APPSC Group 1 Prelims 2012 General Studies Paper I with Answers & Explanations

Explanation

Lord Lawrence served as the Governor-General and Viceroy of India from 1864 to 1869. Under his administration, the Indian High Courts Act of 1865 was passed by the British Parliament, and fresh Letters Patent were issued in December 1865 to the High Courts of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. This restructured and finalized the establishment and territorial jurisdictions of these three presidency High Courts under his tenure.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885, and its inaugural session was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay from 28 to 31 December 1885. The historic meeting was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee and attended by 72 delegates from various parts of India. The session was originally scheduled to be held in Poona, but a sudden outbreak of cholera in the city forced the organizers to shift the venue to Bombay.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress split into two distinct groups, the Moderates and the Extremists, during the Surat session held in December 1907. This landmark event in the history of the Indian national movement is widely referred to as the Surat Split. The confrontation between the two factions intensified over differences in ideological approaches, methods of struggle, and the choice of the Congress president for the session, leading to a formal division under the presidency of Rash Behari Ghosh.

Explanation

Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Sunga Dynasty in 185 BCE. He was the commander-in-chief, or Senapati, of the Mauryan Empire. He assassinated the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, during an army review and subsequently ascended the throne of Magadha. He established his capital at Pataliputra and successfully defended his territory against foreign invasions while performing Vedic sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha to solidify his imperial authority.

Explanation

The capital of the Pallava dynasty was Kanchipuram, commonly known as Kanchi. It served as the political, cultural, and religious center of the Pallavas from the 4th to the 9th centuries CE. Kanchi was highly celebrated as a premier seat of learning in southern India, housing famous ghatikas (colleges) that attracted scholars from various regions. The city also became a major center for Dravidian temple architecture, exemplified by the structural stone temples built under Pallava patronage.

Explanation

The Delhi Sultanate, which ruled from Delhi between 1206 and 1526, comprised exactly five successive dynasties. These five dynasties were the Mamluk (or Slave) dynasty (1206 to 1290), the Khalji dynasty (1290 to 1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320 to 1414), the Sayyid dynasty (1414 to 1451), and the Lodi dynasty (1451 to 1526). This period of rule ended with the defeat of Ibrahim Lodi by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat, which paved the way for the Mughal Empire.

Explanation

Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid Dynasty in 1414, which became the fourth dynasty to rule the Delhi Sultanate. He had previously served as the governor of Multan under the Tughlaqs and was later appointed as the deputy of the Timurid empire in India following Timur's invasion. Capitalizing on the political instability and the decline of the Tughlaq dynasty, Khizr Khan captured Delhi in 1414. He established the Sayyid rule but chose not to adopt the title of Sultan, instead ruling under the title of Rayat-i-Ala as a vassal of Timur's son and successor, Shah Rukh.

Explanation

Ramanuja was an influential theologian and philosopher of the 11th to 12th century CE. He is recognized as the earliest proponent of the Bhakti movement among the options. He advocated the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita, or qualified monism, which emphasized intense devotion to a personal god, Lord Vishnu, as the primary path to salvation. His teachings bridged the gap between orthodox Sanskrit traditions and popular Tamil devotionalism, laying the intellectual and spiritual foundations for the later expansion of the Bhakti movement across India.

Explanation

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was an eminent Indian diplomat and politician who was elected as the President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1953 for its eighth session. With this election, she achieved the historic distinction of becoming the first woman to serve as the President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Explanation

The Panchsheel Agreement (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) was signed on April 29, 1954, by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. Formally known as the Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between Tibet Region of China and India, it laid down five principles to govern bilateral relations: mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.

Explanation

The Sino-Indian War was fought between India and China in 1962. The conflict was primarily triggered by disputes over the sovereignty of the Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions, with major military hostilities beginning on 20 October 1962 and concluding after China declared a unilateral ceasefire on 21 November 1962.

Explanation

The 1971 Indo-Pakistani War was fought during the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan. The conflict was sparked by the Pakistani military crackdown on the Bengali population of East Pakistan, which led to millions of refugees seeking shelter in India. India intervened in support of the Bengali nationalist liberation forces (Mukti Bahini), culminating in a decisive military victory over Pakistan and the establishment of the sovereign state of Bangladesh.

Explanation

The League of Nations was established on January 10, 1920, following the Paris Peace Conference at the end of the First World War. It was the first worldwide intergovernmental organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it sought to prevent conflicts through collective security, disarmament, and settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration. After failing to prevent the Second World War, it was superseded by the United Nations, which was officially established in 1945, leading to the formal dissolution of the League of Nations in 1946.

Explanation

Sir Harilal Jekisundas Kania, widely known as H.J. Kania, served as the first Chief Justice of India. He assumed office on 26 January 1950, the day India became a sovereign democratic republic and the Supreme Court of India was established. Prior to this, he had served as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India, which was the predecessor of the Supreme Court, from 1947 to 1950. He remained in office as the Chief Justice of India until his demise on 6 November 1951.

Explanation

Mehr Chand Mahajan served as the third Chief Justice of India, holding the office from 4 January 1954 to 22 December 1954. Prior to this, he was a notable jurist who served as a member of the Radcliffe Boundary Commission in 1947 and as the Prime Minister of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir during its accession to India.

Explanation

US President Woodrow Wilson was the chief architect of the League of Nations. In January 1918, he delivered his famous Fourteen Points speech to the US Congress, outlining a blueprint for lasting world peace after World War I. The fourteenth point specifically proposed a general association of nations to guarantee political independence and territorial integrity to both great and small states. This proposal served as the foundation for the establishment of the League of Nations during the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his leading role in its creation.

Explanation

President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal policy in the United States in 1933 to combat the economic devastation of the Great Depression. The policy comprised a comprehensive series of domestic programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations. It focused on the three Rs: Relief for the unemployed and poor, Recovery of the economy to normal levels, and Reform of the financial system to prevent a repeat depression. Through landmark initiatives such as the Social Security Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Works Progress Administration, the New Deal significantly expanded the role of the federal government in the American economy.

