The term 'Back-stick' is used in which of the following games/sports?
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Answer: (C) Hockey
Explanation
In field hockey, the stick is manufactured with one flat face and one rounded side. According to the rules of the game, players are only permitted to play the ball using the flat side of the stick or the edges of the stick. Using the rounded back portion to hit, stop, or move the ball is a violation known as a back-stick foul, which results in a penalty for the opposing team.
2General Awareness
Which of the following festivals in Punjab is celebrated to commemorate the formation of the Khalsa Panth?
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Answer: (D) Baisakhi
Explanation
Baisakhi is celebrated to commemorate the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib. On this day, the Guru initiated the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones) into the Khalsa order, establishing a collective identity for Sikhs based on the principles of equality, justice, and faith. This historical event transformed the Sikh community into a saint-soldier order with a distinct code of conduct and the adoption of the five symbols of faith, known as the Five Ks. While Baisakhi also serves as a traditional harvest festival marking the ripening of the rabi crops, its primary spiritual and historical significance in Punjab is rooted in the birth of the Khalsa.
3General Awareness
What theme was decided to celebrate the second 'International Day of Yoga' in India?
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Answer: (A) Yoga for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
Explanation
The second International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2016, with the official theme Yoga for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This theme was adopted to highlight how the ancient practice of yoga contributes to a holistic sense of well-being and health, which are critical components of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By promoting physical, mental, and spiritual harmony, yoga directly supports Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for everyone at all ages. The celebration emphasized that yoga is not just a physical exercise but a lifestyle change that can help in creating a sustainable and peaceful world. In India, the main national event for this celebration was held in Chandigarh, where the theme was used to bridge the gap between individual health and global developmental objectives.
4General Awareness
Chemical formula of quick lime is
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Answer: (A) CaO
Explanation
Quick lime is the common name for the chemical compound calcium oxide, represented by the formula CaO. It is an odorless, white or gray-white caustic alkaline solid produced by the thermal decomposition of limestone, which primarily consists of calcium carbonate. During the process known as calcination, limestone is heated to temperatures above 825 degrees Celsius, causing it to release carbon dioxide gas and leave behind solid calcium oxide. Because of its high reactivity, especially its exothermic reaction with water to form slaked lime, it is used extensively in industrial processes like steelmaking, water treatment, and the manufacturing of paper and chemicals.
5General Awareness
What is the unit of work done?
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Answer: (D) Joule
Explanation
Work done is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the displacement caused by that force in the direction of its application. The mathematical expression for work is W = F · s · cos(θ), where F is force, s is displacement, and θ is the angle between the force and displacement vectors. In the International System of Units (SI), force is measured in Newtons (N) and displacement in meters (m). Consequently, the unit for work is the Newton-meter (N · m), which is fundamentally equivalent to the Joule (J). One Joule is the amount of work performed when a constant force of one Newton displaces an object by a distance of one meter in the direction of the force.
6General Awareness
Which of the following sites do "Not" have nuclear power plant?
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Answer: (A) Vijayawada
Explanation
Vijayawada is a major city in Andhra Pradesh that serves as a significant hub for thermal power generation rather than nuclear energy. The city is home to the Dr. Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station, also known as the Vijayawada Thermal Power Plant, which is one of the primary coal-fired power plants in the state. There are no nuclear power reactors or facilities located in Vijayawada. Nuclear power plants in India are established at specific sites under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, and Vijayawada does not figure in the list of operational or commissioned nuclear power stations.
7General Awareness
The Ramakrishna Mission stressed the ideal of ______ through social service and selfless action.
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Answer: (C) salvation
Explanation
The Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, is guided by the core philosophy of Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha, which means For one's own salvation and for the welfare of the world. This motto encapsulates the mission's belief that personal spiritual liberation or salvation is inextricably linked to the selfless service of humanity. Vivekananda redefined the traditional path to salvation by emphasizing Karma Yoga, teaching that serving the needy and the suffering is the highest form of worship. By performing social service without any desire for personal gain, an individual purifies the mind and progresses toward the ultimate goal of salvation. This approach transformed the concept of spiritual practice from individual asceticism into a collective effort for social upliftment.
