SSC CGL Tier 1 2023 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) is an agreement reached in 2004 at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad, Pakistan. It was created specifically to replace the earlier South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) and move toward a more integrated economic union among the eight member nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The fundamental objective of SAFTA is to promote and sustain mutual trade and economic cooperation within the region by eliminating barriers to trade and facilitating the free movement of goods. By reducing customs duties and providing special treatment to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the bloc, the agreement seeks to maximize the region's collective economic potential and improve the standard of living and development for the people of South Asia.

Explanation

Article 51A of the Constitution of India, located in Part IV-A, enumerates the Fundamental Duties of citizens. These duties were incorporated by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. Specifically, Article 51A clause (f) states that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. This provision highlights the constitutional obligation to cherish and maintain the diverse cultural traditions and pluralistic legacy that define the Indian nation.

Explanation

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire by overthrowing the last Nanda ruler, Dhanananda, under the expert guidance of his mentor Vishnugupta. Historically identified as Chanakya or Kautilya, Vishnugupta was a brilliant strategist and scholar from Takshashila who played the role of chief architect in the Mauryan revolution. He formulated the political and military maneuvers necessary to dismantle the Nanda power base in Magadha and served as the Prime Minister in Chandragupta court. His theories on governance, ethics, and economics are preserved in the Arthashastra, which served as a foundational text for the administration of the Mauryan state.

Explanation

Kidambi Srikanth scripted history at the 2021 BWF World Championships held in Huelva, Spain, by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the final of the tournament. He secured his place in the gold medal match after defeating compatriot Lakshya Sen in a hard-fought semi-final. While he eventually settled for the silver medal after losing to Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in the final, his performance marked the highest achievement by an Indian male in the history of the championships. Prior to this, the best results for Indian men in the singles category were bronze medals won by Prakash Padukone in 1983 and B. Sai Praneeth in 2019.

Explanation

Kerala (1-b) recorded 1084 females per 1000 males, the highest sex ratio among all Indian states according to the 2011 Census.

Puducherry (2-a) reported a sex ratio of 1037 females per 1000 males, which was the highest among all Union Territories.

Delhi (3-d) registered 868 females per 1000 males, reflecting the demographic trends of the National Capital Territory in the 2011 data.

Haryana (4-c) documented 879 females per 1000 males, which was the lowest sex ratio among all states in India at the time of the census.

Explanation

Subhash Chandra Bose founded the All India Forward Bloc on May 3, 1939. This political faction was established after Bose resigned from the presidency of the Indian National Congress following the Tripuri session. His resignation was the result of a deepening ideological rift with the Congress leadership and Mahatma Gandhi regarding the strategy for the independence movement and the response to the impending World War II. Bose envisioned the Forward Bloc as a platform to unify left-wing elements within the Congress party to promote a more radical and uncompromising struggle against British colonial rule. He sought to mobilize the masses for an immediate nationwide civil disobedience movement to achieve Purna Swaraj.

Explanation

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on August 28, 2014, as a National Mission for Financial Inclusion. By August 28, 2022, the scheme completed 8 years of implementation. The mission was designed to ensure access to various financial services like availability of basic savings bank accounts, access to need-based credit, remittances facility, insurance, and pension to the excluded sections of society. Its success is measured by the objective of providing one basic banking account for every unbanked adult, which has significantly increased the formalization of the Indian economy and facilitated direct benefit transfers.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) acts as the lender of last resort by providing liquidity to commercial banks that are facing financial difficulties and are unable to raise funds from other sources. This function ensures the stability of the banking system by preventing the failure of a bank due to temporary liquidity shortages, which could otherwise lead to a systemic crisis or a loss of public confidence in the financial sector. When all other avenues for credit are exhausted, the RBI steps in to offer emergency loans, thereby protecting the interests of depositors and maintaining the overall equilibrium of the economy.

Explanation

Group 16 of the periodic table consists of the elements oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), and polonium (Po), which are collectively known as chalcogens. The name is derived from the Greek words chalcos, meaning ore, and genes, meaning born or produced. This designation reflects the fact that many metal ores are found in nature as oxides or sulfides. These elements are characterized by having six valence electrons in their outermost shell, following the general electronic configuration ns²np⁴. As they require two more electrons to achieve a stable octet, they frequently form compounds by gaining two electrons to form 2- ions or by sharing electrons through covalent bonding.

