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Customs Sepoy Written Exam study materials
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Customs Sepoy Written Exam practice questions

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Question 1General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which body is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha in India?

  1. NITI Aayog
  2. Union Public Service Commission
  3. Reserve Bank of India
  4. Election Commission of India Correct answer.

Explanation

The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body established under Article 324 that supervises, directs and controls the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament and state legislatures. It is independent of the executive and reports directly to the President on electoral matters.

Question 2General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The headquarters of the World Trade Organization is located in which city?

  1. New York
  2. Paris
  3. Geneva Correct answer.
  4. Vienna

Explanation

The WTO, which succeeded GATT in 1995, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, a city that also hosts many other international organisations. Its dispute settlement and negotiating functions are carried out from this seat.

Question 3General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which line of latitude divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

  1. The Equator Correct answer.
  2. The Tropic of Cancer
  3. The Tropic of Capricorn
  4. The Prime Meridian

Explanation

The Equator is the zero-degree line of latitude, and it splits the globe into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Both tropics are parallel to it but lie roughly 23.5 degrees away, so they do not bisect the planet.

Question 4General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Who is the constitutional head of the Indian Union?

  1. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
  2. The President of India Correct answer.
  3. The Prime Minister
  4. The Chief Justice of India

Explanation

The President is the constitutional head of state of the Indian Union, and the executive power of the Union is vested in the office under Article 53. The President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Question 5General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which gas constitutes the largest share of the Earth's atmosphere?

  1. Nitrogen Correct answer.
  2. Carbon dioxide
  3. Argon
  4. Oxygen

Explanation

Nitrogen makes up roughly 78 per cent of the atmosphere by volume, making it by far the most abundant gas. Oxygen is the second most common at about 21 per cent, while argon and carbon dioxide are present only in small fractions.

Question 6General Knowledge and Current Affairs

In which year did India adopt its present Constitution?

  1. 1947
  2. 1952
  3. 1950
  4. 1949 Correct answer.

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, a date now observed as Constitution Day. It came into force on 26 January 1950, which is why the adoption and commencement years differ.

Question 7General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which agency is the national meteorological service of India?

  1. National Disaster Management Authority
  2. Survey of India
  3. Indian Space Research Organisation
  4. India Meteorological Department Correct answer.

Explanation

The India Meteorological Department, founded in 1875, is the principal government agency for weather observation, forecasting and seismology. It functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and issues cyclone and monsoon forecasts.

Question 8General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which currency is used in Japan?

  1. Ringgit
  2. Yuan
  3. Won
  4. Yen Correct answer.

Explanation

The yen is the official currency of Japan and is issued by the Bank of Japan. It is one of the most heavily traded currencies in global foreign exchange markets.

Question 9General Knowledge and Current Affairs

A train covers 240 km in 3 hours. What is its average speed?

  1. 80 km per hour Correct answer.
  2. 60 km per hour
  3. 90 km per hour
  4. 72 km per hour

Explanation

Average speed equals total distance divided by total time, so 240 km divided by 3 hours gives 80 km per hour. The calculation assumes uniform average motion over the whole journey.

Question 10General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability?

  1. Article 19
  2. Article 21
  3. Article 14
  4. Article 17 Correct answer.

Explanation

Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form, making the enforcement of any disability arising from it an offence. It is one of the fundamental rights enforceable directly against private individuals as well as the state.

Question 11General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The term 'fiscal deficit' refers to which of the following?

  1. The difference between money supply and reserve money
  2. The gap between revenue receipts and revenue expenditure
  3. Total expenditure minus total receipts excluding borrowings Correct answer.
  4. Exports minus imports of goods and services

Explanation

Fiscal deficit measures the excess of total government expenditure over total receipts other than borrowings, and thus indicates the amount the government must borrow. It is broader than the revenue deficit because it includes capital expenditure.

Question 12General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which is the largest gland in the human body?

  1. The pituitary
  2. The thyroid
  3. The pancreas
  4. The liver Correct answer.

Explanation

The liver is the largest solid gland and the largest internal organ in the human body, weighing roughly 1.5 kilograms in adults. It performs metabolic, detoxifying and bile-secreting functions.

Question 13General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which body of the United Nations has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security?

  1. The Economic and Social Council
  2. The Security Council Correct answer.
  3. The General Assembly
  4. The International Court of Justice

Explanation

Under the UN Charter the Security Council bears primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and its decisions are binding on member states. It may impose sanctions or authorise the use of force.

Question 14General Knowledge and Current Affairs

A sum of money doubles in 8 years at simple interest. What is the annual rate of interest?

