Simhavishnu, who ruled from approximately 575 to 600 CE, is credited with the revival and establishment of the imperial Pallava dynasty. He defeated the Kalabhras, ending their rule in the region, and consolidated Pallava authority over Tondaimandalam. He expanded the kingdom's territory southwards to the Kaveri River by defeating the Cholas, Pandyas, and other contemporary powers. He established his capital at Kanchipuram, laying the foundation for the Great Pallavas of Kanchi, a period that witnessed significant developments in south Indian art, architecture, and literature.
402General Awareness
The Press and Periodicals Registration Bill, 2023 replaced which act with a simplified law that decriminalizes various provisions and brings digital media under its ambit?
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Answer: (D) Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867
Explanation
The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 was enacted to replace the colonial-era Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. This legislative update simplifies the registration process for newspapers and periodicals through a centralized online portal, removes the requirement of multiple declarations, and decriminalizes various minor procedural violations to enhance the ease of doing business. It also modernizes the regulatory framework by bringing digital news media and periodicals under its regulatory ambit.
403General Awareness
Judicial Review, a salient feature of the Constitution of India, has been borrowed from which of the following countries?
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Answer: (A) The US
Explanation
The concept of Judicial Review in the Indian Constitution is borrowed from the Constitution of the United States. This feature grants the judiciary the power to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders passed by both the Central and State governments. If any law or executive action violates the provisions of the Constitution, particularly the Fundamental Rights, the judiciary has the authority to declare it unconstitutional and void. Key provisions of the Indian Constitution that embody this principle include Article 13, Article 32, and Article 226.
404General Awareness
In honey bees,
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Answer: (A) males are haploid and females are diploid.
Explanation
Honey bees utilize a haplodiploid sex-determination system. In this system, sex is determined by the number of chromosome sets an individual possesses. Males, also known as drones, develop from unfertilized eggs through a process called arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, meaning they inherit chromosomes only from the mother and are haploid (n = 16). Females, which include both the queen and the workers, develop from fertilized eggs, receiving one set of chromosomes from each parent, and are therefore diploid (2n = 32).
405General Awareness
What should you click to choose the date for sorting in Gmail?
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Answer: (D) The calendar icon
Explanation
To choose a specific date for filtering or sorting emails in Gmail, clicking the calendar icon within the search options dropdown opens an interactive date picker. This allows you to select a precise start date from a calendar view, which is then used to filter and sort messages within the specified time range.
406General Awareness
Which Act opposed by Mahatma Gandhi in 1919 was a direct attack on the civil liberties and democratic rights of the Indian people?
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Answer: (C) Rowlatt Act
Explanation
The Rowlatt Act, officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in March 1919. This legislation authorized the British government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism for up to two years without trial and allowed for the trial of such suspects without a jury. By suspending the fundamental right of habeas corpus and denying basic legal representation, the act represented a direct attack on the civil liberties and democratic rights of the Indian people. Mahatma Gandhi vehemently opposed this legislation, labeling it a Black Act, and organized the Rowlatt Satyagraha, which marked the first nationwide strike and mass protest against British rule under his leadership.
407General Awareness
Oil India Limited (OIL) is under the administrative structure of:
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Answer: (D) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Explanation
Oil India Limited is a premier national oil and gas company of India, incorporated in 1959. As a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise, it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The ministry oversees the exploration, production, refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum and natural gas resources across the country, making it the parent administrative body for public sector undertakings in this sector, including Oil India Limited.
408General Awareness
Which of the following organisations said that India CANNOT have a parallel judicial system - one for the rich and the other for the poor?
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Answer: (B) Supreme Court
Explanation
Correct Answer: B
The Supreme Court of India made this significant observation emphasizing that the rule of law must apply equally to all citizens regardless of their socioeconomic status. The Court highlighted that the Indian constitutional scheme does not permit two parallel legal systems—one that accommodates the rich, powerful, and influential, and another that governs the poor and marginalized. This principle reinforces Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws, ensuring that wealth and influence do not dictate the course of justice or create a privileged class within the judicial framework.
