SSC CHSL Tier 1 2023 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Article 43 of the Constitution of India, contained within Part IV which outlines the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to secure, by suitable legislation or economic organisation or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a living wage, and conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities. This article aims to secure social security and a dignified standard of living for the working class, reflecting the socialistic principles of the Indian Constitution.

Explanation

The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a low-pressure belt near the equator where the trade winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge. During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the ITCZ shifts northward over the Indian subcontinent, positioning itself over the Indo-Gangetic plains as the monsoon trough. This northward shift is a key driver for the Indian monsoon, as the low-pressure center attracts moisture-laden southeasterly trade winds from the Southern Hemisphere. After crossing the equator, these winds deflect to become the southwest monsoon winds, bringing rainfall to India. Consequently, any variation or shift in the position of the ITCZ directly influences the onset, strength, and overall patterns of the monsoon over India.

Explanation

Zero-based budgeting was first introduced in the United States. The system was developed by Peter Pyhrr in 1969 at Texas Instruments. It was first adopted in the public sector by Jimmy Carter, the Governor of Georgia, for the preparation of the state budget for the fiscal year 1973. Later, after becoming the President of the United States, Jimmy Carter introduced zero-based budgeting at the federal government level in 1977. This method requires every budget line item to be approved and justified from scratch for each new period, starting from a zero base.

Explanation

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Car Festival, is a major annual Hindu festival celebrated in the temple city of Puri, Odisha. It is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is worshipped as a form of Lord Vishnu. During this grand festival, the deities of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra are taken out from the main temple in three massive, decorated wooden chariots and pulled by thousands of devotees to the Gundicha Temple.

Explanation

The import substitution policy is an economic strategy aimed at replacing foreign imports with domestic production. By encouraging the local manufacture of goods through tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, a country reduces its dependence on foreign markets and conserves its foreign exchange reserves. This protective framework allows domestic industries to grow and diversify, ultimately helping the nation achieve economic self-reliance and reduce its vulnerability to global supply shocks and external economic pressures.

Explanation

Deva Raya I, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, married his daughter to the Bahmani Sultan Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah in 1407 CE following his defeat in the War of the Goldsmith's Daughter. This marriage alliance was part of a peace treaty signed between the two rival kingdoms to temporarily halt hostilities, and it also involved Deva Raya I ceding the strategic fort of Bankapur as dowry to the Bahmani Sultan.

Explanation

Quartz is highly resistant to weathering due to its chemical composition and crystalline structure. It consists of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra linked in a continuous three-dimensional network (SiO₂) with strong covalent bonds and no cleavage planes. According to Goldich's Dissolution Series, which predicts the susceptibility of silicate minerals to weathering, minerals that crystallize last at the lowest temperatures in Bowen's Reaction Series are the most stable at Earth's surface. Quartz crystallizes last, making it the most chemically stable and physically durable mineral under surface conditions, allowing it to persist long after other minerals have decomposed.

Explanation

Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella program for the highways sector initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It focuses on optimizing the efficiency of road traffic and freight movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps. One of its key components is the development of coastal and port connectivity roads. Under this component, the project specifically targets the construction and development of state roads running along coastal border areas, including providing enhanced connectivity to non-major ports to boost maritime trade, tourism, and economic development in coastal regions.

Explanation

Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the intending couple is legally mandated to purchase general health insurance coverage in favor of the surrogate mother. This insurance must be obtained from an insurance company or agent recognized by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and must cover a period of 36 months, which is equivalent to three years. This provision ensures the surrogate mother is adequately covered for any postpartum complications or health issues arising from the surrogacy process.

Explanation

India played its first One-Day International (ODI) match on 13 July 1974 against England at Headingley, Leeds. Led by captain Ajit Wadekar, India scored 265 runs in 53.5 overs of a 60-over match, with Brijesh Patel top-scoring with 82 runs. England successfully chased down the target to win by 4 wickets, marking India's official entry into limited-overs international cricket.

Explanation

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is accredited as the National Implementing Entity (NIE) for the Adaptation Fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in India. In this capacity, NABARD is responsible for identifying, developing, and managing climate change adaptation projects across India. It facilitates the flow of resources from the Adaptation Fund to support concrete, community-level adaptation activities that reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to climate change impacts in sectors such as agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, the population of India increased from 102.87 crore in 2001 to 121.09 crore in 2011. This absolute increase of 18.22 crore people during the decade corresponds to a decadal growth rate of 17.64%. This registered a decline from the 21.54% decadal growth rate recorded during the previous decade of 1991 to 2001.

