SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Latitude is defined as the angular distance of a point on the Earth's surface, measured in degrees, north or south of the equatorial plane. The equator represents 0° latitude and serves as the primary reference line. Measurements increase as one moves toward the poles, reaching a maximum of 90° North at the North Pole and 90° South at the South Pole. These coordinates are used in conjunction with meridians to pinpoint exact geographic locations on the Earth's surface. Because these lines run parallel to the equator and never intersect, they are also commonly referred to as parallels of latitude.

Explanation

The Waziri dance is a traditional folk dance performed by the Pashtun people, specifically the Wazir tribe inhabiting the Waziristan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. It is a fast-paced, energetic dance performed by a group of men who move in a circular formation, synchronizing their steps and hand movements to the rhythmic beat of the dhol. Traditionally used to celebrate victories or social gatherings, the dance remains a prominent feature of Pashtun cultural heritage and is frequently performed during weddings and festivals.

Explanation

The Jatiya Sangsad, the supreme legislative body of Bangladesh, has a total of 350 seats according to the Constitution of Bangladesh. Of these, 300 members are directly elected from territorial constituencies through a first-past-the-post system in general elections. Additionally, there are 50 seats reserved exclusively for women. These reserved seats are allocated among the political parties in proportion to their share of the 300 directly elected seats, and the members are elected by the directly elected members of the parliament. Together, these two components bring the maximum strength of the Bangladesh Parliament to 350.

Explanation

Hibernation is a physiological adaptation characterized by a state of deep dormancy and inactivity, typically occurring during the winter months. During this period, an animal undergoes significant biological changes, including a substantial drop in body temperature, a slowed heart rate, and a drastically reduced metabolic rate. This reduction in metabolic activity allows the organism to conserve vital energy reserves and survive extended periods of extreme cold and food scarcity by relying on accumulated body fat. Common in various species such as certain rodents, bats, and bears, hibernation is a critical survival mechanism for enduring harsh environmental conditions where maintaining a normal active state would be energetically impossible.

Explanation

The Venus Flytrap, scientifically known as Dionaea muscipula, is a well-known carnivorous plant native to the subtropical wetlands of the East Coast of the United States. It utilizes a highly specialized trapping mechanism consisting of modified leaf blades that form two hinged lobes. These lobes are equipped with sensitive sensory organs called trigger hairs or trichomes on their inner surfaces. When an insect or arachnid touches these hairs twice in quick succession, the lobes snap shut in a fraction of a second, ensnaring the prey. The plant then secretes digestive enzymes to decompose the organism, allowing it to absorb essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. This carnivorous behavior is an evolutionary adaptation that enables the plant to thrive in acidic, nutrient-poor soils where such elements are otherwise unavailable through the root system.

Explanation

Prithvi Narayan Shah was the ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom who initiated the unification campaign to consolidate the numerous small, independent principalities of the Himalayan region. His strategic military conquests, which culminated in the capture of the Kathmandu Valley in 1768, led to the formal establishment of the modern Kingdom of Nepal and the commencement of the Shah dynasty's rule over a unified state. By integrating various ethnic groups and territories into a single political entity, he is recognized as the founder of the nation and the architect of modern Nepal.

Explanation

In April 2019, the Russian Federation conferred its highest state decoration, the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The award was presented to him for his exceptional contribution to the development of a special privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India, as well as for strengthening the friendly relations between the citizens of the two nations. This order, which was originally established by Tsar Peter the Great in 1698 and later restored as the highest Russian honor in 1998, is awarded to prominent statesmen and public figures for outstanding service. Prime Minister Modi became the first Indian leader to be honored with this prestigious award.

Explanation

Intermediate goods are products that are used as inputs in the production of other goods or services. In economic accounting, these goods are sold by one firm to another for further processing or for resale within the same accounting period. Because intermediate goods are either transformed or entirely consumed during the manufacturing process, their value is incorporated into the value of the final product. This distinction is crucial in calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to avoid double counting, as the final price of a finished good already reflects the cost of all intermediate inputs used. Examples include raw materials like steel used in automobile manufacturing or flour purchased by a bakery to produce bread.

