SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Tenth Session of the Constituent Assembly of India took place from 6 October to 17 October 1949. This specific session was part of the final stages of the drafting process, where the assembly focused on the second reading of various articles and clauses of the draft Constitution. The Constituent Assembly held a total of eleven formal sessions between December 1946 and November 1949 to complete the monumental task of framing the Indian Constitution. The Tenth Session was crucial for refining the legal language and incorporating necessary amendments before the final adoption of the document in the subsequent eleventh session.

Explanation

Varahamihira was a 6th-century scholar from Ujjain who made fundamental contributions to ancient Indian astronomy and mathematics. His seminal work, the Panchasiddhantika, is a mathematical treatise that synthesizes five distinct astronomical systems used in early India. Beyond astronomy, he authored the Brihat Samhita, an extensive encyclopedia covering planetary motions and natural phenomena. In mathematics, he is credited with discovering important trigonometric formulas and early versions of combinatorial methods, including what is now known as Pascal's triangle. His integration of Greek, Roman, and indigenous Indian astronomical knowledge significantly advanced the precision of celestial observations and calendrical calculations during the Gupta period.

Explanation

Beryllium exhibits anomalous behavior compared to other alkaline earth metals due to its exceptionally small atomic size and high ionization enthalpy. According to Fajan's rules, the small size and high charge density of the Be²⁺ ion result in a high polarizing power. This enables Beryllium to strongly polarize the electron cloud of neighboring anions, leading to a high degree of covalent character in its bonds. Consequently, most Beryllium compounds, such as BeCl₂ and BeH₂, are predominantly covalent rather than ionic.

Explanation

The Ken River is a major tributary of the Yamuna and a primary waterway of the Bundelkhand region. It originates in the Kaimur Range in the Katni district of Madhya Pradesh. The river flows in a northward direction, passing through the Panna National Park, where it forms deep gorges and scenic waterfalls like the Raneh Falls. After traveling through Madhya Pradesh, the river enters the state of Uttar Pradesh. It continues its course through the Banda district and eventually joins the Yamuna River at Chilla village. The river plays a crucial role in the Ken-Betwa Link Project, which aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken basin to the Betwa basin to provide irrigation to the water-stressed Bundelkhand region across these two states.

Explanation

Khudiram Bose, one of the youngest revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement, was executed in Muzaffarpur Jail on August 11, 1908. He was convicted for his role in the Muzaffarpur conspiracy case, where he and Prafulla Chaki attempted to assassinate the British District Judge Douglas Kingsford. Although the assassination attempt on April 30, 1908, resulted in the accidental deaths of the wife and daughter of Pringle Kennedy, Bose was apprehended at Waini railway station and subsequently sentenced to death by the court in Muzaffarpur. The jail where he was hanged has since been renamed the Khudiram Bose Memorial Central Jail in his honor.

Explanation

The Union Budget 2021-22 proposed to enhance the corpus of the Contingency Fund of India from ₹500 crores to ₹30,000 crores through the Finance Bill, 2021. This fund is established under Article 267(1) of the Constitution of India and is placed at the disposal of the President to enable advances for meeting unforeseen expenditure pending authorization by Parliament. The substantial increase was necessitated to ensure that the government has sufficient immediate resources to manage exigencies, such as those witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, without being constrained by the previous much smaller limit. This change was effected by amending the Contingency Fund of India Act, 1950, which had maintained the corpus at ₹500 crores since its last revision in 2005.

Explanation

The Hirakud Dam is a multi-purpose river valley project constructed across the Mahanadi River, located about 15 kilometers from the city of Sambalpur in Odisha. Formally inaugurated in 1957, it was one of the first major multi-purpose projects started after India's independence. It is globally recognized as one of the longest earthen dams in the world, with the main section stretching approximately 4.8 kilometers and the total length, including the dykes, reaching over 25 kilometers. The reservoir created by the dam provides essential services for the state, including flood control in the Mahanadi delta, irrigation for over 75,000 square kilometers of land, and the generation of hydroelectric power.

