SSC CGL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Article 109 of the Constitution of India outlines the special procedure in respect of Money Bills. Clause 1 of this Article explicitly mandates that a Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States, which is the Rajya Sabha. Under the constitutional framework, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, the House of the People, and only on the recommendation of the President. After a Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Council of States for its recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may either accept or reject within a period of fourteen days. This provision ensures the supremacy of the directly elected house in matters of taxation and public expenditure.

Explanation

Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty assumed the office of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on February 1, 2021. An alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, and the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment in 1982. Before taking over this high-ranking staff position at Army Headquarters, he served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command. His extensive career includes experience in various operational environments, ranging from the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir to international assignments as a military observer with the United Nations. He succeeded the previous incumbent who retired on January 31, 2021.

Explanation

The Brahmaputra river originates from the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This glacier is located southeast of Lake Mansarovar at an elevation of approximately 5,150 meters. In its initial course through southern Tibet, where it flows eastward for about 1,200 km, the river is known as the Tsangpo. The source region in the Kailash range is a vital hydrological hub in the Himalayas, situated near the sources of other major rivers like the Indus and the Satluj. After traversing the Tibetan plateau, the river makes a sharp southward turn around the Namcha Barwa peak to enter India through Arunachal Pradesh.

Explanation

Margomkali is an ancient ritual folk art form and dance of the Saint Thomas Christian community in Kerala. The term Margam means the path or way, referring to the path of salvation or the Christian way of life, while Kali means play or performance. The performance typically involves a group of twelve participants who sing and dance in a circle around a lighted oil lamp known as a Nilavilakku, which symbolizes Christ. The songs accompanying the dance narrate the life and missionary activities of St. Thomas the Apostle in India, documenting the establishment of the early Christian church in the region. Traditionally performed by men, it has evolved into a popular cultural art form showcased during festivals and weddings across the state.

Explanation

Jairam Ramesh is the author of the book titled The Light of Asia: The Poem that Defined the Buddha, which was released in 2021. The book provides a detailed biographical account of the epic poem The Light of Asia, originally written by Sir Edwin Arnold in 1879. Ramesh's work explores the history, impact, and enduring legacy of Arnold's poem, which played a pivotal role in introducing the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha to a global audience and influenced numerous historical figures across the world.

Explanation

Gujarat secured the top position in the inaugural Export Preparedness Index 2020 released by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Institute for Competitiveness. This index evaluated states and Union Territories across four main pillars: Policy, Business Ecosystem, Export Ecosystem, and Export Performance. Gujarat achieved the highest overall score by demonstrating excellence across these parameters, supported by its robust industrial infrastructure, proximity to major ports, and an effective policy framework designed to facilitate international trade. The state's performance was particularly strong in the business ecosystem and export performance categories, reflecting its position as a leading manufacturing and trading hub in India.

Explanation

Explicit costs are the actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by a firm to purchase or hire factors of production from external sources. These costs involve a direct monetary payment to third parties and are clearly recorded in the financial statements of a business. Examples include the payment of wages to laborers, rent for premises, interest on borrowed capital, and the cost of raw materials. Since these transactions involve a contractual agreement and an exchange of currency with individuals or entities outside the firm, they represent the explicit financial burden of production.

Explanation

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the poem Vande Mataram in 1875 as a hymn to the motherland. Written in a combination of Sanskrit and Bengali, the verses were later incorporated into his influential political novel Anandamath, which was published in 1882. The poem gained immense popularity as a rallying cry for freedom during the Indian independence struggle, particularly during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal. Its first two stanzas were officially adopted as the National Song of India by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950.

Explanation

The Valvil Ori Vizha is a state festival celebrated by the Government of Tamil Nadu to honor the legendary Sangam-era chieftain Valvil Ori. He was one of the Kadai Ezhu Vallalgal (the last seven great philanthropists) and ruled the Kolli Hills region in the current Namakkal district. The festival takes place annually on the 17th and 18th days of the Tamil month of Aadi, which coincides with the Gregorian month of August. The celebration features cultural events, flower shows, and archery competitions, reflecting the historical fame of Valvil Ori as a peerless archer whose name literally translates to the one with the powerful bow.

