SSC Eduquity & TCS General Awareness PYQ Online Test
Correct Answer: Option A (Zamindars were subordinate tax officers under the kings.)
Detailed Explanation: In the Mughal Empire, the Emperor (King) held sovereign political, military, and judicial power. Zamindars were hereditary local landed intermediaries and subordinate revenue collectors who gathered taxes/rents from peasants on behalf of the imperial state and maintained local law and order.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Mansabdari System: Introduced by Akbar in 1571 to organize the military and civil administration.
- Zabt System / Dahsala System: Land revenue assessment system introduced by Akbar's finance minister Raja Todar Mal in 1580.
- Diwan: Chief imperial revenue minister under Mughal administration.
Correct Answer: Option A (Andhra Pradesh)
Detailed Explanation: In October 2017, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, was presented the 17th London Global Convention Golden Peacock Award for Global Leadership in Public Service and Economic Transformation in London.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Golden Peacock Awards: Instituted in 1991 by the Institute of Directors (IOD), India, recognizing corporate excellence, sustainability, and leadership.
- Amaravati: Designated legislative capital of Andhra Pradesh located on the banks of Krishna River.
Correct Answer: Option A (Neon)
Detailed Explanation: Neon (Ne) has atomic number 10. It is an inert/noble gas in Group 18 and Period 2 of the periodic table with a fully filled valence electronic shell configuration: 1s^2\, 2s^2\, 2p^6.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Fluorine (F): Atomic number 9 (most electronegative element).
- Sodium (Na): Atomic number 11 (alkali metal).
- Argon (Ar): Atomic number 18 (most abundant noble gas in Earth's atmosphere, ~0.93%).
- Helium (He): Atomic number 2 (lightest noble gas).
Correct Answer: Option A (Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner)
Detailed Explanation: In 1829, German chemist Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner proposed the Law of Triads, grouping elements in sets of three where the atomic weight of the middle element was roughly the arithmetic mean of the other two (e.g., Li, Na, K and Cl, Br, I).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- John Newlands (1866): Proposed the Law of Octaves.
- Dmitri Mendeleev (1869): Arranged 63 elements according to atomic mass and created the first Periodic Table.
- Henry Moseley (1913): Formulated the Modern Periodic Law based on atomic numbers (Z).
Correct Answer: Option A (1913)
Detailed Explanation: The symbol of five interlocking Olympic rings was designed and presented in 1913 by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, and officially adopted in 1914 before being flown at the 1920 Antwerp Games.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Five Colors: Blue (Europe), Yellow (Asia), Black (Africa), Green (Oceania/Australia), Red (Americas) on a white background.
- First Modern Olympics: Held in Athens, Greece in 1896.
- Olympic Motto: "Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter" (Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together).
Correct Answer: Option A (Rajya Sabha should approve the money bill within 14 days)
Detailed Explanation: Under Article 109 (for Parliament) and Article 198 (for States), a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lower House (Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha). The Upper House (Rajya Sabha/Vidhan Parishad) has only 14 days to return it with or without recommendations; otherwise, it is deemed passed by both houses.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 110: Defines a Money Bill at the Union level.
- Speaker's Decision: The decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on whether a bill is a Money Bill is final.
- No Joint Sitting: There is no provision for a joint sitting (Article 108) in the case of a Money Bill or a Constitution Amendment Bill.
Correct Answer: Option A (III, I, II, IV)
Detailed Explanation: The chronological sequence of these historical events is: * Poona Pact (III): September 1932 (between Gandhi and Ambedkar). * Quit India Movement (I): August 1942 (launched at Gowalia Tank, Bombay). * Shimla Conference (II): June–July 1945 (Wavell Plan). * Cabinet Mission (IV): March–May 1946 (Pethick-Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, A.V. Alexander).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Poona Pact: Replaced separate electorates with reserved seats in joint electorates for depressed classes.
- Quit India Slogan: "Do or Die" (Karo ya Maro) given by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Cabinet Mission: Recommended the formation of a Constituent Assembly and an Interim Government.
Correct Answer: Option A (seventh and eighth)
Detailed Explanation: Due to rapid political changes and the severe balance of payments (BoP) economic crisis of 1991, the 8th Plan could not take off in 1990. Two Annual Plans were executed for 1990–91 and 1991–92 between the Seventh Plan (1985–1990) and the Eighth Plan (1992–1997).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Plan Holidays (1966–1969): Three annual plans implemented between the 3rd and 4th Five-Year Plans.
- Rolling Plan (1978–1980): Introduced by the Janata Party Government between the 5th and 6th Plans.
- 8th Five-Year Plan (1992–1997): Based on the Rao-Manmohan model of LPG (Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation) reforms.
Correct Answer: Option A (4)
Detailed Explanation: At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), India registered its highest-ever total tally of 7 medals: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze medals.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- 4 Bronze Medalists: P. V. Sindhu (Badminton), Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing), Bajrang Punia (Wrestling), and the Indian Men's Hockey Team.
- 1 Gold: Neeraj Chopra (Men's Javelin Throw - 87.58\text{ m}).
- 2 Silver: Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting - 49kg) and Ravi Kumar Dahiya (Wrestling - 57kg).
