67th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2022 Question Paper

Detailed Explanation:

Bihar's total geographical area is officially recorded as 94,163 sq. km, making it the 12th largest state in India by area, accounting for approximately 2.86% of India's total land area.

This is a fixed administrative statistic used in all government records and census data.

Therefore, 94,163 sq. km is the correct figure, making Option 2 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Census 2011 data identifies Bhil as India's largest Scheduled Tribe, constituting approximately 38% of the total ST population. They are predominantly distributed across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Gond is the second-largest tribe (35.6%), followed by Santhal, Kol, and others. Together, the top six tribes represent over 92% of India's ST population.

Therefore, Bhil being the most populous ST as per Census 2011, Option 2 is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Raniganj coalfield in West Bengal, along the western bank of the Damodar River, was the site of India's first coal mine during the British period. It belongs to the Gondwana Super Group and remains India's largest coalfield.

Dhanbad and Jharia (in Jharkhand) and Asansol (in West Bengal) are important coal centers but were developed later, not the first mining site.

Therefore, Raniganj being the first coal mine site, Option 1 is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Nepanagar in Madhya Pradesh houses Nepa Mills Limited, India's first indigenous newsprint manufacturing unit, established in 1947.

Durgapur has steel plants, Kanpur has textile/leather industries, and Satana has no major newsprint facility.

Therefore, Nepanagar is the correct location for newsprint paper industry, making Option 2 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Kerala is India's leading producer of thorium, extracted from monazite sands found abundantly along its coastal belt, particularly in districts like Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.

Thorium is a radioactive mineral used in nuclear fuel, ceramics, welding rods, and aerospace alloys. India holds the world's largest thorium reserves, with Kerala and Tamil Nadu accounting for the bulk.

Therefore, Kerala is the correct answer, making Option 3 correct.

Detailed Explanation:

Karewas are glacial clay deposits found in the Kashmir Valley, formed through glacial action and embedded in moraines. These lacustrine sediments possess unique drainage and nutrient properties ideal for saffron (Zafran) cultivation.

Located primarily in the Jhelum Valley and parts of Jammu, Karewas are highly fertile plateaus specifically suited to saffron due to their soil composition and climate. Crops like mango, grapes, or banana are not cultivated in this region.

Therefore, Karewas are famous for saffron cultivation, making Option 1 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

All three statements about wildlife conservation initiatives are correct.

• Statement 1 is Correct: Project Tiger was launched in 1973 as a centrally sponsored scheme administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Statement 2 is Correct: The theme for International Day for Biological Diversity 2022 was 'Building a shared future for all life', celebrated on 22 May.
• Statement 3 is Correct: Project Tiger is indeed a tiger conservation programme following core-buffer area strategy in tiger reserves.
• Therefore, all three statements are correct, making Option 3 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Rajasthan's low rainfall is primarily due to the Aravalli Range's orientation—it runs parallel to the Arabian Sea monsoon winds, preventing orographic uplift.

The Bay of Bengal branch loses most moisture over the Gangetic plains before reaching Rajasthan. Without a perpendicular mountain barrier to force air upward, winds remain at low altitude and do not cool sufficiently to condense into rainfall.

Therefore, the absence of barriers to cause necessary uplift makes Option 3 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

The McMahon Line, negotiated by Sir Henry McMahon during the Shimla Accord (1913-14) between British India and Tibet, defines the eastern sector of the India–China border.

The Radcliffe Line demarcates India-Pakistan, the Durand Line separates Pakistan-Afghanistan, and Indira Point is India's southernmost tip in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—none relate to the India-China boundary.

Therefore, McMahon Line is the India-China boundary, making Option 4 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

The Sargasso Sea is a unique region in the North Atlantic Ocean, bounded by four major currents: the Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Current, Canary Current, and North Atlantic Equatorial Current. These currents form an ocean gyre that traps floating Sargassum seaweed, giving the sea its distinctive name and golden appearance.

Unlike conventional seas, it has no land boundaries and is defined entirely by circulating ocean currents. It lies entirely within the North Atlantic, ruling out the Arctic, South Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

Therefore, the Sargasso Sea is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, making Option 2 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Pushyabhuti founded the Vardhana dynasty (also called Pushyabhuti dynasty) in the 6th century CE with its capital at Thaneswar (Haryana).

