UPSC CISF-AC-EXE

31. Which one of the following is the largest component of the soil system

Which one of the following is the largest component of the soil system ?

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Living organisms
Mineral matters
Soil solution
Soil organic matter
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The correct option is B) Mineral matters.
In a typical mineral soil composition by volume, mineral particles (sand, silt, clay) constitute the largest proportion, usually around 45-50%. Soil solution (water) and soil air each occupy roughly 20-30% of the volume, depending on moisture content. Soil organic matter makes up a much smaller percentage, typically around 5% or less in mineral soils, while living organisms are present in very small quantities compared to the total volume.
The relative proportions of these components can vary greatly depending on the soil type, location, and conditions, but mineral matter is generally the dominant component in terms of volume and mass.

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32. Which of the following statements about the Ashokan pillars is/are not

Which of the following statements about the Ashokan pillars is/are not correct ?

  • The 14th century Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi makes reference to the Ashokan pillars.
  • The writer Shams Siraj Afif gives an account of the Ashokan pillars known as Delhi-Topra and Delhi-Meerut.
  • There are instances of the Ashokan pillars or their fragments being worshipped as Shiv Lingas.
  • The Ashokan pillars were produced in gold, iron and bronze.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1 only
2 only
2, 3 and 4 only
4 only
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The correct option is D) 4 only.
The question asks for statements that are *not* correct.
Statement 1 is correct. Medieval texts, including accounts from the Sultanate period like the Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, do indeed mention Ashokan pillars, particularly in the context of Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s efforts to relocate them.
Statement 2 is correct. Shams Siraj Afif, the author whose work is included in the Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, provides accounts of Firuz Shah Tughlaq moving two Ashokan pillars from Topra and Meerut to Delhi. These are historically known as the Delhi-Topra and Delhi-Meerut pillars.
Statement 3 is correct. There are historical and anecdotal accounts of ancient pillars or their fragments being found in various locations and, over time, being incorporated into local religious practices, sometimes identified with or worshipped as Shiv Lingas.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Ashokan pillars were characteristically monolithic structures carved from polished sandstone, typically sourced from quarries like Chunar. They were not made of gold, iron, or bronze.
The material used for Ashokan pillars (sandstone) and their construction technique (monolithic) are key features distinguishing them. The polished surface finish is another hallmark.

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33. Which of the following statements about the founding of the Indian Nat

Which of the following statements about the founding of the Indian National Congress is/are correct ?

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  • It was supported by A.O. Hume who was a political liberal.
  • It was based on similar associations in South-East Asia.
  • It was initially supported by Indian elites who had access to Western education and English.

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1 only
2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
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The correct option is D) 1 and 3 only.
Statement 1 is correct. A.O. Hume, a retired British Indian Civil Service officer who held liberal views, played a crucial role in the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. He is often credited with initiating the idea and bringing together the early leaders.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Indian National Congress was primarily modelled after liberal political associations and debating societies in Britain, not on similar associations in South-East Asia.
Statement 3 is correct. The initial leadership and membership of the INC were predominantly drawn from Western-educated Indian elites – lawyers, journalists, teachers, landlords, and merchants – who were proficient in English and familiar with Western political thought.
The founding of the INC is sometimes referred to as the ‘Safety Valve Theory’, suggesting that Hume initiated it partly to provide a platform for educated Indians to express their grievances peacefully and thereby prevent a larger uprising. While this theory is debated, Hume’s role and the background of the early leaders (statement 1 and 3) are well-established facts.

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34. Which of the following statements about Kautilya’s Arthashastra is/are

Which of the following statements about Kautilya’s Arthashastra is/are correct ?

  • It is the first Indian text to describe a State.
  • It does not contain any reference to the Mauryas.
  • It is a theoretical text.

