SSC CHSL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Unstoppable: My Life So Far is the autobiography of the Russian professional tennis player and five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova. Published in September 2017, the book details her journey from a young girl moving from Russia to Florida with her father with very little money to her rise to the number one ranking in the world, as well as her subsequent struggles, triumphs, and her return to the sport.

Explanation

The primary sector of an economy involves the direct extraction, harvesting, and utilization of natural resources from the Earth. It encompasses all activities that are closely associated with nature and natural processes, such as agriculture, forestry, hunting, mining, and fishing. Because fisheries depend directly on the harvesting of biological aquatic resources from oceans, rivers, and lakes, they are classified under the primary sector.

Explanation

Shobha Naidu was one of India's most eminent Kuchipudi dancers and a prominent disciple of the legendary guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. She mastered the classical dance form of Kuchipudi and was highly acclaimed for her choreography and lead performances in dance dramas, particularly depicting roles like Satyabhama, Padmavati, and Chandalika. She served as the principal of the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Hyderabad, where she dedicated her life to teaching and promoting the art form. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance, she was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1991 and the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2001.

Explanation

The West Indies national cricket team won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup twice. Their first title came in 2012 when they defeated Sri Lanka in the final. They secured their second title in 2016 by defeating England in the final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, making them the first team to win the tournament twice.

Explanation

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 13 February 2021 to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. Under Article 341 of the Constitution of India, the Presidential Orders specify which castes, races, or tribes are deemed to be Scheduled Castes. This 2021 amendment modified the list of Scheduled Castes in the State of Tamil Nadu by grouping seven separate communities—Devendrakulathan, Kalladi, Kudumban, Pallan, Pannadi, Vathiriyan, and parts of the Kadaiyan community—under the single nomenclature of Devendrakula Velalars.

Explanation

Makar Dhwaja Daroga was a prominent exponent, classical dancer, and master of the Seraikela style of Chhau dance, which is a traditional semi-classical dance form originating from the eastern region of India. In 2011, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri upon him in the field of art to honour his outstanding contributions toward the promotion, preservation, and dissemination of this cultural heritage.

Explanation

In August 2021, the Odisha State Government announced its decision to continue sponsoring the Indian men's and women's national hockey teams for an additional 10 years after the previous agreement ended in 2023. This extension ensures the partnership continues through to 2033.

The government of Odisha, through the state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), became the official sponsor of both the senior and junior national hockey teams in 2018 with an initial five-year contract. This sustained support has been vital for the development of hockey in India, leading to monumental performances such as the men's team winning an Olympic bronze medal and the women's team reaching the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics. Alongside sponsorship, Odisha has invested heavily in world-class sports infrastructure, including the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, cementing its position as a global hub for field hockey.

Explanation

Ace Against Odds is the autobiography of Indian professional tennis player Sania Mirza. Published in 2016, the book was co-authored by her father Imran Mirza and Shivani Gupta. It chronicles her inspiring journey, from her early childhood training in Hyderabad to becoming the world number one in the women's doubles tennis rankings, highlighting her struggles, triumphs, and the challenges of being an international sports star in India.

Explanation

A Shot at History: My Obsessive Journey to Olympic Gold is the autobiography of Abhinav Bindra, co-authored by sportswriter Rohit Brijnath. Published in 2011, the book details the rigorous training, relentless dedication, and mental fortitude that led him to win India's first-ever individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle shooting event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Explanation

Mian Tansen was one of the most celebrated musicians and composers in Indian history, serving as one of the Navaratnas (nine jewels) in the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He is widely credited with the creation and popularization of several major Hindustani classical ragas, including Raga Darbari Kanada, which he composed for performances in Akbar's royal court (darbar). He is also renowned for introducing other foundational ragas such as Mian ki Todi and Mian ki Malhar, and his exceptional compositions in the Dhrupad style solidified his legacy as a preeminent court poet and vocalist of the Mughal era.

Explanation

In 1869, the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev and the German chemist Lothar Meyer, working independently, proposed the periodic law. They suggested that when elements are arranged in the increasing order of their atomic weights, similarities in their physical and chemical properties appear at regular intervals.

