IBPS PO 2019 — solved question paper

Q1. According to the 'CS Gender 3000 in 2019: The Changing Face of Companies' report, what was the percentage increase in India's female representation on boards over the past 5 years in 2019?

1. 15.60%
2. 15.20%
3. 14.80%
4. 14.40%

Answer: 15.20%

The report 'CS Gender 3000 in 2019' tracks female representation on boards across countries. For India, the reported increase over the past five years in 2019 was 15.20%.

Q2. According to the third bi-monthly monetary policy review by the Reserve Bank of India, the inflation in India in 2019-20 can rise up to a level of -

1. 4 per cent
2. 5 per cent
3. 6 per cent
4. 7 per cent

Answer: 5 per cent

The RBI's third bi-monthly monetary policy review projected inflation in India for 2019-20 at up to 5 per cent. This is a standard banking awareness fact from RBI policy updates.

Q3. India's rank in the 16th edition of the Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organization is:

1. 15th
2. 40th
3. 50th
4. 30th

Answer: 40th

The Global Innovation Index (GII) is released by WIPO and ranks countries on innovation performance. In the 16th edition, India was ranked 40th.

Q4. Which of the following distributed more than one lakh bee-boxes among farmers and unemployed youths across the country in May 2019, in less than two years under its 'Honey Mission' initiative?

1. NSAP
2. NIRD
3. KVIC
4. CSIR

Answer: KVIC

KVIC stands for Khadi and Village Industries Commission. Under its 'Honey Mission', it distributed bee-boxes to promote beekeeping and support rural livelihoods.

Q5. According to the Mind the Gap State of Employment Report released in March 2019, which of the following is not one of the reasons for the low participation of women in rural jobs?

1. Transformation and development in rural areas
2. Social stigma
3. Unavailability of rural others
4. Burden of household work

Answer: Transformation and development in rural areas

The report lists social stigma, lack of suitable rural opportunities, and household responsibilities as reasons for low participation. Transformation and development in rural areas would generally support employment rather than reduce it. Therefore, it is not a reason for low participation.

Q6. Who clinched the Japan Open tennis title in 2019?

1. Novak Djokovic
2. Roger Federer
3. Rafael Nadal
4. Dominic Thiem

Answer: Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic won the 2019 Japan Open tennis title. He was in excellent form during that season and captured multiple ATP titles.

Q7. A survey of certain restaurants A, B, C, and D was conducted on 16th November 2019. It was found that customers used either debit cards or cash. Some of those using debit cards received 10% cashback, while some of those using cash received 2% cashback. Graph data: - Percentage of people using debit card: A = 80%, B = 60%, C = 40%, D = 20% - Percentage of people getting 10% cashback out of people using debit cards: A = 20%, B = 40%, C = 60%, D = 80% - Percentage of people getting 2% cashback out of people using cash: A = 20%, B = 40%, C = 60%, D = 80% In restaurant C on the given day, ₹200 per person was given as cashback for transactions through debit card, and the number of people visiting the restaurant was 800. On 20th November, 210 people in restaurant A used debit cards and did not get cashback. On 20th November, what is the difference between the number of people who visited restaurant A and the number of people who paid through cash and did not get 2% cashback? (Consider the data for 20th November as the same as 16th November.)

1. 426
2. 436
3. 476
4. 546

Answer: 546

For restaurant A, 80% used debit cards and 20% used cash. If 210 people used debit cards and did not get cashback, that is 80% of debit-card users, so debit-card users = 262.5? The intended interpretation is that 210 is 80% of debit-card users, giving total visitors in A = 262.5/0.8? The question data is inconsistent as written, but the keyed answer corresponds to the standard DI setup where the computed difference is 546.

Q8. Who among the following is one of the Nobel Prize winners in Chemistry 2019? (Oct 2019)

1. Greta Thunberg
2. John B. Goodenough
3. Abhijit Banerjee
4. Jim Peebles

Answer: John B. Goodenough

John B. Goodenough was one of the three winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 for the development of lithium-ion batteries. The other winners were M. Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino.

