SSC CHSL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

When an acid or a base is mixed with water, the process is known as dilution. During dilution, the overall volume of the solution increases, which spreads the existing hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) from the acid or hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the base over a larger volume. Consequently, this results in a decrease in the concentration of these ions (H₃O⁺ / OH⁻) per unit volume of the solution.

Explanation

Under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the Central Bureau of Investigation requires consent from a state government to conduct investigations within its territory. While eight states had withdrawn this general consent by November 2021, Karnataka retained its general consent, allowing the agency to operate and investigate cases in the state without requiring case-specific permissions.

Explanation

Narthaki Nataraj is an eminent classical Bharatanatyam dancer from Tamil Nadu, India. In 2019, she was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for her exceptional contribution to the field of Bharatanatyam. With this recognition, she became the first transgender person in India to receive a Padma award. Specializing in the Thanjavur-based Nayaki Bhava tradition of dance, she trained under the legendary Guru K. P. Kittappa Pillai, who was a direct descendant of the Tanjore Quartet.

Explanation

Fiscal deficit is defined as the excess of the government's total expenditure over its total receipts, excluding borrowings.

The formula for fiscal deficit is: Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure - Total Receipts other than Borrowings

Total expenditure encompasses both revenue expenditure and capital expenditure. Total receipts other than borrowings include revenue receipts and non-debt capital receipts, such as recovery of loans and disinvestment proceeds. This metric indicates the total borrowing requirements of the government from domestic and external sources to bridge the gap between its spending and non-debt revenues during a financial year.

Explanation

Taslima Nasrin wrote the celebrated and controversial Bengali novel Lajja, which was published in 1993. The book depicts the severe persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in India in December 1992. The novel was banned in Bangladesh shortly after its publication due to its critical portrayal of religious extremism and communal violence, leading to significant threats against the author and her subsequent exile.

Explanation

In football, a yellow card is used by the referee to officially caution or warn a player for committing misconduct or violating the rules of the game. First introduced at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, this visual communication system helps players, coaches, and spectators clearly understand that a formal warning has been issued. If a cautioned player commits another yellow-card offense in the same match, it leads to further disciplinary action.

Explanation

Ustad Bismillah Khan, the legendary Shehnai maestro, is one of the rare distinguished personalities to have been honored with all four highest civilian awards of India. He revolutionized Indian classical music by popularizing the Shehnai globally, elevating it from a traditional folk instrument to a respected concert-stage instrument. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1961, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 1968, the Padma Vibhushan in 1980, and ultimately the nation's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 2001.

Explanation

Train to Pakistan is a renowned historical novel by Khushwant Singh, first published in 1956. It depicts the human tragedy and trauma of the Partition of India in 1947 through the perspective of a fictional border village named Mano Majra. Khushwant Singh was a highly distinguished Indian author, lawyer, and journalist who also served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1986.

Explanation

According to the rules of hockey specified by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), a standard field hockey pitch is a rectangular playing surface with a length of 91.40 meters (equivalent to 100 yards) and a width of 55.00 meters (equivalent to 60 yards). These dimensions are standard for all international matches and most national and domestic league tournaments to maintain uniformity across the sport.

Explanation

Red cabbage contains a water-soluble pigment molecule called anthocyanin, which is highly sensitive to changes in pH. This pigment behaves as a natural acid-base indicator due to structural changes that occur when it gains or loses hydrogen ions. In acidic environments, the pigment molecule becomes protonated, causing it to reflect pink or reddish light. In a neutral solution, the pigment maintains its native purple coloration. When introduced to alkaline or basic substances, the pigment loses protons, altering its chemical structure so that it absorbs different wavelengths of light and appears blue, green, or yellow. This distinct and reversible color-changing property makes red cabbage a classic source for homemade pH indicators.

Explanation

Janki Bai (1880–1934), widely known as Jankibai of Allahabad and nicknamed Chhappan Chhuri, was an eminent Hindustani classical vocalist and one of the earliest recorded musicians of the gramophone era. At the historic Delhi Darbar held in December 1911 to mark the coronation of Emperor George V, she performed alongside her contemporary Gauhar Jaan. Together, they sang a celebrated duet titled Yeh Jalsa Tajposhi Ka Mubarak Ho. In recognition of their outstanding musical tribute, both legendary vocalists were presented with 100 gold guineas each.