Mendeleev published his periodic law and table first in 1869, stating that the properties of elements are a periodic function of their atomic weights. Around the same time, Meyer formulated a similar system of classification, plotting physical properties such as atomic volume, melting point, and boiling point against atomic weight to demonstrate a repeating periodic pattern.

Explanation

Ustad Asad Ali Khan was an acclaimed Indian classical musician and one of the finest virtuosos of the rudra veena, an ancient plucked string instrument of Hindustani classical music. Hailing from a distinguished lineage of seven generations of beenkars (veena players) of the Jaipur Beenkar gharana, he was renowned for preserving the intricate Khandarbani style of Dhrupad. His immense contribution to Indian classical music was recognized with several prominent honors, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977 and the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

Explanation

Floor exercise is a fundamental gymnastics event performed by both male and female gymnasts on a specially designed, cushioned square floor mat measuring 12 meters by 12 meters. This large mat is equipped with springs or foam blocks underneath to provide elasticity, absorb impact, and assist gymnasts in gaining height during their tumbling passes, leaps, and acrobatic maneuvers. Gymnasts perform a choreographed routine on this surface to showcase their strength, flexibility, balance, and artistry.

Explanation

Sir Isaac Newton published the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica in 1687. In this monumental work, Newton formulated his three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, establishing the mathematical framework for classical mechanics. His work synthesized planetary motion and terrestrial physics into a unified system, permanently altering the course of scientific history.

Explanation

Ohm's law states that the electric current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across its ends, provided physical conditions like temperature remain constant. Mathematically, this relation is expressed as V = I × R, where V represents voltage, I represents current, and R represents resistance.

In terms of the standard SI units for these electrical quantities, voltage is measured in volts (V), current is measured in amperes (A), and resistance is measured in ohms (Ω). Substituting these unit symbols into the relationship gives the formula V = A × Ω.

Explanation

Sandeep Das, a renowned Indian tabla player, founded Harmony and Universality through Music (HUM) in 2009. The initiative aims to promote global peace through musical collaboration and raise support for specially-abled children.

Explanation

Sitara Devi was a legendary exponent of Kathak who played a pioneering role in reviving, mainstreaming, and popularizing this classical dance form in India and across the world. Known for her immense energy and expressive storytelling, she took Kathak out of traditional courts and brought it to the modern theatrical stage as well as Indian cinema. Her unmatched mastery and contributions to Kathak led Rabindranath Tagore to bestow upon her the title of Nritya Samragni, meaning Empress of Dance. For her lifelong dedication to preserving and elevating Kathak, she was honored with prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Padma Shri, and the Kalidas Samman.

Explanation

Madhuca insignis is a critically endangered riparian tree species in the Sapotaceae family, endemic to the Western Ghats region of Karnataka and Kerala in India. It was once feared to be extinct for over a century due to severe habitat degradation, riverbank alterations, and deforestation. Human anthropogenic activities and a lack of environmental sensitivity towards riparian ecosystems have caused substantial habitat fragmentation, pushing this rare species to the brink of extinction.

Explanation

G. N. Balasubramaniam, popularly known as GNB, was an eminent Carnatic music vocalist, composer, and Tamil film actor. Along with his contemporaries, he is regarded as one of the legendary singers of 20th-century South Indian classical music, known for his unique vocal style, laya control, and speed. He was not a tabla player.

Explanation

Pinarayi Vijayan took the oath of office as the 14th Chief Minister of Kerala. He was sworn in for his second consecutive term on May 20, 2021, by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. This followed the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) historic victory in the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. With this term, he became the first Chief Minister of Kerala to be re-elected to power after successfully completing a full five-year tenure in office.

Explanation

The equatorial region, which includes the Congo Basin, the Amazon Basin, and the islands of Southeast Asia, receives intense solar radiation throughout the year. This constant and strong heating of the land surface warms the air directly above it, causing the air to expand, become less dense, and rise in strong vertical convection currents. As this warm, moist air ascends, it cools adiabatically, reaches its dew point, and condenses to form towering cumulonimbus clouds. This process leads to heavy, torrential rain showers, typically occurring in the afternoon, which is the characteristic mechanism of convectional precipitation.

