RRB NTPC CBT 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

During photosynthesis, green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny pores called stomata. Using light energy captured by chlorophyll, plants combine carbon dioxide with water to synthesize glucose and release oxygen as a byproduct. The chemical reaction is represented as 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

Explanation

The plasma membrane, also known as the cell membrane, is a selectively permeable biological membrane that forms the outermost boundary of a cell. It surrounds the cytoplasm and encloses the cellular contents, effectively separating them from the external environment. Composed primarily of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, the plasma membrane regulates the transport of molecules, ions, and nutrients into and out of the cell, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis and protecting the cell's internal structural integrity.

Explanation

Operation Vijay was the code name of the Indian military operation launched in May 1999 to clear Pakistani soldiers and infiltrators from high mountain positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The operation successfully reclaimed all occupied Indian territory along the Line of Control, leading to the victorious conclusion of the conflict in July 1999.

Explanation

Heavy water, chemically represented as D₂O, contains deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen whose nucleus consists of one proton and one neutron. Protium, the predominant hydrogen isotope found in standard water (H₂O), contains only a proton without any neutrons. Because a deuterium atom has roughly twice the mass of a protium atom, water composed of deuterium and oxygen has a higher molecular weight than ordinary water, giving the compound its name.

Explanation

FORTRAN (Formula Translation) was developed by John Backus and his team at IBM in 1957 as the first high-level programming language. It was specifically designed to simplify the programming of complex mathematical computations, numeric algorithms, and scientific calculations, making it widely adopted in engineering and scientific research domains.

Explanation

Loktak Lake, located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur, is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is famous for its unique floating islands called phumdis, which are heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter. The lake hosts the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating national park, which serves as the last natural refuge of the endangered Sangai deer (brow-antlered deer).

Explanation

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a prominent nationalist leader and a key figure in the extremist faction of the Indian National Congress. Famous for his declaration "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it," he advocated for direct action, Swadeshi, boycott, and national education to achieve self-rule. Along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, he formed the influential Lal-Bal-Pal triumvirate that led the radical wing of the Indian national movement during the early twentieth century.

Explanation

According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Arunachal Pradesh accounts for approximately 35% to 43% of India's total graphite resources, making it the state with the highest graphite reserves in the country. Key graphite deposits in Arunachal Pradesh are concentrated across districts such as West Siang, Upper Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, and Dibang Valley.

Explanation

Virat Kohli won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade in December 2020. During the award period (2011–2020), he was the highest run-scorer in international cricket with 20,396 runs, featuring 66 centuries and 94 half-centuries at an overall average of 56.97. He was also recognized as the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Decade during the same ceremony.

Explanation

Chandrabhaga beach, located on the Konark coast in the Puri district of Odisha, became the first beach in Asia to receive the prestigious Blue Flag certification on World Environment Day, June 5, 2018. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognized eco-label awarded by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It certifies beaches that meet 33 stringent criteria spanning water quality, environmental management, safety services, waste management, and sustainable tourist infrastructure.

Explanation

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, eligible landholding farmer families receive income support of 6,000 Rupees per year. This financial assistance is provided to farmer families with landholding up to 2 hectares (and later expanded to cover all landholding farmers) and is transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries in three equal installments of 2,000 Rupees every four months.

Explanation

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, made this statement on 4 November 1948 while presenting the Draft Constitution. Responding to critics who labeled the document as a mere "bag of borrowings," he defended the adoption of sound administrative mechanisms and democratic principles from existing constitutions around the world. He emphasized that fundamental constitutional concepts belong to humanity as a whole and that adapting proven ideas to suit Indian conditions involves no plagiarism.

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji organized the East India Association in London in 1866 in collaboration with Indians and sympathetic British citizens. The association aimed to present correct information about Indian conditions, raise political awareness about Indian issues among the British public, and influence members of the British Parliament to promote the welfare of the Indian people.

Explanation

In Kalidasa's Sanskrit play Abhijnanasakuntalam, Bharata (initially called Sarvadamana) is the son of Shakuntala and King Dushyanta. He is portrayed as a fearless child playing with lion cubs in the ashram of Sage Maricha, which ultimately leads to King Dushyanta recognizing him and reuniting with Shakuntala. According to Indian tradition, Bharata later grew up to become a legendary emperor after whom India is named Bharatvarsha.

Explanation

Carbon is a tetravalent element capable of forming stable covalent bonds with other carbon atoms (catenation) as well as with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and many other elements. This exceptional versatility enables it to form millions of complex organic compounds, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, which constitute the structural and functional basis of all living organisms, as well as everyday materials like plastics, fuels, and synthetic fibers.

Explanation

Data security encompasses all policies, controls, and technical measures implemented to protect digital information against unauthorized access, accidental or intentional disclosure, alteration, or destruction. It ensures the core principles of information security—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—through techniques such as encryption, access management, user authentication, and regular backup routines.

