90 C GS test question 25 Feb
Qts 1.The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by
(a) Universal law
(b) Universal Truth
(c) Universal Faith
(d) Universal Soul
Ans. A
Explanation
Jainism does not support belief in a creator deity. According to Jain doctrine, the universe and its constituents - soul, matter, space, time, and principles of motion have always existed. All the constituents and actions are governed by universal natural laws. It is not possible to create matter out of nothing and hence the sum total of matter in the universe remains the same (similar to law of conservation of mass). Similarly, the soul of each living being is unique and uncreated and has existed since beginningless time. The world, for the Jain is not created, maintained, or destroyed by any personal deity but functions only according to Universal Law.
Qts 2.Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:
1 It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. C
Explanation
Jawaharlal Nehru writes in Discovery of India that the Indus Valley Civilization, as we find it, was highly developed and must have taken thousands of years to reach that stage. It was surprisingly enough, a predominantly secular civilization, and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene. It was clearly also the precursor of later cultural periods in India.
The economy of the Indus Valley depended upon crops and animal husbandry. The chief crops grown were wheat, rice, dates, melons, green vegetables-primary legumes, and cotton. There were large granaries. The cotton provided the impetus for the growth of the textile industry for which the Indian subcontinent has long been famous.
Qts 3. The dharma" and "rita" depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this content, consider the following statements:
1. Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one's duties to oneself and to others.
2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all in contained.
Which of the statements given above is/are corred?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. C
Explanation
Dharma means Law or Natural Law (as in the natural order of things) and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender. In modern Indian languages it can refer simply to a person's religion, depending on the context. Dharma is generally defined as "righteousness" or "duty". Dharma is the principle of righteousness. It is the principle of holiness. The four aims of a man's life; namely, kama (gratification of desire), artha (acquirement of wealth), dharma (discharge of duty) and moksa (final emancipation).
Rita, in Indian religion and philosophy, the cosmic order mentioned in the Vedas, the ancient sacred scriptures of Inda As Hinduism developed from the ancient Vedic religion, the concept of rita led to the doctrines of dharma (duty) and karma (accumulated effects of good and bad actions). Rita is the physical order of the universe, the order of the sacrifice, and the moral law of the world. Because of rita, the sun and moon pursue their daily journeys across the sky, and the seasons proceed in regular movement. Vedic religion features the bellef that rita was guarded by Varuna, the god-sovereign, who was assisted by Mitra, the god of honour, and that the proper performance of sacrifices to the gods was necessary to guarantee its continuance. Violation (anrita) of the established order by incorrect or improper behaviour, even if unintentional, constituted sin and required careful expiation.
Qts 4.India maintained its early cultural contacts and 4 trade links with southeast Asia across the Baynd Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritine history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanationg explanations?
(a) As compared to other countries, India had a better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times
(b) The rulers of southern India always patronized traders, Brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context
(c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal Facilitated sea voyages
(d) Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context
Ans. D
Explanation
From prehistoric days, India had trade and cultural relations with Southeast Asia. The port of Palura on the eastern coast of India had an important role. The ships came here from Arikamedu, crossed the Bay of Bengal and went to the delta of the Irrawaddy, whence they proceeded to the Malay Peninsula. "Indianization' was the term generally used for Indian cultural influence upon Southeast Asia.
Rather than being the result of a single factor, most likely the whole process of Indian cultural expansion was the outcome of endeavors of warriors, traders and priests along with the indigenous initiative. Most probably all four groups of people were involved in the process. One of the significant factors in the spread of Indian cultural influence in Southeast Asia is geographical proximity between two regions. The fabulous wealth of Southeast Asia was an attraction for the Indians. In the spread of Indian culture, the sea played an important role. There was intensification of sea-borne commerce in the early centuries of Common Era. Along with traders, missionaries, priests, literati, adventurers and fortune seekers went to Southeast Asia.
The monsoon wind played a major role in determining the maritime operations on the Bay of Bengal. In the whole gamut of Indo-Southeast Asian relations, both Indians
and Southeast Asians played an active role. Apart from movement of people and racial and linguistic affinity, there were also trading relations. Along with traders, brahmans (priests) from India came to Southeast Asia, who acquainted the local elite with Indian rituals, scriptures, and literature.
