PYST 3: IB Security Assistant & MTS Official Paper - General Studies (Held On: 23 March, 2023 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is Lord Irwin.

Key Points

• Lord Irwin was replaced by Lord Willingdon as viceroy in India just before the second round table conference.
• Lord Irwin was the Viceroy of India from 1926 to 1931.
• He is known for his efforts to improve relations between the British government and Indian nationalists, including the famous Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931.

Additional Information

• Lord Willingdon was an administrator and politician of Liberal British descent.
• From 1931 till 1936, he held the positions of Governor-General and Viceroy of India.
• Lord Wavell was the Viceroy of India from 1943 to 1947, during the later stages of the Indian independence movement.
• Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921.
• He was responsible for introducing the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919.
• Lord Reading was the Viceroy of India from 1921 to 1926.
• He was responsible for negotiating the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921.

The correct answer is Sachchidananda Sinha.

Key Points

• Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary Chairman of the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 9 December 1946.
• He served as the first President of the Constituent Assembly of India.
• He was a prominent lawyer and educationist from Bihar who also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Patna University.

Additional Information

• Krishnaswamy Ayyar was a member of the Constituent Assembly and also served as the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights. 
• He served as the Advocate-General of Madras Presidency.
• Gopalaswami Ayyangar was an Indian civil servant who served as the Minister of States in the Indian Cabinet from 1947 to 1952. 
• He also served as the Prime Minister of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Madhava Rao was an Indian politician and served as the Chief Minister of Hyderabad State from 1946 to 1950.
• He was a member of the Drafting Committee

The correct answer is March 2023.

Key Points

• Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) was launched as a part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in May 2020 to provide relief to the MSME sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The scheme was initially valid till October 2020 and was later extended till June 2021.
• As per the Union Budget 2022-23, the ECLGS scheme will be further extended till March 31, 2023.
• The extension of the scheme will provide further support to the MSME sector and help in reviving the economy.
• The ECLGS scheme provides collateral-free loans to MSMEs with a turnover of up to Rs. 250 crore and has a 100% guarantee cover provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC).

Additional Information

• Union Government Company is National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited.
• It is categorized as a "company limited by shares" and is a private firm.
• The authorized capital of the company is Rs 1000.0 lakhs, and its paid-up capital is 100% of that amount, or Rs 1000.0 lakhs.
• The primary business activity of National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited is currently finance.

The correct answer is Qamar-ud-din Siddiqi.

Key Points

• Qamar-ud-din Siddiqi was a nobleman and statesman of Mughal India who served as the Viceroy of the Deccan from 1713 to 1724 and again from 1724 until his death in 1748.
• He was appointed as the Viceroy of the Deccan by the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah after the death of his predecessor, Nizam-ul-Mulk.
• Qamar-ud-din Siddiqi was also known as Asaf Jah, which means "the one who collects the treasure".
• During his tenure as the Viceroy of the Deccan, Qamar-ud-din Siddiqi consolidated his power and established the Asaf Jahi dynasty, which ruled the Hyderabad State for over two centuries.

Additional Information

• Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk was a nobleman and statesman.
• He served as the Nawab of Awadh from 1722 to 1739.
• Farrukhsiyar was the Mughal emperor.
• He ruled from 1713 to 1719.
• Murshid Quli Khan was a nobleman and statesman.
• He served as the Nawab of Bengal from 1717 to 1727.

The correct answer is 74.04%.

Key Points

• The literacy rate of India as per census 2011 is 74.04%.
• Literacy rate is the percentage of the population that can read and write with understanding.
• It is an important indicator of a country's development and progress.
• The literacy rate of India has been steadily increasing over the years, with a significant jump from 64.84% in 2001 to 74.04% in 2011, as per census data.
• However, there are still significant regional and gender disparities in literacy rates.

Additional Information

• In 2023, the literacy rate in India was 77.7%, a 5% rise from the previous census (2011).
• Kerala has the highest literacy rate in the nation, at 93.91%, and it has increased by up to 3% since the 2001 census.
• With an average literacy rate of about 61.80%, Bihar has the lowest literacy percentage in all of India.

The correct answer is Three.

Key Points

• The three broad belts in which minerals are generally concentrated in India are the North-Eastern Plateau region, the South-Western Plateau region, and the North-Western region.
• The North-Eastern Plateau region includes the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha and is rich in coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, and mica.
• The South-Western Plateau region includes the states of Karnataka, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh and is rich in iron ore, manganese, and chromium.
• The North-Western region includes the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat and is rich in minerals like gypsum, salt, and soda ash.

Additional Information

• India is a mineral-rich country and has a diverse range of minerals, including coal, iron ore, bauxite, manganese, copper, lead, zinc, and gold.
• The mineral resources in India are unevenly distributed, with some states having abundant mineral reserves while others have very limited resources.
• The mineral industry in India plays a significant role in the country's economy, contributing to about 2.6% of the GDP and providing direct and indirect employment to millions of people.
• The Indian government has taken several initiatives to promote the mineral industry, including the National Mineral Policy, 2019, which aims to attract private investment, improve mineral exploration, and promote sustainable mining practices.

The correct answer is 1976.

Key Points

• In 1976, Fundamental Duties were added into the Indian Constitution.
• Fundamental Duties are a set of moral obligations that are expected of every citizen of India towards the nation and society.
• These duties were added to the Constitution through the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
• There are 11 Fundamental Duties that are enshrined in Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution.
• These duties include respecting the Constitution, promoting harmony, safeguarding public property, and striving towards excellence in all spheres of life.
• The inclusion of Fundamental Duties was seen as a necessary step towards creating a responsible and accountable citizenry in India.

Additional Information

• 1956 was the year when the States Reorganisation Act was passed.
• It reorganized the boundaries of Indian states based on linguistic lines.
• 1966 was the year when the Tashkent Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan.
• It was done in an effort to resolve the conflict that had arisen after the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
• 1986 was the year when the Consumer Protection Act was passed.
• It aimed to protect the rights of consumers in India.

The correct answer is 1971.

Key Points

• Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act was introduced in 1971.
• Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in India.
• The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act was introduced to investigate allegations of corruption against public servants and to ensure accountability and transparency in government functioning.
• The Lokayukta is appointed by the Governor of the state on the recommendation of a selection committee consisting of the Chief Minister, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition, and a High Court Judge.

Additional Information

• A person who has served as Chief Justice of a High Court or Judge of the Supreme Court is eligible to be appointed as the Lokayukta.
• The majority of states have set a five-year term of office or 65 years of age as the lokayukta's retirement age.
• Lokayuktas must be Indian citizens and be at least 45 years old.
• He must not have a court-framed case containing moral turpitude against him.
• He cannot have worked for the government for the previous two years.

The correct answer is 52.

Key Points

• The Indian National Congress (INC) is one of the two major political parties in India, founded in 1885.
• The Indian National Congress has 52 MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha.
• Allan Octavian Hume, a British civil officer, founded the Indian National Congress (INC) to provide a forum for Indians to air their complaints against the British Raj.
• The first president of the INC was the Bengali lawyer Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.
• At the inaugural Congress session held in Bombay in 1885, Bonnerjee was elected.

Additional Information

• The lower house of India's bicameral parliament is called the Lok Sabha.
• There are now 543 seats in the house, which are filled by electing up to 543 members.
• There are 131 seats (24.03%) set aside for members of Scheduled Tribes (47) and Scheduled Castes (84) in total.
• Ten percent of the House's members make up the quorum.

The correct answer is The mainland extends between latitudes 8°4'N and 37°6'N and longitudes 68°7'E and 97°25'E. 

Key Points

• India is located in South Asia and is the seventh-largest country in the world by area.
• The mainland extends between latitudes 8°4'N and 37°6'N and longitudes 68°7'E and 97°25'E.
• This means that India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
• The latitudinal extent of India is about 29 degrees, which means that it covers a vast area from the tropics to the temperate zone.
• The longitudinal extent of India is about 29 degrees, which means that the time difference between the eastern and western parts of India is about two hours.

Additional Information

• The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of India, dividing it into almost two equal halves.
• Latitude is the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
• The equator is considered as 0 latitude, and the poles are considered as 90 latitude.

The correct answer is introducing the Goods and Services Tax.

Key Points

• The Constitution (101st Amendment) Act, 2016, deals with introducing the Goods and Services Tax.
• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive indirect tax that was introduced in India on 1st July 2017, replacing multiple indirect taxes like excise duty, service tax, and value-added tax (VAT).
• The GST is a destination-based tax, which means that it is levied at the point of consumption and not at the point of production.
• The introduction of GST aimed to simplify the tax structure, reduce tax evasion, and increase revenue collection for the government.
• The Constitution (101st Amendment) Act, 2016, was passed by the Parliament to amend the Constitution of India to enable the implementation of GST.

