SSC CGL Tier 1 2020 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Swaraj Party, originally established as the Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party, was formed in January 1923 with Chittaranjan Das as its President and Motilal Nehru as its Secretary. The party emerged following the Gaya session of the Indian National Congress in December 1922, where a disagreement arose over the strategy of council entry. After the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement, these leaders advocated for ending the boycott of legislative councils. They sought to contest elections and enter the councils to obstruct British governance from within, effectively using the legislature as a platform to demand self-rule and expose the limitations of the colonial administrative system.

Explanation

Benzene (C₆H₆) is a cyclic hydrocarbon with a planar, regular hexagonal structure. Each carbon atom in the benzene ring is sp² hybridized, meaning it is bonded to two other carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom through σ bonds. According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, the three sp² hybrid orbitals are arranged in a trigonal planar geometry to minimize electron repulsion, which naturally results in a bond angle of 120°. In a regular hexagon, the internal angles are also 120°, allowing the ring to be perfectly planar and strain-free. Consequently, all C-C-C and C-C-H bond angles in the benzene molecule are exactly 120°.

Explanation

Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, which governed the Magadha region in the 4th century BCE. He was one of the many sons of the dynasty's founder, Mahapadma Nanda. Historical records, including Greek accounts where he is referred to as Agrammes or Xandrames, describe him as a king of immense wealth and military strength, commanding a vast army of infantry, cavalry, chariots, and war elephants. Despite his power, his reign was marked by high taxation and general discontent among the populace. This internal instability was exploited by Chandragupta Maurya and his advisor Chanakya, who successfully overthrew Dhanananda around 322 BCE to establish the Maurya Empire.

Explanation

The crust is the Earth's outermost solid layer, representing less than 1 percent of the planet's total volume. It is a thin, brittle shell that varies in thickness, ranging from approximately 5 kilometers under the ocean floors to about 70 kilometers beneath high mountain ranges. This layer is primarily composed of diverse rock types, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It is structurally divided into the thicker continental crust, which is relatively rich in silica and aluminum, and the thinner, denser oceanic crust, which is rich in silica and magnesium. As the rigid outer skin of the Earth, the crust floats upon the more plastic mantle layers below.

Explanation

National Sports Day is celebrated in India on 29th August every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. Known as the Wizard of hockey for his extraordinary ball control and goal-scoring feats, he played a crucial role in India winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. The government designated this day in 2012 to honor his legacy and promote the importance of sports and physical fitness among the citizens. Traditionally, the President of India uses this occasion to confer prestigious national sports honors such as the Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya Award to distinguished athletes and coaches at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Explanation

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) became the first Indian company to cross the ₹10 lakh crore market capitalization milestone on November 28, 2019. This record-breaking valuation was achieved as the company’s share price surged on the stock exchanges, driven by strong performance in its digital services through Jio and its retail segment, alongside its core oil-to-chemicals business. By mid-2020, Reliance further consolidated its market leadership by becoming the first Indian firm to reach the ₹11 lakh crore and ₹12 lakh crore valuation marks, fueled by a series of high-profile global investments into its subsidiary, Jio Platforms, and its transition to becoming a net debt-free company.

Explanation

Armstrong Pame, an IAS officer of the 2009 batch from Manipur, gained widespread recognition as the Miracle Man for spearheading the construction of a 100-kilometer road connecting remote villages in the Tamenglong district to Nagaland and Assam. Facing a lack of government resources and funding for the project, he turned to social media to initiate a crowdfunding campaign. Through his efforts, he raised approximately 40 lakh INR from people across the globe and contributed his own salary to the cause. Completed without state financial assistance, the Peoples Road significantly improved the lives of residents in the Tusem subdivision by providing essential access to hospitals, schools, and markets, which were previously cut off due to the rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure.

Explanation

The Make in India initiative, launched in September 2014, is primarily managed and implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This department functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The program aims to foster investment, innovate, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure in the country. By streamlining regulatory processes and promoting ease of doing business, the ministry coordinates with various other departments and state governments to achieve the objective of making India a global manufacturing hub.

