RRB NTPC CBT 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

South Africa officially joined the grouping in December 2010 following an invitation from the founding nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). With its inclusion, the acronym BRIC was expanded to BRICS, and South Africa attended its first full summit as a member state in April 2011 at Sanya, China.

Explanation

Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) is a non-carnivorous flowering plant native to eastern Asia. It derives all its nutrients through conventional soil absorption via roots and produces energy through photosynthesis, lacking any specialized trapping mechanisms or digestive enzymes to capture insects or small organisms.

Explanation

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, these temples were constructed by the rulers of the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 CE. Renowned for their intricate Nagara-style temple architecture, detailed rock carvings, and expressive sculptures, they represent a outstanding achievement of medieval Indian art and architectural heritage.

Explanation

In the Indian Parliament, bills are broadly classified into Government Bills (also known as Public Bills) and Private Member's Bills. A Government Bill is a legislative proposal introduced by a Minister. Since a Minister can be a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, any Minister in either House of Parliament is eligible to introduce a Government Bill.

Explanation

The Dhauladhar range is a prominent mountain chain in the Lesser Himalayas (also known as the Middle Himalayas or Himachal Himalayas), situated predominantly in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Running parallel to and south of the Pir Panjal range, it rises dramatically above the Kangra Valley. The Lesser Himalayas consist of several major ranges, including the Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Nag Tibba, and Mahabharat ranges.

Explanation

According to the World Wildlife Fund's Living Planet Report 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean experienced the largest wildlife population loss in the world, with a staggering average reduction of 94% in monitored vertebrate populations between 1970 and 2016. Globally, species populations declined by an average of 68% over the same period, with habitat destruction, deforestation, land-use change, and overexploitation cited as the primary drivers of this biodiversity loss.

Explanation

Lord Cornwallis, who served as Governor-General of Bengal from 1786 to 1793, reformatted and systematized the British administrative structure in India. He introduced strict regulations to curb corruption, prohibited civil servants from engaging in private trade, raised salaries to ensure integrity, and separated revenue administration from judicial functions through the Cornwallis Code of 1793. His foundational reforms established a professional administrative framework, earning him the title 'Father of Civil Services' in India.

Explanation

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was awarded India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1954, which was the inaugural year of the award. He later served as the second President of India from 13 May 1962 to 13 May 1967, having received the award prior to assuming the presidency.

Explanation

Bamboo trees flower gregariously once every few decades, producing massive quantities of nutrient-rich seeds. This sudden and abundant food supply leads to a rapid increase in the reproduction rate of local rat species, resulting in a population explosion. This ecological phenomenon is famously known as Mautam in Northeast India, particularly in Mizoram, where the rat boom subsequently causes widespread crop damage.

Explanation

An isobath is a contour line on a map or nautical chart that connects all points having the same underwater depth below a surface, such as the sea level. The term originates from the Greek prefix "iso-" meaning equal and "bathys" meaning deep. Isobaths are fundamental tools in bathymetry and oceanography used to illustrate underwater topography and the depth profile of oceans, seas, and lakes.

Explanation

Mandi Trades is a location-based Farm-to-Shop (F2S) mobile trading platform developed by Appface Technologies. It allows Indian farmers to list details about their agricultural produce—such as pricing, availability date, geo-location, and contact information—enabling local buyers and consumers to connect directly with them. By utilizing real-time price updates from government commodity servers and enabling direct price discovery, the platform bypasses intermediaries, helping farmers minimize post-harvest losses and secure better profit margins.

Explanation

Angiosperms, commonly known as flowering plants, are vascular plants in which the ovules are enclosed within an ovary. Following fertilization, the ovules develop into seeds while the surrounding ovary matures into a fruit, keeping the seeds protected inside it.

Explanation

Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar, popularly known as Dadasaheb Mavalankar, was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. He served as the President of the Central Legislative Assembly from 1946 to 1947, the Speaker of the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) from 1947 to 1952, and subsequently became the first Speaker of the first Lok Sabha in May 1952. Jawaharlal Nehru conferred upon him the title 'Father of the Lok Sabha' in recognition of his foundational role in establishing parliamentary democracy in India.

Explanation

In March 1942, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent the Cripps Mission to India, headed by Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the War Cabinet. The primary objective of the mission was to secure full Indian cooperation and support for the Allied war effort during World War II in exchange for the promise of dominion status and a constituent assembly after the conclusion of the war.

Explanation

GSAT-6A, a high-power S-band communication satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was launched on 29 March 2018. It was carried onboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08) from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The satellite was aimed at providing multi-beam coverage to facilitate mobile communication capabilities.

Explanation

Kolkata Metro was officially designated as the 17th zone of Indian Railways on 29 December 2010 by the Ministry of Railways. Headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, it holds the distinction of being India's oldest metro rail network, having commenced its initial commercial operations in 1984.

Explanation

A spider, also known as a web crawler or web robot, is an automated software program that systematically browses the World Wide Web to fetch, index, and catalogue websites and their content. Search engines deploy these spiders to discover new and updated web pages, creating a comprehensive database index that allows users to search and find relevant web content quickly.

