MPPSC Prelims 2003 Question Paper with Answers & Explanations

Explanation

The Pandya king sent an ambassador to the Roman Emperor Augustus in 26 BC. This diplomatic mission is recorded in several classical sources, highlighting the established trade and diplomatic relations between the Pandya kingdom and the Roman Empire during that period. The embassy brought various gifts, including precious stones, pearls, and an elephant, demonstrating the wealth and resources of the South Indian kingdom. This event underscores the Pandyas' significant role in ancient Indo-Roman interactions.

Explanation

Vichitravirya was the son of Shantanu and Satyavati. He married Ambika and Ambalika. Due to Vichitravirya's premature death without heirs, Vyasa, through the custom of niyoga, fathered Dhritarashtra with Ambika and Pandu with Ambalika. Pandu was the father of Arjun. Therefore, Vichitravirya was Arjun's grandfather.

Explanation

Kalidasa is renowned for his Sanskrit dramas and epic poems. Among his most famous works are "Malavikagnimitram," which tells the love story of King Agnimitra and Malavika, and "Abhigyan Shakuntalam," considered his masterpiece, narrating the tale of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala. He also composed the epic poem "Kumara Sambhav," which describes the birth of Kumara (Kartikeya), the son of Shiva and Parvati. "Janaki-harman" (or "Janakiharana"), however, is a Sanskrit Mahakavya (epic poem) written by Kumaradasa, not Kalidasa.

Explanation

Shivaji was imprisoned by the Mughals in Agra. He was invited to Agra by Aurangzeb in 1666, where he was placed under house arrest in the care of Faulad Khan. Shivaji, along with his son Sambhaji, famously escaped from Agra in August 1666 by feigning illness and hiding in baskets of sweets meant for distribution.

Explanation

In the First Battle of Panipat, fought on April 21, 1526, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi. Ibrahim Lodi was the Sultan of Delhi and led a much larger army, but Babur's forces, though smaller, utilized superior tactics and gunpowder artillery. Babur's innovative strategies, such as the 'Tulughma' formation and the effective use of cannons, played a decisive role in his victory. This battle marked the end of the Lodi dynasty and the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.

Explanation

Taimur Lang, also known as Timur, invaded India in the year 1398 AD. He crossed the Indus River on September 24, 1398, and marched towards Delhi. His primary motive was to plunder India's immense wealth and wage a "holy war" against the Hindu rulers, as he felt the Muslim sultans of Delhi were too tolerant of their Hindu subjects. Timur's forces defeated the army of Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Tughluq of the Delhi Sultanate in December 1398, leading to the sacking and destruction of Delhi. He left India in 1399, taking with him vast spoils and thousands of slaves.

Explanation

The Battle of Buxar took place on October 22, 1764. During this pivotal battle, the Mughal Emperor was Shah Alam II. He led a combined army alongside Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, against the British East India Company. Shah Alam II ruled the Mughal Empire from 1760 to 1806. The British victory at Buxar significantly weakened the Mughal Empire and paved the way for British dominance in India.

Explanation

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent Indian social reformer and independence activist, authored the book 'Geeta Rahasya' (also known as 'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Rahasya' or 'Karmayog Shastra') in 1915. He wrote this Marathi language book while imprisoned in Mandalay, Burma. The book is an analysis of Karma Yoga, drawing its principles from the Bhagavad Gita. Tilak's interpretation emphasized Nishkam Karmayoga, or selfless action, as the true message of the Bhagavad Gita.

Explanation

Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818, in Trier, which was then part of the Kingdom of Prussia. This region is now located in modern-day Germany. He was a German philosopher, economist, and revolutionary whose ideas profoundly influenced social and political thought. While he lived in various European cities, including Paris and London, his birthplace and early education were in Germany.

Explanation

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha addresses their resignation to the Deputy Speaker. This is explicitly stated in Article 94(b) of the Indian Constitution. This constitutional provision ensures an internal mechanism for resignation within the Lok Sabha, maintaining the independence of the legislative body. Similarly, the Deputy Speaker resigns by writing to the Speaker.

Explanation

The Preamble to the Indian Constitution explicitly mentions "Sovereign," "Socialist," and "Secular" as key terms defining the nature of the Indian state. The words "Socialist" and "Secular" were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. While the Indian Constitution aims to promote the welfare of the people, as reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 38), the specific term "Public welfare" is not directly present in the Preamble itself. The Preamble focuses on securing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens.