  1. 10 per cent
  2. 15 per cent
  3. 8 per cent
  4. 12.5 per cent Correct answer.

Explanation

For simple interest, doubling means the interest earned equals the principal, so the rate times the time must equal 100 per cent. Dividing 100 by 8 years gives 12.5 per cent per annum.

Question 15General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which country is the largest producer of coffee in the world?

  1. Indonesia
  2. Colombia
  3. Vietnam
  4. Brazil Correct answer.

Explanation

Brazil has been the world's largest coffee producer for many decades, accounting for roughly a third of global output. Its large plantations and favourable climate support both arabica and robusta cultivation.

Question 16General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?

  1. The President of India
  2. The Vice-President of India Correct answer.
  3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
  4. The Leader of the House

Explanation

The Vice-President of India is the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha under Article 64 and presides over its sittings. The Deputy Chairman, elected by the House, presides in the Chairman's absence.

Question 17General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The 'Doctrine of Basic Structure' was established in which landmark case?

  1. Golaknath case
  2. Maneka Gandhi case
  3. Kesavananda Bharati case Correct answer.
  4. Minerva Mills case

Explanation

The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) held that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot destroy its basic structure. Later cases applied and expanded this doctrine.

Question 18General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer that absorbs ultraviolet radiation?

  1. The troposphere
  2. The thermosphere
  3. The stratosphere Correct answer.
  4. The mesosphere

Explanation

Most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in the stratosphere, where it absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. This protective layer is why depletion of stratospheric ozone is a major environmental concern.

Question 19General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which of the following is a primary sector activity?

  1. Banking
  2. Fishing Correct answer.
  3. Steel manufacturing
  4. Software development

Explanation

Primary sector activities directly exploit natural resources, and fishing, like agriculture and mining, falls in this category. Secondary activities process raw materials, while tertiary activities provide services.

Question 20General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The 'Line of Actual Control' refers to the boundary between which two countries?

  1. India and China Correct answer.
  2. India and Bangladesh
  3. India and Pakistan
  4. India and Nepal

Explanation

The Line of Actual Control is the de facto boundary between India and China, reflecting positions held after the 1962 conflict. It differs from the Line of Control, which separates India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.

Question 21General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which organisation publishes the Human Development Index?

  1. United Nations Development Programme Correct answer.
  2. International Monetary Fund
  3. World Economic Forum
  4. World Bank

Explanation

The UNDP publishes the Human Development Index, which combines life expectancy, education and income indicators into a single measure. It appears in the annual Human Development Report.

Question 22General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which fundamental duty was added to the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment?

  1. To vote in elections
  2. To serve in the armed forces
  3. To protect and improve the natural environment Correct answer.
  4. To pay taxes honestly

Explanation

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 inserted Part IVA, listing fundamental duties, including the duty to protect and improve the natural environment and have compassion for living creatures. Fundamental duties are non-justiciable moral obligations.

Question 23General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The 'Philadelphi Corridor' is associated with which region?

  1. The Baltic States
  2. The Horn of Africa
  3. The Korean Peninsula
  4. The Gaza Strip Correct answer.

Explanation

The Philadelphi Corridor is the narrow strip along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, which has been central to security and border arrangements in the region. It is not related to Europe, East Asia or Africa beyond the Middle East.

Question 24General Knowledge and Current Affairs

A country's nominal GDP rises while its real GDP stays constant. What does this most likely indicate?

  1. Prices have risen while output has not Correct answer.
  2. The population has declined sharply
  3. Exports have fallen to zero
  4. Output has grown but prices have fallen

Explanation

Nominal GDP is measured at current prices, whereas real GDP is adjusted for inflation. If nominal GDP grows while real GDP is unchanged, the difference must reflect a rise in the general price level rather than increased production.

Question 25General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Two candidates contest an election. The winner gets 55 per cent of the valid votes and wins by 4,000 votes. How many valid votes were polled?

  1. 44000
  2. 50000
  3. 36000
  4. 40000 Correct answer.

Explanation

The winner's 55 per cent implies the loser got 45 per cent, so the margin is 10 per cent of valid votes. If 10 per cent equals 4,000 votes, total valid votes equal 40,000.

Question 26General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which Indian institution prepares and presents the Union Budget to Parliament?

  1. Ministry of Finance Correct answer.
  2. Comptroller and Auditor General
  3. NITI Aayog
  4. Reserve Bank of India

Explanation

The Union Budget is prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs within the Ministry of Finance and presented by the Finance Minister. The Reserve Bank manages monetary policy, NITI Aayog is a policy think tank, and the CAG audits accounts, so none of them presents the budget.