8General Awareness
International Non-Violence Day is observed on:
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Answer: (C) 2 October
Explanation
International Non-Violence Day is observed annually on 2 October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement and a global pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. The United Nations General Assembly officially established this day through a resolution adopted on 15 June 2007. The primary objective of the observance is to disseminate the message of non-violence through education and public awareness, honoring Gandhi's legacy and his commitment to social justice and peaceful resistance.
9General Awareness
Which of the following Dynasties established the kingdom of Vijayanagara?
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Answer: (A) Sangama Dynasty
Explanation
The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I. They established the Sangama dynasty, which was named in honor of their father, Sangama. This dynasty was the first of the four major lineages to govern the empire. The brothers founded the kingdom on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River during a period of political instability in the Deccan, specifically following the decline of the Hoysala and Kakatiya powers. Guided by the spiritual counsel of the sage Vidyaranya, the Sangama rulers expanded the territory and laid the foundations for a sovereign Hindu state that would dominate South India for over two centuries.
10General Awareness
Wearing away of landscape by different agents like water, wind and ice is called
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Answer: (B) Erosion
Explanation
Erosion is the process involving the wearing away of the Earth surface and the transportation of the resulting debris by natural agents such as water, wind, and ice. This geomorphic process involves the mechanical or chemical removal of soil and rock particles from the landscape. Running water, glaciers, and wind act as dynamic forces that detach and move these materials to new locations, continuously modifying and sculpting the terrain. Since the process specifically refers to the wearing away of the landscape combined with the movement of material by these specific agents, it is defined as erosion.
11General Awareness
Who has been appointed as the new chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes in June 2022?
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Answer: (A) Nitin Gupta
Explanation
Nitin Gupta, a 1986-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, was appointed as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on June 27, 2022. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet to lead the apex decision-making body for direct taxes in India. Prior to this role, he served as a Member (Investigations) within the Board. He succeeded Sangeeta Singh, who had been holding the additional charge of the post after the retirement of J.B. Mohapatra.
12General Awareness
Who among the following is known as 'Sarod Samrat' in Indian Classical Music?
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Answer: (C) Amjad Ali Khan
Explanation
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is an eminent Indian classical musician who is widely acclaimed as the Sarod Samrat, a title meaning Emperor of Sarod. Born into the illustrious Bangash lineage, he represents the sixth generation of musicians in his family who are credited with modifying the ancient Rabab into the modern Sarod. His mastery over the instrument and his unique style of playing have earned him global recognition, including prestigious honors such as the Padma Vibhushan, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize. The title Sarod Samrat reflects his supreme command over the instrument and his significant role in popularizing it within the Indian classical music tradition.
13General Awareness
Which of the following is NOT one of the methods of national income estimation?
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Answer: (A) Banking method
Explanation
National income is the total value of final goods and services produced within a country's boundary plus net factor income from abroad. Economists utilize three standard approaches to measure this aggregate: the Product (Value Added) Method, which sums the value added at each stage of production; the Income Method, which aggregates all factor payments like wages, rent, interest, and profit; and the Expenditure Method, which totals all final spending on goods and services. The Banking method is not a recognized scientific methodology for estimating national income. Banking is an industry within the tertiary sector whose contribution is captured under the standard methods, but it does not constitute a standalone framework for calculating the total economic output of a nation.
14General Awareness
The term 'Parliament' refers to the
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Answer: (D) National legislature
Explanation
The term Parliament refers to the supreme legislative body of a nation. In the Indian constitutional framework, Article 79 specifies that the Parliament of the Union consists of the President and the two Houses, namely the Council of States and the House of the People. As the primary law-making institution at the central level, it functions as the national legislature, exercising authority over subjects mentioned in the Union List and the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule. It serves as the highest forum for political debate and public grievances, representing the sovereign power of the people through their elected representatives at the federal level.
15General Awareness
Chief Minister of which state has inaugurated a project of the Women and Child Development department to provide milk and eggs to children at all anganwadis in the state in a bid to improve their nutrition levels?
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Answer: (B) Kerala
Explanation
In August 2022, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated a state-level project by the Women and Child Development department aimed at improving the nutritional standards of children in anganwadis. The scheme specifically provides 125 ml of milk and one egg twice a week to children aged between three and six years across more than 33,000 anganwadis in the state. By including these protein-rich food items in the diet, the government intended to combat malnutrition and ensure better physical and mental development for approximately four lakh beneficiaries. This initiative is part of the state's broader social welfare measures to enhance early childhood care and health indicators.