Explanation

Neil Nongkynrih was an acclaimed Indian concert pianist, conductor, and composer who founded the Shillong Chamber Choir in 2001 in Shillong, Meghalaya. Under his leadership and mentorship, the choir gained widespread national prominence after winning the television reality show India's Got Talent (Season 2) in 2010. Over the years, the choir performed globally and collaborated with several international artists. In recognition of his immense contribution to the field of music, Neil Nongkynrih was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2015.

Explanation

Sakini Ramachandraiah was a renowned folk singer and dhol player from the Koya tribe of Telangana. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022 in the field of Art for his dedication to preserving tribal heritage and culture. Hailing from the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana, he was celebrated as one of the last practitioners of Kanchu Melam-Kanchu Thalam, a traditional musical art form of the Koya community. He possessed the unique ability to orally narrate the complete history of the sacred Sammakka Sarakka Jathara festival in both the Koya and Telugu languages.

Explanation

Mithali Raj achieved this historic milestone during the third One Day International match against South Africa in Lucknow on March 12, 2021. Upon scoring her 35th run in the innings, she crossed the 10000-run mark across all formats of international cricket, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. She is the first Indian woman and the second female cricketer globally to reach this landmark, following England's Charlotte Edwards, who was the first to cross the milestone.

Explanation

My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future is the memoir of Indra Nooyi, the former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of PepsiCo. Published in September 2021, the book provides a close look at her life journey from her childhood and early education in India to becoming one of the world's most powerful corporate leaders. In this autobiography, she shares insights on her professional career, the challenges of balancing a demanding executive role with family life, and her advocacy for organizational and societal reforms that support working families.

Explanation

Arvind Adiga won the 40th Man Booker Prize in 2008 for his debut novel, The White Tiger. The novel presents a darkly humorous perspective on class struggle in globalized India through the retrospective narration of Balram Halwai, a village boy who rises to become a successful entrepreneur in Bangalore.

Explanation

The 1906 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to the Italian physician and pathologist Camillo Golgi and the Spanish histologist Santiago Ramón y Cajal in recognition of their pioneering work on the structure of the nervous system.

Golgi developed the silver nitrate staining technique, known as the black reaction or Golgi's method, which allowed researchers to visualize individual nerve cells in their entirety for the first time. Cajal extensively utilized and refined Golgi's staining method to investigate the nervous system, leading to his formulation of the neuron doctrine. This doctrine established that the nervous system is made up of individual, discrete cells (neurons) rather than a continuous reticular network. Their research collectively laid the foundation for modern neuroscience.

Explanation

Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam was a legendary dancer and guru of the Kuchipudi classical dance form. He is widely credited with popularizing and refining Kuchipudi, elevated it from a folk art form to a globally recognized classical dance style. He established the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras in 1963, where he trained numerous outstanding disciples and choreographed over 180 solo items and 15 dance dramas. In recognition of his immense contributions to the field of performing arts, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1998.

Explanation

The book titled A Century is Not Enough: My Roller Coaster Ride to Success is an autobiography written by the former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, co-authored with Gautam Bhattacharya. Published in 2018, the book details his cricketing journey, from his debut to becoming one of India's most successful captains, covering the highs and lows of his career, his retirement, and his transition into cricket administration.

Explanation

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) was founded in India in 2014. Organized by Mashal Sports, a company co-founded by Anand Mahindra and Charu Sharma, the professional kabaddi league launched its inaugural season on July 26, 2014. The first season featured eight franchise teams representing different Indian cities and concluded with the Jaipur Pink Panthers winning the championship.

Explanation

Ali Akbar Khan was a legendary Indian classical musician of the Maihar gharana who achieved worldwide acclaim for his mastery of the sarod. Trained by his father, Alauddin Khan, he was instrumental in popularizing Indian classical music and the sarod in Western countries, performing globally and establishing the Ali Akbar College of Music to pass on the tradition.

