Cities and Rivers--Major world cities on the river banks Quiz

Rivers are the cradle of human civilization. All major cities around the world were founded on the banks of the rivers. Questions will be asked for Bank, PSC and other competitive exams based on this.


Alexandria-----Nile
Antwerp------Scheldt
Belgrade------Danube
Shanghai -----Hwangpu
Damascus-----Barda
Bangkok------Chao Phraya
HongKong----Pearl
Philadelphia--- Delaware
Madrid -------- Manzanares
Dresden ------- Elbe
Baghdad-------Tigris
Jakarta--------Liwung
Paris----------Seane
Rome---------Tiber
Tokyo--------Sumida
Washington---Potomac
New york-----Hudson
Seoul---------Hann
Saintpetersburg----Neva
Lisbon--------Tagus

Secretariat assistant main exam Kerala PSC old question paper

The Secretariat assistant main exam is scheduled on 11 th October 2008. Over 11,000 candidates will be competing for nearly 1000 posts in Kerala Government viz.Secretariat, PSC, Vigilance, Local fund audit etc. Here I am providing the Questions on General Knowledge that were asked in 2005 main exams. It is expected that the Questions will be mainly from Indian history, Geography, General science and Current affairs

Indian history--40%
Geography ----20%
General Science -10%
Current affairs---30%.

1. Which is the generally accepted theory that describes the end if Indus civilization. ?
2. What are the three great phases of development of Budhism in India?
3. What were the main features of Gupta Administration?
4. What is the significance of the Second Battle of Tarain in Indian History?
5. What is Permanent Settlement act introduced in 1793?
6. What do you know about the rise and fall of Nalanda University?
7. What is Gandhi-Irwin truce?
8. What was Khilafat Movement?
9. Do you find any differences in the approaches of Gokhale and Tilak to British rule?
10. What was the impact of the Partition of Bengal on National Movement?
11. What is Bio-diesel?
12. What is meant by the Decibel (dB)?
13. What is El Nino?
14. What is meant by chromosomes?
15. What is Vitamin K?
16. What do you know about Haritholsavam?
17. What is Kerala Kalamandalam?
18. What is KERAFED?
19. What is MGP?
20. What was the Mopil rebellion?
21. What was Golden Quadrilateral?
22. What is the project Sagarmatha?
23. What is 93rd Constitutional Amendment Bill?
24. What is Valmiki-Ambedkar Awas Yojana?
25. What is Antyodaya Anna Yojana?

Quiz on Gandhiji --- Questions on Gandhiji's life

1.Where was was Gandhiji born?

Ans: Porbandar

2.What was Gandhi's childhood nickname?

Ans:Manu or Moniya

3.What was the name of Gandhi's father?

Ans:Karamchand

4.In his teens Gandhi had a friend who often told him if he ate meat, he would grow stronger. Gandhi also picked up smoking from him for a while. Later Gandhi wrote a letter to his father and apologized. Who was this friend?

Ans: Shiekh Mehtab

5.At what age was Gandhi married?

Ans: Thirteen

6.Gandhiji confessed his guilt of stealing for the purpose of smoking in a letter, promising never to steal in future and asking for adequate punishment. To whom was this letter addressed?

Ans: Father

7.To represent which company's case did Gandhi go to Durban, South Africa in 1893?

Ans:Dada, Abdulla & Co

8.While holding a first-class ticket Gandhiji was ordered by a railway official to shift to the van compartment. On his refusal to comply with the unjust order, a constable was called to push him out bag and baggage. Identify the railway station where this incident took place

Ans: Maritzburg

9.How many sons did Gandhiji have?

Ans: four

10.On Gandhi's suggestion, which organization was formed in 1894 by the Indian community in South Africa?

Ans: Natal Indian Congress

11. In 1910, Hermann Kallenbach, a white farmer donated his farm near Johannesburg to Gandhi where he established an 'ashram'. What was the name of this 'ashram'?

Ans:Tolstoy Farm

12.Which country Gandhiji visited in October 1901?

Ans: Mauritius

13. Which year Gandhi take the vow of 'brahmacharya' or celibacy for life?

Ans:1906

14.In 1913, Gandhi protested a South African law that had

Ans: Made all non-Christian marriages illegal

15.Which mythological character impressed Gandhiji for life when he saw a play on his life?

Ans: Harischandra

16.In what year did Gandhi leave South Africa for the last time?

Ans: 1914

17.In 1915, Gandhi was awarded a medal which he returned to the Government in 1920 as a gesture of non cooperation towards the British Government. Name the medal.

Ans: Kaiser-i -Hind

18.Who advised Gandhiji to remain as an observer and student in the country for a year before taking part in Indian Politics?

Ans: Gopal Krishna Gokhle

19. Which was the place from where Gandhiji started his recruiting campaign for the War on behalf of the British Government.

Ans: Kheda

20.The book "Unto This Last" greatly captivated and transformed Gandhi. He later translated it into Gujarati. Who was its author?

Ans: John Ruskin

21.Gandhi's autobiography "The Story of My Experiments with Truth" was originally written in Gujarati. Who translated it into English?

