1. Which one of the following artificial sweeteners is modified sugar ?

Which one of the following artificial sweeteners is modified sugar ?

Aspartame
Saccharin
Sucralose
Alitame
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is a modified sugar.
Sucralose is derived from sucrose (table sugar) by replacing three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sucrose molecule with chlorine atoms. This chemical modification makes it about 320 to 1,000 times sweeter than sugar but indigestible by the body, hence providing virtually no calories.
Aspartame is a methyl ester of a dipeptide of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Saccharin is a synthetic sweetener with a bitter aftertaste, discovered in 1879. Alitame is a high-potency dipeptide-based artificial sweetener. Unlike sucralose, these are not chemically modified forms of sucrose.

2. ‘Nomadic Elephant’ is a joint military exercise between India and

‘Nomadic Elephant’ is a joint military exercise between India and

China
Mongolia
Vietnam
Bhutan
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
‘Nomadic Elephant’ is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Mongolia.
Joint military exercises are conducted between countries to enhance defence cooperation, interoperability, and share best practices. ‘Nomadic Elephant’ is the name given to the specific series of joint exercises between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces.
These exercises are held annually, alternating between the two countries. They focus on various aspects of military training, including counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and urban warfare. India conducts similar joint exercises with many other countries, each often having a specific code name (e.g., ‘Mitra Shakti’ with Sri Lanka, ‘Sampriti’ with Bangladesh, ‘Yudh Abhyas’ with the USA).

3. Which of the following are the reforms introduced in Budget 2017-2018

Which of the following are the reforms introduced in Budget 2017-2018 ?

  • 1. Presentation of Budget advanced to 1st February to enable the Ministries to operationalise all activities from the commencement of the financial year
  • 2. Merger of Railway Budget with General Budget to bring Railways to the centre stage of Government’s Fiscal Policy
  • 3. Removal of plan and non-plan classification of expenditure to facilitate a holistic view of allocations for Sectors and Ministries

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
1 and 2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
All three listed points were significant reforms introduced in the Union Budget for 2017-2018.
Budget 2017-18 marked a significant departure from previous practices. The date of budget presentation was advanced from the last working day of February to February 1st. The separate Railway Budget was merged with the General Budget. The traditional classification of expenditure into ‘Plan’ and ‘Non-Plan’ was discontinued and replaced with a ‘Capital’ and ‘Revenue’ classification.
Advancing the budget presentation allowed more time for budgetary allocations to be approved by Parliament before the commencement of the financial year (April 1st), thus enabling ministries to start spending from the beginning of the year. The merger of the Railway Budget aimed to integrate the financial planning of the Railways with the overall fiscal policy of the government. The removal of Plan/Non-Plan distinction aimed at focusing on the quality of expenditure and whether it contributes to creating assets (Capital) or covering running costs (Revenue), irrespective of whether it was under a ‘Plan’ scheme previously.

4. Which one of the following statements about the Sukanya Samridhi Schem

Which one of the following statements about the Sukanya Samridhi Scheme is NOT correct ?

Only parents of girls up to the age of 10 years can open such accounts in their daughters name
Contributions are eligible for tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act
Interest earned thereon is exempted up to Rs. 1500 per annum
A maximum of Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum can be invested in this account
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
The statement that is NOT correct about the Sukanya Samridhi Scheme is that interest earned thereon is exempted up to Rs. 1500 per annum.
The interest earned on the deposits made under the Sukanya Samridhi Scheme is fully exempt from income tax under Section 10(11A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. There is no limit of Rs. 1500 on the exemption.
The other statements are correct. The account can be opened by parents or legal guardians of a girl child up to the age of 10 years. Contributions are eligible for tax benefits under Section 80C. The maximum amount that can be invested in a financial year is Rs. 1.5 lakh. The scheme aims to encourage savings for the education and marriage expenses of a girl child.

5. Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period is NOT co

Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period is NOT correct ?

Forced labour (Vishti) became more common than before in this period
A passage in the Vishnu Purana refers to the Guptas enjoying all the territories along the Ganga up to Prayaga
The Mehrauli inscription suggests that Chandragupta fought against a confederacy of enemies in Bengal and also led a campaign into the Punjab
Saurashtra was not a part of the Gupta Empire
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
Saurashtra, the region comprising the Kathiawar peninsula, was a crucial part of the Gupta Empire. Chandragupta II conquered the Western Kshatrapas in this region, adding it to the empire. This conquest provided the Guptas control over important ports like Bharuch and facilitated lucrative maritime trade with the West. Therefore, the statement that Saurashtra was *not* a part of the Gupta Empire is incorrect.
The Gupta Empire reached its territorial peak under Chandragupta II, expanding its influence significantly, including the conquest of western India.
Statement A is generally considered true; forced labor (vishti) became more prevalent, especially in specific regions, due to various demands of the state and landholders. Statement B aligns with descriptions in Puranas regarding the core Gupta territories. Statement C accurately reflects the content of the Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription (attributable to Chandragupta II), which mentions his victories in Bengal and a campaign in the Punjab region.

6. Which one of the following statements about Allahabad Prashasti is cor

Which one of the following statements about Allahabad Prashasti is correct ?