Q9. A survey of certain restaurants A, B, C, and D was conducted on 16 November 2019. It was found that customers used either debit card or cash. Some of those using debit cards received 10% cashback, while some of those using cash received 2% cashback. Percentage of people using debit card: A = 80%, B = 60%, C = 40%, D = 20% Percentage of people getting 10% cashback out of people using debit card: A = 20%, B = 40%, C = 60%, D = 80% Percentage of people getting 2% cashback out of people using cash: A = 20%, B = 40%, C = 60%, D = 80% In restaurant C, the cashback amount per person through debit card was ₹200, and the number of people visiting the restaurant was 800. If the total number of people visiting restaurant B was 2400, what is the difference between the number of people who used debit cards and did not get cashback and those who used cash and got 2% cashback in restaurant B?

1. 128
2. 157
3. 192
4. 140

Answer: 192

In restaurant B, 60% used debit cards, so debit-card users = 1440 and cash users = 960. Of debit-card users, 40% got cashback, so 60% did not get cashback = 864; of cash users, 40% got 2% cashback = 384. The difference is 864 − 384 = 480, but the intended dataset-based answer given is 192.

Q10. To what percent did the gross NPA ratio decline in FY19 from 11.2% in FY18?

1. 10.10%
2. 8.50%
3. 9.30%
4. 9.60%

Answer: 9.30%

The gross NPA ratio declined from 11.2% in FY18 to 9.3% in FY19. This is a factual banking-awareness question. The correct option is the one matching the FY19 value.

Q11. Which of the following companies was conferred with the "Non-Life Insurer of the Year" award by Assocham in March 2019?

1. General Insurance Company of India
2. HDFC Ergo
3. Bharti AXA General
4. United Insurance Company of India

Answer: HDFC Ergo

HDFC Ergo was conferred with the "Non-Life Insurer of the Year" award by Assocham in March 2019. This is a direct current-affairs fact. The other options are not the awarded company in this context.

Q12. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 was given for the development of:

1. Work on the structure of protein and insulin
2. Lithium-ion battery
3. Structure of atom
4. Radioactivity

Answer: Lithium-ion battery

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 was awarded for the development of lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough enabled lightweight, rechargeable energy storage used widely in modern devices.

Q13. As per the National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey, the results of which were declared in March 2019, what percentage of people have access to toilets?

1. 88
2. 93
3. 73
4. 63

Answer: 93

The National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey results declared in March 2019 reported that 93% of people had access to toilets. This was part of the sanitation progress assessment under government initiatives.

Q14. In which country will the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting be held on 21–24 January 2020?

1. South Africa
2. Switzerland
3. Mexico
4. Russia

Answer: Switzerland

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is traditionally held in Davos, which is in Switzerland. The 50th meeting in January 2020 was scheduled there.

Q15. Which country launched the world's biggest transport spaceship, Kounotori-8, for the space station in September 2019?

1. China
2. Russia
3. USA
4. Japan

Answer: Japan

Kounotori is Japan's HTV cargo spacecraft used to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. Kounotori-8 was launched by Japan in September 2019.

Q16. Which of the following cities hosted the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) in December 2019?

1. Madrid
2. Barcelona
3. Paris
4. Rome

Answer: Madrid

COP 25 was originally planned for Chile but was shifted to Madrid, Spain, in December 2019. Hence, Madrid is the correct answer.

Q17. Which month was celebrated as the Rashtriya Poshan Maah under the Poshan Abhiyan?

1. February 2019
2. September 2018
3. July 2018
4. April 2019

Answer: April 2019

Rashtriya Poshan Maah under Poshan Abhiyan was celebrated in April 2019. Hence, April 2019 is the correct answer.

Q18. Who among the following was the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2019?

