SSC CGL Tier 1 2022 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

D2D (Distributor-to-Distributor) is not a recognized or standard classification within the primary models of electronic commerce. E-commerce frameworks typically define categories based on the interaction between major market participants such as commercial entities, individual end-users, or government bodies. Since distributors function as commercial entities, any electronic trade between them is formally categorized under the broader business-to-business transaction model and is not identified as a separate, independent category in the foundational literature of the field.

Explanation

Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.), who was serving as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, was sworn in as the Governor of Meghalaya on October 4, 2022. He was given the additional charge of the state following the completion of the tenure of the previous Governor, Satya Pal Malik. The oath of office was administered by Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, the then senior-most judge of the Meghalaya High Court, at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Shillong. This appointment was made by the President of India under the provisions of the Constitution allowing a Governor to hold charge of more than one state simultaneously.

Explanation

The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay from December 28 to December 31, 1885. The meeting took place at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College and was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee. Although the session was originally planned to be held in Poona, a sudden outbreak of cholera in that region forced the organizers to shift the venue to Bombay. This historic gathering saw the participation of 72 delegates from across India and marked the formal establishment of the Indian National Congress under the guidance of retired British officer Allan Octavian Hume.

Explanation

Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor. The SI unit for measuring electric current is the ampere (A), named in honor of the French physicist André-Marie Ampère. Mathematically, current I is expressed as I = (Q)/(t), where Q is the quantity of charge in coulombs and t is the time in seconds. Therefore, one ampere represents a flow of one coulomb of charge per second (1 A = 1 C/s).

Explanation

The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle that behaves elastically on time scales of thousands of years or greater. Its thickness varies significantly depending on the tectonic setting. In oceanic regions, the lithosphere is relatively thin, ranging from approximately 10 kilometres at mid-ocean ridges to about 100 kilometres in older parts of the ocean floor. Continental lithosphere is considerably thicker and more variable, typically ranging from 40 kilometres to as much as 200 kilometres or more beneath the oldest and most stable parts of the continents, known as cratons. This range of 10 to 200 kilometres encompasses the standard geological measurements for the Earth's mechanical outer layer before it transitions into the more ductile asthenosphere.

Explanation

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was a world-renowned musician and composer who transformed the Santoor from a little-known Kashmiri folk instrument into a mainstay of Hindustani classical music. He refined the instrument's design and developed unique playing techniques to allow for the subtle nuances and long, sustaining notes required for classical ragas. His decades of mastery and innovation earned him international acclaim and prestigious honors, including the Padma Shri and the Padma Vibhushan, making him the most prominent figure associated with the Santoor.

Explanation

Magnesium (Mg) is an alkaline earth metal in Group 2 of the periodic table, which means it typically loses two electrons to form a cation with a charge of +2, represented as Mg²⁺. Oxygen (O) is a chalcogen in Group 16 and typically gains two electrons to achieve a stable octet, forming an anion with a charge of -2, represented as O²⁻. In an ionic compound, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge to achieve electrical neutrality. Since both ions have a magnitude of 2, they combine in a 1:1 ratio. Applying the criss-cross method where the valency of Magnesium (2) and Oxygen (2) are swapped as subscripts, we get Mg₂O₂, which simplifies to the empirical formula MgO.

Explanation

Article 24 of the Indian Constitution defines the Right against Exploitation regarding child labor. It specifically mandates that no child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment. This constitutional prohibition is absolute and aimed at ensuring the safety, health, and development of children, preventing their exploitation in dangerous environments. This provision also complements Article 21A, which provides for free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right.

Explanation

Under Article 71 of the Constitution of India, all doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of the President or Vice-President are inquired into and decided exclusively by the Supreme Court of India. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in this matter is original and exclusive, meaning such cases cannot be initiated or adjudicated in any High Court or other subordinate courts. The decision of the Supreme Court regarding the validity of a presidential election is final. This constitutional provision ensures that legal challenges to the highest office of the land are resolved by the highest judicial authority to maintain constitutional stability and certainty.

Explanation

Puthandu, also known as Puthuvarusham, is the traditional celebration of the New Year in Tamil Nadu. It is observed on the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai, which usually falls on April 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar. This date marks the sun's entrance into the Mesha Rasi (Aries) and signifies the beginning of the solar cycle. The festival is characterized by the preparation of Mangai-pachadi, a symbolic dish made of various flavors like jaggery, raw mango, and neem flowers to represent the different emotions and experiences one will encounter in the new year. Families also decorate their homes with kolams and prepare a tray with auspicious items like fruits, gold, and flowers to be viewed first thing in the morning.

