NDA — Set 12

Q: The Peshwas were the hereditary prime ministers of which empire?

Maratha Empire. The **Peshwas** served as hereditary prime ministers of the **Maratha Empire**, effectively becoming its de facto rulers from the early 18th century. The Peshwaship was established by **Balaji Vishwanath** (first Peshwa) and reached its zenith under **Baji Rao I**. After the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), Peshwa power began to decline.

Q: The Partition of India in 1947 divided British India into which two dominions?

India and Pakistan. The **Partition of India (August 1947)** divided British India into the **Dominion of India** and the **Dominion of Pakistan** (which included present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh). The partition was based on the **two-nation theory** championed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League. It led to one of the largest mass migrations in human history.

Q: The American Declaration of Independence (1776) was primarily drafted by which founding father?

Thomas Jefferson. **Thomas Jefferson** was the primary author of the **American Declaration of Independence**, adopted on July 4, 1776. The document proclaimed the equality of men and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson later served as the **3rd President of the United States** (1801–1809).

Q: The Rohtang Pass connects which two regions of Himachal Pradesh?

Kullu Valley to Lahaul-Spiti. **Rohtang Pass** (altitude 3,978 m) connects the **Kullu Valley (Manali) to Lahaul-Spiti** in Himachal Pradesh. It lies on the Manali–Leh highway and remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. The **Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel)**, inaugurated in 2020, provides all-weather connectivity bypassing the pass.

Q: The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) restored which right that had been diluted by the 42nd Amendment?

Freedom of Press. The **44th Amendment (1978)**, enacted under the Janata government after the Emergency, restored several rights diluted by the 42nd Amendment. It removed the **Right to Property** from the list of Fundamental Rights (making it a legal right under Article 300A). It also restored the **freedom of the press** and strengthened the **Right to Life (Article 21)**.

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The Peshwas were the hereditary prime ministers of which empire?

💡

Correct Answer: B. Maratha Empire

The **Peshwas** served as hereditary prime ministers of the **Maratha Empire**, effectively becoming its de facto rulers from the early 18th century. The Peshwaship was established by **Balaji Vishwanath** (first Peshwa) and reached its zenith under **Baji Rao I**. After the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), Peshwa power began to decline.

The Partition of India in 1947 divided British India into which two dominions?

💡

Correct Answer: A. India and Pakistan

The **Partition of India (August 1947)** divided British India into the **Dominion of India** and the **Dominion of Pakistan** (which included present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh). The partition was based on the **two-nation theory** championed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League. It led to one of the largest mass migrations in human history.

The American Declaration of Independence (1776) was primarily drafted by which founding father?

💡

Correct Answer: C. Thomas Jefferson

**Thomas Jefferson** was the primary author of the **American Declaration of Independence**, adopted on July 4, 1776. The document proclaimed the equality of men and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson later served as the **3rd President of the United States** (1801–1809).

The Rohtang Pass connects which two regions of Himachal Pradesh?

💡

Correct Answer: B. Kullu Valley to Lahaul-Spiti

**Rohtang Pass** (altitude 3,978 m) connects the **Kullu Valley (Manali) to Lahaul-Spiti** in Himachal Pradesh. It lies on the Manali–Leh highway and remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. The **Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel)**, inaugurated in 2020, provides all-weather connectivity bypassing the pass.

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) restored which right that had been diluted by the 42nd Amendment?

💡

Correct Answer: C. Freedom of Press

The **44th Amendment (1978)**, enacted under the Janata government after the Emergency, restored several rights diluted by the 42nd Amendment. It removed the **Right to Property** from the list of Fundamental Rights (making it a legal right under Article 300A). It also restored the **freedom of the press** and strengthened the **Right to Life (Article 21)**.

In World War II, Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor on which date?

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Correct Answer: A. December 7, 1941

**Japan attacked Pearl Harbor** (Hawaii, USA) on **December 7, 1941** in a surprise military strike against the American Pacific Fleet. The attack killed over 2,400 Americans and damaged/destroyed numerous warships and aircraft. This led the USA to formally enter **World War II** by declaring war on Japan the following day.

Which type of radioactive decay emits a helium nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons)?

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Correct Answer: A. Alpha decay

**Alpha decay** involves the emission of an **alpha particle**, which consists of **2 protons and 2 neutrons** (essentially a helium-4 nucleus). Alpha particles have the lowest penetrating power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper. Alpha decay is common in **heavy radioactive elements** like uranium and radium.

The Inter-State Council is constituted under which Article of the Indian Constitution?