Explanation

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) is a flagship initiative established by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under the NITI Aayog. The primary objective of this program is to foster curiosity, creativity, and imagination in young minds across schools in India. By providing dedicated workspaces equipped with modern technologies such as 3D printers, robotics, miniaturized electronics, and the Internet of Things, NITI Aayog enables students from Class 6 to 12 to engage in hands-on learning and develop innovative solutions to community problems. The initiative is designed to cultivate a neoteric spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, aligning with the national vision of creating a technologically advanced and self-reliant India.

Explanation

Butterflies undergo a process called complete metamorphosis, which consists of four distinct developmental stages. The cycle begins when an adult butterfly lays an egg on a host plant. The second stage occurs when the egg hatches into a larva, commonly known as a caterpillar, which spends its time feeding and growing. The third stage is the pupa, also referred to as the chrysalis, where the caterpillar undergoes a total transformation. During this phase, the insect remains stationary within a protective shell while its body tissues are reorganized into the structures of the final form. Once this transformation is complete, the insect enters the fourth and final stage as an adult butterfly.

Explanation

In a circle, any inscribed trapezium must be an isosceles trapezium. Since AB is the diameter and CD is a chord, for ABCD to be a trapezium, the side AB must be parallel to CD.

Because AB is the diameter of the circle, the angle subtended by it at the circumference is a right angle, meaning ∠ ACB = 90°. In △ ABC, the sum of the interior angles is 180°. Given ∠ BAC = 15°, we calculate the base angle ∠ ABC = 180° - (90° + 15°) = 75°.

In an isosceles trapezium inscribed in a circle, the angles adjacent to the same base are equal. Therefore, ∠ DAB = ∠ ABC = 75°. The angle ∠ DAB is composed of two adjacent angles, ∠ CAD and ∠ BAC. By substituting the known values into the equation ∠ DAB = ∠ CAD + ∠ BAC, we get 75° = ∠ CAD + 15°. Subtracting 15° from both sides yields ∠ CAD = 60°.

Explanation

The expenditure on an item is the product of its price and the quantity consumed, expressed as E = P × C. To find the change in consumption, we can use the ratio of the new expenditure to the new price. Assuming the initial price and initial consumption are both 100, the initial expenditure is 100 × 100 = 10000.

The new price after an 18% increase is 118. The desired expenditure after a 12% increase is 11200. Therefore, the new consumption Cₙₑ_w is:

Cₙₑ_w = ¹¹²⁰⁰⁄₁₁₈ ≈ 94.915

The percentage decrease in consumption is:

100 - 94.915 = 5.085%

Alternatively, using the effective price-expenditure gap method:

Percentage Decrease = (118 - 112)/(118) × 100 = ⁶⁰⁰⁄₁₁₈ = ³⁰⁰⁄₅₉

Performing the division, 300 ÷ 59 gives 5.0847..., which rounds to 5.1% when corrected to one decimal place.

Explanation

The algebraic identity for the given expression is a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc = (a + b + c)(a² + b² + c² - ab - bc - ca). This can be rewritten in a more convenient form using the given values as a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc = (a + b + c)[(a + b + c)² - 3(ab + bc + ca)].

By substituting the given values a + b + c = 11 and ab + bc + ca = 38 into this formula, we get: a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc = 11 × [11² - 3(38)] a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc = 11 × [121 - 114] a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc = 11 × 7 = 77

Explanation

To find the correct average, we calculate the net change in the total marks and distribute it across the number of students. The correction in the total sum is given by the difference between the sum of the correct marks and the sum of the incorrectly entered marks.

Correct Sum of marks for the two students = 83 + 24 = 107 Incorrect Sum of marks for the two students = 38 + 42 = 80 Net Increase in total marks = 107 - 80 = 27

The change in the average is the net increase divided by the total number of students (N = 50): Change in average = ²⁷⁄₅₀ = ⁵⁴⁄₁₀₀ = 0.54

Correct Average = Old Average + Change in average Correct Average = 64 + 0.54 = 64.54

Explanation

The stoppage time per hour can be calculated using the direct relation between the speed without stops and the speed with stops. The difference in the distance covered in one hour due to stoppages is 70 - 56 = 14 km. This means the train loses the time it would have taken to cover these 14 km at its original speed of 70 km/h.