Explanation

Bal Gangadhar Tilak founded the Marathi newspaper 'Kesari' on 4 January 1881 in Pune, along with Vishnushastri Chiplunkar and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar. Tilak served as its chief spokesperson and editor, using the publication to critique British colonial rule, promote national awakening, and mobilize popular support for the Indian independence movement.

Explanation

Android mobile operating system versions were historically named in alphabetical order after desserts and sweet treats by Google. Starting from Android 1.5 Cupcake, subsequent major releases included Donut (1.6), Eclair (2.0–2.1), Froyo (2.2), and Gingerbread (2.3).

Explanation

In Windows operating systems, the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut invokes the task switcher interface, allowing users to switch between currently running applications. Pressing Alt + Tab once immediately switches focus to the most recently used or previously opened program, enabling fast navigation between active windows without using a mouse.

Explanation

In October 2018, researchers at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) in Bengaluru developed a topical gel called Poly-Oxime to protect farmers from toxic exposure during pesticide application. Formulated from a nucleophilic polymer, Poly-Oxime deactivates hazardous chemical pesticides—particularly organophosphates—by breaking them down into non-toxic compounds via catalytic hydrolysis before they can penetrate the skin. This prevents the inhibition of the essential enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), safeguarding agricultural workers against neurotoxicity, organ damage, and poisoning.

Explanation

Johan Cruyff was an iconic Dutch professional football player and manager who led the Netherlands national team to the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Renowned as one of the greatest players in football history, he was the chief exponent of the "Total Football" philosophy and won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974.

Explanation

Udham Singh shot and killed Michael O'Dwyer on March 13, 1940, at Caxton Hall in London. Michael O'Dwyer was the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab province during the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre and had endorsed the bloody crackdown. Udham Singh carried out the assassination to avenge the massacre, for which he was subsequently tried, convicted, and hanged at Pentonville Prison on July 31, 1940.

Explanation

In 1896, French physicist Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity while investigating phosphorescence in uranium salts. He observed that uranium spontaneously emitted penetrating radiation that could expose wrapped photographic plates without any external light source. For this pioneering discovery, he was awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Marie and Pierre Curie.

Explanation

GSAT-12 is a communication satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was successfully launched on July 15, 2011, by the PSLV-C17 vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The satellite weighs approximately 1410 kg and carries 12 Extended C-band transponders to strengthen telecommunication infrastructure, telemedicine, tele-education, and disaster management support services across the country.

Explanation

Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the Olympic champion from the Bahamas, broke the world record in the women's 300 m event at the 58th Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic on June 20, 2019. She completed the race in 34.41 seconds, surpassing the previous world best time of 35.30 seconds set by Mexico's Ana Guevara in 2003.

Explanation

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was a legendary Indian classical musician and composer who played the Santoor, a traditional multi-stringed instrument originating from the Jammu and Kashmir region, which he is credited with adapting and popularizing on the global classical music stage.

Explanation

The Andaman Wood Pigeon (Columba palumboides) is the official state bird of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is an endemic species found across the dense tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the island archipelago.

Explanation

The Indian League was founded in 1875 in Calcutta by Sisir Kumar Ghosh, a prominent journalist and founder of the Amrita Bazar Patrika. The main objective of the organization was to stimulate a sense of nationalism among the Indian populace and encourage political education and collective awareness, making it one of the early precursor political associations in modern Indian history.

Explanation

The Port Laws (Amendment) Act, 1997 was enacted to amend the Indian Ports Act, 1908 and the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. It primarily deals with port administration, governance, and financial management, including the establishment of the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) to regulate tariffs, fees, and port dues for major ports in India. It contains no provisions related to environmental conservation or pollution control.

Explanation

Dholavira is a major Indus Valley Civilization site located on Khadir Bet island in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Discovered by archaeologist J. P. Joshi in 1967–68, it is renowned for its sophisticated urban planning, unique three-tier division into Citadel, Middle Town, and Lower Town, monumental stone architecture, and an extraordinary water management system featuring interconnected reservoirs.

Explanation

Stromboli is an active volcano located on Stromboli Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the northern coast of Sicily, Italy. It is famous for its continuous, mild explosive eruptions that emit incandescent lava and gas, which are visible from great distances at night. Because these frequent glowing eruptions historically served as a natural navigation beacon for sailors in the region, the volcano earned the nickname "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean".

Explanation

On April 13, 1919, a large peaceful gathering assembled at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to protest against the Rowlatt Act (Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919) and the arrest of nationalist leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal. The Rowlatt Act authorized the colonial administration to detain political activists without trial and suppress civil liberties. Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered British troops to block the main exit of the ground and open fire on the unarmed gathering, resulting in hundreds of casualties.

Explanation

In November 2018, British actress Millie Bobby Brown was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at the age of 14, making her the youngest person ever to be appointed to this global role. She was named on World Children's Day to use her global platform to raise awareness about children's rights and youth-related issues such as education, safe spaces, and ending violence.

