SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient landmass that forms a part of the Gondwanaland. Geographically, it is shaped like a broad triangle with its base aligned with the southern edge of the Great North Indian Plains and its apex pointing southward towards Kanyakumari at the Indian Ocean. This triangular configuration is defined by the Aravalli, Vindhya, and Satpura ranges in the north, while its sides are formed by the Western Ghats in the west and the Eastern Ghats in the east, which meet at the Nilgiri Hills.

Explanation

The final match of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was held on May 29, 2022, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This venue is recognized as the largest cricket stadium in the world by seating capacity. The championship match saw the Gujarat Titans compete against the Rajasthan Royals, with the Gujarat Titans emerging victorious to claim the trophy in their debut season. While the league phase of the tournament was held across multiple venues in Maharashtra, the playoff stages were conducted in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, with Ahmedabad specifically designated for the second qualifier and the grand final.

Explanation

Subhas Chandra Bose used the title Father of the Nation for Mahatma Gandhi for the first time during a radio address from Singapore on July 6, 1944. Speaking on the Azad Hind Radio, Bose appealed to Gandhi for his blessings and good wishes for the final struggle for India's liberation. In this historic speech, Bose acknowledged Gandhi's immense contribution to the Indian national movement by stating that the Father of our Nation had succeeded in awakening the masses and instilling in them the desire for independence. This event marked a significant moment of respect between the two leaders, highlighting Bose's recognition of Gandhi's spiritual and political leadership in the Indian freedom struggle.

Explanation

Mahapurusha Sankaradeva was a 15th-century polymath, saint-reformer, and a pivotal figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam. He spearheaded the Neo-Vaishnavite movement (Ekasarana Dharma) and created the Sattriya dance form as a medium to propagate his teachings and devotion to Lord Krishna. Originally performed by male monks, known as Bhokots, in the Sattras (monasteries) of Assam, the dance was an integral part of the Ankiya Nat (one-act plays) written by Sankaradeva. The form is characterized by its unique rhythmic patterns, intricate footwork, and expressive hand gestures (Mudras), all aimed at narrating mythological stories and spiritual themes. This classical dance tradition has been meticulously preserved within the Sattras for centuries as a living religious and artistic heritage.

Explanation

Tanjore Balasaraswati was a legendary exponent of Bharatnatyam, a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu. As a descendant of a traditional matrilineal family of temple musicians and dancers, she played a crucial role in the revival and global popularization of the art form during the 20th century. She was the first performer of her style to showcase Bharatnatyam outside South India, notably performing in Calcutta and Delhi in the 1930s. Her contributions were recognized with the Padma Bhushan in 1957 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1977. In addition to her dancing career, she was an accomplished singer and actress, and her life and artistic journey were documented in the film Bala, directed by the renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

Explanation

In a parliamentary system of government, a distinction is made between the nominal executive and the real executive. The President serves as the formal or titular head of state, while the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers function as the real executive. Under Article 74 of the Indian Constitution, the Council of Ministers, with the Prime Minister at the head, provides aid and advice to the President, who must act in accordance with such advice in the exercise of their functions. This structure ensures that the actual power to run the government, formulate policies, and manage national administration rests with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Additionally, Article 75 specifies that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, grounding their authority in the support of the elected legislature.

Explanation

Ustad Vilayat Khan was a legendary Indian classical musician who was a master of the sitar, not the sarod. He belonged to the Imdadkhani gharana, also known as the Etawah Gharana, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest sitarists of the 20th century. He is particularly famous for developing the gayaki ang on the sitar, a specialized technique intended to mimic the complex nuances and continuity of the human singing voice. His contributions significantly shaped the modern style of sitar performance and manufacturing.

Explanation

Vasco da Gama reached the port of Calicut on the Malabar Coast of India on May 20, 1498. Commissioned by King Manuel I of Portugal, his voyage was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route, connecting the Atlantic and the Indian oceans. By sailing around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, he established a direct maritime trade route that allowed Portugal to access the lucrative spice trade directly, bypassing traditional land routes and intermediaries.

