2. India is not a signatory to it 3. It can request non-signatories (to the ICC) to cooperate with it, which among others, includes acts of arrest Select the correct answer using codes given below:
a) 1 only b) 2 Only c) 3 Only d) All statements are correct
Ans: d.
This question has been framed from this article.
1. Consider the following statements about a) 2 and 3 Only female labour force participation in b) 1 and 3 Only India c) 2 Only d) All statements are correct 1. It has been declining sharply in India 2. Changes in measurement Ans: d. methodology across survey rounds may have contributed to its decline http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_qutbmin 3. India’s inability to compete with ar.asp cheaper labour provided by countries like Bangladesh too has contributed http://www.thehindu.com/todays- to the decline paper/tp-national/asi-to-seek-nofly- Which of the above statements are zone-over-qutub- correct? minar/article7748261.ece
a) 1and 2 Only 3. The ‘Quartet Roadmap’ is b) 1 and 3 Only c) 1,2 and 3 a) A peace plan Proposed by USA, the d) All statements are incorrect EU, Russia and the UN to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Ans: c. b) A plan formulated by USA, Russia, Israel and Palestine to resolve the Reading just the summary on this page Israeli-Palestinian conflict will suffice. c) A plan formulated by the P5 grouping, India, Germany and Brazil to http://www.thehindu.com/news/national tackle terrorism /raising-wages-can-boost-growth-in- d) A peace plan formulated by USA, india-ilo/article7747672.ece Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE to end the Yemeni conflict 2. With reference to the Qutb Minar and its monuments, consider the following Ans: a. statements: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as 1. Although Qutbu’d-Din Aibak laid px?relid=128630 the Qutb Minar’s foundation, he did not construct all 5 storeys https://www.globalpolicy.org/compone 2. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is the nt/content/article/189-israel- earliest extant mosque built by the palestine/38357-the-road-map.html Delhi Sultans 3. Qutbu’d-Din Aibak’s tomb is not present in the complex Which of the above statements are incorrect?
4. Consider the following statements: 5. Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A): The farmers of the 1. Cattle do not eat this crop Bundelkhand region have largely 2. It is a crop meant for the rain fed depended on just the rabi season; the areas area of crops sown during kharif is much 3. Very few countries cultivate it smaller Which of the above statements about the ‘Sesame’ or ‘Til’ crop is/are true? Reason (R): The region suffers due to ‘Anna Pratha’ a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 Only Select the correct answer using the codes c) 1,2 and 3 Only given below: d) None of the above
a) A and R both are true, and R is the Ans: c. correct explanation for A b) A and R both are true, and R is the “The economics of sesame cultivation is NOT the correct explanation for A revealing. It is a crop meant for the rain c) A is correct, R is incorrect fed areas. There is no dearth of market d) A and R both are incorrect for the produce as there are very few countries cultivating sesame whereas Ans: a. almost every country consumes it in some form or the other. Sesame oil is “The rabi crop is good here and high used for cooking, making sweets, value crops like gram, lentil, pea etc are massage, medicinal and cosmetic grown in the area in large quantities. purposes and many other uses. Sesame However, the farmers of the region have seeds are used for preparing sweets like largely depended on just one crop; the gajak, rewari, laddoos and tilkut in India, area sown during kharif is much smaller. tahini sauce in Middle East and on top of The primary reason given is that the buns and burgers in the west. It is also region suffers due to Anna Pratha. This used for different rituals on religious is a traditional system under which occasions. Sesame gets a better price for people leave their milch cattle unfettered the farmers than the other oilseeds in the to graze in the fields. These cattle eat up market.” the crops and therefore the farmers are not inclined to sow their lands during the PIB Features – 8th October, “Open season of Kharif. This does not happen Sesame!” by Amit Mohan Prasad during the rabi season as the farmers keep their cattle at home.” http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/efeatures. aspx PIB Features – 8th October, “Open Sesame!” by Amit Mohan Prasad
http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/efeatures. aspx
6. Consider the following list of cow breeds:
1. Tharparkar 2. Rahiwal 3. Jersey 4. Rathi Which of the above are native to India?
a) 1, 2 and 3 only b) 2,3 and 4 Only c) 1,2 and 4 Only d) These are not cow breeds
Ans: c.
