SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

In July 1968, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi officially recognized the breakthrough in Indian agriculture by releasing a special postage stamp titled Wheat Revolution. This event marked the formal acknowledgement of the success of the Green Revolution, particularly the massive increase in wheat production which rose from around 12 million tonnes to over 17 million tonnes in just a few years. The stamp commemorated the transition of India from a food-deficit nation to a state of emerging food security through the adoption of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, modern irrigation, and chemical fertilizers. It served as a tribute to the collaborative efforts of agricultural scientists, the government, and the farming community in achieving this rapid transformation.

Explanation

Ghiyasuddin Balban was the ninth Sultan of the Mamluk dynasty who ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1266 to 1287. Originally a slave of Iltutmish and a prominent member of the Chahalgani (The Forty), he served as the de facto ruler and Vizier during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud before officially ascending the throne. Balban is best known for his policy of blood and iron, which he employed to crush internal rebellions and defend the frontier against Mongol invasions. He significantly enhanced the prestige of the monarchy by claiming the divine right of kingship and introducing Persian court traditions like Sijda and Paibos. His administrative reforms included the reorganization of the military department (Diwan-i-Ariz) and the establishment of an extensive network of spies known as Barids to ensure loyalty throughout his empire.

Explanation

The Right to Property was originally included as a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31 of the Constitution. However, the 44th Amendment Act of 1978 removed it from the list of Fundamental Rights in Part III. It was subsequently reclassified as a legal or constitutional right and relocated to Article 300A in Part XII. Since this amendment, the state is still prohibited from depriving a person of their property except by authority of law, but the right no longer carries the same level of judicial protection or the status of a Fundamental Right.

Explanation

The Hope Express initiative was announced by the Maharashtra Health Minister, Rajesh Tope, in February 2022 to prevent and combat cancer in the state. The initiative was first launched at a private hospital in Kolhapur and is designed to provide advanced cancer treatment and diagnostic facilities to patients, especially those in rural areas. By employing high-end medical technology and specialized software, the program aims to facilitate early detection and more effective treatment protocols, thereby improving health outcomes and accessibility for cancer care across various districts of Maharashtra.

Explanation

Aparna Satheesan, a renowned Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer, was honored with the National Nritya Shiromani Award 2022 for her exceptional contribution to the field of classical dance. The award was presented to her during the 13th Cuttack Mahotsav, an international dance and music festival held in Odisha. An expert in the Kuchipudi dance form, she was recognized for her efforts in promoting and preserving Indian classical dance traditions on global platforms.

Explanation

Herbivores that feed on grass require a longer small intestine because plant matter contains cellulose, which is a complex carbohydrate that is difficult to digest. The breakdown of cellulose is a time-consuming process that often relies on the action of symbiotic bacteria within the digestive tract. A longer small intestine provides the necessary time and increased surface area for thorough fermentation and the subsequent absorption of nutrients. This anatomical adaptation ensures that the animal can efficiently extract energy from the fibrous and relatively low-nutrient density material found in grass.

Explanation

In badminton, the yellow card is issued by the umpire to signal a formal warning to a player or a pair for an initial instance of misconduct. Governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton, specifically under the section regarding continuous play, misbehavior, and penalties, the yellow card serves as a notice that the player has breached the rules. Misconduct can include actions such as intentionally delaying play, leaving the court without the umpire's permission, or displaying unsportsmanlike conduct. Once a yellow card is shown, it remains on the player's record for the duration of the match, and any further infringement will lead to more severe disciplinary actions.

Explanation

The National Archives of India was originally established as the Imperial Record Department in March 1891 in Calcutta. Following the decision to shift the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, the archives were also relocated. The current iconic building in New Delhi was designed by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and was completed in 1926. The transfer of records to this new facility was finalized during the 1920s, marking the period when the institution came up in its present prominent location at the intersection of Janpath and Rajpath.

Explanation

Personal Disposable Income (PDI) represents the actual amount of money available to households and individuals for spending on goods and services or for saving, after all mandatory government obligations have been met. It is calculated by taking the total Personal Income (PI) and subtracting both personal tax payments, such as income tax and property tax, and non-tax payments, which include various government fees, fines, and penalties. The mathematical relationship is expressed as PDI = PI - Personal Tax Payments - Non-tax Payments. This metric is a crucial indicator of the purchasing power and economic well-being of the private sector within an economy.