Explanation

Rajendra I, the Chola emperor who reigned in the early eleventh century, established a new capital at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and constructed a magnificent Shiva temple there. It was a common political and religious practice for Chola rulers to display their military triumphs by incorporating sacred icons seized from vanquished enemies into their own state temples. Historical records indicate that Rajendra I populated his temple with various prized statues captured during his campaigns, including a Sun-pedestal obtained from the Chalukyas. This act served as a visual proclamation of Chola imperial authority and the submission of the Chalukyan power in the Deccan.

Explanation

Nagara-shreshthi refers to the chief merchant or the president of the merchant guild in the urban administrative structure of the Gupta Empire. This was a local position held by a leader of the business community who participated in city governance alongside other representatives like the leader of the caravans and the chief artisan. Harishena, however, was an imperial court poet and a high-ranking central government official under Samudragupta. He is famous for composing the Allahabad Pillar Inscription and held multiple high-level titles related to the central imperial administration, diplomacy, and the judiciary, which are distinct from the localized mercantile role of a Nagara-shreshthi.

Explanation

Equality and Freedom are the fundamental pillars upon which the structure of a democracy is built. Equality ensures that every citizen holds the same status before the law and possesses an equal opportunity to participate in the political process, reflecting the core democratic principle of one person, one vote. Freedom provides the necessary environment for individuals to express their thoughts, form associations, and move freely, which is essential for a vibrant public discourse and the ability to hold the government accountable. Together, these rights protect the dignity of the individual and ensure that the collective will of the people is formed through voluntary and fair participation rather than through coercion or systemic discrimination.

Explanation

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2 to commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who was the leader of the Indian independence movement and a pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. The United Nations General Assembly officially established this observance through a resolution adopted on June 15, 2007. The day serves as an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness, honoring Gandhi's commitment to social justice and his role in promoting peace and harmony globally.

Explanation

The Stree Manoraksha project was launched in March 2022 by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani. Developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, the initiative focuses on the mental health of women across India. The project aims to provide specialized training to the functionaries of One Stop Centres (OSCs) to better handle the psychosocial and mental health needs of women who have faced violence or distress. By equipping OSC staff with these skills, the project ensures that survivors receive appropriate psychological support and counseling as part of their rehabilitation process.

Explanation

The Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (DACE) scheme was launched in April 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF). This initiative aims to provide high-quality coaching facilities to Scheduled Caste (SC) students for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examinations. By establishing these centers in 31 Central Universities across the country, the ministry seeks to empower SC students and increase their representation in the premier civil services of India. The program provides financial support and specialized training to ensure that students from marginalized backgrounds have access to the resources necessary for competitive exam preparation, aligning with the ministry mandate of social justice and educational empowerment.

Explanation

In 1913, Henry Moseley conducted systematic X-ray spectroscopic studies on a wide range of elements. He discovered a linear relationship between the square root of the frequency (√(ν)) of the characteristic X-rays emitted and the atomic number (Z) of the element. This relationship is defined by Moseley Law: √(ν) = a(Z - b), where a and b are constants for a particular series of X-ray lines. His work established that the atomic number, which corresponds to the number of protons in the nucleus, is the most fundamental property of an element. This provided a scientific basis for the Modern Periodic Law, shifting the classification of elements from atomic mass to atomic number.

Explanation

The Ural Mountains serve as the primary natural land border between the continents of Europe and Asia. This mountain range extends approximately 2,500 kilometers from the Kara Sea in the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Ural River and the Kazakh Steppe in the south. Geographically, they divide the Russian Federation into European Russia and Asian Russia. This boundary is also supplemented by the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Black Sea to complete the traditional geomorphological transition between the two major landmasses of Eurasia.

Explanation

The term nagara-shreshthi is derived from the Sanskrit words nagara, meaning city, and shreshthi, meaning a merchant or a banker. In the administrative framework of early medieval Indian dynasties like the Rashtrakutas and the Cholas, as well as during the Gupta period, the nagara-shreshthi served as the chief merchant or the leading banker of the city. This individual held a significant position in the local city administration and often represented the merchant guilds in the local council. Such administrative posts frequently became hereditary, meaning they were passed down within the same family over generations.

