SOLVED PAPER 2020 (CDS) (II) (General Studies)

Total Questions: 120

41. The largest Barrier Reef System in the world is found at

Correct Answer: (a) East Australian Coast
Solution:The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef. It is found off the East Australian coast. It is made up of nearly 2900 coral reefs and over 600 islands. It is 3,27,800 km² big and 2600 km long. It has been listed as an important World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

It is home to over 1600 species of fish, 411 species of hard coral and 150 species of soft coral, more than 30 species of whales and dolphins and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest structure made by living things. It can be seen from outer space. The biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef today is coral bleaching caused by high sea water temperatures as a result of global warming.

42. During the 19th century, who among the following wrote Satapatra Series?

Correct Answer: (d) GH Deshmukh
Solution:‘Lokahitavadi’ Gopal Hari Deshmukh wrote Satapatra Series (1848-50) in which he called for social reforms, advocated indigenous enterprise, but also welcomed British rule. Gopal Hari Deshmukh ( 1823 - 1892) was an activist, thinker, social reformer and writer from Maharashtra.

43. Which one of the following was not a demand made by the Congress moderates?

Correct Answer: (a) Universal Adult Franchise
Solution:Universal Adult Franchise was not a demand made by the Congress moderates.

The early phase of the Congress was dominated by the ‘moderates’. They believed in British rule and were loyal to them.

Prominent moderate leaders-Dadabhai Naoroji, Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, G. Subramania Aiyer, Sir Surendranath Banerjee and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

Major Popular Demands of the Moderates

  • Decreased land revenue tax and ending peasant oppression.
  • Education of the masses and organising public opinion, make people aware of their rights.
  • Indian representation in the Executive Council and in the Indian Council in London.
  • Separation of the Executive from the judiciary.
  • Decreased land revenue tax and ending peasant oppression.
  • After 1892, raised the slogan, ‘‘No taxation without representation’’.
  • Abolishing salt tax and duty on sugar.
  • Freedom of speech and expression.
  • Freedom to form associations.
  • Development of modern capitalist industries in India.
  • End of economic drain of India by the British.
  • Repealing the Arms Act of 1878.

44. Who among the following founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental Defence Association (1893)?

Correct Answer: (d) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
Solution:Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental Defence Association was established in 1893 by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as a part of the Aligarh Movement. He established it as he considered competence in English and Western Sciences necessary skills for maintaining Muslims' political influence, especially in Northern India. Also, the growing influence and popularity of the Congress became a cause of concern for the British. In order to counter the growing influence of the Congress, the British encouraged the formation of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (M.A.O.) Defence Association. Sir Syed Ahmed Taqvi bin Syed Muhammad Muttaqi (1817-1898), commonly known as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, was an Islamic pragmatist, reformer, and philosopher of nineteenth century. He is considered as the pioneer of Muslim nationalism in India.

45. After the First World War, the Triveni Sangh was formed by

Correct Answer: (d) the Ahirs and Kurmis
Solution:The Triveni Sangh was formed in 1934 by the members of three backward castes of Bihar, namely Yadavs (Ahirs), Koer and Kurmi. It was formed to fight against the political solidarity of ‘middle peasant castes’ as well as to carve a space in democratic politics for the lower castes. Its nomenclature was derived from the confluence of three mighty rivers viz. The Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Allahabad. The Sangh claimed of having atleast one million dues-paying members. Its formation was countered by the formation of Indian National Congress's Backward class Federation, which was established at the same time.

46. Who among the following was the first to accept a ministerial position in the Central Provinces in October 1925?

Correct Answer: (c) SB Tambe
Solution:Shripad Balwant Tambe accepted a ministerial position in the central provinces in October, 1925. He was a pledger from Amravati in Berar division of Central Provinces. He was a member of the Swaraj Party and President of the Central Provinces Legislative Council. His appointment created political interest throughout India and the Swaraj Party.

Balakrishna Shivram Moonje was a leader of the Hindu Mahasabha in India.

Makund Ramrao Jayakar was the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Poona.

Birendra Nath Sasmal was a lawyer and political leader. He was known as Deshpran because of his work for the country and for his efforts in the Swadeshi Movement.

47. Who among the following formed the National Liberation Federation (Liberal Party)?

Correct Answer: (c) TB Sapru and MR Jayakar
Solution:The National Liberation Federation (Liberal Party) was formed by Surendra Nath Banerjee and some of its prominent leaders were Tej Bahadur Sapru, VS Srinivasa Sastri and MR Jayakar. The Liberal Party was formed in 1910, and British intellectuals and British officials were often participating members of its committees. Tej Bahadur Sapru emerged as the most important leader among the Liberals.

48. The National Disaster Management Authority functions under the Ministry of

Correct Answer: (b) Home Affairs
Solution:The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was established through the Disaster Management Act enacted by the Parliament on December 23rd 2005.

NDMA is responsible for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best practices for coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to ensure a holistic and distributed approach to disaster management. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the Chairman of the NDMA. The members enjoy the rank of Secretary of the Union government.

49. The socialist idea of Sapta Kranti (Seven Revolutions) was proposed by

Correct Answer: (a) Ram Manohar Lohia
Solution:The socialist idea of Sapta Kranti (Seven Revolutions) was proposed by great socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia.

His Seven Revolutions include

1. For equality between man and woman.
2. Against political, economic and race-based inequalities.
3. For the destruction of castes.
4. Against foreign domination.
5. For economic equality, planned production and against private property.
6. Against interference in private life.
7. Against arms and weapons and for Satyagraha.

He provided the ideological and organisational base for OBC empowerment. Much of his career was devoted to combating injustice through the development of a distinctly Indian version of socialism.

50. Which one among the following is not a character of a Secular State?

Correct Answer: (c) A State in order to be secular must be democratic.
Solution:For being a Secular State, it is not necessary that State must be democratic. There are many autocratic states which are secular. The characteristics of Secular State are as follows
  • The term ‘Secular’ means being ‘separate’ from religion, or having no religious basis.
  • It refuses theocracy.
  • It must prevent religious conflict and promote religious harmony.
  • Religion is kept separate from the social, political, economic and cultural spheres of life.