BPSC Prelims (Combined Competitive Exam)
53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011: Previous-Year Questions
99 questions from this paper, sorted by subject, with their options. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.
Modern History 20 questions
The first Indian Governor-General of independent India was-
- ARajagopalachari
- BSurendra Nath
- CRajendra Prasad
- DB.R. Ambedkar
The ‘Permanent Settlement’ was made with –
- AZamindars
- BVillage communities
- CMuqaddamas
- DPeasants
When was the National Council of Education established?
- A15th August, 1903
- B15th August, 1904
- C15th August, 1905
- D15th August, 1906
Who was the father of the Indian Renaissance movement?
- ABal Gangadhar Tilak
- BDayanand Saraswati
- CShraddhanand
- DRaja Ram Mohan Roy
Who was the founder of ‘Prarthana Samaj’?
- AAtmaram Pandurang
- BTilak
- CAnnie Besant
- DRashbehari Ghose
Who founded the ‘Theosophical Society’?
- AMadame H.P. Blavatsky
- BRaja Ram Mohan Roy
- CMahatma Gandhi
- DSwami Vivekananda
The Madras Mahajan Sabha was established in the year-
- A1880
- B1881
- C1882
- D1883
How many representatives took part in the first Session of the Indian National Congress?
- A52
- B62
- C72
- D82
Who said, “Swaraj is my birthright, I will have it”?
- AM.K. Gandhi
- BJawaharlal Nehru
- CBal Gangadhar Tilak
- DBhagat Singh
Who is popularly known as ‘Sher-e-Punjab’?
- ARajguru
- BBhagat Singh
- CLala Lajpat Rai
- DUdham Singh
Who is associated with ‘Abhinav Bharat’?
- AV.D. Savarkar
- BC.R. Das
- CB.G. Tilak
- DS.C. Bose
Congress passed the ‘Swaraj’ resolution in the year 1905. The purpose of the resolution was-
- Aright to make a constitution for themselves but it was not done
- Bto secure self-rule
- Cresponsible government
- Dself-government
The Non-Cooperation Movement was started in –
- A1918
- B1919
- C1920
- D1921
Who founded the ‘Swaraj Dal’?
- ATilak and Chittaranjan Das
- BGandhi and Motilal Nehru
- CGandhi and Tilak
- DChittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru
Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in:
- A1931
- B1935
- C1942
- D1919
Which Round Table Conference was held in 1932?
- AFirst
- BSecond
- CThird
- DFourth
The Provincial Governments were constituted under the Act of-
- A1935
- B1932
- C1936
- D1947
The slogan ‘Do or Die’ was related with –
- ADandi
- BNon-cooperation
- CKhilafat
- DQuit India
The Montagu-Chelmsford Report formed the basis of the–
- AIndian Councils Act, 1909
- BGovernment of India Act, 1919
- CGovernment of India Act, 1935
- DIndian Independence Act, 1947
Which one of the following books was written by Tilak?
- AIndia in Transition
- BGita Rahasya
- CGokhale-My Political Guru
- DDiscovery of India
Ancient History 9 questions
Which of the following is a Harappan port?
- AAlexandria
- BLothal
- CMahasthangarh
- DNagapattinam
Where was the third Buddhist Council held?
- ATaxila
- BSarnath
- CBodh Gaya
- DPataliputra
Where did Mahatma Buddha’s ‘Mahaparinirvana’ take place?
- ALumbini
- BBodh Gaya
- CKushinagar
- DKapilvastu
Where was Mahavira Swami born?
- AKundagram
- BPataliputra
- CMagadha
- DVaishali
Which one was the capital of Magadha?
- APataliputra
- BVaishali
- CGirivraj (Rajagriha)
- DChampa
What was the name of the dynasty of Ajatashatru?
- AMaurya
- BHaryanka
- CNanda
- DGupta
Which inscription tells about the various achievements of Rudradaman-I?
- AJunagadh
- BBhitari
- CNasik
- DSanchi
The Gupta emperor who defeated the ‘Hunas’ was:
- ASamudragupta
- BChandragupta II
- CSkandagupta
- DRamagupta
What is the name of Kalhana’s book?
