RRB NTPC CBT 1 2026 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Iraiyanar Ahapporul, also known as Kalaviyal, is a foundational Tamil literary treatise on the grammar and conventions of Tamil love poetics (akam tradition). Modern scholars date the text along with its celebrated prose commentary attributed to Nakkiranar to the 8th century CE. This dating is supported by linguistic features of early Tamil prose and historical references within the commentary to Pandyan monarchs such as Nedumaran and Arikesari Parankusa. The work is also historically significant for containing the earliest detailed account of the legend of the three Tamil Sangams (literary academies).

Explanation

Pandit Birju Maharaj, the legendary Kathak exponent of the Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin gharana, established Kalashram in New Delhi in 1998. The institution was created to impart high-level training in Kathak dance while integrating related artistic disciplines such as Indian classical vocal music, rhythm, yoga, painting, and stagecraft to nurture complete artist-scholars in the classical tradition.

Explanation

During photosynthesis, plants utilize carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight in the presence of chlorophyll to synthesize glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆). Glucose is a simple sugar, which belongs to the carbohydrate class of biomolecules. It serves as the primary energy source for cellular respiration and metabolic processes within the plant, and can also be stored in the form of starch for future use.

Explanation

Karst landscapes are formed through chemical weathering, specifically carbonation and solution processes. Rainwater absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide to form a weak carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) solution. When this acidic water percolates through soluble bedrock like limestone or dolomite, it reacts with calcium carbonate to form soluble calcium bicarbonate [Ca(HCO₃)₂]. Over time, this continuous chemical dissolution dissolves the bedrock, leading to subterranean drainage systems and characteristic landforms such as sinkholes, caves, stalactites, and stalagmites.

Explanation

Savitribai Phule (1831–1897) is widely recognized as the Mother of Indian Feminism for her foundational role in advancing women's rights and education in India. In January 1848, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, she established India's first school for girls at Bhide Wada in Pune and became the country's first female teacher. She actively campaigned against child marriage, caste-based oppression, and the ill-treatment of widows. To empower women and raise awareness about their rights, she established the Mahila Seva Mandal in 1852. She also set up the Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha in 1863 as a shelter to protect vulnerable women and prevent female infanticide.

Explanation

Rani Karnaa (1939–2018) was a distinguished classical dancer renowned for her mastery of Kathak. She received rigorous training under masters from both the Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas, including Guru Sundar Prasad, Guru Narayan Prasad, and Pandit Birju Maharaj. She is credited with integrating the traditions and aesthetics of both gharanas while advancing the art form through her institution, Samskritiki Shreyaskar. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to dance, she was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and the Padma Shri in 2014.

Explanation

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar led the Mahad Satyagraha on 20 March 1927 at Mahad in Raigad district, Maharashtra. The movement was organized to assert the basic rights of untouchables to access and draw water from the public Chavdar Tank, which had been denied to them by upper castes despite official orders declaring public water bodies open to all. This satyagraha served as a major turning point in the anti-caste movement in India, and 20 March is celebrated annually as Social Empowerment Day to mark this historic event.

Explanation

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) ions occupy the central position of the porphyrin ring structure in chlorophyll molecules. This central magnesium ion coordinates with four nitrogen atoms of the pyrrole rings, stabilizing the conjugated double-bond system. This specific electronic structure allows chlorophyll to absorb light energy efficiently in the red and blue regions of the visible spectrum, driving the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

Explanation

Emperor Ashoka appointed a special class of officers called Dhamma Mahamatta (or Dhamma Mahamatras) in the 14th year of his coronation, as recorded in Major Rock Edict V. Their primary responsibility was to propagate the principles of Dhamma throughout the empire, promote harmony among different religious sects, look after the welfare of the people, and ensure fair treatment and judicial mercy for prisoners.

Explanation

Chlorophyll, specifically chlorophyll a, is the principal pigment responsible for photosynthesis in plants. Located within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts, it absorbs light energy primarily from the red and blue regions of the visible spectrum and drives the light-dependent reactions that convert solar energy into chemical energy.

Explanation

Article 239AA was inserted into the Constitution of India by the Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991. Clause (1) of Article 239AA explicitly provides that as from the date of commencement of the Act, the Union Territory of Delhi shall be called the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and the administrator appointed under Article 239 shall be designated as the Lieutenant Governor.

