SSC Eduquity & TCS General Awareness PYQ Online Test
Correct Answer: Option A (Seismology)
Detailed Explanation: Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic seismic waves through the Earth or other planet-like bodies. The instrument used to record these waves is called a seismograph (or seismometer).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Richter Scale: Measures the magnitude (energy released) of an earthquake (logarithmic scale from 1 to 10).
- Mercalli Scale: Measures the intensity (observed damage) of an earthquake (from I to XII).
- Volcanology: The scientific study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geological phenomena.
- Speleology: The scientific study or exploration of caves and other karst features.
Correct Answer: Option A (Dehra Dun)
Detailed Explanation: Longitudinal valleys lying between the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) and the Shiwalik range are known as 'Duns' in the west and 'Duars' in the east. Dehra Dun (Uttarakhand) is the largest of all such duns, with an approximate length of 35–45 km and a width of 22–25 km.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Kotli Dun & Patli Dun: Other well-known longitudinal valleys located in Uttarakhand (Patli Dun is situated in the Corbett National Park region).
- Shiwaliks: The outermost and youngest range of the Himalayas, composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by Himalayan rivers.
Correct Answer: Option A (Chhattisgarh)
Detailed Explanation: Raut Nacha is a traditional folk dance performed by the Yaduvanshi (Yadav) community of Chhattisgarh during Diwali, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and representing the sacred dance of Lord Krishna with the Gopis.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Other Folk Dances of Chhattisgarh: Pandwani (famous exponent Teejan Bai), Panthi (Satnami community), Karma, Saila, Gedi, and Suwa Nacha (Parrot dance).
- Jharkhand Dances: Chhau, Paika, Jhumair, Mardani Jhumair.
- Madhya Pradesh Dances: Matki, Grida, Jawara, Maanch.
Correct Answer: Option A (Seventh schedule)
Detailed Explanation: The Seventh Schedule (Article 246) allocates legislative powers between the Union and the States through three lists: List I (Union List - 100 items originally 97), List II (State List - 61 items originally 66), and List III (Concurrent List - 52 items originally 47).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Eighth Schedule: Contains 22 recognized official languages of India.
- Sixth Schedule: Contains administrative provisions for tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (AMTM).
- Eleventh Schedule: Contains 29 functional items under Panchayati Raj institutions (added by 73rd Amendment, 1992).
Correct Answer: Option A (Yakshas and Yakshinis)
Detailed Explanation: The railings and toranas of the Bharhut Stupa (located in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh; built during the Shunga period) prominently feature monumental upright relief sculptures of Yakshas and Yakshinis (such as Kubera Yaksha and Sudarsana Yakshini) acting as guardians and fertility symbols.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Discovery: Bharhut Stupa was discovered by Alexander Cunningham in 1873.
- Key Narrative: Depicts Jataka tales illustrating previous lives of Gautama Buddha in narrative bas-relief panels.
- Shunga Art: Unlike later Gandhara art, Shunga sculptures represent Buddha through symbols (footprints, lotus, umbrella, stupa) rather than human form.
Correct Answer: Option A (Vidha Lal)
Detailed Explanation: Renowned Jaipur Gharana Kathak exponent Vidha Lal (a disciple of Guru Geetanjali Lal) was conferred the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2017 for her outstanding contribution to Kathak dance.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar: Instituted in 2006 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi for young performing artists under 40 years of age.
- Kathak: Classical dance originating from Northern India (Uttar Pradesh); characterized by intricate footwork (Tatkar) and pirouettes (Chakkars).
- Major Kathak Gharanas: Lucknow Gharana, Jaipur Gharana, and Banaras Gharana.
Correct Answer: Option A (15)
Detailed Explanation: In a fully connected mesh network topology with n nodes, the total number of physical communication lines/links required is calculated using the combination formula:
For n = 6 nodes:
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Mesh Topology: Highly fault-tolerant and robust because every node is directly connected to every other node with dedicated point-to-point links.
- Star Topology: Requires only n links where each node connects to a central hub/switch.
- Ring Topology: Requires exactly n links to form a closed circular loop.
Correct Answer: Option A (Andhra Pradesh)
Detailed Explanation: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2019, popularly designated as the Disha Act, which mandated completing heinous crime investigations against women within 7 days and trials within 14 working days (death penalty within 21 days where conclusive evidence is present).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Disha SOS App: Launched by Andhra Pradesh Police to provide emergency SOS assistance to women in distress.
- Shakti Criminal Law Act: Similar legislation passed later by Maharashtra for expediting violence against women and children cases.
Correct Answer: Option A (Geographic Information System (GIS))
Detailed Explanation: Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping coupled with satellite remote sensing and drone surveys is the primary spatial technology used under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) and the SVAMITVA Scheme to digitize and manage parcel-level cadastral land maps.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- SVAMITVA Scheme: Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas, launched on National Panchayati Raj Day (24 April 2020) using drone/GIS mapping.
- RFID: Used in FASTag for electronic toll collection.
- NFC: Short-range wireless connectivity standard used in contactless credit card payments.
