SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Lorenz Curve is a graphical representation of the distribution of income or wealth within a population, developed by American economist Max O. Lorenz in 1905. It plots the cumulative percentage of the total income earned against the cumulative percentage of the population, starting from the poorest individuals. In an ideal scenario of perfect equality, the curve would be a straight 45-degree diagonal line where x percent of the population earns exactly x percent of the total income. The actual Lorenz Curve typically bows below this diagonal line; the further the curve deviates from the line of perfect equality, the greater the degree of income inequality within the society. This visual tool is fundamental in welfare economics for calculating the Gini coefficient, which quantifies the gap between the line of equality and the observed distribution.

Explanation

Humayun regained the Mughal throne in 1555 by defeating Sikandar Shah Suri at the Battle of Sirhind. Following the death of Islam Shah Suri, the Sur Empire had fractured into several competing territories ruled by different members of the Suri dynasty. Sikandar Suri, who controlled the Punjab region, was the primary obstacle to Humayun's return to Delhi. Humayun’s forces, commanded by his general Bairam Khan, decisively defeated Sikandar Suri's army in June 1555. This victory ended the fifteen-year exile of the Mughals and allowed Humayun to re-occupy Delhi and Agra, effectively bringing the Suri dynasty's rule over North India to an end.

Explanation

Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, designed and built the Harmandar Sahib in the center of the Amrit Sarovar. He began the construction process in 1581 and invited the Muslim Sufi saint Mian Mir of Lahore to lay the foundation stone in 1589 to emphasize interfaith harmony. The architecture of the temple was unique, featuring four entrances to symbolize that the shrine was open to everyone regardless of caste, creed, or religion. Guru Arjan Dev also oversaw the completion of the project and installed the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of the Sikhs, within the temple in 1604, establishing it as the preeminent spiritual center for the Sikh community.

Explanation

Shifting cultivation is a traditional agricultural method where a patch of forest land is cleared through the slash-and-burn technique and used for farming for a short duration. In the hilly areas of North-East India, including states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram, this practice is predominantly known as Jhum cultivation or Jhumming. The local tribal communities, often referred to as Jhumias, rely on this system for their livelihood, rotating their crops and moving to new forest plots once the soil fertility of the current patch is depleted, which allows the abandoned land to revert to its natural state.

Explanation

The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, popularly known as the Anti-Defection Law, was added by the 52nd Amendment Act in 1985. According to Paragraph 6 of this Schedule, any question regarding the disqualification of a member of a House arising out of defection is decided by the Chairman or the Speaker of that House. In the specific case of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker is the designated presiding officer vested with the authority to adjudicate such matters. While the Speaker's decision was originally intended to be final, the Supreme Court in the Kihoto Hollohan case (1992) ruled that this decision is subject to judicial review on grounds of mala fides, perversity, or violation of constitutional mandate.

Explanation

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) of the United Arab Emirates launched the Lose to Win programme in March 2019 as a strategic initiative to promote public health among government employees. The programme was an eight-week challenge designed to encourage overweight staff members to adopt a healthier lifestyle through structured weight loss, physical activity, and nutritional guidance. By providing medical evaluations, fitness sessions, and educational workshops, the UAE government aimed to reduce obesity rates and the prevalence of chronic diseases within the workforce, aligning with the country's broader national health goals.

Explanation

The Qutub Minar was dedicated to the memory of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. He was a prominent mystic of the Chishti Order and the spiritual successor to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. Bakhtiyar Kaki held immense influence over the early rulers and the public of the Delhi Sultanate due to his piety and spiritual teachings. The construction of the minaret was a tribute to his high standing as a religious authority in the 13th century. It remains a significant monument reflecting the deep integration of Sufi traditions within the historical and architectural landscape of Delhi.

Explanation

Alessandro Volta discovered methane in 1776 while investigating reports of inflammable air in the marshes of Lake Maggiore. He was the first to isolate the gas and identify it as a distinct substance, which he initially called inflammable air from marshes. Through his experiments, Volta demonstrated that this gas, when mixed with air in specific proportions, could be ignited or exploded using an electric spark. This discovery was a significant contribution to the study of gases and eventually led to the invention of the eudiometer, a tool used to measure the change in volume of a gas mixture following a chemical reaction.

