1. Ans C Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: ZED Scheme aims to rate and handhold all MSMEs to deliver top quality products using clean technology. It will have sector-specific parameters for each industry. MSME sector is crucial for the economic progress of India and this scheme will help to match global quality control standards. The slogan of Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) was first mentioned by PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech in 2014. It was given for producing high quality manufacturing products with a minimal negative impact on environment

2. Anc C Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: Union Government has launched Mining Surveillance System (MSS), a pan-India surveillance network to check illegal mining using latest satellite technology. MSS is a satellite-based monitoring system which aims to check illegal mining activity through automatic remote-sensing detection technology in order to establish a regime of responsive mineral administration. In the MSS, Khasra maps of mining leases have been geo-referenced and are superimposed on latest satellite remote sensing scenes obtained from CARTOSAT & USGS.

3. Ans D Topic: Ancient History - Inscriptions Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: The Allahabad pillar is an Ashoka Stambha, one of the pillars of Ashoka, an emperor of the Maurya dynasty who reigned in the 3rd century BCE. While it is one of the few extant pillars that carry his edicts, it is particularly notable for containing later inscriptions attributed to the Gupta emperor, (4th century CE). Also engraved on the stone are inscriptions by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir, from the 17th century.

4. Ans B Topic: Ancient History – Southern Kingdoms Type: Factual Level: Easy Explanation: Narasimhavarman I was also known as Mamalla, which means ‘great wrestler’. He wanted to take avenge the defeat of his father at the hands of Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin II. His victory over Pulakesin II in the Battle of Manimangalam near Kanchi is mentioned in Kuram copper plates. The Pallava army under General pursued the retreating Chalukya army, entered Chalukya territory, captured and destroyed the capital city of Vatapi. Narasimhavarman I assumed the title ‘Vatapikonda’. He regained the lost territory. Another notable achievement of Narasimhavarman I was his naval expedition to . He restored the throne to his friend and Sri Lankan prince Manavarma

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5. Ans d Topic- DPSP Difficulty level- Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: Article 48 of DPSP directs the State to prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and to improve their breeds. Article 41 directs the State to secure free legal aid to the poor but since it is one of the DPSP's, it is not a justiciable right

6. Ans C Topic- Indian Polity / State legislature Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: The legislative council is a continuing chamber, that is, it is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. But one-third of its member retires on the expiration of every second year.

7. Ans D Topic- Indian Polity / Union legislature Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: Rajya Sabha has equal power in both – approval of ordinances and approval of national emergency. It’s in revocation of emergency that only Lok Sabha’s approval is needed. Lok sabha had the power to vote on demand for grants, while rajya sabha can only discuss it. Money bills passed by the Lok Sabha are sent to the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha may not amend money bills but can recommend amendments. To make sure that Rajya Sabha doesn't amend the bill by adding some non-money matters (known as Financial Bill), the Lok Sabha Speaker certifies the bill as a money bill before sending it to the upper house, and the decision of the Speaker is binding on both the Houses. A money bill must be returned to the Lok Sabha within 14 days or the bill is deemed to have passed both houses in the form it was originally passed by the Lok Sabha.

8. Ans D Difficulty: Moderate Topic: National Income Explanation: An economy produces two types of final goods i.e. consumption and capital goods. Consumption goods get consumed and capital goods are used for further production process (capital goods are also called investment). These two types of goods are purchased by the four sectors of the economy  Household sector (consumption goods)  Private sector (capital goods)  booth) GDP is the sum of the final value of all goods and services (consumption and capital) produced in the economy or it can also be defined as value added by all the enterprises in the economy. So (i) & (ii) statements are true.

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Whatever goods and services (consumption and capital) are produced in the economy is ultimately purchased by household, private, government sector and the rest is exported. So (iii) statement is true. By Income method, GDP is also equal to the income received by the four factors of production i.e. Profit, Rent, Interest and wages. So (iv) statement is also true.

9. Ans A Difficulty: Moderate Topic: National Income Explanation: Base-year analysis is the analysis of economic trends in relation to a specific base year. Base-year analysis expresses economic measures in base-year prices to eliminate the effects of inflation. Base-year analysis is often used when expressing gross domestic product, and is known as real GDP when referred to in this way. By eliminating inflation, the trend of economic growth is more accurate, as price level changes are accounted for. The Central Statistics Office, under the ministry, had last updated base year for GDP calculation to 2011- 12 from January 2015, replacing the old series base year of 2004-05.GDP based on old series does not reflect current economic situation correctly.

10. Ans C Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Difficult Type- Factual Explanation: Presence of calcium and magnesium salts in the form of hydrogen carbonate, chloride and sulphate in water makes water hard‘. Hard water does not give lather with soap. Hard water forms cum/precipitate with soap. Soap containing sodium stearate C17H35COONa. reacts with hard water to precipitate out Ca/Mg stearate. It is, therefore, unsuitable for laundry. It is harmful for boilers as well, because of deposition of salts in the form of scale. This reduces the efficiency of the boiler. The hardness of water is of two types: i. temporary hardness, and ii. permanent hardness. Temporary hardness is due to the presence of magnesium and calcium hydrogen carbonates Permanent hardness is due to the presence of soluble salts of magnesium and calcium in the form of chlorides and sulphates in water.