Explanation

Anthocyanins are water-soluble vacuolar pigments belonging to the flavonoid group of phenolic compounds. They are responsible for the distinct red, purple, blue, and black colors observed in many fruits, vegetables, and cereal grains. The specific color of anthocyanins depends on the pH level of the cellular environment, typically appearing red in acidic conditions, purple in neutral conditions, and blue in alkaline conditions. These bioactive compounds possess strong antioxidant properties and play a vital role in protecting plants against environmental stress while providing health benefits to humans.

Explanation

Income and output are flow variables in economics because they represent economic activities that occur over a duration of time. Flow variables measure the rate of economic activity and are always expressed per unit of time, such as income earned per month or output produced per year. Because these variables measure economic transactions over an interval rather than at a single frozen moment, they must be defined over a specific period of time.

Explanation

Gross National Product (GNP) is related to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the formula:

GNP = GDP + Net Factor Income from Abroad (NFIA)

Here, Net Factor Income from Abroad (NFIA) is defined as the factor income earned from abroad minus the factor income paid to abroad.

When the factor income received from abroad is greater than the factor income paid abroad, NFIA is a positive value. Consequently, adding this positive NFIA to GDP results in a GNP value that is greater than GDP.

Explanation

Frequency f is defined as the number of complete cycles of a periodic event that occur per unit of time, represented by the formula:

f = 1/T

where T is the time period of one cycle. In the International System of Units (SI), the unit of time is the second (s), making the unit of frequency reciprocal second (s⁻¹). This SI derived unit is named the hertz (Hz) in honor of the physicist Heinrich Hertz. One hertz represents one cycle per second.

Explanation

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is a world-renowned master of the bansuri, which is a traditional Indian bamboo flute. He is widely credited with popularizing the flute as a major solo concert instrument in Hindustani classical music. Over his illustrious career, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2000, for his outstanding contributions to Indian classical music.

Explanation

When ethanol is heated with excess concentrated sulphuric acid at a temperature of about 443 K (170 °C), it undergoes an intramolecular dehydration reaction. In this process, concentrated sulphuric acid acts as a strong dehydrating agent, facilitating the removal of a water molecule from the ethanol molecule to form ethene.

CH₃CH₂OH → CH₂=CH₂ + H₂O

The reaction proceeds through the protonation of the hydroxyl group in ethanol, followed by the loss of a water molecule to form a carbocation intermediate, which then undergoes deprotonation to yield the unsaturated hydrocarbon ethene.

Explanation

Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan is referred to as Frontier Gandhi due to his close association with Mahatma Gandhi and his unwavering commitment to the principles of non-violence and Satyagraha. As a prominent Pashtun political and spiritual leader in the North-West Frontier Province of British India, he founded the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) movement, which actively opposed British rule through peaceful resistance and advocated for a united, independent India.

Explanation

India topped the medal tally at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup 2022 held in Cairo, Egypt, by winning a total of 7 medals. This impressive haul consisted of 4 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal, placing India ahead of Norway, which finished second with 6 medals.

Explanation

Rudrankksh Patil won the gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event at the ISSF President's Cup 2022 held in Cairo, Egypt. He defeated Italy's Danilo Sollazzo in the final with a score of 16-8 to secure the prestigious Golden Target trophy, capping off a highly successful year in which he also won the individual world championship title in the same event.

Explanation

Thokchom Ibemubi Devi is an eminent exponent and guru of Manipuri dance who has contributed significantly to the preservation, practice, and propagation of this classical dance form. In recognition of her outstanding contribution and lifetime dedication to Manipuri dance, she was conferred with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2021 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.

Explanation

The ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution were inspired by the French Revolution of 1789. During this historic uprising against absolute monarchy and feudal privileges, the slogan Liberté, égalité, fraternité became the defining motto of the revolutionaries. It represented the core democratic aspirations of personal freedom, equal status and opportunity for all citizens, and a spirit of common brotherhood to foster national unity.

Explanation

Mohiniyattam, which literally translates to the "dance of the enchantress," is a classical dance form that originated in Kerala. It is traditionally performed as a solo recital by women, showcasing the lasya style of dance which emphasizes grace, elegance, and beauty. The performance is characterized by gentle, swaying body movements, delicate footwork, and subtle facial expressions that depict themes of love and devotion.

Explanation

The principle of procedure established by law is enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This provision was borrowed directly from Article 31 of the Constitution of Japan, which ensures that legal processes and legislative enactments must follow the prescribed constitutional and statutory methods before depriving an individual of their rights.

