๐ Chapter 01 ยท PYQs ยท National Symbols
National Symbols of India โ Previous Year Questions
UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year questions on national symbols with detailed answers.
The national emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. Which of the following animals appear on the abacus of the original Lion Capital?
- A) Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Bull
- B) Bull, Horse, Elephant, Lion
- C) Tiger, Horse, Elephant, Bull
- D) Lion, Bull, Horse, Deer
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Answer: B โ The abacus of the Lion Capital has four animals representing the four cardinal directions: Bull (east), Horse (west), Elephant (south), and Lion (north), with a Dharma Chakra in the centre.
With reference to the national flag of India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (1) The ratio of width to length is 2:3. (2) The Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes. Select the correct answer:
- A) 1 only
- B) 2 only
- C) Both 1 and 2
- D) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: C โ Both statements are correct. The national flag has a width-to-length ratio of 2:3, and the Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes.
Project Tiger was launched in India in which year?
- A) 1969
- B) 1971
- C) 1973
- D) 1975
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Answer: C โ Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It was launched to protect the Bengal Tiger, which was also declared the national animal in the same year.
The scientific name of the Indian Peacock (national bird of India) is:
- A) Pavo muticus
- B) Pavo cristatus
- C) Gallus gallus
- D) Columba livia
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Answer: B โ The scientific name of the Indian Peacock is Pavo cristatus. It was declared India’s national bird in 1963 and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The Gangetic River Dolphin was declared India’s national aquatic animal in which year?
- A) 2005
- B) 2007
- C) 2009
- D) 2012
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Answer: C โ The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was declared India’s national aquatic animal in 2009. Project Dolphin was launched in 2020 to protect it.
The Indian Rupee symbol (โน) was officially adopted in which year?
- A) 2008
- B) 2009
- C) 2010
- D) 2012
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Answer: C โ The Indian Rupee symbol โน was officially adopted on 15 July 2010. It was designed by D. Udaya Kumar of IIT Bombay.
The national tree of India is:
- A) Peepal (Ficus religiosa)
- B) Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)
- C) Neem (Azadirachta indica)
- D) Teak (Tectona grandis)
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Answer: B โ The Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) is India’s national tree, declared in 1950. It symbolises immortality and unity due to its ability to spread through aerial prop roots.
The national flower of India, the Lotus, has which scientific name?
- A) Nymphaea lotus
- B) Nelumbo nucifera
- C) Victoria amazonica
- D) Nuphar lutea
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Answer: B โ The scientific name of the Lotus (national flower of India) is Nelumbo nucifera. It is also called the Indian Lotus or Sacred Lotus.
The Ganga was declared India’s national river in which year?
- A) 2005
- B) 2007
- C) 2008
- D) 2010
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Answer: C โ The Ganga was declared India’s national river on 4 November 2008. The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was established in 2009.
The Indian National Calendar (Saka Calendar) was adopted in which year?
- A) 1950
- B) 1952
- C) 1957
- D) 1963
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Answer: C โ The Indian National Calendar (Saka Calendar) was adopted on 22 March 1957. The Calendar Reform Committee was chaired by Meghnad Saha. The Saka era begins in 78 CE.