Explanation

Orchha is a historic town situated on the banks of the Betwa River in the Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh. Founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chief Rudra Pratap Singh, the town is renowned for its architectural marvels, including the Jahangir Mahal, Ram Raja Temple, and Chaturbhuj Temple. In May 2019, Orchha was added to UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites following a proposal submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Explanation

On May 24, 2019, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested an indigenously developed 500 kg class Inertial Guided Bomb from a Su-30 MKI combat jet at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. The guided bomb hit the target with high precision after achieving its intended range, demonstrating the capability to carry a variety of warheads for precision-strike missions.

Explanation

MC Mary Kom created history in November 2018 by winning her sixth gold medal at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships held in New Delhi. With this victory, she became the first woman boxer in world boxing history to win six world championship titles, having previously secured gold in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010. This milestone made her the most decorated female boxer in the history of the tournament.

Explanation

Under Article 148 of the Constitution of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is established as an independent constitutional authority. Article 149 empowers the CAG to perform duties and exercise powers in relation to the accounts of the Union, the States, and any other authority or body prescribed by law made by Parliament. The CAG audits all expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, the Public Account of India, and the Contingency Fund of India, and submits audit reports relating to the Union accounts to the President under Article 151.

Explanation

Sevasadan, originally written in Urdu as Bazaar-e-Husn and published in Hindi in 1919, is one of the early celebrated novels by Munshi Premchand. The novel explores critical social reforms, highlighting the condition of women, prostitution, dowry systems, and social hypocrisy in early 20th-century Indian society. Its literary success marked a major milestone in Premchand's career and established his reputation as a pioneering Hindi novelist.

Explanation

Galileo Galilei wrote 'La Bilancetta' (The Little Balance) in 1586. In this scientific essay, he described the design and construction of an accurate hydrostatic balance, which improved upon Archimedes' method for measuring the specific gravity of substances using buoyant force.

Explanation

During the All-India Khilafat Conference held in Karachi in July 1921, presided over by Maulana Mohammad Ali, a resolution was passed declaring it religiously unlawful for Muslims to serve or enlist in the British Indian army. The resolution called upon Muslim soldiers to resign from their posts and refrain from aiding the British colonial administration. Following the passage of this resolution, the Ali brothers (Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali) and other prominent Khilafat leaders were arrested by the British authorities on charges of sedition.

Explanation

The Ajanta Caves are a group of 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BCE to around 480 CE, renowned for their ancient frescoes, paintings, and sculptures. They are located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, situated along the gorge of the Waghora River. Recognised globally for their artistic and architectural significance, the caves were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Explanation

Oxygen (O₂) is a vital constituent of Earth's atmosphere that is consumed during these chemical and biological processes. In combustion, oxygen reacts with fuels to release heat and light. In cellular respiration, living organisms utilize oxygen to oxidize organic nutrients and generate cellular energy. Additionally, at high temperatures—such as during lightning strikes or in high-temperature combustion engines—nitrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen to form various oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Explanation

Pramod Sawant assumed office as the Chief Minister of Goa in March 2019 following the demise of Manohar Parrikar, and he held the position throughout 2020.

Explanation

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), in partnership with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, developed RTS,S/AS01 (brand name Mosquirix), the world's first malaria vaccine shown to significantly reduce malaria cases among young children. The vaccine targets Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite globally. In 2019, pilot implementation programmes led by the World Health Organization (WHO) were launched in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi to evaluate its real-world effectiveness.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi regarded Gopal Krishna Gokhale as his political mentor and guide in public life. Upon Gandhi's return to India from South Africa in 1915, Gokhale advised him to spend a year traveling across the country with his "ears open and mouth shut" to understand the ground reality and the needs of the Indian people before actively participating in politics. Gandhi held Gokhale in the highest esteem and dedicated a book to him titled "Gokhale: My Political Guru".

Explanation

The Radcliffe Line was established as the international boundary demarcation line between India and Pakistan during the Partition of British India in 1947. Named after its architect, Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who was the chairman of the Boundary Commissions, the line officially came into effect on 17 August 1947 to divide the provinces of Punjab and Bengal between the two newly independent nations.

Explanation

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution enshrines the fundamental right to equality by guaranteeing equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all persons within the territory of India. It forms the cornerstone of the Right to Equality under Part III of the Constitution, establishing that equal laws shall be applied to all persons in equal circumstances.

Explanation

Charles Babbage is recognized as the father of computers because he conceptualized and designed the first mechanical computer, known as the Analytical Engine, in the 19th century. His groundbreaking design incorporated fundamental components of modern computing architecture, including an arithmetic unit, control flow with conditional branching, and integrated memory. Though technological limitations prevented its full construction during his lifetime, his work laid the theoretical and mechanical foundation for modern digital computers.

Explanation

Odissi was the Indian classical dance form featured in the music video for Michael Jackson's 1991 hit single 'Black or White'. In the video, Michael Jackson performs a duet alongside Yamuna Sangarasivam, an Odissi dancer, set against a Los Angeles expressway backdrop. Odissi is one of the major classical dance forms of India, originating from the eastern state of Odisha.