11. Ans A Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Difficult Type- Factual Explanation: Like light, sound gets reflected at the surface of a solid or liquid and follows the same laws of reflection. The directions in which the sound is incident and is reflected make equal angles with the normal to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence, and the three are in the same plane.

12. Ans D Topic- General Science

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Difficulty level- Moderate Type- Factual Explanation: There are two types of cells on retina. 1. Cons which are sensitive to the bright light and colour. 2. Rods which are sensitive to the dim light.

13. Ans D Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Moderate Type- Factual Explanation: Advantages of AC current over DC:  The major advantage that AC electricity has over DC electricity is that AC voltages can be readily transformed to higher or lower voltage levels, while it is difficult to do that with DC voltages.  Since high voltages are more efficient for sending electricity great distances, AC electricity has an advantage over DC. This is because the high voltages from the power station can be easily reduced to a safer voltage for use in the house.  Changing voltages is done by the use of a transformer. This device uses properties of AC electromagnets to change the voltages.  AC electricity also allows for the use of a capacitor and inductor within an electrical or electronic circuit. These devices can affect the way the alternating current passes through a circuit. They are only effective with AC electricity.  A combination of a capacitor, inductor and resistor is used as a tuner in radios and televisions. Without those devices, tuning to different stations would be very difficult

14. Ans D Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Difficult Type- Conceptual Explanation: Women's voice is more shriller due to high frequency. Loudness of the sound depends on the amplitude and pitch depends on the frequency of sound. Men's voice is louder due to the greater amplitude

15. Ans D Topic: Ancient History – Rig Vedic Period Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: The Rig Vedic society was patriarchal. The basic unit of society was family or graham. The head of the family was known as grahapathi. Monogamy was generally practiced while polygamy was prevalent among the royal and noble families. The wife took care of the household and participated in all the major ceremonies. Women were given equal opportunities as men for their spiritual and intellectual development. There were women poets like Apala, Viswavara, Ghosa and Lopamudra during the Rig Vedic period.

16. Ans C Topic: Ancient History - Later Vedic Period

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Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: Later Vedic Period (1000 – 600 B.C.) : The Aryans further moved towards east in the Later Vedic Period. The Satapatha Brahmana refers to the expansion of Aryans to the eastern Gangetic plains. Several tribal groups and kingdoms are mentioned in the later Vedic literature. One important development during this period is the growth of large Kingdoms. Kuru and Panchala kingdoms flourished in the beginning. Parikshat and Janamejaya were the famous rulers of Kuru kingdom. Pravahana Jaivali was a popular king of the Panchalas. He was a patron of learning. After the fall of Kurus and Panchalas, other kingdoms like Kosala, Kasi and Videha came into prominence. The famous ruler of Kasi was Ajatasatru. Janaka was the king of Videha with its capital at Mithila. His court was adorned by scholar Yajnavalkya. Magadha, Anga and Vanga seem to be the easternmost tribal kingdoms. The later Vedic texts also refer to the three divisions of India – Aryavarta (northern India), Madhyadesa (central India) and Dakshinapatha (southern India).

17. Ans C Topic- Human Geography / Population Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

18. Ans A Topic- Economic Geography / City Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

19. Ans B Topic- Economic Geography / Important resources Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

20. Ans B Topic- Economic Geography / Ports Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: India’s international trade by sea amounts to over 90% of foreign trade that take place via 13 major and 187 minor ports of India. These ports of India are held responsible for playing a dominant role in developing the country’s trade and commerce.

21. Ans C Topic: Environment – Global groupings Type: Factual Difficult: Medium Explanation: The Belmont Forum, created in 2009, is a high level group of the world's major and emerging funders of global environmental change research and international science councils. It provides an opportunity to identify study and deliver international environmental research priorities, for the society, in an

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accelerated way through trans•national research collaboration between natural and social scientists and alignment of international resources. India is a member of Belmont Forum, besides Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Netherland, South Africa, UK and USA etc. Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), represents India in the Belmont Forum since 2012.

22. Ans B Topic: Environmental Legislature Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Easy Explanation: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act (2002). NBA performs facilitative and advisory functions for the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.

23. Ans A Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: The National Mission on Bio economy was propelled in Shillong, Meghalaya by the Foundation of Bio- assets and Sustainable Development (IBSD). • The purpose of the mission is to boost rural economy by utilizing bio-resources and create a large number of jobs at village level. • It has potential to generate new solutions for the planet’s major challenges in the field of energy, food, health, water, climate change and deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. • The Institute of Bio-assets and Sustainable Development (IBSD) works under the Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science and Technology.

