SSC CGL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Samudragupta, the ruler of the Gupta Empire, is known as the Napoleon of India due to his extensive military conquests and expansionist policies. The title was conferred upon him by the historian Vincent Arthur Smith in his book Early History of India. This comparison reflects Samudragupta being a formidable conqueror who reportedly never suffered a defeat on the battlefield. His military prowess and the details of his various campaigns are recorded in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, also known as the Prayag Prashasti, which was composed by his court poet Harisena. The inscription describes how he defeated numerous rulers across both North India and South India, establishing a vast empire that marked the beginning of the Golden Age of India.

Explanation

The Duduma Waterfall is located on the Machkund River in the Koraput district of Odisha and the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Falling from a height of approximately 175 meters in the Eastern Ghats, it is one of the highest waterfalls in India and supports the Machkund Hydroelectric Power Project. Because this geographical feature is situated on the border of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, it is not located in Karnataka.

Explanation

The Swasthya Sathi scheme was launched by the Government of West Bengal in December 2016 and was later expanded by the state administration in December 2020 to provide universal health coverage to every resident of the state. The scheme provides a basic health cover for secondary and tertiary care up to ₹5 lakh per annum per family. It is a completely state-funded initiative that offers cashless treatment through a smart card system at both government and empanelled private hospitals. One of its defining characteristics is that the health card is issued in the name of the eldest female member of the family, aiming to promote women empowerment alongside public health security.

Explanation

Biswajit Chatterjee was conferred with the Indian Personality of the Year Award at the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India, which was held in Goa in January 2021. The award was announced by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting during the opening ceremony to honor his significant contributions to Indian cinema. Chatterjee is a veteran actor, director, and singer who has worked extensively in both Hindi and Bengali cinema, recognized for his performances in classic films such as Bees Saal Baad, Kohra, and April Fool. This prestigious recognition is given to film personalities for their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.

Explanation

The Zeeman effect refers to the splitting of a spectral line into several components when the light source is placed in a static magnetic field. This phenomenon occurs because an external magnetic field interacts with the magnetic dipole moment of the atom, which is associated with its orbital and spin angular momenta. This interaction removes the degeneracy of the atomic energy levels, causing them to shift by an amount proportional to the magnetic field strength. For an atom in a magnetic field B, the shift in energy levels is given by ΔE = mⱼ g μ_B B, where mⱼ is the magnetic quantum number, g is the Landé g-factor, and μ_B is the Bohr magneton. Since different sub-levels undergo different shifts, the transitions between these levels result in multiple discrete spectral lines rather than a single one. This effect is a critical tool in astrophysics for measuring the magnetic fields of stars and the Sun.

Explanation

The Rajasthan government launched the M-Sand (Manufactured Sand) Policy on January 25, 2021, to provide a sustainable alternative to riverbed sand (Bajri) used in construction. This policy aimed to reduce environmental degradation caused by illegal sand mining and ensure the easy availability of sand for the construction sector. Under this policy, M-Sand units were granted the status of an industry, making them eligible for various benefits and incentives under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme 2019. The initiative encourages the use of crushed stone waste from mines and promotes the establishment of manufacturing units to meet the state's growing demand for building materials.

Explanation

Sharath M Gayakwad is a prominent Indian Paralympic swimmer who represented India at the 2012 London Paralympics. He is best known for his historic performance at the 2014 Asian Para Games held in Incheon, South Korea, where he won a total of six medals. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by P.T. Usha for the highest number of medals won by an Indian athlete at a single major multi-sport event. Gayakwad, who has a congenital deformity of his left hand, has won numerous international medals in various categories including breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley. His contributions to para-sports were recognized by the Government of India with the Arjuna Award in 2014.

Explanation

Tripura attained full statehood on 21 January 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. On this date, the three states of Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya were granted the status of full-fledged states within the Indian Union. Before achieving statehood, Tripura was a Union Territory following its merger with India in 1949. The state observes Statehood Day every year on January 21 to commemorate this significant milestone in its political and administrative history.

Explanation

SHG stands for Self Help Group. These are small, informal associations of people, typically from similar socio-economic backgrounds, who come together to improve their living conditions through collective action. The word Help represents the fundamental principle of mutual assistance and cooperation that governs these groups. Members contribute small, regular savings to a common fund, which is then used to provide micro-loans to fellow members for various needs. This collaborative approach fosters financial independence and empowers marginalized communities by encouraging thrift and providing a platform for communal support and resource management.