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1 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The correct option is D) 1, 2 and 3.
Statement 1 is correct. Kautilya’s Arthashastra is considered the first comprehensive treatise in ancient India specifically dedicated to statecraft, administration, and political economy, providing a detailed description of the structure and functions of a state.
Statement 2 is correct. A notable feature of the Arthashastra text is the absence of any direct mention of the Mauryan dynasty or Chandragupta Maurya, despite the traditional association of Kautilya (Chanakya) with Chandragupta. This fact is significant for scholarly debates about the text’s precise date.
Statement 3 is correct. While practical and prescriptive, the Arthashastra is fundamentally a theoretical text in the sense that it lays down principles, models, and strategies for the ideal functioning of a state, based on Kautilya’s systematic analysis of governance.
The Arthashastra covers a wide range of topics including the duties of the king, council of ministers, diplomacy, war, law, economics, and internal administration. It provides a detailed blueprint for an efficient and powerful state apparatus.

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35. The painter Mola Ram was associated with which one of the following st

The painter Mola Ram was associated with which one of the following styles of paintings?

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Bundi Paintings
Garhwal Paintings
Mewar Paintings
Kangra Paintings
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The correct option is B) Garhwal Paintings.
Mola Ram (1743–1833) was a renowned artist of the Garhwal School of painting. This school flourished in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas during the 18th and 19th centuries, developing from the Pahari painting tradition. Mola Ram is known for his exquisite miniature paintings, often depicting mythological themes, portraits, and scenes of daily life.
Bundi Paintings, Mewar Paintings, and Kangra Paintings are other distinct schools of Indian painting, primarily associated with Rajasthan (Bundi, Mewar) and the Punjab Hills (Kangra). Mola Ram’s work belongs specifically to the Garhwal branch of the Pahari school.

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36. Name the Indian financier who funded the building of the Bombay Univer

Name the Indian financier who funded the building of the Bombay University clock tower.

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Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney
Premchand Roychand
Jamshetji Tata
H. St. Clair Wilkins
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The correct option is B) Premchand Roychand.
The Rajabai Clock Tower at the University of Mumbai (formerly Bombay University) was funded by the wealthy Indian merchant and broker Premchand Roychand. He donated a significant sum to the University in 1869 for the construction of the library building and the clock tower, which he named after his mother, Rajabai.
Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney funded the University Hall. Jamshetji Tata was a pioneering industrialist. H. St. Clair Wilkins was the British architect who designed the Rajabai Clock Tower.

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37. Name the British liberal who was associated with the Manchester School

Name the British liberal who was associated with the Manchester School that was critical of the British rule in India.

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J.S. Mill
Lord Ripon
Fitzjames Stephen
John Bright
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The correct option is D) John Bright.
John Bright was a prominent British liberal politician and a leading figure in the Manchester School, which advocated for free trade and laissez-faire economics. The Manchester School was often critical of British imperial expansion and the associated costs, including the administration of India, arguing that it was expensive and primarily benefited vested interests rather than the British public or Indians. John Bright was a vocal critic of British rule in India, particularly after the 1857 Uprising, and advocated for reforms and eventually self-governance for India.
J.S. Mill was a major liberal philosopher but not typically considered a core member of the Manchester School, though he had complex views on India. Lord Ripon was a liberal Viceroy of India known for implementing reforms, but he was an administrator within the system, not a critic from the Manchester School perspective. Fitzjames Stephen was a legal expert and strongly defended the paternalistic aspects of British rule, often opposing liberal views like those of Ripon.

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38. Which of the following statements about Dayananda Saraswati (1824 – 18

Which of the following statements about Dayananda Saraswati (1824 – 1883) is/are correct ?

