PAS Pre-2019 General Studies Paper
Current Affairs
Q1. Which of the following has been included in the 8 wonders of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?
(a) Bhimbetka caves
(b) Golden Temple
(c) Statue of Unity
(d) Amber Fort
Answer: (c) Statue of Unity
Q2. To which country India gifted a ‘Made in India’ patrol vessel named ‘KAAMIYAAB’?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Maldives
(c) South Africa
(d) Bangladesh
Answer: (b) Maldives
Q3. Which Indian Air Force aircraft was decommissioned on December 27, 2019?
(a) MiG-27
(b) MiG-29
(c) Sukhoi-30
(d) MiG-21
Answer: (a) MiG-27
Q4. Which Tribal refugee community will now be given permission to settle in Tripura following the signing of a historic agreement on January 16, 2020?
(a) Jaintia
(b) Bru-Reang
(c) Rengma-Bodo
(d) Deori-Garo
Answer: (b) Bru-Reang
Q5. What is the ranking of Indian Passport in Henley Passport Index 2020?
(a) 40
(b) 52
(c) 66
(d) 84
Answer: (d) 84
Q6. Where is the headquarters of Global Tiger Forum (GTF)?
(a) Kathmandu
(b) New Delhi
(c) Dhaka
(d) Beijing
Answer: (b) New Delhi
Q7. What is ‘BOID QIT’, which was in the news recently?
(a) Biodiversity conservation techniques
(b) Digital monitoring of the borders
(c) DNA editing tool
(d) F-16 Missile equipment
Answer: (b) Digital monitoring of the borders
Q9. India signed an agreement with which country to establish Addu Tourism?
(a) Maldives
(b) Bhutan
(c) Afghanistan
(d) Nepal
Answer: (a) Maldives
Q10. What was India’s rank among 156 countries in the Global Happiness Index 2019?
(a) 140th
(b) 124th
(c) 132nd
(d) 137th
Answer: (a) 140th
Q11. Which State Government has launched ‘One family, one job’ scheme?
(a) Uttarakhand
(b) Sikkim
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: (b) Sikkim
Q13. Which country topped the list of Global Diplomacy Index 2019 released by Sydney based Lowy institute?
(a) USA
(b) Russia
(c) France
(d) China
Answer: (d) China
Q14. Which country has criminalized offences related to match-fixing?
(a) Pakistan
(b) South Africa
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer: (d) Sri Lanka
Q15. ‘Bada Dashain’ is the festival celebrated in which country?
(a) India
(b) Nepal
(c) Myanmar
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer: (b) Nepal
Q16. What is the campaign theme of the ‘International Women’s Day 2020’?
(a) Planet 50-50 by 2030
(b) Equality for Women
(c) Think Equal, Act Equal
(d) Each for Equal
Answer: (d) Each for Equal
Q17. The term ‘Operation Car Wash’ that was making news recently, is related to which country?
(a) Brazil
(b) South Africa
(c) Russia
(d) Argentina
Answer: (a) Brazil
Q20. The Noble Prize 2019 for Economics has been awarded to Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for:
(a) To discover the most effective ways to tackle poverty in the developing world
(b) To discover consumption pattern among rural mass
(c) To discover decision making under asymmetric information
(d) To discover role of non-economic factors in trade distortions
Answer: (a) To discover the most effective ways to tackle poverty in the developing world
Q23. Which country’s capital name is renamed as ‘Nursultan’?
(a) Kazakhstan
(b) Uzbekistan
(c) Azerbaijan
(d) Kyrgyzstan
Answer: (a) Kazakhstan
Q35. Which Union Ministry has launched a new web portal ‘Santust’ for effective delivery of public service?
(a) Ministry of Education
(b) Ministry of Environment
(c) Ministry of Labour and Employment
(d) Ministry of Finance
Answer: (c) Ministry of Labour and Employment
Q36. Which state topped the good governance index (GGI), launched by the Central Government on 25th December, 2019?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Kerala
(d) Gujarat
Answer: (a) Tamil Nadu
Indian History
Q37. Which one of the following was not an Arya Samajist?
(a) Lala Hansraj
(b) Baba Ramchandra
(c) Bhai Parmanand
(d) Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: (b) Baba Ramchandra
Q38. Which of the following organizations was the last to be established?
(a) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(b) Hindu Maha Sabha
(c) Satyashodak Samaj
(d) Hindustan Republican Association
Answer: (a) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Q39. When was the ‘Vernacular Press Act’ passed?
(a) 1878
(b) 1881
(c) 1884
(d) 1887
Answer: (a) 1878
Q40. Which one of the following regions did the ‘Pabna’ Revolt (1873-76) take place?
