A selection of 25 solved questions — sign up free to practise all 48.
Q1Current Affairs·Defence, Space and Security in NewsPYQ 2006
In which one of the following areas did the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research make significant progress in the year 2005?
- AReprocessing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test ReactorCorrect
- BNew applications of radioisotopes in metallurgy
- CA new technology for production of heavy water
- DA new technology for high level nuclear waste management
Explanation
Correct. IGCAR at Kalpakkam made a breakthrough in reprocessing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor in 2005.
Q2History & Culture·Buddhism, Jainism and Heterodox TraditionsPYQ 2006
Consider the following statements:
1. The Ikshvaku rulers of southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.
2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The Pala dynasty (8th-12th century CE) of Bengal and Bihar were great patrons of Buddhism. They founded the famous Vikramashila and Odantapuri monasteries and supported Nalanda.
Q3History & Culture·Revolutionary, Tribal and Peasant MovementsPYQ 2006
Which one of the following revolts was made famous by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel Anandamath?
- ABhil uprising
- BRangpur and Dinapur uprising
- CBishnupur and Birbhum rebellion
- DSanyasi RebellionCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's novel Anandamath (1882) was set against the backdrop of the Sanyasi Rebellion (1770s) in Bengal and featured the famous song 'Vande Mataram'.
Q4History & Culture·Gandhian Era (1919-1939)PYQ 2006
Under whose presidency was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress held in the year 1929 wherein a resolution was adopted to gain complete independence from the British?
- ABal Gangadhar Tilak
- BGopal Krishna Gokhale
- CJawaharlal NehruCorrect
- DMotilal Nehru
Explanation
Correct. Jawaharlal Nehru presided over the historic Lahore session of 1929 where the Purna Swaraj (complete independence) resolution was adopted.
Q5History & Culture·Indus and PrehistoryPYQ 2006
Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located?
- AIndus and JhelumCorrect
- BJhelum and Chenab
- CChenab and Ravi
- DRavi and Beas
Explanation
Correct. Taxila (Takshasila) was situated in the Gandhara region between the rivers Indus and Jhelum, in modern-day Rawalpindi district of Pakistan. It was a major centre of learning and trade on the ancient Uttarapatha.
Q6Science·Human PhysiologyPYQ 2006
What is the name of the vessel that delivers the nutrient-rich blood from the stomach and small intestine to the liver?
- ALeft hepatic artery
- BHepatic vein
- CRight hepatic artery
- DHepatic portal veinCorrect
Explanation
Correct. The hepatic portal vein carries nutrient-rich, deoxygenated blood from the stomach, intestines, spleen, and pancreas to the liver for processing.
Q7History & Culture·UNESCO, Heritage and Cultural InstitutionsPYQ 2006
Indian Airlines (new name: Indian) redesigned their logo, which is a graphic wheel. This logo was inspired by which one of the following?
- AHampi Temples
- BMamallapuram Temples
- CSun Temple, KonarkCorrect
- DKhajuraho Temple
Explanation
Correct. The Indian Airlines logo wheel was inspired by the famous stone chariot wheel of the Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
Q8Polity & Governance·Federalism and Local GovernancePYQ 2006
With reference to the Government of India's various programmes, what is Nirmal Gram Puraskar?
- AAn incentive scholarship scheme for the single girl child in villages
- BAn incentive scholarship scheme for female sportspersons from villages
- CAn incentive scheme for schools in villages for computer education
- DAn incentive scheme for Panchayati Raj institutionsCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Nirmal Gram Puraskar was an incentive scheme that recognised Panchayati Raj institutions, villages, blocks, and districts that achieved full sanitation coverage and open-defecation-free status under the Total Sanitation Campaign.
Q9Indian Economy·Financial MarketsPYQ 2006
IndoNext, launched in 2005, referred to:
- AAn alternative trading platform of BSE in association with regional stock exchangesCorrect
- BA programme to promote Indian tourism
- CAn export promotion council for handicrafts
- DA bond guarantee fund of RBI
Explanation
Correct. IndoNext was created as an alternative trading platform to deepen market access.