Explanation

Zoji La is a high mountain pass in the Himalayas at an elevation of approximately 3,528 meters. It is situated on National Highway 1 and serves as the vital land link connecting the Kashmir Valley, specifically Srinagar, to the cold desert regions of Kargil and Leh in Ladakh. Often referred to as the Gateway to Ladakh, it is crucial for the transport of goods and supplies and for strategic military movement, especially since the region is prone to heavy snowfall that closes the pass for several months during winter.

Explanation

Henry Moseley, a British physicist, invented the first atomic battery in 1912. His device, often referred to as the Moseley cell, consisted of a glass sphere coated on the inside with silver and a radium source positioned at the center on a wire. The radium emitted beta particles, which are high-speed electrons. As these electrons traveled from the radium source to the silvered surface of the sphere, they created a charge imbalance, resulting in a high-voltage potential difference. This experiment provided the first demonstration that the energy released during radioactive decay could be converted directly into electrical energy, laying the conceptual foundation for modern nuclear batteries.

Explanation

The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) every four years. Since the inaugural games held in New Delhi, India, in 1951, the competition has followed a quadrennial cycle, typically occurring in the even-numbered years between the Summer Olympic Games. This schedule aligns the Asian Games with other major international sporting events like the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, ensuring a consistent four-year interval for athletes to prepare and compete at the highest level within the Asian continent. The event is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is considered the second-largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympic Games.

Explanation

Bajrang Punia won the gold medal in the Men's 65 kg freestyle category at the Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov ranking series tournament held in Ruse, Bulgaria, in March 2019. In the final match, he defeated Jordan Oliver of the United States with a score of 12-3. This victory was significant as it helped him secure the world number one ranking in the 65 kg category at that time. He dedicated his gold medal to Indian Air Force wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Explanation

William Thomson, better known as Lord Kelvin, was a preeminent physicist who played a foundational role in the development of modern physics. In 1848, he proposed an absolute thermometric scale that was independent of the properties of any particular substance, based on the laws of thermodynamics. Through his research, he determined that the lowest possible temperature, or absolute zero, is -273.15°C. He was also instrumental in the formal codification of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, working alongside scientists like James Prescott Joule and Rudolf Clausius to define the conservation of energy and the inevitable dissipation of energy. In recognition of his pioneering work in establishing the absolute temperature scale and his contributions to thermodynamics, the SI unit of thermodynamic temperature was named the Kelvin.

Explanation

The Alvarez hypothesis, proposed in 1980 by physicist Luis Alvarez and his son, geologist Walter Alvarez, states that a massive asteroid struck the Earth approximately 66 million years ago, leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Their research focused on a distinct layer of sedimentary rock found worldwide at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, which contains high concentrations of iridium. Since iridium is rare in the Earth's crust but abundant in asteroids, they concluded that the iridium layer resulted from a catastrophic impact. This event, later linked to the Chicxulub crater in Mexico, caused dramatic environmental changes, including a global dust cloud that blocked sunlight and collapsed the ecosystems supporting dinosaur life.

Explanation

Guru Arjan Dev (1563–1606) became the fifth Sikh Guru in 1581, succeeding his father Guru Ram Das. His leadership was a transformative period for the Sikh faith, as he was responsible for compiling the Adi Granth, the first official edition of the Sikh scriptures, which he installed in the newly built Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in 1604. He expanded the city of Amritsar and established it as a major center of trade and worship. In 1606, he became the first Sikh Guru to be martyred, an event that profoundly influenced the future direction and militarization of the Sikh community under his successor.

Explanation

Vitamin A is essential for the synthesis of rhodopsin, also known as visual purple, which is a light-sensitive pigment found in the rod cells of the retina. Rod cells are responsible for vision in low-light and dim conditions. A deficiency in Vitamin A leads to a decrease in the production of rhodopsin, impairing the eye's ability to adapt to darkness. This clinical condition is known as nyctalopia or night blindness, where an individual experiences significant difficulty seeing at night or in poorly lit environments. In severe or prolonged cases, this deficiency can progress to xerophthalmia, characterized by the drying and hardening of the cornea.

Explanation

Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi created history on February 19, 2018, by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo. She performed this feat by flying a MiG-21 Bison, a supersonic interceptor, for approximately 30 minutes from the Jamnagar Air Force Station in Gujarat. This milestone occurred after she was inducted into the Indian Air Force fighter stream in June 2016 as part of the first batch of three women fighter pilots. Her successful solo sortie in the Russian-made MiG-21, known for having the highest landing and take-off speed in the world, marked a significant step forward for gender integration in the Indian Armed Forces.