Using the formula: Stoppage time per hour = (Speed without stops - Speed with stops)/(Speed without stops) × 60 minutes

Substituting the values: Stoppage time = (70 - 56)/(70) × 60 Stoppage time = ¹⁴⁄₇₀ × 60 Stoppage time = ⅕ × 60 Stoppage time = 12 minutes

This indicates that out of every hour, the train is stationary for 12 minutes and in motion for 48 minutes.

Explanation

The selling price (SP) for each article is ₹10,384. To find the cost price (CP) of each article, we use the formula CP = (SP × 100)/(100 ± profit/loss%).

For the first article sold at an 18% gain: CP₁ = (10384 × 100)/(118) = 8800 The profit on this article is 10384 - 8800 = ₹1,584.

For the second article sold at a 12% loss: CP₂ = (10384 × 100)/(88) = 11800 The loss on this article is 11800 - 10384 = ₹1,416.

To determine the overall gain or loss, we find the net difference between the total profit and the total loss: Net Profit = 1584 - 1416 = ₹168

Alternatively, calculating total costs and total sales: Total CP = 8800 + 11800 = ₹20,600 Total SP = 10384 × 2 = ₹20,768 Overall Gain = 20768 - 20600 = ₹168

Explanation

The ratio of boys and girls in colleges A and B can be calculated using their respective percentages of the total population and their internal ratios. For College A, which has 20 percent of the students, the share of boys is 20 × ⁴⁄₄₊₅ = ⁸⁰⁄₉ and the share of girls is 20 × ⁵⁄₄₊₅ = ¹⁰⁰⁄₉. For College B, which has 18 percent of the students, the share of boys is 18 × ¹⁄₁₊₂ = 6 (which is ⁵⁴⁄₉) and the share of girls is 18 × ²⁄₁₊₂ = 12 (which is ¹⁰⁸⁄₉).

To find the combined ratio, sum the shares for boys and girls separately. The total share for boys is ⁸⁰⁄₉ + ⁵⁴⁄₉ = ¹³⁴⁄₉, and the total share for girls is ¹⁰⁰⁄₉ + ¹⁰⁸⁄₉ = ²⁰⁸⁄₉. The ratio of total boys to total girls is ¹³⁴⁄₉ : ²⁰⁸⁄₉, which simplifies to 134 : 208. Dividing both terms by 2 results in the final ratio of 67 : 104.

Explanation

The difference between compound interest and simple interest for a period of 2 years is given by the formula D = P ( (R)/(100) )², where D is the difference, P is the principal amount, and R is the rate of interest per annum.

In this problem, the principal P is x, the rate R is 9%, and the difference D is 20.25. Substituting these values into the formula:

20.25 = x ( ⁹⁄₁₀₀ )²

20.25 = x ( (81)/(10,000) )

To solve for x, rearrange the equation:

x = (20.25 × 10,000)/(81)

x = (202,500)/(81)

Dividing 202,500 by 81 yields:

x = 2,500

Explanation

In △ ABC, AD is the median. A point G on the median AD that divides it in the ratio AG : GD = 2 : 1 is defined as the centroid of the triangle. A standard geometric theorem states that the three triangles formed by connecting the centroid to the vertices, namely △ ABG, △ BCG, and △ CAG, are equal in area. Therefore, each of these triangles occupies exactly one-third of the total area of the original triangle, such that ar(△ ABG) = ⅓ ar(△ ABC). Alternatively, this can be calculated by observing that the median AD divides △ ABC into two triangles of equal area, so ar(△ ABD) = ½ ar(△ ABC). Within △ ABD, triangles △ ABG and △ GBD share the same altitude from vertex B to the line segment AD. Their areas are proportional to the lengths of their bases on AD. Since AG : GD = 2 : 1, the total length AD corresponds to 3 units, making AG = ⅔ AD. Thus, ar(△ ABG) = ⅔ ar(△ ABD) = ⅔ × ½ ar(△ ABC) = ⅓ ar(△ ABC).

