BPSC Prelims (Combined Competitive Exam)
41st BPSC Prelims 1996: Previous-Year Questions
95 questions from this paper, sorted by subject, with their options. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.
Modern History 26 questions
Ranjit Singh got the famous Kohinoor diamond from-
- AShah Shuja
- BZaman Shah
- CDost Mohammad
- DSher Ali
Who among the following abolished ‘Dual Government’ system in Bengal?
- ARobert Clive
- BLord Cornwallis
- CWarren Hastings
- DNone of the above
First Maratha Sardar to accept the subsidiary alliance of Lord Wellesley was-
- APeshwa Bajirao- II
- BRaghuji Bhosle
- CDaulat Rao Scindia
- DNone of the above
What was the main cause of the failure of the revolt of 1857?
- ALack of Hindu-Muslim unity
- BLack of common strategy and central organization
- CIts effect was within a limited area
- DNon-participation of Landlords
Who among the following was the founder of Atmiya Sabha?
- ARaja Ram Mohan Roy
- BSwami Dayanand Saraswati
- CSwami Vivekananda
- DAurobindo Ghosh
Brahmo Samaj was founded in the year of-
- A1827
- B1829
- C1831
- D1843
Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in—
- A1816
- B1820
- C1828
- D1830
The best representative of Neo-Hinduism in the second half of the nineteenth century was –
- ARamakrishna Paramahamsa
- BSwami Vivekananda
- CBankim Chandra Chatterji
- DRaja Ram Mohan Roy
Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission in the year:
- A1861
- B1891
- C1893
- D1897
Who was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1938?
- AAbul Kalam Azad
- BSubhas Chandra Bose
- CPattabhi Sitaramayya
- DJ.B. Kripalani
The reason for the revival of revolutionary methods in Indian politics during the period of 1923-28 was -
- AThe growing influence of leaders such as Har Dayal and Lajpat Rai
- BThe suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement by Gandhiji
- CThe influence of foreign events
- DThe rejection of Indian demands by the British
Ghadar Party was established in the year:
- A1907
- B1913
- C1917
- D1920
Who among the following was the founder of the All India Muslim League?
- ASir Sayed Ahmad Khan
- BSir Mohammad Iqbal
- CAgha Khan
- DNawab Salimullah Khan
Home Rule Movement was symbol of starting a new phase of freedom movement in India because:
- AIt put a perfect project for the self-government before the nation
- BLeadership of the movement came in to the hands of Gandhiji
- CHindus and Muslims started to struggle jointly
- DIt established coordination between extremists and moderates
In which of the following Satyagraha movements, did Gandhiji not participate directly?
- ARajkot Satyagraha
- BKheda Satyagraha
- CVaikom Satyagraha
- DNon-cooperation movement
Indian National Congress opposed the Rowlatt Act because it aimed-
- ATo limit the individual liberty
- BTo ban the Indian National Congress
- CTo enlarge the communal delegations
- DTo imprison national leaders charging the traitors to the nation
After the failure of the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhiji gave importance to:
- AConstructive programmes
- BLimited use of violence
- CNegotiation with British
- DNone of the above
On which issue did the Second Round Table Conference fail?
- ACommunal Delegations
- BGranting Dominion Status
- CThe date of transfer of ruling power
- DPostponement of Civil Disobedience Movement
Who was elected the President of Indian National Congress in 1938?
- AAbul Kalam Azad
- BSubhash Chandra Bose
- CPattabhi Sitaramayya
- DJ. B. Kripalani
After passing the resolution of ‘Quit India Movement’ Gandhiji was arrested in –
- AYarawada Jail
- BNaini Jail
- CThe fort of Ahmednagar
- DAga Khan Palace
Which area was affected most by the communal riots due to the ‘Quit India’ Movement?
- (i) Bihar
- (ii) Bengal
- (iii) Gujarat
- (iv) United Province
Select your answer from the following code:
- Ai and ii
- Bonly i
- Cii and iii
- Di and iv
Who was the secretary of Mahatma Gandhi during Noakhali?