Explanation

The first population census in India was conducted in 1872 during the tenure of Lord Mayo, the then Viceroy of India. Although this initial attempt was non-synchronous and did not cover all territories of the country simultaneously, it is recognized as the starting point of systematic demographic data collection in India. This exercise laid the groundwork for the first complete and synchronous decennial census which later took place in 1881.

Explanation

The Kunbi dance is a traditional folk dance performed by the Kunbi community, who are considered the earliest settlers and original inhabitants of Goa. This dance is primarily performed by the women of the tribe during social and religious occasions, such as the Shigmo festival. The performance is characterized by its simplicity and grace, with dancers usually dressed in traditional chequered saris, often in shades of red and yellow, and simple jewelry. The movements are rhythmic and fast-paced, reflecting the community's connection to their agricultural heritage and social bonding.

Explanation

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean, which includes the Philippines, Japan, and China, tropical cyclones are referred to as typhoons. The Philippines is highly susceptible to these intense weather systems because it is situated along the typhoon belt, where warm ocean waters provide the energy necessary for their development. These storms are characterized by low atmospheric pressure, strong winds, and heavy precipitation. In the Philippines, the national weather bureau PAGASA monitors these systems and assigns local names to those that enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Explanation

The Battle of Chausa was fought on June 26, 1539, between the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the Afghan leader Sher Khan. Sher Khan employed superior military tactics and launched a surprise night attack on the Mughal camp situated at the confluence of the Karmanasa and Ganges rivers. The Mughal army was caught unprepared and suffered heavy casualties, leading to a decisive victory for the Afghan forces. Humayun narrowly escaped drowning in the Ganges and was saved by a water-carrier. Following this victory, Sher Khan assumed the royal title of Sher Shah and consolidated his control over the regions of Bengal and Bihar, eventually displacing the Mughal dynasty for fifteen years.

Explanation

The Seema Darshan Project is a major border tourism initiative located at Nadabet in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. Inaugurated in April 2022, the project was developed to provide citizens with an opportunity to witness the life and valor of the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the Indo-Pakistan international border. The site features a border viewing point, a weapons display, a museum, and a parade ground for Beating Retreat ceremonies, designed to foster patriotism and boost the local economy through increased tourism in the state.

Explanation

Surat became the first city in India to feature a road built using 100 percent processed steel slag, an industrial waste byproduct from steel plants. This 1.2-kilometer long, six-lane stretch in the Hazira industrial area was developed as a pilot project by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. The initiative is part of the Waste to Wealth and Circular Economy mission, aimed at utilizing industrial waste for sustainable infrastructure. Steel slag roads are known for their enhanced durability, as they can withstand heavy vehicle loads and are more resistant to seasonal wear and tear compared to conventional roads made from natural aggregates.

Explanation

The first Commonwealth Games, known then as the British Empire Games, were held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in August 1930. The event was the brainchild of Melville Marks Robinson, a Canadian sports administrator who aimed to create a friendly sporting competition for the nations of the British Empire. Eleven countries sent a total of 400 athletes to participate in 59 events across six sports. Canada’s role as the inaugural host set the foundation for the quadrennial competition that continues to promote international sportsmanship among Commonwealth nations.

Explanation

The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's lithosphere is broken into seven major plates and several minor ones. According to standard geological classifications, these seven major plates are the Antarctic Plate, North American Plate, South American Plate, Pacific Plate, India-Australia-New Zealand Plate, African Plate, and the Eurasian Plate. These plates are massive, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock that encompass both continental and oceanic lithosphere. They float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere, and their relative movements at boundaries are responsible for most of the Earth's seismic and volcanic activity.

Explanation

During sudden or strenuous physical activity, the muscles require a large amount of energy quickly. If the oxygen supply to the muscle cells is insufficient to support aerobic respiration, the cells switch to anaerobic respiration to meet the energy demand. In this anaerobic pathway, glucose is partially broken down to produce energy, resulting in the formation of lactic acid (C₃H₆O₃) as a byproduct. The accumulation and build-up of lactic acid in the muscle fibers lead to muscle fatigue and painful involuntary contractions known as cramps. These cramps persist until the lactic acid is eventually broken down or transported away once adequate oxygen levels are restored.

