Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is 'has gained'.

Key Points

• The sentence is: "In recent years, ready-to-eat (RTE) food ____(3) remarkable popularity in India..."
• The present perfect tense "has gained" is used to describe an action that began in the past and continues into the present, which matches "in recent years."
• "Had gained" is past perfect, which is not suitable here.
• "Were gained" and "are gained" are grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Sentence: In recent years, ready-to-eat (RTE) food has gained remarkable popularity in India, fuelled by busy lifestyles and rapid urbanization.

Additional Information

• The present perfect tense ("has gained") connects the recent past with the present.
• Other options do not fit the grammatical structure or meaning required by the sentence.

The correct answer is 'in'.

Key Points

• The blank (4) in the passage appears in the phrase: "play a significant role ____(4) boosting sales."
• The correct preposition to use with "play a role" followed by a gerund is "in."
• "In boosting sales" means being involved in the process of increasing sales.
• Other options ("for," "by," "on") do not fit grammatically with this phrase.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Complete Sentence: Marketing strategies also play a significant role in boosting sales.

Additional Information

• "In" is the appropriate preposition to use with "play a role in" when followed by a gerund.
• "For," "by," and "on" are incorrect in this context.

The correct answer is 'Demanding'.

Key Points

• The sentence in the passage is: "there is a growing segment of health-conscious buyers ____(5) low sodium, additive-free options..."
• Here, "demanding" is used as a present participle to describe buyers—meaning buyers who are asking for or seeking low sodium, additive-free options.
• The phrase "buyers demanding low sodium options" acts as a noun phrase, where "demanding" further describes the buyers.
• Other options ("demand," "demands," "demanded") do not fit the grammatical structure of the sentence as intended in the passage.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Complete Sentence: Still, there is a growing segment of health-conscious buyers demanding low sodium, additive-free options, prompting manufacturers to adapt their offerings.

Additional Information

• "Demanding" functions as a participle, describing the characteristics of the buyers.
• This structure is common in English, e.g., "students seeking scholarships," "customers requesting refunds," etc.
• The other options would not properly modify "buyers" in this context.

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

• The word 'egregious' is correctly spelled and means 'outstandingly bad or shocking'. (बहुत गंभीर या चौंकाने वाला)
• In the context of the sentence, the word 'egregious' fits perfectly to describe the errors that significantly undermine the document’s credibility.
• Incorrect spellings such as 'egrigious', 'egreegious', and 'egregeous' are not valid words in English.

Correct sentence: The document contained egregious errors that undermined its credibility.

Additional Information

• Synonyms of Egregious: shocking, appalling, atrocious, flagrant.
• Antonyms of Egregious: excellent, admirable, commendable.
• Example Sentence: The company faced backlash for its egregious disregard for safety protocols.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• The correct spelling is 'Pseudonym'.
• Pseudonym is a noun that means a fictitious name, especially one used by an author. (छद्म नाम)
• Example: Samuel Clemens wrote under the pseudonym "Mark Twain".

Additional Information

Explanation of Incorrect Options:

• Option 1: 'Psueodonym' - This is an incorrect spelling due to the misplaced letters.
• Option 2: 'Pseudonium' - This is an incorrect spelling as the word ends incorrectly with "nium" instead of "nym".
• Option 4: 'Pseudoonium' - This is an incorrect spelling because it includes an unnecessary "oo".

The correct answer is Chanhudaro was a craft production center; Lothal had a dockyard.

Key Points

• Chanhudaro, situated in the Sindh province of modern-day Pakistan, was an essential industrial hub of the Indus Valley Civilization, almost exclusively dedicated to craft production.
• Archaeological excavations at Chanhudaro have yielded extensive evidence of bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working, seal-making, and weight-making, featuring specialized tools like copper drills.
• Lothal, located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India, served as a vital port city and is world-renowned for its sophisticated maritime architecture.
• The most striking feature of Lothal is its artificial brick dockyard, which measured approximately 214 meters in length and was designed to allow ships to enter during high tides from the Sabarmati River.
• This dockyard facilitated intensive maritime trade with external civilizations, including Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf, making it a critical commercial node in the Harappan network.

 Additional Information

• Chanhudaro:
• It was discovered by N.G. Majumdar in 1931 and further investigated by Ernest Mackay.
• It is the only known Harappan city that lacks a fortified citadel, suggesting a specialized social organization focused on manufacturing rather than administration.
• Lothal:
• Excavated by S.R. Rao in 1954, it is often called the Manchester of Harappan Civilization due to its prominence in cotton trade.
• Beyond the dockyard, significant finds include fire altars, double burials (joint burial of a male and female), and terracotta models of ships.
• Geographical Locations:
• The claim that both sites were in Punjab is incorrect; Chanhudaro is in the Indus basin of Pakistan, while Lothal is near the Gulf of Khambhat in India.
• Major sites in Punjab include Harappa and Ropar.

The correct answer is Introduction of monolithic polished stone pillars.

Key Points

• The Mauryan period (approx. 322−185 BCE) marked a significant transition in Indian history where royal architecture shifted from the use of perishable materials like wood, bamboo, and thatch to permanent stone.
• The monolithic polished stone pillars commissioned by Emperor Ashoka are the most distinctive characteristic of this era, representing a leap in lithic engineering and statecraft.
• These pillars were carved from a single massive block of buff-colored sandstone, mostly quarried from Chunar (near Varanasi), demonstrating incredible logistical capability in transporting 50-ton stones over hundreds of miles.
• A defining feature is the highly lustrous, mirror-like finish known as Mauryan Polish, which was a unique technological achievement that remains a subject of scientific study today.
• Unlike Achaemenid pillars which were built in segments, Mauryan pillars were monolithic (single piece), symbolizing the centralized and absolute authority of the Mauryan Empire.
• These structures were strategically placed along trade routes and near Buddhist pilgrimage sites like Lumbini, Sarnath, and Vaishali to proclaim the Edicts of Ashoka.

