SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Auxiliaries to trade refer to those activities which facilitate the smooth flow of goods from producers to consumers by removing various hindrances in the process of exchange. Warehousing is a vital auxiliary to trade because it overcomes the hindrance of time. Since there is usually a time lag between the production of goods and their consumption, warehousing provides for the scientific and systematic storage of inventory. This ensures that goods are preserved from damage or spoilage and remain available in the market to meet demand as it arises, thereby creating time utility for the products.

Explanation

Rohini Bhate, a distinguished exponent of the Kathak dance form belonging to both the Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas, founded the Nrityabharati Kathak Dance Academy in Pune in 1947. She was a prolific dancer, choreographer, and scholar who dedicated her life to the training of numerous students and the academic study of dance. Her significant contributions to Indian classical dance were recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, which honored her with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979 and later with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2006. The academy she established remains a premier institution for Kathak in Maharashtra.

Explanation

The Government of Tripura announced the Mukhyamantri Chaa Srami Kalyan Prakalpa scheme in March 2022 to uplift the socio-economic conditions of nearly 7,000 tea garden workers in the state. With a special allocation of 85 crore rupees, the scheme integrates various central and state-level benefits to provide workers with housing, rations, clean drinking water, and healthcare. Tripura is the second-largest tea-producing state in Northeast India, and this scheme aims to ensure social security for the workforce by providing land for house construction and access to basic amenities through the Public Distribution System. The project focuses on improving the standard of living for workers across the state's 54 tea gardens.

Explanation

The Nile River is the longest river in the world, stretching approximately 6,650 kilometers across the continent of Africa. It flows primarily northward from its sources in the Great Lakes region of east-central Africa and the Highlands of Ethiopia, passing through several countries including South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt. The river is formed by two major tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, which meet at Khartoum before continuing toward the Mediterranean Sea. As a vital source of water and a foundation for ancient civilizations, particularly in Egypt, the Nile's entire course and drainage basin are situated within the African landmass.

Explanation

The seventh International Day of Yoga in 2021 occurred during the global COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted large-scale public gatherings. In response to these circumstances, the Ministry of Ayush promoted the celebration through a domestic campaign centered on the message Be with Yoga, Be at Home!. This message was intended to motivate people to maintain their physical and mental health through yoga practice in the safety of their own residences. While the international theme coordinated with the United Nations was Yoga for Wellness, the Ministry of Ayush utilized this specific slogan to align with the pandemic-related health guidelines and to encourage the use of digital platforms for learning and performing the Common Yoga Protocol without leaving the home environment.

Explanation

Subsidies are classified as revenue expenditure because they represent regular, recurring payments made by the government that do not result in the creation of physical or financial assets, nor do they lead to a reduction in the government's liabilities. These expenditures are incurred for the normal functioning of government machinery and for the implementation of various social welfare schemes. In the Union Budget, revenue expenditures like subsidies, interest payments, and salaries are treated as consumption spending that is exhausted within the current financial year, distinguishing them from capital expenditures which involve long-term investments or debt repayment.

Explanation

Gulabo Sapera is the most celebrated exponent of the Kalbelia dance form, originating from the nomadic snake-charmer community of Rajasthan. She is credited with transforming this traditional folk art into a globally recognized dance style through her performances on international stages. The dance is known for its sensuous, serpent-like movements and rhythmic footwork accompanied by the pungi and other traditional instruments. For her extraordinary contribution to the field of arts and her role in preserving this cultural heritage, she was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2016. Her influence was also instrumental in UNESCO including Kalbelia folk songs and dances in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

Explanation

The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin is situated in the sub-tropical region of the Indian subcontinent, specifically spanning the latitudinal belt between 10°N and 30°N. This vast fertile plain is formed by the drainage systems of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers along with their numerous tributaries such as the Yamuna, Ghaghra, Son, Gandak, Kosi, and the Teesta. The basin encompasses significant portions of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. The region is characterized by a monsoon climate, where the majority of rainfall occurs between June and September, supporting intensive agriculture and sustaining one of the most densely populated regions on Earth. The topography of the basin includes the Himalayan foothills to the north and the massive Sundarbans delta where the rivers discharge into the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation

The Haryana Matrushakti Udaymita Scheme was announced by the Haryana government during the state budget for the financial year 2022-23 to promote entrepreneurship among women. Under this scheme, the state provides financial assistance and support to women who wish to become entrepreneurs or expand their existing small businesses. It specifically targets women from families with an annual income of less than Rs 5 lakh, as verified through the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) database. Eligible beneficiaries can access soft loans up to Rs 3 lakh from financial institutions, with the state government providing an interest subvention of 7 percent for a period of three years. This initiative is designed to empower women by providing them with the necessary capital and technical skills to venture into the manufacturing, service, and trade sectors.