Explanation

Sodium (Na) is an alkali metal belonging to Group 1 of the periodic table, characterized by having a single electron in its outermost s-orbital. Copper (Cu) is a transition metal located in the d-block (Group 11), known for having metallic properties and the ability to form stable ions with incomplete d-subshells. Magnesium (Mg) belongs to Group 2, which consists of the alkaline earth metals that have two valence electrons. Helium (He) is a noble gas situated in Group 18, historically referred to as the zero group because these elements were once thought to have zero valency due to their chemical inertness and completely filled valence shells.

Explanation

The Kirana Gharana, frequently spelled as Korana in various historical and examination records, was founded by the cousins Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan. The gharana derives its name from the small town of Kirana (modern-day Kairana) in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, which was the birthplace of Abdul Karim Khan. This school of music is renowned for its intense focus on perfect intonation and the emotional resonance of individual notes, prioritizing melody and slow, expressive development (alapchari) over complex rhythmic patterns. Abdul Karim Khan played a significant role in bringing this style to the masses, particularly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, establishing it as one of the most prominent lineages in Hindustani classical vocal music.

Explanation

Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam is credited with creating the Bharatanrithyam style, which she developed after extensive research into the Natya Shastra and the temple sculptures of India. Recognizing that the traditional Sadir had lost many of the ancient movements described by Sage Bharata, she reconstructed the 108 Karanas, which are the fundamental units of dance mentioned in ancient texts. By integrating these reconstructed Karanas with the existing framework of Bharatanatyam, she evolved a distinct pedagogical and performance style that bridges the gap between contemporary dance and classical Sanskrit dramaturgy. Her work transformed the dance form into a more fluid and holistic system, earning her the reputation of an innovator who successfully revived the theoretical depth of ancient Indian performance arts within a modern context.

Explanation

Puhar, also known as Kaveripattinam or Poompuhar, served as the primary port and a significant coastal capital for the Early Chola dynasty. Situated at the mouth of the Kaveri River on the Coromandel Coast, it was a flourishing center of maritime trade during the Sangam period. Historical texts and Sangam literature, such as the Silappadikaram and Pattinappalai, provide detailed accounts of the city's wealth, its cosmopolitan nature, and the extensive overseas trade conducted there. The port played a crucial role in connecting the Chola kingdom with various regions across the Indian Ocean, including Southeast Asia and the Roman Empire. King Karikala Chola is particularly credited with the development and prosperity of this port city.

Explanation

The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) is India's premier institute for dairy research and is located in Karnal, Haryana. It was originally established as the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in Bangalore in 1923 and was later shifted to its current headquarters in Karnal in 1955. The institute operates under the administrative control of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and was accorded the status of a Deemed University in 1989. It plays a pivotal role in the development of dairy farming and milk processing technologies in India, contributing significantly to the success of the White Revolution.

Explanation

D. Imman was conferred with the National Film Award for Best Music Direction (Songs) at the 67th National Film Awards for his work in the Tamil film Viswasam. The ceremony, held to honor excellence in films released in 2019, recognized Imman for his melodic and soul-stirring compositions. His work on the soundtrack, particularly the highly popular track Kannaana Kanney, received widespread critical acclaim and resonated deeply with audiences, marking a significant milestone in his career as a leading composer in the South Indian film industry.

Explanation

Narrow money refers to the categories of the money supply that include the most liquid assets, which can be immediately used for transactions or as a medium of exchange. In the monetary aggregates defined by the Reserve Bank of India, M1 and M2 are classified as narrow money because of their high liquidity. M1 consists of currency in circulation with the public, demand deposits with the banking system, and other deposits held with the RBI. M2 expands upon M1 by including savings deposits with post office savings banks. These measures are distinguished from broad money, such as M3 and M4, which incorporate less liquid assets like time deposits that cannot be withdrawn or used for payments as instantaneously as the components of narrow money.