Correct Answer: Option A (Law of Electric Resistance)
Detailed Explanation: German physicist Georg Simon Ohm formulated Ohm's Law (1827), stating that current (I) flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference (V) across it at constant temperature: V = IR, defining electrical resistance (R) (SI unit: Ohm, \Omega).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Michael Faraday: Discovered Laws of Electromagnetic Induction and Laws of Electrolysis.
- Sir Isaac Newton: Formulated the Universal Law of Gravitation and Laws of Motion.
- Joule's Law of Heating: H = I^2Rt.
Correct Answer: Option A (A microfinance loan should be linked with a lien on the deposit account of the borrower.)
Detailed Explanation: Under RBI's harmonized regulatory framework for microfinance loans, microfinance loans must be strictly collateral-free and must not be linked with any lien on the deposit account of the borrower, making Option A false (and thus the correct choice).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Qualifying Household Income: Annual household income up to ₹3,00,000 (revised harmonized limit by RBI in 2022).
- Limit on Outflow: Monthly loan repayment obligations cannot exceed 50% of monthly household income.
- Malegam Committee (2011): Set up by RBI to recommend regulations for the Microfinance sector (NBFC-MFIs).
Correct Answer: Option A (Jalandhar, India)
Detailed Explanation: The first official Asian Wrestling Championships for men's freestyle wrestling was held in Jalandhar, Punjab, India in 1979, where Japan finished first and Iran second in the medal table.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- United World Wrestling (UWW): Global governing body for amateur wrestling; headquarters in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland.
- K. D. Jadhav: First individual athlete from independent India to win an Olympic medal (Bronze in Freestyle Wrestling at Helsinki 1952).
Correct Answer: Option A (Speaker of the Lok Sabha)
Detailed Explanation: Under Article 118(4) of the Constitution, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha presides; if absent, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides (the Chairman of Rajya Sabha / Vice President never presides over a joint sitting).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 108: Empowers the President to summon a joint sitting of both Houses to resolve legislative deadlock on an Ordinary Bill.
- Bills Passed in Joint Sitting (3 times): Dowry Prohibition Bill (1961), Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill (1978), and Prevention of Terrorism Bill (POTA, 2002).
Correct Answer: Option A (Lord Wellesley)
Detailed Explanation: Lord Wellesley (Governor-General of Bengal, 1798–1805) systematically framed and used the Subsidiary Alliance System to expand British dominance across Indian princely states.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- First State to enter Subsidiary Alliance: Nizam of Hyderabad (1798), followed by Mysore (1799), Tanjore (1799), Awadh (1801), and the Peshwa (Treaty of Bassein, 1802).
- Lord Dalhousie: Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse (Satara in 1848 was the first annexed state).
- Lord Cornwallis: Introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793) and the Civil Services system.
Correct Answer: Option A (1,000)
Detailed Explanation: Under Section 4 of The Coinage Act, 2011, coins may be minted and issued by the Government of India in denominations not higher than ₹1,000 (one thousand rupees).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Currency Notes (RBI Act 1934, Section 24): RBI has the authority to issue banknotes up to the denomination of ₹10,000.
- ₹1 Note: Issued directly by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and bears the signature of the Finance Secretary.
- Four Government Mints in India (SPMCIL): Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Noida.
Correct Answer: Option A (Organizing army, administration and establishing control over state nobles)
Detailed Explanation: Akbar introduced the Mansabdari System in 1571 to structure civil and military administration, define the official hierarchy, fix salaries, and determine the military contingents required from each noble/commander.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Zat and Sawar: Zat indicated personal rank and salary; Sawar specified the number of horsemen/cavalry the Mansabdar was required to maintain.
- Dagh and Chehra: Branding of horses (Dagh) and descriptive rolls of soldiers (Chehra/Huliya) were strictly enforced to prevent corruption.
Correct Answer: Option A (Mattancherry Palace)
Detailed Explanation: Mattancherry Palace, located in Kochi (Kerala), was built in c. 1545 by the Portuguese as a gift to the King of Cochin (Veera Kerala Varma). In 1663, the Dutch renovated and extended it, after which it became popularly known as the Dutch Palace.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Murals: Famous for Hindu murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and classical Sanskrit works of Kalidasa.
- Battle of Colachel (1741): King Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeated the Dutch East India Company, ending Dutch colonial ambitions in India.
Correct Answer: Option A (escape velocity)
Detailed Explanation: Escape velocity (v_e) is the minimum speed required for an unpropelled body to escape permanently from the gravitational attraction of a celestial body without further propulsion. For Earth, v_e = \sqrt{2gR} \approx 11.2\text{ km/s}.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Moon Escape Velocity: \approx 2.38\text{ km/s} (this low value is why the Moon lacks an atmosphere).
- Orbital Velocity (v_o): The velocity required to maintain a stable circular orbit around a planet: v_o = \sqrt{gR} \approx 7.92\text{ km/s}; v_e = \sqrt{2}\, v_o.
- Terminal Velocity: The constant maximum speed reached by an object falling through a fluid/air when drag force equals gravity.
