State and Union Territories of India

145

Q50. Which is the smallest Union Territory of India by land area?

[SSC GD Constable (06 Feb 2023, Shift 3; 2022 cycle), 2023]

1. Puducherry
2. Lakshadweep
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Answer: (B) Lakshadweep

Explanation: Lakshadweep comprises scattered coral islands with about 32 square kilometres of land. Despite covering a wide maritime region, its actual land area is the smallest of the Indian Union Territories. Its administrative headquarters is Kavaratti.

Q49. What is the minimum age to be eligible for appointment as a State Governor?

[SSC GD Constable (06 Feb 2023, Shift 1; 2022 cycle), 2023]

1. 28 years
2. 40 years
3. 25 years
4. 35 years

Answer: (D) 35 years

Explanation: A Governor must be an Indian citizen aged at least 35, as Article 157 requires. Governors are appointed by the President rather than through a direct election. Their normal five-year tenure remains subject to the President’s pleasure.

Q48. Which is the largest State of India by area?

[SSC GD Constable (25 Jan 2023, Shift 3; 2022 cycle), 2023]

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Rajasthan

Answer: (D) Rajasthan

Explanation: Rajasthan is first among India’s States by territorial area, spanning approximately 342,239 square kilometres. Its landscape includes much of the Thar Desert. The comparison concerns area only and does not imply that Rajasthan has the largest population.

Q47. Respecting the National Flag and National Anthem is what kind of constitutional obligation?

[SSC MTS (20 Jun 2023, Shift 1; 2022 cycle), 2023]

1. Fundamental Duty
2. Legal Right
3. Directive Principle
4. Fundamental Right

Answer: (A) Fundamental Duty

Explanation: Article 51A(a) identifies respect for the National Flag and National Anthem as a Fundamental Duty. These duties were inserted by the Forty-second Constitutional Amendment, 1976, and are distinct from enforceable Fundamental Rights and directive principles.

Q46. Which of the following is NOT included among Article 51A Fundamental Duties?

[SSC MTS (01 Sep 2023, Shift 3), 2023]

1. Develop a scientific temper
2. Pay taxes
3. Promote harmony
4. Respect the National Anthem

Answer: (B) Pay taxes

Explanation: Payment of taxes is required by applicable tax laws but is not separately enumerated in Article 51A. The Fundamental Duties do include scientific temper, social harmony and respect for the Constitution and national symbols, among other civic responsibilities.

Q45. From where was India’s National Emblem adapted?

[MP Forest Guard (12 Jun 2023, Shift 1), 2023]

1. Mundaka Upanishad
2. Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath
3. Mahabodhi Stupa
4. Kesaria Stupa

Answer: (B) Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath

Explanation: The design of the national emblem comes from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. Its Sanskrit motto derives separately from the Mundaka Upanishad. Distinguishing the sculptural origin from the textual source of the motto prevents confusion.

Q44. Which flower is recognized as India’s national flower?

[MP Excise Constable (22 Feb 2023, Shift 3), 2023]

1. Lily
2. Rose
3. Lotus
4. Kumauni

Answer: (C) Lotus

Explanation: The lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, is India’s national flower. It is associated with longstanding artistic, religious and cultural traditions. It grows in aquatic conditions and should not be confused with the rose or lily used in many decorative contexts.

Q43. Red panda is the official state animal of which state?

[DDA Patwari (20 Aug 2023, Shift 1), 2023]

1. Sikkim
2. West Bengal
3. Arunachal Pradesh
4. Meghalaya

Answer: (A) Sikkim

Explanation: Sikkim has selected the red panda as its state animal. The small Himalayan mammal is arboreal and associated with cool forest habitats. Its distribution reaches other eastern Himalayan regions, but that does not make it their state animal.

Q42. Which state has the blackbuck as its official state animal?

[DDA Patwari (19 Aug 2023, Shift 1), 2023]

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Manipur
3. Meghalaya
4. Arunachal Pradesh

Answer: (A) Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: The blackbuck, a grassland antelope with distinctive spiral horns in adult males, is the state animal of Andhra Pradesh. Manipur instead recognizes the Sangai deer; Meghalaya’s state animal is the clouded leopard.

Q41. Which of the listed states had a Legislative Council in January 2023?

[DDA Junior Engineer Civil (01 Apr 2023, Shift 2), 2023]

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

Answer: (B) Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh has a bicameral state legislature consisting of Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad. The other three listed states have no legislative council. Article 169 describes how Parliament may create or abolish a council after an assembly resolution.