SSC CGL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Mysore Palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, served as the official residence of the Wodeyar (or Wadiyar) dynasty, who ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1950. The current structure was commissioned by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV after the original wooden palace was destroyed by fire in 1897. Designed by the British architect Henry Irwin and completed in 1912, the palace is a premier example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, blending Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles to reflect the prestige and cultural heritage of the Wodeyar rulers.

Explanation

Galena is the primary mineral ore of lead, chemically identified as lead sulfide (PbS). Lead and its derivatives are highly toxic substances that can cause severe neurological and systemic health issues if ingested or absorbed by the body. Consequently, galena is never used in the production of toothpaste or any other personal care products. Toothpastes instead utilize safe mineral abrasives to remove plaque and polish teeth, but heavy metal ores like galena are excluded due to their inherent toxicity and lack of dental benefits.

Explanation

In November 2020, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) appointed the Oscar and Grammy-winning music composer AR Rahman as the brand ambassador for its Breakthrough India initiative. This program, supported by Netflix, was launched to identify, celebrate, and support up to ten emerging talents from the Indian film, television, and games industries. As the ambassador, Rahman helped promote the initiative and mentored selected participants, facilitating a global platform for Indian creative professionals to engage with the British creative industry through professional development, coaching, and networking opportunities.

Explanation

Rahul Dravid holds the world record for the most catches taken by a fielder (non-wicketkeeper) in the history of men's Test cricket. During his illustrious career spanning from 1996 to 2012, he played 164 Test matches and took a total of 210 catches. Most of these catches were taken while fielding in the slip cordon, where he was renowned for his exceptional hand-eye coordination, sharp reflexes, and immense concentration. By February 2021, he remained the only Indian player to have surpassed the milestone of 200 catches in Test cricket, a feat that solidified his reputation as one of the greatest slip fielders the game has ever seen.

Explanation

Narendra Modi is the author of the book Abode of Love, which is a collection of eight short stories. Originally written in Gujarati under the title Premtirth, the book was later translated into English. The stories within this work explore various dimensions of human emotions and relationships, with a particular focus on the selfless and nurturing nature of a mother's love. Through these narratives, the author reflects on the deep emotional bonds that define human existence and emphasizes the importance of compassion and empathy in society.

Explanation

Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is a chronic and potentially fatal disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. In the Indian subcontinent, the specific causative agent is the protozoon Leishmania donovani. These single-celled organisms are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. Once the protozoa enter the bloodstream, they invade the reticuloendothelial system, particularly affecting internal organs such as the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. This leads to characteristic symptoms including irregular fever, significant weight loss, anemia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver.

Explanation

The National Capital Territory of Delhi is a landlocked union territory that shares its physical borders with only two Indian states: Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi is surrounded by the state of Haryana on three sides—to the north, west, and south. To the east, the territory shares a border with Uttar Pradesh, with the Yamuna River acting as a natural boundary for much of that stretch. Specifically, the Haryana districts of Sonipat, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Jhajjar are directly contiguous with the borders of Delhi.

Explanation

Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the North Tripura district of the state of Tripura. Covering a relatively small area of approximately 0.86 square kilometers, it is a significant pocket of natural forest that supports a variety of birds, primates, and unique floral species. The sanctuary is particularly noted for its rich diversity of medicinal plants and serves as a crucial habitat for several indigenous species of wildlife in the northeastern region of India.

Explanation

Axis Bank launched the Wear N Pay series of wearable contactless payment devices in March 2021. This collection includes various accessories such as wristbands, keychains, and watch loops that can be attached to existing watch straps. These devices utilize Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, allowing customers to make secure payments at any merchant outlet accepting contactless transactions. Users can simply wave the wearable at a Point of Sale (POS) terminal to complete a purchase. Following the guidelines set by the Reserve Bank of India, transactions up to ₹5,000 can be processed without requiring a PIN, providing a convenient and touch-free alternative to traditional plastic cards or cash.

