Ques 1. Consider the following matches
- Terracotta hour glass – Kalibangan
- Yantraraja manuscript – Mahendra Suri
- Ghatika Yantra – Indian water clock
- Nataraja bronze – Chola dynasty
How many of the above matches is/are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four
Ques 2. Which of the following statement about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) is INCORRECT ?
a) PVTGs are identified as the most vulnerable among Scheduled Tribes, requiring special attention
b) The Dhebar Commission recommended the creation of the PVTG category in 1975
c) As per the 2011 Census, PVTGs are found in 28 states and 5 Union Territories
d) Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs, with a population of over 2.5 lakh
Ques 3. Consider the following statements with reference to Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV)
- Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) operates on a cycle of approximately 60–70 years.
- Negative AMV phases are associated with warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 & 2
d) Neither 1 & 2
Ques 4. Which of the following statements about the President of India is correct?
a) The President is directly elected by the citizens of India
b) The President acts according to the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister
c) The President can dismiss the Prime Minister at will
d) The President is responsible to the Rajya Sabha
Ques 5. Which of the following statements are correct in respect of “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi”?
- It is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- It aims to integrate nutrition with cognitive development in early childhood.
- It focuses only on providing mid-day meals to school children.
Select the answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer
Ans 1. Answer: d
Explanation:
- Kalibangan (in present-day Rajasthan) is an important Indus Valley Civilization site, where terracotta objects, including hourglass-shaped artifacts, have been found.
- Mahendra Suri was a 14th-century Indian astronomer who authored the Yantraraja, a treatise on the astrolabe (an ancient astronomical instrument).
- Ghatika Yantra is an ancient Indian water clock used for measuring time, especially in temples and observatories.
- The iconic Nataraja bronze sculptures, depicting Shiva in his cosmic dance, were a hallmark of Chola dynasty art during the 9th–13th centuries CE.
Source: The Indian Express, page no 1
Ans 2.
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.
- In 1975, the Government of India declared 52 tribal groups as PVTGs on the recommendation of the Dhebar Commission. Currently, there are 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
- The PVTGs are spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (UT), in the country (2011 census). Odisha has the highest number (more than 2.5 lakh) of PVTGs.
Source: The Indian Express, page no 1
Ans 3.
Answer: a
- Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) is a long-term pattern of sea surface temperature changes in the North Atlantic Ocean that typically operates on a cycle of around 60–70 years.
- It alternates between positive (warm) and negative (cool) phases, each lasting for several decades. During a positive phase, the North Atlantic experiences warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures, while a negative phase is marked by cooler-than-average temperatures.
- Therefore, statement II is incorrect.
Source: The Indian Express, page no 14
Ans 4.
Answer: b
Explanation:
Option b is correct:
- The President of India is the constitutional head, but real executive power rests with the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.
- Article 74: “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President, who shall act according to such advice.”
- This is why the President cannot act independently in normal circumstances.
Source: The Hindu (Page 6)
Ans 5.
Answer: a
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
- The programme “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to strengthen early childhood care and education (ECCE) within the ICDS framework.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
- The initiative recognizes that nutrition and learning go hand in hand. It promotes not only nutritional care but also play-based and activity-based learning to ensure holistic development in the crucial first 1,000 days of life.
Statement 3 is incorrect:
- The scheme is not restricted to school meals; instead, it focuses on preschool children in Anganwadis. Its scope is much broader, combining nutrition, health, and cognitive stimulation rather than limiting itself to food provision.
Source: The Hindu (Page 6)