SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Savita Punia served as the captain of the Indian women's hockey team during the Women's Hockey Asia Cup 2022, which took place in Muscat, Oman. A veteran goalkeeper, she was entrusted with leading the 18-member squad in the continental tournament. Under her captaincy, India finished the competition in third place, earning the bronze medal by defeating China 2-0 in the bronze-medal match. This performance was significant as it also secured India's qualification for the 2022 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup.

Explanation

Tamil Nadu is classified into seven distinct agro-climatic zones based on soil characteristics, rainfall distribution, irrigation patterns, and cropping systems. These zones are the North Eastern Zone, North Western Zone, Western Zone, Cauvery Delta Zone, Southern Zone, High Rainfall Zone, and High Altitude Zone. This classification is used by agricultural scientists and policymakers to implement region-specific farming strategies and crop management practices. For example, the Cauvery Delta Zone is optimized for intensive rice cultivation, while the High Altitude and High Rainfall zones are suited for plantation crops and spices. By dividing the state into these seven zones, the government can better address the ecological requirements and challenges unique to each geographical area.

Explanation

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, officially inaugurated the Sangeet Natak Akademi on 28 January 1953 during a ceremony held at the Parliament House. The academy was established by the Government of India through a resolution passed by the Ministry of Education in 1952 to function as the national-level organization for the performing arts. Its primary objective is the promotion and preservation of the vast intangible heritage of India expressed through music, dance, and drama. Dr. Rajendra Prasad's leadership during the early years of the Republic was instrumental in setting up various national institutions aimed at fostering cultural development and protecting the diverse artistic traditions of the country.

Explanation

Walther Flemming, a German biologist and a pioneer of cytogenetics, coined the term chromatin in 1879. During his microscopic investigations of the cell nucleus, he identified a substance that strongly absorbed basophilic aniline dyes. He named this material chromatin, derived from the Greek word chroma meaning color, to highlight its unique staining properties. This discovery was a significant milestone in cell biology as it allowed for the visualization of the thread-like structures involved in cell division. Flemming's research during this period provided the fundamental observations necessary for describing the process of mitosis and understanding the behavior of hereditary material within the nucleus.

Explanation

In Himachal Pradesh, the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Magha Saaji. The term Saaji is the local Pahari word for Sankranti, marking the start of a new month. This festival signifies the beginning of the month of Magha, which is considered a period of religious significance and spiritual purification. On this day, people traditionally wake up early to take ritual baths in holy rivers such as the Beas, Sutlej, and Ravi, or at hot water springs like those in Tattapani. The celebration involves visiting temples to seek blessings and preparing traditional festive foods. A key culinary tradition of Magha Saaji is the consumption of khichdi made with lentils and rice, typically served with clarified butter or ghee. It is also a time for community bonding and performing acts of charity, such as donating grains and clothing to the underprivileged.

Explanation

Neeraj Chopra was selected as the flag bearer for the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. As a prominent javelin thrower, he led the Indian delegation during the parade of nations at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on August 18, 2018. Following this honor, he went on to win the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the same games, setting a then-national record with a throw of 88.06 meters.

Explanation

Duns are longitudinal valleys created when the drainage of rivers was temporarily blocked by the rising Shiwalik ranges, leading to the accumulation of thick deposits of silt, gravel, and pebbles. Once the rivers carved paths through these ranges, the lakes drained out, leaving behind fertile longitudinal structural valleys. Dehra Dun is the largest among all such formations in the Himalayan region, stretching approximately 35 to 45 kilometers in length and 22 to 25 kilometers in width. Located in the state of Uttarakhand between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks, it is a prominent geographical feature known for its extensive alluvial deposits and significant administrative importance.

Explanation

The United States operates under a federal system where citizenship is dual in nature, meaning an individual is simultaneously a citizen of the national government and the specific constituent state where they reside. This principle is formally established by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which declares that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Under this framework, a resident is entitled to the rights and protections afforded by the federal government while also holding distinct political and legal rights granted by their respective state government, such as the right to vote in state elections and access to state-specific social services.

