Q3811. Which event is generally considered the first instance of open Maratha interference in the internal political affairs of a Rajput state during the 18th century?
RAS Prelims MCQ Practice
9,654 RAS Prelims practice MCQs with the correct answer and a clear explanation for each. Filter by subject and chapter.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 3811–3820 of 9654 questions
Browse by subject
Q3812. Which of the following best describes the primary structural foundation of the Ajanta caves?
Explanation
The Ajanta caves represent a significant milestone in Indian rock-cut architecture. These thirty monuments were meticulously excavated from the solid basaltic rock of a vertical cliff within a horseshoe-shaped gorge of the Waghora River. This unique riverine setting provided a secluded environment for Buddhist monks to reside, meditate, and practice their spiritual rituals over several centuries.
Q3813. Which of the following features is not considered a traditional federal feature of the Indian Constitution?
Explanation
Single citizenship is a unitary feature, while dual polity, division of powers, and supremacy of the constitution are traditional federal features. In a federation, citizens usually owe allegiance to both national and state governments. The Indian Constitution deviates from this by providing only one citizenship to foster national unity and prevent regionalism throughout the country’s diverse and vast territory.
Q3814. Which of the following best defines "desertification" according to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)?
Explanation
Desertification refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It results primarily from human activities such as overgrazing and deforestation, coupled with natural climate variations like prolonged droughts. This process reduces the biological or economic productivity of land, severely impacting food security and livelihoods in vulnerable ecosystems.
Q3815. The service sector is often referred to as the tertiary sector of the economy. Which of the following best defines the primary characteristic of activities classified under this sector?
Explanation
The tertiary sector is defined by the provision of intangible value, professional expertise, and experiential goods rather than physical manufacturing or resource extraction. Activities include banking, tourism, education, and healthcare, which facilitate economic exchange without producing physical commodities. This sector acts as a bridge between producers and consumers, adding significant value through specialized human skills and technological solutions.
Q3816. Which of the following best defines genetic diversity?
Explanation
Genetic diversity encompasses the total variety of genetic information contained within the individuals of a single species. It refers specifically to the variation of genes and alleles across populations. This diversity is crucial for the survival and adaptation of species to changing environments and forms a fundamental level of biological variety that ensures long-term reproductive health.
Q3817. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The decline of Mughal authority in the 18th century led to severe political instability in Rajputana.
Reason (R): Rajput states formed a permanent and successful confederacy to replace the Mughal paramountcy.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The decline of Mughal authority in the 18th century led to severe political instability in Rajputana.
Reason (R): Rajput states formed a permanent and successful confederacy to replace the Mughal paramountcy.
Explanation
The decline of Mughal authority during the eighteenth century indeed created a power vacuum, resulting in political instability across Rajputana. While Rajput states attempted various alliances to manage the shifting power dynamics, they never successfully formed a permanent or unified confederacy to replace Mughal paramountcy. Internal rivalries and mutual distrust consistently hampered collective efforts, leaving the region vulnerable to external forces.
Q3818. Which of the following statements regarding the Ellora caves is incorrect?
Explanation
The Ellora caves are a multifaceted archaeological site, but their construction did not occur during the Mauryan period under Ashoka. Instead, the excavation of these thirty-four caves spanned from the sixth to the tenth centuries CE. The site is uniquely celebrated for housing monuments belonging to three different faiths--Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism--coexisting within the same geographical complex.
Q3819. Read the following statements regarding the federal features of the Indian Constitution and select the correct option:
Statement I: The Indian Constitution is considered rigid because the provisions concerning federal structure can be amended only by a special majority of Parliament and ratification by half of the state legislatures.
Statement II: The establishment of an independent judiciary is essential to resolve disputes between the Centre and the States.
Statement I: The Indian Constitution is considered rigid because the provisions concerning federal structure can be amended only by a special majority of Parliament and ratification by half of the state legislatures.
Statement II: The establishment of an independent judiciary is essential to resolve disputes between the Centre and the States.
Explanation
The Indian Constitution is characterized as rigid because amendments affecting its federal structure require a special majority in Parliament and ratification by half of the states. Furthermore, an independent judiciary is vital in a federal system to act as an impartial arbiter. It ensures that neither the Centre nor the States overstep their constitutional boundaries during administrative or legislative actions.
Q3820. Which greenhouse gas is the most abundant in the Earth’s atmosphere and acts primarily as a climate feedback mechanism rather than a direct initial climate forcing agent?
Explanation
Water vapour is the most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Unlike carbon dioxide, it acts as a feedback rather than a direct forcing agent. As the planet warms from other gases, the air holds more moisture, which further traps heat. This cycle amplifies the initial warming effect significantly within the complex global climate system.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 3811 | (b) The Bundi succession dispute of 1734 |
| 3812 | (b) They are rock-cut monuments excavated from a horseshoe-shaped riverine gorge. |
| 3813 | (b) Single Citizenship |
| 3814 | (b) Land degradation in drylands resulting from climatic variations and various human activities. |
| 3815 | (b) Provision of intangible value, professional expertise, and experiential goods |
| 3816 | (b) The variation of genes and alleles within a single species |
| 3817 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 3818 | (a) They were excavated entirely during the reign of the Mauryan empire under Ashoka. |
| 3819 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
| 3820 | (a) Water vapour |
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on RAS Prelims?
This page has 9654 practice MCQs on the RAS Prelims syllabus. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How should I practise MCQs for RAS Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation. Practise one chapter at a time, note the facts you got wrong and revise them. Repeat the chapter after a few days.
Are these actual RAS Prelims past-paper questions?
No. These are practice questions written for the RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the pattern the exam uses: factual questions, statement-based questions, match-the-list and assertion-reason.