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Exam Year: 2023

  • ,

    Traditionally, marriage in India has been viewed as a sacrament, symbolising a lifelong, sacred, and indissoluble bond. However, social change has led to a re-evaluation of this sacramental character.

    Marriage as a sacrament losing its value

    The increasing legal and social acceptance of divorce contradicts the sacramental view of marriage as an “eternal union.”

    Decline in the role of family in marital decisions highlights the changing nature of marriage from “duty” to personal choice.

    Rising median age of marriage for women (NFHS-5) highlights preference for education and careers over marriage

    Shift toward “Symmetrical Families” – Traditional hierarchy (Husband as God/Pati-Parmeshwar) is being replaced by egalitarian partnerships. Eg- rise in “dual income” households

    Emergence of Live-in Relationships – The growing preference for cohabitation without religious rituals directly bypasses the sacramental requirement.

    Economic Independence of Women – As per Leela Dube, as women gain property rights and careers, they prioritize “self-respect” over the “sacramental duty” to remain in dysfunctional marriages.

    “De-ritualization” (Yogendra Singh) – Marriage has shifted from a religious rite to a “Big Fat Indian Wedding” focused on conspicuous consumption.

    Commercialization of marriage. Eg- rise of matchmaking sites like shaadi.com

    However, sacramental value still persists

    Continued Importance of Rituals – Eg- Performance of saptapadi, mangalsutra, kanyadaan.

    Persistence of endogamy and arranged marriages

    Marriage remains a key marker of adulthood. Eg- Social pressure to marry across regions.

    Despite the increase, divorce remains low compared to global standards.

    Marriage is still valued as the foundation of family and society.

    The sacramental view is still strong in rural and semi-urban areas.

    Reinterpretation Rather than Rejection – Eg- Love marriages solemnised with traditional rituals.

    SC’s decision to not recognise “same sex marriages” (Supriyo v. Union of India) highlight sacramental value of marriage

    Marriage as a pure sacrament is undergoing transformation in modern India, but it is not losing its value entirely. As Yogendra Singh suggests, we are witnessing a “Modernization of Tradition.”

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    In January 2026, United Nations scientists formally declared the dawn of an “Era of Global Water Bankruptcy,” signaling that the world has exceeded its renewable hydrological limits.

    Reasons for the Crisis of Availability

    Limited availability of freshwater – only 2% of global water resources are freshwater. 87% stored in glaciers.

    Melting “Water Towers”-Eg- low-latitude mountain ranges have lost over 30% of their glacier mass since 1970, threatening the perennial flow of rivers like the Indus and Yangtze.

    Hydrological Volatility-Climate change has intensified the water cycle, leading to “flash droughts” and “extreme precipitation.”

    Chronic Groundwater Over-extraction-Agriculture and industry are “mining” water faster than the earth can replenish it.

    Water Quality Degradation-Over 80% of global wastewater is discharged into the environment untreated, contaminating remaining freshwater sources.

    Deforestation and land degradation – Eg- Forested watersheds have lost up to 22% of their cover in the last 15 years, leading to increased sedimentation in reservoirs and reduced groundwater seepage.

    Reasons for the Crisis of Access

    Infrastructural Disrepair-aging or non-existent pipes and treatment plants limit access.

    Lack of funding for water distribution infrastructure. Eg- Democratic Republic of Congo possesses 50% of Africa’s water but has a very low rate of per-capita access to potable water.

    Urban-Rural Inequality-Infrastructure investment is disproportionately centered in affluent urban hubs, leaving rural areas behind.

    Rapid, Unplanned Urbanization-Growth in “megacities” has outpaced the expansion of utility networks. Eg- day zero in Chennai and Banglore

    Institutional Failure & Corruption-Mismanagement of water utilities leads to high costs and unreliable service. Eg- tanker mafia in Pune

    To reverse the “global water bankruptcy,” the way forward must include-

    Water-Smart Agriculture-Transitioning to drip irrigation and drought-resistant crops (like millets).

