1. Consider the following statements regarding India's Five-Year Plans during the Nehruvian era:
- Sectoral allocations were made for agriculture, industry, and power.
- Emphasis was placed on heavy industries and infrastructure development.
- The Planning Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister, was the central planning authority.
- Laissez-faire principles were adopted to promote dominance of private enterprise.
Which of the above statements correctly characterize the Five-Year Plans of 1950s?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] 1, 2 and 4
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct: India's Five-Year Plans under Nehru included sectoral allocations, prioritization of heavy industry and infrastructure, and centralized planning by the Planning Commission led by the Prime Minister. Statement 4 is incorrect as these plans favored strong state intervention, not laissez-faire or private dominance.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the Rolling Plans (1978–1980):
- They were introduced by the Janata government after abolishing the Fifth Plan in 1978.
- Unlike fixed Five-Year Plans, their targets were revised each year.
- The approach ensured long-term stability in India's planning process.
- This system ended in 1980 when Indira Gandhi returned as Prime Minister.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2, and 4
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2, 3, and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2, and 4]
Notes:
The Rolling Plans were introduced by the Janata government replacing the Fifth Plan in 1978, and targets were revised yearly. The system was ended in 1980 when Indira Gandhi returned to power. However, this approach led to planning instability, not long-term stability. Thus, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct; statement 3 is incorrect.
3. The Prime Minister of India presented two BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes to which country in July 2025?
[A] Nepal
[B] Maldives
[C] Bhutan
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maldives]
Notes:
Prime Minister of India gifted two BHISHM cubes to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Maldives’ 60th Independence Day. This was a major step in healthcare diplomacy and regional cooperation. BHISHM stands for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri. It is developed under National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the cubes are compact, portable, and self-contained. Each cube includes essential medicines, trauma care, surgical tools, and AI systems. It can handle 200 emergency cases, including trauma and minor surgeries.
4. Consider the following statements:
- The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established in 1954 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha.
- Homi Bhabha is often referred to as the father of the Indian nuclear program.
- The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research was established to advance nuclear research in India.
- The DAE is administratively under the Prime Minister of India.
Which of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] 2, 3 and 4
[C] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[D] Only 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:All four statements are correct:
- The DAE was indeed established in 1954 in Mumbai under the guidance of Nehru and Homi Bhabha.
- Bhabha is regarded as the father of India's nuclear programme.
- He founded the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research for nuclear research.
- The DAE reports directly to India's Prime Minister for strategic oversight.
5. Where was Gulzarilal Nanda, twice interim Prime Minister of India, born?
[A] Amritsar
[B] Jalandhar
[C] Ludhiana
[D] Sialkot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sialkot]
Notes:
Gulzarilal Nanda was born in Sialkot in 1898. He served as interim Prime Minister of India twice, in 1964 and 1966. Nanda received the Bharat Ratna in 1997 for his service to the nation. Sialkot is now in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
6. Who was the first Sikh Prime Minister of India?
[A] Harsimrat Kaur Badal
[B] Inder Kumar Gujral
[C] Parkash Singh Badal
[D] Manmohan Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Manmohan Singh]
Notes:
Manmohan Singh, born 1932, became India’s 13th Prime Minister (2004-2014). He was the country’s first Sikh Prime Minister and the only PM after Nehru to have served two consecutive full terms.
7. Who was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India from Gujarat?
[A] Morarji Desai
[B] Chimanbhai Patel
[C] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
[D] Bhupendra Patel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel]
Notes:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, from Gujarat, was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister (1947-1950) and Home Minister post-independence.
8. Which Gujarati leader served twice as Acting Prime Minister of India and was honored with the Bharat Ratna?
[A] Gulzarilal Nanda
[B] Vallabhbhai Patel
[C] Morarji Desai
[D] Jivraj Narayan Mehta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gulzarilal Nanda]
Notes:
Gulzarilal Nanda, a Gujarati leader, served twice as Acting Prime Minister of India in 1964 and 1966 and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.
9. Abhay Ghat in Ahmedabad is a memorial dedicated to which former Prime Minister of India?
[A] Jawaharlal Nehru
[B] Indira Gandhi
[C] Morarji Desai
[D] Vallabhbhai Patel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Morarji Desai]
Notes:
Abhay Ghat in Ahmedabad is the memorial of Morarji Desai, the fourth Prime Minister of India, located near Sabarmati Ashram.
10. Which former Prime Minister of India from Gujarat was honored with both the Bharat Ratna and Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Pakistan awards?
[A] Morarji Desai
[B] Vallabhbhai Patel
[C] Chimanbhai Patel
[D] Indira Gandhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Morarji Desai]
Notes:
Morarji Desai, former Indian Prime Minister, received Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) and Nishan-e-Pakistan (Pakistan’s highest civilian award) for his contributions to Indo-Pak relations.