Explanation

Bhagat Singh made this statement during his trial in the Central Assembly Bomb Case in 1929. In a joint statement with Batukeshwar Dutt, he clarified that their purpose in throwing non-lethal bombs in the Assembly was to make the deaf hear and to protest against repressive laws like the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Dispute Bill. He used the courtroom as a platform to propagate the ideology of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), explaining that revolution was not about the cult of violence or the use of bombs and pistols for their own sake. Instead, he defined revolution as a complete change in the social order to end the exploitation of man by man and to replace the existing system of injustice with a socialist society.

Explanation

Abhinav Bharat Society, originally founded as Mitra Mela in 1899 at Nashik, was formally established as a secret revolutionary organization by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar in 1904. During the British colonial period, Nashik was an integral part of the Bombay Presidency. The society was modeled after Giuseppe Mazzini's Young Italy and aimed to achieve Indian independence through armed struggle and revolutionary activities. By operating within the Bombay Presidency, the organization was able to recruit members and coordinate nationalist efforts across western India, making it one of the most significant underground associations of the early twentieth century.

Explanation

Paul Dirac formulated the Dirac equation in 1928, which successfully merged quantum mechanics with special relativity to describe the behavior of electrons. In 1930, Dirac introduced the hole theory to explain the negative energy states arising from his equation. He proposed that the vacuum is not empty but filled with a sea of electrons occupying all available negative energy levels. According to this theory, a hole in this sea would manifest as a particle with the same mass as an electron but with a positive electrical charge. This provided the theoretical foundation for the concept of the antiparticle, specifically predicting the existence of the positron. Dirac's work established that every fundamental particle has a corresponding antiparticle, a discovery that fundamentally altered the field of particle physics.

Explanation

Priyadarshini Govind is a distinguished Bharatnatyam exponent who was conferred with the Kalaimamani award in 1998. The Kalaimamani is the highest state award given by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, the state academy of music, dance, and drama, to recognize the excellence and contributions of artists in the fields of literature, music, and dance. A student of the legendary Kalanidhi Narayanan and Swamimalai K. Rajaratnam, Priyadarshini Govind is celebrated for her mastery of the Pandanallur style, and this state honor marked a significant milestone in her career as a classical dancer.

Explanation

Habeas Corpus is a Latin term which literally means to have the body of. This writ is a fundamental judicial remedy used to protect an individual against unlawful or arbitrary detention. When a court issues this order, it commands the person or authority who has detained another to produce the body of the prisoner before the court so that the legality of the detention can be examined. The primary purpose is to ensure that no person is deprived of their personal liberty without due process of law. If the court determines that the detention is illegal or lacks sufficient legal justification, it orders the immediate release of the person. Under the Indian Constitution, the Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to issue this writ under Article 32 and Article 226 respectively.

Explanation

Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India mandates that a judge of the Supreme Court can only be removed from office by an order of the President. This order is issued after an address by each House of Parliament is presented to the President in the same session. The address must be supported by a special majority, defined as a majority of the total membership of that House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting. The Constitution strictly limits the grounds for this removal process to proven misbehaviour or incapacity. The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, provides the specific statutory procedure for investigating these charges and establishing the proof required before Parliament can consider the motion for removal.

Explanation

Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, successfully completed the first sea voyage from Europe to India by sailing around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope. Departing from Lisbon in July 1497 with a fleet of four ships, he navigated the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to reach the port of Calicut on the Malabar Coast of India on May 20, 1498. This discovery established a direct maritime trade route between Europe and Asia, bypassing the traditional land routes controlled by Middle Eastern powers, and marked the beginning of a new era of global imperialism and Portuguese colonial presence in the Indian Ocean region.

