PPSC District Zakat Officer (BS-17) Past Paper 2023 – Zakat and Ushr Department (October 2023)

Mamta Banerjee is the founder and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC); a major political party in West Bengal; India. Established in 1998; AITC has grown to become a significant force in Indian politics; particularly in state governance. Banerjee’s leadership as Chief Minister has shaped West Bengal’s political landscape. This question tests knowledge of contemporary Indian politics; crucial for competitive exams. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

As of 2023; NATO has 31 member countries; with Finland and Sweden’s recent inclusions. This question is common in exams to test awareness of global alliances. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Brazil recorded the second highest COVID-19 death toll after the USA; with over 680;000 deaths by late 2022. This is a key exam topic for recent global health crises. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

The Eiffel Tower; an iconic landmark; is in Paris; France; built in 1889. This is a basic general knowledge question frequently tested in exams for its cultural significance.

Venice; Italy; is built on 118 small islands connected by canals; a unique urban structure. This geographical fact is a common exam question testing city knowledge.

South Africa has three capitals

In July 2021; the USA included Pakistan and Türkiye in its Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) list for alleged recruitment practices. This is a critical exam topic for current affairs. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Habib Bourguiba; Tunisia’s first president from 1957 to 1987; led the country to independence from France. This is a frequent exam question on post-colonial history.

Myanmar was on the FATF grey list alongside Pakistan for deficiencies in anti-money laundering measures. This tests knowledge of international financial oversight. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Interdependence theory; emphasizing mutual reliance among nations; is a core concept in International Political Economy. This is a key exam topic for global relations.

The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is an international norm; adopted by the UN in 2005; to prevent atrocities like genocide. This is a common exam question on global governance.

Martin Luther King Jr. led the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s-60s; advocating for racial equality. His legacy is a frequent exam topic in modern history.

Bahadur Shah Zafar; the last Mughal emperor; was a celebrated Urdu poet; known for his poignant verses. This is a key exam topic in Pakistan’s cultural history.

The Simon Commission; sent in 1927; aimed to review India’s constitutional framework and suggest reforms; leading to widespread protests. This is a critical exam topic.

Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam was founded in 1884 in Lahore to promote Muslim education and welfare. This fact tests knowledge of Pakistan’s socio-cultural history.

S.M Ikram wrote “Modern Muslim India and the Birth of Pakistan;” a key text on Pakistan’s historical foundations; often referenced in exams.

Mian Muhammad Bakhsh; a Sufi poet; authored the famous Punjabi Qissa “Saif-ul-Malook;” a cultural gem in Pakistan’s literary heritage; common in exams.

The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885; marking the start of organized Indian nationalism. This is a key exam topic in colonial history.

The World Bank mediated the Indus Water Treaty in 1960; resolving water-sharing disputes between India and Pakistan. This is a frequent exam question.

The All India Muslim League was founded in Dhaka in 1906; a pivotal moment in the Pakistan Movement; often tested in exams.

Rani Kot Fort; one of the world’s largest forts; is in Sindh; Pakistan; showcasing historical architecture. This is a common exam question on heritage.

The Kulbhushan Jadhav case was adjudicated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2017; a significant case in India-Pakistan relations. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Kalabagh in Punjab has Pakistan’s largest iron ore deposits; a key fact for exams on natural resources.

A Pakistani female soldier received the UN Female Bravery Award for her peacekeeping service in Congo; highlighting Pakistan’s UN contributions. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

The National Bank of Pakistan was established in 1949 to support the country’s financial infrastructure. This is a common exam question on economic history.

Qutb-ud-din Aibak; the first Delhi Sultan; died in 1210 after falling from a horse while playing polo. This is a key exam topic in medieval history.

Inayat Ullah Mashraqi; alongside Quaid-e-Azam; contributed to the fourteen points in 1929; outlining Muslim demands. This is a critical exam topic.

Baglihar Dam is on the Chenab River in India; a point of contention in India-Pakistan water disputes. This is a frequent exam question.

Noor Mahal; a historic palace; is in Bahawalpur; Pakistan; reflecting Mughal architecture. This is a common exam question on cultural heritage.

Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar was buried in Palestine; reflecting his contributions to the Khilafat Movement. This is a key exam topic.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born in 1876; a foundational figure in Pakistan’s creation. This is a staple exam question.