Correct Answer: Option A (Silk)
Detailed Explanation: Silk is a natural protein fiber obtained from the cocoons of the silkworm (Bombyx mori). It is composed primarily of two structural proteins: Fibroin (70–80%) and Sericin (20–30%).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Sericulture: The commercial rearing of silkworms for silk production.
- Four varieties of silk produced in India: Mulberry, Tasar, Muga (Assam GI), and Eri.
- Nylon: First fully synthetic fiber made from coal, water, and air (1931).
- Rayon: Semi-synthetic regenerated cellulose fiber, commonly called "artificial silk".
Correct Answer: Option A (Only 1)
Detailed Explanation: All Money Bills are Financial Bills because they deal with financial matters enumerated under Article 110, but not all Financial Bills are Money Bills (Financial Bills under Article 117(1) and 117(3) contain broader legislative provisions beyond Article 110).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 110: Money Bills (exclusive certification by Lok Sabha Speaker).
- Article 117(1): Financial Bill Category I (introduced only in Lok Sabha with President's recommendation).
- Article 117(3): Financial Bill Category II (can be introduced in either House; involves expenditure from Consolidated Fund).
Correct Answer: Option A (1-a, 2-b, 3-c)
Detailed Explanation: * Irani Trophy: Indian domestic first-class cricket tournament played between the reigning Ranji Trophy champions and the Rest of India team. * Santosh Trophy: National state-level football championship in India. * Aga Khan Cup / Dhyan Chand Trophy: Prestigious Indian field hockey tournaments.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Other Cricket Trophies: Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- Other Football Trophies: Durand Cup (Asia's oldest football tournament, est. 1888), Rovers Cup, IFA Shield.
- Other Hockey Cups: Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Beighton Cup, Rangaswami Cup.
Correct Answer: Option A (Appointment of acting Chief Justice of India)
Detailed Explanation: Article 126 empowers the President of India to appoint one of the judges of the Supreme Court as the Acting Chief Justice of India when the office of the CJI is vacant or when the CJI is temporarily unable to perform duties.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 124: Establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court.
- Article 127: Appointment of ad hoc Judges (appointed by CJI with prior consent of President).
- Article 129: Supreme Court to be a Court of Record (power to punish for contempt of court).
- Article 130: Seat of the Supreme Court (New Delhi).
Correct Answer: Option A (At infinity, highly enlarged, real and inverted)
Detailed Explanation: For a concave mirror, focal length f = R/2 = -30/2 = -15\text{ cm}. The object distance u = -15\text{ cm}, which means the object is placed precisely at the Principal Focus (F). Using the mirror formula:
The image is formed at infinity, and is infinitely large (highly magnified), real, and inverted.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Object at C (30\text{ cm}): Image formed at C, same size, real, and inverted.
- Object between F and P (<15\text{ cm}): Image formed behind the mirror, virtual, erect, and magnified (used in shaving/dentist mirrors).
Correct Answer: Option A (Innovations For You)
Detailed Explanation: 'Innovations For You' is an official Digi-book series launched by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to capture and showcase success stories of Indian startups and innovators supported by Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) across sectors like Healthcare, AgriTech, and EdTech.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs): Set up in schools across India by AIM to foster curiosity, creativity, and computational thinking among students.
- AIM: Flagship initiative launched by the Government of India in 2016 under NITI Aayog.
Correct Answer: Option A (Nahid Siddiqui)
Detailed Explanation: Nahid Siddiqui is an internationally acclaimed Kathak dancer (disciple of Maharaj Birju Maharaj and Pandit Birju Maharaj's style) who contributed significantly to promoting Kathak globally and in South Asia.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra: Legendary maestro of Odissi dance.
- Guru Bipin Singh: Known as the "Father of Manipuri Dance".
- Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma: Renowned exponent of Kuchipudi (famous for female impersonation roles like Satyabhama).
Correct Answer: Option A (B. R. Ambedkar)
Detailed Explanation: 'The Buddha and His Dhamma' is a monumental treatise on the life and philosophy of Gautama Buddha authored by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. It was his last finished manuscript, published posthumously in 1957.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Other Major Books by Dr. Ambedkar: Annihilation of Caste (1936), The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution, Who Were the Shudras?, and Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development.
- Navayana Buddhism: Buddhist revival movement initiated by Dr. Ambedkar on 14 October 1956 at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur.
Correct Answer: Option A (A is false, but R is true)
Detailed Explanation: Assertion (A) is false because microfinance involves significant credit and operational risks due to the unsecured (collateral-free) nature of loans. Reason (R) is true because the defining purpose of microfinance is to provide credit and financial services to underserved low-income individuals and micro-enterprises.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (est. 12 July 1982 on the recommendation of the B. Sivaraman Committee); pioneered the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme in 1992.
- Grameen Bank: Founded in Bangladesh by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Correct Answer: Option A (Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar)
Detailed Explanation: Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar (who served as Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022 before being elected the 14th Vice President of India) administered the oath of office as MLA to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after her Bhabanipur by-poll victory in October 2021.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 188: Requires every member of a State Legislative Assembly or Council to take an oath/affirmation before the Governor or some person appointed on his behalf.
- Article 164(4): A minister who is not a member of the State Legislature for 6 consecutive months ceases to be a minister.
