Who was the President of Indian National Congress at the time of Indian independence ?
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Answer: (B) J. B. Kriplani
Explanation
J. B. Kripalani, often referred to as Acharya Kripalani, was the President of the Indian National Congress during the pivotal transition to Indian independence. He was elected to this position at the Meerut session of the Congress in November 1946. As the incumbent President, he was the head of the party when the British transferred power to India on August 15, 1947. He served in this capacity throughout the final negotiations of the independence movement and the implementation of the Mountbatten Plan, holding the office until his resignation in November 1947.
302General Awareness
What is the minimum age for membership to Raiya Sabha ?
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Answer: (C) 30 years
Explanation
Article 84 of the Constitution of India prescribes the qualifications for being a Member of Parliament. Specifically, Article 84 (b) states that a person is not qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) unless they are not less than 30 years of age. This age threshold is intended to maintain the character of the Rajya Sabha as a deliberative body of senior members who can provide a sober second thought to the legislation proposed by the lower house. This constitutional provision ensures that the upper house remains a stable and mature legislative chamber.
303General Awareness
What is an octroi ?
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Answer: (A) Tax
Explanation
Octroi is a local tax levied by municipal authorities on the entry of goods into a specific jurisdiction for use, consumption, or sale. Historically, it served as a significant source of revenue for local bodies and urban local governments in India. The tax is typically calculated based on the value, weight, or quantity of the goods entering the city limits. By 2016, octroi had been largely phased out in most Indian states in favor of more streamlined taxation systems to facilitate the free movement of goods across regions.
304General Awareness
Sextant is an instrument used in which of the following ?
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Answer: (B) Navigation
Explanation
A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument used to measure the angular distance between two visible objects. Its primary purpose is to measure the altitude of celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, or stars, relative to the horizon. By determining this angle and noting the precise time of the observation, a navigator can calculate the latitude and longitude of their position. This process, known as celestial navigation, has been a fundamental technique for maritime and aeronautical travel for centuries, allowing for accurate positioning when landmarks or electronic systems are unavailable.
305General Awareness
Which of the following is not correctly matched?
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Answer: (D) Jain temples - Khajuraho
Explanation
Khajuraho is primarily recognized as a major site for Hindu temples constructed by the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. The architectural complex is dominated by Hindu shrines dedicated to deities such as Shiva and Vishnu, with the Kandariya Mahadeva temple serving as its most famous example. While the site does include a small cluster of Jain temples in the Eastern Group, it is not considered the primary or representative location for Jain architecture. In historical and cultural contexts, the specific designation of Jain temples as a primary identifier is more accurately and exclusively associated with sites like the Dilwara Temples in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, or the temple complex at Palitana.
306General Awareness
What is Gol Gumbadh ?
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Answer: (D) Mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah
Explanation
Gol Gumbaz, located in Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur), Karnataka, is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1627 to 1656. Completed in 1656 by the architect Yaqut of Dabul, the structure is an eminent example of Indo-Islamic architecture, specifically the Deccan style. It is renowned for its massive circular dome, which is one of the largest masonry domes in the world, and its unique whispering gallery where the slightest sound is echoed several times due to the acoustics of the space.
307General Awareness
Where is a transistor most likely to be found ?
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Answer: (C) Hearing aid
Explanation
A transistor is a fundamental semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. In a hearing aid, the primary requirement is the amplification of weak sound signals received by a microphone into stronger signals that can be delivered to the wearer's ear through a speaker. Transistors serve as the core components of the amplifier circuit within these devices. Historically, the hearing aid was the first mass-produced consumer product to utilize transistors, replacing bulky and fragile vacuum tubes. This shift allowed for the extreme miniaturization, high reliability, and low battery consumption necessary for a device that must be worn discreetly and operate continuously for long periods.
308General Awareness
Which organ of human body secretes Insulin?
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Answer: (A) Pancreas
Explanation
The pancreas is a dual-function gland that acts as both an exocrine and an endocrine organ. The endocrine portion consists of specialized clusters of cells called the Islets of Langerhans. Within these islets, the beta cells (β-cells) are specifically responsible for the synthesis and secretion of insulin. Insulin is a vital peptide hormone that regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood into liver, fat, and skeletal muscle cells, thereby maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
309General Awareness
If a healthy freshwater fish is placed in salt water, what will be the expected consequence ?