Khawaja Moin-ud-din authored “Taleem Balighan;” a notable Pakistani drama. This tests knowledge of cultural contributions in exams.

Sir Francis Mudie was the first governor of West Punjab post-partition; a key fact in Pakistan’s early governance exams.

Nigar Johar became Pakistan’s first female Lieutenant General in 2020; a milestone in military history. This is a frequent exam question. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Pakistan’s first general elections occurred in 1970; a pivotal moment leading to Bangladesh’s separation. This is a core exam topic.

Attaullah Khan Isa Khelvi received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 2019 for his contributions to music. This tests cultural recognition in exams.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan; 46% of registered voters are female; reflecting efforts to boost female participation. This is a key exam topic on electoral demographics. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Justice Qazi Faiz Isa is Pakistan’s Chief Justice as of 2023; known for his judicial reforms. This is a critical exam question on current governance. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Europe is the only continent without a true desert; due to its temperate climate. This is a common geography exam question.

The Arctic Ocean is in the northern polar region; surrounding the North Pole. This tests basic geographical knowledge in exams.

Stroke volume is the blood pumped by the heart per beat; typically 70 ml in adults. This is a key exam topic in human physiology.

Botanically; a tomato is a fruit; as it develops from the ovary of the plant. This is a frequent exam question in biology.

The Zika virus was first identified in Uganda’s Zika Forest in 1947; a key fact in medical history exams. Update (as of 2025-09-02)

Salinity is measured as grams of sodium chloride per 1000 grams (1 kg) of seawater; typically 35 grams. This is a common exam topic in oceanography.

Blood plasma is about 90% water; carrying nutrients and proteins. This is a key exam question in human biology.

Starfish; an invertebrate; lacks a backbone; unlike vertebrates like whales; sharks; and dogs. This tests zoological knowledge in exams.

A light year; the distance light travels in a year; measures vast astronomical distances. This is a common exam question in astronomy.

Sodium bicarbonate; commonly called baking soda; is used in cooking and medicine. This is a frequent exam question in chemistry.

Shift + F11 inserts a new worksheet in Microsoft Excel; a practical shortcut tested in computer exams.

Modern computers execute instructions both sequentially and in parallel; enhancing efficiency. This is a key exam topic in computer architecture.

Adding a space before a fraction in Excel ensures it’s not interpreted as a date. This is a common exam question in spreadsheet usage.

A database is a collection of related tables organizing data; a fundamental concept tested in computer exams.

Ctrl+Shift+

Gmail and Yahoo are email servers; providing email services. This is a common exam question in networking.

The Page Down key scrolls one screen down in MS Word; a basic shortcut tested in exams.

Paste Special in Excel allows selective pasting of validations; formats; and formulas; a versatile feature tested in exams.

A word processor; like MS Word; is primarily used for typing documents like biographies; a key exam topic in software applications.

Optical disks use a low-powered laser to read and write data; a fundamental concept in storage technology exams.

Picture is not a valid data type in MS Access; unlike Memo; Currency; and Auto Number. This tests database knowledge in exams.

Undo reverses the last action in software like Word or Excel; a basic feature tested in computer exams.

A superscript is a character raised above the baseline; like in exponents; a common exam question in word processing.

The Count function in Excel counts numeric cells; a key feature tested in spreadsheet exams.

Processed output from a computer is called information; distinguishing it from raw data. This is a core exam concept.

Auto Correct fixes spelling errors in real-time; a common feature tested in software exams.

A nested function in Excel is a function within another; enhancing complex calculations. This is a frequent exam topic.

Hyperlinks in software can be text; drawing objects; or pictures; a versatile feature tested in exams.

Job; PCB; and device queues are all process queues in operating systems; so none are excluded. This tests OS knowledge in exams.

F11 creates a chart in MS Word; a shortcut often tested in software exams.

Files are organized in folders; a basic file management concept tested in computer exams.

A nibble is a sequence of four bits; half a byte; a fundamental concept in computer exams.

Hardware includes input; output; and storage devices; a core concept tested in computer exams.

Restarting a computer applies changes after fixes or installations; a standard practice tested in exams.