16General Awareness
A 'Camel Protection and Development Policy' has been announced by the government of ______.
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Answer: (A) Rajasthan
Explanation
The Government of Rajasthan announced the Camel Protection and Development Policy in its state budget for the financial year 2022-23. This policy was introduced to address the dwindling camel population in the state, which accounts for more than 80 percent of the total camel population in India. The state government earmarked a budget of 10 crore rupees for the protection, rearing, and overall development of the species. The initiative aligns with the status of the camel as the official state animal of Rajasthan, a title conferred in 2014 to ensure the conservation of this culturally and economically significant livestock. The policy focuses on providing financial assistance to breeders and improving healthcare facilities for camels to prevent their further decline.
17General Awareness
Who among the following Presidents of India was also the deputy chairman of Planning Commission?
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Answer: (D) Pranab Mukherjee
Explanation
Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. Prior to attaining the presidency, he held the office of the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from 24 June 1991 to 9 July 1996. His tenure as Deputy Chairman was significant as it coincided with the period of economic liberalization in India and the implementation of the Eighth Five-Year Plan. Throughout his extensive political career, he also served in several key cabinet positions, including Union Minister for Finance, Defence, and External Affairs.
18General Awareness
In Golgi apparatus, the maturing face is:
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Answer: (D) concave
Explanation
The Golgi apparatus has two distinct faces: the cis face (forming face), which is convex, and the trans face (maturing face), which is concave. According to standard biological textbooks like NCERT, the maturing face is consistently described as concave.
19General Awareness
Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded a reform association known as Brahmo Sabha which was later known as ______.
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Answer: (D) Brahmo Sama
Explanation
Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha in August 1828 in Calcutta as a socio-religious reform movement. The association was centered on the worship of the one true God and the rejection of idol worship, focusing on the monotheistic teachings found in the Upanishads. In 1830, the organization was renamed the Brahmo Samaj. It became a cornerstone of the Bengal Renaissance, actively working toward the modernization of Indian society by advocating for the abolition of Sati, the promotion of widow remarriage, and the expansion of educational opportunities.
20General Awareness
Who among the following composers won the Grammy in 2015 for his album 'Winds of Samsara' - a collaboration with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman?
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Answer: (D) Ricky Kej
Explanation
Ricky Kej is an Indian music composer and environmentalist who won the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015. He received this honor for his album Winds of Samsara, which was a collaborative project with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman. The album successfully integrated Indian classical music with various global musical styles and debuted at number one on the Billboard New Age Albums Chart, making Kej one of the few Indian artists to achieve such international recognition in the music industry.
21General Awareness
In which of the following Indian states, Harappan cities have NOT been found?
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Answer: (A) Uttarakhand
Explanation
Uttarakhand is located in the high-altitude Himalayan region, whereas the Harappan Civilization was primarily a Bronze Age culture that developed in the alluvial plains and coastal areas of northwestern India. The geographical distribution of Harappan sites shows that the civilization preferred river valleys and regions with easy access to trade routes and fertile agricultural land. There is no archaeological evidence of Harappan urban planning, standardized brickwork, or distinctive pottery within the mountainous terrain of Uttarakhand. The environmental and topographical conditions of the Himalayas did not support the characteristic urban lifestyle and infrastructure associated with Harappan cities.
22General Awareness
Burning of coal is an example of
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Answer: (C) combination reaction
Explanation
Burning of coal involves the reaction of carbon, which is the primary constituent of coal, with oxygen present in the atmosphere. The chemical equation for this process is C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g). In this reaction, two separate reactants, solid carbon and gaseous oxygen, react together to form a single product, carbon dioxide. Any chemical reaction where two or more substances combine to form a single new substance is defined as a combination reaction. Since coal combustion results in the formation of one product from two reactants, it serves as a classic example of this reaction type.
23General Awareness
The foremost right among rights to freedom is
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Answer: (A) Right to life and personal liberty
Explanation
The Right to Life and Personal Liberty, enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, is considered the most fundamental and essential right among the cluster of rights to freedom. It stipulates that no person shall be deprived of their life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This right forms the very bedrock of all other civil liberties, as the exercise of freedoms like speech, expression, or assembly is impossible without the basic guarantee of life and physical freedom. Its paramount importance is further highlighted by the 44th Amendment Act, which ensures that Article 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency, making it the most resilient and significant protection offered to individuals against arbitrary state action.
