1. Consider the following paragraph and identify with the help of the code given below the writer referred to therein: She is the winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Jnanpith Award and is also India's first Principal Prince Claus laureate. One of the most celebrated writers of contemporary Indian literature, she is noted for her novels which include The Moth-Eaten Howdah of the Tusker, Pages Stained with Blood and The Man from Chinnamasta.Code:

2. Consider the following statements about Astra:
1. This anti-aircraft missile is procured by India from Russia.
2. It is a single-stage, smokeless, solid-propelled missile.
3. It may be launched from different altitudes. Which of the statements given above are correct?

3. Which among the following islands in the South China Sea are the source of conflict between several countries?

4. Match ListI with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:List-I List-II (Jnanpith Laureate) (Language)
A. Birendra Kumar 1. Bengali Bhattacharya
B. Rahman Rahi 2. Marathi
C. Vinda Karandikar 3. Kashmiri
D. Mahasweta Devi 4. AssameseCodes: A B C D A B C D

5. Which one of the following is not a member of BASIC bloc of countries?

6. Which of the following is/are true relating to Nelson Mandela?
1. He was the first President of South Africa.
2. Mandela spent 18 years in prison on Robben Island.
3. Mandela became the President in 1990 after his release from the prison. Select the correct answer using the code given below

7. With which one of the following games is the Hopman Cup associated?

8. In which one of the following One-Day Cricket World Cups, did India lose in the Finals?

9. In which one among the following States is the percentage of Scheduled Tribes population to its total population highest?

10. In the United Nations, who decides the quantum of contribution of each member to the income resources of the UN?

11. Karam is a festival celebrated to worship Karam Deuta, the God of power. Which one among the following tribal communities in India traditionally celebrates this festival?

12. Which one among the following countries was least affected by the tsunami that hit the Indonesian Ocean on 26th December, 2004?

13. Navroze is a festival celebrated in India by the

14. India's 'Look East Policy'
1. was articulated during the reign of H.D. Deve Gowda as India's Prime Minister
2. is directed towards South-East Asian countries
3. is about controlling terrorism
4. seeks to develop a bond among various countries on the basis of economic cooperation Select the correct answer using the code given below:Code:

15. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:List-I List-II (Name of the Shipyard) (Location)
A. Hindustan Shipyard 1. Kolkata Limited
B. Garden Reach 2. Vasco-da-Gama Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited
C. Goa Shipyard 3. Mumbai Limited
D. Mazagon Dock 4. Visakhapatnam LimitedCode:

16. The Manas National Park is situated in the State of:

17. Consider the following statements : The state government shall appoint a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendations as to
1. the distribution between the state and Panchayats of the net proceeds of taxes, tolls and fees leviable by the states.
2. the determination of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees which may be assigned to the Panchayats.
3. the principles that will determine grant-in-aid to the Panchayats. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

18. Who among the following sports personalities is known as the payyoli Express?

19. Consider the following passage and identify the form of dance theatre referred thereto using the code given below. This is a uniquely traditional form of dance theatre of India with a formidable classical background. The main essence of this form of dance drama is its attachment with religion, which provides the most common theme for its plays. The performance begins with a prayer offering to the Lord Ganesha, which is followed by a comedy act, accompanied by the background music of the Chenda and the Maddale, and a tala (cymbals) played by a team of three. The narrator, who is also a part of the team is called Bhagavata, and is the producer, the director, and the head of the ceremony. His primary task involves the narration of the story through songs, introduction of the characters, and occasionally conversing with them. Another unique feature of it is the totally unrehearsed and unwritten use of dialogues. which makes it so special.Code

20. Which of the following is/are instance(s) of violation of human rights?
1. A person was detained by the security forces while going for casting vote in Parliamentary Election.
2. A civilian was killed by the army while undertaking combing operation. Select the correct answer using the code given below:Code:

21. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:List I (Person) List II (Industrial Unit)
A. Indira Nooyi 1. Airtel
B. Mukesh Ambani 2. Wipro
C. Sunil Mittal 3. Pepsi
D. Azim Premji 4. RelianceCodes: A B C D

22. S.R. Nathan is the President of which one of the following countries?

23. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists : GENERAL KNOWLEDGEList-I List-II (U N Bodies) (Headquarters)
A. International 1. Geneva Court of Justice
B. Food and Agriculture 2. Rome Organization
C. UNESCO 3. Washington
D. WHO 4. The Hague
5. ParisCodes : AB C D A B C D

24. Which country won the 2006 FIFA Cup (World Football Cup) ?

25. Arrange the following Military Training Institutes in India in terms of their geographical location form North to South
I. Indian Military Academy
II. Officers Training Academy III. National Defence Academy IV. National Defence College
V. College of Defence Management Select the correct answer using the code given below