Explanation

The first phase of the Green Revolution, which began in the mid-1960s and lasted until the mid-1970s, focused on achieving food security through the use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds. These seeds were specifically developed for wheat and rice to significantly increase their productivity per hectare. The program prioritized these two staples because they were the primary food sources for the Indian population and showed the most dramatic response to the package of modern inputs, including chemical fertilizers and controlled irrigation. Consequently, the initial success of the Green Revolution was concentrated in regions with established irrigation facilities, such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, where the cultivation of wheat and rice could be most effectively intensified.

Explanation

Paul Dirac was a pioneering theoretical physicist whose primary contributions were in the fields of quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics. He formulated the Dirac equation, which describes the behavior of fermions and successfully predicted the existence of antimatter, specifically the positron. He did not work on the physics of liquid helium. The discovery of superfluidity in liquid helium is attributed to Pyotr Kapitsa, John F. Allen, and Don Misener, while the landmark theoretical explanation for the properties of liquid helium was developed by Lev Landau.

Explanation

P.T. Usha was elected unopposed as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in December 2022. This landmark appointment made her the first woman to hold the post since the IOA was founded in 1927. Beyond this gender milestone, she is also the first Olympian and international medalist to lead the national Olympic body. Often referred to as the Payyoli Express, her election followed a series of constitutional amendments within the IOA aimed at increasing the representation of sportspersons in sports administration.

Explanation

Harshavardhana, the most prominent ruler of the Pushyabhuti or Vardhana dynasty, ascended the throne in 606 CE after the death of his elder brother, Rajyavardhana. He unified the kingdoms of Thanesar and Kannauj, eventually moving his capital to Kannauj to better administer his expanding empire in Northern India. His reign, which lasted until his death in 647 CE, is well-documented through the writings of his court poet Banabhatta in the Harshacharita and the travelogues of the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang. His accession in 606 CE also marks the beginning of the Harsha Era.

Explanation

Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam was a legendary maestro of Kuchipudi who is credited with refining and popularizing the art form on a global stage. Born in the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh, he moved to Madras and founded the Kuchipudi Art Academy in 1963, which served as a major center for training and propagation of the dance. He systematized the Kuchipudi technique, bringing a more classical character and precision to its movements, expressions, and mudras. His prolific career included choreographing over 180 solo items and 15 major dance dramas, which showcased the depth and versatility of the style. In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical dance, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1998 and several other prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.

Explanation

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and percussionist who is primarily credited with the revival and systematic development of Odissi in the 20th century. Born into a family of Chitrakara painters in Raghurajpur, Odisha, he initially trained in the Gotipua and Mahari traditions, which are the foundational roots of this dance form. His mastery over the pakhawaj and his innovative choreography helped elevate Odissi from a dying local tradition to a globally recognized classical dance style. In 2000, he became the first person from Odisha to be honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award. He also established the dance institution Srjan to preserve and propagate the nuances of Odissi.

Explanation

Contemporary inscriptions and literary works from the fourteenth to the seventeenth centuries frequently referred to the state as Karnataka Samrajyamu. This title identified the empire with the linguistic and cultural region of Karnataka, where its founders, Harihara and Bukka, established their initial power base. Although the capital city was Vijayanagara, the rulers and their subjects viewed the polity as the sovereign kingdom of the Karnataka region, a terminology that persists in historical epigraphy alongside the modern academic designation of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Explanation

Article 137 of the Constitution of India expressly empowers the Supreme Court to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it. This constitutional provision ensures that the Court can rectify any error apparent on the face of the record or prevent a miscarriage of justice. As the highest court of the land, its decisions are binding, but Article 137 provides a vital mechanism for self-correction. This power is exercised subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament or any rules framed under Article 145. Typically, a review petition must be filed within thirty days of the judgment or order to be considered by the Court.