Explanation

Glucagon is a linear peptide hormone composed of 29 amino acids. It is synthesized and secreted by the alpha cells situated within the Islets of Langerhans, which constitute the endocrine portion of the pancreas. This hormone plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis by acting as a counter-regulatory signal to insulin. When blood glucose levels decline, the pancreas releases glucagon into the bloodstream to stimulate the liver to perform glycogenolysis, the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, and gluconeogenesis, the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. These processes effectively increase the concentration of glucose in the blood to meet the metabolic demands of the body.

Explanation

Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, published the first volume of the Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum in 1877. This landmark work was titled Inscriptions of Asoka and represented the first comprehensive effort to systematically document and publish the various edicts and inscriptions of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka discovered across the Indian subcontinent. His publication provided a centralized record of the Ashokan texts, laying the foundational framework for the study of Indian epigraphy and ancient history.

Explanation

An electric fuse is a safety device integrated into a circuit to provide protection against overloading and short circuits. It contains a wire or strip made of a material with a low melting point and relatively high resistance. According to Joule's Law of Heating, H = I²Rt, the heat produced in a conductor is proportional to the square of the current. When the current exceeds the safe rating of the fuse due to overloading, the excessive heat causes the fuse wire to melt. This action breaks the electrical path, instantly halting the flow of electricity and shielding the rest of the circuit and connected appliances from potential damage or fire hazards.

Explanation

The Petersberg Climate Dialogue is an annual high-level political forum that was initiated by Germany in 2010. The 11th session of this dialogue, held in April 2020, was the first-ever virtual meeting in the series due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hosted by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and co-chaired by the United Kingdom. India participated in this virtual dialogue to discuss international climate cooperation and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Germany organizes this dialogue every year to facilitate informal exchange between ministers and to maintain momentum for global climate negotiations between the annual UN Climate Change Conferences.

Explanation

As of February 2021, the Aam Aadmi Party was recognized as a State Party by the Election Commission of India, with its recognition established in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the state of Punjab. Recognition as a State Party is governed by the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which requires a party to fulfill specific electoral thresholds, such as securing at least 6 percent of the total valid votes in a state during a Legislative Assembly election and winning at least two seats, or winning 3 percent of the total seats in the Assembly. During this period, the Aam Aadmi Party functioned within these regional parameters and had not yet met the multi-state criteria necessary for elevation to National Party status, which it eventually achieved in April 2023.

Explanation

In economic theory, while the total sum of human wants is considered unlimited or infinite, an individual want for a specific commodity is satiable. This means that the intensity of a particular desire decreases as a person consumes more units of that specific good, eventually reaching a point of complete satisfaction or saturation. This characteristic is the fundamental premise behind the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility, which states that the additional satisfaction derived from consuming successive units of a product declines. Once a specific want is fully satisfied, the marginal utility becomes zero, reflecting the principle that individual wants can be met through the consumption of a sufficient quantity of a good or service at a given point in time.

Explanation

Gujarat became the location for India's first lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant through a joint venture involving Suzuki Motor Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, and Denso Corporation. Established under the name TDS Lithium-ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited (TDSG), the facility is situated in the Becharaji region. The plant was developed to create a local supply chain for electric vehicle batteries, aligning with the national goal of promoting clean mobility and reducing the reliance on imported battery cells to support the domestic automotive industry.

Explanation

The 56th Amendment Act, 1987, was enacted to reorganize the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. This constitutional amendment conferred full statehood upon Goa, making it the 25th state of the Indian Union. Simultaneously, it provided for the formation of a new Union Territory comprising the regions of Daman and Diu. Before this amendment, these territories were collectively administered as a single Union Territory following their liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961. The act established a separate Legislative Assembly for the State of Goa while maintaining Daman and Diu under central administration, a transition that officially took place on May 30, 1987.

Explanation

The Ruia Gold Cup is a premier trophy in the field of competitive Bridge in India. It is specifically awarded to the winners of the Team-of-Four Gold event during the Winter National Bridge Championship. This national-level tournament is organized by the Bridge Federation of India (BFI) and is considered one of the most prestigious titles in the sport. The cup is named in honor of the Ruia family, who have historically been significant patrons and contributors to the promotion of Bridge as a recognized mind sport within the country.

