11. Consider the following:
- Ibn Batuta traveled to India during the reign of Akbar
- Marco Polo’s accounts were primarily focused on the northern regions of India
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: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
Ibn Batuta traveled to India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, not Akbar, who reigned later in the 16th century, thus making the first statement incorrect. Marco Polo’s travel experiences were mainly documented in China and Central Asia, with limited information on northern India, making the second statement also incorrect.
12. Consider the following:
- Maasir-i-Alamgiri
- Maasir-ul-Umara
- Fatu-hat-i-Alamgiri
Which of the above works provides detailed accounts of Aurangzeb’s reign?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
1. Maasir-i-Alamgiri is a historical text by Muhammad Saqi Mustaid Khan, focusing on Aurangzeb’s rule and policies. 2. Maasir-ul-Umara, authored by Shahnawaz Khan, offers a comprehensive account of the nobility and court life during Aurangzeb’s reign. 3. Fatu-hat-i-Alamgiri, written by Ishwardas Nagaur, details military campaigns and administrative aspects under Aurangzeb. 4. All three works provide valuable insights into the socio-political landscape of the Mughal Empire during Aurangzeb’s time.
13. Consider the following pairs:
| Al-Biruni | Famous Persian scholar known for his work on India |
| Ibn Battuta | Noted for his travel accounts across the Islamic world |
| Fa-Hien | Chinese monk who traveled to India to study Buddhism |
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: C [All three pairs]
Notes:- Al-Biruni: He was a Persian scholar who made contributions to various fields, including history and geography, and is well-known for his detailed accounts of India in his work “Kitab al-Hind”. So, this pair is correct.
- Ibn Battuta: He is famous for his extensive travels across the Islamic world and beyond, documented in “Rihla”, making this pair correct as well.
- Fa-Hien: He was a Chinese monk who traveled to India in the 5th century to study Buddhism and is known for his writings about his journey, thus making this pair correct too.
Thus, all three pairs are correct.
14. With reference to the historical accounts of Islamic scholars, consider the following statements:
- Alberuni traveled extensively throughout India and documented various cultural practices.
- The Taj ul Maasir was written during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- Alberuni’s travels (Correct): Alberuni traveled extensively throughout India, documenting cultural practices, scientific knowledge, and social customs, which provided a comprehensive view of Indian society during his time.
- Taj ul Maasir’s timeline (Incorrect): The Taj ul Maasir was written by Hasan Nizami at the behest of the sadr of Delhi, not during the reign of Akbar, but rather earlier, focusing on the Ghurid conquerors.
15. Consider the following statements:
- Alexander’s campaign was documented solely by Indian sources.
- Chandragupta Maurya is identified with Sandrocottas in Greek accounts.
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:- Alexander’s campaign was not documented solely by Indian sources. The primary accounts of Alexander’s campaign in India come from Greek and Roman sources, while no Indian sources mention it, making the first statement incorrect.
- Chandragupta Maurya is identified with Sandrocottas in Greek accounts. Historians have established a chronological connection to Indian history by matching Sandrocottas or Androcottas in Greek texts with Chandragupta Maurya. This makes the second statement correct.
16. Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), as of 2023, what is the total number of accounts opened since inception?
[A] Over 10 crore
[B] Over 25 crore
[C] Over 40 crore
[D] Over 50 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Over 50 crore]
Notes:
As of 2023, over 50 crore bank accounts have been opened under PMJDY, promoting financial inclusion across the country.
17. Which of the following statements about Parliamentary Committees in India is / are correct?
- The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigates particular issues and has members from both houses of Parliament.
- The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines government expenditures to ensure they align with Parliament’s decisions.
- The Estimates Committee reviews reports and performance of public sector enterprises, ensuring accountability.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2, and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigates specific issues and includes members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) checks if government expenditures are in line with Parliament’s decisions. The Estimates Committee does not review public sector enterprises; this is done by the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU). Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
18. With reference to digital payment systems in India, consider the following statements:
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched by the Reserve Bank of India in 2016.
- Paytm was the first app to implement UPI in India.
- UPI allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched by the Reserve Bank of India in 2016: This is correct. UPI was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and launched in April 2016.
- Paytm was the first app to implement UPI in India: This is incorrect. The first app to implement UPI was actually BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money), launched by NPCI.
- UPI allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application: This is correct. Users can link multiple bank accounts to a single UPI-enabled app, facilitating easy fund transfers.
Thus, two statements are correct.
19. What term is used for innocent victims who are duped by fraudsters into laundering stolen or illegal money via their bank accounts?
[A] Money Launderers
[B] Money Mules
[C] Fraud Victims
[D] Bank Scammers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Money Mules]
Notes:
“Money mules” refers to innocent individuals manipulated by fraudsters to transfer illegally obtained funds, often without realizing they are participating in money laundering schemes, leading to potential legal consequences for them.
20. How do fraudsters use skimming devices to steal money from bank accounts?
[A] By sending fake emails to trick users into sharing credentials
[B] By installing skimming devices in ATMs to steal card data and capture PINs
[C] By creating fake apps to gain unauthorized access to bank accounts
[D] By posing as bank officials to extract sensitive information
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [By installing skimming devices in ATMs to steal card data and capture PINs]
Notes:
Fraudsters install skimming devices on ATMs to capture card data and PINs, enabling them to create cloned cards for unauthorized withdrawals. Users should always check ATMs for tampering signs and cover keypads when entering PINs.