409General Awareness
Which of the following rivers is called 'Singi Khamban' in Tibet?
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Answer: (A) Indus
Explanation
The Indus River is known as Singi Khamban, which translates to Lion's Mouth, in the Tibetan region. This name originates from the Tibetan language and refers to the river's source near Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, where it begins its flow before entering India in Ladakh.
410General Awareness
In which year was MS Dhoni awarded Padma Shri Award?
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Answer: (A) 2009
Explanation
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in the year 2009 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport of cricket. This honor came after he successfully led the Indian cricket team to victory in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 and established himself as one of the country's most successful captains.
411General Awareness
Who calculated the approximate location of the planet Neptune by studying gravity- induced disturbances in the motion of Uranus?
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Answer: (A) John Couch Adams
Explanation
John Couch Adams was a British mathematician and astronomer who, in the early 1840s, investigated the irregularities in the orbit of Uranus. Using Newton's law of gravitation, he hypothesized that these perturbations were caused by the gravitational pull of an undiscovered planet orbiting further out in the solar system. By September 1845, Adams successfully calculated the mathematical position of this hypothetical planet, which was later discovered and named Neptune. This remarkable feat demonstrated the power of classical mechanics and gravitational theory to predict the existence of celestial bodies before they were ever observed through a telescope.
412General Awareness
In which year was the All India Football Federation (AIFF) formed?
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Answer: (B) 1937
Explanation
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was founded on 23 June 1937 during a meeting of representatives from various state football associations at the Army Headquarters in Shimla. It serves as the national governing body for association football in India.
413General Awareness
Which of the following is called the cyclic arrangement of time units in Hindustani Classical music?
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Answer: (A) Tala
Explanation
Tala is the metric framework and cyclic arrangement of time units that governs rhythm in Hindustani classical music. It is a structured cycle of beats, known as matras, which repeats continuously throughout a performance. Each tala comprises a specific number of beats divided into smaller sections or measures, marked by physical gestures such as claps and waves of the hand to maintain the tempo and rhythmic structure.
414General Awareness
Which of the following refers to the purchase and sale of government securities?
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Answer: (B) Open market operations
Explanation
Open market operations refer to the sale and purchase of government securities and treasury bills by the central bank of a country in the open market. This is a primary quantitative monetary policy tool used to regulate the money supply, credit conditions, and interest rates in the economy. When the central bank purchases government securities from commercial banks and the public, it infuses liquidity into the banking system, increasing the loanable funds available. When the central bank sells government securities, it absorbs liquidity from the economy, reducing the cash reserves of banks and contracting the overall money supply.
415General Awareness
According to the Census of India-2011, what is the sex ratio (Females per 1000 males) of India?
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Answer: (D) 943
Explanation
According to the Census of India 2011, the sex ratio of India is 943 females per 1000 males. This demographic indicator shows an improvement from the 2001 census, which recorded a sex ratio of 933 females per 1000 males. The sex ratio is a key parameter used to determine the gender balance in the country's population.
416General Awareness
What was India's population growth rate (in percentage) during 2001-2011?
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Answer: (C) 17.64%
Explanation
According to the Census of India 2011, India's population grew from approximately 102.87 crore (1.028 billion) in 2001 to 121.08 crore (1.210 billion) in 2011. This absolute increase of about 18.2 crore people over the decade translates to a decadal population growth rate of 17.64%. This represents a notable decline from the 21.54% decadal growth rate recorded during the previous decade of 1991-2001, reflecting a downward trend in India's population growth pace.
417General Awareness
The Mundra Thermal Power Plant is located in which district of Gujarat?
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Answer: (B) Kutch
Explanation
The Mundra Thermal Power Plant is situated in the coastal town of Mundra, which is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Operated by Adani Power, this coal-fired power station has an installed capacity of 4620 MW, making it one of the largest power producing facilities in India. Its location in the Kutch district is highly strategic due to its proximity to the Mundra Port, which facilitates the easy import of coal, primarily from Indonesia, to fuel the power plant.
