SET 1 — WBSSC Group C General Awareness
Topic Distribution: Indian History (1–8) | Indian Geography (9–16) | Indian Constitution (17–23) | NEP & WB Education (24–30) | Gender Awareness (31–34) | Indian Culture (35–38) | Basic Computer (39–42) | Environment (43–45) | Current Economy (46–47) | Sports (48–49) | Science & Innovation (50)
1. The Permanent Settlement of 1793 was introduced in Bengal by which Governor-General?
a) Warren Hastings
b) Lord Wellesley
c) Lord Cornwallis
d) Lord Dalhousie
Answer: c) Lord Cornwallis
Explanation: Cornwallis introduced Permanent Settlement fixing land revenue permanently with zamindars, making them hereditary owners but burdening peasants heavily.
2. Who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784?
a) William Jones
b) Warren Hastings
c) Charles Wilkins
d) Henry Derozio
Answer: a) William Jones
Explanation: Sir William Jones founded the Asiatic Society in Calcutta to study the history, science, and culture of Asia, marking the beginning of Orientalism in India.
3. Which Act transferred the governance of India from the East India Company to the British Crown?
a) Regulating Act of 1773
b) Charter Act of 1853
c) Government of India Act 1858
d) Indian Councils Act 1861
Answer: c) Government of India Act 1858
Explanation: After the Revolt of 1857, this Act abolished the East India Company and placed India directly under Queen Victoria, creating the post of Viceroy.
4. The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was primarily against which system?
a) Salt tax
b) Tinkathia indigo cultivation
c) Forced textile production
d) Zamindari system
Answer: b) Tinkathia indigo cultivation
Explanation: Farmers in Champaran were forced to cultivate indigo on 3/20th of their land. Gandhi’s first mass civil disobedience in India challenged this exploitative Tinkathia system.
5. Who was the founder of the Indian National Army (INA/Azad Hind Fauj)?
a) Subhas Chandra Bose
b) Rash Behari Bose
c) Mohan Singh
d) Captain Lakshmi Sehgal
Answer: c) Mohan Singh
Explanation: Mohan Singh founded the INA in 1942 in Singapore from POWs; Rash Behari Bose reorganized it and later handed leadership to Subhas Chandra Bose who expanded it significantly.
6. The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by which British Governor-General to annex princely states?
a) Lord Hastings
b) Lord Dalhousie
c) Lord Ripon
d) Lord Curzon
Answer: b) Lord Dalhousie
Explanation: Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse (1848) held that if a ruler died without a natural male heir, the state would be annexed by the British; Jhansi, Satara, and Nagpur were annexed under this.
7. Which movement launched in 1942 gave the slogan “Do or Die”?
a) Non-Cooperation Movement
b) Civil Disobedience Movement
c) Swadeshi Movement
d) Quit India Movement
Answer: d) Quit India Movement
Explanation: Launched on 8 August 1942 at Gowalia Tank, Mumbai, Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call marked the most forceful demand for British departure from India.
8. The Surat Split of 1907 divided the Indian National Congress into:
a) Liberals and Radicals
b) Moderates and Extremists
c) Nationalists and Imperialists
d) Socialists and Capitalists
Answer: b) Moderates and Extremists
Explanation: The Surat session saw Moderates (Gokhale) split from Extremists (Tilak, Lal-Bal-Pal) over the pace and method of achieving Swaraj, weakening the Congress for years.
9. The Tropic of Cancer passes through which of the following Indian states?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Karnataka
Answer: c) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
10. West Bengal shares an international border with how many countries?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
Answer: c) 3
Explanation: West Bengal shares borders with Bangladesh (south/east), Nepal (north), and Bhutan (north), making it strategically important for India’s neighbourhood policy.
11. Which river is known as the ‘Sorrow of Bengal’ due to its frequent flooding?
a) Teesta
b) Mahananda
c) Damodar
d) Ganga
Answer: c) Damodar
Explanation: Damodar river’s destructive floods before DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) dams earned it the title ‘Sorrow of Bengal’; modelled after the TVA in the USA.
12. The Sunderban delta is formed by which two rivers?
a) Hooghly and Brahmaputra
b) Ganga and Brahmaputra
c) Ganga and Mahananda
d) Teesta and Torsa
Answer: b) Ganga and Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Sundarbans is the world’s largest tidal mangrove forest, formed by the combined delta of Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna system, spread across India and Bangladesh.
