SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

India achieved its best-ever performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games by finishing in the 24th position in the overall medal tally. The Indian contingent secured a total of 19 medals, comprising 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals. This performance was a significant improvement compared to previous editions, as India had won only four medals in the 2016 Rio Paralympics. The gold medals were won by Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal in shooting, Sumit Antil in athletics, and Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar in badminton. In the Paralympic Games, the final ranking of a nation is primarily determined by the number of gold medals won, followed by silver and bronze counts in case of a tie.

Explanation

Shahid Parvez Khan, Budhaditya Mukherjee, and Anoushka Shankar are all celebrated virtuosos of the sitar. Shahid Parvez Khan is a leading representative of the Etawah Gharana, known for his mastery of the Gayaki Ang, which mimics the nuances of the human voice on the instrument. Budhaditya Mukherjee, also hailing from the Imdadkhani (Etawah) Gharana, is globally renowned for his exceptional speed and technical precision on the sitar. Anoushka Shankar, the daughter and disciple of the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, is an internationally acclaimed sitar player who has blended traditional Hindustani classical music with contemporary global sounds. Each of these artists has played a pivotal role in popularizing the sitar and advancing its technical and expressive capabilities in modern times.

Explanation

Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, a prominent environmentalist and the founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO), was honored with the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2021. The Harmony Foundation presented this award to him in recognition of his significant efforts towards environmental sustainability and his pioneering work in advocating for the Gross Environmental Product (GEP). His initiatives have focused on the ecological restoration of the Himalayan region and the integration of environmental health into economic policy, emphasizing the vital link between social justice and a healthy planet.

Explanation

Hydrogen is considered an exception in the Modern Periodic Table because it does not share the characteristic properties of the alkali metals that constitute Group 1. Although it possesses a valence electron configuration of 1s¹, hydrogen is a non-metallic gas, whereas the true members of Group 1 are electropositive metals. Furthermore, hydrogen can exhibit properties similar to halogens by gaining an electron to form a stable 1s² configuration. Because of this dual nature and its distinct physical and chemical behavior, hydrogen is frequently placed separately at the top of the table rather than being classified as a definitive member of the Group 1 alkali metal family.

Explanation

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), popularly known as the Pusa Institute, is the country's premier institution for agricultural research and education. Although it was originally established in Pusa, Bihar, in 1905, the institute was shifted to its present campus in New Delhi in 1936 following a major earthquake. It played a pivotal role in the Green Revolution during the 1960s and 1970s by developing high-yielding varieties of crops, particularly wheat and rice, and providing the scientific foundation for modernizing Indian agriculture. The campus in New Delhi remains the administrative and academic hub for the institute's extensive research initiatives under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Explanation

Article 79 of the Indian Constitution stipulates the constitution of the Parliament. It specifically states that there shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President and two Houses, to be known respectively as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This provision defines the bicameral structure of the Indian legislature, where the upper house represents the states and union territories, while the lower house represents the people of India as a whole.

Explanation

Satyaram Reang is a distinguished folk artist from Tripura who was honored with the Padma Shri in 2021 for his immense contribution to the field of art. He is a prominent exponent of Hojagiri, the traditional folk dance of the Reang (Bru) community indigenous to Tripura. This dance form is characterized by its intricate balancing acts and acrobatic movements, traditionally performed by women. Satyaram Reang dedicated over six decades to the preservation and global promotion of this cultural heritage. He also established a folk dance school to train younger generations, ensuring the continuity of the Reang tribe's unique artistic traditions and securing its place on the national and international stage.

Explanation

Ancylostoma is the genus commonly known as the Hookworm, with species like Ancylostoma duodenale being a significant human intestinal parasite. These nematodes are characterized by a hooked anterior end and a mouth equipped with teeth or cutting plates used to attach to the host's intestinal mucosa. The common name Pinworm (or seatworm) refers to a different species, Enterobius vermicularis, which belongs to a separate family of nematodes. Since Ancylostoma and Pinworm represent two distinct groups of parasitic worms, the pair is incorrectly matched.

Explanation

Sodium benzoate, with the chemical formula C₆H₅COONa, is the most widely used food preservative in acidic environments such as sauces, salad dressings, carbonated beverages, and fruit juices. It is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and works by inhibiting the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, molds, and yeasts. When added to acidic foods, it converts into benzoic acid, which is the active antimicrobial agent. It is particularly favored in the food industry because it is highly soluble in water and effectively extends the shelf life of products without significantly altering their flavor profile. In beverages and condiments, it prevents fermentation and spoilage, ensuring the safety and stability of the product during storage.