Correct Answer: Option A (2003)
Detailed Explanation: India's General Government Debt-to-GDP ratio peaked historically at around 84.2% in the year 2003, prompting Parliament to pass the landmark Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 to bring fiscal discipline.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- FRBM Act, 2003: Mandated reduction of fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP and elimination of revenue deficit.
- N. K. Singh FRBM Review Committee (2017): Recommended a debt-to-GDP ratio of 60% (40% for Central Government and 20% for State Governments) by 2023.
Correct Answer: Option A (Radha and Raja Reddy)
Detailed Explanation: Acclaimed Kuchipudi dance gurus and Padma Bhushan awardees Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy established Natya Tarangini - Institute of Kuchipudi Dance in New Delhi in 1976 to train disciples and propagate classical performing arts.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Awards: Both Raja and Radha Reddy were conferred Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2000), and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991).
- Kuchipudi Origins: Originated as a dance-drama tradition in Kuchelapuram village of Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, nurtured by Siddhendra Yogi.
Correct Answer: Option A (longs spans)
Detailed Explanation: In civil engineering and prestressed concrete technology, Post-Tensioning (where high-strength steel tendons are tensioned after the concrete has cured) is uniquely suited for long-span structures such as highway flyovers, bridge girders, stadiums, and large column-free floor slabs to minimize deflection and cracking.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Pre-Tensioning: Tendons are tensioned before concrete is poured; ideal for mass factory production of small/medium precast elements (like railway sleepers).
- Post-Tensioning: Tendons are tensioned on-site after concrete gains strength using hydraulic jacks and mechanical anchorages.
Correct Answer: Option A (Chhota Nagpur plateau)
Detailed Explanation: The Chota Nagpur Plateau region (spanning Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh) has the highest concentration of iron and steel plants in India due to high-grade iron ore reserves, metallurgical coking coal (Jharia, Raniganj), limestone, manganese, and cheap local labor.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Ruhr of India: The mineral-rich Chota Nagpur Plateau is often called the 'Ruhr of India'.
- Major Steel Plants: TISCO (Jamshedpur), Bokaro Steel Plant, Rourkela Steel Plant, Durgapur Steel Plant, IISCO (Burnpur).
- SAIL: Steel Authority of India Limited (Maharatna PSU established in 1973).
Correct Answer: Option A (John Maynard Keynes)
Detailed Explanation: Modern active fiscal policy (counter-cyclical government spending and taxation to manage aggregate demand and combat recessions) was formulated by British economist John Maynard Keynes in his landmark 1936 treatise 'The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money'.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Adam Smith: "Father of Modern Economics"; author of The Wealth of Nations (1776); proposed the concept of the 'Invisible Hand' and Laissez-faire.
- Milton Friedman: Leader of the Monetarist School of Economics; emphasized controlling the money supply.
- David Ricardo: Formulated the Law of Comparative Advantage in international trade.
Correct Answer: Option A (Ashfaqulla Khan)
Detailed Explanation: In the aftermath of the Kakori Train Action (9 August 1925) organized by the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), four revolutionaries were sentenced to death and hanged on 19 December 1927: Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- HRA: Founded in October 1924 in Kanpur by Ram Prasad Bismil, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee.
- Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhdev: Hanged on 23 March 1931 for the Lahore Conspiracy Case (killing of Saunders).
- Surya Sen (Masterda): Led the Chittagong Armoury Raid in 1930.
Correct Answer: Option A (Atal Tunnel)
Detailed Explanation: Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel), built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh, is a 9.02 km long highway tunnel situated at an altitude above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), providing all-weather connectivity between Manali and the Lahaul-Spiti valley.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel (Chenani-Nashri): Longest road tunnel in India (9.28 km) on NH-44 in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Jawahar Tunnel: Located across the Banihal Pass on NH-44.
- Zojila Tunnel: Under-construction tunnel connecting Srinagar, Dras, and Kargil on the Zojila Pass.
Correct Answer: Option A (Pankaj Advani)
Detailed Explanation: Legendary Indian cue sports champion Pankaj Advani (winner of over 25+ IBSF World Billiards & Snooker Championships) achieved the distinction of holding the World, Asian, and National titles simultaneously across multiple calendar years.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Awards: Conferred the Khel Ratna Award (2005–06), Padma Shri (2009), and Padma Bhushan (2018).
- Geet Sethi: Former English billiards champion; co-founded Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ).
- Wilson Jones: First world champion from independent India (1958 World Amateur Billiards Championship).
Correct Answer: Option A (Pondicherry)
Detailed Explanation: Pondicherry (Puducherry) was founded in 1674 by François Martin and served as the chief administrative headquarters and capital of the French East India Company settlements in India until its de facto merger with the Indian Union in 1954.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- French Settlements in India: Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe, and Chandernagore.
- Battle of Wandiwash (1760): British forces under Sir Eyre Coote decisively crushed the French forces under Count de Lally, ending French imperial ambitions in India.
- Goa: Capital of Portuguese India from 1510 until liberation in 1961 (Operation Vijay).
Correct Answer: Option A (Rs 3 lakhs)
Detailed Explanation: Under the RBI's updated Regulatory Framework for Microfinance Loans (effective April 2022), a microfinance loan is defined as a collateral-free loan provided to a household with an annual household income of up to ₹3,00,000 (₹3 lakhs) across both rural and urban/semi-urban areas.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Previous Limit: Earlier, the income limit was ₹1.25 lakh for rural areas and ₹2.00 lakh for urban/semi-urban areas.