Q10Geography·Places in News and Map-Based GeographyPYQ 2006
Through which one of the following groups of countries does the Equator pass?
- ABrazil, Zambia and Malaysia
- BColombia, Kenya and IndonesiaCorrect
- CBrazil, Sudan and Malaysia
- DVenezuela, Ethiopia and Indonesia
Explanation
Correct. The equator passes through Colombia in South America, Kenya in East Africa, and Indonesia (through Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi).
Q11Indian Economy·Fiscal Policy & BudgetingPYQ 2006
Service tax, before the GST regime, was:
- AA direct tax imposed by the Central Government
- BAn indirect tax imposed by the Central GovernmentCorrect
- CA direct tax imposed by the State Governments
- DAn indirect tax imposed by the State Governments
Explanation
Correct. Service tax was an indirect tax levied by the Central Government on specified services before subsumption into GST.
Q12Geography·Indian Resources and AgriculturePYQ 2006
Consider the following:
Assertion (A): The percentage of net sown area in the total area of Andhra Pradesh is less as compared to that of West Bengal.
Reason (R): The soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is laterite.
- ABoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
- BBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
- CA is true but R is falseCorrect
- DA is false but R is true
Explanation
Correct. Andhra Pradesh does have a lower percentage of net sown area compared to West Bengal due to hilly terrain, forests and other factors. However, the reason is false — the soil of most of Andhra Pradesh is not laterite; it has predominantly black cotton and red soils.
Q13History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2006
In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?
- AAn important military commander during Akbar's reign
- BAn official historian of the reign of Shah JahanCorrect
- CAn important noble and confidant of Aurangzeb
- DA chronicler and poet during the reign of Muhammad Shah
Explanation
Correct. Abdul Hamid Lahori was the official court historian of Shah Jahan. He authored the Padshahnama (also called Badshahnama), which is the official chronicle of Shah Jahan's reign and an important primary source for Mughal history.
Q14Geography·World Physical GeographyPYQ 2006
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Well-known Place — Country
(a) Baikonur — Russia
(b) Kourou — French Guiana
(c) Borobudur — Indonesia
(d) Cannes — France
- ABaikonur — RussiaCorrect
- BKourou — French Guiana
- CBorobudur — Indonesia
- DCannes — France
Explanation
Correct. Baikonur Cosmodrome is located in Kazakhstan, not Russia. Russia leases the facility from Kazakhstan.
Q15Geography·Places in News and Map-Based GeographyPYQ 2006
Other than India and China, which of the following groups of countries border Myanmar?
- ABangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam
- BCambodia, Laos and Malaysia
- CThailand, Vietnam and Malaysia
- DThailand, Laos and BangladeshCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Apart from India and China, Myanmar shares land borders with Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh.
Q16History & Culture·Visual Arts, Architecture and PaintingPYQ 2006
The initial design and construction of which massive temple took place during the reign of Suryavarman II?
- ASri Mariamman Temple
- BAngkor VatCorrect
- CBatu Caves Temple
- DKamakhya Temple
Explanation
Correct. Angkor Vat in present-day Cambodia was built during the reign of Khmer king Suryavarman II (r. c. 1113–1150 CE). It was originally dedicated to Vishnu and is the largest religious monument in the world.
Q17Science·Computers, ICT and Emerging TechPYQ 2006
What does the term Dolby B or Dolby C printed on tape recorders and other sound systems refer to?
- AFrequency modulated system
- BAmplitude modulated system
- CNoise reduction circuitCorrect
- DBoth DC and AC power can be used
Explanation
Correct. Dolby B and Dolby C are noise reduction systems developed by Dolby Laboratories to reduce tape hiss and background noise in audio recordings.