http://www.thehindu.com/business/tow ards-robust-native- breeds/article7750143.ece 1. It is said that sensitivity of the a) 1 Only agriculture sector to the monsoon has b) 2 Only been moderating. What may be the c) Both 1 and 2 reasons for the same? d) Neither 1 or 2
1. Rising share of irrigation Ans: c. 2. Sharp increase in the share of small- sized loans in agricultural credit http://www.thehindu.com/business/defi 3. Improvement in yield ciency-of-rainfall-may-hit-rural- 4. Sharp increase in the share of credit income/article7750219.ece being used for capital formation in agriculture 3. Consider the following statements Select the correct answer using the codes associated with the plant ‘Opium given below: Poppy’:
a) 1, 2 and 4 Only 1. India is sandwiched between two b) 1, 3 and 4 Only producing regions of it – the Golden c) 1 and 3 Only Triangle and the Golden Crescent d) All of the above 2. Its seeds are used in Indian cuisine Which of the above statements are Ans: c. incorrect?
http://www.thehindu.com/business/defi a) 1 Only ciency-of-rainfall-may-hit-rural- b) 2 Only income/article7750219.ece c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2 Statements 2 and 4 are wrong in themselves. Refer to Box 5.2, Economic Ans: d. Survey 2014-15 Volume 1 for the correct statements. And this box Opium is the source of many drugs, provides an analysis of agricultural including morphine. For curiosity’s credit patterns for the past two decades – sake: In Indian cuisine white poppy not the reasons for reduced sensitiveness seeds are added for thickness, texture of Indian agriculture to the monsoons. and also give added flavor to the recipe. Commonly used in the preparation of 2. Despite a deficient monsoon for the korma, ground poppy seed, along with second year in a row, food inflation has coconut and other spices, are combined been on the decline this year. What may as the masala to be added at the end of be the reasons for the same? the cooking step. It is quite hard to grind them when raw, so they are normally dry 1. Restricted hikes in Minimum fried, and then mixed with a little water Support Prices to get the right paste consistency. 2. A global supply glut of agri- commodities http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as Select the correct answer using the codes px?relid=128634 given below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_T a) 1 and 3 only riangle_(Southeast_Asia) b) 3 Only c) 2 and 3 Only 4. Violations concerned with which of the d) All are correct following issues can the National Human Rights Commission sometimes Ans: c. address? “…‘Exercise Malabar’ is an annual 1. Bonded and child labour bilateral naval exercise involving the 2. Right to clean environment United States and India. Participation 3. Right to health has been expanded in some years to 4. Rights of prisoners include Japan and/or Australia and/or 5. Rights of women Singapore. When the 2007 edition of the Select the correct answer using the codes exercises in the Bay of Bengal were given below: expanded to include Japan and Australia, Beijing lashed out at what a) 1, 4 and 5 only looked like the so-called quadrilateral b) 2 and 3 only security dialogue or ‘quad’ between the c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only United States, Australia, Japan and India d) All are correct operating at sea. India had included Japan also in the 2009 and 2014 Ans: d. exercises held in the north-western Pacific…” Any form of human rights violations can be addressed by the commission. It may http://www.thehindu.com/news/internat have been caused due to violations of the ional/not-worried-about-malabar-drills- Right to Health or Right to a clean beijing/article7754163.ece environment or any other human right. http://thediplomat.com/2015/07/us- http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as official-calls-for-permanent-expansion- px?relid=128648 of-malabar-exercises-with-india/
5. Consider the following statements with 6. Participating in naval exercises is one regard to ‘Exercise Malabar’, a naval way to manage a new geopolitical reality military exercise involving India and the – China’s growing naval profile in the USA: Indian Ocean. Which of the following naval exercises has the Indian Navy 1. It is an annual exercise conducted or participated in? 2. 2015 marks the first year in which it transformed into a multilateral 1. Milan exercise 2. Varuna 3. It is always held off India’s western 3. Konkan coast 4. Simbex Which of the above statements is/are 5. IBSAMBAR incorrect? 6. Malabar Select the correct answers using the codes given below: a) 1, 2, 3 and 6 only b) 3, 4, 5 and 6 only c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only d) All the above
Ans: d.