Correct Answer: Option A (Ancient subsistence farming)
Detailed Explanation: Primitive (Ancient) Subsistence Farming (such as Slash and Burn / Jhum cultivation) is practiced on small patches of land using primitive tools (hoe, dao, digging sticks) and family labor. It relies entirely on monsoon rainfall and natural soil fertility without chemical fertilizers or irrigation.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Intensive Subsistence Farming: Practiced in densely populated regions using high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation to maximize yield per unit area.
- Plantation Farming: Single cash crop grown over a large area for commercial export (e.g., Tea, Coffee, Rubber).
- Jhum Cultivation: Name for shifting cultivation in North-East India (called Bewar/Dahiya in MP, Podu in AP/Odisha).
Correct Answer: Option A (Article 51A (k))
Detailed Explanation: Article 51A(k) makes it the fundamental duty of every parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward between the age of 6 and 14 years. It was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 51A(a): Duty to abide by the Constitution and respect the National Flag and National Anthem.
- Article 51A(e): Duty to promote harmony and renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
- Article 51A(g): Duty to protect and improve the natural environment, forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
- Article 21A: Fundamental Right to free and compulsory elementary education.
- Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, and hazardous work.
Correct Answer: Option A (Uruguay)
Detailed Explanation: The inaugural Nehru Cup football tournament was held in 1982 in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. Uruguay won the championship by defeating China 2–0 in the final.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Nehru Cup: An international invitational association football tournament organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) from 1982 to 2012.
- Most Successful Team: Soviet Union (won 4 titles: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988). India won three consecutive titles in 2007, 2009, and 2012.
- First FIFA World Cup Winner: Uruguay won the first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1930 hosted in Montevideo.
Correct Answer: Option A (let)
Detailed Explanation: In badminton, a 'Let' is called by the umpire or player to halt play due to unforeseen interference, accidental distraction, or when the receiver is not ready. When a let is called, no points are scored and the server serves again.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Fault: A violation of the rules (such as shuttling into the net, out of bounds, or touching the net with racket), resulting in a point for the opponent.
- Drop Shot: A delicate stroke hit softly downward into the opponent's forecourt close to the net.
- Smash: A powerful overhead downward attacking shot.
- Governing Body: Badminton World Federation (BWF) headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Correct Answer: Option A (Priyanka Chopra)
Detailed Explanation: 'Unfinished' is an autobiographical memoir published in 2021 written by Indian actress, film producer, and Miss World 2000 winner Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Kareena Kapoor: Author of Kareena Kapoor Khan's Pregnancy Bible and The Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva.
- Twinkle Khanna: Author of Mrs Funnybones and Pyjamas Are Forgiving.
- Anupam Kher: Author of Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly and Your Best Day Is Today!.
Correct Answer: Option A (Milad-un-Nabi)
Detailed Explanation: Mawlid (also known as Mawlid al-Nabi or Eid Milad-un-Nabi) is the observance of the birth anniversary of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, celebrated in the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Rabi' al-Awwal).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Eid-ul-Fitr: "Festival of Breaking the Fast" celebrated at the end of Ramadan (first day of Shawwal).
- Eid-ul-Adha: "Feast of the Sacrifice" celebrated during Dhu al-Hijjah, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's devotion.
- Muharram: The first month of the Islamic calendar; 10th day is Ashura commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
Correct Answer: Option A (Fourth)
Detailed Explanation: The Fourth Five-Year Plan covered the period from 1969 to 1974 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The 1971 Indo-Pak War (which resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh) occurred during this plan period.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Fourth Plan Focus: Based on the Gadgil formula with the core objective of "Growth with Stability and Progressive Achievement of Self-Reliance". Major events: 14 banks nationalised (1969), Pokhran-I nuclear test (1974).
- Plan Holiday: 1966 to 1969 (three annual plans following the 1965 war and severe drought).
- Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–1979): Focused on Garibi Hatao (Poverty Eradication) and self-reliance (drafted by D.D. Dhar).
Correct Answer: Option A (24)
Detailed Explanation: Chromium (Cr) is a transition metal in Group 6 and Period 4 of the periodic table with an atomic number of 24. It exhibits an anomalous half-filled stable electron configuration: [\text{Ar}]\, 3d^5\, 4s^1.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Atomic Number 23: Vanadium (V) - [\text{Ar}]\, 3d^3\, 4s^2.
- Atomic Number 25: Manganese (Mn) - [\text{Ar}]\, 3d^5\, 4s^2.
- Atomic Number 26: Iron (Fe) - [\text{Ar}]\, 3d^6\, 4s^2.
- Stainless Steel: An alloy of iron, carbon, and chromium (at least 10.5% Cr gives corrosion resistance).
Correct Answer: Option A (Sulfuric acid / Syn-propanethial-S-oxide (Sulfur compounds))
Detailed Explanation: Cutting an onion ruptures cell membranes, causing alliinase enzymes to produce sulfenic acids, which rearrange into a volatile lachrymatory gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. When this reacts with moisture in the eyes, it produces trace amounts of sulfuric acid, triggering the lacrimal glands to produce tears.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Garlic Odour: Due to an organosulfur compound called Allicin.