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Correct Answer: B. Article 263

The **Inter-State Council** is constituted under **Article 263** of the Indian Constitution. It is a recommendatory body that investigates and discusses subjects of common interest between states and the Union. The council was established in **1990** based on the **Sarkaria Commission** recommendations for cooperative federalism.

The Northeast India (Seven Sisters) shares its longest international border with which country?

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Correct Answer: C. Bangladesh

Northeast India's **Seven Sisters** share international borders with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. **Bangladesh** shares the longest international border with the northeastern states, particularly with **Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam**. Tripura is almost surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides.

The vaccine for smallpox, the world's first vaccine, was developed by which scientist?

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Correct Answer: D. Alexander Fleming

**Edward Jenner** developed the world's first vaccine — the **smallpox vaccine** — in 1796. He observed that milkmaids who contracted **cowpox** did not get smallpox and used cowpox material to inoculate a young boy. This pioneering work laid the foundation for **immunology** and modern vaccinology.

Operation Tasman Saber is a military exercise between Australia and which country?

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Correct Answer: B. USA

**Exercise Talisman Sabre** (not Tasman Saber) is a major bilateral military exercise between **Australia and the United States**. India participates in the exercise as an observer. It is one of the largest bilateral military training activities in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on **combined joint operations**.

The Cold War was primarily a geopolitical tension between which two superpowers?

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Correct Answer: B. USA and USSR

The **Cold War** (1947–1991) was a geopolitical and ideological conflict between the **United States (capitalist bloc/NATO)** and the **Soviet Union (communist bloc/Warsaw Pact)**. It never escalated into direct military conflict between the two superpowers but was characterised by **proxy wars, arms race, and space race**. It ended with the **dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991**.

The Brihadeeswara Temple's vimana (tower) is made without mortar — the stones are held by which technique?

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Correct Answer: B. Gravity and precise fitting

The **Brihadeeswara Temple's vimana** (tower reaching 66 metres) is constructed using precisely fitted stones held together by **gravity and perfect interlocking** without any mortar. The **capstone at the top weighs 80 tonnes** and was reportedly placed by rolling it up a 6-km-long ramp. This is a testament to advanced **Chola engineering**.

The 101st Constitutional Amendment (2016) is related to:

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Correct Answer: B. GST (Goods and Services Tax)

The **101st Constitutional Amendment Act (2016)** introduced the **Goods and Services Tax (GST)** in India by inserting Articles 246A, 269A, and 279A. It led to the creation of the **GST Council** and enabled concurrent power to both Centre and States to levy GST. GST was implemented from **July 1, 2017**.

The Agni-V missile system uses which type of propellant?

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Correct Answer: C. Hybrid propellant

**Agni-V** uses a **three-stage solid propellant** system which offers advantages of quick readiness, easier storage, and lower maintenance compared to liquid propellants. It can be launched from **road-mobile canisterised launchers** for enhanced survivability. Solid propellants are increasingly preferred for **strategic ballistic missiles** worldwide.

The phenomenon of total internal reflection is used in which device?

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Correct Answer: C. Optical fibres

**Total Internal Reflection (TIR)** is the fundamental principle behind **optical fibres**. Light signals are transmitted through the fibre by repeated total internal reflection at the core-cladding interface. Optical fibres are used in **high-speed telecommunications, internet cables, and medical endoscopes**.

The Maratha Confederacy during the Peshwa period was NOT directly controlled by the Peshwa. Which of these chiefs was semi-independent?

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Correct Answer: A. Scindia (Gwalior)

The **Maratha Confederacy** under the Peshwas comprised several semi-independent chiefs: **Scindia (Gwalior), Holkar (Indore), Bhonsle (Nagpur), and Gaekwad (Baroda)**. The **Peshwa at Pune** was theoretically paramount but the chiefs maintained considerable autonomy. The Scindia and Holkar often acted independently and sometimes conflicted with each other.

NATO was established in 1949. What does NATO stand for?

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Correct Answer: A. North Atlantic Treaty Organization

**NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)** was established on **April 4, 1949** with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C. It was formed as a collective defence alliance among Western nations against the **Soviet threat**. The treaty's Article 5 states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. NATO currently has **32 member states**.

India's space military surveillance satellite capability is primarily served by which series?

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Correct Answer: B. RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) series

India's **RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite)** series provides **all-weather, day-and-night surveillance capability** using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). RISAT satellites can see through clouds and darkness, making them valuable for **military reconnaissance and border monitoring**. RISAT-2B, RISAT-2BR1, and RISAT-2BR2 are operational.

