1. Identify the Sikh artist based on the following information:
- He is the first Punjabi artist to feature on the Billboard Social 50 chart.
- He is the first turbaned Sikh at Madame Tussauds.
- He is brand ambassador for Punjab’s Pro Kabaddi League and founded the NGO Saanjh Foundation.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Diljit Dosanjh
[B] Gurdas Maan
[C] B Praak
[D] Jass Manak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Diljit Dosanjh]
Notes:
Diljit Dosanjh is known for being the first Punjabi artist on the Billboard Social 50 chart in 2020, and the first turbaned Sikh at Madame Tussauds in 2019. He served as the brand ambassador for Punjab’s Pro Kabaddi League and launched the Saanjh Foundation in 2013, a notable NGO, distinguishing him from other Punjabi artists.
2. Who has been appointed as the ambassador of India to North Korea?
[A] Vinay Kumar
[B] Harsh Vardhan Shringla
[C] Vinay Mohan Kwatra
[D] Aliawati Longkumer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Aliawati Longkumer]
Notes:
India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its next Ambassador to the North Korea. He is a 2008 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and is currently Charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay. This move marks India’s diplomatic return to Pyongyang after a four-year gap since the embassy closure in July 2021 due to the pandemic.
3. Consider the following statements regarding a distinguished personality from Gujarat:
- He co-founded the Swatantra Party, which advocated for free-market economics in opposition to socialism.
- He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and subsequently represented Rajkot as a Member of Parliament.
- He served as India's ambassador to Brazil.
Which of the following personalities best fits all the above statements?
[A] Vallabhbhai Patel
[B] K. M. Munshi
[C] Minoo Masani
[D] Moraji Desai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Minoo Masani]
Notes:The correct answer is Minoo Masani.
- He co-founded the Swatantra Party in 1960, advocating for liberal economic policies.
- He was a member of the Constituent Assembly and also served as MP from Rajkot.
- He served as India's ambassador to Brazil post-independence.
- The other listed personalities did not fulfill all these criteria.
4. Who was the first Gujarati appointed as the U.S. Ambassador from India?
[A] Gaganvihari Bhave Mehta
[B] Vijay K. Nambiar
[C] Harsh Vardhan Shringla
[D] Ranjan Mathai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gaganvihari Bhave Mehta]
Notes:
Gaganvihari Bhave Mehta was the first Gujarati appointed as the U.S. Ambassador from India.
5. Megasthenes was the ambassador of which of the following rulers to the court of Chandragupta Maurya?
[A] Ptolemy I Soter
[B] Darius III
[C] Antigonus I Monophthalmus
[D] Seleucus I Nicator
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Seleucus I Nicator]
Notes:
Megasthenes served as Seleucus I Nicator’s ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya and authored ‘Indica’, an important source on early Mauryan India.
6. Which Greek ambassador visited the court of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya?
[A] Dionysius
[B] Megasthenes
[C] Deimachus
[D] Pliny
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Megasthenes]
Notes:
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador who visited Chandragupta Maurya’s court and documented the power of the Andhra people.
7. Who was the first Indian American to serve as a U.S. Ambassador?
[A] Ravi Shankar
[B] Vinai K. Thummalapally
[C] Kalpana Chawla
[D] Ajit Pai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vinai K. Thummalapally]
Notes:
Vinai K. Thummalapally was the first Indian American U.S. Ambassador, appointed to Belize.
8. With reference to the recent statements on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms, consider the following statements:
- The current membership of the UN Security Council includes 11 permanent members and 14 non-permanent members.
- India, as part of the G4, advocates for text-based negotiations to expedite UNSC reform.
- The IGN process focuses on five key clusters, including regional representation and veto power.
- Ambassador Tareq AlBanai, Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations, is India’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 3 and 4 only
[D] 2, 3 and 4 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:- Statement 1 is incorrect: The current UNSC consists of 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
- Statement 2 is correct: India, as part of the G4, has urged for text-based negotiations.
- Statement 3 is correct: The five clusters include regional representation, veto power, working methods, membership categories, and UNSC-General Assembly relationship.
- Statement 4 is incorrect: Tareq AlBanai is Kuwait’s Permanent Representative, not India’s.
9. Consider the following pairs:
| Historical Figure | Known For |
| Abdul Qadir Badayuni | First Grand Mufti of India |
| Thomas Roe | First English ambassador to the Mughal court |
| Jean Baptiste Tavernier | Gem merchant and historian |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two pairs]
Notes:- Abdul Qadir Badayuni: The first Grand Mufti of India was Shah Fazle Rasool Badayuni was appointed by the final Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. This is incorrect.
- Thomas Roe: He was the first English ambassador to the Mughal court, representing the East India Company and establishing diplomatic relations. This pair is also correct.
- Jean Baptiste Tavernier: He was a gem merchant and a historian who documented his travels in India, making contributions to our understanding of that era. Thus, this pair is correct as well.
Thus, two pairs are correct.
10. With reference to ancient Indian rulers, consider the following statements:
- Heliodorus was a Greek ambassador who dedicated a pillar to God Vishnu.
- Devabhuti was the last ruler of the Shunga Dynasty, assassinated by his own minister.
- Kharvela of Kalinga is known for his Hathigumpha inscription detailing his reign.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- Heliodorus was a Greek ambassador who dedicated a pillar to God Vishnu: Correct. The Heliodorus pillar is a historical artifact showcasing Hellenistic influence in India.
- Devabhuti was the last ruler of the Shunga Dynasty, assassinated by his own minister: Correct. This event marked the end of the Shunga Dynasty and the rise of the Kanva Dynasty.
- Kharvela of Kalinga is known for his Hathigumpha inscription detailing his reign: Correct. The inscription provides valuable insights into his achievements and the history of Kalinga.
Thus, all the statements are correct. The correct answer is (C) All three.
