11. In the light of India’s rich cultural heritage, consider the following statements regarding religious and cultural events:
| Festival | State(s) and Description |
|---|
| Maha Kumbh Mela | Held every 12 years at sacred river confluences, a major Hindu pilgrimage. |
| Pushkar Camel Fair | One of the largest livestock fairs held annually in Pushkar, Rajasthan attracts tourists and traders. |
| Hornbill Festival | Celebrated annually in Kohima to showcase the rich culture of the Naga tribes with various traditional dances and performances. |
| Jagannath Rath Yatra | A famous festival in Puri featuring massive chariots carrying Lord Jagannath is celebrated annually with grand processions. |
Which of the following pairs is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:- Maha Kumbh Mela: Correct. Held every 12 years at four sacred river confluences in India (Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain), the Maha Kumbh Mela is a major Hindu pilgrimage attracting millions of devotees.
- Pushkar Camel Fair: Correct. It is one of the largest livestock fairs in the world, held annually in Pushkar, Rajasthan. This fair draws both tourists and traders, making it a vibrant cultural and economic event.
- Hornbill Festival: Correct. Celebrated annually in Kohima, Nagaland, the Hornbill Festival showcases the rich culture of the Naga tribes, featuring traditional dances, performances, and tribal arts.
- Jagannath Rath Yatra: Correct. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a famous festival held in Puri, Odisha, where grand processions with massive chariots carry Lord Jagannath. It is celebrated annually and attracts thousands of devotees.
Thus, all four pairs are correct.
12. The Operation Sard Hawa has conducted by which armed force in the western border of Rajasthan?
[A] Border Security Force (BSF)
[B] Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
[C] Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
[D] Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Border Security Force (BSF)]
Notes:
BSF has launched ‘Operation Sard Hawa’ along the Pakistan border in the western Rajasthan to prevent infiltration during foggy winters, running from January 22 to 29. This operation enhances vigilance with ultra-modern weapons, advanced instruments, and intensified patrols by vehicles and camels in inaccessible areas. Officers and soldiers, including those from headquarters, are deployed near the fencing to monitor activities continuously. BSF’s intelligence wing actively coordinates with other agencies to track suspicious activities. Key objectives include boosting border security, increasing soldier deployment, enhancing surveillance, and maintaining day-night dominance along the border.
13. A rare carnivorous plant ‘Utricularia’ has been found at which national park in Rajasthan?
[A] Darrah National Park
[B] Desert National Park
[C] Keoladeo National Park
[D] Ranthambore National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Keoladeo National Park]
Notes:
A rare carnivorous plant, Utricularia, has been found in large numbers at Rajasthan’s Keoladeo National Park. Utricularia, or bladderwort, belongs to the family Lentibulariaceae and includes 220 species found in temperate and tropical habitats worldwide. These plants lack roots and have floating stems with simple or divided leaves. They produce small carnivorous bladders that range from dark to transparent and trap tiny animals like insect larvae and water fleas. The trap door mechanism activates within milliseconds, capturing prey efficiently. Utricularia plants are found in lakes, streams, and waterlogged soils, with some species being invasive.
14. Artesian condition was recently observed at which place in Rajasthan?
[A] Bikaner
[B] Alwar
[C] Jaisalmer
[D] Bhilwara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jaisalmer]
Notes:
The artesian condition was recently observed in Taranagar village, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The term “artesian” refers to water confined under pressure below layers of impermeable rock. This water is located deeper beneath the earth’s surface, surrounded by poorly permeable rocks, creating high underground pressure. Artesian conditions occur when groundwater moves from a recharge area to a discharge point at a lower elevation. Unlike normal tube wells, artesian water can naturally sprout from underground without any external assistance.
15. Consider the following pairs:
| Punjab | First state to achieve 100% piped water supply |
| Kerala | First state to achieve 100% literacy rate in India |
| Rajasthan | First state to implement the Right to Information Act |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two pairs]
Notes:- Punjab: It is the fifth state to achieve 100% piped water supply to rural households, not the first. So, this pair is incorrect.
- Goa was the first state in India to achieve 100% piped water supply in rural areas.
- Kerala: It was the first state in India to achieve a 100% literacy rate in 1991, making this pair correct.
- Rajasthan: It was the first state to implement the Right to Information Act in 2000, making this pair correct as well.
Thus, only two pairs are correct.
16. The Urs Festival is observed in which city of Rajasthan?
[A] Ajmer
[B] Jodhpur
[C] Bikaner
[D] Jaisalmer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ajmer]
Notes:
The countdown for the 813th Urs begins. It is an annual festival held at Ajmer, Rajasthan. It commemorates the death anniversary of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, also called Garib Nawaz. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti arrived in India with Sultan Illtuttmish and promoted the Chishtiyya Order of Sufism. The festival celebrates his life and teachings, drawing thousands of devotees to Ajmer each year.
17. Where was the Little Bunting bird recently spotted in Rajasthan?
[A] Mount Abu
[B] Jaipur
[C] Udaipur
[D] Jodhpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mount Abu]
Notes:
A Little Bunting bird, never before seen in Rajasthan, was recently spotted in Mount Abu. The Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) is a small passerine bird from the bunting family. It breeds in the taiga regions of Europe and northern Eurasia and migrates to northern India, southern China, and parts of Southeast Asia in winter. It measures 12–14 cm in length, with white underparts and dark streaks. It is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
18. Which day has been declared ‘Pravasi Rajasthani Divas’ by the Rajasthan government?
[A] December 10
[B] December 9
[C] December 13
[D] December 14
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [December 10]
Notes:
‘Pravasi Rajasthani Divas’ will be celebrated annually on December 10, announced by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. A separate department will be created for migrant Rajasthanis to address their needs. The department will have a ‘single point contact’ in each district to resolve issues faced by migrant families. The state will also confer the ‘Pravasi Rajasthani Samman’ to notable personalities from Rajasthan living abroad.
19. Where was the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 organized?
[A] Jaisalmer
[B] Jaipur
[C] Udaipur
[D] Jodhpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jaipur]
Notes:
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in Jaipur, showcasing Rajasthan as a key investment hub. Rajasthan, with its rich resources, heritage, and skilled youth, offers opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism. Rajasthan contributes Rs 84,000 crore in exports, supported by the Make in India initiative and MSME policies, strengthening its manufacturing sector. Rajasthan excels in renewable energy, mineral reserves, and unique cultural assets, enhancing tourism and economic growth. Initiatives like e-visa, Udan Yojana, and heritage tourism have transformed Rajasthan into a vibrant investment destination.
20. What is the name of the migratory bird that recently broke the record for the longest migratory flight to Rajasthan, India?
[A] Northern Shoveler
[B] Greater Flamingo
[C] Demoiselle Crane
[D] Bluethroat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Demoiselle Crane]
Notes:
A Siberian Demoiselle crane, Sukpak, set a record by migrating over 3,676 km to Rajasthan, India. It is the smallest crane species, known for its solitary and social behavior. The bird holds cultural importance in India, where it is called Koonj or Kurjaa. Demoiselle cranes inhabit fields, steppes, deserts, and plains near water, breeding in Central Eurasia and wintering in India and sub-Saharan Africa. Sukpak followed an unusual route through Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to reach India. Conservation efforts include India’s first Demoiselle crane reserve at Khichan, Rajasthan. Their conservation status is “Least Concern,” but they face threats like habitat loss and hunting.
