RRB NTPC CBT 1 2016 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is designed for position, velocity, and time determination. Cyclone prediction requires meteorological satellites, ocean buoys, radar, and atmospheric models to measure pressure, sea surface temperature, and wind fields. GPS lacks the environmental sensing and atmospheric monitoring capabilities necessary to forecast or predict meteorological phenomena such as cyclones.

Explanation

Under the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969, if the offices of both the President and the Vice-President fall vacant simultaneously due to death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, the Chief Justice of India acts as the President of India until a new President is elected and assumes office. In the absence of the Chief Justice of India, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of India available discharges these presidential functions. Justice M. Hidayatullah became the first Chief Justice of India to serve as acting President under this law in July 1969.

Explanation

The term quadrennial is derived from the Latin prefix quadri- (meaning four) and annus (meaning year). It is used in the English language to describe any event, anniversary, or recurring cycle that occurs once every four years, such as the Olympic Games or the FIFA World Cup.

Explanation

An electric generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. When a conductor is rotated inside a magnetic field by an external mechanical source, the changing magnetic flux induces an electromotive force (EMF) across the conductor, generating an electric current.

Explanation

In Microsoft Word, pressing Ctrl + V pastes the contents of the clipboard into the document at the current cursor position. This universal keyboard shortcut allows users to quickly insert previously cut or copied text, images, and other objects into the active file.

Explanation

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is a standard markup language used for creating and structuring content on web pages to be rendered by web browsers. It defines the structure and layout of web documents using tags and attributes rather than establishing rules, formats, or procedures for transferring data across a computer network.

Explanation

When a top spins around its axis, every particle of the top undergoes continuous circular motion. For any object or particle to move in a circular path, an inward, center-seeking force directed towards the axis of rotation is required to continuously alter the direction of its velocity. In a spinning top, the internal cohesive forces within the rigid body supply this essential centripetal force, keeping all its constituent parts moving in circular orbits around the central axis.

Explanation

Dr.Web is a suite of anti-virus software first released in 1992 by Russian software developer Igor Danilov and maintained by Doctor Web. It provides real-time security solutions, including anti-malware scanning, file protection, network monitoring, and threat prevention across multiple operating systems such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android.

Explanation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the XII South Asian Games on 5th February 2016 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. Co-hosted along with Shillong, Meghalaya, this was the first time North East India hosted this international multi-sport event.

Explanation

Magnus Carlsen defeated Viswanathan Anand in the 2014 World Chess Championship match held in Sochi, Russia, with a final score of 6.5–4.5 to successfully defend his World Chess Champion title.

Explanation

Losoong, also known as Namsoong, is the Sikkimese New Year festival celebrated across Sikkim. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the traditional agricultural calendar. Celebrated predominantly by the Bhutia and Lepcha communities, the festival features ceremonial Cham dances performed by Buddhist monks in monasteries like Rumtek and Phodong to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity for the coming year.

Explanation

Karagam (or Karagattam) is the most ancient and popular folk dance of Tamil Nadu, traditionally performed in praise of Mariamman, the Hindu goddess of rain and protector against diseases. Dancers demonstrate remarkable grace and balance by performing intricate steps while balancing a pot (karagam) filled with uncooked rice and decorated with flowers and a paper parrot on their heads, accompanied by traditional percussion and wind instruments.

Explanation

The text 'RESERVE BANK OF INDIA' on Indian currency notes is printed using intaglio printing. Intaglio is a specialized printing technique where the image or text is engraved into a metal plate, filling the recessed grooves with ink. When pressed onto the currency paper under heavy pressure, it transfers raised ink impressions that can be felt by touching. This raised tactile print acts as a primary security feature against counterfeiting and helps visually impaired individuals recognize legitimate currency. Other features printed in intaglio include the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, the Ashoka Pillar emblem, and the Governor's signature.

Explanation

The Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership following the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929, aimed at Purna Swaraj (complete independence). The primary strategy of the movement was the complete refusal to obey the laws, orders, and administrative regulations of the British colonial government, aiming to paralyse the colonial state through non-violent means such as breaking unjust laws, non-payment of taxes, and widespread boycott of British goods and services.

Explanation

The British Government formally agreed to grant independence to India in 1947 through British Prime Minister Clement Attlee's declaration and the subsequent Indian Independence Act passed in July 1947. This officially finalized the transfer of power on August 15, 1947.

Explanation

The surface-to-air Akash missile is test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located on Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island), off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal. This missile testing facility is operated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to evaluate and test India's indigenous strategic and tactical missile systems.

Explanation

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) acts as a biological catalyst in bread making through the enzymes it secretes, such as zymase and invertase. These enzymes convert the sugars present in the flour into ethanol and carbon dioxide gas through anaerobic respiration (fermentation). The produced carbon dioxide gas becomes trapped within the gluten matrix of the dough, causing it to expand and rise, giving the baked bread its characteristic light, soft, and spongy texture.