(a) Punjab
(b) Gujarat
(c) Bengal
(d) Malabar
Answer: (c) Bengal
Q41. In which year was first session of the ‘Chamber of Princes’ held?
(a) 1858
(b) 1905
(c) 1921
(d) 1935
Answer: (c) 1921
Q42. Who presided over the Commission appointed on Famine Policy in 1880?
(a) James Lyall
(b) Richard Strachey
(c) Anthony MacDonnel
(d) John Lawrence
Answer: (b) Richard Strachey
Q43. Which one of the following attended the ‘Congress of Oppressed Nationalities’ at Brussels in 1927?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad
(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: (d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Q44. What was ‘Ulgulan’?
(a) A Munda Revolt
(b) A Khasi Revolt
(c) A Bhil Revolt
(d) A Koya Revolt
Answer: (a) A Munda Revolt
Q45. Which one of the following organizations was the last to be established?
(a) East India Association
(b) Madras Mahajan Sabha
(c) Indian Association
(d) Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
Answer: (b) Madras Mahajan Sabha
Q46. When did the British Prime Minister declare in the British Parliament that transfer of power to responsible Indian hands will be done by June, 1948?
(a) January 26, 1947
(b) February 20, 1947
(c) March 20, 1947
(d) January 20, 1947
Answer: (b) February 20, 1947
Q47. Which of the following works was written by ‘Sachindranath Sanyal’ to attract the youth to Revolutionary Nationalism?
(a) Bhavani Mandir
(b) Manifesto of Naujawan Sabha
(c) Philosphy of the Bomb
(d) Bandi Jivan
Answer: (d) Bandi Jivan
Geography (India & World)
Q48. Which one of the following is not a soil type in India?
(a) Arid
(b) Peat
(c) Laterite
(d) Choes
Answer: (d) Choes
Q49. Jalandhar doab is closely related to which of the following?
(a) Area between Ghaggar and Sutlej
(b) Area between Beas and Ravi
(c) Area between Ravi and Chenab
(d) Area between Beas and Sutlej
Answer: (d) Area between Beas and Sutlej
Q50. Which of the following is the highest peak in Eastern Ghats?
(a) Madugula Konda
(b) Arma Konda
(c) Gali Konda
(d) Vagai Konda
Answer: (b) Arma Konda
Q51. Khetri has rich deposits of:
(a) Mica
(b) Salt
(c) Copper
(d) Gypsum
Answer: (c) Copper
Q52. 49th parallel is associated with:
(a) Portugal and Spain
(b) Canada and USA
(c) Germany and Poland
(d) Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan
Answer: (b) Canada and USA
Q53. Lena river of Russia empties in:
(a) Laptev Sea
(b) Lake Baikal
(c) Sea of Okhotsk
(d) Barents sea
Answer: (a) Laptev Sea
Q54. Barron Falls are associated with which structural division of Australia?
(a) The Eastern Highlands
(b) The Western Plateau
(c) The Central Lowlands
(d) The Barkley Tableland
Answer: (a) The Eastern Highlands
Q55. Winnipeg in Canada is famous for:
(a) Fur trapping
(b) Softwood collection
(c) Saw Mills
(d) Newsprint
Answer: (a) Fur trapping
Indian Polity & Governance
Q25. Which state got a separate high court on 1st January 2019, which is the 25th high court of India?
(a) Telengana
(b) Mizoram
(c) Sikkim
(d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (d) Andhra Pradesh
Q26. Which of the following states does not have a bicameral Legislature?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Telengana
(c) Karnataka
(d) West Bengal
Answer: (d) West Bengal
Q27. Which state first adopted the Panchayati Raj in India in 1959?
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Karnataka
(c) Gujarat
(d) Punjab
Answer: (a) Rajasthan
Q28. Which of the following is/are true regarding Panchayati Raj System?
I. The act won’t apply to Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
II. Allotment of seats in constituencies for Panchayat elections cannot be questioned in any court of law.
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) None of these
Answer: (c) Both I and II
Q29. Which of the following are the recommendation/recommendations of the L.M. Singhvi Committee?
I. Nyaya Panchayats should be created for a cluster of villages.
II. Constitutional recognition for Panchayati Raj institutions.
III. More financial resources for village Panchayats.
(a) II & III
(b) I & III
(c) I & II
(d) All of these
Answer: (d) All of these
Q31. Under which schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?