Explanation

El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean. It represents the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Under normal conditions, strong trade winds blow from east to west across the tropical Pacific, pushing warm surface water toward the western side of the basin near Indonesia and Australia. During an El Niño event, these trade winds weaken or reverse, allowing the accumulated warm water to migrate eastward toward the coast of South America. This massive redistribution of thermal energy across the Pacific Ocean significantly alters atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to major shifts in global weather, including changes in precipitation, storm tracks, and temperature.

Explanation

The Radcliffe Line is the international boundary that separates India and Pakistan. It was named after its architect, Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who served as the chairman of the Boundary Commissions appointed in June 1947. The line was specifically drawn to divide the provinces of Punjab and Bengal based on religious demographics during the Partition of British India. Officially published on 17 August 1947, this boundary remains the legal border between the two sovereign nations.

Explanation

Coelenterates are diploblastic animals, meaning their bodies develop from only two primary germ layers: the outer ectoderm and the inner endoderm. These two layers are separated by an undifferentiated, non-cellular jelly-like substance called mesoglea. Unlike triploblastic organisms, coelenterates lack a true mesoderm, which is the third germ layer that typically gives rise to specialized muscle tissues and complex organ systems. This diploblastic level of organization is characteristic of the phylum Cnidaria and distinguishes them from higher metazoans.

Explanation

The Shaka dynasty, specifically the Western Kshatrapas, maintained a long-standing presence in Western India for approximately 500 years. Their rule began in the 1st century CE and continued until they were finally overthrown by the Gupta ruler Chandragupta II around 400 CE. Regarding the chronology of Northern India, the Shakas were succeeded by the Kushanas approximately 2000 years ago, which corresponds to the 1st century CE. The timeline of 2200 years ago is historically inaccurate for the Kushana takeover, as that period (circa 178 BCE) predates the establishment of the Kushana Empire in the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

According to the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) rules for nomenclature, the hydroxyl group (-OH) is the characteristic functional group of alcohols. To name an alcohol systematically, the suffix -ol is appended to the name of the parent alkane chain after removing the terminal letter -e. For example, the simplest alcohol derived from methane (CH₄) is named methanol (CH₃OH), and the one derived from ethane (C₂H₆) is named ethanol (C₂H₅OH). This naming convention ensures that the presence and priority of the oxygen-containing functional group are clearly identified within the molecular structure.

Explanation

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician and physicist who formulated the fundamental principle of hydrostatics known as Pascal's Law in 1653. This law states that when pressure is applied to a confined, incompressible fluid, that pressure change is transmitted undiminished to every portion of the fluid and to the walls of the containing vessel. This principle is mathematically expressed as P = F/A, where the pressure P remains constant throughout the system. His findings laid the groundwork for modern hydraulic systems, such as hydraulic lifts and brakes, where a small force applied over a small area is used to generate a much larger force over a larger area while maintaining the same pressure throughout the fluid.

Explanation

Recurring deposits are a specialized form of term deposit offered by banks that allow customers to make regular monthly installments into their account over a fixed tenure. This financial instrument is specifically designed for individuals with a steady income who wish to save a specific portion of their earnings every month. The interest rate for these deposits is typically higher than that of a standard savings account and is compounded quarterly or monthly, depending on the bank's policy. At the end of the specified period, the depositor receives the maturity value, which includes the total principal deposited through monthly installments and the interest earned.

Explanation

Ziyaddin Barani, a 14th-century chronicler and political thinker during the Delhi Sultanate, completed the first version of his most famous work, the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi, in 1356. He revised this work and produced a second version in 1358, which is exactly two years after the first. For a long period, modern historians were only aware of the second version, and it was not until the mid-20th century that the earlier 1356 version was discovered and recognized as a distinct text. The two versions contain significant differences in their treatment of historical events and the political advice offered to the Sultan.