Explanation

Total students in college A is 1800 × 20% = 360. Based on the ratio of boys to girls being 4:5, the number of girls in college A is ⁵⁄₄₊₅ × 360 = ⁵⁄₉ × 360 = 200. The number of girls transferred to college E is 10% of 200, which equals 20.

Total students in college E is 1800 × 10% = 180. Based on the ratio of boys to girls being 2:3, the initial number of girls in college E is ³⁄₂₊₃ × 180 = ⅗ × 180 = 108. The initial percentage of girls in college E is ¹⁰⁸⁄₁₈₀ × 100 = 60%.

After the transfer, the new total number of students in college E is 180 + 20 = 200, and the new number of girls in college E is 108 + 20 = 128. The new percentage of girls in college E is ¹²⁸⁄₂₀₀ × 100 = 64%. The increase in the percentage of girls in college E is 64% - 60% = 4%.

Explanation

The volume of a sphere is calculated using the formula V = ⁴⁄₃π r³, which establishes that the volume is directly proportional to the cube of the radius (V ∝ r³). When the radius increases by 140%, the new radius becomes 100% + 140% = 240% of the original radius. Expressed as a multiplier, the new radius is 2.4 times the original radius.

Since the volume is proportional to the cube of the radius, the new volume will be (2.4)³ times the original volume. Calculating the cube gives 2.4 × 2.4 × 2.4 = 13.824. This means the new volume is 1382.4% of the original volume.

To find the percentage increase, we subtract the original volume (100%) from the new volume (1382.4%). The calculation is 1382.4% - 100% = 1282.4%. Thus, an increase of 140% in the radius results in a 1282.4% increase in the volume of the sphere.

Explanation

Following the BODMAS rule, solve the bracket first (4.2 ÷ 0.7 × 3 = 18), then perform division (2 ÷ 0.5 = 4), followed by multiplication (5 × 4 = 20). The final calculation is 3.8 - 18 + 20, which equals 5.8.

Explanation

First, check if triangle ABC is a right-angled triangle by applying the Pythagorean theorem to its sides AB = 16 cm, AC = 63 cm, and BC = 65 cm. Calculating the squares of the sides gives 16² + 63² = 256 + 3969 = 4225. Since 65² = 4225, the equation AB² + AC² = BC² holds true, confirming that △ ABC is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at vertex A.

In any right-angled triangle, the midpoint of the hypotenuse is the circumcenter of the triangle. This means the distance from the right-angle vertex to the midpoint of the hypotenuse (the median AM) is equal to the circumradius of the triangle. The circumradius of a right-angled triangle is always half the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, the length of the median AM is calculated as AM = (BC)/(2) = ⁶⁵⁄₂ = 32.5 cm.

Explanation

Given the ratio a:b = 4:5, we can substitute a = 4k and b = 5k into the required expression. Since the expression (2a + 3b):(3a + 2b) is a ratio of two linear homogeneous polynomials in a and b, the constant k will cancel out, allowing for the direct substitution of a = 4 and b = 5.

Substituting these values into the first part of the ratio: 2a + 3b = 2(4) + 3(5) = 8 + 15 = 23

Substituting these values into the second part of the ratio: 3a + 2b = 3(4) + 2(5) = 12 + 10 = 22

Thus, the ratio (2a + 3b):(3a + 2b) is 23:22.

Explanation

National Girl Child Day is celebrated in India every year on 24th January. This initiative was started by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008 to raise public awareness about the inequalities faced by girls in Indian society. The day focuses on promoting the rights of the girl child and the importance of their education, health, and nutrition. Historically, 24th January is significant because it marks the anniversary of Indira Gandhi being sworn in as the first woman Prime Minister of India in 1966. By observing this day, the government aims to change social attitudes, address gender-based discrimination, and improve the status of the girl child through various national schemes and awareness campaigns.

