Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Narainpur.

Key Points

• The final match of the 30^th Senior Women’s National Football Championship, officially designated as the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy, was held in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh.
• The championship match took place at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on May 15, 2024, marking a significant sporting event for the Bastar division.
• Manipur emerged victorious in the final by defeating Haryana with a score of 2-0, showcasing their continued dominance in domestic football.
• This win represents the 22^nd title for Manipur, making them the most successful state team in the history of the Senior Women’s National Football Championship.
• The goals for the winning side were netted by Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi and S. Lynda Kom, ensuring the victory during the ninety-minute regulation time.

 Additional Information

• Rajmata Jijabai Trophy:
• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) rebranded the Senior Women’s National Football Championship to honor Rajmata Jijabai, the mother of the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• This rebranding initiative was implemented starting from the 2023-24 season to celebrate women’s leadership and legacy in India.
• Tournament Organization:
• The final round of the competition featured 12 teams split into two groups, with Chhattisgarh serving as the host state for the matches held in Raipur and Narainpur.
• The event is a critical talent identification platform for the Indian National Women’s Team, managed by the AIFF.
• Historical Context:
• The Senior Women’s National Football Championship was inaugurated in 1991 to provide a competitive stage for women athletes across Indian states and Union Territories.
• While Manipur leads with 22 titles, other prominent winners in the tournament’s history include West Bengal and Odisha.

The correct answer is Shehnai.

Key Points

• Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916−2006) was a legendary Indian musician who is credited with elevating the Shehnai from a traditional folk instrument to the status of a premier classical music instrument.
• Born in Dumraon, Bihar, he belonged to a family of traditional court musicians and received his initial training under his maternal uncle, Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu', the official Shehnai player at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
• He gained nationwide recognition after his performance at the All India Radio (Lucknow) in 1938, which proved to be a turning point for both the artist and the instrument.
• He famously performed at the Red Fort on 15^th August 1947, greeting the newly independent nation with his music after Jawaharlal Nehru's 'Tryst with Destiny' speech.
• For his unparalleled contribution to Indian music, he was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 2001.

 Additional Information

• Veena
• An ancient plucked string instrument associated with Goddess Saraswati; prominent exponents include S. Balachander and Asad Ali Khan.
• Sitar
• A dominant stringed instrument in Hindustani classical music, globally popularized by icons like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan.
• Tabla
• A pair of percussion twin drums essential to North Indian music; notable maestros include Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, and Ustad Allah Rakha.

The correct answer is Kesavananda Bharati Case.

Key Points

• The Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala judgment was delivered on April 24, 1973, by a 13-judge Constitution Bench, which remains the largest bench in the history of the Supreme Court of India.
• With a thin 7:6 majority, the court introduced the Basic Structure Doctrine, which posits that while Parliament has the power to amend any part of the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot alter its basic structure or essential features.
• The ruling clarified that the amending power of the legislature is not absolute; it cannot be used to destroy the constitutional identity or the democratic framework of the nation.
• The court upheld the validity of the 24^th Amendment Act but struck down parts of the 25^th Amendment Act, asserting that Judicial Review is an indispensable part of the Indian Constitution.
• This landmark decision successfully balanced the sovereignty of Parliament with the supremacy of the Constitution, preventing potential legislative overreach.

 Additional Information

• Golaknath Case (1967):
• An 11-judge bench ruled that Fundamental Rights were transcendental and immutable, meaning Parliament had no power to abridge them even through a constitutional amendment.
• Minerva Mills Case (1980):
• The Supreme Court reinforced the Basic Structure Doctrine by striking down clauses of the 42^nd Amendment Act that sought to give Parliament unlimited amending power and prioritized Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights.
• Champakam Dorairanjan Case (1951):
• The first major case involving Fundamental Rights (Article 15) versus Directive Principles, which necessitated the First Constitutional Amendment to allow for reservations in educational institutions.
• Article 368:
• Provides the procedure for Constitutional Amendments, requiring either a special majority or a special majority plus ratification by half of the State Legislatures.

The correct answer is Chennai.

Key Points

• The retreat of the monsoon is a gradual process that begins in the northwestern states of India, such as Rajasthan, around September 1. As the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) moves southward, the high-pressure system begins to dominate over the landmass.
• By mid-October, the South-West Monsoon withdraws completely from the northern half of the Indian peninsula. The withdrawal occurs much later in the southern parts because the pressure gradient shifts slowly toward the Bay of Bengal.
• Chennai, situated on the Coromandel Coast, experiences the withdrawal of the South-West Monsoon last among the given options. While the rest of the country sees a dry spell, the retreating winds pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and cause significant rainfall in Tamil Nadu.
• The period from October to December is characterized by the North-East Monsoon in Chennai. This phase is essentially the retreating phase of the South-West Monsoon, making it the city where the monsoon influence lingers the longest before completely withdrawing by late December.

