States PCS: Himachal Pradesh GK for HPPSC Exams
For all Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) exams including HPAS, Allied Services, Lecturer, and other competitive posts in Himachal Pradesh.
41. Which field-method pairing is appropriate for measuring mass balance at Chhota Shigri Glacier?
[A] Ablation stakes for ice loss; snow pits or cores for accumulation
[B] Snow pits for bedrock uplift; stakes for rainfall chemistry
[C] River gauges alone for snowfall accumulation; pits for glacier speed
[D] Seismometers for ice loss; rain gauges for ice thickness
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ablation stakes for ice loss; snow pits or cores for accumulation]
Notes:
Stakes record changes at the ice surface, while snow pits or cores measure accumulated snow. These observations are combined to estimate glacier mass balance.
42. If Chhota Shigri records a negative annual glacier-wide mass balance, which conclusion follows directly?
[A] Every part of the glacier lost ice in every month
[B] The glacier received no snowfall during the year
[C] Its terminus must have retreated by the same percentage as its mass loss
[D] Total mass losses exceeded total mass gains during that year
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Total mass losses exceeded total mass gains during that year]
Notes:
Negative glacier-wide balance means annual losses exceeded gains over the glacier as a whole. It does not imply zero snowfall or identical behaviour at every elevation.
43. Geochemical investigations classify Manikaran thermal waters broadly as which major-ion type?
[A] Calcium–magnesium–sulphate
[B] Sodium–calcium–bicarbonate–chloride
[C] Magnesium–sulphate–chloride
[D] Sodium–nitrate–sulphate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sodium–calcium–bicarbonate–chloride]
Notes:
Manikaran thermal waters have been characterised as Na–Ca–HCO3–Cl type. The classification reflects major dissolved ions rather than the temperature alone.
44. Bharmouri is also used as a name for which language associated with Himachal Pradesh?
[A] Gaddi
[B] Pangwali
[C] Churahi
[D] Bhattiyali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gaddi]
Notes:
Bharmouri is an alternative name for Gaddi. It must be distinguished from the other speech varieties of the wider Chamba region.
45. In Integrated Kashang’s Stage-II and III design, which stream is diverted to augment generation at the Stage-I powerhouse?
[A] Baspa
[B] Spiti
[C] Nogli
[D] Kerang
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerang]
Notes:
The design links the Kerang stream to the Stage-I water-conductor system.
46. For Himachal Pradesh in 2023–24, consider the debt data in Economic Survey 2025–26:
- Total liabilities were approximately 41% of GSDP.
- Internal debt exceeded loans from the Union government.
- Total liabilities excluded public-account liabilities.
Which statements are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Notes:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Total liabilities were 40.74% of GSDP. Internal debt was ₹61,439 crore, against ₹4,517 crore of Union-government loans. Total liabilities include public debt plus public-account and other liabilities.
47. Himachal Pradesh’s credit–deposit ratio was 49.12% in September 2025, below the Survey’s 60% benchmark. Which response most directly addresses this gap?
[A] Raise deposit mobilisation without expanding credit
[B] Increase cash holdings instead of lending
[C] Reduce credit access for small enterprises
[D] Expand viable lending to local productive activities
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Expand viable lending to local productive activities]
Notes:
Expanding viable credit deployment addresses weak credit absorption. More deposits alone need not improve the ratio. The ratio does not establish that the remaining deposits are idle cash; banks also invest and operate across regions.
48. Him Kukkut Palan Yojana, as described in Economic Survey 2025–26:
- Specified capital items receive 60% subsidy.
- Recurring inputs are excluded from assistance.
- Day-old chicks are supplied.
Which statements are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] 1 and 3 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1 and 3 only]
Notes:
The scheme supports broiler units with day-old chicks. Its 60% subsidy covers specified capital items and recurring inputs, including chicks and feed. Three-week-old chicks in smaller batches belong to the separate Low Input Technology backyard poultry programme.
49. Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana supports eligible children of:
- Widowed women
- Destitute or abandoned women
- Parents with disabilities
- All government employees irrespective of circumstances
Which groups are listed in Economic Survey 2025–26?
[A] 1 and 4 only
[B] 2, 3 and 4 only
[C] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2 and 3 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3 only]
Notes:
The first three groups are listed. The scheme seeks continuity of education for children facing specified parental vulnerabilities, subject to eligibility rules. It is not a universal educational allowance for children of government employees.
50. HP Budget 2026–27’s undergraduate reforms include:
- Semester-based courses
- Multiple entry and exit
- Academic Bank of Credits
- Selected honours-and-research degree programmes
How many are included?
[A] Only one
[B] All four
[C] Only two
[D] Only three
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [All four]
Notes:
All four form part of the announced undergraduate reform package. The Budget also proposes a multidisciplinary approach and apprenticeship-embedded degrees in selected colleges. These are structural changes in course design, progression and credit recognition.