Explanation

The Bahamani Kingdom, established in 1347 by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah, gradually disintegrated in the late 15th and early 16th centuries into five independent Deccan Sultanates. These five successor states were the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar, the Imad Shahi dynasty of Berar, the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda, and the Barid Shahi dynasty of Bidar. The final collapse of the Bahamani central authority led to the complete independence of these five entities.

Explanation

Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, founded the city of Hyderabad in 1591. He decided to shift his capital from the overpopulated and water-stressed fortress of Golconda to a new site on the banks of the Musi River. He planned the new city on a grid system and constructed the iconic Charminar at its center to commemorate the eradication of a devastating plague epidemic in the region.

Explanation

T.V. Rajeswar was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2012 for his distinguished contributions to civil service. The other nominees—Jhulan Goswami for sports, Laila Tyebji for art and handicrafts, and Syed Mohammed Arif for badminton coaching—were all recipients of the Padma Shri in the same year.

Explanation

Nancy Powell was appointed as the United States Ambassador to India in April 2012, succeeding Timothy J. Roemer. A career Foreign Service officer with extensive experience in South Asian affairs, she served as the American envoy in New Delhi until her retirement from the diplomatic service in 2014.

Explanation

In April 2012, the former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Salman Bashir, was appointed as the High Commissioner of Pakistan to India. He succeeded Shahid Malik in this role and served as Pakistan's envoy in New Delhi from 2012 to 2014.

Explanation

Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah served as the 25th Chief Justice of India from 12 February 1993 to 24 October 1994. He succeeded Chief Justice L.M. Sharma and was succeeded by Chief Justice A.M. Ahmadi. During his tenure, he played a significant role in reducing the pendency of cases in the Supreme Court of India.

Explanation

According to Article 124(2) of the Constitution of India, every Judge of the Supreme Court of India, which includes the Chief Justice of India, holds office until they attain the age of sixty-five years.

Explanation

Black soil is widely known as Regur or black cotton soil because of its high suitability for cotton cultivation. This soil is rich in clay content and possesses an excellent capacity to retain moisture for long periods, which is highly beneficial for the cotton crop, especially during its growing season. During dry periods, black soil develops deep cracks that help in self-aeration, making it highly fertile and ideal for producing high-quality cotton.

Explanation

The Eleventh Five-Year Plan of India concluded on March 31, 2012. The Twelfth Five-Year Plan commenced on April 1, 2012, to cover the period from 2012 to 2017. Consequently, in the year 2012, India entered the Twelfth Five-Year Plan period.

Explanation

Akkanna and Madanna were prominent Telugu Brahmin brothers who rose to supreme power in the Golconda Sultanate under the last ruler, Abul Hasan Qutb Shah (Tana Shah). Madanna served as the prime minister while Akkanna was the commander-in-chief of the army. Their administrative reforms and alliance with the Marathas resisted Mughal expansion, which angered Emperor Aurangzeb. In March 1686, during the Mughal siege of Hyderabad and subsequent peace negotiations, the brothers were assassinated on the streets of Golconda by a faction of noble conspirators, and their severed heads were sent to the Mughal camp.

Explanation

The Kuwaiti Dinar is the highest-valued currency globally, driven by Kuwait's massive oil reserves, substantial petroleum exports, and strong sovereign wealth fund. In 2012, the exchange rate of the Kuwaiti Dinar stood at approximately 180 to 195 Indian Rupees per Dinar, representing the highest purchasing power and value per single currency unit.

Explanation

In May 2012, Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart was declared the world's wealthiest woman by the Business Review Weekly (BRW) in its annual Rich 200 list. Her personal fortune reached approximately 29.17 billion Australian dollars (around 28.48 billion US dollars), surpassing Walmart heiress Christy Walton. This significant surge in her net worth was driven by massive foreign investments in new resources projects, increased mineral production, and a major recovery in global iron ore prices.

Explanation

The Amnesty International Report 2012: The State of the World's Human Rights, released in May 2012, documented the state of human rights across 155 countries and territories during the year 2011. The report provides a comprehensive, country-by-country survey highlighting global developments and key human rights challenges, including restrictions on free speech and the prevalence of torture.

Explanation

Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all elements. It possesses a single valence electron in its outermost shell that is extremely free to move, resulting in minimal resistance to the flow of electric current. Under standard conditions, its electrical conductivity is approximately 6.30 × 10⁷ S/m, which exceeds that of all other metals.

Explanation

The atom bomb is based on the principle of nuclear fission. In this process, the heavy nucleus of a radioactive atom, typically Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239, splits into lighter nuclei when struck by a neutron. This splitting releases a tremendous amount of energy alongside two or three additional neutrons. These liberated neutrons go on to split other nearby nuclei, establishing a rapid, self-sustaining, and uncontrolled chain reaction that culminates in a massive explosion.

Explanation

According to the vulnerability profile of India compiled by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), over 40 million hectares of land in the country is prone to floods and river erosion. This highly vulnerable region constitutes approximately 12% of the total geographical area of India, which is about 328 million hectares. This figure corresponds to the assessments established by the Rashtriya Barh Ayog (National Commission on Floods), highlighting that seasonal monsoon precipitation regularly inundates key river basins, particularly across the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra plains.

Explanation

Santalum album is the botanical name for Indian sandalwood, which is a small tropical tree native to southern India and Southeast Asia. It is highly valued for its fragrant, fine-grained heartwood and the precious essential oil extracted from its wood and roots, which find extensive use in cosmetics, perfumery, and traditional medicine.

Explanation

As defined under Section 2(e) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, disaster management is a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing measures. These measures specifically encompass mitigation or reduction of risk, capacity-building, preparedness, prompt response, evacuation, rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Mitigation works as a pre-disaster measure to minimize the risk and impact of future events, whereas rehabilitation and reconstruction are essential post-disaster recovery measures focused on rebuilding infrastructure and restoring affected communities.