Explanation

Marcelo Gleiser is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist at Dartmouth College who became the first Latin American to win the Templeton Prize in March 2019. The prize is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to affirming life's spiritual dimension through insight, discovery, or practical works. Gleiser earned this recognition for his work in exploring the complex relationship between science, philosophy, and spirituality. His research and public outreach emphasize that science is not merely a tool for technological advancement but a deeply human quest to understand the mystery of our origins and the nature of the universe, often bridging the gap between rigorous scientific inquiry and the profound sense of wonder typically associated with spiritual or philosophical thought.

Explanation

Peter Tabichi, a Franciscan friar and science teacher from rural Kenya, was awarded the 2019 Global Teacher Prize in March 2019. He teaches at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, Nakuru, where he has been credited with significantly improving student attendance and performance in science despite the school lacking basic facilities like a library or laboratory. Tabichi was recognized for his extraordinary dedication, which included donating 80 percent of his monthly salary to support local community projects and help students afford uniforms and books. Under his mentorship, the school's science club qualified for international competitions, such as the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in the United States, demonstrating his success in fostering excellence in a high-poverty environment.

Explanation

Let r be the radius of the circle with center O. Let the perpendicular from O to the chords CD and AB meet them at points P and Q respectively. Since the perpendicular from the center bisects the chord, CP = 11/2 = 5.5 cm and AQ = 5/2 = 2.5 cm. Let OP = x cm. Given that the distance between the parallel chords is 3 cm and the shorter chord is further from the center, OQ = x + 3 cm.

In the right-angled triangle OPC, applying Pythagoras theorem: r² = OP² + CP² = x² + (5.5)² = x² + 30.25

In the right-angled triangle OQA, applying Pythagoras theorem: r² = OQ² + AQ² = (x + 3)² + (2.5)² = x² + 6x + 9 + 6.25 = x² + 6x + 15.25

Equating the two expressions for r²: x² + 30.25 = x² + 6x + 15.25 6x = 30.25 - 15.25 6x = 15 x = 2.5

Substitute x = 2.5 into the equation for r²: r² = (2.5)² + 30.25 = 6.25 + 30.25 = 36.5 r = √(36.5)

The diameter of the circle is d = 2r = 2√(36.5) = √(4 × 36.5) = √(146) cm.

Explanation

The total production of all cars in the year 2018 is the sum of the production of types A, B, C, D, and E for that year. Total production in 2018 = 65 + 72 + 56 + 68 + 64 = 325 thousand. The average production of cars in 2018 is calculated by dividing this sum by the number of car types: Average production in 2018 = (325)/(5) = 65 thousand.

Next, find the combined production of type D cars in 2015 and type B cars in 2017: Production of type D in 2015 = 56 thousand. Production of type B in 2017 = 64 thousand. Total combined production = 56 + 64 = 120 thousand.

To find what percent the average production of 2018 is less than this combined total, use the formula for percentage decrease: Percentage less = (120 - 65)/(120) × 100 Percentage less = (55)/(120) × 100 Percentage less = (550)/(12) ≈ 45.833%

Rounding to one decimal place, the average production is approximately 45.8% less than the combined production of type D in 2015 and type B in 2017.

Explanation

The equation (1)/(cosec θ - 1) + (1)/(cosec θ + 1) = 2 sec θ simplifies as follows:

(cosec θ + 1 + cosec θ - 1)/(cosec² θ - 1) = 2 sec θ

Using the identity cosec² θ - 1 = cot² θ:

(2 cosec θ)/(cot² θ) = 2 sec θ

Substituting cosec θ = 1/sin θ and cot θ = cos θ/sin θ:

(2/sin θ) · (sin² θ/cos² θ) = 2 sec θ

2 · (sin θ/cos θ) · (1/cos θ) = 2 sec θ

2 tan θ sec θ = 2 sec θ

tan θ = 1 ⇒ θ = 45°

Now, evaluate the required expression for θ = 45°:

cot 45° + cos 45° = 1 + 1/√2

= (√2 + 1)/√2

Multiplying the numerator and denominator by √2:

√2(√2 + 1)/(√2 · √2) = (2 + √2)/2

Explanation

Let the average speed of train A be x km/h. Since the speed of train B is 16 km/h less than that of A, the speed of train B is (x - 16) km/h. The distance for the journey is given as 96 km.