Explanation

In Jain philosophy, the term Jina is derived from the Sanskrit root ji, which means to conquer. A Jina is a spiritual victor who has successfully conquered his internal enemies and passions, such as attachment, aversion, anger, pride, and greed. By achieving total mastery over the self and the senses, a Jina attains Kevala Jnana, or infinite supreme knowledge, and breaks free from the cycle of rebirth. The twenty-four Tirthankaras of Jainism are referred to as Jinas because they have achieved this ultimate conquest over worldly existence and lead others toward the path of liberation.

Explanation

During his visit to Kolkata in January 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated four newly refurbished heritage buildings to the nation as part of a cultural restoration project. These specific structures included the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House, and the Victoria Memorial Hall. While the Prime Minister visited the Belur Math Temple to participate in the 157th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda and stayed there overnight, the temple was not among the group of restored heritage buildings officially dedicated during the ceremony. His presence at the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission was a spiritual and commemorative engagement rather than a part of the Ministry of Culture's architectural dedication program.

Explanation

The National Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, which was adopted by the Government of India on January 26, 1950. The abacus of the capital features sculptures in high relief of four specific animals: the elephant, the galloping horse, the bull, and the lion. The camel is not part of this historical Mauryan sculpture or the modern official seal. The selection of animals in the original Ashokan pillar was based on specific Buddhist symbolism or cardinal directions, and the camel does not feature in that iconography.

Explanation

The Torr is a non-SI unit of pressure named after Evangelista Torricelli, the Italian physicist who invented the barometer. It is defined as exactly ¹⁄₇₆₀ of a standard atmosphere (1 atm). Historically, one Torr was intended to be the same as one millimeter of mercury (1 mmHg), representing the pressure exerted by a column of mercury one millimeter high at 0°C under standard gravity. In the International System of Units (SI), one Torr is approximately equal to 133.322 Pascals. It is widely used in vacuum science and medicine to measure blood pressure and low-pressure environments.

Explanation

The Great Indian Novel is a satirical work published in 1989 by Shashi Tharoor. This novel reimagines the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, within the context of the Indian Independence Movement and the subsequent decades of post-independence history. In this literary work, Tharoor maps major figures and events of 20th-century Indian politics onto the characters and plotlines of the mythological epic. By recasting historical events through a mythological lens, the novel provides a critical and often humorous commentary on the evolution of the Indian state and its political leadership.

Explanation

India secured the seventh position in the Brand Finance Nation Brands 2019 report, which ranks the world's most valuable nation brands. This ranking marked a jump of two spots for India, which was positioned ninth in the previous year's report. The improvement was driven by an 18.7 percent increase in India's nation brand value, which reached 2,562 billion dollars. The report highlighted India's robust economic growth and the impact of various structural reforms in boosting its international brand perception and investment appeal.

Explanation

Girish Chandra Murmu served as the first Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. His tenure began on October 31, 2019, coinciding with the formal creation of the Union Territory under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. As a former 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, he was responsible for the initial administrative transition of the region after the revocation of its special status. He held this position through January 2020 and remained in office until August 2020, when he resigned to take up the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Explanation

Fouaad Mirza secured an individual Olympic quota for India in the eventing category after the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) officially confirmed the rankings for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He earned his spot by finishing at the top of the South East Asia and Oceania (Group G) region in the individual rankings. This achievement marked the first time an Indian equestrian qualified for the Olympic Games since 2000, ending a two-decade hiatus for the country in this discipline. Mirza's qualification followed his success at the 2018 Asian Games, where he won two silver medals in the individual and team eventing categories.

Explanation

ASCEND 2020 was a high-profile Global Investors Meet organized by the Government of Kerala. Held on January 9 and 10, 2020, at the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre in Kochi, the event was designed to showcase the state as an attractive investment destination. The primary objective of the summit was to highlight various investible projects and the government's initiatives to improve the ease of doing business through administrative and legislative reforms. It brought together global investors, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore opportunities in key sectors such as food processing, petrochemicals, electronics, and tourism.