“India has not been averse to multilateral and bilateral exercises in themselves. Indeed, over the years it has conducted and participated in many. IBSAMBAR (India, Brazil & South Africa), Varuna (India & France), Milan (16 countries from the Indian Ocean Region), Simbex (India & Singapore), KONKAN (India & U.K.) are just a few in a long list of naval exercises that have held in the three sea bodies surrounding India. These exercises have not drawn protests from China as most of the countries involved have not been claimants in the South China Sea” http://thediplomat.com/2015/07/indias- multilateral-naval-reluctance/ http://www.thehindu.com/news/internat ional/not-worried-about-malabar-drills- beijing/article7754163.ece 1. Consider the following statements: 2. A Supreme Court rulinghas banned paid donors and unlicensed blood Assertion (A): India’s Blood Safety banks Programme is the primary responsibility Select the correct answer using codes of Department of pharmaceuticals, given below: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers a) 1 Only Reason (R): As per the Indian laws, b) 2 Only human blood is treated as a ‘drug’ under c) Both 1 and 2 the Drugs & Cosmetics Act d) Neither 1 or 2
Which of the above statements is/are Ans: d. true? http://www.thehindu.com/news/national a) A and R both are true, and R is the /misleading-ad-on-blood-still-on- correct explanation for A air/article7754442.ece b) A and R both are true, and R is the — NOT the correct explanation for A http://www.bbc.com/news/business- c) A is incorrect, R is correct 30273994 d) A and R both are incorrect 3. “The State shall endeavour to secure for Ans: c. the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India” – Access to safe blood is mandated by law, which article in the Indian Constitution and is the primary responsibility of places this duty upon the State? National Aids Control Organisation (NACO). The specific objective of the a) Article 43 Blood Safety Programme is to ensure b) Article 44 reduction in the transfusion associated c) Article 243 with HIV transmission to 0.5 percent, d) The Indian Constitution makes no while making available safe and quality such provision blood within one hour of requirement in a health facility. Ans: b.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national http://www.thehindu.com/todays- /misleading-ad-on-blood-still-on- paper/tp-national/apex-court-tells- air/article7754442.ece centre-to-work-on-civil- code/article7755110.ece 2. A well organised Blood Transfusion — Service is a vital component of any http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1406604/ health care delivery system. In this context, which of the following 4. Consider the following statements about statements is/are incorrect? ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India): 1. India’s lack of a central blood collection agency 1. It comes under the Ministry of Meloxicam affects cattle the same way Consumer Affairs, Food and Public as diclofenac, but is harmless for Distribution vultures. Ketoprofen affects cattle as 2. Any consumer can lodge complaints well as vultures the same way as (with ASCI) on what they may diclofenac. consider to be misleading http://www.thehindu.com/todays- advertisements paper/taking-cue-from-centre-state- Which of the above statements are bans-a-drug-to-save- incorrect? vultures/article7755262.ece
a) 1 only 6. Sankalp’, launched by the Department b) 2 only of Pension & Pensioners Welfare is an c) Both 1 and 2 initiative d) Neither 1 or 2 a) for enhancing efficiency in Ans: a. Government systems b) to channelize the energy, experience ASCI is a voluntary, self-regulatory and skill of retiring Government body. It has partnered with the servants into meaningful voluntary work Department of Consumer Affairs to c) to monitor and redress, in a timely tackle misleading advertisements. manner, any delay in grant of pension and other retirement benefits http://www.ascionline.org/ d) Both a and b — http://www.thehindu.com/news/national Ans: b. /misleading-ad-on-blood-still-on- air/article7754442.ece Approximately 40,000 employees retire every year from the Central Government 5. Consider the following statements: Civil establishments alone. Besides the average life expectancy today has 1. Meloxicam affects cattle as well as increased to 69.2 years. A pensioner’s vultures the same way as diclofenac cognitive skills by and large remain 2. Ketoprofen affects cattle the same intact for ten to fifteen years. These way as diclofenac, but is harmless for groups of personnel have maturity, vultures experience and stability. Which of the above statements is/are The voluntary or other organisations correct? working towards building society may be looking for expertise, skill and a) 1 only maturity which can be offered by these b) 2 Only retired government servants. c) Both 1 and 2 Accordingly, an activity called d) Neither 1 or 2 ‘Sankalp’ has been initiated and a web portal of the same name has been Ans: d. launched.
