SSC CHSL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian is the 1951 autobiography written by Nirad C. Chaudhuri. It recounts his early childhood in Kishorganj, a small town in East Bengal, and his student years in Calcutta, offering a vivid portrayal of his intellectual development and the socio-cultural landscape of colonial India. The book is widely considered a masterpiece of Indian English literature.

Explanation

Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma, widely known as Satyam, was an iconic classical dancer and choreographer who was celebrated as one of the leading exponents of Kuchipudi. He was particularly famous for his exceptional portrayal of female characters on stage, such as Satyabhama in Bhama Kalapam and Usha in Usha Parinayam. Recognizing his profound contribution to the preservation and promotion of this traditional dance form, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 1970.

Explanation

Alcoholic fermentation, also known as ethanol fermentation, is a biological process in which sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose are converted into cellular energy, producing ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and carbon dioxide as metabolic byproducts. This anaerobic process is primarily carried out by yeasts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as certain types of bacteria. The chemical pathway involves the breakdown of one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, which are then converted into two molecules of ethanol and two molecules of carbon dioxide:

C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2 C₂H₅OH + 2 CO₂

This process is extensively used in biotechnology for the commercial production of alcoholic beverages, biofuel, and in the baking industry to make bread rise.

Explanation

The Indian subcontinent was historically known for its immense wealth and highly prosperous commercial networks. Due to the economic abundance and active contribution of Indian traders and merchant communities, foreign travelers and chroniclers across different eras repeatedly referred to the region as Swaran Bhoomi (meaning Golden Land) and Swaran Deep (meaning Golden Island). Travelers such as Megasthenes, Fa Hien, Xuanzang, Al-Biruni, and Ibn Battuta documented this prosperity in their writings, noting the subcontinent's favorable balance of trade, thriving market centers, and advanced indigenous banking and credit systems.

Explanation

The Kalidas Samman is a highly prestigious arts award presented annually by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. First awarded in the year 1980, it recognizes outstanding contributions in the fields of Classical Music, Classical Dance, Theatre, and Plastic Arts. The award is named in honor of Kalidasa, the legendary Classical Sanskrit writer of ancient India.

Explanation

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is widely recognized as the Father of Microbiology. In the late 17th century, using his hand-crafted, high-quality single-lens microscopes, he became the first person to observe and describe single-celled organisms, which he originally referred to as animalcules. His groundbreaking microscopic observations included bacteria, protozoa, sperm cells, and red blood cells, which revolutionized the scientific understanding of microscopic life.

Explanation

In February 2022, the Ministry of Education, Government of India approved the centrally sponsored scheme New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram) for the five-year period from FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27 (FYs 2022-2027). The program is designed to cover all aspects of education for non-literates aged 15 years and above, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 and the Union Budget 2021-22 announcements. It focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, vocational skills development, basic education, and continuing education.

Explanation

A. R. Rahman, one of India's most prominent music directors, composers, and singers, is widely known by the nickname the Mozart of Madras. In 2009, following his double Academy Award win for the film Slumdog Millionaire, he was featured in Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. His innovative fusion of Eastern classical music with Western electronic music and orchestral arrangements transformed the Indian music industry.

Explanation

The Room on the Roof is the debut novel of the renowned writer Ruskin Bond, written when he was seventeen years old and published in 1956. The semi-autobiographical story revolves around Rusty, an orphaned seventeen-year-old Anglo-Indian boy living in Dehradun under the strict and stifling guardianship of Mr. John Harrison. Seeking freedom and a sense of belonging, Rusty runs away from his guardian's house to live with his Indian friends, embarking on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and independence. The novel was highly acclaimed and won the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1957.

Explanation

Mumbai was elected as the host city for the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in 2023. The decision was made during the 139th IOC Session held in Beijing in February 2022, where India's proposal received 75 votes in favor. The prestigious meeting took place at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai in October 2023. This marked the second time India hosted an IOC Session, and the first time in 40 years since the 86th session was held in New Delhi in 1983.

