English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is Asha Parekh.

Key Points

• Asha Parekh is a renowned film actress, director and producer, and an accomplished Indian classical dancer.
• Asha Parekh started her career as a child artist and later became one of the leading actresses in the Hindi film industry during the 1960s and 1970s.
• She was honored with the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, in 1992.
• Asha Parekh was the first female chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) of India. She held the post from 1998 to 2001
• For her contribution to the field of cinema, she was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2020.

Additional Information

• In 1968, Vyjayanthimala was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
• Waheeda Rehman:
• Padma Shri (1972)
• Padma Bhushan (2011)
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2023)
• Alda Sinha (born 11 November 1936), better known by her stage name Mala Sinha, is a former Indian actress who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films.

The correct answer is New York.

Key Points

• The United Nations 2023 Water Conference – formally known as the 2023 Conference for the Mid-Term Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the United Nations Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028) – took place on 22-24 March 2023 in New York held at the United Nations Headquarters, co-hosted by the Government of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• The U.N. recognized that we are not doing enough to meet SDG 6, which aims to provide clean water and sanitation for everyone by 2030.

UN 2023 Water Conference's theme, is "Our watershed moment: uniting the world for water".

Additional Information

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
• To bring sustainable development in the mainstream United Nations (UN) launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs.
• This universal, integrated and transformative agenda aims to spur actions that will end poverty and build a more sustainable world over the next 15 years.
• There are 17 goals and 169 targets specific targets to be achieved by 2030. Reaching the goals requires action on all fronts – governments, businesses, civil society and people everywhere all have a role to play.
• SDGs are not legally binding.

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.

Key Points

• Tomb of Sand is a 2018 Hindi-language novel by Indian author Geetanjali Shree.
• It was translated into English by U.S. translator Daisy Rockwell.
• "Tomb of Sand" was the first book written in an Indian language to be awarded the International Booker Prize.

Additional Information

• The International Booker Prize is awarded annually for a single book, translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland.
• The International Booker Prize began life in 2005 as the Man Booker International Prize.
• This prize aims to encourage more reading of quality fiction from all over the world and has already had an impact on those statistics in the UK.
• The vital work of translators is celebrated, with the £50,000 prize money divided equally between the author and translator.
• Each shortlisted author and translator also receive £2,500.
• Novels and collections of short stories are both eligible.

The correct answer is Indonesian.

Key Points

• Garuda Shakti is a bilateral exercise between special forces of the armies of India (Para Special Force) and Indonesia.
• It started in 2012, in India.
• It is conducted as part of military diplomacy between the Indian and Indonesian Army alternatively in India and Indonesia.
• The eighth edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti focuses on enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Increasing the rate of interest on savings and fixed deposits.

Key Points

• Raising interest rates on savings and fixed deposits is a monetary policy tool that falls under the broader category of tight monetary policy.
• By raising interest rates, the government aims to reduce consumer spending and borrowing, which in turn can help control inflation.
• Higher interest rates make savings more attractive, discourage borrowing, and may reduce spending in the economy.
• This measure is often used by central banks to address inflationary pressures.

Additional Information

• Increasing non-plan expenditure on defence, police and other sectors is generally an expansionary fiscal policy measure rather than a tool to combat inflation.
• Providing more subsidies on exports is not a commonly used measure to tackle inflation. Providing subsidies on exports is often considered an expansionary policy because it encourages and supports the export sector, contributing to economic growth rather than addressing inflationary pressures.
• Reduction in the cash reserve ratio (CRR) is generally considered an expansionary monetary policy tool rather than a measure to combat inflation.
• The cash reserve ratio is the percentage of deposits that banks are required to keep as reserves with the central bank.

The correct answer is deflation.

Key Points

• Deflation:
• It is a persistent decline in the general price level of goods and services.
• Deflation is a decrease in the rate of inflation.
• Deflation is a persistent decline in the general price level of goods and services in an economy.
• It is the opposite of inflation and can lead to reduced spending and investment.
• Deflation can result from factors like decreased demand, excess production capacity, or a contraction in the money supply.