- ANirmal Kumar Bose
- BMahadev Desai
- CPyare Lal
- DVallabh Bhai Patel
The objective of the 'Antyodaya' program is -
- ADevelopment of minorities
- BUpliftment of Dalits
- CHelping the poorest of the poor
- DComplete eradication of poverty
Match the names mentioned in column I with the names mentioned in column II and select the right Column I Column II (Books) (Authors)
- A. History of the Freedom Movement in India 1. Tara Chand
- B. History of the Freedom Movement in Bihar 2. W.W. Hunter
- C. Anand Math 3. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- D. Precepts of Jesus 4. Father Bulcke
- E. Indian Musalmans 5. K.K. Dutta
- 6. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
answer using the codes given below:
- A1 4 6 3 2
- B2 4 3 2 1
- C1 5 6 3 2
- DNone of these
The author of 'The Moor's Last Sigh' is-
- APeg Tyre
- BSalman Rushdie
- CP. G. Wodehouse
- DMary Higgins Clark
‘Maghar Mahotsav’ was started in honor of Sant Kabir, in the year-
- AIn 1987
- BIn 1985
- CIn 1990
- DIn 1975
Ancient History 5 questions
Four important events of Buddha’s life and their related places are given below. Match Schedule-I with Schedule-II:
Schedule-I (Event) Schedule-II (Place) A. Birth 1. Sarnath B. Enlightenment 2. Bodh Gaya C. First preaching 3. Lumbini D. Death 4. Kushinagar Select the correct answer using the codes given below (in the order A B C D):
- A1 2 4 3
- B2 3 1 4
- C3 2 1 4
- DNone of the above.
Out of two statements below first is Assertion (A) and second is Reason (R), carefully read both statements. Assertion (A) : Till the end of the twelfth century Nalanda Mahavihara lost its glory. Reason (R) : State protection ceased to be available to the Mahavihara. With respect to the above-mentioned two statements, which of the following is true?
- A(A) and (R) both are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- B(A) and (R) both are true, and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is true, but (R) is false.
- D(A) is false, but (R) is true.
Poet Bana was an inhabitant of –
- APataliputra
- BThanesar
- CBhojpur
- DNone of the above
During Hiuen-Tsang tour in India the most famous city for the production of cotton clothes was:
- AVaranasi
- BMathura
- CPataliputra
- DKanchi
Which of the following dynasties is not mentioned in Sangam literature?
- AKadamba
- BChera
- CChola
- DPandya
Medieval History 4 questions
The capital of Qutbuddin Aibak was:
- ALahore
- BDelhi
- CAjmer
- DLakhnauti
Who among the army-commanders of Alauddin Khilji died fighting against the Mongols?
- AZafar Khan
- BNusrat Khan
- CAlp Khan
- DUlugh Khan
Arrange properly as per dates of four important battles fought by Humayun, the names of the battlefields are given below –
- AChausa, Deora, Kannauj, Sirhind
- BDeora, Kannauj, Chausa, Sirhind
- CSirhind, Deora, Chausa, Kannauj
- DDeora, Chausa, Kannauj, Sirhind
Who among the following historians declared the regime of Shah Jahan to be the Golden Era of the Mughal period?
- AV.A. Smith
- BJ.N. Sarkar
- CA.L. Srivastava
- DNone of the above
Bihar Special GK 23 questions
Patna was made the provincial capital by-
- ASher Shah
- BAlauddin Hussain Shah
- CIbrahim Lodi
- DPrince Azim
Which part of Bihar was unaffected by the revolt of 1857?
- (i) Danapur
- (ii) Patna
- (iii) Arrah
- (iv) Muzaffarpur
- (v) Munger
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
- Aiv and v
- BOnly v
- COnly iv
- Diii, iv and v
Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed in the year
- A1908
- B1902
- C1990
- D1875
In which year was Odisha separated from Bihar?
- A1930
- B1933
- C1936
- D1937
In which context did Jay Prakash Narayan get the recognition of a national leader?
- AQuit India Movement
- BEstablishment of Congress Socialist Party
- CBhoodan Movement
- DMaking the member of Congress Executive Committee
At the end of 1995, the number of districts in Bihar was-
- A55
- B52
- C50
- DNone of the above
How many Members of Parliament from Bihar are currently included in the Union Council of Ministers?
