Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is 6.3% to 6.8%.

Key Points

• The Economic Survey 2024-25 has projected India’s real GDP growth rate for the fiscal year 2025-26 to be in the range of 6.3% to 6.8%.
• This projection is based on assumptions of a stable global economic environment and the absence of significant domestic disruptions.
• The survey highlights that India continues to be one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, driven by robust domestic consumption and investments.
• Key contributors to this growth rate include sectors such as manufacturing, services, and agriculture, along with steady progress in infrastructure development.
• The projection aligns with the government’s focus on achieving sustainable economic growth through structural reforms and digital transformation.

Additional Information

• Nominal GDP
• Definition: Value of goods/services at current market prices.
• Includes: Both increased production and price hikes (inflation).
• Usefulness: Shows raw economic output in today's dollars; good for short-term analysis or contract comparisons.
• Real GDP
• Definition: Value of goods/services adjusted for inflation, using constant base-year prices.
• Includes: Only changes in actual production volume.
• Usefulness: Best indicator of genuine economic growth, allowing for meaningful year-over-year comparisons.

The correct answer is Enacting mythological and folklore stories.

Key Points

• Chhau dance is a traditional Indian dance form that combines elements of martial arts, tribal rituals, and folk traditions to depict mythological and folklore stories.
• It is performed mainly in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, where it is recognized as a significant cultural art form.
• The primary themes revolve around ancient epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas, as well as local legends and folklore.
• Chhau dance performances are characterized by their elaborate masks (in some styles like Purulia Chhau), vibrant costumes, and rhythmic movements, which help narrate the stories effectively.
• In 2010, UNESCO inscribed Chhau dance on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, acknowledging its cultural and artistic significance.

Additional Information

• Odisha
• Chhau (Mayurbhanj Style): Focuses on natural movements, no masks.
• Ghumura: Energetic folk dance with Ghumura drum, used for entertainment & rituals.
• Painka: A martial dance depicting warrior skills.
• Gotipua: Boys dressed as girls perform devotional dances, precursor to Odissi.
• Savari: Tribal dance form.
• Jharkhand
• Chhau (Seraikella Style): Uses masks, incorporating martial & folk elements.
• Jhumar: Harvest dance, with Mardani (men) & Janani (women) forms.
• Domkach: Performed during weddings by families.
• Paiki: A vibrant martial dance.
• Fagua: Celebratory dance for Holi.
• West Bengal
• Chhau (Purulia Style): Features elaborate masks & themes from epics.
• Gambhira: A folk dance with satirical themes, often masks.
• Kathi: Stick dance, energetic and rhythmic.
• Dhali: A martial dance with swords and shields.

The correct answer is Mission Shakti 5.0.

Key Points

• Mission Shakti 5.0 was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2025 to enhance women's safety and security, especially during the Navratri festival.
• The initiative involves the deployment of female police personnel at public places to make women feel safer and ensure a secure environment.
• Anti-Romeo squads, an existing Uttar Pradesh police initiative aimed at preventing harassment of women, were further strengthened under Mission Shakti 5.0.
• The program also focuses on public outreach and awareness campaigns to educate society about women's rights and security measures.
• Mission Shakti 5.0 is part of a broader government effort to address gender-based violence and empower women through targeted interventions.

Additional Information

• Shakti Vahini
• Shakti Vahini is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in India working to combat human trafficking and violence against women and children.
• It collaborates with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to rescue victims, provide rehabilitation, and conduct awareness campaigns.
• It is not a government initiative but has significantly contributed to addressing gender-based crimes in India.
• Nari Suraksha Abhiyan
• This term generally refers to campaigns aimed at ensuring women's safety and security, often organized by local governments, NGOs, or community groups.
• Such initiatives focus on addressing issues like domestic violence, harassment, and gender inequality through awareness and legal aid.
• No specific government program under this name has been identified in the context of Uttar Pradesh's 2025 initiative.
• Pink Auto Yatra
• Pink Auto initiatives are programs launched in various states of India to promote women-driven auto-rickshaws, ensuring safer public transport for women.
• These initiatives aim to empower women by providing them with livelihood opportunities and creating a safer commuting option for female passengers.
• While relevant to women's safety, this program is unrelated to Mission Shakti 5.0.