Explanation

Olive oil is predominantly composed of Oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. It typically represents 55% to 83% of the total fatty acid content in olive oil. This high concentration of monounsaturated fats provides greater oxidative stability compared to polyunsaturated fats, allowing the oil to withstand the heat involved in various cooking methods without breaking down rapidly. The chemical structure of Oleic acid is CH₃(CH₂)₇CH=CH(CH₂)₇COOH. Its prevalence is the primary reason olive oil is characterized as a stable and healthy dietary fat for culinary use.

Explanation

Doppler weather radar functions by emitting directional pulses of microwave radiation into the atmosphere. When these electromagnetic waves encounter hydrometeors such as rain, snow, or hail, a portion of the energy is reflected back to the radar sensor. The intensity of this returned signal, known as reflectivity, allows meteorologists to determine the density and intensity of the precipitation. By applying the Doppler effect, the radar measures the shift in frequency between the transmitted and received signals to calculate the radial velocity of the particles, effectively determining wind speed and direction within a storm. Advanced dual-polarization technology in these radars also analyzes the horizontal and vertical profiles of the returned signals to identify specific precipitation types based on their size and shape.

Explanation

In the Indian parliamentary system, the Public Accounts Committee is a financial committee of the Lok Sabha designed to examine the appropriation accounts of the Government of India and the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General. A fundamental rule governing its composition is that no minister can be elected as a member of the committee. If an existing member of the committee is appointed as a minister, they cease to be a member from the date of such appointment. This restriction ensures the independence of the committee, allowing the legislature to scrutinize executive spending and accountability without the presence or influence of the executive branch within the committee itself.

Explanation

Al-Biruni was a Persian polymath and scholar from Khwarizm who was taken to Ghazni as a hostage after Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni conquered the region in 1017 AD. During the eleventh century, he accompanied Mahmud Ghaznavi on several of his military expeditions into northern India. This association provided Al-Biruni with the opportunity to study Indian society, culture, and sciences firsthand. He spent years living in the Punjab region and other parts of north India, where he mastered Sanskrit and translated several Greek and Sanskrit works. His extensive research and personal observations during this period resulted in his seminal work, Kitab-ul-Hind, which provides a detailed account of Indian religion, philosophy, customs, and astronomy.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress passed the Purna Swaraj resolution during its Lahore Session held in December 1929 under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru. This historic declaration formally shifted the objective of the national movement from seeking Dominion Status within the British Empire to achieving complete independence for India. On the midnight of December 31, 1929, Nehru hoisted the Indian tricolour on the banks of the River Ravi, and the Congress subsequently designated January 26, 1930, as Purna Swaraj Day to be celebrated across the country as a mark of their commitment to total self-rule.

Explanation

The Bombay Plan, formally titled A Plan of Economic Development for India, was a set of proposals published in 1944 and 1945 by eight leading Indian industrialists, including J.R.D. Tata, G.D. Birla, and Purushottamdas Thakurdas. The plan sought to stimulate economic growth in post-independence India through significant state intervention and massive investment in heavy industry and infrastructure. Its primary objective was to double the per capita income and triple the national income within a fifteen-year period. The document is historically significant as it demonstrated a consensus among the Indian capitalist class for a planned economy and state-led industrialization, influencing the subsequent Five-Year Plans adopted by the Indian government.

Explanation

The Indian Film Personality of the Year Award for 2022 was conferred upon the veteran Telugu actor Chiranjeevi at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa. This prestigious accolade is awarded to film professionals for their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. Chiranjeevi has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning more than four decades, featuring in over 150 films across multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada. His immense contribution to the cinematic arts and his status as a cultural icon were the primary reasons for this recognition, which was announced by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting during the festival's opening ceremony in November 2022.

Explanation

Lochan Kavi, also known as Lochana Pandita, was a renowned musicologist who authored the influential treatise Raag Tarangini. While there is some scholarly debate regarding its exact chronology, the work is popularly ascribed to the 15th century, specifically around 1450 AD. The text is highly significant in the history of Indian classical music as it introduced a systematic classification of ragas based on twelve basic musical scales or melas. This framework served as an important precursor to the modern Thaat system used in Hindustani classical music, marking a transition in musical theory from the ancient Jati system to more contemporary structures.