To find the smallest ratio of 0.35/0.65:
Step 1: Simplify 0.35 ÷ 0.65 = 35/65.
Step 2: Divide numerator and denominator by their GCD (5): 35 ÷ 5 = 7, 65 ÷ 5 = 13, so 7/13.
Step 3: Verify options: 7/13 = 0.538, matching 0.35/0.65.
This tests ratio simplification, common in math exams. Correct option: B.

To solve log₁₀ (0.0001):
Step 1: Recognize 0.0001 = 10⁻⁴.
Step 2: log₁₀ (10⁻⁴) = -4, as the logarithm of a power is the exponent.
Step 3: Confirm: 10⁻⁴ = 0.0001.
This tests logarithm properties, a key exam topic. Correct option: B.

To find the distance:
Step 1: In a right triangle, the tower is 75 m (height), angle of depression = 30°.
Step 2: Tan(30°) = opposite/adjacent = 75/distance. Tan(30°) = 1/√3.
Step 3: 1/√3 = 75/distance → distance = 75√3.
This tests trigonometry, common in math exams. Correct option: C.

To solve A + B:
Step 1: For A = (√5 + 1)/(√5 – 1), rationalize: A = (√5 + 1)(√5 + 1)/(√5 – 1)(√5 + 1) = (√5 + 1)²/(5 – 1) = (5 + 2√5 + 1)/4 = (6 + 2√5)/4 = (3 + √5)/2.
Step 2: For B = (√5 – 1)/(√5 + 1), rationalize: B = (√5 – 1)(√5 – 1)/(√5 + 1)(√5 – 1) = (√5 – 1)²/(5 – 1) = (5 – 2√5 + 1)/4 = (6 – 2√5)/4 = (3 – √5)/2.
Step 3: A + B = (3 + √5)/2 + (3 – √5)/2 = (3 + 3)/2 = 3.
This tests algebraic manipulation, common in exams. Correct option: A.

To solve:
Step 1: Calculate work rate: 35 labourers dig 805 m³ in 5 hours, so rate = 805/(35 × 5) = 805/175 = 23/5 m³ per labourer-hour.
Step 2: For 30 labourers in 6 hours: Total work = 30 × 6 × 23/5 = 180 × 23/5 = 4140/5 = 828 m³.
This tests work-rate calculations, common in exams. Correct option: B.

To solve:
Step 1: Use combination formula C(n, r) = n!/(r!(n–r)!). For 6 candidates, choose 2: C(6, 2) = 6!/(2!4!) = (6 × 5)/(2 × 1) = 15.
This tests combinatorics, a key exam topic. Correct option: C.

To solve:
Step 1: Total candidates = 3 gentlemen + 3 ladies = 6.
Step 2: Choose 2: C(6, 2) = 6!/(2!4!) = (6 × 5)/(2 × 1) = 15.
This tests combination calculations, common in exams. Correct option: D.

“Neck and neck” means being very close or level in a competition; like runners side by side. It emphasizes proximity rather than equality or competition alone. This idiom is commonly tested in English exams to assess figurative language understanding.

“Pull your socks up” means to make an effort to improve performance or behavior; often used as encouragement. Other options like “get ready” or “start” don’t capture the idiom’s focus on improvement. This tests idiomatic knowledge in English exams.

The passive sentence “The strike has been called off by the workers” converts to active voice as “The workers have called off the strike;” maintaining the present perfect tense. Other options have incorrect tenses or structures. This tests voice transformation in English exams.

The preposition “on” is correct in “rely on;” indicating dependence. Other prepositions don’t fit this context. This tests preposition usage; common in English exams.

“Obedience” is an abstract noun; representing a concept or quality; not a tangible object. This tests noun classification; a key exam topic in grammar.

The direct speech “Don’t cross the speed limit” converts to reported speech as “The policeman forbade me to cross the speed limit;” reflecting a command. Other options misalign with the imperative mood. This tests reported speech in exams.

Gloves are worn on hands; as socks are worn on feet; making “hands” the correct analogy. This tests logical relationships in English exams.

“On” is the correct preposition for “The books are on the table;” indicating surface placement. This tests preposition knowledge in exams.

“Given up” is the correct phrasal verb for quitting; as in “He has given up smoking.” This tests phrasal verb usage in English exams.