Explanation

Louis Pasteur was a French chemist and microbiologist renowned for his breakthroughs in the causes and prevention of infectious diseases. In 1885, he developed the first effective vaccine against rabies by using a weakened form of the virus harvested from infected rabbits. His successful post-exposure treatment of nine-year-old Joseph Meister, who was severely bitten by a rabid dog, demonstrated the principle of post-exposure vaccination and revolutionized the field of immunology.

Explanation

LIGO-India (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in India) is a mega-science project approved to establish an advanced gravitational-wave observatory in India. Operating in collaboration with the US LIGO Laboratory, it aims to detect gravitational waves—ripples in spacetime predicted by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity—and perform advanced astronomical observations to study cosmic events such as black hole and neutron star mergers.

Explanation

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays in 1895 while experimenting with discharge tubes. He observed that a fluorescent screen in his laboratory began to glow when the tube was operating, even when wrapped in black cardboard, indicating the presence of invisible penetrating radiation. He designated them "X-rays" to represent their unknown nature, a groundbreaking discovery that earned him the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

Explanation

3M, originally known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is the American multinational conglomerate that developed both Scotch Tape and Post-it Notes. Scotch Tape was invented in 1930 by 3M engineer Richard Drew, while Post-it Notes were created in the 1970s by 3M scientists Spencer Silver and Art Fry using a unique reusable, low-tack adhesive.

Explanation

Cache memory is a small, extremely fast volatile computer memory positioned directly between the central processing unit (CPU) and the main memory. It stores frequently used data and instructions so that the processor can access them rapidly, minimizing latency and significantly speeding up system performance.

Explanation

Acclaimed director and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur was appointed as the Chairperson of the International Jury for the 46th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held from 20 to 30 November 2015 in Goa. He led a five-member international panel that judged the main competition section of the festival.

Explanation

A major natural warning sign of an approaching tsunami is the rapid recession of shoreline water, known as a drawback. When the trough of a tsunami wave reaches the coast first, it causes the ocean water to draw back suddenly and drastically, exposing vast areas of the sea floor that are normally underwater. This sudden drop in water level occurs minutes before the massive tsunami crest strikes the shore.

Explanation

Argon is the most abundant noble (rare) gas in Earth's atmosphere, constituting approximately 0.934% of dry air by volume. It is formed naturally in the atmosphere through the radioactive decay of potassium-40 isotopes present within Earth's crust.

Explanation

In December 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Tricolour at Port Blair after the Japanese military authorities handed over the administration of the islands to the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind). Netaji formally renamed the Andaman Islands as Shaheed Dweep (Martyr Island) and the Nicobar Islands as Swaraj Dweep (Self-rule Island).

Explanation

During puberty, the voice box or larynx grows significantly larger in males under the influence of adolescent hormones. As it grows, the swelling of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the voice box creates a noticeable protrusion at the front of the neck, which is commonly referred to as the Adam's apple.

Explanation

India was awarded the hosting rights for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup by the FIFA Executive Committee in December 2013, making it the first time the country hosted an official FIFA tournament. The matches were held across six venues in India from 6 to 28 October 2017.

Explanation

In February 2015, the Parliament of the United Kingdom voted to legalize mitochondrial replacement therapy, making Britain the first country in the world to approve three-parent in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This technique replaces faulty mitochondrial DNA in an egg or embryo with healthy mitochondrial DNA from a female donor, combining genetic material from three individuals to prevent mothers from passing severe, life-threatening mitochondrial diseases to their children.

Explanation

The Montessori method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, focuses on child-centered, self-directed learning where children gain knowledge through hands-on activities, practical exploration, and direct interaction with specially designed materials. This approach fosters independence and natural self-discovery through trial, error, and experiment within a structured, supportive environment.

Explanation

Robert Dahl introduced the concept of polyarchy to describe modern, real-world democratic political systems that combine high levels of public contestation with broad political participation. In Dahl's pluralist framework, polyarchy is characterized by citizens exercising democratic control through two main mechanisms: participating in free and fair elections within the formal electoral system and exerting influence through autonomous interest groups, civil associations, and political organizations in the broader group process.

Explanation

NASA launched the New Horizons spacecraft in January 2006 as part of its New Frontiers program specifically designed to explore Pluto, its moons, and other objects in the Kuiper Belt. It made a historic flyby of Pluto in July 2015, capturing high-resolution images and gathering detailed data about the dwarf planet's geology and atmosphere before continuing its trajectory deeper into the Kuiper Belt to study other trans-Neptunian bodies.

Explanation

Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules, such as water, from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration through a selectively permeable membrane. When raisins are placed in water, the solute concentration inside their cells is much higher than the surrounding water. Driven by the concentration gradient, water moves into the cells through endosmosis across the cell membrane, causing the raisins to swell, bulge, and fill with water.

Explanation

The 2014 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XX Commonwealth Games, were hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, from 23 July to 3 August 2014. India participated with a 215-member contingent across 14 sports disciplines, securing 64 medals including 15 gold, 30 silver, and 19 bronze to rank fifth in the overall medal tally.