Explanation

The liver is anatomically located in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity, situated directly beneath the diaphragm and above the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. It predominantly occupies the right hypochondriac and epigastric regions. The statement claiming it is on the left side is incorrect, as the upper left portion of the abdomen is primarily occupied by the stomach and the spleen.

Explanation

The 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup was the seventh edition of the biennial international women's youth football championship. Hosted by India, the tournament took place from 11 October to 30 October 2022. Matches were held across three venues: the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, and the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Spain emerged as the champions, successfully defending their title by defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final held on 30 October. This event marked the second time India hosted a FIFA tournament, following the men's U-17 World Cup in 2017.

Explanation

Agnes Pockels was a pioneering self-taught scientist whose experimental work in the late 19th century laid the foundation for the modern field of surface science. Working in her kitchen, she developed a slide-trough apparatus, now known as the Pockels trough, to measure the surface tension of water covered with thin films of various substances like oils and fats. She discovered that surface tension depends on the surface area of the film and the presence of impurities, a concept central to understanding liquid and solid interfaces. Her findings were published in the journal Nature in 1891 after she wrote to Lord Rayleigh, and her quantitative approach to measuring surface properties provided the experimental basis for later advancements in molecular films and the development of the Langmuir-Blodgett trough.

Explanation

The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. It specifically rises from a small reservoir known as Narmada Kund, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,057 meters above sea level. This source is located in the Maikal range, which acts as a geographical link between the Vindhya and Satpura mountain systems. As the largest west-flowing river in peninsular India, the Narmada travels through a structural rift valley formed by the tectonic subsidence of the earth's crust between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, eventually emptying into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat.

Explanation

The Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu festival celebrated at the Kamakhya Temple, located on the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, Assam. This temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and is dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya. The fair is held during the monsoon season, typically in mid-June, to mark the annual menstruation cycle of the goddess. During the three days of the festival, the temple remains closed to the public as it is believed that Mother Earth is undergoing her period of fertility. On the fourth day, the temple doors are opened, and devotees gather to receive prasad, which often includes small pieces of red cloth. Often referred to as the Mahakumbh of the East, the Mela attracts thousands of pilgrims, tantric sadhus, and tourists from across the country and is a vital cultural event in North-East India.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, the states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar recorded the highest decadal population growth rates among all states for the period 2001-2011. Meghalaya experienced the highest growth rate at 27.9 percent, followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 26.0 percent and Bihar at 25.4 percent. These growth rates were significantly higher than the national average decadal growth rate of 17.7 percent. The high growth in these regions is attributed to factors such as higher total fertility rates and differing stages of demographic transition compared to the southern and western states of India.

Explanation

The Early Vedic society was primarily pastoral, and cattle, especially cows, were considered the most significant form of wealth and property. The term Gomat literally means a person who possesses cows or is wealthy in cattle. In this era, the economy was not based on land ownership but on livestock, and a person's social status and economic standing were determined by the size of their herd. This central importance of cattle in the Rig Vedic period is also seen in other linguistic terms where cattle ownership served as the primary benchmark for prosperity and influence.

Explanation

India was ranked 10ᵗʰ in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-21, which evaluated 46 destinations worldwide. The index, released by the Medical Tourism Association, assesses countries based on three critical pillars: Destination Environment, Medical Tourism Industry, and Quality of Facilities and Services. India's inclusion in the top ten reflects its competitive edge in providing high-quality medical procedures and specialized healthcare services at a fraction of the cost found in many developed nations. The country is recognized for its advanced medical infrastructure, particularly in major urban centers, and its significant number of JCI-accredited hospitals that adhere to international standards of safety and care.

Explanation

Mount Japfu is situated in the Kohima district of Nagaland and is the second highest peak in the state, surpassed only by Mount Saramati. With an altitude of approximately 3,014 meters, the Japfu range is a significant part of the Barail mountain system in Northeast India. It is particularly famous for the Dzukou Valley located at its foothills and is home to the world tallest rhododendron tree, which has been featured in the Guinness World Records. The range plays a vital role in the geography of Nagaland, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and serving as a major trekking destination.

