RRB NTPC CBT 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch, located along the southern coast of the Gulf of Kutch in Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat, was established in 1982. First notified as a Marine Sanctuary in 1980, its core area was upgraded under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 1982, making it the first Marine National Park in India. The protected area covers an archipelago of 42 islands and safeguards critical coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, mudflats, and diverse marine flora and fauna.

Explanation

Vandana Shiva is an internationally acclaimed Indian environmental activist, scholar, and author known for her work on seed sovereignty, organic farming, and biodiversity conservation through her organization, Navdanya. Although she has received prestigious honors such as the Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize) in 1993, she has not been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize.

Explanation

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established on July 7, 1948, through the Damodar Valley Corporation Act (Act No. XIV of 1948) enacted by the Central Legislature. It was independent India's first multipurpose river valley project, modeled on the Tennessee Valley Authority of the United States.

Explanation

Under Article 109 of the Indian Constitution, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Once passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding Money Bills and must return the bill to the Lok Sabha within a maximum period of 14 days from the date of its receipt, with or without its recommendations. If the Rajya Sabha fails to return the bill within this 14-day timeframe, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

Explanation

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar is widely known as the founder and architect of Himachal Pradesh (Himachal Nirmata). As a prominent leader of the Praja Mandal movement and the first Chief Minister of the state, he played a central role in organizing the hill princely states to form Himachal Pradesh in 1948. He continuously spearheaded the political effort to secure administrative recognition and full statehood for Himachal Pradesh, which was officially realized on January 25, 1971.

Explanation

Linux is a free, open-source operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Its source code is publicly accessible, allowing users and developers worldwide to freely inspect, modify, and redistribute it. As an operating system, it serves as the primary interface between computer hardware and user applications, managing system resources like memory, processor execution, storage, and peripheral devices.

Explanation

Under Articles 266 and 267 of the Constitution of India, the financial accounts of the Union Government are legally classified into three distinct categories: the Consolidated Fund of India, the Public Account of India, and the Contingency Fund of India. A cooperative fund is not a constitutionally mandated or officially recognized account for maintaining Government of India finances.

Explanation

Under the Comptroller and Auditor-General's (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India holds office for a tenure of six years or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Appointed by the President of India under Article 148 of the Constitution, the CAG can resign at any time by writing to the President or can be removed by Parliament through a procedure similar to that of a Supreme Court judge.

Explanation

The Expert Group under the chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan, constituted by the Planning Commission, submitted its report in June 2014 on poverty measurement methodology. According to the Rangarajan Committee, the national poverty line for 2011–12 was defined as a Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) of ₹1,407 for urban areas, which translates to ₹47 per capita per day. For rural areas, the recommended poverty line was an MPCE of ₹972, corresponding to ₹32 per capita per day.

Explanation

The United Nations commemorated its 75th anniversary in 2020 under the overarching initiative and theme "The Future We Want, the United Nations We Need", celebrating United Nations Day on 24 October 2020. This theme framed the global dialogues, initiatives, and official commemorative observances, including the UN Day Concert, emphasizing international cooperation, global solidarity, and multilateralism to address global challenges.

Explanation

Cyclone Fani was an extremely severe tropical cyclone that struck the eastern coast of India, particularly the state of Odisha, in May 2019. Originating as a tropical depression near Sumatra in the Indian Ocean, it intensified into a severe storm over the Bay of Bengal, characterized by intense low-pressure, high-speed winds, and heavy rainfall typical of tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region.

Explanation

Under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) component of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), National Housing Bank (NHB) is designated as a Central Nodal Agency by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. NHB is responsible for channelising the interest subsidy to Primary Lending Institutions, including scheduled commercial banks and housing finance companies, to ensure affordable housing finance reaches targeted urban beneficiaries.

Explanation

Brazil is not a host nation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having most recently hosted the tournament in 1950 and 2014. The 2026 edition marks the 23rd FIFA World Cup and is being jointly hosted across North America.

Explanation

The Ecomark scheme was launched in 1991 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (now Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) to identify eco-friendly consumer products. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) administers the certification and selected an earthen pot (Matka) as the official Ecomark logo. The earthen pot represents earth and soil, signifying sustainable use of renewable resources, low energy consumption during manufacture, and minimal environmental impact.

Explanation

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was a social reformer, jurist, and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, but he was never a member of the Indian National Congress nor did he ever serve as its President. Throughout his political career, he maintained an independent political path and established separate organizations and parties, such as the Independent Labour Party in 1936 and the Scheduled Castes Federation in 1942, to campaign for the rights of the depressed classes.

Explanation

The Sagarmala Project is a flagship programme launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in India. Its core objective is to significantly lower logistics costs for both domestic and EXIM (Export-Import) cargo with minimal infrastructure investment. This is achieved through port modernization, enhancing port connectivity, promoting port-linked industrialization, and developing coastal communities.