The Baralacha La pass connects which two regions of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh?

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Correct Answer: A. Manali (Lahaul) to Leh

**Baralacha La** (altitude ~4,890 m) is a high-altitude mountain pass connecting **Lahaul (Himachal Pradesh) to Leh (Ladakh)** on the Manali–Leh highway. It is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The pass is part of the strategic route used by the **Indian Army** to supply Ladakh.

The 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002) added which provision?

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Correct Answer: B. Right to free and compulsory education (Art 21A)

The **86th Constitutional Amendment (2002)** inserted **Article 21A**, making the **Right to Free and Compulsory Education** (ages 6–14) a Fundamental Right. It also amended Article 45 (Directive Principles) and Article 51A (Fundamental Duties) regarding early childhood care. The Right to Education Act implementing Article 21A was passed in **2009**.

In a solenoid, the magnetic field inside is:

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Correct Answer: B. Uniform and strong

Inside a **solenoid** (a coil of wire), the magnetic field is **uniform and strong** along the axis. The field is parallel to the axis of the solenoid. A solenoid acts like a **bar magnet** with field lines emerging from one end (north pole) and entering the other (south pole). Solenoids are used in **electric bells, relays, and MRI machines**.

The Delimitation Commission of India redraws constituency boundaries based on which census?

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Correct Answer: B. Based on population data from the last published census

The **Delimitation Commission** redraws parliamentary and assembly constituency boundaries based on **population data from the last published census**. The commission is set up by the President under the Delimitation Act. Due to the **42nd Amendment freeze (1976)**, delimitation based on the 2001 census was conducted but the next major delimitation will be based on the **2026 census data**.

India's EEZ of 200 nautical miles gives it exclusive rights over marine resources. Which body administers UNCLOS?

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Correct Answer: D. International Seabed Authority (ISA)

The **International Seabed Authority (ISA)** administers mineral resources in the international seabed area ('the Area') beyond national jurisdiction under **UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)**. UNCLOS itself came into force in **1994**. For EEZ disputes, the **International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)** adjudicates.

Genetic engineering involves manipulation of an organism's DNA. Which enzyme is used to cut DNA at specific sequences?

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Correct Answer: B. Restriction endonuclease

**Restriction endonucleases** (restriction enzymes) are molecular 'scissors' that **cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences** called restriction sites. They are the fundamental tools of **genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology**. Hundreds of restriction enzymes have been isolated from bacteria, where they serve as a defence mechanism against viral DNA.

Exercise Vajra Prahar is a joint special forces exercise between India and which country?

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Correct Answer: C. USA

**Exercise Vajra Prahar** is a joint **Special Forces** exercise between the **Indian Army and the United States Army Special Forces**. It is held alternately in India and the USA. The exercise focuses on **counter-terrorism, combat free-fall, and special operations** in various terrains. It reflects the growing India–US defence partnership under **DTTI (Defence Technology and Trade Initiative)**.

The Chola dynasty's naval power extended to which of the following Southeast Asian kingdoms?

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Correct Answer: B. Srivijaya Empire (Sumatra/Malay)

The Chola navy under **Rajendra I** attacked the **Srivijaya Empire** (based in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula) in 1025 CE to control the **maritime trade routes** of the Indian Ocean. The campaign against Srivijaya is the most well-documented Chola naval expedition. This established Chola dominance over **Southeast Asian sea trade**.

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) was established by which two UN bodies?

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Correct Answer: B. UNEP and WMO

The **IPCC** was established in **1988** by the **United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)** and the **World Meteorological Organization (WMO)**. It assesses scientific information on climate change, its impacts, and adaptation and mitigation strategies. The IPCC's **Assessment Reports** are the authoritative scientific basis for climate policy, including the **Paris Agreement (2015)**.

Which of the following is the correct sequence of Himalayan zones from south to north?

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Correct Answer: B. Siwalik → Lesser Himalaya → Greater Himalaya → Trans-Himalaya

The Himalayan ranges from **south to north** are: **Siwalik (Outer/Sub-Himalaya) → Lesser Himalaya (Himachal) → Greater Himalaya (Himadri) → Trans-Himalaya (Tethys)**. The Greater Himalaya contains the highest peaks like **Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga**. The Trans-Himalaya (Karakoram, Ladakh Range, Kailash Range) lies north of the Greater Himalaya.

India joined the United Nations as one of the original founding members in which year?