Explanation

The historical fiction novel The King Within is authored by the writer and journalist Nandini Sengupta and was published by HarperCollins India in 2017. Set in 373 AD during the reign of the Gupta Empire, the book revolves around Deva, the younger son of Emperor Samudragupta, who eventually ascends the throne as Chandragupta Vikramaditya. This novel serves as the first installment of her critically acclaimed Gupta Empire Trilogy.

Explanation

In November 2021, the Board of Control for Cricket in India appointed former Indian captain Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men's senior national cricket team. The appointment was made unanimously by the Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising Sulakshana Naik and RP Singh. Dravid officially took charge beginning with the home series against New Zealand in November 2021, succeeding Ravi Shastri whose tenure concluded after the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Prior to this appointment, Dravid served as the Head of the National Cricket Academy and coached the India Under-19 and India A teams.

Explanation

In the periodic table, the chemical elements are arranged in a grid-like structure. The vertical columns of this table are called groups or families. There are 18 numbered groups in the standard periodic table, and elements belonging to the same group typically share similar chemical properties because they have the same outer shell electron configuration.

Explanation

Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma, popularly known as Satyam, was one of the foremost exponents of the Kuchipudi classical dance form. He was globally renowned for his mastery in portraying female roles, particularly the character of Satyabhama in Siddhendra Yogi's dance-drama Bhamakalapam. His exceptional command over abhinaya (expression), movement, and the traditional aesthetics of Kuchipudi played a significant role in popularizing the dance form on both national and international platforms. For his outstanding contributions, he was honored with several prestigious accolades, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.

Explanation

The JRD Tata Sports Complex is located in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Established in 1991, this multi-use sports arena is named after Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group. The complex has a seating capacity of around 24,000 and serves as the home ground for the Indian Super League football club, Jamshedpur FC. It is equipped with an international-standard football pitch, an eight-lane synthetic athletics track, and facilities for archery, handball, and other sporting disciplines.

Explanation

Under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India, a judge of a High Court holds office until they attain the age of 62 years. This retirement age was increased from 60 years to 62 years by the 15th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1963. Any dispute regarding the age of a High Court judge is decided by the President of India after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, and the decision of the President is final.

Explanation

The Regional Rural Banks Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1976 to provide for the incorporation, regulation, and winding up of Regional Rural Banks. This legislative measure aimed to develop the rural economy by providing credit and other financial facilities, particularly to small and marginal farmers, agricultural laborers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs in rural areas. While the first five Regional Rural Banks were set up on 2 October 1975 under an Ordinance, the formal Act was passed in 1976 to replace the Ordinance and establish a permanent legal framework for these banking institutions.

Explanation

Dr. Purushottam Dadheech is a highly acclaimed Kathak dancer, choreographer, and educator who has made pioneering contributions to Indian classical dance. Often regarded as the father of the education system of Kathak, he designed the first formal university-level curriculum for the dance form and established early academic dance departments in Madhya Pradesh. He received rigorous training in the Jaipur gharana of Kathak under eminent maestros such as Pandit Durga Prasad, Pandit Narayan Prasad, and Pandit Sunder Prasad. In recognition of his decades-long dedication, research, and contribution to Kathak, he was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Government of India in 2020.

Explanation

Alarmel Valli is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer and choreographer who is widely recognized as a leading exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam. She has integrated traditional grammar with dynamic self-expression, earning her international renown. In recognition of her immense contribution to classical dance, she was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2001, and the Padma Bhushan in 2004.

Explanation

Chlorella is a genus of single-celled green microalgae belonging to the division Chlorophyta. It is primarily a freshwater alga widely found in lakes, ponds, and other freshwater bodies, distinguishing it from marine seaweeds. It features a simple spherical cell morphology, lacks flagella, and contains high concentrations of photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b within its chloroplasts.

