SSC CGL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

A watershed is a topographically delineated area of land that acts as a natural geo-hydrological unit by collecting all precipitation within its boundaries and funneling it through a network of streams to a single common outlet. The boundary of a watershed is defined by the highest elevations surrounding a drainage area, known as the drainage divide, which ensures that all surface runoff and groundwater flow originating within the perimeter converge at a specific discharge point. This integrated system allows for the comprehensive management of water, soil, and biological resources, making it the fundamental unit for hydrological modeling and ecological conservation efforts.

Explanation

Bhavya Lal, an eminent Indian-American scientist and space policy expert, was appointed as the acting Chief of Staff for NASA in February 2021 by the Biden administration. Prior to this role, she served as a member of the Biden-Harris presidential transition agency review team for NASA. Her professional background includes extensive work at the Institute for Defense Analyses Science and Technology Policy Institute, where she led analysis of space sector trends for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Space Council. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering, as well as a Master of Science in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, alongside a doctorate in Public Policy and Public Administration from George Washington University.

Explanation

Deepika Padukone was named in the World Economic Forum's list of Young Global Leaders (YGL) in March 2021. This list recognizes influential leaders under the age of 40 across various fields who contribute to shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future. Padukone was selected for her significant contributions as a cultural icon and her extensive advocacy work in the field of mental health. Through her Live Love Laugh Foundation, which she established in 2015, she has been instrumental in reducing the social stigma surrounding mental illness and providing support for those suffering from depression. Her inclusion in the Class of 2021 highlighted her impact beyond the film industry, aligning her with a global cohort of activists, entrepreneurs, and political leaders.

Explanation

Magnesium is a member of Group 2 of the periodic table, which consists of the alkaline earth metals. This group also includes beryllium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These elements are categorized together because they all possess two valence electrons in their outermost s-orbital, giving them similar chemical properties such as high reactivity and the tendency to form M²⁺ cations. The name alkaline earth metal reflects the fact that their oxides are basic in nature and were historically found in the earth as minerals resistant to high temperatures.

Explanation

The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, from April 6 to April 15, 1896. Formally known as the Games of the I Olympiad, the event was organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had been established by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894. Athens was chosen as the inaugural host city to provide a historical link to the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The 1896 Games featured athletes from 14 nations competing in 43 events, with the opening ceremony and many competitions taking place at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Explanation

A mixed economy is an economic system that incorporates elements of both private enterprise and government intervention. In this framework, the private sector owns and manages the majority of businesses and resources, driven by profit and market competition, while the government plays a significant role in providing public services, managing strategic industries, and regulating the market to ensure social welfare. This model seeks to balance the efficiency and innovation of the market mechanism with the government's ability to correct market failures and provide a social safety net for its citizens.

Explanation

Hazaribagh is located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand at an average elevation of approximately 610 meters above sea level. It is not situated on the banks of the river Ganga. The drainage system of the Hazaribagh region consists primarily of the Damodar, Barakar, and Konar rivers. While the river Ganga flows through the state of Jharkhand, its course is limited to the Sahibganj district in the northeastern corner of the state, which is geographically distant from Hazaribagh.

Explanation

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh on October 21, 1951, in Delhi. He had previously served as the Minister for Industry and Supply in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's first cabinet but resigned in 1950 due to ideological differences regarding the Nehru-Liaquat Pact and the government's policy towards Pakistan. With the support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he established the Jana Sangh as a political alternative that championed a nationalist and pro-Hindu cultural identity, advocating for a unified India and opposing the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir. He served as the first president of the party, which later became the ideological predecessor to the modern Bharatiya Janata Party.

Explanation

The United Nations recognizes six official languages to facilitate communication and diplomacy among its member states. These languages are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. All official UN documents and meetings are conducted in these languages, allowing for simultaneous interpretation and translation. English and French serve as the working languages of the Secretariat. This framework ensures that the diverse linguistic backgrounds of member nations are represented in the international organization's operations.