- Mustard/Radish Pungency: Due to Isothiocyanates.
- Chilli Hotness: Due to the chemical compound Capsaicin.
Correct Answer: Option A (Anupam Kher)
Detailed Explanation: 'Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly' (published in 2019) is the celebrated autobiography of veteran Indian actor and former FTII Chairman Anupam Kher.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Naseeruddin Shah: Autobiography titled And Then One Day: A Memoir.
- Rishi Kapoor: Autobiography titled Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Memoir titled An Ordinary Life: A Memoir.
- Karan Johar: Autobiography titled An Unsuitable Boy.
Correct Answer: Option A (8)
Detailed Explanation: In 1976, the Swaran Singh Committee recommended the inclusion of 8 Fundamental Duties. However, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added 10 Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. Later, the 86th Amendment Act (2002) added the 11th duty.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Key Recommendations Rejected: The committee's recommendations to make non-compliance with duties punishable and to make the duty to pay taxes a fundamental duty were not accepted by the government.
- Current Status: There are currently 11 Fundamental Duties listed under Part IVA (Article 51A).
- Nature: Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable (cannot be directly enforced by courts, though Parliament can enact laws to enforce them).
Correct Answer: Option A (Maitraka)
Detailed Explanation: Vallabhi (located in the modern Bhavnagar district of Gujarat) was the glorious royal capital of the Maitraka dynasty (founded by Senapati Bhatarka in c. 475 CE). It was also a world-renowned seat of Buddhist learning and higher education, visited by Chinese travelers Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) and Yijing (I-Tsing).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Second Jain Council: Held at Vallabhi in 512 CE (presided over by Devardhi Kshamasramana), where the Jain Agamas were finalized in written form.
- Solanki Dynasty: Capital was Anhilwad (Patan), Gujarat; built Sun Temple at Modhera and Rani ki Vav.
- Rashtrakutas: Capital was Manyakheta (Malkhed).
Correct Answer: Option A (Telangana)
Detailed Explanation: Retired IAS officer C. Partha Sarathi was appointed as the State Election Commissioner (SEC) of Telangana in September 2020 by the Governor.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- State Election Commission: Established under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution of India to superintend, direct, and conduct elections to rural and urban local bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities).
- Appointment & Removal: Appointed by the Governor, but can only be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of a High Court.
Correct Answer: Option A (Bharatanatyam)
Detailed Explanation: Bharatanatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu, was traditionally performed in Hindu temples by Devadasis and was historically known as Sadir Attam, Dasi Attam, or Chinna Melam. It was revived and popularized in the 20th century by E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Kalakshetra: Founded in 1936 at Chennai by Rukmini Devi Arundale to train dancers in Bharatanatyam.
- Kathakali: Classical dance-drama originating from Kerala, known for elaborate facial makeup and masks.
- Mohiniyattam: Classical dance of Kerala ("Dance of the Enchantress") characterized by delicate swaying movements.
- Tanjore Quartette: Four brothers (Chinnayya, Ponnayya, Sivanandam, Vadivelu) who shaped the modern Bharatanatyam Margam format (Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Tillana).
Correct Answer: Option A (110 m and 400 m)
Detailed Explanation: In international track and field athletics governed by World Athletics, the standard outdoor hurdle race distances are 110 meters (sprint hurdles) and 400 meters (long hurdles) for men. For women, the standard sprint hurdle distance is 100 meters and the long hurdle distance is 400 meters.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Hurdle Count: Both 100m/110m and 400m races have exactly 10 hurdles placed on the track in each lane.
- Men's 110m Hurdle Height: 1.067\text{ m} (42\text{ inches}).
- Women's 100m Hurdle Height: 0.838\text{ m} (33\text{ inches}).
- Men's 400m Hurdle Height: 0.914\text{ m} (36\text{ inches}).
Correct Answer: Option A (Bombay)
Detailed Explanation: The 9th edition of the Indian Olympic Games (now known as the National Games of India) was held in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1940. It was in this 1940 Bombay edition that the championship was officially renamed the National Games.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- First Indian Olympic Games: Held in 1924 in Lahore (undivided India) to select athletes for the 1924 Paris Olympics.
- First Post-Independence National Games: Held in 1948 in Lucknow.
- Indian Olympic Association (IOA): Established in 1927; Sir Dorabji Tata was its first President and Dr. A.G. Noehren was the first Secretary.
Correct Answer: Option A (Shravanabelagola)
Detailed Explanation: The Mahamastakabhisheka is a grand Jain festival held once every 12 years at Shravanabelagola (Hassan district, Karnataka) to anoint the monolithic 57-foot-tall statue of Lord Gommateshwara (Bahubali) situated on Vindhyagiri Hill.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Statue Patron: Built in c. 981 CE by Chavundaraya, military commander and prime minister of the Western Ganga Dynasty.
- Chandragupta Maurya: According to Jain tradition, Chandragupta Maurya accompanied Acharya Bhadrabahu to Shravanabelagola and performed Sallekhana (fast unto death) at Chandragiri Hill.
