OPSC OAS Prelims Paper 1 Practice Test - 6 - OPSC OCS (Odisha) MCQ

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Temple premises in Nagara style generally does not have elaborate walls and gateways. In contrast, Dravida style has elaborate walls and gateways around temple premises.

• Statement 2 is correct: Images of river goddess Ganga and Yamuna were placed outside the garbhagriha.

• Statement 3 is correct: In Nagara style, Temple premises do not have water tank or reservoir inside the temple premises. Whereas in Dravida style, water tanks or reservoirs are present in the temple premises.

About Nagara style of Temple Architecture:

• Nagara is the style of temple architecture which became popular in Northern India.

• It is common here to build an entire temple on a stone platform with steps leading up to it.

• Unlike in south India, it doesn’t usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways.

• Earliest temples had only one shikhara (tower), but in the later periods multiple shikharas came.

• The garbhagriha is always located directly under the tallest tower.

Oxford University decided to return a 500-year-old bronze idol of Saint Tirumankai Alvar to India, which had been stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu. This decision reflects a growing trend among institutions to repatriate cultural artifacts to their countries of origin, acknowledging historical injustices and fostering goodwill.

Mohan Charan Majhi has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Odisha. This leadership change is significant as it could influence the political landscape and governance strategies in the state, particularly in addressing local issues and development.

The United Nations declared 2025 as the 'International Year of Quantum' and Technology. This initiative aims to promote awareness and education regarding quantum technologies, which have the potential to revolutionize various fields, including computing, healthcare, and telecommunications.

The Indian Deaf Cricket Team is scheduled to play its first bilateral series against England. This event is a landmark for the team, showcasing the growing recognition and support for athletes with disabilities, and promoting inclusivity in sports.

The theme for World Day Against Child Labour in 2024 is 'Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour.' This theme emphasizes the need for collective action to eliminate child labor and ensure that children have access to education and a safe environment.

A 'heatdome' is a weather phenomenon caused by high-pressure systems that trap warm air, leading to prolonged periods of extreme heat. This can result in record-high temperatures and has significant impacts on health and the environment, exacerbating drought conditions.

The Bogibeel Bridge in Assam is recognized as the longest road cum railway bridge in India. This engineering marvel facilitates both road and rail transport, significantly improving connectivity and economic development in the northeastern region of India.

Sangram Singh made history by becoming the first Indian male wrestler to join mixed martial arts (MMA). This transition from traditional wrestling to MMA illustrates the evolving landscape of combat sports in India and the increasing opportunities for athletes in diverse disciplines.

On his first day in office during his third term, PM Modi released the 17th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme, benefiting millions of farmers. This program aims to provide financial assistance to farmers, reflecting the government's commitment to agricultural development and rural welfare.

GAIL is set to establish India’s largest KTA Ethane Cracker project in Madhya Pradesh. This project will enhance the production of petrochemicals, contributing to the local economy and creating job opportunities while supporting the energy sector's growth.

The idiom "devil's advocate" refers to the practice of arguing a position not because one necessarily agrees with it, but to explore the validity of the argument. This approach encourages critical thinking and thorough examination of different viewpoints.

The Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary is notable for its rich biodiversity and is inhabited by the Tharu tribe. It showcases the unique Bhabar-Terai ecosystem and is home to deciduous and semi-evergreen woodlands, making it an important ecological site.

On June 11, 1770, Captain James Cook, the commander of the British ship Endeavour, "discovered" the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. This event is significant in maritime history as it marked the exploration of new territories and the expansion of European knowledge about the Pacific region.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) aims to provide affordable housing to the urban and rural poor in India. Launched in 2019, the initiative seeks to construct and complete a significant number of houses, ensuring basic amenities and improving living standards for low-income families.

The Pamban Bridge, also known as the Rameshwaram Bridge, connects Rameshwaram Island to the mainland of India. It is an engineering marvel and one of the most famous bridges in India, facilitating both road and rail transportation across the sea.

Shilpi Agarwal achieved the top position in the International Digital Teachers' Olympiad 2024. This recognition highlights the importance of digital literacy and innovative teaching methods in the modern educational landscape, encouraging educators to adopt technology in their classrooms.

About Tanjore Paintings:

• Tanjore Painting is one of the most popular forms of classical South Indian painting. It is the native art form of Thanjavur (also known as Tanjore) city of Tamil Nadu.

• Tanjore Painting of India originated during the 16th century, under the reign of the Cholas. Maratha princes, Nayakas, Rajus communities of Tanjore and Trichy and Naidus of Madurai also patronized Indian Thanjavur Paintings from 16th to 18th century

• The dense composition, surface richness and vibrant colors of Indian Thanjavur Paintings distinguish them from the other types of paintings. There are embellishments of semi-precious stones, pearls and glass pieces that further add to their appeal.

• The relief work gives them a three dimensional effect.

• Most of these paintings revolve around the theme of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, along with saints.

• The main figure is always painted at the center of the painting:

  • Mysore Painting: Mysore Painting is a form of classical South Indian painting, which evolved in the Mysore city of Karnataka. During that time, Mysore was under the reign of the Wodeyars and it was under their patronage that this school of painting reached its zenith. Quite similar to the Tanjore Paintings, Mysore Paintings of India make use of thinner gold leaves and require much more hard work. The most popular themes of these paintings include Hindu Gods and Goddesses and scenes from Hindu mythology. The grace, beauty and intricacy of Indian Mysore Paintings leave the onlookers mesmerized.