Explanation

The All India Kisan Congress, which was later renamed the All India Kisan Sabha, was established during the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress in April 1936. The organization was formed to represent the interests of the peasantry and to demand the abolition of the zamindari system. N.G. Ranga, a prominent peasant leader from Andhra Pradesh and a pioneer of the kisan movement, was appointed as its first General Secretary. He was instrumental in mobilizing the rural masses and drafting the Kisan Manifesto, which outlined the fundamental rights and grievances of the Indian farmers during the colonial period.

Explanation

Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, was a profound scholar and a proponent of religious syncretism. In 1657, he completed the translation of fifty Upanishads from Sanskrit into Persian with the assistance of learned pandits from Varanasi. He titled this monumental work Sirr-i-Akbar, meaning The Great Secret, as he believed that the Upanishads contained the earliest revelations of monotheistic truths and were the hidden books referred to in the Quran. This Persian version later served as the primary source for the first European translations of the Upanishads, facilitating the introduction of Indian philosophical thought to the West.

Explanation

Tides are primarily caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun on the Earth's oceans. While the Earth's rotation also plays a role in the timing of tides, the gravitational pull is the fundamental driving force.

Explanation

Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, plays a significant role in the immune system beyond its traditional function of regulating circadian rhythms. It functions by modulating the expression of specific genes that encode for cellular proteins involved in the defense against viral infections. Melatonin can influence the downregulation of receptors on the cell surface that viruses use as entry points or stimulate the production of proteins that interfere with the viral replication cycle. By regulating these protein synthesis pathways, melatonin acts as an endogenous barrier that helps prevent the entry and spread of viruses within the host's cellular environment.

Explanation

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was conferred the SKOCH Challenger Award for Best Performance in e-Governance during the 70th SKOCH Summit in January 2021. This recognition was granted for the ministry's significant strides in the digital transformation of tribal welfare schemes and the implementation of paperless, transparent, and efficient service delivery mechanisms. The ministry successfully integrated the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Mission with its various scholarship schemes, ensuring that financial assistance reached students directly without intermediaries through the National Tribal Scholarship Portal. Additionally, the ministry launched the performance dashboard 'Empowering Tribals, Transforming India' to provide real-time data and transparency in the implementation of tribal development programs across the country. These digital initiatives were instrumental in improving governance and ensuring the effective delivery of benefits to the tribal population.

Explanation

Positive economics is a branch of economics that deals with objective analysis and the description of economic phenomena based on facts and cause-and-effect relationships. It focuses on what is, what was, or what will happen, rather than what ought to be. Such statements can be tested, proven, or disproven using empirical data and statistical evidence. The assertion that an increase in money supply implies a price rise is a factual claim based on the Quantity Theory of Money, often expressed by the formula MV = PY, where M is the money supply and P is the price level. This statement describes a specific mechanism of how an economy functions without attaching any value judgment or moral assessment to the outcome, making it a classic example of positive economic analysis.

Explanation

Chittaranjan Das, popularly known as Deshbandhu, was the key leader who co-founded the Swaraj Party with Motilal Nehru in January 1923. The party, originally named the Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party, was organized after the Gaya session of the Indian National Congress in 1922. While Motilal Nehru served as one of the secretaries, Chittaranjan Das took the role of President. Their objective was to enter the provincial and central legislative councils to obstruct the colonial government proceedings from within, providing a new political front after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Explanation

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) was recognized as the Best Performing Municipal Corporation in India by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for its effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) mission. These annual awards, announced in late 2020, evaluated urban local bodies on various parameters including the progress of construction, fund utilization, and the successful delivery of houses to beneficiaries. GVMC stood out for its high rate of project completion and its commitment to the Housing for All objective, contributing significantly to Andhra Pradesh's overall top performance in the urban housing sector during that period.

