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INDIA’S MOST AUTHENTIC AND TRUSTED ANSWER KEYS

¾ 13 Questions from the last three Mock Tests of SIA alone

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3. Three answers deviation – 2013

 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY

Test Series
including Mock
S.No. SIA Mock Test Questions UPSC Questions (B Series)
Test with
Question No.
Question No.62

Ease-of-doing business index is published by India’s ranking in the `East of Doing Business Index’
is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following
which one of the following organizations?
has declared that ranking?
(a) International Monetary Fund
(Mock Test-3 (a) Organization for Economic Cooperation and
1 development (OECD)
(b) World Bank Q.No 77)

(c) World Economic Forum (b) World Economic Forum

(d) World Trade Organization (c) World Bank

(d) World Trade Organization (WTO)

The “Agenda 21” regarding sustainable

Question No.82
development is the outcome of

(a) Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992. With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the
news, consider the following statements :
(b) World Summit on Sustainable (Mock Test-2
2 1. It is a global action plan for sustainable
Q.No 2)
Development, Johannesburg, 2002. development.

(c) Rio +20 Summit, 2012. 2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable
Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
(d) Paris Climate Change Conference, 2015

Question No.6
With reference to ‘International Solar
(Mock Test-2
3.
Alliance’, consider the following statements. Q.No 69) Consider the following statements :
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY
Test Series
including Mock
S.No. SIA Mock Test Questions UPSC Questions (B Series)
Test with
Question No.
1. It is an initiative of African Union to 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at
the United Nations Climate Change Conference in
generate solar energy with other tropical
2015.
countries. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of
the United Nations.
2. The purpose of it is to bring together a
group of nations to endorse clean energy,
sustainable environment, public transport
and climate adaptive agriculture.

With reference to the Cripps Mission, consider

the following recommendations of the body

1. Formation of elected body to frame new Question No.18

Constitution immediately after the war. (Mock Test-1
4. The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after
Q.No 21)
2. Provision for the participation of Indian the Second World War
states in the constitution making body.

Responsibility of defence of India is henceforth

transferred to elected bodies.
Question No.23
Which of the following is/are Sustainable
Consider the following statements :
Development Goals of United Nations?
(Mock Test-2 1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first
5. 1. Make cities and human settlements proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the
Q.No 8)
inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. ‘Club of Rome’.
2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be
2. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
achieved by 2030.
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY
Test Series
including Mock
S.No. SIA Mock Test Questions UPSC Questions (B Series)
Test with
Question No.
for sustainable development.

3. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans,

seas and marine resources for sustainable
development.

Limiting Global warming to less than 2 degree

Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

Question No.28
India’s Fiscal deficit can be reduced by which
one of the following measures? There has been a persistent deficit budget year after
year. Which action/actions of the following can be
1. Deregulating diesel prices taken by the Government to reduce the deficit?
2. Increase in MSP (Mock Test-3 1. Reducing revenue expenditure
6.
Q.No 76)
3. Increasing capital infusion into Public 2. Introducing new welfare schemes
Sector Banks (PSBs) 3. Rationalizing subsidies
4. Increasing Disinvestments 4. Reducing import duty

Question No.37
Consider the following statements
Which of the following is/are included in the capital
1. Borrowings from the Reserve Bank of India. (Mock Test-3 budget of the Government of India?
7.
Q.No 26) 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads,
2. Recovered loans provided earlier to the
buildings, machinery etc.
states.
2. Loans received from foreign governments
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY
Test Series
including Mock
S.No. SIA Mock Test Questions UPSC Questions (B Series)
Test with
Question No.
3. Money accrued from the sale of government 3. Loans and advances granted to the States and
shares to the public. Union Territories

Which of the statements given above is/are part

of the capital receipts of the Government of
India?
Which of the following currencies are
International Major Reserve Currency?
Question No.39
1. Swiss Franc
(Mock Test-2 Recently, which one of the following currencies has
8. 2. Australian Dollar
Q.No 88) been proposed to be added to the basket of IMF’s
3. Chinese Yuan SDR?
4. Canadian Dollar

Consider the following statements regarding Question No.42

Virashaivism in Karnataka:
With reference to the cultural history of medieval
1. It was founded by Basavanna as a separate India, consider the following statements:
(Mock Test-3
9. caste within Hinduism. 1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were
Q.No 11)
monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. They allowed widow remarriage.
2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory
They believed in rebirth after death and of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.
practiced funerary rites such as cremation.
Question No.55
Which one of the following is associated with
(Mock Test-2
10. protecting the biological diversity from the Consider the following pairs:
Q.No 31)
potential risks posed by Genetically Modified
Terms sometimes Their origin
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY
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including Mock
S.No. SIA Mock Test Questions UPSC Questions (B Series)
Test with
Question No.
Organisms?
seen in the news
(a) Nagoya Protocol 1. Annex - I : Cartagena Protocol
(b) Cartagena Protocol countries
2. Certified Emissions : Nagoya Protocl
(c) Kyoto Protocol
Reductions
(d) Montreal Protoco

