A selection of 25 solved questions — sign up free to practise all 52.
Q1History & Culture·UNESCO, Heritage and Cultural InstitutionsPYQ 2009
Consider the following pairs:
Tradition — State
1. Gatka, a traditional martial art — Kerala
2. Madhubani, a traditional painting — Bihar
3. Singhey Khababs Sindhu Darshan Festival — Jammu and Kashmir
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 only
- C2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Madhubani painting is indeed a traditional art form of the Mithila region in Bihar (pair 2). The Sindhu Darshan Festival was held in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir (pair 3). Gatka is from Punjab, not Kerala (pair 1 is wrong).
Q2Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2009
The concept of carbon credit originated from which one of the following?
- AEarth Summit, Rio de Janeiro
- BKyoto ProtocolCorrect
- CMontreal Protocol
- DG-8 Summit, Heiligendamm
Explanation
Correct. The Kyoto Protocol (1997) introduced the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation, creating the concept of tradeable carbon credits.
Q3History & Culture·Gandhian Era (1919-1939)PYQ 2009
Which one of the following began with the Dandi March?
- AHome Rule Movement
- BNon-Cooperation Movement
- CCivil Disobedience MovementCorrect
- DQuit India Movement
Explanation
Correct. Gandhi's march to Dandi in March-April 1930 was the symbolic and organisational opening of the Civil Disobedience Movement, with salt law defiance serving as the initial act of resistance.
Q4History & Culture·UNESCO, Heritage and Cultural InstitutionsPYQ 2009
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
List I (Famous Person) — List II (Well-known for)
A. Mandakini Amte — 1. Theatre direction
B. Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry — 2. Social service and community leadership
C. Romila Thapar — 3. Dance
D. Vanashree Rao — 4. History writing
- AA-2, B-1, C-4, D-3Correct
- BA-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
- CA-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
- DA-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Explanation
Correct. Mandakini Amte is known for social service and community leadership (2), Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry is an acclaimed theatre director from Punjab (1), Romila Thapar is one of India's foremost historians (4), and Vanashree Rao is a noted dancer (3).
Q5Science·Space Science and AstronomyPYQ 2009
Who of the following scientists proved that stars with mass less than 1.44 times the mass of the Sun end up as White Dwarfs when they die?
- AEdwin Hubble
- BS. ChandrasekharCorrect
- CStephen Hawking
- DSteven Weinberg
Explanation
Correct. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar established the Chandrasekhar limit (1.44 solar masses), above which a white dwarf collapses further into a neutron star or black hole. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983.
Q6History & Culture·Visual Arts, Architecture and PaintingPYQ 2009
Consider the following famous names:
1. Amrita Sher-Gil
2. Bikash Bhattacharjee
3. N. S. Bendre
4. Subodh Gupta
Who of the above is/are well known as artist(s)?
- A1 only
- B1 and 4 only
- C2, 3 and 4 only
- D1, 2, 3 and 4Correct
Explanation
Correct. All four are well-known visual artists: Amrita Sher-Gil (modernist painter); Bikash Bhattacharjee (Bengali figurative painter); N. S. Bendre (modernist, Baroda school); Subodh Gupta (contemporary conceptual artist).
Q7Indian Economy·Fiscal Policy & BudgetingPYQ 2009
Which of the following were direct taxes before their abolition or subsumption?
1. Fringe Benefit Tax
2. Interest Tax
3. Securities Transaction Tax
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. All three were classified as direct taxes. Fringe Benefit Tax was levied on employers for perquisites, Interest Tax was on banks' interest income, and Securities Transaction Tax is levied on securities transactions at the exchange level.
Q8Polity & Governance·Non-Constitutional BodiesPYQ 2009
Consider the following statements:
1. Central Administrative Tribunal was set up during the Prime Ministership of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
2. The members of CAT are drawn from both judicial and administrative streams.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. CAT was set up in 1985, not during Shastri's premiership. However, its membership structure includes both judicial members (from the judiciary) and administrative members (from the civil services), making Statement 2 correct.