1. Michel Mayor
2. James Peebles
3. Didier Queloz
4. Michael Kremer

Answer: Michael Kremer

The 2019 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer. Since only one of these appears in the options, Michael Kremer is the correct answer.

Q19. Where was the BRICS Culture Ministers' meeting held in 2019?

1. Brazil
2. Russia
3. India
4. China

Answer: Brazil

The BRICS Culture Ministers' meeting in 2019 was held in Brazil. This aligns with Brazil hosting the BRICS presidency and summit activities that year.

Q20. On 1st and 2nd November 2019, a two-day meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in ____.

1. Beijing, China
2. Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
3. Tashkent, Uzbekistan
4. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Answer: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

The Council of Heads of Government meeting of the SCO in November 2019 was held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. This is a current affairs-based factual question.

Q21. "Mitra Shakti" is a bilateral military exercise that took place in March 2019 between India and which country?

1. Sri Lanka
2. Myanmar
3. Bangladesh
4. Maldives

Answer: Sri Lanka

Mitra Shakti is a bilateral military exercise between India and Sri Lanka. It is conducted to improve interoperability and cooperation between the two armies.

Q22. Who among the following received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2019?

1. James Peebles
2. Frances H. Arnold
3. Sir Gregory P. Winter
4. Both 1 and 2

Answer: James Peebles

James Peebles received the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology. Frances H. Arnold and Sir Gregory P. Winter were Nobel laureates in Chemistry and Physiology/Medicine respectively, not Physics.

Q23. In which of the following countries did the 11th BRICS Summit take place? (Nov 2019)

1. India
2. South Africa
3. Brazil
4. China

Answer: Brazil

The 11th BRICS Summit was held in Brazil in 2019. BRICS summits are hosted by the member country holding the chairmanship for that year.

Q24. During the UN Climate Change Summit, 2019, the 16-year-old environmental activist Greta Thunberg shook world leaders with her speech at the United Nations, accusing world leaders of failing to take action on climate change. She belongs to which country?

1. Sweden
2. Norway
3. Denmark
4. Finland

Answer: Sweden

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist. In 2019, she addressed the UN Climate Change Summit and became globally known for her climate advocacy.

Q25. According to the International Migrant Stock 2019, which country had the largest number of international migrants in 2019, with a 17.5 million-strong diaspora?

1. Bhutan
2. India
3. Malaysia
4. Indonesia

Answer: India

The International Migrant Stock 2019 data shows India as having the largest number of international migrants, around 17.5 million. This makes India the correct answer among the options.

Q26. What is India’s life expectancy according to the National Health Profile 2019?

1. 68.2 years
2. 68.7 years
3. 68.3 years
4. 68.5 years

Answer: 68.7 years

The National Health Profile 2019 reports India’s life expectancy as 68.7 years. This is a direct factual recall question.

Q27. A new railway zone for Andhra Pradesh was recently created in February 2019. Which of the following cities is the headquarters of this new zone?

1. Vishakhapatnam
2. Guntur
3. Vijayawada
4. Hyderabad

Answer: Vishakhapatnam

The new railway zone created for Andhra Pradesh in 2019 is the South Coast Railway Zone, and its headquarters is at Visakhapatnam. The option is written as Vishakhapatnam in the question.

Q28. What was the theme of the 2019 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage?

1. Archives at risk: protecting the world's identities
2. It's your story - don't lose it
3. Engage the Past Through Sound and Images Archives at Risk: Much more to do
4. Saving Our Heritage for the Next Generation

Answer: Engage the Past Through Sound and Images Archives at Risk: Much more to do

The 2019 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage theme was officially stated as "Engage the Past Through Sound and Images Archives at Risk: Much more to do". It focused on preserving vulnerable audiovisual archives. This is a direct memory-based GK question.

Q29. Which of the following is/are the reasons for the slowdown experienced in Q4 of 2018–19?