The correct answer is Pinarayi Vijayan.

Key Points

• Pinarayi Vijayan has been serving as the Chief Minister of Kerala since May 25, 2016.
• He is a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and has played a crucial role in Kerala's politics.
• Pinarayi Vijayan became the first Chief Minister in Kerala to be re-elected consecutively after completing a full term, following his party's victory in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.
• Under his leadership, Kerala has implemented several notable initiatives, such as the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and the LIFE Mission housing scheme for the homeless.
• He is known for his administrative acumen and for steering Kerala through crises like the COVID-19 pandemic with globally recognized efforts.

Additional Information

• Roshy Augustine
• Roshy Augustine is a politician from the Kerala Congress (M) party.
• He currently serves as the Minister for Water Resources in the Government of Kerala.
• He represents the Idukki constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
• K Krishnankutty
• K Krishnankutty is a leader of the Janata Dal (Secular) party in Kerala.
• He serves as the Minister for Electricity in the Kerala Government.
• He represents the Chittur constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
• K Rajan
• K Rajan is a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI).
• He is the Minister for Revenue and Housing in the Kerala Government.
• He represents the Ollur constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

The correct answer is Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande.

Key Points

• Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande was a pioneer in the field of Hindustani classical music and is considered one of the most influential musicologists of India.
• He authored the Kramik Pustak Malika, a six-part book that systematized the study of Hindustani classical music through notation, compositions, and raga classification.
• The Kramik Pustak Malika is considered a revolutionary work as it standardized ragas and documented their grammar, making Indian classical music accessible for structured study.
• He classified Indian ragas into the Thaat system, which consists of 10 basic scales, simplifying the categorization of ragas.
• Bhatkhande also established institutions like the Marris College of Music (now Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow) to promote education and research in Indian classical music.

Additional Information

• Sourindra Mohun Tagore
• Sourindra Mohun Tagore was a musicologist from Bengal who worked to promote Indian music, especially during the 19^th century.
• He authored works such as "Universal History of Music" and contributed to the promotion of Indian music on an international platform.
• However, he did not systematize Hindustani classical music or create a work similar to the Kramik Pustak Malika.
• Hindustani Classical Music
• Hindustani classical music has a rich tradition and is one of the two primary forms of Indian classical music, the other being Carnatic music.
• The system is based on ragas (melodic frameworks) and talas (rhythmic cycles).
• Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande’s contributions to this field have been instrumental in its modern-day pedagogy, making it easier to teach and learn.

The correct answer is String instruments.

Key Points

• Tata Vadya refers specifically to string instruments in the context of Indian classical music.
• String instruments under Tata Vadya produce sound by vibrating strings, which are plucked, bowed, or struck. Examples include the sitar, sarod, veena, tanpura, and violin.
• These instruments play a crucial role in Indian classical music, providing melody and harmony, and often act as accompaniment to vocals.
• Indian string instruments are categorized into two types: plucked string instruments (e.g., sitar, veena) and bowed string instruments (e.g., sarangi, violin).
• The term "Tata Vadya" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Tata," meaning "stretched," referring to the stretched strings used to produce sound.

Additional Information

• Solid instruments:
• Solid instruments are generally referred to as idiophones, which produce sound by the vibration of the entire body of the instrument.
• Examples include manjira, ghungroo, and kartal. These instruments are commonly used in folk music and devotional settings.
• They are not classified under Tata Vadya as they do not involve strings for sound production.
• Percussion instruments:
• Percussion instruments, known as "Avanaddha Vadya" in Indian music, produce sound by striking a membrane stretched over a hollow vessel.
• Examples include tabla, mridangam, dhol, and pakhawaj.
• These are rhythm instruments and play a significant role in accompanying melodic instruments in Indian classical music.
• Wind instruments:
• Wind instruments, called "Sushir Vadya," produce sound by the vibration of air blown into or across the instrument.
• Examples include the flute (bansuri), shehnai, and nadaswaram.
• These instruments are used for melody and are integral to Indian classical and folk music.

The correct answer is Forces between neighbouring particles in the medium.

