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UPSC Civil Services
General Knowledge

UPSC IAS/IPS MCQ questions — History, Polity, Economy, Science, General Studies.

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Difficulty: All Easy Medium Hard 431–439 of 439
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Q.431 Medium General Knowledge
Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the founder of India's nuclear program, studied physics at which prestigious university?
A University of Cambridge
B University of Oxford
C Imperial College London
D University of Edinburgh
Correct Answer:  A. University of Cambridge
EXPLANATION

Homi Bhabha studied at the University of Cambridge and later worked at the Cavendish Laboratory.

He was instrumental in establishing the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and laid the foundation for India's nuclear energy program, earning him the title 'Father of Indian Nuclear Program'.

His work bridged theoretical physics with practical nuclear applications.

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Q.432 Medium General Knowledge
Which Indian freedom fighter was known as 'Lokmanya' and led the Indian National Congress during the Swaraj movement?
A Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B Gopal Krishna Gokhale
C Dadabhai Naoroji
D Surendranath Banerjea
Correct Answer:  A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
EXPLANATION

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920) was revered as 'Lokmanya' (beloved of the people) and was a pivotal figure in the Swaraj movement, advocating for self-rule through his newspaper 'Kesari'.

His famous quote 'Swaraj is my birthright' became a rallying cry for Indian independence.

He is considered one of the architects of modern Indian nationalism.

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Q.433 Medium General Knowledge
Which award is given to recognize lifetime achievement in cinema and is conferred at the National Film Awards ceremony in India?
A Dadasaheb Phalke Award
B Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
C IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award
D Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
Correct Answer:  A. Dadasaheb Phalke Award
EXPLANATION
Step 1: Identify the Award Category

The question asks about a lifetime achievement award in cinema given at India's National Film Awards ceremony.

\[\text{Award Type} = \text{Lifetime Achievement in Cinema}\]
Step 2: Recall the Specific Award Name

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award for cinema, named after the pioneering filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke, and is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony.

\[\text{Award Name} = \text{Dadasaheb Phalke Award}\]
Step 3: Verify Against Answer Options

Comparing the award that matches the description (lifetime achievement in cinema at National Film Awards, India) against the given options confirms that option A is correct.

\[\text{Correct Answer} = \text{A) Dadasaheb Phalke Award}\]

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the prestigious lifetime achievement award in cinema conferred at the National Film Awards ceremony in India.

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Q.434 Hard General Knowledge
Who was the first woman recipient of the Padma Vibhushan award?
A Indira Gandhi
B Savitribai Phule
C Jeannette Rankin
D Mother Teresa
Correct Answer:  D. Mother Teresa
EXPLANATION

Mother Teresa was the first woman recipient of the Padma Vibhushan award, India's second-highest civilian honor, which she received in 1980 for her humanitarian work with the poor and sick in Kolkata. The Padma Vibhushan is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their respective fields, and Mother Teresa's dedication to social welfare and medical care made her a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor. While other women have received this award after her, Mother Teresa holds the distinction of being the first female recipient, making her historically significant in the context of Indian civilian awards. Other options like female athletes, scientists, or political figures may have received the award later, but none preceded Mother Teresa in receiving this honor.

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Q.435 Easy General Knowledge
Which international award is given annually for outstanding contributions to literature, peace, physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and economic sciences?
A Pulitzer Prize
B Nobel Prize
C Templeton Prize
D Fields Medal
Correct Answer:  B. Nobel Prize
EXPLANATION

The Nobel Prize is the correct answer because it is the most prestigious international award established by Alfred Nobel's will in 1895, specifically designed to recognize exceptional achievements in the six categories mentioned: literature, peace, physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and economic sciences. The prize is awarded annually by Swedish and Norwegian institutions and has become the world's most coveted recognition for intellectual and humanitarian contributions. Other awards like the Pulitzer Prize focus only on literature and journalism, the Fields Medal only on mathematics, and the Turing Award only on computer science, making them far more limited in scope. The Nobel Prize's global prestige, annual presentation, and coverage of multiple disciplines make it the only award that matches all the criteria specified in the question.

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Q.436 Easy General Knowledge
The Bharat Ratna award was instituted in which year?
A 1954
B 1950
C 1960
D 1965
Correct Answer:  A. 1954
EXPLANATION

The Bharat Ratna award was instituted in 1954, making option A the correct answer. This award was established by the Indian government as the highest civilian honor in India, created in the same year that India adopted its Constitution and became a republic. The award was designed to recognize exceptional service and outstanding contributions to the nation in any field of human endeavor. Other options would be incorrect as they represent different years that have no historical significance regarding the Bharat Ratna's establishment.

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Q.437 Medium General Knowledge
Which Indian actor became the first Indian male actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor?
A Aamir Khan
B Shah Rukh Khan
C No Indian male actor has won this award yet
D Rajesh Khanna
Correct Answer:  C. No Indian male actor has won this award yet
EXPLANATION

The correct answer is C because no Indian male actor has ever won the Academy Award for Best Actor in the history of the Oscars. While several Indian actors have been nominated or won awards in other categories, none have achieved this particular distinction in the Best Actor category. Options A and B likely mentioned specific actors who may have won other major awards or received nominations, but they have not won the Best Actor Oscar. This question tests knowledge of major international film awards and the achievements of Indian cinema on the global stage.

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Q.438 Easy General Knowledge
Which of the following is the longest river in India?
A The Ganges
B The Brahmaputra
C The Yamuna
D The Godavari
Correct Answer:  A. The Ganges
EXPLANATION

The Ganges is the longest river in India, spanning approximately 2,525 kilometers from its source in the Himalayas to its delta in Bangladesh. It is not only the longest but also the most sacred and culturally significant river in India, playing a crucial role in Hindu religion, agriculture, and the daily lives of millions of people across northern India. While India has other major rivers like the Brahmaputra, Godavari, and Krishna, none of them come close to matching the Ganges in total length. The Ganges also has the largest drainage basin in India, making it by far the most important river system in the country.

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Q.439 Easy General Knowledge
Which of the following Indian states has the longest coastline?
A Gujarat
B Maharashtra
C Tamil Nadu
D Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer:  A. Gujarat
EXPLANATION

Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states, stretching approximately 1,600 kilometers along the Arabian Sea. This extensive coastline has made Gujarat a major maritime and trading hub historically, with important ports like Mundra and Kandla. While states like Maharashtra, Goa, and Kerala also have significant coastlines, none of them exceed Gujarat's total length. The length of Gujarat's coastline is a result of its geographical position on the western coast and its complex topography including the Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Cambay.

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