Question

Before Droupadi Murmu, India had only one other female president, Pratibha Patil. When did Patil serve as the President of India?

• A. 2007–2012
• B. 2005–2010
• C. 2012–2017
• D. 2006–2011
• A. Odisha
• B. Bihar
• C. Jharkhand
• D. West Bengal
• A. 1952
• B. 1950
• C. 1948
• D. 1949
• A. Belvedere House
• B. Raisina Palace
• C. Secretariat Building
• D. Writers’ Building
• A. R. Venkataraman
• B. Yashwant Sinha
• C. M. Venkaiah Naidu
• D. Margaret Alva
• A. A first-past-the-post system through a single transferable vote cast in a secret ballot
• B. A proportional representation system through a single transferable vote cast in a secret ballot
• C. A proportional representation system through a single transferable vote cast in an open ballot
• D. A first-past-the-post system through a single transferable vote cast in an open ballot
• A. Ram Nath Kovind
• B. V.V. Giri
• C. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
• D. Kocheril Raman Narayanan

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1 (Recall factual historical data).
Pratibha Patil was sworn in as the 12th President of India on 25 July 2007 and completed her five-year term on 25 July 2012. Step 2 (Match with options).
Only option (A) exactly covers this period: 2007–2012. Step 3 (Confirm timeline).
Her successor was Pranab Mukherjee, who took office in July 2012 — confirming that (A) is correct. \[ \boxed{\text{(A) 2007–2012}} \]

Answer 2

Step 1 (Extract from passage).
Although the passage notes her political career in Odisha, it also mentions her role in opposing amendments to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act — an Act that applies in Jharkhand. Step 2 (Link to known fact).
Droupadi Murmu was the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021, the first tribal woman to hold that office. Step 3 (Eliminate distractors).
Options (A) and (D) are linked to her home state (Odisha) or unrelated states, but she never served as Governor there. (B) Bihar — incorrect. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) Jharkhand}} \]

Answer 3

Step 1 (Recall constitutional history).
India became a republic on 26 January 1950, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected the first President. Step 2 (Election Commission’s role).
The first presidential election conducted by the Election Commission took place in 1950, before the adoption of the First General Elections in 1951–52. Step 3 (Confirm).
Rajendra Prasad assumed office on 26 January 1950 — confirming that (B) is correct. \[ \boxed{\text{(B) 1950}} \]

Answer 4

Step 1 (Historical location).
Before 1911, the British capital was in Calcutta (now Kolkata). The Governor General lived at Belvedere House in Alipore, Calcutta. Step 2 (Post-1911 shift).
After the capital shifted to Delhi, construction of the Viceroy’s House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) began at Raisina Hill. Step 3 (Eliminate).
(B) Raisina Palace — not the historical name of Rashtrapati Bhavan, and built later.
(C) Secretariat Building — part of administrative offices.
(D) Writers’ Building — Secretariat for Bengal government, not Governor General’s residence. \[ \boxed{\text{(A) Belvedere House}} \]

Answer 5

Step 1 (Recall 2022 election facts).
In 2022, NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar contested against Opposition candidate Margaret Alva for Vice President. Step 2 (Eliminate).
(A) R. Venkataraman — former Vice President (1984–87) and President later; not 2022 candidate.
(B) Yashwant Sinha — contested for President in 2022, not Vice President.
(C) M. Venkaiah Naidu — outgoing Vice President in 2022; not a candidate for re-election. Step 3 (Confirm).
Margaret Alva was fielded jointly by multiple opposition parties in 2022. \[ \boxed{\text{(D) Margaret Alva}} \]

Answer 6

Step 1 (Constitutional provision).
The President of India is elected by an Electoral College consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories. Step 2 (Voting system).
The election uses the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Step 3 (Secret ballot).
As per the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, voting is conducted via a secret ballot to ensure independence of choice. Step 4 (Elimination of distractors).
- (A) and (D) mention first-past-the-post — incorrect. - (C) says open ballot — not applicable to Presidential election (it applies to Rajya Sabha elections for parties). Thus, (B) is correct. \[ \boxed{\text{(B) Proportional representation + STV + secret ballot}} \]

Answer 7

Step 1 (Recall historical fact).
K.R. Narayanan was the 10th President of India (1997–2002) and was the first Dalit to hold this office. Step 2 (Eliminate distractors).
- (A) Ram Nath Kovind — Dalit, but not the first; he became President in 2017.
- (B) V.V. Giri — 4th President (1969–74), not Dalit.
- (C) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy — 6th President (1977–82), not Dalit. Step 3 (Confirm timeline).
Narayanan’s presidency is widely remembered for his intellectual approach and his role as a conscience-keeper of the Constitution. \[ \boxed{\text{(D) Kocheril Raman Narayanan}} \]