Explanation

Topaz is a rare silicate mineral with the chemical formula Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂. It is classified as a nesosilicate because its crystal structure consists of isolated silicon-oxygen tetrahedra (SiO₄) linked by aluminium cations. The presence of fluorine and hydroxyl groups within the lattice makes it a fluorosilicate of aluminium, often occurring in igneous rocks like granite and rhyolite as a result of fluorine-bearing vapors released during the late stages of crystallization.

Explanation

Anchar Lake is situated in the Srinagar district of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a shallow wetland area that is hydraulically linked to the famous Dal Lake through a channel known as the Amir Khan Nallah. The lake plays a significant role in the local ecosystem of the Kashmir Valley, although it has faced ecological stress due to encroachment and pollution from surrounding urban settlements.

Explanation

The noble gases occupy Group 18 of the periodic table, serving as the bridge between the halogens in Group 17 and the alkali metals in Group 1 of the following period. Halogens are the most electronegative elements because they require only one electron to complete their valence shell. Once that shell is filled, the resulting stable electronic configuration defines the noble gases. The addition of one more proton and electron necessitates the start of a new principal energy level, which characterizes the highly electropositive alkali metals. Thus, the noble gases effectively separate these two groups of high chemical reactivity in the sequence of atomic numbers.

Explanation

The revolt in the countryside of the Bombay Deccan, known as the Deccan Riots, took place in 1875. The uprising began in May 1875 at Supa, a large village in the Poona district, and quickly spread to other parts of the region. This peasant movement was primarily directed against the local moneylenders, or sahukars, who had trapped the peasantry in a cycle of permanent debt. The underlying causes included the high land revenue demands under the Ryotwari system and the economic distress following the crash in cotton prices after the American Civil War ended. During the riots, peasants attacked moneylenders' houses and shops, systematically burning debt bonds, deeds, and account books. The scale of the unrest led the British government to form the Deccan Riots Commission and later pass the Deccan Agriculturalists Relief Act in 1879 to provide some protection to the farmers.

Explanation

Totipotency is the biological capacity of a single cell to divide and differentiate into every type of cell within an organism, including both embryonic and extraembryonic tissues. This inherent potential allows a single totipotent cell, such as a zygote or certain plant cells used in tissue culture, to regenerate a complete, functional, and fertile adult individual. In plants, this phenomenon is widely utilized in micropropagation, where individual somatic cells are induced to revert to an undifferentiated state and then developed into whole new plants. It represents the highest level of cellular potency, signifying that the cell retains all the genetic instructions required to build a complex organism from scratch.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) identifies Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) based on a framework that evaluates banks on parameters such as size, interconnectedness, complexity, and lack of substitutability. These banks are considered too big to fail, meaning their failure would cause significant disruption to the domestic financial system and the wider economy. Since the implementation of this framework in 2015, the State Bank of India (SBI) has been designated as a D-SIB due to its massive asset base and its systemic importance to the Indian credit and payment infrastructure. Along with ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank, SBI is required to maintain additional Common Equity Tier 1 capital as a percentage of its risk-weighted assets to provide an extra layer of financial stability.

Explanation

Work is defined as the measure of energy transfer that occurs when an object is moved over a distance by an external force at least part of which is applied in the direction of the displacement. Mathematically, it is expressed as the dot product of the force vector and the displacement vector: W = F · s = Fs cos θ. When the displacement is in the exact direction of the force, the angle θ is 0°, and since cos 0° = 1, the formula simplifies to W = F × s. In this context, work represents the scalar quantity resulting from the product of the magnitude of the force and the magnitude of the displacement in that same direction. The SI unit for work is the Joule (J), which is equivalent to one Newton-meter (N m).

Explanation

The Indian Association was founded on July 26, 1876, by Surendranath Banerjee and Anandamohan Bose in Calcutta. It was established as the first major nationalist organization in British India with the objective of promoting the political, intellectual, and material advancement of the people. The association sought to create a strong body of public opinion and unify Indian people on a common political program. It played a pivotal role in voicing grievances against the reduction of the age limit for Civil Service examinations and the Vernacular Press Act. Due to its overlapping objectives with the Indian National Congress, the association merged with it during the second session of the Congress in 1886.

