1. In BIMSTEC, B stands for which among the following?
[A] Bengal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Bay of Bengal
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bay of Bengal]
Notes:
BIMSTEC-Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
The BIMSTEC is sub-regional grouping comprising of seven countries of South Asia- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and South East Asia- – Myanmar, Thailand. It was established on 6 June 1997 through Bangkok Declaration. It is headquartered at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2. Which among the following agencies is not based in Basel, Switzerland?
[A] Bank for International Settlements ( BIS)
[B] Financial Stability Forum (FSF)
[C] Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)]
Notes:
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is not based in Basel, Switzerland. it is headquartered in Paris, France. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) are both located in Basel. The OECD, established in 1961, focuses on economic development and policy coordination among member countries.
3. India has also been conducting joint naval exercises named SIMBEX since 1994 with which of the following countries?
[A] Singapore
[B] Australia
[C] Srilanka
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Singapore]
Notes:
SIMBEX is a naval exercise that takes place between the navies of Singapore and India. It is an acronym for “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise”. The exercise typically involves a variety of naval drills and training activities designed to improve the interoperability and cooperation between the participating navies. The first SIMBEX exercise was held in 1994, and it has been conducted annually ever since.
4. On which date International Women’s Day was observed?
[A] March 8
[B] March 11
[C] March 18
[D] March 28
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [March 8]
Notes:
International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 each year. This date was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, although its roots trace back to the early 20th century, with the first official celebration occurring in 1911. The day highlights women’s achievements and advocates for gender equality globally.
5. The United Nations General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General of the United Nations on recommendation of which of the following organ?
[A] Security Council
[B] Secretariat
[C] International Court of Justice
[D] ICJ and Security Council
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Security Council]
Notes:
The correct answer is the Security Council. The United Nations General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General based on the recommendation of the Security Council, as outlined in Article 97 of the UN Charter. This process emphasizes the Security Council’s role in maintaining international peace and security, as the Secretary-General often acts as a mediator in conflicts. The first Secretary-General was Trygve Lie, appointed in 1946.
6. Group of 77 at the United Nations is a loose coalition of developing nations for economic promotion. All the countries of which of the following continents are members of the G-77?
[A] Africa
[B] Asia
[C] Europe
[D] Latin America
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Latin America]
Notes:
Group of 77 at the United Nations is a loose coalition of developing nations for economic promotion. All the countries of Latin America are part of this group. It is designed to promote its members collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations.
7. Who was the author of Hir- Ranjha ?
[A] Mulla Daud
[B] Khafi Khan
[C] Warish Shah
[D] Nizamuddin Ahmed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Warish Shah]
Notes:
The Punjabi Sufi poet of Chisti order, Peer Syed Waris Shah was the author of the book “Hir- Ranjha”. It is the tragic love story of Hir and Ranjha, written in 1766 AD.
8. Who is the author of the renowned book “Theory of Indian Mutiny”?
[A] PC Joshi
[B] SB Chaudhari
[C] Maulana Azad
[D] RC Majumdar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SB Chaudhari]
Notes:
Dr. SB Chaudhari is credited for authorship of the influential work “Theory of Indian Mutiny”. This compositions, along with “Civil Rebellion and the Indian Mutiny”, give an in-depth analysis of the 1857 Indian uprising. Dr. Chaudhari’s writings are highly considered for their unbiased and in-depth portrayal of the historical events surrounding the Indian Mutiny.
9. Some countries consider the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) discriminatory because__:
[A] It seeks to prevent of nuclear energy for all purposes including peaceful purposes
[B] It gives the right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes to only some countries
[C] It prevents the countries to withdraw from the treaty once they have joined it
[D] None of the above is a correct answer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ None of the above is a correct answer ]
Notes:
NPT is a worldwide treaty that bans all members except the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States from having nuclear weapons and commits those five states to eventually eliminating their atomic arsenals. India, Israel, Pakistan have never signed the treaty whereas North Korea acceded in 1985 but, withdrawn in 2003.
10. With reference to Indian defence, which one of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC Prelims 2003)
[A] With the induction of Prithvi II, the IAF is the only airforce in the world with surface-to-surface ballistic missiles under its command
[B] Sukhoi-30 MKI jet fighters can launch air-to-air and air-to-surface precision missiles
[C] Trishul is a supersonic surface to-air missile-with a range of 30 km
[D] The indigenously built INS Prabal can launch surface-to-surface missiles
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [With the induction of Prithvi II, the IAF is the only airforce in the world with surface-to-surface ballistic missiles under its command]
Notes:
With the induction of Prithvi-II, the IAF is the only air force in the world with surface to surface ballistic missiles under its command.