Explanation

The term Panchnad, which translates to Five Rivers, refers specifically to the five major tributaries of the Indus that flow through the Punjab region. These five rivers are the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, and the Sutlej. The Indus River is the main stream of the basin and acts as the recipient of these combined waters. The five rivers converge at a point near Mithankot in Pakistan to form a single stream, which then discharges into the Indus. Because the Indus is the primary river that these five tributaries join, it is not considered one of the constituent members of the Panchnad group itself.

Explanation

The husk of a coconut is composed of sclerenchyma tissue. This permanent tissue consists of dead cells that are characterized by long, narrow shapes and very thick cell walls. These walls are heavily thickened with lignin, a complex chemical substance that acts like cement to provide extreme rigidity and mechanical strength. In the coconut, these sclerenchymatous fibers make up the fibrous mesocarp, providing the necessary toughness and protection for the fruit. Because the cells are dead and lack intercellular spaces, they provide the structural support required for the husk to withstand environmental pressure and remain durable.

Explanation

The Fifth Five-Year Plan, implemented from 1974 to 1978, centered on the dual objectives of Garibi Hatao (Removal of Poverty) and the achievement of self-reliance. This plan was designed to improve the living standards of the poor by expanding employment opportunities and enhancing agricultural productivity, which were seen as the primary drivers for poverty alleviation. The plan also integrated the Minimum Needs Programme to provide essential services like primary education, drinking water, and rural health. During this period, the government aimed to reduce the dependence on foreign aid and stabilize the economy against inflationary pressures. Although it was originally intended for a five-year term, the plan was terminated in 1978 by the Janata Party government following a change in the central administration.

Explanation

A.R. Rahman won two Academy Awards at the 81st Oscars in 2009 for his work on the film Slumdog Millionaire. He received these awards in the categories of Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the track Jai Ho. In the same year, he also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score for the same film. These achievements made him the first Indian to win a Golden Globe and multiple Oscars in a single year for his contributions to international cinema and music.

Explanation

The Fit India Movement was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019, which coincides with National Sports Day. The movement aims to encourage people to include physical activity and sports in their everyday lives.

Explanation

The 2021 French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, was held from 30 May to 13 June 2021. The men's singles final took place on the concluding day of the tournament, 13 June 2021, at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. In this final, Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set match with a score of 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4. This victory marked Djokovic's 19th Grand Slam title and made him the first man in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slam tournaments at least twice.

Explanation

Jata-Jatin is a prominent folk dance of Bihar, particularly popular in the Mithila and Koshi regions. The dance is traditionally performed by a pair of dancers, typically women, who take on the roles of the husband, Jata, and the wife, Jatin. The performance depicts the various aspects of their married life, including their domestic chores, minor disputes, and emotional bond. It is often performed during the moonlit nights of the monsoon season, particularly in the Hindu month of Bhado, serving as a medium of storytelling through rhythmic movements and traditional folk songs that reflect the social and cultural fabric of rural Bihar.

Explanation

Personal Income refers to the total income received by individuals or households from all sources, including both factor income and transfer income, before the payment of personal direct taxes. The transition from National Income to Personal Income involves adding receipts that do not originate from current production but are received by households. Transfer payments from the government and firms, such as social security benefits, pensions, and unemployment allowances, are included in this category. These payments represent a redistribution of income rather than a reward for productive services rendered in the current accounting period. Therefore, they are added to the National Income to reflect the actual flow of purchasing power to the household sector. The relationship is expressed as PI = NI - (Undistributed profits + Corporate taxes + Net interest payments by households) + Transfer payments.

Explanation

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated Asia largest Compressed Bio Gas plant at Sangrur in Punjab in October 2022. The facility was developed with a foreign direct investment of approximately 220 crore rupees by the German bio-energy company Verbio AG. Spread across 20 acres, the plant has a design capacity of 33.23 tonnes of CBG per day and utilizes around 300 tonnes of paddy straw daily. This project serves as a critical intervention in managing agricultural residue, providing an alternative to stubble burning while producing green fuel and organic fertilizer. The establishment of this plant aligns with the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme, which aims to promote CBG production from various waste and biomass sources.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi is widely credited with the sentiment of this quote, which reflects his core philosophy that personal transformation is the prerequisite for social and political change. His approach to the Indian independence movement was built on the principle of Satyagraha, where the individual embodies the values of truth and non-violence to inspire others. While the exact phrasing in his writings, specifically in a 1913 publication, was slightly more detailed regarding the mirror-like relationship between the individual and the world, the summarized version has become an iconic representation of his life's work and teachings on ethical leadership and individual responsibility.