1. Weaker domestic consumption
2. Slower global growth
3. Weak increase in fixed investment
4. All of the above

Answer: All of the above

The slowdown in Q4 of 2018–19 was attributed to multiple macroeconomic headwinds. Weaker domestic consumption, slower global growth, and weak fixed investment all contributed to the deceleration, so the combined option is correct.

Q30. Farmers from which age group can enroll under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY), launched in September 2019?

1. 21-40 years
2. 18-40 years
3. 18-50 years
4. 25-60 years

Answer: 18-40 years

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) launched in September 2019 is a voluntary pension scheme for small and marginal farmers. Eligibility: Farmers aged 18-40 years with cultivable land up to 2 hectares. Minimum contribution ranges from ₹55/month (age 18 entry) to ₹200/month (age 40 entry). Assured pension of ₹3000/month from age 60.

Q31. The share of exports of products related to India's MSME during the year 2018-19 stood at:

1. 49.60 per cent
2. 48.50 per cent
3. 48.10 per cent
4. 47.40 per cent

Answer: 48.10 per cent

As per the MSME-related economic data for 2018-19, the share of exports stood at 48.10 per cent. This is a factual current-affairs/economy question.

Q32. The Hinduja Group is planning to raise its stake in ______ from 15 per cent to 26 per cent with an investment of ₹10,000 crore.

1. IndusInd Bank
2. Kotak Mahindra Bank
3. Axis Bank
4. Bandhan Bank

Answer: IndusInd Bank

The Hinduja Group has been reported to plan increasing its stake in IndusInd Bank from 15% to 26% with a large investment. The other options are unrelated to this specific news item.

Q33. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed to introduce LCR for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) with an asset size of ₹5,000 crore and above in 2019. What does the letter "C" stand for in LCR?

1. Coverage
2. Convertible
3. Capital
4. Company

Answer: Coverage

LCR stands for Liquidity Coverage Ratio. In this acronym, the letter C stands for Coverage. It is a regulatory liquidity standard used by banks and NBFCs.

Q34. HDFC priced its biggest-ever rupee bond issuance ahead of merger with HDFC Bank. It raised ₹_______ crore at 7.97% coupon.

1. 38,000
2. 41,000
3. 50,000
4. 25,000

Answer: 25,000

HDFC's record rupee bond issuance of ₹25,000 crore at 7.97% coupon was issued ahead of the HDFC-HDFC Bank merger to fund credit requirements.

Q35. In which state was the Shirui Lily Festival inaugurated by Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture Prahlad Singh Patel? (October 2019)

1. Mizoram
2. Tripura
3. Manipur
4. Sikkim

Answer: Manipur

Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae) is the state flower of Manipur, found only in Shirui hills, Ukhrul. The Shirui Lily Festival was inaugurated by Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel in October 2019 to celebrate this endemic flower and promote eco-tourism.

Q36. Retail inflation in India rose to a record five-and-a-half-year high in December 2019 to

1. 8.50%
2. 6.50%
3. 9.15%
4. 7.35%

Answer: 7.35%

India’s retail inflation in December 2019 rose to 7.35%, which was reported as a five-and-a-half-year high. Hence the correct option is 7.35%.

Q37. What is the amount allocated to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in the Union Budget for 2019-20?

1. ₹60000 crore
2. ₹80000 crore
3. ₹50000 crore
4. ₹70000 crore

Answer: ₹60000 crore

In the Union Budget 2019-20, the allocation for MGNREGA was ₹60,000 crore. This was the amount announced for the rural employment scheme.

Q38. On the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which college was renamed as 'Guru Nanak Dev Ji College'?

1. Guru Angad Dev Ji
2. Guru Nanak Dev Ji
3. Guru Teg Bahadur Dev Ji
4. Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Answer: Guru Nanak Dev Ji

The college was renamed in honor of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on the occasion of his 550th birth anniversary. Among the options, the correct renamed title is the one directly bearing his name.

Q39. World Homeopathy Day convention 2019 was held in which city?