Before the discovery of the monsoon winds by Hippalus in AD 45-47, the mariners of the east coast of India were aware of the monsoon wind and currents and used them for maritime trade. The maritime trade from India to Southeast Asia was a seasonal phenomenon.
Qts 5. The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions?
(a) Making Zamindar's position stronger vis-à-vis the ryot
(b) Making East India Company an overlord of Zamindars
(c) Making judicial system more efficient
(d) None of the (a), (b) and (c) above
Ans. D
Explanation
The main features of the Land Settlement of Lord Cornwallis were as under:
(i) The Zamindars who collected land revenues were made the owners of the land.
(ii) The Zamindars had to pay a fixed amount to the company.
(iii) It was decided that Govt. would have claim to the 10/11 of the gross revenue.
(iv) In case, any Zamindar failed to pay the fixed amount of revenue, the Government had the right to confiscate some part of his land holding to recover the amount due.
(v) The farmers or the ryots were made the tenants of the Zamindars.
(vi) The Zamindars were deprived of their administrative and judicial powers.
(vii) The govt assured the Zamindars that it would not interfere with their traditions.
Cornwallis abolished the court - fees which adversely affected the earnings of the company and at the same time resulted into unprecedented increase in the number of cases. In other words, abolition of court-fees encouraged litigation without any restraints.
Qts 6. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942 ?
(a) It was a non-violent movement
(b) It was led by Mahatma Gandhi
(c) It was a spontaneous movement
(d) It did not attract the labour class in general
Ans. A
Explanation
The Quit India Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. What makes the Quit India movement different from the Non-Co-Operation and Civil Disobedience movements is the
spontaneous rising of the people with no leaders to guide them. It, of course, resulted in violence, though Gandhiji had urged the public to follow his principles of non-violence throughout the movement. Widespread violence was a common feature of the Quit India movement.
Qts 7. With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, "Home Charges" formed an important part of drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted Home Charges ?
1. Funds used to support the India Office in London
2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India
3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans.D
Explanation
During the period of colonial rule in India, the drain of wealth took place through various forms, main among them were:
1) Home Charges. These refer to the expenditure incurred in England by the Secretary of the State on behalf of India Post 1857 this charge constituted 24% of total revenue of India,
2) Civil and Military charges,
3) Interest on Foreign Capital Investments (especially during the 20th century) Home charges: Costs of the Secretary of State's India Office, East India Company's military adventures, cost of suppressing the Mutiny of 1857 and the compensation to r the company's share holders, pensions Ic the British Indian officials and army officers, costs of army training, transport, equipments and campaigns outside India and guaranteed interests on railways.
Qts 8. What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda?
1 .The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought.
2. The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. A
Explanation
In Kheda, a district of villages and small towns in Gujarat, the peasants mostly owned their own lands, and were economically better-off than their compatriots in Bihar, although on the whole, the district was plagued by poverty, scant resources, the social evils of alcoholism and untouchability, and overall British indifference and hegemony. However, a famine had struck the district and a large part of Gujarat, and virtually destroyed the agrarian economy. The poor peasants had barely enough to feed themselves, but the British government of the Bombay Presidency insisted that the farmers not only pay full taxes, but also pay the 23% increase stated to take effect that very year. This eventually became the main reason for the Kheda Satyagraha.
Qts 9. What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893 ?
(a) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons
(b) To campaign for the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary
(c) To facilitate a discussion on India's Independence in the British Parliament
(d) To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament
Ans. A
Explanation
In 1893, Sir William became a Liberal Member of Parliament. In the Indian Parliamentary Committee was established on which Sir William Wedderburn, W. C. Caine and Lord Clywd worked, and secured the support of some Independent and Labour members, it tried to present the Indian problems in Parliament in their true shape
It was William Wedderburn who was able, with the help of other supporters of the Congress, in getting through a resolution in the House of Commons for holding simultaneously Civil Service examinations in England and India. It encouraged Wedderbum and he invited some of the leading independent members of the House of Commons to a dinner in order to discuss the formation of an Indian Parliamentary Committee "for the purpose of promoting combined and well-directed action among those particularly interested in Indian affairs." He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in 1889 and 1910.
Qts 10. Mahatma Gandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled, "Unto this Last" and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed Mahatma Gandhi ?