Explanation

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 was enacted by the Parliament of India to provide for the effective management of disasters and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It received the assent of the President of India on 23 December 2005. The Act led to the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), chaired by the Prime Minister of India, along with State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to spearhead and implement a systematic and holistic approach to disaster management in the country.

Explanation

An effective disaster management team at the community or institutional level requires a coordinated, multi-pronged approach to handle different phases of a disaster. It must include specialized sub-groups like the search and rescue team to locate and extract victims, the first aid team to provide immediate pre-hospital medical care, and the awareness generation team to educate and prepare the community before and during a crisis. Together, these teams ensure a comprehensive and efficient response, making all of them indispensable components of disaster management.

Explanation

Karl Benz is credited with the invention of the first petrol-powered automobile. In 1885, he designed and built the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which utilized a one-cylinder, two-stroke internal combustion engine running on gasoline (petrol). He received a patent for this vehicle on January 29, 1886, which is widely celebrated as the birth of the modern automobile.

Explanation

Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by the Variola virus. Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus, which belongs to the Flaviviridae family. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Since smallpox, dengue, and AIDS are all caused by viral pathogens, they are classified as viral diseases.

Explanation

Skin is the largest organ of the human body in terms of both surface area and weight. It serves as the primary component of the integumentary system, covering the entire external surface of the body. For an average adult, the skin has a surface area of approximately 1.5 to 2 square meters and accounts for about 16% of total body weight. It functions as a vital protective barrier against environmental damage, pathogens, and water loss, while also playing key roles in temperature regulation and sensory perception.

Explanation

On March 11, 2011, a powerful magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, Japan. The undersea megathrust earthquake triggered a catastrophic tsunami with waves reaching heights of up to 40 meters, which inundated coastal areas, claimed nearly twenty thousand lives, and initiated the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Consequently, March 11, 2012, marked exactly one year since this tragedy occurred in Japan.

Explanation

In 2012, India had a total of 35 administrative units comprising 28 states and 7 union territories. Out of these 35 entities, 25 states and union territories were officially classified as disaster-prone, reflecting India's high vulnerability to various natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, cyclones, landslides, and tsunamis.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Revision of the World Urbanization Prospects released by the United Nations in 2012, Tokyo was projected to remain the world's most populous urban agglomeration in 2025, with an estimated population of approximately 38.7 million inhabitants.

Explanation

India has a total coastline of 7,516 km, which includes the mainland coast as well as the island territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar. Out of this, a long stretch of approximately 5,700 km is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, storms, and tsunamis. This accounts for nearly 76% of the country's total coastline, exposing numerous coastal states and union territories along both the eastern and western coasts to severe marine hazards.

Explanation

During the United Progressive Alliance (UPA-II) government led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad served as the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. He held this cabinet portfolio from 22 May 2009 to 26 May 2014, making him the incumbent minister in the year 2012.

Explanation

Irina Bokova is a Bulgarian diplomat and politician who served as the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization from 2009 to 2017. Taking office in November 2009, she made history as both the first woman and the first Eastern European to lead the organization. During her tenure, she championed education reform, gender equality, and the protection of global cultural heritage.

Explanation

The United Progressive Alliance-II (UPA-II) government, led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, was sworn in and assumed office on May 22, 2009. Consequently, the government completed exactly three years of its rule at the Centre on May 22, 2012.

Explanation

The 12th Five Year Plan (2012 to 2017) incorporated several key developmental programs in the agricultural sector to achieve faster and more sustainable growth.

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was continued during the 12th Plan with restructured targets to augment the production of food grains, including rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals, and commercial crops.

The National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET), commonly referred to as the National Agricultural Extension Mission, was introduced to restructure and strengthen agricultural extension machinery, facilitating the delivery of scientific technology, training, and agronomic practices to farmers.

The National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), also known as the National Oil Seeds Mission, was launched during this plan period to enhance the production and productivity of oilseeds and oil palm across the country, aiming to reduce dependency on imported edible oils.

Explanation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

On May 30, 2012, the co-chairman of the Bill | Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, met with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, in Lucknow. During this meeting, they discussed health care challenges in the state, including maternal and neonatal health, malnutrition, routine immunization coverage, and the prevention of diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis. This discussion led to a partnership focused on providing technical, managerial, and program design support to help improve public health and agricultural development in Uttar Pradesh.

Explanation

On May 31, 2012, non-Congress opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance and the Left parties, organized a nationwide strike to protest the steep hike in petrol prices announced by the United Progressive Alliance government. The price of petrol was increased by nearly Rs. 7.50 per litre, representing one of the steepest hikes at that time, which led to widespread public anger and political demonstrations demanding a rollback of the decision.

Explanation

Joachim Gauck, a former Lutheran pastor and civil rights activist from East Germany, was elected as the eleventh President of Germany on 18 March 2012. He won the presidential election with a vast majority of votes in the Federal Convention, succeeding Christian Wulff who had resigned from the post. Gauck served as the German President until March 2017.

Explanation

On May 31, 2012, the Union Cabinet approved the National Telecom Policy 2012. The policy replaced the previous New Telecom Policy 1999 and introduced significant structural reforms to the Indian telecommunications sector. Its core objectives included simplifying the licensing regime by introducing a unified license framework, de-linking spectrum from licenses, and working toward the elimination of national roaming charges under a "One Nation - Free Roaming" initiative. It also set targets to increase rural teledensity, enable full Mobile Number Portability, and ensure reliable and affordable broadband-on-demand across the country.

Explanation

On May 31, 2012, Britain opened its British Deputy High Commission office in Hyderabad. The office was inaugurated by Simon Fraser, then the Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the British Diplomatic Service, along with James Bevan, the British High Commissioner to India. The establishment of this diplomatic office was aimed at enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and partnerships in key areas such as technology, research, and education.

Explanation

According to a study conducted by the Association of Indian Universities, there were 631 foreign education providers operating in India in 2010. Out of these 631 institutions, 440 were functioning directly from their home campuses, 5 had established their own campuses within India, 60 were engaged in programmatic collaborations with local institutions, 49 operated under twinning arrangements, and 77 had other types of arrangements.

