11. Which of the following Greek Explorers is considered to have left the earliest account of India?
[A] Herodotus
[B] Ctesias
[C] Scylax
[D] Hippalus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Scylax ]
Notes:
The earliest Greek Account of India was left by Scylax of Caryanda who was sent by Kind Darius-I of Persia to follow the course of river Indus and find out where it led. His original works are now lost.
12. Which of the following is not a correct observation as mentioned by Megasthenes about India?
[A] There is abundant gold, silver, copper and iron in India
[B] There is a well established caste system in India
[C] There are frequent famines in India
[D] Dionysus has invaded India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ There are frequent famines in India ]
Notes:
The option C is not correct. Indians did not face famines because of abundant rains and assured at least one of two seasons of crops; and abundance of fruits and edible roots.
13. Hathigumpha inscription gives account of which of the following rulers?
[A] Asoka
[B] Chandragupta Maurya
[C] Kharvela
[D] Samudragupya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Kharvela ]
Notes:
The Hathigumpha Inscription at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar in Odisha was got inscribed by King Kharvela of Kalinga in 2nd century BC.
14. Who among the following is the author of oldest surviving Prakrit grammar Prākrita Prakāśa?
[A] Pingala
[B] Yaska
[C] Vararuchi
[D] Shaunaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Vararuchi ]
Notes:
The oldest surviving Prakrit grammar is Vararuchi’s Prākrita Prakāśa, whose date is debated.
15. Which of the following term is used for a “school” of learning and teaching the branches of Vedas?
[A] Shakha
[B] Charna
[C] Ratha
[D] Yajna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Charna ]
Notes:
Charana refers to the Guru-pupil lineage or school for teaching and learning of Vedas in ancient India.
16. Which of the following is / are correct statement(s) with respect to plains of India:
- World’s most extensive expanse of uninterrupted alluvium is found in India
- Bangar belt consists of newer alluvium in comparison to Khadar Belt
- The Khadar belt lies in lowland areas after the Bangar belt
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Only 1 & 3 ]
Notes:
The Indo-Gangetic belt is the world’s most extensive expanse of uninterrupted alluvium formed by the deposition of silt by the numerous rivers. The Bangar belt consists of older alluvium and forms the alluvial terrace of the flood plains. In the Gangetic plains, it has a low upland covered by laterite deposits. The Khadar belt lies in lowland areas after the Bangar belt. It is made up of fresh newer alluvium which is deposited by the rivers flowing down the plain.
17. What fraction of Rajasthan’s total area is covered by Thar Desert?
[A] Around 30%
[B] Around 40%
[C] Around 60%
[D] Around 70%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Around 60% ]
Notes:
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, covers an area of approximately 200,000 square miles. It is located in the northwestern region of India and the southeastern region of Pakistan. The desert is one of the largest in the world and is known for its arid climate and sparse vegetation. Thar Desert is World’s 10th largest desert and covers 61% of Geographical area of Rajasthan.
18. Which of the following is the correct word describing loss of snow from a glacier by means of sublimation, melting, evaporation or avalanches?
[A] Ablation
[B] Galling
[C] Creep
[D] Plucking
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ablation ]
Notes:
Ablation refers to loss of snow from glaciers by means of vaporization, melting, wind or other processes.
19. Which of the following is not a term used for different kinds of Glacial deposits?
[A] Moraines
[B] Drumlins
[C] Kettle
[D] Skerry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Skerry ]
Notes:
A skerry is a small rocky island, usually defined to be too small for human habitation; it may simply be a rocky reef. A skerry can also be called a low sea stack.
20. Consider the following properties with respect to a 10 kg block of iron as compared to a 5 kg block of iron:
- Inertia
- Mass
- Volume
Which of the above properties will be exactly twice for the 10 kg block compared to the 5 kg block of iron?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
All three quantities will be exactly twice for the 10 kg block: inertia is directly proportional to mass; mass is self-explanatory; and for constant density, the volume also doubles when mass doubles. Thus, inertia, mass, and volume will all be twice as much in the 10 kg block compared to the 5 kg block of iron.
21. Consider the following statements with regard to Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), and Gold (Au):
- They belong to the same group in the periodic table.
- They exhibit high electrical and thermal conductivity.
- They readily form complexes due to availability of d-orbitals.
- They are highly reactive and easily found in nature as oxides.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
[A] 1, 2 and 3 only
[B] 2 and 4 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3 only]
Notes:
Copper, silver, and gold are Group 11 elements, also called coinage metals. They have high electrical and thermal conductivity, and their filled d-orbitals facilitate complex formation. They are less reactive and often found in native or sulfide forms rather than as oxides. Thus, only statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
22. Consider the following statements regarding Black Holes:
- A black hole is a supergiant star that has collapsed into itself
- The black hole singularity has zero radius
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
The black hole singularity is considered to be a point of zero radius and infinite density. Statement 2 is correct. However, statement 1 is partially incorrect, as black holes can form from any sufficiently massive star, not only supergiant stars. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct about the nature of black holes and their singularities.
23. Consider the following statements regarding the highest law officers in India:
- The Attorney General is the highest law officer of India.
- The Advocate General is the highest law officer of a State in India.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Both 1 and 2
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Both positions are constitutional: the Attorney General is the highest law officer for the Union Government (Article 76), while the Advocate General holds the same position at the state level (Article 165). They provide legal advice to their respective governments, and both posts are key elements in India's legal framework.
24. Which of the following can be logically concluded from the fact that “atomic number of Iron is 26”?
- Iron has same number of Protons and Neutrons
- Iron has 26 Protons
- All atoms which contain 26 protons are iron atoms
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:
The atomic number of an element is equal to its number of protons; thus, iron has 26 protons. All atoms with 26 protons are classified as iron atoms. The number of neutrons can differ in isotopes, so iron does not necessarily have equal numbers of protons and neutrons.
25. A Gold Ring which is 50% pure. Its purity can be alternatively shown as __:
[A] 18 Carat
[B] 18 Karat
[C] 12 Carat
[D] 12 Karat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 12 Karat ]
Notes:
The carat is the common unit used to describe the mass of a gem. A 1-carat diamond, for example, has a mass of 0.20 g. The karat is the common unit used to describe the purity of a precious metal, such as gold. A 24-karat gold ring is as pure as can be. A gold ring that is 50 % pure is 12 karat.
