1. What is the primary function of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)?
A) Regulating the stock market
B) Collecting direct taxes
C) Administering indirect taxes
D) Overseeing the Reserve Bank of India
2. When was the Central Excise and Salt Act enacted?
A) 1934
B) 1944
C) 1954
D) 1964
3. Which of the following is a responsibility of the CBIC?
A) Issuing currency notes
B) Setting monetary policy
C) Preventing smuggling
D) Regulating insurance companies
4. Central Excise Day celebrates the contributions of CBIC officers in:
A) Education and research
B) Public healthcare
C) National security
D) Trade facilitation and revenue collection
5. The CBIC is part of which ministry?
A) Ministry of Finance
B) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
C) Ministry of Corporate Affairs
D) Ministry of External Affairs
6. What is the primary purpose of studying pollen and NPPs in Kaziranga National Park?
A) To predict future weather patterns
B) To interpret past vegetation and climate
C) To increase tourism
D) To map the park’s geographical features
7. Why are national parks like Kaziranga important for biodiversity conservation?
A) They offer recreational spaces for tourists
B) They serve as gene reservoirs for tropical species
C) They are used for agricultural development
D) They provide natural resources for industrial use
8. What does the modern pollen analogue developed by BSIP help with?
A) Improving the accuracy of GPS systems
B) Deciphering past and future climatic scenarios
C) Conducting soil fertility tests
D) Enhancing satellite imagery clarity
9. How does the combination of pollen and NPP data benefit paleo-environmental studies?
A) By providing a single-proxy interpretation
B) By revealing more detailed information
C) By reducing the need for field research
D) By simplifying data analysis methods
10. What is the significance of the study published in the journal Holocene?
A) It introduces a new species of flora
B) It identifies marker pollen taxa related to different vegetation
C) It announces the discovery of oil reserves
D) It outlines a new park management plan
11. What is the maximum capacity for rooftop solar systems that can be installed without a technical feasibility study as per the 2024 amendments?
A) 5 kW
B) 10 kW
C) 15 kW
D) 20 kW
12. What is the new timeline for the distribution licensee to commission Rooftop Solar PV systems after the 2024 amendments?
A) 30 days
B) 15 days
C) 20 days
D) 10 days
13. For rooftop solar systems above 10 kW, what happens if the feasibility study is not completed within the stipulated time?
A) The application is rejected
B) The approval is deemed to have been given
C) The system capacity is reduced
D) The process is restarted
14. According to the 2024 amendments, who bears the cost for distribution system strengthening necessary for rooftop solar PV systems up to 5 kW capacity?
A) The consumer
B) The state government
C) The distribution company
D) The central government
15. What is the new time period for obtaining a new electricity connection in metropolitan areas after the 2024 amendments?
A) 3 days
B) 7 days
C) 15 days
D) 30 days
16. What is the highway construction target set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for the financial year 2023-24?
A) 8,000-9,000 km
B) 10,000-11,000 km
C) 12,000-13,000 km
D) 14,000-15,000 km
17. What has been a significant challenge in meeting the highway construction targets?
A) Shortage of construction materials
B) Extended monsoons and stricter review processes
C) Lack of skilled labor
D) Budget constraints
18. What is the focus of the Gati Shakti Research Chair established at IIM Shillong?
A) Agricultural development
B) Multimodal logistics
C) Information technology
D) Renewable energy
19. Which region is the Gati Shakti Research Chair especially focused on?
A) South India
B) North-East region
C) Western India
D) Central India
20. What is the primary goal of the Gati Shakti Research Chair?
A) To promote cultural heritage
B) To enhance academic research in multimodal logistics
C) To develop sports infrastructure
D) To study climate change impacts
21. What is the significance of Ayutthaya in Thai history?
A) It was the first capital of the Siamese Kingdom.
B) It was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom.
C) It was a minor trading post.
D) It was an isolated monastery.
22. Why was Ayutthaya strategically located on an island?
A) To facilitate trade with other nations.
B) To protect the city from sea-going warships.
C) To create a religious sanctuary.
D) To isolate it from the mainland.
23. What happened to Ayutthaya in 1767?
A) It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
B) It was attacked and razed by the Burmese army.
C) It became the capital of Thailand.
D) It was visited by a famous world leader.
24. What does the Governor of Bihar’s visit to Ayutthaya symbolize?
A) The promotion of tourism between India and Thailand.
B) The deep cultural and historic connect between Indian and Thai civilizations.
C) The signing of a new trade agreement.
D) The start of a new religious movement.
25. What is the connection between Ayutthaya and the Indian city of Ayodhya?
A) They are sister cities.
B) Ayutthaya is named after Ayodhya.
C) They were both capitals of their respective kingdoms at the same time.
D) They share the same architectural style.
Answer Keys:
1. C) Administering indirect taxes
2. B) 1944
3. C) Preventing smuggling
4. D) Trade facilitation and revenue collection
5. A) Ministry of Finance
6. B) To interpret past vegetation and climate
7. B) They serve as gene reservoirs for tropical species
8. B) Deciphering past and future climatic scenarios
9. B) By revealing more detailed information
10. B) It identifies marker pollen taxa related to different vegetation
11. B) 10 kW
12. B) 15 days
13. B) The approval is deemed to have been given
14. C) The distribution company
15. A) 3 days
16. C) 12,000-13,000 km
17. B) Extended monsoons and stricter review processes
18. B) Multimodal logistics
19. B) North-East region
20. B) To enhance academic research in multimodal logistics
21. B) It was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom.
22. B) To protect the city from sea-going warships.
23. B) It was attacked and razed by the Burmese army.
24. B) The deep cultural and historic connect between Indian and Thai civilizations.
25. B) Ayutthaya is named after Ayodhya.