13. Which plateau is known as the storehouse of mineral resources in India, rich in coal and iron ore?
a) Malwa Plateau
b) Deccan Plateau
c) Chhota Nagpur Plateau
d) Shillong Plateau
Answer: c) Chhota Nagpur Plateau
Explanation: Chhota Nagpur Plateau (Jharkhand) holds 60%+ of India’s mineral wealth including coal (Jharia), iron ore, mica, and bauxite; known as the “Ruhr of India.”
14. Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck) connects which two regions of India?
a) Northeast India and West Bengal
b) Rajasthan and Gujarat
c) Jammu and Kashmir
d) Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh
Answer: a) Northeast India and West Bengal
Explanation: The 22-km wide Siliguri Corridor is India’s narrowest passage linking northeastern states to the mainland, extremely strategic for defence and connectivity.
15. Which ocean current warms the western coast of Europe but is also relevant to Indian weather via Westerlies?
a) Labrador Current
b) Humboldt Current
c) North Atlantic Drift
d) Benguela Current
Answer: c) North Atlantic Drift
Explanation: North Atlantic Drift (extension of Gulf Stream) warms Europe; related Indian Ocean circulation affects monsoon onset, indirectly influencing Indian seasonal weather patterns.
16. In which state is the Loktak Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake in northeast India, located?
a) Assam
b) Mizoram
c) Manipur
d) Meghalaya
Answer: c) Manipur
Explanation: Loktak Lake is famous for floating islands called ‘phumdis’ and the Keibul Lamjao National Park (world’s only floating national park), habitat of the rare Sangai deer.
17. Which Article of the Indian Constitution defines the territory of India?
a) Article 1
b) Article 3
c) Article 12
d) Article 5
Answer: a) Article 1
Explanation: Article 1 declares “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States,” describing its territory as states, union territories, and any other acquired territory.
18. The Right to Education under Article 21A was inserted by which Constitutional Amendment?
a) 42nd Amendment
b) 44th Amendment
c) 86th Amendment
d) 91st Amendment
Answer: c) 86th Amendment
Explanation: The 86th Amendment (2002) inserted Article 21A, making free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14 years.
19. Under which schedule of the Constitution are the 22 official languages of India listed?
a) 6th Schedule
b) 7th Schedule
c) 8th Schedule
d) 10th Schedule
Answer: c) 8th Schedule
Explanation: The 8th Schedule originally had 14 languages; currently 22 after additions like Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (92nd Amendment, 2003).
20. Which Fundamental Duty under Article 51A asks citizens to protect and improve the natural environment?
a) 51A(a)
b) 51A(g)
c) 51A(j)
d) 51A(e)
Answer: b) 51A(g)
Explanation: Article 51A(g) obliges every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
21. The Directive Principle under Article 45 originally mandated free education up to what age, before 86th Amendment transferred it to Fundamental Rights?
a) 10 years
b) 14 years
c) 18 years
d) 6 years
Answer: b) 14 years
Explanation: Article 45 (DPSP) directed the state to provide free compulsory education to children up to 14 years within 10 years of Constitution commencement; 86th Amendment made it a Fundamental Right.
22. Which Constitutional body, under Article 280, is constituted every 5 years to recommend centre-state tax revenue sharing?
a) NITI Aayog
b) Planning Commission
c) Finance Commission
d) National Development Council
Answer: c) Finance Commission
Explanation: Finance Commission (e.g., 16th FC, 2025) is a constitutional body recommending devolution of taxes, grants-in-aid, and fiscal consolidation measures between Centre and States.
23. The concept of Judicial Review in India is derived from which constitutional provision?
a) Article 13
b) Article 32
c) Article 226
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Article 13 voids laws violating Fundamental Rights; Article 32 (Supreme Court) and Article 226 (High Courts) allow citizens to directly challenge such laws through writs.
24. NEP 2020’s “Foundational Literacy and Numeracy” (FLN) mission is operationalized through which programme?
a) Samagra Shiksha
b) NIPUN Bharat
c) PM SHRI
d) DIKSHA
Answer: b) NIPUN Bharat
Explanation: NIPUN Bharat (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy), launched 2021, targets basic reading and arithmetic skills by Grade 3 (age 8-9).
25. Under NEP 2020, Vocational Education integration begins from which grade?
a) Grade 1
b) Grade 6
c) Grade 9
d) Grade 11
Answer: b) Grade 6
Explanation: NEP mandates vocational exposure from Grade 6 through internships and skill-based courses, breaking the stigma of vocational vs. academic education hierarchy.