- A3
- B5
- C7
- DNone of the above
Who will be the chairperson of the proposed Women's Commission in Bihar?
- AGovernor of Bihar
- BChief Minister of Bihar
- CChief Justice of Bihar
- DNone of the above
Local time of Patna is—
- AAhead of Indian Standard Time
- BBehind Indian Standard Time
- CThe same as Indian Standard Time
- DNot related to Indian Standard Time
Forests of Chhotanagpur are –
- (i) Evergreen
- (ii) Deciduous
- (iii) Savanna
- (iv) Thorny
Select your answer out of the following codes –
- Ai and ii both are true
- Bonly ii is true
- Cii and iii both are true
- Donly iv is true
What percent of cultivable land in Bihar is irrigated?
- AMore than 50%
- B40% to 50%
- C30% to 40%
- DLess than 30%
What is the main crop of the Chotanagpur Plateau?
- (i) Rice
- (ii) Maize
- (iii) Pulses
- (iv) Wheat
Choose your answer from the following codes-
- AOnly (i) is correct
- B(i) and (iii) are correct
- C(ii) and (iv) are correct
- D(ii) and (iii) are correct
Iron ore is found in Jharkhand in the district –
- ALohardaga
- BDumka
- CDhanbad
- DSinghbhum
What percentage of the total mineral production in the country is found in Bihar?
- Aapprox 36%
- Bapprox 60%
- Capprox 16%
- Dnone of the above
What is the ratio of rural-urban population in Bihar?
- A40 : 60
- B20 : 80
- C50 : 50
- D80 : 20
Least populated district in Bihar is–
- AGodda
- BGumla
- CAraria
- DLohardaga
What is the proportion of the urban population in Bihar according to the 1991 Census?
- A13.14%
- B14.13%
- C10.03%
- D23.17%
On the basis of the density of population, Bihar ranks –
- AFirst in India
- BSecond in India
- CThird in India
- DFourth in India
Expansion of the Terai Region in Bihar is –
- AParallel to the north bank of Chotanagpur plateau
- BParallel to the India-Nepal boundary
- CParallel to the east bank of the Rohtas plateau
- DParallel to the west boundary of the Rajmahal mountain range
Chandragupta’s palace situated at Pataliputra is mainly made up of –
- ABricks
- BStones
- CWood
- DClays
The belt of Jute Industry in Bihar is located in
- (i) North-West plain of Bihar
- (ii) North-East plain of Bihar
- (iii) Middle-south plain of Bihar
- (iv) Damodar Valley region
Select the correct answer from the following codes -
- Ai and ii
- Bii only
- Cii and iii
- Di and iii
Which is the prominent financial institution to give industrial financial aid in Bihar –
- AWorld Bank
- BBISCOMAN
- CBihar State Financial Corporation
- DState Bank of India
From the last few years Buddhist monks in Bihar are agitating to have control over–
- AMahabodhi Temple of Gaya
- BVishnupad Temple of Gaya
- CSun Temple of Deo
- DNone of the above
Indian Polity 15 questions
Constitution’s Tenth Schedule relates to-
- ANational Language of India
- BAdministration of SC’s and ST’s Area
- CJudicial Review
- DAnti-defection Law
Indian citizenship cannot be obtained by –
- ABirth
- BNaturalization
- CAbsorbing any part of land
- DDepositing money in Indian Banks
The concept of a welfare state is included in the Constitution of India in-
- AThe Directive Principles of State Policy
- BThe Fourth Schedule
- CFundamental Rights
- DThe Preamble
How are Directive Principles of state policy different from Fundamental Right?
- AThe former are for the Central Government and the latter for the States
- BThe former are not a part of the Constitution, while the latter are
- CDirective Principles of policy are not enforceable while fundamental right are enforceable
- DNone of the above
Fundamental duties were laid down in.
