SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This schedule is reserved for endangered species that require the highest level of legal protection in India. Species categorized under Schedule I are strictly protected from hunting, and trade in these animals or their body parts is prohibited except under exceptional circumstances like scientific research or if the animal becomes a threat to human life. Violations involving Schedule I species attract the most stringent penalties and prison terms under the Act. This high degree of protection has been instrumental in the conservation of the rhino population, particularly within the protected areas of Assam and West Bengal.

Explanation

The Government of India organized the Tika Utsav, or Vaccine Festival, as a special four-day COVID-19 vaccination drive from 11th April to 14th April 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated this campaign to intensify the vaccination process across the country during the second wave of the pandemic. The start and end dates were chosen to coincide with the birth anniversaries of two prominent social reformers: Mahatma Jyotirao Phule on April 11th and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on April 14th. The primary objectives of the drive were to vaccinate as many eligible citizens as possible, minimize vaccine wastage, and promote a Jan Andolan or mass movement emphasizing the importance of immunization and COVID-appropriate behavior.

Explanation

Mount Tiyi is a prominent peak situated in the Wokha district of Nagaland. Standing at an elevation of approximately 1969 meters, it holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for the Lotha Naga tribe, who traditionally refer to it as the Hill of Souls or the Mountain of Life. According to local folklore and ancestral beliefs, the mountain is considered the resting place or the passage for the souls of the departed on their journey to the afterlife. Geographically, it offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys, and it is well-known for its rich biodiversity, particularly the vibrant rhododendrons and orchards found on its slopes.

Explanation

The Jhelum river is referred to as Vyath or Vyeth in the Kashmiri language. This name is a linguistic derivative of its ancient Sanskrit name, Vitasta, which is documented in the Rigveda as one of the primary rivers of the northwestern Indian subcontinent. The river originates from the Verinag Spring at the base of the Pir Panjal range and serves as the main waterway of the Kashmir Valley. Throughout history, the river has been known by various names, including Hydaspes by the ancient Greeks, but Vyath remains the local traditional name used by the inhabitants of the region to this day.

Explanation

Dr. Sharankumar Limbale was selected for the 30th Saraswati Samman in 2020 for his Marathi novel titled Sanatan, published in 2018. The Saraswati Samman, instituted by the K. K. Birla Foundation in 1991, is one of the most prestigious literary awards in India, given annually to an outstanding literary work in any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Sanatan is a significant historical fiction that explores the struggles and history of the Dalit community. Limbale's selection for this award was notable as it highlighted a powerful narrative on social justice and caste history in contemporary Marathi literature.

Explanation

The Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted by the Indian Parliament in 1961 to prohibit the practice of giving or receiving dowry. The legislation received presidential assent on May 20, 1961, and officially came into force on July 1, 1961. This Act was notably passed during a rare joint session of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, which was called to resolve disagreements between the two houses over specific clauses of the bill. The primary objective of the Act is to eliminate the social evil of dowry by making the act of demanding, giving, or taking dowry a punishable offense. It defines dowry as any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given in connection with the marriage of the parties involved.

Explanation

The Swaminathan Commission, formally known as the National Commission on Farmers, recommended that the Minimum Support Price should be at least 50 percent more than the weighted average cost of production. Following the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement to fix the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the increase for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2021-22 marketing season. This decision ensured a return of at least 50 percent over the cost of production (A2+FL) to farmers, aligning with the commission's objective to improve the economic viability of farming and provide a safety net against price fluctuations in the market.

Explanation

Colostrum is the first form of milk produced by the mammary glands immediately following delivery of the newborn. It is a thick, yellowish fluid specifically designed to meet the needs of a neonate during the first few days of life. It contains high concentrations of protective antibodies, particularly secretory Immunoglobulin A (IgA), which provides passive immunity by coating the infant's gastrointestinal tract and preventing the adherence of pathogens. Colostrum is also rich in leukocytes, lactoferrin, and cytokines that help prime the baby's developing immune system and protect against various bacterial and viral infections.

Explanation

In Jharkhand, the primitive form of shifting cultivation is locally known as Kuruwa. This traditional agricultural practice involves clearing a small patch of forest land by cutting down trees and burning the vegetation. The resulting ash acts as a natural fertilizer for the soil. Farmers cultivate food crops on this land for a few years until the soil fertility is exhausted, after which they abandon the plot and move to a new forest patch to repeat the process. This method of farming is primarily practiced by tribal communities in the hilly and forested regions of the state to sustain their livelihoods.

