Insights on India Exam-2

1. Consider the following statements about coal-fired power plants:
1. Their current average global efficiency rate is about 33%
2. Supercritical and Ultra-supercritical technology driven coal combustion systems operate at relatively higher temperatures and pressures than conventional ones
Which of the above statements are true? Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

2. Which of the following processes of ‘Clean Coal Technology’ is/are correct?
1) Coal washing removes unwanted minerals by mixing crushed coal with a liquid and allowing the impurities to separate and settle
2) Wet scrubbers remove sulfur dioxide by spraying flue gas with limestone and water
3) Gasification, which produces syngas, avoids burning coal altogether
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

3. With reference to the ‘Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ (ICANN), which of the following statements are true?
1. It is a non-profit organization
2. It has responsibility for Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation
3. Functions that were earlier performed by Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) under United States Government are now in ICANN’s domain
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

4. What is an ‘Ultra Marathon’?

5. The state of Uttarkhand recently observed ‘Himalaya Diwas’. What is this day’s significance?

6. Who among the following are regarded as the bulwarks of the democratic system of government in India?
1. Supreme Court
2. President
3. Comptroller and Auditor General
4. Union Public Service Commission
5. National Human Rights Commission
6. Central Information Commission
7. Election Commission
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

7. How can the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) be removed from office?

8. Consider the following statements about the Comptroller and Auditor General:
1) He is responsible only to the Parliament
2) He is an agent of the Parliament
3) One of his roles is to uphold the Constitution of India
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

9. Which of the following statements are true about the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961?
1) “Diplomatic immunity” can never be violated by the host nation
2) A diplomat’s private residence enjoys the same protection as an embassy in the host nation
3) The host nation at any time and for any reason can declare a diplomat to be “persona non grata”
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

10. Consider the following statements about the “Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme”:
1) It will help in maintaining the country’s Current Account Deficit within sustainable limits
2) The actual amount of issuance of bonds will be determined by the Ministry of Finance
3) Not more than 500g worth of bonds can be bought by an individual in a financial year
Which of the above statements are correct? Select the answer using the codes given below:

11. Historically, there have been three modes of escape from under-development. These are:
1) Geology
2) Geography
3) Coding
4) Jeans
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

12. Which of the following statements about the MUDRA Bank are correct?
1. This is one of the two entities to have been granted a full-banking operations’ license recently
2. It is to be set up through an enactment of law
3. In lending, priority will be given to SC/ST enterprises
4. MUDRA Bank will refinance Micro-Finance Institutions
Select the answer using the codes given below:

13. With reference to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 which of the following statements are incorrect?
1) It provides for the creation of a District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and a National Mineral Extraction Trust (NMET)
2) Mining leases can be renewed
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

14. Which of the following statements with reference to elections in India is/are true?
1) State Legislatures can also make provisions with respect to all matters relating to election to the state legislatures
2) Ballot papers are officially not to be used in any constituency
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

15. With among the following are official languages of the United Nations?
1) Hindi
2) French
3) Chinese
4) Spanish
5) Russian
6) Arabic
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

16. With reference to the United Nations (UN) official languages, which of the following statements are correct?
1) All UN documents are issued in all six official languages
2) To be categorized as an ‘official language’, at least two-thirds of the member states of the UN must vote in favour
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

17. Indian Generic Drugs are estimated to account for 85 per cent share in the domestic pharma-market by 2020. What could the reasons be?
1. Patent Cliffs
2. Availability of cheap labour
3. Prevalence of lifestyle diseases
4. Rapid growth in recent past, in doctors prescribing generics
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

18. Consider the following statements about the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB):
1) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals that fall under automatic route do not require prior scrutiny by it, but approval as a formality is a must
2) It is under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion but reports directly to the Cabinet Committee on Investments
3) It was initially constituted in the 1980s
Which of the above statements are correct?

19. With reference to ‘Odissi’, a classical dance of India, which of the following statements are incorrect?
1) It has its origin in the temples of Odisha
2) It includes both Tandava and Lasya elements
Choose the correct answer:

20. With reference to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), consider the following statements:
1) It came into being in 1988
2) The SEBI Act was enacted on April 12, 1992
Which of the statements given above are correct?