Explanation

The Andhra Pradesh government promulgated the Andhra Pradesh Gaming (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, in October 2020 to effectively ban online games involving financial stakes, such as rummy and poker. This legislative move followed a cabinet decision aimed at protecting the youth from the negative impacts of online gambling, including financial debt and addiction. The ordinance amended the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, to include online gaming within its prohibitive scope, making the operation and participation in such games a cognizable and non-bailable offense. By removing the distinction between games of skill and games of chance when played for money, the state sought to strictly regulate the digital landscape and mitigate the social harms associated with wagering-based gaming platforms.

Explanation

Idu Mishmi is the language of the Idu Mishmi people, an ethnic group primarily inhabiting the Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family and is one of the distinct dialects spoken by the sub-tribes of the Mishmi community. Due to a declining number of speakers and the increasing use of link languages, UNESCO has classified Idu Mishmi as a definitely endangered language. It plays a central role in the tribe's oral traditions, including their unique shamanic chants and cultural rituals.

Explanation

Gold is a metallic element that exists as a monatomic unit in chemical notation and structural representation. Unlike non-metals that often form diatomic or polyatomic molecules to achieve stability, metals like gold (Au) are composed of individual atoms held together by metallic bonding in a crystalline lattice. In chemical formulas and equations, gold is represented by its singular atomic symbol because it does not form discrete multi-atom molecular units.

Explanation

Prasoon Joshi is a prominent lyricist, screenwriter, and communication specialist who was appointed as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on August 11, 2017. He was appointed to this role by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for a period of three years or until further orders, succeeding Pahlaj Nihalani. He continued to serve in this capacity through January 2021. The CBFC is a statutory body under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, responsible for regulating the public exhibition of films in India.

Explanation

Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism and is historically regarded as the individual who organized and popularized the faith in its current form during the 6th century BCE. In Buddhist Pali scriptures, he is consistently referred to as Nigantha Nataputta. The title Nigantha means free from bonds or unfettered, reflecting the Jain ideal of the Nirgrantha, while Nataputta signifies that he was a scion of the Jnatrika clan. He formalised the ethical code of Jainism by introducing the vow of celibacy (Brahmacharya) to the four existing principles of Parshvanatha, thereby establishing the five Mahavratas. His teachings emphasized non-violence (Ahimsa) and the attainment of Kevala Jnana (omniscience) through rigorous asceticism and spiritual discipline.

Explanation

General Manoj Mukund Naravane, then Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on November 5, 2020. This ceremony took place at the Shital Niwas, the official residence of the President in Kathmandu, during General Naravane three day official visit to Nepal. The conferral is part of a long standing tradition started in 1950 that reflects the strong civil military ties between India and Nepal, where the army chiefs of both nations are decorated with the honorary rank of General in each other's military.

Explanation

Sage Valmiki, the composer of the epic Ramayana, was known as Ratnakar in his early life. According to traditional lore, Ratnakar was a highway robber who lived in the forests and committed crimes to support his family. His transformation began after a meeting with Sage Narada, who questioned whether his family members were willing to share the consequences of his sinful deeds. Upon realizing they were not, Ratnakar sought a path to redemption. He performed intense penance and meditation for many years, during which an anthill, or Valmika, formed around his stationary body. Because he emerged from this anthill after attaining spiritual enlightenment, he was given the name Valmiki. This transition from a life of crime to becoming the Adi Kavi or the first poet is a central narrative in his hagiography.

Explanation

The story of Queen Maynamati and her son, King Gopichandra, is a central theme within Nath literature, a collection of medieval Bengali folk poems and songs. This literary tradition is associated with the Nath Panth, a Shaiva sub-tradition of Yoga-practicing ascetics. The narrative typically follows Queen Maynamati, who was a disciple of the Nath Siddhas, as she convinces her son to renounce his royal life and worldly pleasures to seek spiritual liberation through the practice of Yoga. These tales were often performed by wandering singers and were significant in spreading the teachings of the Nath cult, which emphasized the attainment of physical immortality and spiritual perfection through Hatha Yoga and the guidance of legendary figures like Gorakhnath.