Explanation

Uttar Pradesh launched India's first pilot project for blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer (P2P) solar power trading in December 2020. This initiative was a collaborative effort involving the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), and the technology provider Power Ledger. The platform enabled prosumers who generated solar energy via rooftop panels to sell their surplus electricity directly to other consumers on the grid. By using blockchain technology, the system ensured transparent, automated, and secure transactions, marking a significant step toward decentralized energy markets and the integration of renewable energy into the state power infrastructure.

Explanation

Asus, under its Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand, launched the ROG Academy in early 2021 as India's first virtual esports academy. The initiative was designed to identify, train, and mentor aspiring gamers to help them transition into professional esports athletes. The program provides selected participants with professional coaching, high-end gaming equipment, and a monthly stipend, focusing on popular competitive titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). By establishing this structured training curriculum, Asus aimed to bolster the grassroots esports ecosystem in India and provide a clear pathway for talent to compete at international levels.

Explanation

Muhammad bin Qasim was an Umayyad general who led the first successful Arab invasion of the Indian subcontinent in 712 AD. At the age of 17, he was dispatched by Hajjaj bin Yusuf, the governor of Iraq, to punish Raja Dahir, the ruler of Sindh, following the seizure of Arab ships by pirates near the port of Debal. Muhammad bin Qasim defeated Raja Dahir in the Battle of Aror, resulting in the conquest of Sindh and Multan. This military expedition brought the Indus Valley under the control of the Umayyad Caliphate and marked the initial significant entry of Islam into the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

Stagflation is a portmanteau of stagnation and inflation, describing an economic condition where the growth rate slows, the unemployment rate remains steadily high, and the price levels of goods and services continue to rise. This scenario is particularly challenging for a country's central bank and fiscal authorities because traditional monetary and fiscal policies used to combat one issue often worsen the other. For instance, increasing interest rates to curb inflation can further suppress economic growth and increase unemployment. It typically occurs due to supply-side shocks, such as a sudden rise in the cost of essential commodities like oil, which increases production costs while reducing consumer purchasing power and industrial output.

Explanation

Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor. The mathematical relationship is expressed as I = Q/t, where I is the electric current, Q is the quantity of charge, and t is the time interval. In the International System of Units (SI), charge is measured in coulombs (C) and time is measured in seconds (s). The unit of electric current, the ampere (A), is defined as one coulomb of charge passing through a point in a circuit per second. Thus, 1 Ampere = 1 Coulomb / 1 Second.

Explanation

Cohesive force is the intermolecular force of attraction that exists between molecules of the same substance. This force is responsible for holding the particles of a material together, such as the molecules within a drop of water or the atoms within a solid metal. In liquids, cohesion is the fundamental property that enables the formation of droplets and contributes significantly to the phenomenon of surface tension. The strength of cohesive forces varies depending on the state of matter; these forces are strongest in solids, which gives them a definite shape and volume, moderate in liquids, and virtually non-existent in gases where molecules are far apart and move independently.

Explanation

Mohammed Salim was a legendary footballer from Calcutta who became the first player from the Indian sub-continent to play for a European club when he joined the Scottish side Celtic FC in 1936. After a highly successful stint with Mohammedan Sporting in India, Salim travelled to Scotland and impressed the Celtic management during his trials. Despite playing barefoot with only bandages on his feet, his exceptional ball control and technical skills earned him a place in the team for friendly matches against Hamilton Academical and Galston. His performance was widely acclaimed by the Scottish press, making him a pioneer for Asian footballers in Europe before he eventually decided to return to India.

Explanation

Thullal, specifically Ottamthullal, is a classical performing art form from Kerala created by the legendary poet Kunchan Nambiar in the 18th century. It is distinguished by its use of witty satire and social commentary, often mocking the socio-political conditions and prejudices of the time through humor. The performance is a solo act where the dancer wears green makeup and a colorful costume, singing and reciting verses in simple Malayalam while performing rhythmic dance steps. Unlike the highly stylized and complex Kathakali, Thullal was developed to be more accessible to the common masses, blending traditional classical elements with folk aesthetics to engage the audience directly through storytelling and mimicry.

