SSC CHSL Tier 1 2023 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Indus River originates in the northern slopes of the Kailash Range in Tibet near Lake Mansarovar. Specifically, it source is the Bokhar Chu glacier, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,164 meters. In Tibet, the river is traditionally known as Singi Khamban, which translates to Lion's Mouth, before it flows northwestward and enters India in the Ladakh region.

Explanation

Rabindra Atibudhi is a distinguished Odissi dancer and guru who was conferred with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2020 in recognition of his lifelong dedication and outstanding contribution to the field of Odissi dance. He has spent decades performing, teaching, and propagating this classical dance form, training numerous disciples and enriching the traditional repertoire of Odissi.

Explanation

The atomic number of copper is 29. The noble gas core of argon accounts for 18 electrons, leaving 11 valence electrons to be distributed. According to the Aufbau principle, the expected electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d⁹ 4s². However, a fully-filled d-subshell (3d¹⁰) provides enhanced stability due to the symmetrical distribution of electron density and maximum exchange energy. Consequently, one electron from the 4s orbital shifts to the 3d orbital, yielding the exceptionally stable and correct ground-state electronic configuration of [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹.

Explanation

Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur, celebrated for five days in the spring season, beginning on the full moon day of the lunar month of Lamda (February or March). Celebrated by the Meitei community, it is often referred to as the Manipuri version of Holi. A major highlight of the festival is the Thabal Chongba, a traditional Meitei folk dance performed at night, alongside various community sports events organized throughout the state to promote unity and youth development.

Explanation

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described the Directive Principles of State Policy as a novel feature of the Indian Constitution. These principles are intended to act as guidelines and recommendations for the State to keep in mind while framing policies and enacting laws, aiming to establish a welfare state and ensure social and economic democracy in India.

Explanation

Gases exhibit behavior uniformity because their physical properties and responses to changes in temperature, pressure, and volume are remarkably similar, regardless of their chemical identity. In the gaseous state, intermolecular forces of attraction are negligible, and the individual particles are widely separated. This allows all gases to obey the same fundamental gas laws, such as Boyle's law, Charles's law, and Avogadro's law, which are collectively represented by the ideal gas equation PV = nRT. Consequently, different gases show a highly uniform physical behavior under equivalent conditions.

Explanation

In the High-Temperature Short-Time (HTST) pasteurisation process, also known as flash pasteurisation, milk is heated to approximately 70°C to 72°C for 15 to 30 seconds. This temperature and duration are sufficient to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Coxiella burnetii, making the milk safe for consumption while preserving its quality and shelf life. After heating, the milk is rapidly cooled to below 10°C to prevent any remaining bacterial spores from multiplying.

Explanation

The Governor of Tamil Nadu, R. N. Ravi, gave his assent to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, 2022, in April 2023. This legislation prohibits online gambling and regulates online games within the state, specifically banning online games of chance played with money or other stakes, such as online rummy and poker.

Explanation

The concept of equality before law, which is a key component of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, is borrowed from the British legal system. It is a fundamental element of the Rule of Law popularized by the British jurist A.V. Dicey. This concept implies that no individual can be above the law, and everyone, regardless of their rank or position, is subject to the ordinary jurisdiction of the law courts. It represents a negative concept that ensures the absence of any special privileges in favor of any person.

Explanation

Gross primary deficit is defined as the gross fiscal deficit minus interest payments. It measures the government's borrowing requirements to meet its current expenditure, excluding the interest obligations accumulated on past debts.

Gross Primary Deficit = Gross Fiscal Deficit - Interest Payments

Subtracting interest payments from the fiscal deficit helps assess the current fiscal stance of the government, as interest payments are a committed expenditure resulting from previous years' borrowings rather than current policy decisions.

Explanation

Unnati Hooda won the silver medal in the Under-17 women's singles category at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2022, which was held in Nonthaburi, Thailand. She created history by becoming the first Indian shuttler to reach the U-17 singles final at this continental event. In the championship match, she finished as the runner-up after a closely contested battle against Thailand's Sarunrak Vitidsarn.

Explanation

The Hindu Shahi dynasty, which ruled parts of the Kabul Valley, Gandhara, and Punjab during the early medieval period, established its capital at Waihind, historically known as Udabhandapura, Ohind, or Hund. Following the loss of Kabul to Muslim conquests, the Shahi rulers shifted their administrative and political center eastward to Waihind, which was strategically located on the banks of the Indus River. This city served as their primary stronghold and capital until the kingdom's decline during the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni in the early eleventh century.

Explanation

Teejan Bai is a renowned exponent of Pandavani, a traditional performing art form from Chhattisgarh that involves narrating tales from the Mahabharata with musical accompaniment. In recognition of her immense contribution to the performing arts and folk music, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in the year 2003. She had previously received the Padma Shri in 1987 and was later awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2019.