(a) Third Schedule
(b) Fifth Schedule
(c) Ninth Schedule
(d) Twelfth Schedule
Answer: (b) Fifth Schedule
Q32. Rajya Sabha can delay the Finance Bill sent for its consideration by the Lok Sabha for a maximum period of:
(a) 14 Days
(b) 15 Days
(c) 1 Month
(d) 6 Months
Answer: (a) 14 Days
Q33. The constitution 86th Amendment Act, 2002 deals with:
(a) Right to Education a Fundamental Right for children in the range of 6-14 years
(b) Right to employment a fundamental right
(c) Right to employment a fundamental right for rural people
(d) Right to Education a fundamental right for children in the range of 5-13 years
Answer: (a) Right to Education a Fundamental Right for children in the range of 6-14 years
Q34. The National Human Rights Commission is a:
(a) Constitutional Body
(b) Extra Constitutional Body
(c) Statutory Body
(d) Public-Private Body
Answer: (c) Statutory Body
Economic & Social Development
Q19. In a latest report (2019) World Bank appreciated India’s efforts and policies to
(a) Reduce poverty by half since 1991
(b) Provide clean and wholesome water to all
(c) Immunize all the children in the age group 0-5 years
(d) Achieve gender parity in primary education
Answer: (a) Reduce poverty by half since 1991
Q22. Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?
(a) China
(b) India
(c) Myanmar
(d) Vietnam
Answer: (b) India
Q24. Which of the followings are called ‘Brettonwoods Twins’?
(a) IMF & International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
(b) IMF & World Trade Organization
(c) IBRD & World Trade Organization
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) IMF & International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Q30. Pahal scheme is related with?
(a) Agriculture Loan
(b) Direct Transfer of LPG Subsidy
(c) Women Education
(d) Child Education
Answer: (b) Direct Transfer of LPG Subsidy
Q56. Which among the following variables/factors are not used in constructing Human Development Index of India?
(a) Life expectancy at birth
(b) Real GDP per capita
(c) Morbidity
(d) All of these
Answer: (c) Morbidity
Q57. Disguised unemployment means:
(a) Marginal productivity of labour is zero
(b) Marginal productivity of labour is positive
(c) Marginal productivity of labour is negative
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (a) Marginal productivity of labour is zero
Q58. Human Development Index does not use which parameter while measuring gender inequality:
(a) Sex Ratio
(b) Health
(c) Education
(d) Command over economic resources
Answer: (a) Sex Ratio
Q59. SANKALP is launched to provide:
(a) Better healthcare for rural poor
(b) Better healthcare for urban poor
(c) Quality education
(d) Market relevant training to youths
Answer: (d) Market relevant training to youths
Q60. Golden rule of fiscal policy in India is:
(a) Borrowing only for current expenditure
(b) Borrowing only for public investment
(c) Borrowing only for repayment our debt
(d) Borrowing for budget expenditure
Answer: (b) Borrowing only for public investment
Q61. Which of the following is an example of management performance indicator?
(a) Raw material used per unit of product
(b) Number of complaints from public or employees
(c) Contaminant concentration in surface soil
(d) Change in ground water level
Answer: (b) Number of complaints from public or employees
Q62. Which of these is the dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility?
(a) Physiological
(b) Political
(c) Ecological
(d) Philanthropic
Answer: (d) Philanthropic
Q63. NGOs are recognized as ___________ to focus and fix the problems present in the development process.
(a) Favoured child
(b) Unfavoured child
(c) Magic bullet
(d) Unmagic bullet
Answer: (c) Magic bullet
Environment & Ecology
Q8. What is the status of House Sparrow in India as per the State of India’s Birds 2020 Report?
(a) Stable
(b) Uncertain
(c) Strong Decline
(d) Data not available
Answer: (a) Stable
Q12. Which cities are called ‘Non-attainment cities’ in India?
(a) The cities where solid waste management system has not been implemented
(b) The cities that are not following water quality standards
(c) The cities which are not complying noise pollution norms
(d) Consistently showing poorer air quality than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Answer: (d) Consistently showing poorer air quality than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Q18. Which country will host the UN Climate Summit ‘COP26’?
(a) USA
(b) UK
(c) France
(d) India
Answer: (b) UK
Q21. Why is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into environment?
(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems
(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children
(c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.
Answer: (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems
Q64. Which of the following is the primary goal for sustainable development?