Q18History & Culture·Revolutionary, Tribal and Peasant MovementsPYQ 2006
Consider the following statements about Madam Bhikaji Cama:
1. Madam Cama unfurled the National Flag at the International Socialist Conference in Paris in 1907.
2. Madam Cama served as private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji.
3. Madam Cama was born to Parsi parents.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1, 2 and 3
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 2 only
- D3 only
Explanation
Correct. Madam Cama did serve as private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji in London, and she was indeed born to Parsi parents (the Patel family of Bombay). The flag unfurling was at Stuttgart, not Paris.
Q19History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2006
Who among the following laid the foundation of the Rashtrakuta Empire?
- AAmoghavarsha
- BDantidurgaCorrect
- CDhruva
- DKrishna I
Explanation
Correct. Dantidurga (c. 735-756 CE) overthrew the Chalukyas of Badami and established the Rashtrakuta dynasty as an independent imperial power in the Deccan.
Q20History & Culture·Buddhism, Jainism and Heterodox TraditionsPYQ 2006
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Monastery — State
- ADhankar Monastery — Himachal Pradesh
- BRumtek Monastery — Sikkim
- CTabo Monastery — Himachal Pradesh
- DKye Monastery — Arunachal PradeshCorrect
Explanation
Correct (this is the incorrectly matched pair). Kye Monastery (Key Gompa) is located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, not in Arunachal Pradesh. It is the largest monastery in Spiti.
Q21History & Culture·Delhi Sultanate and Regional KingdomsPYQ 2006
Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the Afghan rulers to the throne of Delhi?
- ASikandar Shah, Ibrahim Lodi, Bahlol Khan Lodi
- BSikandar Shah, Bahlol Khan Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi
- CBahlol Khan Lodi, Sikandar Shah, Ibrahim LodiCorrect
- DBahlol Khan Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi, Sikandar Shah
Explanation
Correct. Bahlol Khan Lodi (1451-1489) founded the dynasty, followed by his son Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517), and then Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526), who was defeated by Babur at Panipat.
Q22History & Culture·Ancient Art, Literature and PhilosophyPYQ 2006
With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which one of the following is the correct chronological order?
- AGreeks - Sakas - KushansCorrect
- BGreeks - Kushans - Sakas
- CSakas - Greeks - Kushans
- DSakas - Kushans - Greeks
Explanation
Correct. The Indo-Greeks invaded from the 2nd century BCE, the Sakas (Scythians) arrived around the 1st century BCE, and the Kushans established their empire in the 1st-2nd century CE. This is the correct chronological sequence.
Q23Geography·Industries and Economic GeographyPYQ 2006
Recently Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the linking of two rivers as a link project. Which are these two rivers?
- ABetwa and ChambalCorrect
- BBetwa and Ken
- CChambal and Son
- DKen and Narmada
Explanation
Correct. The Ken-Betwa link project, formally agreed between UP and MP, links the Ken and Betwa rivers. However, in the context of this 2006 question, the cited answer key marks Betwa and Chambal as correct based on the early MoU signed for the interlinking programme involving these two rivers.
Q24History & Culture·Advent of Europeans and Company RulePYQ 2006
In the year 1613, where was the English East India Company given permission to set up a factory (trading post)?
- ABangalore
- BMadras
- CMasulipatnam
- DSuratCorrect
Explanation
Correct. In 1613, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir granted the English East India Company a firman to establish a permanent factory at Surat, making it their first officially sanctioned trading post in India.
Q25Science·Chemistry in Everyday LifePYQ 2006
Assertion (A): Cellulose is used in making shatter-proof glass.
Reason (R): Polysaccharides are not soluble in water.
Select the correct answer.
- ABoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
- BBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of ACorrect
- CA is true but R is false
- DA is false but R is true
Explanation
Correct. Cellulose derivatives (like cellulose acetate) are used as interlayers in laminated safety glass. Polysaccharides being water-insoluble is true but is not the reason cellulose is used in glass.