Explanation

The Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, officially broke out on May 10, 1857, at the military cantonment in Meerut. The uprising was triggered when eighty-five sepoys of the 3rd Native Cavalry were court-martialed and sentenced to ten years of imprisonment for refusing to use the new Enfield rifle cartridges, which were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat. Following the sentencing, the remaining Indian soldiers in Meerut revolted against their British officers, released their imprisoned comrades, and began a march toward Delhi to proclaim the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the symbolic leader of the rebellion.

Explanation

Fertile riverine alluvial soil is exceptionally well-suited for rice cultivation due to its rich mineral content and high water-retention capacity. Rice is a moisture-intensive crop that thrives in the heavy, clayey loams found in river basins, floodplains, and deltas. These soils are rich in potash, phosphoric acid, and lime, which provide the essential nutrients required for the growth of paddy. The fine texture of alluvial deposits allows the soil to hold standing water for extended periods, a critical requirement for rice during its initial growth stages. Furthermore, the periodic replenishment of these soils by fresh silt during seasonal floods maintains their high fertility, supporting intensive agricultural production.

Explanation

The Jorwe culture was a prominent Chalcolithic archaeological culture that flourished in the semi-arid regions of the Deccan plateau, primarily in the modern-day state of Maharashtra. Named after the type site of Jorwe located on the Pravara River, a tributary of the Godavari, this culture dates roughly from 1400 BCE to 700 BCE. It is characterized by its distinctive black-on-red painted pottery, a sedentary rural lifestyle based on agriculture and animal husbandry, and well-established settlements. Major archaeological sites belonging to this culture, such as Daimabad, Inamgaon, Nevasa, and Chandoli, are all situated within the geographical boundaries of Maharashtra. These sites have provided significant evidence regarding early farming communities, social stratification, and funerary practices in Western India during the Copper Age.

Explanation

Vijay Hazare was a legendary Indian cricketer who captained the national team in 14 Test matches between 1951 and 1953. He is most notably remembered for leading India to its first-ever Test match victory, which was achieved against England at Madras in 1952. A prolific batsman, Hazare was the first Indian player to score a century in each innings of a Test match, a feat he accomplished against Australia at Adelaide in 1948. His significant impact on Indian cricket is commemorated by the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the premier domestic trophy for limited-overs cricket in India.

Explanation

The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is the national bird of Bhutan. It holds deep religious and cultural significance as it represents the protector deity Mahakala, specifically in the form of Jaroen Dongchen, the raven-headed guardian. According to Bhutanese tradition, this deity guided Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal during his journey from Tibet to Bhutan in the 17th century, leading to the unification of the country. The bird is so central to Bhutanese identity that it adorns the Raven Crown worn by the Druk Gyalpo, the King of Bhutan, symbolizing the protective power and sanctity of the monarchy. It was formally adopted as the national bird to reflect these historic and spiritual ties.

Explanation

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 at St. Mary's Hospital in London. While researching Staphylococcus bacteria, he observed that a contaminating mold, identified as Penicillium notatum, had inhibited the growth of the bacteria in a petri dish. He realized the mold was secreting a substance with powerful antibacterial properties, which he subsequently named penicillin. This serendipitous discovery laid the foundation for the development of modern antibiotics. For this significant contribution to medical science, Fleming was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945.

Explanation

Geothermal energy is the thermal energy generated and stored within the Earth's interior. The prefix geo originates from the Greek word for Earth, while thermal refers to heat. This energy is produced by the radioactive decay of isotopes such as uranium, thorium, and potassium in the Earth's crust and mantle, as well as from the primordial heat left over from the planet's formation. This internal heat flows outward toward the surface, where it can be harnessed through hot springs, geysers, or by drilling deep wells to access steam and hot water that drive turbines for electricity generation.

Explanation

In basketball, cherry picking refers to a strategy where a player remains near the opponent's basket instead of returning to their own half to defend. The goal of this tactic is to receive a long outlet pass immediately after their team gains possession of the ball via a rebound or turnover. This allows the cherry picker to execute an easy, uncontested layup or dunk before the opposing team can transition back to defense. While often effective for quick scoring, it is frequently criticized as it leaves the defending team shorthanded.