- Lord Bahubali: Son of Rishabhanatha (the first Tirthankara of Jainism).
Correct Answer: Option A (Soybean)
Detailed Explanation: Soybean is a major Kharif crop sown at the onset of the southwest monsoon (June–July) and harvested during autumn (September–October). Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the leading producers of soybean in India.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Other Kharif Crops: Rice, Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Cotton, Jute, Groundnut, Arhar (Tur).
- Rabi Crops: Sown in winter (Oct–Dec) and harvested in spring (April–June). Examples: Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Gram (Chickpea), Peas, Linseed.
- Zaid Crops: Short summer season crops between Rabi and Kharif (March–June). Examples: Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Fodder crops.
Correct Answer: Option A (27)
Detailed Explanation: The 5th Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG 2022/2023) took place across eight cities in Madhya Pradesh (and cycling track in New Delhi), featuring over 5,000 athletes competing in 27 sports disciplines.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- KIYG 2023 Mascot: 'Asha' the cheetah and 'Mowgli'.
- Medal Tally Winner (5th Edition): Maharashtra topped the table with 161 medals (56 Gold), followed by Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
- Indigenous sports included: Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, and Yogasana.
Correct Answer: Option A (Bharatnatyam)
Detailed Explanation: Alarmel Valli is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer and choreographer renowned for the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam. She is a recipient of the Padma Shri (1991), Padma Bhushan (2004), and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2001).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Pandanallur Style: A traditional style of Bharatanatyam marked by clean lines, geometric precision, and understated abhinaya.
- Other Famous Bharatanatyam Dancers: Padma Subrahmanyam, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Malavika Sarukkai, Leela Samson.
Correct Answer: Option A (Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography)
Detailed Explanation: 'Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography' is the celebrated autobiography of the eminent Indian constitutional jurist and senior advocate of the Supreme Court, Fali S. Nariman (Padma Vibhushan awardee).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Roses in December: Autobiography of former Chief Justice of Bombay HC and Union Minister M. C. Chagla.
- We, the People & We, the Nation: Famous legal treatises written by legendary jurist Nani Palkhivala.
- The State of the Nation: Another prominent book authored by Fali S. Nariman.
Correct Answer: Option A (Breathing root (Pneumatophore))
Detailed Explanation: Breathing roots (Pneumatophores) are specialized negatively geotropic respiratory roots found in mangrove/halophyte plants (like Rhizophora and Avicennia) that grow vertically upward above water to obtain oxygen in waterlogged saline soils; they do not store food.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Storage Roots: Taproots or adventitious roots modified to store carbohydrates. Examples: Conical root (Carrot), Fusiform root (Radish), Napiform root (Turnip/Beetroot), Tuberous root (Sweet Potato).
- Potato vs Sweet Potato: Potato is a modified underground stem (tuber), whereas Sweet Potato is a modified root (tuberous adventitious root).
- Prop Roots: Aerial supporting roots hanging from banyan trees; Stilt Roots: Supporting roots arising from lower stem nodes in maize and sugarcane.
Correct Answer: Option A (rectilinear)
Detailed Explanation: When an object moves along a straight line in a fixed direction, its movement is termed rectilinear (or linear) motion. Examples include a car cruising on a straight flat highway, an apple falling freely under gravity, or marching soldiers on a parade ground.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Circular Motion: Motion of an object along a circular path (e.g., motion of blades of an electric fan, Earth revolving around the Sun).
- Periodic Motion: Motion that repeats itself at regular intervals of time (e.g., rotation of the Earth, movement of the pendulum of a clock).
- Oscillatory Motion: To-and-fro or back-and-forth movement about a mean central position (e.g., vibrating guitar string, child on a swing).
Correct Answer: Option A (Chess)
Detailed Explanation: Sven Magnus Øen Carlsen is a Norwegian chess Grandmaster who was the five-time World Chess Champion (2013–2023) and holds the highest peak FIDE chess rating in history (2882).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Viswanathan Anand: India's 1st Grandmaster (1988) and 5-time World Chess Champion; first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1991–92).
- D. Gukesh: Youngest ever challenger in World Chess Championship history after winning the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto.
- FIDE: International Chess Federation; headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Correct Answer: Option A (Nuakhai)
Detailed Explanation: Nuakhai (or Nuakhai Juhar) is an agricultural harvest festival observed primarily in Western Odisha (Sambalpur) and neighbouring districts of Chhattisgarh on Panchami Tithi of Bhadrapada, where 'Nua' means new and 'Khai' means food/eating the newly harvested paddy crop offered to Goddess Samaleswari.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Raja Parba: A 3-day festival celebrated in Odisha honoring womanhood and Mother Earth during the onset of the monsoon.
- Bali Yatra: Grand open-air trade fair held in Cuttack on the banks of Mahanadi River commemorating ancient Kalinga's maritime trade links with Bali/Java.
- Dhanu Yatra: Famous open-air theatrical festival held in Bargarh, Odisha.
