History
Q201–Q212 | Ancient · Medieval · Modern India
Q201EasyCGL+CHSL
Who founded the Maurya Empire?
AAshoka
BChandragupta Maurya
CBindusara
DChandragupta II
Show Answer
✔ B — Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire c. 321 BCE with the guidance of Chanakya/Kautilya. ❌ A: Ashoka was his grandson. ❌ C: Bindusara was his son. ❌ D: Chandragupta II was a Gupta ruler.
Q202EasyCGL+CHSL
The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between the Marathas and:
ABritish East India Company
BMughals
CAhmad Shah Durrani
DTipu Sultan
Show Answer
✔ C — Ahmad Shah Durrani
The Third Battle of Panipat (14 Jan 1761): Marathas vs Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali). Marathas suffered a decisive defeat. ❌ A,B,D: wrong opponents for this battle.
Q203ModerateCGL+CHSL
The book "Ain-i-Akbari" was written by:
ABirbal
BTansen
CAbul Fazl
DBadauni
Show Answer
✔ C — Abul Fazl
Ain-i-Akbari is the third volume of Akbarnama, written by Abul Fazl — Akbar's court historian. It describes the administration, economy, culture of Akbar's reign. ❌ A,B: courtiers not historians. ❌ D: Badauni wrote Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh.
Q204EasyCGL+CHSL
Who gave the slogan "Do or Die" during the Quit India Movement (1942)?
ASubhas Chandra Bose
BBal Gangadhar Tilak
CMahatma Gandhi
DJawaharlal Nehru
Show Answer
✔ C — Mahatma Gandhi
"Do or Die" was given by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942 at the Bombay session of AICC launching the Quit India Movement. ❌ A: Bose's slogan was "Give me blood, I will give you freedom." ❌ B: Tilak's was "Swaraj is my birthright." ❌ D: Nehru's association was different.
Q205ModerateCGL+CHSL
The Indus Valley Civilisation was primarily a _____ civilisation.
ABronze Age
BIron Age
CCopper Age
DStone Age
Show Answer
✔ A — Bronze Age
The Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation (c. 3300–1300 BCE) is classified as a Bronze Age civilisation — tools and weapons were made of bronze (copper-tin alloy). ❌ B: Iron Age came later (~1200 BCE onward). ❌ C: Copper Age (Chalcolithic) preceded Bronze. ❌ D: Stone Age was much earlier.
Q206DifficultCGL only
Which of the following is correctly matched — Revolt of 1857 centres and leaders?
ALucknow — Tantia Tope
BKanpur — Nana Sahib
CJhansi — Kunwar Singh
DBihar — Lakshmi Bai
Show Answer
✔ B — Kanpur — Nana Sahib
Kanpur = Nana Sahib (Dhondu Pant). ❌ A: Lucknow was led by Begum Hazrat Mahal (Tantia Tope led at Kanpur/Gwalior). ❌ C: Jhansi = Rani Lakshmi Bai; Bihar = Kunwar Singh. ❌ D: reversed.
Q207ModerateCGL+CHSL
The first Governor-General of independent India was:
ALord Mountbatten
BC. Rajagopalachari
CDr. B.R. Ambedkar
DJawaharlal Nehru
Show Answer
✔ A — Lord Mountbatten
Lord Mountbatten served as the first Governor-General of independent India (Aug 1947 – June 1948). C. Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General and the only Indian to hold the post. ❌ C: Ambedkar was Law Minister. ❌ D: Nehru was Prime Minister.
Q208ModerateCGL+CHSL
The term "Drain of Wealth" was coined by:
ABal Gangadhar Tilak
BDadabhai Naoroji
CGopal Krishna Gokhale
DMahatma Gandhi
Show Answer
✔ B — Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand Old Man of India) explained the "Drain of Wealth" theory in his book "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" (1901). ❌ A,C,D: did not coin this specific theory.