It’s the other way round. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?re lid=128672 1. Which of the following statements about 2. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the ‘India Development Foundation of the news with reference to which one of Overseas Indians’ (IDF-OI) is/are the following diseases? incorrect? a) AIDS 1. It is a not-for-profit trust set up by the b) Bird Flu Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs c) Dengue 2. It engages with the concerned d) Swine Flu authorities of other nations in enhancing the skills of blue-collared Ans: d. Overseas Indians Select the correct answer using the codes http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as given below: px?relid=128677
a) 1 Only 3. With the presence of more than 4,200 b) 2 Only startups, India has become the third c) Both 1 and 2 largest startup base worldwide. What d) Neither 1 or 2 may be the reasons for the growth of the entrepreneur ecosystem in India? Ans: b. 1. Investment in start-ups by business India Development Foundation of tycoons Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) is a not- 2. The “Start-Up India” initiative has forprofit trust registered by the Ministry seen rapid success of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government 3. A sharp increase in the availability of of India, to provide a credible window risk capital for Overseas Indian Philanthropy in Select the correct answer using the codes India’s Social Development. The given below: objective of the Foundation is to facilitate philanthropic activities by a) 2 and 3 Only Overseas Indians through innovative b) 1 and 2 Only projects and instruments such as micro c) 1 and 3 Only credit for rural entrepreneurs, self help d) All of the above groups for economic empowerment of women, best practice interventions in Ans: c. primary education and technology
interventions in rural health care The “Start-Up India” initiative was delivery. announced by PM Modi in August this
year. By August 2016, it may become a http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as rapid-success story! px?relid=128679
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Indu stry/india-bags-third-slot-in- globalstartup-space/article7758031.ece 4. Which of the following statements about Select the correct answer using the codes writs mentioned in the Indian given below: Constitution is/are incorrect? a) 1 only 1. ‘Mandamus’, unlike ‘Prohibition’, b) 2 Only directs inactivity c) Both 1 and 2 2. ‘Certiorari’ is both preventive as well d) None of the above as curative, unlike prohibition, which is only curative Ans: b. 3. ‘Mandamus’ can also be issued against the Government asking it to “Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan perform duties which it has failed or Yojana”, 13th October refused to perform Select the correct http://pib.nic.in/newsite/efeatures.aspx answer using codes given below: 6. Consider the following statements: a) 1 and 3 only b) 1 and 2 only Assertion (A): The ‘Pradhan Mantri c) 2 and 3 only Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana’ d) 3 Only (PMKKKY) earmarks 50% of expenditure of the District Mineral Ans: b. Foundation (DMF) funds for ‘high priority areas’, 30% towards ‘other Statements 1 and 3 are contradictory. priority areas’ and 20% towards ‘low Hence, if you had read this article, you priority areas’ would have realised that statement 3 is correct. You would be left only with Reason (R): PMKKKY provides option ‘a’ and ‘b’. The correct answer guidelines for utilization of funds between these two options though, you accruing to DMF can hazard a guess if you have read Laxmikanth/D.D. Basu. Select the correct answer using codes given below: Page 7.18-19, Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth a) A and R both are true, and R is the correct explanation for A 5. With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri b) A and R both are true, and R is the Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana’ NOT the correct explanation for A (PMKKKY), which of the following c) A is correct, R is incorrect statements is/are correct? d) A is incorrect, R is correct