Explanation

The Atal Tunnel, inaugurated by the Prime Minister on October 3, 2020, is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), it is recognized as the longest highway tunnel in the world situated at an altitude above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). The tunnel spans a total length of 9.02 kilometers and provides all-weather connectivity between Manali and the Lahaul-Spiti valley. This strategic infrastructure reduces the travel distance between Manali and Leh by approximately 46 kilometers and saves about four to five hours of travel time, bypassing the heavy snow-prone Rohtang Pass.

Explanation

Article 343 (1) of the Constitution of India specifies that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script. This constitutional provision also establishes that the form of numerals to be used for the official purposes of the Union shall be the international form of Indian numerals. Located within Part XVII of the Constitution, which deals with Official Language, this Article was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on September 14, 1949. This date is now celebrated annually as Hindi Diwas to commemorate the adoption of Hindi as the official language. The Article ensures a standardized linguistic framework for the Union's executive and legislative communications while allowing for the continued use of English for a transition period as provided in subsequent clauses of the same Article.

Explanation

Qatar was officially selected by FIFA in December 2010 to host the 2022 World Cup, making it the first Middle Eastern and Arab country to organize the tournament. The event was uniquely scheduled for November and December to avoid the intense summer heat of the Persian Gulf, representing the first time the competition was held outside the traditional May, June, or July window. To support the tournament, Qatar undertook massive infrastructure projects, including the construction of eight state-of-the-art stadiums equipped with advanced cooling systems and an expansive new metro system to connect the various venues across the peninsula.

Explanation

In January 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a high-powered committee to address the concerns of the people of Ladakh regarding the protection of their unique language, culture, and land rights. G. Kishan Reddy, who was the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs at the time, was appointed as the head of this committee. The committee was tasked with finding a solution to issues related to the conservation of Ladakh’s distinct identity and ensuring the participation of local representatives in the region’s development. It included members from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil, along with central government and Union Territory administration officials, to facilitate dialogue on constitutional safeguards for the region.

Explanation

The Vaisheshika school of philosophy was founded by Maharishi Kanada, who authored its foundational text known as the Vaisheshika Sutra. This system is one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy and is highly regarded for its early insights into naturalism and atomism. Kanada introduced the concept of Paramanu, or the atom, suggesting that the physical universe is composed of indivisible, eternal particles. The Vaisheshika Sutra systematically categorizes all objects of experience into distinct Padarthas (categories) such as Dravya (substance), Guna (quality), and Karma (action) to explain the nature of reality through a logical and analytical framework.

Explanation

Sher Shah Suri established a highly efficient administrative machinery during his brief reign from 1540 to 1545 that served as the primary blueprint for Akbar's later consolidation of the Mughal Empire. His most enduring legacy was the land revenue system, which involved the systematic measurement of land and the classification of fields based on productivity to determine fair taxation. This system was later refined by Raja Todar Mal, who had served under Sher Shah before becoming Akbar's finance minister, to create the Mughal Zabti system. Sher Shah also introduced the silver Rupia and a standardized weights and measures system that provided economic stability. His division of the empire into administrative units like Sarkars and Parganas, along with the development of the Grand Trunk Road and a robust postal network, provided the structural framework that allowed Akbar to govern a vast and diverse territory effectively.

Explanation

India's football legends Chuni Goswami and P.K. Banerjee were instrumental figures in the golden era of Indian football and core members of the squad that secured the gold medal at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games. P.K. Banerjee, a prolific striker who later achieved great success as a coach, passed away on 20 March 2020. Chuni Goswami, who captained the 1962 gold-winning team and was a remarkably versatile sportsman who also played first-class cricket for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, died shortly after on 30 April 2020. The passing of these two icons within weeks of each other during the early months of the pandemic was a significant loss to the Indian sporting community.