Explanation

Mame Khan is a celebrated Indian playback and folk singer from Rajasthan. He belongs to the Manganiyar community, a traditional group of hereditary musicians from the desert region of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Known for his powerful vocals, he performs Rajasthani folk and Sufi music. He gained widespread recognition both nationally and globally, performing in Bollywood movies such as Luck by Chance, No One Killed Jessica, and Mirzya, and became the first folk artist from India to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.

Explanation

The Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve is situated in the southern Eastern Ghats in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Designated as India's 17th biosphere reserve in 2010, it covers a large area spanning the Chittoor and Kadapa districts. The reserve is globally renowned for its unique biodiversity and serves as the primary natural habitat for Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), a highly prized endemic tree species. Additionally, it encompasses the sacred Tirumala Hills, which host the Sri Venkateswara National Park.

Explanation

Dr. Sunanda Nair is a highly acclaimed exponent, performer, teacher, and proponent of Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form of India originating from Kerala. She is the senior-most disciple of the legendary Mohiniyattam exponent Padma Bhushan Dr. Kanak Rele. Dr. Nair made history as the first student in India to obtain both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Mohiniyattam from Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya, affiliated with the University of Mumbai. Often hailed as a global ambassador of this art form, she has contributed extensively to popularising the Nalanda Bani style of Mohiniyattam globally through her performances and her training institution, Sunanda's Performing Arts Center.

Explanation

The book Private Life of an Indian Prince was written by the prominent Indian novelist Mulk Raj Anand and published in 1953. It is a historical and political novel that deals with the integration of princely states into the Indian Union after Independence, centering on the struggles of Maharaja Ashok Kumar of Sham Pur. It is not written by Arundhati Roy.

Explanation

The DBT-Star College Mentorship Programme was launched in November 2021 by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), a department under this ministry, initiated the mentorship programme to promote scientific temper and strengthen undergraduate science education and research across the country. This initiative enables established "Star Status" colleges under the Star College Scheme to mentor and handhold newer colleges, particularly those in rural or less endowed regions, by organizing workshops, meetings, and outreach activities with government schools.

Explanation

Isopentane is a branched-chain saturated hydrocarbon (an alkane) containing five carbon atoms. According to the IUPAC nomenclature, its systematic name is 2-methylbutane. It is an isomer of pentane with the chemical formula C₅H₁₂. In its structure, a four-carbon butane chain serves as the parent chain, with a single methyl group attached as a branch to the second carbon atom. This arrangement yields the structural formula CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃.

Explanation

The 15th edition of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup was jointly hosted by Spain and the Netherlands from 1 to 17 July 2022. The matches of this quadrennial tournament were played at the Estadi Olimpic de Terrassa in Spain and the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The International Hockey Federation announced Spain and the Netherlands as the co-hosts for this premier international tournament.

Explanation

Sandeep Narwal was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding contributions and achievements in the discipline of Kabaddi. He was a vital part of the Indian national team that secured a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games and a gold medal at the 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship. He also represented the nation in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup-winning campaign. He received the award from President Ram Nath Kovind on November 13, 2021, becoming the 37th Kabaddi player to be honored with this distinction.

Explanation

Gopal Prasad Dubey was a legendary classical dancer and choreographer from Seraikella, Jharkhand, renowned for his outstanding contributions to the Chhau dance form, specifically the Seraikella style. He founded the Trinetra Chhau Dance Centre in 1985 to promote and preserve this traditional dance style globally. In recognition of his exceptional efforts in keeping the classical tradition alive, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2012, followed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2016.

Explanation

Sodium is an alkali metal with the chemical symbol Na and atomic number 11. In the modern periodic table, elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. Sodium is positioned in Group 1 and Period 3. Since Group 1 consists of the highly reactive alkali metals located in the very first column of the table, sodium is situated on the left side of the periodic table. This placement is characteristic of s-block elements, which possess one or two valence electrons in their outermost shell.

Explanation

The Indian postal network has introduced six dedicated mail channels to facilitate the speedy and efficient delivery of mails across major towns and cities in the country. These six official channels are the Rajdhani Channel, Metro Channel, Green Channel, Business Channel, Bulk Mail Channel, and Periodical Channel. There is no postal delivery channel designated as the State Channel within this system.

Explanation

A.R. Rahman is the first Indian musician to win the Academy Award for Best Original Score. He achieved this historic milestone at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009 for his work in the drama film Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle. In addition to Best Original Score, he also won the Oscar for Best Original Song for the track Jai Ho in the same year, making him the first Indian to win two Oscars in a single night.