Explanation

Himachal Pradesh earned the distinction of being Indias first smoke-free state after achieving 100 percent LPG coverage across all households. This milestone was reached through the synchronized implementation of the central governments Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the states Mukhya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana. These schemes aimed to provide clean cooking fuel to every family, especially those in rural and underserved areas, effectively replacing traditional fuels like firewood and coal that contribute to indoor air pollution and respiratory issues. The state government declared this achievement in 2020, highlighting the transition to a cleaner and healthier domestic environment for its citizens.

Explanation

According to the Laws of the Game established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the penalty mark is positioned exactly 11 meters (equivalent to 12 yards) from the midpoint between the goalposts. This mark is measured from the back edge of the goal line to the center of the penalty mark, ensuring a standardized distance for penalty kicks across all professional football pitches.

Explanation

Archaeological excavations at Mehrgarh, a Neolithic site located on the Kachi plain near the Bolan Pass in Pakistan, revealed that early inhabitants lived in houses made of sun-dried mud bricks. These structures were typically square or rectangular in shape and were often divided into four or more compartments. Some of these internal compartments are believed to have been used for storage, particularly for grain, as Mehrgarh was one of the earliest sites in the Indian subcontinent where farming and herding were practiced. The architectural layout reflects an organized settled life predating the mature phase of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Explanation

Alfred Werner laid the foundation for modern coordination chemistry in 1893 by proposing his coordination theory. He was the first to recognize that metal atoms in inorganic compounds possess two types of valencies: primary valency, which corresponds to the oxidation state, and secondary valency, which represents the coordination number. This insight allowed him to explain the molecular structures and spatial arrangements of complex inorganic substances, such as metal-ammine complexes. By demonstrating that atoms could be arranged around a central metal ion in specific geometric shapes like octahedrons or squares, Werner introduced stereochemistry into the study of inorganic compounds. His pioneering work in understanding these non-carbon-based structures earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1913.

Explanation

Bleaching powder, chemically known as calcium oxychloride (CaOCl₂), is produced by the action of chlorine gas (Cl₂) on dry slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂). This reaction is represented by the chemical equation Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → CaOCl₂ + H₂O. In industrial settings, this process is typically carried out in a Hasenclever plant or a Bachmann plant, where chlorine gas is passed over the slaked lime to yield the solid bleaching powder used extensively in the textile industry, paper manufacturing, and for the disinfection of drinking water.

Explanation

Dhaman is a traditional folk dance of Himachal Pradesh that is widely performed during festivals and social gatherings. It is especially popular in the Sirmaur and Shimla districts, where it serves as a way to celebrate harvest and religious events. The dance involves rhythmic footwork and graceful body movements, often accompanied by local folk music played on instruments such as the dhol, nagara, and shehnai. This dance form is an integral part of the state's cultural identity, reflecting the joyful spirit and the deep-rooted traditions of the local communities in the hilly terrain.

Explanation

Monoecious plants are those that possess both male and female reproductive organs on the same individual plant, typically in the form of separate staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers. Maize (Zea mays) is a classic example of this condition, where the male flowers are clustered in the tassel at the top of the plant and the female flowers are located in the ears on the leaf axils. Cucumber and Melon are members of the Cucurbitaceae family, which are predominantly monoecious, producing distinct male and female flowers on the same vine. Many species of Fig (Ficus) utilize a specialized inflorescence known as a syconium, which contains both male and female flowers within a single structure on the same plant, facilitating its classification as monoecious in this context.

Explanation

The demographic history of India shows that the period from 1951 to 1981 is characterized as the phase of population explosion, during which the annual growth rate remained consistently high at approximately 2.2 percent. According to official census data and economic surveys, 1981 serves as the crucial turning point when the growth rate of the population began to register a gradual decline. Although the absolute number of people continued to increase, the percentage rate at which the population was growing started to slow down after this year. This shift was largely attributed to a decrease in the birth rate, influenced by an increase in the mean age of marriage, improved literacy levels among women, and the implementation of effective family planning initiatives across the country.