Explanation

Acidic drain cleaners are primarily formulated using concentrated sulfuric acid H₂SO₄ or hydrochloric acid HCl due to their extreme corrosive properties and ability to rapidly break down organic obstructions. Sulfuric acid is a potent dehydrating agent that chemically removes water from organic matter such as hair, paper, and food residues, leading to their carbonization and dissolution. Hydrochloric acid is highly effective at dissolving mineral deposits and soap scum through chemical hydrolysis and neutralization. Because these mineral acids are significantly stronger than organic acids, they generate sufficient heat and chemical energy to liquefy grease and disintegrate tough clogs in approximately 15 minutes or less, making them the standard ingredients for heavy-duty chemical plumbing maintenance.

Explanation

Acceleration is defined as the rate at which an object changes its velocity over time. Mathematically, it is expressed as a = (Δ v)/(Δ t) or, in calculus terms, the first derivative of velocity with respect to time, a = (dv)/(dt). Because velocity is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude (speed) and direction, acceleration occurs whenever there is a change in the speed of the object, a change in its direction of motion, or both. The standard international unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).

Explanation

Phool Dei is a prominent folk festival celebrated in the state of Uttarakhand, particularly in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions. It marks the onset of the spring season and the Hindu New Year, falling on the first day of the month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar. During this festival, young girls known as Phoolyari visit houses in their neighborhood carrying plates filled with local flowers, rice, and jaggery. They place these flowers on the doorsteps of homes as a symbol of prosperity and well-being while singing traditional folk songs. In return, the homeowners provide them with gifts, sweets, and money. This festival reflects the community's deep-rooted connection with nature and celebrates the blooming of the local flora.

Explanation

Pallavi Joshi was conferred with the Best Supporting Actress award at the 67th National Film Awards, which were announced in March 2021. She received this honor for her performance in the film The Tashkent Files, where she played the role of Aiysha Ali Shah. The awards, organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, recognized excellence in Indian cinema for the year 2019. This win marked a significant achievement in her career, highlighting her contribution to the critically acclaimed political thriller.

Explanation

The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, was enacted to overcome judicial decisions that struck down land reform and zamindari abolition laws on the grounds of violating fundamental rights. This amendment introduced significant changes to Article 19, particularly expanding the scope of reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to practice any profession. Crucially, it inserted Article 31A and Article 31B into the Constitution. Article 31A was designed to protect laws providing for the acquisition of estates or the extinguishment of rights therein from being challenged as a violation of Articles 14 and 19. Article 31B created the Ninth Schedule, which served as a protective umbrella for specific State and Central Acts listed within it, shielding them from judicial review and ensuring the legal stability of agrarian reforms across India.

Explanation

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifies drinking water quality standards in the document IS 10500: 2012. According to these regulations, turbidity is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). The standards define two sets of limits for various parameters. The Acceptable Limit for turbidity is set at 1 NTU. However, the Permissible Limit in the absence of an alternate source, which represents the maximum concentration or level allowed when no better source of water is available, is 5 NTU. Because the question specifically asks for the maximum permissible limit, the value is 5 NTU. High turbidity in water is undesirable as it interferes with disinfection processes and can protect microorganisms from chlorine or ultraviolet light.

Explanation

The distance D between the two towns is constant and is calculated using the formula D = Speed × Time. Substituting the given values, D = 50 km/h × 7 hours = 350 km. To save 2 hours of travelling time, the new time Tₙₑ_w becomes 7 - 2 = 5 hours. The required speed Sₙₑ_w to cover the same distance in this reduced time is calculated as Sₙₑ_w = D / Tₙₑ_w = 350 / 5 = 70 km/h. The required increase in speed is the difference between the new speed and the original speed, which is 70 - 50 = 20 km/h.

Explanation

The extra amount of ₹2,480 that the person would have to pay if no discount were given represents the actual value of the 31% discount on the printed price. Therefore, we can equate 31% of the printed price to ₹2,480.