 Additional Information

• Jaipur
• Located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is one of the earliest cities to witness the retreat, usually starting in the first week of September.
• Ahmedabad
• Being in Gujarat, the monsoon retreat reaches Ahmedabad by the end of September, as the winds move away from the western plains toward the central peninsula.
• Mumbai
• The withdrawal of the monsoon from Maharashtra and Mumbai generally occurs between October 5 and October 10, significantly earlier than the final retreat from the southeastern coast.
• Retreating Monsoon Characteristics
• This season is marked by clear skies and a rise in temperature, often referred to as October Heat. While the land is still moist, the high temperature and humidity make the weather oppressive.

The correct answer is Chittur Singh.

Key Points

• The Ramosi Revolt occurred in 1822 in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra under the leadership of Chittur Singh (also known as Chittar Singh).
• The Ramosis were hill tribes who historically served as the lower-tier police and military guards under the Maratha Empire.
• The primary cause of the rebellion was the socio-economic distress caused by the British East India Company following the final defeat of the Peshwa in 1818 and the subsequent annexation of the Maratha territories.
• High land revenue assessments and harsh methods of collection deprived the tribal community of their traditional livelihoods and forest rights.
• In 1822, the Ramosis revolted by plundering the region around Satara and seizing several local forts to challenge British authority.
• The revolt continued intermittently until 1826, eventually leading the British to adopt a policy of conciliation by granting them land grants and recruiting them into the Hill Police.

 Additional Information

• Veer Surendra Sai:
• He was a significant resistance leader from Odisha who fought against the British during the Sambalpur Uprising.
• He spearheaded the struggle from 1827 to 1864, particularly active during the Revolt of 1857, to protect the rights of the native Chauhan dynasty.
• Bakshi Jagabandhu:
• He was the commander of the forces of the Raja of Khurda and the leader of the Paika Rebellion in 1817.
• The rebellion in Odisha was an early armed protest against the British East India Company's exploitative land and salt policies.
• Kittur Chennamma:
• She was the Rani of Kittur, a princely state in present-day Karnataka.
• She led an armed rebellion against the British in 1824 in defiance of the Doctrine of Lapse to preserve the independence of her state.

The correct answer is 15 September.

Key Points

• Engineers' Day is celebrated in India annually on 15 September to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, one of India's greatest engineers.
• The celebration of this day was officially designated by the Government of India in 1968 to recognize his monumental contributions to nation-building and the field of civil engineering.
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya, often referred to as Sir M.V., was born on 15 September 1860 in Muddenahalli, located in the present-day state of Karnataka.
• The day aims to inspire the engineering community across the country and acknowledge their role in innovation, infrastructure development, and technological progress.
• In 2025, the tradition continues to honor his legacy as a visionary engineer, administrator, and statesman.

 Additional Information

• Sir M. Visvesvaraya's Achievements:
• He served as the 19^th Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918 and was the chief engineer responsible for the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam.
• He was awarded India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955 for his exceptional service to the nation.
• He designed and patented a system of automatic weir water floodgates, which were first installed at the Khadakwasla Reservoir near Pune in 1903 to increase the storage level without damaging the dam.
• He played a foundational role in establishing the Government Engineering College in Bangalore in 1917, which was later renamed the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE).
• Global Recognition:
• While India celebrates on 15 September, World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development is observed globally on 4 March by UNESCO.
• Countries like Sri Lanka and Tanzania also observe Engineers' Day on 15 September in honor of Sir M. Visvesvaraya.

The correct answer is Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• The 22^nd All India TDS Conference was successfully organized in Indore, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
• The primary agenda of the conference was to conduct a comprehensive review of the recent Income Tax Act amendments specifically pertaining to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS).
• The event served as a critical platform for Income Tax Officers and Commissioners (TDS) from various regions across India to discuss administrative strategies and enhance tax compliance.
• Significant focus was placed on the digital transformation of tax processes, including the use of Data Analytics to identify non-compliance and streamline the rectification process for deductors.
• The conference emphasized the role of TDS as a major contributor to the Direct Tax collection, often accounting for nearly 40% to 50% of the total direct tax revenue in India.