- No Pre-payment Penalty: RBI guidelines strictly prohibit prepayment penalties on microfinance loans.
Correct Answer: Option A (Cotton cloth)
Detailed Explanation: Textile manufacturing (specifically cotton cloth/muslin/calico) was the largest and most prosperous manufacturing industry in Mughal India, exporting vast quantities of fine fabrics across Asia, Europe, and Africa from centers like Bengal (Dhaka), Gujarat, and the Coromandel Coast.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Karkhanas: Imperial royal workshops maintained by Mughal Emperors (especially Akbar) to manufacture luxury textiles, carpets, weaponry, and jewelry.
- Dhaka Muslin: World-renowned semi-transparent, extremely fine cotton fabric produced in Mughal Bengal.
- Chintz & Calico: Printed and plain Indian cotton textiles highly sought after in European markets.
Correct Answer: Option A (Sohrai)
Detailed Explanation: Sohrai is an indigenous harvest festival celebrated by tribal communities (Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Ho) in Jharkhand the day after Diwali (Amavasya) to worship domestic cattle and livestock. Women decorate their mud walls with vibrant Sohrai Khovar painting (which holds a GI tag).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Sarhul: Famous spring festival of Jharkhand celebrated when Sal trees bloom with flowers.
- Karam: Harvest festival of Jharkhand celebrating nature and fertility by worshipping the branch of the Karam tree.
- Sohrai Khovar Painting: Received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Jharkhand in 2020.
Correct Answer: Option A (Rajya Sabha)
Detailed Explanation: Under Article 312 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament can create a new All India Service only if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by not less than a two-thirds majority of members present and voting declaring it necessary in the national interest.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Three Existing All India Services: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS - created in 1966 under Art 312).
- Article 249: Special power of Rajya Sabha to authorize Parliament to make laws on a subject in the State List.
- Article 67(b): Resolution for the removal of the Vice President can only originate in the Rajya Sabha.
Correct Answer: Option A (Jaipur)
Detailed Explanation: Bhanu Ji (an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva who learned Tandava dance from a sage) is traditionally regarded as the legendary founder/ancestor of the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak, known for its powerful footwork (Tatkar), complex rhythm, and multiple spins (Chakkars).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Lucknow Gharana: Founded by Ishwari Prasad; flourished under Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh; emphasizes Grace, Bhava, and Abhinaya.
- Banaras Gharana: Founded by Janaki Prasad; distinctive for using dance syllables (Bols) composed solely for dance footwork.
- Raigarh Gharana: Patronized by Raja Chakradhar Singh of Raigarh (Chhattisgarh).
Correct Answer: Option A (Austro-Asiatic family)
Detailed Explanation: Major tribal languages of Jharkhand and Central India (such as Santhali, Mundari, Ho, Kharia, and Korku) belong to the Munda branch of the Austro-Asiatic language family.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Santhali: Written in the Ol Chiki script (invented by Pandit Raghunath Murmu); included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution by the 92nd Amendment (2003).
- Khasi Language (Meghalaya): Also belongs to the Austro-Asiatic family (Mon-Khmer branch).
- Kurukh (Oraon) & Malto: Dravidian languages spoken in Jharkhand.
- Sino-Tibetan (Tibeto-Burman): Spoken across North-Eastern states (Bodo, Manipuri, Mizo, Garo).
Correct Answer: Option A (Switch Mode Power Supply)
Detailed Explanation: SMPS stands for Switch Mode Power Supply. It is an electronic power supply unit that incorporates a switching regulator to convert electrical power (AC to regulated DC) with high electrical efficiency and minimal heat dissipation in computers.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- UPS: Uninterruptible Power Supply (provides emergency backup battery power).
- BIOS: Basic Input/Output System (firmware stored on ROM chip).
- CMOS: Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (battery-backed chip holding BIOS date/time and hardware settings).
Correct Answer: Option A (A - 2, B - 3, C - 1)
Detailed Explanation: * Hydrogen Sulphide (H_2S): Characterized by the foul smell of rotten eggs (turns lead acetate paper black). * Ammonia (NH_3): Has a sharp, distinct pungent smell that turns red litmus blue. * Sulphur Dioxide (SO_2): Has a choking odor of burning sulphur (turns acidified potassium dichromate paper green).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Rotten Fish Smell: Characteristic of Phosphine (PH_3) gas.
- Bitter Almond Smell: Characteristic of Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) gas.
- Fruity Smell: Characteristic of organic Esters (RCOOR').
Correct Answer: Option A (Meghalaya)
Detailed Explanation: Weinla Falls is a picturesque natural waterfall located in the West Khasi Hills / Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya ("The Abode of Clouds").
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Nohkalikai Falls: Tallest plunge waterfall in India (340\text{ meters}), located near Cherrapunji, Meghalaya.
- Other Meghalaya Waterfalls: Nohsngithiang Falls (Seven Sisters Falls), Elephant Falls, Sweet Falls, Bishop Falls.
- Vantawng Falls: Highest waterfall in Mizoram.