Explanation

According to Article 243E of the Constitution of India, which was inserted by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, the tenure of every Panchayati Raj Institution is fixed at five years from the date of its first meeting. Clause 3 of this Article specifically mandates that if a Panchayat is dissolved before the expiration of its duration, the election to constitute a new Panchayat must be completed before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution. This constitutional provision ensures the continuity of local self-government by limiting the period during which a Panchayat can remain dissolved. If the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued is less than six months, it is not mandatory to hold an election for such a short duration.

Explanation

When magnesium ribbon is heated in the presence of oxygen, it undergoes a combustion reaction to form magnesium oxide. This is a chemical combination reaction where magnesium reacts with oxygen to produce a white powdery solid. The balanced chemical equation for this process is 2Mg(s) + O₂(g) → 2MgO(s). During this reaction, magnesium loses electrons to oxygen, forming an ionic bond between Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions. The reaction is highly exothermic and is characterized by the emission of a bright, dazzling white light.

Explanation

The Naari Ko Naman scheme was officially launched by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur, in July 2022 at an event in Dharamshala. Under this welfare initiative, the state government provides a 50% concession on bus fares to women passengers for travel within the state boundaries. This discount is applicable on all Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) ordinary buses. The scheme was introduced to empower women by reducing their commuting costs and enhancing their mobility for education, work, and other daily activities.

Explanation

The Paramhans Mandali was founded in 1840 in Bombay as a secret reform society aimed at the abolition of the caste system. Led by social reformers like Dadoba Pandurang and Ram Balkrishna Jayakar, the organization operated in secrecy to protect its members from the backlash of orthodox Hindu society. The group promoted the worship of one God and the idea that all humans are equal regardless of their social birth. At their meetings, members participated in communal meals prepared by lower-caste cooks to deliberately break the taboos of untouchability and caste-based dietary restrictions. By challenging the religious and social basis of the caste hierarchy, the Mandali played a crucial role in the early social awakening and reform movements in Western India.

Explanation

According to the Laws of Cricket and the standard ICC Test match playing conditions, the lunch interval is scheduled for a duration of 40 minutes. This break traditionally occurs after the first session of play, which typically lasts for two hours. The interval provides a necessary period for players and officials to rest and consume a meal before commencing the second session. While umpires have the authority to slightly adjust the timing of the break—such as delaying it if a ninth wicket falls close to the scheduled time or taking it early due to weather interruptions—the prescribed length of the interval itself remains 40 minutes.

Explanation

The Satyashodhak Samaj, or Truth Seekers Society, was founded by the social reformer Jyotirao Phule on September 24, 1873. The organization was established in Pune, which was a major administrative and cultural center within the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj. The primary objective of the society was to liberate the Shudra and Dalit communities from social and religious oppression by promoting education, rational thinking, and human rights. By basing its operations in the Bombay Presidency, the Samaj became a pivotal force for social change and caste reform in Western India.

Explanation

Vasudeva Kanva was the founder of the Kanva dynasty, which succeeded the Shunga dynasty in Magadha around 73 BCE. He served as the minister to the last Shunga king, Devabhuti, before orchestrating his assassination and seizing the throne. The Puranas mention that Vasudeva belonged to the Kanvayana family of Brahmins. His accession shifted power from the Shungas to the Kanvas, though the dynasty maintained a similar administrative and religious continuity in the heartland of the Magadha empire.

Explanation

Sedimentary rocks are formed through the accumulation and consolidation of mineral and organic sediments at or near the Earth's surface. These sediments are deposited in layers over long periods, often in aquatic environments or terrestrial basins. When plants, animals, or microorganisms die and are buried under these successive layers of silt, sand, or clay, they are protected from rapid decay and scavengers. Over millions of years, the weight of overlying materials compresses these sediments into rock, and the organic remains undergo mineralization to become fossils. The low-temperature and low-pressure conditions inherent in sedimentary rock formation are ideal for preserving the structural details of these ancient life forms within the rock strata.

