State and Union Territories of India

147

Q30. What is the state animal of West Bengal?

[West Bengal Teacher Eligibility Test Paper I (2022), 2022]

1. Fishing cat
2. Squirrel
3. Royal Bengal tiger
4. Ganges river dolphin

Answer: (A) Fishing cat

Explanation: The fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus, is West Bengal’s official state animal. Although the Royal Bengal tiger is strongly associated with the Sundarbans, the tiger is India’s national animal, not West Bengal’s state animal. The distinction is important in static GK.

Q29. Which constitutional amendment conferred statehood on Goa?

[SSC CGL Tier I (12 Apr 2022, Shift 2; 2021 cycle), 2022]

1. 52nd Amendment
2. 56th Amendment
3. 59th Amendment
4. 48th Amendment

Answer: (B) 56th Amendment

Explanation: The Constitution’s Fifty-sixth Amendment Act, 1987 facilitated Goa’s statehood, effective 30 May 1987. Daman and Diu remained a separate Union Territory at that time. Goa became the twenty-fifth state of the Indian Union.

Q28. A State Governor holds office during whose pleasure?

[OSSC Combined Graduate Level (13 Oct 2022), 2022]

1. Prime Minister
2. President of India
3. State Chief Minister
4. High Court Chief Justice

Answer: (B) President of India

Explanation: Article 156 provides that a Governor holds office during the President’s pleasure. Although the normal term is five years, it is not an unconditional guarantee. Governors are constitutional heads of states, distinct from their elected chief ministers.

Q27. Which animal is recognized as India’s National Heritage Animal?

[SSC MTS (22 Oct 2021, Shift 3; 2020 cycle), 2021]

1. Lion
2. Horse
3. Tiger
4. Elephant

Answer: (D) Elephant

Explanation: The Indian elephant was declared the National Heritage Animal in 2010, drawing attention to its ecological, cultural and historical importance. This designation is separate from the national animal, the tiger, and from the national aquatic animal, the Ganges river dolphin.

Q26. Which state among these has a Legislative Council?

[SSC MTS (18 Oct 2021, Shift 2; 2020 cycle), 2021]

1. West Bengal
2. Gujarat
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Tamil Nadu

Answer: (C) Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh possesses an upper house called the Vidhan Parishad alongside its Legislative Assembly. West Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have unicameral state legislatures. The creation or abolition of a Legislative Council is governed by Article 169.

Q25. The dugong is the state animal of which Union Territory?

[SSC GD Constable (26 Nov 2021, Shift 2), 2021]

1. Former Daman and Diu
2. Puducherry
3. Ladakh
4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Answer: (D) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Explanation: The dugong is the official animal of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This marine mammal grazes on seagrasses in shallow coastal waters. It should not be confused with the Ganges river dolphin, designated as India’s national aquatic animal.

Q24. Under the Andhra State Act of 1953, the first Indian state organised principally on what basis was formed?

[SSC GD Constable (06 Dec 2021, Shift 3), 2021]

1. Second linguistic state
2. First linguistic state
3. Fourth linguistic state
4. Third linguistic state

Answer: (B) First linguistic state

Explanation: The Andhra State Act, 1953 created the first state following a major linguistic reorganisation demand after Independence. It separated Telugu-speaking areas from Madras State. The later States Reorganisation Act of 1956 created a larger Andhra Pradesh.

Q23. Which State had the greatest population density according to Census 2011?

[SSC GD Constable (30 Nov 2021, Shift 3), 2021]

1. Sikkim
2. Bihar
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (B) Bihar

Explanation: Bihar was the most densely populated Indian state under the 2011 Census, at roughly 1,106 people per square kilometre. Delhi had a higher density but is a Union Territory, not a state. Population density is distinct from total population.

Q22. Which was the least populous Indian State in Census 2011?

[SSC GD Constable (24 Nov 2021, Shift 2), 2021]

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Sikkim
3. Mizoram
4. Goa

Answer: (B) Sikkim

Explanation: Sikkim recorded about 610,577 people in Census 2011 and ranked last among states by population. Goa ranked smallest by state area instead. The distinction between least populated state, smallest state and smallest Union Territory is often tested.

Q21. How many other Indian States or Union Territories touch Uttar Pradesh?

[SSC MTS (26 Oct 2021, Shift 2; 2020 cycle), 2021]

1. Five
2. Seven
3. Ten
4. Nine

Answer: (D) Nine

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh touches eight states—Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar—plus Delhi, a Union Territory. That makes nine neighbouring Indian states or UTs. It also has an international boundary with Nepal.