Explanation

Mulching is a soil conservation technique where the bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of organic matter, such as straw, grass, or dried leaves. This protective layer acts as a physical barrier that significantly reduces the rate of evaporation from the soil surface, thereby helping to retain soil moisture. Additionally, mulching helps in maintaining a stable soil temperature, preventing soil erosion caused by rain splash, and suppressing the growth of weeds. As the organic material eventually decomposes, it also enriches the soil by adding humus and essential nutrients.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, Kerala recorded the highest literacy rate in the country at 94.00 percent. This achievement includes a male literacy rate of 96.11 percent and a female literacy rate of 92.07 percent. The state's leading position is the result of long-term social reform movements and consistent state investment in a robust public education system. Kerala's literacy figures significantly exceeded the national average of 74.04 percent reported during the same census period.

Explanation

The Kalidas Samman is a prestigious award presented annually by the Government of Madhya Pradesh to honor excellence in the classical arts. It was established in 1980 and is named after the renowned ancient Indian poet and dramatist Kalidasa. The award is conferred in four distinct categories: Classical Music, Classical Dance, Theatre, and Plastic Arts. The first recipients of the award in 1980-81 were the legendary musicians Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Mallikarjun Mansur. It remains one of the highest honors for artists in India, recognizing significant contributions to the preservation and enrichment of traditional Indian culture.

Explanation

Unsaturated hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms where at least two carbon atoms are linked by a double or triple bond. In these molecules, the carbon skeleton does not contain the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms for the given number of carbon atoms, hence the term unsaturated. Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C), while alkynes contain at least one carbon-carbon triple bond (C ≡ C). These multiple bonds are areas of high electron density, making unsaturated compounds generally more chemically reactive than saturated hydrocarbons, such as alkanes, which only contain single bonds between carbon atoms.

Explanation

Aurangzeb, the sixth and last of the major Mughal emperors, died on March 3, 1707, at his military camp in Ahmednagar. Having ruled for nearly 49 years since 1658, his death followed a prolonged and exhausting period of warfare in the Deccan region. He was 88 years old at the time of his passing and was buried in a simple open-air grave at Khuldabad, near Aurangabad, in accordance with his own wishes. His death is historically significant as it marked the end of the era of the Great Mughals and the beginning of the rapid decline and disintegration of the Mughal Empire.

Explanation

Alauddin Khalji introduced a comprehensive taxation system to support his vast military expenditures and centralize the state's resources. According to the contemporary historian Ziauddin Barani, the Sultan imposed three specific types of taxes on his subjects. The first was the Kharaj, which was a land revenue tax on cultivation, set at 50 percent of the agricultural produce. The second was the Ghari, a tax levied on houses and dwellings. The third was the Chari, a tax imposed on milch cattle or pasture lands. These taxes were strictly enforced through a specialized department known as the Diwan-i-Mustakhraj, ensuring that the local intermediaries could not evade their obligations or exploit the peasantry.

Explanation

A presidential system is a form of government where the executive branch is led by a president who serves as both the head of state and the head of government. In this system, executive power is concentrated in a single individual rather than a collective body. The president is usually elected independently of the legislature and holds a fixed term of office, making the executive branch constitutionally independent. This structure facilitates individual leadership because the president has the authority to appoint and dismiss cabinet members, who act as advisors rather than colleagues with equal decision-making power. The focus on a single executive figure allows for decisive action and clear accountability directed toward one person, embodying the principle of individual leadership in governance.

Explanation

Plant cells undergo mitosis regularly to facilitate growth, tissue repair, and development. This process occurs primarily in meristematic regions, such as the apical meristems found at the tips of roots and shoots, as well as in lateral meristems like the vascular cambium. During mitosis, a plant cell goes through the standard phases of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase to ensure that its genetic material is duplicated and distributed equally into two identical daughter cells. Although the presence of a rigid cell wall requires the formation of a cell plate during cytokinesis instead of a cleavage furrow as seen in animal cells, the ability to divide mitotically is a core biological function that allows plants to increase in size and regenerate parts.