Q1easyPartial Truth
Consider the following pairs :
Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts — Location in the State of
1. Dhauli — Odisha
2. Erragudi — Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada — Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi — Karnataka
How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
Answer: (a)
Trap: Partial Truth
Dhauli (Odisha) and Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh) are correct, tempting students to pick 'Only two pairs'. However, the official answer is (a) Only one pair, suggesting only Dhauli-Odisha is unambiguously correct per UPSC. Jaugada is in Odisha (not MP) and Kalsi is in Uttarakhand (not Karnataka). The trap is that Erragudi's state association may be disputed or considered incorrectly matched.
Q2easy
Consider the following pairs :
King — Dynasty
1. Nannuka — Chandela
2. Jayashakti — Paramara
3. Nagabhata II — Gurjara-Pratihara
4. Bhoja — Rashtrakuta
How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
Answer: (b)
Q3easyCommon Misconception
Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct ?
(a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
(b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
(c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
(d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (b) seems plausible because students assume Varna system was pan-Indian. However, Sangam literature reflects a different social structure (based on thinai/landscape). Option (c) being correct is counterintuitive since Sangam poetry is known for heroic/war poetry (puram), but the answer key says (c). This is a highly debated answer.
Q4hardCommon Misconception
'Yogavasistha' was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of :
(a) Akbar
(b) Humayun
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Most students associate Persian translations of Sanskrit texts with Akbar's reign (due to Ain-i-Akbari, Razmnama etc.), making (a) the most attractive wrong answer. However, this translation happened during Humayun's period, which is far less commonly studied.
Q5hardCommon Misconception
The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?
(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) is the classic trap - Ramanuja is universally associated with devotion (bhakti) as the path to salvation. Most students would pick (a) instinctively. However, the official answer is (c), suggesting UPSC interprets Ramanuja's philosophical method as emphasizing logical reasoning within his Vishishtadvaita framework. This is a highly controversial answer.
Q41hardSimilar Sounding
In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into "Reserved" and "Transferred" subjects. Which of the following were treated as "Reserved" subjects ?
1. Administration of Justice
2. Local Self-Government
3. Land Revenue
4. Police
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 4
Answer: (b)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Administration of Justice sounds like it should be a 'Reserved' subject (under British control) given its importance. However, it was actually a 'Transferred' subject under Indian ministers. Local Self-Government was also a transferred subject. The trap exploits students assuming important subjects like justice were reserved. The official answer (b) includes Local Self-Government as reserved, which contradicts standard textbook accounts.
Q42hardCommon Misconception
In medieval India, the term 'Fanam' referred to :
(a) Clothing
(b) Coins
(c) Ornaments
(d) Weapons
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (b) Coins is the factually correct answer - Fanam (also Panam/Fanon) was a small gold or silver coin used in medieval South India. The official answer (d) Weapons appears incorrect. This traps students who actually know the correct answer.
Q43easy
Consider the following freedom fighters :
1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
3. Rash Behari Bose
Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party ?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
Q44moderatePartial Truth
With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements :
1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Both statements are accurate reflections of Cripps Mission proposals. Statement 2 about provinces opting out is the key controversial element that students might doubt - it essentially allowed for partition/balkanization. The trap is students second-guessing statement 2 because it sounds too permissive, and picking (a).
Q45easy
With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts ?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Q46easyCommon Misconception
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs :
Historical person — Known as
1. Aryadeva — Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga — Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar
How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
(a) None of the pairs
(b) Only one pair
(c) Only two pairs
(d) All three pairs
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Aryadeva was actually a BUDDHIST scholar (Nagarjuna's disciple), not Jain. Dignaga WAS a Buddhist scholar (Buddhist logician), so pair 2 seems correct. Nathamuni WAS a Vaishnava scholar (first of Alvars/Acharyas). The official answer 'none correct' contradicts the fact that pairs 2 and 3 appear correct. This is a highly contested answer.
Q47easyCommon Misconception
With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :
1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 2 is the trap - Mongols did besiege Delhi during Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign (1303, under Taraghai), making it seem correct. However, the first Mongol invasion was actually during Iltutmish's reign (1221, Genghis Khan's pursuit of Jalal-ud-din Mangbarni), not Jalal-ud-din Khalji. Statement 1 may be referring to a specific Khalji-period invasion. The official answer (c) is debatable.
Q48hard
With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as "Kulah-Daran" ?
(a) Arab merchants
(b) Qalandars
(c) Persian calligraphists
(d) Sayyids
Answer: (b)
Q49moderatePartial Truth
With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :
1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 1 is the trap - the Dutch did establish factories on the east coast, but the lands were granted by local Nayak rulers (under Vijayanagara), not Gajapati rulers. Gajapati dynasty ruled Odisha. Students who vaguely recall Dutch-East Coast connections may accept statement 1.
Q50easy
According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?
1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)