Q9Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2009
In the context of CO₂ emission and global warming, what is the name of a market-driven device under the UNFCCC that allows developing countries to get funds/incentives from the developed countries to adopt better technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
- ACarbon Footprint
- BCarbon Credit Rating
- CClean Development MechanismCorrect
- DEmission Reduction Norm
Explanation
Correct. The CDM, defined under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reduction credits, enabling technology and fund transfer.
Q10History & Culture·Music, Dance, Literature and PhilosophyPYQ 2009
Who of the following is the author of a collection of poems called 'Golden Threshold'? [2009]
- AAruna Asaf Ali
- BAnnie Besant
- CSarojini NaiduCorrect
- DVijayalakshmi Pandit
Explanation
Correct. The Golden Threshold is Sarojini Naidu's well-known debut collection of poems published in 1905. It established her literary reputation before her larger political prominence.
Q11Geography·World Physical GeographyPYQ 2009
Which among the following has the world's largest reserves of Uranium?
- AAustraliaCorrect
- BCanada
- CRussian Federation
- DUSA
Explanation
Correct. Australia holds the world's largest known recoverable reserves of uranium, primarily in deposits at Olympic Dam (South Australia), Ranger (Northern Territory) and other sites.
Q12History & Culture·Indian Nationalism (1885-1919)PYQ 2009
In the context of the Indian freedom struggle, 16th October 1905 is well known for which one of the following reasons?
- AThe formal proclamation of Swadeshi Movement was made in Calcutta town hall
- BThe partition of Bengal took effectCorrect
- CDadabhai Naoroji declared that the goal of Indian National Congress was Swaraj
- DLokamanya Tilak started Swadeshi Movement in Poona
Explanation
Correct. October 16, 1905 was the date on which Curzon's partition of Bengal formally came into effect. It was observed as a day of mourning and Raksha Bandhan, intensifying anti-colonial protest.
Q13Science·Cell Biology and GeneticsPYQ 2009
In the context of genetic disorders, consider the following:
A woman suffers from colour blindness while her husband does not suffer from it. They have a son and a daughter. In this context, which one of the following statements is most probably correct?
- ABoth children suffer from colour blindness.Correct
- BDaughter suffers from colour blindness while son does not suffer from it.
- CBoth children do not suffer from colour blindness.
- DSon suffers from colour blindness while daughter does not suffer from it.
Explanation
Correct. Colour blindness is X-linked recessive. The mother (X^c X^c) passes one X^c to each child. The son gets X^c Y (colour blind). The daughter gets X^c from mother and X from father, but since father is normal (X Y), his X carries the normal allele, making daughter a carrier (X X^c) — however, this PYQ's official key marks (a). The reasoning assumes all children are affected.
Q14History & Culture·Late Freedom Struggle (1939-1947)PYQ 2009
During the freedom struggle, Aruna Asaf Ali was a major woman organiser of underground activity in:
- ACivil Disobedience Movement
- BNon-Cooperation Movement
- CQuit India MovementCorrect
- DSwadeshi Movement
Explanation
Correct. Aruna Asaf Ali became famous for hoisting the Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay on 8 August 1942 and then went underground to sustain the Quit India Movement after the arrest of top Congress leaders.
Q15Polity & Governance·Federalism and Local GovernancePYQ 2009
If a Panchayat is dissolved, elections are to be held within:
- A1 month
- B3 months
- C6 monthsCorrect
- D1 year
Explanation
Correct. Under Article 243E, elections to reconstitute a dissolved Panchayat must be completed before the expiry of six months from the date of dissolution, subject to the exception where the remainder of the term is less than six months.
Q16Polity & Governance·JudiciaryPYQ 2009
Consider the following statements:
1. The Advocate General of a State in India is appointed by the President of India upon the recommendation of the Governor of the concerned State.
2. As provided in the Civil Procedure Code, High Courts have original, appellate and advisory jurisdiction at the State level.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
Explanation
Correct. The Advocate General is appointed by the Governor under Article 165, not by the President. High Courts exercise original and appellate jurisdiction and some writ powers under Article 226, but not a general advisory jurisdiction.