Explanation

Viswanathan Anand won his fifth World Chess Championship title in May 2012 by defeating Boris Gelfand of Israel in a tie-break match in Moscow. This victory followed his previous world championship triumphs in 2000, 2007, 2008, and 2010.

Explanation

Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur suspended T. Pattabhi Rama Rao, the First Additional Special Judge for CBI cases in Hyderabad, on May 31, 2012, in public interest following allegations of corruption. He allegedly accepted a massive bribe to grant bail to Gali Janardhan Reddy, a key accused in the Obulapuram Mining Company illegal mining case. Following his suspension, the case was handed over to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which subsequently registered a case and arrested him under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Explanation

Nancy Powell, the newly appointed United States (U.S.A.) Ambassador to India, made her first official visit to Hyderabad on May 31, 2012. During her visit, she met with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, E.S.L. Narasimhan, and the Chief Minister, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, to discuss bilateral cooperation, economic partnerships, and key development issues in the region.

Explanation

The book titled The Struggle of My Life is a compilation of writings and speeches by Nelson Mandela. Also published under the title The Struggle is My Life, this work brings together Mandela's key political statements, historic court testimonies, and personal accounts that detail his lifelong resistance against the apartheid regime in South Africa. The collection provides a valuable historical record of his leadership within the African National Congress and his enduring struggle for democracy, human rights, and racial equality.

Explanation

The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word mawsim, which means season. This term was historically used by Arab traders and sailors to describe the seasonal pattern of winds in the Arabian Sea, which undergoes a complete reversal of direction twice a year, playing a critical role in navigation and trade across the Indian Ocean.

Explanation

The Krishna River is a prominent peninsular river of India. It originates in the Western Ghats at Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra and flows eastward through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is a rain-fed, seasonal river belonging to the peninsular drainage system, unlike the snow-fed perennial rivers of the Himalayan system.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, Maharashtra has the highest absolute urban population among all Indian states, with approximately 50.8 million people (representing 13.5% of the total urban population of the country) living in urban areas. This is driven by its high level of industrialization and the presence of major metropolitan regions like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.

Explanation

Siddharth Varadarajan served as the Editor of the national English daily newspaper The Hindu from 2011 to 2013. He took over the role in 2011 and was formally designated as the Editor-in-Chief in January 2012, succeeding N. Ram.

Explanation

Allam Narayana is a well-known Telugu journalist, columnist, and poet who served as the first editor-in-chief of the Telugu daily newspaper Namaste Telangana from its launch on June 6, 2011. He held this editorial position during the Telangana movement and later went on to become the first chairman of the Telangana Press Academy in 2014.

Explanation

Margaret Alva served as the Governor of Rajasthan from 12 May 2012 to 7 August 2014. She took over the office from Shivraj Patil, who was holding the additional charge of the state.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census, the sex ratio of Andhra Pradesh was 993 females per every 1000 males. This reflects a notable increase from the 2001 Census, where the sex ratio of the state stood at 978 females per 1000 males.

Explanation

Stainless steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron, chromium, and nickel. Chromium is the key alloying element that provides corrosion resistance by forming a thin, protective passive layer of chromium oxide on the surface. Nickel is added to improve ductility, formability, and resistance to corrosion in acidic environments.

Explanation

Brass is a versatile metallic alloy composed primarily of copper and zinc. By varying the proportions of copper and zinc, different types of brass can be produced with distinct mechanical, electrical, and acoustic properties, typically containing around 60% to 70% copper and 30% to 40% zinc.

Explanation

Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in August 1774 by focusing sunlight through a double-convex lens onto a sample of mercuric oxide, which released a gas that made candles burn brighter and kept mice alive longer. He published his findings in 1775, calling the newly isolated gas dephlogisticated air, which was later named oxygen by Antoine Lavoisier.

Explanation

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology is a premier research institute in the field of modern biology, located in Hyderabad. Established in 1977 as a semi-autonomous centre, it became a full-fledged national laboratory under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1981, conducting high-quality basic and applied research in cellular and molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology.

Explanation

According to the provisional data of the 2011 Census, the total population in the age group of 0–6 years in undivided Andhra Pradesh was 8,642,686, which consisted of 4,448,330 males and 4,194,356 females. This child population constitutes 10.21% of the state's total population of 84,580,777, representing a decline from the 13.35% recorded during the 2001 Census.

Explanation

Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, serving from 21 March 1950 to 19 December 1958. Under his leadership, the Election Commission of India successfully conducted the first two historic general elections of independent India in 1951–52 and 1957. An Indian Civil Service officer, he successfully established democratic electoral processes in a newly independent nation while managing immense logistical challenges such as high rates of illiteracy and a massive electorate.

Explanation

The Government of India declared the criteria for classical language status in 2004. By the year 2012, the Ministry of Culture had officially recognized Tamil in 2004, Sanskrit in 2005, Kannada in 2008, and Telugu in 2008 as classical languages. This means all the specified languages had already been granted classical language status before 2012.

Explanation

The first Finance Commission of India was constituted by a Presidential Order on 22 November 1951 under the chairmanship of Kshitish Chandra Neogy (K.C. Niyogi). It was established under Article 280 of the Constitution of India to define the financial relations between the central government of India and the individual state governments. The first commission's recommendations covered the five-year period from 1952 to 1957.

Explanation

According to the provisional population data of the 2011 Census for undivided Andhra Pradesh, the state's urban population was recorded at 2,83,53,745 out of a total population of 8,46,65,533. This represents an urbanisation rate of 33.49%, showing an increase in the proportion of urban residents compared to the previous decade.

Explanation

84,665,533.

According to the provisional population totals of the 2011 Census of India, the total population of undivided Andhra Pradesh was recorded as 84,665,533. This comprised 42,509,881 males and 42,155,652 females, representing approximately 7% of the total population of India.