418General Awareness
Select the musical instrument which is NOT played by way of percussion or NOT played by way of striking any object?
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Answer: (D) Shehnai
Explanation
The shehnai is a traditional wind instrument, classified as an aerophone. It is played by blowing air through a double reed at one end while using the fingers to open and close holes along the tube to control the pitch. Because its sound is produced by the vibration of an air column rather than by striking a membrane or solid surface, it is not a percussion instrument.
419General Awareness
BVR Subrahmanyam was appointed as the ___ in February 2023.
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Answer: (B) CEO of NITI Aayog
Explanation
B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog in February 2023. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment for a tenure of two years. He succeeded Parameswaran Iyer, who transitioned to the role of Executive Director at the World Bank. Prior to this appointment, Subrahmanyam served in various key administrative positions, including Commerce Secretary of India and Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.
420General Awareness
India's first indigenous Aircraft Carrier, ___ conducted its maiden sea travel in August 2021 marking a significant step towards making military equipment in India.
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Answer: (D) INS Vikrant
Explanation
INS Vikrant, also designated as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1), is India's first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, it successfully commenced its maiden sea trials on August 4, 2021. This milestone marked a historic step in India's quest for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, joining an elite group of nations with the capability to design and build an aircraft carrier of this scale. The warship was subsequently commissioned into active service in September 2022.
421General Awareness
Who founded the Bombay Presidency Association in 1885 along with Pherozeshah Mehta and KT Telang?
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Answer: (B) Badruddin Tyabji
Explanation
The Bombay Presidency Association was established in 1885 by Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and Kashinath Trimbak Telang. Often referred to as the Triumvirate of Bombay's public life, they founded the association to advocate for Indian interests, promote political education, and voice opposition to the reactionary policies of Lord Lytton, particularly in the wake of the Ilbert Bill controversy. Badruddin Tyabji, who also went on to become the first Muslim president of the Indian National Congress in 1887, played a pivotal role in organizing this association to channel public opinion in the Bombay Presidency.
422General Awareness
Which of the following is a cyclic arrangement of time units in Hindustani classical music?
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Answer: (C) Tala
Explanation
Tala refers to the cyclic metric framework or rhythmic cycle in Hindustani classical music. It is composed of a specific number of time units called matras (beats), arranged in groups or sections called vibhags. This rhythmic pattern repeats continuously throughout a musical performance, providing the structured foundation for tempo and rhythm.
423General Awareness
Which keyboard key is used to jump the cursor to the next cell of the table in MS Word?
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Answer: (A) Tab
Explanation
Correct Answer: A
In Microsoft Word, pressing the Tab key moves the cursor to the adjacent cell to the right within a table. If the cursor is positioned in the last cell of a row, pressing this key automatically moves it to the first cell of the subsequent row. Furthermore, if the cursor is in the very last cell of the entire table, pressing the Tab key inserts a new row at the bottom and positions the cursor in the first cell of that new row.
424General Awareness
Match the items in List I with those in List II.
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| i. Garibi Hatao | a. Fifth Five-Year Plan |
| ii. LPG policies | b. Ninth Five-Year Plan |
| iii. Rolling Plan | c. 1978-80 |
| iv. Growth with justice and equity | d. Eighth Five-Year Plan |
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Answer: (A) i-a, ii-d, iii-c, iv-b
Explanation
Garibi Hatao was the core slogan and focus of the Fifth Five-Year Plan, which targeted poverty alleviation and self-reliance.
LPG policies of liberalization, privatization, and globalization, initiated during the economic crisis of 1991, were formally operationalized and integrated during the Eighth Five-Year Plan.
The Rolling Plan was an interim planning strategy introduced by the Janata Party government for the years 1978-1980 after terminating the Fifth Five-Year Plan a year early.
Growth with justice and equity was the designated objective of the Ninth Five-Year Plan, which aimed to balance economic growth with social development.
