SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Devabhuti was the tenth and last ruler of the Shunga dynasty, reigning from approximately 83 to 73 BCE. He was known for his weak and dissolute character, which eventually led to his downfall. According to historical records and the Puranas, he was assassinated by his Brahmin minister, Vasudeva Kanva, in a palace conspiracy. This event marked the end of the Shunga dynasty and the beginning of the Kanva dynasty in the Magadha region.

Explanation

Vladimir Prelog was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1975 for his extensive research into the stereochemistry of organic molecules and reactions. His work focused on the three-dimensional geometry of molecules and how their spatial arrangement dictates chemical behavior and reactivity. He is widely recognized for his role in developing the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) priority rules, which provide a standardized system for naming the absolute configuration of stereoisomers using the R and S descriptors. This systematic approach allowed for the unambiguous description of chiral molecules, which is essential for modern organic synthesis and the pharmaceutical industry. Prelog’s investigations into many-membered rings and the relationship between molecular symmetry and chemical properties were pivotal in the field of stereochemistry.

Explanation

Thailand made its first-ever appearance in an ICC global event during the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup held in Australia. The team secured its qualification by reaching the final of the 2019 ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier. This achievement was historic as it represented the first time any cricket team from Thailand, whether in the men's or women's category, qualified for a major World Cup tournament. During the group stage of the competition, Thailand competed in Group B alongside teams like England, South Africa, the West Indies, and Pakistan.

Explanation

In July 2021, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition filed by Ajit Mohan, the Vice President and Managing Director of Facebook India, challenging the summons issued by the Peace and Harmony Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The committee had summoned the Facebook executive to testify in relation to the platform's role in the 2020 Delhi riots and its measures to curb the spread of hate speech. The Court held that the Assembly has the power to constitute committees to inquire into matters that affect the peace and harmony of the National Capital Territory, regardless of whether it has direct legislative power over law and order. The ruling emphasized that social media giants like Facebook carry significant influence over public discourse and cannot claim absolute immunity from providing information to legislative bodies on issues of public importance.

Explanation

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the world's largest tropical lake. Its surface area is divided among three East African countries: Tanzania, which possesses approximately 49 percent of the lake; Uganda, which accounts for about 45 percent; and Kenya, which holds the remaining 6 percent. The lake is a major reservoir of the Nile River system and plays a crucial role in the livelihoods, transportation, and ecosystems of these three bordering nations.

Explanation

The Meghalaya plateau is a northeastern extension of the Indian Peninsular plateau, separated from the Chota Nagpur plateau by the Malda Fault. This plateau is primarily composed of three distinct hill ranges named after the major tribal groups inhabiting them: the Garo Hills in the west, the Khasi Hills in the central part, and the Jaintia Hills in the east. The Jaintia Hills form the easternmost section of this upland region. Geologically, these hills are part of the ancient Gondwanaland landmass and consist of Archean gneisses and schists, unlike the younger sedimentary formations of the Himalayas. The region is well-known for receiving high rainfall due to its funnel-shaped topography, which traps moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation

Ishwari Prasad is revered as the founding figure and primary ancestor of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak. According to historical traditions and family legends, he was a resident of the Handia tehsil in Allahabad who received a divine vision from Lord Krishna instructing him to propagate Kathak as a form of devotional dance. His lineage and teachings were passed down through generations, eventually reaching the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in Awadh through his descendants like Thakur Prasad. This lineage established the distinct stylistic elements of the Lucknow Gharana, which emphasizes grace, expressive storytelling through Bhava, and intricate footwork.

Explanation

Ishwari Prasad is regarded as the ancestor and founder of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak. A resident of the Handia tehsil in Allahabad, he is historically credited with establishing this school of dance during the 18th century. According to oral tradition and family chronicles, Ishwari Prasad received a divine vision from Lord Krishna, who instructed him to develop Kathak as a form of devotional storytelling. This gharana eventually flourished under the patronage of the Nawabs of Awadh, particularly Wajid Ali Shah, and became characterized by its emphasis on grace, delicacy, and expressive storytelling known as bhava. The lineage founded by Ishwari Prasad was meticulously preserved and expanded by his descendants, ensuring the Lucknow style became one of the most prominent traditions of Indian classical dance.