Explanation

Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta I and Queen Kumaradevi, who was a princess of the Lichchhavi clan. The Lichchhavis were an influential and ancient gana-sangha based in Vaishali. This matrimonial alliance was a significant factor in the political rise and legitimacy of the Gupta dynasty. The importance of this lineage is highlighted in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, or Prayag Prashasti, where Samudragupta is proudly referred to as Lichchhavi-dauhitra, which means the grandson of the Lichchhavis. Additionally, the Gupta royal mint issued specific gold coins known as the Chandragupta-Kumaradevi type, which depicted both the king and the queen and featured the name of the Lichchhavi clan to commemorate the union.

Explanation

Padma Subrahmanyam is a preeminent Bharatanatyam dancer, researcher, and scholar who has significantly influenced the classical dance landscape of India. She is particularly renowned for her research into the Natya Shastra and the 108 Karanas—ancient dance movements depicted in temple sculptures. By integrating these historical movements back into the classical repertoire, she developed a distinctive style known as Bharata Nrityam. Her contributions to the preservation and evolution of the art form have earned her several prestigious accolades, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Through her choreography and teaching, she has bridged the gap between ancient theory and contemporary performance within the Bharatanatyam tradition.

Explanation

The Earth's crust is the outermost solid shell of the planet, varying in thickness from about 5 km in the ocean basins to about 70 km in mountain ranges. Despite its physical presence, it is numerically the smallest component of the Earth's internal structure by mass. Geophysical data indicates that the crust makes up approximately 0.4% to 0.7% of the Earth's total mass, which is conventionally summarized as being less than 1%. In contrast, the mantle occupies about 84% of Earth's volume and 67% of its mass, while the core makes up the remainder. The crust's low mass contribution is due to its relatively small volume and its composition of lighter elements like silicon, aluminum, and oxygen compared to the dense metallic core.

Explanation

Article 131 of the Constitution of India grants the Supreme Court exclusive Original Jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes involving the federal distribution of powers. This jurisdiction ensures that the Supreme Court is the sole forum for resolving legal conflicts between the Government of India and one or more States, or between two or more States. It is termed original because the aggrieved party can approach the Supreme Court directly in the first instance, rather than through an appeal from a lower court. This function is vital for maintaining the federal balance and ensuring that disputes between different levels of government are settled by the highest judicial authority in the country.

Explanation

Meristematic tissue consists of actively dividing cells located in the growing regions of plants. These cells have a very high metabolic rate and are constantly undergoing mitosis. Vacuoles are typically absent or very small in meristematic cells because their primary functions, such as nutrient storage, waste management, and maintaining cell turgidity, are not required for cells whose sole purpose is rapid division. The presence of large vacuoles would occupy significant space and physically interfere with the movement of the nucleus and the dense cytoplasm during the cell division process. Consequently, the cellular architecture of meristems is optimized for growth and division rather than storage or structural support.

Explanation

The asthenosphere is the highly viscous, mechanically weak, and ductile region of the upper mantle of the Earth. It lies immediately below the lithosphere, extending to a depth of approximately 400 km. The term is derived from the Greek word asthenes, meaning weak, which characterizes the plastic or semi-fluid state of the rocks in this zone. This property allows the lithospheric plates to move over it, facilitating plate tectonics. The asthenosphere is also the primary source of magma that rises to the Earth's surface during volcanic eruptions due to its partially molten state.

Explanation

Guru Purnima is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha, which typically falls between June and July in the Gregorian calendar. This day is dedicated to honoring spiritual and academic teachers and marks the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, the sage who classified the Vedas and authored the Mahabharata. For Buddhists, the festival commemorates the day Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. In Jainism, it is celebrated to pay respect to Mahavira and his first disciple, Indrabhuti Gautama. The festival marks the beginning of Chaturmas, a four-month period during which monks and devotees traditionally remain in one place for spiritual study and meditation.

Explanation

The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body mandated by Article 263 of the Constitution of India to strengthen cooperative federalism by investigating and discussing subjects of common interest between the Union and the States. It was established in 1990 based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission. According to the Presidential Order that governs its structure, the Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Council. When the council was reconstituted in May 2022, it remained under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, consisting of the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, and six Union Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Chairman as members.

