SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was responsible for preparing the initial framework of the Indian Constitution. After approximately six months of work following its appointment in August 1947, the committee published the first draft of the Constitution of India in February 1948. This publication allowed the citizens of India, provincial legislatures, and other stakeholders a period of eight months to scrutinize the document, suggest amendments, and provide feedback before the draft was further refined and introduced for discussion in the Constituent Assembly.

Explanation

The Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO), now functioning as the IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) after its merger with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in 2006, is located at Burnpur in the Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It is situated along the primary Kolkata-Asansol railway line, which provides essential logistical connectivity for the transport of raw materials like coal from the nearby Raniganj and Jharia fields and iron ore from the Gua mines. The plant's strategic placement on this rail corridor facilitates the distribution of finished steel products to the Kolkata port and other major industrial centers across northern and eastern India.

Explanation

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a renowned 17th-century French gem merchant and traveler who made six overland journeys to India between 1630 and 1668. His visits coincided with the peak of the Mughal Empire under the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. As a professional jeweler, Tavernier provided exceptionally detailed observations regarding the diamond mines of India, particularly those in the Golconda region. His famous work, Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, offers invaluable historical insights into the trade, economy, and social conditions of the Mughal period, as well as technical descriptions of legendary gems and the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Explanation

The Northeast monsoon, also known as the retreating monsoon, occurs from October to December when the high-pressure system develops over the Tibetan Plateau and the low-pressure trough moves toward the Bay of Bengal. During this transition, the winds blow from the northeast toward the southwest. As these dry continental winds cross the Bay of Bengal, they pick up significant moisture before striking the southern peninsula. This results in the primary rainy season for the Coromandel coast, specifically benefiting Tamil Nadu, which receives the majority of its annual rainfall during this period. The influence of these moisture-laden winds also extends to the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and the state of Kerala, providing crucial precipitation for agriculture in these southern states.

Explanation

Capital goods are physical assets such as buildings, machinery, equipment, vehicles, and tools that are used by businesses in the production of other goods and services. Unlike consumer goods, they are not intended for immediate consumption or personal use by individuals. Instead, they function as durable inputs in the production process, meaning they are utilized repeatedly over a long period to enhance the productive capacity of an economy. In economic terms, these items constitute fixed capital because they remain in the production cycle for many years and do not get transformed or exhausted in a single production act.

Explanation

Nichrome is an alloy composed primarily of nickel and chromium, and it exhibits a significantly higher electrical resistivity compared to pure metals. In alloys, the arrangement of different types of atoms creates a more complex internal structure that increases the scattering of charge carriers, thereby hindering the flow of electric current more effectively than the orderly lattice of a pure metal. The resistivity of nichrome is approximately 1.1 × 10⁻⁶ Ω, which is roughly ten to one hundred times greater than that of common metallic conductors like silver or iron. This characteristic property of high resistivity, along with its ability to withstand high temperatures without oxidizing, makes nichrome a standard material for use in electrical heating elements.

Explanation

Ustad Asad Ali Khan was a preeminent Indian classical musician celebrated as the finest exponent of the Rudra Veena in modern times. He belonged to the seventh generation of a distinguished lineage of musicians in the Jaipur Beenkar gharana, specifically practicing the Khandarbani style of Dhrupad. As a master of this rare and ancient plucked string instrument, he played a crucial role in preserving its traditional techniques and spiritual depth. In recognition of his contributions to Indian classical music, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977 and the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2008.

Explanation

The Kumaon Himalayas represent a specific longitudinal division of the Himalayan mountain range located between the Satluj River in the west and the Kali River in the east. This section spans approximately 320 kilometers and lies primarily within the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The region is home to several significant mountain peaks, including Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Trishul, and is known for its glacial sources of major rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna. The Kali River serves as the natural border that separates the Kumaon division from the Nepal Himalayas to the east.

Explanation

Aanchal Thakur is a prominent Indian athlete who represents the country in international winter sports. In December 2021, she won a bronze medal at the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) Alpine Skiing Competition held in Kolasin, Montenegro. Specifically, she achieved this podium finish in the Giant Slalom category. This victory was significant as it made her the first Indian skier to win two international medals in Alpine Skiing, following her previous bronze medal success at the 2018 Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup in Turkey.

