The Indian Statutory Commission was appointed in 1927 (arriving in India in 1928) to study the implementation of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest further constitutional reforms.
Simon Commission (B): It was popularly known by this name because it was headed by Sir John Simon. The commission faced widespread protests and the slogan "Simon Go Back" because it did not include a single Indian member.
Cripps Mission (A): This was a 1942 initiative by the British government to secure full Indian cooperation for World War II, led by Sir Stafford Cripps.
Minto-Morley Reforms (C): As discussed previously, this refers to the Indian Councils Act of 1909.
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (D): This refers to the Government of India Act 1919, which the Simon Commission was eventually sent to review.
2018
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) History
Minto-Morley reforms of 1909 proposed
AElections of Indians to various Legislative Councils
BIntroduced the system of Municipalities and Village Panchayats
CBoth(A)and(B)
DNone of the above
Correct Answer: Option A
The Indian Councils Act of 1909, commonly known as the Minto-Morley Reforms, marked a significant step in the constitutional history of India. Its primary focus was to increase the involvement of Indians in the governance of the country.
Expansion of Councils (A): The Act considerably increased the size of the Legislative Councils at both the Central and Provincial levels. Crucially, it introduced the election of Indians to these councils, although the franchise was extremely limited and based on property and education.
Separate Electorates: One of the most critical and controversial features of this Act was the introduction of separate electorates for Muslims, which laid the foundation for communal representation in Indian politics.
Municipalities and Panchayats (B): This was not the primary proposal of the 1909 Act. Local self-government was largely championed earlier by Lord Ripon’s Resolution of 1882 and later further institutionalized by the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919).
2018
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Geography
Theintrusive volcanic landform formed when lava cools in the shape of a saucer place is called as :
ALaccolith
BCrater
Csills
DDykes
Correct Answer: Option A
While the question describes the shape of a "saucer," there is a slight technical distinction in geological terminology. Here is the breakdown of intrusive landforms:
Laccolith (A): These are large dome-shaped intrusive bodies with a level base and a convex top, often described as mushroom-shaped or resembling a saucer (specifically when referring to a Lopolith, which is the true saucer-shaped landform). In many general examinations, Laccolith is used as the representative term for these large lens-shaped intrusions.
Crater (B): This is an extrusive feature; it is the bowl-shaped depression at the top of a volcano.
Sills (C): These are horizontal, sheet-like intrusions that solidify parallel to the bedding planes of the rock.
Dykes (D): These are vertical or wall-like intrusions that cut across the bedding planes of the rock.
Note: Strictly speaking, a Lopolith is the specific term for a saucer-shaped intrusion (concave upward), while a Laccolith is more dome-shaped (convex upward). However, within the provided options, Laccolith is the intended answer for large, shaped plutonic bodies.
2018
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Geography
The first multi-purpose river valley project completed in India is :
APeriyar
BBhakra-Nangal
CHirakund
DDamodar
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
The Damodar Valley Project, managed by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), was the first multipurpose river valley project of independent India. It was established on July 7, 1948, based on the model of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the United States.
Damodar (D): Designed to control flooding in the Damodar River (once known as the "Sorrow of Bengal"), provide irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power in West Bengal and Bihar (now Jharkhand).
Bhakra-Nangal (B): While it is one of the largest and most famous projects, its construction began later and it was dedicated to the nation in 1963.
Hirakud (C): Located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, it was also one of the first major projects but was formally inaugurated in 1957.
Periyar (A): The Mullaperiyar Dam is much older (completed in 1895), but it does not hold the title of the first modern multipurpose project of independent India.
2018
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Geography
Which is the largest cold desert of the world?
AAtacama
BTakla Makan
CGobi
DTurkestan
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation
While the Antarctic and Arctic deserts are technically the largest cold deserts by the broadest definition (polar deserts), among the options provided, the Gobi Desert is the largest.
Gobi Desert (C): Spanning parts of northern and northwestern China and southern Mongolia, it is a vast cold desert known for its extreme temperature fluctuations and high-altitude plateau.
Atacama (A): Located in South America, it is primarily known as the driest non-polar place on Earth; it is a "cool" coastal desert but not the largest cold desert.
Takla Makan (B): Located in China, it is a large cold desert but is significantly smaller in area than the Gobi.
Turkestan (D): This refers to a region in Central Asia that contains several deserts (like the Kyzylkum), but it is not a single desert larger than the Gobi.
2018
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Geography J&K
Which one of the following is the high altitude Commercial Airport
AKushok Bakyla
BSheikhul Alam
CKargil
DSonam Wangchuk
Correct Answer: Option A
Located in Leh, Ladakh, the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is one of the highest commercial airports in the world, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,256 meters (10,682 feet) above mean sea level.
Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (B): Located in Srinagar at an elevation of about 1,629 meters.
Kargil (C): While Kargil has an airfield at a high altitude, it is primarily used by the military and has limited or non-regular commercial operations compared to Leh.
Sonam Wangchuk (D): This is the name of a famous engineer and innovator from Ladakh, but there is no commercial airport named after him.
Due to the high altitude and thin air, flights at Leh airport typically operate only in the morning to avoid the strong mountain winds that develop later in the day.
2018
Prelims General Studies (Paper 1) Geography J&K
Which of the following combination of districts constitutes Chenab Valley Settlement Division of the “Survey and Land Records™
AKishtwar, Anantnag and Kulgam
BRamban, Udhampur and Doda
CDoda, Kishtwar and Ramban
DKishtwar, Anantnag and Doda
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation
The Survey and Land Records department in Jammu and Kashmir organizes administrative units into specific divisions for the purpose of land settlement and record maintenance. The Chenab Valley Settlement Division is geographically and administratively centered around the Chenab River basin, covering the three hilly districts of the erstwhile Doda district:
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