Explanation

Corals are marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. As sessile animals, they remain permanently attached to a substrate on the ocean floor for the duration of their adult lives. Reef-building corals maintain a critical mutualistic relationship with microscopic algae known as zooxanthellae that live within their tissues. Through photosynthesis, these algae provide the corals with essential nutrients and oxygen, which the coral polyps use to secrete calcium carbonate. Over vast periods, the accumulation and cementing of these calcium carbonate skeletons result in the formation of massive coral reefs. These reefs represent the largest structures of biological origin on Earth, extending for thousands of kilometers and providing habitats for a significant portion of marine biodiversity.

Explanation

Amitav Ghosh is the author of the historical novel Sea of Poppies, published in 2008. It serves as the first volume of his acclaimed Ibis Trilogy, which includes the subsequent titles River of Smoke and Flood of Fire. The story is set in the 1830s against the backdrop of the British opium trade in India and the events leading up to the First Opium War. The novel follows a diverse cast of characters, including sailors, convicts, and indentured laborers, aboard the ship Ibis. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2008 and is noted for its meticulous historical research and use of various dialects and nautical terminology.

Explanation

Swami Vivekananda represented India and Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago in September 1893. This historic event was part of the World's Columbian Exposition. Vivekananda's opening speech, which famously began with the words Sisters and brothers of America, introduced the core tenets of Vedantic philosophy and Yoga to the Western world. His participation is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of interfaith dialogue and the global recognition of Indian spiritual traditions.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census, Madhya Pradesh has approximately 52,117 inhabited villages, which is the highest among the states listed in the options. While Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of inhabited villages in India overall, among the provided choices, Madhya Pradesh is the correct answer.

Explanation

The Nalwari Fair is a prominent state-level cattle fair held annually in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1889 by W. Goldstein, the then Superintendent of Shimla Hill States, the fair traditionally commences in the month of March (Chaitra month). It is specifically known for the large-scale trade of sturdy bullocks and other livestock, predominantly brought from the plains of Punjab and Haryana. The event serves as a significant socio-economic gathering where farmers and cattle breeders interact, complemented by cultural programs and traditional wrestling matches known as Dangals.

Explanation

Marsh gas is the common name for methane (CH₄), which is a colorless, odorless gas produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. In wetlands, swamps, and marshes, methanogenic bacteria break down plant and animal material in the absence of oxygen, causing methane to bubble up from the underwater sediment. This natural process led to the association of the gas with marshy environments, earning it the descriptive name marsh gas.

Explanation

The International System of Units (SI) utilizes standardized prefixes to represent decimal multiples and submultiples of units. The prefix femto, represented by the symbol f, corresponds to the multiplier 10⁻¹⁵. This term is derived from the Danish and Norwegian word femten, meaning fifteen. It was formally adopted at the 12th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) in 1964. In scientific measurement, this prefix is frequently encountered in fields such as nuclear physics to describe the diameter of a proton or neutron, typically around 1 femtometer, and in laser chemistry to describe the duration of molecular vibrations, which occur on the scale of femtoseconds.

Explanation

A tonometer is a medical diagnostic instrument used by eye care professionals to determine the intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the fluid pressure inside the eye. Measuring intraocular pressure is a fundamental part of a comprehensive eye examination and is the primary screening method for glaucoma, a condition where increased pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss. The measurement is typically recorded in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The Goldmann applanation tonometer is the most widely used version and is considered the clinical gold standard; it operates on the Imbert-Fick principle, calculating the pressure based on the force required to flatten a constant area of the cornea. Other types include non-contact tonometers, which use a puff of air to measure the eye's resistance, and electronic indentation tonometers.