Explanation

The Brahmo Samaj, established by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, was the foremost organization involved in the intellectual and literary campaign against the practice of Sati. Raja Ram Mohan Roy authored several influential tracts and pamphlets, such as his 1818 and 1820 dialogues between an advocate and an opponent of the practice, to demonstrate that Sati lacked any authentic scriptural justification in Hinduism. He also utilized his Persian and Bengali journals, most notably Sambad Kaumudi, to publish articles that exposed the coercive nature of the ritual and appealed to the reason and humanity of the public. These literary efforts and the persistent advocacy by the Brahmo Samaj created the necessary social pressure and moral arguments that enabled the British administration under Lord William Bentinck to legally abolish Sati through the Regulation XVII of 1829.

Explanation

Article 146(3) of the Constitution of India provides that the administrative expenses of the Supreme Court, including all salaries, allowances, and pensions payable to or in respect of the officers and servants of the Court, shall be charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India. This provision ensures the independence of the judiciary by protecting the court's administrative funding from the annual voting process in Parliament. Expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India can be discussed in the legislature but is not subject to a vote, thereby securing the financial autonomy of the Supreme Court and its staff. Similarly, the salaries and pensions of the judges of the Supreme Court are also charged upon the same fund under Article 112(3).

Explanation

Part IX B of the Constitution of India, titled The Co-operative Societies, was inserted via the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011. It comprises Articles 243ZH to 243ZT and aims to provide constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies while ensuring their democratic and professional functioning. On 20 July 2021, the Supreme Court in the case of Union of India v. Rajendra N. Shah struck down certain provisions of this Part. The Court held that the amendment required ratification by at least half of the state legislatures under Article 368(2) of the Constitution because co-operative societies are a state subject under Entry 32 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule. Since this mandatory procedure was not followed, the provisions relating to state co-operative societies were declared unconstitutional, though the part remains valid for multi-state co-operative societies.

Explanation

The 36th edition of the National Games of India was hosted by the state of Gujarat in 2022. The event took place from September 29 to October 12 and was conducted across six cities: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar. This marked the first time Gujarat organized the multi-sport competition. The games featured 36 sporting disciplines and carried the motto Celebrating Unity Through Sports. The official mascot for the event was Savaj, an Asiatic lion, reflecting the unique wildlife of the region.

Explanation

Chlorine is the Group 17 element that exists naturally as a mixture of two stable isotopes, ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl. The average atomic mass of an element is calculated using the weighted average of its naturally occurring isotopes according to the formula:

Mₐᵥ_g = Σ (Massᵢ × Abundanceᵢ)

Substituting the given values for the isotopes of chlorine: Mₐᵥ_g = (35 × 0.7577) + (37 × 0.2423) Mₐᵥ_g = 26.5195 + 8.9651 = 35.4846 amu

This resulting average atomic mass of approximately 35.5 amu is a fundamental characteristic of chlorine. In chemical analysis and mass spectrometry, the 3:1 ratio of these isotopes serves as a diagnostic pattern for identifying the presence of chlorine atoms in a sample. Chlorine-35 consists of 17 protons and 18 neutrons, while Chlorine-37 consists of 17 protons and 20 neutrons.

Explanation

Dalkhai is one of the most popular folk dances of Odisha, originating in the western parts of the state such as Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, and Sundargarh. Traditionally performed by women of various tribal communities including the Binjhal, Kuda, and Mirdha, the dance is a vital part of festivals like Dussehra, Bhaijiuntia, Phagun Puni, and Nuakhai. The performance is characterized by rhythmic movements and is accompanied by a traditional orchestra comprising the Dhol, Nisan, Tamki, Tasa, and Mahuri. The songs performed during the dance begin and end with the address Dalkhai Bo, which refers to a girlfriend or a daughter of the forest, and often depict themes from the life of Radha and Krishna or episodes from the Indian epics.

Explanation

India has never hosted the Paralympic Games, whether in the Summer or Winter categories. While the country has participated in the Summer Paralympics since 1968 and has achieved significant success in recent editions, it has not yet served as a host nation for this international multi-sport event. The hosting of the Paralympics is traditionally linked to the hosting of the Olympic Games, with both events utilizing the same venues and infrastructure in the same host city. Since India has not yet hosted an edition of the Olympic Games, it has also not been a host for the Paralympic Games.