Explanation

Vyakarana Narahari Rao served as the first Comptroller and Auditor General of independent India, holding the office from 1948 to 1954. He was an Indian civil servant who joined the Indian Audit and Accounts Service. For his contributions to civil service, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1954. During his tenure, he played a foundational role in establishing the financial audit standards and public accounting systems of the newly independent country.

Explanation

Under the provisions of the Constitution of India, State Legislative Assemblies generally have a strength ranging from a maximum of 500 members to a minimum of 60 members. The legislative assemblies of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura each consist of exactly 60 elected members.

Explanation

Paul Cornu, a French engineer, designed and built the world's first piloted helicopter, which made its historic flight on November 13, 1907. His dual-rotor aircraft, powered by a 24-horsepower Antoinette engine, lifted Cornu about 30 centimeters off the ground for approximately 20 seconds. This event is widely recognized as the first successful piloted, free flight of a rotary-wing aircraft.

Explanation

Victoria Amazonica, commonly known as the giant water lily, produces the largest leaves of any aquatic plant, reaching up to 3 meters in diameter. Among the choices provided, it is the correct answer as Rafflesia has the largest flower and Wolffia is the smallest plant.

Explanation

According to the World Disasters Report 2010 published by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Asia Pacific region accounted for approximately 85% of all people affected by disasters worldwide during the decade 2000–09. This exceptionally high percentage is due to the region's high geographical vulnerability to frequent natural hazards like cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, and severe flooding, combined with dense populations living in highly exposed and vulnerable urban and rural areas.

Explanation

8%. Earthquakes and tsunamis combined account for approximately 8% of natural disasters in terms of frequency, and a significant portion of fatalities/economic loss.

Explanation

The critically acclaimed Telugu film Vedam, directed by Radhakrishna Jagarlamudi, won the prestigious Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) for the year 2010. The film features an ensemble cast including Allu Arjun, Anushka Shetty, Manoj Manchu, and Manoj Bajpayee. It explores the lives of five distinct individuals from various social backgrounds whose paths cross on a single day. The Nandi Awards, which represent the highest state honors for Telugu cinema, are presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to recognize excellence in filmmaking.

Explanation

P.V. Narasimha Rao served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 30 September 1971 to 10 January 1973. His tenure in office was particularly notable for the implementation of land reforms and the strict enforcement of land ceiling acts. His administration concluded following the widespread political unrest of the Jai Andhra movement, which led to his resignation and the subsequent imposition of President's rule in the state.

Explanation

Under Article 156 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of a state is appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the President. While the standard term of office is five years from the date of joining, the Constitution does not place any restriction on the number of times a person can be appointed to the office of Governor. A person is fully eligible for reappointment to the same state or appointment to other states for any number of terms.

Explanation

M.V.R. Sastry (Mamidipudi Venkata Ramana Sastry) is a renowned veteran Telugu journalist, author, and political analyst who served as the Editor of the Telugu daily newspaper Andhra Bhoomi starting from 1994. Andhra Bhoomi was a well-established Telugu-language daily newspaper founded in 1960, owned by Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited (DCHL), and widely circulated across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Under his editorial leadership, the publication was known for its distinct political analysis and commentary.

Explanation

Vitamin-K is essential for the post-translational modification of certain proteins required for blood coagulation. The liver requires Vitamin-K to synthesize key clotting factors, including prothrombin (Factor II) and Factors VII, IX, and X. A deficiency in Vitamin-K impairs the activation of these proteins, which prevents the clotting cascade from functioning effectively and causes a significant delay in blood clotting.

Explanation

The Andhra Jana Sangham was established in Hyderabad in November 1921 after Telugu-speaking delegates were ridiculed at the Nizam State Social Reforms Conference. The first official meeting of the Sangham was subsequently convened on 14 February 1922 at the Reddy Hostel in Hyderabad under the presidentship of Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy (K.V. Ranga Reddy). Madapati Hanumantha Rao acted as the secretary of the meeting, which saw the adoption of the organization's constitution and its renaming to Nizam Rashtra Andhra Jana Sangham.

Explanation

Sharada. Sharada was selected for the N.T.R. National Film Award for the year 2010.

Explanation

M. Baliaiah. M. Balaiah was selected for the Raghupati Venkaiah Award for the year 2010.

Explanation

Veteran actress B. Saroja Devi was selected by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the prestigious N.T.R. National Film Award for the year 2009 in recognition of her lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to Indian cinema. Over her illustrious career, she acted in more than 170 films across multiple languages including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.

Explanation

According to the final data of the 2011 Census of India, the overall literacy rate in the country is 74.04%. Among this, the male literacy rate stands at 82.14% while the female literacy rate is 65.46%.

Explanation

Ernest Rutherford is credited with the discovery of the proton. In 1919, during his experiments on the artificial transmutation of nitrogen, he observed that bombarding nitrogen gas with alpha particles resulted in the emission of hydrogen nuclei. He concluded that the hydrogen nucleus was a fundamental constituent of all atomic nuclei and named this positively charged particle the proton. This discovery laid the foundation for modern nuclear physics and our understanding of atomic structure.

Explanation

Following the Poona Pact of September 1932, Mahatma Gandhi launched an intensive nation-wide campaign to eradicate untouchability and promote the social upliftment of the depressed classes, whom he termed Harijans. He embarked on a nine-month-long Harijan Tour (Harijan Yatra) starting from Wardha in November 1933. During this extensive journey across India, Gandhi arrived in Hyderabad on 9 March 1934 (9-3-1934) via Secunderabad railway station to advocate for social reforms, address local public meetings, and collect funds for the welfare and upliftment of the Harijan community.

Explanation

The International Kuchipudi Dance Festival was held on May 26 and 27, 2012, at the Ravindra Bharati auditorium in Hyderabad. Organized in association with the Andhra Pradesh State Cultural Council, the two-day cultural festival brought together over 1500 classical dancers and featured around 110 performances celebrating the traditional classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, the total number of villages covered across the country is 6,40,867. This represents an increase of 2,279 villages from the 6,38,588 villages recorded during the 2001 Census. Among these 6,40,867 villages, 5,97,464 are classified as inhabited, while 43,403 are uninhabited.