  • Company Painting: Company painting, also called Patna painting, style of miniature painting that developed in India in the second half of the 18th century in response to the tastes of the British serving with the East India Company. The style first emerged in Murshidabad, West Bengal, and then spread to other centres of British trade: Benares (Varanasi), Delhi, Lucknow, and Patna. Basohli painting, school of Pahari miniature painting that flourished in the Indian hill states during the late 17th and 18th centuries, known for its bold vitality of colour and line. Though the school takes its name from the small independent state of Basohli, the principal centre of the style, examples are found throughout the region.

• Statement 1 is correct: Mauryan Empire maintained large standing army of Cavalry, Army, elephants, chariots, navy and transport.

• Statement 2 is correct: Administration of important cities were carried out by six boards, each consist of 5 members.

• Statement 3 is correct: Administration of army was carried by a board of 30 members divided into 6, each having 5 members- Army, Navy, Elephant, cavalry, chariots and transport.

• Statement 1 is correct: The castes proliferated into numerous sub-castes as a result of two factors. A large number of foreigners had been assimilated into Indian society, and each group of foreigners was considered a kind of caste.

• Statement 2 is correct: As the foreigners largely came as conquerors, they were given the status of kshatriya in society. The Hunas, who came to India towards the close of the fifth century, eventually came to be recognized as one of the thirty-six clans of the Rajput’s. Even now some Rajput’s bear the title Hun. The other reason for the increase in the number of castes was the absorption of many tribal people into Brahmanical society through the process of land grants. The tribal chiefs were assigned a respectable origin, but most of their ordinary kinsmen were assigned a low origin, and every tribe became a kind of caste in its new incarnation. This process continued in some ways up to the present.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore, revitalised it. Debendranath was a product of the best in the traditional Indian learning and the new thought of the West. In 1839 he founded the Tattvabodhini Sabha to propagate Rammohun Roy‟s ideas.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Tattvabodhini Sabha and its organ the Tatvabodhini Patrika promoted a systematic study of India‟s past in the Bengali language. It also helped spread a rational outlook among the intellectuals of Bengal.

• Dayanand Saraswati (12 February 1824 – 30 October 1883) was an Indian philosopher, social leader and founder of the Arya Samaj, a reform movement of the Vedic dharma.

• Denouncing the idolatry and ritualistic worship prevalent in British India at the time, he worked towards reviving Vedic ideologies.

• He focused on problems of man as they lived in this world. He also favored the study of western sciences.

Statement 1 is correct. In 1920, Jinnah resigned from the Congress when it agreed to follow a campaign of satyagraha, which he regarded as political anarchy. Gandhi declared that if the non-cooperation programme was implemented completely, swaraj would be ushered in within a year.Many groups of revolutionary terrorists, especially those from Bengal, also pledged support to the Congress programme.

Statement 2 is correct. At this stage, some leaders like Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Annie Besant, G.S. Khaparde and B.C. Pal left the Congress as they believed in a constitutional and lawful struggle.

To set the educational system in order, he instituted in 1902, a Universities Commission to go into the entire question of university education in the country. On the basis of the findings and recommendations of the Commission, Curzon brought in the Indian Universities Act of 1904, which brought all the universities in India under the control of the government.

Events occurred during Lord William Bentinck 1828-1835

(i) Abolition of sati and other cruel rites (1829).

(ii) Suppression of thuggee (1830).

(iii) Charter Act of 1833.

(iv) Resolution of 1835, and educational reforms and introduction of English as the official language.

(v) Annexation of Mysore (1831), Coorg (1834) and Central Cachar (1834).

(vi) Treaty of ‘perpetual friendship’ with Ranjeet Singh.

(vii) Abolition of the provincial courts of appeal and circuit set up by Cornwallis, appointment of commissioners of revenue and circuit. Third Maratha War (1817-19) was held during times of Lord Hastings 1813-1823.

The Kargil War was fought against intruders from Pakistan, who had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian Territory in 1998. On July 26, 1999, the Pakistan forces were forced to withdraw from the Indian Territory.

Statement 2 is correct. HRA was founded by Revolutionaries with an aim to organise an armed revolution to overthrow the Colonial Government. KB) Hindustan Republican Association/Army was later renamed to Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.

It was founded by Revolutionaries like Ram prasad Bismil in October 1924 in Kanpur to organise an armed revolution against the British govt. and they wanted to establish the Federal Republic of the United states of India after overthrowing the colonial govt.

• Gerosoppa Falls, also known as Jog Falls, is located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. It is one of the highest waterfalls in India, with a height of 253 metres (829 feet). It is a segmented waterfall that, depending on rain and season, becomes a plunge waterfall.
• The waterfall is formed by the Sharavati River, which originates in the Western Ghats. It is an important river in Karnataka, flowing towards the west. It flows through the dense forests of the Western Ghats and drops down the rocky cliffs at Jog Falls. The water plunges into a deep green valley and creates a spectacular view. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.