Explanation

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), 2005, was enacted to provide a legal guarantee for at least 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. The act was notified on September 7, 2005, and the scheme was officially launched on February 2, 2006. In the first phase of its implementation, the program covered 200 identified backward districts across India. This phased approach allowed the government to monitor the implementation and address administrative challenges before expanding the scheme to 130 additional districts in 2007-2008 and eventually to all remaining rural districts of the country by April 1, 2008.

Explanation

The 7th edition of the Digital India Awards (DIA) was held on January 7, 2023, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards to various government entities at the District, State, and Central levels, as well as Indian Startups and public sector enterprises, for their innovative digital initiatives. These awards are organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the aegis of the National Portal of India to promote the Digital India vision and encourage the delivery of government services through digital platforms. The 2022-23 awards featured seven categories, including Digital Empowerment of Citizens, Digital Initiatives at Grassroots Level, and Data Sharing and Use for Socio-Economic Development.

Explanation

Smriti Mandhana was awarded the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year in January 2022 for her stellar performances throughout 2021. During the qualifying period, she amassed 855 runs in 22 international appearances at an average of 38.86, which included one century and five half-centuries. Her most notable achievement during this stint was scoring a historic century in India's inaugural pink-ball Test match against Australia. This recognition marked the second time she received this prestigious global honor, having previously won it in 2018, making her one of the few players to win the award multiple times.

Explanation

The Gaur (Bos gaurus), also known as the Indian Bison, is the largest extant bovine and the closest wild relative of domestic cattle. It belongs to the same genus, Bos, as the domestic cow (Bos taurus and Bos indicus). Characterized by its massive size, muscular strength, and distinct white stockings on its legs, the Gaur is a flagship species of the deciduous forests of the Western Ghats. Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks in Karnataka are famous for harboring some of the highest densities of Gaur in India, providing the extensive foraging grounds and water sources necessary for these large herbivores. Due to its conservation importance, the Gaur is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Explanation

The Budget, referred to in Article 112 of the Indian Constitution as the Annual Financial Statement, is a comprehensive document that details the government's estimated receipts and proposed expenditures for a specific fiscal year. It serves as the primary financial plan of the state, outlining how resources will be mobilized through various revenue streams like taxes and how they will be allocated across different sectors such as infrastructure, defense, and social welfare. This statement provides a transparent overview of the government's fiscal policy and its intended economic objectives for the upcoming year.

Explanation

The Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 and approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2022. It is a 100 percent Central Sector Scheme with a total outlay of 6,600 crore rupees for the four-year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26, coinciding with the remaining period of the 15th Finance Commission. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) to fund infrastructure projects in the spirit of PM GatiShakti and support social development projects based on the felt needs of the North Eastern states. It specifically aims to create livelihood activities for youth and women while filling developmental gaps in various sectors without duplicating existing central or state programs.

Explanation

Yamini Krishnamurthy is a distinguished exponent of both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi classical dance forms. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) honored her with the prestigious title of Asthana Nartaki, or resident dancer, in recognition of her exceptional talent and her dedicated efforts in promoting these traditional art forms. Her career is marked by numerous high honors, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. The title bestowed by TTD specifically highlights her status as a premier performer whose work is deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual heritage represented by the temple.

Explanation

In the case of Devilal v. State of Madhya Pradesh, decided in February 2021, the Supreme Court of India addressed the issue of juvenility in criminal proceedings. The Court held that if an accused is found to be below 18 years of age on the date of the commission of the offense, they must be treated as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. In this specific matter, the appellant was found to be between 16 and 18 years old at the time of the incident. The Supreme Court ruled that his conviction by the trial court was unsustainable and directed that the matter be remitted to the jurisdictional Juvenile Justice Board for the determination of appropriate consequential measures. This judgment reinforced the principle that the benefit of juvenility can be claimed at any stage of the proceedings, and once established, the offender must be dealt with by the specialized board rather than the regular criminal courts.

Explanation

Part V of the Constitution of India, titled The Union, deals with the structure and functions of the central government. Specifically, Chapter I of Part V, which includes Articles 52 to 78, contains the provisions regarding the Union Executive. The Union Executive consists of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, and the Attorney General for India. These articles define the powers, duties, and appointment procedures for these constitutional authorities, establishing the framework for the administration of the Union.