Explanation

Lord Ripon introduced the landmark Resolution on Local Self-Government in 1882, which earned him the title of the Father of Local Self-Government in India. He envisioned these local bodies primarily as instruments of political and popular education rather than just tools for administrative improvement. By proposing the creation of rural and urban local boards with a majority of non-official members and elected chairmen wherever possible, Ripon aimed to involve Indians in the management of their own local affairs, thereby fostering a sense of civic duty and self-governance.

Explanation

The International Day of Older Persons is observed globally every year on 1 October. This day was officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 1990, following the initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing. The observance aims to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse, while also appreciating the contributions that older people make to society. In 2021, the day was celebrated with the theme Digital Equity for All Ages, which focused on the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons to ensure they are not left behind in an increasingly technological global environment. Since this is an annually fixed international day, the celebration date remains constant each year.

Explanation

Iron is a transition metal with the atomic number 26 and an electronic configuration of [Ar] 3d⁶ 4s². Transition elements exhibit variable valency because the energy gap between the ns and (n-1)d orbitals is very small, allowing electrons from both subshells to participate in bond formation. Iron can lose the two electrons from its 4s orbital to form the ferrous ion (Fe²⁺), representing a valency of 2. It can also lose a third electron from the 3d orbital to reach a stable, half-filled d-subshell configuration (3d⁵), forming the ferric ion (Fe³⁺) and representing a valency of 3. This ability to form ions with different charges under different chemical conditions defines variable valency.

Explanation

The Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha was established in 1915 at Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela. It was formed to safeguard the interests of the Hindu community, particularly following the formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906 and the subsequent implementation of the 1909 Morley-Minto Reforms, which granted separate electorates to Muslims. Prominent leaders like Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya were instrumental in organizing the Mahasabha to provide a unified political voice for Hindus and to address concerns regarding communal representation and cultural preservation in British India.

Explanation

Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha in August 1828, which was later renamed the Brahmo Samaj. This organization was a central force in the 19th-century Bengal Renaissance and aimed to reform Hindu society by promoting monotheism and the worship of one formless God. The movement sought to eliminate social evils such as idol worship, priestcraft, the caste system, and the practice of sati, while emphasizing rationalism and the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads.

Explanation

Usha Mehta was a prominent freedom fighter who played a critical role in the underground activities of the Quit India Movement in 1942. Along with her associates, she established the Secret Congress Radio, also known as the Azad Congress Radio, to bypass the strict censorship imposed by the British colonial government. The radio station first went on air on August 14, 1942, and served as a vital tool for disseminating news, patriotic speeches, and instructions to the Indian public. To avoid detection by the police, the transmission equipment was frequently moved between different secret locations in Bombay. This clandestine operation continued for several months until the organizers were eventually apprehended in November 1942.

Explanation

Kanishka I was the most prominent emperor of the Kushana dynasty and is renowned as a great patron of Buddhism, often referred to as the Second Ashoka. He organized the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana in Kashmir during the 1st century CE to resolve differences in Buddhist teachings and doctrines. The council was presided over by Vasumitra and co-presided by the philosopher Ashvaghosha. This assembly led to the compilation of the Mahavibhasha, an exhaustive commentary on Buddhist philosophy, and played a pivotal role in the formal rise and spread of Mahayana Buddhism. Kanishka's support facilitated the expansion of Buddhist ideology across the Silk Road into Central Asia and China, while also fostering the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art.

Explanation

Akham Lakshmi Devi is a distinguished exponent of Manipuri classical dance. She was honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for her significant contributions to the field of Manipuri dance. Her work is characterized by a deep mastery of the traditional Ras Leela and the ritualistic Sankirtana elements inherent to the Manipuri culture. Through her performances and dedication to teaching, she has played a vital role in preserving and promoting the nuances of this graceful dance form, which is known for its fluid movements and religious themes.