1% of Printed Price = ²⁴⁸⁰⁄₃₁ = 80

The person bought the book at a 31% discount, which implies the amount paid is 69% of the printed price (100% - 31% = 69%). To find the total amount paid, multiply the 1% value by 69:

Amount Paid = 69 × 80 = 5520

Explanation

In △ ABD, the sum of internal angles is 180°, which gives ∠ ABD = 180° - (∠ DAB + ∠ ADB) = 180° - (100° + 35°) = 45°. In a cyclic quadrilateral, the sum of opposite angles is 180°. The angle ∠ ADC is the sum of its constituent parts, ∠ ADB and ∠ CDB, which is 35° + 40° = 75°. Because ∠ ABC and ∠ ADC are opposite angles in the circumscribed circle, ∠ ABC = 180° - ∠ ADC = 180° - 75° = 105°. Since ∠ ABC is the sum of ∠ ABD and ∠ DBC, the measure of the required angle is ∠ DBC = ∠ ABC - ∠ ABD = 105° - 45° = 60°.

Explanation

In any triangle ABC, the incenter (I) is the intersection point of the internal angle bisectors. The measure of the angle formed at the incenter by two vertices, such as ∠ BIC, is determined by the formula ∠ BIC = 90° + (∠ A)/(2). This formula is derived from the angle sum property of triangle BIC, where ∠ BIC + (∠ B)/(2) + (∠ C)/(2) = 180°. Since (∠ B + ∠ C)/(2) = (180° - ∠ A)/(2) = 90° - (∠ A)/(2), substituting this into the equation yields ∠ BIC = 180° - (90° - (∠ A)/(2)) = 90° + (∠ A)/(2). Given ∠ A = 68°, the calculation is 90° + (68°)/(2) = 90° + 34° = 124°.

Explanation

In △ PQR, since A is the midpoint of side PQ, the length of segment AQ is PQ / 2 = 16 / 2 = 8 cm. Because B is the midpoint of the hypotenuse PR, the length of segment BR is PR / 2 = 34 / 2 = 17 cm.

According to the Mid-Point Theorem, the segment joining the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and is half its length. Here, AB joins the midpoints of PQ and PR, so AB = QR / 2 = 30 / 2 = 15 cm. The base QR is given as 30 cm.

The perimeter of the trapezium ABRQ is the sum of the lengths of its four sides: AQ + QR + BR + AB. Substituting the calculated values, the perimeter is 8 + 30 + 17 + 15 = 70 cm.

Explanation

The amount formula for compound interest is A = P(1 + r/100)ⁿ. Let the shares of A and B be P_A and P_B respectively. The condition states that the amount A receives after 8 years equals the amount B receives after 10 years at a 10% annual interest rate:

P_A (1 + 10/100)⁸ = P_B (1 + 10/100)¹⁰

Dividing both sides by (1.1)⁸ simplifies the relation to:

P_A = P_B (1.1)¹⁰⁻⁸ P_A = P_B (1.1)² P_A = 1.21 P_B P_A / P_B = 121 / 100

The ratio of their shares is P_A : P_B = 121 : 100. The sum of the ratio parts is 121 + 100 = 221. Given the total amount to be divided is ₹66,300, we calculate the value of one ratio unit:

Value per unit = 66,300 / 221 = 300

A's share = 121 × 300 = 36,300 B's share = 100 × 300 = 30,000

Explanation

In the right-angled triangle formed by the wall, the ground, and the ladder, the ladder represents the hypotenuse with a length of 3.5 m. The angle given is 60° between the ladder and the wall, making the height of the wall the adjacent side to this angle.