- AArthashastra
- BIndica
- CPurana
- DRajatarangini
Medieval History 3 questions
Who was the ruler of Devagiri at the time of Alauddin Khilji’s invasion?
- ARamchandra Dev
- BPrataprudra Dev
- CMalik Kafur
- DRana Ratan Singh
What was ‘Dar-ul-Shafa’ established by Firoz Tughluq?
- AAn almshouse
- BA Charitable hospital
- CA library
- DA guest house for pilgrims
Who of the following Muslim rulers abolished the pilgrimage tax?
- ABahlul Lodi
- BSher Shah
- CHumayun
- DAkbar
Bihar Special GK 21 questions
Kunwar Singh was the king of -
- AHamirpur
- BDhirpur
- CJagdishpur
- DRampur
At which place was the 27th Session of the Indian National Congress held?
- ABhagalpur
- BPatna
- CRanchi
- DBankipur
With whose efforts was the Second Bihar Provincial Congress Session held?
- AG. K. Gokhale
- BShri Deepnarayan Singh
- CShri Krishna
- DSurendranath Banerjee
Rajkumar Shukla was a resident of which village?
- AMurali Bharahwa
- BMurali Bheet
- CMurali Dhir
- DMural Kher
The 16th session of Bihari Students Conference at Hazaribagh took place in-
- A1921
- B1922
- C1923
- D1924
In Bihar though 'Zamindari' was statutorily abolished in 1952, the social base of land control remained in the grip of
- AMiddle Caste Hindus
- BScheduled Caste Hindus
- CDominant Caste Hindus
- DScheduled Tribe Hindus
Where did Lord Sinha resign from the post of Governor in 1921?
- ABihar-Odisha
- BBengal
- CPunjab
- DMadras
Which party-wise performance is correct for Bihar Assembly Elections, 2010 in comparison to the elections of 2005?
Change in seats, in the order JDU, BJP, RJD, LJP, CONG, OTHERS:
- A+40 +25 –30 –10 –7 –19
- B+25 +34 –20 –5 –3 –11
- C+27 +36 –32 –7 –5 –19
- D+17 +46 –15 –10 –10 –10
North Bihar is famous for –
- AAgricultural prosperity
- BHeavy industries
- CFlood
- DDrought
The Planning Commission estimated the following percentage of Below Poverty Line (BPL) for Bihar in 1993-94—
- A55
- B65
- C45
- D35
In Bihar, name the scheme which aims at building up infrastructural facilities of a high standard, required for establishment of 'Export-oriented Units' –
- AIntegrated Infrastructural Development (IID)
- BExport Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP)
- CConcept of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
- DSoftware / Hardware Technology Park (STP/HTP)
Bihar is the ____ largest State of India according to Census 2001.
- ASecond
- BThird
- CFourth
- DFifth
According to Census 2001, what is the total population of Bihar?
- A82,998,509
- B76,210,007
- C96,878,627
- D80,176,197
Which one is not located on National Highway-2 (NH-2)?
- AAurangabad
- BSasaram
- CMohania
- DPatna
In Bihar, air services are provided by
- AOnly Indian Airlines
- BOnly Sahara Airlines
- COnly Royal Nepal Airlines
- DIndian Airlines, Sahara Airlines and Royal Nepal Airlines
Patna International Airport is directly connected with
- AKathmandu (Nepal), New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi and Ranchi
- BBengaluru, Hyderabad and Dhaka
- CIslamabad, Dhaka and Bengaluru
- DWashington, Dhaka and Chennai
The East Central Railway zone headquarters is located at-
- APatna
- BHajipur
- CMuzaffarpur
- DKatihar
The editor of 'Bihari', a leading newspaper of Bihar, was –
- ABabu G. Prasad
- BBabu Ram Prasad
- CBabu Gopal Prasad
- DBabu Maheshwar Prasad
Bihar State (before separation) had how many 'Industrial Area Development Authorities'?