Additional Information

• 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs):
• In January 2019, the Indian government passed a bill to provide 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions to people from economically weaker sections (EWSs) who are not covered under any existing reservation schemes for SCs, STs, and OBCs.
• The reservation is applicable to people with an annual family income of less than Rs 8 lakh and who do not own more than 5 acres of agricultural land.
• The move was criticized by some as being a political gimmick and not addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality in the country.
• Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes:
• In August 2018, the Parliament passed a bill to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which is responsible for examining requests for inclusion or exclusion of communities in the list of backward classes.
• The move was aimed at giving the NCBC more powers and autonomy in its functioning and ensuring that its recommendations are binding on the government.
• The NCBC was earlier a statutory body, which means that its recommendations were not binding on the government.
• Extending the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies:
• There has been no recent amendment to the Constitution to extend the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• The reservation for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies is currently provided for by the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, respectively.
• However, there have been debates and demands for increasing the reservation for SCs and STs in the Parliament and State Assemblies.

The correct answer is Hugli.

Key Points

• Hugli has population growth rate less than 10 per cent, as per census 2011.
• The population growth rate of Hugli district was 9.47% as per the census conducted in 2011.
• Jaipur district had a population growth rate of 23.66% as per the same census.
• Nashik district had a population growth rate of 22.31% as per the census conducted in 2011.
• Surat district had a population growth rate of 42.45% as per the same census.

Additional Information

• Population growth rate is the rate at which the population of a region or country grows over a period of time.
• Jaipur is a district in the state of Rajasthan, located in the northwestern part of India.
• Nashik is a district in the state of Maharashtra, located in the western part of India.
• It is known for its vineyards, temples, and scenic beauty.
• Hugli, also known as Hooghly, is a district in the state of West Bengal, located in the eastern part of India.
• Surat is a district in the state of Gujarat, located in the western part of India.
• It is known for its diamond and textile industries, as well as its historical landmarks.

The correct answer is Kannauj.

Key Points

• Palas, Prathiharas, and Rashtrakutas were three prominent dynasties in medieval India.
• These dynasties were involved in a series of wars to gain control over Kannauj, which was a strategically important city located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
• Kannauj was considered the cultural and political capital of northern India during that time.
• The Palas, Prathiharas, and Rashtrakutas fought several battles over the control of Kannauj between the 8th and 10th centuries CE.
• The battle for Kannauj was significant because it marked a shift in power from the north-western region to the Gangetic plains.

Additional Information

• Magadh was an ancient kingdom located in present-day Bihar.
• It was a powerful kingdom during the time of Buddha and Mahavira.
• Pataliputra was the capital city of Magadh and one of the most important cities in ancient India.
• It was located on the banks of the river Ganges.
• Gwalior is a historic city located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
• It was an important center of power during the medieval period and was ruled by various dynasties such as the Tomars, Mughals, and Scindias.
• Kannauj was a strategically important city during the medieval period.
• It was located on the banks of the river Ganges and was considered the cultural and political capital of northern India.

The correct answer is Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

Key Points

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a social reformer, writer, and philosopher who was instrumental in the Indian Renaissance movement.
• He founded the Brahmo Samaj, which aimed to reform Hindu society and promote monotheism.
• Roy was also a strong advocate for women's rights and worked towards the abolition of sati (the practice of widows immolating themselves on their husband's funeral pyre).
• He was also a proponent of education and played a key role in establishing the Hindu College in Calcutta, which later became the prestigious Presidency University.

Additional Information

• Swami Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a 19th-century mystic and spiritual leader who is known for his teachings on Advaita Vedanta.
• He was a major influence on Swami Vivekananda, who later founded the Ramakrishna Mission in his honor.
• Atmaram Pandurang was a 19th-century social reformer who worked towards the upliftment of the lower castes in Maharashtra.
• He was a strong advocate for education and worked to establish schools for the lower castes.
• Swami Vivekananda was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and played a key role in popularizing Hinduism in the West.
• He founded the Ramakrishna Mission, which is dedicated to the service of humanity and the promotion of spiritual values.

The correct answer is Arunachal Pradesh.

Key Points

• Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest record of population density with just 17 per square kilometre, as per census 2011.
• Mizoram, on the other hand, has a population density of 52 per square kilometre, which is higher than Arunachal Pradesh.
• Goa has a population density of 394 per square kilometre, which is significantly higher than both Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Sikkim has a population density of 86 per square kilometre, which is also higher than Arunachal Pradesh.