3. Clean Development : Kyoto

4. Mechanism : Protocol
Question No.66
Consider the following countries:
1. Japan With reference to the `Trans-Pacific Partnership’,
consider the following statements :
2. Australia
3. Malaysia (Mock Test-1
11.
Q.No 14) 1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim
4. Brunei
countries except China and Russia.
5. China
2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of
Which of the above are members of ‘Trans-
Pacific Partnership’? maritime security only.

The shareholding of each member in the New Question No.92

Development Bank is
(a) Each twenty five percentage Consider the following statements:
(Mock Test-2
12. 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.
(b) Each twenty percentage Q.No 58)
(c) Each thirty percentage 2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in
(d) Not equal among the member states. Shanghai.
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY
Test Series
including Mock
S.No. SIA Mock Test Questions UPSC Questions (B Series)
Test with
Question No.

Consider the following statements regarding

the MUDRA bank:

1. It is a direct lending institution for Question No.98

(Mock Test-2
13. entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, artisans, small
Q.No 4) Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at
manufacturing units etc,.

2. It has been set up as a subsidiary of RBI

 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 1

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 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 2
1. of the following statement is/are (a) 1 and 2 only
correct?
(b) 3 only
1. It is a minimum guaranteed
(c) 2 and 3 only
pension scheme mainly targeted
at unorganized sector workers. (d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Only one member of a family can
join the scheme. 4. India is an important member of
the ‘International Thermonuclear
3. Same amount of pension is Experimental Reactor’. If this
guaranteed for the spouse for life experiment succeeds, what is the
after subscriber’s death. immediate advantage for India?

Select the correct answer using the (a) It can use thorium in place of
code given below. uranium for power generation.

(a) 1 only (b) It can be attain a global role in

satellite navigation.
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) It can drastically improve the
(c) 1 and 3 only efficiency of its fission reactors in
power generation.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) It can build fusion reactors in
power generation.
2. The term ‘Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership’ often appears
5. In the context of the history of India,
in the news in the context of the affairs consider the following pairs :
of a group of countries known as
Term Description
(a) G20
1. Eripatti :
Land, revenue from
(b) ASEAN which was set apart for
the maintenance of the
(c) SCO village tank.
2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a
(d) SAARC
single Brahmin or a
group of Brahmins
3. On which of the following can you find 3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally
the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star attached to the temples.
Label? Which of the pairs given above is / are
correctly matched?
1. Ceiling fans
(a) 1 and 2
2. Electric geysers
(b) 3 only
3. Tubular florescent lamps
(c) 2 and 3
Select the correct answer using the
code given below. (d) 1 and 3
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 3
6. Consider the following statements : (a) 1 and 2 only

1. The International Solar Alliance (b) 3 only

was launched at the Untied
Nations Climate Change (c) 1 and 3 only
Conference in 2015. (d) None of the above is an advantage
of practising drip irrigation.
2. The Alliance includes all the
member countries of the Untied
Nations. 9. Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes
seen in the news, which of the following
Which of the statements given above statement is/are correct?
is/are correct?
1. It is a digital locker system offered
(a) 1 only by the Government under Digital
India Programme.
(b) 2 only
2. It allows you to access your
e-documents irrespective of your
(c) Both 1 and 2 physical location.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 Select the correct answer using the
code given below.
7. ‘European Stability Mechanism’, (a) 1 only
sometimes seen in the news, is an
(b) 2 only
(a) agency created by EU to deal with
the impact of millions of refugees (c) Both 1 and 2
arriving from Middle East.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) agency of EU that provides
financial assistance to 10. Recently, linking of which of the
eurozone countries. following rivers was undertaken?

(c) agency of EU to deal with all (a) Cauvery and Tungabhadra

the bilateral and multilateral
agreements on trade. (b) Godavari and Krishna

(d) agency of EU to deal with the (c) Mahanadi and Sone

conflicts arising among the (d) Narmada and Tapti
member countries.

11. In the cities of our country, who among

8. Which of the following statement is/ the following atmospheric gases are
are the advantage/advantages of normally considered in calculating the
practising drip irrigation? value of Air Quality Index?