It clearly presents the Gupta empire as the epicenter of a complex web of varied political relationships
Line 15 of it refers to the capturing a king of the Kota family
Line 23 refers to Samudragupta violently exterminating a number of kings of Aryavarta
Line 20 refers to rulers offering tribute, obeying the orders of the Gupta King
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
The Allahabad Prashasti, inscribed on an Ashokan pillar, is a eulogy for Samudragupta composed by his court poet Harisena. It details Samudragupta’s conquests and his relationships with various kings and rulers in different parts of the Indian subcontinent and beyond. By describing his campaigns and how he dealt with different groups of rulers (some conquered and annexed, some conquered and restored as tributaries, some made to pay tribute and obey orders, some offering submission), the inscription effectively portrays the Gupta empire under Samudragupta as the dominant power or ‘epicenter’ orchestrating a complex network of political relationships of varied nature.
The Allahabad Prashasti is a crucial source for understanding the reign and political achievements of Samudragupta, detailing his military campaigns and the extent of his influence.
While statements B, C, and D contain elements that are described in the Allahabad Prashasti (e.g., references to the Kota family, violent extermination of some Aryavarta kings, tribute from frontier rulers), statement A best encapsulates the overall political message and purpose of the inscription, which is to glorify Samudragupta and present his empire as the central power in a vast political landscape. Some specific details or line numbers in B, C, and D might be subject to interpretation or slight variation across translations, but the overarching presentation described in A is the undeniable theme of the text.

7. To which of the following sectors of the economy, the activity of agri

To which of the following sectors of the economy, the activity of agriculture and services belong to ?

Primary and Tertiary respectively
Primary and Secondary respectively
Tertiary and Secondary respectively
Secondary and Quaternary respectively
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
Economic activities are typically classified into different sectors. The primary sector involves the extraction and production of raw materials from the earth, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining. The tertiary sector (or service sector) involves providing services to consumers and businesses, such as trade, transport, banking, healthcare, education, etc. Agriculture falls under the primary sector, and services fall under the tertiary sector.
Understanding the classification of economic activities into primary, secondary, tertiary, and sometimes quaternary/quinary sectors is fundamental to economics.
The secondary sector involves the processing of raw materials into finished goods (manufacturing, construction). The quaternary sector involves knowledge-based services (research and development, information technology). The quinary sector includes high-level decision-making (government, top executives).

8. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I List II
(Committee) (Subject)
A. Rangarajan Committee 1. Tax Reform
B. Narsimhan Committee 2. Insurance Reform
C. Kelkar Committee 3. Disinvestment of shares in PSEs
D. Malhotra Committee 4. Banking Sector Reform

Code :

</p> <table> <tr> <td></td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td> <td>C</td> <td>D</td> </tr> <tr> <td>(a)</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> <td>4</td> <td>3</td> </tr> </table> <p>
</p> <table> <tr> <td></td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td> <td>C</td> <td>D</td> </tr> <tr> <td>(c)</td> <td>3</td> <td>4</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> </tr> </table> <p>
</p> <table> <tr> <td></td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td> <td>C</td> <td>D</td> </tr> <tr> <td>(d)</td> <td>3</td> <td>1</td> <td>4</td> <td>?</td> </tr> </table> <p>
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
Matching the committees with their subjects:
A. Rangarajan Committee – C. Rangarajan chaired the Committee on Disinvestment of shares in Public Sector Enterprises (1993). Matches 3.
B. Narasimham Committee – M. Narasimham chaired committees on Banking Sector Reforms (1991 and 1998). Matches 4.
C. Kelkar Committee – Vijay L. Kelkar chaired committees on Tax Reforms (Direct and Indirect Taxes – 2002-03). Matches 1.
D. Malhotra Committee – R. N. Malhotra chaired the Committee on Reforms in the Insurance Sector (1994). Matches 2.
The correct sequence is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2. This matches option (c).
Knowledge of important committees and their recommendations in various sectors of the Indian economy is crucial for understanding economic reforms.
These committees played significant roles in shaping economic policies in India during the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in the context of liberalization, privatization, and globalization reforms.

9. Which one of the following is the winner of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 20

Which one of the following is the winner of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017 ?

Uttar Pradesh
Karnataka
Assam
Tamil Nadu
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2016-17 final was played on March 18, 2017. Tamil Nadu defeated Bengal in the final to win the trophy.
This question tests knowledge of recent sporting events. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is India’s domestic List A cricket championship.
Tamil Nadu’s victory in 2017 was their fifth title win in the history of the tournament, making them one of the most successful teams.

10. Consider the following passage and identify the person : Born in April

Consider the following passage and identify the person :
Born in April 1932, she was a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist. She was recognized as an innovative exponent of the Jaipur Gharana. She was awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. She was also a Fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi. She died in April 2017.

Mrinalini Sarabhai
Mogubai Kurdikar
Kishori Amonkar
MS Subbulakshmi
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
The description perfectly matches Kishori Amonkar. She was born on April 10, 1932, was a leading vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, received the Padma Bhushan (1987) and Padma Vibhushan (2002), was a Fellow of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and passed away on April 3, 2017.
Identifying prominent personalities based on key biographical details and achievements is a common question type in general knowledge/current affairs.
Mrinalini Sarabhai was a renowned classical dancer. Mogubai Kurdikar was Kishori Amonkar’s mother and also a Jaipur Gharana vocalist, but she died in 2001. MS Subbulakshmi was a legendary Carnatic vocalist who died in 2004.