Additional Information

• The number of people per unit of area, sometimes expressed as "per square kilometer" or "per square mile," is known as population density.
• This figure may include or exclude features like glaciers or areas surrounded by water.
• The number of people divided by the area's size yields the population density.
• A 2011 census found that there are 382 persons per square kilometer in India.​

The correct answer is Justice Md. Hidayatullah.

Key Points

• Justice Md. Hidayatullah was appointed as the Advocate General of Maharashtra at the age of 32, making him the youngest Advocate General in India's history.
• He was later appointed as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court at the age of 44, becoming the youngest Chief Justice of a High Court in India.
• In 1962, he was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India at the age of 49.
• Justice Hidayatullah went on to become the Vice President of India and later served as the Acting President of India in 1969

Additional Information

• Justice P.B. Gajendragadkar became the youngest Chief Justice of a High Court in India at the age of 44.
• Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan was the first Chief Justice of India and was appointed to the position at the age of 52.
• Justice Sudhi Ranjan Das was a former Chief Justice of India but was not the youngest Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

The correct answer is 9.2%.

Key Points

• The Union Budget 2022-23 has predicted India's economic growth rate to be 9.2%, which is a significant increase from the previous year's growth rate of 4.2%.
• This growth rate is expected to be driven by the government's focus on infrastructure development, healthcare, and agriculture sectors, along with increased private investment and consumption.
• The projected growth rate is also in line with the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) prediction of India's GDP growth rate to be 9.5% for the year 2021-22.
• The government's efforts to boost the economy through various schemes like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Digital India are also expected to contribute to the growth rate.
• However, there are certain challenges that need to be addressed, such as rising inflation, unemployment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Additional Information

• An rise in a nation's economy over time is referred to as economic growth.
• The gross domestic product (GDP), or the entire amount of goods and services produced within an economy, is commonly used to gauge the size of that economy.
• Both "nominal" and "real" measures of economic growth are available.

The correct answer is To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.

Key Points

• To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform is NOT a Fundamental Right in the Indian Constitution.
• The Fundamental Rights are enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution and provide for individual freedoms that guarantee basic human rights to all citizens.
• To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform is a part of the Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) and not a Fundamental Right.
• The other options are all Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution:
• To establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes (Article 26)
• To move freely throughout the territory of India (Article 19)
• To reside and settle in any part of the territory of India (Article 19)

Additional Information

• Fundamental Duties are a set of moral obligations that are enforceable by law, but the Constitution does not provide for any punishment for their violation.
• There are 11 fundamental duties listed under Article 51A.
• Article 26:
• This Fundamental Right guarantees the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes.
• It also provides for the right to manage these institutions without interference from the state.
• Article 19:
• This Fundamental Right guarantees six freedoms to all citizens, including the freedom of speech and expression, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to move freely throughout the territory of India.
• Article 19(1)(e):
• This guarantees the right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.
• It also provides for the right to practice any profession, occupation, trade, or business.

The correct answer is 1526 AD.

Key Points

• Babar defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi in 1526 AD.
• This battle is known as the Battle of Panipat.
• Babar was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India.
• Ibrahim Lodi was the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Babar's victory at the Battle of Panipat marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India.

Additional Information

• On November 5, 1556, the soldiers of Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, the Hindu king who ruled North India from Delhi, and the army of Akbar engaged in combat in the Second Battle of Panipat. 
• For Akbar's generals, Bairam Khan and Khan Zaman I, it was an overwhelming triumph.
• After demolishing multiple Maratha flanks, Ahmad Shah Durrani's armies emerged victorious in the third battle of Panipat. 
• It took place on 14 January 1761.

The correct answer is profit.

Key Points

• Profit is the amount of money that a business earns after deducting all the expenses from its revenue.
• It is an indicator of the financial health of a business and is essential for its growth and sustainability.
• A positive profit indicates that the business is generating more revenue than it is spending.
• A negative profit, also known as a loss, indicates the opposite.

Additional Information

• Loss refers to a situation where a business spends more money than it earns, leading to a negative profit.
• Interest is the cost of borrowing money.
• Most of the time, interest to borrowers is expressed as an annual percentage of the loan amount.
• The interest rate on the loan is this %.
• Capital refers to the total amount of money invested in a business.
• Cash on hand, accounts receivable, close cash, equity, and capital assets are typical kinds of capital.
• Large, long-term assets that aren't meant to be sold as part of your everyday operations are known as capital assets.