Explanation

The Battle of Talikota, fought in January 1565, was a watershed event in South Indian history that led to the collapse of the Vijayanagara Empire. Following the defeat and execution of the regent Aliya Rama Raya by the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates, the victorious armies marched onto the capital city of Vijayanagar. Over a period of several months, the city was systematically plundered, burnt, and destroyed. The monumental structures, temples, and palaces were razed to the ground, leaving the once-magnificent metropolis in a state of permanent ruin. This devastation effectively ended the city's role as a major political and cultural center, and the site eventually became known as Hampi.

Explanation

The Seventh Five Year Plan, which spanned from 1985 to 1990, was formulated with the central objectives of food, work, and productivity. It specifically aimed to accelerate the growth of food grain production to ensure national food security and to generate increased employment opportunities across the country. By focusing on the integration of modern technology and improved agricultural practices, the plan sought to enhance overall productivity within the primary sector. This strategic emphasis on the slogan Food, Work, and Productivity resulted in a significant surge in agricultural output, with the growth rate of food grain production exceeding the targets set by the Planning Commission. The success of this plan played a crucial role in making India self-reliant in food grains and improving the standard of living for the rural population.

Explanation

The All India Survey on Migrant Workers (AISMW) was initiated by the Labour Bureau, an attached office of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to gather comprehensive data on the socio-economic conditions of migrants and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the formal launch of the survey and its IT applications occurred on March 31, 2021, the actual field operations and data collection across the country came into effect in April 2021. This survey was conducted under the technical guidance of an Expert Group chaired by Professor S.P. Mukherjee, which established the methodology and sampling design to ensure an accurate estimation of the number and status of migrant workers in India.

Explanation

Population density is defined as the average number of individuals living per square kilometer of an area. According to the 2011 Census of India, the national population density stands at 382 persons per km². This figure is derived by dividing the total population of approximately 1.21 billion by the total land area of the country. This value shows a steady increase in the concentration of population over time, rising from 324 persons per km² in the 2001 Census. This official statistic is the standard measurement used by the Government of India to assess demographic pressure on land and resources.

Explanation

Satyendra Nath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, became the first Indian to qualify for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in 1863. At a time when the examination was held only in London and the system was heavily biased against Indian candidates, he successfully cleared the rigorous competitive exams. He was appointed to the service in 1864 and was subsequently posted to the Bombay Presidency. His achievement was a landmark moment in Indian history, as it broke the European monopoly on the Covenanted Civil Service and paved the way for other Indians to enter the higher bureaucracy of British India.

Explanation

The inaugural Women's Cricket World Cup was held in England in June and July 1973, two years before the first Men's Cricket World Cup was staged. The tournament was organized by the International Women's Cricket Council and featured seven teams playing in a round-robin format. England hosted the event across various venues and ultimately won the title after defeating Australia in the final match at Edgbaston, finishing at the top of the points table to become the first-ever world champions in women's cricket.

Explanation

Moist tropical forests, encompassing tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous types, provide the high rainfall and humidity levels necessary for these specific plant varieties. Species such as Aini are characteristic of the tropical evergreen forests found in the Western Ghats, while Semul, Gutel, and Mundani are common in the moist deciduous and semi-evergreen tracts of the North-East and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The abundance of bamboo and epiphytes is a defining feature of these humid ecosystems, where moisture is plentiful for most of the year. These forests generally thrive in regions receiving annual rainfall between 100 cm and 250 cm or more, supporting a dense, multi-layered canopy structure that allows such diverse flora to coexist.

Explanation

Ustad Hassu Khan, along with his brothers Ustad Haddu Khan and Ustad Nathu Khan, was a primary founder of the Gwalior Gharana, which is widely considered the oldest and the fountainhead of all Khayal Gharanas in Hindustani classical music. They were the grandsons of Nathan Peer Baksh, who migrated to Gwalior and is credited with shaping the early framework of this musical school. Hassu Khan served as a court musician under the patronage of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. His contribution was vital in establishing the Gharana's signature style, which is characterized by its emphasis on structural clarity, the use of open-throated singing, and complex melodic patterns called tans. This lineage transitioned the music from the older Dhrupad style to the more expressive Khayal form.