24General Awareness
Which of the following statement is correct?
I. The family welfare programme has sought to promote responsible and planned parenthood on a compulsory basis.
II. The National Population Policy 2000 provides a policy framework for imparting free and compulsory education upto 14 years of age.
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Answer: (D) Only II
Explanation
The National Population Policy 2000 was designed to provide a comprehensive framework for improving the reproductive and child health of the Indian population and achieving a stable population by 2045. One of its primary socio-demographic goals is to provide free and compulsory school education up to the age of 14 years. This objective is integrated into the policy to ensure that literacy and awareness contribute to better health outcomes and lower fertility rates. The policy also aims to reduce school dropout rates at the primary and secondary levels to ensure that the goal of universal education is effectively met. Consistent with the broader developmental agenda, the policy emphasizes that education is a critical instrument for empowering individuals to make informed choices about family size and health.
25General Awareness
Which Article deals with the 'Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and procedure therefor'?
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Answer: (D) Article 368
Explanation
Article 368, located in Part XX of the Indian Constitution, specifically details the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and the formal procedures required to do so. Under this article, Parliament can add, vary, or repeal any provision of the Constitution through a bill introduced in either House. The procedure generally necessitates a special majority, defined as a majority of the total membership of each House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. Furthermore, for amendments that affect the federal structure of the country, the article requires ratification by the legislatures of at least one-half of the States before the bill is presented to the President for assent.
26General Awareness
is a record of assets and liabilities of any firm.
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Answer: (A) Balance sheet
Explanation
A balance sheet is a fundamental financial statement that provides a snapshot of a firm's financial position at a specific point in time. It systematically records the company's assets, which are resources owned by the business, and its liabilities, which represent its debts or obligations. The balance sheet follows the core accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders Equity. By documenting these figures, the statement reflects the firm's net worth and provides insight into its liquidity and capital structure, helping stakeholders evaluate the financial health and stability of the entity.
27General Awareness
Identify an option that does NOT represent prokaryotic cells.
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Answer: (A) Sperm
Explanation
Sperm cells are specialized male gametes found in multicellular eukaryotic organisms, such as animals and humans. These cells possess a well-defined nucleus enclosed within a nuclear membrane, which houses the genetic material. Additionally, sperm cells contain complex membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria in the midpiece to facilitate movement and an acrosome derived from the Golgi apparatus. The presence of a true nucleus and compartmentalized organelles characterizes them as eukaryotic, distinguishing them from prokaryotic organisms which lack a nuclear envelope and membrane-bound internal structures.
28General Awareness
Dadabhai Naoroji offered a scathing criticism of the economic impact of British rule through his book entitled '
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Answer: (B) Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
Explanation
Dadabhai Naoroji authored the seminal work Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, published in 1901, to highlight the systematic depletion of Indian resources. In this book, he formulated and popularized the Drain of Wealth theory, which argued that a significant portion of India's national wealth and revenues was being exported to Britain without any equivalent economic or material return. By using the term Un-British, Naoroji aimed to point out that the exploitative and oppressive nature of colonial administration in India was inconsistent with the democratic and liberal principles supposedly upheld by the British government at home. His statistical analysis of the falling per capita income and the rising poverty levels served as the first major indigenous economic critique of the colonial regime, providing a foundational argument for the Indian national movement.
29General Awareness
The minimum period of time taken upto which the weather variations are considered to predict the climate of a place is years.
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Answer: (C) 30
Explanation
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) defines the standard period for determining the climate of a specific location as 30 years. This duration is referred to as a climatological normal. It is considered the minimum timeframe necessary to account for year-to-year weather variations and short-term anomalies, providing a statistically significant average of atmospheric conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns for a given region.
30General Awareness
Which of the following is NOT an aid or auxiliary to trade?
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Answer: (D) Hoarding
Explanation
Aids or auxiliaries to trade are activities that support and facilitate the smooth exchange of goods and services by removing various hindrances related to place, time, risk, and finance. Hoarding is the practice of accumulating and storing large quantities of goods to create an artificial shortage in the market, often with the intent of selling them later at inflated prices for unfair profit. Unlike legitimate auxiliaries that add value to the distribution chain, hoarding disrupts the supply chain, harms consumers, and is often classified as an illegal or restrictive trade practice under laws such as the Essential Commodities Act.
31General Awareness
Name the first Odissi classical dancer from Odisha who was conferred the Padma Vibhushan Award.
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Answer: (B) Kelucharan Mohapatra
Explanation
Kelucharan Mohapatra was the first person from Odisha to be honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in the year 2000. He is a legendary figure credited with the revival and formal codification of Odissi classical dance in the 20th century. Starting his journey as a Gotipua dancer and performing in Rasa Leela, he eventually transformed the dance form into a globally recognized classical style. His immense contributions to the field of arts were previously recognized with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1966, the Padma Shri in 1966, and the Padma Bhushan in 1988. Through his teachings and choreography, he established a rigorous foundation for future generations of Odissi practitioners.
32General Awareness
In which among the following sites of Harappan civilization Jadeite stone was found?
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Answer: (C) Daojali Hading
Explanation
Daojali Hading is an important Neolithic site located on the hills near the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam. During archaeological excavations, jadeite was discovered at this location among other stone tools like mortars and pestles. Jadeite is a hard, typically green stone that is not naturally found in this specific region. Its presence suggests that the people of Daojali Hading were part of ancient exchange networks, as the stone is believed to have been brought from China or other regions to the east, indicating early long-distance trade or movement.
33General Awareness
has been elected as the 36th President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
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Answer: (C) Roger Binny
Explanation
Roger Binny, a former Indian cricketer and a key member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, was elected as the 36th President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in October 2022. He was elected unopposed during the BCCI Annual General Meeting held in Mumbai, succeeding Sourav Ganguly. Prior to this role, Binny served as the President of the Karnataka State Cricket Association and was a member of the senior national selection committee.
34General Awareness
Which of the following are members of 15 naturally occurring metallic chemical elements whose atomic numbers are between 57 and 71?
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Answer: (D) Lanthanides
Explanation
The Lanthanide series consists of 15 metallic elements with atomic numbers ranging from 57 (Lanthanum) to 71 (Lutetium). These elements occupy the first row of the f-block in the periodic table, where the 4f electron subshell is progressively filled. Lanthanides are typically silvery-white metals that are chemically similar to one another, usually forming trivalent M³⁺ ions. They occur naturally in various minerals in the Earth's crust and are often grouped with scandium and yttrium as rare earth elements due to their occurrence in the same ore deposits and their similar chemical behaviors.
35General Awareness
Wangala festival is celebrated by which of the following tribes?
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Answer: (D) Garo tribe
Explanation
The Wangala festival, also known as the Hundred Drums Festival, is the most significant harvest celebration of the Garo tribe, primarily residing in Meghalaya and neighboring areas of Assam and Bangladesh. This festival marks the end of the agricultural year and serves as a thanksgiving ceremony to Misi Saljong, the Sun God and deity of fertility, for a bountiful harvest. Traditionally, the celebration features the rhythmic beating of long oval-shaped drums, accompanied by folk songs and energetic dances performed by men and women in traditional attire. It signifies the transition into winter and the conclusion of the manual labor associated with the farming season.
36General Awareness
Which of the following folk dances is primarily performed in the Indian state of Bihar?
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Answer: (B) Bidesia
Explanation
Bidesia is a popular folk dance-drama from the Indian state of Bihar, primarily prevalent in the Bhojpuri-speaking regions. It was popularized by Bhikhari Thakur, a renowned folk artist often referred to as the Shakespeare of Bhojpuri. The performance combines dance, music, and theatre to portray social issues and the emotional struggles of migration. The term Bidesia refers to a person who has gone abroad or to a distant land, and the narratives typically revolve around the themes of separation, the plight of women left behind in villages, and the social conditions of the rural population. Traditionally, it is performed by male artists who also play the roles of female characters.