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Answer: (A) The fish becomes dehydrated and dies
Explanation
Freshwater fish are hypertonic to their natural environment, meaning their internal solute concentration is higher than that of the surrounding water. When such a fish is placed in salt water, the surrounding environment becomes hypertonic relative to the fish's tissues. According to the principles of osmosis, water moves across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. Consequently, water is drawn out of the fish's body through its gills and skin into the saline environment. This rapid loss of internal fluids causes the fish to suffer from severe dehydration and osmotic shock, which eventually leads to death.
310General Awareness
Which country is known as 'Land of Midnight Sun'?
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Answer: (B) Norway
Explanation
Norway is famously called the Land of the Midnight Sun because a substantial part of the country is located north of the Arctic Circle. During the summer months, specifically from late May to late July, the sun never fully sets below the horizon in these northern regions, meaning it remains visible even at midnight. This astronomical phenomenon occurs due to the tilt of the Earth's axis as it orbits the sun, which causes the North Pole to be inclined toward the sun during the summer solstice. In the Svalbard archipelago, the northernmost inhabited part of Norway, the sun remains visible continuously from approximately April 20 to August 22.
311General Awareness
Which river basin is shared by more than 10 States of India ?
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Answer: (C) Ganges
Explanation
The Ganges river basin is the largest river basin in India, covering a total area of about 861,452 square kilometers, which accounts for nearly 26 percent of the country's geographical area. It is the only river basin in India that is shared by 11 states and union territories. The states that fall within the Ganges basin are Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, in addition to the Union Territory of Delhi. The basin is fed by numerous Himalayan tributaries such as the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi, as well as peninsular tributaries like the Son and Chambal, allowing its drainage area to spread across more than 10 administrative units in the northern and central parts of the country.
312General Awareness
Who among the following was the first grammarian of the Sanskrit language?
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Answer: (D) Panini
Explanation
Panini is widely recognized as the first and most influential grammarian of the Sanskrit language. He authored the monumental work titled Ashtadhyayi, which consists of approximately 4,000 sutras or aphorisms. This text systematically codified the rules of Sanskrit phonology, morphology, and syntax, effectively defining the structure of Classical Sanskrit. His precise and scientific approach to linguistics remains a foundational pillar of the Indian grammatical tradition and is often cited as a precursor to modern formal language theory.
313General Awareness
What is the total strength of the Rajya Sabha?
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Answer: (A) 250
Explanation
Under Article 80 of the Constitution of India, the maximum permitted strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250. This total capacity consists of two categories: 238 members who represent the States and Union Territories, and 12 members who are nominated by the President of India. The nominated members are chosen for their distinguished contributions or expertise in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service. The representatives of the states are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. While the actual functional strength may vary based on parliamentary statutes, the constitutional ceiling remains 250.
314General Awareness
Which of the following is done at a Stock Exchange ?
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Answer: (C) Securities are bought and sold
Explanation
A stock exchange is a centralized and regulated marketplace designed for the trading of financial instruments known as securities. These securities encompass a wide range of assets, including equity shares of public limited companies, corporate debentures, government bonds, and derivative contracts. The exchange provides the legal and technical infrastructure required for the secondary market, where investors buy and sell existing securities among themselves. This environment ensures transparency, liquidity, and efficient price discovery based on the forces of demand and supply, ultimately facilitating the flow of capital from savers to productive sectors of the economy.
315General Awareness
Which of the following is India's military offensive against Pakistan in the Kargil war ?
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Answer: (C) Operation Vijay
Explanation
Operation Vijay was the code name assigned to the Indian military offensive launched in May 1999 to evict Pakistani regular soldiers and infiltrated militants from the high-altitude outposts in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The intruders had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and occupied strategic peaks, threatening the vital Srinagar-Leh highway. The operation involved high-altitude warfare under extreme conditions, where the Indian Army successfully recaptured several key positions such as Tiger Hill and Tololing. This ground offensive was supported by the Indian Air Force under Operation Safed Sagar. The conflict concluded on July 26, 1999, when India successfully reclaimed all occupied territories. This day is celebrated annually across the country as Kargil Vijay Diwas to honor the success of the mission and the bravery of the Indian armed forces.