- Kunchikal Falls: Located in Shimoga, Karnataka on the Varahi River.
Correct Answer: Option A (8 years)
Detailed Explanation: PMJDY was launched nationwide on 28 August 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Therefore, on 28 August 2022, it successfully completed 8 years of implementation.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Slogan: "Mera Khata, Bhagya Vidhaata".
- Key Benefits: Zero balance basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account, RuPay Debit Card with ₹2 lakh accidental insurance cover, and an overdraft (OD) facility up to ₹10,000.
- JAM Trinity: Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile connectivity enabling direct benefit transfer (DBT).
Correct Answer: Option A (Sodium metabisulphite)
Detailed Explanation: Sodium metabisulphite (\text{Na}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_5) (and potassium metabisulphite) releases sulphur dioxide gas (SO_2), which inhibits bacterial and fungal growth, prevents enzymatic browning, and acts as an effective antioxidant preservative in processed meats, fruit juices, and wines.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Sodium Benzoate (\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COONa}): Common food preservative used in acidic foods like jams, jellies, and carbonated soft drinks.
- Calcium Propionate: Used in bread and bakery products to prevent mould growth.
- Common Salt (\text{NaCl}) & Sugar: Act as traditional preservatives by drawing water out of microbial cells via osmosis.
Correct Answer: Option A (Choudhry Rahmat Ali)
Detailed Explanation: The acronym 'PAKSTAN' / 'Pakistan' (standing for Punjab, Afghania/NWFP, Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan) was coined in January 1933 by Cambridge student Choudhry Rahmat Ali in his political pamphlet titled 'Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?'. (Note: The printed label in the image erroneously mentions Jinnah, but historically and academically the term was coined by Choudhry Rahmat Ali).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Sir Muhammad Iqbal: In his 1930 Allahabad Presidential Address to the Muslim League, proposed the philosophical idea of a consolidated Muslim state in North-West India.
- Lahore Resolution (1940): Formally demanded independent Muslim states under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Correct Answer: Option A (Vitamin K)
Detailed Explanation: Vitamin K (Phylloquinone / Menaquinone) is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the hepatic synthesis of clotting factors (Factors II/Prothrombin, VII, IX, and X) necessary for blood coagulation and for activating osteocalcin for bone mineralization.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- Water-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin C.
- Vitamin K Deficiency: Leads to hemorrhagic disease and delayed blood clotting time.
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Deficiency causes Scurvy.
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin): Contains Cobalt; deficiency causes Pernicious Anemia.
Correct Answer: Option A (For clarifying the mathematical relationship between electrical current, resistance and voltage)
Detailed Explanation: In 1827, Georg Simon Ohm published his treatise 'Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet', formulating Ohm's Law, which proved that electric current (I) through a metallic conductor is directly proportional to the applied voltage (V) across it: I = V/R.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Ohmic Conductors: Materials that obey Ohm's law (linear V-I graph, e.g., copper, aluminium).
- Non-Ohmic Conductors: Materials that do not obey Ohm's law (non-linear V-I curve, e.g., semiconductor diodes, transistors, vacuum tubes).
- Conductance: Reciprocal of resistance (G = 1/R); SI unit is Siemens (S) or Mho (\Omega^{-1}).
Correct Answer: Option A (Basavanna)
Detailed Explanation: The Virashaiva / Lingayat movement originated in 12th-century Karnataka led by statesman-poet and philosopher Basavanna (Basaveshwara), Allama Prabhu, and Akka Mahadevi under the Kalachuri king Bijjala II. Lingayats wear a small linga in a pendant on their body.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Anubhava Mantapa: The first socio-religious parliament of spiritual seekers established by Basavanna at Kalyana.
- Vachana Sahitya: Devotional literature composed in simple Kannada verse expressing egalitarian social values and rejection of caste distinctions and idol worship.
- Ramanujacharya: Propounded the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Monism); Statue of Equality in Hyderabad.
- Madhvacharya: Propounded Dvaita (Dualism).
- Adi Shankaracharya: Propounded Advaita (Non-dualism).
Correct Answer: Option A (Nagabhata I)
Detailed Explanation: Nagabhata I (founder of the Imperial Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, c. 730–760 CE) established his capital at Avanti (Ujjain) and famously defeated the Arab armies led by Junaid and al-Hakam during the Caliphate campaigns in India, preventing further Arab expansion beyond Sindh into Malwa and Gujarat.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Gwalior Inscription of Mihira Bhoja: Praises Nagabhata I for crushing the Mlechchhas (Arab forces).
- Mihira Bhoja (Bhoja I): Greatest Pratihara ruler (c. 836–885 CE); ardent devotee of Vishnu who adopted the title 'Adivaraha'; capital was Kannauj.
- Tripartite Struggle: 200-year conflict for control of Kannauj between the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas.
Correct Answer: Option A (Deepa Malik)
Detailed Explanation: Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee Dr. Deepa Malik (President of Paralympic Committee of India and first Indian woman Paralympic medalist) was appointed National Ambassador for Ni-kshay Mitra under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in November 2022.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Target Year: India aims to completely eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 (5 years ahead of the global SDG target of 2030).
- Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana: Direct benefit transfer scheme providing ₹500/month nutritional support to TB patients.
- World TB Day: Observed annually on 24 March (commemorating Dr. Robert Koch's discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1882).
Correct Answer: Option A (France)
Detailed Explanation: The concept of 'Republic' (meaning the head of state is elected and not hereditary) and the ideals of 'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution were borrowed from the French Constitution.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- USA: Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Independence of Judiciary, Preamble, Impeachment of President.
- USSR: Fundamental Duties and the ideal of Justice (Social, Economic, Political) in the Preamble.
- Australia: Concurrent List, Freedom of Trade and Commerce, Joint Sitting of Parliament.
- Ireland: Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and nomination of members to Rajya Sabha.
- South Africa: Procedure for amendment of the Constitution (Article 368).
Correct Answer: Option A (Vikram Seth)
Detailed Explanation: 'Two Lives' (published in 2005) is a celebrated biographical memoir authored by Vikram Seth, detailing the extraordinary 50-year marriage and World War II survival story of his great-uncle Shanti Behari Seth and German-Jewish great-aunt Hennerle Gerda Caro.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Vikram Seth: Author of A Suitable Boy, The Golden Gate, and An Equal Music.
- Amitav Ghosh: Author of The Shadow Lines, The Glass Palace, and the Ibis Trilogy (54th Jnanpith Awardee).
- Salman Rushdie: Author of Midnight's Children (Booker Prize 1981) and Victory City.
- Aravind Adiga: Author of The White Tiger (Man Booker Prize 2008).
Correct Answer: Option A (Delhi)
Detailed Explanation: The historic rust-resistant Iron Pillar of Delhi (7.2 meters high, weighing over 6 tonnes) stands inside the Qutb Minar complex at Mehrauli, New Delhi. It bears a 4th-century CE Sanskrit inscription praising a mighty king named 'Chandra', widely identified with Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Metallurgical Wonder: Made of high-phosphorus wrought iron with a protective passive film of crystalline iron hydrogen phosphate (FePO_4\cdot H_3PO_4) that has prevented corrosion for over 1,600 years.
- Qutb Complex: Built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish; contains Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and Alai Darwaza (built by Alauddin Khalji).
Correct Answer: Option A (Only 1, 2 and 3)
Detailed Explanation: * Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct: Cave 16 at Ellora is a monolithic rock-cut temple carved top-down out of a single basalt cliff in Dravidian architectural style, dedicated to Lord Shiva. * Statement 4 is incorrect: It was commissioned by Rashtrakuta King Krishna I (c. 756–773 CE), not by the Cholas.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Ellora Caves (Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra): 34 rock-cut caves comprising Buddhist (Caves 1–12), Hindu (Caves 13–29), and Jain (Caves 30–34) monuments; UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983).
- Brihadisvara Temple (Thanjavur): Masterpiece of Chola architecture built by Raja Raja Chola I.
Correct Answer: Option A (1911)
Detailed Explanation: Due to intense political agitation and the Swadeshi Movement, King George V announced the annulment (reversal) of the Partition of Bengal at the Delhi Durbar in December 1911 under Viceroy Lord Hardinge II. In the same session, the imperial capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Partition of Bengal Enacted: On 16 October 1905 by Viceroy Lord Curzon (observed as a Day of Mourning and Raksha Bandhan day).
- Swadeshi Movement: Launched on 7 August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall (Boycott Resolution passed).
- Bihar and Odisha: Separated from Bengal Presidency in 1912.
Correct Answer: Option A (Lodi dynasty)
Detailed Explanation: The chronological sequence of the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 CE) is: * Mamluk/Slave Dynasty (1206–1290) * Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320) * Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414) * Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451) * Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526) — founded by Bahlul Lodi.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- First Afghan Dynasty: The Lodi dynasty was the first Pashtun/Afghan dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Sikandar Lodi: Founded the city of Agra in 1504 and introduced the Gazz-i-Sikandari measurement unit.
- Ibrahim Lodi: Defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (21 April 1526), marking the establishment of the Mughal Empire.
Correct Answer: Option A (Rhamnose)
Detailed Explanation: Carbohydrates were historically defined as "hydrates of carbon" with general formula \text{C}_x(\text{H}_2\text{O})_y. Rhamnose is a deoxy-sugar carbohydrate with chemical formula \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_5, which does not fit this classical formula ratio. Modern biochemistry defines carbohydrates as optically active polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Deoxyribose (\text{C}_5\text{H}_{10}\text{O}_4): The sugar component of DNA, which also does not fit the classical \text{C}_x(\text{H}_2\text{O})_y formula.
- Glucose & Fructose (\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6): Fit the general formula \text{C}_6(\text{H}_2\text{O})_6.
- Acetic Acid (\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} = \text{C}_2(\text{H}_2\text{O})_2): Fits the formula but is a carboxylic acid, not a carbohydrate.
Correct Answer: Option A (Transfer payments are included in personal income.)
Detailed Explanation: Transfer payments (such as old-age pensions, unemployment allowances, and student scholarships) are unilateral one-way payments made without any corresponding exchange of goods or services. They are included in Personal Income (PI) because households receive this disposable money, but are excluded from National Income (GDP/NNP) as they generate no production value.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Personal Income Formula: \text{PI} = \text{National Income} - \text{Undistributed Corporate Profits} - \text{Net Interest Payments} - \text{Corporate Taxes} + \text{Transfer Payments}.
