1. S Ramassamy, who passed away recently, was the former Chief Minister of which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Puducherry
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Puducherry ]
Notes:
S Ramassamy (80), the former Puducherry Chief Minister, has passed away in Puducherry on May 15, 2017id. He was Home Minister in the DMK-CPI coalition ministry from 1969 to 1973. He shifted his allegiance to the AIADMK in 1973. He became chief minister in 1974 heading the AIADMK-CPI coalition ministry for a brief period. He was also the Chief Minister in the AIADMK government in 1977, which lasted in office for a little over one year. He successfully contested as Independent from Karaikal in 1985 and 1990. Ramassamy joined Congress in 1992.
2. India has signed how much amount of Loan Agreement with World Bank (WB) for the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project?
[A] USD 250 million
[B] USD 300 million
[C] USD 200 million
[D] USD 500 million
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USD 200 million]
Notes:
The Government of India (GoI) and the World Bank (WB) has signed a $200 million Loan Agreement for the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project. The Project will support the Government of Assam to facilitate agri-business investments, increase agriculture productivity and market access, and enable small farm holders produce crops that are resilient to recurrent floods or droughts in the state. The $200 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 7-year grace period, and a maturity of 16.5 years.
3. Consider the following statements about Bodo Language:
- It is an official language of Assam
- It is one of the 22 Languages of 8th Schedule of Constitution of India
- It is written in Devanagari Script
Which among the above is / are correct statements?
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 & 2
[C] 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
All the given statements are correct. Bodo was used to be written in Latin script earlier but now Devnagari script is used. It has its own lost script called Deodhai. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages and is currently official language of Assam (Bodoland) along with Assamese and Bengali (in Barak Valley).
4. In context with the Indian Fauna, consider the following statements:
- The maximum number of species in India is that of Arthropods
- Butterflies Constitute 65% of Indian Fauna
- Assam is home to around 50% of India’s Butterfly species
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 1 & 2 are correct
[C] Only 1 & 3 are correct
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All are correct]
Notes:
All statements are correct. 1. Arthropods: India has a rich biodiversity, with arthropods (insects, arachnids, crustaceans) being the most diverse group, comprising over 75% of all animal species. 2. Butterflies: While butterflies are a important part of Indian fauna, they do not constitute 65% of it. this figure is inaccurate. However, India is home to around 1,500 butterfly species. 3. Assam’s Butterflies: Assam is indeed a biodiversity hotspot and hosts about 50% of India’s butterfly species, making it a crucial area for butterfly conservation. Thus, while the first and third statements are accurate, the second is misleading. The correct answer should be “Only 1 & 3 are correct.”
5. Consider the following statements:
- Oil India Ltd was incorporated in collaboration with Burmah Oil Company
- Till Independence, Assam was the only oil producing state in India
- Assam Oil Fields are richest oil fields in India
Which among the above statements is/ are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] 1 & 2 are correct
[D] 1, 2, 3 are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 & 2 are correct]
Notes:
All three statements are correct. 1. Oil India Ltd was indeed incorporated in 1959 in collaboration with the Burmah Oil Company, marking a important partnership in India’s oil sector. 2. Before India’s independence in 1947, Assam was the only state producing oil, primarily from the Digboi and Naharkatia fields, which were discovered in the late 19th century. 3. The Assam Oil Fields are among the richest in India, contributing importantly to the country’s oil production, with the Digboi field being one of the oldest oil fields in the world. Thus, the correct answer is that all three statements are accurate.
6. The Assam Government has signed MoU with which cab company for a pilot project of app-based river taxi services in Guwahati?
[A] Ola
[B] Uber
[C] Meru
[D] Carzonrent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ola ]
Notes:
The Government of Assam has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with cab-hailing company Ola for a pilot project of app-based river taxi services in Guwahati. This MoU was signed during the ongoing Global Investors Summit: Advantage Assam. According to the MOU, bringing water taxis on the online platform will strengthen the transportation ecosystem. The river taxi will be a machine-operated boat, a faster and safer mode of travel than its conventional alternatives. Ola will pilot high-speed taxis on the Lachit Ghat, Machkhowa to North Guwahati route, bringing the commute time down to 2-5 minutes from 45 minutes by road.
7. The Assam government will observe ‘Rhino Day’ on which date to generate public awareness on protection of the one-horned pachyderm?
[A] September 21
[B] September 22
[C] September 23
[D] September 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [September 22]
Notes:
The Assam government will observe September 22 as ‘Rhino Day’ to generate public awareness on protection of the one-horned pachyderm. It was officially declared at the 10th meeting of the State Board for Wildlife, which was chaired by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The day will be exclusively dedicated to the approximately 2,500 rhino population in the state would be a tribute to the rhinoceros, which are the “pride of Assam”. The state government will soon launch the State Rhino Project in line with National Rhino Project in Assam for protecting the pachyderms from threats of poaching.
8. Consider the following pairs of hills with their states:
- Khandadhar – Odisha
- Biligiriranga – Karnataka
- Lushai – Assam
Which of the above is/are correctly matched?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 1 & 2 Only
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 & 2 Only]
Notes:
Lushai hills are mountain range in Mizoram and Tripura states of India. The hills have been in news for various mining activities and environmental concerns.
9. Consider the following pairs of traditional Indian martial arts with states where they are most widely practised:
- Silambam – Assam
- Gatka – Punjab
- Huyen Langlon – Manipur
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2 & 3 Only]
Notes:
Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art from Tamil Nadu. Gatka is weapon-based Indian martial art basically created by the Sikhs of Punjab. Huyen Langlon is a traditional Indian martial art from Manipur.
10. Consider the following pairs of fairs with states where they are celebrated:
- Surajkund – Haryana
- Hemis Gompa – Jammu & Kashmir
- Ambubasi – Assam
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
This Ambubasi fair is organized every year during monsoon in the Kamakhya temple at Guwahati. It is unique as it showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India, & is the largest crafts fair in India. It is organised every year in Surajkund near Faridabad, Haryana.
