1: What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?
(a) The Earth's rotation on its axis
(b) Convergence of the two equatorial currents
(c) Difference in salinity of water
(d) Occurrence of the belt of calm near the equator
Correct Answer: B
2: Constitution does not recognise the caste system because:
(a) India is secular
(b) It leads to inequality which is against the Constitution
(c) It leads to untouchability
(d) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
3: Consider the following statements about probiotic food :
1. Probiotic food contains live bacteria which are considered beneficial to humans.
2. Probiotic food helps in maintaining gut flora.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C
4: With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:
1. It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.
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
Correct Answer: C
5: Other than Venezuela, which one among the following from South America is a member of OPEC?
(a) Bolivia
(b) Argentina
(c) Brazil
(d) Ecuador
Correct Answer: A
6: Where were Shevaroy Hills located ?
(a) Karnataka
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Kerla
Correct Answer: B
7: Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given Indian cities in the decreasing order of their normal annual rainfall?
(a) Kochi - kolkata - Delhi - Patna
(b) kolkata - Kochi - Delhi - Patna
(c) Kochi - kolkata - Patna - Delhi
(d) kolkata - Kochi - Patna - Delhi
Correct Answer: C
8: What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason?
1. The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected.
2. The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected.
3. The density of ocean water would drastically decrease.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A
9: India is regarded as a country With "Demographic Dividend" This is due to
(a) Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years
(b) Its high population in the age group below 15 years
(c) Its high population in the age group above 65 years
(d) Its high total population
Correct Answer: A
10: There are two identical red, two identical black and two identical white balls. In how many different ways can the balls be placed in the cells (each cell to contain one ball) shown below such that balls of the same colour do not occupy any two consecutive cells?
(a) 15
(b) 18
(c) 24
(d) 30
Correct Answer: C
11: Match List-I (Biosphere Reserves) with List-II (States) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List-I List-II
(Biosphere Reserves) (States)
A. Similipal 1. Sikkim
B. Dehong 2. Uttaranchal Deband
C. Nokrek 3. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Kanchenjunga 4. Orissa
5. Meghalaya
Codes :
A B C D
(a) 1 3 5 4
(b) 4 5 2 1
(c) 1 5 2 4
(d) 4 3 5 1
Correct Answer: D
12: The terms 'Agreement on Agriculture', 'Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures' and 'Peace Clause' appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the
(a) Food and Agriculture Organization
(b) United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change
(c) World Trade Organization
(d) United Nations Environment Programme
Correct Answer: C
13: Metals known to Indus Valley Civilisation were:
(a) Gold, copper, silver but not iron
(b) Silver, iron, bronze but not gold
(c) Iron, copper, gold but not silver
(d) Zinc, silver, iron but not gold
Correct Answer: A
14: What is the correct sequence of the rivers Godavari, Mahanadi, Narmada and Tapi in the descending order of their lengths?
(a) Godavari--Mahanadi--Narmada--Tapi
(b) Godavari--Narmada--Mahanadi--Tapi
(c) Narmada--Godavari--Tapi--Mahanadi
(d) Narmada--Tapi--Godavari--Mahandai
Correct Answer: B
15: With reference to 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana', consider the following statements:
1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.
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
Correct Answer: B
16: Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
(a) Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) : Satellite programme
(b) Falcon : Under-sea cable system
(c) Discovery : Space shuttle
(d) Atlantis : Space station
Correct Answer: D
17: The best conceiving season for cows and buffaloes is:
(a) Summer
(b) Winter
(c) Spring
(d) There is no definite relationship between conceiving and season
Correct Answer: D
18: Seasonal migration of men and animals from lower to higher altitudes during the summer is known as
(a) Nomadism
(b) Migration
(c) Transhumance
(d) Pastoralism
Correct Answer: C
19: Regarding 'Atal Pension Yojana', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers.
2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme.
3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber's death.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: C
20: European Stability Mechanism, sometimes seen in the news, is an
(a) agency created by EU to deal with the impact of millions of refugees arriving from Middle East
(b) agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
(c) agency of EU to deal with all the bilateral and multilateral agreements on trade
(d) agency of EU to deal with the conflicts arising among the member countries
Correct Answer: B