Explanation

Mawsynram is located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya and is recognized as the wettest place on Earth. Its high precipitation levels are primarily due to its geographical location on the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills. During the monsoon season, moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal branch of the Southwest Monsoon are channeled into the narrow valleys of this region. The steep, funnel-shaped topography of the Khasi Hills forces these warm, moist air masses to rise abruptly. This orographic lifting causes the water vapor to condense and result in heavy, persistent rainfall, with the area receiving an annual average of approximately 11,872 millimeters.

Explanation

The Bailadila mountain range, located in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, is world-famous for its high-grade hematite iron ore deposits. The range is named Bailadila because it resembles the hump of an ox. It contains fourteen deposits of very high-quality ore, characterized by high iron content and excellent physical properties suitable for steel making. The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) operates several large-scale mechanized mines in this region, such as those at Kirandul and Bacheli. The iron ore produced here is essential for domestic steel plants and is also exported to countries like Japan and South Korea through the Visakhapatnam port via a dedicated heavy-haul railway line.

Explanation

In the case of State of Kerala v. Leesamma Joseph, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant judgment on 28 June 2021, affirming that persons with disabilities have a right to reservation in promotions. The Court held that the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, as well as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, provide for such reservations to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not restricted to entry-level positions. The ruling clarified that the constitutional guarantee of equality of opportunity under Article 16(1) and the enabling provision of Article 16(4) allow for these affirmative actions. The judgment emphasized that the exclusion of disabled persons from promotion quotas would defeat the purpose of social integration and that the barriers they face are not limited to the point of initial recruitment but persist throughout their careers.

Explanation

The Olympic flag features five interlocking rings of different colors—blue, yellow, black, green, and red—set against a white background. Designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913, these five rings represent the five continents of the world: Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The interlocking nature of the rings symbolizes the union of these continents and the meeting of athletes from all over the world at the Olympic Games. The symbol is intended to be universal, as the colors chosen for the rings and the white background together represent the colors found on the national flags of all countries participating in the Olympic movement at the time of its creation.

Explanation

Ziauddin Barani, often referred to as Ziauddin Sarani in certain historical contexts, was a prominent contemporary historian and political thinker during the Delhi Sultanate. He authored the Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, which serves as one of the most significant primary sources for understanding the medieval history of India. The chronicle provides a detailed chronological account of the reigns of the Sultans of Delhi, starting from the accession of Ghiyasuddin Balban in 1266 and continuing through the reigns of the Khaljis and the Tughlaqs, ending with the first six years of the rule of Firuz Shah Tughlaq in 1357. Barani aimed to record the political events, administrative policies, and socio-economic conditions of the era while offering a philosophical perspective on kingship and governance.

Explanation

The Desh Ke Mentor programme was launched by the Delhi government in October 2021 specifically to provide career guidance and support to students in classes IX to XII of government schools. The initiative connects these students with successful professionals and young citizens who serve as mentors, helping them navigate academic stress and explore various career opportunities. By focusing on students in the secondary and senior secondary stages, the programme aims to provide necessary direction during the most critical years of their educational and professional planning.

Explanation

The Hemis Festival is a major cultural and religious event celebrated annually at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh. This two-day festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the 8th-century Indian Buddhist master who founded Tibetan Buddhism and is often referred to as the Second Buddha. The highlight of the celebration is the Cham dance, a series of sacred masked performances by monks that depict the victory of good over evil and the destruction of demonic forces. These rituals are performed to the rhythmic sounds of traditional instruments such as long horns, cymbals, and drums, attracting pilgrims and tourists to the high-altitude region during the tenth day of the Tibetan lunar month.

Explanation

Intensive agriculture is a method of farming that aims to maximize yields from a fixed land area by increasing the intensity of labor and capital investments. In this system, farmers utilize high amounts of inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, and sophisticated irrigation systems to achieve higher productivity per unit of land. It is commonly practiced in regions with high population density where the land-man ratio is low, necessitating a focus on increasing output from existing plots rather than expanding the physical area of cultivation. This approach relies on meticulous land management and frequent cropping cycles to meet the food demands of a large population.