Q209DifficultCGL only
The Simon Commission was boycotted in India because:
AIt was sent to suppress the Non-Cooperation Movement
BIt had no Indian member
CIt proposed partition of India
DIt rejected Gandhi's demands
Show Answer
✔ B — It had no Indian member
The Simon Commission (1927) was an all-White British commission to review the Government of India Act 1919. Indians boycotted it with "Simon Go Back" because no Indian was included. ❌ A: Non-Cooperation ended 1922. ❌ C,D: not the reason for boycott.
Q210EasyCGL+CHSL
Akbar's policy of religious tolerance was called:
ADin-i-Ilahi
BSulh-i-Kul
CDhimmi
DJaziya
Show Answer
✔ B — Sulh-i-Kul
Sulh-i-Kul = "Universal Peace" or "Peace with all" — Akbar's policy of religious tolerance. Din-i-Ilahi was his attempt at a syncretic religion/state religion. ❌ C: Dhimmi = protected non-Muslim status. ❌ D: Jaziya = tax on non-Muslims (abolished by Akbar).
Q211ModerateCGL+CHSL
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was carried out during the Viceroyalty of:
ALord Canning
BLord Dufferin
CLord Curzon
DLord Minto
Show Answer
✔ C — Lord Curzon
Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal on 16 October 1905, citing administrative reasons. The partition was annulled in 1911 during the Delhi Durbar. ❌ A: Canning = 1857 revolt era. ❌ B: Dufferin = INC founded. ❌ D: Minto implemented Morley-Minto reforms.
Q212DifficultCGL only
Which medieval Indian text discusses the concept of "Arthashastra" (science of polity)?
ARamayana
BMahabharata
CArthashastra by Kautilya
DIndica by Megasthenes
Show Answer
✔ C — Arthashastra by Kautilya
Kautilya (Chanakya) wrote the Arthashastra — a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Written c. 4th century BCE, rediscovered in 1905. ❌ D: Indica describes Chandragupta's India but isn't Arthashastra.
Geography
Q213–Q222 | Physical · Indian · World Geography
Q213EasyCGL+CHSL
The Tropic of Cancer passes through which of the following Indian states?
ABihar
BMaharashtra
CMadhya Pradesh
DAndhra Pradesh
Show Answer
✔ C — Madhya Pradesh
The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram. ❌ A(Bihar), ❌ B(Maharashtra), ❌ D(Andhra Pradesh): not on Tropic of Cancer.
Q214EasyCGL+CHSL
Which is the longest river in India?
AGodavari
BGanga
CIndus
DBrahmaputra
Show Answer
✔ B — Ganga
The Ganga (2,525 km) is the longest river flowing entirely within India. The Indus is longer overall but most of it is in Pakistan. ❌ A(Godavari=1,465 km), ❌ C(Indus mostly in Pakistan), ❌ D(Brahmaputra mostly in Tibet/Bangladesh).
Q215ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which type of rainfall is common in the Western Ghats (windward side)?
AConvectional
BCyclonic
COrographic
DFrontal
Show Answer
✔ C — Orographic
Orographic (relief) rainfall occurs when moist winds are forced to rise over mountains. The SW monsoon hits the Western Ghats → heavy rainfall on windward (western) side. ❌ A: convectional = heated air rising (equatorial regions). ❌ B,D: associated with cyclones/depressions.
Q216ModerateCGL+CHSL
The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the:
AAravalli in the west and Vindhya in the north
BVindhya in the north, Western Ghats in the west, Eastern Ghats in the east
CSatpura in the north and Himalayas in the south
DDeccan Ghats in the south only
Show Answer
✔ B
Deccan Plateau is triangular, bounded by Vindhya-Satpura (north), Western Ghats (west), Eastern Ghats (east). It covers parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, AP. ❌ A,C,D: incorrect boundary descriptions.
Q217EasyCGL+CHSL
Which is the largest desert in the world?