Correct Answer: Option A (15)
Detailed Explanation: There were 15 women members in the Indian Constituent Assembly, including notable leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Hansa Mehta, Amrit Kaur, Sucheta Kripalani, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Dakshayani Velayudhan, and Begum Aizaz Rasul (the only Muslim woman member).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Dakshayani Velayudhan: The only Dalit woman elected to the Constituent Assembly (from Madras).
- Constituent Assembly: Formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946); first meeting held on 9 December 1946 (Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as interim president).
- Permanent President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected on 11 December 1946.
- Drafting Committee Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (appointed 29 August 1947).
Correct Answer: Option B (State List)
Detailed Explanation: Under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, 'Public Order' (Entry 1) and 'Police' (Entry 2) are explicitly placed under the State List (List II). (Note: In the original image text, "Union List" is printed incorrectly in the answer label; the correct constitutional subject classification is the State List, except in Delhi where Police is under the Union Home Ministry via Art 239AA).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Union List (List I) key subjects: Defence, Armed Forces, Foreign Affairs, Atomic Energy, Railways, Banking, Currency, Citizenship.
- State List (List II) key subjects: Police, Public Health and Sanitation, Prisons, Agriculture, Local Government, Public Order.
- Concurrent List (List III) key subjects: Criminal Law, Marriage & Divorce, Education, Forests, Trade Unions.
Correct Answer: Option A (Input cost)
Detailed Explanation: Factor Cost (Input Cost) refers to the total cost of all the factors of production (Land, Labour, Capital, and Entrepreneurship) incurred during the manufacturing process before adding indirect product taxes or deducting subsidies.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Formula: \text{Market Price (MP)} = \text{Factor Cost (FC)} + \text{Net Indirect Taxes (Indirect Taxes} - \text{Subsidies)}.
- GDP at Factor Cost: Measures economic output based solely on production costs.
- Four Factors of Production & Rewards: Land (Rent), Labour (Wages), Capital (Interest), Entrepreneur (Profit).
Correct Answer: Option A (Do)
Detailed Explanation: In Newlands' Law of Octaves (1866), elements were arranged according to increasing atomic masses corresponding to western musical notes (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti). Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni) were placed together in the same slot under the note 'Do' (along with Fluorine, Chlorine, and Bromine), which was one of the major limitations of his table.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Law of Octaves: Formulated by English chemist John Newlands; stated that every eighth element has properties similar to the first (valid only up to Calcium).
- Total Elements: Newlands assumed that only 56 elements existed in nature.
- Mendeleev's Periodic Law: Properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic masses (1869).
- Modern Periodic Law: Properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers (Henry Moseley, 1913).
Correct Answer: Option A (Argentina)
Detailed Explanation: The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup was co-hosted across three Asian nations: the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from 25 August to 10 September 2023. Argentina was not a host nation.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- 2023 Champions: Germany won their first-ever FIBA World Cup title by defeating Serbia in the final at Manila.
- MVP of 2023 FIBA World Cup: Dennis Schröder (Germany).
- FIBA Headquarters: Mies, Switzerland.
- 2027 Host: Qatar is scheduled to host the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Correct Answer: Option A (Night of the Restless Spirits: Stories from 1984)
Detailed Explanation: Sarbpreet Singh is the author of 'Night of the Restless Spirits: Stories from 1984', a collection of fictionalized short stories detailing the human tragedies and emotional trauma surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh massacres.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Other works by Sarbpreet Singh: The Camel Merchant of Philadelphia and The Story of the Sikhs.
- Train to Pakistan: Masterpiece historical novel written by Khushwant Singh (1956).
- Pinjar: Renowned Punjabi novel on the Partition written by Amrita Pritam.
Correct Answer: Option A (Harbhajan Singh)
Detailed Explanation: Legendary Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (nicknamed Bhajji / The Turbanator) officially announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket on 24 December 2021.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Historic Hat-trick: Harbhajan was the first Indian bowler to take a Test hat-trick (Eden Gardens against Australia in 2001).
- Career Wickets: Took 417 Test wickets, 269 ODI wickets, and was a key member of the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup-winning Indian teams.
- Yuvraj Singh: Retired in June 2019; Suresh Raina retired in August 2020.
Correct Answer: Option A (Distribution of legislative powers and revenue between the Union and the States)
Detailed Explanation: The Seventh Schedule (under Article 246) defines the distribution of legislative authority, administrative powers, and tax/revenue subjects between the Union government and the State governments via the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Third Schedule: Forms of Oaths or Affirmations for constitutional authorities.
- Fourth Schedule: Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to States and Union Territories.
- Fifth Schedule: Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
- Tenth Schedule: Provisions regarding disqualification on ground of defection (Anti-Defection Law, added by 52nd Amendment 1985).
Correct Answer: Option A (Hugging trees to prevent cutting)
Detailed Explanation: The Chipko Movement (originating in 1973 in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, then UP) was a non-violent environmental conservation movement where villagers, particularly women led by Gaura Devi, clung to and hugged trees to physically stop commercial loggers from felling them.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Prominent Leaders: Sunderlal Bahuguna (coined the slogan: "Ecology is permanent economy") and Chandi Prasad Bhatt (DGSM).