Explanation

Primitive subsistence agriculture, commonly known as slash and burn farming, is practiced on small patches of land using primitive tools such as hoes, daos, and digging sticks along with family or community labor. In this method, farmers clear a patch of forest land by cutting down the vegetation and burning it, using the ashes as natural fertilizer to grow crops for their own sustenance. Once the soil fertility of the cleared patch declines, the farmers abandon the land and move to a new patch to repeat the process, allowing the old plot to naturally replenish its nutrients over time.

Explanation

Peptidoglycan is a polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer outside the plasma membrane, constituting the bacterial cell wall.

Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide present in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants, and it is particularly abundant in the cell walls of fruits where it helps bind cells together.

Chitin is a tough nitrogen-containing polysaccharide that forms the major structural component of the exoskeleton of arthropods, which is referred to as the insect cell wall.

Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate consisting of thousands of glucose units that serves as the primary structural component of the cell wall of plants, providing them with rigidity and strength.

Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, becoming the first non-European and first Asian to receive this honor. He was a legendary polymath who reshaped Bengali literature, music, and art. His Nobel Prize was awarded largely for his highly acclaimed poetry collection, Gitanjali. He was also a profound composer who wrote and composed over 2,000 songs, a genre now famously known as Rabindra Sangeet. His compositions served as the national anthems for both India and Bangladesh.

Explanation

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is the author of the critically acclaimed and award-winning novel The Palace of Illusions, published in 2008. The novel is a reimagining of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, narrated from the viewpoint of Panchali (Draupadi). It explores her childhood, her marriage to the five Pandavas, her complex relationship with Krishna and Karna, and her perspective on the events that led to the devastating Kurukshetra War.

Explanation

Radhakrishnan Nair P, the Chief Coach of the Indian athletics team, was honored with the Dronacharya Award in the Regular Category in 2021 for his exceptional coaching contributions to Athletics. A certified World Athletics Level-5 coach and technical official, he has been highly instrumental in modernizing training methodologies and improving the coaching education framework across India.

Explanation

SP Balasubrahmanyam was a legendary Indian playback singer, music director, actor, and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam cinema. In January 2021, the Government of India posthumously honored him with the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian award, in the field of Art. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 Indian languages, earning numerous accolades, including six National Film Awards and multiple state awards before his passing in September 2020.

Explanation

The continental shelf is the gently sloping, submerged seaward extension of a continent. It represents the shallowest zone of the ocean, with an average depth of approximately 120 to 200 meters and an extremely gentle gradient of about 1° or less. Because of its shallow nature, sunlight can easily penetrate through the water column to the seabed, supporting rich photosynthetic life and making it the most biologically productive region of the ocean.

Explanation

India finished in 24th place in the overall medal tally at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which were held from August 24 to September 5, 2021. This was India's most successful Paralympic campaign up to that point, with the country securing a total of 19 medals. The medal haul consisted of 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals. Outstanding performances by athletes like Avani Lekhara, who won two medals including a gold in shooting, and Pramod Bhagat in badminton, contributed significantly to India's historic ranking.

Explanation

Sonal Mansingh is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and teacher who has achieved mastery in both the Bharatnatyam and Odissi classical dance forms. Her profound dedication to these art forms earned her prestigious accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2003, making her the youngest female recipient of the Padma Vibhushan award.

Explanation

Vempati Chinna Satyam was an eminent Indian classical dancer and guru who played a pivotal role in refining, popularizing, and elevating the Kuchipudi dance form to international acclaim. Born in the Kuchipudi village of Andhra Pradesh, he dedicated his life to systematizing the dance style, introducing a standardized pedagogy, and choreographing numerous classical dance dramas. He established the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras in 1963, which trained several generations of outstanding dancers. For his immense contributions to the classical arts, he was honored with prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.