- ASix, viz., Adityapur, Bokaro, Patna, Ranchi, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur
- BFive, viz., Adityapur, Bokaro, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Patna
- CSeven, viz., Adityapur, Bokaro, Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Ranchi and Bhojpur
- DFour, viz., Adityapur, Muzaffarpur, Bhojpur and Khagaria
Where is the office of the Commissioner of Industries of Bihar located?
- APatna
- BGaya
- CHajipur
- DMuzaffarpur
Shri Nibaran Chandra Dasgupta belonged to –
- APatna
- BPurulia
- CHajipur
- DMinapur
Indian Polity 17 questions
January 26 was selected as the date for the inauguration of the Constitution, because-
- AThe Congress had observed it as the Independence Day in 1930
- BOn that day the Quit India Movement was started in 1942
- CIt was considered to be an auspicious day
- DNone of the above
The Indian Constitution comprises of-
- A395 Articles, 22 Parts and 12 Schedules
- B371 Articles, 21 Parts and 11 Schedules
- C372 Articles, 20 Parts and 7 Schedules
- D381 Articles, 23 Parts and 8 Schedules
Which of the following rights conferred by the Constitution of India is also available to non-citizens?
- ARight to Constitutional Remedies
- BFreedom of Speech
- CFreedom to Move and Settle in any Part of the Country
- DFreedom to Acquire Property
Which one of the following is a human right as well as a fundamental right under the Constitution of India?
- ARight to Information
- BRight to Work
- CRight to Education
- DRight to Housing
When was the Right to Education added through the amendment in the Constitution of India?
- A1st April, 2010
- B1st August, 2010
- C1st October, 2010
- D1st December, 2010
The Rajya Sabha consists of-
- A280 members of which 20 members are nominated by the President of India
- B275 members of which 18 members are nominated by the President of India
- C250 members of which 12 members are nominated by the President of India
- D252 members of which 12 members are nominated by the President of India
Of the following statements, which one is not correct?
- AThe Rajya Sabha is powerless in money matters
- BMoney Bill is introduced in the Rajya Sabha
- CThe Rajya Sabha has to pass the Money Bill within 14 days after it has been passed by the Lok Sabha
- DThe Rajya Sabha may pass or return the Money Bill with some recommendations to the Lok Sabha
The Public Accounts Committee submits its reports to-
- AThe Comptroller and Auditor General
- BThe Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- CThe Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
- DThe President of India
Which one of the following statements is not correct?
- AThe Supreme Court was established in 1950
- BThe Supreme Court is the highest court in the country where appeals are made
- CThe Supreme Court can hear any High Court/Courts except Court-Martial
- DThe Supreme Court can hear any High Court/Courts along with Court-Martial
Who is the Constitutional Head of the State Governments?
- AChief Minister
- BGovernor
- CSpeaker
- DHigh Court Judge
According to which Article ‘National Emergency’ may be declared by the president of India?
- AArticle 352
- BArticle 370
- CArticle 371
- DArticle 395
In India, in which year was the ‘Planning Commission’ established?
- A1950
- B1947
- C1948
- D1951
Name the Committee which was set up by the NDC in 1957 for the reorganization of CDP and NES, which suggested a three-tier system of rural local government-
- ABalwant Rai Mehta Committee
- BAshok Mehta Committee
- CMaharashtra Committee on Democratic Decentralisation
- DRural-Urban Relationship Committee
Ashok Mehta Committee recommended –
- AThree-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
- BTwo-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
- CSingle-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
- DMultiple-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
Which State Governments have provided 50 percent reservation for women in local bodies up to 2010?
- ABihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan
- BBihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh
- CBihar, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala
- DBihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Who is the head of the National Security Committee?
- AHome Minister
- BPrime Minister
- CPresident
- DVice-President
The headquarters of International Court of Justice is situated at:
- AHague
- BNew York
- CGeneva
- DParis
Geography 29 questions
The three largest States of India in order of area are
- ARajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
- BMadhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra
- CMaharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
- DMadhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
Which one of the following cities is not located on the bank of the river Ganga?
- AFatehpur
- BBhagalpur
- CUttarkashi
- DKanpur
Amritsar and Shimla are almost on the same latitude, but their climate difference is due to-
- AThe difference in their altitudes
- BTheir distance from the sea
- CSnowfall in Shimla
- DPollution in Amritsar
Which soil particles are present in loamy soils?