Explanation

Dhanpat Rai Srivastava was the birth name of the legendary Indian writer widely recognized by his pen name, Munshi Premchand. Born in 1880 near Varanasi, he is celebrated as the Upanyas Samrat or Emperor of Novels for his profound contributions to Hindi and Urdu literature. He initially started writing under the name Nawab Rai but transitioned to the pseudonym Premchand after the British government seized and banned his patriotic short story collection, Soz-e-Watan. His literary style shifted Indian literature from the realm of fantasy and romance to social realism, focusing on the hardships of the peasantry, caste discrimination, and the plight of women. His extensive body of work includes timeless masterpieces such as Godaan, Gaban, and Seva Sadan, as well as hundreds of short stories like Eidgah and Kafan.

Explanation

Jay Shah was unanimously elected as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on January 30, 2021. He took over the role from Nazmul Hassan of Bangladesh. At the age of 32, he became the youngest person ever to be appointed to this position. At the time of his appointment, Jay Shah was also serving as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Asian Cricket Council is the regional administrative body that oversees the development of cricket in Asia and organizes major regional tournaments such as the Asia Cup.

Explanation

The book The Quest for Equity in Development is a collection of scholarly papers, lectures, and speeches authored by Dr. Manmohan Singh. As a renowned economist and the former Prime Minister of India, Singh utilizes this work to explore the intricate relationship between economic growth and social justice. The volume delves into the challenges of implementing structural economic reforms within a diverse democracy, emphasizing the necessity of inclusive growth where the benefits of development reach the marginalized sections of society. It captures his intellectual journey and policy perspective from his time as an academic and civil servant to his tenure as the architect of India's 1991 economic liberalization.

Explanation

Bhitarkanika National Park is situated in the Kendrapara district of Odisha, within the estuarine region of the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra rivers. It is recognized as Indias second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sundarbans and was designated as a National Park in 1998. The park is a vital conservation site for saltwater crocodiles and serves as a critical habitat for various species of kingfishers and migratory birds. In 2002, it was declared a Ramsar site of international importance due to its rich biodiversity and unique wetland ecology. The Gahirmatha Beach, which borders the sanctuary, is world-famous as the largest nesting ground for Olive Ridley sea turtles.

Explanation

Sodium salts are characterized by their high solubility in water, a property stemming from the favorable balance between their lattice energy and hydration energy. The Na⁺ ion has a high hydration enthalpy because its relatively small ionic radius allows water molecules to surround it closely and interact strongly. This energy release is typically more than enough to break the ionic bonds in the crystal lattice of the salt. Furthermore, while other alkali metals like lithium form some sparingly soluble compounds such as LiF or Li₂CO₃ due to exceptionally high lattice energy, and heavier metals like potassium or rubidium can form precipitates with certain large anions like perchlorate or cobaltinitrite, virtually all common sodium salts are completely soluble in aqueous media. This makes sodium the element whose salts are most consistently soluble across the broadest range of chemical environments.

Explanation

Helium (He) is a noble gas that exists in the atmosphere as a monatomic element. To function as a greenhouse gas, a substance must be able to absorb and emit infrared radiation, which typically requires a molecule to undergo a change in its dipole moment during vibration or rotation. Since helium consists of individual atoms rather than multi-atom molecules, it lacks these vibrational modes and does not interact with infrared radiation in a way that traps heat. It remains chemically inert and radiatively inactive in the context of the thermal balance of the atmosphere.

Explanation

The Vedic and Hindu philosophy outlines the fourfold objectives of human existence known as the Purusharthas. These are Dharma (righteousness and moral duty), Artha (economic prosperity and material well-being), Kama (pleasure and emotional fulfillment), and Moksha (spiritual liberation from the cycle of rebirth). While Siddhi refers to spiritual attainments, perfections, or supernatural powers achieved through yoga and meditation, it is not classified as one of the four primary pillars that define an individual's socio-spiritual obligations and goals in the traditional Vedic framework.

Explanation

Income represents the flow of money or other forms of compensation received by an individual or entity over a specific duration of time. In economic terms, it is classified as a flow variable because it is measured relative to a period, such as weekly, monthly, or annually. This concept includes earned income, which is derived from active labor or business operations like wages and profits, as well as unearned income, which consists of returns from assets or transfers such as interest, dividends, rent, and pensions where no direct current service is provided.