Explanation

At the Tokyo Olympics 2020, India won a total of two silver medals. Mirabai Chanu won India's first silver medal at the Games in the women's 49 kg weightlifting category. Ravi Kumar Dahiya secured the second silver medal for India in the men's 57 kg freestyle wrestling event.

Explanation

The Lahore session of the Indian National Congress, held in December 1929 under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, passed the historic resolution of Poorna Swaraj (complete independence). This resolution declared that the goal of the Congress was the attainment of complete independence from British rule, shifting the focus away from dominion status. Following this declaration, the Congress celebrated 26 January 1930 as the first Independence Day, hoisting the tricolor flag on the banks of the Ravi River.

Explanation

Lai Haraoba is the earliest festival and dance form of Manipur, serving as the foundation of all classical dance forms in the region. It depicts the creation of the universe and is deeply rooted in the pre-Vaishnavite animistic traditions of the Meitei community.

The classical Manipuri dance tradition incorporates several popular and widely recognized forms. Ras Lila depicts the divine love story of Radha and Krishna through graceful, delicate movements. Sankirtana is a traditional singing, drumming, and dancing performance that forms an integral part of the Vaishnava faith in Manipur. Thang-Ta represents the traditional martial art form of the state, incorporating stylized movements of the sword and spear into the dance repertoire.

Explanation

The Ricardian equivalence proposition, formulated by David Ricardo, suggests that the choice between financing government spending through taxation or borrowing (debt) does not affect the overall level of demand in an economy. Under this theory, consumers are forward-looking and internalize the government's budget constraint. When the government runs a deficit and borrows to fund its spending, taxpayers anticipate that this debt must be repaid with higher taxes in the future. Consequently, they save their current income rather than spending it, making taxation and debt-financed borrowing equivalent means of funding government expenditure.

Explanation

According to the official poverty estimates of the Planning Commission, which are utilized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the percentage of the population living below the poverty line in Chhattisgarh in the year 2004-05 was 40.9%. This estimate is based on the Uniform Recall Period methodology. During this period, the rural poverty ratio in Chhattisgarh was 40.8% and the urban poverty ratio was 41.2%, culminating in an overall state average of 40.9%.

Explanation

Odisha was recognized as the Best State for Sports Promotion at the Sportstar Aces Awards in 2023 due to its exemplary contribution to the sports ecosystem. The state has emerged as a premier sports hub in India by successfully hosting major international events, such as the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2023. Additionally, Odisha has made significant investments in developing state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, establishing high-performance centers across various sports disciplines, and implementing robust grassroots-level talent development programs.

Explanation

The Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992–1997) was launched in the immediate aftermath of the landmark 1991 economic reforms, which introduced Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation (LPG) to the Indian economy. These structural reforms dismantled the License Raj and opened up several sectors, previously reserved exclusively for the public sector, to private enterprise. Consequently, the Eighth Plan marked a strategic shift where the state began to transition from a controller of economic activities to a facilitator, reducing the relative investment and dominance of the public sector in favor of private sector-led growth.

Explanation

The government budget is a key policy instrument used to achieve several socio-economic objectives.

Economic growth is promoted by stimulating savings and investment through tax rebates and capital expenditure, which increases the gross domestic product.

Reallocation of resources is achieved through taxation, subsidies, and direct state production to balance profit maximization with social welfare, directing investment into socially desirable sectors.

Balanced regional growth is encouraged by offering fiscal incentives, tax holidays, and subsidies for setting up industries in backward regions, reducing regional disparities.

Explanation

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It was established on July 16, 1929, as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture. Formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture, including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences in the entire country.

Explanation

The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) is the oldest science academy in the country, founded in 1930 by the renowned scientist Professor Meghnad Saha. The headquarters of the academy is located in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It serves as a national forum for Indian scientists to publish their research work and exchange scientific ideas.

Explanation

Drumlins are oval-shaped, elongated hills of glacial till that are formed by the streamlined movement of glacial ice sheets. They typically feature a steep slope at the end facing the direction from which the glacier advanced (the stoss side) and a gentler, tapered slope pointing in the direction of the ice flow (the lee side). These depositional features are often found clustered in large groups known as drumlin fields or basket of eggs topography.

Explanation

Coulomb's law is fundamentally formulated for point charges, which are idealized charges whose spatial dimensions are negligible compared to the distance between them. The law mathematically defines the electrostatic force between two static charges as F = k q₁q₂ / r², where r is the precise distance between the centers of the two point charges. For extended or distributed charges, the distance between various parts of the charges is not constant, which makes the direct application of the simple inverse-square formula invalid without dividing the distribution into infinitesimal point charges and integrating the forces over the entire volume or surface.

