UPSC SO-Steno Archives

1. Which among the following is entrusted with the guarding of Indo-Nepal

Which among the following is entrusted with the guarding of Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders?

Commando Battalion for Resolute Action

Central Reserve Police Force

Rapid Action Force

Sashastra Seema Bal

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The correct answer is Sashastra Seema Bal.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces responsible for guarding the country’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan.

Other border guarding forces include the Border Security Force (BSF) for India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for the India-China border. CRPF is primarily an internal security force, while RAF and CoBRA are specialized units of the CRPF for riot control and anti-Naxal operations, respectively.

2. Which country has the largest number of paid newspapers in the world?

Which country has the largest number of paid newspapers in the world?

China

USA

India

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The correct answer is India.

According to various reports and statistics, including data from the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) and global press surveys, India has the largest number of registered and actively published paid newspapers in the world, primarily due to its large population, multiple languages, and widespread readership.

While countries like China and the USA have large media industries, India’s newspaper landscape, especially in terms of the sheer number of titles and circulation for paid newspapers across various languages, often ranks first globally.

3. The International Dance Day (IDD) is observed every year on 29th April

The International Dance Day (IDD) is observed every year on 29th April to celebrate the birth anniversary of

Anna Pavlova

Jean-Georges Noverre

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Rudolf Nureyev

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The correct answer is Jean-Georges Noverre.

International Dance Day is celebrated annually on April 29th, which is the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), a French choreographer and balletmaster considered the creator of modern ballet. The day was established in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI).

Anna Pavlova, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Rudolf Nureyev were also highly celebrated ballet dancers, but the day commemorates Noverre’s contribution to dance history.

4. Which among the following is not from ‘The G7 informal forum of the le

Which among the following is not from ‘The G7 informal forum of the leading industrialized nations’?

France

Indonesia

Germany

Japan

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The correct answer is Indonesia.

The G7 is an informal forum of leading industrialized nations comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Indonesia is not a member of the G7.

The European Union is also a non-enumerated member of the G7. The G7 countries represent about 10% of the world’s population, 31% of global GDP, and 20% of global military spending.

5. In which event did the 94-year-old Bhagwani Devi create history by win

In which event did the 94-year-old Bhagwani Devi create history by winning a gold medal at the World Masters Athletics Championships 2022 ?

100 meters sprint

200 meters sprint

100 meters hurdles

200 meters hurdles

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The correct answer is 100 meters sprint.

In July 2022, 94-year-old Bhagwani Devi Dagar won a gold medal in the 100 meters sprint event at the World Masters Athletics Championships held in Tampere, Finland. She also won a bronze medal in the Shot Put event at the same championship.

Masters Athletics is a category of sport for athletes typically aged 35 and above. Bhagwani Devi’s achievement garnered significant media attention due to her age and performance on an international stage.

6. Which Union Ministry has initiated the ‘Vikaspedia’ (India Development

Which Union Ministry has initiated the ‘Vikaspedia’ (India Development Gateway) to empower the poor (rural and urban)?

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Ministry of Home Affairs

Ministry of External Affairs

Ministry of Education

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The correct answer is Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Vikaspedia (India Development Gateway) is an online information portal initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. It aims to provide information and services for the empowerment of rural and urban poor, focusing on areas like agriculture, health, education, social welfare, energy, and e-governance.

The platform is implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Hyderabad. It serves as a multilingual online knowledge platform for development sectors.

7. Who among the following, first established the Modern Postal System in

Who among the following, first established the Modern Postal System in India during 1766?

Warren Hastings

Lord Clive

Sir John Macpherson

Lord Auckland

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The correct answer is Warren Hastings.

Warren Hastings, who served as the first Governor of Bengal from 1772 to 1785, established the first organized postal system in India in 1774, primarily for official use. While sources might vary slightly on the precise date of initial establishment attempts, Hastings is credited with setting up a more modern and regular system. The year 1766 is sometimes cited for earlier, less formalized postal efforts, but Warren Hastings significantly developed the structure.

Lord Clive was instrumental in establishing British power in Bengal after the Battle of Plassey (1757) and his tenure was earlier than the formal postal system setup credited to Hastings. Sir John Macpherson briefly served as acting Governor-General after Hastings. Lord Auckland was a Governor-General much later, in the 1830s.

8. In which city of India is the institution by the name ‘National Water

In which city of India is the institution by the name ‘National Water Academy’ (NWA) established ?

Bengaluru

Pune

Hyderabad

Kochi

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The correct answer is Pune.

The National Water Academy (NWA) is located in Pune, Maharashtra. It is a premier institution responsible for training in water resources development and management.

NWA functions under the Central Water Commission (CWC), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India. It conducts training programs for engineers and professionals in the water sector.

9. Who among the following is known as the Father of the White Revolution

Who among the following is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India ?

Dr. Verghese Kurien

Lal Bahadur Shastri

Dr. Amrita Patel

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

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The correct answer is Dr. Verghese Kurien.

Dr. Verghese Kurien is widely recognized as the “Father of the White Revolution in India” for his pivotal role in launching and leading “Operation Flood”, the world’s largest dairy development program.

Operation Flood transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer. Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Prime Minister who encouraged the milk cooperative movement and supported Kurien’s work. Dr. Amrita Patel is a prominent figure in India’s dairy cooperative sector and a former chairperson of NDDB. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent freedom fighter and India’s first Minister of Education, not directly related to the White Revolution.

10. Which among the following is not the area of the concern of social def

Which among the following is not the area of the concern of social defense under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment ?

Substance abuse prevention

Care of older persons

Beggary prevention and welfare of transgenders

Minimum wages of labour

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2018

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Minimum wages of labour is not an area of concern falling under the social defense mandate of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

– The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for the welfare, social justice, and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society.
– Its areas of concern under social defense and related divisions typically include programs for vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, older persons, victims of substance abuse, beggars, transgender persons, and often aspects related to correctional services and prevention of social deviance.
– Minimum wages for labour are primarily dealt with by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which is responsible for formulating and implementing labour laws, including those related to wages, industrial relations, social security for workers, etc.

Options A, B, and C (Substance abuse prevention, Care of older persons, Beggary prevention and welfare of transgenders) are all established areas of focus for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under its various departments and schemes.