24. Ans C Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: A dark-sky preserve (DSP) is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory that is kept free of artificial light pollution. The purpose of a dark sky preserve is generally to promote astronomy. Because different national organizations have worked independently to create their programs, different terms have been used to describe the areas.

25. Ans C Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation:

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‘Jalrahat’ – an exercise for tackling urban flooding, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief - jointly conducted by the Armed Forces, the Government of Assam, the National Disaster Management Authority, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority and other agencies .

26. Ans C Difficulty: Moderate Topic: Unemployment Explanation: Cyclical unemployment is unemployment that results when the overall demand for goods and services in an economy cannot support full employment. It occurs during periods of slow economic growth or during periods of economic contraction. Frictional unemployment is always present in the economy, resulting from temporary transitions made by workers and employers or from workers and employers having inconsistent or incomplete information. For example, a first-time job seeker may lack the resources or efficiency for finding the company that has the job that is available and suitable for him and as a result does not take other work, temporarily holding out for the better-paying job. Another example of when frictional employment occurs is when a company abstains from hiring because it believes there are not enough qualified individuals available for the job, when in actuality there is.

27. Ans C Difficulty: Moderate Topic: National Income Explanation: The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index for India which details out the growth of various sectors in an economy such as mining, electricity and manufacturing. The all India IIP is a composite indicator that measures the short-term changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products during a given period with respect to that in a chosen base period. It is compiled and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) six weeks after the reference month ends. The level of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an abstract number, the magnitude of which represents the status of production in the industrial sector for a given period of time as compared to a reference period of time. The base year was at one time fixed at 1993–94 so that year was assigned an index level of 100. The current base year is 2004-05. The Eight Core Industries comprise nearly 38 % of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). These are Electricity , steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilisers.

28. Ans D Topic- Economic Geography / Resources Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

29. Ans D Topic- Economic Geography / Oil reserves Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation:

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Strategic crude oil storages are at 3 underground locations in Mangalore, Visakhapatnam and Padur( Udupi). In the 2017-18 budget speech by the Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley, it was announced that two more such caverns will be set up Chandikhole in Jajpur district of Odisha and Bikaner in Rajasthan as part of the second phase.

30. And D Topic- Human Geography / settlement Pattern Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

31. Ans C Topic- Economic Geography / Agricultural products Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: Statement A is correct. West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, , Assam states are producing more than 75% of the Rice in river delta regions. Statement R is wrong. Because the 1000 mm isohyet runs southwards from the Gujarat coast, roughly parallel to the crest of Western Ghats up to Kanyakumari. The rainfall over the peninsular regions lying to the east of this line drops abruptly to below 600 mm, as it lies in the rain-shadow region. So, west coast receives more rainfall than east coast.

32. Ans A Topic- Economic Geography/ Agricultural products Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

33. Ans D Topic: Environment – Current Affairs Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Easy Explanation: National Biodiversity Congress 2017 The National Biodiversity Congress (NBC) 2017 was held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The event was hosted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. It aims to identify practical, evidence-based case studies at regional level to support the plan of action. 2017 theme “Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”. Members of academic and research institutions, civil society, biodiversity management committees, NGOs, farmers and students participated in the event.

34. Ans C Topic: Environment – General awareness Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Easy Explanation: The Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves in India,(categories roughly corresponding to IUCN Category V Protected areas), which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or Animal Sanctuary), and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves,

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along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. Animals are protected and saved here. Ten of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.

35. Ans A Difficulty: Moderate Topic: National Income

36. Ans D Difficulty: Moderate Topic: National Income

37. Ans b Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Moderate Type- Factual Explanation: A change in which one or more new substances are formed is called a chemical change. A chemical change is also called a chemical reaction. For eg - Explosion of a firework A change in which a substance undergoes a change in its physical properties is called a physical change. A physical change is generally reversible. In such a change no new substance is formed. For eg. Stretching rubber band represents a physical change.

38. Ans b Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Easy Type- Factual Explanation: Natural rubber becomes soft at high temperature (>335 K) and brittle at low temperatures (<283 K) and shows high water absorption capacity. It is soluble in non-polar solvents and is non-resistant to attack by oxidising agents. To improve upon these physical properties, a process of vulcanisation is carried out. It is process by which the physical properties of natural or synthetic rubber are improved; finished rubber has higher tensile strength and resistance to swelling and abrasion, and is elastic over a greater range of temperatures. In its simplest form, vulcanization is brought about by heating rubber with sulfur

39. Ans b Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Easy Type- Factual Explanation: Following are some of the properties of magnets:  Magnetite is a natural magnet.  Magnet attracts materials like iron, nickel, cobalt. These are called magnetic materials.  Materials that are not attracted towards magnet are called non-magnetic.  Each magnet has two magnetic poles—North and South.  A freely suspended magnet always aligns in N-S direction.