Ans:Mahadev Desai

22.Gandhiji's first major struggle in the country was stagged on the soil of Champaran district in Bihar in 1917 in connection with indigo plantation. Who was largely instrumental in persuading Gandhiji to visit Champaran and lead the struggle over there?

Ans: Raj Kumar Shukla

23.In connection with the inauguration of the so-called Rowlatt satyagraha, Gandhiji started a Satyagraha Sabha in

Ans: Bombay

24.At which place was Gandhiji arrested for the first time by the British Government for sedition?

Ans: Ahmedabad

25. A wave of violent communal riots swept over country in 1924 on account of which Gandhiji felt very much upset and was in great distress, knowing not what to do. The terrible riots that broke out at a particular place led Gandhi to do penance by observing a fast for 21 days. Which was that place?

Ans: Kohat

26.Who commented "Mr Gandhi's religious and moral views are, I believe, admirable, but I confess that I find it difficult to understand the practice of them in politics."

Ans: Lord Reeding

27.Gandhi first organized mass "non-cooperation" with the British in what year?

Ans:1920

28. Gandhiji withdrew his non-cooperation due to the killing of Police men at which place?

Ans: Chauri Choura

29.In how many days was the 241 mile-journey from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi covered on foot by Gandhi and his volunteers?

Ans:24

30.Who was nominated by Gandhiji to lead the satyagrahais on the Dandi March in the event of his arrest?

Ans:Abbas Tyabji

31. Subhash Chandra Bose was elected President of the Congress in 1938 with Gandhiji's goodwill. He wanted a second term, but Gandhiji did not approve of it. Despite the disapproval, Bose fought the election and won it, defeating the official candidate by over 200 votes. Gandhiji took it as a personal defeat. Identify the candidate.

Ans:Pattabhi Sitaramayya

32. What is the name of the building which served as Gandhi's residence in Mumbai from 1917-1934?

Ans: Mani Bhavan

33.What personal tragedy did Gandhi suffer in 1943?

Ans: His youngest son died

34.After Independence in 1947, Gandhi felt the Congress had outlived its usefulness. To keep it away from unhealthy competition with political parties and communal bodies, Gandhi sketched a draft constitution for the Congress to transform it into a social organization. What was it called?

Ans:Lok Sevak Sangh

Current affairs updated- September first week

Here comes another week, and updation of current affairs for the first week of September. This wiil be useful for coming Bank and PSC exams. A lot of Quiz, Trivia questions can also be expected from this.


1.Two month long agitation in Jammu comes to an end after the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) and the Jammu and Kashmir governor’s panel arrived at an accord conceding the main demands of the agitationists

Key facts:As per the agreement, 800 kanals of land in Baltal and Domail will be transferred to the SASB for the duration of the Amarnath yatra. On the other hand, protests continued in Kashmir valey over the issue.

2.Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Hanna struck US coast.

Key facts:Thousands of people in New Orleans and across the US Gulf Coast fled their homes fearing another Katrina like disaster. But Gustav turned out to be a less powerful one. Mean while , more than 500 people perished in Haiti in Hurricane Hanna before hitting U S eastt coast.

3.Duvvuri Subbarao is the new RBI governor.

Key facts:A 1972 batch IAS officer,presently Subbarao is the finance secretary of the country.He is appointed for a term of three years. He becomes the 22nd governor of RBI replacing Y V Reddy.

4.Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda resigned.

5. Bihar got a respite from the worst floods in 50 years after the water levels of the river Kosi declined.

6.Nagpur will soon have a 10-mw solar thermal power plant, the largest in the country.

7. A commission led by Justice Mahapatra of the Orissa high court to probe into the communal unrest in Orissa.

8.Pankaj Advani from India is the New World Billiards Champion.

Key facts: He defeated the reigning World Champion Geeth Sethi to win the title. He was awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna two years back.

9.Infaltion comes down narrowly for the second straight week at 12.34 percent. International crude oil prices declined to a 3-month low of 104 dollars.

10.India's external debt touches a record level of $ 221.2 billion for theyear 2007-08.

11. India's nuclear isolation for 34 years comes to an end after the NSG cleared the 123 in Vienna.

Grand Slam Title Winners 2008

Australian Open, Men's singles winner-------Novak Djokovic----Serbia
Australian Open, Women's singles winner----Maria Sharapova---Russia
French Open,Men's singles winner----------Rafael Nadal---------Spain
French Open,Women's singles winner------Ana Ivanovic---------Serbia
Wimbledon, Men's singles winner----------Rafael Nadal---------Spain
Wimbledon, Women's singles winner-----Venus Williams-------United States
U S Open, Men's singles winner-----------Roger Federer---------Switzerland
U S Open, Women's singles winner-------Serena Williams --------United States
Olympics, Men's singles winner----------Rafael Nadal---------Spain
Olympics, Women's singles winner------Elena Dementieva----Russia

Commissions &Committees constituted by Government of India

Various commissions and committees are constituted by the Government India past. Questions based on these is likely to be asked for various PSC, UPSC, andBank tests. They can be asked for various quiz competitions also. A Ready reference list is given here.