Question 27General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?

  1. Ten
  2. Eight Correct answer.
  3. Six
  4. Four

Explanation

The Tropic of Cancer crosses India roughly through the middle of the country, passing through eight states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. This is a standard geography fact tested in general awareness papers.

Question 28General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which gas is most abundant in the Earth's atmosphere by volume?

  1. Oxygen
  2. Nitrogen Correct answer.
  3. Argon
  4. Carbon dioxide

Explanation

Nitrogen makes up roughly 78 per cent of the atmosphere by volume, while oxygen is about 21 per cent. Carbon dioxide and argon are present only in small trace amounts, so nitrogen is the dominant component.

Question 29General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which Indian city is known as the 'Silicon Valley of India' because of its information technology industry?

  1. Hyderabad
  2. Chennai
  3. Pune
  4. Bengaluru Correct answer.

Explanation

Bengaluru earned the nickname because it hosts a dense cluster of software firms, start-ups and technology parks. Other cities have growing IT sectors, but the specific title is conventionally attached to Bengaluru.

Question 30General Knowledge and Current Affairs

A bill introduced by a private member in Parliament can be introduced only if it is supported by how many other members?

  1. At least 25 members Correct answer.
  2. At least 100 members
  3. At least 50 members
  4. At least 10 members

Explanation

Under the rules of procedure, a private member's bill requires the support of at least 25 other members before it can be introduced. This threshold prevents frivolous bills and ensures a minimum level of parliamentary backing.

Question 31General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which of the following best describes the term 'repo rate' used by the Reserve Bank of India?

  1. The rate at which the RBI absorbs surplus cash from banks
  2. The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to banks against securities Correct answer.
  3. The rate at which banks lend to their most creditworthy customers
  4. The interest paid by the government on its long-term bonds

Explanation

The repo rate is the policy rate at which the central bank provides short-term liquidity to commercial banks against government securities. Raising or lowering it influences borrowing costs across the economy. The reverse operation, absorbing cash, is the reverse repo.

Question 32General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The 'Green Revolution' in India was most closely associated with which crop?

  1. Sugarcane
  2. Wheat Correct answer.
  3. Jute
  4. Cotton

Explanation

The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s introduced high-yielding varieties, fertilisers and irrigation, transforming wheat output especially in Punjab and Haryana. Rice also benefited later, but wheat is the crop most identified with the programme.

Question 33General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which of these is the correct expansion of the term 'NEFT' used in Indian banking?

  1. National Exchange of Financial Transactions
  2. National Emergency Fund Transfer
  3. National Electronic Funds Transfer Correct answer.
  4. Net External Fund Transfer

Explanation

NEFT stands for National Electronic Funds Transfer, a retail payment system operated by the Reserve Bank of India for transferring funds between bank accounts. It settles transactions in batches through the day.

Question 34General Knowledge and Current Affairs

A country's currency depreciates sharply against the dollar while its import volumes stay unchanged. What is the most likely immediate effect on its trade balance?

  1. The trade balance improves because imports become cheaper
  2. The trade balance improves because exports become cheaper
  3. The trade balance is unaffected because volumes are constant
  4. The import bill rises in domestic currency terms, worsening the deficit Correct answer.

Explanation

If import volumes do not change, a weaker currency means each unit of imports costs more in domestic currency, so the import bill rises and the deficit widens. Export gains would require time and volume responses, which the question rules out.

Question 35General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which Indian constitutional amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years?

  1. 42nd Amendment
  2. 44th Amendment
  3. 61st Amendment Correct answer.
  4. 73rd Amendment

Explanation

The 61st Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age for Lok Sabha and assembly elections from 21 to 18 years. The change took effect for the 1989 general elections.

Question 36General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which of the following is the best example of a 'public good' in economic terms?

  1. A privately owned toll road
  2. A subscription streaming service
  3. A restaurant meal
  4. A national defence system Correct answer.

Explanation

Public goods are non-excludable and non-rival: one person's use does not reduce availability to others, and no one can easily be excluded. National defence fits both conditions, while the other options can be priced and rationed.

Question 37General Knowledge and Current Affairs

The 'Bharatmala Pariyojana' is a flagship programme of the central government concerned with which sector?

  1. Coastal shipping terminals
  2. Urban metro rail
  3. Highway and road infrastructure Correct answer.
  4. Rural electrification

Explanation

Bharatmala Pariyojana focuses on building highways, economic corridors and border roads to improve freight movement. It complements other schemes such as Sagarmala for ports and metro projects handled separately.