Explanation

Article 47 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of the Indian Constitution directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people, placing the improvement of public health among its primary duties. Additionally, it directs the State to endeavor to bring about the prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health, except for medicinal purposes.

Explanation

On 16 December 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a directive mandating that entities regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) adopt the 1600 series for making consumer service and transactional calls by 15 February 2026. Allocated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for government bodies and Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector entities, the 1600 series was introduced to clearly separate legitimate non-promotional communications from commercial marketing, enhance consumer trust, and curb spoofing and fraud.

Explanation

Article 239B of the Indian Constitution empowers the administrator of a Union Territory with a Legislature to promulgate ordinances during the recess of the Legislative Assembly. Such an ordinance carries the same force and effect as an Act passed by the Assembly, provided it is issued with the prior permission or instruction of the President of India where required.

Explanation

Xylem is classified as a complex permanent tissue rather than a simple tissue because it consists of four distinct cell types: tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, and xylem fibres. These diverse cell types work together as a coordinated unit to transport water and mineral nutrients from the roots upward to the rest of the plant while providing mechanical support. Simple plant tissues are composed of only one structural type of cell, whereas complex tissues contain multiple cell types operating together.

Explanation

Files with the .exe extension are executable files in the Microsoft Windows operating system. They contain compiled binary code and instructions that the system reads directly to launch and run a software application. Double-clicking an executable file instructs Windows to execute the program directly, rather than opening a data file within another application.

Explanation

Urbanisation rate measures the proportion of a population residing in urban areas relative to rural areas, reflecting spatial distribution and socio-economic transformation rather than a demographic input that alters total population size. Actual population growth measures the net change in total population size over a given time period, calculated exclusively using natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration (in-migration minus out-migration).

Explanation

Article 334 of the Indian Constitution originally provided reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and special representation for the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for ten years from the commencement of the Constitution in 1950. Through successive constitutional amendments, this provision was periodically extended by ten years at a time. The Constitution (Ninety-Fifth Amendment) Act, 2009 amended Article 334 by substituting the words "sixty years" with "seventy years", extending the reservation for a further period of ten years up to 26 January 2020.

Explanation

The Coriolis force is an apparent or inertial force resulting from the Earth's rotation on its axis. Because the Earth rotates from west to east, points at different latitudes move at different linear speeds, being fastest at the equator and zero at the poles. As a consequence of this rotational speed gradient, moving air masses and ocean currents are deflected to the right of their path of motion in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Explanation

Rock-cut cave architecture is a hallmark of ancient Indian heritage, beginning extensively in the Mauryan period with religious excavations such as the Barabar Caves. These caves were meticulously carved out of solid natural rock to serve as chaityas (prayer halls), viharas (monasteries), and shrines for Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu traditions. Key architectural masterpieces like the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, the Elephanta Caves, and the Badami rock-cut temples highlight this rich tradition of creating long-lasting sacred spaces through rock excavation.

Explanation

The Aw climate subtype in the Köppen classification system represents the tropical wet-and-dry or tropical savanna climate. In this code, 'A' indicates a tropical climate where average monthly temperatures remain above 18°C, while 'w' specifies a dry season occurring during the low-sun or winter period. It is defined by a short wet season driven by the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and a long, severe dry period dominated by subtropical high-pressure cells and dry trade winds.

Explanation

During the Moderate phase (1885–1905), the Indian National Congress consciously adopted a non-sectarian and secular policy to unify diverse sections of society under a common national movement. To prevent division and foster an overarching Indian national identity, the Moderate leadership focused exclusively on shared secular issues such as constitutional reforms, administrative fairness, and economic critique of British rule, deliberately keeping personal laws and religious matters outside the party's platform.

Explanation

The Preamble to the Constitution of India explicitly declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. Originally reading as a "Sovereign Democratic Republic", the terms "Socialist" and "Secular" were inserted between "Sovereign" and "Democratic" by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. This opening phrase outlines the ultimate political identity and socio-economic objectives of the Indian nation.

