State and Union Territories of India

136

Q70. What is the scientific name of India’s national tree?

[APPSC Forest Section Officer Prelims (2025), 2025]

1. Ficus benghalensis
2. Ficus elastica
3. Ficus religiosa
4. Ficus racemosa

Answer: (A) Ficus benghalensis

Explanation: India’s national tree is the banyan, scientifically called Ficus benghalensis. Its distinctive aerial roots can develop into supportive trunks, creating a wide canopy. Ficus religiosa denotes the peepal, which is a different culturally important tree.

Q69. Which of the following is the state animal of Bihar?

[BPSC 71st CCE Prelims (13 Sep 2025), 2025]

1. Cow
2. Bull
3. Buffalo
4. Horse

Answer: (B) Bull

Explanation: The BPSC key gives Bull, using the term for the wild ox or gaur (Bos gaurus), Bihar’s actual state animal. Gaur is not the same as an ordinary domestic bull. The distinction matters because the exam used a loose common name.

Q68. Which language was designated Goa’s official language under the 1987 legislation?

[DSSSB TGT Natural Science (06 Sep 2025, Shift 2), 2025]

1. English
2. Hindi
3. Konkani
4. Marathi

Answer: (C) Konkani

Explanation: Konkani, written in Devanagari, is Goa’s official language under the Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987. Marathi has a recognized position for certain purposes, but the designation of Konkani is central to Goa’s linguistic identity.

Q67. Put Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Delhi and Lakshadweep in north-to-south order.

[PSPCL Junior Engineer (03 Feb 2025), 2025]

1. Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep
2. Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep
3. Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep
4. Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi

Answer: (B) Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep

Explanation: Jammu and Kashmir lies farthest north among the listed territories. Chandigarh is at roughly 30.7 degrees north, Delhi around 28.6 degrees north, while Lakshadweep is in the Arabian Sea much farther south. Therefore the second sequence is correct.

Q66. Which constitutional article governs Rajya Sabha seat allocation among States and Union Territories through the Fourth Schedule?

[SSC CGL (17 Sep 2024, Shift 3), 2024]

1. Article 81
2. Article 82
3. Article 83
4. Article 80

Answer: (D) Article 80

Explanation: Article 80 deals with the composition of the Council of States, the Rajya Sabha. Its provisions refer to the Fourth Schedule for allocating seats among states and eligible Union Territories, reflecting unequal representation based broadly on population.

Q65. Which Article requires citizens to respect the Constitution, National Flag and National Anthem?

[SSC MTS (28 Oct 2024, Shift 2), 2024]

1. Article 51A(a)
2. Article 52
3. Article 14
4. Article 54(b)

Answer: (A) Article 51A(a)

Explanation: Article 51A(a) lists a Fundamental Duty to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, institutions, National Flag and National Anthem. Fundamental Duties were introduced in 1976 by the Forty-second Amendment and appear in Part IVA.

Q64. Which activity is NOT enumerated as a Fundamental Duty in the Constitution?

[SSC MTS (29 Oct 2024, Shift 1), 2024]

1. Obey parents and discharge family responsibilities
2. Respect national symbols
3. Follow ideals of freedom struggle
4. Protect national unity and integrity

Answer: (A) Obey parents and discharge family responsibilities

Explanation: The Constitution lists public and civic duties under Article 51A, including respect for national symbols and protection of unity. It does not explicitly state an obligation to obey parents or discharge family responsibilities as a Fundamental Duty.

Q63. According to the population projection used for 2024, which listed Indian state was most populous?

[SSC MTS (18 Oct 2024, Shift 3), 2024]

1. Rajasthan
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Bihar
4. Kerala

Answer: (B) Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh ranks first among Indian states by population, a position established in Census 2011 and also reflected in subsequent projections. Bihar and Rajasthan have large populations, but neither surpasses Uttar Pradesh in the given comparison.

Q62. Which one of the given languages is an official language of Sikkim?

[DSSSB Jail Warder (11 Jun 2024, Shift 1), 2024]

1. English
2. Boro
3. Meiteilon
4. Meitei

Answer: (A) English

Explanation: English is among Sikkim’s officially recognized languages and is used in administration. The state also recognizes Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha and several other languages. Boro and Meiteilon are principally associated with other northeastern states.

Q61. What is Goa’s official language?

[DSSSB Jail Warder (22 Jun 2024, Shift 1), 2024]

1. Marathi
2. Kannada
3. Gujarati
4. Konkani

Answer: (D) Konkani

Explanation: Konkani in the Devanagari script is Goa’s official language under legislation adopted in 1987. The state is multilingual and Marathi is also spoken, but the official-language provision identifies Konkani as the main statutory language.