SSC CHSL Tier 1 2024 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Bhangra (frequently referred to as Bhanga) is the traditional and energetic folk dance originating from Punjab. Historically associated with the spring harvest festival of Vaisakhi, it is characterized by vigorous, athletic movements, leaps, and turns performed to the rhythmic beats of the dhol, a double-headed barrel drum, and traditional folk singing.

Explanation

Symport is a mechanism of membrane cotransport in which a transport protein moves two different molecules or ions across a biological membrane simultaneously in the same direction. This process often couples the downhill movement of one solute, such as sodium ions, down its electrochemical gradient to drive the uphill transport of another solute, such as glucose or amino acids, against its concentration gradient.

Explanation

The Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) was launched by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, in November 2015. The scheme was specifically designed to provide a sustainable financial and operational turnaround for the country's heavily indebted state-owned electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs). It aimed to rescue these ailing utilities by reducing their interest burden, improving operational efficiencies, lowering the cost of power, and enforcing financial discipline through closer integration with state government finances.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, the decadal population growth rates of the states during the 2001 to 2011 period show Meghalaya with the highest growth rate of 27.95%. Arunachal Pradesh follows with a growth rate of 26.03%, and Bihar has a growth rate of 25.42%. Arranging these states in descending order of their population growth rates yields the sequence of Meghalaya (C), Arunachal Pradesh (B), and Bihar (A).

Explanation

James Watt coined the term horsepower in the late 18th century to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses. This practical marketing tool helped customers understand the performance capabilities of his steam engines by relating their power to the familiar work done by horses in coal mines and breweries. Watt determined that a horse could perform 33,000 foot-pounds of work per minute, which established the standard unit of measurement for engine power.

Explanation

Gatka is a traditional martial art form that originated in the Punjab region of India. Historically associated with the Sikh Gurus and Nihang Sikh warriors, it evolved during the late 17th century as a style of stick-fighting used for self-defense and combat training. The sport involves the use of a wooden stick, called a gatka, and a leather shield, known as a phari. It is deeply integrated into the cultural and religious festivals of Punjab, such as Hola Mohalla, and is recognized as an official competitive sport.

Explanation

Ekam Satyam is a collaborative track recorded by A.R. Rahman and Michael Jackson in 1999. In this song, Michael Jackson sang a portion of the chorus in Sanskrit, emphasizing the theme of universal truth and peace. This unique cross-cultural musical venture showcased a fusion of Indian classical elements with global pop.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

A. R. Rahman composed, arranged, and sang the iconic patriotic song Maa Tujhe Salaam. The song was released in 1997 as the title track of his landmark studio album Vande Mataram, which was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India's independence.

Explanation

The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic pastoralists who inhabit the African Great Lakes region, primarily living in northern, central, and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are not native to and do not reside in India.

Explanation

Thounaojam Chaoba Singh is a prominent political leader and former Union Minister from Manipur who was conferred the Padma Shri for his distinguished service in the field of public affairs. With a political career spanning over four decades, he was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly multiple times starting in 1972 and also served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur. At the federal level, he served as the Union Minister of State for Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration.

Explanation

Part II of the Constitution of India, spanning Articles 5 to 11, deals with Citizenship. These provisions outline the categories of persons who became citizens of India at the commencement of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, and empower the Parliament of India to regulate the right of citizenship by law. Under this constitutional authority, the Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act of 1955 to govern the acquisition, determination, and termination of Indian citizenship.

Explanation

Under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution, the Supreme Court has the unique discretionary power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it. In May 2022, in the Budhadev Karmaskar v. State of West Bengal case, the Supreme Court invoked these extraordinary powers under Article 142 to direct all states and union territories to recognize sex work as a profession. The Court ruled that consenting adult sex workers are entitled to equal protection under the law, dignity, and decency as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and ordered that law enforcement agencies must not abuse or harass them.

Explanation

In MS-PowerPoint, text is added to a slide primarily by using a text box. To insert a text box, navigate to the Insert tab on the ribbon, click on the Text Box option within the Text group, and then click and drag on the slide to draw the boundaries of the text area. Once created, users can type, format, and position the text anywhere on the slide.

Explanation

Correct Answer: A

The Thomas Cup is the premier international badminton championship contested by men's national teams. Established in 1948 by Sir George Alan Thomas, a legendary British badminton player and administrator, this biennial tournament is organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to crown the world champion in men's team badminton.

