BPSC Prelims (Combined Competitive Exam)
40th BPSC Prelims 1995: Previous-Year Questions
80 questions from this paper, sorted by subject, with their options. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.
Modern History 16 questions
Identify the region from where Europeans got best shora (Saltpetre) and opium –
- ABihar
- BGujarat
- CBengal
- DMadras
Which of the following groups did not participate in the revolt of 1857?
- 1. Agricultural Labour
- 2. Sahukar
- 3. Farmers
- 4. Zamindars
Select your answer from the following codes:
- AOnly 1
- B1 and 2
- COnly 2
- D2 and 4
Who called the revolt of 1857 a conspiracy?
- ASir James Outram and W. Taylor
- BSir John K.
- CSir John Lawrence
- DT.R. Holmes
Trace the tribe that rebelled against Britishers because human sacrifice system was banned –
- AKuki
- BKhond
- COraon
- DNackda
Which category of population was primarily attracted by the religious reform movements of the nineteenth century?
- (i) Intellectuals
- (ii) Urban upper castes
- (iii) Poor ordinary class
- (iv) Liberal princes
Choose your answer from the given code:
- AOnly i
- Bi and ii
- Ci, ii and iii
- Di, ii and iv
In 1873 who founded Satyashodhak Samaj?
- AGopal Krishna Gokhale
- BJyotiba Phule
- CShiv Nath Shastri
- DNone of the above
Who demanded the right to enter temples that caused a terrible riot in Tirunelveli in 1899?
- AOkkalinga
- BNadars
- CMahar
- DPali
Which year was the ‘Hindustan Republican Association’ set up –
- A1920
- B1924
- C1928
- D1930
Which of the following did not contribute to the establishment of the Home Rule League?
- ABal Gangadhar Tilak
- BAnnie Besant
- CM. Subramania Aiyar
- DH. S. Olcott
Who was the first Indian to be the member of Communist International?
- AM.N. Roy
- BMuzaffar Ahmad
- CS.A. Dange
- DNone of the above
Who viewed the Khilafat Movement as an opportunity for integrating Hindus and Muslims which will not appear again within coming hundred years?
- AAli Brothers
- BAbul Kalam Azad
- CMahatma Gandhi
- DKhan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Indicate the true sequence of events concerning the postponement of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
- (1) Police firing in Chauri-Chaura
- (2) Police station set on fire by a violent crowd
- (3) Postponement of the movement by Gandhiji
- (4) Arrest of Gandhiji
Select your answer from the following codes:
- A1, 2, 3 and 4
- B2, 1, 3 and 4
- C4, 1, 2 and 3
- D2, 1, 4 and 3
All India State People's Conference was set up in –
- A1924
- B1926
- C1927
- D1929
Two statements are given below; the one is Assertion (A) and other is the Reason (R), read them carefully-Assertion (A): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was separate from Quit India Movement, 1942. Reason (R): It thought that the freedom of India would be delayed due to this Movement. Which of them is correct from the given statements-
- A(A) and (R) are individually true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- B(A) and (R) are individually true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is true, but (R) is false.
- D(A) is false, but (R) is true.
What is the ‘Mohajir Qaumi Movement’?
- AA terrorist organisation based in Karachi
- BA political party of immigrant Muslims settled in Pakistan
- CA secret society of Sunni Muslims in Karachi
- DNone of the above
Which of the following statements regarding the composition titled 'Triumph of the Spirit' is true?
- AIt is composed by Romi Dev.
- BIt contains details of Kapil Dev's sporting life.
- CIt was formally released by the famous painter M. F. Husain.
- DAll of the above.
Ancient History 6 questions
Which colour was commonly used in the Harappan Pottery?
- ARed
- BBlue-grey
- CYellow
- DBlue
To whom is the ninth Mandala of the Rigveda Samhita completely dedicated?
- AIndra and his elephant
- BUrvashi and heaven
- CDeities related to plants and herbs
- DSoma and the deity named after this drink
Which of the following is the earliest holy book of Jainism?
- ATwelve Angas
- BTwelve Upangas
- CFourteen Purvas
- DFourteen Uppurva
The gradual decline of towns was an important feature of which period?
- AGupta period
- BPratihara era
- CRashtrakut
- DSatavahana era
What is the rate of land revenue in the Dharmashastras?
- A1/3
- B1/4
- C1/6
- D1/8
Who used the caves of Barabar as their shelter-house?
- AAjivakas
- BTharus
- CJains
- DTantrikas
Medieval History 4 questions
Identify the first ruler of Vijayanagara who captured Goa from the Bahamani’s?
- AHarihara I
- BHarihara II
- CBukka I
- DDevaraya II
Which of the following indicates taxes levied on the land product?
- i. Kharaj
- ii. Khums
- iii. Ushr
- iv. Mukta'i
Select your answer from the following codes:
- Aonly i
- Bii and iii
- Ci, ii and iii
- Di, iii, and iv
Whom of the following Englishmen did Jahangir honour with the title ‘English Khan’?