Explanation

The iris is a muscular ring that regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. In a brightly lit environment, the iris muscles contract the pupil to a smaller diameter to limit the light intensity and protect the retina from overexposure. When moving suddenly into a dimly lit room, the pupil remains in this constricted state for a short duration. Because the opening is small, it does not allow enough of the faint light available in the dark room to enter the eye, making it difficult to see until the iris eventually dilates the pupil to adapt to the lower light levels.

Explanation

Guru Bipin Singh was a legendary exponent, choreographer, and scholar of Manipuri dance, often hailed as the Father of Manipuri dance in the modern era. He was instrumental in reviving and restructuring the dance form by adapting traditional temple rituals and the Ras Lila into sophisticated stage performances. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1966 for his immense contribution to the classical dance form. Singh is also well known for training the famous Jhaveri sisters, who played a crucial role in taking Manipuri dance to international platforms. Through his institutions like the Govindji Nartanalaya and Manipur Nartanalaya, he systematized the grammar and technique of Manipuri, ensuring its preservation and academic growth.

Explanation

In India, the financial year for accounting, taxation, and government budgeting follows a specific twelve-month cycle that begins on 1 April and ends on 31 March of the subsequent calendar year. This system was officially adopted in 1867 to align the Indian fiscal cycle with that of the British Empire. Consequently, the Financial Year 2022-23 refers to the period starting from 1 April 2022 and concluding on 31 March 2023. All income tax assessments, corporate audits, and the Union Budget allocations are tracked and executed within this specific duration.

Explanation

The 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship was the 19th edition of the premier international competition for women's national volleyball teams. It was co-hosted by the Netherlands and Poland, marking the first time in the history of the tournament that the event was held across two countries. The competition took place from September 23 to October 15, 2022, with matches being played in three Dutch cities—Arnhem, Rotterdam, and Apeldoorn—and three Polish cities—Gdańsk, Łódź, and Gliwice. The tournament concluded with the final match held in Apeldoorn, where Serbia successfully defended their title by defeating Brazil.

Explanation

The population density of a country is defined as the total midyear population divided by the land area in square kilometers. According to the World Bank data for the year 2020, Sri Lanka had a total population of approximately 21.92 million people living within a land area of about 61,860 square kilometers. This results in a population density of approximately 354.1 persons per square kilometer. This metric is a critical demographic indicator used by international organizations to monitor urbanization, land use patterns, and the distribution of human settlements across the island nation.

Explanation

The cell wall is a rigid structural layer that defines the outer boundary of plant cells. It is predominantly composed of cellulose, a robust polysaccharide that provides mechanical strength and a consistent shape to the cell. This structure is crucial for providing support to the plant as a whole and for managing the internal turgor pressure that develops as the cell absorbs water. The presence of this specialized outer layer is a fundamental characteristic of plant cellular architecture.

Explanation

Bahadur Shah II, popularly known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was the last Mughal emperor and served as the symbolic figurehead of the Revolt of 1857. When the rebellious sepoys from Meerut reached Delhi on May 11, 1857, they proclaimed him the Shahenshah-e-Hindustan (Emperor of India). Despite his advanced age and limited political power, his leadership provided a sense of legitimacy and unity to the uprising, as he appealed to various Indian rulers and chiefs to organize a confederacy against British rule. His involvement transformed a military mutiny into a wider national struggle. After the British recaptured Delhi in September 1857, he was arrested by Major Hodson at Humayun's Tomb, tried for treason, and exiled to Rangoon, marking the formal end of the Mughal Empire.

Explanation

The Madhya Pradesh government presented a dedicated Child Budget for the first time as part of its annual financial plan for the fiscal year 2022-23 in March 2022. This initiative was designed to consolidate and prioritize expenditures related to the development, health, and education of children under the age of 18. The state allocated approximately 57803 crore across 220 schemes managed by 17 different departments, focusing on nutrition, specialized healthcare, and schooling infrastructure. By introducing this separate component within the main budget, the state government aimed to enhance transparency and ensure targeted implementation of welfare programs specifically tailored to the needs of the younger population.