Explanation

Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac formulated the law of combining volumes of gases in 1808. This chemical law states that when gases react together, the volumes of the reacting gases and their gaseous products are in a simple whole-number ratio, provided all measurements are made at the same temperature and pressure. His discovery followed his experimental work on the composition of water, where he observed that two volumes of hydrogen combine with exactly one volume of oxygen to form water vapor. This principle provided foundational evidence for the development of modern stoichiometry and eventually led to the formulation of Avogadro's law.

Explanation

Buckminsterfullerene is a specific allotrope of carbon with the molecular formula C₆₀, signifying it is composed of exactly 60 carbon atoms. These atoms are arranged in a series of fused rings consisting of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons, creating a hollow cage that resembles a geodesic dome or a soccer ball. This geometry is technically referred to as a truncated icosahedron. Each carbon atom in the structure is sp² hybridized and forms covalent bonds with three adjacent carbon atoms. Its unique spherical symmetry and stable electronic structure make it the most prominent member of the fullerene family of nanoparticles.

Explanation

The pH scale is a logarithmic measure used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. It is defined by the formula pH = -₁₀[H^+], where [H^+] represents the molar concentration of hydrogen ions. In pure water or any neutral solution at 25°C (298 K), the concentration of hydrogen ions is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions [OH^-]. Because the ionic product of water K_w is 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ at this temperature, the concentration of hydrogen ions is [H^+] = 10⁻⁷ moles per liter. Substituting this value into the formula gives pH = -₁₀(10⁻⁷) = 7. A pH of 7 therefore signifies a neutral solution where the activities of acid and base ions are balanced.

Explanation

The money supply aggregate M₄ is the most comprehensive measure of money supply used by the Reserve Bank of India. It is calculated using the formula M₄ = M₃ + Total deposits with Post Office savings organisations. This aggregate includes all components of broad money (M₃)—which consists of currency with the public, demand deposits, and time deposits with the banking system—and adds the total deposits held by post office savings banks. While calculating M₄, only the National Savings Certificates (NSC) are excluded from the post office total. Because M₄ incorporates the entirety of postal savings, which includes both savings deposits and time-bound deposits, it serves as the broadest indicator of liquidity and monetary resources available within the Indian economy.

Explanation

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is India's first high-speed rail corridor, currently under construction with technical and financial support from the Government of Japan. The project is being executed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) and covers a total distance of approximately 508 kilometers connecting the financial hub of Mumbai in Maharashtra with Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Designed for a maximum operating speed of 320 km/h, the line utilizes the Japanese E5 Series Shinkansen technology. As of February 2022, the project had seen significant progress in land acquisition and civil construction works, particularly in the Gujarat section where pier casting and girder launching were actively underway.

Explanation

Fundamental Duties are codified under Article 51A in Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution, which was added by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. While the article lists eleven specific duties for citizens, such as promoting harmony, safeguarding public property, and defending the country, the obligation to respect elders is not mentioned. Although respecting elders is a significant traditional and moral value in Indian society, it has not been included as a formal constitutional duty.

Explanation

The Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, an autonomous body under the state government, confers various awards to honor excellence in the fields of music, dance, and theater. In early 2021, the state government announced the awardees for the years 2019 and 2020. The M.S. Subbulakshmi Award, named after the legendary Carnatic vocalist, is a prestigious recognition given to eminent musicians for their lifelong dedication and significant contributions to the musical arts. For the year 2020, this award was conferred upon the veteran playback singer Vani Jairam. With a career spanning several decades and thousands of songs across multiple Indian languages, her selection recognized her technical mastery and her enduring legacy in the Indian music industry.

Explanation

In August 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appointed cricketer Rishabh Pant as the brand ambassador of the state. The appointment was aimed at encouraging the youth of the state toward sports and public health. Rishabh Pant, a prominent wicketkeeper-batsman for the Indian national team, was born in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, making him a local icon for the region. The state government sought to leverage his popularity to inspire the younger generation and promote a culture of fitness and athletic excellence across Uttarakhand.

Explanation

The Delhi Police launched the Anubhuti QR Code-based feedback system in February 2022 as part of its digital initiative to improve police-public interface and transparency. Launched by then Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, this system allows citizens to provide instant feedback on police services by scanning QR codes installed at police stations, pickets, and various public touchpoints. The initiative aims to enhance accountability and responsiveness by collecting real-time data on the behavior of personnel and the quality of assistance provided to the public. Alongside Anubhuti, the department also introduced a refurbished website and the e-Chittha portal to streamline internal administration and public interaction.