- AHawkins
- BSir Thomas Roe
- CEdward Terry
- DNone of the above
Who was the last Mughal Emperor to sit on Mayur Singhasan?
- AShah Alam I
- BMuhammad Shah
- CBahadur Shah
- DJahandar Shah
Bihar Special GK 20 questions
Chinese traveller I-Tsing was on the tour of Bihar in about:
- A405 A.D
- B635 A.D
- C637 A.D
- DNone of the above
The city of Bihar Sharif remained important in the medieval period i. As a center of trade ii. As a center of education iii. As an administrative center iv. As a religious center Choose your answer from the codes given below-
- Ai and iii
- Bi, ii and iii
- Cii, iii and iv
- Dii and iii
Bihar's famous saint Sharfuddin Maneri is related to which Sufi sect he belonged to?
- AChishti
- BSuhrawardi
- CFirdausi
- DKubravi
In the 1830s, Patna city was a centre of—
- ASanyasi Revolt
- BGodkhari Revolt
- CMunda Revolt
- DWahabi Movement
Identify the region where Santhals declared their government in 1855-56?
- AMunger-Bhagalpur
- BBhagalpur - Rajmahal
- CGaya - Munger
- DShahabad - Gaya
Who was Birsa Munda's guru?
- ASwami Sahajanand
- BAnand Pandey
- CJatra Bhagat
- DM. N. Roy
The revolt of 1857 affected many towns of Bihar. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the occurrence of revolt in various towns of Bihar?
- APatna, Muzaffarpur, Rohini, Jagdishpur
- BRohini, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Jagdishpur
- CMuzaffarpur, Patna, Jagdishpur, Rohini
- DJagdishpur, Patna, Rohini, Muzaffarpur
Bihar Congress Socialist Party was formed in –
- A1930
- B1931
- C1934
- D1939
Total number of Lok Sabha seats in Bihar is -
- A50
- B52
- C54
- DNone of the above
Total geographical area of Bihar is–
- AApproximately 170 sq. km
- BApproximately 172 sq. km
- CApproximately 174 sq. km
- DApproximately 178 sq. km
Chotanagpur Plateau is—
- AA cuesta
- BA graben
- CA piedmont
- DA peneplain
What form of agriculture is in Bihar?
- 1. Subsistence
- 2. Commercial
- 3. Export-intensive
- 4. Self-reliant
Select your answer of the following codes–
- AOnly 1
- B2 and 3
- COnly 2
- DOnly 4
What is the crop density in Bihar?
- A108%
- B118%
- C128%
- D138%
What is the ultimate irrigation capacity of Bihar?
- A89.20 lakh hectares
- B90.30 lakh hectares
- C91.64 lakh hectares
- D92.11 lakh hectares
Best mica ore of the world is obtained from –
- 1. Dhanbad
- 2. Hazaribagh
- 3. Jharia
- 4. Kulti
Select the correct answer from the following codes –
- A1 and 2
- Bonly 2
- C2 and 3
- D2 and 4
In the production of crude copper in the country, Bihar ranks-
- Athird
- Bfourth
- Csecond
- Dfirst
Which of the following rivers in Bihar merge into the Ganga –
- (1) Gandak
- (2) Son
- (3) Ghaghara
- (4) Punpun
- A1, 2, 3, 4
- B1, 2, 4
- C1, 3, 4
- D2, 4
Who used the caves of Barabar as their shelter-house?
- AAjivakas
- BTharus
- CJains
- DTantrikas
First Sugar Mill was set up in Bihar at –
- AMarhaura
- BBettiah
- CMotihari
- DPatna
Two statements are given below, in which one is Assertion (A) and the other is Reason (R). Read both carefully Assertion (A) : South Bihar is more developed than North Bihar. Reason (R) : Industries have developed in South Bihar. In reference to the above two statements, which of the following is correct?
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is true, but (R) is false
- D(A) is false, but (R) is true
Indian Polity 14 questions
In the context of the Preamble of Indian Constitution which of the following sequence is correct?
- ARepublic, People’s, Democratic, Secular, Socialist, Universal, Sovereign
- BSovereign, Socialist, Democratic, People’s, Secular, Republic
- CSovereign, Socialist, People’s, Democratic, Secular, Socialist Republic
- DSovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic
The Council of Ministers is responsible to the –
- APresident
- BPrime Minister
- CSpeaker
- DParliament
Prior to the completion of tenure, the Lok Sabha can be dissolved by–
- AThe will of President
- BSpeaker
- CThe President on the recommendation of Council of Ministers
- DThe President on the recommendation of the Speaker
A candidate of Lok Sabha Poll loses his security amount if he/she does not get –
- A1/3 of valid votes
- B1/4 of valid votes
- C1/5 valid votes
- DNone of the above
Who is the leader of the Lok Sabha?