Explanation

Oral contraceptive pills, commonly known as birth control pills, most frequently consist of a combination of synthetic progesterone and estrogen derivatives. These synthetic hormones suppress the secretion of gonadotropins, specifically follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), from the anterior pituitary gland. This prevents ovulation, thickens cervical mucus to block sperm motility, and alters the uterine lining to prevent implantation. Common synthetic combinations include ethinylestradiol (an estrogen derivative) paired with a progestin such as levonorgestrel or norethindrone.

Explanation

Vishnu is a Vedic deity who gained prominence much later during the Vedic and Post-Vedic Puranic periods of Indian history. Archaeological excavations across Harappan sites have yielded no seals, idols, or artifacts associated with the worship or iconography of Vishnu, as his veneration developed long after the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Explanation

Atmospheric refraction causes the twinkling of stars. As light from a distant point-source star enters Earth's atmosphere, it passes through multiple layers of air with continuously changing temperatures and air densities. This continuous variation causes the refractive index of the atmospheric layers to fluctuate constantly, bending the light rays by varying amounts and continuously changing the apparent position and brightness of the star's image over time.

Explanation

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi was conferred with Harvard University's Peter J. Gomes Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2015 by the Harvard Foundation. He was honored for his decades-long dedication to advancing children's rights and ending child labor, slavery, and trafficking globally through initiatives such as the Bachpan Bachao Andolan. He became the first Indian to receive this prestigious recognition.

Explanation

Golconda Fort is a historic fortress located in Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana. Originally built as a mud fort by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 11th century, it was later rebuilt and expanded into a massive granite fort by the Qutb Shahi dynasty during the 16th century, serving as the capital of the Qutb Shahi Kingdom. The surrounding region of Golconda was world-famous for its diamond trade and mines, which produced celebrated gems such as the Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond.

Explanation

In November 2015, Belgium reached the No. 1 spot in the FIFA Men's World Rankings for the first time in its football history. The team ascended to the top following victories against Andorra and Israel in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying matches in October 2015. With this achievement, Belgium became the eighth nation to hold the top spot since the inception of the official FIFA rankings in 1993.

Explanation

The Calcutta High Court was established on July 2, 1862, under the High Courts Act, 1861, making it the oldest High Court in India. Sir Barnes Peacock served as its first Chief Justice.

Explanation

Sublimation is the physical phase change in which a substance transitions directly from a solid state to a gaseous state without melting into an intermediate liquid phase. This process occurs at temperatures and pressures below the substance's triple point in its phase diagram. Common examples of substances that undergo sublimation at standard atmospheric conditions include solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), iodine, camphor, and naphthalene.

Explanation

Justice M. Fathima Beevi made history in 1983 when she was appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court, becoming the first Muslim woman to serve in the higher judiciary in India. In October 1989, she became the first female judge appointed to the Supreme Court of India. Following her retirement from the apex court in 1992, she served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission and later as the Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1997 to 2001.

Explanation

The vernal equinox, or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs annually around March 20 or March 21. On this day, the Earth's subsolar point crosses the equator from south to north, causing the tilt of Earth's axis to be perpendicular to the Sun's rays. As a result, day and night are of nearly equal duration all over the world.

Explanation

As a comet approaches the Sun, solar radiation pressure and solar wind push the gas and dust evaporating from the nucleus outward. Solar radiation pressure acts on the fine dust particles, while the solar wind consists of charged particles that push the ion gas tail away. Consequently, a comet's tail always points directly away from the Sun, regardless of the direction in which the comet is moving.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi was awarded the Kaiser-e-Hind gold medal by Lord Hardinge in 1915 for his contribution to the Indian Ambulance Corps during the Boer War in South Africa. He relinquished the title and returned the medal to the British Viceroy in August 1920 as a mark of protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and in support of the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movements.

Explanation

The Karla Caves are a complex of ancient Indian Buddhist rock-cut cave shrines located at Karli near Lonavala in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Developed between the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE, the complex houses the largest and best-preserved Hinayana Buddhist chaityagriha (prayer hall) in India, featuring magnificent carved pillars, a grand vaulted roof, and a central stupa.

Explanation

3D movie projection displays two separate images on the screen simultaneously, taken from slightly different angles corresponding to the distance between human eyes. The polarized or shutter lenses in 3D glasses act as optical filters, ensuring that the left eye sees only the left-perspective image and the right eye sees only the right-perspective image. The brain then combines these two distinct two-dimensional views into a single image with perceived depth through stereoscopic vision.

Explanation

The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau located in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh at an elevation of approximately 1,057 meters. The exact source is a holy spring known as Narmada Kund. From Amarkantak, the river flows westward through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, traveling a total distance of about 1,312 kilometers before draining into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.

Explanation

Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah served as the 11th Chief Justice of India from February 1968 to December 1970. During his tenure as CJI, he served as the Acting President of India from 20 July 1969 to 24 August 1969 following the resignation of Vice President V. V. Giri to contest the presidential election. Later, he was elected unopposed as the 6th Vice President of India, holding office from August 1979 to August 1984, making him the only Indian to hold all three distinguished offices.