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SSC CPO Paper-1 2025 12 December 2025 Shift 2 GK Questions – with answers & solutions

All 46 GK / GS questions asked in SSC CPO Paper-1 2025 on 12 December 2025 Shift 2, with correct answers and short solutions, subject-wise: Economics, Current Affairs, Medieval History, Static GK, Geography, Modern History.

📚 46 questions🗓️ 12 December 2025⏰ Shift 2
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Subjects: Economics (7) · Current Affairs (3) · Medieval History (3) · Static GK (19) · Geography (6) · Modern History (3) · Polity (2) · Ancient History (2) · Biology (1)

Economics (7)

Poverty, Unemployment and Human Development · Human Development Index and UNDP

Q1. A substantial limitation of the Human Development Index (HDI) is its inability to capture:

  1. (a) Economic growth
  2. (b) Life expectancy
  3. (c) Educational attainment
  4. (d) Social inequality and income distribution
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Social inequality and income distribution

Correct: Social inequality and income distribution.
The HDI measures three dimensions: health (life expectancy), education (educational attainment), and standard of living (GNI per capita). It does NOT capture within-country inequality or income distribution. Options 1, 2, and 3 are all components that HDI directly measures or relates to, so they are incorrect.
Industry and Infrastructure · Make in India, Startup India and PLI

Q2. Which digital initiative improved India's Ease of Doing Business ( EoDB ) in 'Starting a Business'?

  1. (a) Digi Locker
  2. (b) Udyam Portal
  3. (c) GST Portal
  4. (d) MCA21
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) MCA21

Correct: MCA21.
MCA21 (Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal) streamlined company registration and compliance processes online, directly improving India's EoDB ranking under 'Starting a Business'. DigiLocker stores documents digitally; Udyam Portal is for MSME registration; GST Portal is for tax compliance — none are specifically linked to improving 'Starting a Business' metric.
Basic Concepts and Economic Systems · Demand, supply and elasticity

Q3. Which of the following is the formula for elasticity of supply?

  1. (a) % change in price / % change in quantity supplied
  2. (b) % change in quantity supplied / % change in price
  3. (c) Original price / change in price
  4. (d) Change in quantity supplied / original quantity supplied
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) % change in quantity supplied / % change in price

Correct: % change in quantity supplied / % change in price.
Price Elasticity of Supply (PES) = (% Change in Quantity Supplied) ÷ (% Change in Price). Option 1 is the inverse (wrong). Option 3 and 4 are not standard economics formulas.
Public Finance - Budget and Taxation · Deficits (fiscal, revenue, primary)

Q4. Excluding borrowings, the excess of total expenditure over total receipts signifies which of the following?

  1. (a) Fiscal deficit
  2. (b) Revenue deficit
  3. (c) Budgetary deficit
  4. (d) Overall deficit
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Fiscal deficit

Correct: Fiscal Deficit.
Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure − Total Receipts (excluding borrowings). It shows how much the government borrows to meet its expenditure gap. Revenue Deficit = Revenue Expenditure − Revenue Receipts. Budgetary Deficit = Total Expenditure − Total Receipts (including borrowings). Overall Deficit is not a standard Indian budget term.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
National Income · GDP, GNP, NDP and NNP

Q5. The difference between the Gross National Product (GNP) and the Net National Product (NNP) is:

  1. (a) Taxes
  2. (b) Interest
  3. (c) Depreciation
  4. (d) Dividend
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Depreciation

Correct: Depreciation.
NNP = GNP − Depreciation (also called Capital Consumption Allowance). Depreciation accounts for the wear and tear of capital assets. Taxes, interest, and dividends are not the difference between GNP and NNP.
Planning and NITI Aayog · Five-Year Plans - objectives and models

Q6. During India's Third Five-Year Plan, which of the following significant events posed major challenges to industrial and trade development?