- APresident
- BPrime Minister
- CSpeaker
- DNone of the above
Right to dissolve the Rajya Sabha is vested in –
- APresident
- BVice-President
- CSupreme Court
- DNone of the above
A joint session of both the Houses of Parliament is held—
- 1. For the election of the President of India
- 2. For the election of the vice-President of India
- 3. To pass the Bill relating to the amendment of Constitution
- 4. To discuss and pass such a Bill where both Houses have different opinion
Select your answer from the following code–
- A1 and 4
- B3 and 4
- C1 and 2
- Donly 4
The Governor of Uttar Pradesh directs the speaker of the legislative assembly to hold its session. In doing so he was exercising the rights which are vested in his office.
- AArticle 172
- BArticle 175
- CArticle 175 (2)
- DArticle 176
Which of the following Articles of Indian Constitution consists the provision of the election of Legislative Assemblies of States–
- AArticle 170
- BArticle 176
- CArticle 178
- DNone of the above
In a State, the Legislative Council can be created or abolished by—
- AThe Legislative Assembly of that State
- BThe Parliament
- CThe Parliament, on the recommendation of the Governor
- DThe President, on the recommendation of the Governor
Legislative Council exists in which of the following states?
- (1) Kerala
- (2) Himachal Pradesh
- (3) Delhi
- (4) Bihar
Select your answer from the following codes–
- A1 and 2
- B1 and 3
- C2 and 3
- DOnly 4
If the Speaker of Legislative Assembly of a State wants to resign, he will give his resignation to –
- AChief Minister
- BGovernor
- CDeputy Speaker
- DPresident of India
When was the Planning Commission constituted?
- AIn 1949
- BIn 1950
- CIn 1951
- DIn 1952
What is the respective strength of the National Assembly and the Senate in the new Parliament of South Africa?
- A400 : 80
- B410 : 90
- C420 : 90
- D400 : 90
Geography 20 questions
Indian Oceanographers discovered a high mountain with a height of 1505 metres at the bottom of the Arabian sea about 455 km west south-west from Bombay, the mountain is called-
- AKailash II
- BRaman Sagar Mountain
- CKanya Sagar Parvat
- DBombay Parvat
As per the area, what is the correct descending order of the following States? (1) Andhra Pradesh (2) Bihar (3) Madhya Pradesh (4) Uttar Pradesh Code :
- A3, 2, 4, 1
- B1, 2, 3, 4
- C4, 3, 2, 1
- D3, 4, 1, 2
The longest flowing river in India is-
- AMahanadi
- BGodavari
- CGanga
- DNarmada
Which of the following is a land-bounded river?
- ATapti
- BKrishna
- CLuni
- DNarmada
Declining of monsoon is indicated by: (i) Clear sky (ii) High pressure condition in the Bay of Bengal (iii) Rising temperature on land Select your answer using the following code –
- AOnly i
- BBoth i and ii
- Ci, ii and iii
- DBoth ii and iii
Soil erosion can be checked by
- AExcess grazing
- BRemoval of plants
- CAfforestation
- DIncreasing the number of birds
After Independence India progressed the maximum-
- AIn the production of Rice
- BIn the production of Pulses
- CIn the production of Jute
- DIn the production of Wheat
Which of the following is the most important food crop in terms of cropped area?
- AWheat
- BMaize
- CBarley
- DRice
The region known as the Rice Bowl of India is –
- AKerala and Tamil Nadu
- BDelta region of Krishna-Godavari
- CNorth East region
- DIndus-Gangetic Plain
Which of the following has the largest reserve of alternative energy?
- ASolar energy
- BTidal energy
- CNuclear energy
- DGeothermal energy
What is the ‘core sector’ in India?
- APower
- BCoal
- CRefinery products
- DAll of the above
Marmugao seaport is situated in –
- AOdisha
- BTamil Nadu
- CGoa
- DKerala
Time taken by the Sun to revolve around the centre of our galaxy is –
- A2.5 crores years
- B10 crores years
- C25 crores years
- D50 crores years
Which statement of the following is true for igneous rocks?
- AThese have very few fossils
- BThey are porous to water
- CThey are both crystalline and non-crystalline
- DThese rocks do not contain silica
Which of the following countries is the leading country in the reserve of Hard Coal?
- ANepal
- BChina
- CNew Zealand
- DIndia
Which one of the following is not a seaport city?
- ATokyo
- BCanberra
- CNew York
- DLondon
Which of the following countries is the largest buyer of U.S. weapons?
- AIsrael
- BSaudi Arabia
- CTaiwan
- DPakistan
To maintain ecological balance, the minimum forest cover required is—
- A25% of total land
- B50% of total land
- C40% of total land
- D33% of total land
What is “Greenpeace” (Harit Shanti)?
- AAn agriculture-related organization
- BAn international peacekeeping force
- CAn international organization of environmental supporters
- DNone of the above
The flightless bird found in New Zealand is—
- AOstrich
- BAlbatross
- CKiwi
- Dnone of the above