Explanation

Solung is the most popular agricultural festival of the Adi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, celebrated to mark the beginning of the sowing season and to pray for a prosperous harvest. Falling typically in the month of September, the festival involves several days of rituals, including the ceremonial sacrifice of the Mithun (a semi-domesticated bovine) and the performance of the Ponung dance by local women. The festivities are dedicated to Kine Nane, the goddess of crops and prosperity, seeking her protection against pests and natural calamities to ensure the well-being of the community and their livestock.

Explanation

The Rangarajan Committee, constituted by the Planning Commission in 2012 to review the methodology for poverty estimation, provided revised figures for the year 2011-12. According to the report submitted by this committee in 2014, the poverty ratio in urban India was calculated at 26.4 percent. This estimation was based on a poverty line defined by a monthly per capita consumption expenditure of Rs. 1,407 for urban areas and Rs. 972 for rural areas. The Rangarajan methodology expanded the poverty line basket to include essential non-food expenses like education, clothing, and house rent along with calorie-based food requirements, leading to higher poverty percentages compared to the previous Tendulkar Committee estimates.

Explanation

The 2018 FIFA Men's World Cup was the 21st edition of the international football tournament and was hosted by Russia. The event took place from 14 June to 15 July 2018, marking the first time the World Cup was held in Eastern Europe. Matches were staged across 11 host cities and 12 stadiums, with the final match held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. France won the tournament by defeating Croatia in the final, while the host nation reached the quarter-finals.

Explanation

James Mill, a Scottish economist and political philosopher, published his monumental three-volume work, A History of British India, in 1817. In this work, Mill divided Indian history into three distinct periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British. This classification significantly influenced the colonial administration's understanding of Indian society and governance. Mill argued that Indian civilization was at a lower level than Europe and required British intervention for progress and modernization. The book became a standard reference for East India Company officials and played a crucial role in shaping the ideological framework of British rule in the Indian subcontinent during the 19th century.

Explanation

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup 2022 was hosted in Suhl, Germany, between May 9 and May 20, 2022. This major international shooting competition for junior athletes featured various events in rifle, pistol, and shotgun categories. India delivered an exceptional performance during this edition, finishing at the top of the overall medal tally with a total of 33 medals, comprising 13 gold, 15 silver, and 5 bronze medals. Suhl is well-regarded in the shooting community as a premier location for hosting junior-level world championships due to its specialized infrastructure for the sport.

Explanation

The first session of the Indian National Congress took place from December 28 to December 31, 1885, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. This foundational meeting was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee and saw the participation of 72 delegates from across various provinces of India. The initiative for the gathering was largely driven by retired British officer Allan Octavian Hume to provide a political platform for educated Indians. These 72 representatives were primarily composed of lawyers, journalists, and scholars who gathered to discuss administrative reforms and greater Indian representation in the governance of the country.

Explanation

The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956, often regarded as the economic constitution of India, aimed to achieve a socialistic pattern of society through rapid industrialization. By categorizing industries into three schedules and giving the state a leading role, the policy facilitated the establishment of heavy and basic industries such as iron and steel, heavy engineering, and chemicals. This strategic shift moved the Indian industrial base away from its narrow colonial-era concentration in textiles and jute. Through massive public sector investment and the regulation of private enterprises via licensing, the policy fostered the growth of a wide range of new industrial sectors, leading to a significantly more diversified industrial structure by the end of the 1980s.

Explanation

The Hindustan Republican Association, which later evolved into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, was the revolutionary organization responsible for the assassination of John Saunders. This act was carried out by prominent members including Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru in Lahore. The primary motive behind the assassination was to avenge the death of the veteran nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai, who had died due to injuries sustained during a brutal police lathi charge while protesting against the Simon Commission. The revolutionaries had initially targeted James A. Scott, the officer who ordered the lathi charge, but assassinated Saunders in a case of mistaken identity. This event marked a significant escalation in the militant phase of the Indian independence movement, highlighting the resolve of the youth to challenge British colonial authority through direct action.