Explanation

Mohenjo-daro is an ancient Indus Valley Civilisation site located in the Larkana district of Sindh, Pakistan. In the local Sindhi language, the name Mohenjo-daro literally translates to Mound of the Dead. Discovered in 1922 by Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay, it was one of the largest urban settlements of the ancient Harappan civilization, renowned for its grid-based town planning, advanced drainage system, and landmark structures like the Great Bath.

Explanation

Sachin Tendulkar was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in July 2019, becoming the sixth Indian cricketer to receive this honor. Players become eligible for induction five years after retiring from international cricket, and Tendulkar was inducted immediately upon meeting this criterion. Prior to his induction, Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, and Rahul Dravid were the five Indian legends named in the ICC Hall of Fame.

Explanation

Plant cells contain a large central permanent vacuole that occupies 30% to 90% of the cell's volume to help maintain cell turgidity, structure, and store nutrients and waste products. In contrast, animal cells possess several small, temporary vacuoles used mainly for storage or transport.

Explanation

In August 2016, China launched the world's first quantum communications satellite, named Micius (Quantum Experiments at Space Scale or QUESS), from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Developed as part of the Strategic Priority Program on Space Science, the satellite was designed to test quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum entanglement to enable ultra-secure, hack-proof communication between space and ground stations.

Explanation

Syngas, short for synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂). It is produced through the gasification of carbonaceous feedstock such as coal, biomass, or natural gas at high temperatures in the presence of steam or oxygen. Syngas serves as a crucial intermediate in the chemical industry for producing synthetic petroleum fuels, methanol, ammonia, and synthetic natural gas.

Explanation

'Changing India' is a five-volume set of books written by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, released in December 2018. The compilation chronicles his economic and political journey, detailing his landmark contributions as an academician, Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Finance Minister, and Prime Minister of India over several decades.

Explanation

The Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 was led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat to protest against the 30% increase in land revenue tax imposed by the British colonial government. Following the successful non-violent movement, the women of Bardoli bestowed the title of Sardar upon Vallabhbhai Patel.

Explanation

The provision for the suspension of Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency under Article 359 of the Constitution of India was influenced by the Weimar Constitution of Germany. During a declared emergency, the President of India has the power to suspend the right to move any court for the enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed under Part III, except those provided under Articles 20 and 21.

Explanation

Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, located in New Delhi, is a prominent historical Gurdwara associated with the cremation site of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, following his martyrdom in 1675. While it holds immense spiritual and historical importance, it is not designated as one of the five Takhts (seats of temporal authority) in Sikhism.

Explanation

Aluminum hydroxide, Al(OH)₃, is an amphoteric compound that can react with both acids and strong bases. Due to its extremely low solubility product in water, it remains practically insoluble and does not dissociate to yield a significant concentration of hydroxide (OH⁻) ions in aqueous solution. Consequently, it does not form an alkaline solution.

Explanation

Kamarupa was an ancient Indian kingdom that flourished from the 4th to the 12th century CE in the Brahmaputra Valley, covering the region of present-day Assam. It was the first historical kingdom in the region, ruled successively by the Varman, Mlechchha, and Pala dynasties, with its capital at Pragjyotishpura, which is present-day Guwahati.

Explanation

Jayaprakash Narayan gave the call for Total Revolution (Sampoorna Kranti) in 1974 during the Bihar Movement to bring about a complete transformation in Indian society. He envisioned this revolution as a combination of seven distinct dimensions: social, economic, political, cultural, ideological, educational, and spiritual, aimed at rebuilding democracy and eliminating corruption from public life.

Explanation

Jagritam Aharnisham is a Sanskrit phrase that translates to Always Alert. It is the official motto of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), India's primary domestic intelligence and counter-intelligence agency operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Established in 1887 as the Central Special Branch, the agency adopted this motto to signify its commitment to continuous vigilance and round-the-clock alertness in safeguarding national security.

Explanation

Buland Darwaza, located at Fatehpur Sikri, was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1601 to commemorate his victory over Gujarat.

Explanation

Calories (specifically kilocalories) are the standard unit of measurement used to quantify the dietary energy content of food and the daily energy requirements of the human body to maintain basic physiological processes, metabolic activity, and physical performance. One dietary Calorie (kcal) represents the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius.

Explanation

Chlorine is a halogen element that exists as a diatomic greenish-yellow gas at room temperature and standard pressure. It possesses a sharp, pungent, bleach-like characteristic smell and is highly reactive, acting as a powerful oxidizing agent widely used for disinfection and water purification.

Explanation

Echinochloa crusgalli (barnyard grass) is one of the most widespread and damaging weeds affecting rice crops in India. Belonging to the family Poaceae, it mimics rice seedlings in its early vegetative stage, making early manual detection extremely difficult. It competes aggressively with rice for essential resources such as sunlight, moisture, space, and nutrients, causing significant reductions in crop yield across both direct-seeded and transplanted rice cultivation systems.

Explanation

Satyajit Ray holds the record for winning the overall maximum number of National Film Awards, with a total of 32 wins across various categories throughout his career. His accolades include a record six wins for Best Director, along with awards for Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, Best Music Direction, Best Children's Film, and Best Non-Feature Film. In addition to these, he was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1984 and India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1992.

