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Who was the first woman to receive the Bharat Ratna?
- Indira Gandhi
- Sarojini Naidu
- Mother Teresa
- M.S. Subbulakshmi
Answer: Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi became the first woman to receive the Bharat Ratna in 1971 for her leadership during the Bangladesh War. She later served as Prime Minister and remains a pivotal figure in Indian politics. [[1]]
Who was the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize in Economics?
- V. Raman
- Amartya Sen
- Rabindranath Tagore
- Mother Teresa
Answer: Amartya Sen
Amartya Sen won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998 for his work on welfare economics, poverty, and famine. He is known for the capability approach and human development theory. [[30]]
The 'National Emergency' under Article 352 was proclaimed in India how many times?
- Once
- Twice
- Thrice
- Four times
Answer: Thrice
National Emergency was proclaimed thrice: 1962 (China war), 1971 (Pakistan war), and 1975 (internal disturbance). The 44th Amendment (1978) made emergency provisions more stringent to prevent misuse. [[30]]
In which year was the 'Indian National Army' (INA) first formed?
- 1941
- 1942
- 1943
- 1944
Answer: 1942
The Indian National Army was first formed in 1942 under Mohan Singh with Japanese support. Subhash Chandra Bose reorganized it in 1943 as the Azad Hind Fauj to fight for India's independence. [[1]]
Which amendment added the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble?
- 24th Amendment
- 42nd Amendment
- 44th Amendment
- 86th Amendment
Answer: 42nd Amendment
The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) added 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble during the Emergency. These additions reflected the commitment to social justice and national unity. [[1]]
The 'Government of India Act 1935' provided the framework for which part of the Indian Constitution?
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles
- Federal structure
- Emergency provisions
Answer: Federal structure
The Government of India Act 1935 provided the structural framework for India's federal system, including the division of powers between center and states, though the Constitution made it more flexible and democratic. [[30]]
Which committee recommended the establishment of NABARD for rural credit?
- Sivaraman Committee
- Narasimham Committee
- Rangarajan Committee
- Chakravarty Committee
Answer: Sivaraman Committee
The Sivaraman Committee (1979) recommended establishing NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) to coordinate rural credit. NABARD was set up in 1982. [[30]]
The 'Bombay Plan' (1944) was a proposal for India's economic development by:
- British officials
- Indian industrialists
- Socialist leaders
- Gandhian economists
Answer: Indian industrialists
The Bombay Plan (1944) was drafted by leading Indian industrialists including J.R.D. Tata and G.D. Birla. It proposed state-led industrialization and planning, influencing post-independence economic policy. [[1]]
Which agreement established the 'Line of Control' in Jammu and Kashmir?
- Tashkent Agreement
- Simla Agreement
- Lahore Declaration
- Delhi Agreement
Answer: Simla Agreement
The Simla Agreement (1972) between India and Pakistan established the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, replacing the ceasefire line of 1949. It committed both nations to bilateral resolution of disputes. [[1]]
The 'Look East Policy' was initiated by which Indian Prime Minister?
- Rajiv Gandhi
- P.V. Narasimha Rao
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Manmohan Singh
Answer: P.V. Narasimha Rao
The Look East Policy was initiated by PM P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991 to strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia. It was later upgraded to 'Act East Policy' under PM Narendra Modi. [[30]]
Which international organization did India help found to promote Afro-Asian solidarity?
- United Nations
- Non-Aligned Movement
- Commonwealth
- SAARC
Answer: Non-Aligned Movement
India, under Nehru's leadership, was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (1961) to promote Afro-Asian solidarity and independence from Cold War blocs. The Bandung Conference (1955) laid its groundwork. [[30]]
Which country provided asylum to Subhash Chandra Bose after his escape from India?
- Germany
- Japan
- Italy
- Soviet Union
Answer: Germany
After escaping India in 1941, Subhash Chandra Bose reached Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. He sought Axis support for India's independence before moving to Southeast Asia in 1943. [[1]]
Who wrote 'Nil Darpan', a play exposing indigo planters' exploitation?
- Dinabandhu Mitra
- Michael Madhusudan Dutt
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
- Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: Dinabandhu Mitra
Dinabandhu Mitra wrote 'Nil Darpan' (1860), a Bengali play exposing the exploitation of indigo farmers by European planters. It sparked public outrage and contributed to the Indigo Commission. [[1]]
Who wrote 'Godaan', a novel depicting rural life in India?
- Rabindranath Tagore
- Premchand
- Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay
- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Answer: Premchand
Munshi Premchand wrote 'Godaan' (1936), a landmark Hindi novel depicting peasant life, exploitation, and social realities. He is considered the greatest novelist of modern Hindi literature. [[30]]
Which historian wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi' covering the Delhi Sultanate?
- Ziauddin Barani
- Minhaj-i-Siraj
- Shams-i-Siraj Afif
- Isami
Answer: Ziauddin Barani
Ziauddin Barani wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi' (c. 1357), covering the Delhi Sultanate from Balban to Firoz Shah Tughlaq. It reflects the political ideology and administrative practices of the period. [[30]]
Who wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri', a history of the Delhi Sultanate?
- Ziauddin Barani
- Minhaj-i-Siraj
- Amir Khusrau
- Abdul Fazl
Answer: Minhaj-i-Siraj
Minhaj-i-Siraj Juzjani wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri' (1260 CE), a Persian chronicle covering Islamic dynasties including the Delhi Sultanate up to 1260. It is a key source for early Sultanate history. [[1]]
Which text is attributed to Vishakhadatta and deals with Chandragupta Maurya's rise?
- Mudrarakshasa
- Devichandraguptam
- Swapnavasavadatta
- Uttararamacharita
Answer: Mudrarakshasa
Vishakhadatta's 'Mudrarakshasa' (c. 5th century CE) dramatizes Chanakya's political strategies in establishing Chandragupta Maurya's rule. It is a valuable source for understanding Mauryan political thought. [[1]]
Who wrote the 'Mrichchhakatika' (The Little Clay Cart)?
- Kalidasa
- Shudraka
- Bhavabhuti
- Vishakhadatta
Answer: Shudraka
Shudraka wrote 'Mrichchhakatika', a Sanskrit play depicting love between a merchant and a courtesan against political intrigue. It provides insights into urban life in ancient India. [[30]]
Which country has the largest Indian diaspora outside South Asia?
- United States
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Canada
Answer: United Arab Emirates
The UAE has the largest Indian diaspora (over 3.5 million), primarily for employment. The US has the largest diaspora in terms of permanent residents and citizens of Indian origin. [[30]]
The 'Girmitiya' system referred to Indian indentured laborers sent to:
- Southeast Asia
- Caribbean and Africa
- Middle East
- Europe
Answer: Caribbean and Africa
The Girmitiya system (1834-1917) sent Indian indentured laborers to British colonies in Caribbean (Trinidad, Guyana), Africa (Mauritius, Fiji), and Southeast Asia to work on plantations after slavery abolition. [[1]]