316General Awareness
Who gave the title 'Nightingale of India' to Sarojini Naidu ?
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Answer: (D) Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation
Mahatma Gandhi bestowed the title Nightingale of India, or Bharat Kokila, upon Sarojini Naidu in recognition of the lyrical beauty and rhythmic quality of her poetry. Her literary contributions, such as The Golden Threshold and The Bird of Time, were highly regarded for their mastery of imagery and melody which captured the essence of Indian life. Gandhi shared a close political and personal bond with Naidu, who was a stalwart of the Indian independence movement and served as a prominent leader within the Indian National Congress. Her ability to articulate the aspirations of the freedom struggle through both her verse and her eloquent oratory further cemented this honorary designation.
317General Awareness
The headquarters of RBI is in
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Answer: (C) Mumbai
Explanation
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) functions as the central banking institution of the country. It was founded on April 1, 1935, following the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission. While the bank's central office was initially located in Kolkata, it was shifted permanently to Mumbai in 1937. This headquarters serves as the primary seat of the RBI Governor and is the location where key decisions regarding monetary policy, currency issuance, and banking regulation are finalized.
318General Awareness
Swarna Jayanti Gram Swaroigar Yojna has now been restructured as
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Answer: (B) National Rural Livelihoods Mission
Explanation
The Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) was originally launched in April 1999 to promote self-employment among the rural poor by organizing them into Self Help Groups. Following a series of evaluations that identified deficiencies in the scheme's implementation, the Ministry of Rural Development restructured SGSY into the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in June 2011. This restructuring was designed to adopt a mission-mode approach for poverty reduction, focusing on social mobilization, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihood enhancement. The program emphasizes building strong institutions for the poor to enable them to access formal credit and diversify their household income. In November 2015, the mission was further renamed as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
319General Awareness
Neeraj Chopra is associated with which sports?
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Answer: (C) Javelin Throw
Explanation
Neeraj Chopra gained international recognition in July 2016 when he won the gold medal at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. During this event, he set a world junior record with a throw of 86.48 meters, becoming the first Indian athlete to achieve a world record in track and field. His specialized discipline within athletics is the javelin throw, a field event where he has established himself as a premier competitor representing India.
320General Awareness
Which of the following is not a commercial source of energy?
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Answer: (D) Firewood
Explanation
Firewood is classified as a non-commercial source of energy because it is generally gathered by users from the environment rather than being purchased through an organized market system. In traditional and rural economies, energy sources like fuel wood, agricultural waste, and animal dung are collected for personal consumption, primarily for domestic activities such as cooking and heating. Unlike commercial fuels, these sources lack a formal pricing structure and are not part of large-scale industrial or commercial distribution networks.
321General Awareness
Who is the runners-up in the recently held UEFA Euro-16?
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Answer: (C) France
Explanation
France hosted the 2016 UEFA European Championship and progressed to the final match held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on July 10, 2016. After playing to a scoreless draw during the initial ninety minutes of regulation, the match proceeded into extra time. France conceded a goal in the 109th minute and was unable to score an equalizer before the end of the game, finishing the tournament in second place.
322General Awareness
Taoism, is an ancient tradition of Philosophy and religious belief deeply rooted in
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Answer: (B) Chinese custom and world view
Explanation
Taoism, also known as Daoism, is an indigenous philosophical and religious tradition that originated in ancient China during the 6th century BCE. It is fundamentally shaped by the teachings of Laozi, the legendary author of the Tao Te Ching, and was further developed by the philosopher Zhuangzi. The tradition emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, which is understood as the underlying principle or source of the universe. Taoist thought has profoundly influenced Chinese culture for over two millennia, shaping its medicine, martial arts, literature, and social values through concepts such as wu wei (effortless action) and the balance of Yin and Yang. It remains a cornerstone of the Chinese world view alongside Confucianism and Buddhism.