Explanation

Wings India 2020, recognized as Asia largest event on civil aviation comprising commercial, general, and business aviation, was scheduled to be held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. The biennial event was organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in conjunction with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Begumpet Airport serves as the traditional venue for this international exhibition and conference, providing a platform for global aviation leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders to discuss the theme Flying for All and explore investment opportunities in the Indian aviation sector.

Explanation

The Borra Caves are located in the Ananthagiri hills within the Araku Valley of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. These are karstic limestone caves formed by the erosional and depositional action of the Gosthani River. Situated at an elevation of about 705 meters, they are recognized as some of the largest and deepest caves in the country. The interior of the caves is characterized by magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations resulting from the chemical reaction between limestone and water containing carbon dioxide. Geologically, these formations are millions of years old and represent a significant geographical feature of the Eastern Ghats on the east coast of India.

Explanation

The foundation stone for the Gateway of India was laid on March 31, 1913, by the then Governor of Bombay, Sir George Sydenham Clarke. The monument was constructed to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder during their visit to India in 1911. The architectural design was provided by George Wittet, and the formal ceremony in 1913 marked the beginning of the construction process for this Indo-Saracenic structure, which was eventually completed in 1924.

Explanation

The Paithan Hydro-Electric Project is located on the Godavari River in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. It is a major component of the Jayakwadi Project, which involves one of the largest earthen dams in India. The reservoir created by this dam is named Nath Sagar. Commissioned in the 1970s, the project provides essential hydroelectric power and serves as a primary source of irrigation and drinking water for the Marathwada region. The Godavari, being the largest river system in Peninsular India, supports several such multipurpose projects that are vital for the agricultural and industrial economy of the state.

Explanation

The logo of the Lokpal of India was officially launched in November 2019 by its first chairperson, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose. It was selected through an open design competition organized by the government, which received thousands of entries from across the country. Prashant Mishra, a resident of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, submitted the winning design. The logo symbolically represents the Lokpal's essence, featuring the literal meanings of its components: the shapes of the judges' bench, the Ashoka Chakra, and the national flag colors. It signifies the Lokpal's commitment to protecting the people of India against corruption and ensuring accountability in governance.

Explanation

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875 following the appointment of Henry Francis Blanford as the first Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India. By calculating the difference between the foundation year and the celebration year, 2020 - 1875 = 145, it is determined that the department marked its 145th foundation day on January 15, 2020. The agency is the primary government body responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology, currently functioning under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Explanation

Gross National Product (GNP) is a macroeconomic indicator that measures the total value of all final goods and services produced by the residents and businesses of a country, regardless of the location of production. Unlike Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which tracks production within a country's borders, GNP includes income earned by citizens from investments or work abroad while excluding income earned by foreign nationals within the domestic economy. The standard formula for calculating it is GNP = GDP + Net Factor Income from Abroad (NFIA). It serves as a comprehensive measure of the economic output and financial strength of a nation's people.

Explanation

The year 1921 is referred to as the Year of the Great Divide because it marks a significant turning point in India's demographic history. Before 1921, the population of India was stagnant or fluctuating due to high birth rates being offset by high death rates caused by frequent famines, lack of medical facilities, and widespread epidemics. During the census decade of 1911 to 1921, India experienced a negative population growth rate of -0.31%, largely due to the impact of the 1918 influenza pandemic and severe food shortages. From 1921 onwards, improvements in sanitation, health services, and food distribution led to a consistent decline in the mortality rate. Since the birth rate did not decline at the same pace, the population began to grow steadily and rapidly. This shift from erratic growth to a period of sustained and continuous demographic expansion makes 1921 the defining divide in India's population trends.

Explanation

Afonso de Albuquerque, the second Portuguese governor of India, captured Goa from Yusuf Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, in 1510 AD. This victory was achieved with the assistance of a local Hindu ally, Timayya. The conquest of Goa was a landmark event in Indian history as it established the first permanent European foothold on the Indian subcontinent since the Macedonian era. Goa provided a strategic naval base for the Portuguese to control the spice trade in the Indian Ocean and monitor the merchant traffic in the Arabian Sea. Following its capture, Goa replaced Cochin as the capital of the Portuguese State of India in 1530 and remained under Portuguese control for over four centuries until its liberation in 1961.