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji, widely known as the Grand Old Man of India, made history in 1892 by becoming the first Indian to be elected to the British House of Commons. He won the election as a candidate for the Liberal Party, representing the Finsbury Central constituency. During his time in the British Parliament, Naoroji was a vocal advocate for Indian rights and played a crucial role in bringing Indian issues to the forefront of British political discourse. He is also celebrated for his Drain of Wealth theory, which explained how Britain was systematically siphoning off India's resources, and he used his position in the House to demand administrative reforms and better treatment for Indians under colonial rule.

Explanation

Goa achieved the distinction of becoming the first Har Ghar Jal state in India in October 2020 by providing functional household tap connections to all 2.30 lakh rural households. This feat was accomplished under the Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program of the Union Government launched in 2019 with the objective of providing potable water through tap connections to every rural home by 2024. By ensuring 100 percent coverage across its rural areas, Goa successfully met the mission targets well ahead of the national deadline, covering both North Goa and South Goa districts through robust water supply infrastructure and community participation.

Explanation

Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Himalayas located in the East Sikkim district. It serves as a crucial border crossing between India and China, specifically connecting the Indian state of Sikkim with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 4,310 meters, it was historically part of the ancient Silk Road. The pass was closed after the 1962 Sino-Indian War but was reopened in 2006 following bilateral trade agreements to enhance economic cooperation and provide a shorter route for pilgrims traveling to sacred sites like Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. It is one of the three officially recognized border trade posts between the two nations.

Explanation

Viktor Axelsen, the Danish badminton star, secured the men's singles title at the Toyota Thailand Open in January 2021. In the final match held in Bangkok, Axelsen defeated his fellow countryman Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus with a score of 21-11, 21-7. This victory was particularly significant as it marked Axelsen's second consecutive title in the Thailand leg of the BWF World Tour, having won the Yonex Thailand Open just one week prior. His performance during this period demonstrated a high level of dominance in the international circuit following the resumption of tournaments during the pandemic.

Explanation

Sir William Jones, a scholar and judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William, founded the Asiatic Society on January 15, 1784. The institution was established in Calcutta to encourage Oriental research and systematic study into the history, antiquities, arts, sciences, and literatures of Asia. Jones envisioned the society as a platform to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western knowledge, leading to significant breakthroughs in Indology. Under his leadership, the society pioneered the translation of important Sanskrit texts into English and facilitated the identification of historical figures like Chandragupta Maurya in classical Greek accounts. This foundation transformed the understanding of Indian heritage and established a rigorous tradition of colonial scholarship.

Explanation

The Santhal Rebellion, often referred to as the Santhal Hool, took place between 1855 and 1856 in the Rajmahal Hills of present-day Jharkhand. Sidhu Manjhi, along with his brothers Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav, emerged as the primary leaders of this tribal uprising. The movement was directed against the exploitative practices of the British East India Company, local zamindars, and moneylenders who had disenfranchised the Santhal people of their traditional lands. Sidhu Manjhi claimed divine inspiration to lead the revolt, mobilizing tens of thousands of Santhals to challenge British authority and seek the establishment of a self-governed Santhal state. His leadership was pivotal in organizing the guerilla tactics and widespread resistance that characterized this major pre-1857 anti-colonial struggle.

Explanation

The Kathiawar peninsula is a prominent landmass situated on the western coast of India, entirely within the state of Gujarat. It forms a part of the Saurashtra region and is geographically bounded by the Gulf of Kutch to the northwest, the Gulf of Khambhat to the southeast, and the Arabian Sea to the south and west. The peninsula is characterized by a central highland area and is home to significant geographical and ecological landmarks, including the Gir National Park and the port of Porbandar.

