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Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1)

Class 8 · 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 · Natural Resources and Their Use

Prelims 2016 · Q81

Consider the following statements:

  1. 1.The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
  2. 2.The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), Ch 1 (Natural Resources and Their Use).

The one fact NCERT doesn't give: The International Solar Alliance was launched at COP21, the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, in 2015.

Class 8 Exploring Society (Part 1), ch 1: India and France launched it in 2015 as a coalition of sunshine-rich countries — not of all UN members, so 2 is false. With the fact, 1 is true. Answer (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2016), question 81 ↗

Ch 2 · Reshaping India's Political Map

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 ↗

Ch 3 · The Rise of the Marathas

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 ↗

Ch 7 · Factors of Production

Prelims 2018 · Q49

Consider the following statements:

Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a process which enables

  1. 1.individuals of a country to accumulate more capital.
  2. 2.increasing the knowledge, skill levels and capacities of the people of the country.
  3. 3.accumulation of tangible wealth.
  4. 4.accumulation of intangible wealth.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 Indian Economic Development, Ch 4 (Human Capital Formation in India); Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), Ch 7 (Factors of Production).

Indian Economic Development (ch 4): physical capital is tangible, human capital is intangible. Exploring Society, Class 8 Part 1 (ch 7): human capital means skills, knowledge and abilities. So 2 and 4: (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 49 ↗

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