Explanation

The Governor of a state is the constitutional head and possesses the power to prorogue the State's Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly). This power is explicitly granted to the Governor under Article 174(2)(a) of the Constitution of India. Prorogation signifies the termination of a session of the legislature, though it does not dissolve the assembly itself. While the Governor acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister in most matters, the authority to issue the prorogation order formally rests with the Governor.

Explanation

The members and chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions (SPSC) are appointed by the respective Governors. This is explicitly stated in Article 316 of the Indian Constitution, which outlines the appointment and term of office for members of Public Service Commissions. While the President appoints members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Joint Public Service Commissions, the Governor holds the authority for State Public Service Commissions. The Governor also determines the conditions of service for the chairperson and other members of the SPSC.

Explanation

Schedule 6 of the Indian Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. These provisions aim to protect the rights of indigenous tribal communities and ensure their self-governance through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). While Manipur is a northeastern state with tribal populations, it is not included under the Sixth Schedule. Instead, Manipur's hill areas are governed by a statutory law of the state, despite ongoing demands for the extension of the Sixth Schedule to these regions.

Explanation

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution currently recognizes 22 languages. Urdu was one of the 14 languages originally included in the Constitution in 1950. Nepali and Konkani were added to the schedule in 1992 by the 71st Amendment Act. Bhojpuri, however, is not among the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule, although there have been ongoing demands for its inclusion.

Explanation

P.V. Narsimha Rao was the Prime Minister of India when the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts were passed. These landmark amendments, which provided constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities respectively, were enacted in 1992. P.V. Narsimha Rao served as the Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Explanation

Pluto's orbit is highly elliptical and significantly inclined compared to the other planets. This means that for approximately 20 years out of its 248-year orbital period, Pluto actually comes closer to the Sun than Neptune. For example, Pluto was closer to the Sun than Neptune from 1979 to 1999. Therefore, the planet farthest from the Sun varies depending on where Pluto is in its orbit. Despite their intersecting paths in a 2D projection, a 3D view reveals that Pluto's inclined orbit prevents it from colliding with Neptune.

Explanation

Jhumri Telaiya is a city located in the Koderma district of Jharkhand, India. It was originally part of Bihar but became a part of the newly formed Jharkhand state in 2000. The town is situated in the Damodar River valley and is known for its historical association with mica mining and its popularity for song requests on Vividh Bharati radio.

Explanation

Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra, is located in the East Khasi Hills district of the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is renowned for receiving exceptionally high rainfall, making it one of the wettest places on Earth. The heavy precipitation is primarily due to its geographical location on the Shillong Plateau, where the saturated summer monsoon winds are forced to rise, cool rapidly, and release enormous quantities of condensed water. While nearby Mawsynram currently holds the distinction of being the wettest place, Cherrapunji still holds world records for the most rainfall in a calendar month and year.

Explanation

Tamil Nadu primarily receives its rainfall from the Northeast Monsoon. This monsoon season typically occurs during the months of October to December. While other parts of India experience the Southwest Monsoon from June to September, Tamil Nadu lies in a rain shadow region during that period. Therefore, November and December are the peak months for rainfall in Tamil Nadu due to the Northeast Monsoon.

Explanation

Angel Falls, also known as Salto Ángel, is widely recognized as the world's highest waterfall. Located in Venezuela, it boasts a total height of 979 meters (3,212 feet) with an uninterrupted plunge of 807 meters (2,648 feet). This makes it significantly taller than other famous waterfalls. For example, Niagara Falls is approximately 51 to 57 meters (167 to 188 feet) high, and Ribbon Falls in Yosemite National Park has a drop of 491 meters (1,612 feet). While Tugela Falls in South Africa is considered the second-highest waterfall, with a total height of 948 meters (3,110 feet), its drop is divided into five cascades, unlike the largely uninterrupted fall of Angel Falls.

Explanation

According to data from Macrotrends, the population of Pakistan in 1990 was 116,155,576. This figure is approximately 11 crore, as 1 crore equals 10 million. Therefore, option B, 11 crore, is the correct approximation for Pakistan's population as per the 1990 census.

