RRB NTPC CBT 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875 to promote modern, scientific education among Indian Muslims. Modeled on the Oxford and Cambridge university systems, the institution aimed to bridge western knowledge with traditional Islamic studies. In 1920, under the Aligarh Muslim University Act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council, the college was elevated to a central university and renamed Aligarh Muslim University.

Explanation

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, recommends the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for mandated crops in India. It prepares price policy reports taking into account factors such as cost of production, market price trends, supply and demand, and inter-crop price parity. The final decision on fixing the MSP is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Explanation

Under Article 23 of the United Nations Charter, the UN Security Council consists of 15 members, including five permanent members and ten non-permanent members. The non-permanent members are elected by the UN General Assembly for a two-year term, with five new members elected each year to maintain continuity in the council's operations. Non-permanent members are not eligible for immediate re-election upon completing their term.

Explanation

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) was formed in September 1984 as an autonomous body functioning under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was created by merging two existing institutions: Gandhi Smriti located at 5 Tees January Marg and Gandhi Darshan located at Rajghat, New Delhi. The Prime Minister of India serves as its Chairperson. The primary objective of the Samiti is to propagate the life, mission, and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi through various socio-educational and cultural programmes.

Explanation

Indira Point, situated on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago at 6°45′ N latitude, is the southernmost geographical point of Indian territory. Formerly known as Pygmalion Point, it was officially renamed in honor of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Explanation

Under Section 1(2) of the Official Languages Act, 1963, Section 3 came into force on 26 January 1965. This date, defined in the Act as the "appointed day," allowed the English language to continue being used alongside Hindi for official purposes of the Union and for transacting business in Parliament after the expiry of the initial 15-year constitutional transition period.

Explanation

John Bardeen is the only individual to have won the Nobel Prize in Physics twice. He received his first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956 alongside William Shockley and Walter Brattain for research on semiconductors and the discovery of the transistor effect. He was awarded his second Nobel Prize in Physics in 1972, sharing it with Leon Cooper and John Robert Schrieffer for developing the fundamental theory of conventional superconductivity, known as the BCS theory.

Explanation

Jaap Haartsen, a Dutch electrical engineer working for the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson, invented Bluetooth wireless technology in 1994. He laid the foundation for short-range radio connections between devices, enabling wireless data and voice transmissions, for which he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015.

Explanation

The second Vande Bharat Express train in India was flagged off on October 3, 2019, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It operates on the route between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, reducing the travel time between the two destinations to 8 hours.

Explanation

Under Article 331 of the Constitution of India, the President had the authority to nominate 2 members belonging to the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha if the President was of the opinion that the community was not adequately represented in the House.

Explanation

Argon (atomic number 18) belongs to Group 18 of the periodic table, placing it in the family of noble or inert gases. Because its outermost electron shell is completely filled with eight electrons, forming a stable octet, it exhibits extremely low chemical reactivity and exists naturally as a colorless, odorless, monatomic gas.

Explanation

In Microsoft Excel 2010, a newly created workbook contains 3 worksheets by default, named Sheet1, Sheet2, and Sheet3. Users can add, delete, rename, or reorder these worksheets based on their requirements, or change the default number of sheets for future workbooks through Excel Options.

Explanation

The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the official languages recognized by the Indian Constitution. Originally, 14 languages were included in the schedule. Through constitutional amendments—the 21st Amendment Act of 1967, the 71st Amendment Act of 1992, and the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003—eight additional languages were added, bringing the total to 22 officially recognized languages.

Explanation

The Atomic Energy (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2015 to amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The amendment enabled the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to form joint ventures with other public sector undertakings (PSUs) such as NTPC and Indian Oil Corporation, facilitating the mobilization of additional financial resources to accelerate nuclear power generation projects in the country.

Explanation

Adipose tissue is a specialized loose connective tissue composed mainly of cells called adipocytes, which store fat in the form of triglycerides. It serves as the primary energy reservoir in the human body, provides thermal insulation to prevent heat loss, and acts as a protective cushion around delicate internal organs.

Explanation

Methanoic acid, also commonly known as formic acid (chemical formula HCOOH), is injected into the skin when an ant stings. This organic acid causes the characteristic burning sensation, redness, and localized swelling associated with ant bites. Applying a weak base, such as baking soda or calamine lotion, neutralizes the acid and provides relief from the pain.

Explanation

The English East India Company established its first factory and head headquarters (presidency) in Western India at Surat in 1612 after obtaining permission from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Surat served as the seat of the British East India Company's presidency in India until the capital of the Western Presidency was shifted to Bombay (Mumbai) in 1687.