Explanation

Gottfried Haberler is credited with providing the Opportunity Cost Theory of international trade in 1936. Before Haberler, the classical economists like David Ricardo explained the law of comparative advantage based on the labor theory of value, which assumed labor was the only factor of production. Haberler refined this by introducing the concept of opportunity cost, defining the cost of a commodity as the amount of a second commodity that must be given up to release just enough resources to produce one additional unit of the first commodity. This approach allowed the theory to account for multiple factors of production and varying costs, making the doctrine of comparative advantage more modern and scientifically robust.

Explanation

Amitav Ghosh was conferred with the 54th Jnanpith Award in 2018 for his outstanding contribution to literature. This was a landmark moment in the history of the award as he became the first author writing in the English language to receive this prestigious honor. The Jnanpith Award is India's highest literary award, traditionally recognized for works in Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Ghosh's selection by the Jnanpith Selection Board, headed by novelist Pratibha Ray, recognized his extensive body of work that intricately weaves together personal lives with the vast histories of colonialism and the Indian Ocean world.

Explanation

Formic acid, also known as methanoic acid with the chemical formula HCOOH, is the simplest carboxylic acid. It is produced naturally by various insects, particularly ants of the subfamily Formicinae. When an ant bites or stings, it injects this acid into the skin as a defense mechanism or to subdue prey. The irritation, redness, and stinging sensation experienced after a bite are primarily caused by the corrosive nature of the formic acid reacting with the tissues. The name formic acid is derived from the Latin word formica, which means ant, reflecting its historical discovery and extraction through the distillation of ant bodies.

Explanation

Marfati is a traditional genre of folk music in Bangladesh that is deeply rooted in Sufi mysticism. The term is derived from the Arabic word Marifat, which refers to the intuitive or spiritual knowledge of God. These songs are devotional and philosophical, focusing on the relationship between the human soul and the Divine. Often performed by Sufi practitioners and folk singers in rural Bengal, Marfati songs emphasize the path of love and inner realization to reach the Creator, making them a significant part of the musical and spiritual heritage of Bangladesh.

Explanation

The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere marks the moment when the North Pole is tilted at its maximum angle toward the sun, causing the sun to reach its highest point in the sky at noon. This phenomenon results in the longest period of daylight and the shortest night of the calendar year for locations north of the equator. During the summer solstice, the sun rays fall vertically over the Tropic of Cancer, located at 23.5° N latitude. In the year 2019, this astronomical event took place on June 21 at approximately 15:54 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Since the Earth orbit and axial tilt cause the timing to shift slightly each year, the solstice generally falls between June 20 and June 22.

Explanation

Derived demand occurs when the demand for a particular good, service, or factor of production is a direct result of the demand for another final product. In economics, this typically applies to raw materials, intermediate goods, and labor. These items are not consumed for their own sake but are necessary inputs used in the production process to satisfy the consumer demand for a finished good. For example, the demand for steel is derived from the demand for automobiles and construction projects, while the demand for labor is derived from the demand for the outputs that workers produce. If the demand for the final product increases, the derived demand for its constituent inputs will rise proportionately.

Explanation

Khushwant Singh was a prominent Indian author and historian who penned the comprehensive two-volume scholarly work titled A History of the Sikhs. Published in the 1960s, this seminal text provides a detailed account of the Sikh religion and community, tracing its origins from the birth of Guru Nanak through the development of the Khalsa, the rise and fall of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the subsequent socio-political developments up to the mid-20th century. The book is widely regarded as an authoritative reference in Sikh studies for its balanced narrative and extensive research.

Explanation

Oviparous animals are characterized by the production of eggs that hatch outside the body of the parent. Frogs are amphibians that typically follow this reproductive mode. During the breeding process, the female frog deposits eggs into water or a moist environment, where they are fertilized externally by the male. These eggs are encased in a protective jelly-like substance and contain the necessary nutrients to support the developing embryo until it hatches into a larval stage, known as a tadpole. Since the development of the offspring occurs entirely within the egg external to the mother's body, frogs are classified as oviparous creatures.