Explanation

The first session of the All India Depressed Classes Congress was held at Nagpur on August 8, 1930. This landmark conference was presided over by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The session was strategically timed just before the First Round Table Conference in London to consolidate the political demands of the Depressed Classes. In his presidential address, Ambedkar articulated that the Depressed Classes should be recognized as a distinct political entity, separate from the orthodox Hindu community. He used this platform to demand fundamental rights, adequate representation in the legislatures, and safeguards in the civil services to ensure the social and political elevation of the marginalized sections of society. This session marked a crucial step in the organized struggle for Dalit rights in India.

Explanation

New Delhi was not selected as a host city for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022. Although the city served as a primary venue for the 2017 FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup, it was excluded from the schedule for the women's edition. The tournament was instead concentrated in three specific venues across India, namely the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha, the DY Patil Stadium in Maharashtra, and the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa. As a result, no matches were held in the national capital during the event which took place in October 2022.

Explanation

The Green Revolution in India was characterized by the introduction of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, particularly for wheat and rice. This technological shift led to a dramatic increase in the productivity of these two food grains, allowing farmers to move beyond subsistence farming. When agricultural production exceeds the consumption requirements of the farmer's family, the remaining portion is referred to as the marketed surplus. Because of the massive increase in yields, a large proportion of the wheat and rice produced was sold by farmers in the market. This surplus was crucial for the economy as it allowed the government to procure food grains for buffer stocks and ensured food security for the urban population.

Explanation

The Tapi river flows through a significant rift valley located between the Satpura Range to the north and the Ajanta and Satmala hills to the south. This rift valley is a structural depression formed due to the subsidence of a land block between two parallel faults, a geological process primarily associated with the tectonic disturbances during the Himalayan mountain-building era. Originating in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, the river follows this tectonic trough westwards to drain into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat. Unlike most peninsular rivers that follow the general eastwards tilt of the plateau, the Tapi course is strictly governed by this pre-existing fault line.

Explanation

Cyclical unemployment is directly related to the periodic fluctuations in economic activity known as the business cycle. When the economy undergoes a recession or a period of negative growth, aggregate demand for goods and services declines. In response, businesses reduce their production levels and require fewer labor inputs, leading to layoffs and a rise in unemployment. As the economy enters an expansionary phase, demand recovers, and this type of unemployment typically decreases as firms begin hiring again to meet increased production needs.

Explanation

Vijayalaya established the Chola dynasty in the mid-9th century by capturing Thanjavur. His successors significantly expanded the kingdom by conquering neighboring regions to the north and south. Aditya I, the son and successor of Vijayalaya, defeated the Pallava king Aparajita, which brought the northern territory of Tondaimandalam under Chola control. Subsequently, Parantaka I invaded the Pandyan kingdom in the south and captured their capital, Madurai, earning himself the title Maduraikonda. These victories over the Pandyan and Pallava dynasties were instrumental in transforming the Cholas from a local power into a dominant imperial force in South India.

Explanation

Sharodi Saikia is a renowned exponent of Sattriya, a classical dance form that originated in the Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras) of Assam. She was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2015 for her significant contributions and excellence in this field. Sattriya was introduced by the 15th-century saint-reformer Mahapurush Sankaradeva as a powerful medium for the Bhakti movement. Saikia is celebrated for her dedication to preserving the traditional nuances of the dance while popularizing it through her performances and teaching, helping it gain recognition as one of the eight major classical dances of India.

Explanation

Kumkum Mohanty is an eminent Odissi exponent and a disciple of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra who has significantly contributed to the classical dance tradition of Odisha. In 2005, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her exceptional service and mastery in the field of Art. Beyond her performance career, she played a vital role in the administration and academic development of the dance form, notably serving as the Chief Executive of the Odissi Research Centre in Bhubaneswar. Her work in documenting and systematizing Odissi techniques earned her several prestigious accolades, with the Padma Shri being a key recognition of her lifelong commitment to Indian classical dance.

