KAS Prelims Mixed Practice Test #497

Question 1

With which battle did the East India Company acquire the right to collect taxes in Bihar, Bengal and Orissa?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Buxar 1764 — The Battle of Buxar (1764) gave the Company Diwani rights over Bihar, Bengal and Orissa.‌​‍

Answer

Plassey 1757

Answer

Wandiwash 1760

Answer

Panipat 1761

Question 2

Post Office Savings Bank belongs to which list of the Constitution?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Union list — Post Office Savings Bank is in the Union List (Entry 39).‌​‍

Answer

Residuary powers

Answer

State list

Answer

Concurrent list

Question 3

The Bourbon dynasty ruled which country before the French Revolution?

Accepted Answer

France — The Bourbon dynasty ruled France from Henry IV (1589) until Louis XVI's overthrow.

Answer

Spain

Answer

Austria

Answer

Portugal

Question 4

Conformity study — Solomon Asch:

Accepted Answer

Majority influence on line-judgment tasks — 75% conformed at least once — Normative and informational social influence. Group size, unanimity affect conformity.

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Authority

Answer

Bystander

Question 5

Lokpal Chair qualification:

Accepted Answer

Former CJI or SC judge — Former CJI/SC judge or eminent person.

Answer

Any retired judge

Answer

Eminent

Answer

Senior IAS

Question 6

The economic reforms initiated in India in 1991, often referred to as the LPG reforms, were a direct response to a severe economic crisis. Among the following, which was the most critical immediate factor that precipitated the need for these comprehensive reforms?

Accepted Answer

B. A severe balance of payments crisis coupled with dwindling foreign exchange reserves. — The 1991 economic reforms were primarily triggered by a severe balance of payments crisis, where India's foreign exchange reserves had fallen to critically low levels, barely enough to cover a few weeks of imports. This crisis was exacerbated by the Gulf War, which led to a spike in oil prices and reduced remittances, alongside a large fiscal deficit. The other options do not accurately reflect the immediate and critical factors leading to the 1991 reforms.

Answer

A. Chronic food grain shortages leading to widespread famine.

Answer

C. Over-reliance on agricultural exports leading to price volatility.

Answer

D. Excessive foreign direct investment causing domestic market distortion.

Question 7

The Emergency in India (1975) was declared under which article?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Article 352 — National Emergency was declared on 25 June 1975 under Article 352. ‌​‍Art. 356 = State Emergency (President's Rule). ‌​‍Art. 360 = Financial Emergency.

Answer

Article 370

Answer

Article 356

Answer

Article 360

Question 8

First Muslim President:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

All three — 3 Muslim Presidents.‌​‍

Answer

APJ Abdul Kalam

Answer

Zakir Hussain

Answer

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Question 9

A blue litmus paper turns red in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Acidic solution — Acids turn blue litmus red; bases turn red litmus blue.‌​‍

Answer

Salt solution

Answer

Basic solution

Answer

Neutral water

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a member of the BRICS economic alliance as of 2024?

Accepted Answer

A. Indonesia — Indonesia is a potential candidate for BRICS expansion but has not yet joined as a full member as of 2024. South Africa, Brazil, and India are founding members of BRICS, established in 2009. The alliance focuses on economic cooperation among major emerging markets.

Answer

B. South Africa

Answer

C. Brazil

Answer

D. India

KAS Prelims Mixed Practice Test #497