(a) Increasing emissions
(b) Eliminating wastes and emissions
(c) Decreasing emissions
(d) Moderating emission and wastes
Answer: (b) Eliminating wastes and emissions
Q65. Eco-mark label of India is-
(a) A blue-bird
(b) An earthen pot
(c) A red-rose
(d) White rabbit
Answer: (b) An earthen pot
Q66. Mass extinction of species do not occur due to which of the following factors-
(a) Global cooling
(b) Falling sea levels
(c) Excessive rainfall
(d) Predation
Answer: (c) Excessive rainfall
General Science
Q67. A 40 watt electric bulb is used 6 hours every day. The number of electric units it consumes in 30 days are:
(a) 12
(b) 1.2
(c) 2.4
(d) 7.2
Answer: (d) 7.2
Q68. In nuclear fission of U235 with a slow neutron bombardment produces energy approximately:
(a) 50 MeV
(b) 100 MeV
(c) 200 MeV
(d) 930 MeV
Answer: (c) 200 MeV
Q69. The dental alloy used for teeth filing contains:
(a) Silver, mercury, tin, copper and zinc
(b) Silver, gold, tin, copper and zinc
(c) Silver, mercury, tin, copper and aluminium
(d) Gold, Mercury, tin, copper and zinc
Answer: (a) Silver, mercury, tin, copper and zinc
Q70. Which one of the following substances is not responsible for water hardness?
(a) Calcium carbonate
(b) Magnesium carbonate
(c) Calcium nitrate
(d) Calcium hydrogen nitrate
Answer: (c) Calcium nitrate
Q71. The different plant parts in which leucoplasts present are:
(a) Roots and underground stem
(b) Green leaves
(c) Flowers and fruits
(d) Green parts of young stems
Answer: (a) Roots and underground stem
Q72. Pteridophyta do not have:
(a) Leaves
(b) Stem
(c) Roots
(d) Flowers
Answer: (d) Flowers
Q73. In which group of animals, coelom is filled with blood?
(a) Annelida
(b) Arthropoda
(c) Nematoda
(d) Echinodermata
Answer: (b) Arthropoda
Q74. Lack of oxygen in muscles often leads to cramps among athletes. The reason for this is:
(a) Conversion of pyruvate to ethanol
(b) Conversion of pyruvate to lactic acid
(c) No-conversion of glucose to pyruvate
(d) Conversion of pyruvate to glucose
Answer: (b) Conversion of pyruvate to lactic acid
Himachal Pradesh Specific GK
Q75. Physiographically Palampur, Dharamshala and Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh are situated in which of the following zone?
(a) Humid sub-Tropical
(b) Sub-Temperate
(c) Sub-Humid Tropical
(d) Wet Sub Temperate
Answer: (d) Wet Sub Temperate
Q76. Which of the following was not a princely state or Thakurai which was clubbed to form the Mahasu district in 1948?
(a) Koti
(b) Darkoti
(c) Ghund
(d) Ani
Answer: (d) Ani
Q77. ‘Zahor’ is Tibetan name of which of the following district of Himachal Pradesh?
(a) Kinnaur
(b) Mandi
(c) Lahaul-Spiti
(d) Kullu
Answer: (b) Mandi
Q78. Which snow clad peak of Himachal Pradesh is shaped somewhat like Matterhorn in Switzerland?
(a) Gyephang
(b) Reo-Purgyil
(c) Jorkanden
(d) Manirang
Answer: (a) Gyephang
Q79. Which of the following combination is not correct?
(a) Pangwal-Doghri
(b) Kinner or Kinnaura-Janekang
(c) Gaddi-Batta-Satta
(d) Swangla-Jhanjrara
Answer: (d) Swangla-Jhanjrara
Q80. Match List-I and List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
List-I | List-II
(i) Kayang | (A) Sirmaur
(ii) Jhanjar | (B) Una
(iii) Keekli and Bangra | (C) Chamba
(iv) Jhoori | (D) Lahaul
| (E) Kinnaur
(a) (i)-E, (ii)-A, (iii)-D, (iv)-C
(b) (i)-E, (ii)-C, (iii)-B, (iv)-A
(c) (i)-D, (ii)-C, (iii)-B, (iv)-A
(d) (i)-A, (ii)-C, (iii)-B, (iv)-D
Answer: (b) (i)-E, (ii)-C, (iii)-B, (iv)-A
Q81. Lohri has been declared as state level festival and ‘First Lohri Festival’ was celebrated on 13th January 2010 at which of the following place?
(a) Santokhgarh
(b) Pragpur
(c) Nalagarh
(d) Paonta Sahib
Answer: (b) Pragpur
Q82. Which of the following temple is believed to be constructed by two merchants ‘Ahuka’ and ‘Manyuka’?
(a) Baijnath Temple
(b) Chintpurni Temple
(c) Lakshmi Narayan Temple Chamba
(d) Masroor Temple
Answer: (a) Baijnath Temple
Q83. The largest collection of ‘Kangyur’ and ‘Tangyur’ is placed in the library of which of the following Gompa?