1. It is being administered by the Ans: d. Ministry of Labour and Employment 2. This scheme will be binding on state The scheme earmarks 60% of governments expenditure of the DMF fund for high priority areas, and 40% towards other nothing more than nomenclature, and priority areas. parties use it to project a higher status to their ties” “Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana”, 13th October http://www.businessstandard.com/articl http://pib.nic.in/newsite/efeatures.aspx e/economypolicy/india-singapore-to- signstrategic-partnership-pact-during- 7. Consider the following statements about pmsvisit-115101300787_1.html ‘Strategic Partnerships’ in the context of — international relations: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/oped/ in-the-promiscuous-world- 1. Its appearance can be traced to the ofinternational-relations-elements-of- end of the cold war astrategic- 2. These partnerships entail only the partnership/article2806158.ece following areas of co-operation: political-diplomatic ties, defence ties, 8. Consider the following statements about and economic relations Which of the the India-Africa Forum Summit: above statements is/are incorrect? 1. The first such summit will be held in a) 1 Only New Delhi in 2015 b) 2 Only 2. This biennial summit is to be held on c) Both 1 and 2 a rotational basis between India and d) Neither 1 or 2 Africa Which of the above statements is/are Ans: c correct?
“Strategic partnerships are commonly a) 1 Only associated with defence or security b) 2 Only related issues, but a survey of formal c) Both 1 and 2 strategic partnerships around the world d) Neither 1 or 2 reveal they can also be quite a hold-all, covering a wide range in bilateral Ans: d. relations, from defence to education, health and agriculture, and quite It is not a biennial summit. commonly, economic relations, including trade, investment and http://www.thehindu.com/todayspaper/t banking.” p-opinion/reversing-thecontinental- drift/article7758734.ece “Some scholars of international relations theory have argued against a set definition, arguing that each agreement belongs to a specific time and context, and thus has its own meaning. Some have even argued that the phrase is 9. The Government recently announced 10. In the ‘Wholesale Price Index’, which that the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) of one of the following is accorded the the Centre will be used to cool prices of highest weight? an agri-commodity. Which of the following statements about the PSF a) Food articles is/are incorrect? b) Fuel and Energy c) Manufactured products 1. It will support market interventions d) Primary articles for price control of onions and potatoes initially; other commodities Ans: c. may be added later 2. States have to set up a revolving fund http://www.thehindu.com/business/Eco to receive grants under this scheme nomy/wpi-contraction-eases- Select the correct answer using the to45/article7762270.ece codes given below: WPI a) 1 Only b) 2 Only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2
Ans: b.
States have to set up a revolving fund to receive interest-free loans under this scheme. A revolving fund is a fund that is continually replenished as withdrawals are made.
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Eco nomy/government-announces- bufferstocks-for- pulses/article7762552.ece — http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as px?relid=117762
11. The Global Hunger Index is calculated 12. To reflect the multidimensional nature of and released by the hunger, the Global Hunger Index (GHI) combines three equally-weighted a) World Bank indicators in one index number: b) International Food Policy Research Institute 1. Proportion of undernourished c) Food and Agriculture Organisation 2. Proportion of under-5 underweight d) United Nations Children’s Fund children 3. Mortality rate of under-5 children Ans: b. 4. Adult female literacy rate 5. Proportion of population living below https://www.ifpri.org/topic/globalhunge $1 in Purchasing-Power- r-index Parity terms per day Which, from the above list, are the indicators?