Explanation

Heeralal Samariya was sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner of India on November 6, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to him at Rashtrapati Bhavan. An IAS officer of the 1985 batch from the Telangana cadre, he previously served as a Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment and as an Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission before his elevation to the top post. He is also the first person from the Scheduled Castes (Dalit) community to hold this prestigious position.

Explanation

The Swaran Singh Committee was appointed by the Indian National Congress party in 1976 to make recommendations on Fundamental Duties. The committee suggested the inclusion of a separate chapter on fundamental duties in the Constitution of India, emphasizing that citizens must realize that they have duties to perform alongside enjoying their fundamental rights. This recommendation led to the incorporation of Part IV-A and Article 51A into the Constitution through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, which initially introduced ten Fundamental Duties.

Explanation

National income at constant prices, also known as real national income, is calculated by measuring the value of goods and services produced in a country using the prices of a specific base year. By keeping prices constant, this measure eliminates the distorting effects of inflation or deflation, thereby reflecting the actual physical volume of production and enabling a true comparison of economic growth over different years.

Explanation

The United Nations General Assembly, through a resolution adopted on 15 June 2007, established the International Day of Non-Violence to be observed annually on 2 October. This date commemorates the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who pioneered the philosophy and strategy of non-violence, known as Satyagraha, during India's struggle for independence. The day is observed globally to disseminate the message of non-violence through education and public awareness, honoring Gandhi's commitment to peace, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

Explanation

The Braj Festival is celebrated annually in the Bharatpur region of Rajasthan. Held for two days during the Shukla Paksha of the Phalgun month in the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in February or March, this festival takes place a few days before Holi. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is marked by vibrant traditional folk dances, music, and the enactment of the Raslila, depicting the eternal love story of Radha and Krishna.

Explanation

Triton is the largest natural satellite of the planet Neptune, rather than Jupiter. Discovered in 1846 by the English astronomer William Lassell, Triton is unique among large moons in the solar system for its retrograde orbit, meaning it revolves in the direction opposite to Neptune's rotation. This characteristic suggests that Triton did not form in orbit around Neptune but was instead gravitationally captured from the Kuiper belt.

Explanation

Statement ii is false because the Government of India announced the Special Economic Zones Policy in April 2000, not in 2011, to oversee the establishment and operation of SEZs in the country.

Explanation

Teak is the most dominant and commercially valuable tree species found in tropical deciduous forests, particularly in the moist deciduous forest region. These forests, also known as monsoon forests, thrive in areas with annual rainfall ranging between 100 cm and 200 cm. Teak trees are well-adapted to this climate, shedding their leaves during the dry season to conserve water. Their durable, high-quality timber is highly prized for furniture, construction, and shipbuilding.

Explanation

The Archery Association of India was formally established and registered in August 1973 to govern and promote the sport in the country. Following its inception, the national governing body organized the inaugural Senior National Archery Championship in Chennai in 1973. This landmark event established the official framework for national-level archery competitions in India and paved the way for identifying and training talent for international sports events.

Explanation

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, enacted in 1976 during the Emergency, introduced Part IV-A and Article 51A to the Constitution of India. This addition incorporated a set of ten Fundamental Duties for citizens, which were recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee to emphasize that citizens have obligations to the nation alongside enjoying their fundamental rights.

Explanation

Lovlina Borgohain is a prominent Indian amateur boxer from Assam who competes in the welterweight and middleweight categories. She achieved international recognition by winning a bronze medal in the women's welterweight division at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming only the third Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. She further consolidated her career by winning a gold medal at the 2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships held in New Delhi.

Explanation

National Income is defined as Net National Product at factor cost (NNP_FC). The relationship between domestic product and national product is given by the formula:

NNP_FC = NDP_FC + NFIA

Here, NDP_FC is the Net Domestic Product at factor cost, which represents the total factor income generated within the domestic territory of a country. NFIA is the Net Factor Income from Abroad, which is the difference between the factor income earned by residents from the rest of the world and the factor income paid to non-residents within the domestic territory. Adding NFIA to the domestic income yields the national income.

Explanation

The eleventh Fundamental Duty was added to Article 51A of the Indian Constitution by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. This duty makes it the responsibility of a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years. The 78th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1995 amended the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to protect land reform laws of various states from judicial review, and has no relation to the Fundamental Duties.

