Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Pataliputra.

Key Points

• Ashoka was a Mauryan ruler, not a Gupta ruler, and he ruled the Maurya Empire from around 268–232 BCE with his main seat of power in Pataliputra.
• During Ashoka’s reign, Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar) served as the political and administrative capital of the Maurya Empire.
• Pataliputra was one of the largest and most strategic cities of ancient India, located near the Ganga River, which made it ideal for governance, trade, and defense.
• Although the Gupta Empire centuries later also had Pataliputra as its capital, in the context of Ashoka, the correct answer remains Pataliputra.

Additional Information

• Maurya Empire:
• The Maurya Empire (322 BCE – 185 BCE) was the first great pan-Indian empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya with the guidance of Chanakya (Kautilya).
• Its capital was Pataliputra (modern Patna), and it expanded across most of the Indian subcontinent.
• The most notable ruler was Ashoka the Great (268–232 BCE), who initially expanded the empire through warfare but later embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War, spreading it across Asia.
• The Mauryan administration was highly centralized, with a vast bureaucracy, standing army, and use of spies (as described in Kautilya’s Arthashastra).
• Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador, visited the Mauryan court and described it in his work Indica.
• The empire declined after Ashoka’s death and finally ended around 185 BCE with the assassination of the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, by Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the Shunga dynasty.
• Other Notable Cities:
• Ujjain: Served as an important commercial and cultural hub.
• Prayag: Also known as Allahabad, it is a significant city in Hindu religion.
• Ayodhya: Revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama.
• Ashoka:
• Ashoka was a prominent Mauryan emperor, not a Gupta ruler.
• He is known for spreading Buddhism and his rule based on moral governance.
• His capital was Pataliputra.

The correct answer is Shortugai.

Key Points

• Shortugai is an ancient Harappan trading port located in present-day Afghanistan.
• It served as a significant commercial center for the Indus Valley Civilization around 2000 BCE.
• Shortugai was strategically situated near lapis lazuli mines, allowing the Harappans to trade precious stones.
• The site has yielded artifacts typical of Harappan culture, including seals, beads, and pottery.

Additional Information

• Harappan Civilization
• Also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, it flourished around 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.
• It is renowned for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and social organization.
• Key sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Dholavira.
• The civilization is noted for its use of standardized weights and measures, and a script that remains undeciphered.
• Harappan Trade
• Harappans engaged in extensive trade within the Indian subcontinent and with Mesopotamia and Egypt.
• Key exports included cotton, beads, pottery, and precious stones.
• They imported goods such as copper, tin, and luxury items.
• Archaeological Discoveries at Shortugai
• Excavations have unearthed Harappan seals, pottery, and lapis lazuli.
• The presence of these artifacts indicates a thriving trade network.
• Shortugai provides evidence of the Harappan presence beyond the Indian subcontinent.
• Indus Script
• The script consists of symbols and has been found on seals, pottery, and other artifacts.
• Despite numerous attempts, the script has not been deciphered yet.
• Understanding the script could provide deeper insights into the Harappan society and culture.

The correct answer is Cactus (Opuntia) Phylloclade.

Key Points

• The phylloclade of Opuntia (commonly known as prickly pear cactus) is a modified stem that performs photosynthesis and stores water.
• In Opuntia, the true leaves are reduced to spines to minimize water loss, and the stem becomes flattened and green to carry out photosynthesis.
• The modification helps Opuntia adapt to arid and semi-arid environments by conserving water.
• Phylloclades are characteristic of xerophytic plants (plants adapted to dry environments) and perform multiple functions such as photosynthesis, water storage, and reproduction.
• These adaptations make Opuntia a classic example of a stem modified for survival in extreme environmental conditions.

Additional Information

• Definition of Modified Stem: A modified stem is an altered form of the plant stem that develops specialized structures to perform functions like storage, reproduction, or adaptation to environmental stress.
• Phylloclade Characteristics: Phylloclades are flattened or cylindrical stems that resemble leaves and serve as the primary photosynthetic organ in xerophytes.
• Examples of Modified Stems: Other examples of modified stems include potato tubers (storage), ginger rhizomes (storage and reproduction), and the tendrils of grapevines (support).
• Opuntia Adaptations: Besides the phylloclade, Opuntia has a thick cuticle, sunken stomata, and spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss and survive in deserts.
• Pneumatophores and Turnip: Pneumatophores (Mangrove plants) are modified roots for gas exchange, and turnip is a modified taproot for storage, not a stem.

The correct answer is 1864.

Key Points

• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Scientific Society in 1864.
• The main objective was to translate Western works on science and other subjects into Urdu.
• It aimed to promote modern scientific knowledge among Indians, especially Muslims.
• The society played a crucial role in the educational and social reform movement in India.
• It was one of the first institutions to promote Western education and knowledge in India.

Additional Information

• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
• Born on October 17, 1817, in Delhi, India.
• He was a prominent Muslim reformer, educator, and politician.
• He is best known for founding the Aligarh Muslim University in 1875.
• His efforts were aimed at modernizing Muslim education and promoting social reforms.
• Scientific Society
• Established in 1864 in Ghazipur, India.
• It was one of the first institutions in India to translate Western scientific works into Urdu.
• The society published journals and books to spread scientific knowledge.
• It served as a platform for intellectual discussions and debates.
• Impact of the Scientific Society
• Contributed to the spread of modern education among Muslims in India.
• Encouraged the adoption of Western scientific knowledge and methodologies.
• Played a significant role in the educational and social reform movement of the 19^th century.
• Helped bridge the gap between traditional and modern education systems.
• Aligarh Movement
• Started by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to promote modern education among Muslims.
• Aimed at creating a class of educated Muslims who could serve in government and other modern professions.
• The movement led to the establishment of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, which later became Aligarh Muslim University.
• It emphasized the importance of scientific and rational thinking.