Explanation

Dominic Thiem is a professional tennis player who represents Austria. He captured his first Grand Slam title at the 2020 U.S. Open, making him the first Austrian man to win a major singles title since Thomas Muster won the French Open in 1995. Thiem reached a career-high ATP ranking of world No. 3 in March 2020 and is widely recognized as one of the most successful athletes in Austrian sporting history due to his achievements on the international circuit and his consistency in reaching the finals of multiple Grand Slam tournaments.

Explanation

The Bhaja Caves are a group of 22 rock-cut Buddhist caves dating back to the 2nd century BC, located in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Situated near the hill station of Lonavala, these caves represent some of the earliest examples of Hinayana Buddhist architecture in India. The site is famous for its grand Chaityagriha, which features a unique wooden horseshoe-shaped ceiling and ancient wooden ribs that remain intact. The complex also contains several viharas and a collection of fourteen stupas, five of which are inside and nine outside the caves, serving as memorials to resident monks. The caves were strategically built along an ancient trade route connecting the Arabian Sea ports to the Deccan region.

Explanation

The Civil Disobedience Movement was a pivotal stage of the Indian national struggle launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. After a period of suspension following the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and its subsequent revival in 1932, the movement faced heavy government crackdowns and a gradual decline in public participation. By mid-1933, the mass phase was replaced by individual civil disobedience. Seeing that the movement had lost its energy and that the people were exhausted, Mahatma Gandhi formally decided to withdraw the struggle. The campaign was officially and completely ceased in April 1934, marking the end of this specific phase of the freedom movement as the Indian National Congress shifted its focus toward constitutional activities and upcoming elections.

Explanation

The characteristic yellow color of gold and the reddish-orange hue of copper are due to selective absorption of specific wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. In these metals, electronic transitions occur between the filled d-band and the unoccupied states in the conduction s-band. For gold, relativistic effects cause a contraction of the s-orbitals and an expansion of the d-orbitals, which reduces the energy gap between them. This specific energy gap corresponds to the energy of photons in the blue and violet regions of the spectrum. When white light hits the surface of gold or copper, these metals absorb the higher-energy blue and violet light to facilitate these electronic transitions. Since blue and violet are removed from the reflected light, the remaining spectrum is dominated by lower-energy wavelengths like yellow and red, which gives these metals their distinct appearance.

Explanation

Sustainable Development Goal 6 is a fundamental pillar of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on the critical necessity of clean water and sanitation. This goal aims to ensure universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all people while providing adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene. It addresses the entire water cycle, including the improvement of water quality by reducing pollution and eliminating the dumping of hazardous materials. Additionally, it promotes the implementation of integrated water resources management and the protection of water-related ecosystems such as wetlands, rivers, and aquifers. By focusing on sustainable management, the goal seeks to increase water-use efficiency across all sectors to address water scarcity and ensure a reliable supply of freshwater for future generations.

Explanation

King Lalitaditya Muktapida was the most powerful and illustrious ruler of the Karkota dynasty, which governed the Kashmir region during the 8th century CE. His reign, spanning approximately 724 to 760 CE, is extensively documented in the Rajatarangini, a Sanskrit historical chronicle written by the 12th-century historian Kalhana. Lalitaditya is renowned for his extensive military expeditions that expanded his empire across Northern India and into parts of Central Asia, making Kashmir a significant imperial power of the era. He was also a great patron of art and architecture, most notably commissioning the construction of the Martand Sun Temple, a masterpiece of Kashmiri architecture dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya. His capital, Parihaspora, was established as a center of political and cultural activity within the Kashmir Valley.

Explanation

The Battle of Buxar took place on October 22, 1764, near the town of Buxar in present-day Bihar. It was a significant conflict between the British East India Company, led by Major Hector Munro, and a joint alliance consisting of Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal; Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh; and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The victory of the British forces was a turning point in Indian history, as it effectively ended the challenge to British supremacy in Northern India. Following the battle, the Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765, which granted the East India Company the Diwani rights, or the right to collect revenues, from Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, laying the foundation for British colonial rule in India.