Explanation

The Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank, popularly known as the SEWA Cooperative Bank, was established in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in May 1974. It was created at the initiative of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), a trade union founded by social activist Ela Bhatt in 1972. The bank was set up to provide poor, self-employed women workers with direct access to financial services, safe savings facilities, and microcredit, thereby helping them bypass exploitative informal moneylenders and achieve economic self-reliance.

Explanation

Justice T.S. Sivagnanam was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on May 11, 2023. His appointment was formally notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, following the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. Prior to this, he had been serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the same High Court since April 2023.

Explanation

David Tilman conducted pioneering long-term field experiments using outdoor grassland plots at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in Minnesota. His research provided empirical evidence that plots with higher species richness exhibited greater primary productivity, enhanced stability and resilience when subjected to environmental disturbances like droughts, increased resistance to invasive species, and more efficient nutrient utilization which helps maintain soil fertility. This work established the foundational scientific understanding of the direct relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

Explanation

According to the 2011 Census of India, the country's overall literacy rate is 74.04%. During this census, the male literacy rate was recorded at 82.14% while the female literacy rate stood at 65.46%.

Explanation

The second G20 Health Ministers Meeting under the Indonesian G20 Presidency was held on 27 to 28 October 2022 in Bali, Indonesia. The meeting focused on strengthening the global health architecture, harmonizing global health protocols, and building resilient health systems. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare of India, addressed the gathering, emphasizing India's commitment to global health security, equitable access to medical countermeasures, and the integration of digital health solutions.

Explanation

Indian swimmer Chahat Arora set a national record in the women's 100m breaststroke at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2022 held in Melbourne, Australia. She clocked a time of 1:13.13 during the heats, which improved upon her own previous national record of 1:13.61.

Explanation

The Currency Deposit Ratio (CDR) is the ratio of money held by the public in currency to that held in bank deposits (CDR = Currency in circulation / Deposits). During festive seasons, there is a sharp rise in consumer spending and transaction demand for cash. To meet these seasonal expenditures, people withdraw cash from their bank accounts, which increases the currency held by the public and reduces bank deposits. Consequently, the CDR typically rises during festive seasons rather than declining.

Explanation

Article 48 of the Directive Principles of State Policy directs the State to endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a flagship crop insurance scheme that provides financial support and comprehensive risk cover to farmers against crop failures due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases. By stabilizing the income of farmers and encouraging the adoption of modern agricultural practices, this scheme directly aligns with the constitutional directive of strengthening and organizing the agricultural sector under Article 48.

Explanation

The relationship between nominal GDP, real GDP, and the price index (GDP deflator) is given by the formula:

Nominal GDP = (Real GDP × Price Index) / 100

By substituting the given values of real GDP as 240 and the price index as 120 into the formula, we get:

Nominal GDP = (240 × 120) / 100 = 28800 / 100 = 288

Explanation

i matches with d because Gross National Product is calculated by adding Net factor income from abroad to Gross Domestic Product.

ii matches with a because Net National Product is obtained by deducting Depreciation from Gross National Product.

iii matches with b because Gross Domestic Product is calculated as the sum of consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports using the expenditure approach.

iv matches with c because Net Domestic Product is obtained by subtracting Depreciation from Gross Domestic Product.

Explanation

Oxolane is the systematic IUPAC name for tetrahydrofuran, a saturated five-membered cyclic ether consisting of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. Its molecular formula is C₄H₈O, which is represented structurally as (CH₂)₃CH₂O. In Hantzsch-Widman nomenclature, the prefix oxa- indicates the presence of an oxygen heteroatom, while the suffix -olane denotes a fully saturated five-membered ring.

Explanation

Lord Auckland, serving as the Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842, signed the Tripartite Treaty on June 26, 1838, on behalf of the British Government. This diplomatic and military alliance was formed between the British East India Company, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire, and the deposed Afghan Amir, Shah Shuja. The agreement aimed to restore Shah Shuja to the throne of Kabul in order to replace Dost Mohammad Khan, thereby establishing a friendly buffer state to secure the northwestern frontiers of British India. This treaty directly led to the initiation of the First Anglo-Afghan War.

Explanation

Ebony, mahogany, and rosewood are hardwood tree species that are characteristic of tropical evergreen forests. These forests flourish in regions receiving heavy rainfall of more than 200 cm annually, accompanied by a short dry season and warm temperatures throughout the year. Under these hot and wet climatic conditions, the vegetation grows very densely and displays a multi-layered structure. Since there is no definite period for trees to shed their leaves, the forest appears green all year round, providing an ideal habitat for these valuable timber-yielding species.