Explanation

Nana Sahib, born as Dhondu Pant, was the adopted son of Baji Rao II, who was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. Following the defeat of the Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Baji Rao II was deposed by the British and exiled to Bithoor, near Kanpur, where he lived on a pension. After the death of Baji Rao II in 1851, the British East India Company refused to recognize Nana Sahib as the legitimate heir to the Peshwa's title and denied him the pension previously granted to his father. This personal grievance against British policy was a significant factor in Nana Sahib's decision to lead the rebel forces in Kanpur during the Revolt of 1857.

Explanation

Ooty is located in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu at a tropical latitude of approximately 11 degrees North. Despite its high elevation of about 2,240 meters, its proximity to the equator ensures that the atmospheric temperature rarely drops low enough for a sustained period to allow precipitation in the form of snow. During winter months, Ooty frequently experiences heavy ground frost or hoarfrost, where dew freezes on the grass due to radiative cooling on clear nights, but this is distinct from snowfall. True snowfall requires sub-zero temperatures within the cloud layers and the lower atmosphere, conditions that are characteristic of the higher latitude Himalayan regions but absent in the tropical hill stations of South India.

Explanation

The Ministry of Education decided to rename residential schools and hostels funded under the Samagra Shiksha scheme as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas. This initiative aims to honour the immense contribution of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to India's freedom struggle and to inspire students with his legacy of courage and patriotism. These residential facilities are specifically designed to provide quality education and safe housing to children in sparsely populated, hilly, or urban deprived areas where access to schooling is limited. By associating these institutions with such a prominent national icon, the government seeks to foster a sense of national pride and motivation among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Explanation

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism, was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib. The birth anniversary, known as Prakash Parv or Prakash Purab, is celebrated annually on Kartik Purnima. For the year 2022, the calculation 2022 - 1469 = 553 identifies it as the 553ʳᵈ birth anniversary. On 7 November 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 553ʳᵈ Prakash Parv celebrations in New Delhi, where he offered prayers and paid tribute to the Guru's life and teachings. The Prime Minister spoke about the enduring relevance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message of equality, service to humanity, and social harmony.

Explanation

Blue-green algae are prokaryotic photosynthetic organisms belonging to the group Cyanobacteria. Red algae are scientifically classified under the division Rhodophyta due to their specific pigments. Green algae include the genus Chlamydomonas, which consists of unicellular flagellated organisms in the division Chlorophyta. Brown algae include the genus Sargassum, which are multicellular marine seaweeds found in the class Phaeophyceae.

Explanation

Bile juice is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. When the partially digested food, known as chyme, leaves the stomach and enters the duodenum of the small intestine, it is highly acidic due to the presence of hydrochloric acid. Bile juice is alkaline because it contains bicarbonate ions and bile salts. Upon secretion into the duodenum, it neutralizes the acid from the stomach and raises the pH, creating an alkaline environment. This change in pH is necessary for the activation and proper functioning of pancreatic enzymes and intestinal enzymes, which require a basic medium to carry out the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Explanation

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1956 was awarded jointly to William Bradford Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Houser Brattain for their researches on semiconductors and their discovery of the transistor effect. Working at Bell Labs, Bardeen and Brattain successfully demonstrated the first point-contact transistor in December 1947, while Shockley independently developed the theory and design of the junction transistor shortly thereafter. This breakthrough enabled the amplification and switching of electronic signals using solid-state semiconductor materials rather than bulky, fragile, and power-hungry vacuum tubes. The discovery of the transistor effect is considered one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, as it paved the way for the development of integrated circuits, modern computers, and the global digital revolution.

Explanation

The Mahanadi and Godavari are major components of the peninsular drainage system, which is characterized by broad, stable river valleys and a non-perennial flow pattern. The Mahanadi originates in the highlands of Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal, draining a significant portion of the eastern plateau. The Godavari, often referred to as the Dakshin Ganga, is the largest peninsular river; it rises near Nasik in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and traverses the Deccan Plateau before reaching the Bay of Bengal. These rivers are part of an ancient drainage network that predates the Himalayan system, following established paths across the stable geological structure of the Indian Peninsula. Unlike the Himalayan rivers, these peninsular rivers have reached a mature stage and exhibit a graded profile with little erosional activity.