Explanation

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, was initiated by the Government of India in 2014 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Observed every year on 31st October, this day honors Patel's extraordinary efforts in the political integration of the country. Following India's independence in 1947, he served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, where he successfully integrated more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union. His leadership and commitment to national integrity earned him the title Iron Man of India, and the day serves as a reminder of his legacy in building a unified nation.

Explanation

An aquifer is a subsurface layer of rock, sand, or gravel that contains and transmits groundwater. To be classified as an aquifer, the geological unit must be saturated and possess sufficient permeability to allow water to move through it at a rate that can sustain a steady supply to wells or springs. These formations are characterized by high hydraulic conductivity, which ensures that water can be extracted in economically or practically useful quantities for human consumption, irrigation, or industrial purposes.

Explanation

Hima Das is a prominent Indian track and field athlete from Assam who specializes in sprint events, primarily the 400 meters and 200 meters. She gained international recognition by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track event at the IAAF World U20 Championships in 2018. Known by the nickname Dhing Express, she has represented India at major international competitions including the 2018 Asian Games, where she won a silver medal in the individual 400 meters and gold medals as part of the women's and mixed 4x400 meters relay teams. She holds the current Indian national record in the 400 meters with a timing of 50.79 seconds.

Explanation

The Chinkara is a traditional bowed stringed instrument widely used in the folk music of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It consists of a wooden body with a parchment-covered belly and typically features three strings made of steel or horsehair. The instrument is played with a bow and is a common accompaniment for local folk songs and tribal performances, particularly among the Pardhan community. Since its sound is produced through the vibration of stretched strings when bowed or plucked, it is classified as a chordophone.

Explanation

The Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens were incorporated into the Constitution via the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. This addition was made based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee, which was constituted by the government to suggest changes to the Constitution during the Internal Emergency. The amendment inserted a new Part IV-A and Article 51A, which originally enumerated ten fundamental duties for citizens. These duties are non-justiciable in nature and were intended to remind citizens that while they enjoy fundamental rights, they also have specific obligations toward the state and society.

Explanation

Dharampala, the second ruler of the Pala Dynasty, was a great patron of Buddhism and played a pivotal role in the educational history of ancient India. He established the Vikramshila University in the late 8th or early 9th century near modern-day Bhagalpur, Bihar, which became one of the most significant centers of Buddhist learning alongside Nalanda. Additionally, he is credited with the revival of Nalanda University by granting it the revenue of numerous villages to ensure its financial stability and continued operation. His reign marked a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing in Eastern India, solidifying the Pala Empire as a major center of learning.

Explanation

Ashish Nehra is a former Indian international cricketer who specialized as a left-arm fast-medium bowler. Over an extensive career spanning nearly two decades from 1999 to 2017, he established himself as one of India's most successful left-arm pacers. His bowling style was characterized by a high-arm action that allowed him to generate significant swing and seam movement, particularly with the new ball. He played a crucial role in India's pace attack during major international tournaments, most famously delivering a career-best performance of 6 for 23 against England during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. Nehra represented India in all three formats of the game and was known for his tactical intelligence and effectiveness in the death overs of limited-overs matches.

Explanation

The Skill India Mission, also known as the National Skill Development Mission, was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 15, 2015. The launch took place on the occasion of the first World Youth Skills Day. The mission was established to create a convergence across sectors and states regarding skill training activities, aiming to empower the Indian youth with various skill sets to make them more employable and productive in their work environment. It acts as an umbrella framework for several initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), and is overseen by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Explanation

The Gahadavala dynasty, which rose to power in northern India during the late 11th century, traces its origin to Yashovigraha. He was followed by his son Mahichandra, also known as Mahiyala. The third ruler, Chandradeva, was the most significant early figure of the lineage as he established the dynasty as a sovereign power. Chandradeva took advantage of the political instability following the decline of the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire and the Kalachuri influence to conquer Kanauj and Kashi. By approximately 1089 CE, he had consolidated his rule over the Kanyakubja kingdom, establishing the Gahadavalas as a dominant force in the regions of modern-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Explanation

National Voters Day is observed annually on 25 January to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, which was established on 25 January 1950. The celebration of this day was initiated in 2011 with the primary objective of increasing the enrollment of voters, especially among the youth, and spreading awareness about the importance of participating in the electoral process. By dedicating a specific day to voters, the Election Commission aims to promote informed and ethical voting while ensuring that no voter is left behind in the democratic exercise.