Explanation

Under the Mission Shakti initiative, Uttar Pradesh established One-Stop Centres (Sakhi Kendras) across all its districts to provide integrated support to women in distress. These centres function as a single-window facility offering immediate emergency services, medical aid, legal counseling, police assistance, and temporary safe shelter under one roof. Through wide administrative outreach and effective ground implementation, the state's One-Stop Centres reached a landmark milestone of assisting approximately 2.39 lakh women.

Explanation

Starch consists of long chains of glucose molecules (amylose and amylopectin). When heated in the presence of water, starch granules absorb liquid, swell significantly, and break down in a process known as gelatinization. As the mixture cools or cooks, the leached amylose forms a three-dimensional network that traps water, creating a gel structure that effectively thickens soups, gravies, and sauces.

Explanation

The Hill Areas Development Programme (HADP) emphasizes ecological preservation, eco-restoration, and sustainable resource management in fragile mountainous regions. To enhance land productivity while preventing soil erosion and land degradation, the programme promotes vegetative methods such as cover cropping, bio-fencing, and terracing along with changing cropping patterns tailored to local agro-climatic conditions and slope stability.

Explanation

In November 2025, India and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation during the 17th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation held in Tel Aviv, Israel. The meeting was co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence Major General (Res.) Amir Baram. The signed MoU establishes a unified policy framework to deepen bilateral defence cooperation across key domains, including strategic dialogues, training, defence industrial partnership, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and joint research and development.

Explanation

The Department of Biotechnology signed the first Centre-State Memorandum of Understanding under the BioE3 Policy with Assam to promote high-performance biomanufacturing and advance sustainable bio-economy initiatives in the state.

Explanation

Harappan cities were built on a well-planned grid system where streets and roads were wide, straight, and intersected each other at right angles, dividing the city into rectangular blocks. The civilization possessed an advanced underground drainage system running along the streets, constructed using burnt bricks and covered with removable stone slabs or large bricks to facilitate regular cleaning and maintenance.

Explanation

System software is a type of computer program designed to manage, control, and operate the computer hardware and core internal operations. It acts as an interface between the hardware components and the user or application programs, managing essential tasks such as memory allocation, process scheduling, file management, and device communication to ensure the system functions smoothly and reliably.

Explanation

On World Bioproduct Day, observed on 7 July 2025 under the theme 'World Bioproduct Day – The BioE3 Way', Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh called for wider public awareness and inclusive participation in India's biotechnology mission. Organised by the Department of Biotechnology along with BIRAC and iBRIC+, the event featured the nationwide dialogue series 'Voices Across the Cities' and highlighted India's commitment to building a 300 billion bioeconomy by 2030 through the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) framework.

Explanation

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to address development deficits in identified Minority Concentration Areas (MCAs). Originally launched as the Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP), it focuses on creating community infrastructure and basic amenities in sectors such as education, healthcare, skill development, sanitation, and drinking water to improve socio-economic indicators in these areas.

Explanation

Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation, is a high-efficiency micro-irrigation system that delivers water and nutrients directly to the root zone of plants. It operates through a network of pipes, tubing, valves, and specialized devices called emitters that release water slowly drop by drop at precise rates. By applying water targeted specifically at the base of each plant, it minimizes evaporation, runoff, and weed growth while maintaining optimal soil moisture levels.

Explanation

Ghazala Hashmi made history in November 2025 by winning the election for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. With this victory, she became the first Muslim and South Asian American elected to statewide office in Virginia, as well as the first Muslim woman elected to statewide executive office in the United States. Prior to assuming this position, she served in the Virginia State Senate representing the 15th district after spending nearly 30 years as a community college educator.

Explanation

Pakistan shares a land border of over 3,300 km with India to the west and northwest, stretching along the states and union territories of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Geographically, it is situated to the immediate northwest of the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019 as a long-term, time-bound national framework to address atmospheric pollution. The programme originally set a target to achieve a 20% to 30% reduction in coarse particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations by 2024, using 2017 baseline levels for comparison across targeted non-attainment cities.

Explanation

The 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991 granted special status to the Union Territory of Delhi by redesignating it as the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It inserted Articles 239AA and 239AB into the Constitution, providing for a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister for the territory.