Explanation

Sublimation is the physical process in which a substance transitions directly from the solid phase to the gaseous phase without passing through the intermediate liquid state. Dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide (CO₂), undergoes this process at room temperature and standard pressure. Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), naphthalene (C₁₀H₈), and camphor (C₁₀H₁₆O) all possess relatively high vapor pressures and weak intermolecular forces, which allow their molecules to escape directly into the vapor phase when heated or exposed to air. All four compounds are classic chemical examples used to demonstrate the phenomenon of sublimation in laboratory and industrial applications.

Explanation

The Supreme Court of India was established on 26 January 1950, the day the Constitution of India came into effect and India transitioned into a sovereign democratic republic. It replaced the Federal Court of India, which had been created under the Government of India Act of 1935, and also took over the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. While the Court technically came into existence with the commencement of the Constitution on 26 January, its formal inauguration and first sitting occurred two days later, on 28 January 1950. Articles 124 to 147 of the Indian Constitution govern the composition, jurisdiction, and powers of the Supreme Court, ensuring its role as the highest judicial authority and the final interpreter of the Constitution.

Explanation

Khan Bahadur Khan Rohilla, the grandson of the former ruler of Rohilkhand, Hafiz Rahmat Khan, led the 1857 uprising in Bareilly. Despite being a pensioner of the British government, he joined the rebellion and was proclaimed the governor or viceroy by the local sepoys in the name of the Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. He raised an army of approximately 40,000 soldiers and established an effective administrative machinery in the region. His forces offered a determined resistance to the British until Bareilly was finally recaptured by the troops under Sir Colin Campbell in May 1858, after which he was eventually captured and executed.

Explanation

The concept of Fundamental Duties was pioneered by the Constitution of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Unlike many Western democratic constitutions that focused almost exclusively on individual rights, the Soviet Constitution of 1936, and its subsequent 1977 version, explicitly integrated a list of citizens' duties alongside their rights. This model was based on the socialist principle that the enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations. These duties included the requirement to safeguard public property, defend the socialist motherland, and observe the discipline of labor. The Indian Constitution later adopted the idea of Fundamental Duties under Article 51A by drawing direct inspiration from the Soviet model.

Explanation

The Natya Shastra is an ancient Indian treatise on the performing arts, attributed to the sage Bharata Muni, which serves as the fundamental source for the theoretical and technical aspects of Bharatanatyam. Compiled between 200 BCE and 200 CE, this text codifies the various elements of classical dance, including Mudras (hand gestures), Abhinaya (the art of expression), and the concept of Rasa (emotional essence). It provides the grammatical structure for the 108 Karanas, which are the basic dance movements that define the form and structure of Bharatanatyam, establishing a direct link between the ancient text and the contemporary practice of this classical dance style.

Explanation

The Atal Tunnel, situated in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, is constructed at an altitude of approximately 3,000 metres above Mean Sea Level. Spanning a length of 9.02 km, it is the longest highway single-tube tunnel in the world at this elevation, providing all-weather connectivity between Manali and the Lahaul-Spiti valley. The tunnel was built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) and is equipped with ultra-modern specifications including a semi-transverse ventilation system, emergency escape tunnels every 500 metres, fire hydrants, and an integrated incident management system. Dedicated to the nation in October 2020, it significantly reduces the travel distance and time between Manali and Leh.

Explanation

The Jawahar Rozgar Yojana was launched on April 1, 1989, which falls within the timeline of the Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985–1990). It was introduced by the Rajiv Gandhi government through the merger of two existing wage employment programs: the National Rural Employment Programme and the Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme. The primary objective of the scheme was to generate additional gainful employment for the unemployed and underemployed persons in rural areas while simultaneously creating productive community assets to strengthen rural infrastructure.

Explanation

Silicon has the atomic number 14. Its ground-state electronic configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p². In the Modern Periodic Table, the period number of an element corresponds to the highest principal quantum number (n) of its electrons in the ground state. For Silicon, the outermost electrons occupy the third shell (n = 3), which places it in Period 3 of the periodic table. Elements belonging to Period 6 have their highest principal quantum number as n = 6.