Explanation

Digboi, located in the Tinsukia district of Assam, is the site where the first commercially viable oil well in India and Asia was discovered in September 1889. Systematic drilling in the area began after oil traces were noticed on the feet of elephants used by the Assam Railways and Trading Company. Asia's first oil refinery was subsequently commissioned at Digboi in 1901. Known as the Oil City of Assam, Digboi holds the distinction of having one of the world's oldest continuously producing oilfields.

Explanation

On July 14, 2017, Indian Railways launched its first solar-powered Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit (DEMU) train from Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi. The 1600 HP train was designed to run between Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Farukh Nagar in Haryana. It was equipped with 16 solar panels on the rooftop of six trailer coaches to power all internal electrical appliances like lights, fans, and display systems, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Explanation

The Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus), also known as the Assam rabbit, is native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Its natural habitat is strictly restricted to the tall Terai-Duar grasslands and riverine ecosystems spanning parts of northern and northeastern India, Nepal, and Bhutan, making it absent from the Western Ghats region of southern India.

Explanation

Under the traditional national highway numbering system of India, National Highway 8 (NH 8) connects the national capital Delhi with the financial capital Mumbai. Spanning approximately 1,428 km, it forms a major part of the Golden Quadrilateral network and passes through important economic hubs including Gurgaon, Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat.

Explanation

In 1920, Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress aligned the Non-Cooperation Movement with the Khilafat Movement, which was launched by the Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali) to protest the harsh treatment of the Ottoman Caliphate by the British following World War I. Gandhi recognized the issue as a historic opportunity to foster Hindu-Muslim unity against British rule, leading to the integration of the Khilafat grievances into the broader Non-Cooperation program adopted at the Nagpur session of Congress in December 1920.

Explanation

Chaam is a traditional sacred ritual mask dance performed by Buddhist monks in Sikkim during major religious festivals such as Pang Lhabsol and Losar. Dancers wear elaborate costumes along with ornate masks depicting deities, demons, and animals, performing rhythmic movements accompanied by traditional musical instruments to depict the triumph of good over evil.

Explanation

Dachigam Sanctuary, located near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, is the principal home and last remaining natural habitat of the Hangul, also known as the Kashmir Stag (Cervus hanglu hanglu). It is a critically endangered subspecies of red deer native to northern India and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Dachigam was originally established to safeguard the drinking water supply catchment area for Srinagar and later managed as a protected area to conserve the remaining Hangul population.

Explanation

Pradhan Mantri Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11th October 2014 on the birth anniversary of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan. Under this rural development programme, Members of Parliament (MPs) take the responsibility of developing socio-economic and physical infrastructure in selected villages to turn them into model villages ("Adarsh Grams").

Explanation

The European Commission serves as the executive branch and political engine of the European Union. It is responsible for proposing new European legislation, implementing policy decisions, managing the EU budget, and enforcing Union laws across all member states. Led by a College of Commissioners, it acts as an independent body that manages the day-to-day administration of the EU and promotes its general interest.

Explanation

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun harnessed using technologies such as photovoltaics and solar thermal collectors. Because sunlight is naturally replenished on a continuous basis and cannot be depleted through human consumption, it is classified as a clean and sustainable form of renewable energy.

Explanation

Uttar Pradesh shares its borders with a total of nine States and Union Territories, which is the highest for any state in India. It borders eight states, namely Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, along with the Union Territory of Delhi. It also shares an international boundary with Nepal to the north.

Explanation

Sir William Jones, a British philologist and judge at the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William, founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal on 15 January 1784 in Calcutta. The primary objective of establishing the society was to promote Oriental studies and initiate systematic research into the history, science, arts, antiquities, and literature of Asia, laying the groundwork for modern archaeological explorations in India.

Explanation

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is an international airport serving the city of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. It is named after Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, who ruled the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Empire in the 18th century. It is the busiest airport in the central region of India.

Explanation

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when its charter was officially signed on December 8, 1985. The founding summit brought together seven original member nations—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—to foster regional integration, economic growth, and collective self-reliance in South Asia.

Explanation

Arvind Kejriwal received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006 in the Emergent Leadership category. He was recognized for his activism in promoting India's Right to Information movement at the grassroots level and founding Parivartan, an organization that empowered citizens to combat corruption in public administration.

Explanation

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) is the oldest central trade union organization in India. It was founded on 31 October 1920 in Bombay (now Mumbai) under the leadership of prominent national leaders, with Lala Lajpat Rai serving as its first president and Joseph Baptista as its vice-president. It was formed to give Indian workers representation at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and to coordinate labor movements across the country.

Explanation

The Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) was launched on 1 April 1999 as a restructured and expanded version of the former Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY). The primary objective of the scheme was to create demand-driven community village infrastructure to boost the rural economy and provide gainful supplementary employment to the rural poor. The program was implemented directly by Gram Panchayats at the village level.

Explanation

The angle of deviation (δ) produced by a prism depends on the refractive index (μ) of the medium, given by δ ≈ (μ - 1)A. According to Cauchy's dispersion formula, μ = a + b/λ², the refractive index is inversely proportional to the square of the wavelength (λ).

Red light has the longest wavelength in the visible light spectrum, which results in the smallest refractive index when passing through glass. Consequently, it experiences the minimum amount of bending or deviation.