The time taken by train A is t_A = ⁹⁶⁄ₓ and the time taken by train B is t_B = (96)/(x - 16). According to the problem, train A takes one hour less than train B, so the difference in time is:

(96)/(x - 16) - ⁹⁶⁄ₓ = 1

96 ( (x - (x - 16))/(x(x - 16)) ) = 1

96 × 16 = x² - 16x

x² - 16x - 1536 = 0

Factoring the quadratic equation, we look for two numbers that multiply to -1536 and add to -16. These numbers are -48 and +32.

(x - 48)(x + 32) = 0

This gives x = 48 or x = -32. Since speed cannot be negative, the average speed of train A is 48 km/h. Testing this value, if speed of A is 48 km/h, time taken is 96 / 48 = 2 hours. Speed of B would be 48 - 16 = 32 km/h, and time taken by B would be 96 / 32 = 3 hours, which correctly results in a 1-hour difference.

Explanation

In any triangle where an altitude and an angle bisector are drawn from the same vertex to the opposite side, the angle between the altitude and the angle bisector is equal to half the positive difference of the other two angles of the triangle.

For △ ABC, with altitude AM ⊥ BC and angle bisector AN of ∠ A, the measure of ∠ MAN is given by the formula: ∠ MAN = ½ |∠ B - ∠ C|

Given that ∠ B = 55° and ∠ C = 35°, we substitute these values into the formula: ∠ MAN = ½ |55° - 35°| ∠ MAN = ½ × 20° ∠ MAN = 10°

Explanation

The weight of the cylindrical road roller is determined by multiplying the volume of the metal by its density. The volume of a hollow cylinder is calculated using the formula V = π(R² - r²)h, where R is the outer radius, r is the inner radius, and h is the length.

Given the inner radius r = 27 cm and the thickness of the metal is 9 cm, the outer radius R = 27 + 9 = 36 cm. The length h is 1 meter, which is 100 cm.

Substituting the dimensions into the volume formula: V = π(36² - 27²) × 100 V = π(1296 - 729) × 100 V = 56700π cm³

The density of the metal is given as 8 g/cm³. The weight in grams is found by multiplying the volume by the density: Weight = 56700π × 8 = 453600π g

To convert the weight to kilograms, we divide the value by 1000: Weight = 453600π / 1000 = 453.6π kg

Explanation

Let the original cost price be CP. Initially, the article is sold at a 12% profit, which makes the original selling price SP = 1.12 × CP. According to the second condition, if the cost price were 12% less, the new cost price would be CPₙₑ_w = 0.88 × CP. If the article were sold for 9 less, the new selling price would be SPₙₑ_w = 1.12 × CP - 9.

The profit in the second case is 27%. Using the relationship SPₙₑ_w = CPₙₑ_w × (1 + (Profit%)/(100)), we can substitute the values:

1.12 × CP - 9 = 0.88 × CP × (1 + ²⁷⁄₁₀₀)

1.12 × CP - 9 = 0.88 × CP × 1.27

1.12 × CP - 9 = 1.1176 × CP

To find CP, we rearrange the equation:

1.12 × CP - 1.1176 × CP = 9

0.0024 × CP = 9

CP = (9)/(0.0024) = ⁹⁰⁰⁰⁰⁄₂₄ = 3,750

Explanation

To find the required ratio, determine the sum of production for the first group and the second group using the data provided in the table.

The first group includes type A cars in 2017 and type C cars in 2014. Production of type A in 2017 = 66 Production of type C in 2014 = 54 Sum 1 = 66 + 54 = 120

The second group includes type B cars in 2014, type C cars in 2017, and type E cars in 2018. Production of type B in 2014 = 46 Production of type C in 2017 = 50 Production of type E in 2018 = 64 Sum 2 = 46 + 50 + 64 = 160

The required ratio is: Ratio = 120 : 160

By dividing both terms by their greatest common divisor, 40, the ratio simplifies to: Ratio = 3 : 4

Explanation

A number is divisible by 88 if it is divisible by both 8 and 11. For the number 67127y76x2 to be divisible by 8, its last three digits 6x2 must be divisible by 8. By testing digits, we find x = 3 because 632 / 8 = 79.