Explanation

The botanical name of mango is Mangifera indica. According to the rules of binomial nomenclature established by Carolus Linnaeus, the first part of the name, Mangifera, represents the genus, while the second part, indica, represents the specific epithet. Mango belongs to the family Anacardiaceae and is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is a large, evergreen tree that produces a fleshy drupe fruit. The species name indica refers to its origin in India, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years and holds significant cultural and economic importance.

Explanation

The Krishna river is one of the longest rivers in India, originating at Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. It flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The Yerla river is a notable left-bank tributary that joins the Krishna in Maharashtra. The Warna river is a major right-bank tributary that flows through the Sangli and Kolhapur districts before its confluence with the Krishna. The Dindi river is a left-bank tributary that originates in the Mahabubnagar district of Telangana and joins the Krishna in the Nalgonda district. These tributaries play a vital role in the irrigation and hydroelectric power generation within the Krishna river basin.

Explanation

Manpreet Singh Pawar was the captain of the Indian men's national hockey team in January 2021. He was first named captain of the squad in May 2017 and continued to lead the team through the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the pandemic. Under his leadership during this period, India regained its status as a top-tier hockey nation, culminating in a historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Games, which was the country's first Olympic hockey medal in 41 years. He is a prolific midfielder and has represented India in multiple Olympic Games and World Cups.

Explanation

Galileo Galilei was the first to challenge the Aristotelian view that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones. Through his experiments with inclined planes and his theoretical thought experiments, he concluded that in the absence of a resisting medium like air, all objects regardless of their mass or composition fall with the same constant acceleration g. He recognized that the differences in falling speeds observed in everyday life are solely due to air resistance acting on the surface area of the objects. This fundamental discovery established the principle of equivalence in free fall and paved the way for the later formalization of the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Explanation

The 2018 FIFA World Cup final was played on July 15, 2018, between France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. France won the match 4-2 to claim their second World Cup title. The total of six goals scored in the match came from France's Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappe, along with an own goal by Croatia's Mario Mandzukic. Croatia's two goals were scored by Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic. This was the highest-scoring World Cup final since 1966.

Explanation

Tarikh-i Dilkusha was authored by Bhimsen, also known as Bhimsen Kayastha or Bhimsen Saxena, who was a contemporary chronicler during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Written in Persian and completed around 1708-1709, this memoir is a critical primary source for understanding late 17th-century Mughal history. It provides an eyewitness account of Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns, as Bhimsen served in various administrative and military capacities under Mughal officials like Dalpat Rao Bundela. The text is highly valued by historians for its candid observations on the socio-economic conditions of the era, the strain of constant warfare on the Mughal treasury, and the complexities of the Maratha-Mughal conflict.

Explanation

Hermann Heinrich Gossen, a German economist, was the first to systematically formulate the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility in his 1854 work, Development of the Laws of Human Intercourse and the Rules of Human Action Derived Therefrom. This principle is widely recognized in economic literature as Gossens First Law. It states that as the quantity of a good consumed increases, the marginal utility derived from each additional unit decreases, assuming all other factors remain constant. Although later popularized by economists like Alfred Marshall and William Stanley Jevons, the fundamental conceptualization of the relationship between increasing consumption and decreasing satisfaction is credited to Gossen.

Explanation

A micron, officially designated as a micrometer (μ m), is an SI unit of length defined by the metric prefix micro-, which represents a factor of 10⁻⁶. By definition, one micron is equal to 1 / 1,000,000 of a meter. To find the number of microns in a meter, the calculation is 1 meter / 10⁻⁶ meters/micron = 10⁶ microns. This mathematical relationship confirms that there are exactly 1,000,000 microns in one meter.

Explanation

The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed to Sri Lanka in 1987 following the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord on July 29, 1987, between Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene. The mission was intended to bring an end to the Sri Lankan Civil War by enforcing a ceasefire and ensuring the disarmament of various militant groups, most notably the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The IPKF's involvement transitioned from peacekeeping to active combat during Operation Pawan, aimed at neutralizing LTTE control over the Jaffna Peninsula. The Indian military presence in Sri Lanka continued until the force was completely withdrawn in March 1990.