(a) Uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man
(b) The good of individual is contained in the good of all
(c) The life of celibacy and spiritual pursuit are essential for a noble life
(d) All the statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct in this context
Ans. B
Explanation
The words of Mahatma on the book written by John Ruskin- (Mahatma Gandhi - I believe that I discovered some of my deepest convictions reflected in this great book of Ruskin, and that is why it so captured me and made me TRANSFORM MY LIFE. The teaching of Unto This Last I understood to be:
1. That the good of the individual is contained in the good of all.
2. That a lawyer's work has the same value as the barber's inasmuch as all have the same right of earning their livelihood from their work.
3. That a life of labour, i.e., the life of the tiller of the soil and the handicraftsman is the life worth living.)
VALUES: The first point above is self explanatory.
The second point glorifies the fact that every work is of equal importance and adds value to the society. It highlights the concept of dignity for labour and equality. The third point clearly states that the measure of happiness, success and satisfaction in a human's life is beyond materialism.
Qts 11. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for
(a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
(b) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
(c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Ans. A
Explanation
Usha Mehta was a renowned Gandhian and freedom fighter of India. She is also remembered for operationalizing the Congress Radio, also called the Secret Congress Radio, an underground radio station, which functioned for few months during the Quit India Movement of 1942. In 1998, the Government of India conferred on her Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of Republic of India.
Qts 12. With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report ?
1. Complete Independence for India.
2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people
of India in the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. B
Explanation
The Nehru Report recommended that a Declaration of Rights should be inserted in the constitution assuring the fullest liberty of conscience and religion. The following were the recommendations advanced by the
Nehru Report :
1. India should be given the status of a dominion.
2. There should be federal form of government with residuary powers vested in the center.
3. India should have a parliamentary form of government
headed by a Prime Minister and six ministers appointed
by the Governor General.
4. There should be bi-cameral legislature. 5. There should be no separate electorate for any community.
6. System of weightage for minorities was as bad as that
of separate electorates.
7. Reservation of Muslim seats could be possible in the provinces where Muslim population was at least ten percent, but this was to be in strict proportion to the size of the community.
8. Muslims should enjoy one-fourth representation in the Central Legislature.
9. Sindh should be separated from Bombay only if the
Committee certified that it was financially self-sufficient. 10. The N. W. F. P. should be given full provincial status.
11. A new Kanarese-speaking province Karnatic should be established in South India.
12. Hindi should be made the official language of India. Complete independence was not recommended by the Nehru Report. In December 1929, the Congress held its annual session at Lahore. Jawaharlal Nehru was the president at this session. In this session, the Congress declared 'Purna Swaraj' or Complete Independence as its ultimate goal.
Qts 13. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?
1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD.
2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD.
3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. C
Explanation
Option 2 is not correct, as first successful internal organ transplant in the human body was done in 1954 in USA.
The formula for the area of a cyclic quadrilateral has been discovered by the 7th century Indian mathematician Brahmagupta.
The significant development of trigonometry in India, was in the works known as the Siddhantas (4th-5th century), which first defined the sine as the modern relationship between half an angle and half a chord.
Qts 14. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. B
Explanation
Jainism believes in extremities of penances. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
Both the religions Jainnism and Buddhism owe their origin to the reaction against the existing religious practices, both stressed non-violence and showed deliberate indifference to the authority of the Vedas and the existence of Gods. Both the religions denied the efficacy of rituals.
Qts 15. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
(a) Bhakti
(b) image worship and Yajnas
(c) worship of nature and Yajnas
(d) worship of nature and Bhakti
Ans. C
Explanation
The Bhakti cult in ancient India can be traced during and after Gupta period i.e. 3rd-4th Century AD.
The image worship started in post-Mauryan period. The Vedic people worshipped various forces of nature as god, stress was on sacrifice but not on magico-ritual formulae, religion was based on material gains etc. Rituals and sacrifices (yajnas) became a daily routing of early vedic people.
Qts 16. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country's economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.
3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. D
Explanation
Ancient Indian guilds are a unique and multi-faceted form of organisation, which combined the functions of a democratic government, a trade union, a court of justice and a technological institution. The trained workers of the guilds provided a congenial atmosphere for work.
Guilds were the autonomous socio-economic entities and the king was not the chief administrative authority. The guilds regulated the wages, rules of work, standards and prices etc. The guilds also had some judicial powers, even some of them have their own forces and army known as Screnibal.
