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Exam Year: 2018

  • ,

    Caste can be defined as a localized, hereditary, and endogamous group characterized by a fixed rank in a ritual hierarchy (Varna).

    New identities and associational forms of the caste system

    Caste based political parties – Eg- BSP (Dalits) or RJD/SP (Yadavs)

    Caste as a tool of political mobilization. Eg- Jat and Maratha reservation demand

    Caste coalitions to gain political bargaining power. Eg- AJGAR (Ahir, Jat, Gujar, Rajput) or MY (Muslim-Yadav) alliances.

    Intersection of Caste with Class – Eg- Emergence of a Dalit and OBC middle class.

    Caste based economic groups. Eg- Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) promoting “Dalit Capitalism”

    Urban and Professional Networks – Eg- Caste-based matrimonial preferences and housing patterns.

    Sanskritisation (M.N. Srinivas) – Lower castes adopting practices of upper castes to achieve upward mobility.

    Institutionalisation through State Policies – Eg- Reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs.

    Digital and Social Media Mobilisation – New platforms for caste assertion.

    Possibility of eradication of caste

    Arguments in favour

    Erosion of Traditional Caste Functions – Eg- rising inter-caste marriages

    Legal and Constitutional Interventions – Eg- Article 17, anti-atrocity laws.

    Urbanisation and Migration dilute caste boundaries.

    Secularization of Youth – prioritizes “Class and Merit” over “Caste and Ritual”

    Anti-caste ideologies challenging legitimacy. Eg- Ambedkarite movements.

    Argument against

    Cultural Reproduction – Caste embedded in rituals, customs, and kinship.

    Persistence of Endogamy – over 90% same caste marriages

    Vote bank politics

    Role of Family – Early internalisation of caste identity.

    Institutional Dependence on Caste Data – Eg- caste census

    While caste as a social identity may persist, caste as a system of hierarchy, discrimination, and exclusion can be dismantled through constitutional morality, education, economic justice, and social reform.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    Industrial corridors are integrated economic regions developed along high-capacity transport networks to promote manufacturing, urbanisation, and investment through node-based industrial development and world-class infrastructure.

    Significance of Industrial Corridors in India

    Manufacturing-led Growth – Helps move towards the target of 25% manufacturing share in GDP.

    Employment Generation – NICDP projects are expected to generate approximately 1 million direct and up to 3 million indirect jobs.

    Logistics Cost Reduction – Integrated with Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) → faster freight movement.

    Balanced Regional Development – Growth of backward regions Eg- Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) covering eastern states.

    Urbanisation – Planned greenfield smart cities with modern infrastructure. Eg- Dholera Special Investment Region (Gujarat).

    Export Promotion – Port-linked corridors enable export-oriented industries. Eg- Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC).

    Ancillary industrial growth and MSME Cluster Development. Eg- Eg- Auto and electronics clusters along Chennai Bangalore Industrial Corridor.

    Multi-modal connectivity – Power, roads, rail, logistics parks developed together. Eg- PM Gati Shakti integration.

    High-tech manufacturing zones – Eg- Semiconductor cluster in Dholera

    Major Industrial Corridors in India

    Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)

    Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC)

    Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (BMIC)

    Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC)

    Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC)

    Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC)

    Odisha Economic Corridor (OEC)

    Delhi-Nagpur Industrial Corridor (DNIC)

    Main Characteristics of Industrial Corridors

    Multi-modal Connectivity- Seamless integration of High-speed Rail, 6-8 lane Expressways, and Deep-water Ports. Eg- Dighi Port in DMIC.

    Plug-and-Play Infrastructure- Allotment of land with pre-cleared environmental permits and ready-to-use water, power, and gas connections.

    Greenfield Smart Cities- Entirely new urban centers built from scratch with ICT-enabled utilities. Eg- Dholera SIR.

    Walk-to-Work Culture- Residential zones are located within walking or cycling distance of industrial units to minimize commuting and pollution.

    ICT Integration- Using “Unified Logistics Interface Platform” (ULIP) and PM Gati Shakti for real-time tracking of cargo and efficient project management.

    Sector-Specific Clusters foster economies of scale. Eg- Pharma cluster in Zaheerabad or Agro-processing in Gaya

    Sustainability- Adoption of green building standards, water recycling, and massive renewable energy parks

    Single-Window Clearance- Streamlined regulatory processes through a digital interface

    PPP Model – Private sector participation in infrastructure and industry.