Explanation

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee undertook a historic bus journey from Delhi to Lahore on February 20, 1999, to inaugurate the Sada-e-Sarhad bus service. This diplomatic initiative was intended to normalize relations between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the 1998 nuclear tests conducted by both nations. On February 21, 1999, Vajpayee and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed the Lahore Declaration, which outlined a framework for peace and stability. The declaration committed both countries to the principles of the UN Charter and the Simla Agreement, while emphasizing the resolution of bilateral issues through dialogue and the implementation of confidence-building measures to reduce the risk of conflict.

Explanation

Pushyabhuti was the legendary founder of the Pushyabhuti dynasty, which is more commonly referred to as the Vardhana dynasty. Based in Thanesar near modern-day Kurukshetra, this royal line rose to power in the late 6th century following the decline of the Gupta Empire. The dynasty achieved its historical zenith under the reign of Harshavardhana, who expanded the territory to encompass much of northern India and shifted the capital to Kannauj. The literary work Harshacharita, composed by the court poet Banabhatta, identifies Pushyabhuti as the progenitor of the family, establishing the foundational authority from which later rulers derived their legitimacy and power.

Explanation

The 2020-21 edition of the Hero Indian Super League was held entirely in the state of Goa to ensure the safety of players and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. By centralizing the tournament in one location, the organizers were able to maintain a strict bio-secure bubble and eliminate the risks associated with domestic travel. The matches were played behind closed doors across three designated venues: the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, and the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco. This logistical arrangement allowed the league to complete its full schedule of 115 matches in a controlled environment.

Explanation

Termites are commonly referred to as white ants because of their physical resemblance to ants and their highly organized social structure. They live in large colonies with a caste system consisting of workers, soldiers, and reproductives, much like the social behavior observed in true ants. The name white ant specifically describes the pale, often translucent or creamy-white appearance of the worker termites, which lack the hard, dark-pigmented exoskeletons found in most ant species. While they are taxonomically distinct and more closely related to cockroaches, the colloquial name has persisted due to these superficial similarities in appearance and colonial living habits.

Explanation

Arunachal Pradesh was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) during the British Raj and continued with this designation after India's independence. On 20 January 1972, the region was renamed Arunachal Pradesh and was elevated to the status of a Union Territory. The name, which translates to Land of the Rising Sun, was proposed by Bibhabasu Das Shastri. Following the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act of 1971, it transitioned from an agency administered by the Governor of Assam to a distinct administrative unit. Later, on 20 February 1987, Arunachal Pradesh attained full statehood to become the 24th state of the Indian Union.

Explanation

The Earth's crust is primarily composed of eight major elements that together account for approximately 98.5% of its total mass. These elements are Oxygen (46.6%), Silicon (27.7%), Aluminum (8.1%), Iron (5.0%), Calcium (3.6%), Sodium (2.8%), Potassium (2.6%), and Magnesium (2.1%). Carbon is not among these primary constituents; it is classified as a trace element in the crustal composition, making up only about 0.02% to 0.1% of the crust's weight. While Carbon is a fundamental building block of life and is prevalent in the atmosphere and biosphere, its concentration in the lithosphere is significantly lower than the dominant rock-forming elements that define the Earth's outer rocky shell.

Explanation

The Giri river, often referred to as the Giri-Ganga, is a significant tributary of the Yamuna river. It originates from the Kupar peak in the Kotkhai hills of the Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh. The river flows through the south-eastern part of the state and is the principal source of water for the Shimla region. As it moves through the Sirmaur district, it divides the area into two distinct geographical regions known as the Cis-Giri and Trans-Giri tracts. The Giri river eventually completes its course by merging with the Yamuna river at Paonta Sahib, significantly augmenting the water volume of the Yamuna before it enters the plains.

Explanation

PV Sindhu became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the BWF World Championships in 2019. In the final held in Basel, Switzerland, she defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara with a decisive score of 21-7, 21-7. This victory followed her previous podium finishes at the tournament, which included two silver medals in 2017 and 2018, and two bronze medals in 2013 and 2014. Her triumph in 2019 made her the first Indian shuttler to achieve the title of world champion in badminton.

Explanation

The vertebrae are the individual bones that stack together to form the vertebral column or backbone. A primary anatomical function of the vertebrae is to provide a protective housing for the spinal cord, which is a vital part of the central nervous system. The spinal cord passes through the vertebral foramen, a hollow canal created by the alignment of these bones. This structural relationship ensures that the spinal cord is shielded from mechanical injury while maintaining the flexibility and support necessary for the human body.