21. In the pre-SEBI days, capital market regulation was the responsibility of

22. Which of the following statements about the ‘#100Women Initiative’ are correct?
1) It has been launched by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with Facebook
2) 100 women will be selected through Facebook, to be provided financial and technical assistance on the basis of their potential to become successful entrepreneurs
Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

23. Which one of the following countries does not open out to the Red Sea?

24. The monthly compilation of the Index of Industrial Production is an activity carried out by the

25. With reference to ‘Paryushan’, which of the following is/are correct?
1) Its objectives are similar to those in the practice of Santhara
2) Its origins lay in historical agricultural lifestyles, specifically in avoidance of killing insects in the post-monsoon period when there was a break in agricultural work
3) Both, Shvetambars as well as Digambars observe the ritual
Choose the correct answer:

26. Which among the following statements about the ‘Indian Roller’ is correct?

27. Consider the following statements about ‘tax expenditure’:
 It is an indicator of revenue foregone
 It is the quantum of revenue that has been waived by the government
 Positive externalities by the way of ancillary economic gains due to the progress of any sector are factored in the determination of revenue foregone
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

28. Which of the following statements about ‘Codex Alimentarius’ is/are true?
 It is an internationally recognised body for determining international food standards
 It is a non-governmental organization which actively engages with governments
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

29. Which of the following statements about ‘Lok Adalats’ is/are correct?
1. Cases at pre-litigation stage and those pending in courts are taken up for settlement
2. Decisions taken here are selectively permitted for appeal in High Courts
3. These do not deal with criminal cases
Select the answer using codes given below:

30. Uniting for Consensus’, often seen in the news, is

31. With reference to the ‘Rajbhasha awards’, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
1) It is an award scheme for original book writing in Hindi on culture
2) It is an award scheme for original book writing in any of the languages mentioned in the 8th Schedule on culture
3) Any Indian citizen is eligible for the award, if other conditions are met
Select the answer using the codes given below:

32. Consider the following statements about the ‘Mohiniyattam’ dance:
 The costumes are brightly coloured, likely having sought inspiration from those of Kathakali
 Its predominant style is Lasya
Which of the above statements are correct? Select the answer using the codes given below:

33. Consider the following statements:
 District Election Officers supervise the election work of their respective districts
 Returning officers of their respective assembly constituencies are responsible for conduct of elections
 Presiding officers conduct the poll at polling stations
 Election Observers perform such functions as are entrusted to them by the Election Commission (EC)
Which of the above statements are correct?

34. Consider the following list:
 Chief Electoral Officer
 District Election Officer
 Election Observers
 Electoral Registration Officer
Who from the above list are members of the authority which conducts elections to the State Legislative Assemblies?

35. The Election Machinery consists of a number of officers who ensure elections are conducted in a smooth manner. Who, from among the following officers, are not appointed by the Election Commission?

36. ‘Ease of doing business’ ranks economies from 1 to 189, with first place being the best. Who issues this ranking?

37. Which among the following statements about the Directorate General of Safeguards is/are true?
1) It is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
2) It investigates the existence of threat of market disruption to domestic industry as consequence of increased import of an article into India
3) Safeguard duties are only recommended by it
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

38. The Haj Committee of India is

39. Consider the following statements:
 The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
 The Explosives Control Bureau is under PESO
 State governments are at present allowed to enact their own laws to deal with possession and transport of explosives
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

40. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?

41. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in Europe as one proceeds from east to west?
1. Munich
2. Bucharest
3. Vienna
4. Budapest
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

42. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in Europe as one proceeds from south to north?
1. Munich
2. Bucharest
3. Vienna
4. Budapest

43. Consider the following statements about North Korea:
1) It is a member of the United Nations
2) It is estimated to have one of the largest global deposits of minerals and rare earth metals
3) India has sent Parliamentary delegations to the country in the past
Which of the above statements are correct?