Explanation

Ustad Imrat Khan was a legendary maestro of Hindustani classical music, globally renowned for his unmatched mastery over the surbahar, also known as the bass sitar. Born into the illustrious Imdadkhani (Etawah) gharana, a lineage celebrated for refining stringed instruments, he dedicated decades of his life to studying and popularizing the surbahar. He was exceptionally skilled in translating the complex vocal nuances of the "gayaki ang" onto the instrument's deep, resonant brass strings. His extraordinary virtuosity brought global recognition to the surbahar, culminating in historic performances such as the first-ever all-night solo recital at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Explanation

Part III of the Constitution of India comprises Articles 12 to 35, which establish the Fundamental Rights. These rights are justiciable in nature, meaning they are enforceable by the courts, and individuals can directly petition the Supreme Court of India under Article 32 or the High Courts under Article 226 for their enforcement if they are violated.

Explanation

Jiwantram Bhagwandas Kripalani, popularly known as Acharya Kripalani, was an eminent Indian freedom fighter, socialist leader, and parliamentarian who served as the President of the Indian National Congress during the crucial transfer of power in 1947. His autobiography is titled My Times: An Autobiography. Published posthumously, this book offers a detailed first-hand narrative of the Indian national movement, highlighting his close relationship with Mahatma Gandhi and his interactions with other stalwarts of the freedom struggle such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose.

Explanation

N Rangaswamy is the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry. During the 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council held in Tirupati in November 2021, he strongly advocated for full statehood for Puducherry. He argued that upgrading the status of the Union Territory to a State is critical to its survival and financial viability, highlighting that greater administrative autonomy and financial powers are essential to address its developmental challenges and revenue deficits.

Explanation

Elaioplasts are a specialized type of leucoplasts, which are non-pigmented plastids found in plant cells. The primary function of elaioplasts is the synthesis and storage of lipids, specifically oils and fats. They are commonly found in the embryonic leaves of oilseeds, citrus fruits, and the tapetum of anthers, where the accumulation of lipid droplets is essential for developmental and metabolic processes.

Explanation

In macroeconomics and monetary policy, the money supply is classified into different monetary aggregates based on the degree of liquidity.

M1 represents narrow money because it is the most liquid measure of the money supply. It consists of the most active liquid assets, which include currency notes and coins held by the public, demand deposits (like savings and current accounts) in the commercial banking system, and other deposits with the Reserve Bank of India. These components are immediately available for transactions and function directly as a medium of exchange.

M3 represents broad money because it is a more comprehensive measure of the total monetary resources in the economy. It includes all components of M1 plus net time deposits (such as fixed and recurring deposits) held by the public in the banking system. Time deposits are less liquid than demand deposits since they cannot be immediately withdrawn on demand without penalty or delay. This makes M3 a broader and more stable representation of the overall money supply.

Explanation

S Somanath was appointed as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 12, 2022, and officially assumed office on January 14, 2022. An eminent aerospace engineer and rocket scientist, he was selected for a three-year tenure as the tenth head of the premier space agency. Prior to this appointment, he made significant contributions to India's space program while serving as the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). His expertise lies in system engineering of launch vehicles, and he played a pivotal role in the design and development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-III programs.

Explanation

Ganymede is one of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter, which were discovered by the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei in January 1610. Using a telescope of his own design, Galileo observed these moons, marking the first time satellites were discovered orbiting a planet other than Earth. The group of satellites discovered by him consists of Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, with Ganymede being the largest moon in the Solar System.

Explanation

Kishore Kumar, born Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929, was born in Khandwa, a city in the Nimar region of present-day Madhya Pradesh. He spent his early childhood there before embarking on his legendary career in the Indian film and music industry. Throughout his life, he remained deeply attached to Khandwa and often expressed a desire to return to his hometown, where his last rites were also performed in accordance with his wishes.

Explanation

The Amazon River is located in the northern part of the South American continent. It originates high in the Andes Mountains of Peru and flows eastwards across Brazil, eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Spanning a length of approximately 6,400 kilometers, it possesses the largest drainage basin and the highest water discharge volume of any river system on Earth, covering a vast portion of northern South America.