Explanation

Sri Lanka has historically been a dominant force in the global tea market, widely recognized for its high-quality "Ceylon Tea". The country's favorable climate and fertile soil provide ideal conditions for tea cultivation, contributing to substantial production volumes. While rankings for the biggest exporter can fluctuate annually based on various factors like export value and volume, Sri Lanka consistently remains among the top global tea exporting nations. Its strong export-oriented tea industry has maintained its prominence over many years.

Explanation

The decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit primarily used to measure sound intensity or loudness. Sound travels in waves, and decibels quantify the amplitude or pressure of these sound waves. A higher decibel level indicates a louder sound. This scale is particularly useful because it aligns with how the human ear perceives sound, which is also logarithmic.

Explanation

The three basic colors, also known as additive primary colors, are blue, green, and red. These colors are considered basic because when combined in various proportions, they can produce all other colors of light. This principle is fundamental to how screens and monitors display images, as each pixel contains sub-pixels of red, green, and blue light. Mixing all three additive primary colors of light in equal intensity results in white light. This differs from subtractive primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow) which are used in printing.

Explanation

A thermostat is a regulating device that senses the temperature of a physical system. Its primary purpose is to maintain the system's temperature near a desired setpoint. It achieves this by automatically switching heating or cooling devices on or off as needed. This ensures that the temperature remains stable within a limited range, preventing unnecessary fluctuations and maintaining a consistent environment.

Explanation

Bauxite is the primary ore from which aluminum metal is extracted. It is a rock composed mainly of aluminum oxide compounds (alumina), along with other minerals like silica and iron oxides. The process of obtaining aluminum involves refining bauxite through the Bayer process to produce alumina, which is then smelted into pure aluminum metal using the Hall-Héroult electrolytic process. Hematite and magnetite are important ores of iron, while lignite is a type of coal used for energy production.

Explanation

An atom is fundamentally composed of three subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons reside in the atom's nucleus, with protons carrying a positive charge and neutrons being neutral. Electrons, which carry a negative charge, orbit the nucleus. A photon, however, is a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, essentially a particle of light, and is not a constituent part of an atom.

Explanation

Oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust, making up approximately 46% of its mass. Following oxygen, silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust, accounting for about 27-28% of its mass. Silicon is rarely found in its pure form and is a primary component of silicate minerals, which constitute over 90% of the Earth's crust. In contrast, carbon, sodium, and chlorine are significantly less abundant in the Earth's crust.

Explanation

Humans have two sex chromosomes: X and Y. Females typically have two X chromosomes (XX), while males typically have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). During reproduction, the mother always contributes an X chromosome to the offspring. The father, however, can contribute either an X or a Y chromosome. If the father contributes a Y chromosome, and the mother contributes an X chromosome, the resulting combination is XY, which leads to the birth of a son.

Explanation

Dinosaurs lived during the Mesozoic Era, which spanned from approximately 252 million to 66 million years ago. This era, often called the "Age of Dinosaurs," lasted for about 186 million years. Dinosaurs first appeared around 245 million years ago and were the dominant terrestrial animals for roughly 165 to 180 million years until their extinction. Therefore, 18 crore years ago (180 million years ago) falls within the Jurassic Period, a time when dinosaurs were widespread and thriving.

Explanation

In computer language, storage units are based on powers of 2, not powers of 10. One kilobyte (KB) is precisely 1024 bytes, not 1000 bytes. Similarly, one megabyte (MB) is 1024 kilobytes. Therefore, to find the number of bytes in one megabyte, you multiply 1024 by 1024, which equals 1,048,576 bytes. This distinction is crucial in computing for accurate memory and storage calculations.

Explanation

Ranoji Scindia established the Gwalior state in the early 18th century, around 1731, as part of the Maratha Confederacy. He was a Maratha military commander who rose to prominence under the Peshwas. Ranoji Scindia initially made Ujjain his capital, and the Scindia dynasty later moved its capital to Gwalior. He is recognized as the founder of the Scindia dynasty, which went on to become a significant power in central and northern India.

Explanation

Madhya Pradesh holds the second position among Indian states in terms of total geographical area. Rajasthan is the largest state by area in India, covering approximately 342,239 square kilometers. Madhya Pradesh follows with an area of about 308,252 square kilometers. This makes Madhya Pradesh a significant state in terms of its landmass within the country.

