SSC CGL Tier 1 2024 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The cooling process in an earthen pot relies on the principle of evaporative cooling. Because the clay pot is porous, water molecules from the interior seep through these microscopic openings to reach the external surface. At the surface, these water molecules absorb thermal energy, specifically the latent heat of vaporization, from the bulk of the water remaining inside the pot. This loss of heat causes the internal water temperature to drop. Statement c is incorrect because the pores function as exit points for liquid water to reach the outside environment where evaporation occurs. Atmospheric water vapor does not enter the pot through these pores; rather, the system depends on liquid water leaving the pot to dissipate heat into the surroundings.

Explanation

In the sport of cricket, the wicketkeeper is a specialist fielder who stands directly behind the stumps at the striker end. The primary role of this player is to stop balls that pass the batsman and to attempt dismissals via catches or stumpings. Under the Laws of Cricket, the wicketkeeper is the only member of the fielding side permitted to wear protective gloves and external leg guards to assist in their specialized duties.

Explanation

Changes in real GDP represent the year-on-year growth or contraction in the physical volume of an economy's output, adjusted for price changes to reflect actual production levels. In contrast, the GDP deflator is a measure of the level of prices of all new, domestically produced, final goods and services in an economy. It is calculated as the ratio of nominal GDP to real GDP using the formula GDP Deflator = (Nominal GDP)/(Real GDP) × 100. While changes in real GDP track economic activity and productivity, the GDP deflator tracks inflation. Since one refers to output quantity and the other refers to price levels, they are fundamentally different indicators.

Explanation

Specific resistance, also known as resistivity, is an intrinsic property of a material that measures its ability to oppose the flow of electric current. It is mathematically defined through the relationship between the resistance R of a conductor, its length l, and its cross-sectional area A using the formula R = ρ (l)/(A), where ρ is the specific resistance. To determine its unit, the formula is rearranged to ρ = R (A)/(l). Substituting the standard SI units for these variables, where resistance is measured in ohms (Ω), cross-sectional area in square meters (m²), and length in meters (m), the expression becomes Ω · m²{m}. Simplifying this gives the unit ohm meter (Ω · m). This unit represents the resistance offered by a conductor of unit length and unit cross-sectional area at a specific temperature.

Explanation

The National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014, formulated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, defines youth as persons in the age group of 15–29 years. This policy replaced the National Youth Policy 2003, which had a broader age range of 13–35 years. The shift to the 15–29 age bracket was designed to align with international standards and to provide a more focused demographic for government interventions and development programs. This definition also matches the age group classification used during the 12th Five Year Plan to better address the specific needs of India's young population in terms of education, employment, and health.

Explanation

The Swadeshi movement provided a significant boost to the Indian cotton textile industry by advocating for the boycott of British-made fabrics and promoting the use of locally produced goods. This nationalistic surge created a massive domestic demand for Indian mill-made cloth and hand-spun Khadi, leading to the establishment and expansion of numerous indigenous textile mills. The momentum generated by this movement continued into the post-Independence period, as the government adopted self-reliance as a core economic principle. The emphasis on indigenous production helped the industry modernize and diversify, ensuring that the cotton textile sector remained a backbone of the Indian economy through state support and a sustained consumer preference for home-grown materials.

Explanation

The Amrit Dharohar scheme was launched on June 5, 2023, to ensure the conservation and optimal use of India's Ramsar sites. This initiative focuses on the biological diversity, cultural significance, and economic potential of wetlands. A key aspect of the scheme is the promotion of the unique conservation values and traditional wisdom of local communities who reside around these ecosystems. By involving these communities directly, the government aims to enhance carbon stocks, protect biodiversity, and encourage sustainable eco-tourism, thereby improving local livelihoods and the overall health of the wetland ecosystems over a three-year implementation period.

Explanation

The Subansiri, Jia Bharali, Dhansiri, and Puthimari are all significant tributaries of the Brahmaputra river system in Northeast India. The Subansiri, which originates in the Tibet region, is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra and flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The Jia Bharali and Puthimari are major north-bank tributaries that descend from the Himalayan foothills to join the Brahmaputra in the plains of Assam. The Dhansiri joins the river from the south bank, originating from the Laisang peak of Nagaland. These rivers contribute to the high discharge and heavy sediment load characteristic of the Brahmaputra basin, particularly during the monsoon season.

Explanation

Article 46 of the Indian Constitution, which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV, mandates that the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people. It specifically highlights the interests of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, directing the State to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. This article serves as a constitutional basis for various affirmative action measures and welfare schemes designed to bridge the socio-economic gap for marginalized communities.

Explanation

Vishu is the traditional New Year festival celebrated primarily in the state of Kerala and in adjacent parts of Tamil Nadu, most notably in the Kanyakumari district. It marks the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, which signifies the Sun's transit into the constellation Aries. The festival is centered around the custom of Vishukkani, the practice of viewing auspicious items—such as the golden blossoms of the Kanikkonna tree, money, silver, and grain—first thing in the morning. Since this day also marks the Tamil New Year, Puthandu, it is observed with great fervor across these southern regions, reflecting the deep cultural and geographical ties between the two states.

Explanation

Abhinav Bindra achieved a historic milestone at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning the gold medal in the Men's 10m Air Rifle event. By finishing with a total score of 700.5 in the final, he became the first Indian athlete to win an individual Olympic gold medal. This victory was a significant breakthrough for Indian sports, as all previous gold medals for the country had come from the men's field hockey team. His performance at the Beijing Shooting Range remains one of the most celebrated moments in India's sporting history.

Explanation

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) developed the e-GOPALA platform, including its web version, to provide a comprehensive digital portal for dairy farmers. The application, which stands for Generation of Wealth through Productive Livestock, serves as a breed improvement marketplace and information portal. NDDB designed the web version to allow livestock owners to buy and sell disease-free germplasm, such as semen and embryos, and to access real-time information on quality breeding services. It also provides tools for managing animal nutrition and health, including alerts for vaccination and pregnancy diagnosis, directly supporting the government's goal of enhancing farmer income through technological intervention in the dairy sector.

Explanation

The Indus River is a major transboundary river in South Asia that originates in the Tibetan Plateau near Lake Mansarovar. It flows northwest through the Ladakh region of India, passing between the Karakoram and Ladakh mountain ranges, before crossing into Pakistan. As the principal river of the Indus River Basin, its waters are shared between India and Pakistan under the framework of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. The river travels approximately 3,180 kilometers from its source in China through India and Pakistan before emptying into the Arabian Sea.

Explanation

Maharashtra is the leading producer of grapes in India, accounting for more than 70 percent of the country's total production according to the data for 2020-2021. The state's dominance is driven by favorable agro-climatic conditions and advanced viticulture practices. Major grape-producing belts in the state include Nashik, Sangli, and Solapur, with Nashik alone being recognized as the grape capital of India due to its massive output and high quality. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) identifies the state as a critical hub for the export of table grapes, particularly varieties like Thompson Seedless and its clones, which meet international quality standards.

Explanation

Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most prominent ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, reigning during the early 2nd century CE. He is credited with restoring the prestige and power of his family by defeating the Shaka ruler Nahapana of the Western Kshatrapas. Detailed information about his reign and character is found in the Nasik Prashasti, an inscription commissioned by his mother, Gautami Balashri. In this record, he is referred to by various titles including Rajaraja and Maharaja, which signify his supreme authority and his success in expanding the Satavahana empire across the Deccan and parts of Central India.

Explanation

The Dead Sea is a hypersaline lake located in the Jordan Rift Valley, characterized by a salinity level of approximately 342 grams per kilogram (34.2%). This high concentration of salt is the result of the lake being an endorheic basin, where water enters from the Jordan River but has no natural outlet to the ocean. In the extremely hot and dry climate of the region, water evaporates at a rapid rate, leaving behind high concentrations of dissolved minerals and salts. Over time, these minerals, including magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride, have accumulated to a level nearly ten times higher than the average salinity of the open ocean. This extreme salt content increases the density of the water to approximately 1.24 kg/l, creating an environment where the buoyancy is so high that objects and people float easily on the surface.

Explanation

Article 51A of the Indian Constitution contains the Fundamental Duties of the citizens. This article was incorporated into the Constitution via the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976, following the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. It forms Part IV-A of the Constitution. Originally, the article prescribed ten fundamental duties, such as abiding by the Constitution and cherishing the noble ideals of the national struggle for freedom. A subsequent addition was made through the 86th Amendment Act in 2002, which introduced the eleventh duty related to providing opportunities for education to children between the ages of six and fourteen years.

Explanation

Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form from Kerala that is characterized by its adherence to the Lasya style, which represents the feminine, graceful, and lyrical aspects of Indian classical dance. As defined in the Natya Shastra, the Lasya style emphasizes soft, fluid body movements, delicate expressions, and rhythmic swaying of the torso, which are the hallmarks of Mohiniyattam. The dance is named after Mohini, the mythical enchantress, and focuses on portraying themes of love and devotion through smooth, circular motions that avoid abrupt or jerky transitions, making it the quintessential representation of feminine elegance in the Indian performing arts.

Explanation

Rudrasena II was a ruler of the Vakataka dynasty, belonging to the Nandivardhana-Pravarapura branch that controlled significant territories in the Deccan. During the late 4th century CE, the Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II sought a strategic alliance with the Vakatakas to secure his southern borders and gain support for his military campaigns against the Shaka Kshatrapas in Western India. To solidify this political bond, Chandragupta II married his daughter, Prabhavatigupta, to Rudrasena II. This marriage had profound historical consequences, as Rudrasena II died after a short reign, leading Prabhavatigupta to rule as regent for her minor sons for at least twenty years. Her regency facilitated a high degree of Gupta administrative and cultural influence within the Vakataka kingdom, as reflected in her land grant inscriptions like the Poona copper plates.

Explanation

Madhuri Barthwal is an eminent folk singer and musicologist from the state of Uttarakhand. She was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2022 in the field of Art for her significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Garhwali folk music. Her career is marked by several milestones, including being the first female music composer for All India Radio (AIR) at the Najibabad station. She has spent decades documenting traditional melodies and teaching folk music to ensure that the unique cultural heritage of the Uttarakhand hills remains vibrant and accessible to future generations.

Explanation

Article 79 of the Constitution of India establishes the Parliament as the supreme legislative organ of the Union government. It consists of the President and two Houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The primary responsibility of this body is the formulation and enactment of laws on subjects within the Union List and the Concurrent List as defined in the Seventh Schedule. Through its legislative process, the Parliament ensures that the Union government has the necessary legal framework to administer the country, manage national finances, and address the needs of the population at the federal level.

Explanation

Silicon is classified as a metalloid because it exhibits physical and chemical properties intermediate between those of metals and non-metals. Located in Group 14 of the periodic table, it possesses a metallic luster and a high melting point like many metals, yet it is brittle and is a poor conductor of electricity at room temperature like non-metals. Silicon is a semiconductor, meaning its electrical conductivity can be controlled and increases with temperature, which is a defining characteristic of metalloids that makes them essential for modern electronic components and integrated circuits.

Explanation

The Republic feature of the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the French Constitution. A republican form of government implies that the head of the state is an elected individual and not a hereditary monarch, a principle reflected in the election of the President of India. Along with the concept of a Republic, the Indian Preamble also adopted the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity from the French Constitution, which were the foundational slogans of the French Revolution. These elements were integrated to ensure that the Indian political system remains democratic and representative of the will of the people.

Explanation

In December 2021, the Odisha government launched a dedicated social security scheme specifically for registered newspaper hawkers to provide them with a financial safety net. Recognizing the significant economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the hawkers' status as unorganised sector workers, the state provided a one-time COVID-19 assistance of ₹6,000 to each registered individual. Beyond immediate relief, the scheme introduced robust insurance benefits, including ₹2 lakh for natural death and ₹5 lakh for accidental death. It also included a provision of ₹1.5 lakh for hawkers suffering from permanent disability due to accidents. This initiative, implemented through the Odisha Unorganised Workers Social Security Board, was the first of its kind in India to provide such comprehensive coverage to newspaper distributors.

Explanation

Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are states rich in mineral resources where extensive mining operations are a primary economic activity. Mining sites are typically abandoned after excavation is complete, leaving behind deep scars and overburdening the soil with debris. To access these mineral deposits, vast tracts of forest land are cleared, leading to large-scale deforestation. This loss of vegetative cover, combined with the physical disruption of the land surface during mining, results in severe land degradation and soil erosion in these regions.

Explanation

The Accelerated Female Literacy Programme was a focused initiative launched under the National Literacy Mission to address the significant gender gap in education. This programme was specifically designed to target districts where educational progress for women was lagging severely. The criterion for inclusion in this special programme was a female literacy rate of less than 30 percent based on the findings of the 2001 Census. By concentrating efforts on these high-priority districts, the government aimed to rapidly increase literacy among women and ensure more equitable social and economic development across the country.

Explanation

The Amazon basin is the largest drainage basin in the world, covering an area of approximately 7,000,000 km². It drains nearly 40% of the South American continent, encompassing territory across Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. The basin is defined by the Amazon River and its vast network of over 1,100 tributaries. Its immense size is a result of the high precipitation levels in the tropical region and the extensive topographical catchment area bounded by the Andes Mountains to the west and the Guiana and Brazilian Highlands to the north and south. This basin accounts for about one-fifth of the total river flow entering the world's oceans.

Explanation

The National Sports University is a central university located in Imphal, Manipur. It was established through the National Sports University Act, 2018, as a specialized institution to promote sports education, research, and training in India. The university focuses on diverse areas such as sports science, sports technology, high-performance coaching, and management to produce professional athletes and experts capable of competing at the highest international levels. It represents a significant step in developing a robust sports culture and infrastructure within the country, specifically leveraging the rich sporting talent found in Northeast India.

Explanation

Members of the Class Aves are exclusively oviparous, meaning they lay hard-shelled calcareous eggs that are incubated until the young hatch. Unlike certain mammals, no bird species gives birth to live young; they lack the anatomical structures such as a functional uterus or placenta necessary for viviparity. This reproductive strategy of laying eggs is a defining feature of birds across all orders and families.

Explanation

Sikkim is located in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, characterized by a highly rugged topography with steep mountain slopes, deep river valleys, and high-altitude peaks. These geographical conditions create immense engineering hurdles for rail construction, necessitating complex infrastructure such as long-distance tunnels and high-clearance bridges. Additionally, the region is prone to frequent landslides and falls within a high-seismic zone, which further complicates the stability and maintenance of railway tracks. Due to these physical constraints and the high cost of construction in such terrain, Sikkim has historically remained one of the states with the least developed rail transport infrastructure in India, with current projects like the Sivok-Rangpo rail link still being under development to establish its first major connectivity.

Explanation

The Discovery of India was written by Jawaharlal Nehru during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort from 1942 to 1945 following the Quit India Movement. The book provides a broad analysis of Indian history, philosophy, and culture from the Indus Valley Civilization to the British Raj. Subhash Chandra Bose is the author of works such as The Indian Struggle and his unfinished autobiography titled An Indian Pilgrim.

Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, making him the first non-European to receive this honor. The Nobel Committee recognized him for his profoundly sensitive, fresh, and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West. This international recognition primarily focused on his collection of poems titled Gitanjali (Song Offerings), which he had translated into English. His work was lauded for its spiritual depth and lyrical quality, bringing Indian philosophical and poetic traditions to a global audience. Over his career, Tagore was a prolific polymath who significantly reshaped Bengali literature and music, but it was his 1913 win that established him as a premier figure in world literature.

Explanation

The National Institute of Kathak Dance, commonly referred to as Kathak Kendra, was established in 1964 in New Delhi. It functions as a constituent unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, which is India's National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama. While the institution originally functioned as the Kathak department of the Bharatiya Kala Kendra, it was formally transitioned and established as a national-level institute under the aegis of the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1964. The center is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Kathak dance form, providing specialized training in various traditions, particularly the Lucknow Gharana, and acting as a major hub for research and performance in Indian classical dance.

Explanation

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report for the period July 2020 to June 2021, Gujarat recorded an unemployment rate of 2.2 percent for persons aged 15 years and above under the usual status (ps+ss) approach. This figure was significantly lower than the national average of 4.2 percent during the same period. Gujarat maintained a robust labor market performance through its strong industrial base and high labor force participation in the manufacturing and services sectors, resulting in the lowest unemployment rate among the states provided in the options for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Explanation

The Indian Hockey Federation was established on November 7, 1925, during a meeting held in Gwalior. It was created to serve as the national governing body for field hockey in India, tasked with organizing domestic tournaments and managing the national team. Shortly after its formation, the federation gained international recognition and India became the first non-European member of the International Hockey Federation in 1927. This establishment paved the way for India's long-standing dominance in the sport, including its first Olympic gold medal at the 1928 Amsterdam Games.

Explanation

Peroxisomes are small, membrane-bound organelles containing oxidative enzymes such as catalase and urate oxidase. They function by using molecular oxygen to remove hydrogen atoms from specific organic substrates in an oxidation reaction, which results in the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). This process is represented by the general chemical equation RH₂ + O₂ → R + H₂O₂. These organelles are essential for various metabolic pathways, including the breakdown of long-chain fatty acids through beta-oxidation and the detoxification of various toxic substances that enter the blood. Because hydrogen peroxide is itself highly reactive and potentially damaging to the cell, peroxisomes also contain the enzyme catalase, which immediately converts the H₂O₂ into water and oxygen.

Explanation

A redox reaction, which is short for reduction-oxidation reaction, occurs through the simultaneous transfer of electrons from one chemical species to another among the reactants. In this process, the substance that loses electrons undergoes oxidation, while the substance that gains those electrons undergoes reduction. The fundamental mechanism driving the reaction is this exchange of charge, which changes the oxidation states of the atoms involved. The reactant that donates electrons is known as the reducing agent, and the reactant that accepts them is known as the oxidizing agent. This movement of electrons between the participating species ensures that the total number of electrons lost in the oxidation half-reaction is equal to the total number of electrons gained in the reduction half-reaction.

Explanation

Sangken is the traditional New Year festival celebrated by the Theravada Buddhist communities of Arunachal Pradesh, most notably by the Khampti and Singpho tribes. Falling in mid-April, the festival marks the arrival of the lunar New Year and is often referred to as the water festival. The central ritual involves the ceremonial cleaning and bathing of the images of Lord Buddha with holy water, which symbolizes spiritual purification and the washing away of sins and bad luck from the previous year. This celebration is culturally and religiously linked to similar Southeast Asian Buddhist festivals like Songkran in Thailand and Thingyan in Myanmar.

Explanation

The Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Yojana is a landmark social welfare initiative launched by the Himachal Pradesh government to provide comprehensive care and support to the most vulnerable sections of society. Under this scheme, the state has legally adopted orphans as Children of the State, taking full responsibility for their upbringing, education, and well-being until they reach the age of 27. The benefits of the scheme extend to specially abled children, destitute women, and senior citizens residing in government-run institutions. It ensures they receive financial assistance for higher education, vocational training, and housing, along with a dedicated monthly pocket money allowance and annual clothing grants. This initiative was formalized through the Himachal Pradesh Sukhashray Act, making the state the first in India to provide such legal rights and security to these marginalized groups.

Explanation

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 2.0 was launched in August 2021 with the objective of providing an additional 10 million (1 crore) LPG connections to low-income households. This second phase of the scheme specifically targeted families that were not covered during the initial phase of PMUY, which had already met its target of 80 million connections. Ujjwala 2.0 provides beneficiaries with a deposit-free LPG connection, a free first refill, and a gas stove. To ensure wider reach, the scheme introduced a simplified application process that allows migrant workers to apply using a self-declaration for address proof, removing the requirement for formal residential documents.

Explanation

The MG Music Awards, short for Music Gallery Music Awards, is an annual event held in the state of Nagaland to recognize and honor local musical talent. Organized by Music Gallery, a prominent music establishment based in Dimapur, the ceremony serves as a significant platform for musicians from the Naga music industry to showcase their work across various genres. The awards aim to promote the state's vibrant cultural landscape and encourage professional growth among local artists by celebrating excellence in music production, performance, and songwriting within the region.

Explanation

In banking and accounting, the fundamental balance sheet equation is expressed as Assets = Liabilities + Net Worth. The net worth of a bank, also referred to as equity or capital, represents the residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all its liabilities. When the total value of a bank's assets, which include loans, investments, and reserves, is greater than its total liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, the difference is recorded as net worth. This value indicates the actual wealth belonging to the shareholders and acts as a financial cushion to absorb potential losses.

Explanation

Ghiyas ud din Balban reorganized the Diwan-i-Arz, the military department of the Delhi Sultanate, as a crucial step in his policy of centralizing power and defending the empire against Mongol invasions and internal rebellions. By elevating the importance of this department, Balban sought to create a professional and loyal standing army that was independent of the financial control of the Wazir. He appointed Imad-ul-Mulk as the Ariz-i-Mumalik, charging him with the responsibility of recruitment, payment, and inspection of the troops. This reorganization ensured that the military remained efficient, well-disciplined, and directly accountable to the Sultan, thereby strengthening the authority of the monarchy during the Mamluk dynasty.

Explanation

The ozone layer, located primarily in the stratosphere between 15 and 35 kilometers above Earth's surface, acts as a shield by absorbing the majority of the Sun's high-frequency ultraviolet radiation. Ozone molecules (O₃) are uniquely structured to absorb ultraviolet light, particularly in the UV-B and UV-C spectrums. When an ultraviolet photon strikes an ozone molecule, the energy is absorbed and the molecule dissociates into an oxygen molecule (O₂) and a free oxygen atom (O). This process, part of the Chapman cycle, converts potentially harmful radiation into thermal energy. By filtering out approximately 97 to 99 percent of this radiation, the ozone layer protects living organisms from the damaging effects of ultraviolet exposure, which includes DNA damage, skin cancers, and interference with photosynthetic processes in plants.

Explanation

The Home Rule League was a political movement launched in 1916 to demand self-government for India within the British Empire, modeled after the Irish Home Rule movement. It was uniquely structured into two separate branches or leagues to accommodate the different working styles and follower bases of its founders, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant. Tilak established the Indian Home Rule League in April 1916 at Belgaum, focusing his operations on Maharashtra (excluding Bombay), Karnataka, Central Provinces, and Berar. Annie Besant founded the All India Home Rule League in September 1916 at Madras, which covered the rest of the country. This dual organizational approach allowed the movement to reach a wider audience and mobilize public opinion through lectures, newspapers, and political education, eventually leading to a significant shift in the Indian national movement.

Explanation

The 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup was hosted by England, marking the third consecutive time the tournament was held there. While India achieved a historic victory in this edition by defeating the West Indies in the final at Lord's, the hosting duties were confined to venues across England and Wales. India did not serve as a host or co-host for a World Cup tournament until 1987, when it organized the event jointly with Pakistan. Therefore, in 1983, India participated only as a competing nation and not as a host country.

Explanation

Tajul Ma'asir was authored by Hasan Nizami (ii) and describes the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate during the reigns of Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish. Khazain-ul Futuh was written by Amir Khusrav (iv) and is a panegyric history focused on the southern conquests and reforms of Alauddin Khalji. Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi is the work of Ziauddin Barani (iii), covering the history of the Delhi Sultanate from Balban to the first six years of Firuz Shah Tughlaq. Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi was written by Yahya bin Ahmad Sirihmid (i) and provides an essential chronological account of the Sultanate including the period of the Sayyid rulers.

Explanation

Overpopulation creates an intensive demand for basic survival needs, leading to the over-exploitation of the Earth's natural capital. As the human population grows, more land is diverted from its natural state for urban development, industrial sites, and high-yield agriculture to provide food and housing. This constant expansion exerts significant pressure on renewable resources such as freshwater, timber, and fertile soil, often consuming them at rates that far exceed their natural replenishment or carrying capacity. Consequently, overpopulation acts as a primary driver for environmental degradation and the exhaustion of vital ecological assets.

Explanation

Personal Income Tax recorded a significant increase in collections according to the data released by the Ministry of Finance in February 2023. As of 10 February 2023, the net direct tax collection figures showed a growth of 18.40 percent compared to the preceding year. Within the direct tax category, Personal Income Tax (including Securities Transaction Tax) exhibited a growth rate of 26.12 percent, which notably outpaced the growth seen in other direct tax components like corporate tax during that specific fiscal window. This rise was driven by improved tax compliance, the expansion of the tax base through technological interventions, and steady growth in individual earnings across the country. Personal Income Tax is a direct tax paid by individuals based on their taxable income in a financial year.

Explanation

The Rosenmund catalyst is a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst consisting of palladium supported on barium sulfate (Pd/BaSO₄). It is typically modified or poisoned with substances like quinoline or sulfur to regulate its catalytic activity. This catalyst is essential for the Rosenmund reduction process, which involves the partial reduction of an acyl chloride to form an aldehyde. The specific combination of palladium and barium sulfate ensures that the reaction stops at the aldehyde stage and prevents further reduction into a primary alcohol, which would occur with more active, untreated palladium catalysts.