Explanation

As per the 2011 Census of India, Maharashtra is the second most populous state in the country, having a total population of 11,23,74,333. This population constitutes approximately 9.28 percent of India's total population. The census data recorded a decadal growth rate of 15.99 percent for the state between 2001 and 2011. Maharashtra follows Uttar Pradesh, which is the most populous state, in the overall population ranking based on the 2011 demographic data.

Explanation

Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, originally known as Ghazi Malik, served as a distinguished military commander and was appointed as the Governor of Dipalpur in the Punjab region during the reign of Ala-ud-din Khilji. He was entrusted with the critical responsibility of defending the northwestern frontiers of the Delhi Sultanate against Mongol invasions, earning the title of Warden of the Marches for his successful military campaigns. His administrative and military stronghold in Punjab provided the necessary power base for his eventual rise to the throne and the establishment of the Tughlaq dynasty in 1320.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India achieved the milestone of one million followers on Twitter on November 22, 2020. This feat made it the first central bank in the world to cross the seven-figure follower mark on the microblogging platform. At the time of this record, the RBI had significantly more followers than other major global financial institutions, including the United States Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. The RBI uses its official handle to communicate monetary policy decisions, issue public interest messages through campaigns like RBI Kehta Hai, and provide timely updates on regulatory changes.

Explanation

Economies of scale refer to the cost advantages that a business obtains due to its scale of operation, where the cost per unit of output generally decreases as the scale of production increases. This occurs because fixed costs, such as administrative expenses or machinery investment, are spread over a larger number of units. Mathematically, if TC represents the total cost and Q represents the quantity of output, the average cost AC is given by AC = (TC)/(Q). As Q increases, the average fixed cost component of TC declines, leading to a reduction in AC. Additionally, increased production levels often allow for greater specialization of labor, bulk purchasing discounts for raw materials, and the implementation of more efficient technological processes, all of which contribute to proportionate savings in total production costs.

Explanation

In January 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unanimously elected as the chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust, which manages the historic Somnath Temple in Gujarat. The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of the board of trustees to fill the vacancy created by the death of the previous chairman, former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, in October 2020. By accepting this role, Narendra Modi became the eighth chairman of the trust and the second Prime Minister of India to hold the position, after Morarji Desai. The Prime Minister had already been serving as one of the trustees of the temple for several years prior to his elevation to the chairmanship.

Explanation

Jonas Salk developed the first successful polio vaccine, known as the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), in the early 1950s. Working at the University of Pittsburgh, Salk utilized a killed-virus method to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies without the risk of causing the disease itself. Following one of the largest clinical trials in medical history involving nearly two million children, the vaccine was declared safe and effective on April 12, 1955. This breakthrough played a pivotal role in the global effort to eradicate paralytic poliomyelitis.

Explanation

Calamine is the traditional name applied to a natural admixture of two distinct zinc minerals: zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃), now known as smithsonite, and hydrous zinc silicate (Zn₄Si₂O₇(OH)₂ · H₂O), known as hemimorphite. Historically, these minerals were not distinguished from one another and were collectively referred to as calamine by miners and early mineralogists. They typically occur together in the oxidized portions of zinc ore deposits, formed through the weathering of primary zinc sulfide ores like sphalerite. While modern mineralogy uses specific names for the individual components, the term calamine persists in commercial and medicinal contexts to describe zinc-based ores and preparations.