Explanation

Fatehpur Sikri was founded by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1571 CE as the planned capital city of the Mughal Empire near Agra. Constructed primarily of red sandstone, it was built to honor the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who had blessed Akbar and predicted the birth of his son Jahangir. The city served as the imperial capital from 1571 to 1585 and includes grand architectural landmarks such as the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, and Diwan-i-Khas.

Explanation

Maintaining price stability is the primary objective of monetary policy conducted by central banks, including the Reserve Bank of India. Price stability ensures that inflation remains within a target range, which preserves the purchasing power of money, reduces economic uncertainty, and fosters sustainable long-term economic growth. In India, under the RBI Act of 1934, the flexible inflation targeting framework legally mandates the RBI to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of economic growth.

Explanation

The Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced dyarchy (dual rule) at the provincial level. Under this system, provincial subjects were demarcated into two lists: Reserved subjects, such as finance, law and order, land revenue, and justice, which were administered by the Governor and his Executive Council without accountability to the legislature; and Transferred subjects, such as education, public health, agriculture, and local self-government, which were administered by the Governor acting with ministers appointed from elected members of the Legislative Council.

Explanation

Glycogen is a multibranched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as the primary form of energy storage in humans and animals. It is synthesized and stored mainly in liver and skeletal muscle cells. Liver glycogen acts as a glucose reserve to maintain stable blood glucose levels between meals, while muscle glycogen provides an immediate energy source during physical activity.

Explanation

In December 2025, Brazil officially transferred the rotating BRICS presidency to India at the concluding session of the 4th BRICS Sherpas Meeting held in Brasília. During the ceremony, Brazil's Sherpa Ambassador Maurício Lyrio symbolically handed over the BRICS chairmanship gavel to India's Sherpa Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela. Brazil held the BRICS presidency throughout 2025, leading up to India assuming the leadership on January 1, 2026.

Explanation

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) was launched in 2015 as a sub-component of the Soil Health Management (SHM) scheme under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). It promotes eco-friendly organic farming practices by encouraging farmers to adopt traditional methods alongside modern scientific techniques. The primary objective of PKVY is to enhance soil fertility, eliminate reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and produce chemical-free, healthy food through cluster-based organic farming and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.

Explanation

Diligence refers to the capability of a computer to perform millions of tasks or calculations continuously over long periods without experiencing fatigue, tiredness, or loss of concentration, maintaining consistent performance throughout.

Explanation

In the Microsoft Windows operating system, pressing the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut displays a visual task switcher interface overlay. Holding down the Alt key while tapping the Tab key allows users to cycle through and quickly switch focus between currently open applications and active windows.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, Dadra and Nagar Haveli recorded the highest decadal population growth rate among all states and union territories in India, registering a growth rate of 55.88% during the decade 2001–2011. Its population expanded from 220,490 in 2001 to 343,709 in 2011, driven by rapid industrialization, tax incentives, and a substantial influx of migrant workers seeking economic and employment opportunities.

Explanation

During the Middle Palaeolithic period in India, tool-making shifted from heavy core tools to flake-based industries. The Levallois technique, a specialized prepared-core method, was primarily employed during this culture. In this technique, the stone core was carefully shaped in advance so that a single strike would detach a flake of predetermined size and shape. These flakes were then refined into specialized tools like scrapers, points, and borers, as widely evidenced at Middle Palaeolithic sites such as Nevasa in Maharashtra.

Explanation

Jalaluddin Khalji was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate to put forward the view that the state should be based on the willing support of the governed. Recognizing that the vast majority of the people living in India were non-Muslims, he maintained that a state in India could not be a truly Islamic state ruled purely by force, and that effective governance required the consent and goodwill of the subjects.

Explanation

WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. It is an audio file format and audio codec developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows Media framework. It is used to store compressed audio data and is widely supported by Windows operating systems and various digital media players.

Explanation

Northeastern India makes a lower overall contribution to India's national formal service economy relative to its population size and urban centers such as Guwahati, Shillong, Agartala, and Imphal. Factors contributing to this limited role include geographic terrain, lower infrastructure density, lower corporate presence, reduced urban-industrial integration, and a high reliance on informal sector employment or public administration rather than organized private tertiary services like IT and banking.