Explanation

The Ain-i-Akbari is a 16th-century Persian-language work authored by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, the court historian and one of the nine jewels in the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It serves as the third and final volume of the larger Akbarnama, which is the official chronicle of Akbar's reign. The book is an exhaustive administrative manual that provides minute details about the imperial court, the judicial and executive departments, military organization, and the revenue systems of the Mughal Empire. Abu'l-Fazl utilized official records and surveys to compile this statistical and descriptive account of the empire's governance and the cultural life of its people.

Explanation

Hydrogen is unique among the chemical elements as its isotopes are assigned distinct names. Protium (¹H) is the most abundant isotope, consisting of a single proton and no neutrons in its nucleus. Deuterium (²H), also known as heavy hydrogen, contains one proton and one neutron, and it is found in trace amounts in nature, often used in nuclear reactors and spectroscopy. Tritium (³H) is a radioactive isotope with one proton and two neutrons; it occurs naturally in very small quantities due to cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere. All three isotopes share the same atomic number of 1, placing them in the same position in the periodic table as hydrogen.

Explanation

Fouaad Mirza became the first Indian equestrian in 20 years to qualify for the Olympic Games when he secured an individual quota for the Tokyo Olympics in the Eventing category. He achieved this feat by finishing at the top of the South East Asia and Oceania rankings (Group G) maintained by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Before Mirza, the last Indian equestrian to represent the country at the Olympics was Imtiaz Anees, who competed at the 2000 Sydney Games. Mirza's official confirmation for the Tokyo spot arrived in early 2020, ending a two-decade-long wait for Indian representation in the sport at the Olympic level.

Explanation

Pollen consists of microscopic grains produced in the anthers of a flower, which are the male reproductive organs. These grains often appear as a fine, yellow powdery dust that is easily visible to the naked eye. Each pollen grain contains the male gametes necessary for fertilization. During the process of pollination, this yellow dust is transferred from the anther to the female stigma of the same or another flower by various agents such as wind, water, or insects, leading to the formation of seeds.

Explanation

Lemon is a citrus fruit that contains a high concentration of citric acid, which typically accounts for about 5% to 6% of its juice. This organic acid, with the chemical formula C₆H₈O₇, is responsible for the characteristic sharp and sour taste associated with lemons and other citrus fruits. Citric acid is a weak tricarboxylic acid that serves as a natural preservative and plays a crucial role as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), which is the central metabolic pathway for energy production in all aerobic organisms.

Explanation

Uddhav Thackeray, in his capacity as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, inaugurated the launch of the first orthotropic steel deck (OSD) girder for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project on January 15, 2020. This event took place at the Sewri site and marked a major construction milestone for the 21.8-kilometer-long sea bridge, which was designed to connect Sewri in South Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai. The project, executed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), aimed to significantly reduce travel time between the two points and improve regional connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Explanation

Mitochondria are double-membrane-bound organelles found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. They are referred to as the powerhouses of the cell because they are the primary sites for aerobic cellular respiration, the process by which chemical energy from nutrients is converted into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP acts as the universal energy currency for cells, providing the necessary power for vital biological functions such as metabolism, growth, and movement. The inner membrane of the mitochondria is folded into structures called cristae, which increase the surface area for the chemical reactions involving the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation to occur efficiently.

Explanation

The First Round Table Conference was officially inaugurated by King George V on November 12, 1930, in London. It was chaired by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, and was convened to discuss the proposals for constitutional reforms in India as outlined in the Simon Commission report. This assembly represented the first time that British and Indian political leaders met on equal terms to deliberate the future of the Indian administration. Although representatives from various Indian political parties, the princely states, and minority communities participated, the Indian National Congress did not attend this initial session as many of its leaders were imprisoned during the Civil Disobedience Movement. The conference continued until January 19, 1931, setting the stage for future negotiations regarding India's federation and communal representation.