Explanation

The carat (or karat) system is a unit of purity for gold alloys, where one carat represents 1/24th part of the whole. Therefore, gold that contains no alloyed metals and is completely pure is designated as 24 carats, representing 100% purity (or 99.9% in commercially refined forms). Because of its absolute purity, 24-carat gold is highly malleable, soft, and has a distinct bright yellow color.

Explanation

Nitrous oxide, chemically represented as N₂O, is commonly known as laughing gas. It is a colorless and non-flammable gas with a slightly sweet odor and taste. When inhaled, it produces analgesic and anesthetic effects, often accompanied by a state of euphoria, mild hallucinations, and occasional laughter, which led to its popular moniker. It is widely used in dentistry and medical surgeries to alleviate pain and anxiety during minor procedures.

Explanation

Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor, invented dynamite and patented it in 1867. He discovered that mixing liquid nitroglycerin with an inert absorbent material, specifically diatomaceous earth or kieselguhr, made the highly volatile explosive much safer and more stable to handle, transport, and use. This invention greatly facilitated progress in mining, quarrying, and the construction of tunnels, canals, and railways across the globe.

Explanation

The Hyderabad State Congress (HSC) was established in 1938. Its formation was heavily inspired by the Haripura session of the Indian National Congress held in early 1938, which declared the princely states to be an integral part of India. Under the guidance of leaders like Swami Ramananda Tirtha, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, and Madapati Hanumantha Rao, the organization was formally launched on 29 July 1938. The primary objective of the Hyderabad State Congress was to demand civil liberties, democratic reforms, and a responsible representative government from the Nizam's administration. Alarmed by its nationalistic goals, the Nizam's government banned the organization in September 1938, shortly after its formation.

Explanation

According to the provisional data of the 2011 Census of India, the national sex ratio was recorded as 940 females per 1000 males. While the final census data later revised this figure slightly to 943, 940 was the widely published figure at the time of the initial census release. This indicates an improvement from the 2001 Census sex ratio, which stood at 933.

Explanation

David Bushnell, an American inventor, built the Turtle in 1775, which is recognized as the world's first submarine used in military combat. Designed during the American Revolutionary War, the one-man submersible was the first capable of independent underwater navigation and propulsion, utilizing hand-powered propellers and a water ballast system for depth control. His pioneering designs laid the foundation for modern undersea warfare and submarine technology.

Explanation

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system by a wide margin, both in terms of volume and mass. It is a gas giant primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter has a mean radius of approximately 69,911 kilometers, which is about 11 times the radius of Earth, and its mass is more than 300 times that of Earth, making it more massive than all the other planets in the solar system combined.

Explanation

The pituitary gland is known as the master gland of the human body because it produces hormones that control and regulate the functioning of many other endocrine glands. Located at the base of the brain just below the hypothalamus, this pea-sized gland secretes vital hormones such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), which coordinate essential physiological processes including growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response.

Explanation

The adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones. This skeletal system is divided into two primary parts, which are the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton contains 80 bones, comprising the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage. The appendicular skeleton contains 126 bones, including the pectoral girdles, upper limbs, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs. While a human infant is born with approximately 270 to 300 bones, many of these cartilaginous structures fuse together during growth and development, eventually stabilizing at 206 bones in adulthood.

Explanation

According to the provisional population totals of the 2011 Census of India, the total population of the country was recorded as 1,210,193,422 as of 1 March 2011. This represented an absolute increase of approximately 181.6 million people over the population recorded in the 2001 Census, with the male population standing at 623,724,248 and the female population at 586,469,174.

Explanation

J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897 during his experiments with cathode ray tubes. By applying electric and magnetic fields to the cathode rays, he demonstrated that these rays were composed of negatively charged particles that were significantly lighter than hydrogen atoms. This groundbreaking discovery proved that atoms are not indivisible spheres but contain smaller subatomic particles, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906.

Explanation

The time difference between two places is determined by their longitudinal positions, where each 1° of longitude corresponds to a time difference of 4 minutes. Indian Standard Time is calculated based on the 82.5° E longitude line. Greenwich Mean Time is situated at the Prime Meridian, which is 0° longitude.

Using the formula: Time difference = Longitude difference × 4 minutes Time difference = 82.5 × 4 = 330 minutes

Converting 330 minutes into hours: 330 ÷ 60 = 5.5 hours

Since India is located to the east of the Prime Meridian, its time is ahead, which means Greenwich Mean Time lags behind Indian Standard Time by exactly 5 ½ hours.

Explanation

Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg in the German Empire, on 14 March 1879. He spent his childhood and early education in Germany and later gained international fame for his groundbreaking scientific work, including the theory of relativity, while working in Berlin as a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences.

Explanation

82·14%. 2011 Census male literacy rate is 82.14%. No option matches; 74.04% (option 1) is the overall literacy rate, not the male rate.

Explanation

In 1896, the French physicist Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity while investigating phosphorescence in uranium salts. He found that uranium spontaneously emitted a penetrating radiation that could expose a photographic plate even when wrapped in black paper, independent of any external source of energy like sunlight. This pioneering discovery laid the foundation for nuclear physics and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903.

Explanation

The Rayalaseema Mahasabha was formed in 1934 by prominent leaders like C.L. Narasimha Reddy and K. Subrahmanyam to protect and advocate for the development, educational, and political interests of the Rayalaseema region within the Madras Presidency.

The first session of the Rayalaseema Mahasabha was held in Madras on January 28, 1934. The session was presided over by Nemali Pattabhirama Rao of Cuddapah and was inaugurated by S. Satyamurti. The conference focused on addressing regional concerns, particularly opposing the extension of Andhra University's jurisdiction over Rayalaseema and protecting the interests of the region's people.

