CAPF (AC) 2020 (Paper-1) (Question 51-100)

Total Questions: 50

1. Which of the following is/are the most distinctive artefacts of the Harappan Civilisation?

1. Steatite seal

2. Bricks of a standardised ratio

3. Gold bangles

4. Silver spittoon

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Solution:

Bricks of a standardized ratio and steatite seal were the most distinctive features of the Harappan Civilization.

  • The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, flourishing around 2500 BCE in present-day Pakistan and northwest India.
  • Renowned for its advanced city planning, sophisticated drainage systems, and impressive architectural achievements, it stands out as a major centre of early civilisation in South Asia.
  • This ancient civilisation is characterised by its well-organized cities, standardised brick constructions, and vibrant trade networks.
  • The Indus Valley Civilization’s contributions to urban development and trade set foundational precedents for future civilisations

2. Which one of the following is NOT listed as one of the sixteen mahajanapadas in the pre-Mauryan period?

Correct Answer: (d) Kalinga
Solution:

In the Pre-Mauryan period, there were sixteen powerful states known as the sodas-mahajanapadas. The mahajanapadas were larger and more powerful than janapadas, and their rulers exercised greater power and enjoyed more prominence than the rulers of the janapadas.

These mahajanapadas were Kasi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi/Cheti, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena/Shurasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kamboja.. Kalinga was not one of these kingdoms. Smaller or weak kingdoms and the republics were eliminated by the stronger rulers and by the sixth century, only four powerful kingdoms remained.

3. Which of the following are prescribed as the duties of Vaishyas according to the Dharmashastras?

1. Studying the Vedas

2. Engaging in trade

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:

B. Vaishyas have primarily prescribed the duties of engaging in trade in agriculture and pastoralism. They were also assigned other duties like studying the Vedas, get sacrifices performed and give and receive gifts.

  • Status: Vaishyas are the third varna, symbolizing the thighs of society in the Purusha Sukta. Their role in ensuring economic stability was indispensable for societal harmony.
  • Duties: Vaishyas ensured economic prosperity through agriculture, trade, cattle rearing, and business management while contributing to the kingdom's wealth and protecting cattle and land.
  • Men and women: Vaishya men were trained by Brahmins in ethics and religious duties, while Vaishya women actively participated in agriculture, trade, and family businesses, contributing to economic and household stability.
  • Rights and marriage: Vaishya women had legal protection, rights to remarriage, and inheritance, with the freedom to choose spouses from all varnas except Shudras, as marrying lower varnas was discouraged..

4. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Satavahanas ruled over parts of western India and the Deccan

2. The Satavahanas repaired and rebuilt Sudarshana Lake

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:

Satvahana rulers established their hold over the area around western Deccan and expanded from there into the eastern Deccan, Andhra, and the western coast The Sudahrshan lake was repaired twice, first under Shaka ruler Rudradaman and the second by the orders of Skandagupta by Chakrapalit.

  • The Satvahanas dynasty flourished between the 1st century BCE and the early 3rd century AD and was one of the most significant early Indian dynasties.
  • Originating in the Deccan region, the Satvahanas established a powerful kingdom that was crucial in shaping ancient India’s political and cultural landscape.
  • They are often credited with laying the foundations for developing South Indian culture.
  • They were key players in the post-Mauryan period, bridging the gap between the decline of the Mauryan Empire and the rise of later South Indian powers.

5. In relation to the fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution of India, which one of the following is NOT correct?

Correct Answer: (d) They may not be used for determining constitutionality of laws
Solution:

Fundamental Duties for Citizens is drafted on the lines of moral, ethical and cultural code of conduct followed by people. These Duties were incorporated in the Indian Constitution by the 42nd amendment to the constitution of India. The courts can use fundamental duties for determining the constitutionality of a law. If any law is challenged in court for its constitutional validity.

6. The Governor of a state may exercise discretionary powers when

1. he or she is not convinced by the advice of the Council of Ministers

2. the Constitution requires him/her to act in his/her discretion in certain matters

3. he or she is appointed as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:

The Governors of states can act at their situational discretion in the following instances:

  • When he has to appoint a Chief Minister after no party has a clear majority in the election or when the incumbent dies in the office.
  • When he dismisses the council of ministers on an inability to prove confidence in the state legislative assembly.
  • When he dissolves the state legislative assembly on time when it loses its majority.
  • When he/she is appointed as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory
  • When he/she is not convinced by the advice of Council of minister

7. Which one of the following is NOT true of socialism?

Correct Answer: (b) It emphasises the centrality of community
Solution:

Socialism does not emphasize the centrality of community. In reality, socialism does prioritize the collective well-being and cooperation of the community. It seeks to create a society where resources and benefits are shared collectively, rather than accumulated by individuals or specific groups.