Explanation

China dominated the medal tally at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which were held in 2021. The nation secured the top spot for the fifth consecutive Paralympic Games, having maintained this lead since the 2004 Athens Games. China finished the competition with a total of 207 medals, comprising 96 gold, 60 silver, and 51 bronze medals. Their gold medal count was more than double that of the second-placed nation, Great Britain, which secured 41 gold medals. This performance reflected China's strong presence across various sporting disciplines, particularly in athletics, swimming, and table tennis.

Explanation

South Korea has hosted the Asian Games three times. The first instance was the 1986 Asian Games held in Seoul, which served as a precursor to the 1988 Summer Olympics. The second time was the 2002 Asian Games hosted in Busan, and the third was the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon. These events showcased South Korea's advanced sporting infrastructure and its significant role in the Olympic Council of Asia.

Explanation

Major Hector Munro commanded the British East India Company forces during the Battle of Buxar, fought on October 22, 1764. His disciplined army defeated the combined forces of Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (the Nawab of Awadh), and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. This victory was a significant turning point in Indian history, as it established the British as a major political power and led to the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, through which the Company obtained the Diwani rights to collect taxes in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.

Explanation

The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 removed the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights by deleting Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31. This amendment was introduced to ensure that the government could implement land reforms and social welfare legislation without being hindered by the stringent protections afforded to Fundamental Rights. Consequently, the right was reconstituted as a legal or constitutional right under a new Article 300A in Part XII of the Constitution. This ensures that while the state cannot deprive a person of their property without the authority of law, a citizen cannot approach the Supreme Court directly under Article 32 for its enforcement, as it is no longer a fundamental right.

Explanation

Changai dance is a traditional folk dance performed by the Chang Naga tribe, who primarily inhabit the Tuensang district of Nagaland. This dance is a significant cultural expression usually performed during the Naknyulum festival, a major celebration of the Chang community observed to mark the triumph of light over darkness. The performers dress in traditional warrior attire, including distinctive ethnic garments and elaborate headgear, and the dance is characterized by rhythmic, energetic movements accompanied by the use of indigenous musical instruments. It serves as a celebration of the community's martial heritage and ancestral traditions, playing a vital role in preserving the cultural identity of the Naga people.

Explanation

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is the national fruit of Bangladesh. It is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed fruits in the country, particularly during the summer season. Known for its large size and high nutritional value, the jackfruit tree grows abundantly across the Bangladeshi landscape, especially in the hilly and highland regions. It was designated as the national fruit because of its significant role in the rural economy and food security of the nation.

Explanation

Sulphites are widely used as preservatives and antioxidants in the food industry to prevent both enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning. They function by inhibiting the activity of polyphenol oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the darkening of fruits and vegetables when they are cut or bruised. In beverages like wine and fruit juices, sulphites help maintain color stability and prevent spoilage by inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts. They are particularly effective in preserving the light color of dried fruits, dehydrated potatoes, and white grape juices during preparation, storage, and distribution.

Explanation

The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 with the primary objective of restoring the purity of the Vedic religion. Swami Dayanand regarded the Vedas as the infallible source of all true knowledge and the divine word of God, leading him to popularize the slogan Go back to the Vedas. He believed that the Vedas contained the fundamental truths of both spiritual and scientific knowledge in their purest form, free from later distortions, superstitions, and social evils. His work, Satyarth Prakash, further elaborated on this philosophy, asserting that any social or religious practice that contradicted the Vedas should be rejected.

Explanation

Pandit Ram Narayan is a world-renowned musician who is credited with elevating the sarangi from an accompanying instrument to a solo concert instrument in Hindustani classical music. While the sarod is a plucked string instrument, the sarangi is a bowed string instrument that Pandit Ram Narayan mastered, becoming the first sarangi player to achieve international success as a soloist. His contributions transformed the status of the instrument and earned him prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhushan.

Explanation

The Second Five-Year Plan, covering the period from 1956 to 1961, was based on the P.C. Mahalanobis model. This plan shifted the primary focus of Indian economic policy from agriculture toward rapid industrialisation. Its core strategy was to build a strong industrial base by prioritizing the development of heavy and basic industries, such as steel, chemicals, and machine building. This approach aimed to make the Indian economy self-sufficient in capital goods, leading to the establishment of major public sector projects including the steel plants at Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela. The plan emphasized the role of the public sector in leading economic growth and infrastructure development.