Additional Information

• Inflation: It is a sustained increase in the general price level in an economy.
• Stagflation: A situation in which inflation rates are high, economic growth slows, and unemployment remains persistently high.

The correct answer is Years of schooling.

Key Points

• The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) includes the following indicators:
• Years of schooling
• Child mortality
• Nutrition
• Electricity access
• Improved sanitation
• Improved drinking water sources

Additional Information

• Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical tool used to measure a country's overall achievement in its social and economic dimensions.
• It was first developed by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq in the year 1990.
• It combines 4 major indicators-
• Life expectancy
• Expected years of schooling
• Mean years of schooling
• Gross National Income per capita for standard of Living
• The Human Development Index (HDI) is published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) annually.

The correct answer is structural unemployment.

Key Points

• Unemployment caused by changes in technology or changes in demand for specific products or industries is usually called "structural unemployment".
• Structural unemployment is the result of the mismatch between the skills and qualifications of workers and the requirements of available job opportunities.

Additional Information

• Frictional unemployment occurs when individuals are in the process of transferring between jobs or are looking for a job.
• This is a natural part of the labor market as people enter or re-enter the workforce and look for jobs that match their skills and preferences.
• Cyclical unemployment is linked to the economic business cycle and results from fluctuations in overall economic activity.
• During economic downturns or recessions, businesses may cut back on production, leading to layoffs and unemployment.
• Disguised unemployment refers to a situation where individuals are employed but their contribution to overall productivity is minimal or unnecessary.
• In other words, these workers appear to be employed, but their presence in the workforce does not result in any meaningful increase in output.

The correct answer is 1 and 3 only.

Key Points

• Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) was launched in 2003 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The main objective of the scheme is to correct the regional imbalance in the availability of affordable and reliable tertiary health services in the country.
• There are two components under PMSSY:
• Establishment of institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
• Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges or Institutes

Additional Information

• The AIIMS Act was passed by the government to facilitate the creation of AIIMS institutes.
• As per the Act, all AIIMS institutes are designated as Institutes of National Importance and operate autonomously under the Ministry of Health.

The correct answer is M. K. Gandhi.

Key Points

• M. K. Gandhi suggested the dissolution of the Indian National Congress as a political organization and its replacement by a Lok Sevak Sangh. 
• Gandhi expressed his desire for the Congress to develop into a separate entity called the Lok Sevak Sangh.
• He proposed a new and broader culture for Congress workers that would create a group of village-level workers who would work with the people.

Additional Information

• The Indian National Congress was founded in Bombay in December 1885.
• First Session: held at Bombay in 1885. President: W.C. Bannerjee
• Second Session: held at Calcutta in 1886. President: Dadabhai Naoroji
• Third Session: held at Madras in 1887. President: Syed Badruddin Tyabji, the first Muslim President.
• Fourth Session: held at Allahabad in 1888. President: George Yule, the first English President.

The correct answer is Liberia.

Key Points

• India deployed a contingent of women peacekeepers to the United Nations Mission in Liberia in 2007.

Additional Information

• United Nations peacekeeping missions are a joint effort between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Operational Support and are intended to assist host countries in transitioning from conflict situations to peace.
• The United Nations began its peacekeeping efforts in 1948 when it deployed military observers to West Asia.
• The role of the peacekeeping mission was to monitor the ceasefire agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

The correct answer is Classroom lectures.

Key Points

• Classroom lectures are not typically a part of the SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) program.
• SWAYAM is an online platform initiated by the Government of India that provides free access to a variety of courses, including video lectures, specially prepared study material, and online discussion forums for doubt resolution.

Additional Information

• SWAYAM is an online platform of the Ministry of HRD through which online programs/courses are offered to students in India.
• It was launched on 9^th July 2017.
• It has Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and provides high-quality education on various subjects which includes classes from 9 to 12^th and also Under Graduate and Post Graduate courses.
• The scheme aims to provide free high-quality e-content to all colleges and universities free of cost.
• Learners wishing for a SWAYAM certificate have to register for the final proctored exams that come at a fee and attend in person at designated centers on specified dates.