ASahara Desert
BGobi Desert
CAntarctic Desert
DArabian Desert
Show Answer
✔ C — Antarctic Desert
Antarctica is the world's largest desert (~14.2 million km²) — a cold desert with very low precipitation. Sahara (~9.2 million km²) is the largest hot desert. ❌ B: Gobi (~1.3 million km²). ❌ D: Arabian (~2.3 million km²).
Q218ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which ocean current makes Western Europe warmer than its latitude suggests?
ALabrador Current
BCalifornia Current
CNorth Atlantic Drift
DCanary Current
Show Answer
✔ C — North Atlantic Drift
The North Atlantic Drift (extension of Gulf Stream) carries warm water from the Caribbean to Northwest Europe, keeping UK/Norway much warmer than their high latitudes would suggest. ❌ A(Labrador = cold current off Canada). ❌ B,D: Pacific/Atlantic cold currents.
Q219DifficultCGL only
The "Shiwalik Hills" are part of which range?
AGreater Himalayas
BLesser Himalayas (Himachal)
COuter Himalayas (Sub-Himalayan)
DTrans-Himalayan Range
Show Answer
✔ C — Outer Himalayas
Himalayas have three parallel ranges: (1) Greater/Inner Himalayas (Himadri) — highest, perpetual snow; (2) Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) — includes Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar; (3) Outer/Sub-Himalayas (Shiwalik) — southernmost, youngest, lowest. ❌ A,B,D: wrong classification.
Q220ModerateCGL+CHSL
India has the longest coastline bordering which ocean?
AArabian Sea
BBay of Bengal
CIndian Ocean
DBoth A and B equally
Show Answer
✔ B — Bay of Bengal
India's total coastline is ~7,517 km. Bay of Bengal coast (~1,100 km mainland + islands) is longer than Arabian Sea. However, mainland coast: East coast (Bay of Bengal side) = ~5,423 km vs West coast (Arabian Sea) = ~1,400 km. So Bay of Bengal has longer coastline. ❌ A: Arabian Sea side is shorter. ❌ C,D: not a complete answer.
Q221DifficultCGL only
The Black Soil (Regur) of Deccan is ideal for growing:
ATea
BJute
CCotton
DRice
Show Answer
✔ C — Cotton
Black Soil (Regur) = rich in clay, retains moisture, self-ploughing — ideal for cotton. Also called "Black Cotton Soil." ❌ A: Tea needs acidic, well-drained laterite/red soil. ❌ B: Jute = alluvial soil. ❌ D: Rice = alluvial or clayey.
Q222EasyCGL+CHSL
Which Indian city is known as the "Silicon Valley of India"?
AMumbai
BChennai
CHyderabad
DBengaluru
Show Answer
✔ D — Bengaluru
Bengaluru is called India's Silicon Valley due to its IT industry concentration (Infosys, Wipro, TCS campuses). ❌ A: Mumbai = financial capital. ❌ B: Chennai = Detroit of India (auto). ❌ C: Hyderabad = Cyberabad (also tech, but not "Silicon Valley" title).
Polity & Constitution
Q223–Q232 | Indian Constitution and Governance
Q223EasyCGL+CHSL
The Indian Constitution was adopted on:
A15 August 1947
B26 November 1949
C26 January 1950
D1 January 1950
Show Answer
✔ B — 26 November 1949
The Constitution was adopted/enacted on 26 November 1949 (Constitution Day/Samvidhan Divas). It came into force on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day). ❌ A: Independence Day. ❌ C: Enforcement date. ❌ D: wrong date.
Q224ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which Article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability?
AArticle 14
BArticle 15
CArticle 16
DArticle 17
Show Answer
✔ D — Article 17
Article 17 abolishes untouchability and its practice in any form. ❌ A(Art 14 = Equality before law), ❌ B(Art 15 = Prohibition of discrimination), ❌ C(Art 16 = Equal opportunity in public employment).