Explanation

Emperor Ashoka initiated an extensive missionary campaign to propagate the principles of Dhamma and Buddhism following the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra. As part of these efforts, he sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon, known today as Sri Lanka, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. This mission was highly successful in establishing Buddhism as a major religion on the island. Sanghamitra is particularly noted for bringing a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya, which was planted in the city of Anuradhapura and remains a significant site of Buddhist pilgrimage.

Explanation

A revenue deficit occurs when the government's total revenue expenditure exceeds its total revenue receipts. This measurement focuses on the recurring, operational expenses and income of the government that do not impact its asset-liability position. Revenue receipts consist of tax revenues and non-tax revenues, while revenue expenditures include costs such as interest payments, subsidies, salaries, and pensions. A revenue deficit indicates that the government's current earnings are insufficient to cover its day-to-day functional expenses, implying that the government must borrow or liquidate assets to fund its consumption. The relationship is expressed by the formula: Revenue Deficit = Total Revenue Expenditure - Total Revenue Receipts.

Explanation

Gallantry awards in India, including the Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, and Vir Chakra, are formally presented by the President of India during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26th. While the names of the awardees are typically announced twice a year on the eves of Republic Day and Independence Day, the physical investiture ceremony and the public recognition of these honors are integral components of the Republic Day parade festivities at Kartavya Path. These awards are bestowed to honor the supreme sacrifice and distinguished acts of bravery performed by personnel of the armed forces, other lawfully constituted forces, and civilians.

Explanation

Sivamani, popularly known as Drums Sivamani, is a world-renowned Indian percussionist celebrated for his mastery over a vast array of percussion instruments. He is widely recognized for his rhythmic innovation and high-energy stage presence, often incorporating non-traditional objects alongside standard drum kits. His career includes extensive collaborations with legendary composers like A.R. Rahman and various international artists, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary Indian fusion and film music. In recognition of his significant contributions to the arts, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2019.

Explanation

Malik Kafur, a prominent slave-general also known as Hazardinari, served as the commander-in-chief of Alauddin Khilji's forces during the expansion into Southern India. In 1307, Malik Kafur led the Delhi Sultanate army against King Ramachandra of the Yadava dynasty in Devagiri because the ruler had stopped paying the required tribute. Kafur achieved a decisive victory, capturing Ramachandra and bringing him to Delhi. Following this campaign, Ramachandra accepted the suzerainty of the Sultanate and was honored with the title of Rai Rayan, marking the beginning of Malik Kafur's successful series of Deccan expeditions.

Explanation

Arjun Singh Dhurve is a veteran folk dancer from the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh who belongs to the Baiga tribe. He is widely acclaimed for his lifelong dedication to popularizing the Baiga Pardhauni dance, a traditional art form of his community. In recognition of his significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of tribal culture and art, he was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2022. The Baiga dance is a vibrant expression of the tribe's heritage, often featuring performers wearing masks and costumes that represent various animals and birds, and it plays a vital role in their social and festive gatherings.

Explanation

The original Constitution of India was calligraphed and written in two languages: Hindi and English. On January 24, 1950, the members of the Constituent Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the Constitution, one in each language. Additionally, under Article 343 of the Constitution and the Official Languages Act of 1963, the Union of India uses two languages for its official purposes and for the transaction of business in Parliament: Hindi (in Devanagari script) and English.

Explanation

Borgeets are a collection of lyrical devotional songs composed by the 15th-16th century Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardev and his disciple Madhavdev in Assam. These songs, written primarily in the Brajavali language, serve as the musical and lyrical foundation for the Sattriya dance. Sattriya was developed in the Sattras, or monasteries, of Assam as a part of the Neo-Vaishnavite movement. In a typical Sattriya performance, the dancers interpret the themes of the Borgeets, which often center on the life and glories of Lord Krishna. The rhythmic structures and melodic ragas of these songs are specifically designed to accompany the specialized footwork and hand gestures of this classical dance form.

Explanation

The acronym BFSI stands for Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance. It is a standard industry term used in India to categorize the sector that provides various financial products and services to the public and businesses. The insurance component of the term encompasses both life and non-life (general) insurance providers. This sector is a vital part of the Indian economy, as it facilitates capital formation, provides risk coverage, and ensures the efficient flow of liquidity through institutions like commercial banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and insurance firms.