323General Awareness
Which of the following is an emergency hormone in humans?
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Answer: (C) Adrenalin
Explanation
Adrenalin, also known as epinephrine, is secreted by the adrenal medulla during situations of sudden stress, danger, or excitement. It is widely referred to as the emergency hormone because it initiates the fight-or-flight response. When released into the bloodstream, it rapidly increases the heart rate, enhances blood flow to skeletal muscles, dilates the pupils, and boosts blood glucose levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. These physiological changes provide the body with a sudden surge of energy and heightened alertness required to either confront a threat or flee from it.
324General Awareness
Which term is not associated with sound wave?
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Answer: (C) Candela
Explanation
Candela is the SI base unit of luminous intensity, which measures the power emitted by a light source in a particular direction per unit solid angle, weighted by the luminosity function. It is a fundamental unit used in the field of optics and photometry to quantify visible light. The candela relates specifically to the perception of light brightness and has no physical association with the transmission or properties of mechanical longitudinal waves such as sound.
325General Awareness
In computer science, data hazard occurs when
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Answer: (A) pipeline changes the order of read/write access to operands
Explanation
Data hazards in a processor pipeline occur when the overlapping execution of instructions results in a sequence of operand accesses that differs from the order intended by the original program code. In a sequential execution model, each instruction completes its read and write operations before the next begins. However, pipelining allows multiple instructions to be in different stages of execution simultaneously. A hazard arises when an instruction depends on the result of a previous instruction that has not yet completed its write operation, or when the pipeline logic reorders accesses such that a read occurs before a necessary write or a write occurs out of order. This discrepancy in the timing and order of read/write operations to registers or memory locations necessitates stalls or forwarding to ensure data integrity.
326General Awareness
During the period of which Governor General / Viceroy was the Indian Civil Service introduced?
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Answer: (D) Cornwallis
Explanation
Lord Cornwallis, who served as the Governor-General of Bengal from 1786 to 1793, is widely regarded as the Father of Civil Services in India. He reorganized and professionalized the administration of the East India Company by introducing the Covenanted Civil Services. To ensure integrity and efficiency, he implemented the Cornwallis Code of 1793, which separated the revenue administration from the administration of justice and prohibited civil servants from engaging in private trade. By increasing salaries and enforcing strict discipline, he transformed the company's mercantile staff into a structured bureaucratic hierarchy, establishing the foundations of the modern Indian administrative system.
327General Awareness
Which of the following is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere?
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Answer: (D) Exosphere
Explanation
The exosphere is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the top of the thermosphere to approximately 10,000 kilometers above the planet's surface. It functions as a transitional zone between the atmosphere and outer space. In this region, the air is extremely thin and consists mainly of low densities of hydrogen and helium. Because the particles are so far apart, they can travel hundreds of kilometers without colliding with one another. Many of these particles move fast enough to overcome Earth's gravitational pull and escape into space. The lower boundary of this layer is known as the exobase or thermopause, while its outer limit eventually merges with the solar wind.
328General Awareness
The first Commercial Civilian Aircraft developed by India is :
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Answer: (D) Saras
Explanation
The Saras is India's first multi-purpose civilian aircraft, designed and developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). The project was initiated to create a light transport aircraft capable of performing roles such as commuter services, executive transport, aerial surveillance, and air ambulance duties. The first prototype of the Saras conducted its successful maiden flight on May 29, 2004, at the HAL airport in Bangalore. It was specifically engineered to operate from short semi-prepared runways, making it suitable for improving regional connectivity across various terrains in the country.
329General Awareness
Webbed neck is a characteristic of
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Answer: (B) Turner's syndrome
Explanation
Turner's syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in females characterized by the complete or partial absence of one X chromosome, resulting in a 45,X karyotype. A webbed neck, scientifically known as pterygium colli, is a hallmark physical feature of this condition. It manifests as bilateral folds of skin extending from the sides of the neck down to the shoulders. This feature typically develops due to the presence of a cystic hygroma, which is a fluid-filled sac resulting from lymphatic system blockage during fetal development. When the hygroma resolves before birth, it leaves behind the redundant skin that forms the characteristic webbing.