Explanation

The Pinjore Heritage Festival is organized annually by the Haryana Tourism Department. The festival is hosted at the historic Yadavindra Gardens, also known as the Pinjore Gardens, located in the Panchkula district of Haryana. This event is held to project the rich cultural heritage of the region and features vibrant performances by classical singers, dancers, and folk artists from across the country, alongside traditional crafts and cuisines.

Explanation

Pai songs are traditional folk songs of Madhya Pradesh, specifically popular in the Bundelkhand region. These songs are sung during the monsoon season, particularly during the rain festivals in the months of Shravana and Bhadrapada, to celebrate the arrival of rains and pray for a prestigious harvest. The singing of Pai songs is accompanied by the energetic Saria dance, also known as Sair or Saira dance, which is performed by young farmers holding sticks, symbolizing agricultural joy and prosperity.

Explanation

According to the Census of India 2011, Bihar recorded the lowest literacy rate in the country at 61.80%, while Arunachal Pradesh recorded the second-lowest literacy rate among all Indian states at 65.38%.

Explanation

Sanjukta Panigrahi was a pioneering exponent of Odissi, an ancient classical dance form of India originating from Odisha. She is widely credited with the revival and global popularization of Odissi in the mid-twentieth century. She was the first Odia woman to embrace this dance form professionally from a young age, training under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Her dedication and performances alongside her vocalist husband, Raghunath Panigrahi, earned her international acclaim and India's prestigious civilian honor, the Padma Shri, in 1975.

Explanation

Distinguished economists from India and abroad were invited to advise on India's economic development during the second five-year plan period, which was formulated in 1956 under the leadership of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, rather than during the first five-year plan period.

Explanation

Shubha Mudgal is a highly acclaimed Indian singer of Hindustani classical music. Her repertoire includes classical genres such as Khayal, Thumri, and Dadra. She received her musical training from eminent gurus including Pandit Ramashreya Jha, Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, Jitendra Abhisheki, and Kumar Gandharva. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2000 for her significant contributions to Indian classical music.

Explanation

The Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022 was enacted by the Parliament of India to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) relating to the repression of piracy on the high seas. India ratified UNCLOS in 1995, which requires member states to adopt necessary measures to cooperate in the suppression of piracy. This domestic legislation provides the legal framework for Indian authorities, including the Navy and Coast Guard, to arrest, prosecute, and punish pirates operating in international waters and areas beyond India's territorial jurisdiction.

Explanation

According to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, the orbital speed of a planet is inversely proportional to the square root of its distance from the Sun, represented by the formula v = √(G × M / r), where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Sun, and r is the orbital radius. Since Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, it has the smallest orbital radius, which gives it the highest orbital velocity in the solar system. It travels at an average speed of approximately 47 kilometers per second (29 miles per second) to maintain its orbit, completing one revolution around the Sun in about 88 Earth days.

Explanation

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a prestigious Vallam Kali (snake boat race) held annually on the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, Kerala. The event originated in 1952 during a visit by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to the state. Impressed by the competitive spirit of the oarsmen, Nehru donated a silver trophy in the shape of a snake boat on a wooden abacus. The race is held on the second Saturday of August every year and features major competition among Chundan Vallams (snake boats).

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

Under the Laws of Cricket, specifically Law 22, a wide is called by the umpire if the bowler delivers the ball so far from the batter or so high that it is not within their reach to play a normal cricket stroke. When a wide is signaled, one run is added to the batting team's total as an extra, and the bowler must bowl an additional delivery in that over.

Explanation

Epistasis is a genetic phenomenon in which the phenotypic expression of a gene at one locus masks, inhibits, or modifies the phenotypic expression of a nonallelic gene at a different locus. In this relationship, the gene that masks the expression of the other is referred to as epistatic, while the gene whose expression is masked is called hypostatic. This interaction typically occurs because the genes code for enzymes that function in the same biochemical pathway, where an obstruction at an earlier step prevents the subsequent steps from manifesting their phenotypic traits.