- ASand particles
- BClay particles
- CSilt particles
- DAll types of particles
Soil water available to plants is maximum in :
- AClay soil
- BSilty soil
- CSandy soil
- DLoamy soil
Plants that grow in saline soil are called—
- AXerophytes
- BHydrophytes
- CHalophytes
- DSucculents
The highest wheat-producing state of India is-
- AHaryana
- BPunjab
- CBihar
- DUttar Pradesh
Which States in India are the largest producers of sugarcane?
- ABihar and Uttar Pradesh
- BUttar Pradesh and Rajasthan
- CAndhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir
- DPunjab and Himachal Pradesh
Coal mines in Jharkhand are located at :
- AJharia
- BJamshedpur
- CRanchi
- DLohardaga
Consider the following problems being faced by the Indian coal industry — I. Poor quality of coal and bottlenecks in the coal movement. II. Low utilisation capacity of washeries. III. Growing dependence on the import of coking coal. IV. Administered prices. Which of the above are correct?
- AII, III and IV
- BI, II, III and IV
- CI, III and IV
- DI, II and III
In India, per capita consumption of energy in 1994 was –
- A300 kg. of oil equivalent
- B360 kg. of oil equivalent
- C243 kg. of oil equivalent
- D343 kg. of oil equivalent
Consider the following causes of the financial weakness of State Electricity Boards in India— I. Sale of electricity to agricultural and domestic consumers at prices lower than the cost of production. II. High transmission and distribution losses. III. Lack of commercial autonomy of State Electricity Boards. IV. Implementation of social subsidy policies through State Electricity Boards by state governments. Which of the above are correct?
- AI, II and III
- BI, II, III and IV
- CI, III and IV
- DII, III and IV
TISCO plant is located near –
- APatna
- BDarbhanga
- CDhanbad
- DTatanagar
Which one of the following numbered Rajdhani trains covers the longest distance?
- A12429 Bangalore City Junction
- B12431 Thiruvananthapuram Central
- C12433 Chennai Central
- D12435 Dibrugarh Town
Telephone in India was introduced in –
- A1951
- B1981
- C1851
- D1861
When was ‘Speed Post Service’ launched by the Indian Postal Department in competition to the ‘Courier service’?
- A1988
- B1987
- C1989
- D1986
Which of the following does not belong to the solar system?
- AAsteroids
- BComets
- CPlanets
- DNebula
The time at Cairo is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich. Hence, it is located at-
- A30° W longitude
- B30° E longitude
- C28° E longitude
- D28° W longitude
Continents have drifted apart because of-
- AVolcanic eruptions
- BTectonic activities
- CFolding and faulting of rocks
- DAll of the above
Folding is the result of-
- AEpeirogenic force
- BCoriolis force
- COrogenic force
- DExogenic force
The Desert ‘Takla Makan’ is located in the –
- AKazakhstan
- BTurkmenistan
- CUzbekistan
- DChina
Which of the following is not a capital city of a country?
- ACanberra
- BSydney
- CWellington
- DRiyadh
Where is ‘Ninety East Ridge’ situated?
- APacific Ocean
- BIndian Ocean
- CAtlantic Ocean
- DArctic Ocean
Main Source of Salinity of the Sea is –
- ARivers
- BLand
- CWind
- DAsh ejected from the Volcano
The average salinity of the water of the Arabian Sea is-
- A25 ppt
- B35 ppt
- C45 ppt
- D55 ppt
Which strait connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean?
- ABab-el-Mandeb
- BHormuz
- CBosphorus
- DMalacca
The highest coal-producing country in the world is-
- AIndia
- BUSA
- CChina
- DRussia
Commercial sources of energy purely consist of-
- APower, coal, oil, gas, hydro-electricity and uranium
- BCoal, oil, firewood, vegetable waste and agricultural waste
- CPower, coal, animal dung and firewood
- DCoal, gas, oil and firewood
Environment is a composite of :
- ABiotic factors
- BPhysiographic factors
- CAbiotic factors
- DAll of the above