SOLVED PAPER 2024 (CDS) (I) (General Knowledge)

Total Questions: 120

1. Consider the following statements about the Jorwe culture of the Deccan.

1. It covers, practically, the whole of modern Maharashtra except the coastal Konkan district.
2. The Pravara-Godavari valleys seem to have been the nuclear zone.
3. The large sites of this culture yield evidence of shifting agriculture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Statements 1 and 2 are correct about the Jorwe culture. It was a Chalcolithic archaeological culture. It existed in large areas of what is now Maharashtra state in Western India, It also reached North into the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. There has been no evidence found of jorwe culture in Eastern Konkan district. Pravara-Godavari valley was the nuclear zone of Jorwe culture. Statement 3 is incorrect. There was no evidence of shifting agriculture in large sites of Jowre culture. The largest settlement was Daimabad.

2. Consider the following statements about Madurai, the capital city of the Pandya kingdom.

1. It has been described in Maduraikanchi as a large grand city, enclosed by walls on three sides and the Vaigai river on the fourth side.
2. The Arthashastra mentions it as a centre of fine cotton textiles.
3. Other literary sources describe it as a major craft centre.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:All three Statements 1,2 and 3 are correct with reference to Madurai the capital city of Pandya kingdom. According to Maduraikkanchi, Madurai was large grand city, enclosed by walls on three sides and the Vaigai river on the fourth side. Maduraikkanchi was composed by Manukti Marutanar who was chief poet of Pandya king Nedunjeliyan in Arthashastra.

It has been mentions it as a centre of fine cotton Arthashastra was written by Chanakya. Many Other literary sources describe it as a major craft centre i.e., Manumekali which was written by a grain merchant of Madurai.

3. Consider the following statements about Sawai Jai Singh's astronomical work.

1. He learnt of the accuracy of European observations and obtained de La Hire's tables form which he reproduced a refraction table.
2. His astronomers also developed a telescope of their own to observe the lunar phases of Venus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Both Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Sawai Jai Singh, the statesman astronomer of 18th-century India, made significant contributions to astronomy. To enhance his own work, he obtained de La Hire's astronomical tables.

These tables likely included valuable data related to celestial positions, refraction and other astronomical phenomena form de La Hire's tables. His astronomers also developed a telescope of their own to observe the lunar phases of Venus.

Sawai Jai Singh designed and constructed impressive masonry astronomical instruments and observatories across India. These structures were unparalleled in their accuracy and scale.

4. Man Kautuhal, a work on music, was prepared under the aegis of

Correct Answer: (a) Raja Man Singh of Gwalior
Solution:Man kautuhal was the name of a treatise created under the patronage of Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior-Various assemblance of Sangeet sammelan organised by Raja are compiled in this book.

Man Singh Tomar is credited with composing three volumes of songs Vishupadas, Dhrupadas and Hari songs associated with Holi.

5. Consider the following statements regarding the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.

1. This programme is initiated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with disabilities Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. It aims to develop an inclusive society for persons with disabilities.
3. It has provisions of pension for persons with disabilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Solution:Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan also known as the Accessible India Campaign. It is a nationwide flagship campaign led by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The primary goal of the campaign is to create a barrier-free and conducive environment for Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities - PwDs) across the country.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan primarily focuses on accessibility, awareness and sensitisation. It does not directly provide pensions for persons with disabilities. However, it aims to improve their overall quality of life by ensuring equal opportunities and rights.

6. Which one among the following was not a part of the action programme of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Correct Answer: (c) Taking control of the law and order machinery of the State by the Congress Working Committee.
Solution:Taking control of the law and order machinery of the State by the Congress Working Committee was not a part of the Non-Cooperation Movement. The movement focused on non-cooperation and peaceful protest rather than seizing control of law enforcement.

7. Consider the following statements about the Mauryan State and the forest people.

1. The forest people were subjected to new forms of political and economic dominance and the necessity to subordinate and assimilate them led to a change in the earlier attitude of excluding these people from Imperial Territory.
2. The state recognised that the forest produce was the sole monopoly of the forest people.
3. The state was concerned with the conservation of forests and to this end the burning of forests was prohibited.
4. The forest people could be harnessed to serve the state and could be used as troops, spies and assassins.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 3
Solution:Three of the above statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. The Mauryan state indeed exercised control over various aspects of economic life within its territory. It organised agriculture, industry and trade. However, it's important to note that the forest people were not necessarily excluded from imperial territory.

The Mauryan state recognised the value of forest resources. Forests provided essential materials such as timber, honey and wax. However, it did not consider forest produce as the sole monopoly of the forest people. Instead, the state actively managed forests and protected selected patches of forest.

The Mauryan state did take an interest in forest conservation. However, there is no clear evidence that they prohibited the burning of forests. Forests were valuable for their resources and the state likely balanced exploitation with conservation efforts.

Statement 4 is not correct because the Mauryan state did not necessarily use forest people as trops, spies, or assassins, it did rely on them for specific contributions to the economy and administration.

8. At which of the following places was diamond mining carried out during the Delhi Sultanate period?

Correct Answer: (c) Panna
Solution:During the Delhi Sultanate period, diamond mining primarily took place in the drainages of the Pannar river and Krishna river in modern Andhra Pradesh state.

These regions were known for placer mining, where diamonds were extracted from riverbeds and alluvial deposits. The diamond mines in Andhra Pradesh were significant during this time.

9. Which one of the following statements is true for James Webb Space Telescope launched in December 2021?

Correct Answer: (a) It orbits the Sun, about 15 lakh km away from the Earth.
Solution:Statement (a) is correct. It orbits the Sun, about 15 lakh km away from the Earth. It actually orbits the Sun, 1.5 million kilometres (1 million miles) away from the Earth it is called the second Lagrange point or L2. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a monumental leap in space exploration and astrophysics. Launched on 25th December, 2021, it is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built, serving as the premier space-based observatory.

Developed by NASA, the European and Canadian space agencies.

Its key objectives are To look for galaxies that formed just after the Big Bang.

To determine the evolution of galaxies from their creation to the present. To examine the stages of star creation till the formation of planetary systems. To investigate the potential for life in planetary systems by measuring their physical and chemical features.

10. Which of the following particles are sub-atomic particles?

1. Electron
2. Proton
3. Neutron
4. Muon

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:Electron, proton and neutron are subatomic particles. Proton and neutrons are present in the nucleus and almost whole of the mass of an atom resides in the nucleus while electron moves around the nucleus. Electron mass is 9.1' 10 31-kg and have 1 unit -ve charge 16 10 19.' -coulomb. Proton mass 1.672 to 10'27-kg and have one unit + ve charge 16 10 19. '- coulomb. Mass of neutron is 1675 10 27.' - kg and do not have any charge.