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1. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :

1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 and 2

2 only

1 and 3

3 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct option is B, as only statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The first significant Mongol invasion of India occurred during the reign of Iltutmish when Jalal-ud-din Mangburni of Khwarazm sought refuge in India, leading to Mongol forces under Genghis Khan appearing on the Indus. The Khalji dynasty came later.
Statement 2 is correct. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, the Delhi Sultanate faced multiple Mongol invasions. A notable invasion led by Targhi in 1303 reached the gates of Delhi and besieged the city, forcing Ala-ud-din to take refuge in the Siri fort.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq did face Mongol invasions (e.g., by Tarmashirin), historical accounts suggest he often adopted policies like paying tribute or using diplomacy to repel them, rather than permanently losing significant portions of his core kingdom in the north-west *to* the Mongols as a result of these invasions. Control over frontier regions was often contested, but a sustained loss of territory to the Mongols during his reign is not a commonly accepted historical fact in the way implied by the statement.

The Mongol threat was a major challenge for the Delhi Sultanate rulers, particularly the Mamluks, Khaljis, and Tughlaqs. Ala-ud-din Khalji implemented extensive military and administrative reforms to counter the Mongol invasions effectively.

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2. With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: Hi

With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:

Historical person	Known as
1. Aryadeva	—	Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga	—	Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni	—	Vaishnava scholar

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

None of the pairs

Only one pair

Only two pairs

All three pairs

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct option is C, as only two of the pairs are correctly matched.

Pair 1: Aryadeva was a prominent Buddhist philosopher and a disciple of Nagarjuna. He was not a Jaina scholar.
Pair 2: Dignaga was a celebrated Buddhist logician and philosopher. This pair is correctly matched.
Pair 3: Nathamuni was a revered Vaishnava theologian and one of the earliest Acharyas of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition. This pair is correctly matched.

Aryadeva (around 3rd century CE) followed the Madhyamika school of Buddhism. Dignaga (around 5th century CE) is considered the founder of the Buddhist school of logic. Nathamuni (around 10th century CE) compiled and systematized the Tamil hymns of the Alvars, known as the Divya Prabandham.

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3. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts : 1.

With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts ?

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1, 2 and 3

2 and 4 only

1, 3 and 4

2, 3 and 4

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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Among the given texts, Parishishtaparvan and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana are Jaina texts. Nettipakarana and Avadanashataka are Buddhist texts.

– Nettipakarana is a commentary-like text on the teachings of the Buddha, included in the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pali Canon. It is a Buddhist text.
– Parishishtaparvan (also known as Sthaviravali Charitra) is a 12th-century epic poem by Hemachandra that recounts the history of important early Jain figures. It is a significant Jaina text.
– Avadanashataka (One Hundred Tales of Glorious Deeds) is a collection of Buddhist narratives (Avadanas) in Sanskrit, illustrating the doctrine of karma. It is a Buddhist text.
– Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana is a major Jaina epic composed in Sanskrit, detailing the lives of 63 prominent figures in Jainism (including Tirthankaras and other great souls). It is a fundamental Jaina text.

Identifying religious texts is important for understanding the history, philosophy, and culture of ancient and medieval India. Jaina literature spans various genres, including epics, philosophical treatises, commentaries, and narratives.

4. With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the follow

With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements :

1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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Statement 2 regarding the Cripps Mission proposals is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.

– Statement 1: The Cripps Mission proposed that the Constituent Assembly would be formed by members elected by the provincial legislative assemblies (using proportional representation) and representatives nominated by the rulers of the princely states. The statement says “nominated by the Provincial Assemblies,” which is inaccurate; provincial representatives were to be elected.
– Statement 2: A crucial part of the Cripps offer was the provision that any province unwilling to accept the new constitution would have the right to retain its existing constitutional position, effectively meaning it could sign a separate agreement with the British government regarding its future status. This clause conceded the principle of India’s potential partition.

The Cripps Mission was sent by the British government in 1942 to secure Indian cooperation during World War II. The proposals offered Dominion Status after the war and the right of provinces to opt out, but they were rejected by both the Indian National Congress (due to lack of immediate transfer of power and the provision for partition) and the Muslim League (which did not find the provision for opting out explicit enough for Pakistan).

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5. Consider the following freedom fighters : 1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh 2

Consider the following freedom fighters :

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1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
3. Rash Behari Bose

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party ?

1 and 2

2 only

1 and 3

3 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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Among the given freedom fighters, only Rash Behari Bose was actively associated with the Ghadar Party.

– The Ghadar Party was founded by Punjabi Indians in the United States and Canada with the aim of overthrowing British rule in India through armed revolution.
– Barindra Kumar Ghosh was a key figure in the revolutionary movement in Bengal, associated with the Alipore Bomb Case (1908). While a revolutionary, his primary work was not with the Ghadar Party based in North America.
– Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee was a revolutionary and one of the founding members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in North India (1924). He was not primarily associated with the Ghadar Party.
– Rash Behari Bose was a prominent Indian revolutionary who was involved in the Delhi Conspiracy Case (1912). He fled to Japan in 1915 and became actively involved with the Ghadar movement’s efforts from abroad, helping coordinate activities and attempting to send arms and men to India, especially after many original Ghadar leaders were arrested or killed. He later played a crucial role in forming the Indian National Army in East Asia during World War II.

The Ghadar Party planned a pan-Indian rebellion in 1915, coinciding with World War I, but the plan was foiled by British intelligence. Many Ghadarites were arrested and tried in the Lahore Conspiracy Cases.

6. In medieval India, the term ‘Fanam’ referred to :

In medieval India, the term ‘Fanam’ referred to :

Clothing

Coins

Ornaments

Weapons

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Answer is Wrong!

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In medieval India, the term ‘Fanam’ referred to a type of coin.

– The Fanam (also spelled Panam or Fanum) was a small gold coin widely circulated in South India during the medieval period, particularly under dynasties like the Vijayanagara Empire and later in various southern kingdoms.
– It was one of the smallest gold denominations used for everyday transactions.
– Historical records and numismatic studies confirm ‘Fanam’ as a monetary unit.

The value and appearance of the Fanam varied slightly across different regions and periods. It was an important part of the currency system in South India for several centuries, alongside larger gold coins (like the Varaha or Pagoda) and silver/copper coins.

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7. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Gover

In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following were treated as “Reserved” subjects ?

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1. Administration of Justice
2. Local Self-Government
3. Land Revenue
4. Police

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3

2, 3 and 4

1, 3 and 4

1, 2 and 4

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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Under the Government of India Act 1919, Administration of Justice, Land Revenue, and Police were treated as “Reserved” subjects. Local Self-Government was a “Transferred” subject.

– The Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) introduced ‘Dyarchy’ in the provinces, dividing provincial subjects into two lists: Reserved and Transferred.
– Reserved subjects were administered by the Governor with his Executive Council, and they were not responsible to the provincial legislature. These included important areas like Finance, Land Revenue, Law and Order (Justice, Police, Prisons), Irrigation, etc.
– Transferred subjects were administered by the Governor with the help of ministers who were responsible to the provincial legislature. These included less crucial areas like Local Self-Government, Education, Public Health, Agriculture, etc.
– Based on this classification:
1. Administration of Justice: Reserved
2. Local Self-Government: Transferred
3. Land Revenue: Reserved
4. Police: Reserved

Dyarchy was a constitutional experiment aimed at introducing a limited form of self-government in the provinces. However, it proved to be complex and ultimately unsuccessful due to division of authority and lack of resources for transferred subjects. It was abolished by the Government of India Act 1935.

8. Consider the following pairs : Reservoirs States 1.

Consider the following pairs :

	Reservoirs	States
1.	Ghataprabha	– Telangana
2.	Gandhi Sagar	– Madhya Pradesh
3.	Indira Sagar	– Andhra Pradesh
4.	Maithon	– Chhattisgarh

How many pairs given above are not correctly matched ?

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Only one pair

Only two pairs

Only three pairs

All four pairs

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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Three pairs are not correctly matched.

– Pair 1 (Ghataprabha – Telangana): Incorrect. The Ghataprabha dam and reservoir are located in Karnataka, on the Ghataprabha river, a tributary of the Krishna river.
– Pair 2 (Gandhi Sagar – Madhya Pradesh): Correct. The Gandhi Sagar Dam is one of the four major dams built on the Chambal River, located in Madhya Pradesh.
– Pair 3 (Indira Sagar – Andhra Pradesh): Incorrect. The Indira Sagar Dam is a multi-purpose project built on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh. While there are projects named after Indira Gandhi related to irrigation in the Andhra Pradesh/Telangana region (e.g., Indirasagar Polavaram Project), the large dam typically referred to as ‘Indira Sagar’ is in MP.
– Pair 4 (Maithon – Chhattisgarh): Incorrect. The Maithon Dam is located in Jharkhand, built on the Barakar River, a tributary of the Damodar River. It is part of the Damodar Valley Corporation projects.
Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are incorrectly matched.

Reservoirs and dams are crucial for irrigation, power generation, and flood control. Knowing their locations is important for understanding India’s water resources and geography. The rivers associated are: Ghataprabha (Krishna tributary), Gandhi Sagar (Chambal), Indira Sagar (Narmada), Maithon (Barakar/Damodar).

9. With reference to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), consider the following s

With reference to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), consider the following statements:

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1. They enable the digital representation of physical assets.
2. They are unique cryptographic tokens that exist on a blockchain.
3. They can be traded or exchanged at an equivalency and therefore can be used as a medium of commercial transactions.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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Statements 1 and 2 regarding Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.

– Statement 1: NFTs can represent ownership of both digital assets (like digital art, music, videos) and physical assets (like real estate, collectibles, event tickets) in the digital realm.
– Statement 2: An NFT is by definition a unique, non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a digital ledger (blockchain). Each NFT has a unique identifier and metadata.
– Statement 3: NFTs are non-fungible, meaning each token is unique and not interchangeable with another NFT on a one-to-one basis. This is in contrast to fungible tokens (like Bitcoin or standard currency), which can be exchanged at an equivalency and used as a medium of commercial transactions. While NFTs can be bought and sold, they are typically traded for fungible cryptocurrencies or fiat currency, and are not used *as* a medium of commercial exchange themselves due to their uniqueness.

NFTs derive their value from the uniqueness and verifiable ownership they represent, often for digital items. They have become prominent in the art world, gaming, and collectibles market.

10. In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining pr

In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation ?

Department of Consumer Affairs

Expenditure Management Commission

Financial Stability and Development Council

Reserve Bank of India

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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In India, the primary responsibility for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation lies with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

– The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India and is mandated by the government to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
– The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI is specifically tasked with setting the policy repo rate to achieve the inflation target (currently 4% with a band of +/- 2%).
– Other bodies like the Department of Consumer Affairs might monitor prices of essential commodities, the Expenditure Management Commission deals with government spending, and the Financial Stability and Development Council coordinates financial regulation, but none have the primary mandate and tools for controlling macroeconomic inflation like the RBI does through monetary policy.

The current framework for monetary policy in India is based on a flexible inflation targeting regime adopted in 2016. The RBI uses tools like repo rates, reserve ratios, and open market operations to manage liquidity and influence inflation.

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