425General Awareness
How many languages are included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India as scheduled languages?
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Answer: (A) 22
Explanation
The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India lists the official languages recognized by the Indian government, which currently stands at 22 languages. While there were only 14 languages initially included in the Constitution, subsequent amendments added more. Sindhi was added by the 21st Amendment Act of 1967. Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali were included by the 71st Amendment Act of 1992. Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali were added by the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003, bringing the final tally to 22 scheduled languages.
426General Awareness
What is the keyboard shortcut for opening a blank new document in MS- Word?
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Answer: (B) Ctrl + N
Explanation
The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + N is used in Microsoft Word to immediately create and open a new, blank document. In this combination, the letter N stands for New, which allows users to bypass the file menu and start working on a fresh document instantly.
427General Awareness
The Bhotia dance form is a folk-dance from which of the following Indian states?
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Answer: (D) Uttarakhand
Explanation
The Bhotia dance is a traditional folk dance associated with the Bhotia tribe, an ethno-linguistic community residing in the trans-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, particularly in districts like Pithoragarh, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi. This dance form is an integral part of their rich cultural heritage and is performed during various social, agricultural, and festive occasions. A notable variant is the Dhurang dance, which is traditionally performed during death ceremonies to guide the soul of the deceased and ward off evil spirits.
428General Awareness
If an object of mass 2 kg is dropped from a height of 10 metres, what will be the ratio of its potential energy and kinetic energy at the height of 5 metres (g = 10m / sec²)
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Answer: (C) 1:1
Explanation
By the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy of a falling object remains constant.
At the initial height H = 10 m, the total energy of the object is entirely potential energy:
Total Energy = m × g × H
At a height h = 5 m, the potential energy (PE) is:
PE = m × g × h = 2 × 10 × 5 = 100 J
The kinetic energy (KE) at this height is the difference between the initial total energy and the current potential energy:
KE = Total Energy - PE = m × g × (H - h) = 2 × 10 × (10 - 5) = 100 J
The ratio of potential energy to kinetic energy is:
PE : KE = 100 : 100 = 1 : 1
429General Awareness
In which year was the 15ᵗʰ National Census Survey of India conducted?
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Answer: (B) 2011
Explanation
The 15th National Census Survey of India was conducted in 2011. The decennial census of India is the largest administrative and statistical exercise in the world. It began in 1872 under British rule, and the 2011 Census marked the 15th census in this continuous series since 1872, as well as the 7th census since India gained independence in 1947.
430General Awareness
Easter is a religious festival of:
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Answer: (B) Christians
Explanation
Easter is one of the most significant festivals in Christianity, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, as described in the New Testament of the Bible. It symbolizes victory over sin and death, representing hope, renewal, and salvation for believers. The festival concludes the Passion of Jesus, which is preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. Easter is traditionally observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
431General Awareness
Who was the founder of the Bahmani Sultanate?
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Answer: (D) Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah
Explanation
Correct Answer: D
Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, originally known as Zafar Khan, founded the Bahmani Sultanate in 1347. He led a successful revolt against the Delhi Sultanate during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, establishing an independent Muslim kingdom in the Deccan region and making Gulbarga his capital.
432General Awareness
Which of the following is NOT a way to acquire citizenship in India?
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Answer: (B) Renunciation
Explanation
Renunciation is a method of losing or terminating Indian citizenship rather than acquiring it. Under Section 8 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, any Indian citizen of full age and capacity can voluntarily make a declaration renouncing their Indian citizenship. Upon the registration of this declaration, the person ceases to be a citizen of India.
433General Awareness
With reference to the Directive Principles of State policy contained in the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Article 37 of the Constitution of India provides that the Directive Principles of State Policy are enforceable in the High Courts only.
2. Article 38 provides that the State shall strive to minimise the inequalities in income amongst individuals and groups of people.