Explanation

The Earth's atmosphere is composed of a mixture of different gases in specific proportions. Nitrogen is the most abundant gas, making up approximately 78% of the total volume of dry air. Oxygen, the second most prevalent gas and vital for aerobic respiration, accounts for about 21%. The remaining 1% consists of argon at roughly 0.93% and trace amounts of other gases. Carbon dioxide, a significant greenhouse gas, is traditionally cited in general science contexts as approximately 0.03%, although contemporary measurements show it has increased slightly beyond 0.04% due to human activities. Together, these primary components maintain the atmospheric pressure and chemical balance necessary for life on the planet.

Explanation

The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, was introduced to provide a regulatory framework for Indias activities in Antarctica and to implement the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The Bill prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste in the region to ensure it remains a zone for peaceful and scientific research. It also forbids the introduction of non-sterile soil and non-native species to prevent the risk of biological contamination of the pristine ecosystem. Additionally, the legislation strictly bans the discharge of garbage, chemicals, plastic, or any other pollutants into the Antarctic environment or its surrounding marine areas to minimize human impact on the delicate habitat.

Explanation

Markovnikov's rule is an empirical principle used to predict the regioselectivity of electrophilic addition reactions involving unsymmetrical alkenes and alkynes. It states that during the addition of a protic acid HX to an alkene, the hydrogen atom (H) attaches to the carbon atom with the greater number of hydrogen substituents, while the halide or acid group (X) attaches to the carbon atom with fewer hydrogen atoms. This behavior is explained by the formation of the most stable carbocation intermediate during the reaction process; the electrophile adds to the less substituted carbon to produce a more stable secondary or tertiary carbocation rather than a less stable primary one.

Explanation

Maize is a versatile cereal crop that thrives in moderate climatic conditions rather than extreme tropical heat and heavy precipitation. It ideally requires a temperature range between 21°C and 27°C and an annual rainfall of approximately 50 cm to 100 cm. Because maize is highly susceptible to waterlogging, excessive rainfall can be detrimental to its growth. It is cultivated across diverse geographical regions, including temperate and sub-tropical zones, owing to its ability to grow in varied soil types and its relatively lower requirement for constant high humidity and intense heat.

Explanation

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched India's first Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in Odisha in May 2022. This pilot project was developed in collaboration with the Government of Odisha's Department of School and Mass Education and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation. The initiative initially targeted school children in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, aiming to integrate the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect into the state's school curriculum. By utilizing sport-based activities, the programme seeks to promote physical health, mental well-being, and character building among the youth, making Odisha the pioneer state in India to adopt this global educational framework.

Explanation

Article 51A of the Constitution of India outlines the Fundamental Duties of its citizens, which were introduced by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976 based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. Clause (a) of Article 51A states that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem. This provision emphasizes the supremacy of the constitutional framework and requires citizens to uphold the values and organizational structures established by the founding document of the nation.

Explanation

Manas Biosphere Reserve is situated in the state of Assam, located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. It was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1989 and is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Project Tiger Reserve. The reserve spans across the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri, and Darrang. It is named after the Manas River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River that flows through the park. The area is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife, such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, and pygmy hog, and it forms a contiguous forest ecosystem with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.

Explanation

Sakewa is a significant religious festival celebrated by the Kirat Khambu Rai community in Sikkim. It is primarily a nature-worshipping festival where prayers are offered to Mother Earth, which is why it is commonly referred to as Bhoomi Puja. The festival is also known as Chandi Puja. It marks the beginning of the agricultural cycle, during which devotees pray for a bountiful harvest, protection from natural calamities, and the well-being of all living beings. The rituals involve the performance of the Sakewa Sili, a traditional dance that mimics the movements of animals and birds, reflecting the community's deep connection with nature and the environment.

Explanation

The Union Budget for the financial year 2021-22 was the first ever paperless budget in the history of independent India. Presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2021, this transition to a digital format was primarily driven by the constraints and safety protocols necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Breaking the long-standing tradition of carrying printed documents in a briefcase or a Bahi Khata, the Finance Minister read the budget speech from a digital tablet. To facilitate easy access to the budget documents for Members of Parliament and the general public, the government launched the Union Budget Mobile App, which contained all the statutory documents including the Annual Financial Statement and the Demand for Grants.