Explanation

A seismograph is a scientific instrument designed to detect, measure, and record the vibrations and seismic waves generated by earthquakes. It consists of a weighted pen or electronic sensor attached to a frame that moves in sync with the ground during a seismic event. Because of inertia, the internal mass stays relatively stationary while the frame moves, allowing the device to capture the relative motion between the earth and the instrument. This data is recorded as a seismogram, which provides critical information about the earthquake's magnitude, duration, and the location of its epicenter.

Explanation

Easter is the primary festival of the Christian liturgical year, observed to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. According to the New Testament, this event occurred on the third day following his burial after his crucifixion. The resurrection is considered the cornerstone of Christian theology, symbolizing victory over sin and death and providing the basis for the hope of eternal life. The date of Easter is mobile, calculated as the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.

Explanation

Amylum is the botanical and Latin name for starch, which is a polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. It is synthesized by most green plants as an energy storage molecule and is found in abundance in the pulp of seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stems. Specifically, it is stored in specialized plant cell organelles called amyloplasts. In staple crops such as corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice, amylum exists in the form of semi-crystalline granules composed of two types of polysaccharides: amylose, which is primarily linear, and amylopectin, which is highly branched. The general chemical formula for amylum is (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ, where n represents the number of glucose monomers. As the primary source of energy in the human diet, amylum is broken down into glucose by enzymes like amylase during digestion.

Explanation

The Iqtadari system was a centralized administrative and land revenue mechanism introduced by the Delhi Sultanate, primarily under Iltutmish, where the empire was divided into parcels of land called Iqtas assigned to military commanders in exchange for their services. This system had a profound impact on the subsequent polities of South India. The Bahmani Sultanate, which broke away from the Tughlaq Empire, directly adopted and adapted this model to govern its provinces through Tarafdars. Similarly, the Vijayanagar Empire established the Nayankara system, which was functionally modeled after the Iqtadari system. Under the Nayankara system, the Raya granted territories known as Amaram to military chiefs called Nayakas, who were responsible for collecting revenue and maintaining a fixed contingent of troops for the state, reflecting the enduring administrative legacy of the Delhi Sultanate in the Deccan and beyond.

Explanation

Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) is a highly flammable organic compound that undergoes a combustion reaction when it reacts with oxygen (O₂). In the presence of sufficient oxygen, ethanol burns completely to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). This process is a classic oxidation reaction where the carbon and hydrogen atoms in the alcohol molecule combine with atmospheric oxygen. The reaction is strongly exothermic, meaning it releases a substantial amount of energy into the environment. This energy is manifested as both heat, which raises the temperature of the surroundings, and light, which is visible as a flame. The balanced chemical equation for this combustion process is:

CH₃CH₂OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O + heat + light

Because ethanol burns efficiently and produces these specific gaseous and energy byproducts, it is frequently used as a fuel and a fuel additive.

Explanation

In the Mauryan administrative system as described in Kautilya Arthashastra, the Samaharta served as the Collector-General of Revenue. His primary responsibility was the assessment and collection of taxes from various sources throughout the empire, including land revenue, tolls, trade, and mines. The Samaharta supervised the preparation of the annual budget and maintained comprehensive records of the states income and expenditure, ensuring the fiscal health of the central government. This role was essential for managing the vast resources required to maintain the Mauryan bureaucracy and military.

Explanation

Cropping intensity refers to raising more than one crop from the same field during a single agricultural year. It is calculated as the ratio of Gross Cropped Area to Net Sown Area, multiplied by 100. In the Indian rural economy, agriculture is often characterized by seasonal unemployment, where laborers find work only during specific periods like sowing and harvesting. By increasing cropping intensity through improved irrigation, use of high-yield short-duration seeds, and multi-cropping, the demand for labor is spread more evenly across the year. This ensures that agricultural workers remain engaged in productive activities for a longer duration, effectively reducing both seasonal and disguised unemployment. Higher cropping intensity transforms a single-crop land into a multi-crop system, thereby increasing the total person-days of employment generated per unit of land.

Explanation

Kummi is an ancient and popular folk dance form originating from the state of Tamil Nadu and also practiced in Kerala. It is performed primarily by women who stand in a circle and dance to the rhythm of songs while clapping their hands. One of the unique features of Kummi is that it is often performed without the accompaniment of any musical instruments, as the synchronized clapping and the vocal melodies of the participants provide the entire rhythmic and musical structure. This dance is traditionally performed during major festivals and harvest celebrations, particularly during Pongal and temple festivals. The term Kummi is derived from the Tamil word Kommai, which means dancing with the clapping of hands.