Explanation

The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly adopted a new logo on January 9, 2020, designed to reflect the distinct cultural identity and heritage of the state. The logo features the National Emblem (the Lion Capital of Ashoka) and the Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa), which is the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh. This design was chosen to represent the state's rich biodiversity and its integral place within the Indian Union. The adoption took place during a session chaired by Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona, marking a significant step in establishing a unique visual identity for the state's legislative body.

Explanation

Emil Jannings was the first person to win the Academy Award for Best Actor at the inaugural ceremony held on May 16, 1929. He was honored for his performances in two silent films, The Way of All Flesh (1927) and The Last Command (1928). Due to his plans to return to Germany, the Academy presented him with the award prior to the official banquet, making him historically the very first recipient of an Oscar.

Explanation

Shaukat Kaifi, also known as Shaukat Azmi, was a distinguished Indian theatre and film personality who passed away on November 22, 2019, at the age of 93. She was the wife of the celebrated Urdu poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi. Shaukat Kaifi was the mother of the National Award-winning actress Shabana Azmi and the noted cinematographer Baba Azmi. A prominent member of the Indian People's Theatre Association, she was recognized for her roles in landmark films such as Garm Hava, Umrao Jaan, and Salaam Bombay!. Her legacy continues through her daughter, who is one of the most respected figures in Indian cinema and a vocal social activist.

Explanation

Mandamus is a Latin term which literally translates to we command. It is a judicial writ issued by a superior court to a lower court, public official, or government body, ordering them to perform a specific legal duty that they are obligated to carry out but have failed or refused to perform. In the Indian context, the Supreme Court under Article 32 and High Courts under Article 226 have the power to issue this writ to ensure the enforcement of fundamental rights and the proper exercise of statutory duties by public authorities. It serves as a tool to compel public officials to act in accordance with the law.

Explanation

In December 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) executive committee unanimously imposed a four-year ban on Russia from all major international sporting events. This disciplinary action followed an investigation which concluded that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) had manipulated laboratory data to hide evidence of widespread state-sponsored doping. The probe found that data from the Moscow laboratory had been intentionally deleted or altered before being handed over to investigators. As a result of this ban, Russia was prohibited from using its flag, anthem, or name at major global competitions, including the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. Only Russian athletes who could independently prove they were clean and not involved in the doping program were permitted to compete as neutral athletes.

Explanation

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is essential for the production of rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment located in the rod cells of the retina. These rod cells are responsible for vision in low-light and night-time conditions. When there is a deficiency of Vitamin A, the body cannot synthesize sufficient amounts of rhodopsin, which impairs the ability of the eyes to adapt to darkness. This physiological failure results in Nyctalopia, more commonly referred to as night blindness. If the deficiency remains untreated, it can progress to more severe stages of eye disease, including drying of the cornea known as Xerophthalmia and potential permanent vision loss. Proper intake of Vitamin A is necessary to maintain the integrity of the visual cycle and ensure effective retinal function.

Explanation

The Palakkad Gap, also known as the Palghat Gap, is a major low mountain pass in the Western Ghats of India. It is situated at the southern end of the Nilgiri Hills and serves as a significant geographical break in the mountain range, separating the Nilgiri Hills to the north from the Anaimalai Hills to the south. With an average width of approximately 30 kilometers, it functions as a vital communication and transportation corridor between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Geographically, it allows the moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds to penetrate into the interior regions of Tamil Nadu, significantly influencing the local climate.

Explanation

The Jayaprakash Narayan Interpretation Centre (JPNIC) and the Museum of Socialism are located in the Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The museum was inaugurated in October 2016 to honor the life and socialist legacy of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, a key figure in the Indian independence movement and the leader of the Total Revolution in the 1970s. The center serves as a major cultural and architectural landmark, featuring detailed exhibits, a library, and galleries that chronicle the history of socialism in India and the political journey of JP. The museum provides an immersive experience into his principles of social justice and democratic values.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934 was amended by the Finance Act, 2016 to provide a statutory basis for the implementation of the flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework. This amendment introduced Chapter III F to the Act, which specifically provides for the constitution of a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The MPC is responsible for determining the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target. Under this framework, the Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, sets the inflation target once every five years. The primary objective of the monetary policy under this legislative mandate is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.

