Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Pramod Bhagat.

Key Points

• Pramod Bhagat successfully secured the gold medal in the Men's Singles SL3 category at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Para World Championships 2026.
• The tournament, hosted in Bahrain, saw Bhagat demonstrate exceptional skill and resilience, further cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated para-badminton athletes in history.
• The SL3 classification is designed for athletes who have impairment in one or both lower limbs and demonstrate poor walking or running balance, typically playing on a half-court for singles matches.
• This victory adds to his extensive trophy cabinet, which includes a historic gold medal from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, making him a symbol of consistency in the international para-sports arena.
• His triumph in Bahrain marks his continued dominance in the SL3 category, where he has maintained a high world ranking through technical precision and strategic gameplay.

 Additional Information

• Pramod Bhagat:
• Hailing from the state of Odisha, India, he was diagnosed with polio at the age of five.
• He has been honored with India's highest sporting honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, in 2021.
• In 2022, he was conferred with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to sports.
• Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar:
• He is an elite Indian sport shooter specializing in the 50m rifle 3 positions event.
• He has represented India at the Olympics and won multiple medals at the Asian Games and ISSF World Cups.
• Kidambi Srikanth:
• A former World No. 1 in the able-bodied badminton category.
• He was the first Indian to reach the final of the BWF World Championships in the men's singles category, winning a silver medal in 2021.

The correct answer is Sir Stafford Cripps.

Key Points

• In March 1942, the British government headed by Winston Churchill sent Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the War Cabinet, to India with a set of proposals.
• The primary objective of the Cripps Mission was to negotiate with Indian political leaders to secure their full cooperation in the Second World War against the advancing Japanese forces.
• The mission proposed the creation of an Indian Union with Dominion Status after the war, which would be free to decide its relations with the British Commonwealth.
• It suggested the formation of a Constituent Assembly composed of elected members from Provincial Assemblies and representatives from Princely States to frame a new constitution.
• The proposals were rejected by the Indian National Congress because they did not offer immediate Purna Swaraj (complete independence) and gave Princely States the right to secede.
• The Muslim League also rejected the plan as it did not provide a clear path for the creation of Pakistan.

 Additional Information

• Lord Mountbatten:
• He was the last Viceroy of India (1947) and the first Governor-General of independent India.
• He implemented the Mountbatten Plan or June 3 Plan, which led to the Partition of India.
• Lord Wavell:
• Served as the Viceroy of India from 1943 to 1947 and initiated the Wavell Plan at the Simla Conference in 1945.
• His tenure saw the end of the Second World War and the start of the Cabinet Mission negotiations.
• John Shore:
• He served as the Governor-General of Bengal from 1793 to 1798.
• He is primarily known for his Policy of Non-Intervention and for his significant role in the implementation of the Permanent Settlement of 1793.

The correct answer is Disguised unemployment.

Key Points

• Disguised unemployment is a situation where more people are engaged in an activity than the minimum number required to perform it efficiently.
• In the agricultural sector of developing economies like India, it is a significant issue because entire families often work on small, fragmented landholdings due to a lack of better job opportunities elsewhere.
• The defining feature of this unemployment is that the marginal productivity of the surplus labor is zero; essentially, if the extra workers are removed, the total production remains unchanged.
• It is also termed hidden unemployment because individuals appear to be employed, but their labor contribution does not add to the aggregate output of the economy.

 Additional Information

• Structural Unemployment:
• This occurs when there is a long-term mismatch between the skills workers possess and the requirements of the jobs available in the market.
• It is often driven by technological progress, automation, or shifts in the industrial structure of the country.
• Frictional Unemployment:
• Known as search unemployment, it refers to the temporary period when an individual is between jobs or looking for their first job.
• It is considered a natural part of a dynamic labor market where people move to find positions that better match their expertise.
• Cyclical Unemployment:
• This type of unemployment is directly linked to the business cycle and economic health.
• It rises during periods of recession or economic slowdown when there is a drop in aggregate demand, leading to widespread layoffs.

The correct answer is Underemployment.

Key Points

• Underemployment is a situation where workers are employed but their labor potential is not being fully utilized. This typically manifests when workers have highly skilled jobs but work in low-skill positions or work part-time when they prefer full-time hours.
• It is broadly divided into Visible Underemployment, where individuals work fewer hours than the standard, and Invisible Underemployment, where individuals work full-time but in jobs that do not utilize their educational qualifications or experience.
• In the context of the Indian economy, this is frequently observed in the Agricultural sector. This specific form is often called Disguised Unemployment, where more people are engaged in a task than are actually required, resulting in zero marginal productivity.
• Unlike total unemployment, underemployed individuals are counted as part of the employed workforce in national surveys like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which can sometimes mask the true extent of economic distress.