Nanavati Commission---------1984 Sikh riots
Nanavati-Shah commission---2002 Gujrat riots
Sri Krishna Commission-------1992 Bombay riots
Sri Krishna Commission:------sixth pay commission
Sarkaria Commission---------- Centre-State relations
Rajindar Sachar Committee ---- Report on the social, economic and educational status of the Muslims of India.
Kothari Commission------------- Educational reforms
Malhotra Committee------------- Insurance Reforms
Wanchoo Committee-------------- Tax enquiry
Chelliah Committee----------------Eradicating black money
Mandal Commission---------------- Reservation of seats for Backward castes
Malimath Commission-------------- Criminal Justice
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee------ decentralization system
Librehan Commission---------------- Babri Masjid demolition case
Mashelkar Committee---------------- National Auto Fuel Policy
Chakravarti Committee-------------- Banking sector reforms
Vohra Committee-------------------- Criminalization of politics
Thakkar Commission----------------- Indira Gandhi assassination case
Phukhan Commission----------------- Tehelka tapes scandal
Jain commission-----------------------Hawala scam
Yashpal Committee-------------------- Review of School Education system
Naresh Chandra Committee------------ Corporate governance

Beijing Olympics 2008 Quiz,Trivia Questions

Questions on Beijing Olympics will be asked for all forthcoming competitive exams like PSC, Banks etc.


1.China won the most gold medals at the Beijing Games with 51. They become the first country to crack the 50-gold mark since the Soviet Union in 1988. The most golds ever won in a single Olympics is 83 (United States, 1984)

2.It's the first time since 1936 that a country other than the United States or the Soviet Union has led the medal count.

3.Michael Phelps of U S won the maximum eight medals in an Olympics.

4.Yelena IsinBayeva of Russia breaks the World record for 24 th time and wins the Gold in Ploe vault.

5.The overall medal count was won by the United States for the fourth consecutive Olympics. The U.S. earned 110 medals, compared to China's 100.

6.Usain Bolt of Jamaica becomes the fastest man in the world winning the 100m event with a new World Record. He won the Gold in 200m and 4*100 m events.

7.Panama and Mongolia won the first gold medals in their respective histories.

8.United states wins Basketball and Volley ball Gold medals. Argentna wins Gold in Soccer.

10.Shelly Ann Fraser of Jamaica becomes the fastest woman winning the 100 m race.

11. India's best Olympics in History. India's medal winners-Abhinav Bindra wins Gold in shooting. Sushil Kumar wins bronze in wrestling. Vijender Kumar wins bronze in Boxing

Current affairs updated - August fourth week

1.Nawaz Shariff withdraws support for PPP Govt. in Pakistan. The decision comes in the wake of Mr. Asif Ali Sardari standing in the forthcoming Presidential election.

2.Film Star Chiranjeevi launches new party' Prajarajyam'

3. Russia gives sovereign status to new countries- South Ossetia and Abkhasia.

Key facts:The decision follows after the week long war against Georgia. The above two regions were demanding independence from Georgia.

4.Infosys acquired UK based Axon Group, a SAP consulting services company listed on London Stock Exchange, for about $753 million

5.In July, mobile operators, GSM and CDMA together, added 9.22 million subscribers, Highest ever additions in Mobile subscription in a single month.

6.VHP sponsored bandh turned violent in Orissa with several churches burned 20 people killed in vilence in mainly in Kandhamal, Koraput, Bolangir districts.

Key facts:The bandh was called to protest killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his disciples.

7.Inflation touches another record of 1.12 million percent in Zimbabwe.

Key facts: Robert Mugabe is the President of the country, who came into power recently after a controversial election.

8.India wins the one day series against Sri lanka winning the three consecutive one dayers after losing the first match.

Key facts: This is for the first time India wins a one day series in Sri Lanka. M S D hini declared the man of the series.

9.Prime minister declare Bihar floods as a national calamity.

Key facts:Prime minister allotted 1000 crore rupees as an immediate relief to Bihar.The floods are due to the change of course of the river Kosi. Half of Bihar is under water.

10.Shibu Soren sworn in as the Choef minister of Jharkhand.

Key facts:He comes in place of Madhu Koda who resigned earlier. He is the 4 th chief minister of Jharkhand in 8 year. The state was formed in 2000.

11.Annual inflation declined marginally to 12.40% for the week ended August 16, 2008, from 12.63% a week ago

12.Barck Obama officialy declared as the Democratic Nominee at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Key facts: Obama is senator from Illnois. Joe Biden is the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee.

13. B Vaidyalingam is the new chief Minister of Pondicherry. He replaces S Rangaswamy.

14.German Chancellor Ms. Angela Merkel is the most powerful lady in the World, according to Forbes Magazine.

Key facts: From India.

• Sonia Gandhi at 21^st place.
• Mayawati at 59^th place.
• Kiran Mazumdar Shaw of Biocon at 99^th place.

14.India's GDP growth slows down to 7.9 percent for the first quarter of this year.

15. Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska , declared as Republican Vice Presidential Nominee for this year' U S presidential elections.