Explanation

China planned to launch an illumination satellite, known as the artificial moon, over the southwestern city of Chengdu in Sichuan province. Designed by the Chengdu Aerospace Science and Technology Microelectronics System Research Institute, the satellite features a reflective coating that reflects sunlight back to Earth to supplement or replace conventional city streetlights. Orbiting approximately 500 kilometers above the surface, it is intended to provide a dusk-like glow eight times brighter than the real moon across an area of 10 to 80 kilometers in diameter.

Explanation

WAN stands for Wide Area Network. It is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographical area, connecting multiple smaller networks such as Local Area Networks (LANs) and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). The Internet is the largest and most well-known example of a Wide Area Network, allowing computers across cities, countries, and continents to communicate and exchange data efficiently.

Explanation

Shanti Sagara, also known as Sulekere, is located in the Davanagere district of Karnataka, not in Kerala. Built across the Haridra stream, a tributary of the Tungabhadra River, it is considered one of the largest man-made tanks in Asia.

Explanation

The confluence of the Indus River and the Zanskar River takes place at Sangam, located near Nimmu in the union territory of Ladakh. The Zanskar River, which flows northwards as a major left-bank tributary of the Indus River, meets the Indus at this point, situated approximately 35 km from Leh.

Explanation

The Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly was set up on 29 August 1947 under the chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a draft constitution for independent India. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was never a member of this committee, as he had disappeared in August 1945, prior to the establishment of the Constituent Assembly.

Explanation

Mizoram is famously known as the "Land of Rolling Hills" due to its unique undulating topography dominated by around 21 major mountain ranges running parallel in a north-south direction. The elevation of these hills gradually rises from about 1,000 meters in the west to 1,300 meters in the east, reaching its highest point at Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) at 2,210 meters. Geologically, the region is also termed a "Molasses Basin" because its parallel valleys are filled with soft, unconsolidated sediment deposits.

Explanation

Kepler-452b is an exoplanet located approximately 1,400 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. Discovered by NASA's Kepler space telescope in July 2015, it is the first near-Earth-sized planet found orbiting in the habitable zone of a Sun-like G2-type star. Because its orbit, solar energy received, and parent star closely resemble those of Earth and the Sun, scientists and media frequently refer to Kepler-452b as Earth's cousin or Earth 2.0.

Explanation

Pinterest is primarily a visual bookmarking and image-sharing platform designed for discovering, saving, and organizing visual content on virtual pinboards. It operates as a media-centric discovery engine rather than a microblogging network designed for short, frequent status updates and text-based posts.

Explanation

Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, was awarded the International Gandhi Peace Prize for 2018. He was recognized for his dedicated work spanning over four decades toward the eradication of leprosy globally and in India, as well as his efforts to end the social stigma and discrimination faced by affected individuals.

Explanation

The Adi Granth is the sacred scripture of the Sikh community. It was compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, in 1604 CE and installed at the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. The text contains devotional hymns composed by the Sikh Gurus as well as various medieval Hindu and Muslim saint-poets (Bhagats). Later, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, added the hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur and bestowed upon the scripture the status of the living, eternal Guru of the Sikhs, known as the Guru Granth Sahib.

Explanation

State Bank of India (SBI) launched the 'YONO Cash' service to enable cardless cash withdrawals at designated SBI ATMs known as 'YONO Cash Points'. Customers can initiate the cash withdrawal process through the YONO mobile application on their smartphones and complete the transaction at these cash points using a system-generated six-digit PIN alongside a temporary OTP sent to their registered mobile number.

Explanation

The Elephant Festival is an annual event held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on the full moon day of Phalgun Purnima, which coincides with the festival of Holi. The festival features beautifully decorated elephants embellished with traditional attire, colors, and jewelry, along with events like elephant polo, tug-of-war, and traditional folk dances. It is organized by Rajasthan Tourism and remains one of the city's most vibrant cultural attractions.

Explanation

The Ten Degree Channel is a body of water in the Bay of Bengal that separates the Andaman Islands to the north from the Nicobar Islands to the south. It is approximately 150 km wide and lies along the 10° N parallel of latitude.

Explanation

The world's first television channel dedicated exclusively to human rights was launched in London, United Kingdom, on January 16, 2019. Initiated by the International Observatory of Human Rights (IOHR), this web-based platform delivers broadcasting focused on global issues such as refugee crises, press freedom, political imprisonment, women's rights, and LGBT+ rights.

Explanation

Malpighian tubules are slender, tubular excretory structures present at the junction of the midgut and hindgut in cockroaches and other insects. They extract nitrogenous wastes, water, and salts from the surrounding hemolymph and convert them into uric acid. This uric acid is then discharged into the hindgut and excreted along with fecal matter, making these organisms uricotelic.

Explanation

The average range of audible frequencies for normal human hearing is between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). Sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz are known as infrasound and cannot be detected by the human ear, making 20 Hz the lowest threshold of human audibility.