Explanation

During the 75th Independence Day address on August 15, 2021, the Prime Minister announced that the government would provide fortified rice to the poor under all central schemes by the year 2024. This initiative covers the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), which was formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal scheme. The fortification process involves adding essential micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to regular rice to combat widespread malnutrition and anemia among the vulnerable sections of the population. The project was designed for phased implementation, with the final phase intended to cover all remaining districts in the country by March 2024.

Explanation

The Directive Principles of State Policy, enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution from Articles 36 to 51, were borrowed from the Irish Constitution of 1937. These principles serve as ideological guidelines for the State to ensure social and economic justice and to establish a welfare state. Although these principles are non-justiciable and cannot be enforced by a court of law, they are considered fundamental in the governance of the country, and it is the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. The framers of the Irish Constitution had, in turn, borrowed this concept from the Spanish Constitution.

Explanation

The Planning Commission of India, following the methodology recommended by the Tendulkar Committee, estimated the poverty lines for the year 2011-12. The national poverty line for rural areas was set at ₹816 per capita per month, while for urban areas it was fixed at ₹1,000 per capita per month. These estimates were based on the Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) data from the 68th round of the National Sample Survey (NSSO). The rural threshold of ₹816 reflected the cost of living and the consumption basket required to meet basic needs, including food, clothing, and house rent, specifically tailored to the rural price environment of that period. Under this definition, the poverty ratio in rural India was calculated to be 25.7 percent for 2011-12.

Explanation

Bastar Dussehra is a major cultural festival celebrated in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Unlike the conventional Dussehra observed across India which marks the victory of Rama over Ravana, Bastar Dussehra is dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari, the presiding deity of the region and the ancestral goddess of the Kakatiya rulers. It is globally recognized as one of the longest festivals, traditionally spanning 75 days. The festivities involve intricate tribal rituals, the assembly of local deities, and a grand chariot procession. The preparation begins with Pata Jatra, the worship of wood used to build the chariot, and culminates in a series of elaborate ceremonies that reflect the unique indigenous heritage and communal unity of the state.

Explanation

Platyhelminthes, commonly known as flatworms, are characterized by a dorso-ventrally flattened body that is bilaterally symmetrical and unsegmented. They are the first group of animals to show a triploblastic construction, meaning their tissues develop from three embryonic germ layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Despite being triploblastic, they are acoelomates because they lack a fluid-filled body cavity or coelom between the digestive tract and the outer body wall. Furthermore, they possess an incomplete digestive system with a single opening that serves as both the mouth and the site for waste expulsion, thus lacking a true anus. Their soft bodies lack any internal or external skeleton.

Explanation

Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus I Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, recorded his observations of Indian society in his book Indica. He categorized the population into seven distinct social classes based on occupation rather than the traditional four-fold Varna system. These seven classes were the philosophers, who performed sacrifices and rituals; the husbandmen or farmers, who were the most numerous and worked the land; the herdsmen and hunters, who lived outside villages; the artisans and traders; the warriors or military class, who were professional soldiers supported by the state; the overseers or inspectors, who monitored the conduct of the people and reported to the king; and the councillors and assessors, who were responsible for the administration of justice and government affairs. Megasthenes specifically noted that individuals were generally prohibited from marrying outside their class or changing their hereditary profession.

Explanation

Lanthanides are a series of fifteen chemical elements with atomic numbers ranging from 57 to 71, starting with lanthanum and ending with lutetium. These elements are widely known as rare earth elements because they were originally discovered and isolated in the late 18th and 19th centuries as oxide minerals, which were referred to as earths at the time. The term rare was applied because they were initially thought to be scarce in the Earth's crust. While modern geochemistry has shown that most lanthanides are relatively abundant, they are often found in low concentrations and are difficult to separate from each other due to their very similar chemical properties, leading to the continued use of the name rare earth elements.

Explanation

The Anaimalai Hills, also known as the Elephant Hills, form a major mountain range in the southern section of the Western Ghats along the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This range is home to Anamudi, which at an elevation of 2695 meters is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and the entire Indian Peninsula. Geologically, these hills are part of the Great Escarpment of India and play a crucial role in intercepting the moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds, contributing to the high biodiversity and evergreen forest cover characteristic of the Western Ghats region. The range serves as a vital corridor connecting the Palghat Gap in the north to the Cardamom Hills in the south.