Explanation

Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star located in the constellation of Centaurus, situated at a distance of approximately 4.2465 light-years from the Sun. It is part of the Alpha Centauri triple star system, which also includes the binary pair Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B. Because of its orbital path around the central binary pair, Proxima Centauri is currently the closest individual star to our Solar System. Its proximity was first discovered in 1915 by Robert Innes, and it remains the nearest known stellar neighbor to Earth beyond the Sun.

Explanation

Article 61 of the Constitution of India prescribes the procedure for the impeachment of the President for the violation of the Constitution. This procedure is quasi-judicial and can be initiated by either House of Parliament. The process begins with a charge contained in a resolution, which must be signed by at least one-fourth of the total membership of the House and moved after providing a 14-day written notice to the President. To proceed, the resolution must be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the House that initiated the charge. The other House then investigates the charge or causes it to be investigated, during which the President has the right to appear and be represented. If the investigating House also passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority of its total membership declaring the charge sustained, the President is removed from office.

Explanation

Ismail Omar Guelleh, the President of Djibouti, was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2019 for his exceptional and distinguished service in the field of Public Affairs. His leadership was instrumental in strengthening the bilateral and strategic ties between India and Djibouti. He notably provided critical logistical and diplomatic support during India's Operation Rahat in 2015, which allowed Djibouti to serve as a vital transit hub for the evacuation of thousands of Indian citizens and foreign nationals from war-torn Yemen. This recognition highlights his significant contribution to India's international relations and humanitarian efforts in the Horn of Africa.

Explanation

Manu Sawhney was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council in early 2019, formally taking over the role from David Richardson in April 2019. Sawhney brought significant experience to the position, having previously served as the Managing Director of ESPN Star Sports and the CEO of Singapore Sports Hub. His selection followed a comprehensive global recruitment process led by the ICC Nominations Committee to find a successor capable of managing the commercial and strategic growth of world cricket.

Explanation

The Governor and Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies, popularly known as the East India Company, was incorporated by a Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600. This charter provided the company a monopoly on all English trade in the waters of the East and Southeast Asia and India for an initial period of fifteen years. The company was formed to compete with the Dutch and Portuguese interests in the lucrative spice trade of the East Indies and later expanded its operations to include silk, cotton, indigo dye, tea, and opium. This official incorporation marked the beginning of organized English commercial ventures in the Indian Ocean region.

Explanation

The Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), native to the island of Cuba, is recognized as the smallest living bird in the world. An adult typically measures only about 5 to 6 centimeters in length and weighs approximately 1.6 to 2 grams, which is lighter than a single high-denomination coin. Because of its tiny size and the high frequency of its wingbeats, it is frequently mistaken for a bee while foraging for nectar among flowers.

Explanation

Under Article 243E of the Constitution of India, which was established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, every Panchayat continues for a period of five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. The elected representatives of the Gram Panchayat, including the Ward Members and the Sarpanch, hold office for this five-year duration. This constitutional provision ensures a uniform term for local self-government bodies across the country to maintain stability and continuity in rural administration. If a Gram Panchayat is dissolved before the completion of its full term, elections to constitute the new body must be completed within six months from the date of dissolution.

Explanation

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, widely known as Sam Bahadur, was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Under his strategic leadership, the Indian Army executed a swift and coordinated campaign against Pakistani forces in East Pakistan, resulting in the surrender of over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers in just thirteen days. Manekshaw famously advised Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to delay military action until the conclusion of the monsoon season to ensure optimal operational conditions and logistical readiness. His significant contribution to India's military history was recognized when he became the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the five-star rank of Field Marshal in January 1973.

Explanation

The difference between compound interest and simple interest for a period of 2 years is determined by the formula D = P ( ʳ⁄₁₀₀ )², where D is the difference, P is the principal, and r is the annual rate of interest. Given that the difference D is 28.90, the rate r is 8.5%, and the principal P is represented by x, the values are substituted into the formula as follows:

28.90 = x · ( (8.5)/(100) )²

28.90 = x · (72.25)/(10000)

To solve for x, the equation is rearranged:

x = (28.90 · 10000)/(72.25)

x = (289000)/(72.25)

By dividing 289000 by 72.25, the value is found to be:

x = 4000