Explanation

After the partition of Madhya Pradesh in 2000, when Chhattisgarh was carved out as a separate state, Madhya Pradesh's boundary touches five states. These bordering states are Rajasthan to the northwest, Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the east, Maharashtra to the south, and Gujarat to the west. This configuration makes B) 5 the correct answer.

Explanation

Bilaspur is the correct answer because it is the headquarters of the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone. The SECR is one of the 19 railway zones in India and plays a significant role in freight and passenger transportation across parts of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. While other cities like Katni, Gwalior, and Indore have important railway stations or divisions, they do not host a zonal railway headquarters. For example, Gwalior is part of the North Central Railway division, and Indore is served by the Western Railway. Jabalpur, another city in Madhya Pradesh, is the headquarters of the West Central Railway zone.

Explanation

Gandhi Sagar Dam is not associated with the Narmada River. It is one of the four major dams constructed on the Chambal River, located in the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh. In contrast, Maheshvar Dam, Indira Sagar Dam, and Bargi Dam are all built on the Narmada River. Indira Sagar is the largest dam in India in terms of water storage volume and is a key part of the Narmada Valley Development Project. Bargi Dam is also one of the first completed dams on the Narmada River.

Explanation

According to educational statistics for Madhya Pradesh, the total number of schools encompassing pre-primary, primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels is approximately 106,000. This figure represents the cumulative count of various educational institutions across the state. While more recent data may indicate variations, 106,000 is a widely cited number in certain official reports and educational surveys for Madhya Pradesh. Therefore, option D is the correct answer based on these statistics.

Explanation

According to the 2001 census, the literacy rate of Madhya Pradesh was approximately 63.7%. This figure represents the percentage of the population aged seven and above who could read and write with understanding. Among the given options, 64.11% is the closest value to the officially recorded literacy rate for Madhya Pradesh in 2001. The male literacy rate was 76.1% and the female literacy rate was 50.3% in 2001.

Explanation

After the partition of Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000, Madhya Pradesh retained 45 districts. The 84th Amendment Act led to the formation of Chhattisgarh, and consequently, Madhya Pradesh's territorial boundaries were altered. This administrative change reduced the number of districts in Madhya Pradesh from 61 to 45.

Explanation

The Khajuraho temples were primarily constructed by the Chandela dynasty. This powerful Rajput clan ruled the Bundelkhand region of Central India between the 9th and 13th centuries. Most of these magnificent Hindu and Jain temples were built during the Chandela dynasty's peak, specifically between 950 and 1050 CE. The Chandela rulers, such as Yashovarman, Dhanga, and Vidyadhara, were significant patrons of art and architecture, commissioning these elaborate structures that showcase the Nagara style of temple architecture.

Explanation

The Tapti River originates from the Multai region in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. It rises from the eastern slopes of the Satpura Range. The river flows westward, traversing through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, before draining into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat. This makes Baitul the correct answer as the district of its origin.

Explanation

The Hirakud Dam is constructed across the Mahanadi River. Located near Sambalpur in the state of Odisha, India, it is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects undertaken after India's independence. The dam plays a crucial role in flood control in the Mahanadi delta, provides irrigation for a vast area, and generates hydroelectricity. It is also recognized as one of the longest earthen dams in the world.

Explanation

Virendra Kumar Sakhlecha served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from January 18, 1978, to January 19, 1980. Following his tenure, Sundarlal Patwa assumed the role of Chief Minister on January 20, 1980. Patwa's first term as Chief Minister lasted until February 17, 1980. Therefore, Sundarlal Patwa directly succeeded Virendra Kumar Sakhlecha as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Explanation

Katni is the district headquarters of Katni district in Madhya Pradesh. Wardha is the administrative headquarters of Wardha district in Maharashtra. Sehore (Sihour) is the district headquarters of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh. However, Itarsi is a municipality and a tehsil headquarters located within the Narmadapuram district (formerly Hoshangabad district) of Madhya Pradesh, not a district headquarters itself.