Explanation

Sambhar Salt Lake is India's largest inland salt lake, located in the state of Rajasthan, approximately 80 km southwest of Jaipur. It spans across the Jaipur, Nagaur, and Ajmer districts and receives water from five rivers: Medtha, Samaod, Mantha, Rupangarh, and Khari. Designated as a Ramsar site in 1990, the lake is a key wetland of international importance and a major source of salt production in India.

Explanation

Dr. Verghese Kurien is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India for leading Operation Flood, which was launched in 1970. His innovative cooperative dairy farming model, exemplified by Amul (Anand Milk Union Limited), transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world's largest milk producer. As the founding chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), he empowered millions of small and marginal farmers across the country through dairy development.

Explanation

Taxol (paclitaxel) is a widely used chemotherapy medication effective against various cancers, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer. It was originally isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia), a coniferous plant belonging to the genus Taxus. Taxol functions as a mitotic inhibitor that disrupts normal microtubule breakdown during cell division, thereby halting cancer cell growth.

Explanation

The first passenger train in India ran on 16 April 1853 between Bori Bunder in Bombay and Thane, covering a distance of 34 kilometres. Operated by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the train carried 400 passengers in 14 carriages and was hauled by three steam locomotives named Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan.

Explanation

The Buland Darwaza, or the "Gate of Magnificence", was constructed in 1601 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri to commemorate his victory over Gujarat in 1573. Serving as the main entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, this monumental gateway stands 54 metres high and is built using red and buff sandstone adorned with white and black marble inlays and calligraphic inscriptions.

Explanation

As of November 2020, India had 22 operational nuclear power reactors spread across seven nuclear power plants, with a total installed capacity of 6,780 MW. These seven operational plants were Tarapur in Maharashtra, Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in Rawatbhata, Kudankulam and Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, Kaiga in Karnataka, Kakrapar in Gujarat, and Narora in Uttar Pradesh. Nuclear power generation in India is administered by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) under the Department of Atomic Energy.

Explanation

The construction of the Jama Masjid of Delhi, originally named Masjid-i Jehan-Numa, was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1644. Built using red sandstone and white marble by thousands of artisans, the grand mosque was completed in the year 1656 AD. It was formally inaugurated on 23 July 1656 by Syed Abdul Ghaffar Shah Bukhara, an imam invited by Shah Jahan from Bukhara, Uzbekistan.

Explanation

GSAT-31 is a high-power communication satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) using its enhanced I-2K satellite bus structure. Launched on February 6, 2019, aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from French Guiana, it was deployed to provide continuity to operational Ku-band transponder services. It replaced the aging INSAT-4CR satellite to support Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services, cellular backhaul connectivity, and VSAT networks across the Indian mainland and surrounding islands.

Explanation

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh, established on 1 January 2019, is the 25th High Court in India and was the newest high court built as of November 2020. It was constituted following the bifurcation of the former unified state of Andhra Pradesh under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, and functions from its complex in Amaravati.

Explanation

In telecommunications and networking, ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. An Internet Service Provider is an organization or company that provides access to the internet and related services to individuals, businesses, and other entities using transmission technologies like fiber optics, DSL, cable, or wireless networks.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. It was set up based on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission (Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance) to regulate the issue of bank notes and maintain reserves to secure monetary stability in India. Originally established as a privately owned entity, it was nationalized in 1949.

Explanation

In the Swachh Survekshan 2020, conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Indore secured the first position as the cleanest city of India in the category of cities with a population of more than 10 lakh. This marked the fourth consecutive year that Indore achieved the top rank in the national cleanliness survey.

Explanation

Newton's first law of motion states that an object will remain at rest or continue to move at a constant velocity in a straight line unless acted upon by a net external force. This inherent tendency of matter to resist any change in its state of rest or uniform motion is defined as inertia, which is why Newton's first law is commonly referred to as the Law of Inertia.

Explanation

As per the provisional figures of the 2011 Census of India, the sex ratio of the country was recorded as 940 females per 1000 males. The sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in a population and serves as an important demographic indicator for measuring equality between males and females in a society. This recorded value represented an increase of seven points from the 933 females per 1000 males recorded in the 2001 Census.

Explanation

Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati was an eminent Sanskrit scholar who earned the prestigious titles of Pandita and Sarasvati from Calcutta University in 1878 in recognition of her profound knowledge and mastery of Sanskrit scriptures and literature. She went on to establish the Arya Mahila Sabha and Mukti Mission to promote female education and uplift women across India.

Explanation

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Its global headquarters is located at the UNICEF House in New York City, United States.