For divisibility by 11, the difference between the sum of the digits at odd positions and the sum of the digits at even positions must be 0 or a multiple of 11. Sum of digits at odd positions (from right): 2 + 6 + y + 2 + 7 = 17 + y Sum of digits at even positions (from right): x + 7 + 7 + 1 + 6 = 21 + x

The difference is (21 + x) - (17 + y) = 4 + x - y. Substituting x = 3, the difference becomes 4 + 3 - y = 7 - y. For this value to be zero, y must be 7.

Now, substituting x = 3 and y = 7 into the expression (7x - 2y): 7(3) - 2(7) = 21 - 14 = 7

Explanation

Let the initial income be 100. Since Surbhi spends 75% of her income, her initial expenditure is 75 and her initial savings are 25. The relationship between income I, expenditure E, and savings S is defined by the formula I = E + S.

According to the given changes, the income increases by 20%, so the change in income Δ I = 100 × 0.20 = 20. Her savings decrease by 1%, so the change in savings Δ S = 25 × (-0.01) = -0.25.

Using the relationship for changes, Δ I = Δ E + Δ S, we can find the change in expenditure: 20 = Δ E + (-0.25) Δ E = 20 + 0.25 = 20.25

The percentage increase in expenditure is calculated by the ratio of the change in expenditure to the original expenditure: Percentage Increase = (Δ E)/(E) × 100 Percentage Increase = (20.25)/(75) × 100 = ²⁰²⁵⁄₇₅ = 27

Explanation

Total work is calculated as the product of the combined efficiency of all workers and the total time taken to complete the task. Given the efficiency ratio of A, B, and C as 3:5:1, their combined daily efficiency is 3 + 5 + 1 = 9 units. Since they complete the work in 5 days, the total work is 9 × 5 = 45 units.

A and B working together have a combined efficiency of 3 + 5 = 8 units per day. In 3 days, they complete 8 × 3 = 24 units of work. The remaining work is 45 - 24 = 21 units. The time taken by C to finish this remaining work is calculated by dividing the remaining work by C's efficiency. With an efficiency of 1 unit per day, C will take 21 / 1 = 21 days to complete the task.

Explanation

Since the chord AB is parallel to the tangent PQR at point Q, the alternate interior angles formed by the transversal BQ must be equal. Therefore, ∠ ABQ = ∠ BQR = 70°.

According to the Alternate Segment Theorem, the angle between a tangent and a chord through the point of contact is equal to the angle subtended by the chord in the alternate segment. For the tangent QR and chord QB, the angle in the alternate segment is ∠ QAB. Thus, ∠ QAB = ∠ BQR = 70°.

In △ AQB, the sum of the interior angles is 180°. We have: ∠ AQB + ∠ QAB + ∠ ABQ = 180° ∠ AQB + 70° + 70° = 180° ∠ AQB + 140° = 180° ∠ AQB = 180° - 140° = 40°

Explanation

The central angle of a sector in a pie chart is determined by the ratio of the specific value to the total sum of all values, multiplied by 360°.

First, calculate the total production of type D cars from 2014 to 2018: Total Production of D = 48 + 56 + 63 + 65 + 68 = 300

The production of type D cars in the year 2017 is 65.

To find the central angle for the 2017 sector, use the formula: Central Angle = (Value in 2017)/(Total Value) × 360° Central Angle = (65)/(300) × 360° Central Angle = (65)/(30) × 36° Central Angle = (65)/(5) × 6° Central Angle = 13 × 6° = 78°

Explanation

Let the four positive numbers in ascending order be a, b, c, and d. The average of the first three numbers is 12, so their sum is a + b + c = 3 × 12 = 36.

The average of all four numbers is ᵃ⁺ᵇ⁺ᶜ⁺ᵈ⁄₄ = ³⁶⁺ᵈ⁄₄. According to the given condition, one-third of this average is 19 less than the greatest number d. This is expressed by the equation:

⅓ ( (36 + d)/(4) ) = d - 19

To solve for d, first simplify the denominator:

(36 + d)/(12) = d - 19

Multiplying both sides by 12 to eliminate the fraction:

36 + d = 12(d - 19)

36 + d = 12d - 228

Rearrange the terms by moving d to the right and constant terms to the left:

36 + 228 = 12d - d

264 = 11d

d = ²⁶⁴⁄₁₁ = 24

Explanation

To find the required percentage, first calculate the combined production of type A cars in 2016 and type E cars in 2014. From the table, production of type A in 2016 is 44 thousand and production of type E in 2014 is 46 thousand. The sum is 44 + 46 = 90 thousand.