Explanation

Plaster of Paris is chemically known as calcium sulphate hemihydrate. Its formula is represented as CaSO₄ · ½H₂O, indicating that half a molecule of water is associated with one formula unit of calcium sulphate. In practical chemical notation, this is expressed by showing two formula units of calcium sulphate sharing one molecule of water of crystallization, resulting in the formula 2CaSO₄ · H₂O. It is produced by heating gypsum, which is CaSO₄ · 2H₂O, to a temperature of 373 K (100°C). At this temperature, the gypsum loses three-fourths of its water of crystallization to form the hemihydrate.

Explanation

The Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) was established in 1988 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The institute serves as a premier center for conducting basic and strategic research on soil health, nutrient management, and soil-water-plant interactions. Its primary mandate is to enhance soil productivity through sustainable management practices while minimizing environmental degradation, acting as a hub for advanced scientific studies in soil chemistry, microbiology, and physics within the Indian agricultural framework.

Explanation

Sargassum is a genus of brown marine algae belonging to the class Phaeophyceae. It is primarily found in tropical and temperate oceans, often forming large floating masses in the open sea. It is recognized as one of the many species of marine algae, along with Porphyra and Laminaria, that are utilized as a food source. These algae are highly nutritious, providing a rich supply of minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. In many coastal regions, particularly in parts of East Asia, Sargassum is harvested and prepared for human consumption in various dishes such as soups and salads due to its beneficial dietary properties and mineral content.

Explanation

The Eighth Edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS-2023) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with the theme Waste to Wealth. This survey is designed to promote circularity in waste management by prioritizing the principles of reduce, recycle, and reuse. It aligns with the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, which aims to transform all cities into Garbage Free Cities. Circularity in waste management involves creating a closed-loop system where waste materials are processed and reintegrated into the economy as resources, thereby reducing the dependency on landfills and promoting sustainable urban sanitation practices.

Explanation

Rajasthan is the largest state in India by area, covering approximately 342,239 square kilometers, while Uttar Pradesh ranks fourth in geographic size. In terms of demographics, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the country according to the Census 2011 data, whereas Rajasthan ranks seventh in terms of population. Since Statement I incorrectly identifies Uttar Pradesh as the largest by area and Statement II incorrectly identifies Rajasthan as the most populous, both statements are factually wrong.

Explanation

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was one of the most celebrated Hindustani classical vocalists of the 20th century and is the preeminent representative of the Patiala Gharana. Born in Kasur, he was trained by his father Ali Baksh Khan and his uncle Kale Khan, who were foundational figures of this musical lineage. He is renowned for revolutionizing the Patiala style by integrating the discipline of khayal with the grace of thumri and folk music. His vocal technique featured exceptional breath control and the ability to execute complex, lightning-fast taans across three octaves with ease, which solidified the Patiala Gharana's reputation for technical brilliance and melodic richness in the world of Indian classical music.

Explanation

The Rolling Plan was introduced in India by the Janata Party government led by Morarji Desai. Following their victory in the 1977 general elections, the new government terminated the Fifth Five-Year Plan in March 1978, a year before its scheduled completion. In its place, they launched the Rolling Plan which was intended to cover the period 1978 to 1983. This system, conceptualized by economist Gunnar Myrdal, provided flexibility by allowing for the annual revision of targets and budgets based on the previous year's performance. However, when the Indian National Congress returned to power in 1980, they abandoned the Rolling Plan and initiated the Sixth Five-Year Plan, effectively limiting the duration of the Rolling Plan to the two-year period from 1978 to 1980.

Explanation

Resul Pookutty won the Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in the Long Form Documentary category for the film India's Daughter at the Motion Picture Sound Editors' (MPSE) 63rd annual awards ceremony held in Los Angeles in 2016. This achievement made him the first Asian to receive this prestigious recognition from the MPSE. India's Daughter, directed by Leslee Udwin, focuses on the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, and Pookutty's work on the documentary was lauded for its technical excellence and evocative sound design. Having previously won an Academy Award for Slumdog Millionaire, this victory further established his international standing in the field of cinematic sound engineering and editing.