  1. (a) Global economic recession, severely impacting Indian exports
  2. (b) Major wars and droughts leading to resource constraints
  3. (c) Initiation of economic liberalization policies, attracting foreign investment
  4. (d) Implementation of the Green Revolution has shifted in focus towards agriculture
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Major wars and droughts leading to resource constraints

Correct: Major wars and droughts leading to resource constraints.
India's Third Five-Year Plan (1961–66) was severely disrupted by the Indo-China War (1962), the Indo-Pakistan War (1965), and back-to-back droughts (1965–66). These crises drained resources and led to the plan being called a failure. Economic liberalization came in 1991; the Green Revolution was a later development; no major global recession hit India's exports in that specific period.
Industry and Infrastructure · Infrastructure sectors

Q7. Consider the following:
(1) DPIIT handles industrial promotion.
(2) It implements Gati Shakti.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. (a) Only 1
  2. (b) Only 2
  3. (c) Both 1 and 2
  4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Correct: Both 1 and 2.
DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry:
Statement 1: CORRECT — DPIIT is the nodal agency for industrial promotion policy in India.
Statement 2: CORRECT — DPIIT is the implementing agency for PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the multimodal connectivity initiative.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.

Current Affairs (3)

Science, Technology and Space - Current · Space missions - current

Q8. What is the major benefit of the Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS)?

  1. (a) Solar energy from space
  2. (b) Deep space exploration
  3. (c) Internet access in rural areas
  4. (d) Real-time communication with low Earth orbit satellites and astronauts
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Real-time communication with low Earth orbit satellites and astronauts

Correct: Real-time communication with low Earth orbit satellites and astronauts.
IDRSS is a data relay satellite system that provides continuous communication links between ground stations and LEO satellites/spacecraft (like Gaganyaan ). It acts as a communication bridge. Options 1, 2, and 3 are not the purpose of IDRSS.
International Affairs and Summits · International organisations - current

Q9. Which city hosted the 47th Board of Directors Meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) on May 30, 2025?

  1. (a) Beijing
  2. (b) Johannesburg
  3. (c) Shanghai
  4. (d) Brasilia
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Shanghai

Correct: Shanghai.
The New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) is headquartered in Shanghai, China. The 47th Board of Directors Meeting was held in Shanghai on May 30, 2025. The NDB was established by BRICS nations to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Awards and Honours - Current · National awards - current

Q10. Which celebrated filmmaker, noted for globally acclaimed works like Bandit Queen and Elizabeth, received the Padma Bhushan in 2025?

  1. (a) R Balki
  2. (b) Shekhar Kapur
  3. (c) Mira Nair
  4. (d) Deepa Mehta
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Shekhar Kapur

Correct: Shekhar Kapur.
Shekhar Kapur, famous for directing Bandit Queen (1994) and Elizabeth (1998), received the Padma Bhushan in 2025. He is one of India's most internationally acclaimed filmmakers. R Balki , Mira Nair, and Deepa Mehta are other directors but did not receive this specific award in 2025.

Medieval History (3)

Delhi Sultanate · Slave (Mamluk) dynasty

Q11. The Chahalgani (Group of Forty) nobles were formed during the reign of:

  1. (a) Balban
  2. (b) Iltutmish
  3. (c) Alauddin Khalji
  4. (d) Qutb- ud -din Aibak
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Iltutmish

Correct: Iltutmish.
The Chahalgani (Chalisa / Group of Forty) was a group of forty powerful Turkish nobles organized during the reign of Iltutmish of the Delhi Sultanate. Balban later destroyed this group to consolidate power. Alauddin Khalji and Qutb- ud -din Aibak had no connection to forming this group.
Mughal Empire · Mughal painting, literature and music

Q12. Who among the following rulers is known to have translated the Mahabharata into Persian as Razmnama ?

  1. (a) Babur
  2. (b) Akbar
  3. (c) Jahangir
  4. (d) Aurangzeb
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Akbar

Correct: Akbar.
Akbar commissioned the translation of the Mahabharata into Persian, titled ' Razmnama ' (Book of Wars), as part of his policy of cultural synthesis. Babur wrote his own memoir ( Baburnama ). Jahangir is known for the Tuzuk - i -Jahangiri. Aurangzeb was opposed to such translations.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Medieval Culture, Literature and Travellers · Regional and Rajput architecture

Q13. For which architectural element is the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Gujarat famous for?

  1. (a) Mirror mosaic domes
  2. (b) Lattice windows ( jalis )
  3. (c) Spiral towers
  4. (d) Black marble minbars
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Lattice windows ( jalis )

Correct: Lattice windows ( jalis ).
The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque (1573) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat is famous for its stunning stone lattice windows ( jalis ), particularly the 'Tree of Life' jali . These intricately carved stone screens are iconic examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. Mirror mosaics, spiral towers, and black marble minbars are not its defining features.