Explanation

The Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It systematically ranks higher education institutions and universities across the country on indicators related to innovation, startup development, and entrepreneurship among students and faculty. The initiative is implemented by the Ministry's Innovation Cell and the All India Council for Technical Education to foster a culture of high-quality research and active innovation within Indian academic institutions.

Explanation

Yamini Krishnamurthy is a legendary exponent of Bharatanatyam, an ancient Indian classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu. Her exceptional contribution to this art form earned her prestigious recognition, including the Padma Shri in 1968, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016. She is widely celebrated for her expressive style, footwork, and dedication to popularizing Indian classical dance both nationally and internationally.

Explanation

Potassium hydroxide is an ionic compound composed of potassium cations (K⁺) and hydroxide anions (OH⁻). Potassium, an alkali metal in group 1 of the periodic table, has a valency of +1 as it readily loses one electron to achieve a stable octet configuration. The hydroxide group is a polyatomic anion carrying a net charge of -1. To maintain electrical neutrality in the crystal lattice, one potassium cation bonds with one hydroxide anion in a 1:1 ratio, giving the compound the chemical formula KOH.

Explanation

Vidyagauri Adkar is a renowned exponent of the Kathak classical dance form, representing the Jaipur Gharana. She is celebrated for her exceptional footwork, expressions, and technical expertise, having performed at numerous prestigious platforms across India and internationally, including the Khajuraho Festival of Dances, Chilanka Dance Festival, and the Kathak Mahotsava.

Explanation

Mercury is represented on the periodic table by the chemical symbol Hg. This symbol is derived from the Greek word hydrargyros, which is a compound of hydor (meaning water or liquid) and argyros (meaning silver). This literally translates to liquid silver, or quicksilver, referring to the element's unique property of being a shiny, silvery metal that remains in a liquid state at standard room temperature.

Explanation

The Constitution of India provides for a single citizenship for the entire country to foster a sense of national unity and integrity. This ensures that every citizen enjoys the same rights and privileges throughout the territory of India, irrespective of the state of their birth or residence. This concept of single citizenship was borrowed from the United Kingdom, which has a unitary constitution where citizens owe allegiance only to the nation and not to any constituent states.

Explanation

Pandit Nikhil Jyoti Ghosh was an acclaimed Indian classical musician, teacher, and writer, highly renowned for his mastery and virtuosity as a tabla player. He trained under legendary gurus such as Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Ustad Amir Hussain Khan, and Ahmed Jan Thirakwa, acquiring a deep repertoire of traditional solo compositions across several major tabla gharanas, including Delhi, Farukhabad, Ajrada, Lucknow, and Punjab. In recognition of his immense contributions to Hindustani classical music, he was awarded India's third-highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan, in 1990. He also founded Sangit Mahabharati, a premier institute of music and dance in Mumbai, in 1956.

Explanation

Gallium has an unusually low melting point of 29.76 °C (302.91 K). Because room temperature is typically defined as 20 °C to 25 °C, gallium easily liquefies when exposed to temperatures slightly above this range. This exceptionally low melting point allows gallium to even melt when held in a human hand, as normal human body temperature is around 37 °C, while it remains a solid at standard room temperature.

Explanation

At the 2021 AIBA Youth Men's and Women's World Boxing Championships held in Kielce, Poland, India secured the first rank in the overall medal standings. The Indian contingent delivered an exceptional performance by winning a historic total of 11 medals, which included 8 gold and 3 bronze medals.

Among these achievements, the Indian women's team scripted history by clinching 7 gold medals, dominating their respective weight categories. In the men's section, Sachin Siwach won a gold medal in the 56 kg category, while three other male boxers secured bronze medals to propel India to the top of the overall medal tally.

Explanation

In 2017, the Government of India introduced a major reform by advancing the presentation date of the Union Budget to 1 February. Previously, the budget was presented on the last working day of February. This change was implemented to ensure that the entire legislative process of passing the budget and the Finance Bill is completed before the commencement of the new financial year on 1 April. This timeline allows government departments and ministries to have their allocated funds ready right from the beginning of the fiscal year, thereby facilitating better planning and smoother execution of public policies and development schemes.