Explanation

The South Asian University is an international university established by the eight member nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The agreement to establish this institution was signed during the 14th SAARC Summit in April 2007, and the university officially commenced its first academic session in August 2010. It is located in New Delhi, India, with its degrees recognized by all eight member countries of the regional bloc.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, the total population of India stood at 1.21 billion. Out of this total, the rural population was recorded at approximately 833.7 million, which constitutes 68.84% of the total population. The urban population accounted for the remaining 31.16%, reflecting the predominantly rural demographic composition of the country at the time of the census.

Explanation

John Dalton formulated the modern atomic theory in 1803, which laid the scientific foundation for the existence of atoms. He proposed that all matter is made of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms, and that chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of these atoms. His experimental work and formulation of chemical laws provided the first empirical proof of atomic structure, establishing him as the father of modern atomic theory.

Explanation

Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide are all recognized agents of air pollution. Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas emitted through burning fossil fuels and deforestation, playing a primary role in global warming. Hydrogen sulphide is a hazardous, foul-smelling gas released from volcanic activity, geothermal sources, and industrial processes such as oil refining and sewage treatment. Collectively, these gases pollute the atmosphere and pose environmental and health risks.

Explanation

Glass is an amorphous solid that is classified as a super-cooled liquid. It is produced by rapidly cooling a molten silicate mixture so quickly that the individual molecules do not have sufficient time to organize themselves into a crystalline lattice. Consequently, glass retains the disordered atomic structure characteristic of a liquid, despite having the physical rigidity and mechanical properties of a solid.

Explanation

27,800.

According to the 2011 Census, the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh recorded a total of 27,800 villages. This total count comprises 26,286 inhabited villages and 1,514 uninhabited villages. Along with these villages, the 2011 Census in the state also covered 23 districts, 1,128 mandals, and 353 towns (which included 125 statutory towns and 228 census towns).

Explanation

M. K. Narayanan served as the Governor of West Bengal from 16 January 2010 to 4 July 2014. A former Indian Police Service officer who also served as the National Security Advisor of India, he was appointed as the 24th Governor of West Bengal by President Pratibha Patil.

Explanation

Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical calculator, known as the Pascaline, in 1642. He designed the machine to assist his father with tedious tax calculations. The device used a series of geared wheels and dials to perform addition and subtraction directly, and multiplication and division through repeated operations.

Explanation

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a French naturalist, formulated the first comprehensive and cohesive theory of organic evolution, which he published in his book Philosophie Zoologique in 1809. His theory, widely known as Lamarckism, was based on the idea that organisms undergo physical changes during their lifetime in response to environmental needs through the use and disuse of organs, and that these acquired traits are passed on to their offspring. This was the first systematic attempt to explain the mechanism of evolutionary change.

Explanation

Jawahar Sircar, a retired 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati in February 2012. He succeeded B.S. Lalli and managed the public broadcaster, which runs Doordarshan and All India Radio, until his resignation in October 2016. Prior to this appointment, Sircar had served as the Secretary in the Ministry of Culture from late 2008 to February 2012.

Explanation

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon delivered his address at the 23rd Arab League Summit in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 29, 2012. In his speech, he focused heavily on regional security, democratic transitions following the Arab Spring, and the ongoing crisis in Syria.

Explanation

Vanya Mishra, an engineering student from Jalandhar, Punjab, was crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2012 during the grand finale of the 49th edition of the pageant held in Mumbai on March 30, 2012. She subsequently represented India at the Miss World 2012 pageant held in China, where she placed in the top seven and won the Beauty with a Purpose award.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant. Hume played a pivotal role in organizing the first meeting of the Congress, which was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay from December 28 to December 31, 1885. He envisioned the organization as a platform for educated Indians to obtain a greater share in government and to foster a constructive dialogue with the British administration.

Explanation

Cuba is traditionally referred to as the Sugar Bowl of the World due to its historically massive sugarcane industry and extensive exports of sugar. The Caribbean island possesses a warm tropical climate, fertile soil, and adequate rainfall, which together create ideal conditions for sugarcane cultivation. For much of the twentieth century, Cuba was the world's leading sugar producer and exporter, making sugar the backbone of its national economy and establishing its globally recognized moniker.

Explanation

The fourth BRICS summit took place on 29 March 2012 in New Delhi, India, hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. As a major international gathering of the world's leading emerging economies, the summit brought together the top leadership of all member states to discuss global governance, sustainable development, and economic cooperation. The participating heads of state and government included President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, President Hu Jintao of China, and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. This comprehensive attendance ensured that all five BRICS nations were represented at the highest executive level.

Explanation

In March 2012, India's largest solar photovoltaic power plant of its time (40 MW) was commissioned in Dhursar village (also spelled as Dhoodsar, and misspelled as Dhudwar in the question), located near Pokhran in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. Developed by Reliance Power, the plant covers an area of 350 acres and was officially inaugurated on April 1, 2012, by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

Explanation

INS Chakra, an Akula-II class nuclear-powered attack submarine leased from Russia, was formally inducted into the Indian Navy on April 4, 2012. The submarine was commissioned at Visakhapatnam, making India the sixth country in the world to operate a nuclear-powered submarine. Under the bilateral agreement, the vessel was leased to India for a period of ten years to train crew members and perform operational patrols.

Explanation

The Union Budget for 2012-13, presented by the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on March 16, 2012, estimated the country's real GDP growth rate to be 7.6%. This budgetary expectation was set in alignment with the Economic Survey of 2011-12, which predicted that the growth momentum of the Indian economy would recover from 6.9% in the fiscal year 2011-12 to reach 7.6% in 2012-13.

Explanation

In the Union Budget for 2012-13, presented by then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the basic exemption limit from income tax for very senior citizens, defined as resident individuals of age 80 years and above, was established at ₹ 5 lakh. Under this tax slab, very senior citizens with an annual income up to ₹ 5 lakh were exempt from paying any income tax.

Explanation

The Union Budget for 2012-13 was presented to the Parliament on March 16, 2012, by the then Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. This budget was presented in the Lok Sabha with a focus on five key objectives: reviving domestic demand-driven growth, enabling conditions for a rapid turnaround in private investment, addressing supply bottlenecks in key sectors, strengthening governance, and addressing malnutrition.