Static GK (19)

Organisations and Headquarters · Regional groupings (SAARC, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, SCO, G20)

Q14. Which of the following is a key principle of the QUAD's (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) approach to the Indo-Pacific region?

  1. (a) Inclusivity
  2. (b) Exclusivity
  3. (c) Multilateralism
  4. (d) Bilateralism
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Inclusivity

Correct: Inclusivity.
The QUAD (comprising India, USA, Japan, Australia) promotes a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific — inclusivity is a stated core principle. It is not exclusive (open to regional cooperation), not strictly bilateral (involves 4 nations), and differs from traditional multilateral bodies.
Sports · Olympic Games

Q15. What is the name of the Indian athlete who won an Olympic bronze medal in wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics?

  1. (a) Sushil Kumar
  2. (b) Yogeshwar Dutt
  3. (c) Sakshi Malik
  4. (d) Bajrang Punia
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Sakshi Malik

Correct: Sakshi Malik.
Sakshi Malik won the bronze medal in women's freestyle 58 kg wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics — India's only wrestling medal at Rio 2016. Sushil Kumar won medals in 2008 and 2012. Yogeshwar Dutt won a bronze in 2012. Bajrang Punia won a bronze at Tokyo 2020.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Sports · Football and hockey

Q16. The Kalinga Lancers represent which state in the Hockey India League?

  1. (a) Punjab
  2. (b) Haryana
  3. (c) Odisha
  4. (d) Karnataka
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Odisha

Correct: Odisha.
The Kalinga Lancers are a franchise in the Hockey India League representing Odisha. 'Kalinga' is a historical name associated with the Odisha region. Other states have their own HIL teams.
Cinema and Media · Films and film personalities

Q17. The movie 'Chak De India' is based on which real-life Indian sports figure's story?

  1. (a) Dilip Tirkey
  2. (b) Dhanraj Pillay
  3. (c) Mir Ranjan Negi
  4. (d) Balbir Singh Sr.
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Mir Ranjan Negi

Correct: Mir Ranjan Negi.
The film 'Chak De India' (2007) is inspired by the story of Mir Ranjan Negi, a former Indian hockey goalkeeper who was wrongly accused of match-fixing in 1982. The film fictionalizes his redemption story. Dilip Tirkey, Dhanraj Pillay, and Balbir Singh Sr. are famous hockey players but are not the basis of this film.
Sports · Football and hockey

Q18. The 2010 Hockey World Cup final took place in which Indian city?

  1. (a) Mumbai
  2. (b) New Delhi
  3. (c) Chennai
  4. (d) Kolkata
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) New Delhi

Correct: New Delhi.
The 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup was held in New Delhi, India. The final was played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The Netherlands won the tournament. This was the first Hockey World Cup held in India since 1982.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Sports · Other sports and tournaments (tennis, chess, badminton, etc.)

Q19. Which Indian city served as the venue for the 2019 Indian Open Badminton Tournament?

  1. (a) Hyderabad
  2. (b) Mumbai
  3. (c) New Delhi
  4. (d) Chennai
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) New Delhi

Correct: New Delhi.
The 2019 India Open Badminton tournament was held in New Delhi at the Siri Fort Sports Complex. It is a BWF Super 500 series event. Other cities listed have hosted different editions of this tournament at different times.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Monuments and Heritage · Temples and religious places

Q20. What kind of architectural feature are the Jain temples known for?

  1. (a) Highly intricate marble carvings
  2. (b) Enormous domes without any pillars
  3. (c) Bronze statues of horses
  4. (d) Gothic vaults and arches
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Highly intricate marble carvings

Correct: Highly intricate marble carvings.
Jain temples, especially those at Dilwara (Rajasthan) and Ranakpur , are world-renowned for their exquisitely detailed marble carvings and sculptures. The craftsmanship is so fine that it is often called a marvel of Indian architecture. Domes without pillars, bronze horse statues, and Gothic arches are not features of Jain temple architecture.
Awards and Honours · Nobel Prize and international awards

Q21. Which Nobel Laureate in Literature refused the prize in 1964, only for it to still be recorded in his name?