Explanation

The Ravi river is a major Himalayan river originating in the Bara Bhangal region of the Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. It flows through the Chamba district, where the historical town of Chamba is located on its right bank. The river has a total length of approximately 720 km. It is a perennial river, drawing its water from the melting snow of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas. After traversing the mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh, it enters the Punjab plains near Madhopur and eventually joins the Chenab river in Pakistan as part of the Indus river system.

Explanation

The Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) was the first integrated steel plant in the public sector of India, established in the Sundargarh district of Odisha. It was set up in 1959 during the Second Five-Year Plan with the technical and financial collaboration of a West German consortium comprising companies like Krupp and Demag. The plant's location in Odisha was strategically chosen due to the abundance of raw materials, such as iron ore from the Bonai range, water from the Brahmani River, and proximity to the coal mines of the Jharia and Talcher regions.

Explanation

Article 159 of the Constitution of India prescribes the oath or affirmation for the Governor of a State. It specifically mandates that every Governor, before entering upon his office, shall make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in the presence of the Chief Justice of the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to that State. In the absence of the Chief Justice, the oath is administered by the senior-most Judge of that High Court available. The oath requires the Governor to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution and the law to the best of their ability.

Explanation

The Government of India launched the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage citizens to hoist the National Flag of India at their homes. The initiative was specifically designed to mark the 75ᵗʰ year of Indias independence and took place from 13ᵗʰ August to 15ᵗʰ August 2022. By inviting individuals to display the Tricolour at their residences, the program aimed to foster a personal connection with the national symbol and inspire a sense of patriotism among the public. To support this large-scale participation, the Ministry of Home Affairs amended the Flag Code of India, allowing the flag to be displayed in the open or on the house of a member of the public day and night.

Explanation

Orangutans are great apes that are native only to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Their natural distribution is restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They are not found in the Caribbean islands, which are located in the Americas and lack the specific tropical rainforest ecosystems required by these primates. The Caribbean fauna does not include any species of great apes, as these animals are geographically isolated to parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.

Explanation

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was a legendary Indian classical musician who is credited with single-handedly elevating the Santoor from a regional folk instrument of Jammu and Kashmir to a prestigious classical instrument. The Santoor is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer traditionally used in Sufiana Mausiqi. Sharma modified the instrument by changing the stringing patterns and refining the playing technique with wooden mallets to produce the meend (glissando) and other nuances essential for Hindustani classical music. For his immense contributions to the field of music, he was honored with several high civilian awards, including the Padma Shri and the Padma Vibhushan.

Explanation

The formula a_c = v² / R defines centripetal acceleration for an object moving in a circular path. In this kinematic relationship, a_c represents the acceleration directed toward the center of the circle, which is necessary to constantly change the direction of the object's velocity. The variable R represents the radius of the circular orbit, while v denotes the tangential speed of the object. The acceleration is directly proportional to the square of the speed, meaning that if the speed of the object increases, the inward force required to maintain the circular path increases quadratically.

Explanation

In field hockey, a long corner is awarded to the attacking team when the ball travels over the back line after being last touched by a defender, provided a goal was not scored and the ball was not played over the back line deliberately. According to the FIH Rules of Hockey, this restart is taken from the 23-meter line at a point in line with where the ball crossed the back line. This rule ensures the attacking team retains possession following a defensive deflection that results in the ball going out of play behind the goal.

Explanation

In the Union Budget 2022-23, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was allocated a total of ₹13,134.62 crore. This amount represented an increase of approximately 12% compared to the revised estimates of ₹11,691.82 crore for the 2021-22 financial year. The ministry is divided into the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. This increased fiscal allocation was intended to strengthen various welfare initiatives, including the National Fellowship for Scheduled Castes, the PM-DAKSH skill development scheme, and several scholarship programs for backward classes and persons with disabilities. The growth in funding underscored the government focus on inclusive growth and the socio-economic empowerment of marginalized communities.