44. Which of the following statements about ‘Rare Earth Elements’ (REE) is/are incorrect?
 A group of seventeen chemical elements
 Often found together in geologic deposits due to the similarity of their properties
 Also referred to as “rare earth oxides” because many of them are sold in their oxide-state itself
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

45. ‘G4’ that wants expansion of the U.N. Security Council and permanent seats for themselves does not comprise which of the following countries?

46. Which one of the following is the best description of the term ‘philately’?

47. Consider the following statements:
1) Pollutants from forest fires might cause a significant increase in ozone levels
2) Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons plus nitrogen oxides along with sunlight, are needed to make ozone
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

48. Which of the following statements about ‘small banks’ are correct?
 Companies and Societies as well as resident individuals/professionals with ten years of experience in banking and finance are eligible to set them up
 Their area of operations will be restricted to contiguous districts in a homogenous cluster of States/Union Territories – this requirement may be exempted in some cases
 Unlike Payment Banks, they will primarily undertake basic banking activities of acceptance of deposits and lending
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

49. Consider the following statements about the ‘UN Millennium Project’:
 It was headed by the eminent economist, Jeffrey Sachs
 Its task was to recommend a concrete action plan for the world to reverse the grinding poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people
 Their final report was titled, “Investing in Development: The Millennium Development Goals”
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

50. What is Rio+20 conference, often mentioned in the news?

51. Consider the following statements with regard to the ‘Nanning Consensus’:
1. The China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement framework was decided upon as a result of this consensus
2. One outcome of it was consensus on extension of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Corridor into Indo-China
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

52. Which among the following list of countries belong to a geographical region known as ‘Indo-China’?
1) Nepal
2) Bhutan
3) Cambodia
4) Vietnam
5) Laos
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

53. Nepal recently unveiled its new Constitution. With reference to communities that have refused to sign it, consider the following statements:
 Both, the Tharu and the Madhesi people are present in India
 In India, the Tharu people have been given Scheduled Tribe status but not the Madhesi
Which of the above statements are correct?

54. Consider the following statements:
 Declaration of a state animal immediately implies that the same animal cannot be slaughtered within the state
 The state animal of Rajasthan (Camel) is a threatened species as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

55. The ‘Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’ (CTBT) is a multilateral treaty by which states agree to ban

56. ‘Turn down the heat’ is a series of reports released by

57. Consider the following statements:
1) The ‘Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’(CTBT) is a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
2) Its non-ratification by some states has caused the CTBT to not enter into force yet
3) India was the first country to call for a ban on nuclear testing in 1954
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

58. With reference to ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ (WMD), consider the following statements:
 Non-proliferation typically involves prohibition of the transfer of WMD or the materials and knowhow to make WMD
 Counter-proliferation methods involve shooting down missiles armed with WMD, and even to employ military force to prevent use of WMD
Which of the above statements are correct?

59. Consider the following statements about ‘Red Sanders’:
 It is endemic to the South-Eastern portion of the Indian peninsula
 It is used in the making of oriental musical instruments
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

60. Consider the following statements:
 India has set a voluntary goal of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25 per cent by 2020 as compared to the base year of 2005
 The above-mentioned goal excludes emissions from agriculture (in calculating the emissions intensity of its GDP)
Which of the above statements are correct?

61. With reference to Business Correspondent Agents/Bank Mitras under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which of the following statements are correct?
1. They offer banking services like cash deposit ,withdrawal and fund transfer
2. They also offer the service of opening new accounts
3. Providing insurance and pension related services too is one of their tasks
4. The Business Correspondent Agents/Bank Mitras are also playing a major role in spread of financial literacy
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

62. Consider the following statements with regard to Subhas Chandra Bose:
1) He secured from the Axis powers, a declaration in favour of Indian Independence
2) The ‘Provisional Government of Free India’ established by him was recognized by Japan as well as Germany and Fascist Italy
Which of the above statements are correct?

63. It is often said that Subhas Chandra Bose died in an air crash. What was his planned-destination?

64. “The International Migration Outlook” is an annual report released by the

65. Which of the following statements about the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development are incorrect?
 India is a key partner but not a member
 Unlike the G20, it has a permanent secretariat
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

66. Consider the following statements about the Integrated Child Development Scheme:
1. One of its objectives is to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-5 years
2. Private players cannot participate in providing services under this scheme
Which of the above statements are correct?

67. Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A): A big solar event (Coronal Mass Ejections) may cause Low-Earth-Orbit satellites to be dragged back down to earth
Reasons (R): A big solar event causes the Earth’s atmosphere to swell up
Which of the above statements is/are true?

68. Consider the following statements:
1) It is on average an 11-year cycle
2) Its extremes consist of a solar minimum and a solar maximum
3) Extreme solar events can happen at any time during the cycle
Which of the above statements about the Solar Cycle are correct?

69. Which of the following may be consequences of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)?
 Unlike when in ordinary circumstances auroras are visible close only to the north and south poles, it will trigger auroras worldwide
 It will generate an electrical current in any conductive material near the ground
 We might lose a lot of money stored in banks
 The ionosphere thickens and delays the transmission of signals back to earth
Select the correct answer using codes given below:

70. Consider the following statements about the World Youth Skills Day (WYSD):
 It was first celebrated in the year 2015
 WYSD is in line with the United Nations’ Skill Development Goals (SDGs)
 The Government of India launched the ‘Skill India’ programme on this day
Which of the above statements are correct?

71. Consider the following statements:
1. The Saka calendar is the national calendar along with the Gregorian calendar, used by the Government of India for certain official purposes
2. The Kushana emperor Kanishka is alleged to have initiated the Saka era
3. The Vikram Samvat is said to have begun with Vikramaditya’s accession to the throne in 57 AD
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

72. Which of the following statements about Bakrid is/are incorrect?
1) It is performed by Muslims to commemorate the willingness of Hazrath Ibrahim to sacrifice his only goat to feed an emaciated man
2) It is also known as Eid-ul-adha
3) Blood of the goat is used to wash away any sins committed by Muslims
4) Islam permits only goats to be sacrificed during this celebration
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

73. Which among the following are ports-related performance indicators utilized by the Ministry of Shipping?
 Average turnaround time
 Average pre-berthing time
 Average output per ship berth-day
 Average number of moves per crane-hour
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

74. Consider the following statements about the United Kingdom’s ‘Equalities Act, 2010’:
 It recognizes caste discrimination as an aspect of race discrimination
 This act was made to tackle, among others, the menace of race as well as caste discrimination, within the UK only
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

75. Which among the following contributes the maximum number of troops to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations?

76. With reference to the Gond tribe of India, consider the following statements:
1. Their language, ‘Gondi’, lacks a working script
2. ‘Gondwana’ is a derived from this tribe’s name, and it means ‘Land of the Gonds’
3. They venerate Ravana (from the Hindu literature – Ramayana), and worship Him
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

77. Consider the following statements:
1) Tea Board of India comes under the Department of Plantations, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
2) The Plantations Labour Act, 1951 is applicable to the tea plantations as well
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

78. Which among the following are mentioned in List-III of the Seventh Schedule in the Indian Constitution?
 Criminal Law
 Criminal Procedure
 Markets and fairs
 Population Control and family planning
 Elections to the Legislature of the State, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

79. Consider the following statements about the India-Africa Forum Summit:
 The first such summit will be held in New Delhi in 2015
 This biennial summit is to be held on a rotational basis between India and Africa
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

80. Consider the following statements:
 It consists of a Methane Sensor
 A ‘Lyman Alpha Photometer’ which will help us understand the loss-process of water from the planet
 A Magnetometer which will measure ionosphere magnetic field characteristics
Which of the statements is/are associated with the Mars Orbiter Mission and is/are true?

81. Consider the following statements associated with the diesel engine:
 It is an internal combustion engine which utilizes spark plugs for fuel ignition
 The United Nations Health Agency has classified its exhaust as ”carcinogenic to humans”
 Not only does it emit Carbon Monoxide, it also emits Diesel Particulate Matter
 Diesel has a higher boiling point than that of water
Which of the above statements are correct?