1. Reduction in weed 1. Carbon dioxide

2. Reduction in soil salinity 2. Carbon monoxide

3. Reduction in soil erosion 3. Nitrogen dioxide

4. Sulphur dioxide
Select the correct answer using the
code given below. 5. Methane
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 4
Select the correct answer using the 14. With reference to the cultural history
code given below. of India, the memorizing of chronicles,
dynastic histories and epic tales was
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only the profession of who of the following?

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only (a) Shramana

(c) 1, 4 and 5 only (b) Parivraajaka

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (c) Agrahaarika

(d) Maagadha
12. With reference to ‘Astrosat’, the
astronomical observatory launched by
15. Recently, for the first time in our
India, which of the following statements country, which of the following States
is/are correct? has declared a particular butterfly as
‘State Butterfly’?
1. Other than USA and Russia,
India is the only country to have (a) Arunachal Pradesh
launched a similar observatory
into space. (b) Himachal Pradesh

2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite (c) Karnataka

placed in an orbit at 1650 km
above the surface of the Earth. (d) Maharashtra

Select the correct answer using the

code given below. 16. Consider the following statements :

The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

(a) 1 only
1. is also called the Mars Orbiter
(b) 2 only
Mission.
(c) Both 1 and 2
2. made India the second country to
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 have a spacecraft orbit the Mars
after USA.

13. With reference to the economic history 3. made India the only country
of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ to be successful in making its
refers to :? spacecraft orbit the Mars in its
very first attempt.
(a) bonded labour
Which of the following statements
(b) land grants made to military given above is/are correct?
officers.
(a) 1 only
(c) waterwheel used in the
irrigation of land. (b) 2 and 3 only

(d) wasteland converted to cultivated (c) 1 and 3 only

land.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 5
17. What was the main reason for the split 20. The Parliament of India acquires the
in the Indian National Congress at power to legislate on any item in the
Surat in 1907? State List in the national interest if a
resolution to that effect is passed by
(a) Introduction of communalism
into Indian politics by Lord Minto. the

(b) Extremists’ lack of faith in (a) Lok Sabha by a simple majority of

the capacity of the moderates its total membership.
to negotiate with the British
Government. (b) Lok Sabha by a majority of not
less than two-thirds of its total
(c) Foundation of Muslim League. membership.
(d) Aurobindo Ghosh’s inability to (c) Rajya Sabha by a simple majority
be elected as the President of the of its total membership.
Indian National Congress.
(d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of
18. The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps not less than two-thirds of its
envisaged that after the Second World members present and voting.
War

(a) India should be granted complete 21. Recently, which of the following
independence. States has explored the possibility
of constructing an artificial inland
(b) India should be partitioned into port to be connected to sea by a long
two before granting independence. navigational channel?
(c) India should be made a republic (a) Andhra Pradesh
with the condition that she will
join the Commonwealth. (b) Chhattisgarh
(d) India should be given Dominion
(c) Karnataka
status.
(d) Rajasthan
19. Consider the following pairs :

Famous Place Region 22. With reference to the Agreement at

1. Bodhgaya : Baghelkhand the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015,
2. Khajuraho : Bundelkhand which of the following statement is/
3. Shirdi : Vidarbha are correct?
4. Nasik (Nashik) : Malwa
1. The Agreement was signed by all
5. Tirupati : Rayalaseema the member of countries of the UN
Which of the pairs given above are and it will go into effect in 2017.
correctly matched?
2. The Agreement aims to limit the
(a) 1, 2 and 4 greenhouse gas emissions so
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 that the rise in average global
temperature by the end of this
(c) 2 and 5 only century does not exceed 2°C or
even 1.5°C above pre-industrial
(d) 1, 3, 4 and 5
levels.
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 6
3. Developed countries acknowledged 25. Consider the following statements :
their historical responsibility in
global warming and committed to 1. The minimum age prescribed for
donate $ 1000 billion a year from any person to be a member of
2020 to help developing countries Panchayat is 25 years.
to cope with climate change.
2. A Panchayat reconstituted after
Select the correct answer using the premature dissolution continues
only for the remainder period.
code given below.
Which of the following statements
(a) 1 and 3 only
given above is/are correct?
(b) 2 only
(a) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (b) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

23. Consider the following statements :

1. The Sustainable Development 26. ‘Which of the following statements is/

Goals were first proposed in 1972 are correct?
by a global think tank called the
‘Club of Rome’. 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha
lapses on its prorogation.
2. The Sustainable Development
Goals have to be achieved by 2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha,
2030. which has not been passed by the
Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on
Which of the following statements dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
given above is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the
(a) 1 only code given below:

(b) 2 only (a) 1 only

(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
24. A recent movie titled The Man Who
Knew Infinity is based on the biography 27. Which of the following is/are the
of indicator/indicators used by IFPRI
to compute the Global Hunger Index
(a) S. Ramanujan Report?
(b) S. Chandrasekhar 1. Undernourishment
(c) S.N. Bose 2. Child stunting
(d) C.V. Raman 3. Child mortality
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 7
Select the correct answer using the (a) 1 and 2 only
code given below:
(b) 1 and 3 only
(a) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1, 2 and 3
30. Which reference to ‘LiFi’, recently
(d) 1 and 3 only
in the news, which of the following
statements is/are correct?
28. There has been a persistent deficit
budget year after year. Which action/ 1. It uses light as the medium for
actions of the following can be taken by high speed data transmission
the Government to reduce the deficit?
2. It is a wireless technology and is
1. Reducing revenue expenditure several times faster than ‘WiFi’.

2. Introducing new welfare schemes Select the correct answer using the
code given below:
3. Rationalizing subsidies
(a) 1 only
4. Reducing import duty
(b) 2 only
Select the correct answer using the
code given below: (c) Both 1 and 2

(a) 1 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2

(b) 2 and 3 only 31. The term ‘Intended Nationally

(c) 1 and 3 only Determined Contributions’ is
sometimes seen in the news in the
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 context of

(a) pledges made by the European

29. The establishment of ‘Payment Banks’
countries to rehabilitate refugees
is being allowed in India to promote
financial inclusion. Which of the from the war-affected Middle
following statements is/are correct in East.
this context?
(b) plan of action outlined by
1. Mobile telephone companies and the countries of the world to
supermarket chains that are combat climate change
owned and controlled by residents
are eligible to be promoters of (c) capital contributed by the member
Payment Banks. countries in the establishment of
Asian Infrastructure Investment
2. Payment Banks can issue both Bank
credit cards and debit cards. (d) plan of action outlined by the
Select the correct answer using the countries of the world regarding
code given below: Sustainable Development Goals
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 8
32. Which one of the following is a purpose 2. Private owners of workshop paid
of ‘UDAY’, a scheme of the Government? an industries tax.

(a) Providing technical and financial Which of the statements given above
assistance to start-up entre is/are correct?
preneurs in the field of renewable
sources of energy (a) 1 only

(b) providing electricity to every (b) 2 only

household in the country by 2018
(c) Both 1 and 2 (Mostly (C) 99%)
(c) Replacing the coal-based power
plants with natural gas, nuclear, (d) Neither 1 nor 2
solar, wind and tidal power plants
over a period of time
35. Which one of the following books of
(d) Providing for financial ancient India has the love story of the
turnaround and revival of son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
power distribution companies
(a) Swapnavasavadatta
33. With reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’, (b) Malavikagnimitra
sometimes seen in the news, which
of the statements given below is/are (c) Meghadoota
correct?
(d) Ratnavali
1. The International Finance
Corporation, which offers these
bonds, is an arm of the World 36. In the context of which of the following
do you sometimes find the terms
Bank.
‘amber box, blue box and green box’ in
the news?
2. They are the rupee-denominated
bonds and are a source of debt (a) WTO affairfs
financing for the public and
private sector (b) SAARC affairs
Select the correct answer using the (c) UNFCCC affairs
code given below:
(d) India-EU negotiations of FTA
(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only 37. Which of the following is/are included

in the capital budget of the Government
(c) Both 1 and 2 of India?
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. Expenditure on acquisition of
assets like roads, buildings,
machinery etc.
34. Regarding the taxation system of
Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, 2. Loans received from foreign
consider the following statements: governments
1. The tax rate on land was fixed 3. Loans and advances granted to
depending on the quality of the the States and Union Territories
land.
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 9
Select the correct answer using the 40. With reference to International
code given below: Monetary and Financial Committee
(IMFC), consider the following
(a) 1 only statements:

(b) 2 and 3 only 1. IMFC discusses matters of concern

affecting the global economy,
(c) 1 and 3 only and advises the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) on the
(d) 1, 2 and 3 direction of its work.