Q225ModerateCGL+CHSL
The concept of "Judicial Review" in India is associated with:
AArticle 32
BArticle 226
CArticle 13
DArticle 368
Show Answer
✔ C — Article 13
Article 13 declares any law inconsistent with Fundamental Rights void — this is the constitutional basis for judicial review. Art 32 (SC) and Art 226 (HC) provide writs as enforcement mechanisms. ❌ D: Art 368 = amendment procedure.
Q226EasyCGL+CHSL
How many Fundamental Duties are listed in the Indian Constitution?
A10
B11
C12
D7
Show Answer
✔ B — 11
Originally 10 Fundamental Duties under Article 51A (added by 42nd Amendment, 1976). An 11th duty — to provide education to children — was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002. Total = 11. ❌ A,C,D: wrong counts.
Q227DifficultCGL only
The President of India can be removed from office by:
AA resolution passed by Parliament with simple majority
BImpeachment under Article 61 with 2/3rd majority of total membership of each House
CPrime Minister's recommendation
DSupreme Court order
Show Answer
✔ B
Article 61: Impeachment requires a resolution passed by 2/3rd majority of total membership (not just those present and voting) of each House of Parliament separately after 14 days' notice. ❌ A: simple majority is insufficient. ❌ C,D: not constitutionally valid processes.
Q228ModerateCGL+CHSL
The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in which Part of the Indian Constitution?
APart III
BPart IV
CPart IVA
DPart V
Show Answer
✔ B — Part IV
Directive Principles = Part IV (Articles 36–51). ❌ A: Part III = Fundamental Rights. ❌ C: Part IVA = Fundamental Duties (added by 42nd Amendment). ❌ D: Part V = The Union (Executive).
Q229ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which writ is issued to a person holding a public office to perform official duties?
AHabeas Corpus
BCertiorari
CMandamus
DQuo Warranto
Show Answer
✔ C — Mandamus
Mandamus = "we command" — issued to a public official/body to perform a mandatory public duty. ❌ A: Habeas Corpus = "produce the body" (unlawful detention). ❌ B: Certiorari = quash lower court order. ❌ D: Quo Warranto = challenge authority to hold office.
Q230EasyCGL+CHSL
The minimum age to become President of India is:
A25 years
B30 years
C35 years
D40 years
Show Answer
✔ C — 35 years
Article 58: A person must be at least 35 years old to be eligible for the office of President of India. ❌ A(25 = Lok Sabha MP), ❌ B(30 = Rajya Sabha MP), ❌ D: too old.
Q231DifficultCGL only
The Finance Commission is constituted by:
AParliament
BPresident of India
CPrime Minister's Office
DRBI
Show Answer
✔ B — President of India
Article 280: The President of India constitutes the Finance Commission every 5 years. It recommends division of tax revenues between Centre and States. ❌ A,C,D: not constitutionally empowered to form the Finance Commission.
Q232ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which Constitutional Amendment added "Secular" and "Socialist" to the Preamble?
A24th Amendment
B42nd Amendment
C44th Amendment
D73rd Amendment
Show Answer
✔ B — 42nd Amendment (1976)
The 42nd Amendment (1976, during Emergency) added "Socialist," "Secular," and "Integrity" to the Preamble. Called the "Mini-Constitution" for its sweeping changes. ❌ A(24th = Parliament's power to amend FRs), ❌ C(44th = restored some rights removed in Emergency), ❌ D(73rd = Panchayati Raj).
Economy
Q233–Q240 | Indian & World Economy concepts
Q233EasyCGL+CHSL
The "Green Revolution" in India is mainly associated with:
AM.S. Swaminathan
BDr. Verghese Kurien
CC. Subramanian
DBoth A and C
Show Answer
✔ D — Both A and C
M.S. Swaminathan is the "Father of the Green Revolution in India." C. Subramanian was Agriculture Minister who implemented the policy. Together they drove India's wheat revolution. ❌ B: Dr. Kurien = "Father of White Revolution" (Operation Flood, dairy).