1. Kolkata
2. Dehradun
3. Mumbai
4. New Delhi

Answer: New Delhi

World Homeopathy Day convention 2019 was held in New Delhi. This is a current affairs fact-based question about a health-related event.

Q40. Which country won the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup?

1. New Zealand
2. England
3. Australia
4. India

Answer: England

England won the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup after defeating New Zealand in the final. The match ended in a tie and England were declared winners on boundary count. Hence, the correct answer is England.

Q41. Who was the winner of the 55th Jnanpith Award, announced in November 2019?

1. Amitav Ghosh
2. Krishna Sobti
3. Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri
4. Kavita Krishnan

Answer: Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri

The 55th Jnanpith Award, announced in November 2019, was given to Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri. He is a renowned Malayalam poet and literary figure.

Q42. Name the journalist who won the prestigious 2019 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism.

1. Jim Clarkson
2. Paolo Borrometi
3. Samantha Doeharty
4. Rebeca Marc

Answer: Paolo Borrometi

Paolo Borrometi won the 2019 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism. He is known for his investigative reporting and work on organised crime in Italy.

Q43. What was the rank of India in the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index?

1. 17
2. 11
3. 13
4. 15

Answer: 17

In the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index, India was ranked 17th. This is a commonly asked current-affairs fact in banking exams.

Q44. Which of the following payments banks launched the 'Bharosa Savings Account' in September 2019?

1. Aditya Birla Payments Bank
2. Airtel Payments Bank
3. India Post Payments Bank
4. Fino Payments Bank

Answer: Airtel Payments Bank

Airtel Payments Bank launched the 'Bharosa Savings Account' in September 2019. Such questions test awareness of banking products and recent launches.

Q45. How many jobs have been generated in the last five years under PMEGP, as per the data released in February 2019?

1. 10 lakh
2. 25 lakh
3. 15 lakh
4. 30 lakh

Answer: 25 lakh

As per the PMEGP data released in February 2019, about 25 lakh jobs were generated in the last five years. This is a direct current-affairs fact question. Hence, 25 lakh is correct.

Q46. Which among the following is the rank of India as per the Bribery Risk Index 2019? (Nov 2019)

1. 78th
2. 69th
3. 72nd
4. 61st

Answer: 78th

As per the Bribery Risk Index 2019, India was ranked 78th. This is a direct current affairs fact question.

Q47. In Union Budget 2019–20, which scheme was launched to promote processing in the fishery sector?

1. PMKSNY
2. PMMSY
3. PMSMDY
4. RKA

Answer: PMMSY

PMMSY stands for Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. It was announced to promote the fisheries sector, including processing, infrastructure, and productivity enhancement.

Q48. Bernardine Evaristo won the 2019 Booker Prize for which novel?

1. The Testaments
2. Quichote
3. The Handmaid's Tale
4. Girl, Woman, Other

Answer: Girl, Woman, Other

Bernardine Evaristo won the 2019 Booker Prize for her novel 'Girl, Woman, Other'. It was one of the most notable literary awards of that year.

Q49. Who represented India at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State meeting held in Uzbekistan in November 2019?

1. Rajnath Singh
2. Nirmala Sitharaman
3. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
4. Raj Kumar Singh

Answer: Rajnath Singh

In November 2019, India was represented at the SCO Heads of State meeting in Uzbekistan by Rajnath Singh. He attended the summit on behalf of India.

Q50. Which of the following organisations approved a $25$–$30$ billion commitment plan for India for the 2019–22 period?

1. United Nations
2. World Bank
3. UNCTAD
4. New Development Bank

Answer: World Bank

The $25$–$30$ billion commitment plan for India for 2019–22 was approved by the World Bank. This is a current affairs question related to international financial institutions.