    Circular Water Economy-Mandatory recycling of industrial and municipal wastewater to “close the loop.”

    Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)-Investing in “Sponge Cities” and artificial recharge

    Universal Water Governance-international treaty to protect transboundary basins.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE) was established by Qutbuddin Aibak after the decline of Ghurid power, marking the beginning of a new phase of technological diffusion and institutional transformation in medieval India.

    Technological Changes Introduced During the Sultanate Period

    Agriculture

    Persian wheel (saqiya) improved irrigation efficiency and water lifting. Led to expansion of cultivation in Punjab and Doab regions.

    Improved iron tools and ploughs enhanced productivity.

    Introduction of new crops from West and Central Asia. Eg- Spinach, carrot, watermelon, pomegranate.

    Coinage

    Introduction of standardised metallic currency. Eg- Silver tanka and copper jital under Iltutmish.

    Experimentation with token currency. Eg- Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s copper token coins.

    Architecture

    Development of Indo-Islamic architectural style blending Indian and Persian elements.

    Introduction of true arch, dome, and vault using lime mortar. Eg- Alai Darwaza, Qutub Minar complex.

    Infrastructure

    Construction of roads, bridges, sarais, and canals. Eg- Road networks and sarais under Alauddin Khalji.

    Textiles

    Introduction of spinning wheel (charkha) led to expansion of cotton weaving in northern India.

    Use of new dyeing and weaving techniques from Central Asia.

    Military Technology

    Use of composite bow, iron stirrup, and horse-based cavalry warfare.

    Introduction of standing armies and branding of horses (dagh system).

    Paper Technology

    Introduction of paper manufacturing by replacing palm-leaf manuscripts.

    Expansion of record-keeping, education, and administration.

    Influence of These Technological Changes on Indian Society

    Agrarian Expansion – Eg- Use of Persian wheel in the Indo-Gangetic plains supported multiple cropping.

    Agricultural surplus and craft specialisation encouraged urban centres. Eg- Expansion of Delhi, Multan, Lahore as commercial towns.

    Monetisation of the Economy – Standardised coinage facilitated trade and taxation.

    Expansion of Trade – Better roads and sarais increased mobility of goods and merchants.

    Rise of Artisan and Craft Communities – Eg- Growth of weavers, masons, metalworkers in urban centres.

    Paper-based record keeping improved governance efficiency. Eg- Maintenance of revenue and military registers.

    Cultural Synthesis – Architectural innovations blended Indian and Islamic styles.

    Social Mobility- New professions emerged beyond traditional caste roles. Eg- Employment in karkhanas and state workshops.

    Technological diffusion linked India to global networks. Eg- West and Central Asia.

    The technological innovations of the Sultanate period laid the structural foundations of medieval Indian society and influenced subsequent Mughal developments.

    (a)

    (b)

    (c)

    (d)

    Correct Answer:

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:
    1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
    2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining acces and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
    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:

    (c)

  • ,

    Consider the following pairs:
    Site : Well Known for
    1. Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine
    2. Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine
    3. Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrine
    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    (a)

    Only one

    (b)

    Only two

    (c)

    All three

    (d)

    None

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements :
    Statement-I :
    In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons.
    Statement-II:
    In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    (a)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (b)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (c)

    Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

    (d)

    Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

    Correct Answer:

    (c)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements :
    Statement-I:
    Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.
    Statement-II :
    Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    (a)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (b)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (c)

    Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

    (d)

    Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I:
    The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
    Statement-II:
    The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    (a)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (b)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (c)

    Statement-I is correct but statement-II is incorrect

    (d)

    Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

    Correct Answer:

    (d)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:
    1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) Programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financial deprived.
    2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
    3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    (a)

    Only one

    (b)

    Only two

    (c)

    All three

    (d)

    None

    Correct Answer:

    (b)

  • ,

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I:
    According to the United Nations’ ‘World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than a quarter of world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.
    Statement-II:
    India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in its territory.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    (a)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (b)

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

    (c)

    Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

    (d)

    Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

    Correct Answer:

    (c)