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41. Which one of the following is the opportunity cost of a chosen activit

Which one of the following is the opportunity cost of a chosen activity ?

Out of pocket cost

Out of pocket cost plus cost incurred by the Government

Value of all opportunities forgone

Value of next best alternative that is given up

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Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that must be forgone to pursue a certain action. It represents the benefits you could have received by taking an alternative action. When you choose one activity, you give up the opportunity to engage in other activities; the opportunity cost is the value of the single best option you did not choose.

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative foregone.

It is distinct from explicit or ‘out-of-pocket’ costs (accounting costs). Economic decision-making often considers both explicit and implicit (opportunity) costs. For example, the opportunity cost of attending college includes not only tuition and books (explicit costs) but also the income you could have earned if you had worked instead of studying (implicit cost).

42. Which one of the following may lead to movement along the demand curve

Which one of the following may lead to movement along the demand curve of a commodity ?

Change in its price

Change in price of the other commodities

Change in income of the consumer

Change in tastes and preferences of consumers

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A movement along the demand curve of a commodity is caused solely by a change in the price of that commodity itself. The demand curve plots the relationship between the price of a good and the quantity demanded, assuming all other factors are held constant (ceteris paribus). When the price changes, there is a movement from one point to another along the same demand curve.

Change in the commodity’s own price causes movement along the demand curve.

Changes in other factors that affect demand, such as consumer income, price of other commodities (substitutes or complements), tastes and preferences, expectations, etc., cause a *shift* in the entire demand curve (either to the left or right).

43. Consider the following statements about Patanjali’s Mahabhashya :

Consider the following statements about Patanjali’s Mahabhashya :

It makes a mention of Kautilya.
It is a book on grammar and refers to historical personalities only incidentally.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Both statements are correct. Patanjali’s *Mahabhashya* is a detailed commentary on Panini’s *Ashtadhyayi*, making it a foundational text on Sanskrit grammar. While its primary focus is linguistic, it contains numerous references to historical events, personalities, and societal conditions of the time (c. 2nd century BCE), making it a valuable source for historical information, though this is incidental to its main purpose. It does mention Kautilya, the author of *Arthashastra*.

The *Mahabhashya* is a commentary on grammar but serves as an incidental source for historical information. It mentions Kautilya and provides insights into the socio-political life of the Shunga period.

Patanjali is generally placed in the 2nd century BCE, during the Shunga dynasty. The *Mahabhashya* is a key text in the Indian grammatical tradition. The mention of Kautilya in the *Mahabhashya* is often cited as evidence for the pre-Patanjali date of *Arthashastra*.

44. In India, the first major public appearance of Mahatma Gandhi was in

In India, the first major public appearance of Mahatma Gandhi was in

Champaran (1917)

Kheda (1918)

Inauguration of Banaras Hindu University (1916)

Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919)

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The correct answer is Inauguration of Banaras Hindu University (1916).

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915. Following the advice of his political guru Gopal Krishna Gokhale, he spent the initial year travelling across India to understand the country’s situation. His first major public speech in India after his return was delivered at the inauguration ceremony of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on February 4, 1916. This event provided him a national platform and is considered his first significant public appearance in Indian politics before he started leading specific movements.

The Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), and the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919) were important early movements led by Gandhi that solidified his position as a mass leader in India. However, the BHU speech in 1916 predates these movements as his initial major public address on a national stage.

45. Who among the following was not a Jain Acharya ?

Who among the following was not a Jain Acharya ?

Bhadrabahu

Khema

Haribhadra

Siddhasena Divakara

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The correct answer is Khema.

Let’s examine the individuals listed:
– Bhadrabahu: A prominent Jain monk and the last Shrutakevali (one who knows the entire Jain scriptures from oral tradition). He is a revered figure in Jainism, particularly associated with the Digambara tradition’s origin in South India.
– Khema: Khema was one of the two chief female disciples (Therinis) of Gautama Buddha. She is a significant figure in Buddhism, renowned for her wisdom.
– Haribhadra: A renowned Jain scholar, philosopher, and author of the 8th century CE. He wrote extensively on various aspects of Jain philosophy and logic.
– Siddhasena Divakara: A Jain philosopher and logician, believed to have lived around the 5th century CE. He is known for his contribution to Jain logic (Nyaya).
Based on these identifications, Khema is associated with Buddhism, not Jainism.