Explanation

Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi from the Tughlaq dynasty, founded the town of Fatehabad in 1351. While traveling through the region during a military campaign, he halted at this site and received news of the birth of his son. To commemorate the occasion, he named the newborn prince Fateh Khan and established the town, naming it Fatehabad in the prince's honor. Known for his interest in urban planning and infrastructure, Firoz Shah Tughlaq founded several significant cities during his reign. The town served as an important outpost and eventually became the administrative headquarters of the modern Fatehabad district in Haryana.

Explanation

The Bobbili Veena, a signature instrument of Carnatic music, is traditionally handcrafted from the wood of the Jackfruit tree. This specific wood is chosen because it is relatively lightweight yet exceptionally durable and possesses superior acoustic resonance, which is essential for producing the deep, vibrating tones characteristic of the Saraswathi Veena. The finest versions of the instrument, known as Ekanda Veena, are carved from a single solid block of seasoned jackfruit wood to ensure uniform density and tonal consistency. Due to its unique craftsmanship and regional significance in Andhra Pradesh, the Bobbili Veena was granted Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2012.

Explanation

The troposphere is the innermost and lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the planetary surface to an average altitude of approximately 13 kilometers. Its height varies geographically, reaching about 18 kilometers at the equator and 8 kilometers at the poles. This layer contains roughly 80 percent of the atmosphere's total mass and nearly all of its water vapor and aerosols. It is the site of almost all weather phenomena, such as cloud formation, rain, and storms, driven by the convective movement of air and the presence of moisture. Temperature in the troposphere typically decreases with increasing altitude at a standard rate of approximately 6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer.

Explanation

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index released annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to measure a country's average achievement in three basic dimensions: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. In the Human Development Report 2019, which was released in December 2019, India was ranked 129th among 189 countries. India's HDI value for 2018 was 0.647, placing it in the medium human development category. This improvement in ranking reflected steady progress in life expectancy, which rose to 69.4 years, and a significant increase in Gross National Income per capita.

Explanation

A fuse is a safety device designed to protect electrical circuits and appliances from damage caused by excessive current. The rating of a fuse specifies the maximum amount of electric current that can safely flow through it without melting the fuse wire. This value is expressed in Amperes. The functioning of a fuse is based on the heating effect of electric current, described by Joule Law of heating H = I²Rt. When the current flowing through the circuit exceeds the rated value, the heat generated in the fuse wire increases beyond its melting point, causing it to break and open the circuit. This interruption prevents potential fire hazards and protects sensitive electronic components from being destroyed by power surges or short circuits.

Explanation

The festival of Uttarayan is the Gujarati name for Makar Sankranti, marking the day when the sun begins its northward journey in the celestial sphere. It is celebrated with unparalleled enthusiasm across Gujarat, specifically through the tradition of kite flying. The state hosts the International Kite Festival, centered in Ahmedabad, which attracts participants from across the globe. During this period, the skies are filled with millions of kites, and the celebration involves communal gatherings on rooftops, competitive kite duels using glass-coated manjha, and the preparation of traditional winter foods like Undhiyu and Chikki. The cultural integration of kite flying with the solar transition makes Uttarayan a defining and unique festival of the state.

Explanation

The Partition of Bengal was a territorial reorganization of the Bengal Presidency implemented by the British Raj in 1905 during the viceroyalty of Lord Curzon. The decision separated the largely Muslim eastern areas from the largely Hindu western areas, leading to widespread political unrest and the rise of the Swadeshi movement. Due to intense opposition and nationalist protests, the partition was eventually reversed and annulled in 1911 during the Delhi Durbar of King George V, which predates the year 1919 by several years.