Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Socialist and Secular.

Key Points

The 42^nd Amendment Act:

• It was enacted by Indian National Congress headed by Indira Gandhi
• Words ‘Socialist’, ‘Secular’ and ‘Integrity’ were added in Preamble
• The 42^nd Amendment Act is also known as ‘Mini-Constitution'.
• 10 Fundamental Duties added for the citizens after the 42^nd Amendment Act
• It also made President bound to the advice of the cabinet.

Additional Information

• The Right to Education for all between 6 and 14 years of age has been included in Article 21-A of Fundamental Rights in the Constitution of India.
• It was included in the Constitution through the 86^th Amendment Act, 2002.
• It provides the free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right.
• ​RTI or Right to Information Act is a fundamental right and is an aspect of Article 19 (1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.
• Right to Information replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
• RTI helps Indians receive information about the government in a systemic, time-constrained, and hassle-free manner by enabling them to question certain delays in projects and accounts of spending from the taxpayer's money in various projects.

The correct answer is V. Narayanan.

In News

• V. Narayanan took over as the Chairman of ISRO on January 14, 2025, succeeding S. Somanath.

Key Points

• Dr. Narayanan is a noted rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert.
• He has been heading ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) since January 2018.
• His tenure as Chairman will include overseeing significant projects like Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4 missions.
• He will also assume the role of Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman of the Space Commission, effective from January 14, 2025.
• He worked on Solid Propulsion for Rockets, ASLV, and PSLV at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
• Current Role: Director of LPSC , headquartered in Valiamala (Thiruvananthapuram).
• Dr. Narayanan termed his upcoming role as “a great responsibility” and an “opportunity to follow in the footsteps of ISRO stalwarts.”

Additional Information

• Gaganyaan Mission
• A human spaceflight mission by ISRO aiming to send Indian astronauts into space.
• Chandrayaan-4 Mission
• A planned mission to explore the Moon, focusing on landing and collecting lunar data.

The correct answer is Mission to increase the performance of the dairy sector.

Additional Information

• "Operation Flood" is a mission to increase the performance of the dairy sector.
• Operation Flood was launched in 1970 by National Dairy Development Board during the time of the Fourth Five Year Plan.
• Operation flood was the world's biggest dairy development program which gave a major thrust to the milk production of the nation.
• It aimed at helping the dairy industry sustain itself economically while providing employment to poor farmers.
• The result was that India became the largest producer of Milk and Milk Products.
• White Revolution contributed to a large extent to alleviate poverty in India.
• Gujarat-based co-operation “Anand Milk Union Limited” (Amul) was the engine behind the success of the programme.
• Operation Flood is called the White Revolution in India.
• The programme to increase the production of milk is called White Revolution.
• Indian Dairy Association decided to observe the birthday of Verghese Kurien as National Milk Day.
• 'Unfinished Dream' is a book written by Verghese Kurien.

Important Points

• Father of White Revolution in India - Verghese Kurien.
• Milkman of India - Verghese Kurien.
• National Milk Day - November 26.
• National Dairy Development Board - Anand (Gujarat).
• National Dairy Research Institute - Karnal (Haryana).
• The largest producer of Milk and Milk Products in the World - India.

The correct answer is Lord Linlithgow.

Key Points

• In July 1942 Congress Working Committee met at Wardha and resolved to authorise Gandhi would lead non violent movement called Quit India Movement.
• The Movement started on 8 August 1942.
• Gandhi gave the famous slogan "Do or Die" during this movement.
• Lord Linlithgow was Viceroy from 1936 to 1944.
• August Offer in 1940 was also given by him.

Additional Information

 Lord Mountbatten

• Lord Mountbatten is the last Viceroy of India and the first Governor-general of independent India from May 1947 to 1948.
• He brought the Mountbatten plan or June 3^rd plan which is responsible for the independence of India.
• His major task was the immediate transfer of power to India.
• After independence on 15 August, 1947 India requested Mountbatten to continue as Governor-general.

Lord Curzon (1899-1905)

• Bengal partition took place during his tenure in 1905.
• He passed Indian Universities Act in 1904.

Lord Mayo (1869-72)

• Establishment of Statistical Survey of India during his tenure.
• Lord Mayo, who was the Governor-General of India was assassinated in the Andaman.
• He was assassinated by Sher Ali Afridi, an Afghan convict in 1872.

