PPSC Prelims Paper 1 Mock Test - 6 - PPSC PCS (Punjab) MCQ

Oxford University agreed to return the 500-year-old bronze idol of Saint Tirumankai Alvar to India. This decision was made in response to claims from the Indian High Commission, highlighting the importance of cultural repatriation and the acknowledgment of historical injustices related to colonial acquisitions.

The theme for the World Day Against Child Labour in 2024 was "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour." This theme underscores the need for action and commitment from all stakeholders to eradicate child labour and ensure that children have the opportunity to receive an education and enjoy their childhood.

Mohan Charan Majhi was appointed as the new Chief Minister of Odisha in June 2024. This change in leadership is significant as it may influence the state's policies and governance moving forward.

Sangram Singh became the first Indian male wrestler to join mixed martial arts (MMA) in June 2024. His transition from wrestling to MMA showcases the growing crossover between different combat sports and the expanding opportunities for athletes in diverse fighting disciplines.

The phenomenon known as "Heatdome" was responsible for the prolonged extreme heatwaves affecting parts of India in June 2024. A heatdome occurs when high-pressure systems trap warm air, resulting in persistently high temperatures that can lead to serious health risks and environmental impacts.

The term "peerless" means unequaled or unrivaled, indicating something or someone that stands out as superior and unmatched. This term is often used to describe exceptional talent or performance, highlighting its uniqueness.

Peru and Slovakia signed the Artemis Accords for space exploration in June 2024. The Artemis Accords are a set of principles aimed at guiding the exploration of outer space, promoting peaceful cooperation among countries.

The primary goal of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is to construct affordable housing for the urban and rural poor in India. This initiative aims to provide basic amenities and improve living conditions for eligible families.

The Bogibeel Bridge, located in Assam, is recognized as the longest road-cum-railway bridge in India. It serves as a crucial infrastructure link, facilitating transportation and connectivity in the region.

Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to achieve the rank of World No. 1 in the ATP rankings in June 2024. This accomplishment marks a significant achievement in his career and highlights the rising talent in Italian tennis.

The idiom "playing devil's advocate" refers to the act of arguing for a position one does not necessarily agree with, primarily to challenge the validity of the opposing viewpoint. This technique encourages critical thinking and thorough discussion.

The main focus of the extreme heatwave in June 2024 was the health risks and fatalities associated with prolonged high temperatures. Heatwaves can lead to increased cases of heat-related illnesses and stress on healthcare systems.

Poet Siddhalinga Pattanashetti was awarded the Gudleppa Hallikeri Award in June 2024. This recognition highlights his contributions to literature and the arts, celebrating excellence in poetic expression.

• The Pallava kings, who succeeded the Chalukya kings in parts of South India, were also the patrons of art. Mahendravarma I, who ruled in the seventh century, was responsible for building temples at Panamalai, Mandagapattu and Kanchipuram.
• The inscription at Mandagapattu mentions Mahendravarman I with numerous titles, such as Vichitrachitta (curious-minded), Chitrakarapuli (tiger among artists) and Chaityakari (temple builder), which show his interest in art activities. The paintings in these temples too were done at his initiative, though only fragments remain.
• When the Pandyas came to power, they too patronized art. The Tirumalaipuram caves and the Jaina caves at Sittanvasal are some of the surviving examples. A few fragmented layers of paintings can be seen in Tirumalaipuram. In Sittanavasal, the paintings are visible on the ceilings of the shrines, in the verandas, and on the brackets.
• The tradition of building temples and embellishing them with carvings and paintings continued during the reign of the Chola kings, who ruled over the region from the ninth century to the thirteenth century. 
• But it was in the eleventh century, when the Cholas reached their zenith of power, that masterpieces of the Chola art and architecture began to appear. The temples of Brihadeswara at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram in Tamil Nadu were built during the reigns of Rajaraja Chola, his son, Rajendra Chola and Rajaraja Chola II, respectively. 