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 Opposite poles of two magnets attract each other whereas similar poles repel one another.  Magnets loose their properties if they are heated, hammered or dropped from some height. Also, magnets become weak if they are not stored properly. To keep them safe, bar magnets should be kept in pairs with their unlike poles on the same side.

40. Ans b Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Moderate Type- Factual Explanation: LPG has only a very faint smell, and consequently, it is necessary to add some odourant, so that any escaping gas can easily be detected. Ethyl Mercaptan is normally used as stenching agent for this purpose

41. Ans C Topic: Ancient History – Foreign Invasion Type: Factual Level: Easy Explanation: The passes in the northwest mountains such as the Khyber, Bolan, Kurram and Gomal provided easy routes between India and Central Asia. These passes are situated in the Hindukush, Sulaiman and Kirthar ranges. From prehistoric times, there was a continuous flow of traffic through these passes. Many people came to India through these passes as invaders and immigrants. The Indo-Aryans, the Indo-Greeks, Parthians, Sakas, Kushanas, Hunas and Turks entered India through these passes. The Swat valley in this region formed another important route. Alexander of Macedon came to India through this route. Apart from invading armies, missionaries and merchants came to India using these routes. Therefore, these passes in the northwest mountains had facilitated trade as well as cultural contacts between India and the Central Asia.

42. Ans B Topic: Ancient History – Harappa Culture Type: Factual Level: Easy Explanation: Lothal is one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization, located in the Bhāl region of the modern state of Gujarāt. Lothal's dock—the world's earliest known—connected the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river on the trade route between Harappan cities in Sindh and the peninsula of Saurashtra when the surrounding Kutch desert of today was a part of the Arabian Sea. It was a vital and thriving trade centre in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems and valuable ornaments reaching the far corners of West Asia and Africa.

43.Ans C Topic: Ancient History – Vedic Period Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation:

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The Yajur Veda consists of various details of rules to be observed at the time of sacrifice. The Sama Veda is set to tune for the purpose of chanting during sacrifice. It is called the book of chants and the origins of Indian music are traced in it. The Atharva Veda contains details of rituals.

44. Ans B Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: United States Trade Representative (USTR) is an agency that is part of the executive office of the President of the US. USTR creates an annual Special 301 list since 1989. USTR places those countries that have either national laws or regulations that detrimentally affect U.S. trade or the rights of IP holders on this list. USTR places these countries in three categories. The most egregious violators are featured as Priority Foreign Countries (PFC); serious offenders are featured on the Priority Watch List (PWL), and less serious offenders in the Watch List (WL). The Special 301 list has continuously placed India most often as a Priority Watch List country.

45. Ans B Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: • The Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2017 ranks 127 countries on their ability to deliver secure, affordable, sustainable energy.

46. Ans C Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

47. Ans A Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: LEMOA refers to Logistics Support Agreement. This agreement would enable mutual exchange of logistics support, supplies and services between the defence forces of both countries.

48. Ans C Difficulty: Moderate Topic: Budget Explanation: A budget deficit is an indicator of financial health in which expenditures exceed revenue. The term budget deficit is most commonly used to refer to government spending rather than business or individual spending, but can be applied to all of these entities. A revenue deficit occurs when the net income generated, revenues less expenditures, falls short of the projected net income. This happens when the actual amount of revenue received and/or the actual amount of expenditures do not correspond with budgeted revenue and expenditure figures. This is the

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opposite of a revenue surplus, which occurs when the actual amount of net income exceeds the projected amount.

49. Ans A Difficulty: Moderate Topic: Indices and publishers Explanation: WPI is published by Office of Economic Advisor, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. CPI-Industrial Workers, CPI-Agricultural Labourers, CPI-Rural Labourers is published by Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment. CPI-Rural, CPI-Urban, CPI-Combined is published by Central Statistical Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) GDP Deflator is published by CSO, MoSPI

50. Ans D Difficulty: Moderate Topic: Banking Explanation: Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate refers to the rate at which the scheduled banks can borrow funds overnight from RBI against government securities. MSF is a very short term borrowing scheme for scheduled commercial banks. Statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) is the Indian government term for reserve requirement that the commercial banks in India require to maintain in the form of gold, government approved securities before providing credit to the customers. ... The SLR is determined by a percentage of total demand and time liabilities.

51. Ans C Difficulty: Moderate Topic: Taxation Explanation: A specific rate duty is a tariff levied on imports, defined in terms of a specific amount per unit, such as cents per kilogram. By contrast, an ad valorem duty is a charge levied on imports defined in terms of a fixed percentage of value

52.Ans D Topic: Environment – International convention Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Medium Explanation:

India is signatory to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). India is also a signatory to many international convention and treaties viz. Ramsar Convention, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Convention on Migratory Species (CMS.