 Additional Information

• Structural Unemployment:
• Arises due to a mismatch between the skills workers possess and the skills required by employers.
• It is often caused by technological advancements (automation) or long-term changes in the structure of the economy.
• Seasonal Unemployment:
• Occurs when the demand for labor fluctuates based on the time of year.
• It is most common in industries such as agriculture, tourism, and ice-cream manufacturing.
• Voluntary Unemployment:
• Refers to a situation where a person is fit for work but chooses not to work at the prevailing market wage rates.
• This can occur when individuals are wealthy enough to sustain themselves or are searching for a significantly higher-paying job.

The correct answer is Allan Octavian Hume.

Key Points

• Allan Octavian Hume (A.O. Hume), a retired British officer of the Imperial Civil Service (ICS), was the primary force behind the establishment of the Indian National Congress (INC).
• Hume organized the first meeting of the Congress in 1885 to provide a political platform for educated Indians to represent their interests to the British administration.
• The first session of the INC took place at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai) from December 28 to December 31, 1885.
• It was attended by 72 delegates from different parts of India, representing various professions such as law, journalism, and education.
• While Hume served as the General Secretary of the organization until 1906, the first presidency was held by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.
• The organization was founded during the viceroyalty of Lord Dufferin, who initially viewed the Congress as a Safety Valve for releasing growing political discontent among the Indian masses.

 Additional Information

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak:
• Known as Lokmanya, he was a key leader of the Extremist faction of the INC and joined the party years after its inception.
• He popularized the concept of Swaraj (Self-rule) and organized the Home Rule League in 1916.
• Subhash Chandra Bose:
• A prominent nationalist leader who served as the President of the INC during the Haripura (1938) and Tripuri (1939) sessions.
• He later resigned from the Congress to form the All India Forward Bloc and led the Indian National Army (INA).
• Shripad Amrit Dange:
• He was a founding member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and was not involved in the initial 1885 establishment of the INC.
• Dange was a major figure in the Indian trade union movement and served as the President of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

The correct answer is credit union.

Key Points

• A credit union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative that provides traditional banking services, such as savings accounts and loans, specifically to its members.
• The defining characteristic of these institutions is the common bond requirement, also known as a field of membership, which mandates that all members share a specific connection like employment at the same company, belonging to a labor union, or living in a specific geographic community.
• Unlike commercial banks, credit unions return their earnings to members in the form of lower interest rates on loans, reduced fees, and higher dividends on savings, rather than paying outside shareholders.
• Historically, the credit union movement was established on the principle of mutual aid and democratic control, where each member has one vote in electing the volunteer Board of Directors, regardless of the size of their deposits.

 Additional Information

• Investment Banks:
• These institutions focus on corporate finance and capital markets, assisting corporations in issuing securities through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).
• They specialize in underwriting, market making, and providing advisory services for mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
• Development Banks:
• Financial entities like the World Bank or NABARD that provide long-term capital for economic growth and infrastructure projects.
• Their primary objective is social and economic development rather than providing retail services to individuals based on a common bond.
• Commercial Banks:
• For-profit financial institutions that accept deposits and offer loans and credit cards to the general public and private businesses.
• They are typically governed by central bank regulations and focus on generating shareholder wealth.

The correct answer is average fixed cost.

Key Points

• Average Fixed Cost (AFC) refers to the fixed cost per unit of goods produced by a business.
• It is calculated using the formula: AFC = Total Fixed Cost (TFC) ÷ Quantity of Output (Q).
• Fixed Costs are expenses that remain constant regardless of the volume of production in the short run, such as land rent, insurance premiums, and interest on capital.
• Because the Total Fixed Cost is a constant value, the AFC decreases as the Quantity (Q) of output increases. This process is commonly known as spreading the overhead.
• Geometrically, the AFC curve is represented as a rectangular hyperbola, meaning it approaches the horizontal and vertical axes asymptotically but never actually touches them, as TFC can never be zero.

 Additional Information

• Total Cost (TC):
• This is the sum total of all costs incurred in production, calculated by adding Total Fixed Cost (TFC) and Total Variable Cost (TVC).
• Average Variable Cost (AVC):
• This represents the variable cost per unit of output and is calculated as AVC = TVC ÷ Q. Variable costs include items like raw materials and direct labor wages.
• Marginal Cost (MC):
• This is the additional cost incurred by producing one extra unit of output. It is a vital metric for firms to find the equilibrium point where Marginal Revenue (MR) equals Marginal Cost (MC).