Explanation

Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh is known to have coal deposits and is home to the headquarters of South Eastern Coalfields. Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh contains the significant Pench Kanhan Coalfield, with substantial coal reserves. Koriya district in Chhattisgarh also has confirmed coal deposits and active coal mining operations. In contrast, while Rewa division in Madhya Pradesh is mineral-rich, Rewa district itself is noted for limestone reserves, but not for coal deposits.

Explanation

The Bhilai Steel Plant was established in 1955 with the assistance of the Soviet Union. While the plant was established in 1955, the actual production, specifically the commissioning of its first blast furnace, began on February 4, 1959. Therefore, the year 1955 refers to the establishment of the plant, not the start of production. However, given the options, and common phrasing in such questions, "production started in" can sometimes refer to the year of establishment or agreement for setting up the plant. The agreement for setting up the plant was signed on February 2, 1955.

Explanation

Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh is widely recognized as a major center for opium cultivation. The climate and soil conditions in Mandsaur are particularly suitable for growing the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Opium cultivation is a significant agricultural activity in the Mandsaur district, though it is strictly controlled and regulated by government licenses issued by the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN). Along with Neemuch and Ratlam, Mandsaur is one of the key districts in Madhya Pradesh where legal opium cultivation takes place. In fact, Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) together produce 80% of India's opium.

Explanation

George W. Bush defeated John Kerry in the 2004 United States presidential election. Bush, the incumbent Republican president, was elected to a second term, with his running mate Dick Cheney. Kerry, a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, was the Democratic nominee, with John Edwards as his running mate. Bush secured 286 electoral votes to Kerry's 251, winning 50.7% of the popular vote. The election was notably close, with the outcome hinging on the electoral votes of Ohio. Key issues during the campaign included terrorism and the Iraq War.

Explanation

The last Football World Cup was held in 2022, and it was won by Argentina. Argentina defeated France in a thrilling final match to secure their third World Cup title. While Brazil did not win the most recent tournament, they hold the record for the most FIFA World Cup championships, with a total of five titles. Their last World Cup victory occurred in 2002.

Explanation

Megawati Sukarnoputri served as the eighth Vice-President of Indonesia from 1999 to 2001, under President Abdurrahman Wahid. She later became the fifth President of Indonesia, holding office from 2001 to 2004, making her the country's first and only female president to date. Her political career also includes leading the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Explanation

Chanderi, Banarasi, and Kanjivaram are all renowned types of traditional Indian sarees. Chanderi sarees originate from Madhya Pradesh and are known for their lightweight, sheer texture, often made from silk, cotton, or a blend of both. Banarasi sarees, from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, are famous for their rich silk, intricate gold and silver brocade (zari) work, and opulent embroidery. Kanjivaram sarees, also known as Kanchipuram sarees, hail from Tamil Nadu and are distinguished by their heavy silk fabric, vibrant colors, and elaborate zari borders, commonly worn for bridal and special occasions. In contrast, Moradabadi refers to the exquisite metal craftsmanship, particularly brassware, from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a city often called "Pital Nagri" or "Brass City". Moradabadi crafts include decorative items, utility pieces, and idols, not textiles like sarees.

Explanation

After the 1992 Ayodhya incident, the central government dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled state governments in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. These dissolutions were carried out under Article 356 of the Constitution, which allows for President's Rule in a state. Bihar's Vidhan Sabha was not dissolved at this time because it was not governed by the BJP. The dissolution of the Bihar Assembly in 2005 was a separate incident, unrelated to the Ayodhya events.

Explanation

Tasleema Nasrin's controversial novel is "Lajja" (meaning "Shame"). Published in 1993, the book depicts the persecution of a Hindu family in Bangladesh following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in India. This novel sparked significant controversy, leading to a fatwa being issued against Nasrin and the book being banned in Bangladesh. The controversy surrounding "Lajja" forced Nasrin into exile.

Explanation

The first woman to travel to space was Valentina Tereshkova. She was a cosmonaut from the Soviet Union, which is now Russia. Tereshkova made her historic flight aboard Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963. Her mission orbited the Earth 48 times and lasted almost three days. Therefore, the first woman astronaut to reach space is from Russia.

Explanation

The capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, has retained its name since India's independence. In contrast, the capital of Tamil Nadu, Madras, was renamed Chennai. The capital of West Bengal, Calcutta, was renamed Kolkata. Similarly, the capital of Kerala, Trivandrum, was renamed Thiruvananthapuram. Therefore, among the given options, only Andhra Pradesh's capital has not undergone a name change.

