1. The Indian Navy Day (IND) is celebrated on which date?
[A] December 10
[B] December 4
[C] December 6
[D] December 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [December 4]
Notes:
The Indian Navy Day (IND) is observed every year on 4th December every year to remember the courage and determination that Indian Navy had shown during the 1971 war. During the India-Pakistan war of 1971, the Indian Navy played a significant role in the bombing of the Karachi harbor and sank Pakistan Naval Ship PNS Ghazi. The Navy Day celebrations not only display the nation’s technological progress but also the maritime achievements of India. The Indian Navy plays a great role in securing the marine borders of the country as well as enhancing the international relations of the country through foreign port callings, joint exercises, humanitarian missions and calamity relief.
2. The First G-20 Summit was held in which among the following places?
[A] London
[B] New York
[C] Washington
[D] Pittsburgh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Washington]
Notes:
The first G-20 summit was held in Washington D.C., United States, in response to the global financial crisis. The summit brought together leaders from 20 major economies to discuss solutions to the crisis and ways to reform the international financial system. The city was chosen as the host because it is the home of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, two key institutions involved in addressing the global financial crisis.
3. Which among the following is not an international agreement centered around Finance and Economic Cooperation?
[A] Abuja Treaty
[B] Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
[C] Kyoto protocol
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kyoto protocol]
Notes:
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty related to Climate Change. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and came into force in 2005. It extends the 1992 UNFCCC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Wich date is observed Central Excise day ?
[A] January 24
[B] February 24
[C] March 24
[D] April 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February 24]
Notes:
Central Excise Day is observed on February 24 in India. This day commemorates the establishment of the Central Excise Department in 1944, which plays a crucial role in the country’s revenue system by collecting indirect taxes on goods produced or manufactured in India. The observance aims to raise awareness about the importance of excise duties and the role of the department in the economy.
5. ASEAN Plus Three is a forum that functions as a coordinator of cooperation between Association of Southeast Asian Nations & three more countries. Which among the following option represents these 3 countries?
[A] India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka
[B] India, Australia & New Zealand
[C] China, Japan,& South Korea.
[D] China, US and Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China, Japan,& South Korea.]
Notes:
ASEAN Plus Three is a forum that functions as a coordinator of cooperation between Association of Southeast Asian Nations & three more countries. They are China,Japan and South Korea. ASEAN-The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic. Its headquarters is in Jakarta, Indonesia.
6. The Hyogo Framework for Action was adopted in a United Nations Conference for which among the following for the period of 2005-15?
[A] Green Energy
[B] Climate Changes
[C] Carbon Economy
[D] Natural Disasters
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Natural Disasters]
Notes:World Conference on Disaster Reduction is a United Nations conference bringing together government officials, non-governmental experts and other specialists from around the world to discuss the growing trend of people affected by natural disasters. The first WCDR conference was held in Kobe, Japan January 10- 22, 2005. The outcome of this conference was Hyogo Framework for Action. The HFA suggests five specific priorities for action:
- Making disaster risk reduction a priority;
- Improving risk information and early warning;
- Building a culture of safety and resilience;
- Reducing the risks in key sectors;
- Strengthening preparedness for response.
7. Which of the following is the main watchdog of international trade? (UPSC Prelims 1991)
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] GATT
[D] WTO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [WTO]
Notes:
The main watchdog of international trade is the World Trade Organization (WTO). Established on January 1, 1995, the WTO is an international organization designed to supervise and liberalize international trade. It replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was created in 1948.
8. Which one of the following was used as a chemical weapon in the First World War? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] Carbon monoxide
[B] Hydrogen cyanide
[C] Mustard gas
[D] Water gas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mustard gas]
Notes:
Although the Germans were the first to use phosgene on the battlefield, it became the primary chemical weapon of the Allies. Phosgene was responsible for 85% of chemical-weapons fatalities during World War I. Mustard gas, a potent blistering agent, was dubbed King of the Battle Gases.
9. At which one of the cities labelled as A, B, C and D on the given map of Europe was the historic treaty between NATO and Warsaw Pact countries signed in 1998?

(UPSC Prelims 2000)
[A] A
[B] B
[C] C
[D] D
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [C]
Notes:
In the given figure of Europe the ‘c’ marked city is Brussels, where historic treaty between NATO and warsaw pact was signed in 1998.
Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium comprising 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium.
10. Who is the author of the book “Voice of Conscience”? (UPSC Prelims 2004)
[A] V.V. Giri
[B] Dr. Rajendra Prasad
[C] Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
[D] Zakir Husain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [V.V. Giri]
Notes:
The book “Voice of Conscience” was written by Varahagiri Venkata Giri, commonly known as V. V. Giri. V.V. Giri was the fourth president of India, serving his term from 24th August 1969 to 24th August 1974. In his book, he shares his experiences and views on important social and political issues, reflecting his commitment to public service and the welfare of the society.