Explanation

The terms of trade (ToT) is an economic indicator that measures the relative prices of a country's exports compared to its imports. It is defined as the ratio of the index of export prices to the index of import prices, expressed as ToT = (Pₓ)/(Pₘ) × 100. Here, Pₓ represents the price index of exports and Pₘ represents the price index of imports. This ratio reflects the quantity of imports a country can purchase per unit of its exports. When the price of a country's exports rises relative to the price of its imports, the terms of trade are said to improve, meaning the nation can acquire more foreign goods for the same volume of exported goods. This measurement is vital for understanding a nation's purchasing power and its overall economic health within the context of international trade.

Explanation

Article 40 of the Constitution of India, located within the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV, explicitly directs the State to organize village panchayats. It mandates that the State should provide these bodies with the necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as effective units of self-government. This article reflects the Gandhian vision of Gram Swaraj, emphasizing the importance of decentralized governance and rural autonomy. While these directives were initially non-justiciable, the principle laid down in Article 40 provided the constitutional basis for the subsequent enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which institutionalized Panchayati Raj institutions across the country.

Explanation

PRASHAST, which stands for Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool, is a mobile application and booklet developed by the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT. It is specifically designed for teachers and school administrators to conduct the first-level screening of students suspected of having any of the 21 disabilities recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. By providing a structured checklist, the app enables early identification of special needs at the school level, which is a critical step before clinical diagnosis and the provision of necessary educational support or certifications. The tool was launched by the Ministry of Education to streamline the process of inclusive education within the school system.

Explanation

Part III of the Indian Constitution currently classifies the Fundamental Rights into six broad categories. Although the original Constitution provided for seven groups of rights, the Right to Property (Article 31) was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978 and was made a legal right under Article 300A. The remaining six groups are the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18), the Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22), the Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24), the Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28), Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30), and the Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).

Explanation

The first Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) was launched by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and was based on the Harrod-Domar model. Its primary objective was the development of agriculture to resolve the acute food crisis and high inflation resulting from World War II and the partition of India. The plan prioritized agrarian growth through heavy investments in irrigation and power projects, including the construction of major dams such as the Bhakra-Nangal and Hirakud. By the end of the plan period, food grain production had increased significantly, helping the country move toward self-sufficiency and achieving a GDP growth rate of 3.6 percent, which surpassed the initial target of 2.1 percent.

Explanation

Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in India by surface area and holds the record for being the longest lake in the country, stretching approximately 96.5 kilometers. Situated in the state of Kerala, it encompasses an area of more than 2,000 square kilometers, including its extensive network of backwaters and marshes. It is part of the Vembanad-Kol wetland system, a Ramsar site of international importance. The lake serves as a vital ecological and economic resource, hosting major cultural events like the Nehru Trophy Boat Race and supporting diverse aquatic life through its unique brackish and freshwater zones.

Explanation

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was established in 1927 to act as the national governing body for Olympic sports in India. Sir Dorabji Tata was the primary figure behind its creation and served as its founding President, with Dr. A.G. Noehren appointed as the first Secretary General. Its formation allowed India to have a centralized organization for selecting and managing athletes for international competitions, and it received official recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the same year.

Explanation

Valine is classified as an essential amino acid because the human body lacks the metabolic pathways required to synthesize it de novo. There are nine essential amino acids—histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine—all of which must be obtained through dietary intake from sources like meat, dairy, soy, and legumes. As a branched-chain amino acid, valine is crucial for muscle metabolism, tissue repair, and the maintenance of proper nitrogen balance in the body. Since it cannot be produced by internal biological processes, it is incorrect to label it as a non-essential amino acid.

Explanation

The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy, in 1960. Formally known as the 9th Annual International Stoke Mandeville Games, the event took place shortly after the conclusion of the 1960 Summer Olympics in the same host city. The games were organized by Sir Ludwig Guttmann and Antonia Maglio, featuring approximately 400 athletes from 23 countries who competed in eight different sports. This 1960 competition is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee as the inaugural Paralympic Games, marking the expansion of the movement from a competition for British veterans to a premier international sporting event for athletes with physical disabilities.