Minimalist IAS
← Foundation (Classes 6–9)
English हिंदी

Test yourself

Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2)

Class 7 · Foundation (Classes 6–9)

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Ch 1 · The Story of Indian Farming

Prelims 2016 · Q27

The FAO accords the status of 'Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)' to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?

  1. 1.To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity
  2. 2.To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities
  3. 3.To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identified GIAHS

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 1 (The Story of Indian Farming).

The one fact NCERT doesn't give: In India, Geographical Indication (GI) tags are granted by India's GI Registry under the GI Act, 1999 — not by the FAO.

Class 7 Exploring Society (Part 2), ch 1: the FAO recognises three of India's traditional farming systems — Kashmir's saffron, Odisha's forest-linked farming and Kerala's below-sea-level farming. It honours them as heritage to safeguard (2), not to modernise (1). With the fact, 3 is false. Answer (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2016), question 27 ↗

Prelims 2021 · Q64

The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of

  1. (a)brown forest soil
  2. (b)fissure volcanic rock
  3. (c)granite and schist
  4. (d)shale and limestone
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 10 Contemporary India – II, Ch 1 (Resources and Development); Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 1 (The Story of Indian Farming).

Contemporary India – II (ch 1): black soil is typical of the Deccan trap (basalt) region and is made up of lava flows. Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2 (ch 1): black soil forms from weathered volcanic rock. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2021), question 64 ↗

Ch 3 · Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries

Prelims 2020 · Q24

Consider the following events in the history of India:

  1. 1.Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
  2. 2.Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I
  3. 3.Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I
  4. 4.Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?

  1. (a)2 – 1 – 4 – 3
  2. (b)3 – 1 – 4 – 2
  3. (c)2 – 4 – 1 – 3
  4. (d)3 – 4 – 1 – 2
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 6 (Temple Architecture and Sculpture); Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 3 (Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries); Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE).

NCERT places Mahendravarman I before about 640 CE, when his successor took the Pallava throne (Indian Art, Part I, ch 6). The Palas came to power in the 8th century (same chapter). Bhoja of the Pratiharas ruled in the 9th century (Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2, ch 3), and Parantaka I in the 10th (Understanding Society, Class 9, ch 5). So 2-4-1-3: (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2020), question 24 ↗

Prelims 2023 · Q43

With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as

  1. (a)capital cities
  2. (b)ports
  3. (c)centres of iron-and-steel making
  4. (d)shrines of Jain Tirthankaras
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 3 (Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries); Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE).

Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2 (ch 3) names Korkai as a port for trade with Southeast Asia, and Understanding Society, Class 9 (ch 5) names Poompuhar and Muziris (Muchiri) as ports. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 43 ↗

Ch 4 · Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries

Prelims 2019 · Q12

Consider the following statements:

  1. 1.In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as 'Amil'.
  2. 2.The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
  3. 3.The office of 'Mir Bakshi' came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 2 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), Ch 2 (Reshaping India's Political Map); Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 8 Exploring Society (Part 1), ch 2, lists the Mir Bakhshi among Akbar's (Mughal) officers, so statement 3 is false. Class 7 Exploring Society (Part 2), ch 4, shows land assignments for revenue and military service arriving with Muhammad Ghuri and growing under the Delhi Sultanate. That makes the iqta a new system, not an ancient Indian one, so statement 2 is false. Only (a) has neither.

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2019), question 12 ↗

Prelims 2023 · Q45

Consider the following dynasties:

  1. 1.Hoysala
  2. 2.Gahadavala
  3. 3.Kakatiya
  4. 4.Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?

  1. (a)Only one
  2. (b)Only two
  3. (c)Only three
  4. (d)None
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries); Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 6 (Temple Architecture and Sculpture); old Class 7 Our Pasts – II, Ch 2 (Kings and Kingdoms); Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), Ch 3 (The Rise of the Marathas).

How to solve it with NCERT: NCERT places all four dynasties well after the 8th century: the Kakatiyas rose in the 12th century (Class 7 Exploring Society Part 2, ch 4). The Hoysalas rose after Chola power waned (Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art I, ch 6). The Gahadavalas were rivals of Prithviraja III, who ruled 1168–1192 (old Class 7 Our Pasts II, ch 2). The Yadavas ruled Maharashtra in the 13th century (Class 8 Exploring Society Part 1, ch 3). So none of them was founded in the early 8th century. Answer (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 45 ↗

Prelims 2025 · Q16

Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?

  1. (a)Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
  2. (b)Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
  3. (c)Rajendra I (Chola)
  4. (d)Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries).

Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2 (ch 4): Rajendra I is celebrated for his successful naval expedition against the Shrivijaya Empire. So (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2025), question 16 ↗

← Back to the books

Spotted an error? Tell us — we fix it and record the change here.

NCERT textbooks are published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Every file comes from NCERT's own website; a full book is joined into one PDF on the reader's device. Minimalist IAS does not store or edit any NCERT file.

Previous-year questions are from UPSC's question papers and answer keys (final keys; for 2026, the provisional key) published on upsc.gov.in.

Minimalist IAS is not affiliated with NCERT or UPSC. Books by other publishers are named for reference only.

NCERT can move or replace a file at any time. We re-check every link each month; if one breaks, tell us.