26. West Bengal’s “Sabuj Sathi” scheme distributes bicycles to students of which classes?
a) Class 5 and 6
b) Class 9 and 10
c) Class 11 and 12
d) Class 7 and 8
Answer: b) Class 9 and 10
Explanation: Sabuj Sathi scheme, launched 2015, provides free bicycles to Class 9-10 government school students to reduce dropout, particularly benefiting girls in rural areas.
27. WBBSE (West Bengal Board of Secondary Education) conducts which examination?
a) Class 8 board exam
b) Madhyamik Pariksha (Class 10)
c) HS Examination (Class 12)
d) Class 6 scholarship
Answer: b) Madhyamik Pariksha (Class 10)
Explanation: WBBSE conducts Madhyamik (Class 10 boards) while WBCHSE manages HS (Class 12). Madhyamik results are critical for school-level career paths in West Bengal.
28. Under NEP 2020, the 5+3+3+4 structure replaces 10+2. The secondary stage (last ‘4’) covers which classes?
a) Class 6–9
b) Class 9–12
c) Class 8–12
d) Class 10–12
Answer: b) Class 9–12
Explanation: The 4-year secondary stage (Classes 9-12) focuses on multidisciplinary learning, removing rigid arts/science/commerce streams, allowing flexibility for students.
29. PARAKH, the national assessment body under NEP 2020, is housed under which organisation?
a) UGC
b) AICTE
c) NCERT
d) NIEPA
Answer: c) NCERT
Explanation: PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) is set up under NCERT to standardize school board assessments and align them with competency-based learning.
30. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme in West Bengal schools is currently known as:
a) Annapurna Scheme
b) PM POSHAN
c) Khadya Sathi
d) Sabuj Meal
Answer: b) PM POSHAN
Explanation: The National Programme of Mid-Day Meals was renamed PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) in 2021, providing hot cooked meals to government school students including those in West Bengal.
31. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was enacted in which year?
a) 2000
b) 2005
c) 2010
d) 1998
Answer: b) 2005
Explanation: The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides civil remedies to women facing physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse within domestic relationships.
32. The POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) at workplace applies to educational institutions and mandates formation of:
a) Gender Committee
b) Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
c) Anti-Harassment Board
d) School Disciplinary Committee
Answer: b) Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
Explanation: POSH Act (2013) mandates every institution including schools/colleges to form an ICC for redressal of sexual harassment complaints, with mandatory training and annual reporting.
33. Under which scheme does West Bengal provide financial assistance of ₹25,000 to girls for higher education continuation (annual scholarship)?
a) Kanyashree K2
b) Aikyashree
c) Jai Bangla Scheme
d) Rupashree
Answer: a) Kanyashree K2
Explanation: Kanyashree K2 provides ₹25,000 one-time grant to unmarried girls aged 18+ continuing education, while K1 provides ₹1,000 annual scholarship to girls aged 13-18 in school.
34. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme primarily targets districts with low:
a) Birth rate
b) Child Sex Ratio
c) Literacy rate
d) School infrastructure
Answer: b) Child Sex Ratio
Explanation: Launched in 2015, BBBP targets 100 districts with worst child sex ratios (girls per 1000 boys), addressing female foeticide, school dropout, and gender discrimination.
35. Which classical dance form of India, originating in Manipur, is characterised by devotional themes from Vaishnavism?
a) Kuchipudi
b) Odissi
c) Manipuri
d) Mohiniyattam
Answer: c) Manipuri
Explanation: Manipuri dance features graceful circular movements, soft footwork (unlike other classical forms), and is deeply connected to Vaishnavite bhakti traditions of Ras Lila.
36. The Baul music tradition of West Bengal received UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in which year?
a) 2001
b) 2005
c) 2008
d) 2015
Answer: b) 2005
Explanation: UNESCO proclaimed Baul songs as “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2005, recognising the mystic minstrel tradition blending Hindu and Sufi philosophy.
37. Which Indian festival was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021?
a) Diwali
b) Durga Puja of Kolkata
c) Ganesh Chaturthi
d) Bihu of Assam
Answer: b) Durga Puja of Kolkata
Explanation: UNESCO inscribed “Durga Puja in Kolkata” on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in December 2021, recognising its community participation and artistic expression.
38. Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was first sung at which session of the Indian National Congress?
a) Bombay 1889
b) Calcutta 1911
c) Surat 1907
d) Lahore 1929
Answer: b) Calcutta 1911
Explanation: Jana Gana Mana was first publicly sung at the Calcutta session of Indian National Congress on 27 December 1911 and adopted as National Anthem on 24 January 1950.
39. What is the full form of URL in computing?
a) Universal Resource Locator
b) Uniform Resource Locator
c) Unified Remote Link
d) Universal Remote Language
Answer: b) Uniform Resource Locator
Explanation: A URL is the web address of a specific resource on the internet (e.g., webpage, file), consisting of protocol (https), domain name, and path. It is essential for web navigation.
40. Which generation of computers uses VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) technology?
a) First Generation
b) Second Generation
c) Third Generation
d) Fourth Generation
Answer: d) Fourth Generation
Explanation: Fourth generation computers (1971–present) use microprocessors based on VLSI, placing millions of transistors on a chip, enabling personal computers and miniaturization.
41. What does the ‘kernel’ refer to in a computer operating system?
a) Antivirus engine
b) Core program managing hardware-software interaction
c) Internet browser engine
d) Database management unit
Answer: b) Core program managing hardware-software interaction
Explanation: The kernel is the central module of an OS managing CPU, memory, and I/O operations; it acts as a bridge between user applications and hardware, running in privileged mode.
42. Which computer memory type loses its data when the power is switched off?
a) ROM
b) Hard Disk
c) RAM
d) SSD
Answer: c) RAM
Explanation: RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile; data is lost without power. ROM, HDD, and SSD retain data permanently as non-volatile storage.
43. The Chipko Movement (1973), related to environmental awareness, started in which Indian state?
a) Himachal Pradesh
b) Uttarakhand (then UP)
c) Assam
d) West Bengal
Answer: b) Uttarakhand (then UP)
Explanation: Chipko Movement (tree hugging) began in Reni village, Chamoli, Uttarakhand in 1973, led by Sundarlal Bahuguna and Gaura Devi, opposing deforestation in Himalayan forests.
44. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes how many national missions?
a) 6
b) 8
c) 10
d) 12
Answer: b) 8
Explanation: NAPCC (2008) has 8 missions: Solar Energy, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture, and Strategic Knowledge.
45. Which gas is primarily responsible for the “Greenhouse Effect” contributing most to global warming?
a) Oxygen
b) Methane
c) Carbon Dioxide
d) Nitrogen
Answer: c) Carbon Dioxide
Explanation: CO₂ contributes ~76% of global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and deforestation; though methane is 25x more potent, CO₂ volume makes it the dominant driver.
46. The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) recently cut the repo rate in February 2026 to:
a) 6.25%
b) 6.50%
c) 6.00%
d) 5.75%
Answer: a) 6.25%
Explanation: RBI’s MPC cut the repo rate by 25 basis points from 6.50% to 6.25% in February 2026 to boost economic growth amid controlled inflation, marking the first cut in five years.
47. India’s Economic Survey 2025-26 projected nominal GDP to cross which milestone in FY26?
a) ₹200 lakh crore
b) ₹250 lakh crore
c) ₹300 lakh crore
d) ₹350 lakh crore
Answer: c) ₹300 lakh crore
Explanation: Economic Survey 2025-26 projected India’s nominal GDP to cross ₹300 lakh crore (~$3.5 trillion) in FY26, reinforcing India’s position as the 5th largest economy globally.
48. India won how many medals at the Paris Olympics 2024?
a) 4
b) 5
c) 6
d) 7
Answer: c) 6
Explanation: India won 6 medals at Paris Olympics 2024: 1 Silver (Neeraj Chopra, Javelin) and 5 Bronze (Manu Bhaker 2, Swapnil Kusale, Hockey team, Aman Sehrawat).
49. The Santosh Trophy is associated with which sport in India?
a) Cricket
b) Hockey
c) Football
d) Kabaddi
Answer: c) Football
Explanation: Santosh Trophy is India’s national football championship, contested among state teams and railways/services teams, named after Maharaja Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhury of Santosh.
50. India’s Chandrayaan-3 made history by landing near the Moon’s South Pole on which date?
a) 14 July 2023
b) 23 August 2023
c) 5 September 2023
d) 1 October 2023
Answer: b) 23 August 2023
Explanation: Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander successfully touched down near the lunar South Pole on 23 August 2023, making India the first country to land near the Moon’s South Pole, confirming presence of water ice.