- Appiko Movement: Southern counterpart of Chipko Movement, started in 1983 in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka led by Pandurang Hegde.
- Bishnoi Movement: Historic 1730 tree-hugging sacrifice led by Amrita Devi Bishnoi in Khejarli, Rajasthan.
Correct Answer: Option A (October 2, 2014)
Detailed Explanation: The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was officially launched nationwide on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajghat, New Delhi, targeting an Open Defecation Free (ODF) clean India by October 2, 2019 (the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Two Verticals: SBM-Gramin (under Ministry of Jal Shakti) and SBM-Urban (under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs).
- SBM 2.0: Launched in October 2021 focusing on ODF Plus status and complete solid/liquid waste management by 2025–26.
- Indore: Consistently ranked India's cleanest city under the Swachh Survekshan awards.
Correct Answer: Option A (Both Statement I and Statement II are correct)
Detailed Explanation: Both statements are historically accurate: * Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997–2002): Adopted the explicit theme 'Growth with Social Justice and Equality'. * First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956): Drafted by K.N. Raj and based directly on the Harrod-Domar model, emphasizing agriculture, irrigation, and power projects.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961): Based on the PC Mahalanobis 4-sector model, focusing on rapid industrialization and heavy industries.
- Planning Commission: Established on 15 March 1950; dissolved in 2014 and replaced by NITI Aayog on 1 January 2015.
Correct Answer: Option A (Sanjay Kapoor)
Detailed Explanation: Dr. Sanjay Kapoor of Kanpur was elected as the President of the All India Chess Federation (AICF) in the online elections held in January 2021.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- All India Chess Federation (AICF): Founded in 1951; apex governing body for chess in India, affiliated with FIDE.
- 44th Chess Olympiad: Successfully hosted by AICF in Mamallapuram (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) in 2022 with the mascot 'Thambi'.
Correct Answer: Option A (I, II and III)
Detailed Explanation: All three are vital connective tissues in animal physiology: * Blood: Fluid connective tissue containing RBCs, WBCs, platelets, and fluid plasma matrix. * Bone: Hard, mineralized structural connective tissue rich in calcium and collagen fibers. * Ligament: Dense fibrous regular connective tissue that connects bone to bone.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Tendon: Dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.
- Cartilage: Flexible connective tissue found in joints, ear pinna, and nose tip composed of chondrocytes.
- Adipose Tissue: Specialized loose connective tissue that stores fat and insulates the body.
Correct Answer: Option A (Red soil)
Detailed Explanation: Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks (granite, gneiss) under conditions of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan Plateau (Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka). It looks red due to the diffusion of iron oxides in crystalline and metamorphic rocks (and turns yellow when hydrated).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Black Soil (Regur): Formed from weathering of volcanic basalt lava rocks; rich in clay; ideal for cotton.
- Laterite Soil: Formed in areas of high temperature and intense leaching due to heavy rainfall (rich in iron and aluminium; acidic).
- Alluvial Soil: Covers ~40% of India's total area; deposited by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
Correct Answer: Option A (Vishnuprayag)
Detailed Explanation: Vishnuprayag (in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand) is the holy confluence where the Dhauliganga river joins the Alaknanda river. It is the first of the Panch Prayags.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Panch Prayag System:
- 1. Vishnuprayag: Alaknanda + Dhauliganga
- 2. Nandaprayag: Alaknanda + Nandakini
- 3. Karnaprayag: Alaknanda + Pindar
- 4. Rudraprayag: Alaknanda + Mandakini
- 5. Devprayag: Alaknanda + Bhagirathi (forms the main Ganga river).
Correct Answer: Option A (Kosi)
Detailed Explanation: The Kosi River (known in Tibet/Nepal as Saptakoshi / Arun) originates in the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet and flows south through Bihar to merge into the River Ganga at Kursela (Katihar district).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Other Nepal-origin Left Bank Tributaries: Gandak, Ghaghara (Karnali), and Sharda (Mahakali).
- Chambal & Betwa: Peninsular right-bank tributaries that flow northward and join the Yamuna.
- Son River: Originates at Amarkantak Hills (MP) and flows directly north to join the Ganga near Patna.
Correct Answer: Option A (Mahi)
Detailed Explanation: The Kadana Dam is an earthen-masonry dam constructed across the Mahi River in the Mahisagar district of Gujarat, completed in 1979 for irrigation and hydroelectricity generation.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Mahi River: Unique river in India that cuts across the Tropic of Cancer twice (originates in Vindhya Range, MP and drains into Gulf of Khambhat).
- Sardar Sarovar Dam: Constructed on the Narmada River (Gujarat).
- Ukai Dam: Constructed across the Tapi River (Gujarat).
- Dharoi Dam: Constructed across the Sabarmati River.
Correct Answer: Option A (Article 112)
Detailed Explanation: The term "Budget" is not mentioned in the Constitution of India. Under Article 112, it is referred to as the 'Annual Financial Statement', which is a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Union Government for a financial year.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 110: Definition and provisions relating to a Money Bill (certified solely by the Speaker of Lok Sabha).