Explanation

The cell is the basic building block of all living things, often referred to as the structural, functional, and biological unit of life. According to the cell theory, all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, and new cells arise from pre-existing cells through division. It is the smallest entity that can carry out all the processes necessary for life, such as metabolism, energy conversion, and reproduction. While complex organisms have higher levels of organization like tissues and organs, these are all ultimately composed of specialized cells working together, making the cell the fundamental unit upon which all biological structure is based.

Explanation

The Sarkaria Commission was established in 1983 to examine the relationship and balance of power between state and central governments. In its 1988 report, the commission made specific recommendations to preserve the dignity and impartiality of the Governor's office. It suggested that a Governor should be an eminent person in some walk of life, appointed from outside the state to ensure they remain a detached figure. Most importantly, the commission recommended that the appointee should be someone who has not taken a too great part in politics generally, and particularly in the recent past, to ensure the appointment is non-partisan. This was intended to prevent the Governor from acting as an agent of the central ruling party and to maintain a healthy federal balance.

Explanation

The Ennum Ezhuthum scheme was launched by the Tamil Nadu government in June 2022 to address the significant learning gaps in primary education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program specifically targets students in classes 1, 2, and 3, which corresponds to children in the age group of under 8 years. It aims to ensure that every child in the state achieves foundational literacy and numeracy by the year 2025 through the distribution of specialized workbooks and the implementation of a level-based teaching methodology in government and government-aided schools.

Explanation

The Vernacular Press Act of 1878, introduced by Lord Lytton, was designed to suppress the growing criticism of British policies in the Indian-language media. Under this act, District Magistrates were empowered to require printers and publishers of vernacular newspapers to enter into a bond promising not to publish anything that could incite disaffection against the government. If a newspaper published content that the government considered objectionable, the authorities had the power to issue a warning or seize the printing press and confiscate the newspaper assets. A significant feature of this law was that it provided no right to appeal in a court of law against the government decision, making it a highly repressive tool for controlling the local press during the colonial period.

Explanation

Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu, is the most significant festival of Assam and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. The term Rongali is derived from the word Rong, which translates to joy or merriment, reflecting the celebratory nature of the festival. It is observed in mid-April and coincides with the onset of the spring season, signaling the time for farmers to prepare their fields for the upcoming cultivation cycle. The festival is characterized by traditional folk songs called Bihu Geets and the energetic Bihu dance, which celebrate nature's fertility and the arrival of the seeding season.

Explanation

Lava plateaus are formed by large-scale volcanic activity where basaltic lava flows out of fissures and spreads over vast areas. Over geological time, the continuous weathering and erosion of these volcanic basaltic rocks result in the formation of black soil, also known as Regur soil or black cotton soil.

This soil is characterized by its fine-textured, clayey composition and high moisture-retention capacity. It is naturally rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime. In India, the Deccan Plateau is a prominent example of a lava plateau where the disintegration of basaltic rock has led to extensive deposits of black soil, which is particularly suitable for the cultivation of cotton.

Explanation

The 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup was the seventh edition of the tournament and was held in Australia from February 21 to March 8, 2020. The event featured matches across several Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, and Adelaide. The final took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on International Women's Day, where the host nation, Australia, defeated India to secure their fifth title. This tournament set a record for the highest attendance at a standalone women's cricket match, with over 86,000 spectators watching the final.

Explanation

Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the chemical formula NH₃. It is a colorless gas with a distinct, pungent smell and is the simplest pnictogen hydride. In this molecule, the central nitrogen atom is covalently bonded to three hydrogen atoms and possesses one lone pair of electrons, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry as predicted by Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. It is alkaline in nature and reacts with acids to form ammonium salts. Ammonia serves as a critical precursor for many nitrogen-containing compounds and is essential in the global production of fertilizers through the Haber-Bosch process.

Explanation

Ashoka created the special cadre of Dhamma Mahamattas in the 14th year of his reign, a fact documented in Major Rock Edict V. These officers were responsible for the propagation of Dhamma and the moral upliftment of the population. Their primary role involved addressing social issues, fostering communal harmony, and ensuring the welfare of various groups such as the elderly, the destitute, and prisoners. By establishing this institution, Ashoka sought to mitigate social conflicts and implement his vision of a welfare state based on ethical governance and social justice.