Q1. Bharat Parv–2026 holds special significance primarily because it:
- Marks 75 years of India’s independence
- Celebrates 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram”
- Launches a new national tourism policy
- Commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution
Correct Option: 2. Celebrates 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram”
Explanation:
Bharat Parv–2026 is especially significant because it coincides with the commemoration of 150 years of “Vande Mataram.” The song played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement and continues to symbolise national unity and cultural pride. This commemoration forms the thematic core of the festival, linking cultural heritage with constitutional values such as unity in diversity.
Q2. Which of the following historical figures is associated with Lakkundi’s heritage?
- Queen Attimabbe, known for building Jain temples and wells
- Shivaji Maharaj, who constructed forts in the village
- Akbar, who patronized temples in Lakkundi
- Tipu Sultan, who built the open museum
Correct Option: 1. Queen Attimabbe, known for building Jain temples and wells
Explanation:
• Queen Attimabbe, an 11th-century Jain philanthropist, built many temples, Jain basadis, and wells in Lakkundi.
• The village’s heritage is primarily linked to the Chalukya period, Jainism, and medieval sharanas.
Q3. Which of the following major events in Indian history were covered by Mark Tully during his tenure as BBC’s Chief of Bureau in India?
- 1965 India–Pakistan War
- 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
- Emergency of 1975
- Insurgency in Punjab in the early 1980s
Select the correct answer using the code below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Option: 4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
Mark Tully’s BBC career gave him a front-row seat to several defining moments in modern Indian history. Under his leadership, the BBC covered the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the Emergency imposed in 1975, and the Punjab insurgency in the early 1980s. All four events listed are explicitly mentioned in the article, making option 4 correct.
Q4. Which of the following is the primary reason VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) require specially designed dry docks?
- Presence of pressurised cargo tanks
- Transportation of hazardous gases
- Extremely large size and high structural loads
- Need for advanced refrigeration systems
Correct Option: 3. Extremely large size and high structural loads
Explanation:
VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) transport crude oil and are among the largest ships in the world. Their huge length (300 m or more) and very high deadweight tonnage (200,000–320,000+ DWT) impose enormous loads on dry dock floors and sidewalls during construction and repair. Therefore, dry docks must be long, deep, and heavily reinforced.
Options 1, 2, and 4 relate to gas carriers (VLGCs), not VLCCs.
Q5. Which feature most distinguishes a VLGC from a VLCC in terms of construction requirements?
- Double-hull design
- Extremely deep draft
- Pressurised or refrigerated cargo containment systems
- Large crude oil storage tanks
Correct Option: 3. Pressurised or refrigerated cargo containment systems
Explanation:
VLGCs (Very Large Gas Carriers) are designed to carry liquefied gases such as LPG or ammonia, which require special cargo tanks that can handle high pressure and/or very low temperatures. This makes their construction and dry-docking processes more complex, requiring high precision, insulation, and rigorous testing.
Double-hull design and deep draft are common in VLCCs, while crude oil storage tanks are specific to oil carriers.