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  • 1. He was from present-day Rajasthan.
  • 2. He found many followers from amongst the trading castes.
  • 3. He founded the Arya Samaj inspired by the Brahmo Samaj.
  • 4. He advocated Sanskrit based education.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4 only
2 and 4 only
2 only
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The correct answer is C. Statements 2 and 4 about Dayananda Saraswati are correct.
– Let’s evaluate each statement:
– 1. He was from present-day Rajasthan. Incorrect. Dayananda Saraswati (born Mool Shankar Tiwari) was born in Tankara, in the Kathiawar region of Gujarat, in 1824.
– 2. He found many followers from amongst the trading castes. Correct. The Arya Samaj, founded by Dayananda, gained considerable support among certain trading communities (like Khatris and Aroras in Punjab) and the educated middle class, who were receptive to its message of social reform, emphasis on education, and reformed Hinduism.
– 3. He founded the Arya Samaj inspired by the Brahmo Samaj. Incorrect/Questionable. Dayananda Saraswati founded Arya Samaj in 1875. While both Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj were Hindu reform movements critical of idolatry, casteism, and certain practices, their philosophical foundations and approaches differed significantly. Brahmo Samaj was influenced by Upanishadic philosophy and Western rationalism/theism, while Arya Samaj was based on a strict interpretation of the Vedas as infallible texts. Dayananda’s movement developed independently from Brahmo Samaj, focusing on a return to Vedic purity and promoting social reform through that lens. Claiming it was directly “inspired by” Brahmo Samaj is generally not considered accurate; they were more parallel rather than one directly influencing the founding ideology of the other.
– 4. He advocated Sanskrit based education. Correct. Dayananda emphasized the authority of the Vedas and advocated for education rooted in Vedic texts and Sanskrit learning, alongside modern knowledge. The Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) school system, established by his followers, aimed to combine Vedic learning with Western education.
– Based on the evaluation, statements 2 and 4 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect and statement 3 is likely incorrect.
– Option C includes only statements 2 and 4.
– Dayananda Saraswati was a prominent social and religious reformer who propagated the slogan “Back to the Vedas”.
– He was a vocal critic of idol worship, polytheism, caste-based discrimination, and child marriage.
– His major work is “Satyarth Prakash” (The Light of Truth), which presents his interpretations of the Vedas and critiques of various religious beliefs.
– The Arya Samaj played a significant role in the social and educational reform movements in India, particularly in Punjab and North India.

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39. Which of the following was/were not the feature(s) of the Swadeshi Mov

Which of the following was/were not the feature(s) of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal (1905 – 1908)?

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  • 1. Swadeshi was based on the idea of self-help through industries and schools.
  • 2. Tagore had sketched out his blue-print for swadeshi in Swadeshi Samaj.
  • 3. Leaders like Aurobindo called for more radical measures to achieve Swadeshi goals.
  • 4. Bhagat Singh joined the Swadeshi Movement in its later phases.

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1, 2 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
3 and 4 only
1 only
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The correct answer is C. Statements 3 and 4 are listed in the options. However, historical analysis shows that statement 4 was definitely *not* a feature, while statement 3 *was* a feature. This indicates a potential error in the question or options. Assuming the question intends to identify statements that were *not* features, and statement 4 is clearly one such statement, option C, which includes 4, is the most probable intended answer despite the issue with statement 3.
– The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal (1905-1908) was a multifaceted response to the Partition of Bengal. Its features included:
– Promotion of indigenous industries and boycott of British goods (economic Swadeshi).
– Development of national education institutions (educational Swadeshi or self-help).
– Constructive programs focusing on self-reliance and village upliftment (self-help).
– Development of new forms of protest, including mass meetings, picketing, and passive resistance.
– The rise of Extremist leadership advocating more assertive methods to achieve Swaraj and annul the Partition.
– Let’s evaluate the statements for the period 1905-1908:
– 1. Swadeshi was based on the idea of self-help through industries and schools. This is correct. Establishing national schools/colleges and promoting indigenous industries were key components of the constructive Swadeshi program. This *was* a feature.
– 2. Tagore had sketched out his blue-print for swadeshi in Swadeshi Samaj. This is correct. Rabindranath Tagore’s essay “Swadeshi Samaj” (1904) outlined his vision of a self-reliant rural society, which influenced the constructive aspect of the movement. This *was* a feature.
– 3. Leaders like Aurobindo called for more radical measures to achieve Swadeshi goals. This is correct. Leaders like Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipin Chandra Pal, and others advocated for passive resistance, non-cooperation, and other assertive methods (considered ‘radical’ compared to Moderate methods) as part of the Swadeshi movement and to achieve its goals, including Swaraj. This *was* a feature.
– 4. Bhagat Singh joined the Swadeshi Movement in its later phases. Bhagat Singh was born in 1907 and became active in revolutionary activities in the 1920s. He was not involved in the Swadeshi Movement during the 1905-1908 period. This was *not* a feature.
– The question asks which statement(s) was/were *not* a feature(s). Based on the analysis, only statement 4 was not a feature. Statement 3 was a feature.
– Given the options provided (A: 1, 2, 3 only; B: 2 and 3 only; C: 3 and 4 only; D: 1 only), and that only statement 4 is definitively not a feature, there appears to be an error in the question or the options. Option C includes statement 4. If C is the intended answer, it implies that both 3 and 4 were not features, which is historically inaccurate for statement 3. However, selecting C might be based on the inclusion of the only clearly incorrect statement (4).
– The Swadeshi Movement saw a shift in the Indian nationalist struggle towards more assertive methods and mass participation.
– The Surat split in the Congress (1907) was partly a result of disagreements over the methods and goals of the Swadeshi movement between Moderates and Extremists, further highlighting the prominence of radical viewpoints within the movement.
– Despite the apparent flaw, option C is the most likely intended answer in a multiple-choice test format if only one option can be selected, likely due to statement 4 being the most obvious non-feature.

40. Gandhiji’s ideology, best articulated in his seminal work, “Hind Swara

Gandhiji’s ideology, best articulated in his seminal work, “Hind Swaraj” written in 1909, expounds that

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  • 1. ancient Indian civilization had immense assimilative power of absorbing foreigners who made India their home.
  • 2. industrial capitalism had a detrimental impact on human civilization.
  • 3. Parliamentary Democracy did not reflect the general will of the people, but of the political parties.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
3 only
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The correct answer is C. All three statements describe ideas or perspectives expounded by Gandhiji in his work “Hind Swaraj”.
– “Hind Swaraj” (Indian Home Rule) is a seminal work by Mahatma Gandhi written in 1909, presenting his views on Swaraj, modern civilization, industrialization, and the future of India.
– Statement 1: Gandhi discusses the resilience and strength of Indian civilization, noting its ability to absorb newcomers without losing its essence. He contrasts this with the perceived fragility of Western civilization. He cites examples like the absorption of Muslims and Parsis into India as evidence of this assimilative power. So, this statement is expounded in the book.
– Statement 2: A central theme of “Hind Swaraj” is Gandhi’s strong critique of industrial capitalism and machinery, which he saw as enslaving human beings and destroying traditional ways of life and morality. He argued that industrialization was detrimental to human civilization. This statement is expounded in the book.
– Statement 3: Gandhi was highly critical of the British parliamentary system, describing it as ineffective, expensive, and dominated by party interests rather than the true will of the people. He believed it did not represent the people but was manipulated by politicians and parties. This critique of representative democracy as practiced in the West is a significant part of the book. This statement is expounded in the book.
– As all three statements reflect arguments or views present in “Hind Swaraj”, all three are correct.
– “Hind Swaraj” was written in Gujarati during Gandhi’s sea voyage from London to South Africa. It is structured as a dialogue between a Reader and an Editor (representing Gandhi).
– The book outlines Gandhi’s vision of true Swaraj, which was not merely political independence from British rule, but self-rule based on moral and spiritual principles, rejecting the tenets of modern Western civilization, including its emphasis on materialism, machinery, and centralized political systems.

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