 Additional Information

• Income Tax Act, 1961:
• This is the statutory framework that governs the administration, collection, and recovery of Direct Taxes in India.
• TDS mechanism: It was introduced to collect taxes at the very source of income generation, ensuring a regular cash flow to the Government of India.
• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT):
• The CBDT is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
• It provides essential inputs for policy making and planning of direct taxes and is responsible for the administration of direct tax laws through the Income Tax Department.
• TDS Provisions:
• Specific sections like Section 192 (Salary), Section 194J (Professional Fees), and Section 194C (Contracts) are frequently amended in the Union Budget to widen the tax base.

The correct answer is Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Key Points

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has transferred the technology of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) through its commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
• The contract, valued at approximately  ₹511 crore, aims to facilitate the large-scale production and operation of the SSLV by the domestic industry.
• The SSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle configured with three solid propulsion stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as the terminal stage.
• It is specifically designed to launch satellites weighing up to 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or 300 kg into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
• Key advantages of the SSLV include a low turnaround time (ready to launch in 72 hours), flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, and minimal launch infrastructure requirements compared to the PSLV or GSLV.

 Additional Information

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):
• A Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise headquartered in Bengaluru, established in 1940.
• It is the backbone of India's aerospace sector, producing Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and providing hardware for ISRO’s launch vehicles like the PSLV and GSLV Mark III.
• Larsen & Toubro (L&T):
• A major private engineering conglomerate that collaborates with ISRO for manufacturing rocket boosters and pressure vessels for the Gaganyaan mission.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL):
• A public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, specializing in the manufacturing of guided missiles and underwater weapons systems.
• Adani Defence:
• A private sector entity focused on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), small arms, and aerospace manufacturing through various strategic partnerships.

The correct answer is By marriage.

Key Points

• The Citizenship Act, 1955, is the primary legislation that governs the acquisition and termination of Indian citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950.
• The Act identifies five specific ways to acquire Indian citizenship: By Birth, By Descent, By Registration, By Naturalization, and By Incorporation of Territory.
• By marriage is not recognized as an independent or standalone category for acquiring citizenship under the 1955 Act; instead, it is a criteria used to apply for citizenship through the process of Registration.
• Under Section 5(1)(c) of the Act, a person who is married to a citizen of India and has been ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application can seek citizenship via Registration.
• The Constitution of India deals with citizenship under Articles 5 to 11 within Part II, but it empowers Parliament to enact laws to regulate the right of citizenship.

 Additional Information

• By Birth (Section 3):
• Every person born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, is a citizen by birth.
• For those born after December 3, 2004, citizenship is granted only if both parents are citizens or one parent is a citizen and the other is not an illegal migrant.
• By Descent (Section 4):
• A person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, is a citizen if their father was a citizen at the time of birth.
• Since December 10, 1992, citizenship can be passed down if either parent is a citizen of India at the time of the child's birth.
• By Registration (Section 5):
• This applies to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), persons married to Indian citizens, and minor children of Indian citizens.
• Applicants must typically fulfill a residency requirement of seven years.
• By Naturalization (Section 6):
• A foreigner can acquire citizenship if they have resided in India for 12 years (including the 12 months preceding the application and 11 years out of the previous 14 years) and meet qualifications regarding character and language proficiency in the Eighth Schedule.

The correct answer is Bombay and Thane.

Key Points

• The first passenger train in the Indian subcontinent was officially flagged off on April 16, 1853, marking the beginning of the railway era in British India.
• The train journey commenced from Bori Bunder (now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) and concluded at Thane, covering a distance of approximately 34 kilometers.
• This inaugural run was powered by three steam locomotives named Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan, which were manufactured in England.
• The train consisted of 14 carriages and carried about 400 passengers, departing at 3:35 PM to a 21-gun salute.
• The operation was managed by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), a company incorporated by an Act of the British Parliament in 1849.

 Additional Information

• Lord Dalhousie: Served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856 and is celebrated as the Father of Indian Railways for his vision in connecting the country through rail.
• Growth of the Network:
• In Eastern India, the first train ran from Howrah to Hooghly on August 15, 1854, covering 24 miles.
• In Southern India, the first line was opened by the Madras Railway Company on July 1, 1856, between Veyasarpadi and Walajah Road.
• Structural Significance: Bori Bunder was later reconstructed into the Victoria Terminus in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• First Railway Proposals: While the first train ran in 1853, the earliest proposals for a railway in India were made in Madras in 1832, primarily for industrial transport.