a) 1, 2 and 3 only b) 1, 2 and 4 only c) 1, 4 and 5 only d) 3, 4 and 5 only
Ans: a.
https://www.ifpri.org/topic/globalhunge r-index
1. Which of the following sections of the 2. Consider the following statements: Information Technology Act grants Internet Service Providers (or 1. An exclusive rail-and-road-way will intermediaries) immunity from liability, be open at Kolkata and pass through in certain cases, for the content they Bangladesh to end at Kaladan in host? Tripura 2. It will provide an alternate route of a) Section 66A goods movement between the b) Section 79 Northeast Indian states and mainland c) Section 69A India d) There is no such immunity 3. It will reduce pressure on the Siliguri Corridor Ans: b. Which of the above statements about the ‘Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport “Most countries have a system that Project’ are correct? allows them to ask intermediaries to block or take down specified illegal a) 1 and 2 only content. In India, the Indian IT Act has b) 2 and 3 only created such a system (included in c) 1 and 3 only Section 79), enabling the government or d) All are incorrect any third party to ask for the blocking of content and set up a process for content Ans: b. removal by intermediaries.” http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as “While in case of an emergency, the px?relid=128699 State police directly write to the intermediary concerned, such as 3. The ‘White Cane Day’ also known Facebook and Twitter, to block a internationally as the ‘White Cane website under Section 79 (3)(b) of the Safety Day’ was organized by the Information Technology Act. The other Ministry of Social Justice & way of blocking objectionable content is Empowerment recently to sensitize the through a committee comprising CERT- common man about the challenges being in officials, which takes a call after wider faced by consultation.” a) Visually challenged people http://www.thehindu.com/news/national b) Aged persons /central-government-blocks-two- c) The physically challenged website-of-islamic- d) Both a and b state/article7762786.ece — Ans: a. http://indiankanoon.org/doc/844026/ http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as px?relid=128726
4. ‘Programme for International Student 5. With reference to the relationship Assessment’ (PISA) is a survey between the State of Jammu and conducted by Kashmir and India, which of the following statements is/are correct? a) Pratham (An Indian NGO) b) Organisation for Economic 1. An amendment made to the Indian Cooperation and Development Constitution does not apply to the c) Global Partnership for Education state unless it is extended by a d) World Bank presidential order 2. Part IV and Part IV-A of the Indian Ans: b. Constitution are applicable to the state with some exceptions and “…. However, the overall standard of conditions education is well below global 3. While Article 1 of the Indian standards: that PISA 2009+ results Constitution is applicable to the state, ranked Tamil Nadu and Himachal Article 3 is not Pradesh 72 and 73 out of 74 participants, Select the correct answer using the codes higher only than Kyrgyzstan, exposes given below: the gaps in our education system. PISA, which measures the knowledge and a) 1 only skills of 15-year-olds with questions b) 1 and 2 only designed to assess their problem-solving c) 1 and 3 only capabilities, rates these two states at the d) All of the above bottom, with the scores in mathematics and science falling way behind the Ans: c. OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) Part III of the Indian Constitution is average…” applicable to the state with some exceptions and conditions. Part IV and The most recently published PISA IV-A are not applicable to the state. results are from the assessment in 2012. India did not participate in PISA 2012. http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/edito rial/the-importance-of-article- http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/ 370/article7762192.ece oecd-study-the-perils-of- efixation/article7762198.ece Chapter 32, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth
1. Through the Universal Immunisation Select the correct answer using the codes Programme, India has achieved the given below: elimination of which of the following diseases? a) 1 Only b) 1 and 2 only 1. Polio c) 1, 2 and 3 only 2. Measles d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 3. Small Pox 4. Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Ans: d. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: http://amrut.gov.in/writereaddata/Thrust %20Areas.pdf a) 1 and 2 only b) 1, 2 and 3 only 3. The ‘International Tourism Mart’ is c) 1 and 3 only organized by the Ministry of Tourism, d) 1, 3 and 4 only Government of India, in association with