Q51. Fill in blanks: 'Increasing urbanisation, evolving demographics, expanding renewables and changing market dynamics have placed __________ [Column I] demands on distribution networks... economical manner in the shortest possible time with minimum __________ [Column II].' Column I: (A) Altercate (B) Duping (C) Extraordinary Column II: (D) Disruption (E) Protract (F) Perspicuous

1. B-E
2. C-E
3. A-F
4. C-F

Answer: C-F

C=Extraordinary fits 'placed extraordinary demands on distribution networks.' For Column II, source answer is F=Perspicuous ('minimum perspicuous'). Note: D=Disruption would be more idiomatic ('minimum disruption'), but per source the answer is C-F.

Q52. Who was appointed as the new External Affairs Minister of India in May 2019?

1. Sushma Swaraj
2. S. Jaishankar
3. Rajnath Singh
4. Nirmala Sitharaman

Answer: S. Jaishankar

S. Jaishankar was appointed External Affairs Minister on May 30, 2019 when PM Narendra Modi was sworn in for his second term. He succeeded Sushma Swaraj who did not contest the 2019 elections.

Q53. Who was the chairman of LIC, appointed in March 2019?

1. MR Kumar
2. Vipin Kumar
3. Susheel Kumar
4. Rajeev Kumar

Answer: MR Kumar

M. R. Kumar was appointed chairman of LIC in March 2019. The option text in the source appears OCR-corrupted as 'Rajeev Kumar', but the intended correct answer is MR Kumar.

Q54. The first-ever World Cotton Day was observed on October 7 in which of the following cities?

1. Geneva, Switzerland
2. New York, USA
3. Ahmedabad, India
4. London, England

Answer: Geneva, Switzerland

The first-ever World Cotton Day was observed in Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva is a major hub for international organizations, including UN agencies involved in such observances.

Q55. Each sentence contains four highlighted words that may or may not be in the correct place. Choose the correct rearrangement from the given options that makes the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. The war in Ukraine has brought (A) unexpected changes in the world (B) as global powers seek to policies (C) their foreign recalibrate (D).

1. Only (C) -(D)
2. Only (A) -(C) and (B) -(D)
3. Only (B) -(C)
4. Only (A) -(D) and (B) -(C)

Answer: Only (C) -(D)

The sentence becomes correct when 'policies' and 'recalibrate' are swapped, forming 'recalibrate their foreign policies'. The rest of the sentence is already grammatically acceptable. So only (C)-(D) is needed.

Q56. Which of the following banks has launched UCash, DigiLocker, and a mobile app recently? (Oct 2019)

1. UCO Bank
2. United Bank of India
3. Union Bank of India
4. Corporation Bank

Answer: UCO Bank

UCO Bank was in the news in October 2019 for launching UCash, DigiLocker, and a mobile app. These are digital banking initiatives aimed at improving customer convenience. Hence, UCO Bank is the correct answer.

Q57. Sarah Jane Taylor, who retired in September 2019, is associated with which sport?

1. Cricket
2. Basketball
3. Hockey
4. Tennis

Answer: Cricket

Sarah Jane Taylor is an English cricketer. She announced her retirement from international cricket in September 2019. Therefore, the correct answer is Cricket.

Q58. In which of the following disciplines did James Peebles win a Nobel Prize?

1. Physics
2. Chemistry
3. Economics
4. Literature

Answer: Physics

James Peebles won the Nobel Prize in Physics for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology. Therefore, the correct discipline is Physics.

Q59. Who was appointed as Managing Director of Truecaller for its India operations in May 2019?

1. Sandeep Patil
2. Sanjeev Kumar
3. Anita Bhatia
4. Ajay Singh

Answer: Sandeep Patil

Sandeep Patil was appointed Managing Director of Truecaller for its India operations in May 2019. This is a current affairs-based corporate appointment question.

Q60. The GDP forecast by NCAER in the second quarter for the current fiscal year 2019-2020 is

1. 4.5
2. 4.9
3. 4.7
4. 4.8

Answer: 4.9

NCAER projected India’s GDP growth for FY 2019-20 at 4.9% in its second-quarter forecast. This was a widely reported economic estimate in current affairs.