330General Awareness
The World Trade Organisation, which replaced GATT, has its Head Quarters in
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Answer: (D) Geneva
Explanation
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was officially established on January 1, 1995, under the Marrakesh Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) which had been in place since 1948. The organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, housed in the Centre William Rappard. Geneva was selected to host the WTO to maintain administrative continuity, as the GATT secretariat had also been based in the same city throughout its existence, functioning as the primary international center for trade negotiations and dispute settlement.
331General Awareness
The minimum age limit for the membership of the Vidhan Parishad is ____.
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Answer: (C) 30 years
Explanation
According to Article 173(b) of the Constitution of India, a person must be not less than 30 years of age to be eligible for membership in the Legislative Council or Vidhan Parishad. The Vidhan Parishad serves as the upper house in a bicameral state legislature, and this age qualification is identical to the requirement for the Rajya Sabha at the Union level. These age limits are established to ensure that the members of the upper houses possess a certain level of maturity and experience. Additionally, the individual must be a citizen of India and possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by Parliament.
332General Awareness
National Anthem of Bangladesh 'Amar Sonar Bangla' was written by
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Answer: (A) Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation
Rabindranath Tagore composed Amar Sonar Bangla in 1905 during the period of the first partition of Bengal. The song was written to kindle the spirit of unity among Bengalis and to protest the British policy of communal divide. Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the first ten lines of this poem were adopted as the national anthem of the new nation. Tagore holds the unique distinction of being the only poet in history to have composed the national anthems of two different sovereign nations: India and Bangladesh.
333General Awareness
The largest producer of Lac in India is
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Answer: (B) Jharkhand
Explanation
Jharkhand is the leading producer of lac in India, historically contributing over 50 percent of the country's total production. The state's favorable agro-climatic conditions and the abundance of host trees such as Palas, Ber, and Kusum facilitate extensive lac cultivation, particularly in districts like Khunti, Ranchi, Gumla, and Simdega. The prominence of the state in this sector is further highlighted by the location of the Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums in Ranchi, which serves as the primary research and development hub for lac in the country. Data leading up to 2016 confirms Jharkhand's consistent top ranking in national lac output.
334General Awareness
The founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Child Movement ) is
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Answer: (D) Kailash Satyarthi
Explanation
Kailash Satyarthi founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan in 1980 as a grassroots movement dedicated to ending child labor, child trafficking, and bonded labor in India. The organization has been instrumental in rescuing tens of thousands of children from exploitative conditions and reintegrating them into society through rehabilitation and education. His persistent advocacy led to significant legislative changes and increased global awareness regarding children's rights. For his lifelong struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education, Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
335General Awareness
If an electron and a photon have the same wavelength, then they will have the same
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Answer: (B) linear momentum
Explanation
According to the de Broglie hypothesis, the wavelength λ associated with any particle or wave is inversely proportional to its linear momentum p. This relationship is expressed by the formula λ = ʰ⁄ₚ, where h represents Planck's constant. Rearranging this equation gives p = (h)/(λ). Since Planck's constant is a universal constant, the linear momentum depends solely on the wavelength. Therefore, if an electron and a photon possess the same wavelength, they must necessarily possess the same linear momentum.
336General Awareness
Pandit Lachhu Maharaj, who passed away recently, was associated with
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Answer: (B) Tabla
Explanation
Pandit Lachhu Maharaj was a legendary Indian classical musician and a prominent exponent of the Benaras Gharana. Born as Lakshmi Narayan Singh, he was a master of the Tabla and was widely recognized for his technical proficiency and unique rhythmic patterns. He passed away on July 28, 2016, in Varanasi at the age of 72. Throughout his career, he was celebrated for his ability to perform both as a soloist and as an accompanist to several stalwarts of Indian classical music, leaving a significant impact on the tradition of percussion in India.
