Daily Mock Test – 02 August 2025

Rajendra Chola I launched successful naval expeditions against the Srivijaya Empire (located in present-day Indonesia and Malaysia), showcasing the Cholas’ maritime strength and expanding their influence in Southeast Asia.

7th August was chosen as National Handloom Day because it marks the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which aimed to promote Indian-made goods, especially handloom products, as a symbol of self-reliance and resistance against British rule.

Correct Answer: Article 360

Article 360 allows the President to declare a Financial Emergency if India’s financial stability or credit is threatened.

• Article 352 – National Emergency

• Article 356 – President’s Rule (State Emergency)

• Article 365 – Failure of constitutional machinery in states

 Answer: 3. Free legal aid to the poor
 Explanation:
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added Article 39A to promote equal justice and free legal aid for economically weaker sections.

Parametric insurance pays out based on a predefined trigger (like rainfall, wind speed, or earthquake magnitude), not actual loss.
In this case, rainfall below 50 mm for 10 days is a measurable trigger, so it qualifies. Other options involve actual loss assessment.

The Rowlatt Act (1919) was passed after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It allowed the British to arrest Indians without trial, leading to widespread protests. Nationalists called it “draconian”, and Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in response.

Other options:

• Arms Act (1878) – Restricted Indians from owning weapons.

• Ilbert Bill (1883) – Proposed Indian judges could try Europeans (failed).

• Pitt’s India Act (1784) – Strengthened British control over the East India Company.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a secure messaging network used by banks and financial institutions globally to send and receive payment instructions. It is crucial for international trade and finance.

Answer: 2. Pollution-free beaches
 Explanation:
Blue Flag is an international eco-label awarded to clean and environment-friendly beaches that meet 33 criteria.

Parametric insurance provides quick and fixed payouts based on measurable triggers (like drought, flood, or cyclone), making it ideal for climate-related disasters where speed and predictability are crucial.

Answer: 2. Promoting use of bio-fertilizers and reducing chemical fertilizers
 Explanation:
PM-PRANAM (Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Yojana) encourages states to reduce chemical fertilizer use and promote bio-inputs.

The Cholas were famous for their maritime trade, conducted naval expeditions (especially to Southeast Asia), and excelled in bronze sculpture (notably Nataraja).
Stepwells, however, were more prominent in Western India, not a Chola specialty.

The Ministry of Textiles is the nodal agency responsible for organizing National Handloom Day celebrations, as it oversees the promotion, development, and welfare of India’s handloom sector and weavers.

Answer: 2. Golden Rice
 Explanation:
Golden Rice is genetically modified to contain beta-carotene (Vitamin A) and is a biofortified crop promoted to fight malnutrition.

The Brihadeshwara Temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style, characterized by pyramidal towers (vimanas), large gopurams, and intricate carvings, typical of South Indian temple architecture.

In 2023, the Government of India released a ₹100 commemorative coin in honor of Rajaraja Chola I, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to temple architecture, administration, and South Indian cultural heritage — especially the construction of the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur.

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
Fiscal drag happens when inflation increases people’s nominal income, pushing them into higher tax brackets, even if their real income hasn’t changed. As a result, tax revenues rise without a corresponding increase in purchasing power, reducing aggregate demand.

Answer: 4. Mexico
 Explanation:
Equator passes through 13 countries, including Ecuador, Kenya, and Indonesia — but not Mexico, which is in the Northern Hemisphere.

Correct Answer: A.
El Niño = warming of eastern Pacific
La Niña = cooling of eastern Pacific

Aadi Thiruvathirai is celebrated in Tamil Nadu to honor Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola ruler who built the Brihadeshwara Temple and expanded the Chola Empire. The festival marks his contributions to art, architecture, and administration.

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added the words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution during the Emergency period under Indira Gandhi’s government.

Correct Answer:  3. Dismissing a minister without CM’s advice

 Explanation:

• A Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

• Dismissing a minister without the CM’s advice is unconstitutional (violates Article 164).

• ✅ Other options like reserving bills (Art. 200), report under Article 356, and even refusing to convene Assembly temporarily may be legally debatable but not strictly unconstitutional.

India observes National Handloom Day on August 7th every year. The first such celebration was held on 7 August 2015 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on 7 August 1905, which promoted indigenous industries such as handloom weaving. This day honours the craftsmanship of weavers and highlights the cultural and economic significance of the handloom sector

This is incorrect because the Cholas had a strong navy and even sent ships to Southeast Asia.
Other statements are correct – they had a good bureaucracy, village councils, and did regular land surveys.

Collective responsibility (of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha) and an independent judiciary have been upheld by the Supreme Court as part of the basic structure of the Constitution, meaning they cannot be altered even by a constitutional amendment. However, a bicameral legislature (two Houses of Parliament) is not considered part of the basic structure and can be changed (e.g., some Indian states have unicameral legislatures).

Monsoon withdrawal is a gradual process and does not cause sudden flooding.
Common triggers of GLOF events include avalanches, rockfalls, and earthquakes, which can suddenly disturb glacial lakes and cause them to burst.

Correct Answer: 2 and 3 only

• Statement 1 is wrong – Ramsar Convention is for wetlands, not oceans.

• Statement 2 is correct – Montreux Record is part of Ramsar.

• Statement 3 is correct – India has 75+ Ramsar sites as of 2025.

Answer: 1. Appointment of Chief Minister
 Explanation:
In case of hung assembly, the Governor can use discretion to appoint a CM who is likely to command majority. Other actions require aid and advice.

Answer: 3. Loans become costlier
 Explanation:
Repo rate is the rate at which RBI lends to banks. An increase in repo means higher interest rates, making loans costlier, thereby reducing inflation.