Explanation

Prashastis, meaning in praise of, were special inscriptions composed by learned Brahmanas to glorify rulers and depict them as valiant, victorious warriors. These Brahmanas often worked in the royal administration and used their literary skills to establish the legitimacy and divine status of the king. In return for such services and religious merit, kings frequently rewarded Brahmanas with grants of land known as Brahmadeya. These transactions were officially recorded on copper plates, which served as legal documents or title deeds. These plates were given to the recipients of the land and often featured the royal seal to authenticate the grant and define the boundaries and privileges associated with the property.

Explanation

Vempati Chinna Satyam was a legendary guru and dancer who is widely credited with refining and popularizing the Kuchipudi dance form on a global scale. In recognition of his distinguished service and immense contribution to the Indian classical arts, he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1998. He established the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Chennai, where he systematized the dance form and trained numerous students, helping to elevate Kuchipudi to its current status as one of the major classical dances of India.

Explanation

Amedeo Avogadro provided a fundamental contribution to chemistry in 1811 by drawing a clear distinction between atoms and molecules. Before his work, there was significant confusion regarding the smallest particles of elements and compounds, as early atomic theories often failed to explain why gases combined in specific volume ratios. Avogadro proposed that the smallest unit of a substance that exists independently in a gas is a molecule, which may consist of one or more identical atoms. This hypothesis allowed him to explain Gay-Lussac's law of combining volumes by suggesting that equal volumes of all gases, under the same conditions of temperature and pressure, contain the same number of molecules. His realization that common gases like hydrogen and oxygen exist as diatomic molecules, such as H₂ and O₂, laid the groundwork for determining accurate atomic and molecular weights.

Explanation

Call of the Valley is a landmark 1967 concept album in Indian classical music that features the collaboration of three legendary instrumentalists: Pandit Shivkumar Sharma on the santoor, Hariprasad Chaurasia on the bansuri (flute), and Brij Bhushan Kabra on the guitar. The album is innovative for its time, as it follows a thematic narrative depicting a day in the life of a shepherd in the Kashmir Valley, using various Hindustani classical ragas to represent different times of the day. Shivkumar Sharma's participation in this project was particularly significant as it played a major role in establishing the santoor, originally a folk instrument from the Kashmir region, as a mainstream solo instrument in the Indian classical tradition. The album remains one of the highest-selling and most critically acclaimed recordings of Indian classical music worldwide.

Explanation

The Tak Tok festival is a significant religious event celebrated at the Tak Tok Monastery, also known as Takthok Gompa, located in the Sakti village of Ladakh. Held annually during the summer, typically on the 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, the festival commemorates the birth and teachings of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The primary attraction of the festival is the performance of sacred Cham dances by the monks, where they wear elaborate masks and costumes to represent various deities and spirits. This monastic festival draws large crowds of devotees and tourists to the monastery, which is uniquely built around a cave where the Guru is believed to have meditated in the 8th century.

Explanation

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, took place at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant. The disaster resulted from the accidental release of approximately 40 tonnes of Methyl Isocyanate (CH₃NCO) gas into the atmosphere. This highly toxic chemical was used as an intermediate in the production of the pesticide carbaryl. Water entered a storage tank containing the gas, triggering an exothermic chemical reaction that increased the temperature and pressure, eventually forcing the safety valves open and releasing the lethal vapors over the city of Bhopal. This event remains one of the deadliest industrial accidents in history due to the catastrophic immediate and long-term health impacts on the local population.

Explanation

Dekhni is a traditional folk dance form from the state of Goa that represents a unique blend of Indian and Western cultures. The term Dekhni is derived from the Konkani word for beauty. Historically performed by women, the dance typically depicts the story of a temple dancer who wants to cross a river to perform at a wedding but is initially refused by a boatman. The performance is characterized by its rhythmic folk music and the use of the ghumat, a traditional Goan percussion instrument made of an earthen pot. The dancers usually wear traditional Goan sarees and perform graceful movements that reflect the cultural synthesis of the region, combining indigenous Indian melodies with rhythmic influences from the Portuguese colonial period.

Explanation

Open Market Operations (OMO) are a critical quantitative monetary policy tool used by the Reserve Bank of India to regulate the money supply and liquidity in the banking system. These operations consist of the buying and selling of government securities (G-Secs) by the central bank in the open market. When the RBI purchases these securities, it injects liquidity into the financial system, providing commercial banks with more loanable funds. Conversely, when the RBI sells government securities, it absorbs or mops up excess liquidity from the system. These actions help the RBI manage interest rates and maintain price stability by influencing the volume of money circulating in the economy.