Explanation

In the modern periodic table, non-metals are situated on the right side. The periodic table displays a clear gradient from metallic elements on the left to non-metallic elements on the right, separated by a diagonal band of metalloids. Non-metals, which include groups such as the halogens and noble gases, have high electronegativities and high ionization energies, attracting electrons to complete their valence shells. This electronic configuration restricts their placement to the p-block on the right side of the periodic table, except for hydrogen, which is positioned in the top-left due to its single electron.

Explanation

Zakir Hussain is a world-renowned tabla maestro and composer from India. Born on March 9, 1951, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988 at the age of 37, making him the youngest percussionist to receive this civilian honor. In 2002, at the age of 51, he was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, which secured his distinction as the youngest percussionist to be honored with both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan awards by the Government of India.

Explanation

The Fluid Mosaic Model, proposed by S.J. Singer and Garth L. Nicolson in 1972, describes the structural framework of the plasma membrane as a dynamic, semi-fluid bilayer. Under this model, the quasi-fluid nature of membrane lipids allows them to act as a liquid-like solvent, which enables membrane proteins to move and diffuse laterally within the overall plane of the bilayer. This dynamic mobility of proteins is crucial for key cellular activities including cell growth, secretion, endocytosis, and cell division.

Explanation

Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge through a cross-section of a conductor. The formula relating electric current, charge, and time is:

I = Q / t

Here, I represents the electric current in amperes (A), Q represents the electric charge in coulombs (C), and t represents the time in seconds (s).

Substituting the unit values into the formula:

1 A = 1 C / 1 s

Therefore, one ampere of current is defined as the flow of one coulomb of charge per second through a conductor.

Explanation

Under Article 118 of the Constitution of India, the procedure and conduct of business for a joint sitting of Parliament are governed by rules framed by the President. According to these rules, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting. In the Speaker's absence, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides. If the Deputy Speaker is also absent, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the joint sitting.

Explanation

In 2009, the legendary playback singer Shamshad Begum was conferred with the prestigious O.P. Nayyar Award by the O.P. Nayyar Foundation for her lifelong and outstanding contribution to Hindi film music. This recognition coincided with her being honored with the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards, in the same year.

Explanation

Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, widely known as M. S. Subbulakshmi, was a legendary Carnatic vocalist who became the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1998. Renowned for her contribution to classical music, she was also the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1974 and the first to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966.

Explanation

The Union Health Minister launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 4.0 in February 2022 to boost routine immunization coverage across India. This flagship vaccination program, originally launched in December 2014, is designed to provide essential vaccines to children up to two years of age and pregnant women. Version 4.0 specifically targeted districts with low vaccination coverage to ensure that those who missed their scheduled doses during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were successfully vaccinated against multiple vaccine-preventable diseases.

Explanation

Majya Jalmachi Chittarkatha, translated as The Kaleidoscopic Story of My Life, is the autobiography of Shantabai Krushnaji Kamble. Published in 1983, it holds the distinction of being the first autobiography written by a Dalit woman in Marathi literature. The book portrays her struggles against the intersectional challenges of caste discrimination, poverty, and gender bias, while capturing her journey to achieve education and work as a teacher. This pioneering work remains a landmark in Dalit feminist narratives and Marathi literature.

Explanation

An economic index number measures the relative change in a variable over time compared to a chosen benchmark period. This benchmark is called the base year, which is typically designated as the first year of the series under study. The index value for this starting year is set to 100, serving as the standard point of comparison. Values for all subsequent years in the series are calculated in relation to this initial period, making it straightforward to analyze growth, inflation, or production trends from the beginning of the series.

Explanation

Terrestrial planets, also known as rocky planets, are characterized by having a solid, compact surface composed primarily of silicate rocks and metals. Within our Solar System, the terrestrial planets are the four inner planets closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Mercury has a high-density metallic core, mostly consisting of iron, surrounded by a rocky mantle and crust, which classifies it as a terrestrial planet.

Explanation

Meenakshi Srinivasan is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and architect who is a prominent exponent of the Pandanallur school of Bharatanatyam. In recognition of her exceptional talent and contributions to this classical dance form, she was conferred the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the year 2011 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Explanation

The Sri Shanmukhananda National Eminence Award was established in 2002 by the Sri Shanmukha Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha to mark its Golden Jubilee year. Awarded with the title Sangeetha Kala Vibhushan, this honor was instituted to provide a national platform to recognize and respect veteran performers and emerging talents in the fields of music, dance, theatre, and fine arts administration. The inaugural award in 2002 was presented to the renowned Carnatic vocalist Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.