Explanation

India won its last Olympic gold medal in hockey at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The Indian team, captained by Vasudevan Baskaran, defeated Spain 4-3 in the final to secure their eighth Olympic gold medal in the sport. This victory marked the end of a golden era for Indian hockey at the Olympics, with the team not winning another gold medal since. While India has won other Olympic medals in hockey since then, including a bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the 1980 Moscow Games remain the last time they stood atop the podium for gold.

Explanation

Sergei Bubka is widely recognized for his unparalleled achievements in pole vaulting. He broke the world record a remarkable 35 times throughout his career, with 17 outdoor and 18 indoor records. Bubka was also the first pole vaulter to clear both 6.0 meters and 6.10 meters. His dominance in the sport is further highlighted by his six consecutive World Championship titles.

Carl Lewis was a dominant track and field athlete, but primarily in long jump and sprints, not pole vault. Michael Johnson was a renowned sprinter, holding multiple world records in the 200m and 400m events. Sayyid Ekvita is not a recognized name with numerous world records in pole vault.

Explanation

Naresh Kumar was a prominent Indian tennis player and Davis Cup captain. In contrast, Nandu Natekar, Sayyid Modi, and Deepu Ghosh were all notable Indian badminton players. Nandu Natekar was an Indian badminton national champion and the first Indian to win an international badminton title. Sayyid Modi was an eight-time National Badminton champion and a Commonwealth Games gold medalist in badminton. Deepu Ghosh was also a former Indian badminton player and a seven-time national champion across different categories. Therefore, Naresh Kumar is the individual who is not a badminton player among the given options.

Explanation

Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka made history by becoming the world's first female prime minister on July 21, 1960. She assumed leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) after her husband, the former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, was assassinated in 1959. Her party won the general election in July 1960, leading to her historic appointment. Bandaranaike served three non-consecutive terms as prime minister, advocating for socialist reforms and pro-Buddhist policies.

Explanation

Lewis Edson Waterman is widely credited with inventing the first practical fountain pen in 1884. While earlier designs and patents for pens with ink reservoirs existed, Waterman's innovation significantly improved the feed system, regulating ink flow and preventing leaks. His patented design utilized capillary action to ensure a steady and reliable writing experience. Waterman founded the L.E. Waterman Company, which played a crucial role in popularizing the modern fountain pen.

Explanation

Charles Dickens wrote the novel David Copperfield. It was published serially in 1849-1850 and then as a book in 1850. This work is considered one of his most popular novels and was Dickens's personal favorite. The novel is largely autobiographical, drawing on many of Dickens's own early life experiences, including his work in a factory and his schooling.

Explanation

Subramania Bharati was a renowned Indian writer, poet, and journalist, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry. He is popularly known as "Mahakavi Bharati," meaning "the great poet Bharati," and his works significantly contributed to Tamil literature. While he was a polyglot and knew several languages, he primarily composed his extensive body of poetry in his mother tongue, Tamil.

Explanation

The present residence of the Dalai Lama is Dharamshala, India. He has resided there since fleeing Tibet in 1959 after the Chinese occupation. Specifically, his official residence is within the Tsuglagkhang Complex in McLeod Ganj, a town in Upper Dharamshala. This area is often referred to as "Little Lhasa" due to its significant Tibetan population and influence. The Indian government offered Dharamshala as a place of settlement for the exiled Dalai Lama and his entourage in 1960.

Explanation

After Hindi, Bengali is the most widely spoken language in India. According to the 2011 Census, Bengali is spoken by approximately 97 million people, making it the second most spoken language in the country. It is primarily spoken in the states of West Bengal, Tripura, and parts of Assam. Bengali has a rich literary heritage and is an Indo-Aryan language.

Explanation

In August 1990, Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded and occupied its neighboring country, Kuwait. Iraq then declared Kuwait to be its 19th province, effectively attempting to merge it. This act of aggression was met with widespread international condemnation, leading the United Nations Security Council to demand Iraq's immediate withdrawal and impose economic sanctions. When Iraq failed to comply, a U.S.-led international coalition launched a military campaign in January 1991, known as the Gulf War, to liberate Kuwait.