The correct answer is Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047.

In News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 on January 4^th, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Key Points

• The theme of the Mahotsav is "Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047".
• It celebrates rural India's entrepreneurial spirit and cultural heritage.
• Focus areas include empowering rural women, enhancing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting financial security.
• The motto of the event is “गांव बढ़े, तो देश बढ़े”.

Additional Information

• Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025
• Aims to enhance rural livelihoods through technology and innovation.
• Features workshops, discussions, and masterclasses to foster self-reliant economies.
• Special focus on empowering rural women and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
• Significance
• Encourages collaboration between government officials, rural entrepreneurs, artisans, and stakeholders.
• Showcases India's rich cultural heritage through vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The correct answer is Light year.

Key Points

• A light year is a unit of astronomical distance that refers to the distance light travels in one year.
• It is approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers (or about 5.88 trillion miles).
• Light years are primarily used to measure distances between celestial objects such as stars, galaxies, and other astronomical entities.
• This unit is significant because the immense distances in space make conventional units like kilometers or miles impractical for measurement.
• For example, the nearest star system to the Sun, Alpha Centauri, is about 4.37 light years away.

Additional Information

• Angstrom (Å): A unit used to measure wavelengths of light, equal to 10^-10 meters. It is not suitable for measuring astronomical distances.
• Weber: The SI unit of magnetic flux, used in physics to describe the strength of magnetic fields. It has no relevance to distance measurement.
• Lux: The SI unit of illuminance, used to measure light intensity. It is unrelated to distance measurements.
• Parsec: Another unit of astronomical distance, where 1 parsec equals approximately 3.26 light years. It is commonly used in professional astronomy.
• Speed of Light: Light travels at a speed of approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (in a vacuum), which is the basis for the definition of a light year.

M The correct answer is V. Sriram and Lashman.

In News

• The book "Memories and Milestones", documenting 60 years of Blue Cross of India, was authored by historian V. Sriram and Lashman.

Key Points

• Justice PN Prakash, Former Judge of Madras High Court, released the book in Chennai on March 15, 2025.
• The book covers Blue Cross’s contributions to animal welfare, including pioneering initiatives like the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program.
• Notable attendees included Maneka Gandhi, an animal rights activist, and A.L. Somayaji, former Advocate General of Tamil Nadu.
• Blue Cross was the first Indian animal welfare organization to receive the GuideStar India Platinum Level certification for transparency in 2013.

Additional Information

• Maneka Gandhi and A.L. Somayaji
• Attended the book launch event but were not the authors.
• Dr. Chinny Krishna and Justice PN Prakash
• Dr. Chinny Krishna is a co-founder of Blue Cross, while Justice PN Prakash released the book.
• Usha Sundaram and Sardar Patel
• Usha Sundaram was India’s first woman pilot, and Sardar Patel played a key role in India’s unification but had no connection to the book.

The correct answer is Transmitting sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.

Key Points

• Afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, are part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for carrying sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS).
• These neurons transmit data from sensory receptors located in tissues, organs, and skin to the brain and spinal cord.
• The information carried by afferent neurons includes stimuli such as touch, pain, temperature, and body position.
• Afferent neurons play a critical role in enabling the CNS to process external and internal environmental changes.
• The sensory signals transmitted by afferent neurons are essential for generating reflex actions and conscious responses.

Additional Information

• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): The PNS consists of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
• Efferent neurons: These are motor neurons that carry signals from the CNS to muscles and glands, enabling movement and physiological responses.
• Reflex arc: Afferent neurons are integral to reflex arcs, where sensory inputs trigger immediate motor responses, bypassing higher brain processing.
• Types of sensory receptors: Include mechanoreceptors (touch), thermoreceptors (temperature), nociceptors (pain), and photoreceptors (light).
• Neurotransmission: Sensory neurons use electrochemical signals to transmit information across synapses to the CNS for processing.

Nedeon was not related to Sangam State Chera.

• Sangam period (from 3^rd century BC to 3^rd century AD) is the phase of history which existed in ancient Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Udiyanjeral (or UthiyanCheralatan) was the first recorded Chera ruler of the Sangam period in ancient South India.
• He was succeeded by his son, NedumCheralathan, or NedunjeralAthan
• Nedunjaral, or Nedum, born to Udiyanjeral, was a powerful ruler who ruled the kingdom for 58 years as a Crown Prince first and then as an absolute king.
• The Cherasruled over an area including north Travancore, Cochin and South Malabar.
• The Chera Capital was located at Vanji.

The correct answer is SVAMITVA.

Key Points

• SVAMITVA scheme aims to provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India.
• The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in April 2020.
• The objective of the scheme is to survey rural inhabited lands using drones and provide property cards to the landowners.
• The property cards will help in reducing property-related disputes, enable landowners to use their property as collateral for loans, and improve the overall rural economy.

Additional Information

• WDF (Women Development Fund) is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Its goal is to provide financial assistance to women entrepreneurs.
• NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) is a poverty alleviation scheme.
• It was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development.
• PCGS (Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme) is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Finance to provide credit guarantee to lenders for loans given to MSMEs.