Ans: d. a) North Eastern States b) Northeastern States and West “Unlike polio and smallpox, tetanus Bengal cannot be eradicated (tetanus spores are c) Member-countries of the South present in the environment worldwide), Asian Association for Regional but through immunization of pregnant Cooperation women and other women of d) Representatives from the 5 state- reproductive age and promotion of more zones of India hygienic deliveries and cord care practices, MNT (Maternal and Neonatal Ans: b. Tetanus) can be eliminated (defined as less than one case of neonatal tetanus per The 4th International Tourism Mart 1000 live births in every district)” 2015 spread over three days (15th-17th October, 2015) is seeing participation of http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion fifty two (52) international delegates /columns/lets-leave-no-child-behind/ comprising of tour operators and media persons from 23 countries. 2. Dr. Abdul Kalam’s birth place (Rameswaram) was recently included in The Ministry of Tourism, Government the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and of India, in association with the North Urban Transformatin (AMRUT) Eastern States and West Bengal has been mission for providing basic urban successfully organising the International infrastructure. Which among the Tourism Mart over the last three years in following is/are the thrust areas of the various North Eastern States with the AMRUT mission? objective of highlighting the tourism potential of the region in the domestic 1. Pedestrian facilities and international markets. 2. Upgrading green spaces and parks 3. Storm-water drains http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2 4. Parking spaces 015/oct/p2015101501.pdf 4. Consider the following pairs: Select the correct answer using the codes given below: Stage Reactors 1. First: Pressurised Light Water Reactors a) 1 Only b) 1 and 2 only 2. Second: Fast Breeder Reactors c) 1, 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2,3 and 4 3. Third: Thorium-based Reactors Ans: d.
http://www.business- Which of the above pairs, with respect to standard.com/article/opinion/devangshu India’s 3-stage nuclear power -datta-the-discoveries-that-saved-lives- programme, are correctly matched? 115101501415_1.html
a) 1 and 2 Only River blindness is a parasitic infection b) 1 and 3 Only that can cause intense itching, skin c) 2 and 3 Only discoloration, rashes, and eye disease d) 3 and 4 Only that often leads to permanent blindness. It is spread by the bites of infected black Ans: c. flies that breed in rapidly flowing rivers.
Referring to various important ongoing Elephantiasis refers to a parasitic programmes, Dr. Jitendra Singh infection that causes extreme swelling in mentioned the 3-stage nuclear power the arms and legs. The disease is caused programme with Pressurized Heavy by the filarial worm, which is Water Reactors (PHWRs) in the first transmitted from human to human via stage, Fast Breeder Reactors in the the female mosquito when it takes a second stage and Thorium based blood meal. reactors to be put up in the third stage. He stressed that although the programme Kala Azar is globally known as Visceral is indigenous, India has also entered into Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoan agreements with several countries like parasites of the Leishmania genus France, Russia and USA to establish a infection whose carrier is the sand fly large generation capacity. found in the eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, usually http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.as strikes during the monsoon months. It is px?relid=128781 the second deadliest vector borne disease after malaria. Presently, its 5. Which of the following diseases is/are incidence is concentrated to about 54 caused by parasites? districts, with Bihar most affected. Ninety percent of visceral leishmaniasis 1. Elephantiasis cases occur in 5 countries: Bangladesh, 2. Malaria India, Nepal, Sudan and Brazil. 3. River Blindness 4. Visceral Leishmaniasis
6. The Indian Constitution deals with the citizenship from
a) Articles 5 to 11 b) Article 5 only c) Article 11 only d) Article 13 only
Ans: a.
CH-6, Indian Polity by M Laxmikant
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national /geeta-govt-may-invoke-section-13-to- grant-citizenship-to- geeta/article7771059.ece