Explanation

Padmaja Reddy is a renowned Kuchipudi dancer who made history as the first artist from the state of Telangana to be conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award after the state was formed in 2014. She received this prestigious national honor for the year 2015 in recognition of her significant contribution to Kuchipudi dance. A disciple of the eminent dancer Sobha Naidu, Padmaja Reddy is also credited with researching and reviving Kakatiyam, a classical dance form inspired by the sculptures and inscriptions of the Kakatiya dynasty. Her dedication to the performing arts was further recognized by the Government of India when she was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022.

Explanation

Ram Sahay Panday is a veteran folk dancer from the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2022 for his distinguished service in the field of Art. He is widely recognized for his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting the Rai dance, a traditional folk performance of his region. His unique contribution involved innovating the art form by performing the Rai dance to the rhythmic accompaniment of the Mridangam, which helped elevate the status of this heritage dance and brought it significant national and international recognition.

Explanation

Dr. Manik Saha was sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Tripura on May 15, 2022. He took over the office following the resignation of Biplab Kumar Deb. Before his appointment as Chief Minister, Saha was the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Tripura and a member of the Rajya Sabha. A dental surgeon by profession, he later secured his position in the state legislature by winning the by-election from the Town Bordowali assembly constituency in June 2022.

Explanation

Article 15 of the Constitution of India is a fundamental right that prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them. The inclusion of the word only signifies that while discrimination on these specific five grounds is strictly prohibited, the State may differentiate between citizens on other grounds, such as residence or merit, provided they are reasonable. This Article ensures social equality and serves as a cornerstone for protecting the dignity of individuals by preventing arbitrary exclusion from public spaces and services. It further empowers the State to make special provisions for women, children, and socially and educationally backward classes to promote substantive equality.

Explanation

A leg bye is a type of extra run awarded to the batting team when the ball deflects off the batsman's body or protective gear, other than the bat or the hand holding the bat. According to the Laws of Cricket, these runs are only credited if the batsman was either attempting to play a shot or trying to avoid being hit by the ball. Because a leg bye is a scoring mechanism used to increase the team's total, it does not constitute a method of dismissal and the batsman remains in the game.

Explanation

Vinegar is an aqueous solution consisting primarily of water and acetic acid, which has the chemical formula CH₃COOH. Also known as ethanoic acid, this organic compound is produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. In most commercially available vinegars, the acetic acid concentration typically ranges from 4% to 8% by volume. The presence of CH₃COOH is responsible for the characteristic pungent odor and sour taste associated with vinegar.

Explanation

Micronutrients are essential dietary elements required by the body in very small quantities, typically measured in milligrams or micrograms, to facilitate various physiological functions and maintain overall health. Iron is a fundamental component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Iodine is a critical constituent of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and neurological development. Zinc plays an essential role as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes, supporting immune function, protein synthesis, and wound healing. Because these minerals are vital for biological processes but needed in minute amounts compared to bulk dietary requirements, they are classified as micronutrients.

Explanation

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup was the 19th edition of the tournament and the first to be hosted by multiple nations. The hosting rights were awarded to the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. These three Asian countries jointly organized the event, with the group stages held across all three nations and the final phase taking place in Manila, Philippines. Argentina was not part of this collaborative hosting arrangement and therefore did not serve as a host for the 2023 edition of the tournament.

Explanation

Pyrenoids are specialized sub-cellular storage bodies found within the chloroplasts of most green algae belonging to the class Chlorophyceae. These organelles typically consist of a proteinaceous core surrounded by a starch sheath. They function as part of the carbon-concentrating mechanism by housing a high concentration of the enzyme RuBisCO, which is essential for carbon fixation during photosynthesis. In Chlorophyceae, these structures serve as the primary sites for starch synthesis and storage within the chloroplast.

Explanation

Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, reigned from 1526 to 1530. After defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, he established his rule over Delhi and Agra. His reign concluded upon his death in December 1530, after which he was succeeded by his eldest son, Humayun. During these four years, he solidified Mughal authority in Northern India through significant victories at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527 and the Battle of Ghagra in 1529.