Q234ModerateCGL+CHSL
The term "Bull Market" in stock markets refers to:
AA market where prices are falling
BA market where prices are rising
CA market with no price movement
DA market with very high volatility
Show Answer
✔ B — Prices are rising
Bull market = rising prices, investor confidence. Bear market = falling prices, pessimism. (Mnemonic: Bull attacks upward with horns; Bear attacks downward with paws.) ❌ A(Bear market), ❌ C,D: different concepts.
Q235ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which type of unemployment is associated with seasonal variation in economic activities?
AFrictional unemployment
BStructural unemployment
CSeasonal unemployment
DCyclical unemployment
Show Answer
✔ C — Seasonal unemployment
Seasonal unemployment occurs in industries like agriculture, tourism, construction where work is available only in certain seasons. ❌ A(Frictional = between jobs), ❌ B(Structural = skills mismatch), ❌ D(Cyclical = economic downturns).
Q236DifficultCGL only
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is headed by:
AFinance Minister
BChief Economic Advisor
CRBI Governor
DSEBI Chairman
Show Answer
✔ C — RBI Governor
The MPC (constituted under RBI Act) is chaired by the RBI Governor. It has 6 members: 3 from RBI (Governor + 2 deputy/officials) and 3 external members nominated by Government. It sets the policy repo rate. ❌ A,B,D: not MPC heads.
Q237EasyCGL+CHSL
National Income of India is measured by which organization?
APlanning Commission
BRBI
CNational Statistical Office (NSO)
DFinance Ministry
Show Answer
✔ C — NSO (National Statistical Office)
NSO (formerly CSO — Central Statistics Office) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) measures National Income/GDP. ❌ A: Planning Commission dissolved (replaced by NITI Aayog). ❌ B: RBI handles monetary data. ❌ D: Finance Ministry handles budget.
Q238ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which Indian bank was given the status of "Scheduled Bank" for the first time in 1935?
AState Bank of India
BBank of Baroda
CPunjab National Bank
DImperial Bank of India
Show Answer
✔ D — Imperial Bank of India
The RBI Act 1934 defined "Scheduled Banks." Imperial Bank of India (nationalized as State Bank of India in 1955) was the first Scheduled Bank. ❌ A,B,C: nationalized/became scheduled banks later.
Q239DifficultCGL only
The Laffer Curve is related to:
ARelationship between inflation and unemployment
BRelationship between tax rate and tax revenue
CTrade balance and exchange rate
DGDP and government expenditure
Show Answer
✔ B
Laffer Curve (Arthur Laffer): shows that tax revenue first rises as tax rate increases, then falls beyond an optimal point (as high taxes discourage economic activity). ❌ A(Phillips Curve = inflation-unemployment). ❌ C,D: different economic models.
Q240ModerateCGL+CHSL
The "Gini Coefficient" measures:
AEconomic growth rate
BIncome inequality within a country
CInflation rate
DForeign exchange reserves
Show Answer
✔ B — Income inequality
Gini Coefficient: 0 = perfect equality, 1 = perfect inequality. Used globally to measure income distribution. ❌ A,C,D: measured by different indicators.
Science & Technology
Q241–Q248 | Physics · Chemistry · Biology
Q241EasyCGL+CHSL
What is the SI unit of electric current?
AVolt
BAmpere
COhm
DWatt
Show Answer
✔ B — Ampere
SI unit of electric current = Ampere (A). ❌ A(Volt = electric potential). ❌ C(Ohm = resistance). ❌ D(Watt = power).
Q242ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which gas causes the "greenhouse effect" most significantly?
AOxygen (O₂)
BNitrogen (N₂)
CCarbon Dioxide (CO₂)
DArgon (Ar)
Show Answer
✔ C — CO₂
Carbon dioxide is the primary driver of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect. Other GHGs: CH₄ (methane), N₂O, ozone, water vapour. ❌ A,B,D: not greenhouse gases (N₂ and O₂ are transparent to infrared).