Explanation

The 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup final was played between Australia and India on 8 March 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia won the match by 85 runs after scoring 184/4 in their 20 overs and bowling India out for 99 runs, securing their fifth tournament title.

Explanation

Venkat Raman Singh Shyam is a renowned contemporary Gond artist from Madhya Pradesh. His pictorial autobiography, Finding My Way, co-authored with S. Anand, narrates his life journey from his village of Patangarh to becoming an internationally acclaimed artist. The book beautifully blends his personal experiences, struggles, and artistic evolution with traditional Gond myths, folklore, and stunning visual illustrations.

Explanation

Guru Maguni Charan Das was an eminent exponent of Gotipua dance, a traditional dance form of Odisha performed by young boys dressed as girls to praise Lord Jagannath and Krishna. Born in Raghurajpur in the Puri district, he made immense contributions to the preservation, promotion, and revival of this centuries-old dance style, which serves as the precursor to classical Odissi dance. To sustain this heritage, he founded the Dasabhuja Gotipua Odishi Nrutya Parishad, training generations of dancers under the traditional Gurukul system. In recognition of his lifetime dedication and efforts to revive this art form, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2004.

Explanation

The 15th Men's FIH Hockey World Cup was hosted by India in 2023. The tournament was held from 13 January to 29 January 2023 in the state of Odisha, with matches played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. This event marked the fourth time India hosted the prestigious global field hockey tournament.

Explanation

Escheat is a legal doctrine under which the property and assets of an individual who dies intestate (without leaving a valid will) and without any legal heirs or next of kin transfer to the state government. This principle ensures that the property is not left without an owner or in a legal void, thereby converting the unclaimed private property into public revenue.

Explanation

In the landmark case of Aparna Bhat vs State of Madhya Pradesh (2021), the Supreme Court of India set aside a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that directed a sexual harassment accused to visit the victim's residence and have her tie a rakhi on his wrist as a condition for granting bail. The apex court ruled that such conditions are unacceptable as they trivialize sexual offenses, dilute the gravity of the crime, and place an unfair burden on the victim. The court further issued comprehensive guidelines for courts nationwide, emphasizing that judicial orders must be free from gender stereotypes and must not mandate any physical contact or compromise between the survivor and the accused in cases of sexual violence.

Explanation

Pandit Kalka Prasad Maharaj was a legendary exponent of Kathak dance and a key figure in the 19th century. Along with his brother, Pandit Bindadin Maharaj, he belonged to the illustrious Lucknow Gharana. Kalka Prasad was highly celebrated for his mastery of rhythmic complexities, tabla and pakhawaj playing, and particularly his expertise in Abhinaya (the art of expression) set to thumris. His efforts, alongside his brother, significantly refined and popularized Kathak during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, laying the foundation for generations of classical dancers.

Explanation

Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, widely regarded as the Mother of Mohiniyattam, was an influential classical dancer, researcher, and guru from Kerala. In 1952, she, along with her husband and renowned Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, founded Kerala Kalalayam (now known as Kalyani Krishna Fine Arts Academy) in Tripunithura. The institution was established to preserve, systematize, and teach classical dance and music forms, particularly Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, and Bharatanatyam.

Explanation

Sir J.J. Thomson proposed the plum pudding model of the atom in 1904. According to this model, an atom is represented as a sphere of positive charge with negatively charged electrons embedded within it, resembling raisins scattered in a plum pudding. Thomson's model was a pioneering step in atomic physics as it introduced the concept that atoms are divisible and contain subatomic particles, following his discovery of the electron in 1897.

Explanation

The weather systems that enter the Indian subcontinent from the west and the northwest during the winter months are western cyclonic disturbances, also referred to as extra-tropical cyclones. These low-pressure systems originate over the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastward across West Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan before entering India. They are carried into the subcontinent by the westerly jet stream and bring highly beneficial winter rainfall to the plains of northwest India, which is crucial for Rabi crops like wheat, as well as snowfall to the Himalayan region.