Question 38General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Which international organisation is the primary global body setting standards for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing?

  1. Financial Action Task Force Correct answer.
  2. World Trade Organization
  3. International Monetary Fund
  4. Bank for International Settlements

Explanation

The Financial Action Task Force issues the recommendations that countries adopt for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and it conducts mutual evaluations. India is a member and has been assessed under this framework.

Question 39General Knowledge and Current Affairs

In a country, nominal GDP grows by 10 per cent while the GDP deflator rises by 6 per cent. What is the approximate real GDP growth rate?

  1. 10 per cent
  2. 4 per cent Correct answer.
  3. 6 per cent
  4. 16 per cent

Explanation

Real growth is approximately nominal growth minus inflation measured by the deflator, so 10 minus 6 gives about 4 per cent. The deflator captures the price change affecting all domestically produced output.

Question 40General Knowledge and Current Affairs

A country fixes its exchange rate to the dollar and faces a large capital outflow. Which policy constraint does this situation best illustrate?

  1. The Laffer curve, since tax cuts raise revenue
  2. The impossible trinity, since fixed rates and free capital flows limit monetary autonomy Correct answer.
  3. Gresham's law, since bad money drives out good
  4. Say's law, since supply creates its own demand

Explanation

The impossible trinity holds that a country cannot simultaneously have a fixed exchange rate, free capital movement and independent monetary policy. With a peg and open capital flows, defending the rate forces interest-rate decisions that override domestic goals.

Question 41English Language and Comprehension

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to "abundant".

  1. Hidden
  2. Plentiful Correct answer.
  3. Fragile
  4. Scarce

Explanation

"Abundant" describes something existing in large quantities, so "plentiful" is the closest synonym. The other words describe shortage, concealment, or weakness, which are unrelated to quantity.

Question 42English Language and Comprehension

Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: "She spoke *softly* to the child."

  1. Adverb Correct answer.
  2. Noun
  3. Preposition
  4. Adjective

Explanation

The word "softly" modifies the verb "spoke", describing how the action was performed. Words that modify verbs are adverbs, and the -ly ending is a common adverb marker.

Question 43English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correctly spelled word.

  1. Occurrance
  2. Ocurrence
  3. Occurence
  4. Occurrence Correct answer.

Explanation

The correct spelling is "occurrence", with double c, double r, and the ending -ence. The verb "occur" doubles its final consonant before adding a suffix beginning with a vowel.

Question 44English Language and Comprehension

Fill in the blank: "The committee ___ meeting every Monday morning."

  1. hold
  2. have held
  3. holds Correct answer.
  4. holding

Explanation

"Committee" is a singular collective noun here, so the verb takes the singular -s form "holds". Subject-verb agreement requires the verb to match the singular subject.

Question 45English Language and Comprehension

Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "generous".

  1. Kind
  2. Wealthy
  3. Cheerful
  4. Stingy Correct answer.

Explanation

"Generous" means willing to give freely, so its antonym describes someone unwilling to give. "Stingy" carries exactly that meaning of reluctance to spend or share.

Question 46English Language and Comprehension

Which sentence uses the article correctly?

  1. He is honest a man.
  2. He is the honest man of village.
  3. He is a honest man.
  4. He is an honest man. Correct answer.

Explanation

The article "an" is used before words beginning with a vowel sound, and "honest" begins with a silent h, so it starts with a vowel sound. Therefore "an honest man" is correct.

Question 47English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correct plural form of "crisis".

  1. Crisis
  2. Crises Correct answer.
  3. Crisises
  4. Crisi

Explanation

Words of Greek origin ending in -is typically form the plural by changing -is to -es, giving "crises". This follows the classical pattern seen in words like "analysis" and "thesis".

Question 48English Language and Comprehension

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: "Neither the manager nor the clerks ___ available today."

  1. has been
  2. was
  3. is
  4. are Correct answer.

Explanation

With "neither...nor", the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it, which is the plural "clerks". The plural verb "are" therefore fits correctly.

Question 49English Language and Comprehension

Identify the type of sentence: "Although it was raining, the parade continued."

  1. Simple
  2. Compound-complex
  3. Complex Correct answer.
  4. Compound

Explanation

The sentence contains one dependent clause introduced by "although" and one independent clause. A sentence with one independent and at least one dependent clause is complex.

Question 50English Language and Comprehension

Choose the correct word: "The medicine had a noticeable ___ on the patient."

  1. affects
  2. affect
  3. effected
  4. effect Correct answer.

Explanation

"Effect" is a noun meaning a result or influence, which fits after the article "a". "Affect" is normally a verb meaning to influence.