Explanation

The Son Bhandar Caves, also known as the Swarna Bhandar, are located at the foot of the Vaibhara Hills in Rajgir, Nalanda district, Bihar. These two rock-cut chambers are believed to have been excavated in the 3rd or 4th century CE, as indicated by an inscription found in the western cave naming a Jain Muni called Vairadeva as the founder. The caves were designed to serve as a retreat for Jain monks and are significant examples of early rock-cut architecture, featuring polished interior walls and a vaulted ceiling. The name translates to Treasury of Gold, originating from local legends which claim that a sealed doorway within the cave leads to a massive hidden hoard of gold belonging to the Magadhan King Bimbisara.

Explanation

Shashi Tharoor is the author of Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India, which was published in 2017. The book originated from a viral speech he delivered at the Oxford Union in 2015 on the topic of whether Britain owes reparations to its former colonies. In this work, Tharoor provides a comprehensive critique of British colonial rule in India, detailing how the British East India Company and the British Crown systematically dismantled the Indian economy. He focuses on themes of deindustrialization, the drain of wealth, and the devastating impact of colonial policies that led to recurring famines. The book challenges the narrative that British rule was a period of enlightened despotism that benefitted the subcontinent.

Explanation

The Madhya Pradesh government launched the Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) campaign in February 2021. The primary objective of this initiative was to reduce infant mortality rates caused by pneumonia among children under five years of age. Under this campaign, the state health department focused on training healthcare workers at the grassroots level to identify early symptoms of pneumonia and ensure timely medical intervention. The campaign also aimed at community mobilization and awareness to ensure that caregivers seek medical help immediately when a child shows signs of respiratory distress. This implementation aligned with the national goal to significantly lower childhood pneumonia deaths through better awareness and clinical management at the local level.

Explanation

Arya Rajendran, a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was elected as the mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation in December 2020. At the age of 21, she made history by becoming the youngest person in India to hold the office of mayor. A college student at the time of her election, she represented the Mudavanmugal ward in the corporation council. Her appointment marked a significant milestone for youth participation in Indian local self-government and urban administration.

Explanation

Mizoram has historically reported one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in India, significantly exceeding the national average. In December 2020, the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society launched the Love Brigade initiative as a strategic community-led intervention to curb the spread of the virus. The scheme involves a network of volunteers, predominantly youth and local stakeholders, who distribute condoms and disseminate vital information regarding safe sexual practices and HIV prevention. By stationing these volunteers at accessible locations like pharmacies and community centers, the initiative aims to normalize the use of contraceptives and reduce the social stigma associated with seeking HIV-related services. This peer-driven approach is designed to increase awareness and encourage regular testing among high-risk groups and the general population to lower the state's infection trajectory.

Explanation

Rama Mohan Rao Amara was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd. in January 2021, with his tenure officially commencing on January 30. A veteran banker with nearly three decades of experience at the State Bank of India, he previously served as the Chief General Manager of the Bhopal Circle. His professional background includes significant expertise in retail and corporate banking, as well as international banking operations, which led to his selection to head the credit card subsidiary.

Explanation

Pattachitra is a traditional cloth-based scroll painting from Odisha that is deeply intertwined with the religious life and rituals of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The name originates from the Sanskrit words patta, meaning canvas or cloth, and chitra, meaning picture. This art form is primarily dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is considered a form of Lord Vishnu. The paintings frequently depict the Jagannath Trinity—comprising Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—alongside various scenes from the Krishna Leela and other Vaishnava themes. A crucial tradition involving this art is the Anavasara ritual, where the main idols are temporarily replaced by Pattachitra paintings known as Anasara Pati for public worship during the period when the deities are believed to be in seclusion. These paintings are characterized by their use of natural pigments, intricate floral borders, and stylized poses that follow ancient iconographic rules established by the Chitrakara community.

Explanation

Shashi Shekhar Vempati, while serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati, India's public broadcaster, was elected as the Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) in December 2020. The election took place during the ABU General Assembly held virtually due to the pandemic. He was chosen for a three-year mandate starting from January 1, 2021. The ABU is one of the largest broadcasting associations in the world, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and serves more than 270 member organizations across approximately 70 countries. Vempati's election was a significant recognition of India's role and contributions to the global media and broadcasting landscape.