Explanation

Money supply is a stock variable, which means it represents the total stock of money circulating in an economy among the public at a specific point in time. In macroeconomics, stock variables are defined and measured at a particular juncture or moment, unlike flow variables which are measured over a specified period of time. Therefore, the supply of money is defined as the quantity of money existing in the economy as on any point of time.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

Gugga Naumi is a traditional folk festival celebrated in the state of Haryana to worship Gugga Peer, a popular warrior-hero and snake deity. The festival is observed on the ninth day (Naumi) of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which typically falls in August or September. Devotees perform rituals to seek protection from snake bites and offer prayers for prosperity. Marked by vibrant processions, fairs, and devotional music, the celebration is highly significant in the cultural and religious life of Haryana.

Explanation

Dressage is a highly systematized form of horse training and riding performed in exhibition and competition. As an Olympic discipline, it represents the highest expression of horse training, where horse and rider perform a series of predetermined movements from memory to demonstrate athleticism, flexibility, and obedience. The term originates from the French word dresser, which means to train.

Explanation

Shovana Narayan is an eminent Indian Kathak dancer and a pioneer in the field. She was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, in the year 1992 for her outstanding contribution to the performing arts. Trained under the legendary Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj, she is renowned for her precise footwork, grace, and expressive storytelling, and has represented India at numerous prestigious national and international festivals.

Explanation

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the Gold medal in the women's 49 kg weightlifting event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. She achieved this by lifting a total of 201 kg, which included 88 kg in the snatch category and 113 kg in the clean and jerk category, creating a new Commonwealth Games record. This performance secured India's first gold medal of the 2022 Games.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, the total population of India was approximately 121.06 crore. Out of this total, the population living in rural areas was 83.37 crore, which constitutes 68.84% of the total population. The remaining 37.71 crore, representing 31.16% of the population, lived in urban areas. This represents a gradual increase in urbanization compared to the 2001 Census, where the rural population stood at 72.19%.

Explanation

The Justice J. S. Verma Committee was constituted in 1998 by the Government of India to operationalize the suggestions to teach fundamental duties to the citizens of the country. Led by the former Chief Justice of India, Justice J. S. Verma, the committee worked on creating public awareness and formulating a methodology to sensitize citizens toward their constitutional duties. In its report submitted in 1999, the committee recommended incorporating fundamental duties in school and university curricula, training teachers, and utilizing media to spread awareness about these national obligations.

Explanation

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in Kerala became the world's first fully solar-powered airport in August 2015. This milestone was achieved with the commissioning of a 12 megawatt-peak solar power plant, comprising 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres near the cargo complex. The airport generates enough clean energy to meet all its operational electricity requirements, making it completely self-sufficient and carbon-neutral. This sustainable initiative earned CIAL the prestigious Champions of the Earth award from the United Nations Environment Programme in 2018.

Explanation

During the National Sports and Adventure Awards 2022 ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan on November 30, 2022, President Droupadi Murmu conferred a total of 44 awards to the sportspersons, coaches, and entities. This total comprises 1 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 25 Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games, 4 Dronacharya Awards in the Regular Category, 3 Dronacharya Awards in the Lifetime Category, 4 Dhyan Chand Awards for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games, 3 Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskars, 1 Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, and 3 Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards. The sum of all these individual awards presented at the event equals 44.

Explanation

The Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878 under the administration of Lord Lytton, who served as the Viceroy of India. This legislative measure was specifically designed to curtail the freedom of the Indian-language press and prevent them from publishing criticisms against British colonial policies, particularly during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. It empowered the government to confiscate the printing assets of any vernacular newspaper that published content deemed seditious or critical of the administration.

Explanation

Asghari Bai was a legendary Indian classical singer who was one of the foremost female exponents of the Dhrupad genre of Hindustani classical music. Born in Bilgawan in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, she broke gender barriers in a classical style that was traditionally dominated by male vocalists. Trained under the guidance of Ustad Zahur Khan, she gained national recognition for her mastery of Dhrupad. For her outstanding contributions to this musical tradition, she was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986, the Padma Shri in 1990, and the Tansen Samman.

Explanation

The relationship between Gross National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market price (MP) is represented by the formula:

GNP at MP = GDP at MP + Net Factor Income from Abroad

By rearranging this equation:

GDP at MP = GNP at MP - Net Factor Income from Abroad

Gross National Product measures the economic output of a nation's citizens regardless of where that production occurs, whereas Gross Domestic Product measures the output within a country's domestic boundaries. Subtracting the Net Factor Income from Abroad, which is the difference between income earned by domestic residents from foreign sources and income earned by foreign residents domestically, converts GNP at MP into GDP at MP.