Next, calculate the total production of type C cars from 2014 to 2018 by summing the values in the row for car C: 54 + 45 + 45 + 50 + 56 = 250 thousand.

The required percentage is calculated using the formula: Percentage = (Sum of A (2016) and E (2014))/(Total production of C (2014-2018)) × 100

Substituting the values: Percentage = (90)/(250) × 100 = (9)/(25) × 100 = 9 × 4 = 36%

Explanation

In an isosceles triangle, the altitude drawn to the base bisects the base, dividing the triangle into two congruent right-angled triangles. Here, the base is 10 cm, so the base of each right-angled triangle is 5 cm (half of 10 cm). The altitude of 12 cm serves as the height of these right-angled triangles. Using the Pythagorean theorem, the length of the equal side s, which is the hypotenuse, is calculated as:

s² = (base/2)² + altitude² s² = 5² + 12² s² = 25 + 144 s² = 169 s = √(169) = 13 cm

Alternatively, using the standard Pythagorean triplet (5, 12, 13), where 5 and 12 are the legs and 13 is the hypotenuse, we directly find the equal side to be 13 cm.

Explanation

To find the combined ratio of A, B, and C, we equalize the part for B in both ratios. Given A:B = 7:12 and B:C = 8:5, the least common multiple of 12 and 8 is 24. Multiplying the first ratio by 2 and the second ratio by 3, we get: A:B = 14:24 B:C = 24:15 Therefore, the combined ratio A:B:C = 14:24:15.

Let the shares be 14k, 24k, and 15k. The difference between the shares of A and C is |15k - 14k| = k. According to the problem, k = 214.

The total sum x is the sum of all shares: x = 14k + 24k + 15k = 53k Substituting the value of k: x = 53 × 214 x = 11342

Explanation

Spiritual Enhancement is not a designated skill subject within the CBSE curriculum framework. For the academic session 2019-20, the board introduced new vocational subjects to align with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), focusing on enhancing employability and 21st-century skills. These subjects are specifically chosen to provide practical training in professional sectors such as technology, wellness, and education. Spiritual Enhancement does not fall under any of the approved vocational or skill-based categories recognized by CBSE for formal assessment or credit at the secondary or senior secondary levels.

Explanation

The Dhamekh Stupa is a massive Buddhist structure situated at Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. It was originally commissioned by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE to commemorate the Buddha's first sermon, known as the Dhamma Chakra Pavattana, delivered to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The stupa is a solid cylindrical structure made of red bricks and stone, standing approximately 43.6 meters high. While the foundation dates back to the Ashokan period, the intricate floral carvings and geometric patterns visible on the stone facing were added during the Gupta period in the 5th and 6th centuries CE. It remains one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists worldwide, symbolizing the beginning of the Buddhist Sangha.

Explanation

Curium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element represented by the symbol Cm and atomic number 96. It belongs to the actinide series, which is a group of 15 metallic elements in the periodic table starting from actinium (atomic number 89) through lawrencium (atomic number 103). Curium was first synthesized in 1944 by bombarding plutonium-239 with alpha particles in a cyclotron. As a member of the 5f-block elements, it exhibits properties typical of the heavy actinides, including multiple oxidation states and significant radioactivity.

Explanation

The Law of Octaves was proposed by the English chemist John Newlands in 1865. He observed that when chemical elements are arranged in the order of increasing atomic weights, the properties of every eighth element are a repetition of the properties of the first element. This pattern is analogous to the octaves found in music, where the eighth note resembles the first note in character. Because the cycle of similarity repeats at the eighth position, there is a consistent interval of seven elements between any two elements that share similar physical and chemical properties. For instance, in Newlands' arrangement, Lithium is followed by seven elements before reaching Sodium, which exhibits similar chemical behavior.

Explanation

A budget deficit occurs when the government's total expenditure, comprising both revenue and capital spending, exceeds its total receipts, which include tax and non-tax revenues. It is a primary indicator of a government's fiscal health, represented by the formula Budget Deficit = Total Expenditure - Total Receipts. When this gap exists, the government must find ways to finance the excess spending, typically through borrowing or utilizing its cash reserves. It reflects the extent to which the government is reliant on external sources to fund its operations and developmental projects beyond its earned income for a specific fiscal period.