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54.Ans D Topic: Environment – Current Affairs

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Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Medium Explanation: The Ken-Betwa River linking project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa basin through concrete canal to irrigate India’s worst drought- prone Bundelkhand region. The project will benefit Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in terms of meeting irrigation, drinking water and electricity needs. On the other hand, about 20,000 people in 38 villages will be affected due to the submergence by Daudhan reservoir and Makodia reservoir. The main feature of the project is a 230-km long canal and a series of barrages and dams onnecting the Ken and Betwa rivers. Ken-Betwa river interlinking project will be the first river project that will be located within a tiger reserve. It will submerge about 10% of the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh which has been feted as a model tiger-conservation reserve.

55.Ans C Topic: Environment - Biodiversity Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Medium Explanation: Scientists have discovered a new species of Pika, a mammal belonging to the rabbit and hare family in the Himalayas in Sikkim. It has been identified as ‘Ochotona sikimaria’. It is quite distinctive from all other pika species genetically and not in physical observation. Pikas are members of the rabbit family and look like tailless rats. They live in the mountains or in temperate regions. They do not hibernate unlike other mammalian species inhabiting such cold climates. They are a keystone species and ecosystem engineers.

56.Ans A Topic: Environment - Biodiversity Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Medium Explanation: Smooth-coated otter was sighted for the first time in the mangrove forest adjacent to the Krishna wildlife sanctuary (KWS) in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. The presence of the otter is a key indicator for rise of the mangrove cover in the Krishna wildlife sanctuary. The species is found in most of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Otter is a carnivorous mammal. Otters are social and hunt in groups. The otter lives in rivers, lakes, peat swamp forests, mangroves and estuaries. It uses swamps as natal den sites and nursery during the breeding season in early winter. It has been categorised ‘vulnerable’ in the red data book of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is listed on CITES Appendix II. Smooth-coated otters are protected in India under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

57.Ans D Topic: Environment - Biodiversity

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Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Medium Explanation: A fishing cat was sighted in the moderately dense mangroves surrounding of the Gilalakalandi harbour near Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The fishing cat is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. Since 2016, it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Fishing cats live foremost in the vicinity of wetlands, along rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, in swamps and mangroves. The fishing cat is the state animal of West Bengal.

58. Ans d Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Moderate Type- Factual Explanation: Any liquid boils at that temperature at which its vapour pressure equals that of the atmospheric pressure. At the ground level, water boils at 100 degrees C at normal atmospheric pressure. At very high altitudes,the atmosphere thins and the pressure will be less, so that water boils at a temperature below 100 degrees C. This makes it difficult to cook in open pans in hilly regions, and we have to use a pressure cooker. In the pressure cooker the pressure inside the container will be 2-3 times higher than at ground level. Hence water will boil at around 120 degrees C, and the materials get cooked completely. Thus one can observe a fall in boiling points of water and other liquids at hills due to the fall in the atmospheric pressure

59. Ans d Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Easy Type- Factual Explanation: The major hazard of nuclear power generation is the storage and disposal of spent or used fuels ñ the uranium still decaying into harmful subatomic particles (radiations). Improper nuclear-waste storage and disposal result in environmental contamination. Further, there is a risk of accidental leakage of nuclear radiation. The high cost of installation of a nuclear power plant, high risk of environmental contamination and limited availability of uranium makes large-scale use of nuclear energy prohibitive

60. Ans d Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Easy Type- Factual Galvanization involves deposition of layer of zinc on iron in order to prevent iron from rusting.

61. Ans c Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Difficult Type- Factual

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Explanation:  Vitamins are classified into two groups depending upon their solubility in water or fat.  Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamins which are soluble in fat and oils but insoluble in water are kept in this group. These are vitamins A, D, E and K. They are stored in liver and adipose (fat storing) tissues. Megadoses of vitamins A, D, E or K can be toxic and lead to health problems.  Water soluble vitamins: B group vitamins and vitamin C are soluble in water so they are grouped together. Water soluble vitamins must be supplied regularly in diet because they are readily excreted in urine and cannot be stored (except vitamin B12) in our body.

62. Ans D Topic- Indian Polity / Parliament Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

63. Ans A Topic- Indian Polity / Union legislature Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: The proclamation of Emergency must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament within one month from the date of issue. A resolution of disapproval is different from a resolution approving the continuation of a proclamation in the following two respects: 1. The first one is required to be passed by the Lok Sabha only, while the second one needs to be passed by the both Houses of Parliament. 2. The first one is to be adopted by a simple majority only, while the second one needs to be adopted by a special majority.

64.

65. And B Topic- Indian Polity / Union legislature Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: Disbursements from Public Accounts of India are not subject to the voting of Parliament. All other moneys (i.e. other than those entitled to consolidate fund of India) received by or on behalf of GOI shall be credited to the public account of India, ex: Pension Fund.

66. Ans D Topic: Ancient History - Jainism Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: Mahavira regarded all objects, both animate and inanimate, have souls and various degrees of consciousness. They possess life and feel pain when they are injured. Mahavira rejected the authority of the Vedas and objected to the Vedic rituals. He advocated a very holy and ethical code of life.