Explanation

The Shiva Temple at Chidambaram, also known as the Thillai Nataraja Temple, is a prominent example of Dravidian architecture. A defining feature of this architectural style is the presence of Gopurams, which are monumental, intricately carved gateway towers that mark the entrance to the temple complex. The Chidambaram temple is famous for its four massive gopurams oriented toward the cardinal directions. These towers are decorated with hundreds of stucco figures representing mythological themes and the 108 poses of Bharatanatyam, serving as grand landmarks that characterize the sacred landscape of South Indian temple complexes.

Explanation

Munshi Premchand, widely regarded as the Upanyas Samrat or Emperor of Novels, authored the classic Hindi novel Rangbhoomi, which is translated into English as The Arena of Life. First published in 1924-1925, the novel is a profound social commentary on the impact of industrialization and colonial urban expansion on rural Indian society. The story revolves around the protagonist Surdas, a virtuous blind beggar who leads a non-violent struggle to prevent his land from being acquired for a cigarette factory. Through this narrative, Premchand explores themes of social injustice, the clash between traditional morality and modern capitalism, and the influence of Gandhian principles of Satyagraha and passive resistance in the Indian independence movement.

Explanation

Lakshya Sen is a professional Indian badminton player who achieved significant prominence in the international circuit at a young age. He attained the world number one ranking in the BWF Junior World Rankings in 2017. His notable achievements prior to late 2021 include winning a silver medal in the boys singles at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships. He has also secured several senior titles on the BWF World Tour, including the Dutch Open and the SaarLorLux Open in 2019. Hailing from Almora, Uttarakhand, he trains at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy and is recognized as one of the leading figures in Indian men's singles badminton.

Explanation

The abbreviation Rep. is used in the official text of the Constitution of India to denote that a specific article, section, or schedule has been Repealed. This terminology indicates that the provision has been formally rescinded or removed from the Constitution by a subsequent Constitutional Amendment Act. Legal drafting maintains the original numbering of articles for structural consistency, and when a provision is deleted, the text marks the site with the abbreviation Rep. followed by the details of the amending act that neutralized its legal authority. This ensures that the historical sequence of the articles remains intact while signaling that the content is no longer in effect.

Explanation

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched by the Government of India in June 2015 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The mission focuses on providing basic services such as water supply, sewerage, and urban transport to households and building amenities in cities to improve the quality of life for all, especially the poor and disadvantaged. It covers 500 cities and towns with a population of over one lakh, aiming to ensure that every household has access to a tap with an assured supply of water and a sewerage connection. The scheme also emphasizes increasing the amenity value of cities by developing greenery and well-maintained open spaces like parks and reducing pollution by switching to public transport or constructing facilities for non-motorized transport.

Explanation

Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea produced through a process that involves withering the leaves under strong sun and undergoing oxidation before curling and twisting. It is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same species used for green and black teas. The primary distinction of oolong lies in its partial oxidation level, which typically ranges from 8 percent to 85 percent, placing it between unoxidized green tea and fully oxidized black tea. This specific processing method gives oolong its unique flavor profile, aroma, and color.

Explanation

Spider webs are constructed from spider silk, which is a natural protein fiber produced by specialized glands known as spinnerets. These fibers are primarily made of large, repetitive proteins called spidroins. The molecular arrangement of these proteins, involving crystalline beta-sheet regions and amorphous elastic segments, gives spider silk its extraordinary tensile strength and flexibility. Spiders utilize different types of silk for various purposes, including structural support, prey capture, and egg sacs, all of which are fundamentally protein-based biological polymers.

Explanation

RS Sharma, the former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Authority in January 2021. He succeeded Indu Bhushan to lead the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the flagship public health insurance scheme of the Government of India. In addition to managing the health insurance rollout, Sharma was also tasked with heading the empowered committee for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine delivery via the Co-WIN platform.