37General Awareness
The length of a Beach Volleyball court is:
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Answer: (C) 16 m
Explanation
The official dimensions of a beach volleyball court, as established by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), specify a rectangular playing area measuring 16 meters in length and 8 meters in width. This playing space is divided into two equal squares of 8 × 8 meters each by the net line. These specific dimensions were adopted for the sport to ensure a balanced pace of play on the sand surface, which is more physically demanding than the hard courts used in indoor volleyball. The 16 meter total length is the standard measurement used in all professional and international beach volleyball competitions.
38General Awareness
Evangelista Torricelli was well known for which discovery?
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Answer: (B) Invention of mercury barometer
Explanation
Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist and mathematician who was a student of Galileo Galilei, is best known for the invention of the mercury barometer in 1643. He conducted a famous experiment using a long glass tube filled with mercury, which he inverted into a dish containing the same liquid. Torricelli observed that the mercury column consistently dropped to a height of approximately 760 mm at sea level, leaving an empty space at the top known as the Torricellian vacuum. This discovery provided the first practical demonstration of atmospheric pressure, showing that the weight of the surrounding air is what supports the column of mercury. His research laid the essential groundwork for fluid mechanics and the science of meteorology.
39General Awareness
For pregnant women, a Special Health Care Abhiyan 'Anchal' has been launched in ______.
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Answer: (A) Rajasthan
Explanation
The Special Health Care Abhiyan Anchal was launched in the Karauli district of Rajasthan by the district administration to provide comprehensive medical support to pregnant women. The primary objective of this initiative is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by ensuring that every pregnant woman receives regular health check-ups and necessary medical interventions. Under this campaign, health workers register pregnant women and monitor vital health indicators such as hemoglobin levels to identify high-risk cases early. The program also focuses on providing nutritional counseling and ensuring institutional deliveries to safeguard the health of both the mother and the newborn.
40General Awareness
Which state government has launched the CHHATA scheme to improve groundwater table in September 2022?
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Answer: (C) Odisha
Explanation
The CHHATA (Community Harnessing and Harvesting Rainwater Artificially from Terrace to Aquifer) scheme was launched by the Odisha government in September 2022. Designed by the Department of Water Resources, the initiative aims to address declining groundwater levels and improve water conservation across urban local bodies and water-stressed blocks in the state. Under this scheme, the government provides financial assistance or subsidies to building owners for installing rooftop rainwater harvesting systems. By capturing rainwater from terraces and directing it into aquifers, the state seeks to replenish the groundwater table and promote sustainable water management in the face of increasing urban demand and climate variability.
41General Awareness
In March 2022, Pramod Sawant became the ______ Chief Minister of Goa.
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Answer: (B) 13ᵗʰ
Explanation
Pramod Sawant was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Goa on March 28, 2022, following the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections. He first assumed the office in March 2019 after the death of the incumbent Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar.
The designation of 13th Chief Minister refers to the chronological sequence of unique individuals who have held the post since the establishment of the office in 1963, beginning with Dayanand Bandodkar. Sawant represents the Sanquelim constituency and served as the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly before his first appointment as Chief Minister. His second term began after the BJP secured 20 seats in the 40-member house and gained support from independent candidates and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.
42General Awareness
The official draw for FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup India 2022 will be held in:
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Answer: (B) Zurich
Explanation
The official draw for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup India 2022 was held on June 24, 2022, at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. As the governing body of international football, FIFA typically hosts the draw ceremonies for its various age-group world championships at its home office in Zurich to manage the logistical and broadcasting requirements of the global event. The draw determined the group placements for the sixteen participating nations, including the host country India, ahead of the tournament which took place from October 11 to October 30, 2022.
43General Awareness
Who is known as the Father of Geology?
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Answer: (D) James Hutton
Explanation
James Hutton is widely regarded as the Father of Modern Geology due to his formulation of the principle of uniformitarianism. In his seminal work, Theory of the Earth, published in 1785, he proposed that the geological features of the Earth were formed by slow, continuous processes such as erosion and sedimentation that are still observable today. This concept, often summarized as the present is the key to the past, fundamentally challenged the then-prevailing theory of catastrophism. By recognizing that these processes require vast amounts of time to shape the landscape, Hutton introduced the concept of deep time, effectively shifting the study of the Earth from speculative philosophy into a rigorous empirical science.
44General Awareness
In the beginning of the 19ᵗʰ century cotton mills in India were mostly located in which of the following states?