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Even the practice of agriculture was considered sinful as it causes injury to the earth, worms and animals.

67. Ans A Topic: Ancient History - Jainism Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: The first Jain Council was convened at Pataliputra by Sthulabahu, the leader of the Digambaras, in the beginning of the 3rd century B.C. and it resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas to (sections or limbs) to replace the lost Purvas (former texts). The second Jain Council was held at Valabhi in 5th century A.D. under the chairmainship of Devaradhi Kshamasramana. The final compilation of Jain literature called Twelve Angas was completed in this council.

68. Ans D Topic: Ancient History - Buddhism Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: The first Buddhist Council was held at Rajagraha under the chairmanship of Mahakasapa immediately after the death of Buddha. Its purpose was to maintain the purity of the teachings of the Buddha. The second Buddhist Council was convened at Vaisali around 383 B.C. The third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under the patronage of Asoka. Moggaliputta Tissa presided over it. The final version of Tripitakas was completed in this council. The fourth Buddhist Council was convened in Kashmir by Kanishka under the chairmanship of Vasumitra. Asvagosha participated in this council. The new school of Buddhism called Mahayana Buddhism came into existence during this council. The Buddhism preached by the Buddha and propagated by Asoka was known as Hinayana. The Buddhist texts were collected and compiled some five hundred years after the death of the Buddha. They are known as the Tripitakas, namely the Sutta, the Vinaya and the Abhidhamma Pitakas. They are written in the Pali language.

69. Ans D Topic: Ancient History – Ancient Literature Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: Kalidasa was a Classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language. His master-piece was the Sanskrit drama Shakuntala. It is considered one among the ‘hundred best books of the world’. He wrote two other plays - the Malavikagnimitra and Vikramorvasiya. His two well-known epics are Raghuvamsa and Kumarasambhava. Ritusamhara and Meghaduta are his two lyrics.

70. Ans D Topic: Ancient History – Ancient Literature Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation:

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Visakadatta was another celebrated author of this period. He was the author of two Sanskrit dramas, Mudrarakshasa and Devichandraguptam. Sudraka was a renowned poet of this age and his book Mrichchakatika is rich in humour and pathos. Bharavi’s Kritarjuniya is the story of the conflict between Arjuna and Siva. Dandin was the author of Kavyadarsa and Dasakumaracharita. Another important work of this period was Vasavadatta written by Subhandhu. The Panchatantra stories were composed by Vishnusarma during the Gupta period. The Buddhist author Amarasimha compiled a lexicon called Amarakosa.

71. Ans D Topic: Ancient History – Pala dynasty Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: Vikramashila was one of the two most important centres of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda. Vikramashila was established by King Dharmapala (783 to 820) in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda. Atisha, the renowned pandita, is sometimes listed as a notable abbot. It was destroyed by the forces of Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1200. It is not a world heritage site.

72. Ans B Topic: Ancient History – Gupta dynasty Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: The famous Chinese pilgrim, Fahien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. Out of his nine years stay in India, he spent six years in the Gupta empire. He came to India by the land route through Khotan, Kashgar, Gandhara and Punjab. He visited Peshawar, Mathura, Kanauj, Sravasti, Kapilavastu, Kusinagara, Pataliputra, Kasi and Bodh Gaya among other places. He returned by the sea route, visiting on the way Ceylon and Java. The main purpose of his visit was to see the land of the Buddha and to collect Buddhist manuscripts from India. He stayed in Pataliputra for three years studying Sanskrit and copying Buddhist texts. Fahien provides valuable information on the religious, social and economic condition of the Gupta empire. According to him, Buddhism was in a flourishing condition in the northwestern India but in the Gangetic valley it was in a state of neglect. He refers to the Gangetic valley as the ‘land of Brahmanism’. Fahien mentions the unsatisfactory state of some of the Buddhist holy places like Kapilavastu and Kusinagara. According to him the economic condition of the empire was prosperous.

73. Ans B Topic: Ancient History – Gupta dynasty Type: Factual Level: Medium Explanation: The Chinese travelers of ancient India mentioned a number of educational institutions. The most famous among them were the Hinayana University of Valabhi and the Mahayana University of Nalanda. Hiuen Tsang gives a very valuable account of the Nalanda University. The term Nalanda means “giver of knowledge”. It was founded by Kumaragupta I during the Gupta period.

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Though it was a Mahayana University, different religious subjects like the Vedas, Hinayana doctrine, Sankhya and Yoga philosophies were also taught. In addition to that, general subjects like logic, grammar, astronomy, medicine and art were in the syllabus. It attracted students not only from different parts of India but from different countries of the east. Admission was made by means of an entrance examination.

74. Ans b Topic- Fundamental Rights Difficulty level- Moderate Type-Conceptual Explanation: Except Article 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30 all other rights are available to both citizens and foreigners. Right against discrimination on ground of religion etc. Article 15. and freedom of speech Article 19. are available to citizens only.