2. The World Bank participates as

38. What is/are the importance/ observer in IMFC’s meetings.
importances of the ‘United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification’? (a) 1 only
1. It aims to promote effective action (b) 2 only
through innovative national
programmes and supportive (c) Both 1 and 2
international partnerships.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. It has a special/particular focus
on South Asia and North Africa 41. ‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a
regions, and its Secretariat national campaign to
facilitates the allocation of major
portion of financial resources to (a) rehabilitate the homeless and
these regions. destitute persons and provide
them with suitable sources of
3. It is committed to bottom-up livelihood
approach, encouraging the
participation of local people in (b) release the sex workers from their
combating the desertification. practice and provide them with
alternative sources of livelihood
Select the correct answer using the
code given below: (c) eradicate the practice of
manual scavenging and
(a) 1 only rehabilitate the manual
scavengers
(b) 2 and 3 only
(d) release the bonded labourers from
(c) 1 and 3 only their bondage and rehabilitate
them
(d) 1, 2 and 3

39. Recently, which one of the following 42. With reference to the cultural history of
medieval India, consider the following
currencies has been proposed to be
statements:
added to the basket of IMF’s SDR?
1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil
(a) Rouble
region were monotheistic and
(b) Rand condemned idolatry.

(c) Indian Rupee 2. Lingayats of Kannada region

questioned the theory of rebirth
(d) Renminbi and rejected the caste hierarchy.
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 10
Which of the statements given above 45. Which reference to ‘Organization for
is/are correct? the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(a) 1 only (OPCW)’, consider the following
statements:
(b) 2 only
1. It is an organization of European
(c) Both 1 and 2 Union in working relation with
NATO and WHO
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. It monitors chemical industry
to prevent new weapons from
43. Which of the following best describes
of term ‘import cover’, sometimes seen emerging
in the news? 3. It provides assistance and
protection to States (Parties)
(a) It is the ratio of value of imports
against chemical weapons
to the Gross Domestic Product of
threats.
a country
Which of the statements given above
(b) It is the total value of imports of a is/are correct?
country in a year
(a) 1 only
(c) It is the ratio between the value
of exports and that of imports (b) 2 and 3 only
between two countries
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) It is the number of months of
(d) 1, 2 and 3
imports that could be paid for
by a country’s international
reserves 46. With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri
Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the
44. Consider the following pairs: following statements:

Community In the affairs of 1. Under this scheme, farmers will

have to pay a uniform premium
sometimes
of two percent for any crop they
mentioned in cultivate in any season of the
the news year.
1. Kurd : Bangladesh 2. This scheme covers post-harvest
2. Madhesi : Nepal losses arising out of cyclones and
unseasonal rains.
3. Rohingya : Myanmar
Which of the statements given above
Which of the above pairs is/are
is/are correct?
correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only (b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 (c) Both 1 and 2

(d) 3 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2

 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 11
47. In which of the following regions 50. Consider the following statements:
of India are you most likely to come
across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its 1. The Chief Secretary in a State is
natural habitat? appointed by the Governor of that
State.
(a) Sand deserts of northwest India

(b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and 2. The Chief Secretary in a State has
Kashmir a fixed tenure.

(c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat Which of the statements given above
is/are correct?
(d) Western Ghats (a) 1 only
48. Which of the following are the key (b) 2 only
features of ‘National Ganga River Basin
Authority (NGRBA)? (c) Both 1 and 2
1. River basin is the unit of planning (d) Neither 1 nor 2
and management.
2. It spearheads the river
51. With reference to `Stand Up India
conservation efforts at the
national level. Scheme’, which of the following
statements is/are correct?
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the
States through which the Ganga 1. Its purpose is to promote
flows becomes the Chairman of entrepreneurship among SC/ST
NGRBA on rotation basis. and women entrepreneurs.
Select the correct answer using the
code given below: 2. It provides for refinance through
SIDBI.
(a) 1 and 2 only
Select the correct answer using the
(b) 2 and 3 only
code given below.
(c) 1 and 3 only
(a) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 only
49. Why does the Government of India,
promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ (c) Both 1 and 2
in agriculture?
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) Release of Neem oil in the soil
increases nitrogen fixation by the
soil microorganisms 52. The FAO accords the status of
`Globally Important Agricultural
(b) Neem coating slows down the Heritage System (GIAHS) to traditional
rate of dissolution of urea in agricultural systems. What is the
the soil overall goal of this initiative?
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a
1. To provide modern technology,
greenhouse gas, is not at all
training in modern farming
released into atmosphere by crop
fields methods and financial support
to local communities of identified
(d) It is a combination of a weedicide GIAHS so as to greatly enhance
and a fertilizer for particular crops their agricultural productivity.
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 12
2. To identify and safeguard eco- 2. It is an effort to increase RBI’s
friendly traditional farm practices control over commercial banks
and their associated landscapes, through computerization.
agricultural biodiversity and
knowledge systems of the local 3. It is a detailed procedure by which
communities. a bank with huge non-performing
assets is taken over by another
3. To provide Geographical bank
Indication status to all the
varieties of agricultural produce Select the correct answer using the
in such identified GIAHS code given below?