Explanation

Mallika Sarabhai is a distinguished classical dancer and actress who gained significant recognition for her work in Gujarati cinema and theatre. In 1975, she played the titular role in the Gujarati film Mena Gurjari, which was an adaptation of a popular folk legend. Her portrayal of the character Meena was highly acclaimed, leading her to win the Best Actress award from the Government of Gujarat for that year. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her career, demonstrating her ability to excel in both traditional performing arts like Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam as well as mainstream regional cinema.

Explanation

Urmila Satyanarayanan is a renowned practitioner and teacher of Bharatanatyam, widely regarded as one of the leading soloists of her generation. She received her rigorous training under the guidance of eminent gurus such as K.N. Dakshinamurthy and Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, which helped her master both the technical rhythmic aspects and the expressive abhinaya of the dance form. As the founder of the dance school Natya Sankalpaa in Chennai, she has contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Bharatanatyam. Her excellence in the field has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Nritya Chudamani title.

Explanation

The government budget is a financial statement that outlines the anticipated fiscal policy for the upcoming financial year. According to Article 112 of the Indian Constitution, the budget is referred to as the Annual Financial Statement, which must present the estimated receipts and estimated expenditure of the government for that specific year. Because the budget is prepared and presented before the commencement of the fiscal year it describes, it functions as a forward-looking plan or a statement of intent rather than a record of completed transactions. Therefore, both the revenue the government expects to collect and the spending it plans to undertake are expressed as estimated figures.

Explanation

Mendelevium is a synthetic, radioactive metallic element with the atomic number 101, belonging to the actinide series of the periodic table. It was first identified in 1955 by a research team at the University of California, Berkeley, consisting of Albert Ghiorso, Glenn T. Seaborg, Bernard Harvey, Gregory Choppin, and Stanley G. Thompson. The team produced the element by bombarding einsteinium-253 with alpha particles in a cyclotron, making it the ninth transuranic element discovered. It was named in honor of Dmitri Mendeleev, who formulated the Periodic Law and the first version of the Periodic Table. As a member of the actinide series, mendelevium exhibits properties characteristic of heavy radioactive metals and is typically studied in minute quantities due to its short half-life and synthetic nature.

Explanation

Neyveli, located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, is home to India's most significant deposits of lignite, often referred to as brown coal. These reserves are of immense economic importance as they account for approximately 80 percent of the total lignite resources in the country. The Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC India Limited) operates large-scale open-cast mines in this region to extract the mineral, which is primarily used for thermal power generation. The lignite found here is characterized by high moisture content and is utilized in localized power plants to meet the energy demands of the southern states.

Explanation

The Dasarajna war, known as the War of Ten Kings, is described in the 7th Mandala of the Rigveda. The battle took place on the banks of the Parushni river, identified today as the Ravi river. It was fought between King Sudas of the Bharata tribe and a confederacy of ten other tribes, which included both Aryan and non-Aryan groups. King Sudas was supported by the sage Vasishtha, while the opposing confederacy was led by the Purus and supported by the sage Vishvamitra. The victory of King Sudas established the supremacy of the Bharata tribe in the region, which is historically significant as it eventually led to the naming of the land as Bharatavarsha.

Explanation

The Government of India Act 1858, passed in the wake of the 1857 uprising, transferred the administration of India from the East India Company to the British Crown. This act abolished the dual system of government by ending the roles of the Court of Directors and the Board of Control. It established the office of the Secretary of State for India, a member of the British Cabinet, who was endowed with complete authority and control over Indian administration. The Secretary of State was made directly responsible to the British Parliament, thus centralizing the Home Government’s oversight of British India. To assist the Secretary of State in managing Indian affairs, the act also created a 15-member advisory body known as the Council of India.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, the total workforce in the country was approximately 481.9 million. This workforce is divided into four main categories: cultivators, agricultural labourers, household industry workers, and other workers. Agricultural workers comprise the sum of cultivators and agricultural labourers. In 2011, there were 118.8 million cultivators, representing 24.6 percent of the workforce, and 144.3 million agricultural labourers, representing 30.0 percent. Summing these figures results in a total of 263.1 million agricultural workers. The calculation (263.1)/(481.9) × 100 yields approximately 54.6 percent, which represents the total share of the population engaged in agricultural activities during the 2011 census period. This figure indicates the significant, though declining, dependence of the Indian workforce on the primary sector compared to the 58.2 percent recorded in the 2001 Census.