Using the trigonometric ratio for cosine: cos(θ) = (Adjacent)/(Hypotenuse) cos(60°) = (Height of the wall)/(3.5)

Since cos(60°) = 0.5, we substitute this value into the equation: Height of the wall = 3.5 × 0.5 Height of the wall = 1.75 m

Explanation

Let the value of D be 100. Based on the relationships given in the question: C = D × 1.20 = 100 × 1.20 = 120 B = C × 0.60 = 120 × 0.60 = 72 A = B × 1.25 = 72 × 1.25 = 90

The percentage by which A is less than D is calculated using the formula (D - A)/(D) × 100. Substituting the values: Percentage less = (100 - 90)/(100) × 100 = 10%

Alternatively, using successive multipliers, the relationship between A and D can be expressed as: A = D × 1.20 × 0.60 × 1.25 A = D × (1.20 × 0.75) = D × 0.90 Since A = 0.90D, it is 0.10 or 10% less than D.

Explanation

Let the original selling price be S and the cost price be C. The problem states that if the article is sold at 70% of its original selling price, there is a loss of 10%. This can be expressed as:

0.7S = 0.9C

By rearranging the terms, we find the relationship between the original selling price and the cost price:

S = (0.9)/(0.7)C = ⁹⁄₇C

The profit percentage when the article is sold at the original selling price S is determined by the formula:

Profit % = (S - C)/(C) × 100

Substituting S = ⁹⁄₇C into the equation:

Profit % = (9)/(7)C - C{C} × 100 = (2)/(7)C{C} × 100 = ²⁰⁰⁄₇%

Explanation

The body diagonal of a cube with side length a is given by the formula d = a√3. According to the problem, the length of the body diagonal is 8√3 cm. Equating these two values gives a√3 = 8√3. Dividing both sides by √3, we find that the side length a = 8 cm. The volume of a cube is determined by the formula V = a³. Substituting the side length into this formula, we calculate the volume as V = 8³, which is 8 × 8 × 8 = 512 cm³.

Explanation

Let the total work be the LCM of 12 and 18, which is 36 units. The efficiency of A is 36 / 12 = 3 units per day, and the efficiency of B is 36 / 18 = 2 units per day.

In the first 4 days, A and B work together and complete 4 × (3 + 2) = 20 units. The remaining work is 36 - 20 = 16 units. This remaining work is completed by A and C in 4 days, meaning their combined efficiency is 16 / 4 = 4 units per day. Since A's efficiency is 3 units per day, the efficiency of C is 4 - 3 = 1 unit per day.

To complete 50% of the total work, C needs to finish 36 × 0.5 = 18 units. At an efficiency of 1 unit per day, the time taken by C alone is 18 / 1 = 18 days.

Explanation

Since PQ is the diameter of the circle, the angle subtended by it at the circumference is a right angle. Therefore, ∠ PRQ = 90°. In triangle PRQ, the sum of all interior angles is 180°. Given that ∠ RPQ = 23°, we calculate the third angle ∠ PQR = 180° - (∠ PRQ + ∠ RPQ) = 180° - (90° + 23°) = 67°.

In a cyclic quadrilateral, the sum of opposite angles is always 180°. Since PQRS is a cyclic quadrilateral, ∠ PQR and ∠ PSR are opposite angles. Thus, ∠ PSR = 180° - ∠ PQR = 180° - 67° = 113°.

Explanation

First, simplify the terms in the given equation. The term √(75) is equivalent to √(25 × 3) = 5√3. Substituting this back into the original expression gives 5√3 + 5√3 = 10√3 = 17.32. From this, we find that √3 = 1.732.

Next, simplify the expression to be evaluated. The term √(108) is equivalent to √(36 × 3) = 6√3. Therefore, the expression 14√3 + √(108) can be rewritten as 14√3 + 6√3 = 20√3.

By comparing the two expressions, we see that 20√3 is exactly double the value of 10√3. Calculation of the final value yields 2 × 17.32 = 34.64. Alternatively, substituting the value of √3 directly gives 20 × 1.732 = 34.64.

Explanation

Sri Akal Takht Sahib is situated within the Harmandir Sahib complex, commonly known as the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. It was founded by Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, in 1606 as a seat of temporal authority. The structure stands directly opposite the Darshani Deori, the gateway to the main shrine. It represents the concept of Miri, or temporal power, complementing the Piri, or spiritual power, represented by the Harmandir Sahib. As the highest of the five Takhts, it is the primary center from which social and political directions are issued to the Sikh Panth.