Explanation

Article 348(1) of the Constitution of India provides that until Parliament by law otherwise provides, all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in the English language. This constitutional provision ensures uniformity in the judicial proceedings of the higher judiciary across the country. The article further specifies that the authoritative texts of all Bills introduced in Parliament or State Legislatures, Acts passed by them, Ordinances promulgated by the President or Governors, and all orders, rules, and regulations issued under the Constitution or any law must be in English. Although the Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of Hindi or any other language for proceedings in a High Court under Clause (2) of the same article, the judgments, decrees, and orders of the High Court continue to be in English.

Explanation

The synthesis and supply of food to various parts of a plant are the primary functions of the leaves through the process of photosynthesis. Food manufactured in the leaves is distributed throughout the plant body via the phloem, which is a component of the vascular system. The root system primarily functions to absorb water and dissolved minerals from the soil and provide structural anchorage to the plant. Because the roots themselves depend on the shoot system for the supply of organic nutrients manufactured in the foliage, the root system does not serve as the primary supplier of food to the other plant parts.

Explanation

PROPOSED: c)

The river Ganga enters Bihar from the west at Buxar and flows through the middle of the state towards the east, effectively bisecting the territory into two major geographical and physiographic regions: the North Bihar Plain and the South Bihar Plain. The North Bihar Plain is a fertile, alluvial region characterized by numerous Himalayan tributaries and a high susceptibility to flooding, whereas the South Bihar Plain features a more stable terrain that gradually transitions into the southern hilly and plateau regions of the state.

Explanation

The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is the official state animal of Assam. This iconic species is primarily found in the Brahmaputra valley, with Kaziranga National Park serving as its most significant habitat, housing the largest population of these rhinos in the world. The rhino is deeply integrated into the cultural and ecological identity of the region, leading the state government to formally designate it as the state animal to highlight conservation efforts and the state's unique biodiversity.

Explanation

Karewas are lacustrine deposits found in the Valley of Kashmir and the Bhadarwah Valley of the Jammu Division. These geological formations consist of thick accumulations of glacial clay and other materials, including sand, gravel, and silt, which are typically embedded with moraines. They represent the remnants of lake sediments that were deposited during the Pleistocene Epoch when the hydrography of the region was dominated by a vast lake known as Lake Karewa. Subsequent tectonic uplift and the cutting of the Jhelum River led to the drainage of this lake, leaving behind these elevated, flat-topped terraces. These deposits are highly fertile and are world-renowned for the cultivation of saffron, locally known as Zafran, as well as for growing almonds, walnuts, and apples.

Explanation

Rajnikant Devidas Shroff, the founder and chairman of UPL Limited, was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2021 for his significant contributions to Trade and Industry. Known as the Crop Protection King of India, he played a pioneering role in the Indian agrochemical industry by establishing UPL as a global leader in the sector. His entrepreneurial journey began with the production of red phosphorus and expanded into a wide range of crop protection products, helping India achieve greater self-reliance in chemical manufacturing and strengthening the nation's agricultural supply chain.

Explanation

Breathing roots, also known as pneumatophores, are specialized respiratory structures found in plants growing in marshy or waterlogged soils, such as mangroves like Rhizophora. Because the oxygen supply in submerged soil is insufficient for root respiration, these roots grow vertically upwards against gravity to reach the air. They are equipped with numerous minute pores called lenticels or pneumathodes that facilitate the exchange of gases. Their primary physiological role is to provide oxygen to the submerged root system rather than acting as a reservoir for food or water.

Explanation

Emeralds are a precious gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl, which is chemically defined as beryllium aluminum silicate (Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆). The characteristic green color is primarily caused by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium substituting for aluminum atoms within the crystal lattice. These transition metal impurities absorb specific wavelengths of light in the red and violet regions of the visible spectrum, allowing the stone to reflect the green light that defines its appearance. The intensity of the green hue depends on the concentration of these trace elements within the stone.