Explanation

The sequence in option A does not follow a consistent progression from broader to narrower concepts of national income. In national income accounting, GNP at market prices is the broadest measure among those listed. Subtracting consumption of fixed capital (depreciation) yields NNP at market prices, and further subtracting net indirect taxes yields NNP at factor cost. Because NNP at market prices includes net indirect taxes, it is broader than NNP at factor cost. Similarly, GNP at factor cost is broader than NNP at market prices because it includes depreciation. Therefore, placing NNP at factor cost before NNP at market prices and GNP at factor cost violates the descending order of breadth.

Explanation

According to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, the product of the uncertainty in position (Δx) and the uncertainty in momentum (Δp) is given by:

Δx × Δp = h / 4π

Given that the uncertainty in position and momentum are equal (Δx = Δp), we substitute Δp for Δx:

(Δp)² = h / 4π

Taking the square root of both sides gives:

Δp = √(h / 4π) = ½ √(h / π)

Since momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity, the uncertainty in momentum is:

Δp = m × Δv

By substituting this into the previous equation, we get:

m × Δv = ½ √(h / π)

Dividing both sides by the mass m yields:

Δv = (1 / 2m) √(h / π)

Explanation

Rajatarangini, which translates to the River of Kings, is a metrical legendary and historical chronicle of the north-western subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir. Written in Sanskrit by the historian Kalhana between 1148 and 1149 CE, the text provides a detailed and chronological account of the region's rulers and dynasties from the earliest times up to the 12th century CE, during the reign of King Jayasimha.

Explanation

Chhau is a traditional dance-drama form that originates from the eastern region of India. It is primarily performed in three distinct styles named after the regions where they developed: Purulia Chhau in West Bengal, Mayurbhanj Chhau in Odisha, and Seraikela Chhau in Jharkhand. This makes Odisha and West Bengal the correct state-pair where this dance is prominently practiced. The dance is characterized by its martial arts movements, athletic acrobatics, and storytelling themes derived from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Explanation

The Gori Ganga river originates from the Milam Glacier, situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The Milam Glacier is a major glacier of the Kumaon Himalaya, located in a monsoon-fed alpine valley. The meltwater from this glacier feeds the Gori Ganga, which flows southward through the Johar Valley before merging with the Kali River at Jauljibi.

Explanation

Foreign competition forces domestic firms to compete with international producers who may have lower costs or superior technology. To remain viable and retain their market share, domestic industries are compelled to optimize their resource allocation, adopt advanced technologies, minimize waste, and streamline operations. This competitive pressure directly drives firms to lower their production costs and improve productivity, serving as a powerful incentive to produce goods and services more efficiently.

Explanation

Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles that possess their own circular DNA (mtDNA) and ribosomes. Because they contain their own genetic material and protein-manufacturing machinery, they are capable of replicating and making copies of themselves independently of the cell nucleus through a process called binary fission. This self-duplication allows the cell to increase the number of mitochondria to meet higher energy demands.

Explanation

Service tax is an indirect tax levied by the government, which falls under tax revenue.

Interest receipts are earnings from loans advanced by the government, which are classified as non-tax revenue.

Sale of shares of PSUs represents disinvestment, which reduces the government's assets and is categorized as a capital receipt.

Salaries and pension are recurring operational expenses of the government that do not create any physical or financial assets, classifying them as revenue expenditure.

Explanation

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The general molecular formula for acyclic alkenes with only one double bond is CₙH₂ₙ. This characteristic double bond consists of one strong sigma (σ) bond and one weaker pi (π) bond, which connects the adjacent carbon atoms and defines the chemical reactivity and physical properties of the alkene family.

Explanation

Manik Saha was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tripura for the second consecutive term on March 8, 2023, following the state legislative assembly elections held in February 2023. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and originally assumed the office of Chief Minister of Tripura in May 2022, succeeding Biplab Kumar Deb.

Explanation

Vasant Krishan Vaidya calligraphed the Hindi version of the original Constitution of India. This elegant calligraphy in Hindi was illuminated and decorated with beautiful historic illustrations and borders by the renowned artist Nand Lal Bose and his team from Shantiniketan.

Explanation

Isonephs are lines on a weather map that connect geographical points experiencing the same average amount of cloudiness or cloud cover over a specified period. The term is derived from the Greek word nephos, meaning cloud. These lines are essential tools in meteorology and climatology to help visualize and analyze cloud distribution patterns, which directly influence solar radiation absorption, precipitation, and regional weather systems.

Explanation

Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement system in 1793 in the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Among the given options, Bengal and Bihar correctly represent the regions where this land revenue system was first implemented.