60. Which major port lies in Odisha?
[SSC MTS, 13 September 2023]
(A) Haldia
(B) Kandla
(C) Paradip
(D) Tuticorin
Answer: (C) Paradip
Explanation: Paradip is the principal major port of Odisha on the Bay of Bengal. Haldia is in West Bengal, Kandla in Gujarat and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. Paradip’s cargo is closely associated with eastern India’s industrial and mineral hinterland.
59. Which National Waterway is the Brahmaputra stretch relevant to the India–Bangladesh inland navigation protocol?
[SSC CGL, 14 July 2023]
(A) NW10
(B) NW15
(C) NW2
(D) NW83
Answer: (C) NW2
Explanation: National Waterway 2 corresponds to the Brahmaputra River stretch between Sadiya and Dhubri in Assam. Its connection with the India–Bangladesh Protocol routes enhances potential cross-border and northeastern freight transport through navigable rivers.
58. Which of these ports is located on the western coast of India?
[SSC MTS, 8 September 2023]
(A) Tuticorin
(B) Paradip
(C) Mumbai
(D) Visakhapatnam
Answer: (C) Mumbai
Explanation: Mumbai Port faces the Arabian Sea in Maharashtra. Tuticorin, Paradip and Visakhapatnam are eastern-coast ports. Mumbai’s natural harbour and extensive commercial hinterland historically helped it develop into one of India’s leading maritime centres.
57. What were the names of the two long-haul freight trains introduced by Indian Railways in 2021?
[SSC CGL, 18 July 2023]
(A) Himalaya and Thar
(B) Aakash and Vijay
(C) Sagar and Prithvi
(D) Trishul and Garuda
Answer: (D) Trishul and Garuda
Explanation: Indian Railways introduced long-haul freight formations called Trishul and Garuda to improve goods movement. Combining several rakes can increase the quantity hauled in a single path, although operation depends on route capacity and network conditions.
56. The Asansol, Howrah, Malda and Sealdah divisions belong to which railway zone?
[SSC CGL, 18 July 2023]
(A) West Central Railway
(B) Northern Railway
(C) Central Railway
(D) Eastern Railway
Answer: (D) Eastern Railway
Explanation: Eastern Railway consists of the Asansol, Howrah, Malda and Sealdah divisions, with headquarters in Kolkata. The railway’s network covers important passenger and freight routes through West Bengal and adjoining areas.
55. Which port was developed after independence to reduce the pressure on Mumbai Port?
[SSC MTS, 11 September 2023]
(A) Kandla
(B) Kolkata
(C) Chennai
(D) Visakhapatnam
Answer: (A) Kandla
Explanation: Kandla Port, now known as Deendayal Port, was developed in Gujarat after independence as a strategic western-coast gateway. Its location in the Gulf of Kutch helped diversify India’s maritime capacity beyond established ports such as Mumbai.
54. Which stations were connected by India’s first passenger railway service in 1853?
[SSC CGL, 20 July 2023]
(A) Bombay and Palghar
(B) Bombay and Pune
(C) Bombay and Karjat
(D) Bombay and Thane
Answer: (D) Bombay and Thane
Explanation: India’s first passenger train ran between Bombay’s Bori Bunder and Thane in April 1853. This pioneering western Indian railway service marked the beginning of the subcontinent’s modern passenger railway system and subsequent inland expansion.
53. Which port is NOT located on the Arabian Sea coast?
[SSC CGL, 24 July 2023]
(A) Mangaluru
(B) Kandla
(C) Mormugao
(D) Haldia
Answer: (D) Haldia
Explanation: Haldia is on the Hooghly estuary in West Bengal, part of the eastern maritime system. Mangaluru, Kandla and Mormugao lie on the Arabian Sea side. The question checks recognition of Indian ports by coastline.
52. Within how many years did the Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana aim to train 50,000 candidates?
[SSC CGL, 20 July 2023]
(A) Four years
(B) Two years
(C) Five years
(D) Three years
Answer: (D) Three years
Explanation: The programme aimed to train 50,000 young people in three years through railway-related skill development. It included practical training in trades relevant to industry and employment. The time frame is the particular fact tested.
51. How many National Waterways were declared by the National Waterways Act, 2016?
[SSC CGL, 20 July 2023]
(A) 111
(B) 109
(C) 121
(D) 132
Answer: (A) 111
Explanation: The 2016 legislation designated 111 National Waterways. These waterways cover rivers, canals, creeks and backwater systems. Legal designation does not imply that all routes have equivalent navigation facilities or commercial traffic levels.