Explanation

Ramachandra Guha is a renowned Indian historian and biographer who authored 'India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy', published in 2007. The book provides a comprehensive narrative history of independent India, covering major political, social, and economic developments from the Partition in 1947 through to the early 21st century.

Explanation

Annie Zaidi, an Indian writer and journalist, won the prestigious 100,000 Nine Dots Prize in May 2019 for her essay titled 'Bread, Cements, Cactus'. The Nine Dots Prize is a global writing competition awarded for creative thinking that addresses contemporary world issues. Her essay examined themes of home, identity, and displacement in contemporary India, leading to the publication of her book 'Bread, Cement, Cactus: A Memoir of Belonging and Dislocation'.

Explanation

According to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), India possesses an extensive network of inland waterways comprising river systems, canals, backwaters, and creeks, spanning an approximate total navigable length of 14,500 km. Out of this total length, approximately 5,200 km of major rivers and 4,000 km of canal systems are suitable for operation by mechanized crafts. To promote fuel-efficient and cost-effective cargo movement, 111 inland waterways have been declared as National Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016.

Explanation

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, commonly known as the Right to Education (RTE) Act, was passed by the Parliament of India on 4 August 2009. Enacted to give effect to Article 21A of the Indian Constitution, it guarantees free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years. The Act subsequently came into force across India on 1 April 2010.

Explanation

The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act (Act XV, 1856) was passed on 26 July 1856 during the tenure of Governor-General Lord Canning. The legislation was drafted by Lord Dalhousie and enacted largely due to the dedicated efforts and campaign of social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, who presented scriptural evidence supporting widow remarriage and petitioned the government.

Explanation

Sushil Kumar is an Indian freestyle wrestler who won two Olympic medals for India in the 66 kg category. He secured a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and upgraded it to a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two individual Olympic medals.

Explanation

Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 by the Government of India during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Initiated from Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, this major wildlife conservation initiative aimed to ensure a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats and protect them from extinction due to poaching and habitat loss.

Explanation

In May 2019, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar of India as the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). A decorated officer with over 34 years of distinguished service in the Indian Army, he succeeded Lieutenant General Frank Kamanzi of Rwanda to command one of the UN's largest peacekeeping operations.

Explanation

NASSCOM stands for National Association of Software and Services Companies. Established in 1988, it is the premier trade body and chamber of commerce for the Tech industry in India, acting as a non-profit advocacy group for the Indian Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Management (BPM) sector.

Explanation

Hicky's Bengal Gazette, officially titled the Original Calcutta General Advertiser, was the first printed newspaper published in India and Asia. It was established on 29 January 1780 in Calcutta by James Augustus Hicky, an Irishman who served as the paper's writer, editor, printer, and publisher.

Explanation

Madhya Pradesh announced plans to enact a Right to Water Act to guarantee every citizen in the state access to a minimum of 55 litres of water per person per day. The initiative aimed to make water a legally enforceable right, promote comprehensive water conservation, and curb the wastage of water resources.

Explanation

On May 30-31, 2019, on the eve of World No Tobacco Day, the Rajasthan government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced a complete ban on the production, storage, distribution, advertisement, and sale of e-cigarettes (both online and offline) across the state to curb nicotine addiction among youth.

Explanation

The United States has the world's largest fleet of commercial nuclear power reactors, with over 90 operational reactors generating approximately 20% of the nation's total electricity output. It leads the world in both total installed nuclear capacity and total number of operating nuclear power units.

Explanation

Krishnanattam is a traditional dance-drama form of Kerala created by King Manaveda of Calicut in 1654 AD. It presents the entire life story of Lord Krishna through a cycle of eight plays performed over eight consecutive nights at the famous Guruvayur Temple. The eight plays in the series are Avatharam, Kaliyamardhanam, Rasakreeda, Kamsavadham, Swayamvaram, Banayuddham, Vividhavadham, and Swargarohanam.

Explanation

In 1904, J.J. Thomson proposed the plum pudding model (or watermelon model) of the atom following his discovery of the electron in 1897. According to this atomic model, the atom is visualized as a sphere of uniform positive charge with negatively charged electrons embedded throughout it, balancing the total positive charge to render the atom electrically neutral.

Explanation

The Malabar Region lies along the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent, bounded by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. It stretches across the coastal strip of modern-day Kerala and parts of Karnataka, forming a prominent geographic segment of India's western coastal plain.

Explanation

GSAT-7A is an advanced military communication satellite built by ISRO and launched on 19 December 2018 aboard the GSLV-F11 launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Designed specifically to strengthen the communication capabilities of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army's aviation wing, it operates in the Ku-band and enables network-centric warfare by interconnecting airbases, ground radar stations, airborne warning and control systems (AWACS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).