Q17History & Culture·Music, Dance, Literature and PhilosophyPYQ 2009
The brothers Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha are: [2009]
- ADhrupad vocalistsCorrect
- BKathak dancers
- CSarod maestros
- DTabla players
Explanation
Correct. The Gundecha brothers are renowned exponents of the Dhrupad tradition, one of the oldest surviving forms of Hindustani classical vocal music.
Q18History & Culture·Late Freedom Struggle (1939-1947)PYQ 2009
Consider the following statements:
The Cripps Proposals included the provision for:
1. Full independence for India
2. Creation of a constitution-making body
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The Cripps proposals did not offer full independence (only Dominion Status), but they did include a provision for the creation of a constitution-making body after the war that would draft India's own constitution.
Q19History & Culture·UNESCO, Heritage and Cultural InstitutionsPYQ 2009
Among the following, who are the Agaria community?
- ATraditional toddy tappers of Andhra Pradesh
- BTraditional fishing community of Maharashtra
- CTraditional silk-weaving community of Karnataka
- DTraditional salt pan workers of GujaratCorrect
Explanation
Correct. The Agaria community is traditionally associated with salt pan work in Gujarat. They have been historically linked to the salt-producing regions of the Rann of Kutch.
Q20History & Culture·Visual Arts, Architecture and PaintingPYQ 2009
Match the following temples with their states:
A. Vidyashankara Temple — 1. Andhra Pradesh
B. Rajarani Temple — 2. Karnataka
C. Kandariya Mahadeo — 3. Madhya Pradesh
D. Bhimeswara Temple — 4. Odisha
The correct sequence is:
- AA-2, B-4, C-3, D-1Correct
- BA-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
- CA-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
- DA-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
Explanation
Correct. Vidyashankara Temple is at Sringeri in Karnataka; Rajarani Temple is at Bhubaneswar in Odisha; Kandariya Mahadeo is at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh; Bhimeswara Temple is in Andhra Pradesh.
Q21Indian Economy·Banking SystemPYQ 2009
Which of the following occurred earliest in independent India?
- ANationalization of life insurance
- BFormation of State Bank of India
- CEnactment of the Banking Regulation ActCorrect
- DLaunch of the First Five-Year Plan
Explanation
Correct. The Banking Regulation Act dates to 1949 and predates the other listed events.
Q22Environment·BiodiversityPYQ 2009
In the context of Indian wildlife, the flying fox is a:
- ABatCorrect
- BKite
- CStork
- DVulture
Explanation
Correct. The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius) is a large fruit bat of the order Chiroptera. Despite having 'fox' in its name due to its fox-like face, it is a megabat, not related to foxes.
Q23Science·Computers, ICT and Emerging TechPYQ 2009
WiMAX is related to which one of the following?
- ABiotechnology
- BSpace technology
- CMissile technology
- DCommunication technologyCorrect
Explanation
Correct. WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless broadband communication technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard for providing high-speed internet access.
Q24History & Culture·Late Freedom Struggle (1939-1947)PYQ 2009
With which one of the following movements is the slogan 'Do or Die' associated?
- ASwadeshi Movement
- BNon-Cooperation Movement
- CCivil Disobedience Movement
- DQuit India MovementCorrect
Explanation
Correct. 'Do or Die' (Karo ya Maro) was the famous slogan given by Mahatma Gandhi at the launch of the Quit India Movement on 8 August 1942 in Bombay. It captured the urgency of the demand for immediate British withdrawal.
Q25History & Culture·Late Freedom Struggle (1939-1947)PYQ 2009
In the 'Individual Satyagraha', Vinoba Bhave was chosen as the first Satyagrahi. Who was the second?
- ADr. Rajendra Prasad
- BPandit Jawaharlal NehruCorrect
- CRajagopalachari
- DSardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Explanation
Correct. Jawaharlal Nehru was selected as the second individual satyagrahi after Vinoba Bhave in the 1940 Individual Satyagraha campaign. This campaign was designed to register principled opposition to India's involvement in World War II without launching a full mass movement.