75. Ans c Topic- Fundamental Rights Difficulty level- Moderate Type-Conceptual Explanation: Right to Freedom of Religion consists of the following Articles 25-28.: Article 25 - freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion. Article 26- Freedom to manage religious affairs. Article 27- Freedom from payments of taxes for promotion of any religion. Article 28-Freedom from attending religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions

76. Ans b Topic- Fundamental Rights Difficulty level- Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: 'Right to Constitutional Remedies' is available only against violation of Fundamental Rights. As per the Supreme Court of India, 'Right to Constitutional Remedies' under Article 32 is a part of the basic structure of the constitution thus cannot be abridged

77. Ans c Topic- Citizenship Difficulty level- Moderate Type-Factual  The Citizenship Amendment. Bill, 2016 was introduced in Lok Sabha by Ministry of Home Affairs. The Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955.  The Bill amends the Act to provide that that the following groups of persons will not be treated as illegal migrants: Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.  The Bill creates an exception for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, with regard to citizenship qualification. The 11 years’ requirement will be reduced to six years.

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 The Bill adds one more ground for cancelling registration, that is, if the OCI has violated any law that is in force in the country

78. Ans D Difficulty: Moderate Topic: Banking Explanation: Liquidity is measured by effective cash in circulation. The demonetization has led to liquidity crunch as the old Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes could not be used for transaction purpose and there were restriction on withdrawal of new currency notes. In the banking system, demonetization has led to increase in liquidity (here liquidity means deposits with the banks) which has resulted in decreased market interest rates. Economists define money supply as broad measures that encompasses both cash and bank deposits, because these are very close substitutes. A key aspect of the November 8 demonetization, however, is that the convertibility between cash and bank deposits was impeded. Cash could not be easily deposited into bank accounts, while withdrawals were subject to strict limits. So we can say that demonetization has led to reduction in money supply.

79.Ans D Difficulty: Moderate Topic: Taxation Explanation: A value-added tax (VAT) is a type of consumption tax that is placed on a product whenever value is added at a stage of production and at final sale.. The amount of VAT that the user pays is the cost of the product, less any of the costs of materials used in the product that have already been taxed. For example, when a television is built by a company, the manufacturer is charged VAT on all of the supplies it purchases to produce the television. Once the television reaches the shelf, the consumer who purchases it must pay the applicable VAT.

80. Ans D Difficulty: Moderate Topics: International organization Explanation: five organizations make up the world bank group, they are International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), The International Development Association (IDA), The International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

81. Ansc Topic- Fundamental Rights Difficulty level- Moderate Type-Conceptual Habeas corpus can be issued against private individuals as well. Certiorari is not available against legislative bodies

82. Ansb

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Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Moderate Type- Factual Explanation:  Cerebrum: The cerebrum is the largest portion of the brain, and contains tools which are responsible for most of the brain's function. It controls a several elements including creative thought, problem solving, intellect, judgment, behaviour, attention, abstract thinking, physical reactions, muscle movements, coordinated movements, smell and personality.  Cerebellum: This is commonly referred to as "the little brain," and is considered to be older than the cerebrum on the evolutionary scale. The cerebellum controls essential body functions such as balance, posture and coordination, allowing humans to move properly and maintain their structure.  Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus region of the brain controls mood, thirst, hunger and temperature. It also contains glands which control the hormonal processes throughout the body.

83. Ansb Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Difficult Type- Factual Explanation:  Isotopes are different versions of the same element that all have the same atomic number (or number of protons) but different number of neutrons. Because the number of neutrons are different, they also have different atomic masses, the total number of protons and neutrons .

84. Ansb Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Difficult Type- Factual Explanation: An exothermic reaction is any reaction that releases or gives off energy during the reaction.  Catabolic reactions are reactions that involve the breakdown of biomolecules.  Cellular respiration is also a catabolic process because it breaks the small molecules from digestion into even smaller ones as ATP is created. These are both very important processes, because ATP is what your cells use to produce body heat, move your muscles, and other essential bodily functions. An endothermic reaction occurs when a greater amount of energy is required to break the existing bonds in the reactants than is released when the new bonds form in the products. In other words, this means an endothermic reaction requires or takes in energy in order for it to proceed. Photosynthesis, the reaction which allows plants to use sunlight to produce food and energy is one of the most common examples of an endothermic reaction.

85. Anc Topic- General Science Difficulty level- Moderate Type- Factual Explanation:

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 In a reaction between metals and acids, metal displaces hydrogen from the acids. The metal combines with the remaining part of the acid and forms a salt.  It is a colourless and odourless gas which burns with a pop sound

86. Ans A Topic: Environment – Current affairs Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Medium Explanation: China has launched TanSat, a global carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring satellite to understand the effects of climate change. China became third country after Japan and United States to have its own satellite to monitor greenhouse gases (GHGs).

