1. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
[A] Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here.
[B] Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here.
[C] Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.
[D] Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.]
Notes:The correct answer is
[C] Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here. Madanapalle, located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, holds a unique place in India’s cultural and revolutionary history.
- Translation of Jana Gana Mana (Statement C – Correct): In February 1919, Rabindranath Tagore visited Besant Theosophical College in Madanapalle. During his stay, he translated the Bengali song “Jana Gana Mana” into English as “The Morning Song of India.” It was also here that the tune for the anthem was composed with the help of Margaret Cousins, the wife of the college principal.
- National Flag (Statement A – Incorrect): While Pingali Venkayya was from Andhra Pradesh, he presented the design of the tricolour to Mahatma Gandhi during the Bezwada (Vijayawada) session of the Indian National Congress in 1921, not Madanapalle.
- Quit India Movement (Statement B – Incorrect): Pattabhi Sitaramaiah was a prominent leader from Andhra, but the movement was a decentralized mass uprising. There is no historical record citing Madanapalle as the specific command center for the entire Andhra region during the 1942 movement.
- Theosophical Society (Statement D – Incorrect): Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott established the International Headquarters of the Theosophical Society at Adyar, Madras (Chennai) in 1882, after moving from Mumbai. Madanapalle is home to a famous Theosophical College, but it was never the headquarters.
Interestingly, Madanapalle is also the birthplace of Jiddu Krishnamurti, the world-renowned philosopher and speaker on spiritual matters.
2. Consider the following statements :
- In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines.
- Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines.
- Rajasthan has iron ore mines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] 1 and 2
[B] 2 only
[C] 1 and 3
[D] 3 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [3 only]
Notes:The correct answer is
[D] 3 only. Mineral administration in India is governed by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, as amended in 2015.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: According to the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, State Governments have been empowered to conduct auctions for the grant of mineral concessions (both for composite licenses and mining leases) for non-coal (non-fuel) minerals. While the Central Government frames the rules, the actual auction process is handled by the respective State Governments.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Both Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand possess gold mines.
- Andhra Pradesh: Notable for the Ramagiri goldfields in the Anantapur district.
- Jharkhand: Known for the Kundrukocha mine and gold deposits found in the sands of the Subarnarekha river.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Rajasthan possesses significant iron ore deposits. Major mining areas include Moriha-Banola (Jaipur), Neemla-Raisalo (Dausa), and Nathra-ki-Pal (Udaipur). While Rajasthan is famous for non-ferrous minerals like Lead and Zinc, it contributes to India’s iron ore production as well.
Mineral Governance in India:
| Feature |
Coal / Lignite |
Non-Coal Minerals (Iron, Gold, etc.) |
| Auction Authority |
Central Government |
State Government |
| Regulation |
Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act |
MMDR Act |
| Revenue |
Accrues to States |
Accrues to States |
Historically, the 2015 amendment was a landmark shift to ensure transparency in the allocation of natural resources through competitive bidding rather than “first-come-first-served” or discretionary allotments.
3. In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat?
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
Select the correct answer using the codes given below. (UPSC Prelims 2013)
[A] 1, 2 and 3 only
[B] 2 only
[C] 1, 3 and 4 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3 only]
Notes:The correct answer is
[A] 1, 2 and 3 only. The lion-tailed macaque (
Macaca silenus) is an Old World monkey endemic to the Western Ghats of South India. Its distribution is strictly governed by the presence of evergreen tropical rainforests.
- Geographic Range (Statements 1, 2, and 3 are Correct): The natural habitat of the lion-tailed macaque is spread across the three states that share the core of the Western Ghats: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Key protected areas where they are found include the Silent Valley National Park (Kerala), Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu), and Kudremukh National Park (Karnataka).
- Andhra Pradesh (Statement 4 is Incorrect): Andhra Pradesh is primarily part of the Eastern Ghats and the Deccan Plateau. These regions consist of dry deciduous forests and scrublands, which do not provide the dense, wet evergreen canopy required for the lion-tailed macaque’s survival. Therefore, it is not found in its natural habitat in this state.
- Conservation Status: This primate is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is unique due to its silver-white mane surrounding the face and its “lion-like” tufted tail. Unlike other macaques, it is highly arboreal (lives in trees) and feeds primarily on indigenous fruits and seeds.
The lion-tailed macaque is one of the most iconic flagship species of the Western Ghats, and its presence is often used as an indicator of the health of the rainforest ecosystem.