Explanation

Achanta Sharath Kamal was the sole recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for the year 2022. A veteran table tennis player, he was honored with India's highest sporting distinction by President Droupadi Murmu on November 30, 2022, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This recognition followed his exceptional performance at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where he secured four medals, including three gold medals in the Men's Singles, Mixed Doubles, and Men's Team events, along with a silver in the Men's Doubles. His career longevity and consistent success at the international level made him the standout choice for the award in 2022.

Explanation

The Pattanulkars were a community of highly skilled silk weavers who migrated from the Saurashtra region of Gujarat to the Vijayanagar Empire and further south during the medieval period. Driven by political instability in the north and attracted by the patronage of southern rulers, they brought advanced techniques in silk weaving and dyeing to the Deccan and Tamil regions. In the Vijayanagar state, they were granted special privileges and land to settle because of their expertise in producing high-quality silk textiles, which were in great demand for courtly attire and religious ceremonies. Their migration significantly influenced the textile landscape of South India, establishing centers of excellence that combined northern weaving styles with southern aesthetic traditions.

Explanation

The Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced the system of Dyarchy in the provincial executive. Derived from the Greek word di-arche meaning double rule, this system divided provincial subjects into two parts: Transferred and Reserved. Reserved subjects, such as law and order, finance, and land revenue, were administered by the Governor and his Executive Council without being responsible to the Legislative Council. Transferred subjects, including education, public health, and local self-government, were administered by the Governor acting with the ministers who were responsible to the Legislative Council. This marked the first significant step toward establishing a responsible government in the provinces of British India.

Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, making him the first non-European and the first Asian to receive this prestigious honor. The award was conferred upon him primarily for his collection of poems titled Gitanjali, or Song Offerings, which he translated into English himself. The Swedish Academy recognized his work for its profoundly sensitive, fresh, and beautiful verse, which allowed his poetic thought to become a part of Western literature while maintaining its Eastern spiritual essence. This achievement brought significant international recognition to Indian literature and the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century.

Explanation

Sattriya is a classical dance form that originated in the state of Assam. It was introduced in the 15th century by the great Vaishnava saint and reformer Srimanta Sankardev as a medium for propagating the Bhakti movement. The dance was traditionally performed by male monks, known as Bhokots, in Vaishnavite monasteries called Sattras. Over centuries, it evolved from a religious ritual into a highly stylized classical dance form characterized by its unique rhythmic patterns, hand gestures, and traditional Assamese music. Ramkrishna Talukdar, a prominent exponent and guru of this tradition, was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for his significant contributions to the practice and promotion of Sattriya.

Explanation

The temperature of 58°C (136.4°F) was recorded at Al Aziziyah, Libya, on September 13, 1922, and was recognized for 90 years as the highest shade temperature ever recorded on Earth. Between 2010 and 2012, a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) panel of experts conducted an in-depth investigation to verify the accuracy of this long-standing record. The committee identified several flaws in the 1922 recording process, including an inexperienced observer, an unsuitable recording site that did not represent the surrounding desert conditions, and a likely misreading of the thermometer. Based on these findings, the WMO officially disqualified the 58°C measurement in September 2012, establishing that the record was erroneous.

Explanation

Pandit Ayodhya Prasad was a distinguished maestro of the Pakhawaj, which is a traditional barrel-shaped, two-headed percussion instrument. He belonged to the Kudau Singh Gharana and was celebrated for his rhythmic precision and technical mastery. The Pakhawaj is a member of the membranophone family and is played by striking the sides with the hands, serving as a primary accompaniment in the Dhrupad style of Hindustani classical music.

Explanation

The Rovers Cup was a premier football tournament held in India. Established in 1891 by British football enthusiasts in Bombay, now Mumbai, it was one of the oldest football competitions in the country, second only to the Durand Cup. Over its long history, it became one of the most prestigious trophies in Indian domestic football, attracting top clubs from across the nation before the tournament was eventually discontinued in 2001.

Explanation

Article 323 of the Indian Constitution mandates the submission of annual reports by the Public Service Commissions. Under Clause 1, the Union Public Service Commission presents an annual report to the President regarding its activities. The President then places this report before both Houses of Parliament along with a memorandum explaining any instances where the Commission's advice was not accepted and the reasons for such non-acceptance. Similarly, under Clause 2, a State Public Service Commission submits its annual report to the Governor of the state, who ensures it is laid before the State Legislature. This article serves as a crucial mechanism for ensuring the accountability and transparency of the Commissions' functioning to the respective legislatures.