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Correct Answer: A. 1945

**India** became one of the **original founding members of the United Nations in 1945**, signing the UN Charter before achieving independence in 1947. India was represented at the San Francisco Conference (1945) as a **British colony** and is one of only a few nations that are both a founding UN member and a former colony. India has been elected to the UN Security Council as a **non-permanent member** multiple times.

The Pallava king who built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was:

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Correct Answer: B. Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)

The **Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram** was built by **Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)** in the early 8th century CE. It is one of the oldest structural stone temples in India. His father **Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla)** built the famous **rock-cut rathas and mandapas**. The Pallava period saw the transition from rock-cut to structural stone temples.

The 52nd Constitutional Amendment (1985) introduced which provision to prevent defection of elected representatives?

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Correct Answer: B. Anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule)

The **52nd Constitutional Amendment (1985)** added the **Tenth Schedule** (anti-defection law) to the Indian Constitution. It disqualifies members of Parliament and State Legislatures who **voluntarily give up party membership or vote against party direction** without the party whip's permission. The **Speaker/Chairman** has the power to decide disqualification cases.

The Surya Kiran exercise is a joint military exercise between India and which country?

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Correct Answer: A. Nepal

**Exercise Surya Kiran** is a joint military training exercise between the **Indian Army and the Nepal Army**. It is held alternately in India and Nepal and focuses on **counter-terrorism operations in jungle and mountain terrain**. This exercise reflects the unique **India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950)** which allows for extensive military cooperation.

The phenomenon of refraction causes a pencil dipped in water to appear bent. This is because light bends when moving from:

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Correct Answer: C. Rarer to denser medium (towards normal)

**Refraction** of light occurs when it passes from one medium to another with different optical density. When light travels from a **rarer (air) to a denser (water) medium**, it bends **towards the normal** (the angle of refraction is less than the angle of incidence). This bending causes a pencil in water to appear bent at the interface. **Snell's Law** (n₁sin θ₁ = n₂sin θ₂) governs refraction.

Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Indian to be elected to the British House of Commons. In which year was he elected?

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Correct Answer: B. 1892

**Dadabhai Naoroji** was elected to the **British House of Commons in 1892** as a Liberal Party MP from Finsbury Central, London. He became the **first Indian to serve in the British Parliament**. His election was significant as it gave him a platform to voice India's grievances. He was also a founding member of the **Indian National Congress (1885)**.

The 1st Constitutional Amendment (1951) was primarily enacted to:

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Correct Answer: B. Validate land reform laws and restrict fundamental rights

The **1st Constitutional Amendment (1951)** was enacted to validate **zamindari abolition and land reform laws** that had been challenged in courts as violating Fundamental Rights. It added the **Ninth Schedule** to protect such laws from judicial review. It also added reasonable restrictions to **freedom of speech (Article 19(2))** to prohibit incitement and public order threats.

Coral reefs are formed by which organisms?

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Correct Answer: B. Coral polyps (cnidarians) with symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae)

**Coral reefs** are built by **coral polyps** (small animals belonging to class Anthozoa, phylum Cnidaria) that secrete **calcium carbonate skeletons**. Most corals live in symbiosis with **zooxanthellae** (photosynthetic algae) which provide nutrients and their vibrant colours. **Ocean warming** causes corals to expel zooxanthellae, leading to **coral bleaching** and death.

India's first UN peacekeeping mission was deployed to which country?

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Correct Answer: B. Korea

India's first UN peacekeeping participation was in the **Korean War (1950–1953)** where India led the **Custodian Force India** (not a combat role but neutral custodians of POWs). India's first armed peacekeeping contribution was in **Congo (ONUC) in 1960**. India is now one of the **largest troop-contributing countries** to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

The concept of 'coalition government' means a government formed by:

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Correct Answer: B. Two or more parties together to achieve a majority

A **coalition government** is formed when **two or more political parties** join together to obtain a majority in the legislature and form a government. Coalition governments are common in **proportional representation systems** and in India's multi-party democracy, particularly at the national level since 1989. The **National Democratic Alliance (NDA)** and **United Progressive Alliance (UPA)** are examples of coalitions.

Biotechnology applications in medicine include all EXCEPT:

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Correct Answer: D. Combustion of fossil fuels for energy

**Combustion of fossil fuels** is an energy production process, NOT a biotechnology application. **Biotechnology in medicine** includes: production of **recombinant insulin** (using genetically engineered E. coli), development of **monoclonal antibodies** for cancer treatment and diagnostics, **gene therapy** for genetic disorders, and development of **vaccines** using recombinant DNA technology.