Explanation

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was established on October 1, 2000, by the Government of India. This public sector undertaking was formed by corporatizing the erstwhile Central Government Departments of Telecom Services (DTS) and Telecom Operations (DTO). The creation of BSNL marked a significant shift in the Indian telecom sector towards a more corporate structure and away from purely government-run services. BSNL took over the business of providing telecom services and network management from these departments.

Explanation

Let Ram's cost price be 'x'. Ram sold the machine to Shyam at a 20% profit, so Shyam's cost price was 1.20x. Shyam then sold it to Balram at a 25% profit, meaning Balram paid 1.25 times Shyam's cost price. Therefore, Balram paid 1.25 * (1.20x) = 1.5x. Since Balram paid 1500 Rs., we have 1.5x = 1500. Solving for x, Ram's cost price is 1500 / 1.5 = 1000 Rs.

Explanation

To cover the platform, the train must travel its own length plus the length of the platform. The total distance is 300m (train) + 200m (platform) = 500m. The speed of the train is 60 km/hr, which converts to (60 * 1000) / (60 * 60) = 50/3 m/s. Using the formula Time = Distance / Speed, we get Time = 500m / (50/3 m/s) = 500 * 3 / 50 = 10 * 3 = 30 seconds. Therefore, the train will take 30 seconds to cover the platform.

Explanation

In a right-angled triangle, one angle is always 90 degrees. For the sum of the two largest angles to be 150 degrees, the second largest angle must be 150 - 90 = 60 degrees. This means the triangle is a special 30-60-90 right triangle, with angles of 30, 60, and 90 degrees. In a 30-60-90 triangle, the side opposite the 30-degree angle is half the length of the hypotenuse. Given the sides 5cm and 10cm, if 10cm is considered the hypotenuse and 5cm is the shorter leg, this ratio holds. Therefore, the two largest angles are 90 degrees and 60 degrees, summing to 150 degrees.

Explanation

To find the average height of the class, we calculate a weighted average based on the proportion of boys and girls. Two-thirds of the class are boys with an average height of 150 cm, contributing (2/3) * 150 = 100 cm to the overall average. The remaining one-third are girls with an average height of 147 cm, contributing (1/3) * 147 = 49 cm. Adding these contributions together, 100 cm + 49 cm, gives the average height of the entire class. Therefore, the average height of the class is 149 cm.

Explanation

We are given the ratio of K to g as 6:5, which can be written as K/g = 6/5. We are also given the ratio of K to h as 5:4, which can be written as K/h = 5/4. To find the ratio of g to h, we can express K in terms of g from the first ratio, so K = (6/5)g. Substitute this expression for K into the second ratio: ((6/5)g) / h = 5/4. Now, rearrange the equation to solve for g/h: g/h = (5/4) * (5/6). Multiplying the fractions gives g/h = 25/24. Therefore, the ratio of g and h is 25:24.

Explanation

Let the original length of the rectangle be 'L' and the original breadth be 'B'. The original area is L * B. When the length is increased by 20%, the new length becomes 1.20L. When the breadth is decreased by 20%, the new breadth becomes 0.80B. The new area will be (1.20L) * (0.80B) = 0.96LB. Comparing the new area (0.96LB) with the original area (LB), we see a decrease of 0.04LB, which is a 4% decrease. Therefore, the area of the rectangle decreases by 4%.

Explanation

Let the selling price of milk be 100 units. The cost price is 60% of the selling price, so the cost price is 60 units. The remaining 40 units (100 - 60) is the dividend or profit. If the cost price increases by 20%, the new cost price becomes 60 + (20% of 60) = 60 + 12 = 72 units. To keep the selling price the same (100 units), the new profit must be 100 - 72 = 28 units. The decrease in profit is 40 - 28 = 12 units. Therefore, the percentage decrease in profit is (12 / 40) * 100 = 30%.

Explanation

The pattern in the series 3, 8, 15, 24 is based on increasing odd numbers. The difference between the first two numbers (8-3) is 5. The difference between the second and third numbers (15-8) is 7. The difference between the third and fourth numbers (24-15) is 9. Following this pattern, the next difference should be the next odd number, which is 11. Adding 11 to the last number in the series (24 + 11) gives 35. Therefore, the next number in the series is 35.