  1. (a) Gabriel Garcia Marquez
  2. (b) Jean-Paul Sartre
  3. (c) Bob Dylan
  4. (d) Samuel Beckett
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Jean-Paul Sartre

Correct: Jean-Paul Sartre.
Jean-Paul Sartre refused the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature, stating he always declined official honors . However, the Nobel Committee recorded it in his name regardless. Bob Dylan accepted (though he was initially absent). Garcia Marquez and Beckett accepted their prizes.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Sports · Other sports and tournaments (tennis, chess, badminton, etc.)

Q22. Which Indian city is known as the hub for chess training?

  1. (a) Pune
  2. (b) Chennai
  3. (c) Delhi
  4. (d) Kolkata
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Chennai

Correct: Chennai.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) is regarded as the chess capital of India. It has produced numerous grandmasters including Viswanathan Anand (5-time World Champion) and many other top-ranked players. The city has a strong culture of chess training and tournaments.
Sports · Olympic Games

Q23. Who was India's first Olympic medalist in wrestling?

  1. (a) Sushil Kumar
  2. (b) K. D. Jadhav
  3. (c) Yogeshwar Dutt
  4. (d) Bajrang Punia
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) K. D. Jadhav

Correct: K. D. Jadhav.
Kashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won a bronze medal in freestyle wrestling (bantamweight) at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics — the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in wrestling. Sushil Kumar won medals in 2008 and 2012. Yogeshwar Dutt won in 2012. Bajrang Punia won in 2020.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Festivals, Fairs, Paintings and Crafts · Festivals by state

Q24. The harvest festival known for the traditional boat race called Vallam Kali is:

  1. (a) Pongal
  2. (b) Onam
  3. (c) Bihu
  4. (d) Gudi Padwa
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Onam

Correct: Onam.
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala and is famous for the Vallam Kali (snake boat race), particularly at Aranmula and Punnamada Lake (Nehru Trophy). Pongal is Tamil Nadu's harvest festival. Bihu is from Assam. Gudi Padwa is a Maharashtrian New Year festival.
Dances · Folk dances by state

Q25. Chhau dance is practiced in which regions of India?

  1. (a) Northern India (Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand)
  2. (b) Eastern India (Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal)
  3. (c) Southern India (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu)
  4. (d) Western India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan)
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Eastern India (Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal)

Correct: Eastern India (Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal).
Chhau is a semi-classical Indian dance form practiced in eastern India. The three main styles are: Seraikella Chhau (Jharkhand), Purulia Chhau (West Bengal), and Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha). It is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Awards and Honours · Literary awards (Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi)

Q26. Who was the first woman to receive Jnanpith award?

  1. (a) Mahasveta Devi
  2. (b) Qurratulain Hyder
  3. (c) Amrita Pritam
  4. (d) Ashapoorna Devi
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Ashapoorna Devi

Correct: Ashapoorna Devi.
Ashapoorna Devi, the Bengali author, was the first woman to receive the Jnanpith Award, which she received in 1976 for her novel 'Prothom Pratishruti '. Amrita Pritam received the Jnanpith in 1982. Mahasveta Devi received it in 1996. Qurratulain Hyder received it in 1989.
Dances · Folk dances by state

Q27. Which traditional dance from Uttar Pradesh involves women carrying lighted oil lamps on their heads?

  1. (a) Charkula
  2. (b) Raslila
  3. (c) Giddha
  4. (d) Bhangra
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Charkula

Correct: Charkula .
Charkula is a folk dance from the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh where women balance a multi-tiered wooden structure with numerous oil lamps on their heads while dancing. It is performed during festivals like Holi. Raslila is a devotional dance. Giddha and Bhangra are folk dances of Punjab.
Music and Musical Instruments · Folk music and songs by state

Q28. Q86. In which state is the folk music of Lotia performed?

  1. (a) Maharashtra
  2. (b) Rajasthan
  3. (c) Uttar Pradesh
  4. (d) Manipur
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Rajasthan

Correct: Rajasthan.
Lotia is a folk music/song tradition associated with Rajasthan. It is typically sung during the monsoon season. Rajasthan has a very rich folk music tradition including Lotia , Maand , Panihari , etc.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Festivals, Fairs, Paintings and Crafts · Tribal festivals

Q29. What is the primary objective of the Angami Sekrenyi festival?