Explanation

Tanvi Shah made history as the first Indian woman to win a Grammy Award at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2010. She received the award in the category of Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for the song Jai Ho from the acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire. Shah provided the Spanish lyrics for the track and performed them, sharing the prestigious trophy with music composer A.R. Rahman and lyricist Gulzar. Her contribution helped the song achieve global recognition, establishing her as a pioneer for Indian female musicians at the international level.

Explanation

A force is classified as conservative if the work done by or against it in moving an object between two points depends only on the initial and final positions, regardless of the path taken. This path independence ensures that the work done over any closed loop is zero, represented by the line integral ∮ F · dr = 0. Because the energy expended against such a force is stored as potential energy rather than being dissipated, it remains within the system and can be fully converted back into kinetic energy. This quality of being able to retrieve the energy used to perform work confirms that the work done by a conservative force is completely recoverable.

Explanation

Neeraj Chopra made history at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, by winning the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event. He achieved this feat with a then-national record-breaking throw of 88.06 metres. This victory made him the first Indian athlete to ever win an Asian Games gold medal in the javelin throw discipline. His performance in 2018 followed a successful streak where he also secured gold at the Commonwealth Games earlier that same year, establishing his dominance in the sport at the continental and international levels.

Explanation

Panini was an ancient Indian Sanskrit philologist and grammarian who lived around the 4th century BCE. He authored the Ashtadhyayi, which is considered the foundational text of the Vyakarana (grammar) tradition. The title translates to Eight Chapters, as the work is divided into eight sections containing approximately 4,000 sutras or aphorisms. This treatise provides a rigorous and systematic analysis of Sanskrit phonology, morphology, and syntax, establishing the linguistic standards for Classical Sanskrit. Panini's work is often compared to a mathematical algorithm due to its highly technical and scientific approach to language structure.

Explanation

The Jai Hind Bridge is situated in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is a significant 650-meter-long cable-stayed bridge that replaces the old Majerhat Bridge, which spans the railway tracks of the Sealdah South section. The new structure was inaugurated in December 2020 and was renamed by the West Bengal government to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The name Jai Hind pays tribute to the slogan popularized by Netaji and the Indian National Army during the freedom struggle. This bridge serves as a vital arterial link connecting the central part of Kolkata with the southwestern suburbs and the Diamond Harbour Road.

Explanation

The Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2020 to improve the quality and governance of school education. Financed partially by a loan from the World Bank, the project is implemented in six Indian states: Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Odisha. The project focuses on various components of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, such as strengthening early childhood education, improving learning assessment systems, and supporting teacher development. It aims to develop and support the delivery of initiatives that improve student outcomes and school-to-work transitions through an integrated governance framework.

Explanation

Argon is a noble gas belonging to Group 18 of the periodic table. It possesses a stable electronic configuration with a completely filled outermost shell, specifically 3s² 3p⁶. This stability means that argon atoms have no tendency to lose, gain, or share electrons with other atoms to form chemical bonds. Consequently, argon exists as discrete, single atoms rather than as molecules composed of multiple atoms. Atomicity is defined as the number of atoms present in one molecule of an element. Since argon remains as a single atom in its elemental form, it is classified as monoatomic.

Explanation

Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, founded the city of Tarn Taran Sahib in 1590. He established the settlement in the Majha region of Punjab and initiated the excavation of the massive holy tank (Sarovar), which is known for being the largest of its kind among Sikh shrines. The Guru designed the city to serve as a spiritual and social center, and he notably established a leper home there to provide medical care and compassion to the marginalized. The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran, with its gold-plated dome and elegant architecture, remains a primary site of Sikh pilgrimage built under his direct supervision and guidance.

Explanation

The Bombay Reorganisation Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 1960 to bifurcate the bilingual State of Bombay into two separate states. This legislative action was primarily driven by intense linguistic movements, namely the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti and the Mahagujarat Andolan, which sought dedicated states for Marathi and Gujarati speaking populations respectively. As a result of this Act, the State of Bombay was dissolved to form the state of Maharashtra, with Bombay as its capital, and the state of Gujarat, with Ahmedabad as its initial capital. The reorganization officially took effect on May 1, 1960, a date now commemorated annually as Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day.