Explanation

The Chhattisgarh government launched the Kaushalya Matritva Yojana in March 2022 during a state-level conference. Under this scheme, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced a one-time financial assistance of ₹5,000 to women upon the birth of their second daughter. The primary objective of the initiative is to provide support for the nutrition and education of the girl child while promoting gender equality and reducing the financial burden on families. By providing direct monetary support, the state government seeks to empower mothers and ensure better health outcomes for both the mother and the newborn girl.

Explanation

Alauddin Khalji introduced significant military reforms to maintain a large, efficient, and loyal standing army. The system of Dagh involved the branding of horses with a royal mark to prevent the substitution of superior animals with inferior ones. Simultaneously, he implemented the Huliyah or Chehra system, which was a detailed descriptive roll recording the physical features of every soldier to eliminate the practice of sending proxies during reviews or war. Furthermore, he was the first Sultan of Delhi to pay his soldiers entirely in cash from the central treasury rather than through land grants or Iqtas, which ensured greater central control and reduced the power of local intermediaries.

Explanation

The Geiger-Nuttall law is an empirical rule formulated by Hans Geiger and John Mitchell Nuttall in 1911. It describes a mathematical relationship between the decay constant λ of a radioactive isotope and the energy E (or the range R) of the alpha particles it emits. The law is expressed as ₁₀ λ = A ₁₀ R + B, or alternatively relating the half-life T₁_/₂ to energy as ₁₀ T₁_/₂ = (a)/(√(E)) + b. This observation revealed that isotopes with extremely short half-lives emit highly energetic alpha particles, while those with long half-lives emit particles with lower energy. This empirical finding provided a crucial foundation for the later development of the theory of quantum tunneling in nuclear decay.

Explanation

Nati is the most famous folk dance of Himachal Pradesh, traditionally performed in the regions of Kullu, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Chamba. It is a slow-moving dance characterized by rhythmic swaying and circular formations, usually performed by both men and women in traditional attire during festivals and community celebrations. The dance is accompanied by local musical instruments such as the dhol, nagara, shehnai, and karnal. The Kullu Nati gained international recognition in 2016 when it was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest folk dance in terms of participant numbers, following a performance by over 9,000 women during the Kullu Dussehra festival.

Explanation

The Sutlej River originates from the Rakshas Tal (Rakas Lake) in the Tibetan Plateau, situated near Lake Manasarovar at an altitude of about 4,555 metres. It is an antecedent river that flows through the Himalayas and enters India through the Shipki La pass in Himachal Pradesh. Dal Lake is a Himalayan urban lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and serves no role as the source of the Sutlej river.

Explanation

Cnidarians exhibit radial symmetry, a body plan where the parts are organized around a central axis. This means any plane passing through the central oral-aboral axis divides the animal into two identical halves. Unlike animals with bilateral symmetry, which have distinct left and right sides and a clear head end, cnidarians like jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals are organized to respond to stimuli from all directions. This structural arrangement is characteristic of the diploblastic level of organization, where the body is derived from two embryonic germ layers: the ectoderm and the endoderm. Radial symmetry is advantageous for sessile or slow-moving aquatic organisms as it allows them to sense and capture food or detect danger from any side of their circular body.

Explanation

According to the Laws of Cricket maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the pitch is a rectangular area of the ground 22 yards (20.12 meters) in length and 10 feet (3.05 meters) in width. This distance is measured between the two sets of wickets, specifically from one bowling crease to the other. The length of 22 yards is also equivalent to one chain, a standard unit of measurement in the imperial system, and has been the universal standard for professional cricket since the 18ᵗʰ century.

Explanation

National Voters' Day (NVD) is celebrated annually on January 25 to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, which was established on this date in 1950. The initiative to observe this day began in 2011 to encourage more young voters to participate in the electoral process. Given that the first NVD was held in 2011, the celebration on January 25, 2023, marked the 13th edition of the event. The 2023 national-level function was held in New Delhi with President Droupadi Murmu as the chief guest and focused on the theme Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure.

Explanation

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder caused by the excessive production of Growth Hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland, typically occurring in adults after the growth plates have closed. This overproduction leads to the abnormal enlargement of bones in the hands, feet, and face. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that triggers the body's fight-or-flight response by increasing heart rate and blood glucose levels. Since Acromegaly is strictly associated with Growth Hormone and not Adrenaline, this pair is incorrectly matched.

Explanation

National Waterway 2 (NW-2) consists of the 891 km stretch of the Brahmaputra River between Sadiya and Dhubri in Assam. This waterway is strategically vital for connecting the landlocked Northeastern states with the rest of India. The India-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) on Inland Water Transit and Trade provides a transit arrangement through the river systems of Bangladesh, linking NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly) and NW-2. This protocol route allows vessels to travel from mainland Indian ports like Kolkata and Haldia through Bangladesh to reach Dhubri and other terminals on the Brahmaputra, facilitating the cost-effective transport of bulk cargo and enhancing regional connectivity by bypassing the narrow Siliguri Corridor.

Explanation

The Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted by the President of India in November 2017 under Article 280 of the Constitution. Nand Kishore Singh, popularly known as NK Singh, was appointed as the Chairman of this commission. He is a senior bureaucrat and a former member of the Planning Commission. The 15th Finance Commission was mandated to give recommendations for the devolution of taxes and other fiscal matters for the five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Its reports focused on strengthening cooperative federalism, improving the quality of public spending, and helping protect the fiscal stability of the country during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Explanation

Pandit Birju Maharaj, the legendary Kathak maestro, was honored with the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography at the 61st Filmfare Awards held in 2016. He received this prestigious accolade for his work in the historical drama Bajirao Mastani, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Specifically, Birju Maharaj choreographed the song Mohe Rang Do Laal, which featured Deepika Padukone performing intricate Kathak movements. His choreography was highly praised for its technical precision, classical grace, and the authentic portrayal of traditional Indian dance forms within a cinematic framework.

Explanation

The Sirpur National Dance and Music Festival is a prominent cultural event organized annually by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board in the historical town of Sirpur, located in the Mahasamund district. Sirpur, situated on the banks of the Mahanadi River, was a major center of art and architecture between the 5th and 8th centuries, serving as the capital of the Panduvanshi dynasty of South Kosala. The festival is held against the backdrop of the iconic 7th-century Lakshmana Temple, which is one of the oldest and best-preserved brick temples in India. By hosting renowned national and international artists to perform classical dances and music, the state government aims to showcase Chhattisgarh's rich archaeological heritage and promote the region as a significant destination on the global tourism map.

Explanation

The Fifth Five-Year Plan, which covered the period from 1974 to 1978, was drafted and launched under the guidance of D.P. Dhar, who was the Planning Minister at the time. The primary objectives of this plan were the removal of poverty, famously known as Garibi Hatao, and the attainment of self-reliance. It focused on improving the standard of living through the National Programme of Minimum Needs, which included elementary education, drinking water, and healthcare. Although the plan was originally intended to run until 1979, it was terminated one year early in 1978 by the incoming Janata Party government.

Explanation

In June 2021, the Rajasthan government announced the establishment of a Vedic Education and Sanskrit Board to promote and revive the knowledge of ancient Sanskrit scriptures and the Vedas. This initiative aimed to integrate Vedic culture and values into the state's educational framework, helping students understand the historical and scientific significance of traditional Indian knowledge systems. The government constituted a high-level committee to define the board's objectives, curriculum, and functional structure, ensuring that Vedic teachings would be systematically taught alongside modern subjects.

Explanation

Engineering goods represent the largest component of India's merchandise export basket. During the fiscal year 2020-21, this sector contributed significantly to the total export value, reaching approximately 76.62 billion USD. The broad category encompasses a wide variety of products such as industrial machinery, automobiles and components, transport equipment, and metal products. Given the scale of production and the global demand for Indian metallurgical and mechanical products, this sector maintained the highest percentage share of goods exports relative to the GDP at current prices compared to other specific industrial segments during that period.