  1. (a) Cleanse body and soul
  2. (b) Pray for abundant harvest
  3. (c) Honor ancestral spirits only
  4. (d) Pray for marriage and children
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Cleanse body and soul

Correct: Cleanse body and soul.
Sekrenyi (also called Phousanyi ) is a 10-day festival of the Angami Naga tribe of Nagaland, celebrated in February. Its primary purpose is purification — cleansing the body and soul — and also renewal/rejuvenation of community bonds. It involves ritual bathing, feasting, and prayers.
Music and Musical Instruments · Hindustani music (ragas, gharanas)

Q30. Which Hindustani classical gharana, founded by Ustad Alladiya Khan, is known for its melodic complexity and features exponents like Kesarbai Kerkar and Kishori Amonkar?

  1. (a) Gwalior Gharana
  2. (b) Agra Gharana
  3. (c) Jaipur- Atrauli Gharana
  4. (d) Kirana Gharana
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Jaipur- Atrauli Gharana

Correct: Jaipur- Atrauli Gharana.
The Jaipur- Atrauli Gharana was founded by Ustad Alladiya Khan and is known for its complex melodic structures ( layakari ), unconventional bandishes , and elaborate taan patterns. Famous exponents include Kesarbai Kerkar, Kishori Amonkar, and Mallikarjun Mansur. Kirana Gharana is associated with Abdul Karim Khan. Gwalior is the oldest gharana. Agra is known for khayal with dhrupad influences.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.
Organisations and Headquarters · India's foreign relations and connectivity projects

Q31. According to the 1950 India–Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, what is one key provision agreed upon by both governments?

  1. (a) Nepal's army under Indian command
  2. (b) No diplomatic ties between India and Nepal
  3. (c) Reciprocal rights of residence and trade
  4. (d) Nepal to follow Indian Constitution
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Reciprocal rights of residence and trade

Correct: Reciprocal rights of residence and trade.
The 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (Treaty of Sugauli's successor) grants citizens of both countries reciprocal rights to reside, own property, participate in trade and commerce in each other's territories. Nepal has full sovereignty and its own army. Diplomatic ties exist between both nations. Nepal has its own constitution.
Personalities and Nicknames · Nicknames and titles of persons

Q32. Which of the following statements about E. Sreedharan is factually correct?

  1. (a) He led the development of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway
  2. (b) He was popularly known as the 'Metro Man of India'
  3. (c) He drafted the Indian Road Safety Code
  4. (d) He was responsible for launching the Swachh Bharat Mission
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) He was popularly known as the 'Metro Man of India'

Correct: He was popularly known as the 'Metro Man of India'.
E. Sreedharan is the legendary civil engineer who built the Konkan Railway and spearheaded the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation as its Managing Director. He is popularly known as the 'Metro Man of India'. He had no role in the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (MSRDC project), Indian Road Safety Code, or Swachh Bharat Mission.

Geography (6)

India - Minerals, Energy and Industries · Iron and steel plants

Q33. Where was the Bhilai Steel Plant set up in 1959?

  1. (a) Kolkata
  2. (b) Chhattisgarh
  3. (c) Odisha
  4. (d) Jamshedpur
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Chhattisgarh

Correct: Chhattisgarh.
The Bhilai Steel Plant was established in 1959 in Bhilai , which is located in present-day Chhattisgarh (formerly part of Madhya Pradesh). It was set up with Soviet assistance and is one of India's largest integrated steel plants. Kolkata has Durgapur Steel Plant nearby; Odisha has Rourkela Steel Plant; Jamshedpur has Tata Steel.
India - Minerals, Energy and Industries · Metallic minerals and mines

Q34. Which of the following statements is/are NOT CORRECT regarding Manganese?
1. Andhra Pradesh has the largest reserves of Manganese in India.
2. Manganese is an important raw material for the smelting of iron ore, and it is also used for manufacturing ferro alloys.

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 2 only
  3. (c) Both 1 and 2
  4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 1 only

Correct: 1 only (Statement 1 is NOT correct).
Statement 1 is INCORRECT: Odisha (not Andhra Pradesh) has the largest reserves of manganese in India, followed by Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
Statement 2 is CORRECT: Manganese is indeed used in iron smelting (as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer) and in making ferro-manganese alloys.
Therefore, only Statement 1 is incorrect → Answer: 1 only.
India - Location, Physiography and Neighbours · Northern Plains

Q35. In the alluvial plains of the Ganga, which of the following physical features will NOT be found?

