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31. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider

With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements :

Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta – II.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

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Statement 3 is correct because Kalidasa, the renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist, is widely believed to have been one of the Navaratnas (nine gems) in the court of the Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), who ruled from approximately 380 to 415 CE. Statement 1 is incorrect as Panini, the grammarian known for ‘Ashtadhyayi’, lived much earlier, around the 4th century BCE, while Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty in the 2nd century BCE. Statement 2 is incorrect as Amarasimha, the author of the lexicon ‘Amarakosha’, is also traditionally placed in the court of Chandragupta II, not Harshavardhana who ruled in the 7th century CE.

Kalidasa is firmly associated with the Gupta period, particularly the reign of Chandragupta II.

Panini’s ‘Ashtadhyayi’ is a foundational text of Sanskrit grammar. Amarasimha’s ‘Amarakosha’ is a popular Sanskrit thesaurus. Harshavardhana’s court had notable scholars like Banabhatta.

32. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult

With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?

[amp_mcq option1=”The Revolt of 1857″ option2=”The Mappila Rebellion of 1921″ option3=”The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60″ option4=”Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 – 1900″ correct=”option4″]

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“Ulgulan,” meaning “Great Tumult” or “Great Commotion,” is the term used to describe the Munda Rebellion led by Birsa Munda against the British Raj and the exploitation by zamindars and moneylenders (‘Dikus’) in the Chota Nagpur region of present-day Jharkhand. The revolt took place primarily between 1899 and 1900.

“Ulgulan” is synonymous with the Munda Rebellion led by tribal leader Birsa Munda.

The Revolt of 1857 (A) is known by various names like Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence. The Mappila Rebellion of 1921 (B) was an uprising in Malabar, Kerala. The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 (C) was a peasant uprising against indigo planters in Bengal. “Ulgulan” specifically refers to the widespread rebellion led by Birsa Munda, focusing on tribal rights, land issues, and resistance against colonial rule and outsiders.

33. Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because

Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because

[amp_mcq option1=”he was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so” option2=”he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India” option3=”he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment” option4=”he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India” correct=”option4″]

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Lord Wellesley established Fort William College in 1800 in Calcutta with the primary objective of training young British civil servants (often referred to as ‘writers’) who were newly arriving in India. He believed they lacked sufficient knowledge of Indian languages, laws, history, and customs necessary for effective administration of the growing British territories. The college was intended to provide them with the necessary education to perform their duties efficiently and with greater cultural understanding.

The main purpose of Fort William College was to impart training to British administrative recruits stationed in India.

While the college did employ oriental scholars and contributed to the study of oriental languages (related to B and C, as William Carey taught there), its establishment was driven by the practical need for trained administrators, not primarily the revival of oriental learning for its own sake or providing employment to specific individuals. Option A is incorrect as the Board of Directors in London were not enthusiastic about the college and ordered its closure a few years later, although it continued in a reduced form.

34. Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th cent

Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of

[amp_mcq option1=”peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters” option2=”its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions” option3=”national leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of indigo” option4=”Government control over the planters” correct=”option2″]

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The primary reason for the decline of indigo cultivation in India by the beginning of the 20th century was the invention and mass production of synthetic indigo dye in Germany in the late 19th century (especially from the 1890s onwards). This synthetic dye was cheaper to produce and of more consistent quality than natural indigo.

The advent of synthetic dyes made natural indigo cultivation economically unviable in the world market, leading to its decline.

Peasant resistance (A), such as the Indigo Revolt of 1859-60, did highlight the exploitative nature of indigo cultivation and led to some reforms, but it did not eliminate cultivation entirely; it continued under modified conditions. National leaders’ opposition (C), particularly Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha (1917), addressed the grievances of indigo cultivators but occurred later than the *beginning* of the decline caused by synthetic dyes. Government control (D) aimed at regulating the system rather than ending cultivation. The fundamental economic factor of unprofitability due to synthetic substitutes was the decisive cause for the decline by the early 1900s.

35. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved

In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around

women’s right to gain education
age of consent
restitution of conjugal rights

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

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The Rakhmabai case (1884-1888) was a landmark legal case in British India involving Rakhmabai, an educated Indian woman who refused to cohabit with her husband Dadaji Bhikaji, to whom she had been married in childhood. The case arose when Dadaji sued Rakhmabai for restitution of conjugal rights. The case directly revolved around statement 3 (restitution of conjugal rights) and brought into sharp focus statement 2 (the age of consent), as it highlighted the plight of child brides and the implications of enforcing marital rights within such marriages. The legal battle and public debate around the case significantly contributed to the passage of the Age of Consent Act in 1891, which raised the age of consent for marriage for girls from 10 to 12.

The Rakhmabai case was primarily centered on the legal concept of restitution of conjugal rights and its application in the context of child marriage, thereby fueling the debate on the age of consent.

While Rakhmabai was educated and her case highlighted the situation of women, the legal issue *revolved around* her marital status, her refusal to live with her husband, the husband’s claim for conjugal rights, and the related societal debate on the age at which consent could be considered valid within marriage. The right to gain education (1) was not a direct legal point in the case itself, though Rakhmabai’s education played a role in her ability to articulate her position and challenge societal norms.

36. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the foll

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?

[amp_mcq option1=”The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style” option2=”Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas” option3=”Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path” option4=”Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India” correct=”option3″]

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In the cultural history of India, particularly within Buddhism, ‘paramitas’ (Sanskrit) or ‘pāramī’ (Pali) refers to “perfections” or “transcendent virtues”. These are qualities that a Bodhisattva cultivates and perfects over many lifetimes on their path towards Buddhahood (enlightenment). The traditional list includes six paramitas: generosity, discipline, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom. Some traditions add four more.

‘Paramitas’ is a core concept in Mahayana Buddhism, representing the virtues essential for the Bodhisattva path to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Option A refers to ancient legal and social treatises in Hinduism. Option B describes philosophical schools that reject Vedic authority, which applies to Buddhism but ‘paramitas’ is a specific practice, not the name for these schools. Option D refers to influential merchant organizations common in various periods of Indian history, especially medieval South India.

37. If you withdraw ₹ 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at

If you withdraw ₹ 1,00,000 in cash from your Demand Deposit Account at your bank, the immediate effect on aggregate money supply in the economy will be

[amp_mcq option1=”to reduce it by ₹ 1,00,000″ option2=”to increase it by ₹ 1,00,000″ option3=”to increase it by more than ₹ 1,00,000″ option4=”to leave it unchanged” correct=”option4″]

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Money supply (specifically M1) is defined as the sum of currency in circulation (C) and demand deposits (DD) held by the public. When you withdraw ₹1,00,000 in cash from your demand deposit account, there is a decrease in the demand deposits component by ₹1,00,000 and a corresponding increase in the currency in circulation component by ₹1,00,000.

The total amount of money defined as M1 (Currency + Demand Deposits) remains unchanged; only the form in which the money is held by the public changes from demand deposits to physical currency.

The transaction is a transfer of funds between two components of the money supply (M1). If the definition of money supply included broader measures like M2, M3 etc., which include time deposits or other assets, the effect might be different depending on the nature of the withdrawal account and what the money is subsequently used for (e.g., if it shifts into a different asset type). However, in the context of a simple cash withdrawal from a demand deposit account affecting aggregate money supply (M1), the net effect is zero.

38. If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which o

If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/policies are most likely to give some immunity to India ?

1. Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings
2. Opening up to more foreign banks
3. Maintaining full capital account convertibility

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option1″]

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Statement 1 is correct: Short-term foreign borrowings are highly volatile and can be withdrawn rapidly during a global financial crisis. An economy that depends less on such borrowings is less vulnerable to sudden capital flight, which can trigger liquidity problems and currency depreciation.

Reducing reliance on volatile short-term foreign debt enhances an economy’s resilience against external financial shocks.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While opening up to foreign banks can bring benefits like increased competition and technology, it can also introduce risks of contagion from their home countries during a global crisis. Their presence does not necessarily provide immunity; it can potentially increase exposure. Statement 3 is incorrect: Maintaining full capital account convertibility allows unrestricted movement of capital in and out of the country. While beneficial in normal times, it makes the economy highly susceptible to massive capital outflows (sudden stops) during a global financial crisis, significantly increasing vulnerability rather than providing immunity.

39. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene

Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution ?

1. Automobile exhaust
2. Tobacco smoke
3. Wood burning
4. Using varnished wooden furniture
5. Using products made of polyurethane

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3 only” option2=”2 and 4 only” option3=”1, 3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3, 4 and 5″ correct=”option4″]

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Benzene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and a known carcinogen. All the listed factors contribute to benzene pollution exposure. Automobile exhaust (1) contains benzene from incomplete combustion of fuel. Tobacco smoke (2) is a major source of indoor benzene exposure. Wood burning (3) is another combustion source releasing benzene. Using varnished wooden furniture (4) and products made of polyurethane (5) can off-gas benzene and other VOCs as they may contain solvents or release byproducts containing benzene over time, especially in indoor environments.

Exposure to benzene pollution can occur through combustion sources (vehicles, smoking, burning) and off-gassing from various materials and products (solvents, paints, finishes).

Benzene is also found in crude oil and is used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, and pesticides. Industrial emissions and hazardous waste sites are other sources. Indoor sources like attached garages (from vehicles), stored fuels, glues, adhesives, paints, and cleaning products also contribute to benzene levels. Given the wide range of sources, it is plausible that all the listed factors contribute to human exposure to benzene.

40. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general di

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells ?

1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do.
3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

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Statement 1 is correct: Plant cells have a rigid outer cell wall made primarily of cellulose, which provides structural support and protection. Animal cells lack a cell wall. Statement 3 is correct: Mature plant cells typically have a single, large central vacuole that can occupy a significant portion of the cell volume, maintaining turgor pressure. Animal cells may have several small vacuoles, but not a large central one.

The presence of a cellulose cell wall and the nature of vacuoles are key distinguishing features between plant and animal cells.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Both plant cells and animal cells have a plasma membrane (also called the cell membrane). The plasma membrane is an essential boundary that encloses the cytoplasm in all living cells, regulating the passage of substances in and out. In plant cells, the plasma membrane is located just inside the cell wall.