Explanation

Prakash Javadekar held the office of the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting in January 2021. He served in this capacity as part of the Second Modi Ministry starting from May 2019. During his tenure, he was responsible for managing the government's information services and the regulation of broadcasting in India. He continued to hold this portfolio until the cabinet reshuffle in July 2021, when the responsibility was transitioned to a new minister. In addition to the Information and Broadcasting portfolio, he concurrently served as the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises during that period.

Explanation

Lezim is a traditional folk dance form from Maharashtra, widely performed during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and in rural areas across the state. The dance derives its name from the musical instrument used by the performers, which consists of a wooden pole with an iron chain containing metallic discs that produce a rhythmic jingling sound when shaken or struck. The performance involves vigorous synchronized movements, stepping, and jumping in coordination with the beat of the dhol and halgi drums. It is often integrated into physical education drills in Maharashtrian schools and is a prominent feature of cultural processions and social gatherings in the region.

Explanation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Global Goalkeeper Award by the Bill | Melinda Gates Foundation in September 2019. This prestigious recognition was awarded for his leadership and commitment to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission). The initiative significantly improved sanitation coverage across India by facilitating the construction of millions of toilets and promoting hygiene, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6. The award is presented to a world leader who has demonstrated significant impact and progress toward achieving the Global Goals through impactful policy and advocacy.

Explanation

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire by defeating Dhanananda, the final ruler of the Nanda dynasty. Under the strategic guidance and mentorship of Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, Chandragupta mobilized a military force to challenge the unpopular Nanda administration. Their successful campaign led to the capture of Pataliputra around 322-321 BCE, effectively ending Nanda rule over the Magadha kingdom and establishing a new imperial era in ancient India. This historical event is extensively chronicled in various ancient sources, including the Sanskrit play Mudrarakshasa and several Buddhist and Jain traditions.

Explanation

Sandalwood (Santalum album) is a dry deciduous forest species native to South India, particularly thriving in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. These trees grow best in regions characterized by moderate rainfall ranging from 600 mm to 1600 mm and a distinct dry season, which are the defining climatic features of tropical deciduous forests. Often found in the Deccan Plateau, sandalwood requires well-drained, red sandy loam soil and ample sunlight, conditions typically met in the open canopy structure of monsoon or deciduous woodlands where trees shed their leaves annually to conserve moisture.

Explanation

The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Uttar Pradesh was awarded the prestigious international TX2 Award in 2020 for successfully doubling its tiger population in a remarkably short period. The reserve saw its tiger numbers increase from 25 in 2014 to 65 in 2018, achieving the growth target four years ahead of the 2022 deadline set by the Global Tiger Recovery Plan. This award is presented by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) to recognize sites that have made significant progress toward the global goal of doubling wild tiger numbers since 2010. Pilibhit was the first tiger reserve globally to receive this inaugural award for its conservation excellence.

Explanation

Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist who established psychoanalysis as a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. He developed influential theories regarding the unconscious mind, the role of infantile sexuality, and the tripartite structure of the human psyche consisting of the id, ego, and superego. His publication of The Interpretation of Dreams in 1899 is widely regarded as the founding moment of the psychoanalytic movement, providing a systematic framework for understanding how repressed emotions and unconscious conflicts influence human behavior and mental health.

Explanation

The word Samhita literally means collection or putting together and refers to the primary layer of Vedic literature containing the original mantras and hymns. Each of the four Vedas has its own Samhita: the Rigveda Samhita consists of hymns meant for recitation to invoke deities, the Samaveda Samhita contains melodies and chants for ritual singing, the Yajurveda Samhita provides the formulas and prose for sacrificial rites, and the Atharvaveda Samhita includes hymns related to charms, spells, and everyday life. These Samhitas represent the oldest and most fundamental portion of the Vedic corpus, traditionally preserved through a precise oral tradition before being written down.