Explanation

The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) is a prominent nuclear power plant located in the Tapi district of Gujarat, near Surat. Operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the station houses multiple Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). A significant milestone for this facility was the development of KAPS-3, which is India's first indigenously designed 700 MWe reactor. This unit achieved criticality in July 2020, representing a major advancement in the country's domestic nuclear technology and its efforts to expand clean energy production through the use of nuclear fuel.

Explanation

The name India is derived from the word Indus, which has its roots in the Sanskrit word Sindhu. The Sindhu is the ancient name for the Indus River, one of the major rivers of the South Asian subcontinent. Around 2500 years ago, the Iranians and the Greeks who came through the northwest were familiar with this river. They referred to it as the Hindos or the Indos, and the land to the east of the river eventually came to be known as India. In the Rigveda, the earliest composition in Sanskrit, the river is celebrated as the Sindhu, representing a significant geographical and cultural boundary of the Vedic civilization.

Explanation

The population density of India according to the 2011 Census is 382 persons per square kilometer. This demographic indicator is calculated by dividing the total population of the country by its total land area. The 2011 figure represents a notable increase from the 2001 Census, which recorded a density of 324 persons per square km. Population density serves as a critical measure for understanding the concentration of people and the resulting pressure on land and natural resources within the nation's geographical boundaries.

Explanation

Erich Huckel proposed the rule for aromaticity in 1931 using quantum mechanics and molecular orbital theory to explain the stability of cyclic conjugated systems. According to Huckel Rule, a monocyclic, planar, and fully conjugated hydrocarbon is aromatic if the number of π electrons in the system is equal to 4n + 2, where n represents a non-negative integer such as 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on. This means that systems containing 2, 6, 10, 14, … π electrons exhibit exceptional chemical stability and high resonance energy. This mathematical condition accounts for the electronic configuration where all bonding molecular orbitals are completely filled with pairs of electrons, leaving no unpaired electrons or unfilled bonding orbitals.

Explanation

The Supreme Court of India recognized the right to be forgotten as an inherent part of the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. In July 2022, a bench comprising Justices S.K. Kaul and M.M. Sundresh directed the court registry to develop a mechanism to mask the personal identities and details of parties involved in matrimonial disputes. This order was intended to ensure that the digital footprint of such sensitive litigation does not permanently affect the personal lives or future prospects of the individuals involved. The right to be forgotten allows individuals to request the removal of their personal information from public platforms and search engines when such information is no longer necessary or serves no public interest, thereby protecting their reputation and privacy in the digital age.

Explanation

Anacondas, specifically the Green Anaconda which is the heaviest and one of the longest snakes in the world, are native to the tropical evergreen forests of South America, particularly the Amazon and Orinoco basins. These forests provide the ideal environment for these semi-aquatic reptiles, as they offer constant high temperatures, high humidity, and abundant water bodies like swamps, marshes, and slow-moving rivers. The dense vegetation and year-round foliage of the tropical evergreen biome allow anacondas to remain camouflaged while hunting and support the diverse prey base required to sustain their massive size.

Explanation

Lake Kolleru is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India, situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is geographically positioned between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers, spanning across the Krishna and West Godavari districts. The lake was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2002 due to its rich biodiversity. It serves as a vital ecological habitat and a major sanctuary for numerous migratory bird species, including the grey pelican and painted stork, which frequent the Kolleru Bird Sanctuary located within the wetland area.

Explanation

The 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly referred to as Birmingham 2022, was held in Birmingham, England. The multi-sport event took place from July 28 to August 8, 2022. Birmingham was selected as the host city by the Commonwealth Games Federation in December 2017. This marked the third time England had hosted the Commonwealth Games, following previous iterations in London in 1934 and Manchester in 2002. The games featured thousands of athletes from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories competing across 280 events in 19 different sports.

Explanation

Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Punjab on March 16, 2022. This followed the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured a landslide victory by winning 92 out of 117 seats. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. Before entering politics, Mann was a prominent comedian and actor, and he previously served as a Member of Parliament from the Sangrur constituency. As Chief Minister, he led the first non-Congress and non-Akali Dal government in the history of the state to hold a full majority.

Explanation

Vembanad Lake is situated in the state of Kerala, spanning the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. It is the longest lake in India and the largest in the state of Kerala. This lake is a prominent Ramsar site and serves as a major hub for the Kerala backwaters tourism. It is specifically famous for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held annually in its waters. Pairing this lake with Maharashtra is factually inaccurate as its entire extent lies within the borders of Kerala.