Prabhakarvardhana was his grandson and the first prominent ruler who expanded the kingdom. Rajyavardhana and Adityavardhana (Harshavardhana) were Prabhakarvardhana's sons who succeeded him.

Therefore, Pushyabhuti laid the foundation of the Vardhana dynasty, making Option 4 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) assumed the Gupta throne by killing his elder brother Ramagupta, who had surrendered to the Shakas and dishonored the kingdom.

Samudragupta was his father and succeeded peacefully, Skandagupta later restored Gupta power against the Huns, and Shri Gupta was the dynasty's founder—none committed fratricide.

Therefore, Chandragupta II is the only Gupta ruler who killed his elder brother to seize power, making Option 2 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

The First Buddhist Council was convened in 483 BCE at Sattapanni caves in Rajagriha (modern Rajgir, Bihar) immediately after Buddha's death. King Ajatashatru patronized the council, and Mahakasyapa presided over it to compile Buddha's teachings into Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka.

Pataliputra hosted the Third Council under Ashoka, Vaishali the Second Council, while Amaravati and Kanganhalli are important Buddhist sites but never hosted councils.

Therefore, Rajagriha is the correct location, making Option 1 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Orissa was separated from Bihar on 1 April 1936 when the British divided the Bihar and Orissa Province into two separate provinces. Prior to 1912, both regions were part of the Bengal Presidency; they were then combined as Bihar and Orissa Province in 1912.

The year 1956 marks linguistic reorganization of states, and 2000 saw the creation of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh—neither relates to Orissa's separation from Bihar.

Therefore, 1936 is the correct year, making Option 1 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

The Chuar Revolt was a tribal uprising by the Chuar community (forest-dwelling tribes) in Bengal Presidency (including parts of present-day Bihar and West Bengal) against oppressive British land revenue policies and restrictions on forest rights.

The revolt's first major phase began in 1798–1799, marking organized resistance against colonial exploitation. A second phase occurred later during 1831–1833, but the initial outbreak is historically recorded from 1798.

Therefore, the Chuar Revolt began in 1798, making Option 2 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu were brothers who led the Santhal Revolt (1855–56) against British exploitation, the zamindari system, and oppressive moneylenders in present-day Jharkhand.

The other leaders mentioned—Gaurakshni Bhagat, Keshav Chandra Roy, Shambhunath Pal, Korra Mallaya, Jara Bhagat, and Balaram Bhagat—were associated with different tribal or peasant movements.

Therefore, Sidhu and Kanhu were the leaders of the Santhal Revolt, making Option 1 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Satyendra Prasanna Sinha was the first Indian to serve as Governor of the combined Bihar and Orissa Province from 1920 to 1921, appointed during British rule.

Dr. Shri Krishna Singh was Bihar's first Chief Minister (not Governor), while Jairamdas Daulatram became the first post-independence Governor of Bihar in 1947.

Therefore, Satyendra Prasanna Sinha is the correct answer, making Option 3 correct.

Detailed Explanation:

Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, invaded Bihar around 1200 CE, conquering regions including Magadha and destroying Buddhist monasteries like Nalanda and Vikramashila. His conquest marked the beginning of Turk rule in Bihar.

Ibrahim, Dariya Khan Noohani, and Malik Husamuddin were later administrators or governors but did not establish Turk dominance in the region.

Therefore, Bakhtiyar Khilji was the real founder of Turk rule in Bihar, making Option 1 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Jeevaka (also spelled Jivaka) was the royal physician of Magadha ruler Bimbisara in the 5th century BCE. He resided in Rajgriha (modern Rajgir) and also served as the personal physician of Lord Buddha.

Known as the "Medicine King" for his exceptional medical skills, Jeevaka is prominently mentioned in Buddhist texts for his contributions to ancient Indian medicine.

Therefore, Jeevaka was Bimbisara's physician, making Option 2 the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation:

Usha Mehta, along with Ram Manohar Lohia and others, launched Congress Radio (Secret Radio) in August 1942 in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement to broadcast nationalist messages and inspire the masses.

The station operated for three months until November 1942, when British police traced and shut it down. Usha Mehta was arrested and imprisoned until 1946.

Therefore, Usha Mehta launched the secret radio during Quit India Movement, making Option 4 the correct answer.