- Article 202: Annual Financial Statement (Budget) of a State Government.
- Article 280: Constitution of the Finance Commission by the President every 5 years.
- Article 266: Consolidated Fund of India & Public Account of India; Article 267: Contingency Fund of India.
Correct Answer: Option A (Magnus Carlsen)
Detailed Explanation: World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen won the inaugural Chessable Masters online tournament on 4 July 2020 by defeating Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri in the final of the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Anish Giri: Runner-up of the Chessable Masters 2020.
- Hikaru Nakamura: American Grandmaster and 5-time US Chess Champion.
- Ding Liren: Chinese Grandmaster who became the 17th World Chess Champion in 2023.
Correct Answer: Option A (Bangladesh)
Detailed Explanation: The Teesta River water dispute is a major bilateral transboundary water-sharing issue between India and Bangladesh. Originating from Tso Lhamo Lake in Sikkim, Teesta flows through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh to join the Jamuna (Brahmaputra).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Ganga Water Treaty: 30-year treaty signed in 1996 between India and Bangladesh for sharing water at the Farakka Barrage.
- Kushiyara River Agreement: Signed in September 2022 between India and Bangladesh (first major water agreement in 25 years).
- Indus Waters Treaty: Signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 brokered by the World Bank.
Correct Answer: Option A (Rudra Veena)
Detailed Explanation: Ustad Asad Ali Khan (Padma Bhushan, Khandarbani Dhrupad style) was one of the greatest masters of the ancient plucked string instrument Rudra Veena (also called Been).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Sarod Masters: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ali Akbar Khan, Allauddin Khan.
- Sitar Masters: Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Nikhil Banerjee, Shahid Parvez.
- Santoor Masters: Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Rahul Sharma, Bhajan Sopori.
- Shehnai Master: Ustad Bismillah Khan (Bharat Ratna 2001).
Correct Answer: Option A (James Ramsay MacDonald)
Detailed Explanation: On 16 August 1932, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award, granting separate electorates to forward castes, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans, and the 'Depressed Classes' (Scheduled Castes).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Poona Pact (24 September 1932): Signed between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Madan Mohan Malaviya (on behalf of Mahatma Gandhi, who was on fast unto death in Yerwada Jail) replacing separate electorates with reserved joint seats for Depressed Classes.
- Clement Attlee: British Prime Minister when India achieved independence in August 1947.
- Morley-Minto Reforms (1909): Introduced separate electorates for Muslims for the first time.
Correct Answer: Option A (Shri Arif Mohammed Khan)
Detailed Explanation: Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor of Kerala, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his council of ministers on 20 May 2021 for his second consecutive term.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Constitutional Provision: Under Article 164(1), the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor, and other Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.
- Article 164(3): The Governor administers the oath of office and secrecy according to the forms set out in the Third Schedule.
- Governor Appointment: Appointed by the President under Article 155.
Correct Answer: Option A (Punjab)
Detailed Explanation: Harappa was discovered in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni in Montgomery district (now Sahiwal district) of undivided Punjab province (now in Pakistani Punjab) on the banks of the Ravi River.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Mohenjo-daro: Located in Larkana district of Sindh province (on the Indus River; excavated by R.D. Banerji in 1922).
- Sutkagen Dor: Located in Makran coast of Balochistan (westernmost IVC site).
- Rakhigarhi: Located in Hisar, Haryana (largest Harappan site in India).
- Dholavira: Located in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat (famous for water reservoirs and stone architecture; UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Correct Answer: Option A (21st June)
Detailed Explanation: On 21st June, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun (Summer Solstice, longest day in Northern Hemisphere), while the Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day and longest night, known as the Winter Solstice.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- 22nd December: Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere (Tropic of Capricorn receives direct sun rays) and Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
- 21st March & 23rd September: Equinoxes (sun rays fall directly on the Equator; equal day and night across the entire globe).
Correct Answer: Option A (Industrial Disputes Act)
Detailed Explanation: The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 was enacted to provide machinery and procedure for the investigation and settlement of industrial disputes through conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication (Labor Courts and Industrial Tribunals).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Trade Unions Act: Passed in 1926 for the registration and immunity of trade unions.
- Factories Act: Passed in 1948 to regulate working conditions, health, and safety inside factories.
- Minimum Wages Act: Enacted in 1948 to fix minimum rates of wages in scheduled employments.
Correct Answer: Option A (Maharashtra)
Detailed Explanation: Maharashtra consistently generates the highest Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection among all Indian States/UTs due to its substantial industrial, manufacturing, and financial services base headquartered in Mumbai.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- GST Implementation: Implemented across India on 1 July 2017 via the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
- GST Council: Governed under Article 279A; chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
- GST Slab Rates: Four main tiers: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.
Correct Answer: Option A (Natya Shastra)
Detailed Explanation: The foundational theory and classical principles of Bharatanatyam (along with all Indian classical dances) are traced back to the ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts, Natya Shastra, authored by Bharata Muni (and further elaborated in Nandikeshvara's Abhinaya Darpana).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Navarasas: The 9 aesthetic emotions described in Natya Shastra (Shringara, Hasya, Karuna, Raudra, Veera, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa, Adbhuta, Shanta).