Explanation

The Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, abolished the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right by deleting Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31 from Part III of the Constitution. This amendment was introduced to remove the legal hurdles in land reforms and the equitable distribution of wealth. Following this deletion, the Right to Property was transitioned into a legal right under a new Article 300A, placed in Part XII of the Constitution. This change means that while the right to hold property is still protected by the Constitution, it is no longer a Fundamental Right, and citizens cannot approach the Supreme Court directly under Article 32 for its enforcement.

Explanation

Neyveli is located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu and is the primary site for lignite mining in India. The region holds vast reserves of lignite, which are exploited by NLC India Limited, a Navratna government enterprise. These deposits are crucial for the country's energy security as the extracted lignite is used extensively in thermal power stations to generate electricity for the southern states. Neyveli's mines represent the largest brown coal deposits in the country, significantly contributing to India's total lignite production.

Explanation

The product method, also known as the value added method or output method, estimates GDP by summing the gross value of all goods and services produced by every individual firm and industry within the country's geographical boundaries during a specific period. To avoid the problem of double counting, this method focuses on the value added at each stage of production rather than the final sale price alone. The fundamental formula used is Value Added = Value of Output - Value of Intermediate Consumption. By aggregating the value added by all productive sectors—primary, secondary, and tertiary—this method provides the Gross Domestic Product at market prices, reflecting the total production contribution of all economic units in the economy.

Explanation

Kamalini Asthana and Nalini Asthana are renowned sisters and Kathak exponents who represent the Benaras Gharana of the classical dance form. In 2022, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri upon them in the field of Art for their lifelong dedication to performing, teaching, and promoting Kathak. Based in Agra, they have contributed significantly to the global recognition of Indian classical dance and are celebrated for maintaining the spiritual and traditional essence of their gharana.

Explanation

The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948 categorized industries into four groups to define the role of the State in industrial development. The first category consisted of industries that were the exclusive monopoly of the Central Government, which included arms and ammunition, atomic energy, and railway transport. Iron and steel, however, fell into the second category of basic and key industries. In this category, while the State was responsible for establishing all new undertakings, existing private sector units were permitted to continue their operations for a period of ten years, after which the government would review the situation for potential nationalization. Because private entities like Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) were allowed to remain in operation, iron and steel was not a monopoly of the Central Government under the 1948 resolution.

Explanation

The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883 during the viceroyalty of Lord Ripon by the Law Member of the Council, Sir Courtenay Ilbert. Its primary objective was to remove the racial discrimination existing in the judicial system of British India by allowing Indian magistrates and sessions judges to preside over the trials of European British subjects in mofussil (countryside) courts. Before this proposal, Indian judges could only try Europeans in presidency towns like Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. The bill sought to bring legal equality and administrative efficiency by granting senior Indian officials the same powers as their European counterparts, though it faced intense opposition from the European community, eventually leading to a compromised version in 1884.

Explanation

The Choliya dance is a traditional folk dance that originated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a martial art form that dates back over a thousand years, originally performed by the Rajput community during wedding processions. Historically, it represented the practice of marrying at the point of a sword. Performers carry swords and shields, enacting mock combat sequences with synchronized movements and jumps. The dance is accompanied by traditional musical instruments of the hills, such as the dhol, damau, ransingha, and turri, and is a significant cultural performance during religious festivals and social celebrations in the state.

Explanation

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification in July 2022 that officially prohibited the import of human embryos into India. This regulatory change was made to align the national import policy with the provisions of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Prior to this notification, the import of human embryos was categorized as restricted, meaning it could be permitted under specific licenses. The move to a total prohibition is intended to curb the commercialization of surrogacy and assisted reproductive services, ensuring that these technologies are used ethically and in accordance with the stringent legal framework established to protect the rights of donors and surrogate mothers. This policy ensures that no foreign human embryos are brought into the country for commercial reproductive purposes.