Miscellaneous (Indian Polity and Governance) Part-II

Total Questions: 50

1. Tass is the news agency of - [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (c) Russia
Solution:

TASS was the official news agency of the Soviet Union until 1991. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, a new name was given to the Russian news agency as ITAR-TASS, known as the "Information Telegraph Agency of Russia-Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union" since 1992.

Origin of the Press in India

  • The writing on the walls and on stones dating back to several centuries before Christ were the first signs of the origin of the press in India. Emperor Ashoka's edicts renouncing violence after the Kalinga war are available to this day on stone.
  • Later, paper and writing materials were invented, and state records in the form of messages from spies were maintained in a rudimentary form.
  • According to historians, 'newsletters' were the earliest though rough form of a newspaper.
  • The newsletters were published on a regular basis throughout the Mughal era. These "manuscript newspapers" served as the only source of information about historical events.
  • The practice seems to have continued until the East India Company began ruling over India.
  • It is the dissemination of these newsletters that perhaps inspired James Augustus Hickey to start his newspaper Bengal Gazette in 1780.

2. What is the name of China’s News Agency? [48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (c) New China News Agency
Solution:"New China News Agency" is the news agency of China.

Origin of the Press in India

  • The writing on the walls and on stones dating back to several centuries before Christ were the first signs of the origin of the press in India. Emperor Ashoka's edicts renouncing violence after the Kalinga war are available to this day on stone.
  • Later, paper and writing materials were invented, and state records in the form of messages from spies were maintained in a rudimentary form.
  • According to historians, 'newsletters' were the earliest though rough form of a newspaper.
  • The newsletters were published on a regular basis throughout the Mughal era. These "manuscript newspapers" served as the only source of information about historical events.
  • The practice seems to have continued until the East India Company began ruling over India.
  • It is the dissemination of these newsletters that perhaps inspired James Augustus Hickey to start his newspaper Bengal Gazette in 1780.

3. ‘Dawn’ is a newspaper of which of the following countries? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

Correct Answer: (d) Pakistan
Solution:

Dawn is a leading English newspaper of Pakistan. It was founded by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Delhi, India, on 26 October 1941.

Origin of the Press in India

  • The writing on the walls and on stones dating back to several centuries before Christ were the first signs of the origin of the press in India. Emperor Ashoka's edicts renouncing violence after the Kalinga war are available to this day on stone.
  • Later, paper and writing materials were invented, and state records in the form of messages from spies were maintained in a rudimentary form.
  • According to historians, 'newsletters' were the earliest though rough form of a newspaper.
  • The newsletters were published on a regular basis throughout the Mughal era. These "manuscript newspapers" served as the only source of information about historical events.
  • The practice seems to have continued until the East India Company began ruling over India.
  • It is the dissemination of these newsletters that perhaps inspired James Augustus Hickey to start his newspaper Bengal Gazette in 1780.

4. Government Report of which of the following countries is known as 'Yellow Book'? [48" to 52" B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (a) France
Solution:Yellow Book is the government report of the French Government.
BookReason
Blue BookAny official report of the British Government
Green BookItalian and Iranian Government.
Grey BookOfficial report of the Japanese and Belgian Government.
Orange BookOfficial publication of the Netherlands Government.
White BookOfficial Publication of Germany Portugal and China.
White PaperShort pamphlet giving authoritative account of facts issued by the Indian government startlings its views on a particular issue for the knowledge of general public.
Yellow BookOfficial book of the French Government.

5. Consider the following statements — [I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

  1. The Commonwealth has no charter, treaty, or constitution.
  2. All the territories/countries once under the British Empire (jurisdiction/rule/mandate) automatically joined the Commonwealth as its members.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:

The Commonwealth has no charter, treaty, or constitution. However, all the territories/countries once under the British Empire did not become members of the Commonwealth automatically. A country willing to be a part of the Commonwealth has to make a declaration for this. Among the former British empire, there are many countries like Burma, Egypt, Kuwait, and UAE, which never became members of the Commonwealth.

6. ‘It is an agreement by free will to be terminated by free will.’ The above statement of Pt. Nehru refers to which of the following? [U.P. P.C.S, (Mains) 2017]

Correct Answer: (a) India's Association with the Commonwealth of Nations
Solution:The above statement of Pt. Nehru refers to India's Association with the Commonwealth of Nations.

Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent sovereign states, most of which are former colonies of the United Kingdom. The British Monarch remains the head of the Commonwealth. Hence, the Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II is given the title of Head of the Commonwealth. This title doesn't hold any political power over its member countrie
Membership is normally open to countries that accept the association's basic aims. Members are required to have a present or past constitutional link to the United Kingdom or another Commonwealth member.

7. The first Indian Prime Minister who visited Afghanistan was — [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (a) Jawaharlal Nehru
Solution:The first Indian Prime Minister who visited Afghanistan was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in September, 1959, thereafter Indira Gandhi visited the country in 1976. Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Afghanistan on June 6, 2016.

Jawaharlal Nehru, a central figure in India's freedom struggle and its first Prime Minister, played a crucial role in shaping the nation's democratic, socialist, and secular framework. Nehru's leadership during pivotal moments of the independence movement, including the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements, cemented his place as a leading nationalist.
As Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, Nehru focused on building India's institutions, promoting industrialization, and establishing a non-aligned foreign policy. His vision for a modern, united, and secular India remains a cornerstone of the country's development and governance.

8. The Indian Foreign Policy of Non-Alignment was initiated by – [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]

Correct Answer: (a) Jawaharlal Nehru
Solution:After taking over as interim Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru announced a foreign policy based on non-alignment which means to 'stay away from international power groups and to develop an independent policy.'

Jawaharlal Nehru, a central figure in India's freedom struggle and its first Prime Minister, played a crucial role in shaping the nation's democratic, socialist, and secular framework. Nehru's leadership during pivotal moments of the independence movement, including the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements, cemented his place as a leading nationalist.
As Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, Nehru focused on building India's institutions, promoting industrialization, and establishing a non-aligned foreign policy. His vision for a modern, united, and secular India remains a cornerstone of the country's development and governance.

9. Which one of the following is not a principle of "Panchsheel"? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (a) Non-alignment
Solution:Meaning of "Panchsheel" is the five rules of behaviour or conduct as given below:
(i) Mutual respect for geo-regional integrity and sovereignty of each other,
(ii) Mutual non-aggression,
(iii) Non-interference in the internal matters of each other,
(iv) Mutual benefits and equality,
(v) Peaceful co-existence.
Non-alignment is not a principle of Panchsheel but the policy of non-alignment itself is based on the principles of Panchsheel.

10. Who was the Prime Minister of India when the basic principle of India's Nuclear Doctrine of 'No First Use' was adopted? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Solution:Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of India when the basic principle of India's Nuclear Doctrine of No First Use was adopted. After the 1998 nuclear test India also enunciated a doctrine of 'No first Use' of Nuclear Weapons. The doctrine was formally adopted in January, 2003.
  • About Atal Bihari Vajpayee
    Atal Bihari Vajpayee, born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, remains one of India's most revered leaders.
  • As the 11th Prime Minister of India, he carved a niche in Indian politics with his exceptional leadership, eloquence, and commitment to democratic ideals.
  • Atal Bihari Vajpayee is remembered for his ability to transcend political divisions, literary prowess, and statesmanlike demeanour that endeared him to people across party lines.