Explanation

Rubidium is an alkali metal with the chemical symbol Rb and atomic number 37. It is an extremely soft, ductile, and silvery-white metal. Due to its position in Group 1 of the periodic table, it possesses a single valence electron which it loses very easily, making it highly reactive. Rubidium spontaneously ignites in air to form oxides and reacts violently and explosively with water, producing rubidium hydroxide and highly flammable hydrogen gas. To prevent these rapid reactions, it must be stored in an inert atmosphere or submerged in dry mineral oil.

Explanation

Tropical thorn forests and scrubs are found in regions of India that receive less than 70 cm of annual rainfall. This type of vegetation is primarily distributed across the semi-arid areas of the northwestern part of the country, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The vegetation is characterized by scattered, short thorny trees, bushes, and scrubs. These plants exhibit xerophytic adaptations to survive in dry climates with high temperatures, such as long roots that penetrate deep into the soil to reach moisture, succulent stems that store water, and small, thick leaves or spines that minimize water loss through transpiration. Common species in these forests include acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti.

Explanation

Wladimir Koppen was a German-Russian climatologist and botanist who developed the Koppen climate classification system, first published in 1884 and significantly updated in the early 1900s, particularly in 1918 and 1936. His empirical climate classification system categorizes the world's climates into distinct zones based on annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation, as well as the seasonality of precipitation, which corresponds to the time of year when rainfall occurs. This system remains one of the most widely used methods for mapping global climate distribution.

Explanation

Ustad Alla Rakha was an iconic Indian classical percussionist who achieved worldwide renown for his mastery of the tabla. Belonging to the Punjab gharana, he played a crucial role in popularizing this classical instrument globally, particularly through his historic performances alongside sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. His contribution to Indian classical music earned him prestigious honors, including the Padma Shri in 1977 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1982. He is also celebrated as the father and guru of the renowned contemporary tabla virtuoso, Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Explanation

Lewis Hamilton achieved his historic 100th Formula One Grand Prix victory on September 26, 2021, by winning the Russian Grand Prix held at the Sochi Autodrom. This triumph made him the first driver in Formula One history to reach the milestone of 100 race wins. Driving for Mercedes, Hamilton secured the victory in a dramatic finish marked by a late rain shower, during which he switched to intermediate tires, allowing him to take the lead and secure this landmark achievement.

Explanation

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was one of the most celebrated Indian vocalists in the Hindustani classical music tradition. Belonging to the prestigious Kirana gharana, he was renowned for his powerful voice, incredible breath control, and mastery over the khayal style of singing, as well as his soul-stirring devotional music including bhajans and abhangs. In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical music, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 2008.

Explanation

Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, toxin-producing bacterium commonly found in soil and vegetation, from which it easily contaminates raw milk. Because its spores are highly heat-resistant, they survive pasteurization and can germinate in pasteurized milk, cream, and cheese. Once active, the bacterium secretes extracellular proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes. These enzymes break down proteins and fats in the dairy products, leading to the formation of bitter peptides and free fatty acids that impart a bitter, sour, or rancid taste. In addition to causing spoilage, Bacillus cereus produces enterotoxins and emetic toxins that can lead to foodborne illness.

Explanation

The Gandak River, an important northern tributary of the Ganges River, is formed by the union of two major Himalayan streams known as the Kali Gandaki and the Trishulganga. These streams originate in the high glaciated regions of Nepal and merge at Devghat, a major pilgrimage site in central Nepal, to form the main channel of the Gandak River. The river then flows southwards, enters the Indo-Gangetic plains near Valmiki Nagar in Bihar, India, and eventually discharges into the Ganges River near Patna.

Explanation

Guru M.K. Saroja (Madras Kadiravelu Saroja) was a legendary Indian classical dancer and teacher celebrated for her expertise in Bharatanatyam. Trained under the eminent teacher Guru Muthukumaran Pillai, she played a vital role in showcasing and teaching the classical dance form both in India and internationally. For her lifelong dedication and exceptional contributions to the promotion and preservation of this art form, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2011.