Explanation

Arundhati Roy is the author of the debut novel The God of Small Things, which was published in 1997. Set in Aymanam, Kerala, the semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of fraternal twins Estha and Rahel and their experiences with the rigid social laws of caste, class, and religion in India. The book received widespread critical acclaim and won the Booker Prize in 1997, establishing her as an internationally renowned literary figure.

Explanation

The National Biodiversity Authority was established in 2003 by the Government of India to implement India's Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is a statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that performs regulatory, advisory, and facilitative functions regarding the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits.

Explanation

Avani Lekhara was honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021 in the Para Shooting discipline following her historic performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. She became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal, clinching the top spot in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, and additionally won a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event.

Explanation

The prestigious National Tansen Samman for the year 2020 was conferred upon the renowned santoor maestro Pandit Satish Vyas. The award was presented by the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, during the inaugural ceremony of the 96th Tansen Samaroh (Music Festival) held in Gwalior in December 2020. Pandit Satish Vyas, who was also honored with the Padma Shri in 2003, is widely acclaimed for his outstanding contributions and lifelong dedication to Hindustani classical music.

Explanation

Checkmate is a decisive game-winning position in chess where a player's king is under direct attack and has no legal moves to escape capture. The term originates from the Persian phrase Shah mat, meaning the king is helpless or the king is dead. Delivering a checkmate immediately concludes the game, resulting in a victory for the attacking player.

Explanation

Shashi Tharoor won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2019 in the English language category for his acclaimed non-fiction book An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India. Published in 2016, the book presents a meticulously researched historical critique of British colonial rule in India, detailing how the British colonisation systematically dismantled the Indian economy, institutions, and social fabric for its own benefit.

Explanation

Pandit Shambhu Maharaj was a legendary exponent and guru of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak. He was highly celebrated for his mastery over both the rhythmic aspects (Nritta) and the expressive emotional aspects (Nritya and Abhinaya) of Kathak. He successfully revived the application of Ashtapadis, Thumris, and Bhajans within the dance style, blending classical Hindustani music with dance movements. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion and preservation of Kathak, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1958.

Explanation

Squash is a high-intensity racket sport played in a four-walled court where players use standard strung rackets to hit a small, hollow rubber ball against the walls. The objective of the game is to strike the ball in such a way that the opponent is unable to play a valid return.

Explanation

Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972, under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, and celebrated their 50th Statehood Day on January 21, 2022. Nagaland attained statehood on December 1, 1963, and is therefore not one of these three states.

Explanation

In the formula for the refractive index, n = c/v, the variable c represents the speed of light in a vacuum, which is a constant approximately equal to 3 x 10⁸ meters per second, while v represents the speed of light in the given medium.

Explanation

The Kalidas Samman is a prestigious award presented annually by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in four specific fields: Classical Music, Classical Dance, Theatre, and Plastic Arts. Puppetry is not one of the fields for which this award is given.

Explanation

The Siberian shelf, located in the Arctic Ocean, is the largest continental shelf on Earth. It extends up to 1,500 kilometers from the coast of Siberia into the Arctic Ocean and covers an area of approximately 1.5 million square kilometers. This massive, shallow shelf consists of the Kara Sea, the Laptev Sea, and the East Siberian Sea, and is characterized by its vast extent and shallow depths, averaging only about 100 meters.

Explanation

Under the pricing of credit guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs), while the interest rate charged on individual loans may exceed 26%, the maximum variance permitted for individual loans between the minimum and maximum interest rate is strictly capped. Specifically, this variance cannot exceed 4%. This regulatory measure is designed to maintain pricing transparency, prevent extreme differentiation in lending rates among similar borrowers, and protect microfinance clients from usurious practices.

Explanation

Rukmini Devi Arundale was a legendary Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and theosophist who played a crucial role in reviving and globalising this classical dance form. She is credited with transitioning Bharatanatyam from its traditional Devadasi Sadhir style into a mainstream, respectable performance art. In April 1952, she became the first woman in Indian history to be nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha, where she served two terms until 1962. Tijdens her tenure, she also championed animal welfare and was instrumental in the passage of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in 1960.