Select the correct answer using the (a) 1 only

code given below?
(b) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 2 and 3 only

55. Consider the following pairs:
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Terms sometimes Their origin
seen in the news
53. Which of the following is/are tributary/ 1. Annex - I : Cartagena
tributaries of Brahmaputra?
countries Protocol
1. Dibang 2. Certified Emissions : Nagoya
2. Kameng Reductions Protocl
3. Clean Development: Kyoto
3. Lohit
Mechanism Protocol
Select the correct answer using the Which of the pairs given above is/are
code given below. correctly matched?
(a) 1 only (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3

54. The term `Core Banking Solutions’ is 56. In the context of the developments
sometimes seen in the news. Which in Bioinformatics, the term
of the following statements best `transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the
describes/describe this term? news, refers to
1. It is a networking of a bank’s (a) a range of enzymes used in
branches which enables genome editing
customers to operate their
accounts from any branch of the (b) the full range of mRNA
bank on its network regardless of molecules expressed by an
of where they open their accounts. organism
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 13
(c) the description of the mechanism 59. With reference to pre-packaged
of gene expression items in India, it is mandatory to the
manufacturer to put which of the
(d) a mechanism of genetic mutations following information on the main
taking place in cells label, as per the Food Safety and
Standards (Packaging and Labelling)
57. `Mission Indradhanush’ launched by Regulations, 2011?
the Government of India pertains to
1. List of ingredients including
(a) immunization of children and additives.
pregnant women
2. Nutrition information
(b) construction of smart cities across
the country 3. Recommendations, if any, made
by the medical profession about
(c) India’s own search for the Earth- the possibility of any allergic
like planets in outer space reactions
(d) New Educational Policy 4. Vegetarian/non vegetarian

Select the correct answer using the

58. Which of the following best describes/
code given below
describe the aim of `Green India
Mission’ of the Government of India? (a) 1, 2 and 3
1. Incorporating environmental
(b) 2, 3 and 4
benefits and costs into the
Union and State Budgets (c) 1, 2 and 4
thereby implementing the `green
accounting’ (d) 1 and 4 only
2. Launching the second green
revolution to enhance agricultural 60. `Project Loon’, sometimes seen in the
output so as to ensure food news, is related to
security to one and all in the
future (a) waste management technology

3. Restoring and enhancing forest (b) wireless communication

cover and responding to climate technology
change by a combination of
adaptation and mitigation (c) solar power production technology
measures. (d) water conservation technology
Select the correct answer using the
code given below 61. `Net meeting’ is sometimes seen in the
news in the context of promoting the
(a) 1 only
(a) production and use of solar
(b) 2 and 3 only energy by the households/
consumers
(c) 3 only
(b) use of piped natural gas in the
(d) 1, 2 and 3 kitchens of households
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 14
(c) installation of CNG kits in motor- Select the correct answer using the
cars code given below

(d) installation of water meters in (a) 1 only

urban households
(b) 2 only
62. India’s ranking in the `East of Doing (c) Both 1 and 2
Business Index’ is sometimes seen in
the news. Which of the following has (d) Neither 1 nor 2
declared that ranking?

(a) Organization for Economic 66. With reference to the `Trans-Pacific

Cooperation and development Partnership’, consider the following
(OECD) statements :
(b) World Economic Forum 1. It is an agreement among all
the Pacific Rim countries except
(c) World Bank
China and Russia.
(d) World Trade Organization (WTO)
2. It is a strategic alliance for the
purpose of maritime security only.
63. Banjaras during the medieval period of
Indian history were generally Which of the statements given above
is/are correct?
(a) agriculturists
(a) 1 only
(b) warriors
(b) 2 only
(c) weavers
(d) traders (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
64. Who of the following had first
deciphered
67. Consider the the following statements:
(a) Georg Buhler
The India - Africa Summit
(b) James Prinsep
1. held in 2015 was the third such
(c) Max Muller Summit
(d) William Jones
2. was actually initiated by
Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951
65. With reference to the `Gram Nyayalaya
Act’, which of the following statements Which of the statements given above
is/are correct? is/are correct?
1. As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas (a) 1 only
can hear only civil cases and not
criminal cases. (b) 2 only