  1. (a) Oxbow lakes
  2. (b) Rapids
  3. (c) Meanders
  4. (d) Braided channels
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Rapids

Correct: Rapids.
Rapids are found in hilly/mountainous terrains where rivers flow swiftly over hard rock. In the flat alluvial plains of the Ganga, the river flows slowly and forms meandering channels, oxbow lakes (cut-off meanders), and braided channels (due to sediment deposition). Rapids require steep gradient — not present in plains.
India - Location, Physiography and Neighbours · Western and Eastern Ghats

Q36. Which of the following physiographic features acts as the principal water divide in Peninsular India?

  1. (a) Vindhya Range
  2. (b) Aravalli Hills
  3. (c) Western Ghats
  4. (d) Eastern Ghats
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Western Ghats

Correct: Western Ghats.
The Western Ghats act as the principal water divide of Peninsular India. Rivers flowing westward (Periyar, Sharavati ) drain into the Arabian Sea, while most major rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi) originate from the Western Ghats and flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal. The Vindhyas and Aravallis are in the north; the Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and lower.
India - Population and Census · Population density

Q37. As per Census 2011, what was the population density of Bihar, the most densely populated state in India?

  1. (a) 918 persons/ sq km
  2. (b) 1029 persons/ sq km
  3. (c) 1102 persons/ sq km
  4. (d) 1138 persons/ sq km
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1102 persons/ sq km

Correct: 1102 persons/ sq km.
As per Census 2011, Bihar had a population density of 1,102 persons per sq km, making it the most densely populated state in India. The national average was 382 persons/ sq km. The other figures (918, 1029, 1138) are incorrect values.
India - Agriculture · Cropping seasons (kharif, rabi, zaid)

Q38. Which of the following pairs correctly represents the cropping season and its corresponding time of sowing?

  1. (a) Rabi – Southwest Monsoon onset
  2. (b) Zaid – October to November
  3. (c) Kharif – June to September
  4. (d) Rabi – May to June
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Kharif – June to September

Correct: Kharif – June to September.
Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the southwest monsoon (June) and harvested by September-October. Examples: rice, maize, cotton.
Rabi crops are sown in October-November (after monsoon) and harvested in March-April — not at monsoon onset.
Zaid crops are grown between March-June (summer season), not October-November.
Option 4 (Rabi – May to June) is wrong — that is summer/ zaid season.

Modern History (3)

Swadeshi, Revolutionaries and Home Rule · Muslim League and Morley-Minto Reforms

Q39. The 'Lahore Resolution' passed by the Muslim League in 1940 demanded:
(Fill in the blank)

  1. (a) Complete integration of all princely states with British India
  2. (b) The creation of a separate state for Muslims in the northwestern and eastern parts of India
  3. (c) Equal representation for Muslims in all legislative bodies
  4. (d) The continuation of a united India with enhanced safeguards for minority rights
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) The creation of a separate state for Muslims in the northwestern and eastern parts of India

Correct: The creation of a separate state for Muslims in the northwestern and eastern parts of India.
The Lahore Resolution (1940), later called the 'Pakistan Resolution', demanded independent states for Muslims in the Muslim-majority northwestern and eastern zones of British India. This became the foundation of the demand for Pakistan. Options 1, 3, and 4 contradict the demands made in this resolution.
Gandhian Era · Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh

Q40. The 'Rowlatt Acts' of 1919 faced intense opposition from Indian nationalists for undermining fundamental legal principles.
What was the most objectionable aspect of these Acts?

  1. (a) They imposed heavy taxes on Indian businesses and traders
  2. (b) They mandated the compulsory registration of all Indian citizens
  3. (c) They allowed the government to detain individuals without trial based on suspicion of revolutionary activities
  4. (d) They granted greater powers to local self-governing bodies
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) They allowed the government to detain individuals without trial based on suspicion of revolutionary activities

Correct: They allowed the government to detain individuals without trial based on suspicion of revolutionary activities.
The Rowlatt Act (Black Act) allowed indefinite detention without trial, no appeal, no lawyer — earning it the name 'No vakil, No dalil , No appeal'. It was this authoritarian clause that sparked Gandhi's first major nationwide civil disobedience (Satyagraha). The other options are factually incorrect about the Rowlatt Act.
British Administration and Policies · Press acts and other laws

Q41. The 'Indian Forest Act' of 1878 categorized forests into reserved and protected areas.
What was a key difference in the treatment and rights of local communities between these two categories?