Explanation

As you move down a group in the periodic table, the atomic size increases because each successive element has an additional principal energy level or electron shell. Although the number of protons in the nucleus increases, which would typically pull electrons closer, the addition of a new shell significantly increases the distance between the nucleus and the valence electrons. Furthermore, the increased number of inner electrons provides a greater shielding effect, which offsets the increased nuclear charge by reducing the effective nuclear attraction on the outermost electrons. Consequently, the atomic radius becomes larger as the principal quantum number n increases down the group.

Explanation

The Swaran Singh Committee was constituted by the Government of India in 1976 to make recommendations regarding the inclusion of fundamental duties in the Constitution. The committee suggested that citizens should be conscious of their duties as well as their rights, leading to the enactment of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. This amendment added a new Part IV-A and Article 51A to the Constitution, which originally incorporated a list of ten fundamental duties for citizens. The committee had specifically proposed that the inclusion of these duties would help to strengthen the democratic structure by balancing the rights of individuals with their obligations toward the nation.

Explanation

James Augustus Hickey, an Irishman, launched the first newspaper in India titled Hickys Bengal Gazette, or the Original Calcutta General Advertiser. The inaugural issue was published on January 29, 1780, in Calcutta. This weekly English-language journal is historically significant as the precursor to the modern Indian press. Despite facing legal challenges and eventually being shut down by the British administration for its provocative and critical content, Hickey established the foundation for independent journalism in the country.

Explanation

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed in November 2021 that the 2031 Men's Cricket World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Bangladesh. This decision was part of the ICC announcement regarding the host nations for major men's limited-overs events scheduled for the 2024 to 2031 cycle. India has a extensive history of hosting the tournament, including the 1987, 1996, 2011, and 2023 editions, while Bangladesh previously served as a co-host during the 2011 event. The selection of these two nations ensures the premier 50-over tournament returns to the South Asian subcontinent, utilizing the significant cricketing infrastructure and large spectator base available in both countries.

Explanation

The Haryana Matrushakti Udaymita Scheme was announced by the Chief Minister during the state budget presentation on March 8, 2022, to mark International Women's Day. This initiative is designed to provide financial support to aspiring women entrepreneurs belonging to families with an annual income of less than 5 lakh rupees, according to the Parivar Pehchan Patra data. Under the scheme, eligible women can access soft loans of up to 3 lakh rupees from financial institutions to start or expand small businesses in sectors such as trade, manufacturing, or services. The state government facilitates this by providing an interest subvention of 7% for three years, aimed at fostering economic empowerment and self-reliance among women in the state.

Explanation

Article 248 of the Indian Constitution grants the Parliament exclusive power to legislate on any matter not mentioned in the State or Concurrent Lists, which are known as residuary subjects. In terms of legislative priority, Article 246 establishes that the Union List takes precedence over the State List in the event of a conflict between the two, ensuring the supremacy of central legislation in areas of overlapping jurisdiction. While Article 252 allows the Parliament to legislate on State List subjects if two or more states request it, such a law is restricted in its application only to the states that made the request or those that later adopt it through their own legislatures, rather than being applicable to all states across the country automatically.

Explanation

The child sex ratio in India is the number of females per 1000 males in the age group of 0 to 6 years. According to the data from the 2011 Census, the child sex ratio was recorded as 914 females per 1000 males. This represented a decline from the 2001 Census figure, which stood at 927. The calculation for this demographic indicator is expressed as:

Child Sex Ratio = (Number of females in age group 0-6)/(Number of males in age group 0-6) × 1000

This metric is a vital indicator of the relative health and survival of female children and is used to identify gender imbalances in the population. The decline recorded in 2011 highlighted the persistence of gender-based discrimination and prompted the implementation of various government interventions aimed at improving the survival and status of the girl child.

Explanation

India won its first Olympic gold medal at the 1928 Amsterdam Games in field hockey. This victory marked the beginning of a dominant era for Indian hockey on the global stage. Led by captain Jaipal Singh Munda, the Indian team showcased exceptional skill, winning the tournament without conceding a single goal in five matches. The legendary Dhyan Chand was the standout performer, scoring two goals in the 3-0 win against the Netherlands in the final. This gold medal was significant as it was the first time an Asian nation won an Olympic medal in a team sport.