2. The Act allows local social activists (c) Both 1 and 2

as mediators/reconciliators.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 15
68. What is/are the purpose/purposes (a) Andaman Islands
of the `Marginal Cost of Funds based
Lending Rate (MCLR)’ announced by (b) Anaimalai Forests
RBI?
(c) Maikala Hills
1. These guidelines help improve the
transparency in the methodology (d) Tropical rain forests of northeast
followed by banks for determining
the interest rates on advances.
71. Which one of the following is the best
2. These guidelines help ensure description of `INS Astradharini’, that
availability of bank credit at was in the news recently?
interest rates which are fair to the
borrowers as well as the banks. (a) Amphibious warfare ship
Select the correct answer using the
code given below. (b) Nuclear-powered submarine

(a) 1 only (c) Torpedo launch and recovery

vessel
(b) 2 only
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 72. What is `Greased Lightning-10 (GL-

10)’ , recently in the news?
69. What is/are unique about `Kharai (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
camel’, a breed found in India?

1. It is capable of swimming up to (b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft

three kilometers in seawater. designed by Japan

2. It survives by grazing on (c) Space observatory launched by

mangroves China
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be
(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO
domesticated.
Select the correct answer using the
code given below 73. With reference to `Initiative for
Nutritional Security through Intensive
(a) 1 and 2 only Millets Promotion’, which of the
following statements is/are correct?
(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only 1. This initiative aims to demonstrate

the improved production and
(d) 1, 2 and 3 post-harvest technologies, and
to demonstrate value addition
techniques, in an integrated
70. Recently, our scientists have discovered
a new and distinct species of banana manner, with cluster approach.
plant which attains a height of about
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal
11 metres and has orange-coloured
farmers have larger stake in this
fruit pulp. In which part of India has it
been discovered? scheme.
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 16
3. An important objective of the 76. ‘Doctors without Borders (Medeicins
scheme is to encourage farmers of Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news, is
commercial crops to shift to millet
cultivation by offering them free (a) a division of World Health
kits of critical inputs of nutrients Organization
and micro irrigation equipment.
(b) a non-governmental international
Select the correct answer using the organization
code given below
(c) an inter-governmental agency
(a) 1 only sponsored by European Union
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) a specialized agency of the United
Nations
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 77. With reference to an initiative called
‘The Economics of Ecosystems and
Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the
74. The `Swadeshi’ and `Boycott’ were following statements is / are correct ?
adopted as methods of struggle for the
first time during the 1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP,
IMF and World Economic Forum.
(a) agitation against the Partition
of Bengal 2. It is a global initiative that focuses
on drawing attention to the
(b) Home-Rule Movement economic benefits of biodiversity.
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement 3. It presents an approach that can
help decision-makers regonize,
(d) Visit of the Simon Commission to demonstrate and capture the value
India of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Select the correct answer using the
75. With reference to the religious history code given below:
of India, consider the following
statements: (a) 1 and 2 only
1. The concept of Bodhisattva (b) 3 only
is central to Hinayana sect of
Buddhism (c) 2 and 3 only
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate (d) 1, 2 and 3
one on his way to enlightenment
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his 78. With reference to ‘Red Sanders’,
own salvation to help all sentient sometimes seen in the news, consider
beings on their path to it. the following statements :
Which of the statements given above 1. It is a tree species found in a part
is/are correct? of South India.
(a) 1 only
2. It is one of the most important
(b) 2 and 3 only trees in the tropical rain forest
areas of South India.
(c) 2 only
Which of the statements given above
(d) 1, 2 and 3 is/are correct ?
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 17
(a) 1 only Nations to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to specified levels by
(b) 2 only the year 2022
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+
initiatives hosted by the World
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 Bank

79. Which of the following statements is/ 81. With reference to ‘Financial Stability
are correct ? and Development Council’, consider
the following statements :
Proper design and effective
implementation of UN-REDD+ 1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.
Programme can significantly contribute
to 2. It is headed by the Union Finance
Minister.
1. protection of biodiversity
3. It monitors macroprudential
2. resilience of forest ecosystems supervision of the economy.
3. poverty reduction Which of the statements given above
is/are correct ?
Select the correct answer using the
code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only
(b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
82. With reference to ‘Agenda 21’,
sometimes seen in the news, consider
80. What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol ? the following statements :
(a) It is an international accounting 1. It is a global action plan for
tool for government and business sustainable development.
leaders to understand, quantify
and manage greenhouse gas 2. It originated in the World Summit
emissions on Sustainable Development held
in Johannesburg in 2002.
(b) It is an initiative of the United
Which of the statements given above is
Nations to offer financial incentives
/ are correct ?
to developing countries to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and to (a) 1 only
adopt eco-friendly technologies.
(b) 2 only
(c) It is an inter-governmental
agreement ratified by all the (c) Both 1 and 2
member countries of the United (d) Neither 1 nor 2
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 18
83. Satya Shodhak Samaj organized 86. Recently, India’s first ‘National
Investment and Manufacturing Zone’
(a) a movement for upliftment of was proposed to be set up in
tribals in Bihar
(a) Andhra Prdesh
(b) a temple-entry movement in
Gujarat (b) Gujarat
(c) an anti-caste movement in (c) Maharashtra
Maharashtra
(d) Uttar Pradesh
(d) a peasant movement in Punjab