Explanation

Deepti Sharma set the record for the highest individual score by an Indian woman in One Day Internationals when she scored 188 runs against Ireland in May 2017. This innings surpassed the previous Indian record of 138 not out and remains one of the highest individual scores in the history of women's cricket globally. Additionally, she holds the unique distinction of being the only Indian spinner to take six wickets in a Women's ODI innings, a feat she achieved by taking 6 for 20 against Sri Lanka in February 2016. While medium-pacer Mamatha Maben is the only other Indian to take six wickets in this format, Deepti Sharma is the sole representative among Indian spin bowlers to reach this milestone.

Explanation

Chari dance is a traditional folk dance of the Gujjar and Saini communities in Rajasthan, particularly prominent in the Kishangarh and Ajmer regions. During the performance, women balance brass or metal pots, known as chari, on their heads. These pots are typically filled with cotton seeds soaked in oil that are ignited, or lit diyas, which create a striking visual of flaming pots. The dancers maintain perfect balance while executing rhythmic footwork and graceful hand gestures. This dance is symbolic of the joy of collecting water in the arid desert landscape and is performed to mark auspicious occasions such as weddings, festivals, or the birth of a child.

Explanation

Naomi Osaka secured the 2021 Australian Open Women's Singles championship by winning the final match held at Melbourne Park in February 2021. This victory earned her a second Australian Open title and her fourth career Grand Slam title overall. During the tournament, Osaka maintained a high level of performance, winning the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Her triumph reinforced her position as one of the top players in the world on hard courts and continued her successful record in Grand Slam finals.

Explanation

Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, launched the Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI) in January 2015. This initiative is a major public-private partnership focused on improving waste management and urban sanitation in Pune. With an initial pledge of ₹100 crore, the project introduced high-tech equipment such as automated street sweepers and specialized waste collection trucks to enhance the cleanliness efforts of the Pune Municipal Corporation. The program specifically targets the efficient collection and processing of organic waste and the mechanical sweeping of city roads to reduce dust and pollution.

Explanation

Ammu Swaminathan was a social reformer and political activist who was elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 representing the Madras Presidency. She was one of the fifteen women members who contributed to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. A prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, she was a founding member of the Women's India Association and the All India Women's Conference. During the Constituent Assembly debates, she strongly advocated for the removal of social inequalities and supported the inclusion of fundamental rights that ensured equality for all citizens regardless of gender or caste. Following her work in the Assembly, she continued her political career in the post-independence era as a member of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Explanation

Subhash Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji, delivered this iconic slogan during a motivational speech to the members of the Indian National Army (INA) in Burma on July 4, 1944. Through these words, he appealed to the Indian people to join the armed struggle against the British Raj and emphasized that the achievement of independence required the ultimate sacrifice of its citizens. This call to action became one of the most powerful and enduring rallying cries of the Indian independence movement, reflecting Bose's belief that freedom could only be won through revolutionary force and military engagement.

Explanation

Disinfection is a process specifically designed to eliminate or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa to ensure water is biologically safe for consumption. Minerals, however, are inorganic dissolved substances such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium that are part of the chemical makeup of water. Because minerals are not living organisms, they are unaffected by the chemical oxidation or cellular disruption caused by common disinfectants like chlorine, ozone, or ultraviolet light. The reduction or removal of mineral content, often referred to as softening or desalination, requires specialized physical or chemical separation processes such as ion exchange, reverse osmosis, or distillation.

Explanation

A gnomon is the projecting part of a sundial or solar clock that casts a shadow onto a marked dial to indicate the time. Its function relies on the apparent motion of the sun across the sky; as the sun's position changes, the angle and length of the shadow cast by the gnomon shift accordingly. To provide accurate solar time, the gnomon is typically oriented parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation, pointing toward the celestial pole. Historically, gnomons were fundamental astronomical tools used by ancient civilizations to determine the altitude of the sun, calculate the latitude of a geographic location, and identify the dates of solstices and equinoxes based on the shadow's length at solar noon.