Explanation

In June 2022, the Bihar cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar officially approved the proposal to conduct a caste-based census in the state, titled the Bihar Jati Aadharit Ganana. The exercise was initiated to collect comprehensive data regarding the population and socio-economic status of various castes and sub-castes within the state. The Bihar government allocated a budget of ₹500 crore from its contingency fund for this survey, with the General Administration Department serving as the nodal agency. This decision followed the Union Government's stance that the 2021 national census would not include data on castes other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The state-level enumeration aimed to provide a factual basis for tailoring development schemes and ensuring social justice for marginalized sections of society.

Explanation

Democratic countries are fundamentally characterized by the principle of constitutionalism, which implies that the exercise of political power must be governed by a set of established laws rather than the arbitrary will of individuals. A constitution serves as the supreme legal framework that defines the structure of the state, delineates the powers and limitations of various government branches, and guarantees the fundamental rights of its citizens. In a democratic system, the constitution ensures the rule of law and provides the basis for accountability and the protection of liberties, making it an indispensable feature for the functioning of such a society. While various forms of government may exist, the systematic reliance on a constitution to limit state power and uphold popular sovereignty is a primary hallmark of democratic nations.

Explanation

Saltpetre, also known as nitre, is the naturally occurring mineral form of potassium nitrate (KNO3). It is historically significant as a key ingredient in gunpowder and is widely used in fertilizers and pyrotechnics.

Explanation

The Agnipath scheme, launched by the Central Government in June 2022, is a transformative recruitment reform for the Indian Armed Forces. Under this policy, youth between the ages of 17.5 and 21 years are recruited as Agniveers to serve in the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force for a duration of four years. The scheme is designed to enhance the youthful profile of the armed forces, improve their operational effectiveness, and provide the nation with a pool of disciplined and skilled individuals. After the completion of their four-year tenure, Agniveers receive a Seva Nidhi package and are eligible to apply for permanent enrollment in the regular cadre based on merit and organizational requirements.

Explanation

Pankaj Advani is a world-renowned Indian cueist who has dominated the sports of billiards and snooker for over two decades. He is the most successful Indian athlete in world championships, having secured 25 world titles in cue sports by late 2022. Advani is celebrated for achieving the Grand Slam in billiards by winning the World, Asian, and National titles in the same year. His excellence in billiards has earned him India highest sporting honors, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Padma Bhushan. He remains the only player to have won world titles in all formats of billiards and snooker.

Explanation

Cumene, chemically known as isopropylbenzene, is the primary alkylbenzene used as an intermediate in the industrial production of phenol via the Hock process. The synthesis begins with the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with propylene to produce cumene. In the subsequent manufacturing stages, cumene is oxidized by air to form cumene hydroperoxide, which is then subjected to acid-catalyzed cleavage. This decomposition reaction yields phenol along with acetone as a commercially significant co-product. This specific route is the dominant global method for phenol production because it utilizes relatively inexpensive raw materials and generates two high-demand industrial chemicals simultaneously.

Explanation

Fundamental Duties were incorporated into the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, following the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. These duties are housed in Part IV-A of the Constitution, which consists of a single article, Article 51A. Inspired by the Constitution of the erstwhile USSR, these duties are non-justiciable in nature but serve as a constant reminder to citizens that while they enjoy fundamental rights, they also owe certain obligations to the state and society. While the 42nd Amendment originally introduced ten duties, an eleventh duty concerning the provision of opportunities for education to children between the ages of six and fourteen was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act in 2002. Article 51A thus stands as the specific constitutional provision defining the ethical and civic obligations of Indian citizens.

Explanation

Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee held in December 2021. UNESCO recognized the festival for its unique amalgamation of religion and art, as well as its role as a space for communal harmony and public performance. The festival is characterized by the creation of elaborate clay idols of Goddess Durga, the construction of decorative pandals, and the performance of traditional music and rituals. This inclusion marked Durga Puja as the 14th Indian cultural element to receive this international recognition, highlighting the socio-cultural importance of the event beyond its religious significance.