- Three Dimensions: Nritta (pure dance/rhythm), Nritya (expressive dance with mudras), and Natya (dramatic storytelling).
- Shilpa Shastra: Ancient manuals dealing with arts, crafts, temple iconography, and civil architecture.
Correct Answer: Option A (Will Smith)
Detailed Explanation: Will Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 94th Academy Awards (2022) for his biographical portrayal of Richard Williams (father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams) in the movie 'King Richard'.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Best Picture (94th Oscars): CODA (directed by Siân Heder).
- Best Actress (94th Oscars): Jessica Chastain for The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
- Best Director (94th Oscars): Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog.
Correct Answer: Option A (Arunachal Pradesh)
Detailed Explanation: In January 2020, the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly adopted a new official logo designed to reflect the state's identity, featuring the National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka) and the state flower, Foxtail Orchid (Kopou Phool / Rhynchostylis retusa).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Arunachal Pradesh State Symbols: State Animal: Mithun (Gayal); State Bird: Great Hornbill; State Tree: Hollong.
- Assam State Flower: Also the Foxtail Orchid (Kopou Phool), intimately connected with Rongali Bihu.
Correct Answer: Option A (Troposphere)
Detailed Explanation: The word 'Troposphere' is derived from the Greek word 'tropos', meaning "change", "turn", or "mixing". It is the lowest, densest layer of Earth's atmosphere where continuous turbulent mixing of gases and all weather phenomena (clouds, rainfall, storms) occur.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Height of Troposphere: Average height is ~13 km (extends ~8 km at poles and ~18 km at the equator).
- Normal Lapse Rate: Temperature decreases with altitude at an average rate of 6.5^\circ\text{C} per 1,000\text{ meters} (1\text{ km}).
- Stratosphere: Contains the Ozone Layer (O_3) which absorbs harmful solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation; ideal for flying commercial jet aircraft.
- Mesosphere: Coldest atmospheric layer (down to -100^\circ\text{C}); meteorites burn up here upon atmospheric entry.
- Ionosphere (part of Thermosphere): Reflects radio waves back to Earth, enabling wireless communication.
Correct Answer: Option A (Article 226)
Detailed Explanation: Article 226 empowers High Courts to issue writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo-Warranto, and Certiorari) for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights as well as for "any other purpose" (ordinary legal rights), giving High Courts a wider writ jurisdiction than the Supreme Court.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 32: Empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs exclusively for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights (termed the "Heart and Soul of the Constitution" by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar).
- Article 214: Mandates that there shall be a High Court for each State.
- Article 136: Special Leave Petition (SLP) to appeal in the Supreme Court.
Correct Answer: Option A (1971)
Detailed Explanation: Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971 following the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The formal declaration of independence occurred on 26 March 1971, and the Pakistani Eastern Command surrendered on 16 December 1971 (observed as Vijay Diwas in India and Bijoy Dibos in Bangladesh).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Father of the Nation of Bangladesh: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangabandhu).
- Mukti Bahini: The guerrilla resistance movement formed by Bengali military and civilians.
- Shimla Agreement: Signed on 2 July 1972 between PM Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Correct Answer: Option A (Madras High Court)
Detailed Explanation: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court set aside the order of the Madras High Court, establishing that maternity benefits are a fundamental human and constitutional right under Article 21 and Article 42 that cannot be denied arbitrarily based solely on state service rules for a third biological child when previous children were from a prior marriage.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Maternity Benefit Act, 1961: Amended in 2017 to increase paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for female employees (for the first two surviving children, and 12 weeks for the third child onward).
- Article 42 (DPSP): Directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
Correct Answer: Option A (Amjad Ali Khan)
Detailed Explanation: The biographical tribute book 'Abba: God's Greatest Gift to Us' was written and dedicated to the legendary Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan by his two acclaimed Sarod-playing sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: Sixth-generation sarod maestro of the Senia Bangash Gharana; recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (2001).
- Ustad Zakir Hussain: Virtuoso Tabla player; son of legendary Ustad Alla Rakha.
- Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: Renowned master of the Indian classical bamboo flute (Bansuri).
Correct Answer: Option A (7,00,000)
Detailed Explanation: Under the Union Budget 2023–24 (Finance Act 2023), the Government increased the taxable income limit eligible for full tax rebate under Section 87A from ₹5 lakh to ₹7 lakh (₹7,00,000) for individuals opting for the New Tax Regime (Section 115BAC), making taxable income up to ₹7 lakh completely tax-free.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Section 87A Rebate Amount: Under the old tax regime, the maximum rebate remained ₹12,500 (up to ₹5 lakh income); under the new tax regime, the maximum rebate was raised up to ₹25,000 (up to ₹7 lakh income).
- Standard Deduction: The standard deduction of ₹50,000 for salaried employees was also extended to the New Tax Regime in Budget 2023.
- Default Regime: From FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25), the New Tax Regime was made the default tax regime.