 Additional Information

• Evolution of Materials:
• Pre-Mauryan architecture, specifically during the Vedic period and early Mahajanapadas, relied heavily on timber and mud-bricks; even the capital Pataliputra initially had a wooden palisade.
• The Indus Valley Civilization used burnt bricks for residential and public utility, but they did not produce the monumental royal stone art characteristic of the Mauryas.
• Architectural Features of the Pillars:
• The pillars consisted of a shaft, a capital (typically an inverted lotus or bell-shaped), an abacus, and a crowning animal (such as a lion, bull, or elephant).
• The Sarnath Lion Capital is the most famous example, which was adopted as the National Emblem of India in 1950.
• Domed Roofs:
• While Stupas (like Sanchi) featured hemispherical domes (Anda), these became prominent religious structures during the Mauryan era but were not the primary distinguishing feature of royal (palatial) architecture compared to the novelty of stone monoliths.

The correct answer is The Election Commission of India introduced Home Voting as a pilot scheme allowing voters above 80 years and persons with disabilities to cast their votes at home upon prior registration, aiming to enhance electoral participation..

Key Points

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced the home voting facility to ensure inclusive elections by reaching out to voters who face physical challenges in visiting polling stations. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The facility is governed by the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, specifically under Rule 27A, which allows certain categories of voters to vote via Postal Ballot. It is not an 'automatic' process but requires the submission of Form 12D to the Returning Officer within five days of the election notification. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Home voting is conducted with strict protocols where a team comprising two polling officials, a videographer, and security personnel visits the voter's residence. This ensures the secrecy of the ballot and prevents any external influence. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
• There is no Supreme Court mandate that makes home voting compulsory for all residents of remote or inaccessible areas; it remains a targeted facility for specific vulnerable demographics. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

 Additional Information

• Eligibility and Categories:
• Senior Citizens: For the 2024 General Elections, the ECI updated the age eligibility to 85 years and above, though it was initially introduced for those above 80 years.
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Voters with a minimum of 40 percent benchmark disability are eligible, provided they possess a valid disability certificate.
• Essential Services: In some cases, personnel identified as 'essential service' workers (like Media, Railways, or Electricity department staff) may also be eligible for postal ballots.
• Transparency Measures:
• Candidates and political parties are notified of the visit schedule in advance so their polling agents can witness the process, ensuring it remains free and fair.
• The entire process of marking the ballot and placing it in the envelope is videographed without violating the voter's privacy.

The correct answer is The NMR is a national-level electronic register of all licensed allopathic medical practitioners in India, maintained by the National Medical Commission, and registration in it is mandatory for issuing a Unique Permanent Registration Number (UPRN) to legally practice modern medicine across the country..

Key Points

• The National Medical Register (NMR) is a centralized, digital database containing the records of all medical professionals who possess recognized qualifications and are authorized to practice allopathic medicine in India.
• The Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), an autonomous body under the National Medical Commission (NMC), is legally tasked with maintaining this register as per the NMC Act, 2019.
• A core component of the NMR is the generation of a Unique Permanent Registration Number (UPRN), which serves as a lifetime identification for doctors, eliminating the need for separate registrations across different State Medical Councils for practitioners moving across state borders.
• Legal practice of modern medicine, including the authority to sign medical-legal documents, prescribe scheduled drugs, and hold government medical posts, is strictly contingent upon being enrolled in the NMR.

 Additional Information

• National Medical Commission (NMC):
• Replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) on September 25, 2020, to bring greater transparency and quality to medical education and professional regulation.
• The commission oversees the National Exit Test (NExT), which will eventually serve as the standardized gateway for obtaining a license to practice and for postgraduate admissions.
• Strategic Objectives of NMR:
• Combating Quackery: By providing a searchable public portal, citizens can verify the authenticity of a practitioner's degree and registration status.
• Digital Integration: The NMR is a vital pillar of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), linking the Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) with national health IDs.
• Data Driven Policy: It allows the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to track the exact number of active doctors, their specializations, and geographical distribution to address the doctor-to-population ratio effectively.

The correct answer is Citric acid.

Key Points

• Citric acid is a weak organic tricarboxylic acid found naturally in citrus fruits, with the chemical formula C₆H₈O₇.
• It acts as a high-efficiency chelating agent, which allows it to chemically bind with metallic minerals like calcium and magnesium, effectively dissolving hard water deposits and limescale.
• With a low pH level typically between 2.0 and 3.0, lemon juice provides strong antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of common pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
• The acidic nature of the juice allows it to break down the molecular bonds in fats and oils, making it a natural degreaser for kitchen surfaces and cookware.
• It is frequently used in eco-friendly cleaning products because it is biodegradable and safer for the environment compared to synthetic chemical solvents.

 Additional Information

• High sugar content:
• While lemons contain small amounts of fructose and glucose, high sugar levels are undesirable in cleaners as they leave a sticky residue that attracts dust and microorganisms.
• Carbon dioxide:
• This is a gas (CO₂) primarily used for carbonation in soft drinks; while it can provide a minor mechanical agitation in seltzer, it does not possess the chemical solvency of citric acid.
• Potassium nitrate:
• Commonly known as saltpeter, this chemical is used in fertilizers and food preservatives, but it is not a constituent of lemon juice nor is it used as a household surface cleaner.