Explanation

Part III of the Indian Constitution contains the Fundamental Rights, which are characterized by being justiciable. This legal status means that they are enforceable by the judiciary, allowing citizens to move the Supreme Court under Article 32 or the High Courts under Article 226 if these rights are violated. In contrast, Fundamental Duties, which were added by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976 and placed in Part IV-A, are non-justiciable. They serve as moral obligations and reminders of a citizen's responsibility toward the nation but do not carry the same legal weight as Fundamental Rights. If Fundamental Duties had been placed within Part III, they would have become legally enforceable mandates, which was not the intent of the legislature. Therefore, they were kept separate from the justiciable framework of Part III to maintain their status as non-enforceable ethical guidelines.

Explanation

Money is specifically designed to overcome the limitations of the barter system, one of which was the difficulty of storing wealth in the form of perishable or bulky commodities. A core function of money is to serve as a Store of Value, meaning it allows individuals to transfer purchasing power from the present to the future efficiently. Because money is durable and relatively easy to store without losing its worth, it facilitates saving and wealth accumulation. Consequently, a problem in storage is a drawback of non-monetary assets or primitive trade systems, whereas money is intended to provide a solution to such storage issues.

Explanation

Benzophenone is an organic compound with the molecular formula (C₆H₅)₂CO, consisting of a central carbonyl group bonded to two phenyl rings. It is a symmetrical diaryl ketone that occurs naturally in various plants and fruits, such as grapes and certain types of incense resins. The structure consists of two C₆H₅ phenyl groups linked by a C=O ketone bridge, which matches the provided formula. In chemical synthesis, it is frequently used as a photoinitiator and a building block for various chemicals because of its stable aromatic configuration and ability to absorb ultraviolet light.

Explanation

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to improve basic urban infrastructure. The mission specifically prioritizes the provision of universal coverage of water supply to every household through tap connections. Following water supply, the mission focuses on sewerage and septage management to ensure the effective treatment of wastewater and the prevention of environmental pollution. These two sectors receive the bulk of the mission's financial allocation and are considered the primary thrust areas for achieving sustainable urban development in the 500 designated cities.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh on September 30, 1932, following the Poona Pact. While he was in Yerwada Jail, Gandhi initiated this organization to combat the social evil of untouchability and to work for the upliftment of the depressed classes in India. Initially established as the All India Anti-Untouchability League, it was later renamed the Harijan Sevak Sangh. Gandhi also began publishing a weekly journal titled Harijan to spread his message of social equality and religious reform. He appointed the industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla as the founding president and Amritlal Thakkar, also known as Thakkar Bapa, as the first secretary. The Sangh focused on opening schools, temples, and water sources for the marginalized communities, aiming to integrate them into the mainstream of Indian society through peaceful social reform and moral persuasion.

Explanation

The Ghadar Party was an international revolutionary movement formed in 1913 by expatriate Indians to end British colonial rule in India through armed struggle. Sohan Singh Bhakna was the founding President of the organization, then known as the Pacific Coast Hindustan Association, while Lala Har Dayal served as its General Secretary and principal ideologue. Based in San Francisco at the Yugantar Ashram, the party mobilized the Indian diaspora and published the weekly journal Ghadar to spread revolutionary ideas and prepare for a coordinated uprising in India.

Explanation

Hiuen Tsang, the renowned Chinese Buddhist monk and traveller, visited India during the 7th century AD during the reign of King Harshavardhana. He arrived in India around 630 AD and spent approximately fifteen years travelling across the subcontinent to collect authentic Buddhist scriptures and visit holy sites associated with the Buddha. Harshavardhana, who ruled from his capital at Kannauj, became a great patron of the pilgrim and invited him to his court. Hiuen Tsang's detailed travelogue, Si-Yu-Ki (Records of the Western World), provides an invaluable historical account of the socio-economic, political, and religious life during Harsha's rule. He famously participated in the religious assembly at Kannauj and the Quinquennial distribution ceremony at Prayag, both organized by Harshavardhana. Additionally, he spent several years studying and teaching at Nalanda University, which flourished under Harsha's royal patronage.