3. Article 39 provides that the State shall direct its policy towards securing that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
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Answer: (A) Only 2 and 3
Explanation
Article 38 of the Constitution of India directs the State to secure a social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people. Specifically, Article 38 clause 2, which was added by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978, mandates that the State shall strive to minimise the inequalities in income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people.
Article 39 clause d directs the State to ensure that its policy is oriented towards securing equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
Article 37 explicitly states that the Directive Principles of State Policy are non-enforceable by any court, making them non-justiciable, though they remain fundamental in the governance of the country.
434General Awareness
Which city will host 2028 Olympics games?
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Answer: (B) Los Angeles, USA
Explanation
Los Angeles was officially selected as the host city for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its 131st Session in Lima, Peru, in September 2017. This event, officially known as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, marks the third time the city will host the Summer Games, following its previous hostings in 1932 and 1984.
435General Awareness
In March 2023, Rashmi Shukla was appointed as the Director General of which organisation?
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Answer: (A) Sashastra Seema Bal
Explanation
Rashmi Shukla, a senior Indian Police Service officer of the 1988 batch from the Maharashtra cadre, was appointed as the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal in March 2023. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved her appointment to the post heading the border-guarding force, which is responsible for guarding India's borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
436General Awareness
Which of the following statements is/are correct
I - Maximum National Parks in India are located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
II - Mudumalai National Park is located in Kerala.
III - The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History is located in Tamil Nadu.
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Answer: (B) Both I and III are correct
Explanation
Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of National Parks among all Indian states, currently hosting 11 national parks such as Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench. The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History is a national research institute situated in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Mudumalai National Park is located in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu rather than Kerala, making only statements I and III correct.
437General Awareness
Which of the following is NOT a mutation- based disease?
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Answer: (A) Malaria
Explanation
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Since it is caused by an external biological pathogen rather than an inherited or acquired alteration in the human DNA sequence, it is not a mutation-based disease.
438General Awareness
Which of the following countries was the host of the ICC World Test Championship Cricket final played between India and New Zealand from 18-23 June 2021?
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Answer: (D) England
Explanation
The inaugural ICC World Test Championship final (2019–2021) was hosted by England. The match between India and New Zealand was played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton from 18 to 23 June 2021, with New Zealand winning the title.
439General Awareness
Rotating Savings and Credit Association (ROSCA) was introduced by Shirley Ardener in the year ______.
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Answer: (A) 1964
Explanation
Shirley Ardener systematically conceptualized and introduced the term Rotating Savings and Credit Association (ROSCA) in her seminal paper titled The Comparative Study of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations, which was published in the year 1964 in the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. This work provided the first comprehensive comparative analysis of these informal financial institutions found worldwide.
440General Awareness
What is the penalty for a wide ball in cricket?
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Answer: (B) One run
Explanation
Under the Laws of Cricket, when a bowler delivers a wide ball, one run is awarded to the batting team as an extra. This penalty run is added directly to the team's total score, and the bowler must rebowl the delivery, as a wide ball does not count as one of the six legitimate balls in an over.
441General Awareness
The point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the centre of the earth is known as:
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Answer: (B) apogee
Explanation
The term apogee refers to the point in the elliptical orbit of a satellite, the Moon, or any other body orbiting the Earth where it is at its greatest distance from the center of the Earth. It is derived from the Greek words apo, meaning away from, and ge, meaning Earth.
442General Awareness
Which of the following food grains highly benefited from the Green Revolution?
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Answer: (B) Wheat
Explanation
The Green Revolution, initiated in India in the late 1960s, saw its most dramatic success in the production of wheat. The introduction of high-yielding semi-dwarf wheat varieties developed by Norman Borlaug, combined with improved irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and modern farming techniques, led to a monumental surge in crop yield. This phenomenal success in wheat production was so pronounced that the initial phase of the Green Revolution is widely referred to as the Wheat Revolution, transforming India from a food-deficient nation into a self-sufficient one.
443General Awareness
Who among the following confirmed Maxwell's theories with the discovery of radio waves and also became the first person to transmit and receive controlled radio waves in 1886?