Explanation

The Brihadiswara Temple, also known as Rajarajeswaram, is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 AD, this monumental temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It stands as a supreme climax of Dravidian architecture, featuring a massive sixteen-story vimana temple tower that rises to a height of around sixty-six meters, topped by a single-stone granite dome weighing about eighty tons. The temple is part of the Great Living Chola Temples, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explanation

Lindy Cameron was appointed as the British High Commissioner to the Republic of India in April 2024, succeeding Alex Ellis. She is the first woman to be appointed to this prestigious diplomatic role. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Chief Executive of the United Kingdom National Cyber Security Centre and has held senior positions in the Department for International Development, showcasing extensive experience in national security and international development.

Explanation

The Tripartite Struggle was a century-long conflict during the 8th and 9th centuries for the control of the strategic city of Kannauj in northern India. This struggle was fought between three major contemporary powers: the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Rashtrakutas, and the Palas of Bengal. Dharmapala, who ruled the Pala Empire from circa 770 to 810 CE, was a key participant in this conflict. He actively campaigned in northern India, defeated the ruler of Kannauj, and installed his own nominee, Chakrayudha, on the throne, temporarily establishing Pala hegemony over the region.

Explanation

In Microsoft Excel, worksheets are organized in a grid format consisting of rows and columns. The rows run horizontally across the worksheet and are uniquely identified by sequential numbers displayed on the left margin, starting from 1 and going up to 1,048,576 in modern versions of the application.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

Intel collaborated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Ministry of Education to launch the 'AI For All' initiative. This program is designed as a self-paced, four-hour learning journey aimed at demystifying artificial intelligence for every citizen in India, regardless of their professional or academic background. It aligns with the goals of India's National Education Policy 2020 by introducing basic AI concepts, practical applications, and ethical considerations to eliminate fear around the technology and foster digital readiness nationwide.

Explanation

Goa is home to Mormugao Port, which is a major iron ore exporting port situated at the mouth of the Zuari river.

West Bengal features Haldia Port, which is a major deep-water dock system built at the confluence of the Hooghly and Haldi rivers to relieve congestion at Kolkata Port.

Tamil Nadu contains Tuticorin Port, an all-weather port located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.

Gujarat is home to Kandla Port, a major hub in the Gulf of Kutch known for handling large quantities of crude oil and dry cargo.

Explanation

In Microsoft Word, the Exclusion Dictionary is a feature used to override the standard dictionary by specifying words that the spelling checker should always flag as misspelled. By adding specific words, terms, or types of text to this custom exclusion list, users can prevent Word from automatically accepting them as correct during spelling and grammar checks, thereby forcing the application to flag them for review and exclusion from standard acceptance.

Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Andhra Pradesh has a coastline of about 974 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal, which supports significant mangrove vegetation. These mangrove forests are primarily distributed in the deltaic regions of the Krishna and Godavari rivers. The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Godavari estuary of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the largest stretches of mangrove forests in India and is home to numerous halophytic plant species and diverse fauna.

Explanation

A cyclotron is a particle accelerator designed to accelerate charged particles, such as protons, alpha particles, or ions, to high velocities and kinetic energies. It operates by using a strong, static magnetic field to constrain the charged particles into a spiral path, while a high-frequency alternating electric field is applied across the gap between two hollow D-shaped electrodes called dees. Each time the particles cross the gap between the dees, they receive an electrical push that increases their speed. As their velocity increases, the radius of their circular orbit grows, causing them to spiral outward until they exit the device at high speed to strike a target.

Explanation

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's famous Bengali novel Anandamath, published in 1882, is set against the backdrop of the Sanyasi Rebellion of the late 18th century. The Sanyasi Rebellion was a series of armed conflicts in Bengal where ascetics, joined by displaced peasants and demobilized soldiers, fought against the exploitative tax collection policies and economic oppression of the British East India Company, especially after the devastating Bengal Famine of 1770. The novel is also historically significant as it features the patriotic song Vande Mataram, which became the anthem of the Indian nationalist movement.

Explanation

The SUM function in MS Excel is specifically designed to add all the numbers in a specified range of cells. It takes cell references, cell ranges, or individual numeric values as arguments and returns their mathematical total. For example, the formula =SUM(A1:A10) instantly calculates and returns the sum of all numeric values contained within the cells from A1 to A10.

Explanation

Venus is covered by a dense, opaque layer of highly reflective clouds composed primarily of sulfuric acid droplets. This thick, yellowish-white cloud deck lies at altitudes of about 45 to 70 kilometers above the planet's surface, reflecting approximately 75% of the sunlight that hits it and contributing to a runaway greenhouse effect on the planet.