Explanation

Lord Ripon, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884, was known for his liberal reforms and sympathetic attitude toward Indian aspirations. In 1882, he repealed the Vernacular Press Act of 1878, which had been enacted by his predecessor Lord Lytton to restrict the freedom of non-English newspapers. By abolishing this act, Ripon restored the liberty of the Indian-language press, ensuring that vernacular newspapers were treated on par with English-language publications regarding the freedom of expression. This action was consistent with his broader policy of promoting local self-government and easing the repressive measures of the previous administration.

Explanation

Nalini Malani was awarded the seventh edition of the Joan Miro Prize in 2019, making her the first Indian artist and the first artist from Asia to win this prestigious international honor. The prize is organized by the Fundació Joan Miró and the Obra Social la Caixa to recognize contemporary artists whose work reflects the spirit of innovation and freedom characteristic of Joan Miró. The international jury selected Malani for her intellectual curiosity and her commitment to the silent and the marginalized, specifically noting her ability to address complex socio-political themes such as gender, violence, and the impact of globalization through diverse media including video installations, experimental film, and painting. Her selection highlighted her role as a pioneer in video art in India and her significant contribution to the global contemporary art discourse.

Explanation

Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) is a hardy tropical crop that thrives best in well-drained, deep sandy or laterite soils. Red laterite soil is particularly suitable because it provides the excellent drainage required for the healthy development of the cashew root system, as the tree is highly sensitive to waterlogging. These soils are formed by the leaching of silica and the concentration of iron and aluminum oxides, resulting in an acidic environment with low nutrient content that specifically suits the growth requirements of cashew. In India, cashew cultivation is predominantly concentrated in coastal regions where red laterite soils are abundant, such as in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Explanation

Rupnath is an archaeological site located in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is the site of one of the Minor Rock Edicts of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, where the royal instructions are inscribed on a large boulder near a natural pool. Geographically, Rupnath belongs to the central Indian landscape, distinguishing it from the numerous Ashokan inscriptions found in the southern Deccan region. The presence of this edict in Madhya Pradesh highlights the administrative reach of the Mauryan Empire across the northern and central parts of the Indian subcontinent, whereas the other locations listed are concentrated within the modern state of Karnataka.

Explanation

Under the National Urban Sanitation Policy launched in 2008, the Ministry of Urban Development introduced a rating scheme to track the progress of cities towards achieving open defecation-free status and improving overall sanitation. Cities are awarded points out of 100 based on output, process, and outcome indicators. A city scoring between 34 and 66 points is classified under the Black category. This designation signifies that the city requires considerable improvement across various sanitation parameters, including access to toilets, wastewater management, and solid waste management, to move toward the higher blue or green categories.

Explanation

Section 7 of The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, outlines the ceremonies required for a valid Hindu marriage. Under Section 7(2), the law specifically recognizes the Saptapadi ritual, which involves the bride and bridegroom jointly taking seven steps around the sacred fire. The statute mandates that when this ritual is part of the wedding ceremony, the marriage becomes complete and legally binding the moment the seventh step is taken. This legal provision integrates traditional Vedic practices into modern law, acknowledging that the completion of these steps marks the formal and auspicious conclusion of the marriage rites.

Explanation

In the Union Budget 2021-22, the Government of India introduced the Agriculture and Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC) to raise funds for improving agricultural infrastructure and other development projects. For petrol, the cess was fixed at ₹2.5 per litre. To ensure that this new levy did not increase the overall price burden on consumers, the government simultaneously reduced the Basic Excise Duty and the Special Additional Excise Duty on petrol. This restructuring allowed the central government to earmark specific revenue for the agriculture sector while keeping the retail prices stable at the time of the announcement.