4. With reference to Palaeolithic river valley sites in India, consider the following pairs:
- River Valley → Region
I. Krishna → Andhra Pradesh
II. Ghataprabha → Karnataka
III. Budhabalanga → Odisha
IV. Brahmani → Gujarat
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:
Krishna river valley extends through Andhra Pradesh and is a major Palaeolithic site region. Ghataprabha and Budhabalanga are correctly matched with Karnataka and Odisha respectively. However, Brahmani river is located in Odisha, not Gujarat. Therefore, three pairs are correctly matched.
5. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
| List-I (Famous Temple) |
List-II (State) |
| A. Vidyashankara temple |
1. Andhra Pradesh |
| B. Rajarani temple |
2. Karnataka |
| C. Kandariya Mahadeo temple |
3. Madhya Pradesh |
| D. Bhimesvara temple |
4. Odisha |
Which of the follwoing is correct?
[A] A-2 B-3 C-4 D-1
[B] A-2 B-4 C-3 D-1
[C] A-1 B-4 C-3 D-2
[D] A-1 B-3 C-4 D-2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A-2 B-4 C-3 D-1]
Notes:
The correct matching is A-2, B-4, C-3, and D-1. Vidyashankara temple is located in Karnataka (2), Rajarani temple is in Odisha (4), Kandariya Mahadeo temple is in Madhya Pradesh (3), and Bhimesvara temple is in Tamil Nadu (1). This aligns with the cultural and historical significance of these temples in their respective states.
6. Out of the four southern States: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which shares boundaries with the maximum number of Indian States?
[A] Andhra Pradesh Only
[B] Karnataka Only
[C] Each of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
[D] Each of Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Each of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh shares land borders with Odisha, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh, totaling 5 states. Karnataka borders Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, also 5 states. Tamil Nadu borders Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, only 2. Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, effectively 2 states. Thus, both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka share boundaries with the maximum number (5 Indian states each).
7. What is the name of the operation launched by the DRI to bust an illegal Alprazolam manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh?
[A] Operation Clean Drug
[B] Operation Narcotic Strike
[C] Operation Drug Shield
[D] Operation White Hammer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Operation White Hammer]
Notes:
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted a clandestine drug manufacturing unit under “Operation White Hammer” in Kondapalli Industrial Development Area of NTR district, Andhra Pradesh. The facility was secretly producing Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985. The intelligence-based operation was conducted on 11–12 March 2026, exposing a large-scale illegal manufacturing unit operating under the cover of a chemical factory.
8. Who has become the first person from Andhra Pradesh to be honoured as a “Samurai”?
[A] N. Chandrababu Naidu
[B] K. Pawan Kalyan
[C] Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
[D] Ganta Srinivasa Rao
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [K. Pawan Kalyan]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party President K Pawan Kalyan received rare international recognition in Japanese martial arts. He became the first person from Andhra Pradesh to be honoured as a “Samurai.” He was awarded the prestigious Fifth Dan (5th Dan) by Sogo Budo Kanri Kai, a global Japanese martial arts body. He became the first Telugu-speaking person inducted into the historic Takeda Shingen Clan outside Japan. The Golden Dragons organisation honoured him with the title “Tiger of Martial Arts.” He trained in karate in Chennai and later studied Samurai traditions for over three decades.
9. Which former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh also served as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh during 1974–1977?
[A] Dr. Marri Channa Reddy
[B] N. T. Rama Rao
[C] Kasu Brahmananda Reddy
[D] Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dr. Marri Channa Reddy]
Notes:
Dr. Marri Channa Reddy was a senior Congress leader from Andhra Pradesh who served as its Chief Minister before his tenure as Governor of Uttar Pradesh from 1974 to 1977, coinciding with the Emergency period. He was twice Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, notable in the 1970s and 1980s. None of the other given options served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
10. Which company received the licence to explore and mine a tungsten block in Andhra Pradesh in November 2025
[A] Hindalco Industries Limited
[B] National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)
[C] Hindustan Zinc Limited
[D] Coal India Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hindustan Zinc Limited]
Notes:
Recently, Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) received a licence to explore and mine a tungsten block in Andhra Pradesh. Tungsten is a chemical element with the symbol W and atomic number 74. It is a naturally occurring transition metal found in minerals like wolframite and scheelite, not as a pure metal. It has the highest melting point of all metals at 3410 °C and the lowest vapor pressure at that temperature. It also has the highest tensile strength above 1650 °C and remains solid at room temperature.