  1. (a) Both categories granted complete autonomy to local communities in forest management
  2. (b) In reserved forests, all traditional rights of local communities were extinguished, while some limited rights were permitted in protected forests
  3. (c) Protected forests were exclusively for commercial exploitation by the British, while reserved forests were for local use
  4. (d) There was no significant difference in the restrictions imposed on local communities between the two categories
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) In reserved forests, all traditional rights of local communities were extinguished, while some limited rights were permitted in protected forests

Correct: In reserved forests, all traditional rights of local communities were extinguished, while some limited rights were permitted in protected forests.
Under the Indian Forest Act 1878, 'Reserved Forests' were under strictest government control with all customary rights of local communities completely abolished. 'Protected Forests' allowed some limited rights (grazing, fuel wood collection) for local communities. Options 1, 3, and 4 are factually incorrect about this distinction.

Polity (2)

Polity Miscellaneous · New criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA)

Q42. Which of the following offenses has been newly and clearly defined under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023?

  1. (a) Mob lynching
  2. (b) Defamation
  3. (c) Theft
  4. (d) Cheating
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Mob lynching

Correct: Mob lynching.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (which replaced the Indian Penal Code) newly and explicitly defined 'mob lynching' as a specific offense for the first time in Indian criminal law, with provisions for death penalty or life imprisonment. Defamation, theft, and cheating were already defined in the IPC and continue in BNS.
Union Executive · Attorney General and Solicitor General

Q43. Who is the 16th Attorney General of India?

  1. (a) R. Venkataramani
  2. (b) Tushar Mehta
  3. (c) Mukul Rohatgi
  4. (d) K.K. Venugopal
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) R. Venkataramani

Correct: R. Venkataramani.
R. Venkataramani was appointed as the 16th Attorney General of India in October 2022, succeeding K.K. Venugopal (15th AG). Tushar Mehta is the Solicitor General of India. Mukul Rohatgi served as AG from 2014–2017.
Note: This question was Not Answered by the candidate.

Ancient History (2)

Post-Mauryan Period · Shunga and Kanva dynasties

Q44. Who was the last ruler of the Sunga Dynasty?

  1. (a) Vasudeva
  2. (b) Pushyamitra Sunga
  3. (c) Devabhuti
  4. (d) Agnimitra
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Devabhuti

Correct: Devabhuti .
Devabhuti was the last ruler of the Sunga Dynasty. He was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva Kanva around 73 BCE, which led to the establishment of the Kanva Dynasty. Pushyamitra Sunga was the founder of the dynasty. Agnimitra was the second ruler.
Vedic Period · Rig Vedic society, polity and economy

Q45. Which among the following statements is TRUE about the Rig Vedic Society?

  1. (a) The Rig Vedic society was matrilineal
  2. (b) The head of the family was known as Vishaypati
  3. (c) Apala, Visvavara , Ghosa , and Lopamudra were prominent women poets of the Rig Vedic period
  4. (d) Child marriage and the practice of Sati were prevalent
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Apala, Visvavara , Ghosa , and Lopamudra were prominent women poets of the Rig Vedic period

Correct: Apala, Visvavara , Ghosa , and Lopamudra were prominent women poets of the Rig Vedic period.
Rig Vedic society was largely patrilineal (not matrilineal). The head of the family was called ' Kulapa ' or ' Grihapati ' (not Vishaypati — that was an administrative title). Child marriage and Sati were not prevalent in the Rig Vedic age. Women like Apala, Ghosa , Lopamudra, and Visvavara indeed composed hymns in the Rigveda.

Biology (1)

Diseases, Immunity and Health · Health organisations and programmes

Q46. What is a key benefit provided under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)?

  1. (a) Free ration to pregnant women
  2. (b) Free delivery and C-section services
  3. (c) Paid ambulance transport
  4. (d) Subsidized infant clothing
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Free delivery and C-section services

Correct: Free delivery and C-section services.
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), launched in 2011, entitles pregnant women to absolutely free and cashless services in government health facilities, including free delivery (normal and C-section), free medicines, free diagnostics, free blood, and free transport. Free ration is under ICDS/PDS, not JSSK. Ambulance is also free (not paid) under JSSK. Subsidized infant clothing is not part of JSSK.
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