Explanation

Srikant Datar was officially named the 11th dean of Harvard Business School in October 2020, with his tenure commencing on January 1, 2021. An accomplished Indian-American economist and academic, Datar has served on the school faculty since 1996 and held several key leadership positions, including Senior Associate Dean for University Affairs and Faculty Development. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and earned his postgraduate and doctoral degrees from Stanford University. His selection was based on his extensive experience in curriculum innovation and his long-standing contributions to the institution's academic and administrative growth.

Explanation

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, was enacted to grant constitutional status and recognition to municipal governments, also known as Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Although the Act is titled with the year 1992, it received the President's assent on April 20, 1993, and came into force on June 1, 1993. This landmark legislation inserted Part IX-A into the Constitution of India, covering Articles 243-P to 243-ZG. Additionally, it introduced the Twelfth Schedule, which specifies eighteen functional responsibilities of municipalities. The amendment was designed to strengthen urban governance by ensuring regular elections, providing for the reservation of seats, and defining the powers and authority of municipal institutions across the country.

Explanation

Annapurna is a massive mountain massif located in north-central Nepal. It is part of the Nepal Himalayas and contains one peak over 8,000 metres, which is Annapurna I Main, the tenth highest mountain in the world. The massif is bounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge on the west, the Pokhara Valley on the south, and the Marshyangdi River on the north and east. The entire area is protected within the Annapurna Conservation Area, which is the largest such protected zone in Nepal. Historically, Annapurna I was the first 8,000-metre peak to be successfully summited, reaching this milestone in 1950.

Explanation

Titania, or titanium dioxide (TiO₂), is a naturally occurring mineral used extensively as a white pigment and a photocatalyst in specialized industrial applications. In the context of water treatment, it is sometimes employed in advanced oxidation processes to help degrade organic pollutants through photocatalysis. However, it is not a disinfection by-product. Disinfection by-products are chemical compounds that form unintentionally when disinfectants such as chlorine, ozone, or chlorine dioxide react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in the water. Since titania is a stable oxide and not a result of these chemical reactions between disinfectants and water precursors, it does not fall under the WHO classification of disinfection by-products formed at traditional drinking water treatment plants.

Explanation

The photograph titled The First Embrace, taken by Danish photographer Mads Nissen for Politiken/Panos Pictures, was named the World Press Photo of the Year 2021. The image captures an 85-year-old woman, Rosa Luzia Lunardi, being hugged for the first time in five months by nurse Adriana Silva da Costa Souza through a transparent hug curtain at the Viva Bem care home in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This plastic curtain was a simple invention that allowed people to embrace each other safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Press Photo jury selected this image because it served as an iconic representation of life under the pandemic, symbolizing vulnerability, loss, and survival while offering a message of hope and human connection during a period of global isolation.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, Haryana recorded the lowest sex ratio among all the states in the country, with only 879 females per 1000 males. This figure was significantly below the national average of 943 females per 1000 males. The state has historically struggled with a skewed gender ratio due to various socio-cultural factors and a strong preference for male children. This critical demographic challenge eventually led to the launch of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign from Panipat, Haryana, aimed at addressing the declining child sex ratio and promoting female empowerment.

Explanation

Sir Chintaman Dwarakanath Deshmukh, commonly known as C.D. Deshmukh, was the first Indian to be appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He served as the third Governor of the bank from August 11, 1943, to June 30, 1949. A member of the Indian Civil Service, Deshmukh played a critical role in representing India at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, which established the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. His tenure saw the transition of India from a British colony to an independent nation and the landmark nationalization of the Reserve Bank of India in 1949.

Explanation

Imbibition is a physical process where water is absorbed by solid particles known as colloids, leading to a significant increase in their volume and swelling. The substances that absorb the water, such as gum, starch, proteins, cellulose, agar, and gelatine, are referred to as imbibants. This phenomenon occurs because of the strong attractive force and affinity between the surface of these colloidal particles and the water molecules. When these imbibants come into contact with water, the water molecules are adsorbed onto the surface of the particles, causing the system to swell. This process is crucial in biological systems, most notably in the germination of seeds where the seed coat and internal proteins act as imbibants to take up the water necessary for growth.