Explanation

The Global Business Summit (GBS) is a flagship annual event launched on 15 January 2015 by the Times Group, specifically spearheaded by The Economic Times. The summit serves as a premier global platform that brings together world leaders, policymakers, and top business executives to discuss economic challenges and investment opportunities, with a particular focus on India's growth story. Since its inception, the event has featured prominent speakers, including the Prime Minister of India, and aims to foster international cooperation and strategic business partnerships.

Explanation

The Special Olympics World Games are the flagship events of the Special Olympics movement and are held every two years. This biennial schedule occurs because the movement alternates between Summer and Winter World Games. While each specific version (Summer or Winter) follows a four-year cycle, the alternation ensures that a global competition takes place every twond year. For instance, the Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in 2017 in Austria, and the Special Olympics World Summer Games were held in 2019 in Abu Dhabi. This frequency helps maintain a continuous global platform for promoting the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.

Explanation

Article 85(1) of the Constitution of India explicitly vests the power to summon the Houses of Parliament in the President. The provision mandates that the President shall from time to time summon each House to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, ensuring that six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session. In practice, the President exercises this constitutional power on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Once the decision to convene a session is taken, the formal order of summoning is signed by the President, and the summons is subsequently issued to the members of Parliament.

Explanation

Superstats is an advanced cricket analytics platform launched in 2019 by ESPNcricinfo in collaboration with researchers from IIT Madras and Gyan Data. The platform utilizes data science and machine learning to provide deeper context to player performances and match situations. It is built around three specific metrics: Smart Stats, which adjusts traditional figures based on match pressure and conditions; Luck Index, which measures the impact of unpredictable events like toss results or dropped catches; and Forecaster, which uses historical data and current match state to predict outcomes and final scores. Score Index is not one of the metrics included in the Superstats suite.

Explanation

Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal, hailing from Chandigarh, made history in February 2019 by becoming the first woman flight engineer of the Indian Air Force. She achieved this milestone after successfully completing a rigorous six month training course at the 112 Helicopter Unit, Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru. Commissioned into the engineering branch of the IAF in 2015, she previously served as a battery commander in a frontline Surface to Air Missile squadron. Her role as a flight engineer involves monitoring and operating complex aircraft systems during various missions, marking a significant step for gender integration in specialized technical roles within the Indian armed forces.

Explanation

Safdarjung's Tomb is a prominent marble and sandstone mausoleum located in New Delhi. It was constructed in 1754 by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah as a tribute to his father, Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, who was popularly known as Safdarjung. Safdarjung served as the powerful Wazir or Prime Minister of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur. The monument is architecturally significant as the last monumental garden tomb of the Mughal era, designed in the charbagh style with a central tomb structure surrounded by four square gardens, following the tradition of earlier Mughal structures like Humayun's Tomb.

Explanation

Mehr-un-Nisa was the daughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, a Persian immigrant who served in the Mughal court. She was the widow of Sher Afgan, a rebel officer in Bengal. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir married her in 1611, making her his twentieth and most beloved wife. Recognizing her exceptional intelligence, administrative skills, and beauty, Jahangir bestowed upon her the title Nur Mahal (Light of the Palace) and later Nur Jahan (Light of the World). She became a dominant political force in the empire, often handling state affairs and issuing imperial decrees (farman) alongside the Emperor.

Explanation

Cerium, with the chemical symbol Ce and atomic number 58, is a member of the lanthanide series. The lanthanides comprise the fifteen metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers ranging from 57 (Lanthanum) to 71 (Lutetium). These elements are located in the f-block of the periodic table and are characterized by the progressive filling of the 4f electron subshell. Cerium is the second element in this series and is known for being the most abundant of the rare earth elements.

Explanation

Muling La is a high-altitude mountain pass situated in the Great Himalayas at an elevation of approximately 5,669 meters. It provides a seasonal connection between the state of Uttarakhand and Tibet. Geographically, the pass is located in the Uttarkashi district, positioned directly to the north of the Gangotri region. It historically served as an important trade and trekking route linking the Bhagirathi river valley in India with the Tibetan plateau before the closure of the border.