337General Awareness
A tropical deciduous plant special to the Deccan plateau is
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Answer: (C) Sandalwood
Explanation
Sandalwood (Santalum album) is a dry deciduous tree species that is highly characteristic of and native to the southern Deccan plateau, particularly in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It thrives in the semi-arid climate and hilly terrain of the plateau, where the well-drained red loamy soils provide the ideal conditions for its growth as a hemi-parasitic plant. The Mysore region of Karnataka is globally renowned for its sandalwood production, leading to the tree being closely associated with the ecological and cultural identity of the Deccan. While other deciduous trees are found across various parts of India, the high-quality natural stands of sandalwood are geographically concentrated in this specific plateau region.
338General Awareness
Kalarippayatt is the martial art of which State of
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Answer: (D) Kerala
Explanation
Kalarippayatt is a traditional martial art form that originated in the southern state of Kerala. Recognized as one of the oldest surviving fighting systems in the world, it is deeply rooted in the cultural and social history of the region. The practice is traditionally conducted in a specialized training space known as a Kalari, where practitioners undergo rigorous training in physical agility, strikes, kicks, and the use of various weapons such as swords, shields, and wooden staffs. The art form also incorporates a unique system of indigenous medicine and massage known as Kalari Chikitsa to maintain the physical well-being of the practitioners. It gained significant prominence during the medieval period in Kerala and remains a vital part of the state's heritage.
339General Awareness
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by
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Answer: (D) None
Explanation
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. These organisms are specialized, corkscrew-shaped bacteria known as spirochetes. The infection is typically transmitted to humans through contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals, most commonly rodents, cattle, and dogs. The bacteria can enter the body through skin abrasions or mucous membranes. Because the primary causative agent is bacterial, the disease is clinically classified as a bacterial infection.
340General Awareness
The most abundant metal in the Earth's crust is
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Answer: (C) aluminium
Explanation
Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, constituting approximately 8.1% of its total elemental mass. While oxygen and silicon are more plentiful overall, they are classified as a non-metal and a metalloid, respectively. Aluminium is the third most abundant element in the crust and is found in a wide variety of silicate minerals and ores, most notably bauxite. Its high reactivity means it is rarely found in its pure metallic form in nature, typically appearing instead in complex compounds throughout the lithosphere.
341General Awareness
Hepatitis affects which organ of the human body?
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Answer: (A) Liver
Explanation
Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver tissue. The term is derived from the Greek word hepar, meaning liver, and the suffix -itis, which denotes inflammation. This condition disrupts the liver's essential functions, including the detoxification of blood, the production of bile for digestion, and the synthesis of proteins. While it is most frequently caused by viral infections (specifically hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E), it can also be triggered by secondary factors such as chronic alcohol consumption, certain toxins, or autoimmune responses where the body's immune system attacks its own liver cells.
342General Awareness
Mohammed Shahid, who recently passed away, was associated with which sport?
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Answer: (B) Hockey
Explanation
Mohammed Shahid was a legendary Indian field hockey player, widely regarded as one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the sport. He was a pivotal member of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Throughout his career, he earned significant recognition for his skills and contribution to Indian sports, receiving the Arjuna Award in 1980-81 and the Padma Shri in 1986. He passed away on July 20, 2016, due to multiple organ failure.
343General Awareness
A 'Market Economy' is one which
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Answer: (B) is free from the Government control
Explanation
A market economy is an economic system where the decisions regarding investment, production, and distribution are guided by the price signals created by the forces of supply and demand. In such a system, the government does not intervene in the allocation of resources or the determination of prices. Instead, these are determined through the interaction of private individuals and businesses in a decentralized marketplace. This framework relies on the principle of laissez-faire, which advocates for minimal state interference in economic affairs, allowing competition and consumer preferences to dictate the movement of the economy. The primary role of the government in a pure market economy is limited to maintaining the rule of law and protecting property rights rather than controlling economic output.
344General Awareness
The novelist, poet and critic of which language has been conferred with Jnanpith Award for 2015?