Explanation

The Deccan Trap is the primary region for black soil in India, having formed from the weathering and disintegration of basaltic lava rocks that erupted during the volcanic activity of the Cretaceous period. This soil, also known as Regur or black cotton soil, is characterized by its high clay content, significant moisture-retention capacity, and richness in minerals such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime. It is particularly concentrated across the volcanic plateau of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where its unique property of developing deep cracks during the dry season aids in soil aeration.

Explanation

Karnam Malleswari achieved this historic milestone at the 2000 Sydney Olympics by winning a bronze medal in the women's 69 kg weightlifting category. She lifted a total of 240 kg, consisting of 110 kg in the snatch and 130 kg in the clean and jerk, to become the first Indian woman to stand on an Olympic podium. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, she had previously won several medals at the World Championships, but her Olympic bronze remains a definitive moment in Indian sports history, breaking a significant barrier for female athletes from the country in international competitions.

Explanation

The Government of India Act, 1935, established a decentralized recruitment structure by providing for a Federal Public Service Commission for the Federation and a Provincial Public Service Commission for each Province or group of Provinces. This framework served as the basis for the modern public service commission system in India. With the commencement of the Constitution in 1950, Article 378(1) provided the transitional mechanism whereby the Federal Public Service Commission became the Union Public Service Commission, and its existing members continued in office. Regarding administrative regulations, Article 318 of the Constitution vests the power to determine the conditions of service for the Chairman, members, and staff of the Union Public Service Commission in the President of India, not the Parliament. This ensures that while the Commission is a constitutional body, its organizational and service conditions are regulated by the executive head of the Union.

Explanation

Article 18 of the Constitution of India mandates the abolition of titles to uphold the principle of social equality and prevent the creation of a hierarchy among citizens. It prohibits the State from conferring any title except for military or academic distinctions. Additionally, it bars Indian citizens from accepting any title from a foreign state. This provision ensures that colonial-era hereditary titles like Maharaja, Rai Bahadur, or Knighthood, which were used to create a class of privileged persons, are no longer recognized in the democratic and republican framework of India. It emphasizes that every citizen has an equal status before the law, reinforcing the broader Right to Equality guaranteed by the Constitution.

Explanation

Humidity is defined as the concentration of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor is the gaseous state of water and is a fundamental component of Earth's atmosphere, primarily entering the air through evaporation from oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as transpiration from plants. The amount of water vapor in the air is a critical factor in determining weather patterns, as it is necessary for the formation of clouds, fog, and precipitation. Humidity levels are typically influenced by temperature, as warmer air has the capacity to hold more water vapor than cooler air. Meteorologists measure this moisture using various metrics, such as absolute humidity, which is the mass of water vapor per unit volume of air, and relative humidity, which relates the actual amount of moisture to the maximum amount the air can hold at a specific temperature.

Explanation

The Komagata Maru incident of 1914 involved a Japanese steamship chartered by Gurdit Singh to transport 376 Indian passengers to Vancouver. Upon arrival, Canadian authorities denied the ship permission to dock and prevented passengers from disembarking, citing the Continuous Journey regulation. This law was a discriminatory immigration policy designed to exclude Indians by requiring that they travel to Canada via a direct, non-stop journey from their home country. After a two-month confrontation in Vancouver harbor, the Canadian government used the navy to force the ship to depart and return to India, leading to a tragic clash at Budge Budge ghat near Calcutta upon its return.

Explanation

Garba is a traditional folk dance originating from the state of Gujarat, performed primarily during the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri. The dance celebrates the feminine form of divinity, specifically Goddess Durga or Shakti. Participants perform rhythmic movements in a circular formation around a centrally placed clay lantern with a light inside, known as the Garba Deep, or an image of the goddess. This circular motion symbolizes the Hindu concept of time as cyclical, representing the cycle of life from birth to death and rebirth, with the goddess remaining the only unchanging constant in the center of existence.

Explanation

In December 2021, the Supreme Court of India stayed the 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes in local body elections in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Court ruled that these states had failed to comply with the triple test criteria mandated by the 2010 K. Krishnamurthy judgment and reaffirmed in the 2021 Vikas Kishanrao Gawali case. This triple test requires the state to set up a dedicated commission to conduct a contemporaneous empirical inquiry into the nature of backwardness, specify the proportion of reservation based on the commission's recommendations, and ensure that the total reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs combined does not exceed the 50 percent ceiling. Because the empirical data was not collected through the proper legal framework, the Court directed the State Election Commissions to re-notify the OBC seats as general category seats to proceed with the elections.