Qts 17.With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?
1. Meditation and control of breath
2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place
3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. D
Explanation
Sufism is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. Some Sufi orders engage in ritualized dhikr ceremonies, or sema. Sema includes various forms of worship such as: recitation, singing (the most well known being the Qawwali music of the Indian subcontinent), instrumental music, dance (most famously the Sufi whirling of the Mevlevi order), incense, meditation, ecstasy, and trance. Sufis in India adopted Sama and Rags (audition and dancing) as a mode of invocation to God. Sama exhilarated their spiritual spirit. Some of the Saints practiced severe exercises and controlled breath.
Among the early mystics who undertook hard ascetic exercises at his tomb was Khwajah Mu'în al-Din Chishti, the founder of the Chishti Order in the Indian subcontinent.
Qts 18. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because
(a) the Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces
(b) emergence of a 'left wing' in the Congress made the working of the ministries impossible
(c) there were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
Ans. D
Explanation
At the outbreak of the World War II, the Viceroy proclaimed India's involvement without prior consultations with the main political parties. When Congress demanded an immediate ransfer of power in return for cooperation of the war efforts, the British government refused. As a result Congress resigned from power. Quaid-i-Azam asked the Muslims to celebrate December 22, 1939 as a day of deliverance and thanksgiving in token of relief from the tyranny and oppression of the Congress rule.
Qts 19. Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?
1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces
2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims
3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
Explanation
The Government of India Act 1919 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was passed to expand participation of Indians in the government of India. The Act embodied the reforms recommended in the report of the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, and the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford. The Act covered ten years, from 1919 to 1929.
The Act provided a dual form of government (a "dyarchy") for the major provinces. In each such province, control of some areas of government, the "transferred list", were given to a Government of ministers answerable to the Provincial Council. The 'transferred list' included Agriculture, supervision of local government, Health and Education. The Provincial Councils were enlarged.
Separate communal electorates for Muslims was introduced by Morley-Minto Reforms or Indian Councils Act 1909.
Qts 20.During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?
(a) Different social reform groups or organizations of Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare appropriate petitions / representations to the government
(b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose
(c) Behramji Malabari and M. G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Ans. B
Explanation
The National Social Conference (1887) was founded by the Bombay High Court Judge M.G. Ranade (1842-1901) and the Madras Civil Sevant R. Raghunatha Rao (1831-1912). The supporters of this Conference were expected to endorse the so-called uplift for untouchables, as well as the education of women, the banning of child marriages and the abolition of penitential seclusion for widows. It was formed because INC did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and wanted to form a different body. That's why the Council was sometimes referred as Social Reform Cell of INC.
Qts 21.Consider the following
The Ganga river system
1.Originates at Bhagirathi from the Gangotri glacier in Uttar Kashi district and joined by another stream Alaknanda at Devprayg
2.Tributaries are Yamuna ,Ram Ganga, Gandak , Ghagara, Kosi, Burthi, Gandak, Bhagmati, Gomti, Son, Mahanand , Kamla, Damodar, Jalangi, Bhairab
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1and 2
(d) Neither Inor 2
Ans C
Qts 22.Consider the following
Yamuna
1.Originates From the spring of Yamunotri.
2.Tributaries are Chambal, Betwa, Hindu, Ken.
3.It is the largest and the most important tributary of the Ganga
4.Joins Ganga at Allahbad
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1,2 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3,4
Ans D
Qts 23. Consider the following
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (PMGKRA)
1.It is under Ministry of Rural Development
2.The Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA) is a 125-day Abhiyan launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 20th June, 2020 with a mission to address the issues of returnee migrant workers and similarly affected rural population by Covid-19 pandemic through a multi- pronged strategy of providing immediate employment & livelihood opportunities to the distressed, to saturate the villages with public infrastructure and creation of livelihood assets to boost the income generation activities and enhance long term livelihood opportunities by giving focus on 25 works in 116 selected districts across 6 States with a resource envelope of Rs. 50,000 crore.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and2
(c) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans B
Qts 24. Consider the following
Aajeevika - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)
1. It is under Ministry of Rural Development
2.Aajeevika - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India in June 2011.
3. Aided in part through investment support by the World Bank, the Mission aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor, enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only 3
(b) 1 ,2 and 3
(c) 2 only
(d) 3 and 2
Ans B