84. Which of the following statements is/ 87. What is/are the purpose/purposes
are correct ? of ‘District Mineral Foundations’ in
India?
Viruses can infect
1. Promoting mineral exploration
1. bacteria activities in mineral-rich districts

2. fungi 2. Protecting the interests of the

persons affected by mining
3. plants operations

Select the correct answer using the 3. Authorizing State Governments

code given below: to issue licences for mineral
exploration
(a) 1 and 2 only
Select the correct answer usig the code
(b) 3 only given below:
(c) 1 and 3 only (a) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

85. The term ‘Base Erosion and Profit
Shifting’ is sometimes seen in the news (d) 1, 2 and 3
in the context of
88. ‘SWAYAM’, an initiative of the
(a) mining operation by multinational Government of India, aims at
companies in resource-rich but
backward areas (a) promoting the Self Help Groups
in rural areas
(b) curbing of the tax evasion by
multinational companies (b) providing financial and technical
assistance to young start-up
(c) exploitation of genetic resources entreprenuers
of a country by multinational
companies (c) promoting the education and
health of adolescent girls
(d) lack of consideration of environmental
costs in the planning and (d) providing affordable and
implementation of developmental quality education to the
projects citizens for free
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 19
89. The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals Select the correct answer using the
were related to code given below:

(a) social reforms (a) 1 and 2 only

(b) educational reforms (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) reforms in police administration (c) 3 only
(d) constitutional reforms (d) 1, 2 and 3

90. What is/are common to the two 92. Consider the following statements:
historical places known as Ajanta and
Mahabalipuram ? 1. New Development Bank has been
set up by APEC.
1. Both were built in the same period
2. The headquarters of New
2. Both belong to the same religious Development Bank is in Shanghai.
denomination
Which of the statements given aboe
3. Both have rock-cut monuments. is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
Select the correct answer using the
code given below: (b) 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2
(b) 3 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) 1 and 3 only
93. ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and
(d) None of the statements given ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’,
above is correct sometimes seen in the news, are
related to

91. With reference to ‘Bitcoins’, sometimes (a) constitutional reforms

seen in the news, which of the following
statements is/are correct ? (b) Ganga Action Plan

1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central (c) linking of rivers

Banks of the countries. (d) protection of Western Ghats
2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address
can send and receive Bitcoins 94. Consider the following:
from anyone else with a Bitcoin
address. 1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee

2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation

3. Online payments can be sent
without either side knowing the 3. Indian Reform Association
identity of the other.
Keshab Chandra Sen is associated
 SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY 20
with the establishment of which of the (c) European Union
above ?
(d) China
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only 98. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is
aimed at
(c) 3 only
(a) bringing the small
(d) 1, 2 and 3 entrepreneurs into formal
financial system
95. Which of the following is not a member
(b) providing loans to poor farmers
of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’ ?
for cultivating particular crops
(a) Iran
(c) providing pensions to old and
(b) Saudi Arabia destitute persons

(c) Oman (d) funding the voluntary

organizations involved in the
(d) Kuwait promotion of skill development
and employment generation.
96. What is/are the purpose/purposes of
Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond 99. In which of the following regions of
Scheme’ and ‘Gold Monetization India are shale gas resources found ?
Scheme?
1. Cambay Basin
1. To bring the idle gold lying with
Indian households into the 2. Cauvery Basin
economy
3. Krishna-Godavari Basin
2. To promote FDI in the gold and
jewellery sector Select the correct answer using the
code given below:
3. To reduce India’s dependence on
gold imports (a) 1 and 2 only
Select the correct answer using the (b) 3 only
code given below:
(c) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only 100. ‘Global Financial Stability Report’ is
(d) 1, 2 and 3 prepared by the

(a) European Central Bank

97. `Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes
mentioned in the news in the context (b) International Monetary Fund
of the affairs of
(c) International Bank for
(a) African Union Reconstruction and Development

(b) Brazil (d) Organization for Economic

Cooperation and Development