SSC CGL Tier 1 2024 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Hola Mohalla is a significant Sikh festival celebrated annually at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. Established by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1701, it was created to provide a forum for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills and engage in simulated battles. The name Hola Mohalla is derived from the word Hola, meaning a military charge, and Mohalla, meaning an organized procession or army column. Observed a day after Holi, the festival features displays of swordsmanship, horse riding, archery, and the traditional Sikh martial art known as Gatka. It serves to reinforce the community's defensive preparedness and martial spirit, particularly through the participation of the Nihang Sikhs, who wear traditional attire and carry weapons associated with the Khalsa Panth.

Explanation

The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016, introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in India. To facilitate the administration and implementation of this tax, the amendment inserted Article 279A into the Constitution. This article empowered the President of India to constitute the Goods and Services Tax Council within sixty days of the commencement of the Act. The GST Council serves as a joint forum of the Centre and the States, chaired by the Union Finance Minister, and is responsible for making recommendations on crucial issues such as tax rates, exemptions, and threshold limits.

Explanation

Acetic acid (CH₃COOH), also known as ethanoic acid, is the primary component of vinegar, typically comprising 5% to 8% of its volume. It is produced via the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. In food processing, it is widely utilized as a souring agent and preservative for pickled vegetables and various sauces because its low pH helps inhibit the growth of food-borne pathogens and spoilage organisms. Additionally, acetic acid serves as a fundamental raw material in the production of diverse seasonings and chemical additives used in the food industry.

Explanation

Lignite is a low-grade coal often referred to as brown coal due to its distinct color. It is characterized by a soft texture and a very high moisture content, which can account for nearly half of its weight in some deposits. This type of coal represents an intermediate stage between peat and bituminous coal in the coalification process. Because of its relatively low energy density and high volatility, it is primarily used in specialized thermal power plants located near mining sites to generate electricity efficiently despite its lower carbon content.

Explanation

Argon is an inert noble gas that serves as a critical shielding gas in welding processes such as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW or MIG). Metals like titanium, aluminium, magnesium, and stainless steel are highly reactive at the high temperatures produced during welding. If exposed to the atmosphere, these metals would react with oxygen and nitrogen, leading to the formation of oxides and nitrides that cause brittle and weak joints. Argon creates a chemically inactive atmosphere around the weld pool, effectively protecting the molten metal from contamination. Due to its high density compared to air, argon provides excellent coverage by displacing the surrounding atmosphere and staying over the weld area. This ensures a clean, high-quality fusion and maintains the structural integrity of the specialized alloys.

Explanation

The Tansen Samman was instituted by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1980 to honor eminent artists for their exceptional contribution to Hindustani classical music. Named after the legendary musician Tansen, who was one of the nine gems in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar, this prestigious award is presented annually during the Tansen Samaroh held in Gwalior. It recognizes long-term dedication and excellence in the field of Indian classical music, carrying a citation and a significant cash prize.

Explanation

The first successful modern cotton textile mill in India was established in Mumbai in 1854 by the entrepreneur Cowasji Nanabhoy Davar. Known as the Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company, this mill marked the beginning of the organized textile industry in India. Mumbai was chosen for its strategic advantages, including its status as a major port for importing machinery and exporting finished goods, its proximity to the vast cotton-growing tracts of Western India, and the availability of capital from the local merchant community. Although a mill had been started earlier in 1818 near Kolkata, it was not commercially successful, making the 1854 Mumbai venture the definitive starting point for the sector's growth.

Explanation

The Rowlatt Act, officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council to suppress the growing nationalist upsurge in India. Based on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee chaired by Sir Sidney Rowlatt, the legislation granted the British colonial government extraordinary emergency powers to curb political activities. Its most controversial provision allowed for the preventive detention of any person suspected of revolutionary or seditious acts for up to two years without a trial or judicial review. By removing the right to a fair trial and legal representation, the Act aimed to bypass the standard legal process to maintain order, leading to widespread protests and the eventual launch of the Rowlatt Satyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi.

Explanation

In ice hockey, the blue lines are two thick lines painted across the width of the rink that divide the playing surface into three zones: the defensive zone, the neutral zone, and the attacking (offensive) zone. These lines are primarily used to determine offside violations. A player is considered offside if they cross the blue line into the attacking zone before the puck does. Each blue line is situated 75 feet from the nearest end boards in a standard NHL rink, and they play a critical role in the strategic movement and positioning of players during the game.

Explanation

Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Shunga dynasty, was a staunch proponent of Brahmanism and is historically recognized as a devotee of Shiva. His reign marked a significant revival of Vedic rituals and Hindu orthodoxy following the Mauryan period. Epigraphic evidence, such as the Ayodhya Inscription of Dhanadeva, records that Pushyamitra performed two Ashvamedha (horse sacrifices), which were central to the Vedic tradition he championed. While his era saw the simultaneous growth of various Brahmanical traditions, including the early stages of Bhagavatism, historical accounts and the religious character of the early Shunga period specifically associate his personal religious identity with Shaivism.

Explanation

In July 1968, the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, officially recognized the monumental progress made in Indian agriculture by releasing a special postage stamp titled Wheat Revolution. This event marked the formal celebration of the breakthrough in food grain production achieved through the adoption of High Yielding Variety seeds, improved irrigation, and chemical fertilizers. The release of the stamp served as a symbolic acknowledgement of Indias transition from a food-deficient nation relying on imports to a self-sufficient one, highlighting the success of the Green Revolution, particularly the record-breaking wheat harvest of that period.

Explanation

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as the Frontier Gandhi, founded the Khudai Khidmatgar movement in 1929 in the North-West Frontier Province. This non-violent resistance movement, whose name translates to Servants of God, aimed to challenge British colonial rule through peaceful means and promote social reform among the Pathans. The members were popularly known as the Red Shirts because of the color of their uniforms. Ghaffar Khan successfully integrated the Pashtun code of honor with Gandhian principles of satyagraha, mobilizing a disciplined force that played a crucial role during the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Explanation

Article 39(b) is a significant Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) contained in Part IV of the Indian Constitution. It specifically directs the State to ensure that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are distributed in a way that best serves the common good. This clause represents the socialist ideals of the Constitution, aimed at promoting economic democracy and social justice. By prioritizing the collective welfare over individual accumulation, Article 39(b) provides the constitutional basis for the State to implement reforms such as land redistribution, nationalization of key industries, and the equitable allocation of natural resources. The Supreme Court has frequently interpreted this provision as a tool to achieve a more egalitarian society, emphasizing that material resources include both natural and man-made assets essential for the community's sustenance and growth.

Explanation

Mawsynram is located in the East Khasi Hills district of the state of Meghalaya. It is situated on the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills, which form part of the Meghalaya plateau. The region receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world because of its unique geographical positioning. The Khasi Hills are shaped like a funnel that opens towards the south, which captures the moisture-laden monsoon winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal. When these winds encounter the steep southern ranges of the Khasi Hills, they are forced to rise abruptly, leading to intense orographic precipitation.

Explanation

India secured the fourth position in the overall medal standings at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Indian athletes achieved a total of 61 medals, which included 22 gold, 16 silver, and 23 bronze medals. India's ranking was determined by the number of gold medals won, trailing behind Australia, England, and Canada. Significant contributions to the medal tally came from disciplines such as wrestling, where India won 12 medals including 6 golds, and weightlifting, which accounted for 10 medals. This performance marked a successful campaign for India even in the absence of shooting, which had historically been a major source of medals for the country.

Explanation

The Tripartite Struggle was a protracted conflict occurring between the 8th and 10th centuries for control over the city of Kannauj, which had become the symbol of sovereign power in North India following the reign of Harshavardhana. The three main contenders were the Gurjara-Pratiharas of the west, the Palas of Bengal in the east, and the Rashtrakutas from the Deccan in the south. Kannauj's strategic location in the middle of the fertile Indo-Gangetic plain and its association with the prestige of empire-building made it a highly contested prize. While the Rashtrakutas often won decisive battles and briefly occupied the city, their geographic distance from the capital prevented long-term administration. The Palas also held it temporarily under rulers like Dharmapala. Eventually, the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty established more permanent control over the region, making it their capital.

Explanation

In macroeconomic theory, the circular flow of income remains in equilibrium when total leakages equal total injections, expressed by the identity S + T + M = I + G + X. Injections are autonomous additions to the circular flow of income that increase the level of demand, specifically investment, government spending, and exports. Conversely, leakages or withdrawals are diversions of income from the circular flow that reduce the level of demand, specifically savings, taxes, and imports. Savings represent the portion of disposable income that households do not return to the flow through consumption, thereby acting as a leakage. Because savings are a leakage and not an injection, the statement classifying both savings and government expenditure as injections is incorrect.

Explanation

In heterogeneous catalysis and enzyme-catalyzed reactions, the reaction rate follows zero-order kinetics when the concentration of the reactant is high enough to saturate all available active sites on the catalyst surface or the enzyme. According to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, the rate of a surface-mediated reaction is proportional to the fraction of the surface covered by reactant molecules. When the concentration is sufficiently high, the surface becomes completely saturated, meaning the fractional coverage reaches its maximum limit and cannot increase further. At this saturation point, the rate of reaction becomes independent of the concentration of the reactants because the available catalyst sites are already working at their maximum capacity. This independence is the defining characteristic of a zero-order reaction, where the rate law is expressed as r = k[A]⁰ = k.

Explanation

The Sangeet Natak Akademi is India's national academy for music, dance, and drama, established by the Government of India to preserve and promote the country's diverse performing arts heritage. It was created by a resolution of the Ministry of Education in 1952 and formally inaugurated in 1953. Currently functioning as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, the academy coordinates cultural activities, confers prestigious national awards, and maintains extensive archives. Its registered office and headquarters are located at Rabindra Bhavan, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi.

Explanation

Part V of the Constitution of India, titled The Union, contains the provisions relating to the Union Executive under Chapter I. This chapter covers the offices of the President and the Vice President, the Council of Ministers, and the Attorney General. Specifically, Article 63 mandates that there shall be a Vice President of India, while Article 66 prescribes the procedure for the election of the Vice President by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament. Since these constitutional provisions are situated within the range of Articles 52 to 151, the subject falls entirely under Part V.

Explanation

In the sport of Kabaddi, the Baulk Line is a designated marking on the court that plays a vital role in the rules of raiding. It is positioned parallel to the mid-line, generally at a distance of 3.75 meters in the men's game and 3 meters in the women's game. To complete a valid raid, a raider must cross this line with at least one foot while the other foot is in the air, or touch an opponent before returning to their own half. This requirement prevents raiders from simply entering the opposition's court and immediately returning without any risk or effort to engage the defenders. Failure to cross the baulk line or touch an opponent during a raid results in an empty raid, and under certain tournament rules, consecutive empty raids can lead to the raider being declared out.

Explanation

A light year is a unit of astronomical distance rather than a unit of time. It is defined as the total distance that light travels in a vacuum in one Julian year (365.25 days). Since light moves at a constant speed of approximately 299,792,458 m/s, one light year equals nearly 9.46 × 10¹⁵ meters or 9.46 trillion kilometers. Although the term contains the word year, which is a temporal unit, in physics and astronomy it specifically quantifies the immense spatial gaps between celestial bodies. Time is measured in units like seconds, minutes, or years, but a light year represents a physical length or displacement.

Explanation

The economic justification for agricultural subsidies lies in their role as a catalyst for modernization and productivity. By lowering the cost of essential inputs such as high-yielding variety seeds, fertilizers, and electricity, the government incentivizes farmers to adopt advanced agricultural technologies that they might otherwise find unaffordable due to high initial capital requirements or risk. These subsidies effectively decrease the cost of production for individual farmers, making farming more viable and ensuring that the benefits of the Green Revolution and subsequent technological advancements reach a broader demographic. This intervention is crucial for achieving food security, stabilizing market prices, and encouraging the transition from traditional to technology-intensive farming practices.

Explanation

Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, specifically empowers the Central Government to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling, and abating environmental pollution. Under Section 3(3), the Central Government is granted the specific power to constitute an authority or authorities to exercise and perform the powers and functions of the Central Government under the Act. This includes the mandate to issue directions, establish environmental standards, and oversee the implementation of pollution control measures. This Act was passed by the Parliament under Article 253 of the Constitution to implement the decisions taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972.

Explanation

Part VI of the Indian Constitution contains the provisions relating to the State Governments. Within this part, Chapter III, spanning Articles 168 to 212, specifically governs the State Legislature. These articles define the constitution of legislatures in states, the composition of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, the duration of the houses, the qualifications and disqualifications of members, and the powers and duties of the officers of the legislature. They also outline the legislative procedures, including the passing of bills and the rules of conduct for business within the state legislative bodies.

Explanation

The lithosphere is the solid, outermost shell of the Earth, encompassing the crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle. This layer behaves as a rigid, brittle unit that is fragmented into tectonic plates. In the hierarchical model of the Earth's physical layers, which includes the lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesospheric mantle, and the core, the lithosphere is defined as the topmost portion. It typically extends to a depth of approximately 100 kilometers and provides the physical foundation for terrestrial life and the transition zone to the atmosphere.

Explanation

a-iii: Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 in Calcutta to promote monotheism and advocate for social reforms such as the abolition of Sati and the promotion of women rights.

b-i: Swami Vivekanand established the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to propagate the teachings of his spiritual master, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, and to engage in social service and humanitarian work.

c-ii: Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj in 1867 in Bombay, focusing on social reforms such as inter-caste dining, widow remarriage, and the education of women and the depressed classes.

d-iv: Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875, emphasizing the infallible authority of the Vedas and advocating for a return to Vedic principles while rejecting idol worship and ritualism.

Explanation

In West Bengal, the favorable agro-climatic conditions characterized by high humidity, fertile alluvial soil, and abundant rainfall allow for the cultivation of three rice crops in a single year. These three distinct seasonal crops are known locally as Aus, Aman, and Boro. Aman is the primary crop, typically sown during the monsoon season and harvested in winter. Aus is the autumn rice crop sown in early summer, while Boro is the summer rice crop cultivated during the winter-spring period, primarily relying on irrigation. This intensive triple-cropping system is a major factor in West Bengal being one of the leading rice producers in India.

Explanation

Seasonal unemployment occurs when people are unable to find work during specific periods of the year when the demand for labor is low. In India, this phenomenon is most prominently observed in the agriculture sector due to its dependence on natural crop cycles. Farming involves busy periods for activities such as sowing, weeding, and harvesting, which require a large workforce. However, during the interval between these stages or during the off-season when no crops are grown, there is little to no demand for agricultural labor. Since a vast majority of the rural population relies on these seasonal activities, they remain unemployed for several months of the year until the next agricultural cycle begins.

Explanation

The revolution of 1857 began on May 10, 1857, at the Meerut cantonment. The uprising was triggered by the sentencing of eighty-five sepoys of the 3rd Native Cavalry to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for refusing to use the new Enfield rifle cartridges, which were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat. On a Sunday evening, the Indian soldiers stationed at Meerut broke into open rebellion, killed their British officers, and liberated their imprisoned comrades. This event marked the transition from isolated incidents of local discontent to a large-scale military mutiny. Following the outbreak, the rebels immediately marched toward Delhi, arriving on the morning of May 11, where they sought the leadership of the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. Meerut is historically credited as the starting point of the organized rebellion that rapidly spread across North and Central India.

Explanation

Both mammals and birds are homeothermic, commonly known as warm-blooded animals. This means they possess the physiological ability to maintain a constant internal body temperature that remains relatively stable regardless of the external environmental temperature. To achieve this, both groups utilize high metabolic rates to generate internal heat and employ various regulatory mechanisms such as shivering, sweating, or panting, alongside specialized insulation like feathers in birds and hair or fur in mammals. This shared trait of endothermy allows both classes to inhabit and remain active in diverse and extreme climates across the globe.

Explanation

Muhammad bin Tughlaq established the Diwan-i Amir-i kohi as a dedicated ministry for agricultural development to tackle the economic distress caused by famines and the failure of his taxation experiments in the Doab region. The primary objective of this department was to bring uncultivated land under the plow and improve the quality of crops through state intervention. Under this scheme, the empire was divided into development blocks, and the government provided direct financial assistance in the form of taccavi loans to farmers for purchasing seeds, equipment, and digging wells. The department also encouraged crop rotation, urging farmers to switch from lower-value crops like barley to higher-value crops like wheat and sugarcane. This initiative represented one of the earliest instances of a state-sponsored agricultural credit and development system in medieval India.

Explanation

Leptotene is the first stage of Prophase I in meiosis, during which the chromosomes become visible under the light microscope due to the initiation of chromatin condensation. Throughout this stage, the compaction of chromosomal material continues, transforming the diffuse chromatin network of the interphase nucleus into distinct, long, thin thread-like structures. This process of condensation is the primary chromosomal behavior that defines the leptotene stage, establishing the physical organization required for the subsequent pairing of homologous chromosomes.

Explanation

Arvind Parikh is a veteran Sitar player who belongs to the Imdadkhani or Etawah Gharana. He is a prominent disciple of the legendary Sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan and is known for his expertise in the gayaki ang style of playing, which replicates the vocal nuances of Indian classical music on the instrument. For his immense contributions to the field of performing arts and music education, he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2018. Besides being a performer, he is also a respected musicologist and teacher who has worked extensively to document and propagate the traditions of the Sitar.

Explanation

Pulapaka Susheela is a legendary Indian playback singer primarily known for her work in South Indian cinema. In 1987, she was honored with the Nightingale of Asia award at the World Music Festival held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This international recognition highlighted her prolific career and mastery across multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Known for her impeccable diction and emotive vocal range, she has recorded thousands of songs and remains one of the most decorated female singers in India.

Explanation

The balancing of the chemical equation C₂H₅OH + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O follows the law of conservation of mass, ensuring the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides.

First, balance the carbon atoms. There are 2 carbon atoms in one molecule of ethanol (C₂H₅OH), so there must be 2 molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) on the product side.

Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. Ethanol contains a total of 6 hydrogen atoms (5 + 1 = 6). To have 6 hydrogen atoms on the product side, there must be 3 molecules of water (H₂O), as each water molecule contains 2 hydrogen atoms (3 × 2 = 6).

Finally, balance the oxygen atoms. The product side contains a total of 7 oxygen atoms: 4 from 2CO₂ and 3 from 3H₂O. On the reactant side, ethanol provides 1 oxygen atom. The remaining 6 oxygen atoms required are provided by 3 molecules of diatomic oxygen (3O₂).

The fully balanced equation is C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O. Therefore, the number of carbon dioxide and water molecules on the product side are 2 and 3, respectively.

Explanation

The Kuki dance is a traditional folk dance performed by the Kuki tribe, who are one of the indigenous communities recognized in Nagaland as well as other parts of Northeast India. These dances are central to the cultural identity of the Kuki people and are typically performed during major festivals such as Mim Kut, which is a post-harvest festival. The dance movements are often characterized by rhythmic stepping and synchronized patterns, accompanied by the sounds of traditional instruments like the indigenous drum known as the Khung and various brass gongs. In the context of the provided geographical options, Nagaland is the only state where the Kuki community has a significant ancestral presence and maintains these specific folk traditions as part of the state's diverse tribal heritage.

Explanation

Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and economist, founded the Grameen Bank in 1976. The institution began as a research project in the village of Jobra to provide small, collateral-free loans to the rural poor. By demonstrating that impoverished individuals could be creditworthy and use small amounts of capital to generate income, Yunus pioneered the modern concept of microcredit and the broader field of microfinancing. His model shifted the banking focus from asset-based lending to trust-based lending, specifically targeting women to promote financial independence and poverty reduction. For these groundbreaking efforts in creating economic and social development from below, Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

Explanation

Nirupama Sanjeev, formerly known as Nirupama Vaidyanathan, is a pioneering professional tennis player from India. She made history in 1998 by becoming the first Indian woman in the Open Era to win a main draw singles match at a Grand Slam tournament, achieving this feat at the Australian Open. Throughout her career, she represented India in numerous international competitions, including the Fed Cup and the Asian Games. At the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, she earned a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event partnering with Mahesh Bhupathi. Her contributions to the sport established a foundation for future Indian women athletes to compete on the global professional tennis circuit.

Explanation

Narasimhavarman I, who reigned from approximately 630 to 668 CE, was the most powerful ruler of the Pallava dynasty. He is renowned for avenging his father Mahendravarman I's defeat by the Chalukyan king Pulakeshin II. In 642 CE, Narasimhavarman I launched a successful military expedition against the Western Chalukyas, defeating Pulakeshin II in several battles, including the decisive Battle of Vatapi. Following the victory, he captured and sacked the Chalukyan capital city, Vatapi (modern-day Badami), and assumed the prestigious title Vatapikonda, which translates to the Conqueror of Vatapi. This victory established Pallava supremacy in South India for several decades.

Explanation

PV Sindhu clinched the women's singles title at the Singapore Open 2022 after a hard-fought final against Wang Zhiyi of China, winning 21-9, 11-21, 21-15. This triumph represented her first Super 500 title of the 2022 BWF World Tour season. The victory highlighted her dominance in the international circuit during that year, adding to her previous successes at the Swiss Open and Syed Modi International. Her win at the Singapore Open was a crucial milestone in her career, further cementing her status as one of India's most successful badminton players on the global stage.

Explanation

Lokranjan is a national-level folk dance festival organized annually by the Aadivasi Lok Kala Academy of the Madhya Pradesh Culture Council. Held in the historic town of Khajuraho, the festival serves as a platform to showcase and preserve the diverse folk and tribal traditions, music, and dance forms of India, with a specific focus on the cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh. It typically takes place in December and features a wide array of indigenous artistic expressions, providing a space for tribal artists to perform their traditional arts before a global audience.

Explanation

The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, spanning Articles 36 to 51. Borrowed from the Irish Constitution, these principles provide a framework of social, economic, and political justice to guide the State in policymaking and legislation. They embody the concept of a welfare state by directing the government to ensure equitable distribution of resources, promote education, protect the environment, and safeguard the interests of marginalized sections of society. While these principles are non-justiciable, Article 37 explicitly states that they are fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.

Explanation

The Gandak River, also known as the Narayani in Nepal, originates in the high Himalayas of Nepal near the border with Tibet. It enters the Indian plains through the Valmiki National Park in Bihar and flows in a southeasterly direction. The river acts as a significant left-bank tributary of the Ganga, eventually joining it at Sonpur, located near Patna in the state of Bihar. Its drainage basin covers parts of Nepal and the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, making it one of the major perennial rivers that contribute to the discharge of the Ganga river system.

Explanation

India has a total of 25 High Courts across the country. This number was reached on January 1, 2019, when the High Court of Andhra Pradesh was established as the 25th High Court, following the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While India consists of 28 states and 8 Union Territories, many High Courts have jurisdiction over more than one state or Union Territory under Article 231 of the Constitution. For example, the Punjab and Haryana High Court serves both states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, while the Gauhati High Court has jurisdiction over four northeastern states. This organizational structure has remained unchanged through March 2023.

Explanation

Harela is a traditional folk festival celebrated primarily in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand to mark the onset of the monsoon and the beginning of the Shravan month. The name Harela means Green Day, symbolizing the arrival of the rainy season and the lush greenery it brings to the Himalayan foothills. It is a festival of prosperity and peace where families sow seven types of grains in small baskets nine days before the festival, which are then harvested and used in rituals. The festival is deeply tied to environmental conservation, with the state government and local communities frequently organizing massive tree plantation drives on this day to promote ecological awareness and sustainable living.

Explanation

Pinctada margaritifera is a species of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Pteriidae, commonly known as the black-lip pearl oyster. It is widely distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting coral reef environments from the Red Sea and East Africa to the islands of French Polynesia. The species is characterized by the dark, charcoal-grey to black coloration along the outer edges of its interior nacre, which earns it the black-lipped designation. It is highly valued in the aquaculture industry as the primary source for culturing high-quality black pearls, most notably the Tahitian pearl, due to the unique pigments found in its mantle and shell lining.

Explanation

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) adopted Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices in January 2015 as part of the revision of the base year for national accounts from 2004-05 to 2011-12. This shift was intended to align India's national accounting practices with international standards (SNA 2008).

Explanation

Tarabai Shinde was a pioneering feminist activist and social reformer from Maharashtra who published Stree Purush Tulana in 1882. Originally written in Marathi, the title translates to A Comparison Between Women and Men. The book is widely regarded as one of the first modern feminist texts in India. It was written as a fiery response to a contemporary newspaper article that criticized a young widow, and it serves as a radical critique of patriarchy, caste discrimination, and the social double standards prevalent in 19th-century Indian society. Shinde was a member of the Satyashodhak Samaj, founded by Jyotirao Phule, and her work challenged the marginalization of women by questioning the religious and social structures that restricted their freedom and dignity.

Explanation

India topped the medal tally at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup 2022 in Cairo, Egypt, by winning a total of 8 medals. The Indian contingent secured 4 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals to finish ahead of Norway and France.

The gold medals were won by Saurabh Chaudhary in the Men's 10m Air Pistol, the Women's 10m Air Pistol team (Esha Singh, Shri Nivetha Paramanantham, and Ruchita Vinerkar), the Women's 25m Pistol team (Rahi Sarnobat, Esha Singh, and Rhythm Sangwan), and the Mixed 25m Rapid Fire Pistol team (Anish Bhanwala and Rhythm Sangwan). Silver medals were earned by Esha Singh in the Women's 10m Air Pistol and the Mixed 10m Air Pistol team. The two bronze medals were achieved by the Women's 10m Air Rifle team and the Mixed 50m Rifle 3 Positions team.