Key Points

• Material waves, also known as mechanical waves, require a medium to propagate through.
• The medium should consist of particles that can interact with each other through forces, such as elastic forces, to transfer energy.
• Examples of such waves include sound waves, water waves, and seismic waves, which rely on forces between neighboring particles to transmit energy.
• The absence of these forces would prevent the propagation of mechanical waves as energy cannot transfer from one particle to another.
• Forces between particles in the medium ensure the continuous transfer of vibrational energy, forming the basis of mechanical wave motion.

Additional Information

• Material Waves
• Material waves include longitudinal waves (e.g., sound waves) and transverse waves (e.g., water waves).
• The transfer of energy in these waves depends on the medium's properties such as density, elasticity, and inter-particle forces.
• They are distinguished from electromagnetic waves, which do not require a medium to propagate.

The correct answer is Sacred groves protected by communities.

Key Points

• Sacred groves are small patches of forests or natural vegetation that are protected by local communities due to their religious and cultural significance.
• They have traditionally played a crucial role in conserving biodiversity as they provide refuge to many rare and endemic plant and animal species.
• India has a rich tradition of sacred groves, particularly in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Meghalaya, where these areas are often associated with local deities or ancestral spirits.
• These groves are self-sustaining ecosystems that contribute to maintaining ecological balance, reducing soil erosion, and conserving water resources.
• They are a prime example of community-based conservation practices that integrate environmental protection with the cultural and spiritual values of the local population.

Additional Information

• Drip irrigation in agricultural fields:
• Drip irrigation is a modern agricultural technique that delivers water directly to the root zone of plants through a network of pipes, emitters, and tubing.
• It is designed to minimize water wastage by reducing evaporation and runoff, making it highly efficient for regions with water scarcity.
• While it is a sustainable agricultural practice, it focuses on water conservation rather than biodiversity or ecological preservation.
• Rainwater harvesting in rural areas:
• Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater for future use, typically in underground tanks, rooftops, or reservoirs.
• This practice is widely adopted to address water shortages, improve groundwater recharge, and ensure water availability during dry seasons.
• Although rainwater harvesting contributes to water conservation and sustainable development, it does not directly address biodiversity conservation.
• Terrace farming on hill slopes:
• Terrace farming is a traditional agricultural practice used in hilly areas to prevent soil erosion and make efficient use of limited arable land.
• It involves carving out step-like terraces on slopes to reduce water runoff and increase water retention in the soil.
• While terrace farming aids in sustainable land management, its direct contribution to biodiversity conservation is limited compared to sacred groves.

The correct answer is NSIL, ISRO, IN-SPACe and HAL.

Key Points

• On 10 September 2025, a technology transfer agreement was signed for the transfer of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology.
• The agreement was signed among NSIL (NewSpace India Limited), ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center), and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
• This agreement facilitates the private sector's involvement in manufacturing and launching SSLV, thus promoting self-reliance in the space sector under the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative.
• SSLV is a cost-effective and efficient launch vehicle designed to cater to the growing demand for launching small satellites, particularly for commercial purposes.
• Through this agreement, HAL and private players will now be able to manufacture SSLVs under ISRO’s technology, enhancing India’s capability to compete in the global satellite launch market.

Additional Information

• SSLV:
• The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is designed to carry payloads of up to 500 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO).
• It is tailored for cost-effective and on-demand launches, targeting the rapidly growing small satellite market.
• SSLV’s modular and simplified design ensures quicker turnaround time and ease of manufacturing.
• The development and commercialization of SSLV are significant steps toward enhancing India’s presence in the global space industry.

The correct answer is Maharashtra.

Key Points

• CP Radhakrishnan served as the Governor of Maharashtra before becoming Vice President.
• Maharashtra is the second-most populous state in India and a key administrative unit.
• The Governor of Maharashtra is appointed under Article 155 of the Constitution.

Additional Information

• Kerala:
• Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India.
• It follows a unicameral legislature system.
• The state is governed under the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy.
• Arunachal Pradesh:
• It is the largest state in Northeast India by area.
• The state was granted full statehood in 1987.
• Governed under special administrative focus due to international borders.
• Tamil Nadu:
• One of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in India.
• Known for the Dravidian political movement.
• Has a unicameral legislature with the Governor as constitutional head.