Explanation

The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that regulates the passage of ions and molecules into and out of the cell. This property allows the cell to maintain a stable internal environment by allowing specific solutes to cross through simple diffusion or specialized transport proteins while excluding others. Statement I is correct because this selective permeability is a defining feature of biological membranes.

Statement II is incorrect because the movement of water across the cell membrane occurs via osmosis. Osmosis is a passive process where water molecules move from a region of higher water concentration (low solute concentration) to a region of lower water concentration (high solute concentration). This movement follows the concentration gradient of water. Movement from a lower concentration to a higher concentration would require active transport and the expenditure of energy, which is not the mechanism for water transport through the membrane.

Explanation

Beach volleyball teams consist of exactly two players. According to the official rules established by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), no substitutions are permitted during a match. The two players registered at the start must play the entire duration of the game. If a player becomes injured or is otherwise unable to continue, the team is declared incomplete and must forfeit the match, as there are no substitute players available to take their place on the court.

Explanation

Under the Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Regulatory Framework for Microfinance Loans) Directions, 2022, microfinance loans are strictly defined as collateral-free. The regulatory framework explicitly prohibits REs (Regulated Entities) from linking the sanction of a microfinance loan with a lien on the deposit account of the borrower. This provision is intended to protect the financial autonomy of low-income borrowers and ensure that their savings remain accessible, maintaining the fundamental principle that microfinance credit should not require any form of security or asset encumbrance.

Explanation

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 on November 2, 2022, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per Rule 1(2) of the notification, these rules officially came into force on April 1, 2023. These rules superseded the previous E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, and introduced a revamped Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. The 2022 rules expanded the scope of regulated entities to include manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers, while also bringing new items like solar photo-voltaic cells and modules under the ambit of e-waste regulation. The April 2023 commencement aligned the new compliance and recycling targets with the start of the 2023-24 financial year.

Explanation

The Planning Commission of India was established on March 15, 1950, through a Government of India Cabinet Resolution. By virtue of his position, the Prime Minister of India served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Commission. Jawaharlal Nehru, being the first Prime Minister of the country, chaired the body during the formulation and implementation of the First Five-Year Plan, which spanned from 1951 to 1956. The plan focused heavily on the agricultural sector, including investments in dams and irrigation, and was based on the Harrod-Domar model to increase the national income and promote economic stability in the newly independent nation.

Explanation

Self-help groups (SHGs) are voluntary associations typically composed of 15 to 20 members who pool their small savings to create a common fund. The core principle of an SHG is democratic functioning and collective responsibility. Consequently, all critical decisions regarding the management of the common fund, including the selection of beneficiaries for loans, the purpose of the credit, the specific amount to be disbursed, the interest rates, and the repayment timelines, are determined by the group members themselves. This internal decision-making process ensures that the credit is tailored to the specific needs of the members while fostering financial discipline and mutual trust within the community.

Explanation

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the continuation of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for school education for a period of five years. This extension, often referred to as Samagra Shiksha 2.0, spans from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026. The timeline is aligned with the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. This phase of the scheme incorporates the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on universal access to education, foundational literacy and numeracy, and the integration of vocational education in schools. The total financial outlay for this five-year period was set at approximately Rs 2,94,283.04 crore, including a central share of Rs 1,85,398.32 crore.

Explanation

The Ashwadhyaksha was the Superintendent of Horses in the Mauryan military administration as detailed in Kautilya's Arthashastra. This official held a high-ranking position responsible for the procurement of superior horse breeds from regions such as Kamboja, Sindhu, and Aratta. His duties included the supervision of stables, the systematic training of horses for different types of warfare, and the management of their diet and healthcare. Under the centralized Mauryan system, the Ashwadhyaksha ensured that the cavalry remained a highly mobile and efficient strike force by maintaining detailed records of the animals' age, breed, and physical condition.

Explanation

The Doongri festival is celebrated in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, to mark the birth anniversary of Goddess Hadimba, the wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata. It is primarily a Hindu festival observed at the Hadimba Devi Temple located in the Doongri forest.