Explanation

Sher Shah Suri founded the Sur Empire in North India after defeating the Mughal Emperor Humayun at the Battle of Chausa in 1539 and the Battle of Kannauj in 1540. His reign lasted from 1540 until his death in 1545 during the siege of Kalinjar. Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, the third Mughal Emperor, ascended the throne in 1556 following the death of his father, Humayun. Akbar consolidated and expanded the empire significantly during his long reign, which ended with his death in 1605. Both provided pairs correctly reflect the historically established periods of rule for these monarchs.

Explanation

Dr. Manoj Soni was appointed as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 5 April 2022, succeeding Pradeep Kumar Joshi. Prior to this elevation, he had been serving as a member of the Commission since 2017. Dr. Soni is a distinguished scholar of political science with a specialization in international relations and has served three terms as a Vice-Chancellor at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University. The appointment of the UPSC Chairman is made by the President of India under the provisions of Article 316 of the Constitution of India.

Explanation

The Planning Commission of India, during the Seventh Five-Year Plan in 1988, divided the country into 15 broad agro-climatic zones. This classification was part of the Agro-Climatic Regional Planning approach aimed at ensuring a scientific and balanced development of agriculture across different geographical regions. The division was based on specific physical characteristics, including soil type, temperature, rainfall, and water resources, to facilitate region-specific agricultural planning and resource management. These 15 zones include the Western Himalayan Region, Eastern Himalayan Region, Lower Gangetic Plains Region, Middle Gangetic Plains Region, Upper Gangetic Plains Region, Trans-Gangetic Plains Region, Eastern Plateau and Hills Region, Central Plateau and Hills Region, Western Plateau and Hills Region, Southern Plateau and Hills Region, East Coast Plains and Hills Region, West Coast Plains and Ghats Region, Gujarat Plains and Hills Region, Western Dry Region, and the Islands Region.

Explanation

The National Income Committee was established by the Government of India in August 1949 with Professor P.C. Mahalanobis as its Chairman. The primary objective of this committee was to provide a scientific and reliable estimate of India's national income following independence and to formulate a methodology for such calculations in the future. As a renowned statistician and the founder of the Indian Statistical Institute, P.C. Mahalanobis led the committee in producing its first report in 1951 and a final report in 1954. This pioneering work established the statistical basis for economic planning in India and led to the creation of the Central Statistical Organisation for ongoing national accounting.

Explanation

Titanium is a transition metal with the atomic number 22. The atomic mass of an element is the weighted average of the masses of all its naturally occurring stable isotopes. Titanium has five stable isotopes: ⁴⁶Ti, ⁴⁷Ti, ⁴⁸Ti, ⁴⁹Ti, and ⁵⁰Ti. Among these, ⁴⁸Ti is the most abundant, accounting for approximately 73.8 percent of the element's natural composition. The standard atomic weight of titanium is approximately 47.867 atomic mass units. In the context of the provided values, 47.78 represents the average atomic mass of the element.

Explanation

In April 2022, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Gene Bank Project, making it the first state in India to establish a dedicated programme for the conservation of native genetic resources. The initiative is implemented by the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board and focuses on preserving local biological diversity across seven major themes, including marine diversity, crop germplasm, indigenous cattle breeds, and freshwater biodiversity. The primary objective is to mitigate the impact of climate change on food security and ecosystem stability by documenting and protecting traditional seeds and animal species. The project involves local communities in conservation efforts, ensuring that indigenous knowledge is utilized alongside modern scientific methods to maintain the state's unique ecological heritage.

Explanation

Alexandre-Émile Béguyer de Chancourtois, a French geologist, proposed the Vis Tellurique or Telluric Helix in 1862. This was the first system to arrange chemical elements in order of their atomic weights, predating the periodic tables of Newlands and Mendeleev. He plotted the elements on a spiral curve around a cylinder with a circumference of 16 units, which corresponded to the atomic weight of oxygen. By doing so, de Chancourtois observed that elements with similar physical and chemical properties appeared at the same points on the vertical lines of the cylinder, effectively demonstrating the periodic nature of elemental properties.

Explanation

The Lok Sabha Secretariat releases a booklet titled Unparliamentary Expressions which compiles words and phrases deemed indecent or undignified for use in the House. In the 2022 edition of this booklet, the word Chakkar was not included in the list of expressions declared unparliamentary. This compilation includes words that have been expunged by presiding officers in the Indian Parliament and various State Legislatures over time. Because Chakkar was not part of the specific set of words flagged in that publication, it remains outside the official list of prohibited parliamentary language.