Q243ModerateCGL+CHSL
Which organelle is called the "powerhouse of the cell"?
ANucleus
BRibosome
CMitochondria
DGolgi Apparatus
Show Answer
✔ C — Mitochondria
Mitochondria produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through cellular respiration — hence "powerhouse of the cell." ❌ A(Nucleus = control center). ❌ B(Ribosome = protein synthesis). ❌ D(Golgi = secretion/packaging).
Q244EasyCGL+CHSL
The chemical formula of table salt (common salt) is:
AKCl
BNaCl
CCaCl₂
DMgCl₂
Show Answer
✔ B — NaCl
Table salt = Sodium Chloride (NaCl). ❌ A(KCl = potassium chloride). ❌ C(CaCl₂ = calcium chloride). ❌ D(MgCl₂ = magnesium chloride).
Q245DifficultCGL only
Which disease is caused by deficiency of Vitamin B12?
AScurvy
BPernicious Anaemia
CBeriberi
DPellagra
Show Answer
✔ B — Pernicious Anaemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes Pernicious Anaemia (inability to produce enough red blood cells) and neurological damage. ❌ A(Scurvy = Vit C deficiency). ❌ C(Beriberi = Vit B1 / Thiamine). ❌ D(Pellagra = Vit B3 / Niacin).
Q246ModerateCGL+CHSL
What is the phenomenon of bending of light when it passes from one medium to another?
AReflection
BRefraction
CDiffraction
DPolarization
Show Answer
✔ B — Refraction
Refraction = bending of light as it changes speed passing between media with different optical densities (e.g., air to glass). ❌ A(Reflection = bouncing back). ❌ C(Diffraction = bending around obstacles). ❌ D(Polarization = restricting vibration direction).
Q247ModerateCGL+CHSL
The "Ozone Layer" is located in which atmospheric layer?
ATroposphere
BStratosphere
CMesosphere
DThermosphere
Show Answer
✔ B — Stratosphere
The Ozone Layer is in the Stratosphere (15–35 km altitude). It absorbs most of the Sun's harmful UV-B radiation. ❌ A(Troposphere = weather layer, ground to ~12 km). ❌ C(Mesosphere = meteors burn). ❌ D(Thermosphere = aurora, satellites).
Q248DifficultCGL only
In which process does a liquid change directly to gas without passing through the liquid phase?
AEvaporation
BCondensation
CSublimation
DDeposition
Show Answer
✔ C — Sublimation
Sublimation = direct solid → gas conversion (e.g., dry ice, camphor, naphthalene). ❌ A: Evaporation = liquid→gas (has liquid phase). ❌ B: Condensation = gas→liquid. ❌ D: Deposition = gas→solid directly. Note: Question says "liquid change directly to gas without passing through liquid phase" — actually this describes sublimation of solids; the question may have a phrasing issue, but C is the best answer for solid→gas without liquid.
Static General Knowledge
Q249–Q250 | Awards · Sports · Institutions
Q249AdvancedCGL only
Which Indian institution is known as the "Lender of Last Resort"?
ASEBI
BNABARD
CRBI
DSIDBI
Show Answer
✔ C — RBI
RBI (Reserve Bank of India) is the "Lender of Last Resort" — it provides emergency liquidity to banks facing financial stress to prevent systemic collapse. ❌ A(SEBI = securities regulator), ❌ B(NABARD = agricultural credit), ❌ D(SIDBI = small industries).
Q250ModerateCGL+CHSL
The Dada Saheb Phalke Award is given in the field of:
ALiterature
BMusic
CCinema
DScience
Show Answer
✔ C — Cinema
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honour in Indian cinema, awarded by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. Named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (father of Indian cinema). ❌ A(Sahitya Akademi = literature), ❌ B(music awards differ), ❌ D(science = different awards).