- A40th Amendment
- B43rd Amendment
- C42nd Amendment
- D39th Amendment
In India, the President is elected by:
- ADirect Election
- BSingle Transferable Vote System
- CProportional Vote System
- DOpen Ballot System
The President of India does not have the right to –
- AGive pardon
- BRemove a judge of Supreme Court
- CDeclare emergency
- DPass ordinances
Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible–
- APrime Minister
- BPresident
- CParliament
- DOnly to Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha is called Permanent House because –
- AAll members are lifelong
- BIt cannot be dissolved
- CSome members retire after every two years
- DBoth
The word 'cabinet' has been used only once in the Constitution and that is -
- AArticle 352
- BArticle 74
- CArticle 356
- DArticle 76
The number of members nominated by the President in Rajya Sabha is–
- A10
- B15
- C12
- D20
As per the Indian Constitution, the Legislature of a State consists of—
- (1) Legislative Council and Governor
- (2) Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council
- (3) Legislative Assembly and Governor
- (4) Governor, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, where it exists
Select your answer from the following codes–
- AOnly 3
- B2 and 3
- C3 and 4
- DOnly 4
What is the nature of the Planning Commission?
- AA government department
- BAn advisory institution
- CAn autonomous corporation
- DA ministry
The Ex-officio Chairman of the Indian Planning Commission is—
- APlanning Minister
- BPrime Minister
- CPresident
- DGovernor of the Reserve Bank of India
The voting age in general elections was reduced from 21 years to 18 years by-
- AThe 73rd Amendment
- BThe 62nd Amendment
- CThe 61st Amendment
- DThe 71st Amendment
Geography 22 questions
The second Indian woman to climb Mount Everest was—
- ABachendri Pal
- BSantosh Yadav
- CM. Sreelekha
- DNone of the above
Extra peninsular mountains of India were formed during
- AAzoic Era
- BPaleozoic Era
- CMesozoic Era
- DCenozoic Era
Vidarbha is a regional name in India and it is a part of –
- AGujarat
- BMaharashtra
- CMadhya Pradesh
- DOrissa (Odisha)
Cherrapunji is located in –
- AAssam
- BManipur
- CMeghalaya
- DMizoram
Old Kachhari clay of Gangetic plain is called
- ABhabar
- BBhangar
- CKhadar
- DKhondolyte
Which of the following is the most important food crop in terms of cropped area?
- AWheat
- BMaize
- CBarley
- DRice
The largest jute producing state in India is –
- AAndhra Pradesh
- BBihar
- CTamil Nadu
- DWest Bengal
From which of the following sources does India obtain the maximum amount of electricity?
- AHydel
- BThermal
- CNuclear
- DNon-conventional
Bhadravati steel centre is located—
- AOn the Bhadravati river
- BOn the Bhadra river
- COn the Tung river
- DOn the Tungabhadra river
The oldest large-scale industry in India is—
- AIron and steel
- BJute
- CCotton
- DPaper
The raw materials on which the cotton industry depends are—
- AWeight-losing inputs
- BWeight-gaining inputs
- CWeight-neutral inputs
- DNone of the above
The group of stars that indicates the direction of polaris, is
- ASaptarishi
- BMrig
- CScorpio
- DTaurus
The hottest planet in the solar system is—
- AMercury
- BVenus
- CMars
- DEarth
In completing one revolution around the Sun, Earth takes approximately –
- A365 days
- B365.25 days
- C365.5 days
- D365.75 days
Which is the largest planet in the solar system?
- AJupiter
- BNeptune
- CVenus
- DSaturn
The largest mountain series of the World is –
- AHimalaya
- BAndes
- CRockies
- DAlps
The possibility of a desert on earth is more
- ANearby 0° latitude
- BNearby 23° latitude
- CNearby 50° latitude
- DNearby 70° latitude
The surface of the earth covered with water is approximately?
- AOne-fourth
- BHalf
- CTwo-thirds
- DThree-fifth (3/5)
The World's largest Delta is formed in –
- AGanga and Brahmaputra
- BMississippi-Missouri
- CYangtze-Kyang
- DHuang-Hoe
The height of the ozone layer above the surface of the earth is-
- A15-20 km
- B40-50 km
- C70-80 km
- D110-120 km
Dense-forests on the earth are mostly found –
- ANearby Equator
- BNearby tropic of Cancer
- CNearby tropic of Capricorn
- DNearby Poles
“Golden Triangle” refers to—
- AA union of gold-producing countries
- BThe Bermuda Triangle, where the sea has a golden glow
- CThe drug-producing region of Thailand, Myanmar, etc
- DA smuggling trio based on Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan