SSC CHSL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Ganga basin is the largest river basin in India. It covers a vast catchment area of approximately 8,60,000 km² (specifically 8,61,404 km²), which constitutes about 26% of the country's total geographical area.

The drainage area of the basin is spread across 11 Indian states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi. It is the most populous river basin in the world, supporting nearly half of India's population and contributing significantly to the nation's agricultural output.

Explanation

In the case of Pichra Warg Kalyan Mahasabha Haryana v. State of Haryana (2021), the Supreme Court of India quashed notifications issued by the Haryana government in 2016 and 2018 that sought to identify the creamy layer among Other Backward Classes (OBCs) solely on the basis of income.

The division bench of the Supreme Court held that Haryana's notifications were in flagrant violation of the landmark Indra Sawhney judgment (1992) and Section 5(2) of the Haryana Backward Classes Act of 2016. The Court reaffirmed that the exclusion of the creamy layer must be decided on the basis of social, educational, and other factors of advancement, and that economic criteria alone cannot be the sole basis for such identification.

Explanation

Ardhakathanak is the poetic autobiography of Banarasi Das Jain (also known as Banarasidas), who was a seventeenth-century Jain merchant, poet, and philosopher from Jaunpur. Completed in the winter of 1641 in Agra, the work is written in Braj Bhasha using 675 stanzas in doha and chaupai metres. It is widely recognized as the earliest known autobiography written in an Indian language. Since a full human lifespan is traditionally considered to be 110 years in the Jain tradition, Banarasidas titled his life story Ardhakathanak (meaning Half a Story) because he was 55 years old at the time of its composition.

Explanation

Manipuri dance is a classical Indian dance form that is deeply associated with the Vaishnavism of the Meitei people of Manipur. Originating as a ritualistic form, the dance evolved extensively after the advent of Gaudiya Vaishnavism in the region, particularly under the patronage of King Bhagyachandra in the 18th century. It is primarily centered around devotional themes depicting the divine love and plays of Radha and Krishna through the traditional Raas Leela, as well as performances like Sankirtana.

Explanation

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, also known as the Akademi Ratna Sadasyata, is the highest honour conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The honour of an Akademi Fellow carries a purse money of Rs 3 Lakh, along with a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram. The number of fellows is restricted to a maximum of 40 living individuals at any given time.

Explanation

According to the Crime in India 2020 report published by the National Crime Records Bureau, Patna recorded the highest number of crime incidences against Scheduled Castes among the major metropolitan cities. The data, compiled across 19 metropolitan cities with populations exceeding two million, highlighted that Patna was the most affected metropolitan area in terms of atrocities and cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act during that year.

Explanation

According to Article 124(2)(a) of the Constitution of India, a Judge of the Supreme Court may resign from office by writing a resignation letter under his or her hand addressed to the President of India. This constitutional provision ensures that the resignation of a Supreme Court judge is formally directed to the President, who is the appointing authority for the judges of the higher judiciary.

Explanation

The book 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' is a popular 2007 memoir by the famous Japanese author Haruki Murakami, in which he writes about his interest and participation in long-distance running.

Explanation

In track and field running events, the official responsible for keeping track of and recording the laps completed by athletes is designated as the Lap Scorer under World Athletics rules. They ensure that all competitors complete the required distance in races longer than 1500 meters.

Explanation

In December 2020, Indian actor and social worker Sonu Sood released his autobiography titled I Am No Messiah, which was co-written with journalist Meena K. Iyer. Published by Penguin Random House India, the memoir details his personal journey from Moga to Mumbai, his career in the film industry, and his extensive humanitarian work during the COVID-19 pandemic. His efforts to assist thousands of stranded migrant workers, students, and other distressed individuals in reaching their homes during the 2020 nationwide lockdown inspired the title and the core narrative of the book.

Explanation

As we move down a group in the periodic table, new electron shells are progressively added to the atoms of successive elements. This addition of new energy levels increases the atomic radius, which places the outermost valence electrons farther away from the positively charged nucleus. According to Coulomb's law, the electrostatic force of attraction between the nucleus and the valence electrons decreases as the distance between them increases. This weaker gravitational pull, combined with the shielding effect of the inner electron shells, makes it much easier for the atom to lose its outermost electrons, resulting in lower ionization energy down the group.

Explanation

The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill, 2021 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 25 March 2021 to establish a premier Development Financial Institution (DFI) for infrastructure financing in India. Under Section 5 of this Act, NaBFID is set up as a corporate body with an authorised share capital of 1 lakh crore rupees. This capital is divided into ten thousand crore fully paid-up shares of ten rupees each. The Central Government initially holds 100% of the shareholding, which may subsequently be reduced to a minimum of 26% as other eligible institutions, such as multilateral institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and pension funds, acquire shares.

Explanation

A. R. Rahman won two Academy Awards at the 81st Oscar ceremony held in 2009 for his work on the film Slumdog Millionaire. He received the awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the track Jai Ho, which he shared with lyricist Gulzar. This achievement made him the first Indian composer to win two Oscars in the same year.

Explanation

Clay-pigeon shooting, also known as clay target shooting, is a shooting sport where shotguns are used to shoot flying, saucer-shaped targets called clay pigeons. Trap shooting is one of the primary disciplines under this category, alongside skeet shooting and sporting clays. The sport originally involved shooting live pigeons released from cages or traps. When live birds were replaced with artificial clay targets, the mechanical devices launching them kept the name traps, and the sport became commonly known as clay-pigeon shooting.

Explanation

Ernest Rutherford published his seminal paper analyzing the alpha particle scattering experiments, titled "The Scattering of α and β Particles by Matter and the Structure of the Atom", in May 1911 in the Philosophical Magazine. In this publication, he utilized the experimental data gathered by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden to show that the large-angle deflection of alpha particles could only be explained by the presence of a highly concentrated, massive positive charge at the very center of the atom, which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus.

Explanation

Arjun Singh Dhurve was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2022 under the Art category for his exemplary contributions to preserving and promoting the traditional Baiga dance and music. Hailing from the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh, he belongs to the Baiga tribe and has dedicated over four decades to popularizing Baiga folk songs and dances, including the Baiga Pardhauni dance. His efforts have been instrumental in showcasing this indigenous tribal art form on national and international platforms, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Explanation

G.N. Balasubramaniam, commonly known as GNB, was a legendary vocalist and composer in the Carnatic music tradition. He revolutionized South Indian classical music in the mid-20th century by introducing a new style characterized by rapid vocal ornamentations known as brigas, fast-tempo rendering, and creative improvisation. His unique presentation and command over rhythm established a distinct school of music, making him one of the most influential Carnatic vocalists of his era.

Explanation

Hazrat Amir Khusrau, a 13th-century Indo-Persian Sufi singer, musician, and poet, is credited with establishing the tradition of singing ghazal in India. Often referred to as the father of Qawwali and the Parrot of India, Khusrau introduced the Persian ghazal style of song into the Indian subcontinent. He successfully blended Persian musical concepts with Indian classical traditions, creating a unique synthesis that shaped Hindustani classical music and gave birth to genres like the ghazal, qawwali, and tarana.

Explanation

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer at the 32nd National Film Awards for his classical renditions in the Hindi film Ankahee. Released in 1985, the film featured his soulful performances of the devotional tracks Thumak Thumak and Raghuvar Tumko Meri Laaj under the music direction of Jaidev.

Explanation

Parthenium hysterophorus is a species of highly invasive flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It is commonly known as carrot grass due to the striking resemblance of its finely divided, dissected leaves to those of the carrot plant. Native to the American tropics, this noxious weed has spread widely across India, where it is also sometimes referred to as congress grass, causing significant ecological, agricultural, and health-related hazards.

Explanation

The total stock of money alone does not determine the overall liquidity of an economy. While the total stock of money is a critical component, overall liquidity is also influenced by the velocity of circulation of money (the rate at which money is exchanged in an economy), the availability of credit, the efficiency of the financial markets, and public confidence. Additionally, overall liquidity includes other financial assets such as short-term treasury bills, commercial papers, and near-money assets that can be easily converted into cash with minimal loss of value. Therefore, the total stock of money alone is insufficient to determine the comprehensive liquidity in an economy.

Explanation

The Chambal River originates from the Janapav Hills, situated near Mhow in the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. These hills are located in the Malwa plateau region and form part of the Vindhyan Range. From its source near Mhow, the river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, runs through Rajasthan, and eventually merges with the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh.

Explanation

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written by the renowned American author Mark Twain and first published in December 1884. Commonly named among the Great American Novels, the work is noted for its colorful description of people and places along the Mississippi River. It is told in the first person by Huckleberry Finn, a friend of Tom Sawyer and narrator of two other Twain novels.

Explanation

Feldspars are the most abundant group of rock-forming minerals in the Earth's crust, making up about 50% to 60% of its total composition. These tectosilicate minerals, containing varied ratios of potassium, sodium, and calcium, are essential raw materials in industrial applications. In the glass and ceramic industries, feldspar acts as a fluxing agent, which effectively lowers the melting temperature of alumina and silica. This facilitates the melting process, helps bind the ceramic batch together, and improves the strength, toughness, and durability of the finished products.

Explanation

Pandit Shambhu Maharaj was a legendary guru and exponent of the Lucknow Gharana of the Indian classical dance form, Kathak. Renowned for his mastery of abhinaya (expression) and bhava (emotion), he played a pivotal role in the preservation, revival, and pedagogy of Kathak during the twentieth century. He served as the head of the dance department at Kathak Kendra in New Delhi and trained several illustrious dancers. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to Indian classical dance, he was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1967, and had previously received the Padma Shri in 1958.

Explanation

The Earth's atmosphere is composed of a mixture of different gases, with nitrogen and oxygen being the two most abundant by a wide margin. Nitrogen constitutes approximately 78.08% of the dry atmosphere by volume, while oxygen makes up about 20.95%. Together, these two primary gases account for more than 99% of the total volume of the atmosphere, with the remaining fraction consisting of argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and trace amounts of other gases.

Explanation

Chennai Super Kings won the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, clinching their fourth IPL title under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The team won the final match played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 15, 2021, where Faf du Plessis scored a crucial 86 runs to help seal the victory. This triumph marked a remarkable comeback for the franchise after a disappointing league stage exit in the previous season.

Explanation

Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan is a distinguished Indian classical virtuoso of the sitar. Belonging to the illustrious Etawah Gharana, also known as the Imdadkhani Gharana, he represents the seventh generation of this sitar-playing lineage. He is widely acclaimed for his unique ability to perform the gayaki ang, seamlessly translating vocal nuances onto the sitar. His contribution to Hindustani classical music has been recognized with major national honors, including the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Explanation

A Champion's Mind: Lessons from a Life in Tennis is the autobiography of the legendary American tennis player Pete Sampras, co-written with sports journalist Peter Bodo and published in 2008. In this memoir, Sampras, who won fourteen Grand Slam singles titles and held the world number one ranking for 286 weeks, provides an intimate look into his professional career, his single-minded work ethic, and his historic on-court rivalries, most notably with Andre Agassi.

Explanation

Article 61 of the Constitution of India outlines the detailed procedure for the impeachment of the President of India. According to this article, the President can be impeached only on the ground of violation of the Constitution. The process can be initiated by either House of Parliament by framing the charges in a resolution, which must be signed by at least one-fourth of the total members of the initiating House and passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of that House after a fourteen days' notice.

Explanation

A dunk shot, commonly referred to as a slam dunk, is a basketball shot where a player jumps high into the air and forces the ball directly downward through the basket with one or both hands. It is a highly athletic and spectacular play that requires exceptional leaping ability and is a standard scoring maneuver in the game of basketball.

Explanation

The Man Who Made the Elephant Dance is the authorized audio-autobiography of Dr. Verghese Kurien, who is widely recognized as the Father of the White Revolution in India. He was the visionary behind Operation Flood, the world's largest dairy development program, which transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world's largest milk producer. Dr. Kurien established the cooperative dairy model of Anand, Gujarat, which led to the creation of the iconic brand Amul, effectively empowering millions of rural farmers through sustainable livelihood networks.

Explanation

Mitochondria are double-membraned organelles first discovered by Albert von Kolliker in 1857 as granules in muscle cells. They are universally known as the powerhouses or energy factories of the cell because they generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through the process of aerobic cellular respiration. ATP serves as the primary chemical energy currency, powering various metabolic activities and cellular functions.

Explanation

Padma Subrahmanyam is a legendary Indian classical Bharatanatyam dancer, researcher, choreographer, and music composer. She is highly acclaimed for her pioneering research in the Natya Shastra, having reconstructed the 108 Karanas (dance movements) of Lord Shiva, which she integrated into her unique dance style called Bharata Nrityam. For her immense contributions to the Indian classical dance, she has received numerous national and international accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1981, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1983, and the Padma Bhushan in 2003.

Explanation

In the landmark case of Satbir Singh v. State of Haryana (2021), the Supreme Court of India laid down comprehensive guidelines for trials concerning dowry deaths under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 113B of the Indian Evidence Act. The court clarified that the phrase "soon before" in Section 304B of the IPC does not mean "immediately before". Instead, it implies a proximate and live link between the cruelty or harassment faced by the victim over dowry demands and her subsequent death. The ruling also emphasized the critical duty of trial courts to carefully and fairly examine the accused under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to ensure a just trial.

Explanation

Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, has a standard height of 8848 metres.

Dhaulagiri, located in Nepal, stands at an elevation of 8172 metres according to early calculations.

Kamet is the second highest mountain peak in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, rising to a height of 7756 metres.

Annapurna is a massif in north-central Nepal whose highest peak, Annapurna I, is historically recorded at 8078 metres.

Explanation

Goal is the autobiography of Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary Indian field hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Published in 1952, the book chronicles his illustrious sporting journey, including his experiences leading India to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936, while also sharing invaluable tactical insights and hockey techniques.

Explanation

Salivary amylase, also known as ptyalin, is a digestive enzyme synthesized and secreted by the salivary glands directly into the oral cavity. It plays a critical role in the initial stage of chemical digestion by catalyzing the hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates and dietary starches into simpler sugars like maltose and dextrin.

Explanation

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a legendary vocalist of Hindustani classical music and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, was one of the most prominent stalwarts of the Kirana Gharana. He received his musical training from Sawai Gandharva, who was a disciple of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the co-founder of this gharana. The Kirana Gharana is celebrated for its intense focus on perfect intonation, the precise tuning of notes, and the slow, step-by-step development of the raga, all of which became hallmarks of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi's powerful and emotive singing style.

Explanation

The central dogma of molecular biology explains that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA and then to proteins. This process begins with DNA replication, followed by the transcription of DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA), and concludes with the translation of mRNA into functional proteins.

Explanation

The First Five Year Plan of India was launched in the year 1951 under the leadership of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It focused primarily on the development of the primary sector, particularly agriculture and irrigation, and covered the period from 1951 to 1956.

Explanation

Gurjit Kaur won the FIH Women's Hockey Player of the Year for 2020-21. This was part of a historic clean sweep by India at the FIH Hockey Stars Awards, where Indian players and coaches won in all major categories.

Explanation

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell because they generate most of the chemical energy needed to power the cell's biochemical reactions, stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Plastids, particularly chloroplasts, are known as the kitchen of the cell as they are responsible for synthesizing food through the process of photosynthesis in plant cells.

Lysosomes are called the suicidal bags of the cell because they contain hydrolytic enzymes capable of digesting cellular components, which are released to destroy the cell itself if it becomes damaged or aged.

The nucleus functions as the brain of the cell because it houses the genetic material (DNA) and coordinates crucial cellular activities such as growth, metabolism, protein synthesis, and reproduction.

Explanation

Sujata Mohapatra is an eminent classical dancer and teacher who was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2017 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Odissi dance. Born in Balasore, Odisha, she received advanced training under the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and has performed extensively at premier dance festivals both within India and internationally. Her artistic excellence, dedication to preserving the traditional form of Odissi, and role as the principal of the premier dance institution Srjan led to her being selected for this prestigious national honour.

Explanation

Guru Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair (1916–2007) was a legendary maestro of Kathakali, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. Born in Vellinezhi, Palakkad district, he was a highly distinguished exponent of the refined Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali. He received his rigorous training under the legendary master Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon. Renowned for his intellectual depth, imaginative choreography, and masterful portrayal of epic characters such as Hanuman, he infused a unique eclecticism into the traditional dance form while preserving its core grammatical purity. For his outstanding contributions to Indian classical dance, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004, along with several other prestigious accolades, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Explanation

Tansen, one of the most celebrated figures in Hindustani classical music and one of the nine jewels (Navaratnas) in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar, was born in Behat, a village situated near Gwalior in present-day Madhya Pradesh. He spent his early years in Gwalior, where he received training under the guidance of the legendary music teacher Swami Haridas and was also deeply influenced by the Sufi saint Hazrat Mohammad Ghaus.

Explanation

Article 32 of the Constitution of India guarantees the Right to Constitutional Remedies, which empowers citizens to approach the Supreme Court of India directly for the enforcement of their Fundamental Rights. This article provides the court with the power to issue directions, orders, or writs, including habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described Article 32 as the heart and soul of the Indian Constitution, as it makes the Fundamental Rights real and enforceable.

Explanation

Safranin (also known as Safranin O or basic red 2) is a basic cationic dye widely used in histology and cytology as a biological stain. Since it is a basic dye, it has a strong affinity for acidic, negatively charged macromolecular components of the cell, such as the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) concentrated in the cell nucleus. When applied, safranin binds to these acidic structures and colors the cell nuclei red. This characteristic makes it highly effective as a nuclear counterstain in various staining protocols, including Gram staining and endospore staining.

Explanation

According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, released by the Forest Survey of India, the total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.9 million hectares (equivalent to 809,537 square kilometers). This combined cover constitutes 24.62% of India's total geographical area. Within this, the forest cover alone stands at 71.38 million hectares (713,789 square kilometers or 21.71% of the geographical area), while the tree cover spans 9.57 million hectares (95,748 square kilometers or 2.91% of the geographical area).

Explanation

Tanvi Shah became the first Indian woman to win a Grammy Award at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards held in 2010. She won the award for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for her contribution to the song Jai Ho from the movie Slumdog Millionaire, which she co-wrote and performed in Spanish alongside A. R. Rahman and Gulzar.