The correct answer is The National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention.

Key Points

• The National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) was set up as an office of the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India in 1997 to fulfill, on behalf of the Government of India, the obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and to act as the national focal point for effective liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and other State Parties on matters relating to the Convention.

Additional Information

• There are a total of six departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs. These are -
• Department of Official Languages, Department of Internal Security, Department of Border Management, Department of Home, Department of States, Department of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh Affairs.
• Department of Border Management - Takes care of managing the borders, including internal borders and coastal borders.
• Department of States - Deals with inter-state relations, center-state relations, human rights, prison reforms, police reforms.
• Department of Official Languages - Implements the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 1963.
• Department of Internal Security - Deals with law and order, insurgency, terrorism, and Naxalism.
• Department of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh Affairs - Administers Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1990 including counter-terrorism efforts in the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The Correct answer is The Governor of the concerned State.

Key Points

• Under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the Governor of a state is given discretionary powers to set up a Tribes Advisory Council in a state that has Scheduled Tribes but not Scheduled Areas.
• The Tribes Advisory Council is established to advise on matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes in the state.
• The Governor has the authority to specify the number of members in the Council and to make rules about their appointments and terms of office.
• The Fifth Schedule contains provisions for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
• This schedule intends to protect the rights of Scheduled Tribes concerning land and self-governance.
• The role of the Governor is crucial because they act both as the representative of the state and the Union government in matters concerning Scheduled Tribes.

Additional Information

• The President of India: While the President has significant powers under the Constitution, the setup of a Tribes Advisory Council for states with Scheduled Tribes falls under the jurisdiction of the state's Governor.
• The Inter-State Council: This is an advisory body to promote and support cooperative federalism in India through coordination and cooperation between states and the Union. It does not have the authority to set up Tribes Advisory Councils.
• The Parliament of India: The Parliament can pass laws and make amendments pertaining to Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes, but the establishment of a Tribes Advisory Council in states with Scheduled Tribes is specifically the responsibility of the Governor as per the Fifth Schedule.
• Fifth Schedule: The provisions under this schedule aim at ensuring social, economic, and political empowerment of the Scheduled Tribes. They focus on curbing exploitation, protecting culture, and enhancing self-governance in tribal areas.
• The Governor also has the power to make regulations prohibiting or restricting the transfer of land by or among members of the Scheduled Tribes to protect their land rights.

The correct answer is Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi.

Key Points

• The Northern Zonal Council comprises the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and the union territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh.
• Five regional councils were established in the year 1957 under Section 15-22 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956.
• The Union Home Minister is the chairperson of these five regional councils, while the Chief Ministers of the states and the Administrator/Lieutenant Governor of the Union are the chairpersons.
• The regions included in the respective Regional Council are its members, one of whom is a Vice-President by rotation each year.

Additional Information

• Five Zonal Councils were set up vide Part-III of the States Re-organisation Act, 1956. The present composition of each of these Zonal Councils is as under:
• The Northern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of Chandigarh;
• The Central Zonal Council, comprising the States of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh;
• The Eastern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Sikkim and West Bengal;
• The Western Zonal Council, comprising the States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli;
• The Southern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The correct answer is Coins and sculpture.

Key Points

• Divine kings:
• One means of claiming high status was to identify with a variety of deities.
• This strategy is best exemplified by the Kushanas (c. first century BCE first century CE), who ruled over a vast kingdom extending from Central Asia to northwest India.
• Their history has been reconstructed from inscriptions and textual traditions.
• The notions of kinship they wished to project are perhaps best evidenced in their coins and sculptures.
• Colossal statues of Kushana rulers have been found installed in a shrine at Mat near Mathura (Uttar Pradesh).

Additional Information

• Chiefs and Kings in the South:
• The new kingdoms that emerged in the Deccan and further south, including the chiefdoms of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in Tamilakam (the name of the ancient Tamil country, which included parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, in addition to Tamil Nadu), proved to be stable and prosperous.