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Answer: (D) Maharashtra
Explanation
The modern cotton textile industry in India took root in the 19th century, specifically with the establishment of the first successful cotton mill, the Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company, in 1854 in Maharashtra. This region became the primary center for cotton mills because of several geographic and economic advantages. Maharashtra is situated in the heart of the black cotton soil region of the Deccan Plateau, which ensured a steady and easy supply of raw cotton. The humid coastal climate of Mumbai was particularly conducive to the spinning of cotton thread as it prevented the yarn from snapping. Furthermore, the presence of an excellent natural harbor facilitated the import of heavy textile machinery from Britain and the export of cotton yarn to markets in China and Europe. The availability of indigenous capital from the Parsi and Gujarati merchant communities also played a crucial role in concentrating the industry in this state during its formative years.
45General Awareness
Who was considered as last powerful Mughal ruler of India?
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Answer: (B) Aurangzeb
Explanation
Aurangzeb, who ruled from 1658 to 1707, is regarded as the last powerful Mughal emperor because he was the last ruler to exercise effective centralized control over a vast territory that encompassed nearly the entire Indian subcontinent. During his fifty-year reign, the Mughal Empire reached its greatest territorial extent. He was a disciplined military commander and administrator who maintained the integrity of the empire through constant campaigning and strict governance. After his death in 1707, the central authority of the Mughals weakened significantly, leading to the rapid decline of the empire and the emergence of independent regional kingdoms, marking the transition from the Great Mughals to the Later Mughals.
46General Awareness
Who among the following was the first Indian to win a Grammy Award?
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Answer: (A) Pandit Ravi Shankar
Explanation
Pandit Ravi Shankar became the first Indian to win a Grammy Award in 1968. He received this prestigious honor in the category of Best Chamber Music Performance for his collaborative album West Meets East, which featured the celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin. As a world-renowned sitar virtuoso and composer, Pandit Ravi Shankar was instrumental in bridging the gap between Eastern and Western musical traditions. Over the course of his illustrious career, he won a total of five Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award conferred posthumously in 2013.
47General Awareness
Mirza Kamran was the brother of which Mughal emperor?
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Answer: (A) Humayun
Explanation
Mirza Kamran was the second son of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and the half-brother of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun. Following Babur's death in 1530, Humayun granted Kamran the governorship of Kabul and Kandahar in accordance with their father's wishes for fraternal cooperation. However, Kamran Mirza frequently challenged Humayun's authority and competed for control of the empire during the mid-16th century, leading to a series of conflicts between the brothers that significantly impacted the early stability of the Mughal state.
48General Awareness
Chemical formula of gypsum is
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Answer: (D) CaSO₄.2H₂O
Explanation
Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral chemically known as calcium sulfate dihydrate. Its chemical formula is CaSO₄ · 2H₂O, indicating that each molecule of calcium sulfate is associated with two molecules of water of crystallization. This mineral is widely utilized in the construction industry for making wallboard and cement, as well as in agriculture as a soil conditioner. When gypsum is heated to approximately 373 K, it undergoes dehydration to lose three-fourths of its water content, transforming into calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The presence of exactly two water molecules per formula unit is the defining characteristic of the gypsum crystal structure.
49General Awareness
The arms Act which disallowed Indians from having arms was passed in
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Answer: (A) 1878
Explanation
The Indian Arms Act was enacted in 1878 during the tenure of Viceroy Lord Lytton. This legislation prohibited Indians from carrying or possessing weapons without a government-issued license. The act was a significant repressive measure designed to prevent the possibility of another armed uprising against British rule following the events of 1857. It was notably discriminatory as it exempted Europeans, Anglo-Indians, and certain government officials from these requirements, effectively creating a racial divide in the right to bear arms and further consolidating colonial control over the Indian population.
50General Awareness
Roquefortine C is found in:
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Answer: (D) cheese
Explanation
Roquefortine C is a potent neurotoxic mycotoxin produced by several species of the fungus Penicillium, most notably Penicillium roqueforti. This specific fungal species is essential for the production of blue-veined cheeses, where it is responsible for the characteristic blue veins, flavor, and texture during the ripening process. As a secondary metabolite of the mold used in the fermentation of these dairy products, Roquefortine C is naturally occurring and frequently detected in varieties such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Danish Blue.