• Akbar made some experiments in the land revenue administration with the help of Raja Todar Mal. The land revenue system of Akbar was called Zabti or Bandobast system. It was further improved by Raja Todar Mal. It was known as Dahsala System which was completed in 1580.
• By this system, Todar Mal introduced a uniform system of land measurement. The revenue was fixed on the average yield of land assessed on the basis of the past ten years. The land was also divided into four categories – Polaj (cultivated every year), Parauti (once in two years), Chachar (once in three or four years), and Banjar (once in five or more years). Payment of revenue was made generally in cash. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

• Statement 1 is correct: The earliest important ruler of Magadh was the king Bimbisara, who ruled for 52 years from 544 BC to 492 BC. He pursued a three-pronged policy, namely, matrimonial alliances, friendship with strong rulers and conquest of weak neighbours to expand the empire. He was a contemporary of both Buddha and Mahavira and paid equal respect to them.
• Statement 2 is correct: Under the policy of matrimonial alliances, he married the sister of Prasenjit, the king of Kosala. She brought in dowry the territory of Kashi, which yielded a revenue of 1,00,000 coins.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: He also conquered Anga by defeating its ruler Brahmadatta. Anga and specially its capital Champa were important for the inland and maritime trade. Thus, Kashi and conquest of Anga became the launching pad for the expansion of Magadh. Bimbisara did not make Champa his capital. He conquered Anga and its capital Champa, which were important for trade, but his capital remained Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) in Magadh.

Samaharta was in charge of collection of revenue from various parts of the Mauryan kingdom and looked after the income and expenditure by supervising the works of the akshapatal adhyaksha (Accountant General). Among all the executive officials, Samahartri was the most important and his responsibility involved maintaining accounts and collection of taxes from all types of sources.

• Statement 1 is correct: Mahatma Gandhi focused on social reform works when he was not in politics. A very good example is, when Congress declared Purna Swaraj in Lahore session (1930), and hoisted the National flag, Gandhiji wanted that the declaration of Purna Swaraj be made by whole villages and towns, and the rest of the day be spent in service of untouchables. Also, during Dandi March he said to the upper castes that if they want Swaraj, they need to correct the wrongs done by them on untouchables. Hence, he used the National movement to bring social transformation.

• Statement 2 is correct: Mahatma Gandhi was profoundly critical of the modern age in which machines enslaved humans and displaced labour. He saw the charkha as a symbol of a human society that would not glorify machines and technology

Many other nationalists such as Abul Kalam Azad had also been kept behind bars. The Government now decided to arm itself with more far-reaching powers, which went against the accepted principles of rule of law, to be able to suppress those nationalists who would refuse to be satisfied with the official reforms. For this reason, in March 1919, the Government passed the Rowlatt Act even though every single Indian member of the Central Legislative Council opposed it.

Three of them, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malaviya and Mazhar-ul-Huq resigned from their membership of the Council. This Act authorised the Government to imprison any person without trial and conviction in a court of law. The Act would thus also enable the Government to suspend the right of Habeas Corpus which had been the foundation of civil liberties in Britain.

• Statement 1 is correct: Moderates demanded and raised the voice for separation of judicial from executive functions.

• Statement 2 is correct: The moderates` demand for Indianization of government services on multiple accounts like:

  • On the economic grounds that British civil servants got very high emoluments while inclusion of Indians would be more economical; on political grounds that, since salaries of British bureaucrats were remitted back home and pensions paid in England (all drawn from Indian revenue), this amounted to economic drain of national resources; and, on moral grounds that Indians were being discriminated against by being kept away from positions of trust and responsibility.

• Statement 3 is incorrect: The moderates call for increase in expenditure on welfare (i.e., health, sanitation), education—especially elementary and technical—irrigation works and improvement of agriculture, agricultural banks for cultivators, etc. and reduction of expenditure on wars.

  • They did not raise the demand for increase in defense expenditure for protection of Indian territories.