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Answer: (D) Heinrich Hertz
Explanation
Heinrich Hertz was a German physicist who, in 1886, designed a series of experiments that successfully generated, transmitted, and detected electromagnetic waves in his laboratory. By proving that these waves traveled at the speed of light and possessed the properties of reflection, refraction, and polarization, he provided the definitive experimental confirmation of James Clerk Maxwell's electromagnetic theory. This groundbreaking work established the existence of electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range, laying the foundation for all modern wireless communication technologies.
444General Awareness
Article 15 of the Constitution of India entails:
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Answer: (B) prohibition of discrimination against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth
Explanation
Article 15 of the Constitution of India is a fundamental right under Part III that secures citizens against discrimination by the State. It explicitly mandates that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them. This article ensures equal access to public spaces such as shops, public restaurants, hotels, and places of public entertainment, as well as the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads, and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.
445General Awareness
Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form of:
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Answer: (A) Kerala
Explanation
Mohiniyattam is one of the classical dance forms of India, originating and developing in the state of Kerala. The dance gets its name from 'Mohini', the mythical enchantress avatar of Lord Vishnu, who uses her beauty and grace to triumph over evil. Characterized by its fluid, swaying movements of the torso and gentle footwork, the dance style embodies the lasya aspect of classical Indian dance, representing grace, beauty, and femininity. It is traditionally performed as a solo dance by women, accompanied by classical Carnatic music and singing in the Sopanam style of Kerala.
446General Awareness
What is 'Padam' in Carnatic Music?
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Answer: (A) A love poem
Explanation
Correct Answer: A
A Padam is a traditional Carnatic music composition that is essentially a love poem, focusing on the theme of sringara rasa (the emotion of love and romance). It typically depicts the intense longing of the heroine (nayika) for her beloved or the divine lord (nayaka), representing the spiritual yearning of the human soul for union with the supreme being. Because of their deep emotional expressiveness and slow tempo, Padams are highly popular in both classical music recitals and dance dramas like Bharatanatyam.
447General Awareness
In Cricket, the bowler does NOT get credit for ______.
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Answer: (D) run out
Explanation
Under the Laws of Cricket, a run out is credited to the fielder or fielders who execute the dismissal, rather than the bowler. Although the dismissal is recorded against the batting team, it does not add to the bowler's personal wicket tally in their individual bowling analysis.
448General Awareness
In which country do Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Chin and Mon ethnic groups belong?
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Answer: (B) Myanmar
Explanation
The Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Chin, and Mon are major ethnic minority groups indigenous to Myanmar. Each of these communities primarily inhabits its own distinct state named after them within the country, such as Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Chin State, and Mon State. Collectively, they constitute a significant part of Myanmar's ethnolinguistic diversity and have played prominent roles in the country's political history and federal struggles.
449General Awareness
Manipur's ______ tribe celebrates the 'Gaan-Ngai' festival, which is a post- harvest festival of the tribe living in the regions of Manipur.
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Answer: (B) Zeliangrong
Explanation
The Gaan-Ngai festival is the premier post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community, which comprises the Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Inpui tribes living across Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland. Celebrated annually at the end of the harvest season, typically in December or January, the festival is an occasion for offering gratitude to the supreme deity for a bountiful harvest, honoring departed souls, and bidding farewell to the old year while welcoming the new one. It features traditional dances, songs, congregational feasts, and various indigenous rituals and sports.
450General Awareness
Bilhan was a court poet in which of the following kingdoms?
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Answer: (B) Vikramaditya VI
Explanation
Bilhana was a celebrated 11th-century Kashmiri poet who traveled extensively across India and eventually found patronage in the Western Chalukya Empire. He became the court poet of the Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI, who ruled from Kalyani. Under his patronage, Bilhana composed the famous Sanskrit epic Vikramankadevacharita, which serves as a historical biography celebrating the life, achievements, and reign of his patron, King Vikramaditya VI.