87. Ans B Topic: Environment – Current affairs Type: Factual Difficulty Level: Medium Explanation: World Water Day is an annual event celebrated on 22 March. The day focuses attention on the importance of universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in developing countries. The day also focuses on advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. The theme of World Water Day 2017 is "Wastewater”. The WWD was first formally proposed in Agenda 21 of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. In 2016, the theme is "Water and Jobs," in 2017 "Wastewater" and in 2018 "Nature-based Solutions for Water".

88. Ans A Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: The sole objective of the APA is to bring tax certainty in international transactions and overcome the issues due to transfer pricing between related parties.

89. Ans D Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) jointly launched India Innovation Index. Besides country’s first innovation index portal was also launched. The index has been jointly developed by NITI Aayog, DIPP and CII in consultation with World Economic Forum (WEF), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University, UNIDO, ILO, OECD, UNESCO, ITU etc.

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The index’s objective is to rank Indian states on innovations through the portal that will capture data on innovation from all states on innovation and regularly update it in real time.

90. Ans C Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: Bharat QR code is not an E- wallet. The wallets such as Paytm, Mobikwik etc use the QR code for payment services but these are closed systems (for amount to be transferred both parties-buyer and seller- should have these accounts) but the best part of Bharat QR is that it is interoperable. Bharat QR is an alternative to PoS machine.

91. Ans A Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual Explanation: The HCOC is the result of international efforts to regulate access to ballistic missiles which can potentially deliver weapons of mass destruction. The HCOC is the only multilateral code in the area of disarmament which has been adopted over the last years. It is the only normative instrument to verify the spread of ballistic missiles. The HCOC does not ban ballistic missiles, but it does call for restraint in their production, testing, and export.

92. Ans D Topic- Current affairs Difficulty level-Moderate Type-Factual

93. Ans D Topic: Harappan civilisation Level: easy Type: conceptual

94. Ans C Topic: mauryan architecture Level: moderate Type: conceptual Explanation: King Ashoka was a great patron of architecture. It was under him we see the growth of rock cut and stupa architectures. Sudhama, Nagarjuna , Barbara and Lomas rishi caves are some of the examples of rock cut architecture of Ashokan era.

95 Ans B Topic: Buddhist architecture Level: difficult Type: factual

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Explanation: The examples of early Buddhist cave architecture are Karle, Kanheri, Nasik ,Bhaja,Bedsa and Ajantha. Ellora belongs to later period of Buddhist architecture.

96 Ans c Topic: post Mauryan period Level: easy Type: factual

97. Ans D Topic: post Mauryan phase Level: difficult Type: factual Explanation: In all, total 30 excavations were hewn out of rock in Ajanta which also include an unfinished one. Out of these, five (cave no. 9, 10, 19, 26, and 29) are chaityagrihas and the rest are viharas. In date and style also, these caves can be divided into two broad groups. The earliest excavations belong to the Hinayana phase of Buddhism of which similar examples could also be seen at Bhaja, Kondane, Pitalkhora, Nasik, etc. In total, 5 caves at Ajanta belong to this phase, viz., 9 & 10 which are chaityagrihas and 8, 12, 13, & 15A which are viharas. These caves are datable to the pre-Christian era, the earliest among them being Cave 10 dating from the second century B.C. The object of worship is a stupa here and these caves exhibit the imitation of wooden construction to the extent that the rafters and beams are also sculpted even though they are non-functional.

98. Ans: A Topic: post mauryan phase Level: easy Type: factual Explanation: one of the highest achievements of ancient architecture worldwide, designed to resemble Mount Kailash – the abode of Lord Shiva. Created sometimes around 760 – 860 AD, started during the reign of Rashtrakuta kind Krishna I.

99. Ans: A Topic: post mauryan phase Level: moderate Type: factual Explanation: The Dhamekh Stupa is the most remarkable and massive structure at Sarnath. Built partly in stone and partly in brick, the Dhamekh Stupa is 28 meter in diameter at the base and 43.6 meter in height. The stone facing the lower part is decorated with delicate floral carvings of Gupta period. Dhamekh Stupa has a particular significance at Sarnath as it signifies the place where buddha delivered his first sermon. The present name Dhamekh proves that it certainly has some connection with Buddha's Dharma.

100. Ans: C Topic: Temple Architecture Styles Level: difficult Type: conceptual

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Explanation: The Nagara style is typically characterised by the architectural wonder, which ideally portrayed the craftsmanship of the artists. A study of the temples of northern India reveals two distinct features, in Planning and in Elevation. In plan, the temples were basically quadrangle with graduated projections in the centre. In elevation, it resembles a tower gradually inclining inwards in a convex curve. According to the plan the projections are carried upwards to the top of the Sikhara, and thus there is strong emphasis on vertical lines in elevation. The Nagara style is spread across various parts of India. It therefore, exhibits diverse verities and implications in separate outlines of development and elaboration. Such plans and the curvilinear tower are, however, common to every medieval temple of northern India.

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