Explanation

Scotland became the first country in the world to enshrine the right to free menstrual products in law when the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill in November 2020. This historic legislation makes it a legal requirement for local authorities and education providers to provide period products, including tampons and sanitary pads, free of charge to anyone who needs them. The initiative was designed to eliminate period poverty, ensuring that essential hygiene products are accessible in public buildings and educational institutions across the nation as a matter of basic dignity and public health.

Explanation

The term yeast refers to the single-celled microorganism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which belongs to the kingdom Fungi. The name Saccharomyces is derived from the Greek words saccharon, meaning sugar, and mykes, meaning fungus. This organism is specifically characterized by its ability to metabolize sugars through the process of fermentation. During this biological reaction, yeast consumes glucose or other simple sugars to produce energy, yielding carbon dioxide and ethanol as byproducts, represented by the chemical equation C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂. Because its primary biological function in cooking and brewing involves breaking down sugar molecules for growth and leavening, it is popularly known as the sugar-eating fungus.

Explanation

Adille Sumariwalla, a former Olympian sprinter who represented India in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, was re-elected as the President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for a third consecutive term in October 2020. This election took place during the federation's Annual General Body Meeting, confirming his leadership for the 2020-2024 period. As the head of the apex governing body for athletics in the country, he was in office during January 2021, overseeing the administrative and developmental aspects of the sport in India.

Explanation

SIMBEX stands for Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise. It is an annual naval exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. Launched in 1994, it has the distinction of being the longest uninterrupted bilateral maritime exercise that the Indian Navy has with any foreign navy. The exercise is designed to enhance mutual interoperability and improve maritime security cooperation through complex maritime combat drills, anti-submarine warfare training, and live weapon firings. The 28th edition of the exercise was conducted in September 2021 in the southern fringes of the South China Sea, featuring various frontline warships, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft from both nations.

Explanation

The 3rd Global RE-INVEST Renewable Energy Investors Meet | Expo was organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, and held virtually from 26 to 28 November 2020. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and served as a major platform for investment promotion in the renewable energy sector. The official theme for this edition was Innovations for Sustainable Energy Transition, which focused on exploring new technological solutions and investment strategies to facilitate a global shift toward green and sustainable energy sources. The meet brought together international ministers, global industry leaders, and investors to discuss India's target of achieving 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Explanation

Brad Pitt won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 92nd Oscars in 2020 for his portrayal of Cliff Booth in the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. This victory marked his first acting Oscar after several previous nominations throughout his career. His performance as the loyal stuntman and companion to Rick Dalton was widely acclaimed during the awards season, leading him to sweep major honors including the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA before securing the Academy Award.

Explanation

Following the defeat of the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Shah Alam II in the Battle of Buxar in 1764, the Treaty of Allahabad was signed on August 12, 1765. Through this treaty, the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Diwani rights of the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British East India Company. This grant authorized the Company to collect revenues and manage civil justice in these regions, effectively making the British the masters of the richest provinces in India and transitioning them from a purely trading body into a political and administrative power. In exchange, the Company agreed to pay an annual sum of twenty-six lakh rupees to the Emperor and secured the districts of Kora and Allahabad for him.

Explanation

Article 161 of the Constitution of India grants the Governor of a State the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit, or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends. This executive power is exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers of the State. It serves as a constitutional mechanism to provide relief from judicial sentences under specific circumstances. While this power is analogous to the President's power under Article 72, the Governor's jurisdiction is limited to state laws and does not extend to pardoning death sentences or matters involving military courts-martial.

Explanation

Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake situated in the heart of Udaipur city in Rajasthan. Constructed in 1362 AD by a Banjara tribesman during the reign of Maharana Lakha, it was later expanded by Maharana Udai Singh II when he founded the city of Udaipur in 1559. The lake is famous for its scenic beauty and serves as the backdrop for several historic structures, including the majestic City Palace complex that stretches along its eastern bank and the Lake Palace, also known as Jag Niwas, located on an island within the lake. It is one of the oldest and largest lakes in Udaipur and remains a central feature of the city urban and cultural landscape.