Over the years, socialism has evolved into several variants based on ideology, implementation, and goals. Here's a detailed look:

  • Democratic Socialism: bemocratic socialism blends democratic political systems with socialist economic principles. It advocates public ownership, universal social services, and workers’ participation in decision-making, all while respecting individual rights and democratic processes.
  • Marxian Socialism: Derived from Karl Marx’s theories, Marxian socialism envisions a transitional phase between capitalism and communism. Production is centrally planned, and private ownership is replaced by common ownership to eliminate class distinctions.
  • Revolutionary Socialism: Revolutionary socialism believes that radical social change—often through revolution—is essential to overthrow capitalist systems. It rejects gradual reform, aiming for a complete societal transformation.
  • Ut0pian Socialism: This early form of socialism imagined ideal societies based on cooperation, shared resources, and harmony. However, it lacked practical strategies for achieving these goals and remained largely theoretical.
  • Libertarian Socialism: Libertarian socialism advocates for a decentralized, non-hierarchical society, free from both capitalism and authoritarian state control. It supports direct democracy, free access to information, and worker cooperatives.
  • Market Socialism: Market socialism blends free-market mechanisms with socialist values. While goods and services are priced through supply and demand, enterprises are either publicly owned or run as cooperatives.
  • Eco-Socialism: Eco-socialism merges environmental concerns with socialist principles. It criticizes capitalism for environmental degradation and promotes sustainable development, green technology, and climate justice.

8. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List-I (Concept)List-II (Explanation/Aim)
A. Pluralist democracy1. Power is always exercised by a privileged few
B. People's democracy2. Highest and harmonious development of individual capacities
C. Developmental democracy3. Social equality through common ownership of wealth
D. Elitist democracy 4. Governmental4. Capacity of groups to ensure responsiveness

Codes:

ABCD
(a)4321
(b)4231
(c)1234
(d)1324
Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:

The correct answer is

Type of DemocracyCore Description
Pluralist DemocracyThe capacity of groups to ensure Governmental Responsiveness through competition among various interest groups.
People's DemocracyFocuses on achieving social equality through the common ownership of wealth (often associated with Marxist-Leninist traditions).
Developmental DemocracyAims for the highest and harmonious development of individual capacities and moral character through participation.
Elitist DemocracyPosits that power is always exercised by a privileged few or a minority elite, regardless of the democratic structure.

9. Which one of the following Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) is recognized as Miniratnas?

Correct Answer: (a) Airport Authority of India
Solution:

Airports Authority of India is one of the Central Public Sector Undertaking or CPSUs under the Miniratna. It is given the status of Miniratna Category - I CPSEs.

About Airports Authority of India (AAI)

  • It is astatutory body under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
  • It was constituted by an Act of Parliament and came into being on 1st April, 1995, by merging the erstwhile National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India.
  • The merger brought into existence a single Organization entrusted with the responsibility of creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and air space in the country.
  • AAl manages 137 airports, which include 24 International Airports (including 3 International Civil Enclaves), 10 Customs Airports (including 4 Customs Civil Enclaves), 80 Domestic Airports, and 23 Domestic Civil Enclaves at Defence airfields.
  •  AAl also provides Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) over the entire Indian Air Space and adjoining oceanic areas, with ground installations at all airports, and 25 other locations to ensure the safety of aircraft operations.

10. Which one of the following educational development indicators is currently used by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to construct Human Development Index?

Correct Answer: (c) Mean Years of Schooling
Solution:

The UNDP as part of the Human Development Index (HDI) use mean years of schooling for adults aged 25 years and more as the index for estimation of the education dimension.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the world’s largest development agency within the United Nations system. It works in 177 countries to reduce poverty, strengthen democratic institutions, support crisis recovery, and promote sustainable development.

UNDP plays a leading role in helping nations work toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while focusing on fairness, human dignity, and long-term growth. Established in 1965, the organisation remains central to global development
efforts.