The correct answer is Respected women.

Key Points

• In ancient India, the term "Theris" refers to respected women  in Buddhism.
• Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted.
• According to Buddhist texts, this was made possible through the mediation of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s dearest disciples, who persuaded him to allow women into the sangha.
• The Buddha’s foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni.
• Many women who entered the sangha became teachers of dhamma and went on to become theris, or respected women who had attained liberation.

Additional Information

• Some terms related to the roles and status of women in ancient India, particularly in the context of Buddhism:
• Bhikkhuni:
• A fully ordained female monastic in Buddhism. Bhikkhunis follow a monastic code similar to that of male monks (Bhikkhus).
• Bhikkhu:
• A fully ordained male monastic in Buddhism. Bhikkhus live a monastic life, following the Vinaya (monastic code) and are dedicated to spiritual practice and the teachings of the Buddha.
• Upasika:
• A laywoman who follows Buddhist precepts and is dedicated to practicing the Dharma but does not take full monastic vows.
• Upasaka:
• A layman who follows Buddhist precepts and is dedicated to practicing the Dharma but does not take full monastic vows.
• Sangha:
• The community of Buddhist monastics. It includes both Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis. The Sangha is one of the "Three Jewels" in Buddhism.
• Vinaya:
• The code of monastic discipline in Buddhism. It prescribes the conduct of the monastic community (Sangha) and includes rules for both Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis.
• Anagarika:
• An individual who has taken on a temporary monastic lifestyle as a lay practitioner, often preparing for full ordination as a Bhikkhu or Bhikkhuni.

The correct answer is Hriday Nath Kunzru.

Key Points

• Hridaynath Kunzru established 'Seva Samiti' in Allahabad in 1914 to organize social service in the event of a disaster, promoting education, upliftment of Dalit and deprived class etc.
• Hriday Nath Kunzru was a member of the Servants of India Society.
• Hriday Nath Kunzru was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.

Additional Information

• G.K. Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society.
• Shri Ram Bajpai founded the Sava Samiti Boy Scouts Association.
• Valangaiman Shankaranarayan Srinivas Shastri was a follower of the principles of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a famous Indian freedom fighter, and joined his organization Servants of India Society.
• In the year 1908, he also became a member of the Indian National Congress.

The correct answer is The Treaty of Salbai.

Key Points

• ​​The British East India Company and the Maratha Empire engaged in combat during the First Anglo-Maratha War.
• It started in 1775 with the entrance of a British force under Colonel Robert Clive's leadership and ended in 1782 with the Treaty of Salbai.

Additional Information

• The First Anglo-Maratha War began as a result of the Treaty of Surat (1775) between the British and Raghunath Rao.
• The Treaty of Purandar of 1665 was signed between Jai Singh I and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• The Convention of Wadgaon took place on January 13, 1779, following the First Maratha War in India (1775–82), which ended British attempts to interfere in Maratha affairs by appointing Raghunath Rao as Peshwa.

The correct answer is The Battle of Colachel.

Key Points

• The Battle of Colachel (Kulachal) was fought in August 1741 between the Kingdom of Travancore and the Dutch East India Company.
• The battle resulted in a famous victory for the Travancore forces, ending forever Dutch colonial efforts in the Indian subcontinent.

Additional Information

• The Battle of Porto Novo took place on July 1, 1781, during the Second Anglo-Mysore War, which was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore in South India.
• The battle was a significant engagement between the forces of Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and the British East India Company under the command of Sir Eyre Coote.
• The Battle of Pollilore, also known as the Battle of Pullalur, took place on September 10, 1780, during the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
• This conflict was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore, led by Hyder Ali.
• The Battle of Changanacherry was a battle fought in September 1749 between the kingdoms of Thekkumkur and Travancore.
• Due to the defeat in this decisive battle, Thekkumkur lost its dominance and the Travancore Empire expanded up to the southern boundary of the Meenachilar River.