(a) Gemur Gompa
(b) Kardang Gompa
(c) Tayul Gompa
(d) Sashur Gompa
Answer: (b) Kardang Gompa
Q84. Which of the following statement is not correct?
(a) The Arki School of painting was founded by Raja Jagat Singh
(b) The Basholi School of painting came into prominence from the time of Raja Kripal Pal
(c) The Kangra paintings have got Geographical Indicator (GI)
(d) Chamba was one of the principal centre of Pahari miniature paintings
Answer: (a) The Arki School of painting was founded by Raja Jagat Singh
Q85. In which of the following valley, Himachal Pradesh Language, Art and Culture Academy founded 600 years old manuscript that deals with the Ayurvedic System of Medicine?
(a) Sangla Valley
(b) Kullu Valley
(c) Balh Valley
(d) Spiti Valley
Answer: (d) Spiti Valley
Q86. Which of the following combination is not correct?
(a) Fatehpur Fort : Bandla Dhar
(b) Tiun Fort : Tiun Dhar
(c) Devi Badoli Temple : Jhanjiar Dhar
(d) Dagoga Malhot : Kot Dhar
Answer: (a) Fatehpur Fort : Bandla Dhar
Q87. The only coin special to Chamba. Five of which makes an ‘anna’ is the-
(a) Dhela
(b) Pi
(c) Chakli
(d) Ratti
Answer: (c) Chakli
Q88. Who amongst the following was first to examine the archaeological remains in Chamba and Bharmaur?
(a) Colonel Reid
(b) Mr. Vigne
(c) General Cunningham
(d) Sir Henry Davies
Answer: (c) General Cunningham
Q89. What is the script of earliest rock inscription found at Pathiar and Kanihara?
(a) Brahmi
(b) Kharoshti
(c) Pali
(d) Sharda
Answer: (a) Brahmi
Q90. What is the name of an opera festival which is annually held by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) at Mcleodganj and was an annual feature in Lhasa prior to 1959?
(a) Losar
(b) Shoton
(c) Thanka
(d) Dajyur
Answer: (b) Shoton
Q91. Which of the following valley is without exception the most rugged glen of Kinnaur district?
(a) Tidong Valley
(b) Baspa Valley
(c) Bhabha Valley
(d) Lippa Valley
Answer: (a) Tidong Valley
Q92. ‘Jeyeshthang’ and ‘Kanishthang’ are the names given to which of the following?
(a) Local Deities of Kinnaur district
(b) Valleyas of Lahaul Spiti
(c) Upper House and Lower House of village khap of Malana
(d) Mountain peaks in Sangla Valley
Answer: (c) Upper House and Lower House of village khap of Malana
Q93. Which of the following country was relegated to second position by Lahual-Spiti by achieving the highest per hectare production of potato?
(a) Belgium
(b) Spain
(c) Netherland
(d) France
Answer: (c) Netherland
Q94. The first mention of which of the following place came in 1817 from the diary of the Scottish officer brothers?
(a) Dharamshala
(b) Shimla
(c) Kasauli
(d) Subathu
Answer: (b) Shimla
Q95. Climate change vulnerability assessment is being undertaken for which of the following river basin, covering 9258 villages of four districts with more than 1200 panchayats?
(a) Ravi
(b) Satluj
(c) Beas
(d) Chenab
Answer: (c) Beas
Q96. What is name of the web-based software implemented by the department of Transport of Himachal Pradesh for issuing Driving License?
(a) Vahan
(b) Sarathi
(c) Sathi
(d) Sahyogi
Answer: (b) Sarathi
Q97. Name the Superintendent of Botanical Garden who set up ‘Delhi Tea Estate’ in 1852?
(a) Major Straut
(b) Dr. Jameson
(c) Alexander Courts
(d) Samuel Stokes
Answer: (b) Dr. Jameson
Q98. After an intensive research and success of the project which district of H.P. is likely to emerge as pistachios bowl of the State?
(a) Lahaul Spiti
(b) Una
(c) Kangra
(d) Kinnaur
Answer: (d) Kinnaur
Q99. Where is the first ‘Emu’ breeding farm of H.P. set up by multi level marketing company ‘Easy Way With’?
(a) Gandwal in Una
(b) Jeori in Shimla
(c) Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur
(d) Jwali in Kangra
Answer: (a) Gandwal in Una
Q100. Who amongst the following were the two wild life experts who were main force behind setting up Himachal’s first ‘Bird Ringing Station’ at Salropa?
(a) Col. Napier and Donald Macleed
(b) Henry Hardings and Hugh Gough
(c) Franscis Bunar and T.H. Walkar
(d) William Finch and Thomas Coryat
Answer: (c) Franscis Bunar and T.H. Walkar