    Global Collaboration – Technology and finance support from international partners. Eg- Japan in DMIC, ADB in VCIC.

    Sustainable and Green Development – Eg- Use of renewable energy, zero liquid discharge systems.

    Industrial corridors are the pillars of Viksit Bharat @2047 and key to transition to a globally competitive manufacturing economy.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    While the Bhakti movement originated in South India in the 7th century, the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) marked its “Golden Phase”, especially in Eastern India.

    Key Pillars of the Bhakti Tradition

    Emotional surrender (prem bhakti) as the path to salvation

    Nama-smarana and kirtana as primary devotional practices

    Equality of all devotees, irrespective of caste or gender

    Direct relationship between devotee and God, without priestly mediation

    Use of vernacular languages to reach the masses

    Saguna and Nirguna traditions accommodating diverse spiritual paths

    Ethical living and moral conduct as integral to devotion

    Inclusiveness and social harmony

    Integration of spirituality with everyday life

    Re-orientation of the bhakti movement under sri chaitanya mahaprabhu

    Popularisation of Nama-sankirtana

    Chaitanya emphasised collective chanting of the divine name as the highest form of devotion. Eg- “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” chant.

    Bhakti shifted from individual contemplation to mass congregational worship.

    He elevated Radha-Krishna worship as the supreme spiritual ideal. Radha-bhava symbolised the deepest emotional bond between devotee and God.

    Chaitanya was a Saguna bhakti proponent, worshipping a personal God with attributes.Encouraged kirtans, singing, dancing, and ecstatic devotion as legitimate spiritual paths.

    He propounded Achintya Bheda-Abheda, emphasising the inconceivable unity and difference between God and the soul.

    Simplification of Religious Practice – Salvation was made accessible through bhagavan-nama alone, without rituals or priestly mediation.

    Social Inclusiveness and Anti-Caste Orientation

    Chaitanya condemned caste discrimination in spiritual life.

    Devotion, not birth, became the criterion for salvation. Eg- Association with Haridas Thakur, a Muslim-born devotee.

    Open participation of lower castes and women in Bhakti practices.

    Emphasis on personal emotional experience, not blind ritualism. It encouraged an intimate, personal relationship with God.

    Institutionalisation through Sankirtana Mandalis – devotees sang, danced, and worshipped collectively.

    Chaitanya travelled widely across Bengal, Odisha, and South India. He established ashrams and devotional centres, ensuring pan-regional diffusion of Bhakti.

    By emotionalising devotion, collectivising worship, dismantling caste barriers, and institutionalising Bhakti, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave the movement a new direction and vitality.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:

    1.In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
    2.In the Lok Sabha, a “Leader of the Opposition” was recognised for the first time in 1969.
    3.In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of Opposition.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a)

    1 and 3 only

    (b)

    2 only

    (c)

    2 and 3 only

    (d)

    1, 2 and 3

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following countries:
    1. Australia
    2. Canada
    3. China
    4. India
    5. Japan
    6. USA
    Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?

    (a)

    1, 2, 4 and 5

    (b)

    3, 4, 5 and 6

    (c)

    1, 3, 4 and 5

    (d)

    2, 3, 4 and 6

    Correct Answer:

    (c)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:

    1.The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
    2.Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
    3.Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a)

    1 and 2 only

    (b)

    3 only

    (c)

    2 and 3 only

    (d)

    1, 2 and 3

    Correct Answer:

    (c)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:

    1.The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
    2.Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
    3.The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    (a)

    1 only

    (b)

    2 and 3

    (c)

    3 only

    (d)

    1 and 3

    Correct Answer:

    (a)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:

    1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
    2. The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a)

    1 only

    (b)

    2 only

    (c)

    Both 1 and 2

    (d)

    Neither 1 nor 2

    Correct Answer:

    (a)

  • ,

    Consider the following:

    1. Areca nut
    2. Barley
    3. Coffee
    4. Finger millet
    5. Groundnut
    6. Sesamum
    7. Turmeric

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affair, has announced the Minimum Support Prick for which of the above?

    (a)

    1, 2, 3 and 7 only

    (b)

    2, 4, 5 and 6 only

    (c)

    1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only

    (d)

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:

    1.Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is the amount that banks have to maintain in the form of their own funds to offset any loss that banks incur if any account-holders fail to repay dues.
    2.CAR is decided by each individual bank.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a)

    1 only

    (b)

    2 only

    (c)

    Both 1 and 2

    (d)

    Neither 1 nor 2

    Correct Answer:

    (a)