Explanation

Mumbai and Hyderabad were officially designated as members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network on October 31, 2019, in celebration of World Cities Day. Mumbai was selected for the creative field of Film, acknowledging its status as a major global cinematic hub and the heart of the Indian film industry. Hyderabad was inducted into the network for its excellence in Gastronomy, recognizing its unique culinary traditions and the central role of food culture in the city's social and economic fabric. This network aims to foster international cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

Explanation

The Kakori Conspiracy, often referred to as the Kakori Train Action, occurred on August 9, 1925. It was a train robbery organized by the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) to fund their revolutionary activities against British colonial rule in India. The plan was executed near Kakori, a small village near Lucknow, where revolutionaries intercepted the 8 Down train carrying government treasury money. Leading figures of the HRA, including Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and Chandrashekhar Azad, were instrumental in the operation. The British government responded with a large-scale investigation and trial, leading to the execution of several key members and the imprisonment of many others.

Explanation

Sandeep Aggarwal, the Managing Director of Paramount Communications Ltd, was appointed as the Chairman of the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) in January 2021. TEPC is an independent body set up by the Government of India to promote and develop the export of telecom equipment and services. Aggarwal succeeded Shyamal Ghosh and brought his extensive experience in the telecom sector to the role, focusing on boosting India's exports of telecom hardware and services in alignment with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Explanation

India's journey into space exploration commenced on November 21, 1963, with the successful launch of the Nike-Apache sounding rocket. The launch was conducted from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This site was specifically selected for its geographic location near the Earth's magnetic equator, which is optimal for conducting atmospheric and ionospheric research. The rocket itself was provided by NASA, while the sodium vapor payload was provided by CNES (France). This landmark event signified the formal beginning of the Indian space program and laid the foundation for the subsequent establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Explanation

Siddhartha Mohanty was appointed as the Managing Director of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with effect from February 1, 2021. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) to serve in this role until his superannuation on June 30, 2023. Prior to this elevation, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of LIC Housing Finance. The leadership structure of LIC typically includes a Chairman and four Managing Directors, and Mohanty transitioned into this role to oversee the operations and strategic initiatives of the country's largest insurance provider.

Explanation

The Raman Effect is the inelastic scattering of photons by molecules, resulting in a change in the energy and frequency of the light. When monochromatic light interacts with the molecules of a medium, the energy of the incident photons can be partially absorbed by the molecules, exciting them to higher vibrational or rotational energy levels. This results in scattered light with a lower frequency, known as Stokes radiation. Conversely, if the light interacts with a molecule already in an excited state, the molecule can transition to a lower energy level, transferring energy to the scattered photon and resulting in a higher frequency, known as anti-Stokes radiation. The energy difference between the incident and scattered light, Δ E = h(ᵢ - ₛ), corresponds directly to the quantized vibrational or rotational energy transitions of the specific molecules.

Explanation

In February 2020, JSW Steel, the flagship company of the JSW Group, signed Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant as its brand ambassador. The partnership was designed to promote the company's steel products, particularly the JSW Neosteel range of TMT bars, and to enhance brand visibility in the retail and construction segments. Pant was chosen to represent the brand because his performance and spirit on the cricket field resonated with the company's themes of strength, resilience, and youthfulness. This endorsement deal was part of JSW Steel's strategy to expand its reach among consumers and position itself as a modern and reliable brand in the infrastructure sector.

Explanation

The third phase of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 3.0) was launched on January 15, 2021, by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. This phase was implemented in 600 districts across all states and union territories of India. PMKVY 3.0 was designed to be more decentralized and demand-driven, giving District Skill Committees a significant role in identifying skill gaps and overseeing the training process. The scheme aimed to provide vocational training in over 300 courses to approximately eight lakh candidates during the 2020-2021 period with an allocated budget of ₹948.90 crore, focusing on digital technology and industry 4.0 skills to support the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.