- Personal Disposable Income (PDI): \text{Personal Income} - \text{Direct Personal Taxes} - \text{Fines/Fees}.
Correct Answer: Option A (Comptroller and Auditor General)
Detailed Explanation: Under the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017 (which declared IIMs as 'Institutions of National Importance' and empowered them to grant degrees instead of diplomas), accounts of every IIM must be audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and tabled before Parliament.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Article 148: Mandates the appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India by the President.
- Guardian of Public Purse: The CAG audits all receipts and expenditures of the Government of India and State Governments.
- First IIM: IIM Calcutta (est. November 1961), followed closely by IIM Ahmedabad.
Correct Answer: Option A (Vinesh Phogat)
Detailed Explanation: Star Indian freestyle wrestler Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian athlete ever to be nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards in January 2019 under the 'Laureus World Comeback of the Year' category following her recovery from a career-threatening knee injury to win Gold at the 2018 Asian Games and CWG.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Laureus World Sports Awards: Established in 1999; considered the "Oscars of Sports".
- Neeraj Chopra: Nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in 2022.
- Sachin Tendulkar: Won the Laureus Sporting Moment Award (2000–2020) for the iconic 2011 World Cup victory lap.
Correct Answer: Option A (9)
Detailed Explanation: Following the derecognition and exit of regional stock exchanges, SEBI recognizes a limited number of permanent and active stock/commodity exchanges (including BSE, NSE, MSEI, MCX, NCDEX, ICEX, India INX, NSE IFSC).
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE): Oldest stock exchange in Asia (founded in 1875 by Premchand Roychand as 'The Native Share & Stock Brokers' Association'); index is SENSEX (30 large companies).
- National Stock Exchange (NSE): Established in 1992 (recommended by Pherwani Committee); flagship index is NIFTY 50.
- SEBI: Formed on 12 April 1988; given statutory powers under the SEBI Act, 1992 (Headquarters: Mumbai).
Correct Answer: Option A (Article 21A)
Detailed Explanation: Article 21A of the Indian Constitution declares that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen (6–14) years as a Fundamental Right. It was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- RTE Act, 2009: Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act came into effect nationwide on 1 April 2010.
- Article 45 (DPSP): Amended to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of 6 years.
- Article 51A(k): Added the 11th Fundamental Duty for parents/guardians to provide educational opportunities to children aged 6 to 14 years.
Correct Answer: Option A (Acetaldehyde)
Detailed Explanation: Acetaldehyde (Ethanal, \text{CH}_3\text{CHO}) is an acyclic (open-chain/aliphatic) organic compound composed of a straight chain of carbon atoms without a closed ring structure.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Aromatic / Closed-Chain Compounds:
- Benzene (\text{C}_6\text{H}_6): Planar aromatic hexagonal ring compound.
- Cyclohexane (\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}): Alicyclic saturated ring compound.
- Pyridine (\text{C}_5\text{H}_5\text{N}): Heterocyclic aromatic ring compound containing a nitrogen atom.
Correct Answer: Option A (peptidoglycan)
Detailed Explanation: The rigid bacterial cell wall is made of Peptidoglycan (also known as Murein), a polymer composed of alternating sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—cross-linked by short amino acid peptide chains.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Gram-Positive vs Gram-Negative: Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer (retain crystal violet stain); Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer with an outer lipopolysaccharide membrane.
- Cellulose: Main structural component of Plant cell walls.
- Chitin: Structural polymer forming Fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons.
- Mycoplasma: Unique genus of bacteria that completely lack a cell wall (naturally resistant to penicillin).
Correct Answer: Option A (Manipur)
Detailed Explanation: Yubi Lakpi (Ubi Lakpi) is a traditional contact sport originating in Manipur. Meaning "coconut snatching" (Yubi = coconut, Lakpi = snatching), barefoot players rub their bodies with mustard oil and water and attempt to carry an oiled coconut across the goal line, resembling traditional rugby.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Other Indigenous Games of Manipur:
- Sagol Kangjei: Ancient traditional form of modern Polo.
- Thang-Ta: Traditional Manipuri martial art using swords (Thang) and spears (Ta).
- Mukhna: Traditional Manipuri wrestling.
Correct Answer: Option A (Rock)
Detailed Explanation: A Rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids naturally consolidated to constitute the solid outer lithosphere and crust of the Earth.
Option Breakdown & Exam Facts:
- Three Major Rock Types:
- 1. Igneous Rocks (Primary Rocks): Formed by the cooling and solidification of molten magma/lava (e.g., Granite, Basalt, Pumice).
- 2. Sedimentary Rocks: Formed by deposition, compaction, and lithification of mineral sediments; contain fossils (e.g., Sandstone, Limestone, Shale).
- 3. Metamorphic Rocks: Formed when existing rocks undergo change under high temperature and pressure (e.g., Marble from Limestone, Quartzite from Sandstone, Slate from Shale).
- Ore: A natural mineral deposit from which metals can be profitably extracted.
- Petrology: The scientific study of rocks.