Explanation

Dollu Kunitha is a traditional and highly popular drum dance form of Karnataka, associated primarily with the Kuruba Gowda community of the state. The performance centers around the Dollu, which is a large, hollow percussion instrument or drum made of wood and sheep hide. These drums are adorned with vibrant, colorful clothes while being played. The performance is dynamic and high-energy, accompanied by songs that depict religious stories, particularly associated with Lord Biraveshwara, as well as songs filled with battle fervor and courage. This makes all three statements accurate descriptions of the dance form.

Explanation

Bappi Lahiri was an iconic Indian music director, composer, and singer who popularized synthesized disco music in Indian cinema during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. He delivered major chartbusters in films such as Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal, and Sharaabi, which earned him massive popularity and the moniker of Disco King in the Indian music industry.

Explanation

In cricket, the phrase "How's that?" (commonly pronounced and written as "Howzat?") is the standard verbal appeal made by the fielding side to the umpire. According to the Laws of Cricket, an umpire cannot rule a batsman out unless the fielding team makes an appeal. This appeal is made immediately after a play where a potential dismissal has occurred, such as a catch, leg before wicket (LBW), stumped, or run out, prompting the umpire to make a decision.

Explanation

Otto Schmidt, a Soviet scientist, revised the nebular hypothesis in 1950. He proposed that the primitive Sun was surrounded by a cloud of interstellar matter, a solar nebula consisting mainly of hydrogen, helium, and dust particles. According to this theory, the friction and collision of these particles led to the formation of a disk-shaped cloud, and the planets were subsequently formed through the process of accretion.

Explanation

Ranjumoni Saikia is an eminent practitioner and exponent of Sattriya, the classical dance form of Assam. She was conferred the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2019 in recognition of her immense contribution and dedication to the promotion and preservation of Sattriya dance.

Explanation

Article 13 of the Constitution of India explicitly establishes the doctrine of judicial review by declaring that all laws that are inconsistent with or in derogation of any of the fundamental rights shall be void. This provision applies to both pre-constitutional laws, which become void to the extent of their inconsistency upon the commencement of the Constitution, and post-constitutional laws, which the State is prohibited from enacting if they take away or abridge the rights guaranteed under Part III. This ensures the absolute supremacy of fundamental rights over ordinary legislative enactments.

Explanation

Indian para-badminton player Manisha Ramadass was named the Female Para-Badminton Player of the Year for 2022 by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). She received this prestigious honor following a stellar season in 2022, during which she won the gold medal in the women's singles SU5 category at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in Tokyo, alongside securing several other international titles on the circuit.

Explanation

The Golden Quadrilateral is a major highway network connecting the four primary metropolitan cities of India: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. Launched in 1999, this project was planned and implemented by the National Highways Authority of India, which is an autonomous agency of the Government of India under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways responsible for managing the network of national highways.

Explanation

The Mysore Dasara is celebrated as the state festival of Karnataka, with its grandest festivities centered around the iconic Mysore Palace. This 10-day celebration, which culminates on Vijayadashami (Dussehra), is a historic tradition dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire and later continued by the Wodeyar dynasty. During the festival, the entire palace is illuminated with nearly 100,000 light bulbs. The main attraction of this celebration is the Jumboo Savari, a grand street procession starting from the palace grounds, where the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed in a golden howdah atop a decorated lead elephant.

Explanation

The Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I launched a massive naval expedition against the Srivijaya kingdom of Southeast Asia in 1025 CE. The primary objective of this maritime campaign was to secure and liberate the lucrative trade routes to Song China through the Strait of Malacca. Srivijaya had been imposing restrictive trade barriers and high taxes on Indian merchants. By defeating Srivijaya and capturing key ports like Kadaram in the Malay Peninsula, the Chola Empire successfully restored free passage for merchant fleets and established direct commercial relations with China.

Explanation

Cotton spinning and weaving require a humid climate because dry atmospheric conditions cause the fine cotton yarn to break frequently during the manufacturing process. Humid air provides the necessary moisture to keep the fibers cohesive and strong, allowing for smooth spinning and weaving. This is why the cotton textile industry in India historically localized in coastal regions like Maharashtra and Gujarat, which naturally experience high humidity throughout the year. A dry climate is therefore detrimental to the industry and does not contribute to its localization.

Explanation

The Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium is located in the city of Rourkela in Odisha. Named after the legendary tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, the stadium was built to co-host the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup. It is officially certified by the Guinness World Records as the world's largest fully-seated hockey arena, boasting a seating capacity of over 20,000 spectators, and is built on the campus of the Biju Patnaik University of Technology in Rourkela.