Explanation

An operating system is system software that acts as an intermediary or interface between the user and the computer hardware. It manages hardware resources such as the central processing unit, memory, storage, and input/output devices, while providing a user-friendly environment like a graphical or command-line interface. This allows users to run applications and interact with the physical components of the computer without needing to manage low-level hardware operations directly.

Explanation

Thermal power is the primary source of power generation in India, accounting for over 60% of the country's total installed capacity and energy output. Coal-fired thermal power plants serve as the mainstay of India's electricity sector, supplying the essential base-load power required for continuous industrial, commercial, and residential use across the national grid.

Explanation

India's First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) was based on the Harrod-Domar model, which emphasized boosting economic growth by increasing national savings and capital accumulation. Launched under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the plan prioritized the primary sector—specifically agriculture, irrigation, and power generation—to address acute food shortages, rehabilitate refugees post-partition, and control inflation.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress split into two groups—the Moderates led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and the Extremists led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal—during its 23rd annual session held at Surat in December 1907. The meeting, presided over by Rash Behari Ghosh, took place on the banks of the River Tapti and ended in open conflict over differences regarding Congress presidency, agitational methods, and resolutions on Swadeshi and Boycott.

Explanation

Mudumalai National Park and Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, on the northwestern declivity of the Nilgiri Hills in the Western Ghats. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1940, it forms an essential part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, connecting adjacent protected forest areas. The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity and shelters significant populations of Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, gaurs, and Indian leopards.

Explanation

Under Entry 51 of the State List (List II) in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, State Governments have the exclusive authority to levy excise duties on alcoholic liquors for human consumption, opium, Indian hemp, and other narcotic drugs produced or manufactured within the state.

Explanation

A stereoscope is an optical device used to view two separate photographs of the same object taken from slightly different viewpoints. Each image is presented individually to the left and right eye, allowing the human brain to process both images simultaneously and perceive a single three-dimensional image with depth.

Explanation

The Marketing Support and Services Scheme was implemented during the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007–2012) by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles. The scheme aimed to support handicraft artisans by providing direct marketing outlets, financial assistance for participating in domestic and international exhibitions, organizing buyer-seller meets, and facilitating publicity and brand promotion to enhance artisan livelihoods.

Explanation

Mahindra and Mahindra partnered with Uber to explore and accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) on shared mobility platforms across multiple cities in India. Under this collaboration, Mahindra provided electric vehicles such as the e2oPlus hatchback and eVerito sedan to Uber driver-partners, supported by competitive financing, insurance, charging infrastructure, and driver training.

Explanation

Aveek Sarkar, Editor Emeritus and Vice Chairman of the Ananda Bazar Group of Publications (ABP Group), was elected as the Chairman of the Press Trust of India (PTI) board of directors in September 2020. He succeeded Vijay Kumar Chopra, the Chief Editor of the Punjab Kesari Group. Press Trust of India is India's largest news agency, established in 1947 and managed by a board representing major media publications.

Explanation

Swajaldhara Yojana was launched by the Government of India on December 25, 2002, to ensure a clean and adequate drinking water supply across rural India. The scheme introduced a community-driven, decentralized approach empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions and local village communities to plan, implement, manage, and maintain their own drinking water systems. Under this initiative, 90 percent of the project cost was funded by the central government, while the remaining 10 percent was contributed by the beneficiary community.

Explanation

Under the Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms), Satyendra Prasanna Sinha was appointed as the Law Member to the Viceroy's Executive Council in 1909, becoming the first Indian to join the council. He was later made Baron Sinha of Raipur and served as the Governor of Bihar and Orissa in 1920, making him the first Indian to hold a provincial governorship under British rule.

Explanation

INS Sardar Patel is a key operational naval base of the Indian Navy located in Porbandar, Gujarat. Commissioned in May 2015, it serves as the headquarters of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Gujarat, Daman | Diu). The base plays a crucial role in enhancing coastal security and safeguarding maritime infrastructure along Gujarat's extensive coastline.

Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore described Mahatma Gandhi as "the great soul in beggar's garb" to honor Gandhi's immense moral stature, spiritual authority, and selfless devotion to humanity, contrasted with his simple, ascetic appearance and total rejection of material wealth. Tagore also conferred the title "Mahatma" (meaning Great Soul) upon Gandhi.

Explanation

INS Godavari (F20) was the lead ship of the Godavari-class guided-missile frigates of the Indian Navy. Built by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai and commissioned on 10 December 1983, it was designed by the Directorate of Naval Design. INS Godavari holds the distinction of being India's first warship to be indigenously designed and constructed, representing a major milestone in achieving self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.

Explanation

The Ministry of Home Affairs enhanced the financial powers of the heads of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), which include forces such as the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and National Security Guard (NSG). The revised order empowered Director Generals to spend up to ₹15 crore for major projects, including infrastructure construction and vehicle purchases, and up to ₹1 crore for minor works and administrative expenditures. This delegation was designed to increase operational flexibility, streamline procurement, and eliminate administrative delays in internal security operations.