High Court Assistant — 2016 — Previous Year Paper — Kerala PSC PYQ Practice with Answers

Correct answer (Option A):\n\nThe United Nations celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on April 13, 2016, at its headquarters in New York. The event focused on his legacy of combating social inequalities and how his visions align with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Option A is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption B refers to Sardar Vallabhai Patel, whose birth anniversary is celebrated as National Unity Day on October 31. Option C and Option D represent Jawaharlal Nehru and Subash Chandra Bose respectively, neither of whom were the focus of this specific 2016 UN event.\n\nStudy tip:\n\nDr. B.R. Ambedkar is known as the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution. Remember important international celebrations of Indian leaders at the UN for current affairs.

Correct answer (Option C):\n\nThe theme for World Health Day 2016 was 'Beat Diabetes'. This theme was chosen to scale up prevention, strengthen care, and enhance surveillance of diabetes worldwide due to its rapidly increasing burden. Option C is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption A was the theme for the year 2015. Option B was the theme for 2014, focusing on vector-borne diseases. Option D represents the core focus of the 2013 theme which was high blood pressure.\n\nStudy tip:\n\nWorld Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7 to mark the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Always memorize the themes of the current and preceding years for competitive exams.

Correct answer (Option B):\n\nVatican City is the smallest independent country in the world, both by area and population. It covers an area of about 44 hectares (121 acres) and is entirely encircled by the city of Rome, Italy. Option B is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption A, Monaco, is the second-smallest independent state. Option C, Nauru, is the world's smallest island nation. Option D, Maldives, is the smallest country in Asia by both land area and population but is much larger than Vatican City.\n\nStudy tip:\n\nVatican City is ruled by the Pope and serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church. It became an independent state through the Lateran Treaty signed in 1929.

Correct answer (Option D):\n\nThe King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the only snake species in the world that builds a dedicated nest for its eggs. The female collects leaves and debris to create a mound where she stays to guard the clutch until they hatch. Option D is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOptions A, B, and C represent snakes that do not construct nests. Pythons lay eggs but only coil around them for warmth. Vipers are mostly ovoviviparous (give birth to live young), and Anacondas give birth to live young in water.\n\nStudy tip:\n\nThe King Cobra is also the longest venomous snake in the world. Its scientific name, Ophiophagus, literally means 'snake-eater', highlighting its unique diet consisting primarily of other snakes.

Correct answer (Option B):\n\nIndian-American professor Dr. Rakesh K. Jain was awarded the National Medal of Science by US President Barack Obama in 2016. He received the honor for his groundbreaking research on tumor biology and improving delivery of chemotherapy agents. Option B is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n\nOption A, C.R. Rao, is a legendary statistician who received this honor much earlier in 2001. Options C and D are completely unrelated individuals not associated with this scientific recognition.\n\nStudy tip:\n\nThe National Medal of Science is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government upon scientists, engineers, and innovators. Tracking prominent Indian-origin winners of international laurels is crucial for current affairs.