The correct answer is Barakar River.

In News

• Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) held a consultation meeting to review the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Tilaiya Dam,as per Dam Safety Act of 2021 with key stakeholders.

Important Points

• Tilaiya Dam was the 1^st of the 4 multi-purpose dams included in the 1^st phase of the Damodar Valley Corporation.
• It was constructed across the Barakar River, at Tilaiya in Koderma district, Jharkhand and opened in 1953.

Key Points

• The Barakar River is the main tributary of the Damodar river in eastern India.
• It is a concrete gravity dam.
• The dam is owned by Damodar Valley Corporation.

The correct answer is 1912.

Explanation:

• On 22 March 1912, both Bihar and Orissa were separated from Bengal and became Bihar and Orissa Province.
• On 12 December 1911, the king Emperor at Delhi announced the creation of Bihar and Orissa with Patna as its capital.
• The movement for separation of Bihar was pioneered by English - educated Biharis. The prominent leaders were  Sachchidanand Sinha, Mukesh Narayan, Syed Hasan Imam, Mazhar ul Haq, Deep Narayan Singh, Rajendra Prasad, Shri Krishna Singh etc.
• In 1906, Shri Mahesh Narayan and Sachchidanand Sinha brought out a booklet named "The Partition of Bengal or Separation of Bihar" which was circulated in India and England. The booklet educated the public opinion in Indian and especially in Bihar and Bengal.

The correct answer is 356.

Key Points

• Article 356 of the Indian Constitution allows the imposition of President's Rule in a state if the state government is unable to function as per constitutional provisions.
• This provision is invoked when there is a failure of constitutional machinery in a state.
• Under Article 356, the President of India can assume the functions of the state government and legislature.
• This article is often referred to as the "State Emergency" or "President's Rule" and is part of the emergency provisions in the Indian Constitution.
• The Governor of the state submits a report to the President recommending the imposition of President's Rule.

Additional Information

• President's Rule:
• During President's Rule, the state legislature is either dissolved or suspended, and the central government governs the state directly through the Governor.
• It requires the approval of both houses of Parliament within two months of its imposition.
• The rule is valid for a maximum of six months, but it can be extended up to three years with parliamentary approval every six months.
• Historical Context:
• Article 356 has been controversially invoked multiple times, and its misuse has been criticized as a tool to dismiss state governments run by opposition parties.
• The S.R. Bommai case (1994) laid down strict guidelines for its use and limited the scope of arbitrary imposition.
• Other Emergency Provisions:
• Article 352: National Emergency, declared during war or external aggression.
• Article 360: Financial Emergency, declared when the financial stability or credit of India is threatened.
• Role of the Judiciary:
• The judiciary has the power to review the imposition of President's Rule to ensure that it is not arbitrary or politically motivated.
• The S.R. Bommai judgment emphasized that the majority in the state legislature should be tested on the floor of the house, not arbitrarily decided by the Governor.

• Champa or Champanagari was the capital of the Anga Mahajanapada.
• Anga comprised of modern districts of Bhagalpur and Munger in Bihar.

The Correct Answer is Khajuraho.

Key Points

• The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple:
• The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple "the Great God of the Cave" is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
• Kandariya Mahadeo temple at Khajuraho is the epitome of temple architecture in Central India.
• The Kandariya Mahadeva temple was built during the reign of Vidyadhara (r. c. 1003-1035 CE).
• Khajuraho’s temples are also known for their extensive erotic sculptures.
• The Lakshmana temple of Khajuraho, dedicated to Vishnu, was built in 954 by the Chandela king, Dhana.
• It is a nagara temple placed on a high platform accessed by stairs.

• Formed by River Narmada, the Dhuandhar falls is a waterfall that is located in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
• The name of the falls is derived from two words, "Dhuan", which means smoke, and "Dhar", which means flow.
• It is so named because the plunge creates a mist that looks like smoke.
• Narmada river originates from Amarkantak, rises from the Maikal ranges.
• Amarkantak is located in the Anupprur district of Madhya Pradesh in India.
• Narmada river mainly flows in central India.
• The Madhya Pradesh government passed a resolution granting river Narmada the status of a living entity and committed itself to the protection of its legal rights.
• A month ago, the Uttarakhand High Court had declared Ganga, Yamuna, and their tributaries living entities with the status of a legal person. The move is done to protect the river and biodiversity.