82. With reference to the Flag Code of India, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
1. It contains a general description of the National Flag
2. Any Indian citizen can display the National Flag at his or her residence
3. The Flag can be used as a covering for a statue prior to its unveiling, provided the statue is placed on a pedestal
Select the correct answer using codes given below:

83. What is the ‘Blue Revolution’ as envisaged by the Government of India?

84. Consider the following statements:
1) His philosophy of Integral Humanism is a synthesis of the material and the spiritual
2) He started a weekly ‘Panchajanya’ and a daily ‘Swadesh’
3) He founded the Sanatan Dharma College
Which of the above statements about Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya are true?

85. Which of the following statements associated with Rani Gaidinliu are incorrect?
 She belonged to an ethnic Naga tribe
 By her followers, she was considered to be an incarnation of a goddess
 She joined the ‘Tharewukara Reformist Religious Movement’ (TRRM) which steadfastly turned out to be a political movement against the British Raj
 TRRM recognizes supremacy of one God who is behind creation of nature be it air, water or earth
Select the correct answer using codes given below:

86. Consider the following statements:
1. The CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) has been established under the Kyoto Protocol
2. Parties participating in the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol represent only 12 per cent of global emissions
Which of the above statements are correct?

87. If potatoes cost Rs.100 per kg in August 2014, Rs.110 per kg in August 2015 and Rs.120 per kg in August 2016, which two processes in these two periods, in the context of rise and fall of prices, are respectively taking place?

88. With reference to commitments by different countries towards emissions’ reduction, consider the following statements:
1) India has already set a voluntary goal of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP (excluding emissions from agriculture) by 20-25 per cent by 2020 as compared to the base year of 2005
2) The United States of America intends to reduce by 2030 its emission of greenhouse gases by 26 per cent to 28 per cent below its 2005 level
3) China intends to peak its emissions of carbon dioxide in 2030, if not earlier
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

89. The ‘Global Innovation Index’, a leading benchmarking tool for anyone seeking insight into the state of innovation of a country, is co-published by?
 World Bank
 Cornell University
 INSEAD (European Institute of Business Administration)
 Innovation International
 The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO, an agency of the United Nations)
 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

90. Consider the following statements:
 The ‘Mysore Wars’ refer to four military confrontations between the Marathas and rulers of Mysore
 Tipu Sultan’s negotiations with the French served the British a pretext to launch the fourth Mysore War
Which of the above statements are incorrect?

91. Which of the following statements about INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) is/are true?
 It is under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India
 It’s mission is in line with the fundamental duty of preserving the rich heritage of our composite culture
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

92. Which of the following statements about ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) is/are incorrect?
1. It is a set of 17 goals which will cover a period of 17 years
2. These are applicable to all members of the United Nations and not only the developing
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

93. Which of the following statements about the ‘Razakars’ is/are incorrect?
1) They resisted the integration of Hyderabad State into the Dominion of India
2) They were once led by Qasim Razvi
3) This regiment captured areas around Lahore in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

94. Consider the following list of states:
 Travancore
 Jodhpur
 Junagadh
 Hyderabad
 Bhopal
Which of the above states acceded to the Indian Union before Independence?

95. Consider the following statements about stupas:
 They are unique to Buddhism
 The stupa at Sanchi was built during the time of Ashoka
 Royal patronage was the sole form of patronage for their construction in ancient India
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

96. Consider the following statements:
1) The ‘Chakmas’ are also known as the ‘Daingnet people’
2) Hajongs have been notified as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in some Indian states
3) Chakmas have also been notified as a ST in some Indian states
Which of the above statements are correct?

97. Which of the following life-threatening diseases does the Pentavalent vaccine provide immunization from?
1) DPT (Diptheria, Pertusis and Tetanus)
2) DPT (Diptheria, Polio and Tetanus)
3) Hepatitis B
4) Haemophilus Influenza Type B
5) Measles
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

98. The Aegean Sea lies in-between

99. Consider the following statements about the Indian Evidence Act:
1) It was framed during the time of British Raj
2) The same law exists today, with an amendment having been passed only once due to the rapid increase in ownership of mobile phones
Which of the above statements are true?

100. Lake Chad is surrounded by which of the following countries?
1) Chad
2) Nigeria
3) Niger
4) Cameroon
Select the correct answer