Jainism and Buddhism were two major Sramana traditions that emerged in ancient India around the 6th century BCE. While they share some philosophical concepts, they have distinct founders, scriptures, practices, and monastic traditions.

46. The location of the ancient city of Taxila (Takshshila), mentioned in

The location of the ancient city of Taxila (Takshshila), mentioned in ancient Indian texts, was identified by

Alexander Cunningham

R.D. Banerji

John Marshall

Daya Ram Sahni

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The correct answer is Alexander Cunningham.

Sir Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, played a pivotal role in identifying numerous ancient Indian sites. Using accounts from Chinese Buddhist pilgrims like Faxian and Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) and other ancient texts, Cunningham successfully located the ruins of Taxila in the 1860s. Later archaeological excavations were conducted at the site, most notably by John Marshall. However, the initial identification is credited to Cunningham.

R.D. Banerji is known for the discovery of Mohenjo-Daro. Daya Ram Sahni was the first to begin excavations at Harappa. John Marshall was the Director-General of the ASI during the period of major excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, confirming the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization, and also oversaw significant work at Taxila.

48. Who among the following ancient Indian kings was praised in glowing te

Who among the following ancient Indian kings was praised in glowing terms in the Prayaga Prashasti ?

Ashoka

Harshavardhana

Samudragupta

Bindusara

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The correct answer is Samudragupta.

The Prayaga Prashasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, is a eulogy for the Gupta Emperor Samudragupta. It was composed in Sanskrit by his court poet and minister, Harisena. The inscription details Samudragupta’s conquests, military campaigns, and administrative policies. It is inscribed on one of the pillars originally erected by Emperor Ashoka, which also contains Ashokan edicts.

Samudragupta (reigned c. 335/350 – 380 CE) was a ruler of the Gupta Empire, considered one of its greatest military expansionists. His campaigns extended the Gupta empire significantly across Northern and Central India and brought southern rulers into tributary status. The Prayaga Prashasti is a primary source for understanding his reign and military achievements.

49. In a discussion, M from Arunachal Pradesh, J from Assam, N from Meghal

In a discussion, M from Arunachal Pradesh, J from Assam, N from Meghalaya and S from Nagaland are claiming that as per Census 2011, their State has the maximum density of population. Identify the person making the correct claim.

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The correct answer is J.

We need to compare the population densities of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland as per Census 2011:
– Arunachal Pradesh: 17 persons per sq km (M)
– Assam: 398 persons per sq km (J)
– Meghalaya: 132 persons per sq km (N)
– Nagaland: 119 persons per sq km (S)
Comparing the densities (17, 398, 132, 119), the maximum density among these four states is 398, which is the density of Assam. Therefore, the person from Assam (J) is making the correct claim.

Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density among all states in India. Assam is one of the more densely populated states in the Northeast region, although its density is lower than the national average (382 in 2011).

50. Consider the following statements with respect to the adolescent popul

Consider the following statements with respect to the adolescent population (age group of 10 to 19 years) of India, according to the 2011 Census:

Adolescent population comprises half the population of the country.
The group is regarded as youthful population with high potential.
In this group there are greater number of females than males.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

1 and 2

2 and 3

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The correct answer is 2 only.

Let’s analyze each statement based on Census 2011 data:
1. Adolescent population comprises half the population of the country: According to the 2011 Census, the population in the age group 10-19 years was approximately 243 million out of a total population of 1210 million. This is roughly 20%, not half (50%). Statement 1 is incorrect.
2. The group is regarded as youthful population with high potential: The age group 10-19 years is considered part of the young population, and its potential contribution to the future workforce and development is widely recognized. This is a generally accepted demographic perspective. Statement 2 is correct.
3. In this group there are greater number of females than males: The child sex ratio (0-6 years) was adverse, and the sex ratio (females per 1000 males) for older age groups also showed fewer females than males at the national level in 2011. For the 10-19 age group, the sex ratio was significantly below 1000, indicating fewer females than males. Statement 3 is incorrect.

The high proportion of young people in India is often referred to as a demographic dividend, representing a potential asset for economic growth if this population is educated and skilled. However, challenges related to education, health, and employment for adolescents are also significant.