The correct answer is 150 years of Vande Mataram.

Key Points

• The Republic Day Parade 2026, celebrated at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, centers on the theme of 150 years of Vande Mataram, marking the sesquicentennial anniversary of the composition of India's national song.
• Vande Mataram was composed by the legendary scholar and poet Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876. It later became a symbol of the Indian Independence Movement, providing a rhythmic and emotional backbone to the struggle against British rule.
• The 77^th Republic Day celebrations aim to pay tribute to the song's enduring influence on Indian identity, highlighting its cultural depth and the spirit of patriotism it has instilled for over a century and a half.
• The parade showcases various tableaux from different states and departments that narrate the history of the song, its role in the Swadeshi Movement, and its evolution into one of the most sacred symbols of the Indian Republic.
• The venue, Kartavya Path, serves as the stage for this milestone, reflecting the government's focus on honoring indigenous heritage and decolonizing the national narrative.

 Additional Information

• Historical Context of Vande Mataram:
• The song was first published as part of the Bengali novel Anandamath in 1882, though it was written several years earlier.
• It was first sung on a political platform by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.
• On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted it as the National Song, granting it equal status with the National Anthem.
• Viksit Bharat 2047:
• This theme represents the long-term vision of the Government of India to transform the nation into a Developed Country by the year 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
• Digital India and Space Innovation:
• This refers to India's technological advancements, specifically the Digital India Mission launched in 2015 and the achievements of ISRO in lunar and solar explorations.
• Global Defence Power:
• Reflects India's growing self-reliance in the Defence Sector through the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, focusing on the indigenization of military hardware like the Tejas aircraft and Vikrant carrier.

The correct answer is Morveer.

Key Points

• The official mascot for the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 has been named Morveer, a term that combines local linguistic elements to signify 'My Brave' or 'Our Hero'.
• The mascot was unveiled to represent the valour, strength, and resilience inherent in the tribal communities of India, specifically those from the Central Indian tribal belt.
• The design of Morveer incorporates traditional tribal motifs, often featuring elements like a traditional headgear or tribal tattoos, which are symbolic of the ethnic identity and cultural heritage of indigenous groups.
• The Khelo India Tribal Games (also known as Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav) are organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote sports like Archery, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, and Athletics among tribal youth.
• The unveiling of Morveer aims to enhance the visibility of the games and encourage participation from scheduled tribes across various states, particularly Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

 Additional Information

• Khelo India Programme:
• Introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grassroots level by building a strong framework for all sports played in the country.
• The Tribal Games component specifically targets the talent pool in tribal districts to integrate them into the national mainstream sports ecosystem.
• Significance of the Mascot:
• Mascots like Morveer serve as brand ambassadors for the event, helping in community mobilization and youth engagement.
• They often represent state animals or cultural icons; for instance, the Bastar Hill Myna or the Wild Buffalo are frequently used symbols in the region of Chhattisgarh.
• Historical Context:
• The first edition of the Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav was hosted in Bhubaneswar, Odisha in 2023, seeing participation from over 5,000 athletes from 26 states.
• The 2026 edition continues this legacy of socio-cultural integration through the medium of competitive physical activity.

The correct answer is Bharatiya Janata Party.

Key Points

• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as a dominant force in the legislative alignments within the state of Bihar.
• As a principal constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the party leveraged extensive grassroots organizational capabilities to maximize its seat conversion rate.
• The Bihar Legislative Assembly consists of 243 elective seats, requiring a political party or pre-poll alliance to secure a minimum of 122 seats to form a stable majority government in the state capital of Patna.
• Through targeted demographic outreach and strategic seat-sharing agreements, the party consolidated major electoral gains across key rural and urban constituencies.

 Additional Information

• Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD):
• Formed in 1997 under the leadership of Lalu Prasad Yadav, it is a prominent regional party focusing on social justice and secularism.
• It holds a substantial cadre base and historically acts as a formidable competitor in the state's bilateral electoral contests.
• Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)):
• A major regional party in Bihar led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, advocating for social reform and development.
• The party plays a pivotal role in government formations due to its strategic positioning and flexible alliance capabilities.
• Indian National Congress (INC):
• One of India's oldest national parties, established in 1885, which participates in the state's electoral arena as a key partner of the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan).