UPSC NDA-2 Archives

41. Indian athlete Vikas Gowda is associated with:

Indian athlete Vikas Gowda is associated with:

Wrestling

Sprint

Discus throw

Archery

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Indian athlete Vikas Gowda is associated with the sport of Discus throw.

– Vikas Gowda is a prominent Indian track and field athlete specializing in the discus throw.
– He has represented India in multiple international competitions, including the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

– Gowda won the gold medal in Discus throw at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
– He holds the Indian national record in the discus throw.

42. Which one of the following was the theme of the “International Day of

Which one of the following was the theme of the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers” for the year 2015?

Peacekeeping is a Global Partnership

UN 70 and UN Peacekeeping: Past, Present, and Future

Women in Peacekeeping

A Force for the Future

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The correct theme for the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers” in 2015 was “UN 70 and UN Peacekeeping: Past, Present, and Future”.

– The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed annually on May 29th.
– Each year, a specific theme is chosen to highlight aspects of UN peacekeeping efforts and the contributions of peacekeepers.

– 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, hence the theme reflecting on the history, current state, and future direction of UN Peacekeeping within that context.
– The day pays tribute to the dedicated service and sacrifice of peacekeepers.

43. Who among the following is the author of the book, “Pakistan Paradox:

Who among the following is the author of the book, “Pakistan Paradox: Instability and Resilience”?

Christophe Jaffrelot

G Parthasarthy

Imran Khan

Mamnoon Hussain

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“Pakistan Paradox: Instability and Resilience” is a widely acclaimed book analyzing the political, social, and economic trajectory of Pakistan since its independence. The author of this book is Christophe Jaffrelot. He is a renowned French political scientist specializing in South Asia, with numerous publications on India and Pakistan.

Christophe Jaffrelot is the author of the book “Pakistan Paradox: Instability and Resilience”, which offers a comprehensive analysis of Pakistan’s complex history and present.

Christophe Jaffrelot’s work often focuses on nationalism, democracy, ethnic and religious conflicts, and social movements in India and Pakistan. “Pakistan Paradox” explores the apparent contradiction of Pakistan’s enduring instability coexisting with its resilience as a state. Other individuals listed are not known for authorship of such a prominent academic work on Pakistan’s politics.

44. The First Five Year Plan (1951-1956) was drafted by:

The First Five Year Plan (1951-1956) was drafted by:

P C Mahalanobis

K N Raj

J C Kumarappa

Jawaharlal Nehru

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The First Five Year Plan (1951-1956) of India focused primarily on agricultural development, irrigation, and power projects. While the plan was guided by the Planning Commission under the chairmanship of Jawaharlal Nehru and influenced by economic models like the Harrod-Domar model, the technical drafting and significant intellectual contribution came from economists. K. N. Raj (Kakkadan Nandanath Raj) was a key economist involved in the formulation of the First Five Year Plan. P. C. Mahalanobis is most prominently associated with the Second Five Year Plan and the Mahalanobis model.

K. N. Raj, a distinguished economist, played a crucial role in the drafting and formulation of India’s First Five Year Plan.

K. N. Raj’s contributions included emphasizing the need for public investment in agriculture and infrastructure during the initial phase of planning. He was a close associate of Nehru and a prominent figure in early Indian economic policy-making. While Nehru chaired the Planning Commission, the technical and detailed planning work was done by economists and experts, among whom K. N. Raj was a key member for the First Plan.

45. The Panchayati Raj system under Part-IX of the Constitution of India d

The Panchayati Raj system under Part-IX of the Constitution of India does not apply to the States of:

Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland

Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura

Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram

Sikkim, Tripura and Meghalaya

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Part IX of the Constitution of India, dealing with Panchayats, was inserted by the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. However, Article 243M of this Part explicitly states that the provisions of this Part shall not apply to certain areas. Specifically, it states that nothing in this Part shall apply to the States of Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. There are other exceptions mentioned in the article as well (certain hill areas in Manipur, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council area), but the question asks about entire states.

The states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram are exempted from the application of Part IX (Panchayats) of the Constitution of India due to their unique social, cultural, and historical contexts, including the prevalence of traditional local governance systems.

The exemption for these states was made to protect their unique traditional systems of local governance and social practices, which were considered well-established and effective. While these states are exempted from Part IX, they have their own specific arrangements for local governance, often involving tribal councils or variations of the Panchayati Raj structure implemented through state legislation.

46. The Indian States Committee was formed in 1928 under:

The Indian States Committee was formed in 1928 under:

The Raja of Junagadh

Ian Copland

Sir Harcourt Butler

Motilal Nehru

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The Indian States Committee was appointed by the British Government in December 1927 to examine the relationship between the Paramount Power (the British Crown) and the Indian Princely States and to suggest ways to improve economic and financial relations between British India and the States. The committee was chaired by Sir Harcourt Butler. Its report was published in 1929, and it is commonly known as the Butler Committee. The question states it was formed in 1928, which is slightly inaccurate (formed in Dec 1927) but Sir Harcourt Butler was definitely the chairman.

The Indian States Committee, also known as the Butler Committee, was formed in 1927 under the chairmanship of Sir Harcourt Butler to study the relationship between the British Crown and the Princely States.

The committee’s report emphasized the paramountcy of the British Crown and stated that the relationship between the Crown and the States was direct and not through British India. This disappointed the princely rulers who had hoped for greater autonomy or a clearer definition of paramountcy. The report also dealt with financial and economic issues.

47. The 19th Century Faraizi Movement in eastern Bengal developed under th

The 19th Century Faraizi Movement in eastern Bengal developed under the leadership of:

Titu Rai

Haji Shariatullah

Shah Sayyid Ahmad

Dudu Miyan

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The Faraizi Movement was a prominent Islamic reform movement that originated in eastern Bengal in the early 19th century. It was founded by Haji Shariatullah (1781-1840) with the aim of bringing Muslims back to the obligatory duties (faraiz) of Islam and protesting against un-Islamic practices and the oppressive policies of landlords and the British. After his death, the movement was led by his son, Dudu Miyan (1819-1862), who gave it a more militant and socio-economic character, focusing on the grievances of the peasantry. While Dudu Miyan was a crucial leader in its later, more active phase, Haji Shariatullah is recognized as the founder and initial leader under whom the movement ‘developed’.

Haji Shariatullah was the founder of the Faraizi Movement in Eastern Bengal, initiating its development as a religious and social reform movement.

The Faraizi movement aimed to purify Islamic practices among the Muslims of Bengal, who they felt had deviated from the true path. They also challenged the illegal taxes imposed by landlords (often Hindu) on Muslim peasants and organized collective resistance. Other leaders mentioned: Titu Rai led the Barasat uprising, a different movement in Bengal. Shah Sayyid Ahmad led the Tariqa-i-Muhammadiya, centered more in North India and the Frontier region, advocating for Islamic reform and jihad against the Sikhs.

48. The SAARC Secretariat is located at:

The SAARC Secretariat is located at:

New Delhi

Colombo

Kathmandu

Karachi

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The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. The permanent Secretariat of SAARC is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was established on 16 January 1987.

The SAARC Secretariat, which serves as the administrative and coordination center for the organization, is based in Kathmandu.

SAARC comprises eight member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Observer states include Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, and the United States. The location of the Secretariat in Kathmandu underscores Nepal’s role in the organization.

49. Who among the following founded the Rajahmundri Social Reform Associat

Who among the following founded the Rajahmundri Social Reform Association in 1878 in support of widow remarriage?

Vishanshastri Pandit

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Pandita Ramabai

Veeresalingam Pantulu

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Veeresalingam Pantulu (Kandukuri Veeresalingam, 1848-1919) was a prominent social reformer, writer, and journalist from Andhra Pradesh. He was a key figure in the reform movement in the Telugu-speaking region, advocating strongly for widow remarriage, women’s education, and the eradication of social evils. He founded the Rajahmundry Social Reform Association in 1878 to promote these causes, particularly widow remarriage.

Veeresalingam Pantulu was a pioneering social reformer in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on issues like widow remarriage and female education, and established organizations like the Rajahmundry Social Reform Association for this purpose.

While Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a towering figure in the widow remarriage movement in Bengal and Vishanshastri Pandit also worked on similar issues in Maharashtra, Veeresalingam Pantulu was the driving force behind the movement in the Telugu region. He faced significant opposition but successfully organized the first widow remarriage in Andhra Pradesh in 1881. Pandita Ramabai’s major work began later, focusing on women’s shelter and education in Maharashtra.

50. The Senia tradition is:

The Senia tradition is:

musical tradition that emerged from the colonial army (Sena)

dance drama written by Keshab Chandra Sen

textile tradition of eastern UP

musical tradition that invoked the name of Tansen, the celebrated musician of Akbar's Court

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The Senia tradition refers to a significant lineage or gharana within Hindustani classical music that traces its origins or key influences back to the legendary musician Tansen, who was one of the ‘Navaratnas’ (nine gems) in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This tradition encompasses specific styles of singing and instrumental playing.

The Senia tradition is a major school or style of Hindustani classical music, directly linked to the historical figure of Tansen, known for his contributions to North Indian music.

Tansen is considered one of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music. Various gharanas (musical schools) claim connection to Tansen’s lineage through his descendants or disciples, collectively referred to as the Senia tradition. Examples include the Senia Maihar gharana, Senia Rampur gharana, etc., propagating specific instrumental and vocal styles associated with Tansen.