Explanation

R.K. Shanmukham Chetty served as the first Finance Minister of independent India from August 15, 1947, to August 1948 in the cabinet of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He has the historical distinction of presenting the first Union Budget of independent India to the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1947.

Explanation

Stephen Hawking was a highly distinguished English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author. He served as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and made pioneering scientific contributions to the fields of cosmology, general relativity, and quantum gravity. His most famous scientific breakthrough was the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, a phenomenon now known as Hawking radiation.

Explanation

A hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear weapon, is based on the principle of nuclear fusion. In this process, light atomic nuclei, specifically the hydrogen isotopes deuterium (²H) and tritium (³H), combine under extreme temperature and pressure to form a heavier helium nucleus. This nuclear fusion reaction releases an enormous amount of energy, far exceeding the energy output of standard fission-based atomic weapons.

Explanation

Johannes Kepler formulated the three laws of planetary motion in the early 17th century, which described the orbits of planets around the Sun using precise astronomical data collected by Tycho Brahe. The first law states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one of the two foci. The second law states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time. The third law relates the orbital period of a planet to its distance from the Sun, stating that the square of the orbital period is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit (T² ∝ a³).

Explanation

All the above.

Sir Thomas Munro, Sir Arthur Cotton, and Charles Philip Brown are all highly venerated East India Company officials in Andhra Pradesh for their monumental and lasting contributions to the region.

Sir Thomas Munro is fondly remembered as Mandava Munro in the Rayalaseema region for introducing the peasant-friendly Ryotwari land revenue system and demonstrating immense empathy toward the local agrarian community.

Sir Arthur Cotton, widely regarded as the Apara Bhagiratha of Andhra, engineered the Dowleswaram Barrage on the Godavari River and designed crucial irrigation works on the Krishna River, converting a famine-stricken area into a highly prosperous agricultural belt.

Charles Philip Brown dedicated his life to Telugu literature, compiling the first major Telugu-English dictionaries and rescuing, editing, and publishing classic Telugu works like the poems of Vemana that were otherwise on the verge of being lost.

Explanation

The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains a list of 22 languages recognized as official languages. Initially, there were 14 languages in the Constitution. Over the years, this count increased through various constitutional amendments. The 21st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1967 added Sindhi. The 71st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali. Finally, the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali, which brought the total number of officially recognized languages to 22.

Explanation

The 84th Academy Awards ceremony was held on February 26, 2012, honoring the best films of 2011. The French comedy-drama film The Artist, directed by Michel Hazanavicius, won the Best Picture award. This historic win marked the first time a silent film won Best Picture since the 2nd Academy Awards in 1929, when The Broadway Melody took home the top prize, and the first black-and-white film to win since Schindler's List in 1993.

Explanation

Jean Dujardin won the Best Actor Award at the 84th Academy Awards for his portrayal of George Valentin, a silent film star, in the silent comedy-drama film The Artist. His performance in this critically acclaimed film earned him international recognition, making him the first French actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Explanation

The first non-Congress state government in independent India was formed in Kerala in 1957. Following the state assembly elections held in March 1957, the Communist Party of India (CPI) emerged as the single largest party, securing 60 of the 126 seats and obtaining the support of five independent legislators. On April 5, 1957, E. M. S. Namboodiripad took the oath as Chief Minister, establishing the first democratically elected communist and non-Congress government in any Indian state.

Explanation

Nadendla Bhaskara Rao served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for a brief period of 31 days, from 16 August 1984 to 16 September 1984, which remains the shortest tenure for any Chief Minister in the history of undivided Andhra Pradesh. He was sworn in by the then Governor Thakur Ram Lal during a political crisis while the incumbent Chief Minister, N.T. Rama Rao, was away in the United States for medical treatment. Bhaskara Rao was subsequently forced to resign following a massive statewide and nationwide democratic agitation, leading to the reinstatement of the previous ministry.

Explanation

The Andhra Pradesh government conferred the prestigious Kala Ratna (Hamsa) Award for Literature on eminent Telugu linguist, critic, and writer Chekuri Rama Rao on the eve of the Ugadi festival in 2012.

Explanation

Professor Elluri Siva Reddy was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University in July 2012. He is a well-known Telugu scholar and writer who has served in various academic capacities.

Explanation

In the Rajya Sabha elections held in March 2012, BSP chief Mayawati from Uttar Pradesh, along with Union Ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Rajeev Shukla from Maharashtra, were all elected unopposed (unanimously) to the Upper House of Parliament. Thus, all the given individuals qualify, making option D the correct choice.

Explanation

The impact of disasters is minimized through a combination of systematic planning, public awareness and preparedness, and structural or non-structural mitigation measures. Since all three components play a crucial role in disaster risk reduction, the correct choice is all of the above.

Explanation

The legendary Carnatic vocalist and doctor Sripada Pinakapani was honored with the Telugu Velugu Award for Music on the eve of Ugadi (Telugu New Year) in March 2012 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Other recipients included C.R. Rao for Science and K.V. Krishna Rao for Public Service.

Explanation

The Sri Bagh Pact was signed on November 16, 1937, by the political leaders of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema to safeguard the interests of the Rayalaseema region in the event of the formation of a separate Andhra province. The agreement took place at Sri Bagh, the Madras residence of Kashinathuni Nageswara Rao.

Explanation

Tanguturi Prakasam, popularly known as Andhra Kesari, served as the first Chief Minister of Andhra State after it was carved out of Madras State in 1953. He held the office from October 1, 1953, until November 15, 1954.

Explanation

Swami Vivekananda founded both 'Prabuddha Bharata' (in English) in 1896 and 'Udbodhan' (in Bengali) in 1899 as monthly journals of the Ramakrishna Order to propagate his message and the philosophy of Upanishads.

Explanation

Satya Shodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra, on September 24, 1873. The society's main objective was to liberate the underprivileged, women, and lower-caste communities from exploitation and oppression.