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Answer: (D) Gujarati
Explanation
The 51st Jnanpith Award for the year 2015 was conferred upon Raghuveer Chaudhari, a prominent figure in Gujarati literature. Chaudhari is a prolific writer who has excelled as a novelist, poet, and critic, contributing over 80 books to the literary world. His notable works include the trilogy Uparvas, Sahwas, and Antarvas, as well as the novel Amrita, which reflect his deep understanding of human nature and social structures. He was recognized for his immense contribution to the enrichment of the Gujarati language and Indian literature at large. Chaudhari became the fourth Gujarati litterateur to be honored with this prestigious award, joining the ranks of writers like Umashankar Joshi and Pannalal Patel.
345General Awareness
The 'Cabinet Mission' of 1946 was led by
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Answer: (C) Sir Pethic Lawrence
Explanation
The Cabinet Mission arrived in India in March 1946 to facilitate the transfer of power and discuss the framework for India's independence. Sir Pethic Lawrence, serving as the Secretary of State for India, was the official leader and chairman of the mission. He was accompanied by Sir Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander. Under Lawrence's leadership, the mission proposed a plan for a federal union of India and the formation of a Constituent Assembly, aimed at resolving the constitutional deadlock between the major Indian political parties regarding the future structure of the Indian state.
346General Awareness
Mount Abu is a hill station located in _____ ranges.
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Answer: (C) Aravalli
Explanation
Mount Abu is the only hill station in the state of Rajasthan, situated in the Aravalli Range within the Sirohi district. The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest geological features in the world, extending from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Haryana and Delhi. Mount Abu sits on a high rocky plateau and is home to Guru Shikhar, which is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range at an elevation of 1722 meters. The region is characterized by its unique ecosystem, featuring the Nakki Lake and the famous Dilwara Jain Temples.
347General Awareness
The only perennial river in Peninsular India is ____.
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Answer: (B) Kaveri
Explanation
The Kaveri river is the only perennial river in Peninsular India because it benefits from a unique rainfall pattern involving both the Southwest and Northeast monsoons. Its upper catchment area in the Western Ghats of Karnataka receives heavy rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season from June to September. Subsequently, its lower catchment area in the plains of Tamil Nadu receives significant rainfall during the retreating or Northeast Monsoon season from October to December. This dual rainfall regime provides the river with a consistent water supply across different seasons, maintaining its flow throughout the year and preventing it from drying up like typical rain-fed rivers of the Deccan plateau.
348General Awareness
Which one of the following forms the base of vegetable fibres?
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Answer: (A) Cellulose
Explanation
Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and the primary structural component of the cell walls in green plants. As vegetable fibers are derived from plant sources such as seeds, stems, and leaves, they are composed almost entirely of cellulose molecules arranged in a specific crystalline structure. This organic polymer, consisting of linear chains of β(1 → 4) linked D-glucose units, provides the necessary tensile strength and rigidity to the plant structure. Because the cell wall is the source material for these fibers, cellulose serves as the fundamental chemical base for all plant-based textiles and materials, including cotton, linen, jute, and hemp.
349General Awareness
A particle is thrown vertically upward. When it reaches the highest point, it has ________
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Answer: (A) a downward acceleration
Explanation
When a particle is thrown vertically upward, it is subjected to the constant force of gravity throughout its entire trajectory. This gravitational force acts towards the center of the Earth, providing a constant downward acceleration g ≈ 9.8 m/s². At the peak of the motion, the particle's instantaneous velocity reaches zero as it transitions from moving upward to moving downward. However, the acceleration does not vanish; if the acceleration were zero at the highest point, the velocity would not change, and the particle would remain suspended in the air. Based on Newton's Second Law, F = ma, since the force of gravity F = mg continues to act on the particle at the highest point, it must possess a downward acceleration equal to g.
350General Awareness
CPU Scheduler is also known as ____.
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Answer: (C) Short-term Scheduler
Explanation
The CPU scheduler is also known as the short-term scheduler because it selects processes from the ready queue in main memory to allocate the central processing unit. Its primary function is to decide which process will execute next whenever the CPU becomes idle. This scheduler operates at a very high frequency, often making decisions every few milliseconds, to ensure that the processor is utilized efficiently and that the system remains responsive to users. Because it deals with the immediate transition of processes from a ready state to a running state, its operational scope is classified as short-term.